A/N: Here's the next chapter. It's a little long, but there was a lot that needed to be covered. As always, express your opinions and let me know what you think. Thanks for reading.

Chapter 26: Sunday Brunches and Birthdays

Sunday brunch at the Country Club was usually a simple affair for Alex and her family. It had become sort of a family tradition since she had returned from Witsec. Julia Harriman started dragging Alex out to have an early lunch with her in order to get her suddenly secluded niece out of hiding. A few Sunday afternoons later, Bill had joined in followed by Elizabeth Donnelly and her husband Sean. Serena and Abbie had popped in a few times. As the weeks passed, others would join here and there. Judge Lena Petrovsky even made an appearance once.

Sunday brunch was usually a rather ordinary experience as well. Some would even go as far as to call it mundane; that was before Elizabeth Donnelly and Olivia Benson started attending. As directed, Alex had brought… more like dragged… Olivia to Sunday brunch at Liz's request. They both already knew why Olivia's presence had been specifically requested. Elizabeth was going to give Olivia the third degree once again and Olivia was going to push all of Elizabeth's buttons as usual. It was their thing.

"Olivia!" Julia spotted Olivia walking out on to the terrace. She saw Alex a few steps behind.

Olivia smiled and made her way to their table. "Hi Julia."

"Hello darling. You look wonderful, dear." Julia said kissing her cheek. "Pregnancy is most certainly agreeing with you."

"Oh yes, you're practically glowing, Detective." Elizabeth said with a mischievous smirk.

Olivia had to make an attempt not to roll her eyes. She flashed a grateful grin to Julia then a more devious smile at the judge seated across from her. "Why thank you, ladies. You're looking as beautiful as always, Julia. If I didn't love Alex so much, Bill might have a fight on his hands."

Alex smothered a smile as she watched her rather prim and proper aunt blush at her girlfriend's overt flirting. She also smirked at Olivia's obvious exclusion of Liz in the statement. She could see her god-mother's eyes narrow at the impish detective. 'These two will be the death of me.' Alex thought to herself.

"Alex told me you were back in town, Liz. It is always such… a pleasure to see you." Olivia said in an overly sweet tone. It was obviously fake.

Liz raised a brow. "Oh I bet it is."

Alex pulled out Olivia's chair and helped her get settled. "Alright you two, we're all going to play nice today."

Olivia and Liz looked at one another across the table and smirked. "Yes dear." They both said in unison.

Julia looked at Alex and tried not to laugh. Her niece definitely had her hands full with these two.

Food was served and the conversation flowed effortlessly among the four women. Olivia and Liz seemed to have laid down their gauntlets and were enjoying each other's company. It wasn't until the conversation shifted towards politics did things become a little uncomfortable.

"So have you given much thought to being a politician's wife, Detective?" Liz asked out of the blue.

Olivia nearly spit out the water she was drinking. "Um… excuse me?"

Alex glared at Liz. Liz completely ignored her. "A politician's wife. Have you given any thought to what that will be like for you?"

Olivia looked blindsided. "Uh…"

"You mean you two haven't talked about this?"

Olivia glanced at Alex before turning her gaze back to the judge. "What are you talking about?"

"Surely you know there is a possibility that Alexandra will be the new District Attorney one day… that is if she decides not to run for Governor."

Alex placed a gentle hand over Olivia's as she addressed at her god-mother. "Liz, I already told you that I'm not sure any of that is in my future anymore."

"Are you going to honestly sit there and say that all those aspirations and goals you had when you came to New York have suddenly disappeared?"

Alex sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. Olivia blinked and looked back and forth between all three blondes. Julia was unusually quiet while Liz and Alex seemed to be having their own silent conversation. She finally turned and looked Alex in the eye. "Are you still thinking about running for public office?"

Alex gave Liz one more glare before meeting Olivia's gaze. "Honestly, I haven't even thought about it. It's been a long time since I've seriously considered any of that."

"But… it's a possibility? You could be the DA if you wanted."

"It's not that simple. It's an elected position."

"Everyone at Hogan Place loves you, not to mention you're practically a legend in the New York legal system. That seat is yours if you want it." Olivia countered.

Alex nodded slowly. "If… is the operative word. I'm sure quite a few people have an opinion about what I should do, but I'm not sure if that's what I want anymore." She looked down then placed a hand on Olivia's belly. "My priorities have changed."

Olivia gave her a long look before turning her attention back to her food. It was obvious that she was just pushing it around. "Okay."

Alex gave her an odd look before nodding. It wasn't like Olivia to just let something like that drop. This was not a good sign of things to come.

Julia, being the ever perfect hostess, shifted the conversation to lighter topics. They even talked about the shower she wanted to host for the girls. She was excited to find out Olivia was having a boy. Alex could see the wheels turning in her aunt's head. She could see a sea of blues and yellows in her near future.

Olivia stood abruptly from the table. "I'm sorry. If you all will excuse me for a moment; one of the side effects of this little guy is going to the restroom often."

Alex watched as she quickly left the table. She turned and glared at her god-mother. "What the hell were you trying to do?"

"What?"

"Why in the hell did you bring any of that up?"

"Why have you not talked about it with her?" Liz countered.

"Liz, I told you that I wasn't sure about any of that anymore. I don't know if I have what it takes to be a politician, not anymore." Alex said tiredly.

"What are you so afraid of?"

"I'm not afraid of anything."

"Are you afraid that you can't take it or are you more afraid that she can't." Liz challenged.

Julia saw her niece become agitated. "Elizabeth, I think that's enough."

"No, it's not Julia. Someone has to be willing to ask Alexandra these questions." Liz countered and turned a serious gaze towards Alex. "What will you do if you give up your political future then realize five or ten years down the line that you've made a mistake and that window is now closed?"

"My choice to be with Olivia and building a family is not nor will it ever be a mistake!"

"I didn't say that. I said you giving up who you are is a mistake."

"I'm not giving up anything. I'm gaining everything I've ever wanted."

"Really? So you don't want any of those things you wanted ten years ago?"

Alex paused with uncertainty and Elizabeth nodded. She looked at Julia. "She has to be sure. If she's not sure and she goes into this thing with Olivia in denial, it will only hurt them both." She turned her gaze back to Alex. "I happen to think the world of Olivia Benson. She is the only person I have ever approved of for you and I truly believe that you two love one another. I just don't want you to wake up in a few years and think you've missed your chance. You two have clawed your way back from years of separation to be together. You owe it to yourselves to be honest. It's not just about what Olivia needs, Alex. You matter too. I think Olivia would tell you the same thing."

Alex sat in silence for a long moment before standing. Julia and Elizabeth watched the younger woman head towards the restroom to find Olivia.

Julia looked at her old friend and sighed. "I really hope you're right about this because if you're not, that girl is going to rain down the fires of hell on you for upsetting Olivia."

Liz smirked. "I would expect nothing less."

Alex looked in the restrooms for Olivia and came up empty. She finally found Olivia standing out on an empty balcony watching the few golfers playing a round on the greens. She walked up behind the detective and slipped her arms around her. Olivia leaned back into the warm embrace while Alex rested her chin on her shoulder.

"What are you doing out here all by yourself? You should come back and finish your crepes. You barely touched them."

Olivia never turned around. "Maybe I should take up golf or maybe even tennis."

Alex frowned. "Why on earth would you do that? I happen to know that you hate golf. You think it's boring and I've never seen you pick up a racket before."

"I could learn enough to have a decent game."

"Again, I ask why?"

"I've heard that most of the more important deals surrounding political campaigns happen on the golf course. Since I'd be considered to be the 'supportive partner' in the scenario, tennis might be appropriate too."

Alex sighed and placed a kiss along Olivia's neck. "You shouldn't listen to Liz. She just loves to get under your skin."

"She's right though."

Alex groaned. "No. Please don't tell me that you're listening to Liz's nonsense."

"She's right, Alex. You could be the next DA, Governor, even Senator if you wanted. You could be anything you wanted to be."

"I'm very flattered by your overwhelming confidence in me." Alex joked.

"You know what I mean." Olivia turned and faced the blonde. "You have the right name, education, qualifications, you name it. The only thing holding you back would be me."

"Stop it." Alex said adamantly.

"Just answer one question for me. Have you thought about it?"

"No."

"Don't you dare lie to me, Alexandra Cabot." Olivia said in a stern voice. "We promised that we would never lie to each other. So, have you thought about running for public office?"

"Okay, yes but just because I think about something doesn't mean I'm going to go out and do it."

Olivia took Alex's hands into her own and pulled her close. "I don't want you giving up anything for me, Alex. If you want to become the next DA or Senator… hell if you want to become President, I want that for you."

Alex rested her forehead against Olivia's. "I want you more than any of that."

"Who said you had to choose?"

Alex pulled back and gave Olivia a confused look. Olivia grinned. "I told you I'd be willing to brush up on my skills. I think I might be pretty good at golf. Who knows? It might even be relaxing."

"You mean…"

"Where you go, I go." Olivia said sincerely. "If I have to play the part of the dutiful partner so that you can reach your goals, I'm there." She let out a softly chuckle and smiled. "Although, Liz will probably tell you that I need charm lessons or something. She'd be right of course. I've never been one to hold my tongue when I had an opinion about something. It's served me well as a cop, but I'm guessing that might be frowned upon at those fancy campaign functions."

Alex was still looking at her in wonder. "You'd do that… for me."

"I love you, Alex. When I met you, you were passionate about the law and ambitious as hell… and I fell so hard for you. I love all of you, Alexandra Cabot and I want to give you the world. I want you to have everything you've ever wanted."

Alex couldn't believe it, but she had just fallen even more in love with the woman in front of her. "I love you too. I… I don't know what to say to that."

"You don't have to say anything. You just need to know that I will support you in whatever you choose to do. I don't want you to ever feel like you can't share your hopes and dreams with me. I want you to do what makes you happy and I want to be a part of that happiness."

"I'm still not sure. I wasn't lying about that, Liv. I really don't know if I want that life anymore." She pulled back slightly and rubbed Olivia's belly.

They both jumped as they felt a hard kick. Olivia laughed and placed her hand over Alex's. They both stood there grinning like fools as they felt yet another kick.

"Did you feel that?" Olivia asked in wonder, her eyes misting.

"How could I not? I think we might have a little soccer player on our hands." Alex said as tears filled her eyes. "This is the one thing I am certain about. This is what I want; you and him. Everything else… we'll figure it out as we go along." Alex said pulling Olivia into her arms for a kiss.

It wasn't long before the innocent kiss turned into something more passionate. Olivia bit back a moan as she felt Alex placing love bites along her neck as she whispered sweet love devotions in French. When Alex realized they both spoke the language, it had become their new thing and Olivia found it extremely arousing. Her eyes fluttered open and she saw a few people in the distance watching them with interest.

"Umm… Alex?"

"Jes lav." Alex was still enjoying herself.

Olivia pulled back a little. "Umm… I think we're being watched."

"Laissez-les regarder." Alex said swooping in for another kiss. It nearly took Olivia's breath away. She secretly loved it when Alex couldn't seem to control herself.

Olivia giggled. "We might get thrown out of here for… public indecency or something."

"I know a good lawyer." Alex said still working on her neck.

Olivia laughed out loud. She finally managed to push Alex away a little. "Your Aunt Julia would kill us for the embarrassment."

Alex rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine. I'll behave… for now. But when I get you home…."

"Oh, I can't wait, Counselor. Let's go back to brunch." She said taking Alex by the hand. "I feel the need to annoy the hell out of Liz. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside."

All Alex could do was laugh.

Alex walked into the 1-6 and looked around the familiar surroundings. She zeroed in on Olivia's desk and didn't see her there.

"Hey Cabot. What brings you to these parts?" Fin said walking by.

Alex followed him and placed a bag on Olivia's still empty desk. "I was looking for Olivia. She sent me a text saying that she was starving."

Fin frowned and looked at his watch. "Really? We just had lunch like half an hour ago."

Alex snorted. "That doesn't matter. If she's craving something, she has to have it or there will be hell to pay."

Fin nodded. "I remember what that was like. When my ex was pregnant with Ken, she used to have me up at all times of the night getting all kinds of weird stuff. Her favorite was strawberry ice cream and guacamole… together."

Both he and Alex shivered.

"Liv, doesn't really crave anything weird per se. She just has cravings for certain foods at certain times… which means she has to have them at that very moment, hence why I am here."

Fin smirked. "She's pretty much the same way here. She has poor Nick running around like a chicken with its head cut off. He's always going out to get something. Rollins is on ginger ale duty. She knows not to walk through those doors without ginger ale and Liv's favorite fruit of the week. It's sort of our routine around here."

Alex chuckled. "Are you insinuating that my girlfriend is spoiled, Detective Tutuola?"

Fin held up his hands and walked away. "I'm not answering that. I'll get the shit kicked out of me either way. I can't win there."

"Win what?"

They both turned and saw Olivia moving towards them. At six and a half months pregnant, Olivia looked radiant but very round.

"Nothing." Fin mumbled.

"Hi sweetie. I brought you the fries you wanted." Alex said accepting the kiss Olivia planted on her cheek as she passed.

"Thank you, Alex. I was starving!"

Fin snorted and Alex shot him a glare. Olivia's hormones were all over the place this month. Her temper could be instantly ignited by the slightest thing and she would cry at the drop of a hat. Alex had dreaded watching television lately just because of the damn commercials.

"Do you have time to stay for a minute? We could go up to the crib." Olivia asked.

Alex glanced at her watch. "Sure."

She grabbed the bag and followed Liv towards the crib. She ignored Fin's soft laughter behind her back.

Alex went to the vending machine and got Olivia a bottle of water then settled on the sofa next to her. She indulgently watched her girlfriend enjoy her chili-cheese fries. Olivia smiled in complete bliss as she took another bite.

"You should try these. These are so good." Olivia said.

"Maybe another time. I'd rather just sit here and watch you."

Olivia wiped her mouth with the napkin and smiled. "You're so sweet."

Alex rolled her eyes.

"You are. You're always dropping whatever you're doing to bring me something stupid… like these fries or you're rubbing my back or reading those pregnancy books so that you know everything about what I'm supposed to be feeling. You're just so… sweet." She leaned over and placed a kiss on Alex's cheek. "I wish other people could see this side of you."

"Hey, you're the one with the raging hormones. Stop trying to make me cry." Alex said causing Olivia to laugh.

"They have been a little out of whack lately, haven't they?" Olivia asked sheepishly.

Alex was many things, but stupid was not one of them. She wouldn't dare answer that question truthfully. "Really? I haven't notice." She said innocently which only made Olivia laugh harder.

"You're a smart cookie, Cabot." Olivia said with a grin.

Alex simply leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. "Nah, I just love you."

"I love you too which is why I have to get you something awesome for your birthday. There has to be something you want."

Alex rolled her eyes playfully. "I already told you that I don't need anything for my birthday."

Olivia snorted. "I know you don't need anything. You're Alex Cabot for Christ's sake. You have more money than God."

That made Alex laugh. She always enjoyed Olivia's acerbic wit.

"I know you mentioned at brunch last week that you didn't want a party or anything big, but I was hoping that you'd consider a small dinner with your aunt and uncle, Serena, maybe Abbie if she's in town. We could invite Liz and her husband too… if you want?"

Olivia frowned slightly when she mentioned Alex's god-mother. Liz was always giving Olivia a hard time. The best part was Olivia could give just as good as she got. She and Liz would trade barbs back and forth for hours if Alex allowed them. They were quite the entertaining pair because under the teasing and heated debates, you could see just how much they both admired each other.

Alex thought about the suggestion for a moment. She really hadn't wanted to do anything for her birthday this year but if Olivia wanted to do something she'd allow it simply to make the brunette happy.

"That sounds like fun… as long as you and Liz promise to behave."

Olivia put on her innocent face. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Alex chuckled. "Sure you don't."

Alex and Olivia sat back and wiped their eyes. Alex's stomach muscles were actually hurting from laughing so hard. Following dinner, Liz and her Uncle Bill started reminiscing over the past and telling funny stories about their wild college years. To look at these two distinguished judges, no one would have ever realized how carefree they had been in their younger days. Olivia found them to be thoroughly entertaining.

Over the course of dinner, Olivia had discovered the complicated history behind their bond. Bill Harriman and Alexander Cabot had been roommates while at Harvard. Elizabeth Donnelly, also attending Harvard, met Alexander while in a class they shared and became instant friends. Liz would later introduce Alexander to her best friend who just happened to be Helena Grayson. By the end of their sophomore year, all four of them were the best of friends and thick as thieves. By the time they were seniors, Alexander and Helena had fallen madly in love. Bill would later be the best man at Alexander and Helena's wedding which is where he met and instantly fell for the bride's gorgeous sister who turned out to be none other than Julia Grayson. Those close friendships had produced two of the greatest romances of the twentieth century.

"Helena had Xander so worked up, the man could barely see straight." Liz said laughing. "I had never seen a man so in love before. He had convinced himself that Helena was seeing someone else and he had to get her back."

"We tried to tell him that it was nothing, but he wouldn't hear it." Bill said to Alex. "All he could see was green. He was sure that your mother had some guy up in her dorm room."

"So your father marched into the girls' dorm in the middle of the night during an awful storm screaming at the top of his lungs for Helena to come down and see him. Everyone was laughing because he was soaked to the bone, covered in mud, and without his pants for some reason." Elizabeth laughed. "He was standing at the bottom of the stairs yelling Helena's name as if he were in a bad reproduction of 'A Streetcar Named Desire'."

Bill shook his head at the memory. "To make a long story short, Helena finally came walking through the door behind him carrying her books looking confused as hell while Xander is still yelling and declaring his undying love to an entire dorm of confused women."

"I was standing at the top of the stairs watching it all while your Uncle Bill was trying to keep security from dragging your father out on his ass." Liz added.

"Once everything was explained away, Xander was completely mortified because he realized that Helena hadn't been in her dorm room at all. She'd been at the library studying the entire night."

Alex grinned. "I always wondered why you all would yell 'Stella' at random moments when I was younger."

"We were teasing your father." Liz laughed.

"Every time good old Xander would get too big for his pants; we'd all start chanting, Stella!" Bill added with a laugh. "Your mother loved it even though it embarrassed your father to no end."

They all laughed.

Alex had thoroughly enjoyed her birthday dinner. She couldn't remember the last time she had laughed so hard. Hearing these stories about her parents made her feel closer to them. There were times when she felt the pressure to live up to the legacy of her parents. She often wore that weight squarely on her shoulders every single time she walked into a courtroom or a function for the Cabot Foundation. Today, however, she was happy to carry that weight. She had heard a few stories about her parents before, but hearing these intensely personal memories from the people who knew them best helped Alex remember that Alexander and Helena Cabot were just two people in love who wanted to make a difference in the world.

"It's something about those Grayson women that you just can't shake." Bill said kissing his wife's hand.

Olivia looked at Alex and smiled. She had to agree with him. Alexandra Grayson Cabot was pretty damn amazing too. "I think you're right, Bill."

An hour or so later, Liz and her husband had called it an evening. Bill and Julia had stayed another half hour before making a graceful exit. Alex and Olivia had wished them goodnight and closed the door behind them. Olivia quickly cleaned the dining room while Alex cleared the kitchen and loaded the dishwasher. They finally joined one another on the sofa.

"So, did you enjoy your birthday?" Olivia asked rubbing the blonde head lying in her lap.

"I really did. It was wonderful." Alex said. "Thank you for doing this."

"You're welcome. I hate that Serena and Abbie couldn't come."

"Yeah, but we know better than anyone that sometimes unexpected things come up. Besides, I think those two are still having some problems. With this being a rare weekend that Abbie is actually in the city, I suspect Serena wanted to spend it talking."

"Well, I'm sure they'll work through it."

"Me to. But I don't want to dwell on that. Tonight was a great night."

"I'm glad you had a good time."

"It used to be really hard for me to talk about my parents." Alex said evenly.

"Was it hard listening to all those stories tonight?" Olivia asked with a hint of worry.

Alex shook her head and smiled. "It was really nice. Sometimes because of the work they did and all they accomplished, I forget that they were just people, you know?"

Olivia nodded. "It seems like your father was a bit of a romantic too."

Alex smiled fondly. "He was. I can remember coming home from college and finding them on the sofa making out like teenagers. Dad would of course give himself away by blushing, but Mother never cared. She told me, on several occasions, that she was rather happy to have an empty nest. That was more than I needed to know about what they got up to while I was away."

They both laughed. Alex sighed wistfully in remembrance. "They both adored each other, but it was obvious that my father was the more romantic of the two. I would catch him just watching her sometimes. It was like he couldn't believe that she had chosen him… even after all those years."

Olivia looked down into the endless blue eyes and returned the smile. "I can definitely relate. I often feel the same way about you."

Alex blushed. "You are such a charmer." She whispered pulling Olivia down for a deep kiss.

Olivia pulled back and held up a finger. "Hold that thought. You still have one more gift to open."

Alex sat up and faced the brunette. "Liv, you've given me enough already. I love my gifts, especially my book. Did you see Liz? She was totally jealous when she saw it."

Olivia had already given Alex several presents. Bill and Liz had unabashedly drooled over the early leather-bound edition of Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' she'd presented to Alex. It had cost her quite a mint, but well worth the look on her love's face. She knew it was one of Alex's favorite books. Olivia had also given Alex several other books the blonde had expressed interest in reading. The other gift had been a new red silk negligée that would be used later. Olivia had allowed Alex to open that particular present that afternoon when they were very much alone.

"Nonsense. You spoil me all the time. Leave me alone and let me give my girlfriend another birthday gift."

"Alright. Let's go ahead and open it because I really want to put that new lingerie to good use tonight." Alex said wiggling her brows.

Olivia got up and went to the bookshelf across the room. She pulled out a brown envelope with a blue ribbon around it. She sat down and handed it to Alex.

"Before you open that, I want to tell you something first." Olivia said seriously.

Alex reached out and took her hand. "You can tell me anything. You know that."

"I know. I just want you to know that whatever you decide to do with this won't change anything between us. I love you more than anything and that won't change."

Alex gave her a confused and worried look. Olivia chuckled. "It's nothing bad. I swear. Just…open it."

Alex took a deep breath and untied the ribbon. She started pulling out what looked to be several notarized legal documents. Her eyes moved over them with practiced ease. She suddenly stopped and felt her breath catch.

"Liv… is this… is this what I think it is?"

Her voice and her hands were shaking making it hard to read the documents. Olivia smiled softly and nodded.

"What does this…" Alex swallowed. Her voice didn't seem to want to coöperate. "… does this mean…"

"I talked to Brian last week and he agreed. I then called your Uncle Bill and told him what I wanted to do. He called Liz and she drew the papers up a few days ago. It was hell making sure those two didn't spill the beans tonight."

Alex took a closer look at the papers. By the end of the first paragraph, she was weeping. There at the top was her name as petitioner to the court. There were sections for the baby's name once the baby was born. The signature of Olivia Jayne Benson was signed and notarized at the bottom. Next to it was an open line for her own signature."

"Obviously, these can't be completed until after Sprout gets here, but I wanted you to have this now. This is your real birthday gift."

"You mean… you want…"

"Alex, I want us to be a real family. I want you to be my son's other mother. I'm asking you to adopt him… if you want."

The tears falling from Alex's eyes came so rapidly that she had to hold the papers away to keep them from getting wet.

"I understand that this is a lot to ask. If you don't want to do this, it's okay." Olivia said misinterpreting the tears.

Alex could only shake her head. No words had yet to come. Alex hadn't told Olivia, but a part of her was still worried about what her role in the baby's life would be. Now Olivia was sitting here offering her the ultimate gift. She was offering her the chance to share her child. Olivia was making them a family.

"It's not too much. This is… This is the best gift anyone could ever give me." Alex said finally finding her voice.

"Are you sure?"

Alex leaned in and kissed her with such passion, Olivia nearly forgot her own name. "I love you and I love your son. Of course, I want to adopt him."

Olivia grinned happily. "Our son." She corrected placing Alex's hand on her stomach.

"Our son."

They both jumped at the intense thump against their hands. They looked down and laughed.

"I think Sprout agrees." Olivia said. "Happy Birthday, Alex."

"This so trumps the red bike I got when I was eight."

They both laughed.

TBC...

Coming Soon: Thanksgiving