"Ms. Cabot, this is Olivia Benson. Ms. Benson, this is Alexandra Cabot," Paul said as he gestured for Olivia to take a seat next to Alex.
"Excuse me?" Alex questioned, looking at Paul with a frown. Who the hell was this woman?
"Ms. Cabot, I'll explain momentarily if you'd just—"
"Where are they?" Olivia cut in, her voice rough around the edges which took Alex by surprise. She turned to look at the brunette now who had her gaze fixed on Paul just like she did seconds earlier. "Where are Benjie and Lexie?"
Alex gasped at their names being mentioned, especially little Alexandra's nickname being used. Obviously this woman had known them in some form. "Who the hell are you?" Alex questioned, her patience wearing thin as she narrowed her gaze at this woman. By the looks of this woman, she was a blue collar worker, what job she had though, she couldn't quite place. She wondered momentarily if this woman was from Claire's past, maybe someone that had been through what Claire had been through as well. Or maybe she had been the one to subject Claire to her past.
She couldn't stop her jaw from clenching as the brunette turned to look at her with a look that could kill. "Someone who gives a shit about those two children and not the money," Olivia growled out, her eyes trailing down Alex's body, taking in the pristine suit that probably cost more than a month's rent for her.
"Excuse me?"
"Ladies, ladies!" Paul exclaimed as he rose from the desk, obviously not predicting this outburst from either woman. "Please, give me a moment to explain. Claire and Adam Dumont had a will written up in cases of emergency such as this one. Upon their deaths, they had both agreed and signed upon having two godmothers."
Both women's eyes widened as the gawked at Paul, and then the other. "Olivia Benson and Alexandra Cabot, the Dumont's have left you their entire estate and funds in the event of their passing. Both of you are named as equal beneficiaries. Along with this, assuming you agree, you are both awarded joint custody of Benjamin Dumont and Alexandra Dumont."
Alex nearly snapped when he said 'awarded' as if her niece and nephew were a prize for winning a game. "Now, there is a contract already in place that both of you must sign should you agree to share custody of the children."
"And if we don't agree to share custody?" Alex quickly questioned as she glanced over at the brunette, wondering how the hell she was awarded custody and how she had never heard anything about this woman.
"You two can attempt to settle it out in court in that case but it was specifically stated that in that case, the children would be put into foster care." Alex gawked at his words. Claire would never willingly allow her children to go into foster care so she knew it was a way for them to stop her from arguing this.
"If you don't want them, leave," Olivia practically growled out as she turned to the brunette, misinterpreting her question.
"Excuse me? That is my nephew and niece you're referring to. I would never abandon them and leave them to someone like…someone like you!" Alex spat out, the distaste obvious in her voice.
"Someone like me? Someone who actually works, Ms. Cabot? Because by the looks of it you were born and bred rich, just like Adam but unlike him, you're a stuck up bitch. Is that why you're here? So you can get their estate and money? Because if that's what you want, take it all but leave the children. I will not allow them to be neglected by someone like you."
Alex's eyes widened as she reached out for the brunette, the flat of her palm connecting with a tan cheek. "How dare you! How dare you accuse me of wanting their money! Adam was like a brother to me and Claire a sister! I prosecuted the asshole who was abusing her and introduced them! I'm the godmother of those two beautiful children who are now parentless and little Lexie was named after me! They are MY family, MY children, not yours!"
Both Paul and Olivia were speechless as they gaped at the blonde who now had bright red cheeks from anger; her cheeks were even redder than Olivia's, despite being slapped rather soundly by Alex. "Ms. Cabot…" Paul tried.
"NO!" She snapped as she turned to him. "You stay the hell out of this! Your only job was to tell us what you just did now give me that damn contract and give me my niece and nephew before I get my lawyer down here." Paul opened up his mouth to speak but Alex held up a warning finger, stopping him cold. "I have the means to end you, Mr. Green. Get me that damn contract and a pen. The moment I am done signing that paper, I expect my niece and nephew to be waiting for me outside so that I can take them home."
"No." Alex's neck snapped to the side which such a force that Olivia thought her neck would break. "They're not yours to take," Olivia stated as she stood up, reaching the same height as the angry blonde. "We have joint custody and I dare you to take me to court. I know every judge in New York and they will vouch for my character but if you know what's good for you, you won't fight me for custody. Those children don't deserve to go into foster care. Your ignorant mind has no clue what happens to children that go into foster care. I do. I've seen it all and I will never let you subject them to that even if it means sharing custody with you."
Alex pursed her lips, trying to reel in her rage. When the door shut, indicating that Paul had left, she closed her eyes. "What do you want?" She whispered so quietly that Olivia barely heard it. "My money? Their money? I'll give you it all," Alex stated as she opened up her eyes to finally look at warm brown orbs. "Please, I'll give you anything you want, just let me take my niece and nephew. I know you don't like me and you think I'm this horrible person but I love those two children with all I have."