Chapter Fourteen:

May 2015

Sibling Rivalry for all Ages

Olivia heard a familiar sweet, high voice singing. It was coming from the kid's bathroom, and seemed to be, what sounded like, Fancy by Iggy Azalea. She crept up to the doorway and carefully peered around the frame. Theo was sitting, perched on the toilet, looking up at the ceiling.

"I'm so fancy…you already know…I'm in a rast mane…from ellay to Tokimo…I'm so fancy…betchoo like this toe…I'm in a rast mane…you already know…"

Olivia pulled back, giggling, trying not to let her laughter be heard. She composed herself quickly. "Hey, Theo?" she questioned before making herself seen. "Do you need a magazine or one of your books from your bookshelf?"

Theo looked at her confusedly. "Why, Mama?"

He looked so cute, sitting there, his train pajamas around his ankles, arms folded, elbows on his thighs, little feet dangling.

"You know…" Olivia walked in now, folding her arms and smiling—after all, he had left the door wide open—"…your mommy sometimes takes something to read when she's in the bathroom…because it sometimes takes her a long time…" Olivia began straightening the toothbrushes now, taking them from the ledge of the sink, and putting them back in the cup. She then moved to the tub and began taking the toys—rubber ducky, Buzz Light-year, a tiny boat, My Little Pony—from the bottom of the bathtub, putting them in a little basket they kept on the edge of the tub.

"I heard that, Liv…" Alex's voice called from the hallway, "…but that's nothing like your mama…she can take hours in here…"

Olivia pulled her lips inward, her body shaking, "Only when I've had steak…and or a little vino…or a little lamb curry…"

"Uh-huh…" Alex stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. "Only then…" She winked at her wife.

Olivia smiled at the blonde, who looked absolutely gorgeous in her dark jeans and button down, powder blue Oxford shirt, black and white herringbone vest over it, tall black boots on. Her hair was down, those dark frames not hiding her smirk, nor the sparkle in her blue eyes.

They had just had breakfast on this Sunday morning—omelets with cheddar and zucchini and breakfast potatoes—and were all now getting ready to get ready to begin the day. Although her wife was ready to go, Olivia still remained in her robe, not having dressed for the day.

"I think he needs some privacy…" Olivia began moving toward the door, placing her hands on the blonde's hips.

"Then why did you intrude on it, Olivia?" she questioned, placing her hands on top of the brunette's and allowing herself to be nudged from the bathroom.

"When you're done, Theo…straighten your room and then we're going to the park and then to the farmer's market…OK?" She continued to look into her wife's eyes, smiling, as she pushed her backwards, further out of the bathroom, eyeing those full, glossy, naturally pink lips.

"OK, Mama…" he agreed.

Olivia continued, "Dinner tonight at Casey and Jonathan's…"

"At six, right?"

Olivia nodded, "Six…"

"What did you offer to bring?" Alex smiled, now turning and heading towards the twins' room, Olivia following close behind, eyeing her wife's backside as she walked. She couldn't help but reach out and squeeze her ass cheek gently—it was asking to be touched.

"My Brussels sprouts with red onion dish…bread, and a fresh, soft cheese from the farmer's market…"

They walked into the girls' room.

"Dat does not go there…" Isabel grabbed a book from Grace's hand as she was trying to put it in the book basket on the floor next to her bed.

"Yes, it does…" Grace said firmly, grabbing the book back from her sister.

Isabel grabbed it once again, "No! Dat book goes here!" She tried to put it on the book shelf.

"Those are the books mama reads us before bed. Dat goes here!" She took it from her sister again and then stood, now moving to the other side of the room, hugging the book tightly against her little body.

Grace's breathing came in bursts now. After the panting would lead to the gasps that would soon lead to the crying, "No, Izzie…you're not right…" she gasped, her eyes filling with tears.

"Hey, hey, guys…" Alex offered, squatting down next to Grace. "They can go in either place...on the bookshelf or in the tub…" She turned to their blue-eyed daughter, "Isabel…" she said firmly, "…don't yell at or grab from your sister…"

Isabel's eyes began filling with tears now, "But, Mommy…dat book…" Her face contorted in a combination of emotions before letting go and crying as well.

"And Gracie…the same…don't yell or grab from your sister…"

The girls looked at her, their eyes red, tears streaming down. They were tired. She could tell just from the way they were acting. Olivia silently decided that they would be sure to have them take a long nap today when they got back.

Alex just watched them, almost as though in shock.

"Hyper organized, anal retentive, power hungry…that's you, Al…especially in the courtroom or when vacuuming, Babe…" Olivia giggled.

AAA

Alex looked over her shoulder and threw her wife a look. But this situation was her. It was, quite literally, both sides of her. It was more than obvious to the blonde, however embarrassing it was to admit. One side of her, in particular, she would just soon keep out of the public eye. She knew that both spectrums of her personality were so very transparent in her daughters. There was the obnoxious, playful, I-won't-put-up-with-your-shit side—very obviously Isabel. Then there was the sweet, demure, deep thinker that never wanted to ruffle any feathers or break the law—little Gracie.

She remembered when she was younger and her brother wanted to do things his way and she wanted to do things her way, it was never settled. They both thought they were right and had a hard time with anything other than his or her own way, ending in many tears and many arguments and slammed doors.

"I know, Liv…" Alex smiled. "I am fully aware of the fact that our daughters are me to the tee…the angel on one shoulder, the rascal on the other…"

"You still stack your Healthy Choice meals in the freezer so expertly, Babe…words all going the same way, tops facing upward, informative labels on the outside."

"Not a bad thing…" Alex took the book from Grace's hand and stood now. "Easy to pick out the Swedish meatballs from the salmon and wild rice…" she smirked. She turned to the girls once again, "The books can go in either place, guys…why don't you and Izzie pick out five new ones to read for this coming week and put them in the bedtime basket. Theo's gonna get some more from school on Monday and we can put those there, as well…"

"Nicely done, Al…" Olivia offered.

Grace and Isabel both nodded.

"And we don't need to argue, Babies…both places are right, OK?" Alex rubbed the tops of both of their heads, leaned over and placed a kiss on each.

… … … … … …

Alex pushed the stroller, Grace asleep after such hard playtime at the park, Isabel with her eyes open, but barely hanging on. Theo was asleep over Olivia's shoulder as she managed to pull their little boy's bike along, as well, Alex pulling the fabric cart, while they shopped for the items they needed at the farmer's market. The kids were all ready for their afternoon nap. They all had played so hard—running, screaming, climbing the equipment—and now they were more than ready for a couple hours of rest.

Olivia was wearing a pair of tight, faded jeans and her gray suede jacket, black V-neck t-shirt beneath. She had just gotten another hair cut a few days prior, and this time is was even shorter, at her chin—sleeker, more angular—and it looked exceptional on the brunette.

"Zucchini, Babe? For that orzo dish you all seem to like so much…and summer squash…"

"I'm on it, Liv…" Alex agreed, pushing the stroller and cart to the other side, opposite where her wife was perusing the cheeses.

"What do you think, Al? French herbed?"

"This one has thyme, dill, and marjoram…" the man behind the cheese display packed with ice smiled.

"Mmmm…that sounds wonderful…"

Alex looked over her shoulder, "Sounds good…how many zucchini? Eight? Ten?"

"Ten is good…" Olivia smiled. "Thank you…" she said to the man before taking the wrapped cheese and placing it into the fabric pull-along cart before paying.

Alex did the same with the squash. "We done?"

"That's it, Al…let's get these guys to bed…"

… … … … … …

OOO

"So, you found something?" Alex asked, that evening at Jonathan and Casey's Upper West Side apartment, before sipping from her Chardonnay glass.

"We did, actually…two blocks from you…but…the price…they're asking eight point three…"

Alex nodded, taking another sip.

Olivia knew that Alex didn't like to discuss financials with her brother. He still had no idea how exactly they afforded their own townhouse. Besides the blonde saving so much for the future and having that nest egg set aside so carefully, she had relied partially on her parents. Olivia watched her wife carefully, then moved her gaze to Jonathan, and then to Casey, and then back to the blonde.

The kids were running around—all four of them—chasing each other, laughing, squealing, having gotten well into a game of hide and seek. Theo, being the eldest, always seemed to be "it".

"That's a steep price, but it's not impossible…" Alex offered.

Casey reached for the bottle of white wine and topped off both Alex and Olivia's glasses.

"So, we're not sure it is actually possible, budget-wise, although it is a perfect place—location, design, amenities…" Jonathan added, studying his sister. "We'd be only five to ten minutes' walking distance from you and Olivia. "How much was yours again?"

"I never told you…" Alex looked at him intently, turning her wine glass clockwise by the stem, "…a little over seven…" Alex took a large swig and then set her glass down, swallowing, "You know…Mom and Dad helped us when we bought ours…" She looked at her brother only now, blue eyes piercing into blue.

Apparently the wine had become a truth serum of sorts for her wife.

Olivia placed her hand on her wife's back and rubbed softly, and Alex looked at her briefly, the brunette able to read those cerulean orbs perfectly. Olivia nodded, just enough that she knew her wife caught it. Alex looked back at her brother.

"You should tell them, John-John…I'm sure they would be more than willing to help you two, especially with a second grandbaby on the way."

Jonathan crossed his leg over his ankle and looked at the ceiling and sighed heavily, stretching his arm around Casey's shoulder, "Ah, Allie…I just don't feel right about that…"

"Why not, Jonathan?"

Olivia watched as Casey rubbed her hand over her five and a half month baby bump. The brunette looked around the dining area. The place was small—too small for an impending party of four, and possibly more.

"Because of my history…" he claimed bluntly.

Alex leaned forward now, "Hey…Johnny…do you really think Mom and Dad still think about that?"

"Actually, yes, I do…" He began kneading the muscles on the back of Casey's neck softly, "I think they still have it in the backs of their minds…" he nodded, his eyes glazing over slightly, "…absolutely, I do think that…"

Alex leaned back and took a deep breath, "Well, I don't, Jonathan…I think it's water under the bridge…" She lifted her glass again, just holding it in her right hand, left arm crossed over her belly, "You've accomplished so much, big bro…sobriety, a wonderful career, a wife and two babies…you have more than enough to show for it…that was over five years ago, Johnny…"

Olivia swallowed, feeling her own emotions as she watched Alex encourage her brother. Her wife was so good at pointing out the absolute good in her elder sibling.

"They've got the money. You know they do, Johnny…"

"Not the point, Allie…"

Olivia noticed that the noise from the children had stopped, assuming they had run into another room, up to no good. Olivia went to stand, "I'm gonna go check on—"

Alex placed her hand on Olivia's wrist, clasping it gently, as she stood. "No, Babe…this involves you, too…"

Olivia smiled. "I'll just be a sec, Babe…I'm just gonna check on the kids…make sure they're all still alive…" she smirked.

"I'll go with you…" Casey offered, standing.

The brunette detective felt eyes on them as they began to leave the dining room—both brother and sister watching as Olivia and Casey stood and moved towards the hallway, where the bedrooms were.

Olivia stepped further into the hallway, halfway down, and took a deep breath and then let it out slowly.

"You, OK, Liv?" Casey asked, placing her hand on the brunette's back as they walked.

"Yeah…it's just…" Olivia turned now, facing Casey, "…Alex's parents did help us out…quite a bit…" Olivia tried a smile, "You guys just don't know that. Alex had about one-third saved…but her parents helped us out with the rest of the mortgage…"

Casey placed her hands on the brunette's upper arms, "I know, Liv…Jonathan, he's…he just still feels less than adequate in their eyes and he wants to do it on his own, you know?"

Olivia nodded, feeling her tears come again. "I know, Case…" Olivia leaned in for a hug and wrapped her arms around the pregnant red-head. "They'll work it out…"

"Yeah…"Casey breathed, "…they will…"

They pulled away, hands still on each other's upper arms.

"You look incredibly sexy, by the way...such a beautiful pregnant woman..." Olivia smiled.

"And you're drunk…but I'll take the compliment…" Casey smiled.

"Let's check on our munchkins…" Olivia declared suspiciously, "…I don't like that silence…"

… … … … … …

With the kids in bed, stories read, ready to start the new week, Olivia lay in bed, a Glamour Magazine in her lap, not really reading it, waiting for her wife to emerge from the bathroom so that they could talk about the conversations had after dinner.

Alex came out now, switching the light off and looking at her wife as she adjusted her hair in a high bun with a scrunchie. "So…why did you leave the conversation after dinner?" Alex questioned softly, moving to her side of the bed.

Olivia smiled, "I didn't leave the conversation, Al…I just thought you and Jonathan needed a few moments to discuss some things…" Olivia closed the magazine and placed it on her bedside table.

"Well, it seemed like you wanted to get out of there…" Alex moved closer to her side and placed her left knee on the bed, "You know…all of this has to do with you, too, Liv…my parents…the investments they make…once they're gone…and I hate to think of it like that, but…" Alex swallowed, her voice quavering, "…once they're gone, it's all up to us…you, me, Jonathan, Casey…we're what they have…we're their future…their legacy…"

Olivia looked at her wife for a moment and then said softly, "I know, Babe…"

"I know that…that amount of money…you've never been comfortable with…even just mentioning it…" Alex moved the covers aside.

Olivia just watched her, nodding her agreement.

"My parents…they're very well off and they only want to see all of us happy…"

Olivia swallowed, turning onto her side now to face her wife, "I know, Babe…and yes, it does make me uncomfortable…" Olivia smiled, "I've never even fathomed that kind of money…in my whole life…"

Alex moved closer to her wife now, "I know, Liv…but I want him to see, to understand and know…that they love him as much as they love me…"

Olivia thought for a moment, just looking into her wife's cerulean eyes, wondering briefly if that was true. It seemed like Alex had usurped her brother over five years ago, having climbed a higher rung in life, and was now the sibling that could do no wrong. The golden child had been replaced with another golden child.

"I know they do," Olivia agreed. "But…you have to admit…"

Alex's expression was expectant.

"They do treat you two differently…" Olivia reached up and removed Alex's glasses, the blonde taking them from her grasp and setting them on her bed side table before returning to the brunette.

"You think so? Maybe because of our ages?" Alex moved closer and rested her cheek on the brunette's shoulder, wrapping her arm around her waist.

Olivia nodded. "I don't know, Al…maybe because he's the man and he's older…I think they expect more from him and…you, my gorgeous wife," she kissed Alex's forehead, "…seem to have exceeded their expectations in every single way, Babe…" Olivia smiled and then chortled softly, "I can't believe I'm saying that after all the grief your mother gave our relationship in the beginning…"

Alex lay back on her pillow now, looking up at the ceiling, raking her fingers through her hair on her scalp, thinking. "I don't think that's true, Babe…I think they know that Jonathan is a good man, changed for the better…settled now…"

Olivia now moved her body closer to her wife and wrapped her arm around her, resting her head on her own pillow. "I don't know, Al…maybe you're right…" Olivia leaned forward and kissed Alex's upper chest softly.

"Today was exhausting, Babe…" Alex declared softly, "…the park, the market, dinner conversations…and three glasses of wine…I'm not used to that, Babe…"

"I know, Al…and, yes, it was a full day, Babe…time to rest…" Olivia moved even closer still, "…goodnight, my love…" She kissed her softly.

"Goodnight, Liv…"

… … … … … …

"We really appreciate this, Lana…" Alex took an envelope that she and Olivia had prepared ahead of time from the top of the refrigerator and handed it to the petite brunette in front of her—her babysitting money for the evening. "We'll be back by eleven…kids need to be in bed by eight, lights out by eight-thirty…make sure Izzie brushes her teeth. She'll try and argue with you about it. Last night, the toothpaste tasted not good, as she put it." Alex smiled and shook her head. "There's no telling what her reason will be tonight."

Olivia smiled from her stance of leaning over the island in the kitchen, elbows on the butcher block top, looking at the seat numbers on the tickets, as she listened to her wife's anticipatory way the evening would play out.

They were going to see a symphony concert with the New York Philharmonic performing an Ode to Franz Liszt. They had renewed their tickets that past January and, although they usually gave the tickets away due to motherly obligations, tonight they were actually going to use them.

The brunette knew how enthusiastic her wife had been once she found out it was Liszt piano pieces that would be performed. Their plan was to have dinner at a nice candlelit restaurant, go to the show, and then return in time to kiss their babies goodnight.

Lana was on her own this particular evening—no friends to help out tonight—and Olivia knew that the blonde was slightly apprehensive.

"Text me if there are any problems. I'll have my phone on vibrate and will check it often," Alex urged Lana.

"It'll be fine, Alex…" Lana assured her. "By now…your kids are a piece of cake…"

"Famous last words," Alex smirked. "They'll try to get that other package of ice cream bars opened. There's one already opened and they can have one, no later than seven, but Grace and Izzie have been known to work in tandem with the step stool and the freezer…"

"Al…" Olivia began, moving closer to her wife and slipping her arm around her waist, "…Lana is the best…she knows what to do…and she's hyper-vigilant, too…"

Lana smiled, "Thanks, Olivia…and, by the way…you two look absolutely gorgeous…"

"Why, thank you…" Olivia declared demurely, batting her eyelashes.

Alex was wearing a simple black sheath dress that fell a little above the knee, black stilettos on, hair in a low bun parted to the side, her contacts on for the evening. Olivia had chosen a fitted, burgundy strapless that hugged her curves, a sheer black shawl, complete with black strappy pumps, her hair down and straightened.

"Well, I think we should be going," Olivia commented, moving to the living area where the kids were watching The Lorax for the fifty-millionth time.

Alex followed her and they both leaned over their children, kissing each.

"Mama? When will you be back?" Theo asked.

"Tonight, Baby…" she kissed his forehead. "Mommy and I will be here later this evening to kiss you goodnight, OK? But you have to go to sleep when Lana tells you to…"

Theo nodded and then returned to watching the movie.

"I seek for da trees!" Isabel said happily.

"Yes, you do, Baby! Don't cut my trees down!" Olivia added, shaking her finger and putting on her best, stern, Lorax face. "We need the trees, right, guys?"

They all nodded, smiling at her.

Grace reached both of her little arms up for Olivia and the brunette took her into her arms. "I miss you, Mama…" she said softly, nuzzling her tiny face into Olivia's neck.

"We'll miss you, too…" she kissed her gently. "We'll be back soon, Gracie…OK?" She set her back on the sofa.

With that, they grabbed their clutches, said their goodbyes to Lana, and headed down the hallway and through the garage door.

… … … … … …

AAA

The dinner at Jean-Georges—delicious. The concert—absolutely, captivatingly beautiful.

Alex kept her eyes on the road as she headed northeast on Park Avenue. She reached over and took her wife's hand, bringing it to her mouth and kissing it gently. They had been holding hands the entire concert, stealing glances and smiles at each other throughout the hour and a half concert. Alex was in her element while the music played and she had decided, firmly in her mind, that she was going to begin teaching Theo how to play the piano over the summer.

"I think Theo would really get the hang of the piano, Liv…don't you think?"

Alex glanced at her wife before putting her eyes back on the road.

"I think he would really excel…he's so musical, anyway…"

"That's thanks to you…to us…we expose him to music all the time and when I play the piano at home, he's always mesmerized when he sits next to me on the bench…."

"Well he heard your beautiful music in the womb and then as a baby all the time…it's engrained in his being, Babe…"

"I caught him tinkling with the keys the other day…little fingers traveling in a scale upward…he has musicality…"

"He does, Al…" Olivia brought Alex's hand to her mouth and kissed it softly before nipping it lightly.

Alex smiled and took a deep breath. "Then it's settled…"

"Definitely…"

They rounded the corner and pulled into the driveway, pulling the car inside.

Once out, they entered the house to find Lana on the sofa, books and notebooks spread out, studying. She smiled when they entered.

"You're home early…" She looked at her watch.

It was ten-thirty but traffic had been bearable that evening.

"Light traffic…" Olivia offered, placing her black sequined clutch on the island.

"Did you have fun?" Lana asked, beginning to collect her belongings and place them in large canvas bags.

"We did…" Alex smiled, putting her own small purse on the kitchen island next to Olivia's.

Olivia moved up to Alex from behind, whispering in her ear, "Water, Babe?"

"Yeah, Liv…please…" Alex moved into the living room, watching as their babysitter continued to collect her things, now filling the second bag. "So…how did it go? Aside from everything going great, as you texted…." Alex smiled, covering her mouth and stifling a yawn.

Lana stood now, leaving her overflowing, bulging bags on the sofa, "It did go well, Alex…remember…I'm becoming a pro at this…" she smirked. "They did try to get into the new box of ice cream bars…oh—but there is one thing…nothing big…you'll just have to see your little rebel when you go up there and, yes, it has to do with a one Miss Isabel Benson-Cabot…"

"Oh, we can't wait to see…" Olivia oozed, returning from the refrigerator.

The three began moving toward the front door as Olivia handed Alex an uncapped bottle of water, walking slightly behind her wife and sipping.

"Thank you again, Lana…I know it's late for you for a Thursday…but we really appreciate it…" Olivia offered, pressing herself behind Alex and resting her chin on the blonde's left shoulder.

"You're welcome…I'll see you in…" she looked at her watch, "…eight hours?"

Alex laughed, "Yeah…we'll see you then…have a good evening…try to get some rest…"

With that, Lana exited and Alex closed the door behind her. Alex locked the deadbolt and the chain and then found herself being pulled into the dimly-lit sitting room just off of the foyer. Her back hit the wall with force and Olivia's mouth was on her neck, kissing, tonguing, gently tugging at the blonde's flesh with her warm mouth.

"Olivia…the water…" Alex breathed.

Olivia took the blonde's bottle and placed both on the coffee table quickly before returning to the blonde's neck, hands now groping her breasts.

"Uhhh…Olivia…what are you doing?" Alex moaned as she closed her eyes and tilted her head back. The blonde moved her hands to Olivia's backside as the brunette grabbed Alex's jaw with both hands and continued kissing her neck, her cleavage, her jaw.

"I'm loving you, Babe…" Olivia's hands now clutched Alex's waist as her mouth went into the blonde's in a searing, wet, plush kiss.

They kissed, exploring each other's mouths, their breathing intense. Alex felt the hem of her dress rising slowly and warm fingers caress her upper thighs before a firm stroking on her panties.

"The way you look tonight…so beautiful, Al," Olivia breathed, continuing to kiss the blonde's neck, her fingers stroking Alex's lower lips through her clothing. "It was all I could do not to ravage you at Lincoln Center.

"Uhhh…Olivia…let's check the kids…" Alex closed her eyes, her head tilting back, not able to keep it erect with what Olivia was doing to her right now, "…we can continue this in a few minutes…"

"You've gotten off in less time, Babe…I know you can do it, my sexy…"

Alex's breathing intensified, now panting quietly. She leaned forward now, resting her forehead on Olivia's shoulder, "Oh, God, Babe…please let's wait…" she whispered, "…that feels so good, Liv…trust me…I don't want you to stop, but…"

"Come for me, Al…" Olivia whispered, continuing to stroke her, now firmly, and Alex could feel her clit swollen with desire.

A couple more strokes, a few firm brushes of the protruding nub and Alex's breath caught in her throat as she moaned quietly, satisfied as a release rolled throughout her body.

Olivia continued stroking her through her clothing and kissed her neck softly once again before looking into her eyes, "See? Still always ready…record time…" Olivia leaned in and kissed her softly.

"Always…"Alex whispered, opening her eyes and smiling, "…you will be rewarded soon, Liv…"

"Let's go up and see what your daughter has done this time…" Olivia got the waters from the coffee table and held her hand out to her wife, the blonde taking it. They made their way up the stairs, Alex's body now relaxed, lower half warmed with pleasure.

She took a deep, contented breath and they reached the top of the staircase.

OOO

They entered the girls' room first. Alex folded her arms and smiled, shaking her head as Olivia slipped in behind her and wrapped her arms around the blonde.

"Lana wasn't kidding," Alex smiled.

Isabel was fast asleep; however, she was wearing her pink leotard and tutu, ballet slippers, her rhinestone tiara, which was still on, yet slightly askew, as her princess wand lay in her little unclenched fist. Her cheeks were rosy and she was breathing heavily, her little pink bow mouth opened slightly.

"I'll bet Lana tried really hard to get her in that nightgown…" Olivia declared, motioning with her head to the folded pajamas on the twins' dresser.

"Poor Lana…" Alex moved closer now, looking at Grace's bed. Their brown-eyed girl was also fast asleep, on her back peacefully, her pink nightgown on, little thumb in her mouth, sucking softly.

"Gracie…always doing the right thing…"

Alex's body began shaking, "Poor Grace…you know she was like…uh…you're gonna get in trouble…"

"I can't wait until they're older, Al…it's gonna be so much fun to see if they keep the personalities they have now because, if they do…we're gonna have our hands full."

Alex continued laughing, "Poor Theo…"

"Poor Theo? Poor us…poor grandma and grandpa…poor everyone…" Olivia joined in on the laughter, both trying to be quiet.

"Mommy?" Isabel's tiny voice questioned.

They both looked at their blue-eyed daughter.

"Mama? Is dat you?" Isabel sat up now, rubbing her eyes, the tiara falling alongside her.

"Hey, Izzie…"Alex smiled.

Isabel held her arms out and both mothers moved to sit next to her, Olivia closer to the foot, Alex next to Isabel.

Alex lifted their daughter onto her lap. "Isabel, we need to get you into your nightgown, baby…these aren't sleeping clothes…"

"Why?" Isabel asked.

"Because those aren't clothes for sleeping, Izzie…"

Isabel looked down, pulling the fabric of the leotard away from her stomach and then letting it pop back, "Why not Mommy?"

Alex looked at Olivia and the brunette just smiled. Just then Theo came into the room, yawning, with his train pajamas on, his cowboy boots on his feet.

"You're home…" he walked to Olivia and she lifted him onto her lap.

"Yeah, we're home, Baby...where's Hillary? On your bed?" Olivia questioned softly, kissing his cheek softly.

Theo nodded. Hillary's new favorite place was the foot of Theo's bed at night, alternating between that location and the ladies' bed. Isabel made too much noise in her sleep so their furry feline avoided the girls' room altogether.

Olivia looked behind her at Grace, who continued sleeping, her little mouth moving around her thumb as she dreamed. The rest of the family continued to speak in low voices.

"Because, Isabel, when you sleep, you should be wearing comfortable clothing, Baby…"

Olivia smiled wider, knowing that the questions were just going to keep coming from their feisty daughter, and she wouldn't be satisfied any time soon. "Izzie…come on, Baby…change into your jammies…" Olivia tried to help the situation.

"Whas com-f-ta-bull?" she asked, tilting her head, those blue eyes studying Alex so intently.

Alex took a visible small breath and closed her eyes. Olivia could tell her wife was tired from the evening, from being satiated, and was just simply ready to get to bed.

Alex continued her vocabulary lesson, "Comfortable is when it feels good no matter if you're sleeping or moving around. It just feels right." Alex lifted Isabel and set her next to her on the bed now, "Let's change, Izzie…come on…" Alex reached for their little girl's left foot and began to try and take her slipper off.

"No! I not tsange!"

Olivia looked over at Grace, whose eyes were now open from her sister's outburst, though she continued lying there, thumb in her mouth, head turned, eyes sleepy.

"Hey, Baby…" Olivia smiled, lifting Theo in her arms and moving to Grace's bed and sitting next to her. She leaned over and kissed their brown-eyed girl's cheek softly. "Hey, Gracie…"

Grace smiled that sweet smile around her thumb before the three returned to watching The Alex and Isabel Show, Theo, Olivia and Grace being the live studio audience.

"Isabel..." Alex warned.

Isabel's face scrunched up and she actually folded her little arms across her little stomach in defiance.

Olivia couldn't help her lips from trembling in an effort not to smile. She put her hand over her mouth just in case Alex happened to turn around.

"Isabel Catherine Benson-Cabot…" Alex said sternly, "…take off that ballet outfit right now…" she tried, pointing at nothing in particular.

"No! I don't want to…I wanna wear dis!" Isabel lay back down and rolled over, her back to her blonde mother.

Olivia watched Alex close her eyes again and take another small breath. Then, out of nowhere, the blonde leaned forward, put her face in her hands, and began making crying, whimpering noises. She sniffled—what sounded like actual snot—and let tiny mew-like noises come out of her mouth. Her body shook and she sounded absolutely pathetic.

She sniffed. "Olivia?"

"Y-yeah, Babe?" Olivia wondered what was happening. If Alex wasn't really crying she should win an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series. "Are you OK, Alex?" the brunette asked half-seriously.

"No, I'm not…Isabel is making me very sad…"

"I'm sorry, Al…what can I do to help?" Olivia tried, standing and moving around the foot of the bed, and sitting next to her wife, with Theo still on her lap. The brunette motioned to Grace for her to come over and their little girl rounded the foot as well and climbed into Alex's lap.

"You can't do anything…the only thing that will help is if Isabel follows Mommy's directions and puts her nightgown on…" Alex sobbed, apparently adding high-pitched moans for good measure.

Grace began patting Alex's cheek, her other arm wrapped around her back. "Is OK, Mommy…" she soothed.

Alex looked up at Grace and smiled. The blonde actually had tears coming out of her eyes.

"Alex?" Olivia asked, leaning forward to look more closely at her expression.

Alex shook her head, indicating that it was a ploy. "I'm so sad, Liv…"

"What would make you happy, Al?" Olivia began rubbing Alex's back, Theo joining in with soothing his blonde mother.

Isabel climbed off of the bed now and moved in front of Alex, placing her tiny hands on top of the attorney's thighs. She began patting them gently. "Don't be sad, Mommy…I go tsange…look…" Isabel began removing her tutu. She set it on her pillow and then continued with her leotard, her ballet shoes, and then her tiara.

Olivia stood now, and set Theo on the bed, before moving to pick up the nightgown. She held it up for Isabel to slip her arms into. Their feisty girl raised her arms let Olivia slip it on her.

Alex now handed Grace to Olivia and the brunette moved to put her back in bed as Alex completed the changing process with Isabel. The blonde took the ballerina clothing from the pillow and placed it on the dresser.

Olivia tucked Grace in, kissed her, and moved to the foot of the bed, folding her arms and smiling. Theo got up and moved to wrap his arms around the brunette's lower belly and backside.

"Isabel…" Alex began, letting her get back in bed before placing the covers over her and tucking them tightly and then sitting next to her again, "…when you don't listen to Mommy or Mama, it makes us very sad…and then we go and we cry about it…"

Isabel's eyes were concerned. She reached out and touched Alex's cheek, stroking softly. "Don't be sad, Mommy…I have da jammas on…"

"I know you do, Izzie, and that's what a good girl does, listens to her mamas…"

Isabel nodded as she leaned back further onto her pillow, her eyes sleepy now. "I sorry Mommy…" she yawned and closed her eyes. She opened them suddenly, "Kiss?"

Alex smiled and leaned forward, kissing Isabel gently.

Isabel turned to Olivia, "Kiss, Mama?"

"Of course, Baby…" Olivia moved to Isabel and leaned over, kissing her gently.

More goodnights were said, hugs had, lights turned out. Alex and Olivia made sure Theo was tucked away in bed and had his kisses and hugs, as well.

They entered their bedroom and left the door opened a crack.

Olivia smiled at Alex as her wife began removing her earrings. "That was quite a performance, Al…" The brunette began removing her sheer black hose.

"Mmmm…you think so?" Alex took the other earring off.

"Absolutely…you had me there for a second…" Olivia walked up to her wife and placed her hands on her shoulders as they looked at each other in the reflection. "I am amazed…"

"Look out Meryl Streep…" Alex smiled. "There's a new Oscar winner in town…"

… … … … … …

A/N:

So, I have decided what I'm going to do. The next chapter will be their vacation and that will be the last of the current year. Then, with each chapter, I will move forward a year, giving everyone a taste of life with each other, and life with the kids as each year progresses. I will stop at a certain age of the kids (I won't tell you when, just yet) and then Part IV will end.

After that, there will be an Epilogue that will only contain one chapter.

There is still quite a bit more but, as I have always said, when this actually, absolutely ends, it has to be in the correct way for me.

As always, I love new readers, reviewers, and thank all of you who always do!

Can't wait to hear what you think and correspond with you!

Sincerely,

Patricia