A/N: I really like this chapter and I hope you all do too!

Friday morning found Alex and Casey in a new state of peace. After sharing a calm romantic Thursday at home laughing, sharing dreams of the future, and love making they felt closer than imaginable. Alex felt confident in her body again something she wouldn't have said a week ago which made her really excited for their family getaway. Just a couple of days ago she was nervous about the possibility of a breakdown happening while there, but 'Violet's homework' seemed to really help her understand her feelings which put that fear to rest. Now she just felt nervous about talking with Casey's parents about proposing. She had no idea how the conversation would go or what she would say, but she was sure the words would find her at the right time.

Once Alex and Casey had enjoyed breakfast and of course 'Casey's Power Brew' they started getting dressed and packed for the beach. Casey walked out of the bathroom having just finished packing her makeup and other toiletries. She froze at the sight of Alex packing her bag. The blonde had a big grin on her face and seemed so relaxed. Ever since the night of Alex's surprise her girlfriend seemed at even more ease. Casey actually felt like Alex was better.

Alex looks up and sees Casey staring at her she smiles at the redhead. "Are you about finished packing beautiful?" Alex asks.

Casey crosses the room and wraps her arms around the blonde's waist pulling her close and looking her into the eyes. Slowly she leans forward and kisses her lips. As she pulls away she says, "I had to do that, you looked so beautiful. To answer your question, yes I am ready to go."

Alex leans in and kisses her girlfriend back. Breaking the kiss she says, "You can kiss me anytime as long as I can kiss you anytime." Both women smiling grabbed their bags and walked out of the room.

An hour later, Alex and Casey were headed towards the beach house. Alex had tried to convince her mom to ride with them but she insisted that it was better that Alex and Casey enjoy the day alone and she would meet them that evening when Casey's parents and sister, Morgan, arrived. At the time, Alex thought her mom was being ridiculous but now laughing and talking with Casey as the made their way she was thankful for the time.

"You know Alex I think this is the first time I have ever seen you drive out of New York and not use the car horn as a weapon against every other car on the road." Casey said with a laugh.

"Yeah," Alex smiled, "Those Wisconsiner's broke me of my awesome driving skills. They frown upon any kind of noise."

Casey bursts out laughing which in turn makes Alex laugh. Regaining control Casey says, "Well, I thank them. It makes you driving such a nicer experience. The whole life flashing before my eyes every block thing was not appealing."

Alex smirks, "Well I am glad that my old lady driving can be at your service then!"

Casey's phone rings breaking up the comfortable banter between the women. Looking at the device she sees its Abbie. "Alex its Abbie," she says turning off the radio while answering the phone on the cars bluetooth, "Hello"

"Hey Case, it's Abbs." Abbie's voice fills the car.

"What's the news?" Casey asks wondering why her friend didn't blurt the verdict.

"Verdict is in Connors was found guilty on all charges!" Abbie exclaims.

Casey and Alex both shriek in excitement. Alex finishes with, "Way to go Abbie. Nice job with the case."

"Thank you Alex, but it was a slam dunk from the start and your testimony just sealed the deal. Anyway, I got to run. Y'all have fun at the beach this weekend, when you get back Kim and I would love to go to dinner." Abbie finishes.

"Sounds good, talk to you later," Casey says ending the call.

Casey looks over at Alex, "You okay."

Alex smiles, "Yeah I am, I just didn't expect to feel different when I heard the verdict, but I do. I feel a little lighter than before it makes me wonder if this is how the victims I defended felt."

"I like to believe so, it makes my job so much easier and makes me more determined." Casey says with an easy smile.

Even though, Alex couldn't sit and examine Casey the little look she got of her said volumes. It also made Alex know that she needed to talk to Casey later about returning to work.

Not to long later the two women pulled into the drive of the beach house. Unpacking the car, Casey decided they should take the upstairs room since it offered more privacy versus the three downstairs ones. Her reasoning was if Alex needed to get away from the crowd she could have some peace, but Alex didn't believe that her intentions were necessarily so pure.

Once they finished, Alex sat at the kitchen table making a shopping list for dinner and other supplies they would need while Casey opened a beer. Watching Alex Casey smiled. She really looked so at ease with life right now and Casey couldn't figure out if it was the medicine or 'Violet homework' or both.

"Why are you staring at me Casey?" Alex said with a smirk.

"Because you look so at peace, it's a good look for you." Casey replies.

Alex hums thinking the redheads statement over. Taking a breath she turned in her chair to face her girlfriend. "You know I am. I can't figure out if it's the medicine or therapy or just sharing all my feelings with you daily, but whatever it is I am feeling so much like 'old' Alex that it is super refreshing."

"Well I am glad to hear it baby. I do have to say though you seem even more at peace than 'old' Alex was, not that I don't enjoy it and find it wonderful, I just noticed."

Standing Alex walks to the fridge and grabs a beer herself. Turning back to Casey she leans her against the counter and kisses her tasting the beer on her lips in the process. Alex rests her forehead against Casey's as she whispers, "Take a walk with me Casey, I want to talk to you about that."

Casey looks into Alex's blue eyes and seeing nothing but love she lets her worry subside, "Okay, let's go."

Walking out onto the beach, Alex takes Casey's hand and entwined their fingers. Looking at her beautiful girlfriend and how the sunlight reflects beautifully off her red hair she feels so at peace. Taking a breath Alex begins, "Casey, you know how I told you last night that I thought you were doing an amazing job in SVU and how my 'Violet homework' confession was that I thought I let it get to me to much which is why I think I got too cocky in the Zapata case?"

"Yes why?" Casey asks truly confused.

"I..." Alex bites her lip and then blurts, "I don't think I want to go back, at least not for a while."

"Wow, I never thought I'd hear you say those words, but Alex I will support you in whatever you want to do." Casey answers as she stops to look into the blonde's eyes. "You know that right?"

Alex lets out a sigh of relief, "Yes, but I was still worried. I am just scared Casey. I know SVU wasn't a good fit now looking back. I mean I was good maybe even great at what I did, but I let it get into my head to much. I obsessed about the win which was great for conviction rates, but every loss hit me on such a personal level that I couldn't take pleasure in the wins."

"Why didn't you say anything about it to me back then?" Casey asks genuinely concerned.

"Casey, I didn't realize it was a problem, or unhealthy. That was the main issue. To be honest had it not been for you taking it over and being so honest and open with me about your feelings working in SVU I don't know if I ever would have realized. Plus to be really honest, I think I am too afraid of getting hurt again to be able to go back and be an effective prosecutor."

"Do you know what you want to do?" Casey asks.

"You are going to think I am crazy and throwing away my career if I tell you."

Casey leans in and presses her head to Alex's, "First off, I would never think you are crazy Alexandra. Second, like I already said if you don't want to go back into law I will support you. After all, I am in love with Alexandra Cabot the person not Alexandra Cabot Assistant District Attorney."

Smiling Alex says, "Okay, I want to teach horseback riding. I have always loved riding and you know I competed a lot before law school. I always loved it and well that's what I want to do right now."

Casey laughs a little, "Alex I think that's a fantastic idea. You taught me and I thought you did a great job teaching me. Wow, your whole intro made me think you were going to say something absurd." As she finishes she kisses Alex softly before saying, "Okay, so that was your 'Violet homework,' want to know mine?"

"Yes!"

"Okay mine is while you were away I would never come here. Your Mom would invite me and I always turned down the invite. I actually never wanted to go to the beach again." Casey pauses to regain control.

"Why?" Alex asks concern showing in her eyes.

"Well, because my favorite memory of you of us happened right here. It was your family annual beach trip and you brought me because you wanted me to meet everyone. We stood right over there and we were wrapped in each other's arms and I made a said something funny and you threw back your head laughing. You were so beautiful your laugh was so beautiful all I could do was smile."

"And my Uncle Bill took the picture. It's the one we have framed on the kitchen counter and you put at the end of the slide show," Alex said smiling.

"So I couldn't come back knowing I would never be able to hold you again or hear your laugh. It was too painful." Casey finishes.

Alex kisses Casey and pulling away says, "You will never have to worry about that again."

"I know and for that I am forever thankful."

"Want to know what you said to make me laugh like that," Alex started.

"Yes, I haven't been able to remember." Casey answers with a raised eyebrow.

"You had just whispered in my ear that you thought you ate too many oysters because you were so horny you felt like you could take me right there on the beach around everyone."

"Oh my God, no wonder I blocked it out! I must have been drunk!" Casey exclaims laughing.

Alex watched as the redhead laughed feeling her heart filling even more with love. She knew that they were meant to be together forever. As Casey stopped laughing Alex pulled her into a passion filled kiss and whispered in her ear, "Let's go inside."

Charlotte arrived at the beach house a little after 5:30. Entering the house she found her daughter and Casey laughing while cooking dinner. "What's for dinner girls?" She asked smiling at how happy the two appeared.

"We are making a shrimp pasta with smoked salmon dip for an appetizer," Casey said with a grin at Alex.

"Which if I may add tastes delicious when I kiss it off my girlfriend." Alex adds with a laugh as Casey swats her.

Charlotte shakes her head, "Alexandra, try to keep it clean when James and Caroline get here please."

"Don't worry Mom," Alex says giving her mother a pointed look before adding, "Now how about I help you get your luggage." Alex walks towards the door, opening it she sees another set of headlights coming down the drive. "Hey babe, it looks like your parents and Morgan are here."

Casey's face lights up. It had been a couple of months since she had seen her family. Running outside, she meets them as they park and immediately hugs her father and mother as Alex walks up to be reunited with her girlfriend's family.

Alex looks over the family. Casey clearly got her looks from her mother, red hair green eyes snow white skin, whereas her sister Morgan took their fathers coloring of brown hair and blue eyes. Alex smiled to herself wondering what their children would look like if Casey had them.

Coming back to the present Alex says, "James, Caroline it's good to finally see you again," as she goes to give them a hug and turns to Casey's sister Morgan, "you to Morgan."

James Novak speaks for the threesome, "It's good to see you too Alex. Thank you for coming home, it's good to see Casey smiling and happy again. She clearly needed you back."

"I needed her just as much," Alex says wrapping an arm around Casey and kissing her cheek.

Morgan groans, "Oh, I am starting to remember how PDA inclined you two are, I clearly blocked those memories."

"You're just jealous," Casey says playfully nudging her sister's shoulder.

"Oh Casey," Caroline Novak says, "Morgan hasn't told you has she?"

Casey looks at her 24 year old sister, "What has Morgan not told me?"

"Geez, you two talk about me like I am not even here! Mom is trying to tell you that I met a guy and we are dating now." Morgan says rolling her eyes.

"Is it serious?" Casey asks excitement showing in her voice.

"Ah, we will see he is nice, but we aren't to the bring home for Christmas dinner phase or anything." The brunette replies with a shrug.

Alex smiles, "Well good for you Morgan. If you are happy we are happy for you."

"See, why you all can't give normal responses like Alex I don't know." Morgan says waving towards her family. "God I missed your normalcy," she adds hugging Alex.

The group unpacks the cars and sits down to a nice family dinner. Conversation flowed easily between them all and the table was filled with laughter. Alex kept looking at Casey as they enjoyed dinner. She loved seeing her girlfriend beaming with happiness. Even though she knew they would have arguments and bumps in the road along the way she was so excited about their future. Honestly, never in her life had she ever been so happy.

James took a sip of his wine and looked at Alex, "So Alex, now that the trial is over when do you think you will be going back to work?"

Casey's eyes go wide at her father's statement, "Uh, Dad I think it might be a little soon to be asking such questions."

"It's okay Casey, I don't have anything to hide," Alex says taking her girlfriends hand and giving a reassuring smile, "Actually, James I am not planning on going back to the DA's office right now."

Charlotte chimes in at this point, "So what will you do dear?"

"I think I am going to see about teaching horseback riding lessons." Alex says confidently.

"Wow, that's a step down." Morgan adds.

Casey scowls, "Morgan shut up!"

Caroline sticks Casey's arm with the tip of her fork, "Casey Diane do not speak like that to your sister."

"Well teach her to have some manners." Casey replies with a huff.

Charlotte chimes back in, "Alexandra you cannot be serious it would be career suicide."

James nods, "I agree Alex. The best thing would be to get back to work as soon as possible."

Casey is starting to panic. She keeps trying to play defense but is clearly outnumbered. Looking over at Alex she suddenly laughs. Alex is sitting still at the table, just taking in everyone's now roaring inputs to her life decisions, but she doesn't look fazed. She actually has her 'I am so not impressed with your story' lawyer face on. However, Casey's laughing quickly quiets the table and Alex looks her way with a smile.

Caroline looks incredulously at her daughter, "Casey what are you laughing at?"

Ignoring her mother, Casey speaks to Alex, "You aren't bothered?"

"They are only giving their opinions, but I don't care about theirs. Your opinion is the only one I care about and you already said you support me. Now if they have changed your mind tell me and we can talk about other ideas." Alex says calmly while the whole table sits wide-eyed as the blonde and redhead ignore them as if they are the only two people in the room.

Casey shakes her head no, "They can't change my mind Alex. I only want you to do what will make you happy right now. Your happiness is what is important to me at this moment. I love you."

Smiling at her amazing girlfriend Alex says, "I love you too. You want to get out of here?"

"Yes." Casey says standing and taking Alex's hand.

As they walk out of the room and out to the beach they can hear the room erupt in conversation about what just happened. However, the two lovers could care less. All that mattered at this moment was their happiness and they were not going to let anyone stand in their way.