Chapter 14

"Beau, what do you think about Casey? Do we like her?" Gia spoke to her daughter whilst she nursed her.

It had been calm days proceeding trial and Gia spent most of them in Casey's apartment with her daughter. She took her medication as ordered and her pain medication before bed, and it would last her the whole night and well into the next day until it was time to put Beau down for her midday nap. She still had three more weeks of leave before she was allowed to return and she still needed to perform her psychological evaluation and receive clearance before being released into the field, otherwise, she'd be stuck with desk duty. Beau stared at her mother as she suckled contently and fluttered her eyelids as sleep slowly took possession of her small body.

"I like her," Gia whispered to her daughter, smiling. "And, I know you like her too, little one. I see the way you smile for her and the way you listen to her… I think I'm falling in love with her Beau, is that bad?" she stared at her daughter that with her soothing voice had found peaceful slumber.

Gia smiled and went to stand but the sudden stirring caused Beau to continue suckling at her mother's breast. Gia paced herself and allowed her mind to wander into a dreamland not too far from reality and not too far from what they've been living in…

"Mami," said Beau.

"Yes, baby," answered Gia.

"Is Mama coming home soon?" she asked, eyes hopeful, and glistening.

"She is, she should be here soon," Gia responded, caressing her now four-year-old's cheek.

There was a sudden key-rattling coming from the door as it swiveled open to reveal a florid faced Casey, "Tell me why'd I agreed to go prepare that warrant again? On the coldest day of the year."

Gia chuckled as Beau ran and stumbled on her feet. "Mama," the girl squealed, dragging on the last syllable as she crashed onto the redhead's long gams. "Hola Ma."

"Hola bella, y Mami, ¿dónde está?"

"Kitchen," Beau responded.

"To answer your question, baby; you went in because you're amazing and you have a heart of gold. That's why," she responded as she emerged from the kitchen, meeting her wife halfway with their daughter on her hips.

Casey smiled and leaned forward to plant a searing kiss on the lips of the woman that had stolen her heart. "This is why I love you," Casey conceded as she placed another quick kiss on her wife's lips causing Beau to giggle.

"What's so funny, huh booger?" Gia teased.

"Mama kiss you on the lips," the girl relented.

Gia and Casey both chuckled as they kissed each of the girl's cheeks causing a fit of squeals.

Gia smiled and the sudden shrill of her phone interrupted the moment, except there was no phone to be found...

It rung again, jolting her back to reality. She palmed the sofa and found the blaring device. "Rosa," she answered.

"Detective, how are you feeling?" came the voice of her Lieutenant.

"Better," she responded, cradling her daughter on her chest as she draped the baby on her shoulder and adjusted her camisole accordingly. "I can bend pain-free now," she smiled.

"That's great, that means you're healing accordingly. Are you ready to come back, Gia?"

"I am, though I'm not sure I want to leave Beau behind after spending all this time with her," Gia tittered.

"Well you know the deal, Gia. I need that evaluation on my desk or else it is desk duty for you and I need you back, Carisi is driving everyone insane," Olivia chuckled at her comment.

Gia rolled her eyes at the realization of her partner. "I have an appointment tomorrow, Lieutenant. I'll stop by as well to deliver the verdict," she conceded.

"Ok, I'll see you tomorrow then."

Gia smiled and hit the end button on her cell. She rested her hands on Beau's back and rubbed them gently as she positioned herself on the couch comfortably. She missed the closeness and bonding time with her daughter and she wanted to get all of it before she had to return back to work. There were going to be long twelve hour shifts, but she'd be doing what she loved: helping people and serving the public. She had accommodated her back against the armrest and Beau now rested comfortably against her abdomen and chest, soundly sleeping. It was not long until slumber engulfed her body too.

Casey walked in her apartment expecting rowdiness and commotion, but was met with silence; calm and soothing silence. She crossed the threshold and her eyes were met with a sudden heavenly sight. There they were, mother and daughter asleep. They both had their head pointing at the door, their pouty lips slightly parted, and their brow pulled in as if they were dreaming about the same thing.

Casey couldn't help but snicker at the sight in front of her and it caused Gia to be roused. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you," Casey apologized.

Gia smiled and shook her head. "No, you're fine. We've been asleep for," she trailed off looking at the wall that held the clock in place, "for three hours. It's enough plus, I need to get started on dinner."

Casey watched as Gia accommodated her body with her child on top and saw how Beau slowly rose from slumber. "Hey there, pretty girl," she said as she reached for the infant. Beau yawned and squealed at the sight of her favorite redhead, "She really likes you, Casey."

"I like her too... and her mom," Casey mentioned, standing Beau on her thighs.

Gia tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and smiled at her feet, attempting to reel in her wandering thoughts. She reached forward on the coffee table and grabbed Beau's jingle bell bracelet and fastened it on her wrist, "Why don't you go undress and I'll get started on dinner."

"What's your fascination with seeing me undress, Detective?" Casey flirted as she chanced a glance to the beautiful woman.

"Oh, I have more than a fascination with seeing you undress, Counselor," Gia responded, not missing a beat.

This caused Casey to gain a red tint on her face. "Go out with me," Casey retorted quickly.

Gia smiled at the woman, "When?"

Casey hitched a breath, not expecting that answer from the woman. She smirked and bit her lip seductively, continuing her tantalizing play. "Tomorrow," she husked, as she held the bouncing baby by her under arms.

"Who's going to take care of this little one? I've been ignoring my parents for the longest time; I can't just show up. I'm not ready for their scrutiny," Gia confessed.

Casey looked at the baby in her arms and listened to the jingle of the bells on her wrist as she thought and pondered on whom could she possibly trust with this secret. It's not like it was unbeknownst to the members of SVU about their mutual crush on each other. But, she did have to be careful for both of their sakes. It wasn't only their reputation, but it was their careers as well.

It had to be handled with care until they could disclose to their bosses if that's what it came to, "What about Alex and Olivia?"

Gia pondered on the suggestion equally, again, this was their careers on line, but the more Gia thought about it, the less flaws she saw in this plan. She closed her eyes and bit her lip. "Done," and she was in shock. The word left her mouth before she could stop it and Casey neatly smiled, biting her lip in the process as everything settled in her being. The woman she had been fawning over the past four months had finally agreed on going on a date with her and now, she couldn't be happiest.

Gia leaned over and kissed Casey's cheek, rapidly feeling the warmth of her skin against her lips. She giggled and watched as Casey's hand flew up to cup her cheek as a silly smile played on her lips. It was bound to be memorable and neither could wait or could they?

Gia stared at herself in the mirror of her room down the hallway from Casey's and admired the reflection staring back at her. Beau squealed as she saw her mother's reflection in the mirror. She smiled and smoothed her hands against the skirt of her beautiful burgundy backless dress.

The silhouette was created by the draped fabric into a front tier that transitioned into cape sleeves that trailed out back alongside the sheath skirt and it fit beautifully over the shape of her body. She grabbed her black strappy sandal heels and opened the door to her room once she heard Casey's door open. Gia gasped once she saw Casey, she was wearing a deep teal silk dress with a sexy mid-thigh slit. The color matched beautifully with her eyes and the color of her hair. They both continued to stare at each other, divesting on another with their eyes.

"You look… stunning," Casey mentioned breathily.

Gia smiled bashfully and tucked her silky mane behind her ear, "You look beautiful, too."

They stood there almost awkwardly both relishing in the presence of the other before Beau made her presence known. Gia snapped out of it and quickly went inside to look for her bag and diaper bag to take to the Benson-Cabot's home. Casey smiled at the infant in her mother's hand as she handed her a sugar cookie. Gia chuckled at the gluttony of both her date and her daughter.

They made it downstairs to Casey's SUV and made their way to their friend's home. All the way to Alex and Olivia's home they played with each other's fingers and sneaked flirtatious glances. It was everything that wasn't said that made it all so much better, that made it all so incredibly alluring to the other.

Once they pulled up to the Benson-Cabot's home, Olivia was the one that greeted them at the door. She complimented both women and Alex was the one that took Beau and introduced her to Noah, Caroline, and Ethan. Oh, and who could forget Cannoli; the family's beautiful longhaired Dachshund. The women ushered the lovebirds away, but not before saying goodbye to the infant that seemed content with the Benson-Cabot kids.

Casey drove them to a quaint restaurant in Hell's Kitchen and when she exited the SUV, she was there to properly court her inside. Everybody looked at them, whether it was for the fact that they were stunningly beautiful or because they were there with each other or maybe because this was an elite venue and everybody knew everybody there. There were federal and Supreme Court judges, members of the Brass, federal agents, and multiple elitists. This was an exclusive restaurant and Gia was about to find out who Casey Novak really was.

"Casey, this is beautiful," Gia conceded as she pushed her long mane over her shoulders.

Casey smirked impishly. "I'm glad you like it. Alex told me that Olivia loved the duck. So the place comes highly recommended," she finished nonchalantly.

"And highly vetted as well," Gia quipped; taking a sip of the water glass that had been filled by their hostess.

Casey tittered as the waiter approached promptly introducing him self until he saw Casey, "Ms. Novak, welcome. Would you like to moved?"

"No, we're great here. Thank you, would bring us a bottle of Stags' Leap please," Casey mentioned quickly.

The waiter disappeared, leaving behind the menus. "Come here often, Counselor?" Gia asked behind her menu, her eyebrows raised in bemusement.

The gesture didn't go unnoticed by the redhead and she shifted, crossing her legs underneath the table. "Look at me, Giovanna;" Gia entertained the woman, and pointed her multicolored stare at the fair woman across from her. "What—What's this I'm sensing?" Casey asked, amused at the woman across from her. "Are—Are you jealous, Detective?"

Gia smiled and licked her lips, "That's not an answer to my question."

Casey scoffed and placed her hands atop the table. "Gia," Casey attempted to bargain.

"Casey," Gia mentioned sternly, that fiery behavior everyone knew latina women possessed seeped through her pores. That icy glare holding the fiery emerald across from her and she slowly bit her lip, knowing well the effect this had on the other woman.

Casey wavered once the waiter returned and they put their orders in. They tasted the wine and Gia had to commend her date for the fabulous taste of the crimson liquid. "Alex and I co-own this restaurant," Casey begun as Gia continued to stare at the woman, "and several others as well."

Gia smirked and brought down her glass. "So, you do come here often then?" Gia winked at Casey to let up on the sudden somber mood.

"But not as a patron," Casey admitted.

"I'll make sure to tip well," Gia admitted, gaining a full hearty laugh from the redhead.

They continued with their light-hearted banter and when the food arrived, they ate in companionable silence. They shared forkfuls of their meals and flirted mercilessly. Proud and openly and that's when it dawned on Gia that the reason for them being stared at was because the co-owner of the restaurant was there with them all. The date was beautiful, the meal was to-die for, the dessert was both savory and sweet, and the choice of wine made everything smooth and highly enjoyable.

They had made arrangements for Beau to spend to night and the following morning, they were to pick her up and accompany the family for breakfast. They left the restaurant and Casey took them back to the apartment, but not before having her waiter bring a bottle of the wine they had been sharing over dinner. And, once inside the dwelling, Gia brought her hair to the base of her head in a ponytail, exposing her neck and chest as she plopped down on the couch. Casey joined her and they sat in silence, eyeing each other's movements, sharing subtle touches, and lingering their gazes in areas they wanted to touch or kiss or taste. They still had yet to say a word, but they continued to drink and enjoy each other's company.

In a moment of a boldness Gia stood on her knees and straddled Casey's lap and the look of fright on the redhead's face told Gia everything she needed to know about the type of woman Casey really was. "Relax, Counselor, I'm not taking advantage. I just want to be closer to you," she finished, looping her arms around Casey's neck.

Casey relaxed against the back cushions of her couch and looped an arm around Gia's waist, leaning forward carefully to place her wine glass atop the table and taking Gia's and doing the same. She sat back and stared up at the woman on her lap, her hands resting easily on her thighs, feeling the smooth caramel skin underneath her pads. Casey looked deep into her eyes and what reflected back scared her.

There wasn't disgust or mistrust, not even hurt, but something deeper. Something bigger. There was love.

How could there be love in that beautiful heterochromic stare when they'd only known each other for a few months?

How could Gia be in love already?

And there it was, doubt. Whilst Gia's eyes exuded nothing but love, Casey's reciprocated hers with doubt.

"I was blinded," Gia commenced, gently cupping Casey's face with both of her hands, "your smile shining behind those green eyes. The horizon so enticing, please, say you'll be mine," she whispered against the redhead's freckled face, nudging her nose lovingly.

Casey's eyes brimmed with tears and whilst Gia declared her love for her, Casey brought her hands to Gia's waist, her thumbs rubbing the smooth fabric of her dress. "What if this is your version of hero syndrome, Gia? I—I don't want to get hurt again," Casey admitted, shaking her head, and holding her tears at bay.

Gia tightened the grip on that exquisitely freckled face and stared deep into pools of green, blue, and some brown. "Casey, you did save me. Why can't you be my hero?" Gia's thumb roamed Casey's cheekbone. "What are you really afraid of? Tell me."

Casey thought about the question at play, what was she really scared of? You'd think her biggest fear was that maybe Gia was Casey's hero in some way or another and even if she didn't admit it to her self, she was aware of it. "I don't want to lose you," she confessed in a whisper, losing all resolution on her continuous hold of her tears. "I don't want you to wake up and think 'there's someone else for me out there'. I don't think I could handle it, Gia."

"Don't wake me up," Gia said, shaking her hands on Casey's cheeks, "'cause I'm in love with all that you are. You make me feel the truth in things, I think that you are the remedy for everything, it seems that you are, the truth itself 'cause nothing else can take me so far," and as she finished she crashed her lips on Casey's.

Casey mewled and as she did so, Gia snuck her tongue in her mouth, tasting and teasing, searching and longing for contact. She conveyed her emotions, but more than that, it was the seal, the stamp of approval Casey needed. She dare not to mistrust the other woman's words any longer because if there was any doubt left, Gia had lapped, bit, and kissed it away. Their breaths were taken away, but this was how they spent their evening, learning what their lips felt on each other, but most importantly, learning how love tasted on the other.

NOTE: Those are lyrics from from Jhené Aiko's song 'Blue Dream'.