A/N: Hey guys! Well this week has been ridiculous. I've been at school non-stop and I've been getting assignments left and right. I've been asked to watch two movies (that have no subtitles!!!!) and give résumés of the movies, the eras they were in, and tie it all together. I went and saw my italian teacher who has told me that I can write my 7 page assignment in French if I want to to make it easier for me, and if I have any trouble to come and let her know because she'd be more than happy to help me out. I keep saying to the girl who is here with me from Canada that I hate when she's nice to me because it's harder to hate her lol. She's a crazy demanding woman, but she's so nice that I feel guilty hating her! lol But yeah, my sister's coming tomorrow!!!!! eeeee. And I can't wait although I'm not sure how this is going to work out for all of my classes... I have so much homework but with my sister here, I won't want to do any of it.
Anyways enough babbling... I hope you're all doing well and thanks for the reviews/well wishes. I appreciate them :) Hope you all like this chapter!!
Alex woke the next morning and found Olivia was still in the bed with her. She snuggled close to her and kissed her cheek. The brunette groaned and stretched, slowly coming out of her sleep. When she awoke, she smiled at Alex.
"Good morning baby."
"Morning."
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah." She replied, placing a soft kiss on Olivia's breast.
Olivia groaned. "Don't do that."
"What? This?"
She snaked out her tongue and ran it along her nipple. Olivia groaned again and flipped her onto her back. Alex sucked in a breath of air as she was turned over and tried to fight the painful expression on her face. Olivia noticed it immediately and pulled away.
"Jesus I'm sorry babe. I forgot. Are you okay? I'm sorry."
Alex got angry with the tears that formed in her eyes at the pain shooting down her side.
"I'm fine Liv. It was nothing."
She leaned up to capture her lips but cried out as the pinching sensation travelled through her body. She made a frustrated sound and bit her bottom lip. Olivia looked down at her sympathetically and placed a soft kiss on her collarbone. Alex wrapped her arms around her waist and they lay there for several minutes in silence. Olivia finally pulled away with a smile on her face.
"Hey, wanna get naked with me?"
Alex gave a weak smile and looked between their bodies.
"Um, in case you haven't already noticed..."
Olivia chuckled.
"Good point. Okay, wanna shower with me?"
She wiggled an eyebrow at her. Alex chuckled, feeling herself lighten up at Olivia's playful mood.
"Okay. Go get it ready. I'm going to go and check on Emma."
"Alright."
Olivia slipped from the bed and Alex watched as she sauntered to the bathroom before getting up and putting on a bathrobe. She made her way to the living room and found Emma sitting at the coffee table doing her puzzle.
"Allô ma puce."
"Bonjour maman."
"How did you sleep?"
"Good. I came to do my puzzle so you could sleep some more."
"Thank you baby. I appreciate it."
Alex squatted next to her and ran her fingers through her hair.
"I'm just going to take a quick shower and then we'll start breakfast okay?"
"Okay."
"Are you getting hungry?"
"Yes."
"Alright, we'll be quick."
Alex made her way to the bathroom and got in the shower. Olivia treated her to a scalp massage as she washed her hair and although it took quite some effort to keep their hands to themselves, the two women managed to shower fairly quickly and make their way back to the living room. Alex decided to cook this time and made a ham and cheese omelette.
They spent most of the day lazing away on the couch, watching movies and completing Emma's puzzle. Olivia could tell that Alex was worried and dreading the day to come. Tomorrow was the day that she and Chris would be returning to see if Jeff had accepted their offer. Olivia hadn't asked and Alex hadn't offered to inform her of what their offer was. Olivia didn't want to know. No matter what it was, it wouldn't be enough.
Knowing that she was not doing so well, Olivia made sure to kiss, caress, and remind Alex of how much she loved her at every opportunity (while trying to be as PG about it as possible). When they finally put Emma to bed, Olivia brought Alex to the spare room and kissed her softly on the forehead. Alex burst into tears the minute her lips touched her skin so Olivia brought her closer and wrapped her arms around her. She held her as tight as humanly possible as Alex broke down so hard that Olivia had to physically hold her upright. Deciding that it would be better if she were sitting, Olivia gently guided them to the floor. She rested her back against the wall and gathered Alex into her arms. The blonde clutched her neck as she sobbed in her shoulder.
"Shh, baby. It's okay. It's going to be okay. It's almost over. One more day, okay? Just one more day."
She placed a long kiss on Alex's forehead as the woman continued to cry in her arms. God how her heart was breaking for her. The pure ache in Alex's sobs was enough to make Olivia want to cry right along with her. She could feel all the emotion in the sounds. She held her tight with one arm and began rubbing her back soothingly.
"Shh, baby. You're gonna be okay."
Eventually she heard Alex's sobs die down a bit, but she was still shaking from the force of her tears. Slowly, Olivia felt the shaking decrease as she continued to whisper loving words in her ear. Finally Alex's tears were replaced by soft hiccoughing, something Olivia took as a good sign. She reached to her nightstand and placed the box of tissues on Alex's lap.
Alex wiped her eyes and blew her nose, tossing the used tissues in the small waste basket next to her. She turned back to Olivia and looked into her eyes, tears forming once again. Olivia noticed and cupped her cheeks, looking right into Alex's eyes.
"Baby, you can do this. I know you can."
Alex reached up with one hand and held onto Olivia's wrist.
"I don't feel like I can. I'm scared Olivia...and I hate myself for it. I hate myself for being so damn weak. I hate that I've let myself become like this."
"Listen to me, and you listen well. You are not weak Alexandra Cabot. You are strong. You are one of the strongest, smartest, and most powerful women I know. You can do this, and you will. And you will be amazing. And you will intimidate the shit out of that son of a bitch and you will come out of there the winner. Do not doubt yourself because you can do this Alex. I know you can. I love you baby and I know you can do this. You hear me?"
The strength and sureness of Olivia's voice soothed Alex and she could feel herself nodding at the end of her pep talk. She wiped at the other stray tears and sniffled.
"Yeah..."
"Say it babe."
"I can do it."
"Firmer."
"I can do this."
"Why?"
"Because I'm Alexandra Cabot."
"And?"
Alex shook her head. She felt silly saying this.
"I know what you're thinking. Say it anyway. It'll help I promise."
Alex nodded. Olivia hadn't been wrong before.
"Because I'm strong and I don't back down from a fight. And I'm cocky as hell and no one can intimidate me."
Olivia grinned. There was her Alex.
"Good. I believe you babe. You can do this."
Alex nodded. She stayed quiet for several minutes before looking into Olivia's eyes. Tears welled up in her eyes when she looked at her, but not from sadness- it was from love. God, she loved this woman so much.
"Thank you."
Olivia smiled and kissed her forehead. She helped Alex up and the two changed into their pajamas. As Alex went to the washroom, Olivia went and grabbed her a damp cloth and a glass of water. When she got back to the room, Alex was already sitting up in bed waiting for her.
"Here, I brought you these. I figured a damp cloth would help refresh your face and well, I know you like to have a glass of water when you go to bed so..."
Alex could not help the huge grin that spread on her face.
"You're amazing do you know that? What the hell did I do to deserve you?"
Olivia blushed as she set the things on Alex's night table and climbed into bed.
"I feel the same way. I still can't believe I'm crawling into bed with Alex Cabot. I can't believe I'm allowed to kiss Alexandra Cabot. I can't believe I'm dating Alexandra Cabot."
She slipped the last one in to see what Alex would say. Although Olivia would define their relationship now as dating, she still wasn't sure what Alex thought. She was calmed instantly when she saw the big grin on her face.
"Yes, you're doing all of those things. However you forgot one important fact."
"What's that?"
Olivia asked as Alex sneaked closer to her side.
"You're also sleeping with Alexandra Cabot."
She said before sealing the statement with a passionate kiss. When she made a move to cup Olivia's breast, the brunette stopped her and pulled her hand away. Alex broke their kiss and looked at her, confused.
"As much as I want to do this Alex, I think we should rest. You're going to need all of your energy tomorrow and if we start now, we won't finish until way past your bedtime."
Alex mock-glared at her.
"Cooperate and I'll buy you an ice cream." The brunette said.
Alex laughed.
"Oh you think you're so funny."
Olivia cuddled down further into the pillows and pulled Alex tightly to her.
"I don't think I'm funny, I know I'm funny."
Alex wrapped her arm around her torso and stayed quiet. She snuggled her face into her chest, listening to the brunette's heartbeat.
"Thank you Olivia. I-You have done so much for Emma and I and I don't even know how to begin to express how much that means to me and how thankful I am. You have no idea how nice it feels to know I can depend on you. You make me feel so safe, something I haven't felt in a very long time." She played with the button on Olivia's pajama as she thought of how to phrase the rest of what she wanted to say. "I don't know what I would have done without you. I don't think I could have done it. I love you so much...and just knowing you love me back is enough to make me want to cry." Alex chuckled. "Big surprise there though. Everything makes me want to cry lately."
Olivia squeezed her middle and kissed her forehead.
"I will always be here Alex. Always. You needed someone and I'm just glad I was there and was able to help you. You're an amazing woman Alex and I don't deserve you but I will spend every waking moment trying to make you happy. You and Emma are the best things that happened to me and I won't ever let you go."
Alex turned up in her embrace and planted a firm and loving kiss on her lips.
"I love you so much Liv."
"I love you too babe. Now try and get some sleep."
Alex moved back down to her chest and lay her head down. She listened to Olivia's heart beat for as long as she could until finally she couldn't fight the need to sleep anymore.
