"Mom, Dad" Alex hollered as she walked into her parents house "hurry up or we will be late."
"Princess we have an hour to make a twenty minute drive" Robert said as he walked down the stairs tying his tie.
"Dad they only have room for so many people." Alex said as she straightened her father's tie out "I don't want to miss it or have to wait for her outside."
"Honey there is no way that we will not be denied in there." Crystal said as she floated down the stairs. "I called your uncle last week and made sure we would have three seats reserved front row nearest Olivia."
"Mom why did you do that" Alex groaned out.
"Why wouldn't I call your uncle and tell him."
Alex grimaced.
"I haven't exactly told her the full story behind our family."
"Considering we are throwing her a party here after graduation and the commissioner will be here don't you think it's time to tell her about the extent of our family."
"I know and I will." Alex said as she headed toward the door. She stopped and turned to face her parents. She began chewing on her bottom lip not sure how to approach her parents.
Robert could see that Alex had something else to say but was scared to. She was chewing her lip like the day she told him she wanted to go to Hudson University and not Harvard like everyone else or the time she finally told him she was gay.
"What is it sweetheart?"
"Look I umm. I really like Olivia." Alex said looking everywhere but at her parents "Actually I love her. I know she's the one for me. I know we have only been together for five months but I know she's it."
Robert and Crystal looked at each other and then back to Alex.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is." Alex stopped and locked eyes with her parents "I want to ask her to move in with me. I want to know that you are ok with that."
Robert reached out and pulled Alex to him.
"We are more than ok with it princess. I want whatever will make you happy and I know Olivia makes you happy."
"Thanks" Alex whispered as she hugged her dad back tightly.
Olivia clipped the tie into place and secured it with the NYPD tie tack they were issued. Taking one last look in the mirror to make sure everything was the way it should be Olivia felt herself swell up with pride. It had taken six long months but today her dream was coming true. Today she was graduating and being sworn in as one of New York's finest. And in the crowd watching and cheering her on will be Alexandra Cabot.
"Cadets are you ready?" The commander asked as he stepped in front of the formation.
"Sir yes Sir"
"In about an hour everyone of you will be sworn in as New York's finest Are you sure you're ready for it?"
"Sir yes Sir"
"Graduating class 2647 ATTENTION"
Every one snapped to attention.
"FORWARD March"
Over two hundred cadets began to march in sync as they marched into the arena. Once everyone was standing in front of their seats someone shouted the command to sit. Every officer in perfect sync took a seat.
"Today I stand before over two hundred graduates." The commissioner started to say as he took the podium "As I look at the sea of blue I am reminded of the day I graduated. How eager I was to go out and make a difference. I remember the double tours some time triple tours if needed that I worked. How I would go home exhausted but happy. Then I remember as I grew older and had been on the job a while how jaded I became. Believe me cadets you will become jaded. The one thing that has never changed is my love for the job."
The commissioner stopped and looked out at the crowd.
"To the family and friends of these officers you need to become aware of the changes that you will see in your loved one. In the beginning they will come home anxious to share their day. They will tell you everything about it. Then as their career progresses they will no longer share their events with you. They will become withdrawn and have trouble sleeping at night. When you ask what is wrong you will be told nothing or that they are fine. Just reach out and hold them because they are not. They are fighting demons that no one should have to fight."
"They will want to sit in the back of the restaurant facing the door. They will always carry their weapon on them. That will be the only one visible. They will have a back up strapped to at least one ankle and another in the small of their back. Let's not forget the three knives that will be hidden in various places along the body. They will no longer want to walk next to you or hold your hand in public. It is not because the no longer love but because they do love you. Being seen with someone they love is an invitation of danger. To keep that at a minimum they will treat you coldly."
"Then there will be the night that they come home and allow you to see them cry. This will not be the first time they have cried since choosing this career. But this is the time that they are asking for help. Taking them in your arms and hold them tight. Don't ask questions because they don't want to relive what just set them over the edge. They just want to be held."
The commander came and stood by the commissioner.
"That is highlight of what is to come. Now let's move on to the reason why we are here, to pin a badge on the newest recruits."
One by one they called each cadet onto the stage. As the cadet approached they would stand at attention and allowed their badge to be pinned on their uniform. Once it was pinned they would step back and salute the commissioner and commander. As they walked off the platform they would salute their family as to show respect.
As the last cadet took their seat they were told to stand so they could be sworn in. After everyone had taken their oath the commander walked to the podium.
"After six long months of training I am confident that we now have the best of the best. Welcome to the largest force in the united states."
Everyone threw their hats in the air and began hugging each other. After congratulating a few fellow cadets' Olivia made her way to Alex. As she approached the rope off area a uniformed officer stopped her.
"Sorry graduate you're not allowed behind the line."
Before she could even say anything she heard Alex's angelic voice.
"Let her through officer she's with me."
The officer instantly snapped to attention and then unlocked the rope.
"Sorry miss. Cabot I didn't know."
"Alex" Olivia said as she pulled Alex to her and kissed her.
Alex melted into Olivia's arms and deepened the kiss. She never realized how much she missed Olivia until she was in her arms.
"Olivia congratulations." Robert said as he walked up with his arm around Crystal's waist.
Olivia reluctantly broke the kiss but still held Alex close to her.
"Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Cabot."
"Is that my blonde hair angel?" A voice asked from behind them.
Alex quickly looked in the direction of the voice and took off. Olivia quickly spun on her heels doing her best to hide the shock on her face when she saw Alex being swung around in the air by the commissioner.
"So angel is this the little officer that stole your heart?" The commissioner asked as he walked up to Olivia.
"It is Uncle Joe." Alex said as she stood by Olivia who automatically placed her arms around her and pulled her close.
"Liv I would like you to met my uncle. Commissioner Joseph William."
Olivia looked from the commissioner to Alex.
"Sir it's nice to meet you" Olivia said as she extended her hand.
"I take it she didn't tell you about me did she?" Joe said taking her hand.
"No sir commissioner she did not."
"That sounds like my angel. But call me Joe when we are at family functions."
"Yes sir."
"Why don't we continue all this discussion back at the house." Crystal said as she stepped forward and hugged Olivia "We are having a small party for you."
Olivia blushed and whispered "Thank you"
"Alex exactly how rich are you?" Olivia asked as she leaned over and whispered when she saw the size of her parents house.
"I will get a few million in cash when I turn twenty five, but that's not including my investments in different stock either. Why?"
"Why? Take a look at your parent's house. I didn't realize the restaurant business was that profitable."
"It can be but not that profitable. My dad made his millions as a top notch lawyer. It would cost you three thousand an hour to consult with him. He had some high name clients. When I turned nine he left the firm full time and started the café. He was tired of missing out on important events of my life. He still goes in the office every now and then but nothing like he used to."
"The commissioner?"
"Is my mom's brother. I also have an uncle who is a judge, an aunt who is a bureau chief, a few DA's and a couple ADA's in the family. That's not counting who is in private practice."
"Wow so when you said your name carried some high connections you weren't lying."
"No honey and that's just what's in state. We do have a few relatives in congress."
Olivia just looked at Alex and smiled. The more she learned about Alex and her family the more amazed she was that Alex ever took an interest in her. Someone with Alex's background and family connections could have anyone she wanted.