A/N at the end!
38
OOO
Almost three weeks later, on the twenty-seventh of January, things had been going well for both ladies. Olivia working at Haven House was challenging, yet rewarding, giving her a chance to counsel the victims that came through, listen to their situations at the intake portion of the center, contact the precinct with details of the abuse, talk with Fin, Munch, or Cragen and decide how to move forward and collect evidence and then pursue and press charges to the accused. Then, if their story seemed credible enough, and there was tangible, collectable evidence, he or she would be invited to stay at the facility.
It hadn't been easy for the brunette to deal with, especially at the rate with which they came through the door. In the weeks that she had been there, she had seen people badly beaten to within a second of their lives, seen the broken arms, the bloodied noses, the multiple cracked ribs, seen those who had just been raped, or had just had their children abused and/or raped. As hormonal as she was, her emotions often had to be kept under control until she could slip into her office and take a moments to collect herself.
In the most physically dire situations, full medical treatment was available, including rape kits that were sent directly to the lab for evaluation. The hospital section, itself, held ten beds and was run by two of the utmost prestige—medical staff there for the commitment and excited about the future and cause of the new facility.
The establishment, itself, was built from an old, two-floor warehouse. On the ground floor, when one walked into the main entrance, they were greeted with a large, half-circle front desk. To the left down the hallway, were the offices—the Haven House president had her own, the assistant director had another one, and Olivia also had her own office—a well-furnished office with all of the amenities one would need including a window, a sofa, a mahogany desk and desk chair, PC, phone, lamp, and dark wood bookshelves. Olivia had never had an office like this before and she absolutely loved it.
To the right of the front desk in the other direction, was another hallway, stemming off of the front desk, where the five, separate intake rooms were, each room complete with sofas, tables and chairs, windows, and the comforts that would put those victims that came in, at ease during their questioning. These were the rooms where the detective or other licensed workers there, could take new applicants in and speak with them personally, one-on-on, in a non-threatening environment.
Past the reception desk to the right, was the mini hospital for medical care. If an emergency was too great for the facility to handle, a Haven House ambulance would take them to the nearest hospital—Bellevue Hospital.
Beyond the front desk, held the rooms—twenty in all. Each room was small and somewhat tiny but had one full bed and one twin bed. It also had a shower, a sink, a toilet, a small closet, and one small dresser and lamp. No TV. No video games. A community library—which consisted of a rolling bookshelf—was to begin soon and Olivia already planned on bringing some old ones from home.
Along with the community library, there was a clothes closet available to those who had lost everything and needed every day clothing or clothing for interviews. Olivia also wanted to bring some used clothing in to donate. She would be sure to do that on the following weekend.
Overall, Haven House had a contracted maximum, three-month stay. Haven House would help with resumes and get interviews and help them get on their feet in the three months that they stayed, even providing a daycare for those with children under the age of four. Their goal was to move quickly and rehabilitate and offer independence for victims and for them to be able to thrive on his or her own.
The facility also provided mentorships for the children and teenagers that came through, providing arts and crafts, outings and field trips, and cooking and home economics classes for anyone who wanted to learn more about those skills. Outside was a full playground and basketball court, fully gated for protection.
It was noon on a Wednesday and Olivia leaned forward, placing her hand on top of Maria Gonzalez's' hand in Intake Room A. "It's gonna be OK, Maria…you've taken the first step. My squad and I have gone over the evidence and there's enough evidence and at the scene and the rape kit is being sent now…" She looked at the tiny little girl with big brown eyes, huddled against her frail mother and smiled, "…you got yourself and Elsa out…you're here now and he can't hurt you. They've arrested him at work and, if I know my guys, they won't be easy on him…" She winked at the half-smiling, teary-eyed woman in front of her.
"Miss Olivia…" Maria Gonzalez began.
The three stood now, Olivia still holding the petite woman's hands.
"Yes…?"
"Thank you…" Maria took Olivia into a tight hug, the little girl joining in and wrapping her tiny arms around both the brunette and her mother.
"You're very welcome, Maria." She pulled away, smiling. "If you go to the front desk, they will assign you a room and get you set up. The next orientation is at one and then again at three and the last one at five for the day. They'll explain the facility, rules, expectations…"
Maria nodded as Olivia walked the two through the doorway, leading them out of the room. Olivia folded her arms and smiled, leaning against the intake counter and looking at one of the receptionists, an African-American woman with a short pixie cut and a beautiful smile, "Maria and her daughter will be a good fit here, Sharice…just stay with Sharice and she'll get you two set up with a room, OK?" Olivia smiled and rubbed Maria's back.
Maria nodded, "Thank you…" Her eyes were filled with tears.
"You're welcome…" Olivia smiled and took a file from Anne, the other receptionist. "Thanks, Anne…" She smiled and turned to the folder.
Now it was time for the legal side of this particular case. Olivia's face turned pensive as she opened the folder, eyes focusing on the photos they had taken, the evidence collected at the scene, the statements given by the woman and her daughter. She slowly began walking to her office, on the other side of the large, half-circle, front desk in the lobby, thinking.
Taking her key from her badge lanyard around her neck, she blindly placed it into the key hole, still reading the case file. It was policy to lock all office doors upon vacancy. They only had one security guard on site—were still in the process of hiring a couple more for the establishment—and so rooms and offices that held personal belongings needed to be secured when not in use. But, for everyone's safety, it was a requirement. Olivia did wear her gun and badge, though, as a precaution. Not only was she the only higher-level, resident cop on site, she was now, part of the protective team until more security guards were hired, which she was told would be within the week.
She pushed the door to her office open, still thinking.
"Hey there…" a familiar, sultry voice said behind her.
Olivia turned to see the vision that was her wife, in a charcoal gray pencil skirt suit and white silk blouse beneath, black wool coat over it, behind her. "Babe!" Olivia smiled "What are you doing here?" Olivia hugged her wife tightly; she was such a sight for sore eyes.
Alex laughed lightly, rubbing her wife's back as the two walked into her office, the blonde following Olivia and holding a large, white paper bag, folded at the top. "I brought my beautiful wife lunch."
"But you're so far from work, Al…" Olivia was so hungry she began emptying the bag, setting the food on the small coffee table, as they sat on the brown leather sofa.
"I wanted to see my babies…both of them…" Alex smiled. "Today is twelve weeks, Liv…three months…your first trimester done…" Alex placed a napkin on her lap and looked at Olivia, her eyes tearing. "I was hoping we could go out for dinner tonight and celebrate."
"Absolutely, Al…I would love that…"
They began eating the Thai food that Alex had brought—pad see ew for Olivia and chicken and shrimp pad Thai for the blonde.
"How has it been today, Liv? What are the numbers looking like now?"
"Well…" Olivia tried around a mouthful of noodles, "…with a twenty-room capacity, we have thirteen filled but so many more waiting…I have about fifty applications to read through this afternoon and make a decision."
"That's stressful, Olivia…" Alex stopped eating, looking at the brunette concernedly.
"Yeah…it's stressful, " Olivia forked another clump of noodles and twirled it, stopping, and then looked at her wife, "but it's not dangerous, Alex…I'm still basically doing part of what I did at the precinct, but I'm just not going out on calls, chasing people down, having weapons pointed at me, being cut…stabbed…" Her eyes drifted upward to the blonde's, smirking.
"It's not funny, Olivia…I worry about you, Baby…God, I hope this was a better career choice…I really do…"
Olivia looked around impishly, smiling; the only exposure to them was the window of her office showing a view of the street, and the slightly parted blinds of the glass door of her office. "I'll be fine, Al…" She leaned forward. "I want to kiss you so badly, Baby…"
Alex shook her head, smiling, "We agreed…besides…I love the buildup, Liv…let's let it snowball…"
"Tonight then, Baby…?" Olivia asked, taking another bite.
"Tonight…I'll pick you up from work around six?"
Alex nodded, chewing, "Sounds perfect, Liv…"
… … … … … …
AAA
Alex descended the last couple of steps of the courthouse and stepped to the car, Olivia leaning her head down to smile at her. God, she looked beautiful—exhausted, but beautiful, nonetheless. Alex opened the door and slipped inside, "Hey, Babe…"
Alex had opted to stay at the top of the courthouse steps while waiting for her wife because, at present, the snow was coming down fairly steadily. Alex had timed it so that she could make it to the car before getting soaked with the wet flakes. With more snow expected over that Wednesday evening and blizzard-like conditions expected for the next couple of days, Alex was silently praying for them to be snowed in so that she could spend time with the brunette. She wanted nothing more than to cuddle with Olivia and relish in their time together.
Olivia leaned over. With her black knit hat and black leather gloves on, deep purple wool coat, she looked irresistible. Alex leaned in for a kiss, feeling the softness of the brunette's mouth completely.
"Mmmm…" Olivia moaned. "So nice…" she looked into her eyes, smiling, "…change then dinner?"
Alex nodded, smiling back. "Sounds good, Liv…'
… ... … … … …
After changing and freshening up, around seven o'clock they decided to take a cab to the restaurant and decided on Scaletta's, where they had shared their first real date when they had gotten back together almost a year prior—the place where so much action happened that night—in more ways than one.
It was the night that Alex had that glimmer of hope, the realization, that she might have Olivia back for good.
The waiter took their orders and left. Alex looked over at the brunette who was wearing a three-quarter sleeve, cross-over purple knit dress that hugged her shape and her ever-growing belly perfectly, her eyes on her wife's ever-growing cleavage.
Alex reached over and took Olivia's hand, "I knew, even before you got pregnant, that you'd be the sexiest pregnant woman I've ever seen…" Alex brought her hand to her mouth and kissed it gently, her tongue darting out briefly, and then smiling. "You are even sexier now, Olivia, than I knew you could be…"
Olivia smiled, squeezing the blonde's hand back, "Hmm…and I just feel sexier, Al…you know…" Olivia looked around the restaurant, her face taking on a hesitant expression, "…it feels kind of strange being here, doesn't it?"
"I think I know what you mean…" Alex smiled, looking around the restaurant, too, before her gaze returned to Olivia. "So much has happened since we were last here…so much…"
Olivia smiled, her eyes tearing, "I feel like I'm not even the same person as I was almost a year ago…I feel like we've grown so much…both of us…experienced so much together, some of it apart…but mostly together." Olivia's expression was serious, "It almost doesn't feel right being, here, Alex…"
Alex nodded quickly, her eyes tearing, as well. "I know…it was so soon after our being apart for so long…we were both so uncertain, so unsure, had just had other relationships…other lives…we were so…foreign to each other…I think each of us wanted it to work so badly but we were both so scared."
Olivia nodded and smiled, "But so horny for each other, Alex…God, we were like animals…" Olivia cupped the blonde's cheek, Alex placing her hand over her wife's. "Not that we're not now but…we were both so afraid of losing each other back then…now…"
"Now, there's no chance in hell, Olivia…forty years, Babe…"
"Let's make it infinity, Al…"
"Then, infinity it is, Liv…"
… … … … … …
OOO
Hearing a final sigh and feeling a final contraction from her sweat-covered wife, Olivia removed her three digits and kissed the blonde's mouth gently, feeling her warm breath against her own lips. Olivia smiled at Alex's flushed cheeks, her kiss-swollen pink lips, her closed eyes, and her rapidly rising and falling chest.
Olivia took her fingers now and traced her wife's upper thigh gently, feeling the smoothness before grabbing it firmly, feeling her own desire pulsating. The brunette was all ready to go again.
On this Thursday morning on the 28th of January, the night after their three-month celebration of Olivia's pregnancy, the city of Manhattan's weather and traffic reporters had predicted greater than average snowfall, record amounts falling, dangerous travel, and had instructed and advised that no one to go out in the next couple days, unless absolutely necessary—having predicted more than six feet of snow in a seventy-two hour period. The women had all of the essentials they needed to be snowbound and just relax, without a care in the world.
For now, in the city, everything was at a standstill, a holding pattern of sorts, even at work. The residents of Haven House had their new warm homes to stay, the usual light meals offered, and there was a 24/7 staff that was seeing to their every need, including the administrators. Olivia also knew that all of Alex's cases that were set for the next couple of days were being held over until a later time, as well.
Olivia lay with her head propped up on her left hand as her other traced a figure eight on Alex's toned belly, watching her wife for signs of life. The blonde was still smiling, her breathing now evening out. Olivia now reached to her wife's lower lips once again, fingering the silky wetness, moving her fingers enticingly.
Alex laughed, "Again, Liv?" She placed her hand on the brunette's shoulder, tracing it lightly, "And I can't believe I'm about to say this, but…I need a break…"
Olivia kissed her wife softly, once again, and whispered in her ear, "Take all the time you need, Babe…I'm gonna make a pot of lattes and get some breakfast started…"
Alex started to get up, her eyes still closed, "I'll—"
"No, Babe…stay here…"
Alex lay back down and Olivia kissed her earlobe gently, nipping it lovingly, before sitting up and placing her feet on the floor, stretching fully, squeaking and yawning.
Olivia took her flannel polar bear pajamas from the bench at the foot of the bed and slipped them on, eyeing her wife as she buttoned the shirt, the blonde's eyes still closed. Olivia laughed lightly and shook her head as she slipped her slipper socks on her feet. She had completely satiated the blonde and she was more than proud and happy to do so. Alex appeared to be barely functioning.
She put her hair in a ponytail, washed her face and dried it, and then began walking down the hallway, Hillary following closely, and mewing her elation at being fed.
Olivia rubbed her belly, the change since the beginning of pregnancy quite noticeable. She smiled to herself, feeling the firmness of the protrusion, the presence of the life growing inside.
Preparing the pot with the ingredients needed for her favorite hot, morning drink, and turning the burner on, she yawned widely. They had celebrated the night before and they had definitely celebrated that morning again, and Olivia was still exhausted from work, from their marathon physical sexual activity, from her impending motherhood.
A text pinged on her phone and she unplugged the charger and lifted it from the counter, swiping the screen and then reading the texts—one from Fin earlier that morning about the DNA results on Mrs. Gonzalez, and one from Sydney Vaughn at the shelter, telling her that everything was taken care of and under control until Monday and to have a relaxing weekend.
She exactly wasn't off, though. If weather permitted, she needed to go to the station. Thursday and Friday were her days to go to the precinct and, if the weather let up at all, she needed to go in, give her reports, and brief the squad on the cases and new residents.
Olivia took the carton of eggs from the refrigerator and set them on the counter, sliding her hand across her lower stomach. The flan she had the night before at the restaurant was doing a number on her stomach and she wondered if eggs was the way to go although, truth be told, she was really craving an omelet with provolone and asparagus. That particular combination, she was unable to explain.
Olivia began to crack the eggs into a bowl.
Alex was so cute the previous night. They had barely made it off of the elevator before the blonde was all over her, both so lustful after their conversation of the past, their comfort in the present, and the matters at-hand right now—namely Olivia's pregnancy. Alex had a look in her eyes the entire dinner and on the cab on the way back home that could only be described as lascivious. On the ride home, Olivia had to resist her wife's hands on her body, a near wrestling match ensuing and giving the cab driver an eyeful of the groping blonde, the duo giggling like teenagers.
Olivia sautéed the asparagus in olive oil, salting it and peppering it, and then poured in the eggs she had already beaten, letting it cook for a few minutes, the lattes coming to a boil and the brunette removing it from the stove, pouring herself a steaming mug, and then setting it aside for Alex.
Olivia waited for the omelet to cook and then sprinkled cheese and folded it over, turned the stove off, and then set the pan aside, letting the cheese melt on its own.
She took her mug to the piano and let her left forefinger walk along the lower last halves of the keys, one by one, the pitch traveling upward. She wished she had been given the opportunity to play the piano but never had the chance to continue with an instrument, at all, growing up. The only instrument she had attempted for half a year in sixth grade was the flute. The one time that she brought it home to practice, her mother told her to stop the racquet and told Olivia that it gave her a splitting headache. She never brought it home again and quit playing soon after. A nagging desire told her that, as much as she loved music, she would have been accomplished at an instrument.
Olivia walked to the sliding doors of the living room balcony and looked out at the overcast sky, the large wafers of snow floating from the sky like downy feathers. She admired Alex's ability so much. She admired her dedication, her commitment, and her passion. The blonde was that way with everything in her life to this day—practicing law, loving her family, loving Olivia. Once Alex decided that she had a passion for someone or something, she went in full force. Olivia loved that heartfelt drive.
She knew that Alex had so many other hobbies and talents in her life growing up, but the fact that she took to the piano and became the virtuoso that Olivia considered her to be, was commendable.
"You're not taking my job are you, Babe?" Alex's spent morning voice came up behind the brunette and long arms slithered her arms around her waist, kissing her neck softly.
"Mmm…my Sleeping Beauty awakens…"
"You wiped me out, Liv…I can actually say that, Babe…" Alex kissed her wife's neck again. "God, you taste so good…" Alex's mouth continued traveling the length of Olivia's neck, tasting, tonguing, kissing.
Olivia laughed, "Good thing we are under a winter storm watch…" Olivia turned in her wife's arms, setting her mug down on the coffee table before wrapping her arms around her waist..
"Oh, yeah?" Alex kissed Olivia's upper chest, "…why?"
Olivia smiled, "No other reason…other than this…" Olivia pressed her lips to her wife's, parting her lips slowly, savoring the taste, relishing in the silkiness, her tongue exploring her sweet mouth.
Alex moaned into the kiss and then, breathlessly, the two slowly pulled away. "Mmmm…cinnamon, nutmeg, clove…" she smiled, "…what smells so good, Babe?" Alex brought both of her hands to Olivia's cheeks and then dragged light fingers down to her chin, before moving further down to shoulders, her eyes never leaving the parted fabric of the brunette's fleece-covered breasts. She looked up at her wife, "They're amazing, Liv…and I am so glad they're not painful for you anymore…" she winked, "…so glad…"
"You and me both, Al…" Olivia kissed the blonde once more, the ladies with their arms wrapped around each other. "I made us omelets…I hope I can handle it, though…too many eggs right now don't seem to be my friends."
Alex's face changed from carefree to concerned, "Sensitivities again?"
Olivia nodded, "Don't worry, Al…nothing like before…" Olivia's hands gripped Alex's backside before patting it firmly, "Let's eat…"
"Yes, let's…"
… … … … … …
AAA
Alex glanced at her hand-written notes and then leaned over to type them, focusing on the correct wording for the summation and closing arguments for a recent case.
She adjusted her glasses and squinted at the screen, noticing a mistake before hearing a series of clicks. She turned her head to find a smiling Olivia, camera in front of her face, beautiful smile grinning.
"Olivia…I look terrible…" Alex held her hand up, close to the lens but not touching it, "…can't you catch me when I'm all made up and…dressed even…I mean…sweats and a hoodie, no make-up, ponytail…"
Olivia took the camera from her face, shaking her head, "Don't do that, Alex…you're gorgeous no matter what…" Olivia walked to her desk and set the camera down before walking up to her wife and kneeling on front of her, placing her hands on the tops of her thighs, "In Greece you did that to yourself, too, when you got sick…I don't know where that comes from but…you are the most beautiful woman in the world to me, Babe…with make-up, without make-up, hair fixed, hair messy, clothed…unclothed…" Olivia smiled, "…you have to know that, Babe…"
"And I feel the same about you, Baby…" Alex leaned forward and placed a light kiss on Olivia's mouth. "The food smells so good, doesn't it? You picked a good recipe, Liv…"
Olivia smiled and stood, taking her camera from her desk and taking another photo of Alex.
"I want to get some of you, Liv…lift your t-shirt up to an…appropriate level."
Olivia laughed, "You don't want the breastsesses involved?"
"Oh, I want them involved…always…we just won't give others the satisfaction of seeing what I get to…" Alex motioned for the camera, wiggling her fingers, "Gimme…"
Olivia handed her the camera and she took a series of photographs, Olivia lifting her white maternity t-shirt with the baby feet on it that Alex had purchased for her, and lowering her gray sweats below her belly, turning right and left to show the development.
"Perfect." Alex stood. "What time did you tell Landon and Charles to come for dinner?"
"Seven…they're bringing dessert…I love that they're in our building and we can take advantage of situations like being shut in for the weekend…"
"Me, too…well…it's…Olivia looked at the time on Alex's PC screen, "…five-thirty so I guess we should get ready…"
"Yeah, Babe…let me just save this and I'll be out."
"OK, Al…" Olivia smiled and left the room.
… … … … … …
"When I saw our shirts going in his mouth…I almost died…" Alex offered, the others laughing.
They had just had a dinner of Greek chicken and potatoes, salad and crusty bread, and were now having coffee and eating the Italian cream cake that Landon and Charles brought over.
"What did you do?" Landon inquired.
Olivia chimed in, "Alex got out and got our spare clothes… they were all we had and our last pair of jeans for the trip." Olivia laughed as Alex shook her head, smiling.
"Lots of animals in the past several months, Liv…we're a virtual Noah's Ark…"
Alex watched her wife laugh. God she loved making her laugh. Olivia threw her head back, Alex's eyes going to the silky column of her caramel neck. Olivia must have caught her staring because she was now smirking at her.
"What does the doctor say about how you're coming along?" Charles asked, sipping his coffee and then placing it on the coffee table, where they were sitting in the living room.
"Well, I went for an appointment a week ago and she said everything looks fine…just to cut back on sweets…" Olivia smiled, looking at her near-empty plate, "…and salt." Olivia set her dessert plate on the coffee table and leaned back against the sofa, Alex wrapping her arm around her shoulder and pulling her closer before kissing her temple. "She said I might be a couple of pounds over where she wants me to be, but nothing bad…just to be careful…if the baby is too big…" Olivia trailed off, her eyes glazing over as she stared at the candle in the middle of the coffee table.
She and Olivia had already talked about the baby's weight. Olivia had admitted her fear of the baby being too big to deliver, too big for her first delivery, and the fact that she didn't want to be in excruciating pain. She had expressed to Alex that keeping a normal weight for the duration of the pregnancy was one of her main goals. They both wanted an easy, quick delivery, with as little pain as possible, without the need for a caesarian section.
"I'm glad everything is going well for you Miss O-livia…but know, that if you and our little Alex ever need anything at all, Charles and I are your men, right Charles?" He turned to the smiling man beside him.
"Absolutely…we love you two as if you were our daughters…" Charles' voice cracked and his eyes teared.
"See?" Landon rubbed his husband's back soothingly. "My Charlie's got a heart…"
"We knew that…" Olivia snuggled closer to Alex.
… … … … … …
With the men having left, leaving them a box of Charles' famous pecan pie bars, and Alex and Olivia having cleaned the kitchen and gotten ready for bed, Alex waited for Olivia on the bed, sitting cross-legged. She toyed with the yellow and black contraption on her lap, turning it over in her hands. She lifted it and aimed it at the bathroom door just as Olivia was walking out and began washing her hands. The brunette turned now, wiping them on the face towel, and then smiled, walking up to the bed, arms folded.
Alex clicked a photo and then advanced the wheel forward. One more photo left. She held it up again. "Smile, gorgeous…"
Olivia did so, her arms still folded, right knee on the edge of the bed, black camisole and gray pajama bottoms on.
Alex clicked the photo and then took it from her face advancing the film, once again—the spinning film wheel signaling the completion of the roll. She held the camera out to Olivia, "Here…I want you to develop it…" Alex smiled.
"Alex…Olivia came around to Alex's side, the blonde still holding out the camera, "…you don't have to do that, Babe…"
Alex shook her head, "No…I know that…I want to…you and I have no secrets…I never want that to change." Alex smiled as Olivia took the camera and sat, setting it to her right and leaning toward her wife.
"It will never change, Al…" Olivia kissed her wife gently.
"I want you to see what's on there, Liv…it's so old…I don't even truly remember…" Alex admitted.
"Can we drop it off together when the weather gets better?" Olivia smiled.
"Maybe another trip to Costco?" Alex smirked.
"You'd love that…wouldn't you?" Olivia declared softly. "My wife loves people watching at Costco…" Olivia smirked.
"If my baby's happy…I'm happy…"
"Well said, Babe…well said…"
A/N:
I had a little trouble this week writing, trying to get a flow, mainly when I was writing the shelter. I sort of got bogged down with not wanting to write too much about it, but wanting to describe where Olivia now worked and the function of the place. I tried to not spend too much time on it but wanted to give a feel.
Then Alex shows up and, it seems, everything is back to normal.
Next up, once the weather gets better, parenting classes, and gross things begin happening to Olivia's body, and Dr. Bensaro warns Olivia of gaining too much weight…but Landon and Charles keep giving them baked goods!
A minor meltdown with a houseplant…
As always, I would love to hear from you. Read and review and I'll get back to you (as always)!
Patricia