Chapter 9
After what seemed like an eternity of a car ride both ladies had safely made it to the dwelling of Casey Novak. The redhead had been by Gia's side, helping and aiding her as much as she could without bruising the tough façade that Gia intended to put up for the attorney. As soon as the pair had made it up from the underground garage and into the elevator with nothing but their two bodies, the silence had started to become slightly unbearable.
Not because of it being uncomfortable but because, neither woman knew what to say. They knew the attraction that they had on each other, they had acknowledged it—kind of—and, Casey understood Gia's situation. If Casey wanted Gia's heart she had to gain Beau's heart too and she knew that was no easy task. When Alex had returned—finally—for Olivia, Olivia already had Noah and though, Noah was still young when the couple had rekindled their relationship, Olivia had still been guarded. Many dates included Noah. Some dates were not as romantic as she knew Alex had wanted them to be in order to accommodate Noah's age but look, here they were, married and with three children down the road. Who said Casey couldn't have that was well?
The ride to the fourteenth floor was slow but once the elevators made it, Casey could breathe a little easier. What Gia didn't know was that Casey had planned on her going home with the redhead, even if she had decided to go back to her apartment, Casey was going to insist on being there for at least a week in order for her to get acquainted with her broken ribs. So, she needed a plan; she would need to stop by her home. She had told the gang to pick up the daughter and food as well and meet them over at her apartment for a 'Welcome Home' celebration for the tanned beauty. Casey kept chancing glances at the enigmatic woman behind her, noticing her limp. That would be a conversation for when her apartment was empty and not filled with the members of the one-six.
Casey inserted the key fob in its rightful place and waited until the hub made its whirring sounds in recognition, once the light turned green, she turned the fob to gain access to her home, "Welcome Gia," they all shouted in unison.
Gia who had been gnawing at her pouty bottom lip, wanting to tell Casey how much she appreciated everything and how she would repay her when time came had not been paying attention to the slight excitement that fell upon Casey once she was a few doors from her home. Once she heard the slight unison of words she looked up and saw her squad members with their respective families and that little bundle with big hazel eyes wrapped in Carisi's arms was the one that she had wanted to see the most. Her mouth opened in a smile and her eyes glistened in happiness, "Casey," she said, lightly nudging the woman on her shoulder, "were you planning on bringing me here regardless of what I said?"
Casey shrugged, smiling, "I told you, I give a great compelling argument," she finished as she locked the door behind her.
Beau, upon hearing her mother's voice snapped her little head around and shouted 'mama' to the top of her lungs, "I know baby, I'm here," she said, walking over to Carisi and carefully exchanged the baby in their arms, "Hi there sweet one," she said, kissing the baby's temple, "You're getting heavy there, Beau Jolie," she mused as she bounced her on her hip, careful not to further contribute to her aching ribs.
"We're glad you're out partner," Carisi said, kissing her hair.
"Yea, you gave us a scare there, G," Fin said.
"Next time, don't be so stubborn," Olivia said, earning her self a slap on the arm by whom Gia identified as Alex.
"Like you can talk," Alex playfully chided, "Hi there, I'm Alexandra, Olivia's wife," she said extending her arm.
Gia shook her head, "I don't do handshakes, Counselor. Especially not after you have put this all together for my return," she said, hinting at a hug.
"A hug, then?" Alex asked.
Gia nodded and smiled, "It's nice to meet you, Counselor. Giovanna, but you can call me Gia."
"Then call me Alex. It's so formal of you Detective to call me Counselor outside of office hours," she quipped, "And, who is this little beauty," Alex asked, tickling Beau on her belly.
"Right, you haven't met yet. Guys, this is Beau Jolie and though the circumstances that brought her into my life are not ones I would particularly like to re-live, I wouldn't trade her for nothing in the world," she said, her eyes getting misty with tears.
The team gave her sheep smiles but their eyes weren't clouded with pity or sorrow, they were happy for her, "Alright, enough tears; I'm starving!" Admonished Amanda.
Every one agreed and the chatter erupted quickly as they all gathered at Casey's dining table. Casey, having been observing from slightly afar, approached Gia, "I know what it's like to lose everything after an abusive relationship," she confessed, "I know how lonely one can be. I just wanted to give you something nice where you could forget for a while all the pain and horrible memories with your friends."
Gia smiled and carefully pulled Casey in for a hug, turning her face and kissing the redhead's cheek, "Thank you Casey, for everything. You have made this so much bearable, I—I… seriously Case, thank you."
They had been so enveloped in what the other one had said and the moment of affection that neither realized the way their bodies had gravitated together. Casey had brought her hand up to wipe away a stray tear that had escaped Gia's eye. There they stood, in close proximity of the other, not saying a word but pouring out sentiments through their eyes. A squeal and a sudden jerk from the child resting in Gia's arms brought them back to the now as well as a wince and groan from Gia, "Gia," Casey nearly shouted.
The team looked towards them and saw Gia with her eyes clamped shut, her teeth sinking furiously into her bottom lip. She breathed out slowly and released her lip, tasting blood in her mouth as she flutter her eyes open, "I'm ok guys," she croaked, bringing her hand to her lip, "Little one here moved too fast for my aching sides," she smiled.
"Here, I'll take her," Casey said, opening her arms, "and you can go wash your mouth to rid yourself of that copper taste. We'll have a plate for you when you come back."
Gia eyed her warily. She had just seen her daughter for the first time in eight days, she didn't want to let her go, but she knew Casey was right. She reluctantly tickled Beau's belly to gain her attention, the girl enveloped in her mother's leaf pendant necklace. Beau looked at her mother and smiled, "Hey pretty girl, you want to go with Casey?" The girl followed her mother's stare to land on the redhead's, "Yea, so that Mommy can go wash the blood out of her mouth," Gia continued.
Casey opened her arms and smiled, "Come on pretty girl, I'll let you eat out of my plate," she whispered loudly. That seemed to do it for the girl, she smiled a toothy grin and reached for the redhead's arms, "Bathroom is the first door to your left."
Gia nodded and disappeared through the hallway. Casey's apartment was beautiful. She had huge bay windows in her living room that overlooked the skyline of the city. The kitchen overlooked to the living room and if you stood leaning against the stove, you could see the dining table that Casey had picked to match her quartz counter tops. Everything in Casey's apartment seemed to be white and grey with some type of accent color. The Detective in Gia noticed that everything had its place and everything seemed to be labeled as well.
At least in the bathroom, the vanity underneath the sink had plastic drawers labeled with 'feminine care', 'personal care', 'makeup', 'oral care', 'first aid', 'misc.', and 'hair care'. Casey is a neat freak, she chuckled to herself knowing too well that she was too. She despised clutter, that's why her desk was free of nick-knacks. She opened the oral care drawer and found mouthwash, exactly what she needed. She rinsed her mouth and gargled, wincing a little to the burning sensation the liquid created upon her re-opened cut. She sucked her lip into her mouth and could feel it pulsating.
She emerged back down the hallway and to the dining table and what she saw nearly knocked her on her ass. Casey and Beau, giggling at each other as she fed the baby ground beef from her broken apart lasagna and had her sip carefully from her glass of water. The team was engaged in banter and they all seemed smitten with the girl on Casey's lap. This is what she had wanted with Sam from the beginning, but Sam's indifference and jealousy had proved that she would never have it, not until she left. She smiled and leaned her body against the wall, "And, here I thought this was my party," she quipped, gaining the attention of her friends.
"It is, come sit by me," Carisi said, "unless you want to sit somewhere else," he said, raising his brow.
Gia rolled her eyes and limped towards the table, "Actually, I would like to sit in between the pretty blonde and that awkward redhead holding that glutton kid," Gia said, smiling.
"You think I'm pretty," Amanda drawled, batting her eyelashes and placing a hand on her chest.
The gang laughed, "Hey, I resent that," Casey said, feigning hurt, "And, this glutton kid happens to be your glutton kid. Seriously, do you eat like this?" Casey asked as Gia sat between the two women, receiving a plate with lasagna, stuffed ravioli, and a bowl with salad from Olivia and Carisi.
The table went silent as they eyed the contents in Gia's plate, "Casey," Alex begun, attempting to stifle her laughter, "look at her plate," she erupted in a hearty laugh.
Casey's eyes opened wide and looked at the baby in her hands and at the mother sitting besides her. Gia wasn't big by any means; she had a toned stomach, muscular arms and shoulders, and hips and ass for days. Casey knew Gia had participated in rowing, but what she didn't know was the appetite the woman carried, "Jesus, where does it all go?"
Gia attempted to laugh but failed, grabbing at her sides, "Please, don't make me laugh, it hurts," she said, breathing laboriously through her smile.
"No seriously, where does it go?" Alex repeated.
Gia shrugged and began eating from her plate, occasionally stopping and feeding her daughter some garlic bread as well, "You should see her with Chinese take-out," Carisi begun.
Amanda opened her eyes, "Oh God, yes. Alex, we all ordered from Wok 88 on third and she's ordering rice, dumplings, egg rolls, boneless spare ribs, steak and broccoli; I mean, you name it, she ordered it. I thought, she was ordering for Carisi and Olivia too but then she goes, 'Do you think Dom would like the Perfect Match or the Tung-Tung Shrimp' and my jaw hit the floor," the table erupted in laughter.
"But, seriously, the Tung-Tung Shrimp; to die for," Alex added, "You didn't eat all that food your ordered?"
Gia side glanced her and smiled, her cheeks stuffed with ravioli. Alex raised her brow and looked over to Fin and Carisi who had this smug smile on their faces, "What? She didn't right?"
"Baby, she ate it all and two hours later she was asking Amanda for her leftovers," Olivia mentioned, slightly choking on her water.
Alex opened her mouth and Casey spoke before she had the chance, "Alex, you go grocery shopping on Sundays, right?"
Alex nodded, "I'll pick you up at eight, you're going to need it with these two," she quipped.
Gia felt warm. She loved this banter and she loved that she was taking place in it as well. She had missed it, a lot. After dinner and cleaning up, Gia excused herself and gave Beau a quick bath. She was thankful that Carisi had grabbed her bag before leaving her parent's and that there was still clothing items in them as well as a few diapers. She was going to need all of her belongings if she was to stay with Casey.
Casey had told her that she could have her spare room, the one where she only had a bed for when her parents or siblings visited. She had also said that it was the room she used as an office. Once Gia saw the room, she was sure now that Casey was indeed, a neat freak. The bed was pushed up against the back wall, giving it the illusion of a day bed and the desk was placed to the right side of the door, creating ample spacing for walking. Gia placed Beau in the middle of the bed and surrounded her with pillows. She left the door cracked so that she could hear her in case she stirred or woke.
Everybody was sat on Casey's plush sectional with a cup of coffee, having simmered down from the loud rowdiness from earlier. Olivia, Alex, and Casey sported nauseating looks once she emerged from the room, "Who died?" she said, smiling as she took a sit across from the ladies, next to Amanda.
"Uh," Olivia cleared her throat, "Gia, we waited until now to tell you because you needed to focus on recovery," she ran her hands through her hair. She opened and closed her moth but nothing came out.
"You're scaring me Olivia, am I being fired?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly.
"No!" Olivia nearly shouted, "God, no. Casey, maybe you should tell her."
Casey nodded and looked at Gia, "Sam is asking for a speedy trial."
Gia chuckled, wincing and gripping her sides in the process, but never stopping, "Of course she is," she said, running her hands through her face, "I know exactly why too. Does she," Gia sighed, hating the labor her ribs caused her when breathing, "does she know about my recovery process?"
"No," Amanda begun, "her lawyer's been asking though, but Casey and Alex both said that the information was private and since Samantha was not in the paperwork they weren't allowed to disclose."
"All she knows is that you're in recovery," Fin added.
Gia nodded and sucked her bottom lip in, rubbing at her jeans, "Does she know my injuries?"
"Yea," Carisi said.
Gia smiled and rolled her eyes, "When's the trial? In two weeks?"
Casey looked dumbfounded, "See, Sam is not stupid. She knows that if I'm not able to testify and she has that right, the case will go nowhere. She also knows that rib fractures take four to six weeks to heal. She also knows that my parents know about her abuse so I wouldn't go to them so she probably thinks I'm staying at the hospital to ride out the six weeks. If you are worried that I'm not ready to testify, you're wrong and I am ready for cross as well though, there's something you all might want to know in case it's brought up in court, and knowing Sam, she'll definitely bring it up," Gia sighed.
"And, that is?" Alex asked, leaning forward.
Gia sighed breathily, she really needed her pain meds, "Casey, could we go pick up my medication after everyone is gone, please?"
Casey nodded, "Yes, yes, of course."
Gia smiled, "All through college, even though I had a full-ride in rowing, I still needed money to pay for my every day expenses. You know, food, books… My parents were here in New York, my sister had just started working a new job and my brother had a baby on the way so, I wasn't going to ask for money, but I needed to find a way to make money."
"Please, don't tell me you were dealing," Fin said.
Gia shook her head and smiled, "No, I was not. I stripped," she paused to gauge the reactions of her co-workers, but they were too in shock to react now, "I stripped, all through college and for a little bit too when I was a beat cop. I stopped once I joined the Academy though but green-lighted occasionally when I was slumming as a beat. I stopped when I made Detective and I haven't stepped foot inside of a strip club since."
