After they had eaten desert, Julie started to clean the dishes, but Alex stopped her and took over. When she was in the kitchen Marissa looked uneasily at her mother before deciding to break the tension, "Would it be okay if Alex and I stay with you for a few days?"

Julie sat up straight and smiled, "Of course, but I thought you were staying with the Cohens."

"We are," Marissa replied, "But…" she paused sorting through a list of lies in her head, "But it's sort of crowded with Ryan and Lindsey and Seth and Summer. Plus we'd get to spend more time with you."

Julie nodded, "I haven't touched your room. You're always welcome."

"Alex too?" Marissa asked as Alex soundlessly walked back into the room. Hearing the last line of the conversation, Alex stopped her forward progress and leaned back against the wall behind the couch where neither Cooper noticed her.

There was a long pause before Julie moved closer to Marissa on the couch. "I know I haven't been the biggest supporter of you and Alex. And I've had a lot of time…alone…to think and she really has done a lot…for both of us." She put her arm around Marissa, "I just want what's best for you…"

Marissa had heard that last sentence before and it was usually released right before a verbal attack on her girlfriend, "She's what's best for me."

"I know that now," Julie softly smiled.

The youngest Cooper sensed a change in her mother. It seemed like her mother had matured. She was definitely older and maybe a little wiser. She guess the time alone made Julie reevaluate a lot of things.

Marissa leaned on her mother for the first time in years, "Thanks mom."

Alex smiled from her place against the wall. It was a slow, sad smile. It was times like this that made Alex remember her childhood, before the rejection of her parents started. When everything was okay. Running her hand through her hair, Alex reminded herself that everything was okay now. She had a new family and a girlfriend that loved her. With a grin she thought, And maybe even a mother-in-law that likes me.

Decided that she'd been eavesdropping long enough, Alex backed into the kitchen before walking out again, this time coughing a little to make the two aware of her presence.

Marissa looked at Alex as she rounded the couch and sat on the other side of Marissa from Julie.

"We're going to stay here for a few days," Marissa told Alex like it wasn't the blonde's plan in the first place.

"Great," Alex smiled, "Maybe we can make come Christmas cookies or something."

"Good idea!" Julie stood up, "Let's get to it." She walked into the kitchen leaving Alex and Marissa on the couch.

Marissa slowly turned to Alex, "Look what you've done."

The blonde grinned, "But we get cookies."

"But you've never baked with my mom," Marissa leaned closer to Alex, "We'll be cleaning it up until the day school starts again."

"But we get cookies," Alex kept smiling, playfully.

Marissa rolled her eyes and kissed Alex, "You're insane."

"Fun insane?" Alex waggled her eyebrows.

"Oh yeah," Marissa laughed and stood, offering her hands to Alex.

Alex took them and let Marissa pull her up. They walked hand in hand into the kitchen were Julie had already started making a mess.

"We did good," Alex smiled as she leaned on the counter next to Julie and Marissa. She took another bite of her cookie.

Julie raised her glass of milk, "To cookies."

"To cookies," Alex grinned raising her glass to Julie's.

Marissa eyed the mess around them and raised her glass to her mom's and her girlfriend's, "To maids."

After they all drank, Julie causally added, "I gave the maid two weeks off."

Marissa nearly choked on her milk.

"We still have to put the Christmas light on the house outside," Julie told the two girls.

"Um, why don't you two go do that and I'll clean up in here," Marissa replied.

"You just don't wanna go outside," Alex playfully poked Marissa's side. Marissa shrunk away from the touch because it tickled.

The brunette nodded, "It's cold."

"Wuss," Alex smirked.

Marissa swatted Alex's ass with a spatula, "I'm not a wuss."

The blonde grinned and checked to see if Julie was watching. When she saw that her girlfriend's mom was busy getting something out of the fridge, she leaned in a kissed Marissa, keeping one eye open. When she saw Julie stand up straight she broke away.

"Are you ready?" Julie asked Alex.

She nodded, "Always." She turned to Marissa and leaned on the counter, "Last chance to join us on the roof outside, in a blizzard in the name of Christmas spirit."

"I'll stay in here and make you hot cocoa," Marissa rested her hand on Alex's hip, "But be careful please."

"If I fall and kick it you're an instant millionaire," Alex wagged her eyebrows.

"I'd rather just keep sleeping with a millionaire," Marissa whispered and stole a kiss. "I love you. Not your money so be careful."

"Yes ma'am," the blonde kissed Marissa's cheek and trotted off after Julie.

Marissa liked that her mom was being nice to Alex and also that Alex wasn't acting outwardly suspicious. She hoped that that relationship continued beyond Christmas and this little visit.