Memory Lane
By: Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles
Chapter 6: More than Expected
Glad to have something to take her mind off where they were going, Casey spent the next two hours murmuring things in Olivia's ear, kissing her cheek, earlobe and mouth, before eventually, as sights became more familiar, growing silent.
Olivia rubbed her bare forearm as she felt her tense up and her breathing change. "Casey," she murmured. "I'm here," she said, holding her shaking hand, "and I love you. Don't forget that, okay? Now where exactly are we going?"
Casey gave quiet directions until, eventually, they stopped in front of a modest house. Casey took a deep breath and was about to suggest maybe they leave when her father walked out the front door and lifted a hand.
Olivia stopped the car as Casey's door was opened. "Casey? We're here. You can get up."
She looked at her father then glanced at Olivia again before climbing from the car, into her father's arms.
Olivia got out and grabbed the bags. "Where to?" she asked, looking concerned at Casey. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Olivia," she said, extending her hand.
Casey's father shook her hand. "Olivia Benson?" At Olivia's nod, he gave an attempt at a smile. "I've heard a lot about you. I wasn't sure who was driving Casey up. She didn't say, but I've set up the spare room if you'd like to stay."
She nodded. "Yeah, that would be great. I mean, if no one minds. I'd hate to impose. Um, may I ask your name?"
"Liam. Novak, obviously. Unless you've got married since I last spoke to you?" He glanced at Casey whose face crumbled at his attempt at a joke and she hugged him again as her tears fell.
Olivia smiled a small gentle smile. She knew this would be everything but a happy occasion, but figured you only got one chance at a first impression. "Where can I put these? And the car?"
He stroked Casey's hair in an attempt to calm her as he spoke. "You can put the car in the driveway. The bags-"
Casey drew in a breath and pulled away, wiping her eyes. "I'll show her, Dad. You can make some of your infamous hot chocolate. I've missed it."
He smiled. "All right. Your brother won't be here until tomorrow morning."
Casey nodded. "This way," she said, leading her inside.
It was much more lavishly decorated than she thought from its exterior with oil paintings on every wall, a fireplace in the living room and a grand stair case.
"Nice place. Never would've guessed."
Casey smiled at her. "Most wouldn't and, though I love...them dearly, I was happy to get on my own," she explained as they climbed up to the second floor.
"Your room will be the last on the left. Here, let me take mine," she said, opening the door to set it in before heading that way.
Opening the door, Olivia found it way out of her league. Her jaw dropped. "Does your family always live like this?"
Casey gave a shrug. "The paintings are mostly my... mum's. The furniture is my grandparents'. My dad can make things and fix things, so everything else is as good as new."
Olivia nodded in acknowledgement, going over to sit on the bed. "This place is...amazing!" She expected Casey to join her, but she stood still as a statue. Then Olivia noticed her shaking and walked over.
"Casey?" she asked as she fell into her arms. "Oh Casey! I know it's hard, but...you don't have to go through it alone. I'll be here, your dad, your brother...we'll all make it okay," she answered, rubbing her back, not paying attention as Liam eased the door open, a tray of hot chocolate in his grasp.
"Olivia?" he asked. "Were you really there all along for her?"
Instantly her hands dropped, but Casey whined so she put them back into position while looking at him. "Yes. Yes sir, I was. She's...a very good friend of mine and, well, I'd do just about anything for her."
He gave a nod. "Good." He put the tray down on the table next to the door. "I'm just going out to get some things, I'm sure Casey will show you anything you need." At Olivia's nod, he left the room, shutting the door softly.
"You didn't have to say that, Olivia," she said, wiping her eyes with her hand while handing Olivia a cup of hot chocolate and sitting on the bed with her own.
Olivia sat beside her. "Yeah, I did. He needed to know someone was there for you. When my mother passed, I was numb to it. Of course, I'd always known she was a chronic alcoholic, but I didn't let anyone help me. I worked through it."
"What happened?"
Olivia sighed. "She fell down the stairs near the entrance to the Velvet Room. The injuries were too great to do anything," she replied, sipping at it.
Casey reached across and squeezed her hand. "I wish I'd been there for you.'
She smiled. "I know you would've tried, but I can't say I would've let you."
Casey lent across and gave her a rather chocolately kiss. "I have ways."
Olivia smiled. "Oh yes. I know, but being where we are we're gonna have to be careful...unless... Do they know?"
Casey nodded, taking another sip of her drink. "Since I gave my brother a black eye for trying to hit on my girlfriend…when I was about 10."
Olivia laughed. "Really? Oh, that is bad? So how old is your brother?" she asked as Casey leaned into her.
Casey was quiet for a while, marveling at how right it felt to touch Olivia, nestle against her and breath in her perfume. "Three years older than me. He still tries to hit on my girlfriends and I still give him black eyes."
Olivia smiled, keeping quiet for a bit. "So, if he hits on me is he gonna get one? 'Cause I don't even know if we're a 'we' or an 'us' or—"
Casey lifted her head and kissed her once more. "I'd give him two black eyes for you."
"Should I be flattered or afraid to see your bad side?" she asked smiling.
"Uh...both?" Casey gently hit her on the arm and Olivia feigned pain, making Casey smile.
Olivia pouted playfully, setting their cups back on the tray and walking back over. "So, house rules are...?"
"If you get pregnant before you finish school, you have to go and live with your grandmother." Casey grabbed the bottom of Olivia's shirt and pulled her closer
Olivia grinned. "Well, I don't see that happening, but Casey," she said, grabbing her hands. "Stop."
Casey looked hurt and her hands dropped. "What, were you just using me to make the drive go faster?"
She shook her head, taking her hands. "No, but I just think you're feeling a little vulnerable right now. That maybe this isn't what you want."
"I am not vul—"
Olivia pressed a finger to her lips to make her stop talking. "Casey, yes you are. What you want is comfort, to be held, loved and told that everything will be okay. Eventually, yes, I would love for this to happen, but not now. Does that make sense?"
Casey hesitated before giving a slight nod. "As long as you know that's not the reason I said-"
Once more, Olivia put a finger to her lips, then stood, taking her hand gently. "How about you show me the rest of the house?" She squeezed Casey's hand and let her lean against her for a few moments before edging her from the room.
Casey followed her. "So, what do you want to see first?"
She shrugged. "Whatever you want to show me. This place is huge. I'm glad you're here. I have, absolutely no sense of direction," she said, taking her hand gently.
Author's Note: What do you think?
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Thanks to my Beta:Tiger(dot)Lily(dot)Weasley(dot)757
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Liv-x-Lex4Ever & E. Scribbles