Sitting in the pew at St. Bernadette's waiting for the Christmas Eve children's recital to start, Casey took the peaceful moment to think about everything that had happened in her life over the past year. At this time last year she was in the hospital in labor, just hours away from giving birth to the most beautiful little girl she'd ever seen. Elizabeth Kate was the light of her life and so was the woman sitting beside her holding their little Christmas angel on her lap. Casey had a family of her own and it still seemed too unreal to her at times. She and Liz had been dating for nearly a year and everything about their relationship just felt so right to Casey. She wondered why she hadn't felt this way before, she'd know Liz for years, but then she figured she needed to be in this place in her life for this all to work. It was simply their time and it couldn't have been rushed.
The music began softly; the young men's choir up in the choir loft began a Latin chant, the rat-a-tat of drums could be head in the back of the church. A line of little drummer boys began marching down the center isle with four-year-old Oliver Benson-Cabot leading the way as he tapped on his little drum. On stage Oliver's big sister Allison was waiting for her cue to began her very first solo. The almost one-year-old redhead sitting in Liz's lap clapped her cubby little hands when she saw her favorite cousins. Elizabeth Kate had red hair like her mother, but her eyes were hazel. Those bright happy eyes looked like a perfect mix of Casey's green eyes and Liz's brown eyes, and it dazzled Casey every time she looked into them. The baby continued to clap and twitch her little feet to the music while Casey turned her attention back to the Cabot children. She beamed like the proud godmother she was as her best friends' kids stole the whole show. As Allie sang the manger kids behind her played out their parts, with Oliver taking on the role of the little drummer boy. Casey glanced over at her friends to watch them as they watched their children. Olivia was radiant and not just from her pregnancy. She and Alex both beamed with pure joy and pride as they watched their kids and marveled at Allie's beautiful voice. Turning her head to look to her other side, Casey smiled at the look of peace and joy on her lover's face. This was the first time Liz had joined them for mass and the recital at Father Brendan Macalister's independent Catholic church. Father Macalister opened the church to everyone without prejudice in honor of his late sister Bernadette, who had been Allie's biological paternal grandmother's partner, after the Diocese of New York forced him out of Our Lady of Mercy.
When Casey turned back to the stage she watched as little Ollie played his drum for the baby Jesus and chuckled softly as Elizabeth Kate blew kisses towards Ollie and Allie over and over again between giggles. After his part was played Oliver joined them in the pew while Allie remained with the choir. As she watched Olivia and Alex hug and kiss their son, praising him for his wonderful performance, Casey smiled and thought that she couldn't wait until it was Elizabeth Kate who was stealing the show with her cuteness. But then as she looked at her daughter who was snuggling close to Liz as she grew sleepy, Casey thought she was in no real hurry for her baby to grow up at all. Moments after the lights dimmed so the choirs could perform Holy Night and Silent Night, the last songs of the night, by candlelight, Elizabeth Kate was out like a light. The small redhead had her little head on Liz's shoulder, her round little baby face tucked into Liz's neck, her little fist clutched tightly around the fabric of Liz's blouse. It was one of the most precious sights Casey had ever seen and it made her fall even more in love with both of them.
"You were amazing, Allie." Casey said once Allie joined them in the vestibule of the church.
The young blonde smiled a radiant smile at her aunt. "Thank you, Aunt Casey."
"Absolutely beautiful." Liz added, causing Allie to blush.
Elizabeth Kate was still out cold when they finally made it back to the brownstone. It had been a big day for the little girl. It had started with Breakfast with Santa at the Rock Center Café and was ending with the recital. The rest of Christmas Eve would be spent at home, just the three of them. Though Casey still had her apartment she and Elizabeth Kate spent most of their time, and many of their nights, at the brownstone. "Come on angel." Casey said softly as she climbed the stairs. "Lets get you out of your pretty Christmas dress and into some comfy jammies."
Liz watched her family head upstairs and not for the first time was startled by the idea of having a family. She'd been on her own for so long that she'd given up on having a family, which made loving Casey and the baby and having them love her in return that much more special. It had taken some work on both their parts, because building a relationship wasn't easy when there wasn't a child involved, but they'd done it and it was the strongest most stable relationship Liz had ever had. The smile that never seemed to completely fade these days grew brighter when her two favorite redheads returned. "You didn't put her down?"
"She woke up while I was changing her." Casey said as she walked over to join Liz on the sofa. "Besides, if we put her to bed this early she'll be up before dawn tomorrow."
"Are you excited about tomorrow, Katie?" Liz asked as she handed Elizabeth Kate her favorite stuffed toy. "I bet Santa leaves you lots and lots of presents."
"Because "Santa" went completely insane every time she set foot in a toy store." Casey teased as she looked between her daughter and her lover.
Liz chuckled. "Maybe a little."
"And when the bills start coming in January we get to listen to "Santa" grumble about them." Casey continued with her teasing.
Liz snorted. "I will not."
"We'll see." Casey chuckled as she leaned into her lover. She sighed softly in contentment when Liz wrapped an arm around her while they played with their little girl. As they sat on the sofa, their Christmas tree casting colorful lights on the ceiling that kept Elizabeth Kate entertained, Casey couldn't think of how this moment could get any better.
Later that evening Liz found herself thinking the same thing as she sat in the rocking chair in the nursery rocking Elizabeth Kate as she read her a story. "The Carpenter's Gift. A Christmas Tale about the Rockefeller Center Tree." Liz read as she opened the book. "Do you remember the big tree we saw today Katie? That's the Rockefeller tree." She explained before starting the story.
"Nearly a lifetime had passed, but Henry could still remember…"
From the doorway Casey watched as Liz read and rocked their daughter. It was so easy, so natural, to think of Elizabeth Kate as their daughter not just her daughter. Liz had been there every step of the way even before they were a couple so it was only natural that she was theirs. And Elizabeth Kate knew she was theirs, she knew the two women were her mommies, and had even taken it upon herself to name them so. Casey was Ma and Liz was Mama.
"Even though New York City was just an hours drive away, Henry had never been there." Liz continued to read as Elizabeth Kate rubbed her little nose on Liz's shirt, a sure sign she was moments from falling asleep. "He shivered with excitement at the though of seeing all those tall buildings scrapping the sky."
While Liz finished putting Elizabeth Kate to bed Casey went downstairs to make some hot cocoa and pop some popcorn. She was looking forward to a quiet night watching old Christmas movies on t.v and snow falling outside the window with Liz. This was going to be a much calmer Christmas Eve then last year's for sure. When she heard Liz coming down the stairs Casey couldn't help but smile. "Is she asleep?"
"And dreaming of sugar plum fairies." Liz said with a nod as she crossed the living room to join her lover on the sofa. She wrapped her arms around the redhead and held her close before leaning in and kissing her softly.
"What was that for?" Casey asked when the tender kiss came to an end.
"For giving me the two of you." Liz said with a slight blush.
Casey beamed. "I love when you get sappy."
"Don't get use to it." Liz teased as they snuggled under a throw while Casey clicked on the original black and white version of Miracle on 34th Street.
The quiet of Christmas Eve gave way to the hysterical laughter of Christmas morning. It took over an hour to get through half of Elizabeth Kate's gifts because she laughed until she was red in the face every time she ripped open the wrapping paper. After a brief intermission to eat breakfast and get her diaper changed, Casey and Liz were right back on the floor watching their little Christmas angel open toys, books, stuffed animals and clothes. While the baby was distracted with a new item her mothers took turns opening their gifts from each other. When it was all said and done and every present was opened, Casey found herself sitting on the sofa watching Elizabeth Kate napping in a pile of wrapping and tissue paper.
"One more." Liz said as she reached into the branches of the tree to pull out the final gift. She walked over to join Casey on the sofa, taking a moment to watch the baby as well, before holding out a small box wrapped in silver paper and red bow.
"Liz." Casey said softly as she accepted the gift. "You've already given me so much this year."
Liz couldn't help but smile as she said, "This one is special."
For a long moment Casey just looked into her lover's eyes. There was something there, something she couldn't quite put her finger on, something she really wanted to reach out and grab hold of.
"Open it Casey." Liz said softly.
Casey tore the paper away and opened the box to find a little black velvet box inside. Bright green eyes flicked upwards to look at Liz before sliding the velvet box out of the gift box. Casey's heart was racing and her hands trembled as she cracked open the velvet box. The redhead gasped as her free hand flew up too cover her mouth while her eyes began to well with tears. Inside the velvet box was the most beautiful emerald and diamond engagement ring Casey had ever seen.
Liz waited until Casey looked up at her before asking, "Casey Marie Novak, will you marry me?"
"Elizabeth." Casey whispered. For a second, a moment, the two women looked at each other and everything they felt, every wish, desire, and dream they had they shared. In that flicker of time everything was perfect. "Yes, Elizabeth. Yes, of course I'll marry you."
The older woman let out the breath she hadn't known she was holding as she took the ring from it's velvet nest and slide it onto Casey's hand. "I love you, Casey."
"I love you too." Casey said as she threw her arms around Liz and kissed her with so much love and passion they were both left breathless.
Spring brought promises of something new and exciting to the city. The warm rains washed away the lingering gray of a winter that lasted just a little to long. The budding flowers threw color back into the world. It was Casey's favorite time of year, which made it perfect for a wedding. Standing at the alter of St. Bernadette's holding tightly to her love's hands, Casey could feel the small gathering of their family and friends watching from the pews. Her brother had come back to the states just for this. Liz's niece flew in to be there for her. Alex and Olivia and their children sat in the front row radiating love and support.
It had taken a couple of months to plan, even for a simple wedding, but it was everything Casey could have asked for. A small ceremony in a church with just the people they cared most about. The church was decorated with simple floral arrangements and candles. Casey's dress was a white strapless silk satin princess-style Lazaro gown with hand-beaded and embroidered bodice and a beaded tulle skirt. Liz's dress was a flowing one shouldered white silk and satin dress with beading on the shoulder that was a little darker gray then the beading on Casey's dress, and a train that flowed from the shoulder piece.
"Dearly beloved." Father Macalister began. "We are gathered here today to celebrate with Casey and Elizabeth as they pledge their lives and love to each other on this glorious spring day."
Casey listened to what was being said but her focus was on Elizabeth. If someone would have told her five years ago that she would be standing in a church with a priest reciting marriage vows with Elizabeth Donnelly she would have laughed herself blue in the face and asked that person what drugs they were taking. She would have never in a million years seen this coming, and for some reason that made it that much more amazing. Casey hadn't been looking for love, which made this love that much sweeter. Everything she'd been through, every person who'd come in and out of her life; Charlie, Serena, and everyone in-between had led her to this moment. Every up and every down, all the good and all the bad, led her to this woman, this place, and this life. The broken road that led her to Elizabeth made the words she said now more meaningful and special despite the fact that so many others had said them so often before her.
"I Casey take you Elizabeth." She began. "To be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, for as long as we both shall live."
Liz marveled at the way her life had changed. The solitary life she'd enjoyed for so long seemed like a dream long forgotten now. She hadn't thought this would ever be something she'd want again, but then Casey came into her life, not once but twice. First as the young protégé eager to learn about the law and filled with the same passion Liz felt herself for their chosen field, but that had only been a small part of Casey. The second time the younger woman came into her life she'd been soaking wet and shattered. It had been both an honor and a struggle to watch Casey put herself back together, to come out of it all stronger and more whole then she'd ever been. Liz had thought she'd already had the best life would offer her, but here she was being offered a new life, a fuller life, a happy life to be shared with not only the remarkable young woman standing with her but the most beautiful little girl in all the world. Before saying her own vows Liz looked over at the pretty little red-haired toddler sitting on her godfather's lap. When she turned back to Casey she wasn't just speaking to her but their little girl as well.
"I Elizabeth take you Casey to be my wife." She said softly. "I promise to be true to you in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, for as long as we both shall live."
Casey's wedding ring was a diamond and emerald band that matched her engagement ring. Elizabeth's matched the ring Casey had gone out to get her; a pear shaped chocolate diamond surrounded by smaller white diamonds. The only one who ended up with a gold band was Elizabeth Kate. After her mother's exchanged rings Liz slipped a tiny little gold ring onto her cubby baby finger as a promise to her as well, a promise to always be there for her too.
"Now that you have joined yourselves formally in matrimony, may you strive all your lives to meet this contract with the same sense of love and commitment. Together many you dream, and may you stumble, my you restore each other, and share all things, serving each other and humanity. Cherish, respect, comfort and encourage each other as long as you both shall live." Father Macalister said with a bright, beaming smile. "It is now with great pleasure that I pronounce you spouses. May God bless and keep you and your little one. You may now kiss."
The small gathering of their loved ones exploded with applause and cheers as the two sealed their commitment to each other and their family with a kiss.
"I love you Casey." Elizabeth whispered.
"I love you Elizabeth." Casey replied.
The End
Thank you to everyone who reviewed. I hope this story was as enjoyable to read as it was to write. I hope to come back to Casey, Liz, and Elizabeth Kate but until I do, look for them to appear in Alex and Liv's story, which will be returning after thew new year. :)