A/N: Extra long chapter and full of angst that starts mild and works up to more serious - BUT, there is a payoff in the end. Also, there will be a shorter Part 2 to this chapter. I just couldn't get more in tonight. This has angst and sweetness in it. And for those that like the more "sexy" stuff, the part two will include some of that.

Thanks for reading and for the reviews. I appreciate them all.

MEET THE PARENTS

"You ready?" Alex Cabot had strolled into the squad room Friday afternoon at the end of the work day to hurry Olivia up for their trip to see her parents. At Alex's words, Olivia looked nervously around to see if anyone was listening.

"Relax, no one is around but Fin, and well..." Alex said. "You promised you'd be ready by 6:00 pm. I don't want to put this off again."

Olivia had happily agreed to meet Alex's parents. She had even been excited about it. But the closer they got to it actually happening, the more nervous she became. What if they hated her? What if they thought she wasn't good enough for Alex? What if they asked questions about her family? What if she hated them?

Olivia didn't really do the meet the parents stuff, and as much as she wanted to do it with Alex, she was still nervous and insecure. That's why she had canceled the past two weekends and gave some excuse about having to work, or having a migraine.

"Yeah, let me just make sure the Captain doesn't need anything before I go," Olivia said.

"Really?" Alex said. "You have the weekend off. You did tell him you are going out of town, right? That you're taking time off?"

"Yes, but -"

"Then he'll be okay," Alex said. "Tell him goodbye and let's go. I'll meet you at the car, and so help me, if you aren't there in 10 minutes or less -"

"I'll be there," Olivia said. She got up from her desk and walked into Cragen's office to say goodbye for the weekend.

"I'm taking off, Cap," Olivia said.

"Sure thing," Cragen said. "Have a good weekend. Where you going?"

"Just Long Island with some friends," Olivia said.

Cragen nodded and gave her an odd look. Olivia had friends? He smiled. "Have a good time and I don't want to see you before Monday. You deserve some time off."

Olivia picked up her purse and headed to the parking garage where Alex was waiting not so patiently. They had put their bags in the car before they left for work that morning and Alex had already changed out of her work clothes and into jeans.

As they got on the road, Alex turned the heat on in the car and some music. They further they got up the road, the warmer Olivia was getting and the more annoyed with Alex's music she was - it had been jazz music for the entire drive so far.

"Do you have any other music? Or can we at least turn on the radio and not listen to this the entire way?"

"What's wrong with my music?" Alex protested.

"Nothing is wrong with it, I'm just tired of it," Olivia said.

"Well, the driver controls the music, and I was jazz," Alex said with a laugh and looking over at Olivia, who was rolling her eyes. "What?"

"You always control the music, no matter who is driving," Olivia said. "Even at home."

"That's not true," Alex said. "You forced me to listen to the entire Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet album the other weekend."

"I didn't force you, and that's a good album," Olivia said.

"It is, but I didn't need to hear the whole thing again without you letting me talk," Alex said. "But fine, turn whatever you want on."

Olivia knew Alex didn't mean her offer to change the music, but she was going to do it anyway. Truth be told, she only barely tolerated jazz music, and that was just because Alex enjoyed listening to it. She found an 80s station and turned the volume up just a bit. She also tried to covertly turn the heat down.

"What are you doing?" Alex said.

"I just turned the heat down a notch," Olivia said. "I'm nearly sweating."

"Well, I'm cold," Alex said.

"Shocking, coming from the Ice Princess," Olivia mumbled.

"You know what? If you're going to be in a bitchy mood this weekend, we may as well turn around and go home," Alex said. "I thought you wanted to do this?"

"I do," Olivia said.

"Then start acting like it," Alex said.

"Just because I'm warm and don't enjoy your taste in music, I'm a bitch?" Olivia said.

"I didn't call you a bitch," Alex said. "I said your mood was bitchy."

"Whatever, don't lawyer me with the technicalities," Olivia said. "Put whatever music you want on and whatever temperature you want. How much longer?"

Alex let out an exasperated sighed. "30 minutes."

Olivia didn't say anything, but she turned the heat back up to where it was and pulled her sweater off. They rode in silence the remainder of the trip as 80s love ballads played in the car.

We both lie silently still in the dead of the night.

Although we both lie close together, we feel miles apart inside.

#

They arrived at the Cabot's at just before 8 pm and Alex's mother greeted them at the doors when she saw the headlights from Alex's car pull into the driveway. The house was large, but not nearly as big or intimidating as Olivia feared.

The house was quiet. Caroline and John had finished dinner and were just watching TV when Olivia and Alex arrived. Alex's siblings were supposed to visit on Saturday to meet Olivia.

"Olivia, I'm so glad to finally meet you," Caroline said as she reached out to give Olivia a hug. Alex smirked as she knew Olivia hadn't expected a hug, nor was she a hugger in most social situations. "We've heard so much about you."

"It's nice too meet you, too, Mrs. Cabot," Olivia said.

"It's Caroline, sweetie. Now, let's go see if we can get John out of his recliner," Caroline said.

As they made their way into the den, John Cabot had got up to greet them as they came in. He was a tall man with broad shoulders and a huge smile, which appeared once he saw Alex.

"Daddy, this is Olivia," Alex said.

Unlike Caroline, John stuck out his hand for a handshake. "Olivia, it's nice to meet you. Alex tells us you are a detective, and you all work together."

"It's nice to meet you, too," Olivia said. "And yes, I'm a detective with SVU."

"Well, I'm glad you were able to make it this weekend," John said. "Now, if my baby girl will come over here and give me a hug, my night will be perfect."

Alex smiled and walked over to give her father a big hug. John returned to his recliner and Caroline ushered them back toward the kitchen.

"Have you girls eaten? We have leftovers."

"We had sandwiches on the way, so I'm good," Alex said. "Liv?"

"Oh, no thank you, Caroline," Olivia said.

"Well, I'm sure you two want to get settled in," Caroline said. "Alex, you know where everything is. Olivia, make yourself at home. We'll be in the den when you're done."

Alex and Olivia grabbed their bags from the foyer and Olivia followed Alex upstairs to their bedroom. They were staying in Alex's childhood bedroom. It was more pink than Olivia anticipated. She smiled as she looked around the room. Trophies. Photos. Dolls.

"Were you a cheerleader?" Olivia asked as she walked over to a picture on a push pin board. A high school aged Alex was in a cheerleading-like outfit, standing with her hands on her hips in her bedroom.

"Drill team," Alex said.

"Do you still have it?" Olivia asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes."

"Can I see it? Or more specifically, can I see you in it?" Olivia asked.

"That depends on if your mood improves this weekend," Alex said with a smirk and gave Olivia a kiss on the cheek.

Olivia ran her hand through her hair. She had temporarily forgotten about their stupid fight in the car. "Your family seems nice."

"They are," Alex said. "Except, well, you haven't met my siblings yet. Becca will probably be fine, but Adam can be kind of an ass."

"How so?" Olivia asked.

"Uh, he's just a bit more conservative than the rest of my family, even my parents," Alex said. "Hopefully, he won't come tomorrow."

"Oh." Olivia was fairly sure she understood what Alex was implying - that Adam was a fan of Alex's lifestyle. Olivia knew that Alex's parents hadn't been crazy about it when Alex first came out, but that over the years, they had come to accept it and support Alex, even if they didn't fully understand it. Alex's dad seemed a bit more comfortable with it than Alex's mother, but according to Alex, Caroline had come a long way.

"Anyway, we should get back downstairs," Alex said. "I'll give you the grand tour tomorrow."

Olivia followed Alex once again back down to the den where they watched the History Channel with Alex's parents and chit chatted until everyone turned in for bed.

#

Alex woke up grumpy the next morning. She hadn't slept well due to them being in a full size bed and Olivia breathing on her neck and face all night. Anytime Alex tried to turn or move away, sleeping Olivia held on tighter. Then there was the snoring.

Olivia wasn't usually a snorer, but when she did, Alex would wake her and make her put on a breathing strip. Or if she was sick, she would put it on before bed. She knew they hadn't packed any for the trip so she didn't bother waking Olivia. Of course, Olivia could have packed them herself, but since she put off packing for so long the night before they left, Alex got frustrated and packed her bag for her - and failed to back the breathing strips.

Olivia hadn't slept well either. The reason she stayed so close to Alex during the night was because she was cold and Alex had a nasty habit of hogging the blanket. If she was closer to Alex, then she had a better chance of at least being under part of the blanket. Then there was the kicking. In a queen size bed, it was less noticeable, but in this full size bed, there was no getting around it. At least if she was close, she could pin Alex's legs down with her own to keep from having bruised shins.

Olivia felt Alex pull away and pull the blanket, again. Olivia yanked back. The blanket tug-of-war went on for a few moments until Alex finally rolled over to face Olivia.

"Stop," Alex said.

"Me? I've been freezing my ass off all night because someone is a blanket hog," Olivia said.

"I don't see how you're cold as much hot air as you breathed on me last night," Alex said.

"I was trying to keep under the blanket," Olivia said.

"And snoring in my ear apparently," Alex said.

"I wouldn't have to be so close if I didn't need to pin your lefts down to keep from being kicked all night," Olivia said.

"Well, fine, take all the blanket you want," Alex said. "I'm going downstairs for coffee."

Alex abruptly got out of bed, throwing the blanket back on Olivia. She grabbed her robe from the door and headed downstairs, slamming the bedroom door on her way out. Olivia laid there for a few minutes before getting up and taking a shower. She wasn't ready to go downstairs and see Alex, but she also knew she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. A shower and a cup of coffee would make everything better.

Alex went down to the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee. She joined her mother in the dining room where Caroline was reading the newspaper.

"What would Olivia like for breakfast?" Caroline asked.

"I don't know, you'd have to ask her," Alex quipped.

"Well, what does she like?" Caroline said.

Alex sighed. "She'll eat whatever. Eggs are fine."

"You're kind of grumpy this morning," Caroline said. "Is everything okay with you two?"

"It's fine," Alex said. "We just argued in the car on the way over here, and then again this morning."

"Over what, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Honestly, stupid stuff," Alex groaned. "Music. Temperature. Blankets."

Caroline chuckled. "Well, dear, welcome to adult relationships."

Alex rolled her eyes and went back to her coffee. Caroline got up and went to make breakfast for everyone.

#

Alex spent the day giving Olivia the tour of the house and property, as well town, and taking a walk to the beach. After that, they came to help Caroline with dinner and wait for Adam and Rebecca to show up.

"Your sister called," Caroline said. "She invited a few friends to come over. It's been so long since she was here, she thought she'd kill two birds with one stone since a lot of people are in town early for the holidays." It the weekend before Thanksgiving.

"Ugh, really?" Alex said. "Mom, this was supposed to be a casual night for everyone to meet Liv."

"Alex, it's fine," Olivia said. "I don't mind."

"Yeah, well, you don't know my sister's friends," Alex said. "Of course, everyone is her friend. I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't invite half the town."

"Oh, Alex, I'm sure it's not that many people," Caroline said. "Becca said it was just 4 or 5 people tops."

So far, Olivia and Alex had had a good day besides their morning spat. Alex seemed genuinely happy to show Olivia around and let her into that part of her life, and Olivia enjoyed seeing it. It only made her love Alex even more. They had both relaxed and despite Alex not being happy about the unexpected guests, the weekend was finally going well.

Olivia had spent time individually getting to know both John and Caroline. She and Rebecca hit it off right away and she was even able to get along with Adam. Adam wasn't overly friendly or excited about Olivia, but he was at least on his best behavior so far.

After dinner, Rebecca's friends showed up and she escorted them out to the pool house while Olivia and Alex busied themselves helping Caroline clean up. The pool house had a bar, heaters, and the pool was heated. It was the perfect place for post-dinner drinks.

Adam was friends with one of the guys Rebecca invited, so he excused himself outside as well. When Olivia and Alex finished, they joined everyone else outside. Rebecca was true to her word, only five people were there aside from family, much to Alex's surprise.

"A margarita and a tequila shot for the guest of honor," Rebecca said as she grabbed Olivia's hand and pulled her over to where the bar was set up and offered her a drink.

"Oh, I don't know about shots," Olivia said.

"Come on," Rebecca said. "It's a party."

"Go ahead," Alex said. "We're not driving anywhere and I'm drinking them, too."

"Fine, but only one shot for me tonight," Olivia said. She and Alex toasted their shots and downed it. Alex leaned forward and kissed Olivia before they took the margaritas and began to wander around as Alex introduced Olivia to everyone.

About 45 minutes later, and several shots later for Rebecca, they heard her squeal.

"Julie!"

Two more people had arrived. Julie apparently and a friend of hers.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me," Alex said.

"What is it?" Olivia said.

"Nothing," Alex said. "I'll be right back." Alex got up and went and grabbed Rebecca, glaring at the girl that was with Julie. In the meantime, Julie came over and introduced herself and her friend to Olivia.

"I'm Julie," she said. "A friend of Rebecca's and this is Sara."

"Hi, I'm Olivia."

"Alex's girlfriend, right?" Sara said.

"Yes."

The two left and went to make themselves a drink while Olivia looked around for Alex.

Outside the pool house, Alex was yelling at Rebecca.

"What the hell were you thinking inviting her here?" Alex said.

"I didn't invite her specifically," Rebecca said. "I texted Julie, and she asked if she could bring a friend. I didn't know it was Sara until just a couple hours ago."

"And you didn't think to tell me?"

"Julie wasn't even sure they were going to make it," Rebecca said. "I figured no reason to stress you out if she wasn't going to be here."

"Oh, and her surprising me didn't stress me out at all," Alex said. "I can't believe Mom even let her in the house."

"I gave Mom a heads up," Rebecca said. "Besides, why do you care? You have Olivia here."

"Why do I care?" Alex said. "In case you forgot, it was messy when Sara and I broke up. Jesus Christ, Rebecca."

"I didn't forget, but you're over it, and her, right?"

"Yes, I'm over her," Alex said. "But it doesn't mean I care to ever see her face again, especially in my house."

"I'm sorry," Rebecca said. "I didn't realize how bitter you still were. I mean, you never talked about it so I just assumed..."

"Well, that tends to happen when someone breaks your heart into a million pieces," Alex said. "But you know what, it's fine. I have Olivia and I love her much more than I ever loved Sara, so it'll be fine. I'll just try not to rip her face off. Oh, and don't say anything to Olivia, please."

"You're not going to tell her?" Rebecca said.

"I'll tell her after Sara leaves," Alex said. "She knows about her, she just doesn't know her name, or that she's the girl sitting by my pool right now. She might rip her face off, too, if she knows."

Rebecca smiled. "Good," Rebecca said. "At least you have someone now that gives a damn about you. Hey, Lex, I really am sorry. I don't know what I was thinking."

"It's fine," Alex said. "I'll deal with it and we'll move on."

Alex and Rebecca returned to the party to find Olivia chatting with some of the others and seemingly enjoying herself, or at least the stories about Alex as a child.

"Do you want another drink?" Alex asked Olivia when she came back to where she was.

"No, I'm good," Olivia said. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything is fine," Alex said. "We'll talk about it later tonight. But I need another drink right now. I'll be right back."

Everyone had migrated outside. It wasn't warm out, but the gas heaters and fire pits and the alcohol made for a nice night around the pool.

Alex made her way into the pool house and poured herself another drink, as well as another shot. She took the shot and slammed the shot glass back down on the table. When she looked up she saw Sara come inside.

"Help yourself, I was just leaving," Alex said flatly, as she grabbed her drink.

"Wait, I wanted to talk to you," Sara said.

"We have nothing to talk about," Alex said.

"I'm sorry," Sara said. "I shouldn't have come here tonight."

"You're right," Alex said. "You shouldn't have."

"I just...I was hoping that maybe we could make amends or something," Sara said.

"Make amends?" Alex said.

"Or at least not hate each other," Sara said.

"I don't hate you," Alex said. "In fact, I don't think about you."

"Really?" Sara said. "Then why did you get so pissed off when I showed up?" She took a step closer to where Alex was.

"Because this is my house and I don't want you here," Alex said.

"Alex, I'm sorry about what happened between us," Sara said. "I regret it so much."

"Good for you," Alex said. "I don't, because I've finally moved on."

"Olivia seems nice," Sara said.

"She is."

"Alex, please, just talk to me," Sara said. She was close enough to reach out to Alex now, but when she did, Alex pulled her arm back.

"Don't touch me," Alex said. "You don't ever get to touch me again."

"Alex, I'm sorry," Sara said. "I was scared and I screwed up. I would like to make things right."

"Yeah, and how do you plan on doing that?" Alex said.

"Have dinner with me when you get back to the city," Sara said.

"Not a chance," Alex said.

"Alex, don't you get it?" Sara said. "I fucked up, but I still love you. God, I never stopped loving you."

"No, you don't get to do that," Alex said. "Two years. Two years we were together and you threw it away for a one-night stand."

"I was drunk and I made a mistake," Sara said. "Jesus, it's not like you were perfect."

"Well, I never fucked anyone else in our bed while you were away," Alex said. "Is this the only reason you came here tonight?"

"Yes," Sara said.

"Well, then you should leave," Alex said. "I don't want you. I'm with Olivia. I love her, and she loves me a hell of a lot more than you ever did."

"Oh, fuck that, Alex," Sara said. "I loved you. We had a goddamn fight and you left to think about us. So I got drunk and slept with someone else who didn't mean anything. I made a mistake and I'm sorry. And you can't tell me you don't care about me too still. If you didn't, you wouldn't be so pissed off right now."

"I'm pissed off because you broke my heart," Alex said. She was yelling at this point and Olivia thought she heard Alex's voice. She wondered what was taking Alex so long. She decided she should probably go check on her.

Sara stepped even closer to Alex and grabbed her wrists.

"Fine, then tell me you don't still love me and I'll leave," Sara said.

"I don't love you," Alex said.

Sara clenched her teeth and started to turn to leave, but before she did she turned back around and kissed Alex, pushing her back up against the wall.

Alex was taken by surprise. At first, it felt natural, Sara kissing her, but she didn't kiss her back...she was just stunned. When she realized what was happening, she pushed Sara away only to see Olivia standing at the door with her jaw open.

Alex made eye contact with Olivia who looked pissed. She couldn't be pissed at me? I didn't do anything wrong? Alex was wrong though. From Olivia's perspective, she couldn't tell who was kissing who. She sat her drink down and turned to leave. She left the pool area by a side entrance that went to Alex's yard. She wasn't sure where she was going, but she knew she didn't want to stay here.

"Fuck you, Sara," Alex said. "Get out of my house." Alex pushed by Sara and ran after Olivia.

"Where did she go?" Alex asked Rebecca when she got outside to the pool.

"Out the side door," Rebecca said. "What happened?"

Alex didn't respond, she just took off after Olivia. In the meantime, Rebecca walked into the pool house, saw Sara standing there distraught, and put two and two together.

"What did you do?" Rebecca said.

"I just...I thought..." Sara said.

"Julie, can you please take your friend home?" Rebecca said.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, Becca," Julie said, glaring at Sara.

Once Julie and Sara left, everyone else followed suit soon after. They all seemed to know something was going down and none of them wanted to be around for it.

Alex found Olivia sitting in the grass a few yards away from the pool area and sat down beside her.

"That wasn't what it looked like," Alex said quietly. "I didn't want her to kiss me."

"Well, it didn't look like you did much to stop her until you probably saw me," Olivia said. She didn't even look up at Alex.

"Olivia, don't do this," Alex said. "Look, I know what it looked like, but I didn't even know you were there."

"Obviously," Olivia said.

"No, what I mean is, she surprised me," Alex said. "When I pushed her away it wasn't because you were standing there. It was because I didn't want her to kiss me."

"Who is she? I mean, besides Sara."

Alex sighed. Telling the truth wasn't going to help her case. "She's my ex-girlfriend. The one that I was with for two years."

"Oh, so the love of your life?" Olivia said. "Great."

"Okay, she is not the love of my life," Alex said. "You are. But yes, I did love her, or I thought I did. I don't even know anymore. But I didn't know she was going to be here tonight."

"And you didn't say anything when she showed up?" Olivia said.

"I was going to tell you tonight," Alex said. "That's why I disappeared with Becca. To yell at her for inviting her."

"Alex, I just...I can't right now," Olivia said. "I don't know what I'm feeling. I mean, I saw your face when she kissed you. There was something -"

"It was startling and surprising," Alex said. "That's all you saw. Olivia, you have to believe me."

"How could you even be in that situation?" Olivia said. "No, wait, I don't even want to know."

"Olivia, please," Alex said. "Can we just talk about this?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Olivia said. "I don't want to think about it. I don't want to picture her kissing you. I just need you to leave me alone right now. That's all. I'm not saying we can't talk about it, I just can't do it right now."

"Okay," Alex said. "I'll be in the pool house until you come in, no matter how late it is."

Olivia nodded and Alex got up and left to walk back to the pool house. Rebecca was in there waiting.

"How's Olivia?"

"She's confused," Alex said. "She walked in on Sara kissing me."

"What a bitch," Rebecca said. "If I'd have thought for one second...well, if I'd thought at all, I'd never said okay. I just really thought you were okay and past it. I mean, Alex, you left her and never looked back. Never second guessed it. Never even mentioned her again after you left. I guess I was naive to think that meant it still didn't hurt."

"It hurt because I trusted her and felt betrayed," Alex said. "I mean, she was my first love. It's ironic that I left her because she cheated on me, and now my relationship with Olivia is in jeopardy because she thinks I cheated on her with Sara."

Alex sat on the couch, put her face in her hands, and began to cry. Rebecca sat down next to her and pulled her in for a hug.

"Alex, I'll fix this," Rebecca said. "I created this problem, and I'll fix it. I'm so sorry. But trust me, it'll be okay. Olivia loves you. I can see that. And she treats you so much better than Sara ever did."

Alex leaned into her younger sister and let herself cry a little longer before laying down on the couch.

"Just stay here," Rebecca said. "I'll be back in a little bit."

Rebecca left Alex in the pool house and joined Olivia outside in the yard.

"Hey," Rebecca said. "Can I sit?"

Olivia looked up and nodded.

"Olivia, I'm sorry," Rebecca said. "This is my fault."

"I don't think you're the one that made Alex kiss Sara," Olivia said.

"Okay, first of all, Alex didn't kiss Sara," Rebecca said. "Sara kissed Alex and Alex pushed her away. Maybe not as soon as she should have or wished she would have, but she did. Second of all, I'm the one that agreed to Sara coming and it was a dumb idea.

"Look, Sara and Alex dated, I'm sure you know that by now. And I know Alex told you about the relationship - how Sara cheated on her and everything. But when they broke up, Alex never looked back. She never mentioned Sara. She moved on. Yes, I knew she was hurt, but I guess I didn't realize before tonight just how hurt she had been. I should have. Anyone would have been. But that's Alex, she has to be strong. So when I agreed to let Sara come, I just assumed Alex would be fine with it - that she would ignore her and move on. I was wrong, and stupid, and naive.

"But, please, Olivia, don't blame Alex for this. She loves you. She loves you much more than she ever loved Sara. Her and Sara were still young and stupid and had no idea what real love was. What you and Alex have...the way your relationship started...how you were friends and moved slowly until the time was right...that's real love. You treat her as an equal, not an object or a pawn or someone who should just worship you. You both do, and it's perfect. Don't get me wrong, I know all relationships have their ups and down, but you and Alex have something special. Don't throw it away because I made a mistake."

"What? I wasn't going to throw it away," Olivia said. "Is that what Alex thinks? I just, I believe her, I just needed time to process. It hurt seeing that."

"Well, what should she think?" Rebecca said. "You bolted before she could explain and then you just sent her away. And if anyone understands that hurt, it's Alex. She will be loyal to you to a fault. I mean, she and I don't always see eye-to-eye, but trust me, Alex is not a cheater."

Olivia nodded.

"She's still in the pool house," Rebecca said.

"Thanks, Becca," Oliva said. She got up and started to walk away. "Wait, one thing. Can you do something with me tomorrow?"

#

Olivia made her way back to the pool house where she saw Alex laying on the couch, still crying.

"Hi," she said as she stood in the doorway. Alex looked up through her red, puffy eyes.

"Liv," Alex said and sat up on the couch. Olivia walked over and sat down next to her. She pulled her into her arms and gave her a hug.

"I'm sorry for running away from you and for sending you away," Olivia said. "I didn't mean to scare you. I just need to...I don't know, process, I guess."

"Liv, I really didn't -"

"I know," Olivia said. "Your sister explained things to me. I wish you'd said something sooner, but it's okay. I trust you and I believe you. I was just shocked and hurt by what my mind thought it saw."

"I understand," Alex said. "And I wouldn't blame you for being mad."

"I'm not mad at you," Olivia said. "I kind of want to kick Sara's ass, but I'm not angry with you."

"You have to know Liv that I don't have feelings for her," Alex said. "I mean, it took me a while to get over being hurt, and I guess I was just in shock seeing her tonight. I haven't seen her since the day I left her. And just all of that anger came back. And she sat there, trying to tell me she still loved me, and I was honest with her. I told her I didn't love her. That I love you and that you are my future."

Olivia smiled. "I love you, too. And yes, I'm angry with Sara for kissing you, but I'm also angry with her for hurting you the way that she did."

"Well, if she hadn't, we may not be here," Alex said.

"I guess so, but still," Olivia said. "Look, Alex, I know we've had a rough weekend full of stupid fights and then this, but I love you no matter what. Nothing will ever change that. And I want a future with you, too. I've wanted one with you for a while, I just never want things to feel rushed with us. But Alex, I want to share my life with you...all of it. Family, kids, house, white picket fence, dog, everything."

"A white picket fence in New York City?" Alex said smirking.

"You know what I mean," Olivia said.

"I do know what you mean," Alex said. "I want it, too. And we'll have it some day."

"I love you so much," Olivia said. "I'm sorry for making you doubt that tonight."

"Olivia, stop apologizing," Alex said. "I'm the one who screwed up tonight. I should have left this room as soon as Sara came in and tried talking to me. I should have told you earlier."

"It's okay," Olivia said. "We've both allowed to make mistakes. You're allowed to hog the blankets and I'm allowed to snore and you're allowed kick and listen to crappy music."

"Hey!"

"And sometimes we're going to screw up bigger things," Olivia said. "And have real reasons to be angry. And that's not okay, but as long as we stay true to our commitment to each other, I have faith there isn't anything we can't get through."

"How did I get so lucky?" Alex said.

"Who said anything about you getting lucky?" Olivia said, eyebrows raised.

"You know, no one can hear us out here?" Alex said.

"Seriously?" Olivia said.

"Well, I mean, if you want to turn down sex, then -"

Alex didn't need to say another word. Olivia pressed their lips together and pushed Alex down on the couch, not wasting anytime before she pushed her hand up under Alex's shirt and began to caress her breasts. Alex's tilted her head back and Olivia began kissing the hollow of her neck while Alex ran her fingers down Olivia's back and gasped her ass, pulling Olivia's thigh harder between her legs. Alex began moving her hips into Olivia and when Olivia suddenly bit down on her down on her collarbone, Alex jerked in surprise, knocking Olivia to the floor and hitting her head on the coffee table on the way down.

"Shit! Liv, are you okay?" Alex said.

Olivia grabbed her head but was okay. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Once she saw Olivia was okay, Alex covered her mouth to keep from laughing at the situation.

"You let some other woman kiss you, throw me on the floor, and then laugh at me?" Olivia said, with a smirk.

"I'm sorry," Alex said. "It's just...well, it's humorous. Not the kiss part, but you, on the floor."

Alex sat up and offered Olivia a hand.

"Come on, let's go back to the house and go to bed," Alex said. "We won't be able to be as loud, but it'll probably be safer."

Olivia took Alex's hand and got up. She walked over to the couch and grabbed a blanket off of it.

"What are you doing?" Alex said.

"I'm bringing my own blanket tonight," Olivia said. "I may trust you not to cheat on me, but I certainly don't trust you not to steal all the covers."