Chapter 4: The Calm Before the Storm

More than a feeling. . .

The pair decided to go for ice cream later that day. They didn't have to start the undercover work until tomorrow, so they figured it'd be best for them to relax until then.

Olivia held the door open and watched as her girlfriend stepped through, smiling like a kid stuck in a, well... ice cream shop.

Olivia wrapped an arm around Alex's shoulder, resting her head against the Assistant District Attorney's.

"What'll it be, honey?" Olivia asked Alex as soon as they were the next to order.

Alex beamed at the word honey and giggled, "Chocolate swirl. My favorite flavor!"

I'll have to remember that, Olivia thought to herself with a small smirk. "Um. I'll have the strawberry and chocolate swirl," Olivia grinned at the cashier.

"Two cones comin' up, ladies," the teen male cashier bellowed, winking at the now startled blonde.

Alex looked up at Olivia and saw that her companion was stifling a laugh. "Shut up! That's not even remotely funny," Alex pouted, crossing her arms over her chest in a vain attempt to feign anger. Olivia sensed that Alex was pretending so she began to lightly tickle her sides. Alex wiggled out of the Detective's grasp and semi-silent peals of laughter could be heard throughout the ice cream parlor. Lucky for them, there was only a family of four seated so there weren't a whole bunch of other people staring at them; the two parents were trying to stop their two little kids from crying and starting a scene.

Suddenly, Alex's eyesight was directed to the unaware family. She wasn't staring, just observing intently. Olivia followed her eyes and winced externally. She wants kids, Olivia realized. Abruptly, all of her fears about motherhood surfaced and bubbled over.

Upon hearing Alex's desperate, longing sigh, Olivia wrapped her arms around Alex from behind. "You want a family, don't you?" Olivia whispered just right above her ear.

"Yeah, I do, Olivia. Do you?" Alex asked, her voice laden with raw emotion.

"Well, if you're offering...," Olivia started playfully.

Alex snapped at her out of irritation, "I meant for a straight answer."

"Honey, it's impossible for me to be straight," Olivia tested Alex's waters again by being silly, trying to avoid answering the question truthfully. She knew her answer would disappoint her hopeful girlfriend.

"Olivia! Stop playing around. Please, just stop," Alex's voice went from harsh to extremely soft in a matter of nano-seconds.

"Hey, Blondie. The ice cream is ready," the teenager called out, handing out each of their respective cones. Alex turned around and narrowed her eyes at the young man. "Thanks," she said taking the cone politely and turned on her heel.

"Thanks, kid," Olivia said, hoping he caught the edge in her tone for blantantly checking out her girlfriend and calling for her blondie.

Olivia followed Alex out of the store and practically had to run to catch up with her. "Whoa, slow down," Olivia breathed, holding out her hand when she finally caught up with her. "Look, Alex, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have disregarded your wants like that."

Alex stopped walking and took ahold of Olivia's hand, down-casting her misting eyes. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have forced you to consider having children when we've only been going out for a month. I was being unfair and selfish about this whole situation."

Olivia tipped Alex's head up by a single finger under her chin, effectively catching her eyes. She squeezed the hand in hers, enjoying the warmth. "It's okay. Just... How about we wait until we're ready to think about that sort of thing before we start torturing ourselves about it?" Olivia reasoned with the blonde.

Alex blushed at her own hastiness and nodded. "You're right. I'll stop thinking about that."

Olivia winked, "For now."

Alex felt an unexpected warmth rush through her being. Is this what love feels like?, Alex contemplated privately, smiling at the very thought.

Holding hands, the two ate their cones in a comfortable silence. The couple headed to the nearest park. By the time they arrived, their cones were already eaten and the napkins disposed of.

Olivia spotted a bench nearby and led the blonde to the general direction of the two-person seat. Swinging their hands between them, Alex almost skipped.

"Feeling giddy much?" Olivia questioned with a hint of amusement in her tone.

"Maybe. Just happy. Content. Loving life. Loving you," Alex murmured the last delaration, glancing over at Olivia who was currently at arm's length.

Olivia stopped precipituously, rooting her feet to the ground. "What was that last one again?" Olivia inquired softly.

"Loving you," Alex let go of Olivia's hand to sit on the bench.

Olivia smiled, it going unnoticed by her companion, and sat down beside her. Grabbing her hand, she pulled it into her lap, playing with Alex's long, nimble fingers. Olivia slouched down on the bench, laying her head in the crook of Alex's warm, soft neck. "Love you, too."

Alex's grin broadened widely. Alex laid her head on top of Olivia's. She loved the way her girlfriend's soft, silky hair tickled her chin when she did so.

Alex had a reputation—throughout her professional life, at least—for being insensate. But when she was off duty, around Olivia, she was insouciant. Always smiling, giggling uncharacteristically, and blushing over something trivial. All Olivia had to do was wink, and a light, rosy-tinted blush coloured her usually pale-complexted fair skin.

This is what true love feels like, both women thought.


I am working on the second installment of Breakdown and some more of FBINS. Review. Please and thank you.