A/N: I hope you like this! Spring Break is now over. That's why I have been able to get three chapters out in the past nine days.

Back to school tomorrow, but I hope to continue my writing routine of waking at 4 a.m. and writing until 5:45. Then coming home from school and writing until I can't any longer.

As always, I would love to hear what you thought. Your reviews make my day! As you know, if you do review, I always answer my reviews!

Enjoy!

Patricia

37

OOO

"Olivia?" Alex asked, both hands on the wheel, her nose sniffing a million miles an hour, like a little bunny.

"Yeah, Babe?" Olivia reached into the canvas bag she had on her lap, taking out a package of whole grain, salt-free pretzels, eyeing the bag and trying to decide between that and a container of organic dried mango they had purchased at The Whole Food Gourmet on their way out of town, after filling up at the gas station. The brunette had realized, after her near stomach explosion with the Cheetos, she wasn't allowed to have those ever again.

Olivia saw Alex peer at her stash briefly, eyes returning to the road. "Don't you smell that?"

"I do…but I am too deep into a decision-making process…" Olivia settled on the mango, returning the pretzels to the bag and breaking open the plastic container, removing a piece of mango and holding it out to her wife, Alex taking it without hesitation, unlike with the cheese puff.

Her wife was wearing a pair of tight black jeans, a long-sleeved black t-shirt with a charcoal gray poncho over it, knee-high black riding boots on, her hair down, glasses on. God, she looked cute.

The snow had just begun to fall moments ago and they were twenty minutes into their drive, after hugging Katie good-bye and setting off for home in The Big Apple.

"It smells like…skunk?" Alex reasoned.

"It does…" Olivia took a bite of the chewy, sweetened fruit. "…mmmmm, good stuff…maybe we just passed one, Babe…not unusual…"

Olivia reached over and clasped the back of the blonde's neck lightly, fingering it gently, fingers tickling her nape.

Alex smiled, "You cold?" She reached forward and turned the heat up a notch.

"I'm good, Al…but thank you for worrying…" Olivia leaned over and kissed her wife's cheek softly.

Alex's smile widened. "Just checking…I need you and our bundle of joy happy and healthy…"

"Oh, don't you worry about that, Babe…we're both immensely happy."

The snow picked up in speed and size within a few moments, large flakes now hitting the windshield and melting just as quickly.

"Be careful, Al…" Olivia held her stomach protectively, shoving another piece of fruit into her mouth and offering the blonde another, which she took again.

"Me driving carefully is the only thing on my mind right now, Liv…stop feeding me…" Alex smiled, talking around chewing.

Olivia laughed now, giggling, "That's my role now…nurturer…I'm glad we're going back, Babe…it'll give us a chance to get back into our routine before you go back and I start at Haven House."

"Me, too, Liv…me too…"

… … … … … …

AAA

An hour into the drive, Alex couldn't take it anymore. The smell was unreasonably strong. She pulled into a gas station, pulling into a hard-to-find full service pump aisle.

"Why are we stopping?" Olivia asked as No More Lies by Michel'le played on the speakers. "Are you OK?"

True, the snow had begun to fall pretty hard but Alex wanted to find the source of the smell. It had begun to nauseate her.

"The smell, Liv…I have to figure it out…my stomach is rolling." Alex leaned over and kissed Olivia, leaving her to her music, the brunette still dancing in her seat and smiling.

Alex walked into the tiny lobby of the small gas station and was met with two greasy mechanics in black-splotched jumpsuits standing behind the counter, fluorescent lights flickering above and humming, one of the men deep into a story and thrusting his hips—obviously an R-rated conversation. It reeked of gasoline and desitution.

They saw Alex and both stopped talking, smiling at her, one of them with a toothpick in his mouth, the others' mouth having gone slack and now hanging open.

"Well…little lady…what can we do you for?" the one with the toothpick who had been moving his hips asked.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen…there's a strange smell coming from our car and I was wondering—"

"Say no more, beautiful…my name is Hank…I would love to check under your hood for you…heh, heh, heh…" He winked at the other mechanic and came around the corner, eyeing the attorney, a red, oil-stained rag in hand.

"Thank you…" Alex turned and walked out of the door, bells chiming, her eyes on Olivia, who was now dancing and singing, eyes closed. Open your eyes, Olivia, the blonde begged silently.

She finally did, rolling down her window and leaning her head out, the song Nicety by the same artist was playing. "Hey, Babe…everything OK?" She got out of the car now, shutting it firmly, kicking into detective mode.

"He's gonna see what's happening for us…"

Hank eyed the brunette as she stood close to Alex.

"Well, two pretty ladies," he popped the hood open, "…not every day that happens…"

Olivia leaned her forehead against Alex's shoulder. "Oh, Jeez…" she mumbled.

He continued looking under the hood, "Snow's comin' down pretty hard…you ladies sure you're up to drive?"

"Yeah, sir, we're fine," Alex said impatiently. "See anything?"

"You're welcome to stay here for the night…or until the snow stops…there's a motor lodge right next door." He stood up straight and pointed.

Both ladies looked to where he was pointing—a run down, rusted, aluminum-sided building that must have had a total of five consecutive rooms, the glass office door adorned with colorful Christmas lights.

"We're not far from home," Olivia interjected.

"Oh, yeah? Where's home?" He asked, pulling out the dipstick and wiping it.

Alex and Olivia looked at each other. "Massapequa," Alex answered quickly, after all, they were almost in Massapequa.

Olivia squeezed her waist to show her support.

"Home of the Baldwin brothers," he said, smiling. "Those brothers have done nicely for themselves…you know, I had an aunt that taught all four, Billy, Alec, Daniel—"

"Do you see anything out of the ordinary in there?" Alex didn't have the patience right now for a story about his beloved aunt or the students she taught circa 1969.

"Cool your heels, girlie…" he reached in and took his rag to some object, struggling to get it loose, pulled it out and held it up.

It was a skunk, a fried, dead carcass, but a skunk, nonetheless.

"Only way this critter could get in here is for someone to put it in here." He smiled. "These things don't just jump up under a car and into the engine."

Alex turned to Olivia, both knowing exactly who put it there. "Well, that explains the smell." Alex walked around to the driver's side and got her wallet from the middle console before returning, "How much do we owe you?"

He tossed the dead animal in a trash can next to the pump. "Well, nothin' if you'll have dinner with me and Earl…we'll call it even."

Alex sighed, folding her arms.

"We'd like to pay you for your time…and your help…" Olivia looked at his patched name tag, "…Hank…"

"Well…oil check, animal removal, and you need a fill up?" He stepped closer to them now, closing the hood, letting it latch, "…cuz' I can give you a fill up…both of you…" He laughed that tar-riddled laugh once again.

"We're good, Hank…" Olivia tried, pushing the blonde to go around the back of the car.

"Irma makes a mean cup of coffee at the lodge…somethin' warm for your trip to…Massapequa…" he winked.

Alex rounded the car and gave a quick "thank you" before getting in, watching as Hank got close to her wife who was opening the car door, the mechanic looking like he was going to join them. He only waited for Olivia to get in and then shut the door.

Alex started the engine, looking over at Olivia, the brunette watching Hank as he peered in the window, smiling and waving his fingers.

"Go, Alex!" Olivia demanded, half smiling.

They pulled out of the parking lot and stopped at the intersection, ready to return to the highway.

"What is it with us and gas stations and the questionable men at them?" Alex asked, pulling onto the road.

"I don't know, Babe…it's like they've never seen women before." Olivia pulled the visor down, looking behind them, and then craned her neck in between the seats to look further. Once on the road, she turned to Alex. "You all right?"

"Yeah, Babe…" Alex grabbed her hand and brought it to her mouth, kissing it surely. "You?"

"I don't even have my gun or badge with me this time, Al…if we were to get into some trouble…"

"Don't think about that, Liv…we're gone now…" Alex looked in her rearview once again for good measure.

… … … … … …

OOO

They arrived safely, despite the foot of snow that had fallen in the past two and a half hours, and entered the penthouse, everything looking immaculate. All the mail was on the silver tray on the table next to the hallway, the carpets freshly vacuumed, everything in place, down to the sofa pillows.

Hillary jumped down from her blanket on the sofa, mewing and purring her pleasure at seeing one of her mothers. Olivia bent down and picked her up immediately, nuzzling her face, the feline giving her a few kisses on her cheek.

Then, Olivia noticed it—her gift to Alex.

Olivia smiled at the glossy, black Baby Grand that sat behind the sectional, next to the balcony door, a huge red bow tied around the closed top. A matching bench with an eggshell, white velvet cushion sat top, three pieces of music and the card that she had instructed their red-headed friend to leave on the music ledge. The instrument seemed to fit perfectly there.

The brunette carried Hillary over to the monstrous new installment, smiling, scratching her neck, the feline continuing to purr.

Alex was checking the mail box downstairs, asking the lobby desk clerk about messages and packages, giving the brunette time to enter the apartment and see the gift that she had bought for her wife. She knew it would be there—had communicated with Casey the day before.

"You got a couple of pack—" Alex breathed, her eyes going wide, her mouth open as she entered the door, setting the packages that she was speaking of on the table next to the door, setting the mail on top, her eyes not leaving the gleaming enormous new presence in the living area.

Olivia smiled broadly, watching the blonde's reaction.

"Oh, Liv…" Alex whined, her face contorting with emotion, eyes tearing, her eyes going to the brunette, "…for me?"

Olivia nodded, "And for me, Baby…Merry Christmas."

Alex closed the door, locking it behind her, and then walked with folded arms up to Olivia, taking her in her arms and hugging her gently. "I love it, Babe…" Alex whispered into her ear. They held each other, Alex's hands clutching the brunette's back firmly.

"I knew you would." Olivia pulled away, smiling. "My little Chopin…" Olivia stroked her hair softly.

Alex pulled away and walked to the lid, propping it on the lid prop and then moved around to the bench, pulling it out and sitting. She lifted the fall and delicately pushed it forward. She reached for the music rack, noticing the card on the ledge.

"Open it, Babe…" Olivia smiled, sitting next to her wife.

With shaky hands, Alex took the card, sliding a slender finger under the flap and opening it, her eyes not leaving her wife. Before removing the card, she set it down on her lap and grabbed Olivia's face in both hands and planted a deep, sensual kiss on her lips, Olivia moaning her satisfaction.

"I'm glad you like it…" she smiled.

Alex took the card out and opened it. Reading it, she brought her hand to her mouth, eyes tearing mercilessly. "Oh, Liv…and you're my everything, Baby…"

"I won't ask you to play right now because I know you're tired from driving…"

Alex smiled, "But I have to break it in, don't I?" She leaned over and kissed Olivia gently.

Olivia only smiled, watching as the blonde looked through the sheet music provided, settling on Six Grand Etudes After Paganini, Etude No. 3, La Campanella, by Franz Liszt.

Alex took a deep breath and interlaced her fingers, stretching them briefly, wiggled them dramatically, and then smiled before gently placing long, porcelain fingers softly on the ivories. "Here goes nothing…"

Olivia leaned over and kissed the blonde's shoulder and then her wife began to play, Olivia scooting over to give her full range of the keys. The music coming out of the piano was delicate, yet fierce, the blonde's concentration intense, her fingers gliding over the keys. Her right hand was moving so quickly, it was almost a blur to the brunette. Although the music was in front of her wife, Alex didn't seem to need it—already knew the piece very well. Olivia's stomach did flip-flops, her heart swelling as she watched Alex so entranced in her playing—a true passion for the instrument.

When it was over, Alex lifted her hands up, the last note resonating throughout the room.

Olivia's gaze, still on her wife's hands, tears rolling down her cheeks. She took her gaze slowly to her wife, who was smirking. Olivia leaned forward and hugged her wife so tightly, she thought she heard a couple of vertebrae pop. "That was…" Olivia pulled away, "…one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard…and to be sitting here, right next to you, while you're creating that…that…magic…I'm in awe, Al…if I wasn't amazed at the hotel bar in Montana, I am now…"

Alex smiled broadly, "Our kids are gonna learn, you know…all of them…"

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Alex…" Olivia laughed now, "…I can teach them how to properly restrain and cuff a person, perform the wrist hold, front and back choke holds, and the bear hug, while you teach them about opera, coq au vin, and Roe v. Wade.

Alex shook her head, "You'll teach them so much more than that, Liv…you'll teach them about love, and commitment, and patience, and humor, and music, and dancing, and hugging, and cookies, and play dough, and…Rice Krispy Treats…"

"And proper hair removal…" Olivia laughed.

Alex took her in a hug, the two rocking together, "All of that, Baby…" She kissed Olivia's neck. "What do you say…" she pulled away, kissing Olivia gently, "…we just relax today? We can take showers, I'll call Casey and Katie and let them know we got back safely, and then we can just spend the rest of the evening together, since I have to go back tomorrow?"

"Sounds perfect, Al."

… … … … … …

Olivia exited the shower, hair damp and hanging down her back, noticing how the prenatal vitamins were causing it to grow rapidly, the length now just grazing in between her shoulder blades. She unwrapped her towel and set it on the sink before looking at herself in the mirror.

Her body was changing. That baby bump they had both mentioned seemed to have gotten bigger over the past few days. The brunette brought her hands to her breasts, feeling their weight, noticing the growing largeness, analyzing them in her reflection. She turned left and right, noticing the change in elevation of her belly now, rubbing her hands along smooth skin and smiling.

A throat clearing behind her from the bed.

Alex was sitting, propped up on pillows, the latest Jodi Picoult novel in her lap, smiling. "Yes, Babe…I told you…it's noticeable now."

Olivia turned and smiled, walking naked to the bed and climbing on top of the duvet, crawling on all fours toward her wife. "Almost nine weeks, Babe…"

Alex sat up, slithering her hands down the sides of Olivia's ribcage and down to her waist before fingering her belly lightly. "So beautiful, Liv…"

"Mama's horny again, Al…"

Alex laughed, "What are we gonna do when we have this baby, Liv? You know it won't be easy…no sleep, up at all hours, smelling like poop and baby spit up…no time to ourselves with just us together…"

"So…let's get it out of our systems now, while we can…" Olivia leaned forward and kissed the attorney. "Plenty of pregnant Liv to go around." Olivia began kissing Alex's exposed skin around her sheer pink camisole then leaned into the blonde's ear, "I want a toy," she whispered.

Alex moaned, closing her eyes, and smiled. "Which one, Baby?"

"Father of Our Country…I've never tried it…"

"Yankee Doodle dandy…"

The two giggled and Olivia leaned over to her bottom drawer and retrieved the infamous vibrator. "I don't know why it's on my side…it was your purchase."

"As you remind me for the fifty-millionth time…" Alex was already standing, removing her clothing and dropping it on the floor. She climbed back on the bed, both women now on their knees facing each other, completely in the flesh.

Olivia went in for a searing kiss, tongues searching, probing, tasting. Her breathing was already heavy and erratic and Alex reached down and began stroking her folds firmly with one hand, gripping her breast with the other. Olivia tilted her head back and Alex placed a heated, suctioning mouth on her pulse point, biting firmly.

Olivia didn't care, though. After all, it was turtle neck season.

"Now, Baby…" Olivia breathed. She assumed an all fours position, still panting, awaiting the device. She heard it flick on behind her, sending her lower lips twitching in anticipation. She moved her bottom around, ready, waiting, searching.

"Start you slow, Babe?"

"Whatever you used, Al…I want it…" Olivia closed her eyes, the blonde stroking her from behind, the brunette feeling her wife's slender digits gliding easily from the immense arousal her body was already creating.

She felt the tip touch her, vibrating her lower body and she gasped at the sensation. "Oh, Alex…more…"

"Higher?"

"Yeah…" Olivia breathed, hearing the slight increase in power, and then relaxed her muscles, allowing the device to penetrate her, slowly and shallowly, at first, then deeper and deeper, as the blonde worked it inside of her. She felt wet kisses on her back, her backside, her shoulders as the movements got faster, the penetration deeper. "God, Alex…thank you for buying this," her voice vibrated as the toy did, her entire body trembling with an imminent climax. "Thank you, first president…"

Alex continued her movements, deeper and deeper every time before she hit the spot that had Olivia's legs trembling, almost unable to hold her up.

"Oh, God, Babe…" she whined, face scrunched in anticipation, her body ready, core on fire. "I…uh!" she squealed, a euphoric burning hitting her hard, clenching the pillows in her fingers, knuckles going white, gripping as she rode out the intense orgasm, Alex only stopping when her hands relaxed.

Olivia panted, recovering as Alex pulled the phallus out and continued to kiss her exposed skin.

Alex reached around and held the brunette, kissing her neck softly, tongue lingering. Olivia turned now, on her knees and took the blonde in a hug now, feeling both of their bodies shaking with emotion.

"I have to lay down, Babe…" Olivia said and then she relaxed back against the pillows, Alex resting her head on her wife's still-heaving chest.

Olivia took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

After a few moments, Olivia spoke, "Something about you and that piano, Al…and, of course, being pregnant…it's intensified." She took another deep breath, moaning a satisfied release of breath.

"Give me a few minutes and it's your turn…" Olivia closed her eyes.

"OK, Baby…rest now…" Alex kissed her neck softly.

"OK…"

… … … … … …

AAA

Alex stood in the doorway of the bedroom, watching a peaceful Olivia napping satiated on her side, sheet thrown haphazardly over her tanned body. They had just made love again, Alex's turn to be satisfied, and her wife was wiped out, still not used to the exhaustion that pregnancy could cause.

She turned and walked down the hallway in her baby blue silk robe and headed into the kitchen to make a batch of Rasta lattes to have. They usually made a pot when they did, enough for a few cups. Alex had grown to enjoy it as much as Olivia.

She retrieved the different milks from the refrigerator and took the jar of freshly ground chai masala spices from next to the coffee pot. She began pouring in the essentials, turned the element on, and took the whisk from the crock that held large kitchen utensils, waiting for it to boil.

She worried about her brother, living in Miami. For a recovering alcoholic and pill user, it wasn't the best place to live or settle, for that matter. She worried about his access to drugs, the partying that went on in that city, his sobriety.

The pot came to a roaring boil and she lowered the heat, whisking as she did so, adding a small amount of raw honey to the mixture.

She whisked, staring out through the balcony doors that led to a glorious view of the city. Her gaze went to the gift that Olivia had given her. She smiled and she took the pot from the stove, poured herself a mug of the steaming liquid, the scent of warm spices hitting her senses, and then turned the burner off, setting the pot aside for Olivia to have some when she woke up.

Taking her mug into the living room, she stood by the balcony doors, leaning against the frame and looking out at the snow-covered wonderland outside. Eight to twelve inches covered everything and it was still falling—those beautiful snowflakes like drifting powder from the sky.

In seven months, she and Olivia would be mothers. She was so proud and excited to call Olivia her wife, the mother of her child that, at times, she couldn't breathe. The joy that filled her, that rose up inside of her, every time she thought of that fact was almost too much for her, causing her to stop and focus on breathing correctly.

Now, back at their little Heaven in the city, it seemed as though nothing could penetrate their bliss bubble. All was going well, almost too well, that Alex wondered if she was dreaming. From the moment she and Olivia first started working on the case with the man affected by the lead paint in the toy cars, she had felt this—felt hope again.

Now, they were married and had had their honeymoons, and were expecting their first child together. Alex smiled, bringing the hot liquid into her mouth and closing her eyes.

Olivia was right. This was a damn good drink.

She moved to the piano and looked at it admiringly. She had missed playing so much and hadn't realized it until recently—had pushed those thoughts of ever playing again to the back of her mind. Olivia was so cute about her playing, the brunette admiring her so much as she tickled the ivories, although she did so much more than tickle them. She knew that, once entranced in a song, she went at it full force—an undeniable affinity for her passion.

She wouldn't push it on their children—only entice them and see if they went with it. She didn't want to be one of those parents.

Her mind went to Olivia again, that gorgeous brunette lying in their bed, slumbering so peacefully.

She knew they would have some hard times ahead, but she knew, without a doubt, they were in this together—an impenetrable team that she had always wanted to be a part of—especially with the love of her life.

… … … … … …

"And, in honor of the opening of this Haven House establishment, our goal is to give hope against violence, eternally and never ending. Mrs. Benson-Cabot…will you do the honors?"

Peter Koo, New York City Councilman, offered her a large pair scissors with which to cut the large purple ribbon.

Olivia looked at Alex, her eyes tearing. The brunette looked so beautiful in her eggplant wool coat, a purple sheath dress beneath it, classic black heels, and hair in a sleek ponytail. She had her leather gloves on and Alex could see her breath as warm air hit the freezing temperatures outside. Snow was falling lightly but more was expected later that day. Alex winked at her, smiling as Olivia took the proffered scissors.

Mr. Koo continued, "I hereby pronounce Haven House a licensed establishment, running proudly in the city of Queens, New York…Mrs. Benson-Cabot?"

Olivia leaned forward and cut the ribbon with the large instrument, the crowd of two-hundred plus, including Captain Cragen, Fin and Munch, going wild with applause and cheers.

Within moments, the crowd was talking and the guys from the squad and Alex were standing in front of her, surrounding her.

"So proud, Baby Girl…" Fin smiled.

"She's the best person for the job…" Cragen added.

"Starting to show, Olivia?" Munch looked over his Transition lenses at her, a twinkle in his eyes.

"Yeah, John…I am…" Olivia placed a rubbing hand over her belly, "…just the beginning…" she smiled.

"Bring it on…" Alex linked her arm with Olivia's, kissing her cheek softly.

With most of the crowd having dispersed after the ribbon cutting, the smaller reception crowd moved inside of Haven House and was treated to a beautiful spread, including cake, champagne, punch, and appetizers.

According to the director, a one Sydney Vaughn, there were already over two-hundred applicants waiting to get into the new housing establishment, wanting to change their lives and escape their violent, tragic lives.

Alex knew that Olivia would have a difficult time with the cases, but she would be there for the brunette, for her beautiful wife in the months to come—of that she had no doubt.