A/N: This is the final chapter. Thank you, as always, for reading and reviewing. Additional author's note at the end.
Chapter Fifty-Three:
Tying it All Together
"Are you gonna be OK to drive back?" Theo questioned from the driver's seat.
Olivia peeled her eyes away from the lush foliage that surrounded them on the Cornell University campus and looked briefly at their son, who had both hands on the steering wheel, the smirk on his caramel complexion undeniable, as his gaze remained ahead.
She turned away to look out of the passenger side window once more. "Oh, Theo…please…" Olivia felt their son's hand on her back now, rubbing soothingly. "Keep your hands on the wheel, Baby…" the brunette offered before feeling her eyes begin to mist.
The detective continued to look out of the window, smiling at their son's empathy, watching as the tree-lined roads passed by as they slowly made their way down the two-lane street on campus, huge shade trees hovering above them on either side.
The car was filled to the max with boxes, bags, and containers of other odds and ends, the girls back in Manhattan for the day, each with her own agenda—Isabel at an acting workshop that would teach her the Meisner technique, and Grace at an all-day cello symposium that would help her audition for Julliard in the spring.
The brunette began, "Theo…" She finally turned her head and looked at their son, studying him as he looked ahead. He was the spitting image of herself, but so masculine now. With his structured jaw line, the same nose as she, and the same mouth and chin, there was no doubt that he was Olivia's son. Her flesh and blood. The likeness was undeniable.
But those eyes. From a baby, those eyes were captivatingly clear, captivatingly blue, and Olivia couldn't help but think of her wife whenever she looked into them. It was as though he had been blessed with them for just that reason.
"…do you know how proud your Mom and I are of you?" Olivia placed her left hand on the back of their son's neck, massaging lightly.
Theo smiled. "I know, Mama…you and Mom have instilled that in me my whole life. I have always felt your pride and love."
"But you have something that other boys don't have, Baby…you're not only intelligent, you're sincere, warm, giving, talented…" Olivia's voice shook, "…I could go on and on, my boy…" Olivia turned to look at her wife in the back seat behind her.
"Being raised in a house with four girls might have helped with my sensitivity training…" Theo offered.
The blonde had been virtually soundless for the majority of the four-hour trip to Ithaca, the brunette only hearing tiny sniffles or her wife blowing her nose every now and then. Olivia knew that this event in their lives was affecting Alex more than the blonde had anticipated and that this day was proving to be more than a little rough for her—even more so than Olivia.
Olivia had woken that morning to Alex crying, her wife not able to talk—not able to form actual words and sentences—and this had lasted all morning. The blonde's throat wouldn't let her speak with the perpetual lump that was lodged in it. Alex had barely gotten a few sips of coffee down, and had only managed a couple of bites of egg, having to force herself to swallow, as she continued to cry during breakfast, and all throughout the late morning as she showered and got ready, and now she was still sniffling on the road trip to move their son into Jameson Hall on the north end of campus.
But Olivia was not doing any better. She just had her outward emotions under control, temporarily, for the most part. The detective knew that there had to be at least one of them that remained strong, and it was obviously the brunette that could, at least, find her voice. Although the sentiments that her wife was feeling were exactly a mirroring of her own.
Theo wasn't going that far, true. At least not for the first couple of years. But he was technically moving out, wouldn't be at home and around with that handsome smiling face as he had been for eighteen years, and the loaded back of the Rover was evidence of his departure.
"Al?" Olivia reached back and placed her hand on her wife's jeaned right knee, the blonde holding a lamp in her lap and surrounded by bags of clothing and bedding. The brunette tried an empathetic smile, cocking her head to the side.
Alex's lower lip trembled as she attempted a smile, but failed miserably. She took in a deep breath and then let it out slowly, her lower lip protruding slightly from emotion. "I'm trying, Liv…" she whispered, "…I really, really am…"
Alex took Olivia's hand now and squeezed it, fingers interlacing.
The car stopped and Theo put it in park. "We're here." He turned now and faced both of his mothers. "Hey, Mom…the good thing is…I'm only four hours from home. I'll visit so much. I'll be home almost every weekend…"
Theo was trying. He really was. But there was no consoling Alex. Their Baby was not only not their baby any more, he wouldn't be their fellow housemate any longer, either.
"Don't make promises, Theo…" Alex said softly. "You're about to embark on a new world, a new life. You're gonna have so much fun, make so many friends, be involved in so many activities and your time and how you spend it will be paramount." Alex used a wadded up tissue and wiped her nose. "When I was at Harvard," Alex smiled now, "I had so much fun. I barely thought about Southampton. I was in so many clubs and groups, and had friends over all the time, and went over to their dorms…you're gonna love it, Baby…" Alex's face contorted again and she held the soft paper over her mouth crying behind it.
"Mom?" Their son's face was concerned now as he watched Alex struggle.
"Your Mom just needs a little time to accept this, Theo…" Olivia cupped his cheek with her hand.
"And you?" Theo smiled, placing his hand over his brunette mother's. "You're being pretty tough…"
"All an act, Theo…Detective Bad Ass Benson is here, at your service, serving and protecting you and your mom…"
"So you're OK?" Theo raised his eyebrows.
"Not at all, my boy…" she leaned over and kissed his cheek, "…not at all…I'll be a blubbering mess tonight when your mom and I are back at home and realization sets in. Then…it'll hit me…" Olivia felt her eyes filling with tears, once more. "So expect a call around ten tonight." The brunette smiled.
"I'll be ready," Theo winked.
AAA
Alex held her folded arms against her, the chill of the evening air and the loss that she was feeling causing her body to shiver. She felt hands on her upper arms now, from behind, rubbing softly, attempting to warm her up. Looking to her left, those cocoa eyes were looking into her own, smiling at her.
"How about we leave him and let him get some rest?" the brunette smiled. "I think you and I need some, too…"
Alex nodded, "OK, Liv…" She looked back at their blue-eyed son.
They had spent the afternoon moving their son into his dorm room, checked out the kitchen area on his floor, met his roommate, Jason Acocella, and gone up to the Sky Lounge on the top floor, where they saw the evening sky lit up against the beautiful hues of the early fall sunset. Then, they had gone to an Italian restaurant just off of campus called Zaza's Cucina, and were now standing outside the front doors of the lobby of the residence hall, both she and Olivia attempting to remain composed and calm as they said goodnight to Theo.
"I'll come home next weekend, OK?" Theo's hands were in the pockets of his jeans, the bottom hem of him orange t-shirt wrinkled and dirty from moving. "The guys and I have a small gigue at Oslo Coffee Roasters next Saturday."
Alex felt a hand on her left hip now, her wife sidling up next to her on her right.
"How are you gonna get home, Theo? Bus?" Olivia questioned. "A taxi is too expensive…"
Olivia looked at her now, both not able to keep from looking like the cat that swallowed the canary. The ladies already had something up their sleeve. Alex's eyes roamed over her wife's face, both continuing to smile.
"Yeah, if I need to. But maybe someone will be heading to Manhattan for the weekend? People are always posting those little slips where you tear one odd. I'll have to ask around. I'll let you know…wish I had the Sonata but I know Iz and Grace need it…" Theo looked down at the ground, scraping the toe of his sneaker along the wooden floorboards of the porch.
"It would be easier if you had a car, huh?" Olivia admitted.
Theo looked up, "Yeah…it would. It's OK, though. I'll find someone who can bring me."
Just then, in the near distance, the Chicken Dance song began to play—softly at first, and then louder as it came closer.
Theo's grin got wider. "What are the odds that someone else has that car horn?"
They all turned and watched as the shiny, black Datsun appeared from around the corner on the left and got gradually closer. It stopped in front of the steps, loud bass causing the car to pound and vibrate to Sir-Mix-A-Lot's Baby Got Back.
"Pretty slim, I'd say…" Olivia admitted, bumping her wife's hip lightly.
Theo's expression was priceless—disbelief, joy, and awe all rolled into one.
The window rolled down on the passenger side, the music flowing from the window now, and a familiar voice shouted, "Delivery for Theodore Benson-Cabot?"
"Wh—what? Delivery?" Theo's eyes were wide as he looked back and forth between his mothers.
The music ceased, a shocked and elated silence falling over the three of them, and the engine was heard being turned off.
"It's yours, Theo…your Mama and I want to give you the Datsun…" Alex smiled. "Everything is up-to-date. New brakes, 50-point inspection, new tires…"
"Two-year subscription for Spotify paid for by your Uncle Jonathan…" Olivia smiled.
"You're giving me the Liv-Mobile?" Theo questioned, his expression in utter disbelief.
Jonathan got out of the driver's side now, shut the door, tossed the keys in Theo's direction, and their son caught them easily. "Hey, Buddy…" Jonathan smiled. "Congrats…"
"Uncle Johnny…" Theo's grin was sincere, "…you're here…I thought you had to work."
Jonathan walked up to his nephew, the two sharing a hearty hug. "I came as soon as I could, Buddy. I wouldn't miss my favorite nephew's move in." He pulled away, "Oh, and to see your face when I tossed you the keys…"
"John-John…" Alex began. "Thank you…"
"Anything for family, Allie…you know that…"
Alex only nodded, afraid of her voice at that moment. It had been a long, grueling day full of emotions and new experiences for the Benson-Cabots. One of their children had been given his new wings by his mothers and would now learn to fly, taking each day as a learning experience, moving him closer to becoming the man that both ladies always knew he would become.
It was ten-thirty that same evening and Alex stood in the doorway of their son's room, darkened save for a wide beam of glowing white light that was being cast on his well-made, full-sized bed. The blonde leaned against the door frame as she eyed the posters on the walls, now becoming faintly more illuminated as her eyes adjusted to the darkness—The Sarcastic Tulips, one of their son's favorite local bands, supermodel Irina Shayk wearing only a barely-there, white bikini, tennis star Anna Kournikova, and a couple other posters of long-time favorite rockers and bands—and held her arms close to her body. Their son was all moved in, four hours away in Jameson Hall, in all likelihood, having a good time.
The blonde knew that Theo would be just fine. In fact, she knew that their effervescent son would thrive in his new surroundings, make new friends, and maybe even meet some new girls. He and Samantha had promised to stay together and as in touch as they could as she attended Columbia University in New York City, her eyes set on a degree in developmental psychology. They had vowed to talk, email, text, write, and get together when both were back at home for weekends and holidays. But, Theo, Alex, and Olivia had discussed, with much rationality, the possibility of the two drifting apart. They had candidly spoken of their connection, and the chance that, with such distance between them, it might cause their relationship to begin fading.
But Theo was still entranced, enthralled, and head-over-heels in love with Samantha Matthews.
The blonde took a deep breath and then let it out slowly before she moved to his dresser and looked at the two framed photos on top. She lifted one of them—a dark-wooded frame with a photo of the entire family at Halloween when he went as Bruno Mars and guests came as musical artists. Alex smiled, feeling as an unexpected tear rolled down her left cheek and down past her chin. She sniffed and set that one back down and then lifted the other. It was a photo of Isabel and Grace and Theo—all laughing and smiling wide—perhaps a selfie taken at some point in the recent past—in a silver frame that had the word Sisters engraved on the metal. Alex felt her face contort with emotion now as she set the photo down and brought her hand to her mouth, crying behind it.
"Mom?"
Alex closed her eyes and tried to control her sobs but was unable to. Her breathing was now out of her control, the tears just streaming down her cheeks. She placed her hands on the wood of the dresser in front of her and tried to find her self-control. She hadn't planned on doing this until later—breaking down. She wanted to wait until both she and Olivia were alone, back in their bedroom, where they could each release the torrent of emotions that they had, for the most part, been holding in all day—especially the brunette. She knew her wife would crack at some point.
Hands slithered around her from behind, arms wrapping around her, a warm cheek on her back.
"You OK, Mommy?"
It was Isabel. She hadn't heard her daughter call her Mommy since she was little. It made the blonde's emotions come even harder now as she turned in her daughter's arms and grabbed her, holding her tightly.
"Mom?" Grace's voice now.
Alex opened her eyes and held out her right arm, watching as their brown-eyed daughter entered and walked into the cluster, all three now in a tight embrace.
Alex became as close as she could with her girls, pressing her nose to their sweet-smelling locks and inhaling their scents, breathing deeply, before placing kisses on their cheeks, holding them tighter. This time next year, she would be doing the same with these beautiful creatures in her arms and she knew it would kill her just as much, if not more so.
"I'm OK, Babies…" Alex sniffed and pulled away, smiling, before she grabbed Isabel's face and planted a firm kiss on her forehead and then did the same to Grace. "I promise, I'm fine…I just—" Alex put her hand over her mouth again.
"You're gonna miss him…" Grace offered, her own voice shaky.
"We're gonna miss, too, Mom…" Isabel smiled, her blue eyes filling with tears.
Alex watched as her wife appeared in the doorway now, the brunette's expression on the edge between caution and complete meltdown.
"He left this for us…on our bed. I just saw it leaning against the throw pillow." Olivia held out, what looked like, a CD case. "I think he made a song, Al…take it." She waved it in the air.
"Why me take it?"
"Because…" Olivia swallowed, "…if I take it…I can't guarantee a pretty, rational reaction on my part." Olivia waved the CD toward her wife again. "Please, Alex…"
"Let's go put it in my laptop in the office…together…OK?" Alex moved forward and took the CD from her wife, the girls following close behind the blonde.
Olivia only nodded and then turned and left the room. Alex wrapped her arms around each of their twins' waists and they made their way out of the room, as well.
"Let me see if Mama is OK…" Isabel offered, moving ahead and catching up with Olivia as the brunette approached the landing of the second floor. Isabel wrapped her arm around her other mother in comfort.
The four entered the home office and Grace moved to turn the desk lamp on.
Olivia sat in the large leather office chair and patted her lap, looking at her wife. "Come here, Babe…"
Alex moved closer and sat carefully on Olivia's lap before turning and wrapping her arm around her and looking into those warm, chocolate orbs. The blonde took both hands and cupped her wife's jaw tenderly.
"We can do this, Al…" Olivia whispered, her eyes on her wife's mouth, "Theo's a smart, level-headed boy and is so mature, always has been…we have each other…we have the girls…we have our home…" Olivia smiled. "Right?"
Alex nodded, "You're exactly right, my love." Alex kissed her gently. "Exactly right." Alex looked around behind her wife now, noting the girls had disappeared.
"Let's do this…" Olivia smirked. She swiped the pad of her finger across the mouse pad, the screen springing to life, a photo of Theo in his cap and gown with his sisters on either side of him as the desktop screensaver.
The ladies looked at each other briefly and then smiled. Olivia leaned forward and ejected the DVD drive and slipped the CD from its case before placing it gently inside and giving it a little push.
Their choice of how they desired to view it came on the screen and Olivia tapped on Windows Media Player, a black box popping up in the middle. As they waited for it to load, Alex felt Olivia's arms slither around her and then clasp at her lower belly, holding her tighter.
"Hey, Mom, Mama…your son here…" He smiled and waved. It was in his bedroom in the attic, with him sitting on the bed, one leg bent underneath him, the sun shining in through the sheer white curtains behind him—most likely taken during the day. "If you're watching this—" The frame switched now, images flying before a crash and then a still view of the hardwoods. "Isabel! Jeez, keep it steady. That's my iPhone!" Theo stated firmly.
"Sorry…" their daughter's sing-songy voice mocked sweetly.
The ladies laughed as the view turned back to their son on the bed. He lifted his guitar from next to him.
"Anyway. I am probably already at school, unpacked and settled in." He cleared his throat before looking back at the camera. "There's only one thing I want to say to you two. And that's…that I love you."
Alex felt that lump in her throat again and then felt Olivia's body trembling beneath her, the brunette gasping as she continued to stare at the screen. Her arms clutched the blonde tighter now and Olivia rested her chin against Alex's shoulder, blubbering into it.
"I know that you know how much I do, but I couldn't have asked for better parents in my life. You've shown me love, understanding, acceptance, humility, and have made me into the man that I am today." He smiled and then placed the fingers of his left hand on the strings. "This song is for you. As the words say…this is not goodbye…this is a classic, originally performed by Melissa Etheridge…"
Theo began to play now, the melodic sounds of his acoustic guitar beginning to finger pick and strum chords simultaneously.
"He announces the songs like you, Babe…" Olivia said softly, kissing the blonde's back. "He still does that…"
"I know…" Alex whispered.
Theo began to sing, "Bravely, you let go of my hand…
I can't speak you, you understand…
Where I go now, I go alone…this path I walk, is days of stone…
…and the angels are calling…
I must go away…wait for me here…silently stay…
…and don't ask me why…only believe…this is not goodbye…"
By the time the song ended, both women were uncontrollably emotional.
"That boy…" Olivia tried, shaking her head. "Always such a big heart…"
"Mom? Mama?" Isabel's voice now behind them. The ladies turned to find the girls each holding something. "We have something for you…something from Theo and something from us…" Isabel smiled. "Theo's first…" Isabel handed the ladies a two-foot by one and a half foot item wrapped in brown craft paper and tied with a silver twine ribbon.
"What's this?" Alex questioned, standing now and taking the proffered package. She felt Olivia's hand trail along her waist as she stood and the brunette swiveled the chair to face their daughters.
"It's from Theo," Grace informed them. "He wanted us to give it to you after you watched the video."
"Do you know what it is, girls?" Olivia questioned, eyeing the package.
Both nodded, smiling sweetly.
"We do…just open it!" Isabel was so excited.
"OK…here goes…" Alex declared as she ripped the side downward and then peeled off the corners, letting the paper fall to the floor.
She revealed something that made her heart melt. "Oh, Liv…" She held up the canvas and then set it on the desk, leaning against the laptop screen and stood back, folding her arms.
It was a black and white photograph of Olivia, Alex, and baby Theo all sleeping on the bed at the beach house. The ladies, both in summer attire of shorts and t-shirts, were turned into each other, knees bent, a sleeping Theo in his bulky diaper and onesie sleeping in between them. Alex's hand was on Theo's belly and Olivia's hand was on the blonde's ever-growing belly. At six months' pregnant in that photo, she was bigger than even her wife had been at nine months. She had remembered that quite clearly. All three were out like a proverbial light, slumbering peacefully.
Olivia could only shake her head as her hand went to cover her mouth.
"This is amazing…" Alex whispered, smiling, at the photo. "You see that, girls?" Alex pointed to the image on the canvas, at the rounded form beneath her V-neck t-shirt, the expanse quite noticeable.
"That's us?" Grace came closer and hugged Alex from behind.
"It is…I think I was…six months pregnant with you two…"
"You look bigger than six months, Mom…" Isabel offered.
"That's because both of you were in there, Babes…"
"And not to mention your Mom was really thin back then…" Olivia smirked. "She didn't have the curves you're looking at right now…"
"Look who's talking, Mama…" Isabel smiled.
"Your Mama has always had these curves. Right, my beautiful wife?" Olivia smiled at Alex before turning to her daughters and looking at the other gift that Grace was holding—a large basket with a purple bow on it. "What's that?"
"It's a comfort basket from Izzie and I…" Grace handed it to Alex.
"An I-Can-Handle-This basket," Isabel offered.
"Mmmm…" Alex began rooting around the items, "…soaps, lotions, fluffy socks, nail polish, peel-off masks, chocolates, chocolate covered pretzels…wine?" Alex looked at her daughters, "…how did you get wine?"
"Chill, Mom…Uncle Johnny brought it over when Theo got the canvas. He wanted to see the photo that he took in 2010 and we asked him to bring over your favorite kinds—Merlot for Mama and Chardonnay for you, Mom," Isabel declared. "Look at the labels. They're pretty funny…"
Alex looked at the labels on the wine bottles. The Chardonnay was called Mommy's Time Out, and the Merlot had a label on it that read, Keep it Together, Keep it Together, Keep it Together.
"Look at the coupons!" Isabel beamed.
"Each is for two people, both of you…" Grace smiled.
Alex lifted the stapled book of homemade coupons and flipped through them. "Look, Liv…massages, pedicures, cleaning coupons…" Alex looked up at their daughters. "We love them. Thank you, Babes…" Alex set the basket on the desk.
Olivia stood now and the four found themselves in a tight hug, feeling the love and support that only family could give.
December
"No, Gracie! I got it!" Isabel pulled the phone from her sister's grasp.
Grace attempted to wrestle the iPhone from her sister, Isabel giggling and shaking, both thinking they were a better photographer than the other.
"God, Iz…you know I take better photos than you, and this is our last Christmas living at home. It has to be good. Give me the phone!"
"Go get your own from upstairs!" Isabel retorted, still smiling.
"Just take the picture," Olivia said through a gritted smile as she and Alex stood in front of the Christmas tree they had just finished decorating. She felt her lips begin to quaver at have been smiling for so long. "We're not getting any younger…"
"Don't I know it," Alex smiled.
It was the night before Christmas Eve and they were expecting Alex's mother in an hour, along with Gwinnie, dinner was in the oven, and everyone was dressed for the occasion—Alex in a red, long-sleeved silky shirt dress, Olivia in an eggplant purple wrap dress that fell at the mid-calf, Grace in a red silk blouse and tailored black pants, and Isabel in an off-white wrap sweater dress, all four ladies' hair down. Nat King Cole sang about chestnuts roasting on an open fire and the fireplace was lit, a warmth radiating throughout the living room.
Isabel shoved Grace now, the two giggling wildly, Grace getting in a good pinch to Isabel's side and Isabel losing focus and beginning to tickle her sister now.
"I give up…" Alex said, moving away and toward the kitchen.
But Olivia caught her arm and then her hand, fingers clutching on to fingertips. Alex turned and clasped her hand.
"I'll take one of just you…" Olivia smiled before turning and using her best demanding voice, "Girls…get control…Grandma will be here soon and you're gonna exhaust her if your energy is up like it is right now."
The girls finally stopped, trying not to smile, Isabel drawing her mouth inward, Grace burying her smile in her sister's shoulder.
They were more than excited this Christmas. It had been a while since Theo had been home and they were more excited for his impending stay for the holidays.
"OK, Mama…" Isabel squeaked.
Olivia took her own iPhone from the coffee table. "Girls, go upstairs and make sure you blew out those candles you had lit in your room and make sure the bathroom window is closed and locked. You know your grandmother gets chilled easily."
"I blew them out before…" Isabel offered.
"Izzie…" Olivia warned.
"I did!"
"Jeez, Isabel. Let's just go check." Grace's expression was resigned.
Isabel shoved her sister again which started a chase, in heels, down the hallway and up the stairs.
"Jesus…what did they eat?" Alex smiled. "They're wired."
"I told you…those candy canes they were eating while decorating the tree must have had extra sugar in them," Olivia smiled. "Along with the caffeine from the coffee and hot chocolate…"
Olivia set the phone camera up on her phone and pointed it at her wife. Alex smiled, not avoiding having her picture taken in the slightest. She even batted her long, black eyelashes for effect and then puckered sweetly, red lip color on point.
They were all ready for Grandma Cabot's arrival. The elder Cabot was taking a taxi shuttle for seniors into Manhattan for the Christmas holidays and would stay for a couple of months. Gwinnie was to come with her and stay upstairs while Cathy Cabot stayed downstairs.
"Smile, my love…" Olivia puckered.
Alex did so and Olivia took a series of photographs before bringing the camera down and looking at her wife. "Always so beautiful, Alex…you never change…"
Alex laughed, "Now I know your eyes have gotten worse because I've aged, Babe. Both you and me…we've aged."
Olivia placed her phone back onto the coffee table and then moved up to her wife, slithering her arms around her. "We have…yes…" Olivia's eyes ran over her wife's face, studying the lines around her eyes, the laugh line creases in her cheeks from years of smiling and laughter, her eyelids that had once been bright and more youthful had taken on a noble, wise appearance. But those orbs were still that amazing shade of ocean blue, deep at times, and light and clear at others. "But, you are, and will always be, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen…ever…"
Alex's voice was raspy, "And you, my gorgeous wife…" Alex kissed her gently, "…will always be my most treasured possession…" Alex kissed her again, "…always…"
"All out and I closed the window. The bathroom one was cracked." Isabel virtually shouted as she entered from the hallway.
"Was that so hard?" Alex smiled.
"She's always been strong-willed, Babe…" Olivia offered, turning to Isabel now. "From a little thing with her hands on her hips, lecturing us on not leaving her and her brother and sister." Olivia turned to Grace now, "And our Gracie…always the one looking at Iz like, I wouldn't do that if I were you…" Olivia began giggling. "Just like right now."
"You're both still like that…but you two are similar, too…" Alex commented.
"Yeah…" Grace looked at her sister and wrapped her arms around her, "…I want to strangle her sometimes, but I love her so much…" Grace planted a huge kiss on her sister's cheek, Isabel smiling wide.
"You know, Mom…sometimes the memories just come flooding back…little pieces from when we were younger, you know?" Isabel's brow was furrowed.
They entered the kitchen now. Olivia moved to check inside the oven, leaning over to peer into the glass window at the pot roast with potatoes and carrots, before she turned it off, as Alex took a cucumber from the top of the island and began chopping it. Olivia took a mug of tea, that she had been sipping earlier, from the counter behind her, the liquid having gone quite cold since she steeped it over two hours prior.
"I always have those moments…" Olivia declared. "Little memories that float in and out and make me smile throughout the day. Your Mom has them, too, because she'll tell me about them or text me or call me when one pops into her head. Right, Al?"
Alex turned from chopping and smiled, nodding, before returning to the vegetable, "That's right. I do…"
"I remember something about a diaper and your face, Mom…I remember laughing and your face was not having it. How old was I?"
"That was when you were peeing all over the bathroom floor, Iz…two years old at the beach house. Good times…" Alex smiled as she scooped the cucumbers into the bowl with the pre-chopped lettuce.
"And I remember Mom being mad at me and I drew some kind of mean picture and I remember your face, Mama…you weren't mad, though. But I remember Mom being really mad. I had to write a letter or something?" Isabel narrowed her eyes, obviously trying to remember.
Olivia smiled again as the timer went off on the oven and she moved to turn it off. "That was when that boy threatened you at school and you wouldn't tell us about him because you were afraid."
"Yeah…" Isabel nodded, "I kind of remember that. I do remember Mom's face, though, and Grace and Theo just looking at me."
"You were a firecracker, Iz…still are, Baby…" Alex wiped her hands on the dishtowel in front of her and then moved closer to her daughter and squeezed her chin in one hand, "…and we love you for it…" Alex kissed her cheek.
"And you, Gracie…always the perfectionist, just like your Mom. Everything always had to be just so…" Olivia smiled.
"And I can make a mean bed and fold a shirt like no one's business today…" Grace winked, "…thanks to you guys…"
"Bounce a quarter off of it, Gracie…Cabot style…" Olivia smiled, moving forward and leaning with her elbows in the tiled island.
"Gracie was always the worrier…remember, Al, when we came back after our first night away for our…celebration alone time date we had…?" Olivia smirked at her wife.
"Of course, Babe…2015…"
"And Grace had started thumb-sucking overnight? She was so worried about us and Iz was like, uh…where were you? Izzie was actually angry with us…and Theo cried and cried, your Mom said…"
"What about you crying, Mom? I remember you crying when I wouldn't do what you wanted…" Isabel smiled.
"Did I? Did I do that?" Alex questioned sarcastically.
"Yeah. You did, and I believed it. I thought, oh, no…I'm making Mommy cry…I need to stop…"
"Well, what could I do when your little self would hide under the bed, terrorize poor Hillary, and not put your pajamas on? It was all I could think of to get you to do what I wanted and it worked, didn't it?" Alex smiled, moving to the sink to wash a tomato.
"It did…"
"Remember when we were all in the bathroom after Izzie ate the lipstick?" Olivia giggled. "It was like an episode of a family sitcom, everyone was watching on as Isabel had fun. You remember that girls?"
"I remember the washcloth on my tongue, in my mouth, and I remember Grace looking at me with that look…" Isabel smiled at her sister. "That one!" Isabel pointed at her sister excitedly. "You still do it, Grace!"
"And I will always do it, Iz…it's part of my M.O….part of my character."
"Amen to that, Grace." Alex high-fived her brown-eyed daughter.
Just then, they heard the front door swing open. "Hello?"
"It's Theo…" Olivia couldn't help but smile wide, excitement filling her being.
"Your long-lost son is home!" he joked as he entered the kitchen from the hallway. He spotted his mothers and sisters and smiled. "Hey, guys…Merry Christmas…"
He moved to hug and kiss his sisters first before moving to Alex. "Hi, Mom…Merry Christmas." He pulled her into a hug and held her tightly, her blonde wife returning the hold.
"Merry Christmas, Theo…" Alex whispered and then pulled away, "We're so glad you're home for a few weeks."
"Me, too…" he smiled before moving up to Olivia. "Merry Christmas, Mama…"
Olivia brought her lips inward. Her son looked so handsome in his dark jeans, red and white plaid button down shirt, charcoal gray pea coat and matching scarf, his hair now closely cropped and short, but still stylish, slight stubble on his cheeks, chin, and sideburns. He smelled of soap and cologne, yet still like her little boy. "Merry Christmas, my boy…"
They took each other in an embrace and held each other, savoring the closeness after not having seen each other in over four weeks. Theo had final exams and wasn't able to come home in between his last visit of Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays.
Olivia pulled away and cupped her son's face in her hands, "Always my handsome little boy…always such a gentleman…" Olivia kissed his cheek and then pulled away, her eyes watering.
"What are you guys up to? When's Grandma getting here?"
"She'll be here in about forty-five minutes…we've been taking a trip down memory lane…" Alex declared, pouring herself a glass of Merlot and then another for Olivia. She took both glasses and brought them to the island, the salad ready to be tossed and eaten for dinner.
She handed her wife her wine glass.
"Thank you…" Olivia smiled before raising her glass. "A toast…"
The kids raised their glasses of water, Theo pouring one quickly before joining in on the toast.
"To having all of our family here, once again. May our holidays and the futures of our beautiful children be bright, healthy, joyous, and memorable…"
"Cheers…" Alex said softly, clinking glasses with her wife first and then clinking water glasses with the kids, before taking a sip of wine. "Mmm…good…"
"Mom?" Grace questioned.
"Yeah, Baby?"
"Can I borrow something of yours in January for my auditions for Juilliard? I wanna look nice and I know you have a few things in your closet that would be perfect."
"Of course, Gracie…January 24th, right?" Alex took another sip of wine.
"Yeah…the audition is at two, but the practice rooms open up at seven so that we can get a feel for the place and a coach is gonna come in and give us some pointers. But Mr. Emelianoff is coming to make sure I'm calm and help with my nerves…" Grace smiled.
"You'll do great, Baby. I just wish we could come support you and watch."
"Yeah, me, too…but audition rules. Only people auditioning and their teachers and coaches are allowed in the building that day."
"Well, you can count on us being outside the doors, waiting for you to hear the news," Olivia smiled.
"I can always count on that," Grace grinned.
"Mama?" Theo questioned looking at his brunette mother and nodding.
Olivia nodded back and smiled, watching as Theo left the kitchen and headed down the hallway.
Alex furrowed her brow and took a sip of wine and swallowed. "Where is he going?"
"He'll be back," Olivia offered, moving to the refrigerator and taking out a plate of cheese and olives and bringing it to the island and taking a piece of Manchego. Isabel and grace joined in, sampling the olives and cheese.
Theo appeared from the hallway once more, a card in his hand and something else hidden behind his back, the biggest grin on his face. He handed Alex the card.
"This is from Mama…"
Alex looked at her now, "From Mama? Liv?" Alex took the envelope and turned it over in those slender fingers, the diamond on her engagement ring and the glint of the white gold catching in the kitchen light. Alex smiled, her eyes not leaving the brunette as she slid her forefinger under the flap and lifted. She removed the card and opened it, her eyes scanning and reading quickly.
"Read it out loud…" Isabel demanded.
Alex took a breath and briefly eyed her wife before looking back at the card. "Alex, You are my Christmas present and always will be. But, I wanted to return the sentiment of the gift you got me so long ago. I hope that she brings us the same joy as our other baby. Love Always and Forever, Liv…" Alex's eyes were watering now as she moved up to the brunette and wrapped her arms around her. "What did you do?" Alex whispered against her ear.
She pulled away and placed her hands on Olivia's jaw. "You'll see, Babe…I think you'll like it…her…" Olivia motioned with her head to the left and Alex pulled away, all watching as their son set a small, white, cardboard pet carrier on the floor and began opening the top. He smiled as he briefly looked inside.
"Come on, Mom…" Theo smiled, motioning for Alex to come take a look.
Alex stepped closer and looked into the parted opening of the carrier to see a tiny, ginger kitten inside, big, pink, satin bow around her neck, big blue eyes looking up at the blonde.
Olivia could immediately hear the mewing sounds of the tiny creature they had picked out just that morning while Alex worked in her home office.
Alex looked at the brunette, "Oh, Olivia…" Alex leaned over and took the tiny, furry creature from the box, cradling it in her arms and kissing the top of her head. Purrs could be heard resonating throughout the kitchen.
"I knew she'd like you, and you'd like her," Olivia said softly. "We spent a long time this morning trying to find the right little fur baby to add to our family, right guys?" she asked the kids.
They all nodded, smiling.
"This one had human lover written all over her…" Olivia watched the purring kitten begin to rub her whiskers along Alex's chin.
"Just like our Hill-Hill…" Alex smiled.
Olivia nodded, "Yeah…our first fur baby…"
"I know just what I'm gonna name her…" Alex continued scratching behind the kitten's neck, her eyes closing and her purring increasing in volume.
"Oh, yeah?" Olivia smiled.
"Yeah, Babe…" Alex moved closer now, eyes on the kitten, before looking at her wife carefully, "…Joy…"
"Joy?" Olivia smiled.
Alex nodded, smiling. "The perfect name for what I feel all the time since you and I had our paths cross once again all those years ago. It's been nothing but joyous, Liv…you have made my life complete…in more ways than one…and I can't wait to watch the rest of this show called life with you, my beautiful bride."
Olivia felt her emotions come strongly and quickly now, her face contorting with pure happiness. She placed her hands on Alex's hips and leaned in, kissing the kitten and then looking deeply into those bright blue orbs. "Front row seats, Al…you and me…until the end of time…"
And they knew, as they had always known, that it would always be true.
A/N:
Hello my faithful readers. This was it. The last chapter. I know it took a while to write and get out there, but this was it. Oh, the finality of it has me torn to pieces. Such conflicting emotions right now. My happiness for this family has grown and I have grown with them. Writing their love has given me immense joy. A little over a year and a half ago I started writing this, in July after my favorite aunt died, and it has taken on a life of its own.
I have enjoyed every minute of it and want to thank those of you who have stuck with it until the end. Your reading and reviews and support have meant the world to me and I have not forgotten, and will never forget, each and every one of you.
I hope you have enjoyed this ride and please know that your support and enthusiasm for this saga has meant the world to me.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely,
Patricia
P.S. I am leaving my Spotify Love Won't Leave Saga playlist up and my Love Won't Leave Pinterest board so that you can peruse the music and clothing and other inspiration that was included in the story. Here are the links. Enjoy!
Pinterest : patriciamalemes/love-wont-leave-saga/
Spotify : user/12969743/playlist/2oCU8rgiTdgVVdIKF2EPzS
