[So sorry for the delay, I've been rather busy. Here's the next chapter at last.]
Alex felt warm fingers stroking the back of her hand.
"Lex?" Olivia's words were soft. "You need to lie down, honey."
Alex blinked. "Whassa time?" she couldn't work out where she was.
Olivia looked at her watch. 2.24am. "It doesn't matter," she soothed. "C'mon," gently she pulled Alex to her feet, trying not to wake her too much. She just wanted to get her settled on the small couch by the wall.
Alex allowed Olivia to lead her, unprotesting, to the couch. She felt Olivia lift her legs, and before she knew what was happening, she was laid out on the lumpy couch, with Olivia's jacket under her head. Her eyes were already closing as Olivia pulled a blanket over her. She felt soft lips on her forehead. "Sleep, Alexandra. Tomorrow's going to be difficult. You need to rest."
Alex murmured and snuggled into the worn fabric. "Liv?" she muttered.
"I'll join you soon," Olivia lied, looking lovingly at her girlfriend. She knew that tomorrow Alex would have to speak to Sarah about what had happened to her mother, and she didn't want her embarking on that painful task without having slept for at least a few hours. She returned to Carolyn's bedside, and took up the injured woman's hand again. She placed her hand on Carolyn's forehead; her fever was no worse. Carolyn whimpered, and unconsciously leant into the gentle touch. "It's okay," Olivia said softly. "Get some rest."
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Jay blinked as she awoke that next morning. She felt a sense of relief, of cleansing. As she came to, she realized that it was because she had shared her worst secrets with Sarah, and Sarah was still there. Except she wasn't. Jay sat up, a little startled. Her eyes fixed on a piece of paper on Sarah's pillow.
Gone to get some birthday croissants. Back in 10.
p.s. Happy Birthday gorgeous!
Jay smiled. So her revelations hadn't scared Sarah off. There was no longer anything to fear. She heard the door to the apartment click, and was about to get out of bed when she saw Sarah entering the bedroom, a wide smile on her face. In one hand, Sarah held a cardboard drinks tray that held two large cardboard cups, with a paper bag dangling from the same fingers. In the other hand, Sarah was balancing a large box with a ridiculous huge pink bow on the top.
Sarah grinned. "I guessed you'd hate anything pink," she was laughing.
Jay smiled back. "You were right," she took in the sight of her girlfriend. Sarah was wearing yesterday's jeans, with Jay's white shirt over the top. The shirt was very baggy on her, but it only partly disguised the sway of her – evidently bra-less – breasts.
Sarah set the drinks and the paper bag on the nightstand, and sat on the bed next to Jay. She held out the box in both hands. "Happy birthday, my beautiful girl," she leant over the box, and kissed Jay passionately.
"Wow!" Jay replied eventually. "This has to be the best birthday ever. And you went out for coffee and croissants."
"Tea and croissants," Sarah kissed her again. She looked at her, and took both hands in her own. "We're tea drinkers from now on," she said.
"But you love coffee," Jay protested.
"I love you more," Sarah was sincere. "And I want you healthy."
Jay's heart skipped a beat. "I am healthy, sweetheart. I'll never do that to myself again, I swear."
"I know," Sarah touched her cheek. "I know. Try it. They do great tea."
Jay smiled, reaching out for the cardboard tray. She took a sip of her tea. "It's perfect," she said. "Just like you. You have never looked better, you know that?" she loved Sarah's natural look, unimpeded by make-up, her hair unbrushed. She looked so fresh, and young. And hot, Jay realized. She reached out and tenderly cupped a breast, thumbing the instantly-hardening nipple. "There are some shades of pink I like," she said shyly. "Some, I like a lot."
Sarah smiled, an open, loving smile. "You have to open your gift first," she pushed the box into Jay's hands. "I hope you like it," she looked suddenly nervous.
"I'll love it," Jay said. "I'll even wear the pink bow for you later if you like."
Sarah's mouth went dry. "I like," she said. "Then I can unwrap you."
Jay gasped as she lifted the lid off the box. "Oh my God," she whispered. "This is too much. You can't... Sarah?"
Sarah looked like a child at Christmas. "Do you like it?"
"Like it?" Jay asked, as she pulled out a soft brown leather jacket. "Baby, I love it. But it's too much money."
Sarah shook her head. "No it's not," she said. "Try it on," she said, excitedly.
Jay pulled the jacket on over her nightshirt. "It's perfect," she said, relishing the feel of the soft leather, inhaling its smell. "I've never had such a beautiful jacket."
"I want you to be safe on your bike," Sarah kissed her. "You need a proper leather jacket, to help protect you."
"I'll wear it always," Jay caught her hand and brought it to her lips. "I swear. Sarah, you shouldn't have. But I love it. I really do. Thank you, baby."
Sarah looked delighted. "There's a little something else," she said, a little bashfully. "It's more for me than you... Check out the inside pocket."
Jay looked intrigued, and felt inside the jacket. Inside the largest of the pockets, her hand closed around a piece of cloth, with something hard inside. She drew out a small velvet bag. She undid the bag and tipped the contents into her palm. Her eyes widened as she saw silver jewelry; a nipple ring and bar. She looked more closely at the settings.
"Tiny pearls," Sarah said, her voice a little husky. "I looked it up. Pearls are your birthstone, right?"
"I think so," Jay told her. "I always get that sort of thing wrong. These are beautiful, Sarah," she whispered. "I love them."
"You don't have to wear them," Sarah said, nervously. "What you have there," softly she fingered Jay's nipple through her over-sized t-shirt, "is wonderful."
"I want to wear them," Jay was instantly aroused by her touch. She pulled the t-shirt over her head, and faced Sarah, wearing only her sleep shorts. "I want you to put them in. Then, whenever I look down, I'll think only of you."
Sarah's breathing hitched as she ran her fingers lovingly over the puckering flesh. "God you are... you are...," she smiled as the dark, exotic nipple stood to attention at her touch. "You make me so hot," she whispered.
"That's because you are hot," Jay smiled. "She hated these," her eyes clouded over briefly.
"Katarina?" Sarah asked.
"Yeah," Jay exhaled. "She made me take them out. I suppose, if I'm honest, that's the main reason I put them back in."
"Well I'm glad you did," Sarah took the stiffened bud in her mouth, almost painfully aroused at the feel of the responsive flesh.
"Take them out," Jay tried to keep her voice even. "I want you to put the new ones in."
Sarah smiled, as she tentatively fingered the jewelry. She pulled the bar apart carefully, and drew it out, watching Jay's face carefully as she did so. "I don't want to hurt you," she said.
"You won't," Jay smiled.
Sarah then pried the ring apart and pulled it from its home. She reached for the new ring and, very carefully, pushed it through the hole in the skin. She looked at Jay.
"It's okay," Jay reassured. "You have the magic touch. Now the bar."
Sarah smiled as the slid the bar in place. She fingered both pieces of silver, her excitement growing as she felt them chink softly in her fingers. "You are so hot," she breathed, as she leant in to kiss Jay tenderly. She took both breasts in her hands, massaging the flesh. She smiled. "They look good," she kissed the unadorned breast first, her ardor rising at Jay's whimpers of pleasure. She toyed with the nipple for long minutes, and then switched to the other breast with its new jewelry. She couldn't hold back her own moan at the sensations in her mouth.
Jay leant back against the headboard, her hand cupping the back of Sarah's head as she licked and suckled at the proud flesh. She tangled her fingers in Sarah's soft hair. With her other hand, she impatiently unbuttoned the shirt, her shirt, that Sarah was wearing. She gasped with pleasure when she pushed the shirt to the sides, seeing Sarah's unfettered breasts, large and ripe, her pink nipples rock hard and just begging for her attention. She ran her hand over Sarah's left breast, feeling a sharp jolt at her own core. "Oh God, Sarah... You... you... I've never wanted you more. I've never wanted anyone more."
Sarah drew back from Jay's torso, a wide smile on her face. "You've got me, Jay. You've got me. And I've got you," she kissed her on the lips. "I'm the lucky girl that gets to share your bed," she kissed her again, delighted to feel Jay's response. She thrust her tongue into Jay's mouth, barely able to contain her excitement at the feel of their two tongues tangling. They made out passionately, and Sarah smiled as she felt Jay unbuttoning her fly and dragging her jeans down as far as she could reach.
"Kick them off," Jay instructed Sarah. "I want to feel you," she slipped her hand inside Sarah's panties.
"Oh Jay... oh God," Sarah wriggled out of her remaining clothing. She grinned as she pushed Jay back against the headboard again. "This time," she hooked her fingers at the edges of Jay's boyshorts. "This time, it's all for you. My way," she openly ogled her girlfriend as she slowly pulled the boyshorts down Jay's toned legs, "of making sure you have a good birthday."
Sarah half sat up, and firmly placed one knee either side of Jay's thighs. She kissed her once more, before returning her attentions to Jay's straining breasts.
"Inside," Jay gasped. "I want to feel you inside... oh baby...," she squeaked when she felt one, and then two fingers enter her.
Sarah looked up at her anxiously. "Okay?"
Jay could barely speak. "Oh yeah. God yeah. Harder," she grasped Sarah's wrist, and tried to pull her further into her, but she could feel her resisting.
"Are you sure?" Sarah asked. "I don't want to hurt you. I'd never want to hurt you."
Jay looked deep into her eyes. "You're not her," she said softly. "You could never hurt me. I want to feel you," she pulled again, relieved to feel Sarah's wrist relaxing. "Please Sarah. I want...," her hips rocked unwittingly, increasing the pressure, "I want... oh that's it. More. Please. Oh you're amazing. Just... Yeah... Just there... Oh my sweet Lord...," Jay was rocking rhythmically now, Sarah meeting her demands with gentle thrusting that grew in intensity.
Sarah watched her carefully, seeing no hint of unease, and relaxed into her rhythm. Her own breathing was becoming erratic as the sight of her sweat-soaked girlfriend writhing in ecstasy sent wave after wave of arousal through her. Sarah leant down and closed her lips around the jewelry-free nipple, tonguing, nipping and suckling the taut bud.
Jay cried out at the sensations of her girlfriend's mouth. She was thrusting wildly now, riding Sarah's fingers, overwhelmed with passion. "I'm going to... oh sweet baby... I can't hold back...," she tried to tense her muscles to keep her in control, but she knew that she was only seconds from climaxing. "I can't help... oh my God... I love you so much... that's just..."
Sarah bit down gently on Jay's nipple, tipping her over the edge. Jay's climax was explosive, as she bucked uncontrollably against Sarah's fingers, screaming her name as she came. Sarah held her tenderly as she slumped bonelessly into her arms, panting desperately. Sarah's arms encircled her, holding her close as she recovered. "You okay?" Sarah asked gently after a few minutes.
"Better than I have ever been," Jay's breathing was still erratic. "Thank you, baby. Thank you."
They lay down and snuggled together for almost a half hour, just looking at each other, kissing and giggling. Eventually, Jay leaned up on one elbow, her hand touching Sarah's face. She kissed her. "Your turn," she said, softly.
"You don't have to," Sarah said.
"I want to," Jay smiled. She cupped both of Sarah's breasts. "If ever I doubt the existence of God, I just have to look at these," she tweaked one nipple between her thumb and forefinger.
Sarah squeaked in delight. "This won't take long," she said breathlessly. "I'm already close."
Sarah's climaxed hard a few minutes later, overcome with emotion as she did so. She could never imagine loving anyone as much as she loved Jay, right at that very moment.
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Alex jerked awake suddenly on the couch. She looked at her watch; 7.50am. She looked over, and saw Olivia standing by the doorway. She glanced over where the bed had been, and was panicked to see an empty space.
"Liv?" Alex cried out, panic clear in her voice.
Olivia turned round and looked at her fiancée. "Hey, sleepyhead," she smiled kindly. "It's okay," she reassured her. "She's doing fine. They've taken her for an MRI. Her fever's down. They think they can give her some sedation, if the MRI comes back clear."
Alex let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. She looked closely at Olivia, seeing the tired lines by her eyes. "Did you sit with her all night?"
Olivia nodded. "She needed reassurance," she said simply.
"You astound me," Alex said. "She's been consistently mean to you, and still you take care of her."
"She's your sister."
"I love you, Olivia Benson," Alex got up from the couch, shaking off the blanket. She took Olivia in her arms. "Thank you."
Olivia accepted her embrace.
"We should call Rosie, see if she can take Lily for a while," Alex was already trying to organize things in her mind.
"It's done," Olivia told her. "I called ten minutes ago. She'll be there by now, I expect. She said she's going to bring her in here for a feed, she'll just give her a half bottle when she gets to the apartment."
"I miss her," Alex was surprised to find tears gathering in her eyes. She dashed them away with a wry smile. "Eight hours away from her, and I'm a mess."
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Alex was walking along the corridor on her way back to Carolyn's room, two coffees in a cardboard try in her hand, when she saw Rosie walking toward her, carrying a wriggling Lily.
"Hey," Rosie smiled. "Someone's gonna be glad to see you, aren't you monkey?" she addressed the child. "I can tell you this, Alex, Lily's the sweetest child ever, but she does not like waking up without one of her mommies to greet her."
"Hey, Rosie," Alex kissed her on her cheek. "Hey sweet baby," she caressed the top of her daughter's head, her heart filling with joy when she saw a huge smile from the child.
"Here," Rosie reached out and grabbed the cardboard tray with the coffees, "you take her."
Alex scooped Lily up and held her close. "Have you been fussing, baby?" she kissed her on the top of her head. "Have you been causing trouble for your Auntie Rosie?"
Rosie smiled. "She's been no trouble. She just wanted to see you, didn't you Lily?" she looked at the beaming child. "How's your sister?" Rosie asked Alex.
"She's going to be okay," Alex looked relieved. "Olivia's with her. She's been amazing."
"She's had a lot of experience," Rosie followed Alex as she started toward Carolyn's room. "She knows the best way to help victims."
"I suppose that's what she is... a victim," Alex said.
"How are you coping?" Rosie asked her.
"I'm fine. It's weird, though. We're not close."
Rosie reached out and touched her arm. "Maybe you can rebuild some bridges?" she said quietly.
Alex nodded. "I hope so," she whispered, as she turned into the room. "Hey Olivia, guess who's hungry?" She saw Olivia look up, and caught the look in her eye, as well as the look of delight on their daughter's face, and her heart filled with joy. Even at times of hardship, the love of her girls was never in doubt.
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Jay was toying lazily with Sarah's hand as they lay together in bed. "Hey," she noticed, "where's your watch?"
Sarah shrugged. "I didn't need it," she tried to sound nonchalant. She had worn the same watch for years; it was an expensive model, bought for her by her parents to celebrate her graduation.
Jay sat up. "You sold it," she stated. "That's how you could afford the jacket. And my new toys," she smiled.
"I don't need an expensive watch," Sarah reached out and gently fingered the new jewelry in Jay's nipple. She nodded toward the leather jacket that lay on the chair by the bed. "But I do need you to be safe. As safe as possible. Anyways," she grinned wickedly. "You look so hot in that jacket."
Jay nodded. "Thank you," she said, quietly.
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Olivia smiled as Lily unlatched. "You can go to your mommy," she smiled, as she passed her over to Alex. She buttoned up her shirt again. She looked over at Carolyn, relieved to see that she was still sleeping peacefully. "She's looking better, Alexandra," she said softly. "They say she's gonna be okay."
"Physically," Alex said.
Olivia nodded. "We'll get her all the help we can. They say she should wake up later today. We really should..." she let the rest of the sentence hang.
"Call Sarah. I know," Alex looked tense. "I'd rather do it in person."
"I'll drive you," Rosie said. "And then Lily and I can spend the day with Katie. And Gracie, once she gets back from school. I should go soon anyway, Melinda's working at 12pm."
"Is that okay, Liv?" Alex asked.
"That sounds great," Olivia said. "I'll stay here, in case she wakes up. We need to get a statement as soon as we can, if we're gonna have any chance of finding the bastard that did this."
"I'll go home and change, see if Sarah's there. She may be at Jay's. If she is, I'll call and tell her I'm coming over."
"Tell her we love her," Olivia said.
"She knows, Liv," Alex smiled.
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Jay reached and grabbed Sarah's phone off the nightstand, looking at the caller display before she handed to her. "It's your hot aunt," she smiled.
"Which one?" Sarah grinned as she took it, looking at the screen. "Hey, Alex," she said chirpily. "Yes, I'm at Jay's. Yeah, she's still here. Of course you can. Alex, is everything alright? Are you okay? And Lily and Olivia? Thank God. Okay. We'll be here. See you in a half hour."
"Sarah?" Jay asked when she hung up the phone.
"Something's wrong," Sarah sat up in bed. "I can tell. Alex is coming here. She wants to talk to me. She wanted you to be here too."
"Let's get showered and dressed," Jay took her hand. "It'll be okay, Sarah. We'll make sure it is."
Sarah nodded. "I hope so," she whispered.
