Well, I wrote a whole chapter, then decided that was not what I wanted to happen next and this chapter fell out on top of it on the page…
Thanks for your reviews. I love the comments I've been getting about this more mature AO and how they are handing their relationship. I'm glad you guys have picked up on that!
9.
"Alex?"
Alex didn't look up from her yellow legal pad when her assistant called her name through the phone's speaker.
"Yes?" She answered her mind still clearly focus on her own thoughts and what she was writing.
"Judge Elizabeth Donnelly is here to see you."
Alex looked over to the phone.
"Oh, please send her in."
Dropping her pen, Alex stood from her desk, opening her office door, awaiting Donnelly's arrival.
Over the years Liz had not only become Alex's friend but also her confidant, especially after Alex came back from Witness Protection. Since Alex had left New York, they had stayed in touch, particularly when Alex needed a professional ear to bend.
"Liz," the surprise still in Alex's voice.
"Alexandra," Liz said, a smile appearing on her face.
She and Alex gave each other a warm hug.
"I had to come down and see for myself that you were back."
"In the flesh," Alex grinned, closing the door and motioning for Liz to sit on the new couch that had not long been delivered to her new office.
"Settling in I see," Liz said looking around as she took a seat.
"Things have been a bit hectic starting out, but I'm getting into the groove," Alex said sitting, taking a seat on the far cushion of the couch.
"I have to be honest, I was a bit shocked you took this job. After the last time we spoke, I thought you were at least heavily considering running for District Attorney in D.C., and it sounded like you were a shoe in."
"I was heavily considering it, but then I got the offer to come back to New York."
"Alex, they wanted you as DA."
"And I wanted to come back to New York," Alex shot back.
"I know we don't speak regularly, but you didn't ever mention wanting to come back to the city."
"I may not have relayed how much I missed New York. D.C. just never felt like home to me."
"Is that the only thing you missed?"
"What do you mean?" Alex asked shifting on the couch.
"Just giving up a chance at the coveted DA chair in D.C. doesn't seem like a decision you would make. And because you missed New York? You can easily visit... I've been just a bit perplexed at you decision that's all."
"Yes, I know I've made it clear over the years that being DA was what I had my sights set on, so yes, it was the opportunity I had been waiting for, but the truth is I was just presented the position in the wrong city. Personally, I was wasn't happy in D.C.," Alex stood up from the couch. "I was lonely Liz, and becoming DA wasn't going to fix that."
"And there was no one in D.C. to keep you company? I mean Alex, what about that attorney you were seeing? Mark, Mathew…"
"Michael. And that was short lived..."
"Ok, but you can understand why I don't see this as a very "Alex Cabot" move?" Liz asked, her eyes following Alex.
"Liz, I missed my friends, I missed New York, and yes I know it was a huge opportunity to maybe become DA but I wasn't happy, I was out of place, I never felt like I was apart of that city…"
Liz contemplated, watching Alex make another turn across her office floor.
"So is there is someone in particular here that you think can cure your loneliness?" Liz prodded.
"I didn't say that."
"No, you didn't. But have you re-connected with anyone since you've been back?"
Alex stopped pacing.
Liz's eyes widened as she waited for an answer.
"You can say her name Liz."
"Oh, I didn't know if I was allowed to say her name without you doing your denial dance."
"My denial dance?" Alex asked, looking offended.
"Oh come on Alex! You and Benson have been flirting, fighting, and pining after each other for what, decades?"
Alex shoved her hands in her pant pockets, showing her nervousness.
"Yes, we've reconnected."
"And?"
"And we agreed it had been too long, and, and it's new..."
"New? Oh my god!" Liz teased. "Are you two officially together?"
"Yeah... we're together."
It was the first time Alex has said that aloud.
"So you finally got your head out of your ass!"
"Liz! Wow!"
"Look, Alex, your happiness means the world to me. And I think Benson may be the only person I've ever seen you truly happy with. Or at least that you have ever let go with."
"That's a pretty bold statement."
"Were you not, are you not happiest when you're with her?"
Alex broke down and smiled, "Yeah, I am."
"So you moved back for her?" Liz asked, with a motherly tone she sometimes tended to take with Alex. "You didn't run for DA and you come back to New York and profess your love to Olivia?"
"Those were not exactly my direct intentions…"
"What would you have done if she didn't reciprocate your feelings?"
"It didn't matter, I wanted to come back to New York." Alex was sticking with her story. "Everything I had that was familiar, is here."
"So you would have been fine having your familiar friends around you, including just your friend Olivia?"
"I'm not a robot Liz. Despite the way some may remember me, I have feelings and emotions. I mean I'm still Alexandra Cabot the attorney, I just need more. I'm not that young anymore, just being an attorney doesn't fulfill everything."
"No, no it doesn't. And I'm just being overly protective of you." Liz said standing, facing Alex. "And I guess I'm just not used to you making decisions about your love life over your career."
"So obviously you think I should have stayed in D.C. and become DA?"
"No, I'm not saying that all. I'm just checking up on you. Like I said, I guess I'm just protective of you, and when I heard you were coming back to New York…"
"You didn't know what I was thinking."
"No, I didn't. But you are a woman who can have it all. You deserve to have it all."
"Liz, I'm happy to be back in New York. I'm happy with this job so far, and who knows what's in the future. What I do know right now is that I get the opportunity to be with the woman I'm miserable without. And yes, my little fantasy of coming back here, Olivia feeling the same way, it did come true. But I know who I am…"
"I'm happy for you, I am. And I am happy you're with Olivia. You both have been through too much for several lifetimes. You deserve to have each other, to be in love."
"Liz, I'm in love." Alex confirmed.
Liz leaned in hugging Alex again.
"How about we all have dinner soon?"
"That sounds perfect." Alex grinned.
"Ok back to work Chief…. If you need me..."
"I call you even if I don't," Alex assured.
Lix smiled, "Welcome back," she said before making her way out.
Alex slid back into her chair, noticing that it was now well after six.
She knew Olivia was still at work.
Early that morning Olivia had been called in for a break in a case she and her squad had been working on for weeks.
Not wanting to bother, much less having time to chat, Alex hadn't spoken to Olivia since their mumbled goodbye's before the sun was fully up that morning.
And real life was bound to set in, and they knew that. They also both knew that sending flowers and stopping by the station, and lunch hour excursion... weren't exactly conducive to either of their schedules or the fact that they were keeping their relationship under wraps, at least for the time being.
Alex said goodnight to her assistant and took off her heels, under her desk.
She finally had a chance to pick up her phone.
Alex: "Exhausted?"
A few moments later a text reply came from Olivia.
Liv: "Keeping eyelids open with toothpicks :P"
Alex grinned.
Alex: "Sorry babe. I hope you're not staying there tonight"
Liv: "Probably a few more hours, can't see much else happening tonight"
Alex: "Mind if I meet you in your bed later?"
Liv: "I want nothing more. But can't promise what time"
Alex: "I have plenty of work to keep me busy. Be there when you get there."
Liv: "Rollins is getting suspicious.. wondering why I have this smile on my face"
Alex: "I love to make you smile. I'll see you tonight, and if it's late, don't you dare not wake me."
Liv: "Promise I will. 3"
Alex: "3"
AOAOAOAOAOAOAO
It was after 11:00 when Olivia walked through her dark apartment, flinging her already discarded blazer over the back of a chair, and making her way to her bedroom.
As promised, Alex was waiting for her, buried under the covers, her legal pad and her iPad.
"Mmm a sight for sore eyes," Olivia said leaning in capturing Alex's lips.
"Hi baby," Alex said shoving her work to the side so she could uncover herself.
"You don't have to get up…"
"I'm just going help you get undressed," Alex said her eyes sparkling behind her glasses.
"Oh well in that case." Olivia said waiting patiently as Alex made her way towards her.
Alex stood on her knees now at the side of the bed, already unbuckling Olivia's belt, Alex slid her hands between the now open waist of Olivia pants and down her thighs, dropping her pants to the floor. She pulled Olivia's shirt over her head.
"I'm glad we don't work together anymore because now that I know what is underneath your clothes, there is no way I would ever be able to focus again..."
Olivia grinned.
Alex undid Olivia's bra and messaged her breasts.
"Mmmm" Olivia moaned, her eyes closed.
"Ok, sleepy head. I'm going to clean off the bed, and be waiting to hold you," Alex said softly.
"I'll be right back," Olivia said disappearing into the bathroom.
When Olivia returned, in Alex's "favorite tank top", she slid into bed, and as promised into Alex's arms.
"Everything ok with you today?" Olivia asked groggily, reeling in Alex's long limbs wrapped around her.
"Actually, Liz Donnelly stopped by."
"That had to be a nice surprise."
"It was, it was nice to catch up. I told her about us, I hope that was ok."
"Of course it is. I know you two are close."
"She wants to have dinner with us soon."
"That sounds good."
They lay there in the dark, now in silence. Alex's nails circed Olivia's back, easily soothing her to sleep.
Alex thought about her and Liz's conversation as she looked at the woman lying next to her in her arms.
No, it wasn't a decision that Alex typically would have made. No, she typically would not have chosen her heart over her her career.
But it was time that she did.
