A/N: Quick chapter to kind of move this along. End is in sight...then back to finishing up Noah series. Been swamped with work over the Eclipse and just recovering.

MONEY

"Alex?"

Olivia was sitting in their extra bedroom, now finally and office, and going through the bills to pay them

"Yeah, Liv?" Alex replied wandering down the hall to the office.

"I'm looking for our cable bill," Olivia said. "Did we get it?"

"Um, I don't know, but it's been paid," Alex said.

"What?"

"I set it up for autopay," Alex said. "It was deducted yesterday, I believe."

"Oh, how much?" Olivia said.

"Ummm, $150 or something, I think?" Alex said.

"You think?" Olivia said.

"Yeah, I mean, roughly," Alex said. "That was the package we picked because it had the cartoon channel Noah likes."

"Did we get a statement or anything?" Olivia said.

"I may have gotten an email," Alex said. "Liv, it's been paid. So we'll have a statement of all of our monthly bills each month on the bank statement."

"But, you didn't look at the bill?" Olivia said. "You don't even know how much they charged you. What if they charged you extra?"

"Honey, why would they do that?" Alex said. "Besides, I saw it come through my bank. I would have noticed if it wasn't the right amount."

"You don't even know what the right amount is," Olivia said, exasperated.

"I told you, around $150," Alex said. "That includes our internet, too."

"Fine," Olivia said. "What about the electricity bill? I haven't seen it either."

"Same," Alex said. "Geez, Liv, what are you? 70? I mean, even my dad uses online bill pay."

"I'm not against online bill pay," Olivia said. "But I do like to know what I'm spending. Sometimes they tack on extra charges. One time I was being charged an extra $10 a month on my cable bill for a second TV in my one-bedroom apartment. I mean, who knows?"

"Ok, I'll forward the email to you," Alex said. "My detective can look it over."

Alex leaned down and kissed Olivia on the cheek. Olivia just rolled her eyes.

"I just think we should monitor our finances, Alex," Olivia said.

"Ok, you're right, but it's not like we're struggling," Alex said. "We both have good jobs, with good salaries, and money in savings. In addition to my trust, CDs, other stuff."

"Well, it doesn't mean we should be irresponsible," Olivia said. "We weren't all born with a trust fund."

Alex raised her eyebrows at Olivia, letting her know she was not pleased at Olivia's jab at her wealthy upbringing.

"I'm sorry, I just mean, we never know what could happen," Olivia said. "I have Noah to think about."

Alex finally sat down across from Olivia.

"Liv, I know that," Alex said. "We're not being irresponsible. In fact, I can't tell you the last time we went out to eat. Noah is in a good school. I know you have a college savings account for him. I actually do, too."

"You what?" Olivia said, surprised.

"I started a college savings account for Noah, or for whatever he needs," Alex said.

"Why?" Olivia said. "I mean, we're not even married…yet. You don't have to do that."

"I know I don't," Alex said. "And I know you can more than take care of Noah and his future needs. You don't need me for that, and I know that. But…I just thought, just in case anything ever happened…well, he'd have a padding."

"How long?"

"Um, pretty much since we started dating," Alex said, a little embarrassed. "I knew I wanted to be part of yours and Noah's life forever. So, it was just kind of my little way of reminding myself about it."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Olivia said.

"Well, I guess early on, I didn't want to freak you out in case, well, we ended," Alex said. "And then, I just figured you'd find out when we moved in together…and you did."

"You know, you still don't have to do that, even if we live together," Olivia said. "I've saved since…well, even before I even knew I would have Noah. Just in case."

"I know," Alex said. Olivia gave her a weird look. "I saw a statement on the desk the other day and was surprised by how much was in it. Then I saw the date opened and it made more sense."

Alex slid her chair closer to Olivia.

"Listen, Liv, I hope to be Noah's mother some day," Alex said. "And whether the money I've put aside goes toward his college or something else, our retirement, let's say, I plan on spending my life with you and Noah, and in that includes my time, resources, money and everything I have."

Olivia reached up and wiped away a small tear coming out of her eye, then kissed Alex gently.

"I love you for being so thoughtful," Olivia said. "And I want you to be Noah's mother, too. I mean, you basically already are."

"And I can't wait," Alex said.

"So, can we at least look at these bills, organize them or something?" Olivia said. "We can pay them online, but I just want to know what we're paying."

"Of course," Alex said. "Do you need me to teach you how to use the internet, too?" She laughed and got a swat from Olivia.

"I'l have you know, I know how to use the internet," Olivia said.

"Yes, you are quite the instagrammer," Alex said. "But you maybe need to calm down on those hashtags."

"My hashtags are hilarious," Olivia said.

Alex chuckled. "If you say so," she said.

"What do you say we get Noah changed and go out to dinner tonight? You made a good point about having not been out recently?" Olivia said.

"Oh, now you want to go out to dinner, huh?" Alex said.

"Well, my girlfriend is a trust fund baby, she can pay," Olivia joked.

"Ha! As if you'd ever let me," Alex said.

"I'm gonna go get Noah ready and we can go…anywhere you want," Olivia said.

"You mean anywhere I want that lets kids in," Alex joked.

"Hey, the life of a parent," Olivia said.

"I can't wait," Alex said.

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