A/N: This is it guys! The last chapter! Hope you all enjoy!
As it was Alex's birthday and they would be flying to Paris the following day, Alex's parents had insisted on having everyone over for dinner to celebrate, including Casey's parents and sister who were flying in that afternoon. Casey had asked Alex to pick them up from the airport saying she was needed at the station to oversee an interview, luckily for Casey, Olivia had been happy to back her up to give her time to go and see Alex's parents alone. Pulling into the drive way of the Cabot's house Casey wiped the palm of her hands on the legs pants for what felt like the millionth time that day, taking a deep breath she opened the car door and stepped out into the light drizzle that had started to fall. Jogging up the steps, she rang the bell giving herself a stern pep talk as she waited for her knock to be answered, 'Come on Novak, its for Alex. You can do this.'
"Talking yo yourself is the first sign of madness." Smiled Sophie Cabot.
"I think I'm well passed that." Smiled Casey.
"Come on in, you're the first to arrive, which according to my daughter is something that rarely happens." Replied Sophie with a smile.
Laughing Casey had to agree, her laid back approach to time keeping was something that drove Alex round the twist. "Actually that was planned, I was hoping to speak with you and Alexander in private."
"Ah, I see. Well come on through to the kitchen, Alexander is making sure we have enough wine." Replied Sophie, with a knowing smile at her daughter's girlfriend.
"If Abbie's coming he might want to hide the good Bourbon." Laughed Casey, following Sophie into the house.
"I'll bear that in mind, especially with my daughter and Serena here as well, I'd like to have a house left."
Saying a hello to Alexander the three were soon settled in the lounge, taking a sip of her tea Casey blurted out, "I was planning on asking Alex to marry me when we're in Paris, so I'm here to ask for your blessing."
"I see." Replied Alexander.
"I love your daughter with every fiber of my being, she is my sun and my moon, I promise I will do everything in my power to make her as happy as she has made me. To keep her safe, support her dreams and keep her out of trouble."
"Casey, you've had my blessing from the moment I saw the way you looked at Alex. All a mother wants is her child to be happy and when you look at Alex, it's as if she is the centre of your universe." Replied Sophie.
"Thank you." Mumbled Casey her attention on Alexander, who had yet to say anything.
"It's very quick."
"I know that Sir, but life is too short to waste time planning the life you want when you could be living it. I love Alex, I want to marry her, build a home with her, raise a family with her and grow old and grey with her."
"Then of course you have my blessing." Smiled Alexander.
"Thank you, thank you both so much." Smiled Casey.
Soon the house was bustling with people, food was eaten, embarrassing stories shared and many glasses of wine consumed. Spotting a terrified looking Stacy in conversation with Kim and Serena, Alex headed over, "Hey Gizmo, how's school?"
"Alex, happy birthday! What are you now sixty-five?" Asked Stacy with a grin.
"Watch it or I'll put you in the microwave." Smiled Alex, sending the younger Novak a mock glare.
"Score one for Cabot." Smirked Abbie joining the conversation.
"The parents have retired to the lounge for tea." Added Casey, pecking Alex on the cheek. "Hey Gizmo, has Kim scarred you for life yet?"
"Actually we were discussing my marketing class, she's been really helpful." Replied Stacy sending the slightly scary brunette a smile.
"What's your project?" Asked Alex.
"The continued popularity of Barbie and her merchandise." Replied Stacy.
"Did you know it's a myth that Barbie comes with Ken?" Asked Casey.
"I heard that, apparently, she fakes it with Ken and comes with Cindy." Finished Abbie with a smirk, making Casey and Liv laugh.
Alex shared a look with a look with Kim and Serena and then as one they cuffed their significant other on the back of the head, just as Sophie announced it was time for cake and presents. Sitting down Alex opened the bracelet from her parents, a new attaché case from Liv and Serena, a pair of boots from Kim and Abbie, a spa voucher from Mitch and Lindsey. Picking up the present bearing Stacy's name she asked, "Is this going to explode?"
"No." Replied Stacy with a light blush.
Opening the parcel Alex found a 'Dummies guide to Lacrosse' and a Minnesota Vikings Jersey, much to Liv and Abbie's horror. "Thank you." Whispered Alex giving the young Novak a hug.
"Casey said you were always stealing hers, turn it over." Turning it over Alex laughed when she saw the name, 'Stripe.' On the back, "Welcome to the family, you're official a gremlin now."
"Ah Giz, upstage me, why don't you?" Smiled Casey, ruffling her sister's hair as she handed Alex an envelope, "Happy Birthday, my darling."
Opening the envelop Alex gave a squeal of delight when she saw the tickets to Paris for the next day, "Thank you, this is...this is perfect. I love it. I love you, I love you all."
"Anything for you." Whispered Casey.
"Now, I believe someone said there was cake?" Asked Alex, swallowing down her emotions. As she looked around the room at her friends and family Alex was once against struck my the thought that Cants attempt on her life had in fact saved it.
Abbie was woken by the woman next to her thrashing in her sleep, sitting up she gently shook Kim's shoulder, "Hey, it was just a dream, your safe."
"Really?" Asked Kim still half in her nightmare.
"Really, you're safe I promise." Whispered Abbie rubbing small circles on Kim's back until she calmed down.
"I'm sorry." Mumbled Kim, with her head resting on Abbie's shoulder.
"You never have to be sorry. Think you can get back to sleep?" Feeling Kim shake her head 'no' she threw the covers back and said, "Get dressed."
"What, why?" Demanded Kim making no more to get out of bed.
"Humor me." Replied Abbie with a small smile as she shrugged into her jeans.
"Fine." Muttered Kim.
Twenty minutes and a stop at an all night Starbucks later, Abbie pulled up outside of a modest house, "This way."
"Abbie?" Hissed Kim as she followed her lover up the dark driveway, seeing Abbie insert the code into the realtors lock box she asked, "What are you doing?"
"Kim, I love you but you have to be patient for just a few minutes more." Replied Abbie, pressing a small kiss to the tip of Kim's nose she opened the door and ushered them inside. Leading the way into the lounge of the house she flicked on the light, "What do you think?"
Looking around the large room, Kim's eyes light on the large built in bookcase that made up the rear wall, the large window that looked over a garden with a window seat underneath it and had to admit it was beautiful. "Its lovely, but, I still don't understand why we're here."
Leaning them to the window seat Abbie took Kim's hands in her own, "I love you and nothing you can do will ever change that, so I'm asking you again, are you sure you want to move to DC?"
"I want to be with you." Replied Kim.
"You don't have to move to DC for that. Kim, your nightmare have been getting more sever and more frequent the closer we get to the moving date. I know you said you were okay with the move, but your support network is here and I know how hard you're working the program. Addison, your therapist, your meeting, Serena, Liv, Casey and Alex they are all here and that's important to you. So, I spoke to my boss and requested a transfer to the New York office, all I have to do is close out my cases and then I'm done in DC."
"Abbie...you can't give up your dream for me." Replied Kim.
"Kim, you are my dream. I love you and being with you is all that matters, New York, DC or the Moon none of those places are home without you." Replied Abbie.
"Are you sure?" Asked Kim, feeling guilty because her heart felt lighter at the thought of staying in New York.
"Positive." Smiled Abbie.
"You are amazing, I love you." Whispered Kim.
"I know." Smirked Abbie, "How about we check out the rest of the house?"
"I'd like that." Smiled Kim. As she followed Abbie around the house, Kim was struck by how much the house resembled her dream house, one she had described to Abbie when they first started dating. Arriving back in the lounge she said, "This place is beautiful, however did you find it?"
"My cousin Jess is the realtor, I dropped by the open house to say hi and fell in love with it and I'm glad you like it, because, I was thinking we could sell our apartment and put an offer in. A fresh start."
"Abbie, it's perfect." Smiled Kim.
"One more thing." Dropping to one knee Abbie pulled a familiar velvet box from her pocket, "I read a quote once that said, 'A true relationship is two imperfect people refusing to give up on each other.' You're my imperfect person and I promise I will never give up on you. I love you and nothing will change that, not the mistakes we have made or the fights we have had, even when we don't agree I love you and want forever with you. So, will you please make me the happiest person alive and marry me?"
"Yes." Whispered Kim.
Standing Abbie slipped the ring on Kim's finger and pulled her close for a deep kiss, "Shall we go home and celebrate?"
"I thought we were home." Grinned Kim, pulling Abbie close for another kiss.
Easing herself into her desk chair, Olivia gripped her ribs letting out a breath as she tried to get comfortable, she had been in court, when the suspect pulled a gun and tried to attack Judge Donnelly. Without hesitation she had jumped the barrier and rugby tackled him to the floor managing to get the gun away from him, but not before he threw a few punches knocking her into the prosecutors table ribs first. Taking the bottle of water Elliot hand her, she opened the painkillers the hospital gave her and took a swig of water, spraying it across her desk at the sound of her girlfriend's voice.
"You are a complete and utter ass Olivia Benson! How dare you not call me!" Asked Serena as she marched into the squad room, dropping her purse on Fin's desk with a thud.
"Serena..." Started Liv.
"I had to find out from a court usher that MY girlfriend tackled a gun wielding rapist in court and was taken away in an ambulance. I then get to the hospital to find said moronic girlfriend had signed herself out AMA. Care to explain?"
"I knew you had a big case..." Started Liv only to be cut off by the angry blonde.
"Cut the crap Benson, why didn't you call me?" Demanded the angry blonde.
"I didn't want to worry you, its nothing." Replied Liv.
"Where exactly do you see this relationship going?" Asked Serena.
"I don't...what?" Mumbled Liv, slightly confused at the question.
"Let me tell you where its going." Replied Serena putting her hands either side of Liv's chair and leaning in until their faces were an inch apart. "You are going to marry me, we are going to have a house full of children and live happily ever after! So you don't get to protect me and you sure as hell don't get taken to hospital and not tell me. Understand?" Seeing Liv nod she turned on her heel and marched out of the squad room leaving a stunned silence in her wake.
Blinking several times Olivia stared at the door Serena had fled through. "Did she just..."
"Tell you, you were going to marry her?" Asked Elliot with a smirk.
"Yeah." Replied Liv in a slightly dazed voice, still staring at the door Serena had fled through.
"Yep, congratulations partner, guess its time to buy a ring."
"I already have one." Grinned Liv, "You know I think I will take those sick days, see you later guys."
On her way home Liv stopped by the florist and picked up a bunch of lilies, heading inside their apartment she was relieved she was home before her lover. Arranging the flowers in a vase she lit several candles around the room before heading into the bedroom. Taking the ring from its hiding place, she opened the box, running her thumb over the stones, slipping it in her pocket just as she heard Serena's key in the door. Walking out to greet her she smiled, "Hi."
"Hi, it looks nice in here, is this an apology?" Asked Serena with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes." Replied Liv with a small smile as she gingerly got down on one knee, "I'm sorry for today and I'm sorry it took me so long to do this. Serena, I love you, I have from the moment I saw you smile for the first time. When I look at you I am amazed not just by your beauty but that someone as wonderful as you loves me. I want you today, tomorrow and the for the rest of my life, so will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"It's about time." Smiled Serena.
"Is that a yes?" Asked Liv standing as her nerves started to get the better of her.
"Yes, it's a yes. I love you Olivia Benson." Whispered Serena.
Sliding the ring on Serena's finger, Olivia pulled her close and asked, "So am I forgive?"
"This once." Replied Serena, leading Liv towards their bedroom to celebrate their engagement.
From the moment they had arrived in Paris, Alex and Casey had tried to see everything, they visited the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre and taken a cruise along the River Seine. All too soon it was their last night in Paris and Casey had arranged a meal in the hotel restaurant, all week she had sought the perfect time to propose but had managed to talk herself out of it each time. Looking out of the window she could see the Eiffel Tower lit up against the dark evening and she knew exactly where she wanted to propose.
Turing from the window to where Alex was packing her case she said, "Let's go for a walk."
"It's raining." Replied Alex.
"It's our last day. Please? Come on where's your sense of adventure?" Asked Casey with her best puppy dog eyes.
"Fine." Replied Alex knowing she couldn't say no to Casey when she pulled out the puppy dog eyes. Pulling on their jackets and gloves they headed into the drizzle, linking her arm with Casey's so they could share warmth and umbrella Alex couldn't believe how happy she felt.
Reaching the Eiffel Tower, Casey could feel her heart thumping in her chest, all her fears running through her mind, what if it was too quick? What if Alex said no? What if the ring didn't fit? What if she didn't like it? She was pulled from her thoughts by the blonde's voice, "Huh?"
"I said, do you want to get a coffee?" Asked Alex.
"Maybe in a bit."
"Are you okay? You're acting strange?" Asked Alex with a slight frown.
"I-I..." Handing Alex the umbrella, Casey dropped to one knee, grimacing as the wetness seeped through her jeans. "Alex, you are my best friend, the first person I think of about each morning and the last person on my mind when I fall asleep. You know me better than I know myself and you make me want to be a better person, when I look into your eyes I see our future. I see a house, I see our children and I see a happy ending. I know to some it might seem quick and heaven knows our relationship did not get off to a traditional start, but I want you, your flaws, your mistakes, your smiles, your sarcasm and even when you're sadness, I just want to love you and be with you. Will you marry me?"
"Yes, God yes." Replied Alex through her tears.
Slipping the ring onto Alex's finger she gave an internal sigh of relief that it fitted perfectly, "I love you."
"I love you too. So much." Replied Alex pulling Casey close the two shared a deep kiss, before heading back to their hotel to celebrate their engagement, with room service and a later flight home.
The day after their return from Paris they met with their friends to friends to share news of their engagement, something that quickly turned into a three way celebration.
Refilling their glasses Alex said, "I would like to propose a toast. To good friends, family, love, second chances and happily ever afters."
As always we are totally glad you guys stuck around for this wild and crazy ride. We both had an amazing time writing this together and getting a chance to share this with you all. Keep an eye open for what we might do next!
xxxHistoryPrincess ;)