Chapter Seven:

A Night of Sweet Freedom

AAA

Alex glanced at her wife as the brunette stood in the closet, slowly, nonchalantly moving hangers to the right, plastic sliding across wood, in perusing her section of clothing, although they had already decided on their outfits earlier in the week, both having agreed and approved of each other's ensembles well ahead of time.

"Olivia…they're gonna be here any minute…" Alex slipped her foot into her other black, open-toed Steve Madden pump and glanced at herself in the bureau mirror, patting her lips together a few times to distribute the fire engine red lipstick that she had already applied. "Lana and Maggie are already downstairs with the kids."

Maggie Larson was a fellow law student of Lana Collins', and had agreed to help Lana out tonight with four children to watch—Theo, Grace, Isabel, and Kimberly—while little JJ stayed with his Aunt Carolyn for the night in Queens. Little did Maggie know what she had agreed to.

"I got it, Babe, don't worry…I'm almost ready…" Olivia, still in only her black bra and panty set, passed her wife on her way out of the closet, slapped the blonde's backside firmly, and went back into the bathroom.

"Ow!" Alex actually squealed. "Jeez, Liv…remember how strong you are…" Alex rubbed her backside before looking at herself in the mirror and brushing off her dress.

"My hot wife is gonna be so shown off tonight," Olivia called from the bathroom.

Alex leaned back and watched as her wife placed the bathmat over the top of the shower door and then emerged again. "Get dressed, Babe…" Alex's tone was even. "It feels so wrong saying that to you…telling you to put clothing on…so very, very wrong…" Alex smirked, placing the second rhinestone stud through her earring hole.

The blonde had chosen a black, sequined, cap-sleeved dress that had a deep V in the front, extending all the way down past her cleavage, but just leaving enough to the imagination. With her hair in a perfectly combed low bun with a side part, glasses off for the evening, she was ready.

Olivia passed behind her again and went back into the closet before quickly emerging holding her burgundy chiffon dress up. It was long sleeved but, at the shoulders, there was a split of the fabric that extended to her wrists, and would reveal the toned, tanned arm muscles of her wife. Olivia held the dress up to her body, looking at herself in the mirror, "Not too short?"

Alex looked at it against her body, the dress falling to just above her knee, "I don't think so…but once you get it on, that Liv-booty will make it rise it up in the back…" Alex smiled, grabbing her wife's left ass cheek and gripping.

Olivia smirked, "Well, then…it's settled…the booty-rising dress, it is…"

"Olivia, we decided on that dress three days ago now…come on…get ready!" Alex leaned in and kissed her wife firmly before grabbing her black clutch from the bed and moving toward the door. "I'll go down and wait for Casey and Jonathan and Fin and Melinda…"

OOO

Olivia slipped the dress on over her head. They were going out for Casey's fortieth birthday, the whole crew of friends, leaving the kids at home. The babysitters had a strict schedule to have them all in bed at eight. Kimberly was to sleep in the twins' old crib—Isabel and Grace were now sleeping in a bed with a high safety gate due to Izzie's recent, now-multiple, escapes—and Theo in his 'big boy' bed, as Olivia called it in order to make it sound more appealing than sleeping with the ladies. They had gotten him a twin bed for his fourth birthday, promising him a matching bunk when he turned eight. Even though Theo liked the idea of being independent, he still tried, every now and then, to cuddle with his mommies. But it only happened in a very few certain instances—storms, monsters, and the occasional, rare times he was feeling under the weather.

The friends were first going to dinner, and then the plan was to head to a swanky jazz bar afterward for a birthday drink. Alex and Jonathan had already worked, in tandem, to order the red head a cake that would be brought to the table, a saxophonist at Club Cashmere playing Happy Birthday for her.

The brunette applied a slight amount of make-up—foundation, and blush—and then really made her eyes up for the evening including three coats of mascara, a layer of dramatic eyeliner with a dark shimmery eye shadow, and then topped it off with a deep wine-colored lipstick. It had been a while since she had been out as an adult and she was ready to have a good time with her beautiful blonde wife.

She smoothed her sleek, shoulder-length bob down, smiled at herself, checking her teeth for color, grabbed her clutch from the bed, turned off the lights, and made her way down the stairs.

… … … … … …

AAA

Alex pressed the green icon on her phone and put it to her ear, listening as it rang. She looked at herself in the mirror and smoothed a fly-away down to stay put. She knew she shouldn't be calling again but, for some reason, she felt a slight apprehension this evening about leaving all four children with two young women who weren't mothers, themselves.

The blonde watched as Olivia entered the restroom, the brunette smiling at her and shaking her head and making a tisking sound with her tongue. Alex turned to face the other way. She'd been caught, as this was the third time in an hour she had called home.

"They're fine, Babe…" Olivia put her hands on Alex's shoulders, rubbing them gently. "Those girls are never gonna babysit for us again, Al…let them be...if something—"

"Hi, Lana? First of all…I know I'm being obsessive but I just hope everything is OK…uh huh…" Alex turned around now and focused on her wife's gold and ruby pendant necklace that hung down to her belly button, "…oh…oh, did he?" Alex looked up now, into Olivia's eyes, and smiled, "…that sounds just like Theo…"

Olivia looked at her expectantly; Alex just smiled.

"OK…I promise you I will only call one more time before we head home…" Alex held her pinky up to the brunette, "I'm pinky swearing with my wife right now…"

The two hooked pinkies and Olivia giggled, shaking her head and mouthing the word liar.

Olivia placed her hands on Alex's waist and leaned into the phone, "I'll have to hide her phone for that to happen," she said loudly before kissing the blonde's cheek and looking into her eyes.

"OK, Lana…thanks for being so understanding with my neuroticism…OK…talk to you later…" Alex pressed the red icon, ending the call. Alex tilted her head, looking at her wife, "I know it's too much, Liv…trust me, I do…but I feel…uneasy for some reason…"

Olivia took Alex's face into her hands, "They're fine, Alex…" she kissed her gently, "…just fine…now…" her hands moved to the blonde's waist and then further down, "…mama's feeling very mellow and warm right now and we should probably not be alone in a public place at this point in time because I can't guarantee acting like the absolute lady that everyone thinks I am." Olivia smiled.

They had both had their share of red wine already with their delicious meal, a friendly buzz had by both.

"You came in here, Liv…apparently to spy on me," Alex smirked.

"That I did, Baby…that I did…" Olivia's eyes sparkled.

"They had ice cream and Theo insisted on doing the dishes. Lana said he was actually gonna cry if they didn't let him. So Maggie got his stool from upstairs and put it in front of the sink and helped him…she said it was the cutest thing. She said that he washed them so diligently, so carefully, and then he would pass them to her and she dried them. Then when they were done, she told him 'good teamwork' and they high fived. Theo was over the moon at being able to help."

Olivia laughed, "He's so precious…hey…maybe there's an Exploration Station for that skill, Al…we'll have to start letting him do the dishes at home and help out with more chores…"

Alex laughed, the two linking arms and heading toward the doors, "The second he gets a pan with crusted on grease, he'll be through with that phase…"

Olivia pushed the door open, "After you…I'll have to make lasagna soon," she giggled.

Once outside of the bathroom, Alex turned to her wife, looking her face over lovingly, "Thanks, Liv…for humoring me…" The blonde kissed her quickly on the lips.

"Always, Al…I will always humor you…"

… … … … … …

OOO

After dinner, the six-some exited the restaurant, buttoning coats, wrapping scarves, and slipping on gloves for the chilly evening as they stood outside of Carmine's Ristorante Italiano on the Upper West Side, deciding where to go next.

"Thanks for dinner, guys…" Casey rasped, already linking arms with Jonathan, and pulling him closer. "That manicotti was to die for. Best I've ever had…"

He leaned over and kissed her softly.

"Anything for our forty-year-old best friend…not quite over the hill, Novak, but gettin' there…" Fin offered. "Where you wanna end the night and throw down at, counselor?"

"What are our options?" Casey questioned, blowing on her hands.

Jonathan grabbed both of her hands and began warming them in his own, neither having brought gloves on this mid-December evening.

"Well, there's Club Cashmere which is like a smooth jazz kind of place…" Melinda offered, buttoning up her black wool coat and tightening her purple scarf. "I think that's where we were originally going, right?" Melinda turned to Fin.

"I don't know…" Fin turned to Jonathan, a questioning look on his face. "Jonathan?"

"That was one possibility…" Jonathan replied.

"Then there's that new one, Club Azul, that plays upscale urban music…" Olivia tried.

Alex looked at Olivia who was already smirking at her. Olivia had mentioned that if they were going to go somewhere and dance, she hoped it would be somewhere that Alex could freely grab her ass.

"I think at a place like that…this one will come home sweating after her booty-shaking workout…" Alex nodded her head in her wife's direction and slipped her arm around the brunette's waist.

"You know me so well, Al…" Olivia kissed her jaw gently.

Alex smiled, "I think there's a classical quartet playing in the park…"

Everyone looked at her like she had sprouted wings and grown horns.

"I think there's even a chorale of the Hallelujah Chorus…" Alex tried, looking around at the incredulous faces. "What? It is the Christmas season, guys…"

Olivia pulled her tighter, "God, you're so cute…but, Babe…I think we want a birthday night cap or special shot for the birthday girl and maybe we should keep it classy for your fortieth, Case…besides…I think your husband has something else planned, as well…" Olivia winked at Jonathan.

"Oh, you do, do you?" Casey oozed, her face close to her husband's.

"You trying to ruin it, Olivia?" Jonathan smiled. "Can I speak to you in my office…?"

Olivia smiled and joined Jonathan by a parking meter near the curb, the rest of the group chatting.

"Your friend from work is still bringing the cake, right?" Olivia asked, giggling.

Jonathan looked like he had had enough. He appeared exhausted from work, from their two-year-old at home, and from the indecisiveness and last-minute changing of the places.

"He is supposed to bring it to Café Cashmere at nine…and that's in…" Jonathan looked at his watch, "…thirty minutes.

Olivia felt arms slither around her from behind and a chin on her shoulder and her wife's classic scent as all three entered in her presence.

"What are we talking about?" Alex asked.

"The cake…the plan was Café Cashmere…" Olivia offered.

"Then, let's head to Café Cashmere," Alex declared matter-of-factly. "I hear they make a mean apple martini…" Alex winked at her wife.

"Uh-oh…we're in trouble…" Olivia smiled, Alex pinching her side firmly.

"Olivia?" a male voice questioned from close-by.

Olivia looked toward the voice and saw an older, handsome, gray-haired man with a tall stature and kind eyes. "Yes?" Olivia truly had no idea who this person, that apparently knew her name, was.

"Olivia Benson?" He came closer now, his expression awed.

"Yes, I'm Olivia Benson…Benson-Cabot now…" she smiled at Alex who was looking at the man, curiosity spread across that porcelain face.

"Gabe Hollister…Professor Gabriel Hollister…from Siena?" he tried.

Olivia felt the blood drain from her face, gravity taking it to the ground. Her knees gave out slightly and she wobbled, her stomach becoming instantly nauseated. "Professor Hollister…Gabe…" she tried a smile, but felt anything but, knowing it looked plastic, her lips shaking through the forced grin.

"You're still in New York, then…I always wondered if you would be a New Yorker for life…how have you been?"

Olivia looked at Alex, the blonde's expression flat. The brunette turned back to the man, "I'm wonderful, actually…better than I ever could have imagined…" Olivia turned to Alex again, "This is Alex, my wife…"

Stunned for only a brief moment, Gabriel Hollister held his hand out and Alex shook it gently.

"Very nice to meet you…" Mr. Hollister studied the blonde.

"Likewise…" Alex said softly.

Gabe turned back to Olivia, his eyes looking her over, "You look…amazing, Olivia…it's been twenty-five years since you were sitting in my class…and you haven't aged a second. Are you still with the force? Special Victim's Unit was it?"

"I wa—how did you know?" Olivia stuttered.

"The news…the papers…you've been a popular girl over the past fifteen years but I haven't seen you in those sources or venues lately."

"I work at the precinct a couple days a week now…Alex and I have three little ones at home…" Olivia looked at Alex who looked like she wished this conversation would end as soon as possible. The look on her face told Olivia that she had already pieced everything together, even though Olivia had never said his name. She looked back at Professor Hollister, "I work at a housing shelter for abused men and women the other days of the week…it's better stress-wise and safer for me now that we have the kids…"

Possibly sensing the tension, Fin came up to the foursome, "Liv…we gotta go if we're gonna make it in time…"

Olivia looked at Fin and although the mocha detective wasn't aware of the definite plans Jonathan had already made, he obviously sensed that something was up and the situation needed rescuing.

"Well, I won't keep you…" He looked into Olivia's eyes deeply, "…it was good seeing you again after all this time…take care, Olivia…" he turned to Alex once more, "…it was nice meeting you, Alex…"

Alex nodded and Gabriel Hollister walked away, down the street a little ways, crossed, hailed a cab, got in, and drove off.

Olivia looked at her wife now, Alex's hands going to her shoulders.

"Olivia…are you OK?" Alex began rubbing her upper arms soothingly.

Olivia closed her mouth, unaware that it had been open, and relaxed her face from the raised eyebrows that she had been holding, unknowingly. The brunette closed her eyes and took a deep, slow breath, before opening them and gazing into understanding, cerulean orbs. She then furrowed her brow, looking off to the side towards the ground, before looking back at Alex.

"Sixty-nine…" Olivia said softly.

"What?" Alex questioned, wiping something from below Olivia's left eye with her thumb before resting her hands on her arms again.

"He would be sixty-nine…he was twenty-three years older than I was so he would be sixty-nine…" Olivia shook her head, "I can't believe we just ran into him…twenty-five years later…"

"Hey…" Alex began, still rubbing her arms, "…are you OK, Liv?"

Olivia melted at Alex's warm expression and placed her hand on the blonde's cheek, "Yeah, Babe…" Olivia pulled her wife to her, hugging her tightly, "…I'm fine…" she whispered.

"Who was that?" Casey questioned, the group now having moved to form a circle around the Benson-Cabots.

Olivia pulled away, "It's a long story…let's go get that drink and I'll tell you about it…" Olivia smiled at her wife and they put their arms around each other's waists.

"Sounds good…" Casey smiled.

The six headed to the curb to hail a cab and go to their final stop for the evening, ready to unwind and celebrate a very dear friend's mere existence.

… … … … … …

The club was nice—upscale, elegant, classy. A pianist, a trumpeter, a saxophonist, upright bass player, and a sultry, soulful singer who greatly resembled Billy Holliday, sang songs like Summertime, Them There Eyes, and The Very Thought of You—all such romantic songs, that all the couples danced most of the time.

The cake had been brought out, a simple round, four-layer Chocolate mousse cake—Casey's favorite—candles were blown out, and Happy Birthday was sung by the beautiful crooner on stage, accompanied by the brilliant saxophonist and pianist.

They ate and drank and were very merry. The only one not drinking was Jonathan. With five years of sobriety, he was the designated decision-maker for the evening.

Dr. Cabot received a call around eleven from the hospital. A patient had been brought in and quarantined on the suspicion of multiple drugs in his system, but they suspected he might have been exposed to a possibly toxic agent, as well. Being the only one with a high level of expertise in this particular department, after having worked in the infectious diseases unit at Mercy for almost four years, he was the number one man to call.

So, he kissed his wife, said his goodbyes, and headed to the hospital, the ladies promising to get his wife back to the Benson-Cabot townhouse safely.

"You ready, guys?" Fin questioned. "We told Carolyn we'd be in Queens to pick JJ up by midnight…"

Alex jolted slightly, realizing, she hadn't been paying attention to the time for a while, especially after the apple martinis began their visitations. She felt Olivia's hand clasp her shoulder firmly as she took her cell phone from her purse and checked the time, 11:38. She looked to her left at the gorgeous brunette next to her.

Heavy-lidded, chocolate eyes met hers as the brunette stifled a yawn. "Ready, Babe? We gotta relieve the guards…" she joked.

"Yeah, I think so…" Alex smiled, feeling extreme exhaustion hit her now, two glasses of wine and two martinis later and she was ready to lay down and close her eyes. But first, motherly duties called.

"Case? You OK?" Olivia looked at their friend, eyes glazed over, staring at a spot on the table.

"I…am feeling great…I haven't had anything to drink since before I met your brother…remember?" Casey starting giggling, "When I went on that cleanse?" Casey's laughter got louder, "Remember that?" she yelled, mouth open, eyes closed, laughing hysterically.

"We remember, Case…" Olivia offered. "You're gonna stay at our place until Jonathan comes to get you, OK? Kimberly is already sleeping, so all you have to do is wait for your husband…"

Casey nodded, head falling back, eyes closed.

Before leaving, typical arguments about the check were had before the waiter informed them that Jonathan had already settled the bill and paid for everything. Then the five-some grabbed their coats and headed into the night air, ready to end an evening of celebration. Fin hailed a cab and they piled in, off to the Upper East Side.

… … … … … …

OOO

At three-thirty in the morning, Olivia closed the refrigerator door before she poured a glass of water from the Brita pitcher, drank half of the contents, and then filled it back up. God, she was thirsty. Alcohol really did dehydrate you. She put the pitcher back into the refrigerator, peered around inside for a moment, contemplating a snack, and then shut the door, yawning widely and stretching her arms in the air. In only a white tank top and a pair of oversized flannel pajama bottoms, she felt chilled, and hoped she didn't run into anyone for them to notice how chilled she was.

Upon arrival back at the townhouse, they had made sure Casey was tucked away in bed, her drunk ass mumbling something about Jonathan giving her a big present for her birthday and giggling, the ladies not quite getting it, but really not wishing to know more.

Olivia and Alex had then said goodbye to Lana and Maggie and checked in on the kids before washing faces, brushing teeth, and slipping into bed. But Olivia's thirst couldn't be ignored. It had actually woken her up—giving her severe dry mouth as she slept. And so, she slipped from bed, Alex out cold and in a deep sleep, and came downstairs for a glass of water.

Olivia went to lift her glass from the counter to carry it back upstairs when she heard moaning coming from the guest room next to the garage, just off the kitchen and living room. She paused, listening, but really trying not to listen. Was Casey getting sick? The woman did have a lot to drink for someone who hadn't had anything in a long time.

Olivia now lifted her glass and moved to place her bare feet on the hard wooded hallway separating the kitchen from the living room. Another moan—this one long and drawn out—a moan of definite pleasure, followed by a giggle and a pleading of 'More Jonathan…'.

A slow smile crept across Olivia's face and she put her palm to her forehead, closing her eyes and shaking her head. She really didn't want to hear this. No way did she want to hear this. Their best friend and her brother-in-law were ten feet away, getting it on.

Absolutely, no way…no, thank you.

Olivia began to tiptoe down the hallway just as the guestroom door creaked open and then closed just as quickly.

Olivia froze, eyes open wide, and now had to make the decision to either run or hide.

It was dark downstairs, the only light in the kitchen was the soft glow of moonlight coming in through the kitchen windows below the cabinets and the larger window where the dining table was. Other than that, the other spots and areas were dark shadows—places near the floor, nooks and crannies here and there. On light feet, Olivia stepped backward, next to the island, and dropped and crouched, her glass of water spilling all over her knees, feet, and chest of her sheer tank.

She fought the urge to squeal from the coldness. Her ability to remain quiet in an undercover situation left a lot to be desired. Her career as a detective should have had her well-practiced in this art form. But here she was—a bumbling idiot. She briefly wondered where the other two stooges were.

Her balance gave out and she almost fell backwards now that she was crouched, her left hand grabbing on to the corner of the kitchen island, supporting her from falling as the water sloshed once again, partly from being slightly inebriated but mostly from being exhausted.

She watched in silence as Jonathan opened the refrigerator and looked inside. She saw him grab a couple of Greek yogurts, a couple of Honeycrisp apples, and the pitcher of water, all in his big arms. He shut the refrigerator and blindly set everything on the counter, Olivia hearing as something hit the baseboard and loud Ooof! was heard from the burly man as he apparently stubbed his toe.

Olivia smiled, possibly seeing this as her chance to escape now that he was distracted. She stood and turned her back, attempting to tip-toe away, when the whole kitchen lit up unexpectedly. She stopped in her tracks, arms dramatically paused in a running position, right heel off the ground, closing her eyes and bringing her lips inward. Maybe if she stayed still?

"Olivia?"

Nonchalantly, she stayed facing away from him, "Hey, Jonathan!" she said way too enthusiastically. "Just getting water…" She held up her near empty glass, not wanting to turn around from her wetness of her top. Braless, her goods wouldn't be hidden.

"You OK?"

Olivia turned her head and smiled, her body still facing away. She set her glass on the island and crossed her arms over her chest, making sure to cover her nipple area with her forearms, looking quite uncomfortable, she knew. "I'm good, Jonathan…just thirsty after all those drinks…you OK? Hungry? There's some pot roast in there and some pie if you want it…coconut cream…" She eyed the food on the counter and looked back at her towering brother-in-law, smiling.

Jonathan laughed, "No, no pie…thanks…yeah…uh…Casey was…uh…hungry…we need…sustenance…" His turquoise eyes sparkled.

Olivia smirked, shaking her head. She knew exactly what Jonathan was experiencing right now as far as the red head laying in the guest room bed went. In the past, when Casey drank she became one of two things—incredibly weepy or incredibly horny. Tonight, apparently, was no exception.

"What? What is it? What am I missing?" Jonathan moved to get two glasses from the cabinet.

"No…nothing…" Olivia giggled, looking around for any item of clothing she could put on. Her eyes lit up when she spotted a pink I Love New York sweatshirt Alex had left draped over one of the kitchen chairs. She moved to get it. Keeping her back turned, she slipped it on over her head before returning to the conversation with her brother-in-law. Although the sweatshirt fit her snugly, she felt much better—warmer and less exposed.

"What do you mean…nothing…I think you do know something…" Jonathan poured two glasses of water and held the pitcher in the air, looking at Olivia's near-empty glass.

"Well…I think you're experiencing a side of Casey you've never seen before but Alex and I know very well…" Olivia moved to where Jonathan was and he filled up her glass. "Thanks…" She took a sip and moved back to lean against the island with both elbows, setting her glass down first.

"This side of Casey…out of control." He said the last part in an accentuated whisper. "She's wearing me out…I got here at…" he glanced at the clock on the microwave above the counter, "…two thirty and she hasn't stopped…I haven't stopped…we haven't stopped…"

Olivia couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head, "Yep…that's the amorous side of our girl…"

"Don't get me wrong…I love it when she gets like this but…" His face turned into a pout, now—a big man pouting—and Olivia laughed even harder now, "…I'm sooooo tired, Olivia…" He took two spoons from the drawer next to the refrigerator and bundled everything in his arms again. "Well…I gotta go back…before she comes out here…" Jonathan smirked.

"Hey Jonathan…"

Jonathan stopped, almost to the door, and turned.

"Can we expect another little Cabot soon?"

"God help me…" he mumbled, smiled, entered the bedroom, and closed the door.

Olivia stood, smiling to herself, shook her head, grabbed her water, turned the light off, and headed upstairs.

AAA

Alex felt the bed jostle and then her wife's cold feet hit her right calf.

"Jesus, Olivia…" Alex mumbled.

"Are you awake?" the brunette asked.

Alex could feel her wife's face right in front of her own, even in the darkness, the brunette's shadow blocking the nighttime light from her vision. "What time is it?" Alex questioned, stretching and yawning fully, squeaking at the end.

"Three forty-five…your poor brother…"

"What? What's happening?" Alex moaned, closing her eyes and trying to enter sleep once again.

"Casey's got him held prisoner…you know how she can get…"

Alex opened her eyes and smiled, "Oh, no…Amorous Casey tonight?"

Alex's eyes were adjusting to the darkness now and she could see Olivia propped up on her left elbow, inches from her.

Olivia got out of bed now and moved to the dresser, opening a drawer, taking something out, and closing it. Alex watched, in the moonlight, as her wife removed her top and put a dark tank top on.

"Liv?"

"I spilled water on myself downstairs…" Olivia moved to the hamper and placed the clothing inside.

"Liv?"

"Yeah, Babe?" Olivia came back around to her side and slipped back into bed.

"About running into your college professor…how are you doing about that? You were kind of quiet at Café Cashmere…"

"Yeah, Al…" Olivia wrapped her arm around the blonde's waist, holding her firmly. "It was a shock, for sure…in college…that was such a strange time in my life…I was away from home for the first time…I was so young…I didn't grow up with a father…my uncle was an asshole…Professor Hollister was a male figure that was kind to me and I took to him very easily…almost too easily."

Alex began stroking Olivia's hair, "I know Babe…you needed that in your life…you had never had it…"

Alex felt Olivia shake her head against her shoulder, "I wasn't attracted to him…but I did love him…his warmth, his security…the sex just came with it…my heart was in it when we were intimate but my body never was…I can't explain it…does that make sense?"

Alex moved her fingers to stroke her wife's upper arm now, the brunette's silky skin beneath her touch, "He filled a void in your life, Liv…that paternal void…If I hadn't had my father around, I might have done the same thing…"

"I know…that's exactly what it was…"

They lay for a few moments, just being—listening to each other's breathing, calming and slowing.

"But a woman's body…" Olivia began, "…nothing compares…more specifically…this body…" Olivia's hand crept upward now, gently gripping the blonde's left breast through her cotton night shirt. "This one does it to me every…single…time…"

"Speaking of horny…" Alex giggled as Olivia straddled her and began feeling the blonde up, kissing her neck, running fingers through her hair, the two laughing hysterically.

"Mama?" Theo's voice questioned from the doorway.

Olivia moved off of Alex and sat up, "Baby? What is it, Theo?"

"My tummy hurts…" he whined.

Alex could hear his sniffs as he stepped closer. Alex sat up now, too.

"Come on, Baby…come here…" Olivia patted the bed in between them.

Theo climbed on top and crawled toward them, wedging his way in between them, lying on his back. Olivia's hand went to his belly, their son in a navy blue fleece onesie, complete with back and front flaps. The brunette began rubbing gentle circles on his rounded belly. She leaned over and kissed his cheek softly.

"Did you have too much ice cream, Theo?" Alex asked.

Theo shook his head.

"Did you eat too much of anything, Baby?" Olivia said softly.

"No, Mama…I missed you…you were gone too long…" Theo whispered.

Within seconds, Theo had his left hand intertwined with Alex's locks and his right hand gripping a handful of Olivia's hair, his little hands squeezing contentedly, breathing slowing, little snores emerging.

"Oh, Al…" Olivia said softly. "He missed us…"

"How can we deny him sleeping here now?" Alex whispered.

"He's our first, Al…our first baby…and he'll always be our first…big brother, Theo...no matter how old he is, he'll always be our little boy..."

"I know, Babe…" Alex leaned closer to Olivia and kissed her softly, "…goodnight, Liv…I love you…"

"I love you, Al…goodnight…"

Within moments, Alex heard Olivia and Theo's breathing almost in unison, heavy, content and peaceful. She knew that seeing Professor Hollister had been difficult but Alex was proud of her wife. In twenty-five years, she had grown as a person, as a soul, as an individual.

And she couldn't have been prouder of the woman she loved.

… … … … … …

A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews and follows. I treasure all of them.

The reference to Professor Hollister goes back to Love Won't Leave : Part II, Chapter 29, when Alex and Olivia are on the beach and Olivia tells Alex about her past relationships. His name was never mentioned until now.

I hope you liked it! Thank you for reading!

Remember: The Spotify Playlist is now under:

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