Title: Expect The Unexpected
Disclaimer: I do not own Law and Order: Criminal Intent or Law and Order: SVU, Dick Wolf and NBC-USA networks do.
Author's Note: Ok I am guessing you guys are probably wondering about Lewis, well he makes his appearance in this chapter!
Rating: T/T+ (from now to the end of the story)
Chapter 7: Preparations for Their Cherished Day
Previously
Alex's eyes widened as Bobby momentarily let go of her hands. He pulls out a small velvet ring box which causes the audience to buzz with sudden excitement. Getting down on one knee, he opens the box and asks after Alex lets out an audible gasp, "Miss Alexandra Tricia Eames, I cannot imagine living my life without any longer. Will do the honors in becoming my wife, will you marry me?"
Completely caught off guard, Alex took a few minutes to recover from the sudden shock to her system. Her boyfriend of two and a half years, the guy who she has been in love with since their first date had proposed.
In the meantime Alex C. and Casey were in the audience when they heard the romantic marriage proposal.
"Ohhh I hope she says yes," said Alex C.
"Of course she's going to say yes," replied Casey.
She then answered as loud as she could because she wanted everyone to hear her answer, "Yes a definite yes; Robert Oliver Goren I will marry you!"
Her fellow graduates and the commencement crowd all cheered deafeningly after Alex gave her response while Bobby removed the promise ring but instantly slid a one carat three stone round white and blue diamond accented 14K Yellow Gold ring on her finger and got up and gave Alex a amorous hug and an sweet kiss and then spins her around.
After commencement ended, Bobby had offered to get them refreshments and look for her family when Trina, Olivia, Alex C. and Casey all surrounded when Trina exclaimed as she gave Alex a monstrous hug "Congratulations girl! I am so happy for you!"
Right as Trina let go, Olivia, Alex C. and Casey did the same and wanted to see the ring and Alex obliged.
"Wow! That is huge!" said Alex C. when she saw the diamond.
"Yeah no kidding!" commented Olivia and Casey at the same time causing all of them to let out a burst of laughter.
Alex grinned broadly when she suddenly asked, "Gals I have something I want to ask you."
All four of them looked Alex attentively waiting for her to continue.
Alex looked at Trina and said, "Trina, you have been my closest friend since high school, I would like you to be my maid of honor."
Trina was caught of guard when Alex asked her. When she got her voice back, she replied, "Of course girl I would be so honored, thank you."
Alex then turned to Olivia, Alex C., and Casey and said, "I would like you three along with my sister Liz to be my bridesmaids."
Olivia's eyes bugged out as did Alex C. and Casey when they heard Alex's request.
Casey was the one who manage to say something after.
"We would be honored to be a part of your bridal party and stand with you on your special day."
After Alex found Bobby with her family and Liz was with them she went straight and asked her.
"Hey sis congratulations on graduating and the engagement; you and Bobby are so perfect together."
Alex smiled as she gave Liz a hug and then said, "Liz I would love for you to be a part of my bridal party as a bridesmaid."
"Oh sis I am honored to be a part of your bridal party to stand next to you on your special day."
After graduation celebration that was held in her, Trina, and Olivia's honor, the two love birds are left for alone time.
As they contentedly snuggled on the couch for awhile Alex spoke up.
"Bobby sweetie, I think we need to pick we are going to pick a date so we can get the planning started and don't worry you will have your say in the planning process. I promise."
Bobby looked at his stunning fiancée and said, "Okay, do you have a date in mind?"
Alex pondered and said, "Well you know the next step for me is the police academy and I think we should get married before then so sometime before the end of this year."
"Hmmm how about the twelfth of December? I know how much your mom loves to prepare for Thanksgiving. This way we have time to plan and time for her prepare for the feast."
Alex looked Bobby and saw nothing but love and compassion in his eyes.
"I love the day you picked; so December 12th it is. And this way we can have two weeks to ourselves and still make back in time for our first Christmas Eve and Day as married couple."
With that the two fell silent again content with just cuddling.
Suddenly Alex said with in impish grin her face that caused Bobby's heart to palpitate.
"Bobby sweetheart it is my turn to give you pleasure".
She untangles herself from Bobby's arms, stands up in front of Bobby she quickly discards her cream colored khakis she had on and proceeds to unbutton her button down shirt revealing a strapless and sheer black lace bra and matching panties.
When he saw her hands move down her body, past her chest and stopping at the panties all while displaying a seductive look on her face, he instantly felt the quick shrinkage of his jeans.
He then stood up and after removing and leaving his jeans in the living room, he began kissing her fiercely engaging in a tongue battle as he wrapped his arms around his fiancée. As they locked lips Alex managed to unbutton the buttons on his shirt and pushed it off of him thus revealing his toned abs and letting her fingers roam his upper body. Without warning he picked her up and carried her to their room for another night of passion.
A few days later as Alex and her mother were meeting for lunch, Bobby also met with his bubby Lewis for a guys' hangout.
"Hey man congratulations on your engagement, you and Alex deserve all the happiness in the world."
"Thanks man I know I really have found the one for me in Miss Alexandra. Hey man I would you to be the best man on the day I marry Alexandra."
Lewis was stunned but quickly recovered and answered, "Of course I am elated that you asked me to stand with you on your big day."
They continued to chat and catch up on what has been going on in their lives since both had become busy with work.
That same day Alex was having lunch with Andrea, while they planned out the details.
"Mom, would you happen to know a good hairstylist?"
"Honey I think that your Aunt Celina is a wonderful hairstylist. We had her do your hair once remember?"
"Oh yeah you're right."
"Here is a thought maybe we could have all the extended family my side and your father's side to a 4th of July BBQ and have them meet Bobby."
"Yeah. Okay sounds great I will talk to Bobby. And then I can talk to Aunt Celina.
Mother and daughter then continued on with the planning and what needed to be done.
Right as Alex got home she did not see Bobby come up from behind the door and grabbed onto her little waist causing her to let out a little shriek joy when she felt his arms around her and his sexy scent overwhelm her senses.
When she turned around she gave him an intense kiss which he deepened.
After air became a problem the two parted lips and the two were deeply absorbed in each other's gazes.
"How was lunch with your mom?" Bobby asked in a genuinely.
"It went well, my mom and I got a lot of planning done," answered Alex and she continued, "Bobby there is something I need to talk you about."
"What is it my lovely Alexandra?" asked Bobby as they sat down on the couch together.
"Well you know how my parents love to celebrate the Fourth of July in style right?"
"Yeah, I do," replied Bobby remembering the first time he had been to one of the celebrations that Eames' family held for the immediate family.
"Well this year is going to be a little different. You see my mom and dad have invited the extended family because they thought it was time for you to meet them and to announce our engagement and pending nuptials."
Bobby waited for Alex to continue as she tried to read his facial expressions.
"Bobby? I am guessing that you are okay with plan?"
"Of course, I would love to meet your entire family."
Alex smiled as she said, "Okay then the next few weeks I am going to give you a crash a crash course of whose who on my dad's side and my mom's side. So are you ready to learn about the Eames/McAllister/McAfee/Grady/Lowery/Kennan family including my fourteen cousins?"
"Yep I am," said Bobby with his boyish grin.
The next few weeks went by quickly and Bobby amazed Alex how quickly he had learned all the names of her family members from both sides of the family.
The day before the big Fourth of July celebration Bobby and Alex hanging out-she was quizzing him on the names at random when during a pause he brought something up.
"Alexandra, I don't believe you've met my mother yet. I had been promising her to bring you and well plans kept changing. So would you like to go and see her today? We could surprise her by telling the good news."
"I would love to meet your mother, but telling her the same day I meet that we are engaged isn't that going to be a bit much for her to handle?" Alex asked cautiously keeping mind her future mother-in-law's illness.
Bobby pensively thought about it then remembered something else.
"I am sure it she will be delighted. Besides, she has been telling that I should settle down soon and not waste anymore time being single. She is convinced that it wouldn't be long before I would meet the one for me. Now looking back she's right because immediately after that visit I went to the bar you worked at that night and well the rest is history."
Alex blushed when she heard Bobby's explanation.
Alex thought at least now I feel like I am not nervous anymore.
Then came the day where all the family members had gathered at Path Recreational Park for the big announcement and celebration.
After some socializing John got up on one of the benches and used his rarely used loud and yelled, "May I have your attention please?"
Everyone settled quieted down quickly they all looked over at John as he stood on the table of on one of the benches.
"I am guessing you are wondering why Andrea and I have summoned all of you on this particular Fourth of July."
"Yeah we all have John," said his brother-in-law, Jonathan McAllister jokingly.
"Well have you guys noticed there is one person not present right now."
"Yeah I have Uncle John, where's Cousin Lexy?" asked Jannie, his baby brother' Quinn's little girl.
"Well I have special announcement to make but I think it would be better if we let Lexy tell us. Lexy sweetie?"
Alex along with Bobby then comes out from the close by information center where they had been waiting.
She went up the bench, left hand in her jean shorts first and projected her voice and said, "Hey guys thanks for coming today. I bet you are anxious to hear the news so I will get right to it."
Alex took a deep breath and continued.
"As you all know that for the past two and half years I have been in a relationship with a wonderful man who also happens to be the sweetest and most considerate gentleman in the world," Alex paused again and motioned Bobby to stand (next to her on the ground) up on the bench with her; with her man by her side she continued.
"Everyone this is Robert O. Goren, the love of my life. As all of you know I graduated from John Jay two months ago and this guy here surprised me big time. You guys the good news which all of you have been summoned here today to hear is very jubilant. My beloved gentle giant boyfriend proposed to me that day and I said yes and…" Alex paused for the last time and then she screamed at the top of her lungs, "WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!"
Right then the whole crowd erupted into cheers and applause as soon the last word was out of Alex's mouth and right then she turned to Bobby and gave him a big wet kiss, right in front of her relatives.
The two then received an onslaught of congratulations from the aunts, uncles, cousins and the living grandparents who were present.
"So you are the young man that has swept my darling granddaughter off her feet," said Alex's maternal grandfather Leland, patting Bobby on the shoulder while his hand was entwined with Alex's.
"Yes sir," replied Bobby.
"Please call me Grandpa Lee, Lexy does."
"Grandpa," said Alex in a slightly silly tone.
During the continuation of the congratulations and the start of the feast, Alex's Aunt Celina managed to pull Alex away for a little one-on-one.
"Lexy congratulations on your engagement," said Celina giving Alex a hug and then said,
"Uncle Steven and I along with your Cousins Steven and Vanessa are so happy for the two of you. Bobby seems like a great guy."
"Oh Aunt Celina he is that and so much more."
"So your mom mentioned that you need a hairstylist."
"Yeah I do. Actually I was about to ask you, looks like my mom beat me to it."
"So what you have in mind sweetie?"
"Well," began Alex as she pulled out the hairstyles she had seen and saved from various magazines."
"Well for the flower girls Lauren and Charlotte I was thinking of a bow of curls in the crown with some loose at the back.
"That would make them look so adorable. Oh sorry," said Celina.
"As for my mom, a sideswipe bangs and a soft flip. Trina here who's the maid of honor an easy split French twist. As for Olivia Benson one of four bridesmaids, a classic retro bob; Casey the second bridesmaid, a cluster of elegant curls; for Alexandra Cabot the third bridesmaid small sections in the front to give a cool detail and ponytails in back plus a bouquet of curls to make it look cheery; for Liz I was thinking of ponytails knots and tendrils."
"Those are all good choices but what the most important member of the bridal party and ultimately the whole wedding?"
"Well I was thinking for me since I am going to do closed veil I am opting for a simple look, like a simple pile of curls."
"Lexy you have made my job all the more easier. Now just let me know what day you want your hair done and I will make it in before that time. So have you two decided on a date?"
"Yes we have Aunt Celina, Saturday, December 12, so in about five months Bobby and I will become one."
Following the Fourth of July celebration, planning kicked into high gear and everything was going according to plan. Alex and her bridal party all had their gowns ready for them to wear on Alex's big day.
On one of the days in between the hectic planning, Bobby made a request that surprised Alex.
"Alexandra my love, I was thinking would it be okay I not wear a tux?"
"Then what are you going to wear?"
"I promise it will not be outrageous and after all I can't go in the buff now can I?"
As much as Alex would like that she knew that is true especially with her dad giving her away and her whole extended family going to be there.
Then she mentally kicked herself for having those kinds of thoughts. "You promise it will be good right?"
"I promise," said Bobby making the promise sign across his chest.
Thanksgiving had come and gone and their wedding planning had gone smoothly and all loose ends were nearly tied up.
In a wink of an eye it was two days before Alex and Bobby's wedding and Alex's aunt, Celina McAllister did a phenomenal job on all of their hair all at no cost and as a gift to Alex and Bobby.
It wasn't long and when the rehearsals the day before and the diner that followed. Most everyone who was invited made to the rehearsal dinner
After an evening of wining and dining, Trina got everyone's attention when she gently tapped on her glass with a knife.
"Good evening everyone, I am glad most of you could make to the rehearsal dinner tonight despite the cold and wintry weather. I will keep my speech short. As most of you know that I have known Alex here since we were freshman in high school and we became the forever pals," Trina paused wiped a tear, turned towards Bobby and Alex and said, "Alex I am absolutely thrilled that you are about to marry the love of your life tomorrow, I am so happy for the both of you."
She then looked at Bobby and said, "Please take good care of Alex, or you'll have a lot of people to answer to."
All of the guests chuckled lightheartedly as Trina wrapped up her speech.
After all the guests and the bridal party has gone to their hotel rooms Alex and Bobby spends the last few minutes as their last night of singles talking and looking forward to their big day.
Alex looked up at Bobby and said in a soft voice audible only to him, "Can you believe this time tomorrow night we will be united as one? I can't wait…"
"…till the minister pronounces us husband and wife. I can't wait either my love," finished Bobby in an equally soft voice holding his fiancée and soon-to-be wife tightly.
A/N 2: I apologize for the long delay…grad school took up nearly all of my time and my muse hadn't been cooperating, so your reviews are appreciated!
