"Looks like someone is exhausted" Casey said as she opened their apartment door and stepped back to allow Olivia to pass with a sleeping Maria in her arms.
"I guess the lunch and shopping took it out of her" Olivia said as she passed by stopping long enough to give Casey a quick kiss "Let me lay her down and I'll join you on the couch."
"Ok" Casey said as she sat the packages on the chair shaking her head as she watched her girlfriend walk down the hallway into the guest bedroom.
After they had left the consulate Olivia had decided that since Maria would be staying with them then she needed a pair of pajamas and at least one other change of clothes. Casey had agreed and they were quickly taking the little girl shopping. Maria had seemed happy about getting clothes until Casey had handed her an outfit and told her to try it on and then come out and let them see it. Maria had nodded in agreement but the change in her eyes was apparent. Olivia who sensed immediately what the problem was quickly dropped to her knees and reassured the little one that they only needed to make sure the clothes fit and that was all. Maria agreed and quickly left for the dressing rooms.
"I swear to you if you could find a way to let me have five minutes alone with him I would appreciate it." Olivia had growled at her as she had stood to face her after Maria had described to her how she was required to model different outfits for the men at times.
"Maybe at first you would but you and I both know in the end you would hate yourself for it." Casey had told her before pushing her in the direction of the dressing rooms.
After Maria had tried on a few outfits they had found and that she had loved they were on their way out of the mall and to their apartment. That was until Olivia had passed the toy store and then insisted that Maria get a few items from there. Casey, who would never deny Olivia anything, cocked her head to the side and raised an eyebrow as if to say no. The pleading look in Olivia's eyes brought a round of laughter from her as she pushed Olivia and Maria into the store. The almost childlike expression she saw on her girlfriends face along with Maria's reactions to all the items in the store was worth more than anything she had ever done before.
"That was an eventful day." Olivia said as she settled on the couch and pulled Casey against her "I've missed you."
"Mmhm" Casey murmured as she settled against Olivia and closed her eyes. She would be the first to admit that she had missed being in Olivia's arms. Most weekends was spent curled up on the couch while Casey prepared for court and Olivia caught up on her shows.
"Want to tell me what you're thinking about or just let it be?" Olivia asked as she leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
"Just let it be." Casey said laughing.
"Find something funny counselor?"
"You, me, us." Casey said turning so she could look at the love of her life.
"Why is that funny?" Olivia asked raising her head so she could look at Casey.
"That was the same thing I asked you not even twenty four hours ago and I got the same answer."
"Do you want me to grill you or something?" Olivia asked pulling Casey even tight against her "Honey we have both learned that it is useless to push either one of us to talk. We both know that we will open up when we are ready to."
"I know baby. I was just thinking about how many couples I know, whose partner's, would get frustrated at that response yet with us we just accept it. It amazes me how comfortable or whatever we want to call it with each other at times."
"It stems from trust Casey" Olivia whispered as she laid her head back down feeling the effects of the last two days on her "Something that we have and have had since day one. I know when you are ready you will come to me and talk to me. Until then you have to work it out for yourself. Baby I'm the same way."
"I know believe me I know" Casey said as she leaned up and kissed Olivia on the chin and then settled against back against her sighing when Olivia wrapped her arms around her. As she began to drift off she knew and understood how a child or any victim for that matter could feel so safe and protected with Olivia.
"Olivia" Maria whispered as she tapped Olivia on the shoulder. "Olivia"
"What's wrong Maria?" Olivia asked sitting up quickly but still keeping a tight hold on Casey so she wouldn't fall.
"I'm hungry." She said as she shied away afraid of the backlash she would receive.
"Honey relax" Casey mumbled as she tried to sit up but couldn't because Olivia seemed to grip her tighter as she pulled away "Why don't you lay back and sleep some more. I'll fix her something to eat."
"I want Olivia." Maria said as she started to cry.
"Tell you what." Casey said standing and stepping away so not to scare Maria and allow her the chance to crawl into Olivia's open arms. She could have sworn she just fell in love with the brunette all over again when she watched her roll over on her side and pull Maria tight against her. "Why don't you lay here with Olivia and watch some TV while I'll start cooking us some dinner. Do you have a preference?"
"Richard would always feed me Felipe's" Maria said snuggled into Olivia's embrace.
"Honey here you can eat what you want." Casey said as she handed her the remote.
"Can I have Pizza then?" Maria asked shyly.
"Pizza it is" Casey said reaching for the phone "do you have a preference?"
"I don't know. I've never had pizza from the US before what is good? What do you want me to eat?"
"Maria" Olivia whispered pulling the girl tight against her and kissing her on the head "You can have whatever type of pizza you want. You do not have to get the type we tell you too, with us if you don't want it or don't like it just let us know ok."
"What type do you get?"
"I like what is called a meat lovers pizza and Casey here likes what is called a supreme pizza." Olivia informed Maria as she covered them with a blanket from the back of the couch when she felt Maria shiver.
"I'm sorry I don't understand. What is the difference?"
"A meat lovers has pepperoni, hamburger, ham, sausage and ham." Casey said sitting on the coffee table "A supreme has pepperoni, peppers, onions, mushrooms and black olives."
"Oh"
"Or" Casey continued knowing that the little angel was trying to decide which one to accept no matter what they had told her "we can order you a pizza just the way you want it. What are your favorite toppings?"
"Back home my mom would get chicken and ham and mushrooms."
"Is that what you want?" Casey asked
"I can get that?"
"Absolutely, now do you want a thick crust, thin crust or a crust that has cheese in it?"
"They have cheese in the crust?" Maria asked amazed
"They do."
"I would like that please."
"Ok. So, I have one large stuffed crust pizza with chicken, ham, and mushrooms and the usual for us coming up" Casey said smiling as she took one last look at the two snuggled on the couch before going to order their dinner.