Chapter Eleven: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Her time with Tony in the diner had been great. Jess missed the pace of cooking and talking with the regulars. She missed being around Tony the most. Ken met the teen for lunch around 1PM. They ate burgers, drank chocolate milk shakes and exchanged Christmas gifts over the Formica table in the last booth by the window, a tradition started a few years earlier. By 2:15PM they had said goodbye and Jess was back in the kitchen with Tony. "You're still coming for dinner tonight, right?"

The older man shot her a look. "You really think my answer has changed since you asked me two hours ago?"

Jess grinned. "No." The grin faded. "I just…I want you there, tonight…for dinner."

Tony pushed a small bit of hair behind Jess's left ear that had fallen out of her ponytail. "I wanna be there tonight. Jess, I wouldn't miss it."

The grin reappeared on the girl's face as they got two more orders for food. At 4PM Tony closed the diner and by 5PM he was driving himself and Jess up to her home. As promised, her quasi mothers had made a wonderful ham and scalloped potato dinner. Tony brought dessert. The foursome had a great meal and after dinner Tony and Jess exchanged Christmas gifts. Olivia and Jess played a couple of Rockband songs for Tony and Alex and afterwards they sat in the living room, in front of the Christmas tree and a warm fire and talked. Olivia and Alex loved hearing Jess and Tony tell stories from the diner. They also told stories about Christmas from the past. It amazed the detective and the A.D.A. how vividly Jess spoke about her mother; she never showed any sadness.

Eventually Tony called it a night and put his foot down when Jess pleaded with him to spend the night.

"But there is an extra room. Please, Tony, stay tonight."

The older man looked down at the young woman as they stood in the hallway by the door. "We've been over this, Little, Bitty, Pretty One. You have your home and I have mine. Goodnight, Jessie. I love you." He hugged Jess and she hugged him back, under his coat.

Olivia and Alex had also asked him to stay, when Jess had gone to the bathroom and the three of them had been alone. He explained to them that she had already asked him, and while he was flattered he felt it was best he didn't stay.

"I love you, too. I'll see you on the 26th for dinner, right?"

Tony smiled as the hug ended and he and Jess were looked at each other. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." He looked at all three women. "Merry Christmas to you all."

As Olivia and Alex hugged him, they wished him a Merry Christmas. He kissed Jess on the head and left the condo. Jess closed the door and put her hand on it as if that would hold the older man in her presence. "It's okay to cry." Olivia coaxed. She knew after all the reminiscing over the last few hours it was only a matter of time before it caught up with Jess.

"He's all alone, you know?" She turned to the women. "He made Connie leave their apartment when he found out about Brian Nudds. I wanted him to stay tonight so that he wouldn't be alone."

Alex pursed her lips. "He's not alone, Jessie. He has you and me and Olivia. Maybe he needs his own space tonight. You'll see him on the 26th. I know he'll be here. Tony's a man of his word."

Jess nodded. "You're right about that." She walked into the living room and up to the mantel. She took the picture of her mother off of it and walked towards her bedroom. Olivia furrowed her brow. "Where are you taking that?"

The teen turned and faced the older women, who were now standing in the living room. "I'm putting it back in my room."

"Why?" Olivia asked as her features softened.

She shrugged as she answered. "Because that's where it goes."

Olivia struggled with what to say next. Depending on how she worded it the night could be very long and filled with tears. Their first Christmas Eve together would always be the night she and Jess came clean about their pasts. Why Jess had put the picture on the mantle in the first place and worse, the absolute truth about Olivia's family. Not tonight. "Alex and I like it on the mantel. Do you?"

Jess looked down at the photo and smiled sadly. She did like it there. The young woman looked up and met their eyes across the room. "Yes."

The detective nodded her head towards the fireplace and smiled slightly. "Then put it back up there."

She walked over and placed the frame back where it had been. Alex and Olivia walked to and stood behind Jess. The taller brunette kissed the shorter one on the top of her head. "If there are any other pictures you want to put up around the house, please do."

Alex ran her hand over the hair on Jess's head and down her back. "This is your home, too. The people you love should be represented in here just as much as ours are." She said it knowing that there wasn't a single picture of Olivia's family in the residence. However, there were several pictures of the people her girlfriend loved most in the world and that's what mattered most.

The women changed into their pajamas, cleaned up the kitchen and lay down on the couch in the living room. With the fire stoked, they watched one Christmas movie and then Alex recited the story T'was the Night Before Christmas. Olivia had stroked Jess's hair during the story and the teen was almost asleep by the end. The detective smiled as she looked down at her daughter. "It's time for bed, Kid."

"She's right, you know," Alex agreed as she took in the sight. "Santa will be here soon."

Jess sighed and said in a sleepy tone, "You two are lame."

"Mmmmm…maybe. You're not putting up much of a fight though." Olivia grinned.

"Too sleepy." Jess lifted her head and looked at the women. "And maybe you're right."

Alex grinned. "It's a Christmas miracle, Liv. She said we were right."

The teen grinned at the silliness of it all. "I said 'maybe'."

Olivia's grin widened. "We'll take it."

They all got off the couch then. Alex and Olivia tucked their daughter in for the night. It was something they never did, as she was far too old. That night, though, and after the month they had had it went a long way for all three of them.

In their bed, after setting out Jess's gifts under the Christmas tree and filling the stockings hanging from the mantle, Olivia and Alex lay in each other's arms. The detective took in the soft scent of vanilla as she inhaled close to her lover's skin. "In this home, with you and Jess, the rest of the world fades away. I love you."

A single tear welled up and fell from Alex right eye. She stroked her girlfriend's soft hair. "You are the most extraordinary person I have ever met. With you, I have the most exquisite gift someone could receive, a family. I love you, Olivia Benson."

It didn't take long for either woman to fall asleep.

Tuesday December 25th, 07:45

As Jess opened her eyes she wondered just how long she had been asleep. It felt like days. So much had happened in the last few weeks. The tiny brunette hadn't slept well over those weeks. She had tried to keep herself busy; she tried not to worry but it was no use. Jess worried constantly, about everything. Sleep had been at a premium despite how exhausted she had been. Last night was the first night in a long time sleep had come without effort. A smile played across her lips at the memory of Alex reading to her and Olivia playing with her hair. It was nice having them both home, with her, not out of obligation but because they wanted to be there. Wait…it's Christmas morning. It didn't matter that Jess was 16; Christmas was still Christmas.

She rolled over and grabbed her cell from the bedside table. The teen thumbed it awake and read the time. 7:46AM Time to open presents! She ripped the blankets off and hit the hardwood floor, running. Out of her room, across the living room and down the hall to her pseudo mothers' room. Jess listened at the door for any signs that they might be awake. Nothing. She knocked quietly on the door. Nothing. The teen reached for the doorknob and turned it. As she slowly opened the door Olivia and Alex came into her view. The A.D.A. was spooning the detective. Jess crept in silently and smiled at the sight. Despite her excitement about the day she didn't want to wake them. She took the blanket off the end of the bed in her arms and carefully crawled onto the bed. The teen curled up at the foot of the bed and spread the blanket over herself. The room was dark, silent, warm and safe. Jess closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of both women. She snuggled in the blanket and fell asleep almost instantly.

09:25

Alex became aware of the morning first. She hadn't even opened her eyes but she knew it had to be daylight. She felt as if she had been asleep for months. Her detective was wrapped in her arms and Alex's body ran the length of Olivia's. She held her tighter and leaned into her. Olivia grinned as she woke. Her fingers were dovetailed in her girlfriends' and she held them tighter. She pushed her body back ever so slightly leaning into Alex's.

"Good morning, Detective." Alex tone was a deep whisper, partly from sleep and partly because she was aroused.

"Morning, Counselor," was the reply, in an equally deep whisper.

She nuzzled the side of Olivia's neck. "What time is it?"

"Who cares? Let's just lie here until someone tells us otherwise."

A grin formed on Alex's lips. "Sounds good. I gotta stretch out on my back. Cuddle with me."

"Always." Olivia smiled.

Alex stretched her legs and turned onto her back in one motion. As she stretched, her feet ran into something that prevented her from stretching out completely. She opened her eyes and sat up. Her grin got wider. "We have company."

Olivia opened her eyes as wide as possible and sat up. She chuckled. "How long do you think she's been here?"

"Since 7:50," Jess said in a lazy tone.

"You're awake?" Alex asked.

"Yup."

Olivia looked from the teen to her girlfriend and then back to the teen who had yet to open her eyes. "How long were you gonna let Al and I go on for?"

"Until you started French kissing. I'm mildly aware that you have sex; I wasn't going to lie here with a front row seat…that's nasty. A kid never wants to wants to hear, see or accidentally walk in on their parents having sex." Jess was still speaking in a lazy tone, indicating that she was putting no effort into the answer and was happy to lie there.

"Why are you in here?" Alex asked with some concern in her voice. Having never had a child of her own there were certain things that amazed her about one. Jess did everything for a reason. Sometimes the reasons were incredibly adult, cunning, or manipulative. Other times they were very bare bones or childish. She had a wide range of emotions that sometimes bordered on an extreme high or low. Sleeping in the same bed as her and Olivia could be a sign Jess was scared or sad.

"I came in here to wake you both but when I saw you guys I couldn't bring myself to do it. You looked so happy and relaxed. So I just lay down at the foot of the bed. I didn't even realize I had fallen asleep." Jess opened her eyes and smiled at the women looking at her. She moved between them and stretched out with the blanket still over her.

The weight of the teen made the blankets Alex and Olivia were under tight and the pair fell backwards onto their respective pillows. Jess lay on her stomach and giggled as she felt the women collapse on either side of her. "I like your idea about lying here until someone tells us otherwise."

"Hey, Kid?" Olivia said as she turned and looked into the hazel eyes fighting to stay open.

"Yeah?"

She grinned. "Merry Christmas."

Jess's eyes flew open. "It's Christmas morning." In a flash she was standing in the middle of the bed. "It's Christmas morrrrrrning!"

Alex threw her head back in laughter. Jess wasn't sad or scared. The reason she was in the bedroom was out of courtesy. At this point she was as far away from sad or scared as a person could get. "Excited?" she said through her laughter as she looked up at the teen.

"Yesssss! Can we open presents' now…pleeeeeease?" How could she have forgotten in her sleep it was Christmas morning?

Olivia and Alex exchanged grins. It was obvious the kid was going to have a stroke if she they didn't oblige her. They looked up at her. "Yes."

"Waaaaahhooooo!" Jess leapt from the middle of the bed, over Olivia and onto the hardwood floor of the bedroom. As soon as her feet hit the wood she was off again; out the door, down the hall and into the living room.

The detective looked from the doorway to her girlfriend in disbelief. "It's as if she's five years old."

Alex smiled slightly and nodded as she looked at Olivia. "Today, our daughter is a kid. Not a 35 year old trapped in a teenage body. She doesn't work for the NYPD, she isn't testifying in court, there are no perps trying to kidnap you, she isn't running away, no murderer trying to slit my throat and no one is trying to rape her. She's a kid and it's Christmas morning."

A small smile appeared on Olivia's lips. "It's a good day for her."

"It's a good day for all of us." Alex said and then kissed her detective. She pushed her tongue at Olivia's lips and they let her have access. The kiss deepened and the women somehow became intertwined on the bed. Christmas music filled the air in the home but neither woman heard it.

"Get out here! I'm starting with my stocking!" Jess yelled in excitement.

Both women heard her and started to laugh. Olivia rolled off of Alex and held her hand out. They got out of bed and walked hand-in-hand out to the living room. As she had stated, Jess had her stocking in her hand and was sitting on one end of the couch. The other women grabbed theirs and they all dug in.

It didn't take long for Jess to rip open all of her gifts. Alex and Olivia weren't far behind her. The teen looked in the Christmas tree for more envelopes. She had been told to look for them and found one with her name on it. Inside were tickets to Rent in a few months. Jess had actually cried when she opened the envelope and realized the women raising her were continuing her mother's tradition of giving her tickets to the theater for Christmas. The tiny brunette came across an envelope with Alex's name on it. She carefully took it out of the tree branches and handed it to her.

Alex smiled when she recognized her name scrolled in Olivia's handwriting. The detective looked at her girlfriend. "Before you open this I think I need to tell you something about it."

The A.D.A. nodded for Olivia to continue.

"Inside that is something somewhat depressing. You need to look beyond what it is and understand what it represents."

"Okay." The smile on Alex face faded as she opened the envelope. She took out the contents and unfolded the many pages stapled together. It didn't take her long to skim the first page. Her mouth dropped in shock as she looked back at her partner. "Olivia, why would you give me this?"

The detective put her hands out, palms up. "Just listen to me. Turn to page seven."

Jess watched the scene unfold in front of her. She knew as soon as she saw the first page in Alex's hands what it was Olivia had given her. The teen was worried that when all was said and done Alex wouldn't want the responsibility. Jess watched her closely to gauge her reaction.

Alex flipped to the seventh page and skimmed it. Then she read one sentence twice, just to be sure she had read it correctly. She looked up at Olivia. "You're leaving Jess to me?" It had come out more of question than a statement.

"Yes." Olivia nodded. "I know you will give her the best life possible. You love her and she loves you."

The blonde turned slightly to her daughter as she slowly dropped her hands, and Olivia's will into her lap. "And you're okay with this?"

"Yes. Livie already had the paperwork drawn up when she asked me who I would want to live with if something happened to her. I told her I wanted to live with you. You were my family. Do you want me?" Fear was etched on Jess's face. If Alex didn't want the responsibility of raising her without Olivia, she wasn't sure what she would do.

Olivia had never meant for this to become some sort of showdown. She had been positive up until that moment that Alex wouldn't think twice about raising Jess on her own. Seeing the fear of possible rejection on her daughter's face made her wonder what would happen if Alex said no.

Alex's features slowly returned to normal as the reality of the pieces of paper in her hands set in. A tear welled up in her right eye and fell down her cheek as she blinked. "Of course I want you." Jess crawled across the couch and into Alex's arms for a hug. Olivia breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

"There is at least one more envelope in that tree," Alex said into Jess's ear. The pair let go of each other and Jess walked back to the Christmas tree. She found it and plucked it from the branch it was resting on. She walked up to Olivia and handed it to her.

The handwriting indicated that whatever was in the envelope was from Alex. The detective smiled and opened it. She pulled out a neatly folded wad of papers. She unfolded them and actually had to read most of the first three pages in order to fully understand what they meant. Olivia looked over at her girlfriend. "We're buying this place from your siblings?"

Alex nodded. "Yes, if you want to. I spoke to them and they want us to buy it from them. It would be ours, just you and me."

Olivia let out a huff and a small chuckle. "I can only imagine what this place is worth. I can't afford to buy out your sister and brothers."

"Actually you can," Alex said with a tiny grin. "Read the second last page."

Flipping to it Olivia read the page. The monetary amount she was responsible for was doable. It was roughly the amount she would have taken out as a mortgage on a place of her own. "This isn't fifty per cent of the value of this condo, Al."

"Maybe not," Alex confessed. "But you've made up the difference ten-fold by making this condo a home. I want this place to be our home, lock, stock and barrel. Whaddaya say?"

What could she say? It was something Olivia desperately wanted. Not so much in the financial sense but in terms of grand gestures, this was pretty big. The ownership of one of the Cabot family estates wasn't something anyone of them took lightly. Alex was serious about building a life together and this was one way of showing it. Olivia smiled. "Gotta pen?"

Alex leaned over and took Olivia's cheeks in her hands as she smiled. "I love you."

"I love you, too." The women kissed while Jess grabbed a pen from her room. She brought it back and Olivia signed the paperwork. It was official.

Jess looked at the women who were raising her. "Brunch anyone?"

They nodded in agreement and the teen went into the kitchen to start. Olivia got up from the couch and Alex grabbed her left hand. The detective stopped and turned to her. In a hushed but serious tone the blonde spoke. "I read the date you revised your will."

Olivia nodded, as her eye grew darker.

"You were going to leave Jess to me even when you couldn't stand to look at me." There was a slight tremble in her voice.

The detective looked away for a moment and then looked back into the deep blue eyes of her lover. "Honestly, I was thinking of Jessie when I had my will redone. I knew she would want to be with you." Olivia smiled slightly. "I knew you were the only person who could give her the love she needs."

"Thank you."

She bent down in order to be closer to Alex as they spoke. "It's true that there was a time, not that long ago, that I couldn't stand to look at you. You broke my heart, Alex and that's not something that heals overnight." Olivia pursed her lips as she saw her girlfriend's eyes get darker by the end of the sentence. "We are a work in progress. We'll never be what we once were but it's up to us to determine where we go from here." The brunette took both of Alex's hands in hers. "I want a life with you. I want us to work. No more secrets, no more lies. We need to stop hiding how we feel from each other. Are you in?"

Alex nodded. "I'm in. I don't want to be anywhere else. I don't want to be with anyone else. I want you, Olivia." The detective leaned in and kissed her. Alex deepened the kiss with her tongue. The brunette guided her lover onto the couch behind her and lay on top of her.

The shot came out of nowhere. Neither woman heard Jess sneak into the living room; nor did they hear her pull the plastic trigger. They did find themselves in a very wet kiss.

"Uhhh…what is that?" Alex whined. Annoyed she was wet.

Olivia wiped her face with her right hand, as she was using her left as leverage to keep her upper body off Alex. "Water." She wheeled her neck around and caught her daughter out of the corner of her eye. "I don't care that it's Christmas…you're gonna pay for that, Jess!" the detective said with a smile on her face as she leaped off Alex and was over the back of the couch in a second flat.

"Oh, yeah? Really? You gonna stop me?" Jess said playfully with a huge grin on her face. She pointed the plastic water gun at Olivia.

"Damn right I…"

It was too late. Jess pulled the trigger until the gun was out of water. Olivia manage to subdue the younger woman but at the cost of her t-shirt…and a bit of pride.

The trio ate brunch and relaxed for most of the day. The only things they did accomplish were the two dishes they were taking to the Stablers that night for dinner. They left the condo at 3:30PM for the Stabler homestead in Queens.

Stabler Residence

Glen Oak, Queens

Tuesday December 25th, 16:20

When they walked into the house the women could already smell the turkey. After making sure Kathy didn't need any help Jess joined the Stabler kids in the living room, where they were playing Rockband. The adults were in the kitchen talking.

"Where are they?" Olivia asked. There was excited impatients in her tone.

Elliot handed her a MGD that he had twisted the top off of. "I understand why the kids are gonna be excited…but you." He narrowed his eyes slightly with a small grin on his face. "You, I don't understand."

Olivia shrugged with a tiny grin that matched his. "I want to see her face when Jess realizes what the card is."

"Having kids is great, isn't it?" he held out his beer.

She knocked it gently with her own. "Yes, it truly is, partner."

Kathy opened a drawer and pulled out an envelope. She turned and handed it to Olivia with a smile on her face. "Here, there are tiny envelopes with everyone's name on them in there. Inside the tiny envelopes are the cards. You can set one on each plate on the table." She shrugged as she grinned. "I put a name on each envelope so they looked like place cards for the table."

"Nice one." Olivia said as she smiled and took the large envelope from Kathy.

Olivia placed the rest of the tiny envelopes on the plates that were on the table and ended in front of Alex. She kissed her girlfriend, placed an envelope on her plate and went to speak with Elliot about the Larsson case. Kathy nudged Alex's hip with her own. "You two seem to be doing well."

"It's a work in progress." Alex smiled as she turned and watched Olivia and Elliot talk. She looked back at Kathy. "I am truly grateful for the chance. I love her, Kath, I really do."

Kathy grinned. "I know you do."

17:30

With everyone sitting around the table and Eli in his high chair there was barely enough room in the kitchen to breath. There was sense of togetherness that Jess had longed for her whole life that she found at these dinners. It had started that very first cook-off she and Elliot had had. In front of them sat a table of incredible food. Directly in front of everyone was a small envelope on his or her plate indicating where they were to sit.

Kathy started. "Before we dig in everyone can open the envelop sitting on their plate."

Olivia had made sure she and Alex were sitting across from Jess. She couldn't wait to see the kid's face.

Everyone opened their envelopes. It was no surprise to the parents at the table, so they hesitated opening their own in order to see their children's reactions. The Stabler children looked around the table at each other with confused looks. They looked at either end of the table, to each of their parents. Richard looked at his mother. "I don't get it. What is this?" he asked holding up his card.

Jess had seen Mickey Mouse on the front of her card; it was the size of a credit card. She had flipped it over and read the back. "It's a five-day park hopper pass," She said in disbelief. She finally looked up and across the table, directly at Olivia. The corners of her mouth started to tug up into the beginnings of a smile. "It's a park pass to Disney World."

Olivia nodded and grinned slightly.

The young woman's chin began to quiver as her grin got a little bigger. "You remembered."

Although it had come out as more of a statement than a question Olivia continued to nod.

Jess looked down at the pass in her hands and blinked. The tears that had formed in her eyes fell down her cheeks. She looked back up at Olivia. A full-on smile had highjacked her lips. "I'm going to Disney."

Olivia's eye grew dark and glassy as her trademark crooked smile appeared. "Yes, Kid. You're going to the happiest place on earth."

"Ummm…just to be clear…we're all going to Disney World, right?" Richard said as she looked from Olivia to his mother.

"Richard!" Kathy said in an angry tone. She couldn't believe he had spoiled the moment between Olivia and Jess.

"Dickie!" Elliot hollered from the other end of the table.

"Honestly, Richard!" Maureen said.

"Wow…way to ruin the moment bro," Lizzie said.

"He didn't ruin anything," Jess said looking around the table. "We're all going to Disney!"

"Woooohooooooo!" The kids yelled.

Discussion was in full swing for at least two minutes about when they were going; where they were staying. Jess looked across the table at Olivia and Alex. The smile had never left her face. She mouthed "Thank you" to both of them. They both mouthed "You're welcome."

Kathy put up her hands, palms up after about two minutes of non-stop questions. "Enough, the food is getting cold. Richard, say Grace."

After Grace it was dinner as usual around the kitchen table. People were polite but food disappeared as if it was the Last Supper. The kids cleared and washed the dished while everyone discussed their Disney trip further. Once the last dish was dry everyone went into the living room to exchange gifts. Afterwards, the kids played poker, a Stabler family tradition; with Richard's new poker chip set the adults had drinks in the kitchen. The other gift Richard received from his parents was a promise from his father to take him to the shooting range and teach him how to fire a gun.

02:41

The song brought her out of sleep. Without opening her eyes she reached for her cell phone. Jess knew who was on the other end of the call from the song emanating from the phone. She answered it with her eyes still closed. "Hey," she said in a sleepy tone.

"Hey, did I wake you?"

"Yeah, it's late…I think?" It didn't feel like it was morning. Plus, even with her eyes closed Jess could tell the sun wasn't up yet.

"It's 2:40. Can I come up?"

Jess's eyes fluttered open. "What?" It was the first time she sounded awake.

"You heard me. I'm downstairs."

"Seriously?" A grin formed on her face as she sat up in bed.

"Yes."

"Get up here."

They had been completely silent when Jess let Richard enter the condo. He had taken off his winter gear and they had headed to her bedroom. Jess closed the door to her room once they were inside. She turned and looked at her boyfriend, who was sitting on the edge of her bed with his feet on the hardwood floor. The brunette walked over to her bedside table. She pulled her wallet out of her sweatpants and tossed it on the table, pulled her cell phone out as well; thumbed around until she found a playlist of songs she liked and then set it down on the table. Jess looked at Richard. "Stripe me."

"True Love Way" by Kings of Leon emanated from the cell phone.

(Warning... like a substitute
I've been working awful hard for you
But you don't say, you just hold your breath
So I can't touch what I haven't yet
She's a cold one and it hurts me so
It's a dark path and a heck of a goal
If she could feel me like she did before
)

It had been said in a soft tone. For the first time, in a long time, Richard felt that the request was something coming from his girlfriend's heart and not her mind. He gently pulled her tank-top up over her head, exposing her breasts. He placed his thumbs between the waistband of her sweatpants and the warm skin on her hips. The young man pulled them down. Jess was totally naked.

(We'd be so free
Happy alone
Sharing a smile
So far from home
)

She pulled the white t-shirt over her boyfriend's head and tossed it on the floor, next to her tank-top. Jess straddled him on the edge of her bed, bringing her breast to Richard's mouth. He licked at her left nipple, which was already hard. She wound her hands around his neck and leaned into him. He took her nipple in his mouth and sucked at it. This made Jess's head fall back and her eyes close. Richard put his arms around her back and held her as he moved.

In one fluid motion, she was on her back and he was hovering over her; his lower body between her thighs and his hands were now on the bed, above her head for support. She grinned ever-so slightly. "I trust you."

He kissed her on the lips. Then left a line of kisses down her neck, between her breasts, down her torso and stopped just below her navel. Richard licked her clit.

"Mmmmm," Jess moaned as she exhaled.

He licked her clit a couple more times and then sucked on it.

"Uhhhhhhh," Jess moaned as she involuntarily arched her back.

As he sucked on her clit Richard took two fingers and ran them around the opening of her sex. This not only garnered more moaning but Jess bucked her hips in an effort to force his fingers inside her. He let go of his vice-like grip on her clit and licked at the opening of Jess's sex. She was so wet already. The young man sunk his index finger inside her sex first and started to lick his girlfriend's clit again. As he sunk his middle finger inside her he sucked her clit. He started a slow rhythm.

"Uh, uh, uh…yeah."

(Push in and I pull it away
It's the hard part but the true love way
)

Richard couldn't take it any longer; he was hard and needed to be inside his girlfriend. He sat up slightly, gently pulled his fingers out of her and pulled his pants down. Without taking his eyes off her he reached over to the bedside table, opened the drawer and found a condom. Richard ripped the wrapper open, grabbed the condom and put it on. As he leaned back towards Jess he pushed the tip of his penis inside her sex. She opened her legs wider and he pushed all the way inside her as he rubbed his thumb against her clit. "Yessss" Richard said. She felt soooo good. He started to develop a rhythm.

"Uh, uh, uh…more…uh, uh, uh." Jess said with labored breath.

(Till you want it like a wanted man
With your smart mouth and your killer hand
We can both share all that I have made
For a young man it's a heck of a wage
And I feel crazy when I see your face
)

He looked down at his girlfriend. She appeared to be concentrating but she had a slight grin on her face. He tilted his head down and licked the right side of her neck. This garnered a small shiver. "Bite me."

Richard was surprised but bit down gently on the tension cord that was exposed when Jess turned her head all the way to the left. This forced her hips to move faster as she clamped her hands down on her boyfriend's shoulders.

(Cause we'd be so free

Happy alone
Sharing a smile
So far from home
)

He tried to keep up with the new pace. Richard was shocked at how she had reacted. "Uh, uh…you're so good…" he said as he matched the pace she had set. He went back to her neck and bit at it a little harder.

"Yes, yessss…uh, uh…fuck…I'm gonna…uhhhhhhh."

Jess's body stiffened as she dug her fingers into Richard's shoulders. As her sex tightened around his penis he could only hold on for two more thrusts.

"Mmmmmm…uhhhhhh." Jess whined as her orgasm took over and tried to push Richard out of her.

"Uh, uh…nooo…" Richard whispered in a labored tone as he came hard and fought to stay inside the warm wetness of his girlfriend's sex.

She bucked and tried to squirm out and away from him. When he had come Richard lessened the force he was putting on Jess, allowing her to push him out. "Uhhhhhh," she said as she completely relaxed. Her whole body felt like jelly. Richard rolled off her and lay on his back next to her on the bed.

(And we would laugh
Laugh till we cry
Making a song
Making me lie
)

"I'm sorry I didn't let you up," he said as he turned on his side and looked at Jess.

"Don't be," she said with a grin. "I loved it."

After a couple more songs the teens put most of their clothing back on. Jess turned the music off and put the phone on vibrate. Richard lay on his back and Jess lay with her head on his chest, her arm across him and her left leg over one of his. They fell asleep within minutes.

Wednesday December 26th,

7:30

Alex stretched her arms over her head as she woke. Although she hadn't opened her eyes yet she felt someone else's on her. "What's on your mind, Detective?"

Not the least bit surprised Alex could sense her staring, Olivia answered. "I've been thinking a lot about my family lately. I'm sorry I dismissed your idea of telling Jess about them so quickly."

Opening her eyes she turned her head to the direction the voice had come from. "You have nothing to be sorry about." Alex shook her head. "I shouldn't get in the middle of your past. You were right, you know; I don't know what it's like to live with what you do."

The brunette looked away from Alex. "You think Jess does though," she looked back into the bright blue eyes, "don't you?"

"I think there are parallels between what you both have had to live with, yes." Alex nodded then pursed her lips. "That doesn't mean that now is the best time to explore them." She turned towards her girlfriend and put her left hand on her cheek. "I trust you. You will know when the right time is to tell her. I'll stay out of it from now on, I promise."

Olivia smiled slightly, "Thanks. Maybe I should just tell her everything, today"

"Do you really think that's a good idea given that Abbie will be here before 3PM and you will be serving dinner for thirteen tonight?"

"No." Olivia said in a deep tone. "But I mean really, when will be the right time to bring this up?"

"You'll know when the time is right. I would not suggest today, though. It's not something you should force just to get it over with."

"You're right. There is too much going on now anyway. Jess is overwhelmed as it is. I don't want to add to that."

Alex took Olivia's face in her hand. "It's something that will have to come up organically, not in a contrived situation. Trust me, you both will find your way to that discussion. Not today, not tomorrow but at some point."

Olivia smiled. "I love you." She kissed Alex. The women somehow became intertwined and the kiss became deeper.

They were still kissing when the alarm went off. The pair continued to kiss until the noise became too distracting. The kiss broke and Alex rolled over and shut it off. When she rolled back Olivia was out of bed and standing up. The blonde lunged for her. "Hey, get your tits back here." She grabbed her girlfriend around the waist and pulled her back into bed.

Olivia laughed out loud as she bounded onto the bed. The pair wrestled for dominance, but in the end the brunette was on top. She had Alex's arms stretched over her own head. Olivia looked down into the sparkling blue eyes. "You wanna eat turkey tonight?"

"Yes," She grinned

"Then I have to start now. Plus…don't you work today?" Olivia's voice was deep.

"Yes." Alex's tone was playful. "But I'd rather eat you…now…" She lifted her head up and bit gently at the tension cord on the left side of Olivia's neck.

The detective shuddered at the sensation and released her grip on Alex's arms. Knowing this would be her opportunity to gain the upper hand the blonde pushed up with her body in order to throw Olivia off balance.

"Oh no you don't…" Olivia's voice was even deeper this time. It drove Alex crazy. The brunette stiffened and held her place, over the blonde. "Tonight, my love. We will play tonight. Right now, it's all about the bird." Olivia pushed herself off Alex and off the bed.

Alex feigned hurt. "I remember a time when it was all about this blonde and brunette."

Olivia smiled. "That was before we owned this place, before we had a daughter and before I knew just how much I loved you."

A smiled formed across Alex's lips. "Did you ever think we would be here?"

"I thought about something like this but I never imagined it would feel this good."

"Me either. I love you, Olivia."

The detective winked at her, turned and started to walk towards the bedroom door. "Ohhhh…but I also love to watch you walk away from me."

Olivia swayed her backside a little more as she walked to the door, opened it and left the room. Alex got up and took a shower, a slightly colder shower than usual. When she joined her girlfriend in the kitchen later, dinner appeared to be started as had breakfast.

"It's fifteen for dinner tonight."

"What?" Alex said as she helped herself to a cup of coffee.

"You heard me." Olivia grinned.

Alex turned and took a sip. "How did that happen?"

"Munch called me yesterday to thank me for having lunch delivered to them. He also asked me if he could bring someone for dinner tonight."

"Munch is bringing someone." Alex's right eyebrow shot up. "This otta be good."

"I know, right. How could I say no to that?"

"Okay so that's fourteen. Who's fifteen?"

"Jaylen." Olivia's brow rose as she said the name.

Alex cocked her head. "We get to meet the infamous Jaylen."

"Yes, we do. Jess asked the other day if she could invite her. I told her sure."

"She's been going to Mount Pleasant Prep for months now and Jaylen is the only person I ever really hear about."

"Me too. I can't wait to meet her." Olivia grinned.

"I know Jaylen has been here before but never when I'm here. It'll be nice to finally meet her." Alex smiled. "Where's Jess anyway?"

"Not sure." Olivia shrugged. "She's usually up by now even if she has the day off."

"Wanna wake her together before you start the eggs?"

"Yeah."

Both women grinned as they left the kitchen, crossed the living room and headed to Jess's bedroom door. Alex turned the knob and opened the door a crack. Nothing. She opened it completely and both women stood there in silence. Alex started into the room but Olivia grabbed her hand and pulled her back. They both left the room and Olivia closed the door. They went back to the kitchen. "What are they doing sleeping together?" Alex hissed.

"I don't know." Olivia said.

"We told them they couldn't. How much clearer could we have been?"

"Not much."

Alex narrowed her eyes at the detective. "Why aren't you angry?"

She shrugged. "Maybe there's a good reason they are sleeping together."

"Are you kidding me?" The A.D.A.'s jaw dropped.

"Well, he wasn't here when we went to bed last night. So something happened between then and now."

"What, huh? What could have happened between then and…" Alex was interrupted by Olivia's cell phone.

She answered it, recognizing the number. "Good morning."

"Hey, Liv. Is Dickie at your place?"

"Yup, he is."

"May I speak to him, please?. He doesn't seem to be answering his cell."

"He's still sleeping, Kathy."

There was a slight pause on the other end before Kathy Stabler cleared her throat. "Could you please wake him up and tell him that he had better get his ass and my van back to Queens?"

Olivia couldn't help it; she started to laugh. "I will tell him that, verbatim. I'm making breakfast now; could I at least send him to you will a full belly?"

Kathy smiled and chuckled. "Sure, but make sure when you wake him up he is terrified."

"Oh, believe me…he will rue the day he took off in your van, Kathy."

"Thanks, Liv. See ya tonight."

"No problem."

They hung up and Olivia looked at Alex. "It appears Dickie absconded with his mother's van last night."

"A real Bonny and Clyde those two are turning out to be," Alex said with a raised brow as she nodded in the direction of Jess's bedroom.

Olivia chuckled. "I'm sure he had a good reason."

"You know, I'm really surprised at you. You keep defending them as if you know there was some incredible circumstance that excuses their actions," Alex said as she furrowed her brow.

"Not excusing their actions." Olivia said shaking her head. "But maybe it explains them or maybe they just wanted to be together."

"Liv, their just kids. I know they're cute but this sleeping together has to stop."

Olivia shrugged. "I know."

Alex looked at the clock on the stove. "Uhhh..well I no longer have time to investigate this one." She kissed her girlfriend. "Good luck with this caper. I'll be home by 4PM." Olivia followed her to the front hall where she dressed in her winter gear.

"You look goooood in that," the brunette said.

The A.D.A. winked at her. "Tonight…don't forget."

Olivia grinned. "It's a date."

Alex turned and left the condo. Olivia went back into the kitchen. She grabbed a large pot and a wooden spoon and headed to Jess's bedroom. After opening the door she peered in. Jess was lying on her stomach; Richard was lying on his side with his arm across her back. It made Olivia smile when she saw them sleeping like that. She walked further into the room and stood beside the bed, closest to Richard.

"BANG, BANG, BANG." Olivia started hitting the pot with the wooden spoon.

Both teenagers jumped as they were scared out of sleep. Richard grabbed Jess to protect her but then they both realized it was Olivia in the room. The young man crawled across his girlfriend and leapt out of bed, on the opposite side of Olivia. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry…I'm leaving…" He stumbled around looking for his wallet and car keys.

"We're sorry, Livie. We didn't mean to fall asleep together." Nothing like starting the morning off with a lie.

The detective stopped banging the pot as Richard stubbed his toe so hard on the end of the bed that he stumbled. It was only then that Olivia realized both teens had all their clothing on. While they may have been sleeping together, they were fully clothed doing so. "Wait, wait." She walked over to Richard. "Are you okay?"

Although the banging had stopped he knew Olivia was pissed. He also knew his mother would be angry for having her van. "I'm fine. I gotta go. I'm sorry, Olivia."

"Hold on. It's okay. Just slow down."

"I can't. My mom is gonna be pissed. I took her van last night and I was gonna bring it back today before she noticed."

"Oh, well, she already noticed."

"What?" He looked at her puzzled.

"She already called me."

"Fuck," he said as he closed his eyes and his head fell back. He brought it back and opened his eyes. "Sorry."

Olivia grinned. "It' fine. Look, she is pissed but she told me I could feed you breakfast before I send you home to her."

"You made breakfast?" Jess asked.

The grin on Olivia's face widened. "I started it. You can finish it. I also started the turkey."

"Niiice" Jess jumped out of bed and she and Olivia went out the kitchen. Richard rubbed his toe and wondered if he would ever understand women. After a nice breakfast he drove back to Queens to receive the ass chewing from his mother for the grand theft auto on her van.

Jess showered after breakfast but came out of her bedroom in sweatpants and a tank-top. Olivia looked at her. "Is that what you're wearing today?"

She looked down at herself and then at Olivia. "Like you should talk."

The detective smiled and nodded. "I'm gonna make a fire; wanna watcha movie?"

"Sure, whatta wanna watch?"

"You pick," Olivia said over her shoulder as she started to build a fire in the fireplace.

Two hours later Home Alone was over, the popcorn Jess had made was gone and Olivia was cracking her knuckles. "What's your damage?"

"Excuse me?" Olivia asked. She was sitting on the couch with her legs stretched out onto an ottoman and her arm around her daughter. Jess was leaning against the older woman with her legs tucked under her curled up under the blanket she was sharing with the detective.

"You fidgeted through most of the movie and now you're cracking your knuckles. So…what's your damage?" Jess laced her fingers with Olivia's.

The taller woman sighed. "Just restless, I guess. Alex is better at the chilling out and cuddling thing, isn't she?"

Jess snickered playfully. "Ha, yeah a little bit. You're thinking about the new case. You know, the one you won't talk to me about."

"You think you're soooo smart, don't you? Think you got me all figured out, huh?" The detective played with the ring on Jess's ring finger.

"Well, your avoidance in answering pretty much speaks to how well I know you. Why did you take so much off? You're gonna go bananas."

Olivia squeezed Jess lovingly into her side with her arm. "I wanted to spend time with you. It's Christmas. Plus, it's my annual Christmas dinner tonight and Abbie is coming all the way from Washington. She's only gonna be here until the 28th."

"When was the last time you went for a jog?"

She thought for a moment. "I'm not sure. Why?"

"You should go. Burn off some of that energy. Plus, it will give you time to think about the case. All the guys will be here tonight; if you think of anything you can run it by them."

Olivia cracked a smile. "You really do know me, don't you?"

Jess turned her head slightly and nuzzled Olivia's side. "It's a gift."

As she was leaving her bedroom the detective called her partner.

"Hey, Liv, what's up?"

"Not much. Just wondering how the case is going."

Elliot grinned. "You just can't leave well enough alone, can you?"

"Nope," She said, squeezing her cell phone between her shoulder and ear as she tied her running shoes in the front hall.

"You're in luck. Warner called and the toxic screen came back on the Vic. It was positive for flunitrazepam." Elliot leaned back in his chair in the bullpen.

"Flunitrazepam isn't something one takes for recreation or voluntarily," Olivia said standing up.

"Yeah, that's pretty much what we came up with. Listen, you took a few days off…why don't you actually take them off and stop thinking about this place? We can handle it."

Olivia chuckled. "I have all the faith in the world."

They disconnected and Olivia poked her head in the kitchen. "How much of that did you hear?"

Jess looked up from the large turkey in a roasting pot that she had taken out of the oven and set on the island. "Who me?" she pointed to herself. One hand still had an oven mitt on, the other held a baster.

"Yes, Susie Homemaker, you." There was an edge of sarcasm in her voice.

"I heard nothing. I'm tending to your turkey," Jess said, looked back at the bird and started to baste it.

"Ummm-huh." Olivia turned and put her hand on the door knob to open it and leave the condo.

"I would spend that jog thinking about why someone would wanna date-rape your Vic," Jess said matter-of-factly.

Olivia sighed as she turned the knob. "Thanks, Susie. You know, it's not normal for a 16 year-old to know the generic name for Rohypnol or know that it's commonly used to date-rape someone."

"Who said I was normal?" Jess called after Olivia.

The detective explored every reason she could think of for why someone would want to Ruffie her Vic as she took one of her three usual routes for jogging. She was gone for over an hour.

Manhattan SVU Squad Room

As Elliot set the phone down on his desk he was surprised to look up and see Alexandra Cabot standing in front of him. "Counselor, what can I do for you?"

"I need a lesson."

This made the detective raise his brow. "Okay…what kind of lesson?"

Alex cleared her throat. "Can we take this into the locker room?"

The rest of the detectives and their Captain were within earshot of their conversation. Elliot stood up and gestured with his right arm for her to €go first. He followed her to the locker room. "So…what kind of a lesson are you looking for?"

"I need to know how to get the upper hand in a wrestling match with someone who is smaller but stronger than me."

Elliot couldn't tell if it was from the cold weather outside or the subject of their conversation inside but the A.D.A.'s cheeks were bright pink as she spoke. He grinned like the Cheshire Cat. "Take off your coat."

13:15

When Olivia appeared in the kitchen Christmas music was playing loudly, there was a plethora of bowls and serving plates set out on the counters with Post-It notes in them and Jess was putting the top crust on an apple pie. The detective smiled. "There'd better be a pumpkin pie somewhere around here."

Jess looked up once she was satisfied with the placement of the crust. "What is this, amateur night?" She grinned. "Check the fridge."

The detective opened the door to the fridge and was shocked to find so much food prepped in it. She found the pumpkin pie and her smile widened. "Exactly how much of this dinner have you started?"

"Most of it. Once Aunt Abbie gets here I figured we wouldn't wanna spend too much time in here getting stuff ready." She wiped her hands on a dish towel and then promptly whipped Olivia in the backside with the towel.

Olivia spun around and smiled her trademark grin. "I'm gonna get you for that."

"Not right now you're not," she said grinning. "Aunt Abbie called from Penn Station while you were in the shower. She'll be at the subway in about five minutes. I'm going to meet her; you need to put that pie in the oven and get your hair outta that towel."

"You're lucky your Aunt's on her way," Olivia said pointing to her daughter.

"Yeah, yeah…" Jess said over her shoulder as she made her way into the front hall to put on her coat and boots.

Corner of Central Park West and 86th Street, 13:36

The second wave of people started to come up from the 86th Street subway since Jess had been standing on the corner. When she saw Abbie's head pop up and then the rest of her body appeared as she climbed the steps out of the subway, Jess grinned. Abbie Carmichael walked towards the now brunette. It took a minute for her to recognize the teen. She held out her arms. "Come here, Kid."

Jess ran the rest of the way and right into Abbie's arms. The A.D.A. wrapped her arms around the girl and kissed the top of her head. "How you doin', child?"

"I'm good." She looked up at the very tall dark haired woman. "Why do you live so far away?"

Abbie pursed her lips. "Cost of doing business, I'm afraid."

"I miss you…we miss you." Jess hadn't meant to pour out this much emotion but she did miss her Aunt.

She put her hand up to Jess's face and took her cheek in her hand. "I know you do. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to be so cavalier. I miss you, too. My job is in D.C., though, I can't help that." She sighed. "I have an idea. Why don't you come to Washington this summer once you're done school? You can come for a few days and I'll show you around town."

This put a huge grin on Jess's face. "Really?"

Abbie nodded. "Yes, really."

"Sweet! Come on, it's cold out here. I have a fire going at home."

"Okay, lead the way." It amazed Abbie how quickly Jess could swing from one emotion to another. She didn't have any children of her own but she assumed this was somewhat normal behavior in teenagers.

Olivia could hear the pair from the moment they stepped off the elevator. She opened the door in time to see them coming down the hall. "'Livia Benson, how the hell are you?"

"I'm great," the detective said as she threw her arms around the taller woman. "How are you?"

"Glad to be here."

They walked into the condo. Abbie set her bag on the floor just inside the door as the three women headed to the living room. They flopped down on the couch and starting talking. About ten minutes into the conversation Jess looked at Abbie. "Can we open presents now?"

Abbie looked at her. "Absolutely not. We are going to wait for your other Mama before we do any such thing."

The casual use of the term for Alex didn't go unnoticed by the women on either side of Abbie; in fact they both smiled. There was something about the no-nonsense Texan that Olivia, Alex and Jess loved. Alex had taken over for Abbie as SVU's A.D.A. over a decade ago. The trio had been friends ever since. When Abbie had met Jess about six months ago the pair had become friends quite quickly. The teen had watched the dark-haired beauty interact with her quasi mothers as well as the guys at the squad room. It had taken three days but Jess was convinced Abbie Carmichael was someone she could trust and needed to get to know. She had referred to Olivia and Alex as Jess's Mamas for about the last three months. The A.D.A. and detective hadn't corrected her and the teen had grinned at the use of the term. Abbie had been the only person with enough balls to call a spade a spade.

Alex walked into the condo and smiled at the sight of the three women on the couch. "Abbie Carmichel…as I live and breathe."

The dark-haired A.D.A. stood and walked over to the blonde one. They threw their arms around each other. After the hug Abbie held Alex at arm's length. "How are you, Blondie?"

"I'm well." Alex grinned at the use of Abbie's nickname for her. She looked beyond the slightly taller woman to the two still sitting on the couch. "What smells so good?"

Jess smiled. "Rosemary, garlic and pancetta topped turkey stuffed with Italian stuffing."

Alex's grin got wider as she pointed to her. "That's it!"

Alex followed Abbie into the living room and they opened presents. True to her word Abbie gave Jess a card with a woman's name on it. The tiny brunette looked up at her Aunt. "What is this?"

The Texan smiled. "Cynthia is a vocal coach. The record label she works for is written at the top of the card."

A small grin played across Jess's lips. "I know that WKA Inc. is a record label. What I don't understand is why you're giving me Cynthia Kingston's card. She's not just a vocal coach; she's one of the top names there."

"You've done your homework." Abbie raised her brow.

Jess shrugged. "I try to know a little about a lot of things. The music industry is one of those things." She held the card up. "Why am I holding her card?"

"Cynthia is your new vocal coach."

The teen spoke to Abbie but cut her eyes to Olivia. "What would make you think this is something I'd be interested in pursuing?"

Abbie knew that her niece wasn't ungrateful. The fact that she knew exactly who Cynthia was convinced her Jess felt just the opposite. The tone, as well as the look, was all directed to the detective in the room.

"Well, it's more of a who than a what."

Jess shook her head. "You told her, didn't you?"

Olivia nodded slightly. "Jess, you can sing. I mean it, you really can. You enjoy it as well. I thought that if you had a coach you'd become more confident. So yes…I told Abbie."

The teen chuckled and grinned slightly as she looked back at her Aunt.

"It's not that I don't appreciated this." Jess held the card in one hand and tapped it against the other. "I just…I feel like I'd be wasting Ms. Kingston's time. She's like one of the best in the business and I've never had a lesson in my life."

Abbie smiled genuinely at her niece. "I'll make you a deal. If you go and see Cynthia five times and you still feel like you're wasting her time, then you don't have to go back."

"You won't be upset?"

"Not at all." Abbie shook her head. "But I will be if you chicken out and don't go at all."

Jess grinned and crawled over to her Aunt. They hugged and Olivia smiled. "You still mad at me?"

The kid started to giggle. She broke her hug with Abbie and turned to the detective. "No, just kindda embarrassed."

It was nearing 6PM when Jess and Olivia finally changed into the outfits they were going to wear that evening. It wasn't anything special but it was a far cry from the sweats and tank top the tiny brunette had been wearing most of the day. The last people to arrive were John Munch and his date. She was a tall thin redhead, maybe five years younger than him, named Janet. She hugged Olivia and Alex when she met them, which was pretty much the polar opposite of what Munch would have done if the roles had been reversed.

Another notable entrance was Jaylen. Neither woman had met her either. She came bearing a bottle of white wine for Alex and a box of Captain Crunch for Olivia. The detective smiled at the box as she took it from the young woman. "I love it. Thanks, Jaylen."

She smiled "Well, I eat yours sometimes when I'm here. I figured I probably owed you at least a box by now."

Alex cracked a smile. "Please tell me that's not why you gave me the wine."

Jaylen laughed. "No, I was told you would like that bottle. I had my dad pick it up for me."

Dinner was served around 6:30PM to a hungry group which included Olivia, Alex, Jess, Richard, Jaylen, Tony, Ken Randle, Abbie, Elliot, Kathy, Fin, Don Cragen, Casey, John Munch and his date Janet. It was the second quietest part of the evening. After dinner but before dessert Abbie and Casey started talking. "I'm hoping Liv won't mind but I've gotta ditch her for an hour tomorrow to look at a property."

"Abbie, are you moving back?" Casey asked with a small grin on her face.

"Sadly no," she said shaking her head. "I am looking at commercial real estate tomorrow."

Casey looked puzzled. "Commercial real-estate? Why?"

"I'm looking into opening a bar here in New York."

"Seriously?" Casey smiled. "Abs, that's amazing!"

Munch turned and looked at the pair. "Abbie, I couldn't help but overhear you're looking to open a bar."

Both women started to laugh. "Subtle, John," Abbie said. "But, yes, I am looking at a property tomorrow. I am also going to hire a manager, closer to the opening, to run the place. I can't be here to oversee the day-to-day stuff. I need someone I can trust. Once I find a location and get the construction started, I'll be looking for a manager."

"Look no further," he said as he looked over his glasses at her and pointed to himself. "I'm your manager."

Casey laughed harder. "Good one, John."

"No, seriously. I've been trying to convince the guys in the squad that we should open a bar for years. I had one in Baltimore when I lived there."

Abbie stopped laughing but continued to smile. "Did you really?"

"Yes; ask Janet."

Both women stopped laughing as Munch called across the room. "Janet, didn't I own a bar in Baltimore?"

The redhead smiled. "Yeah, you did. The Waterfront…great place."

This became the quietest part of the evening. The whole room fell silent. There was no way to tell if it was the acknowledgment of the fact that Janet knew about the bar in Baltimore, which would have been over thirteen years earlier or the fact that she had clearly been there; regardless it plunged the room into silence. Most of the people in the room had known John Munch over thirteen years and hadn't known him in Baltimore. If nothing else, Janet intrigued those who knew Munch.

After about ten seconds the shock wore off and people started talking again. Abbie looked at Munch. "You're serious about this?"

"Absolutely."

"Think you can skip out tomorrow around 1PM? I'm meeting a realtor at the location then. I'd like your opinion."

"I'll be there. Just tell me where and I'll be there."

The dark-haired beauty smiled. "I'll see you then."

A while later Abbie walked up to Alex, Olivia, Casey, Jess and Kathy who were standing together talking. Alex looked at Kathy. "So, you up for a girls' poker night?"

Kathy smiled. "Really?"

Abbie nodded. "Complete with Del Mio Tequila for every round you lose."

"Are you kidding me?" Kathy laughed.

"That's how we roll." Abbie said a full-on smile graced her lips now as she addressed the woman to her left.

"Correction…that's how we used to roll." Olivia grinned.

Casey started to laugh. "It's true. I haven't drank like this in years."

"I don't get it. I leave New York for a few years and my friends become light-weights." Abbie said shaking her head.

"I'll be there." Kathy said.

"Can I play?" Jess asked

"You better ask your Mamas'," Abbie said.

Alex and Olivia met each other's gaze and then looked at their daughter.

"Well…can I?" The teen asked.

Both women nodded.

"Sweeet!"

Kathy's eyes widened and her mouth dropped at the mention of that term to describe Olivia and Alex. Olivia brushed against her partner's wife's shoulder and nodded to the kitchen. Kathy followed her into the other room. "It's okay," Olivia began.

"Did…did you just hear what Abbie called you and Alex to Jess?" Kathy said in disbelief.

The detective put her hands up, palms out. "Yes, I did."

"And you're okay with it?" Kathy's brow furred.

"Yes," Olivia said in a calm tone.

Kathy put her hands on her hips. "What does Jess think?"

Olivia sighed. "She hasn't said anything. She smiles a little when Abbie uses the term."

"Look, I appreciate that you and Alex are raising Jess. I know you love her as your own and she loves you both…but she had a mother," Kathy said barely able to look Olivia in the eyes.

"I know," the detective said in a quite tone to prove she really did get what Kathy was saying. "Alex knows as well. We referred to Jess as our daughter once and apologized immediately afterwards. She said she liked it though. So sometimes we say that to her. When Abbie used that term the first time, Alex and I were about to argue with her about it but then we both looked at Jess. She was smiling. She looked at us and nodded." Olivia shrugged. "She has never said anything about the use of the term, but I'm pretty sure she is okay with it."

Kathy bit her bottom lip. "I'm sorry, Liv. I shouldn't have even said anything."

Olivia shook her head. "You have every right to be concerned. I know you care about Jess as if she was your own. Alex and I are new to this parenting gig. We don't always know what's right and wrong. We try to let Jess set the tone for family dynamic. One thing is for sure, we never would have let something that made her uncomfortable continue, no matter who said it. We do love Jess like our own, Kathy, because she is ours. She is our only child; she's the only one we will ever have. We are not trying to take the place of her birth mother. That said, I will be her adopted mother come January. There is nothing Alex or I wouldn't do for our daughter."

There was part of Kathy that was truly mortified for having even started this conversation. "You're right, Liv. I'm so sorry for having brought this up. You have always been the most sensitive to Jess's needs and feelings. I should have known better."

"You don't have anything to be sorry about. You and El care deeply for Jess and I really appreciate that. I don't know how I would have been able to keep her this long without you both." Olivia put her left hand on Kathy's shoulder. "You always have her very best interest at heart, Kath, and I couldn't ask for a better person to watch over my daughter than you."

The pair hugged. A tear rolled down Jess's cheek as she leaned her forehead against the wall of the hall just outside the kitchen. She had heard most of the conversation. She had never heard Olivia talk about her and Alex that way. Nor had she ever heard the conviction in the detective's voice when talking about becoming her adopted mother. Not a day went by Jess didn't think about her mother, Katharine. She also thought, everyday, about how lucky she was to have two women who loved her as much as Olivia and Alex did. The tiny brunette had never realized it until the detective had verbalized it moments earlier. She really was their only child. It made Jess feel special, more special than she had felt in a very long time. When she heard Olivia and Kathy coming out of the kitchen, Jess turned and walked quickly down the hall and slipped into the living room.

Olivia and Alex mingled with everyone and had a lot of laughs. They paid particular attention to Jaylen and Jess. The pair got along incredibly well. The young woman was about 5'7, with a thin build, almost white blonde hair and a fair complexion. She seemed to get along really well with Richard as well. It led both women to believe that the trio had spent time together.

As the evening drew to a close people had to get going. Kathy, Elliot and Richard were the last three to leave. The four women who were left cleaned up and found themselves on the couch talking for another 45 minutes. Jess stood up. "I'm making popcorn. What movie are we watching?"

Alex looked at her watch. "It's 11:45, Kid. I gotta go to bed."

The detective grinned slightly, remembering the promise she had made earlier that day. "Yeah, Jessie, I'm sorry but I'm exhausted."

The teen looked from them to Abbie. The Texan grinned. "I'm up for a movie. Make the popcorn."

"Yeeeessss…sweet. Night Livie, night Ally." Jess smiled.

The pair looked at each other. "I think we're been replaced." Olivia said sporting her trademark crooked grin.

"It's a definite possibility," Alex agreed.

They stood and said goodnight to Abbie, who stood and looked at them. "I'll let you two off the hook tonight because you put on such a good party. Tomorrow night though, it's poker night."

"Uhhhhh…Abs, did you really bring the tequila?" Olivia asked with a grin on her face.

"Yes, I did. This poker night is happening. Just like the good 'ol days."

"Abs, that was ten years ago. I don't know that I can drink like that anymore." Alex smiled but her tone was whiney.

Abbie's expression became serious. "You better find it in yourself to drink that much again, Blondie. I don't care how far down you have to reach."

Jess let out a guffaw from the kitchen. "I can't wait to see this."

Alex was in the bathroom when Olivia finally ended up in their bedroom. The detective undressed and waited just outside the bathroom door. Alex came out within thirty seconds of Olivia standing there. As the A.D.A. walked into the bedroom the brunette grabbed her around the waist and pushed her onto the bed.

"Ahhhhhhh!" Alex screamed with laughter as she was tackled onto the Egyptian cotton sheets.

"Hahahahaha…you're sooooo easy" Olivia giggled as she wrestled with her, trying to get on top of her.

"You think so, huh?" Alex grabbed Olivia's forearms with her hands and pushed them away from her. She slid her legs against Olivia's in the opposite direction, causing the detective to lose her balance. With that the blonde was able to push herself up and come face-to-face with her girlfriend for a split second. "You're going down, Detective." She grinned as she pushed Olivia over.

"No, no, nooooo…" The brunette laughed as she fell onto the bed.

Alex straddled Olivia's thighs and looked down at her. "Now, Detective, who's sooooo easy?" She had a shit-eating grin on her face as she spoke.

"Look at you, so proud of yourself." Olivia smiled as she said it.

The blonde lowered her body and nipped at the older woman's breast. This garnered a sharp intake of air from Olivia. She looked up into the brown eyes of her girlfriend as she let the nipple drop from her mouth. "Like I said, who's sooooo easy now?"

"Uhhh…I am. Do that again." Olivia pleaded.

"Hahahahaha…I don't think so. Turn over for me."

Alex let some of her weight off the detective and Olivia rolled onto her stomach. The A.D.A. took a selfish moment to admire the curve of her back and the swell of her hips. Olivia was at the mercy of the blonde. "What are you doing back there, Counselor?"

"Just admiring the view." Alex's hands began mapping what she saw, brushing lightly over the smooth, satiny olive-coloured skin before her and following the path of her hands with open-mouthed, wet kisses. Spreading Olivia's thighs Alex moved to kneel between them. Sliding her hands under the detective's torso Alex helped her to her knees. Grasping Olivia's hands the younger woman moved them up to cup her own breasts.

"Mmm, that's it baby," Alex cooed in her ear, moving her hair to the side and licking and sucking the long line of her neck. She peered over Olivia's shoulder and watched as she squeezed and pinched her own nipple. The sight caused her to shudder and become impossibly more aroused. The A.D.A. slid her hands slowly down the front of Olivia's body, coming to a stop between her legs. Her right hand moved lower to slide through the brunette's wetness and further down to tease at her opening. Alex's left hand moved to position two fingers directly over her girlfriend's clit.

The incredible amount of stimulation to her breasts and clit coupled with the fingers teasing at her opening were driving Olivia insane. "Al…feels so good, so good. Mmmm…I need you… inside me. Please," She moaned.

Raising herself up over her girlfriend's back Alex moved to straddle Olivia's left thigh and began to thrust against her. Covering the detective's body with her own Alex nipped at the back of Olivia's neck and breathed into her ear. "Liv…hmm… so gooood." Reaching around the blonde tweaked and tugged at Olivia's nipples while her right hand slid slowly over the smooth planes of her backside, down her right thigh and then up, slowly up the inside of her thigh. Wetness coated Alex's finger well before she reached her destination.

The feel of her partner's fingers so close to where she needed them, the feel of her wetness brushing against her thigh, the feel of Alex's clit thrusting against her and the fingers expertly twisting and tweaking her nipples was sending Olivia into overload. Unable to form words but needing desperately to feel the blonde inside her the detective began to moan and whimper as she pushed back against Alex.

"Unnnnnnn"

The feel of Olivia's hips rolling beneath her, the sounds she was making produced a new flood of wetness from Alex. Adding her voice to the urgent moaning the A.D.A. slid two fingers slowly into her detective's sex. "Mmm, you're so wet for me."

With her trembling arms barely able to support her, Olivia gasped as she felt the blonde's fingers slide slowly into her. Her hips began to thrust trying, unsuccessfully, to pick up the pace, but Alex was having none of that. "Unnnnnn…God please Al, please… please… please…" Olivia half whined-half begged.

"Ummmm, what is it baby, what do you want? Tell me." Alex moaned as she felt herself closing in on an orgasm. She fought to contain it until her detective reached her peak. The earlier pleas were met with an increase in pace, a fact that Olivia clearly appreciated.

"Yeeeees, Al, oooooh that's it… that'sssss it. Ahhhhh." Olivia clenched her fists in the sheets as she pushed back against the A.D.A.'s fingers. "Oh, God, sooooo clllllose."

"Mmm, I can feel how close you are. I can feel you tightening around my fingers. It feels so good, Liv." Alex began to thrust more urgently against Olivia's thigh. "Can you feel how weeeet you're making me, hmm? Can you feel how hard I am?"

"Yessss, I can… feel… Oh, Alexxxxxx"

"That'ssss it, come for meee…"

Orgasm washed over and through each woman. Thrusts slowed, fingers remained buried in wet heat, ragged breathing began to calm. Alex lowered Olivia to her stomach and covered her back with her body.

"Umm, I can't move… I'm not crushing you, am I?"

"No, you feel wonderful, I feel wonderful, you made me feel wonderful…" Olivia giggled as she felt Alex's smile against her back. "I can feel you smiling… are you happy with yourself, Counselor?"

The shit-eating grin was back from minutes earlier. "Happy, doesn't quite cut it. Ecstatic, overjoyed and elated are a few of the things I'm feeling." The detective's giggling increased with each word. Alex rolled off her girlfriend's back so she could see her face. The trademark crooked smile was etched across her beautiful lips. "God, you are gorgeous. You mean everything to me. You have no reason to trust me but I want you to know that I will never hurt you again. You are the more intelligent and beautiful person I have ever known."

Laughter quickly died down upon hearing the younger woman's words. Olivia always had a good body image and never needed reassurances; but those words, those words meant so much to her. And more than that, she really and truly, right at that moment, felt absolutely gorgeous. "You make me feel that way." It was uttered in a whisper. "It's going to take time and understanding to get to where I think we both want to go."

Alex smiled at her. "I love you, Olivia. I'm going to prove that to you."

"I love you, Alexandra. I am starting to believe you. It's going to take time to trust you again. My heart and mind aren't there yet."

"I understand. I'm not expecting you to be able to trust me again until I can prove to you over time that I will never hurt you again. I'm amazed you can find it in yourself to give me the chance."

The pair kissed. It was soft and sweet, as if somehow solidifying their future together. It was unequivocally the beginning of what they were determined to be a life-long relationship.