A/N: The wait is over! Testing is finished, my extra course is almost complete, and oh the time I have to write is growing...Anyway, I hope you enjoy, and thank you for your wonderful patience with these last months.

Oh, and I finally have the next chapter for Faces and Fire mapped out. Fire will be out next. :)

I'd also like to say an extra thank you to my friend, LEArtemis for helping me navigate the end of this chapter. She did some pre-reading to let me know how it was going and it was super appreciated. :)

Casey stood on the green grass, entranced by the flashing of the green light. The dark blue skies above, waves rolling up on the shore, and wind whipping her long, curled, red hair around...something about it was calling to her, yet she couldn't place it. Squinting towards the flashing, she tried to focus on its shape.

It's electric quality seemed to illuminate the sky, calling to her, trying to tell her something. Her heart beat a thousand miles a minute as she tried to finds its message, but before she could pick it apart the scenery changed.

The light was gone, she took a deep, calming breath, enjoying the mixture of salt and evergreen. A sense of knowing filled her. This was it the moment she'd been waiting for, and then she saw her bride.

Those marine blue eyes that matched the sky. That stunning white lace dress. Her long blonde hair that always begged for Casey to run her fingers through it, those red lips that she always wanted to kiss.

Alexandra Cabot was breathtaking.

And in that moment, Casey found herself at peace. It was as if only she and Alex existed. Taking the hands of the woman she loved she whispered, "This is it."

Alex's smile grew wider as she replied, "This is the start of our forever."

Yet, as a feeling of warmth coursed through her, the world changed yet again...

This time the colors faded away. Everything was black and rain began to fall. Then the green light reappeared.

Flashing above her.

It was as if it was calling to her. Trying to tell her something in Morse code. Leaning over the steering wheel she tried to read its patterns through the rain, unsure of when she'd gotten in the car, but it was too difficult to focus.

Then she heard her. Sitting back she looked into her wife's eyes. She'd changed so much in a few seconds. It made Casey's head swim as she saw those red lips moving. She could tell Alex was upset about something, the hurt was evident in her eyes.

And in that moment she felt like someone was trying to suffocate her. Like hands were covering her mouth and nose. She wanted to breathe but she couldn't. Her heart pounded frantically in her chest, and Alex just kept talking but she couldn't make the words out.

Then the world was silent except for the sound of rain and what seemed like a ticking of that green light.

Feeling like death was upon her, she tried to grasp at anything to save her. "I love you, Alexandra," finally falling from her lips.

But, the look on her wife's face morphed to panic as she cried, "Casey!" And screams mixed with a baby's cries filled the air, everything going black in an instant...

Alex sat in the armchair in her bedroom feeding their new baby. He was still so small, and at some moments, she felt like he didn't quite belong at home just yet. Watching her wife moving in their bed she smiled at the newborn.

"I think Mama is dreaming."

At the sound of her voice, the little one opened his eyes trying to focus on its source. "Here I am, Gabriel," she cooed, "You look just like your Mama. Some days I think we should have named you Little Casey!"

Suddenly, Casey's screams filled the air, startling her and causing the baby to cry. "Shh," Alex tried to soothe as she set their child down quickly moving to the bedside, "Case, wake up," she said as she touched the redhead's arm only for her to jerk awake with a start.

Wide-eyed Casey stared at the ceiling before letting her gaze fall to an alarmed Alex. She could hear their baby crying unhappily from his bassinet as she looked at her wife.

The dream had seemed so real. Yet, now she found herself face to face with the blonde. Touching her face she tried to calm herself. "It was a dream, just a dream..."

"Are you okay?" Alex questioned as she kissed her head and left to gather the fussing baby.

"Yeah," Casey mumbled as she moved to sit upright, "It was our wedding, and I think we were in the car..."

Alex froze at the revelation, "Were you remembering our wedding?"

"I think so," she replied as she moved to sit on the edge of the bed, "You looked like a picture on my phone, and we said something..." she paused trying to remember it, "This is it."

"This is the start of our forever," Alex finished quietly, as she moved to the bed with Gabe in her arms.

Looking to the blonde, Casey probed, "So, it was a real memory?"

Alex could feel her insides twist at the question, "Yes, we actually said that to each other at our wedding."

"The car?"

And here was the quandary she dreaded, "What happened in your dream?"

"It was confusing; lots of flashing lights, then our wedding...and darkness...flashing lights, rain...we were in a car and you were talking but...I couldn't hear you."

The memory of the dream was becoming foggy fast. She fought to hold onto the thoughts working to piece the bits together, but it was fading rapidly. Instead, she focused on what she did remember.

Looking to Alex, she took in the beautiful scene unfolding before her. The blonde snuggling their small baby. The amount of love flowing between mother and child was spectacular.

"I'm so happy this is our forever," she whispered.

Alex looked to her, those marine eyes taking her in, "So am I."

Scooting over to her wife's side, Casey lay her head on Alex's leg. She needed to be close. She needed to know life was going to be fine after whatever that dream was...

"Casey," Alex called from the bedroom as the redhead sat on the living room floor with their children. "Are you sure you'll be okay watching all three kids while I'm at this meeting?"

"I think so," Casey admitted, "Abbie said she'd come by to help if needed. How long are you going to be gone?"

"A couple of hours, maybe..." Alex replied as she slipped on her heels, "I don't know how you deal with these shoes. They are so annoying."

"Want me to go?"

Alex frowned, "I'd let you, but we can't risk anyone discovering your memory loss."

"Oh, yeah, that..." She grumbled as she fell back against the couch. "How could I forget."

Moving to the pack n' play, Alex looked in on their youngest before glancing back at her wife. "Are you sure you will be okay? I'm just a phone call away."

Standing, Casey moved to the door, allowing for Alex to follow. Watching her wife kiss their older children goodbye she took in the blonde's appearance. She was stunning in her gray pencil skirt and black long sleeved blouse. She looked so professional and it was a sexy look on her. As she came closer, Casey didn't hesitate to take her by the waist and pull her close.

"You look beautiful today."

"Thank you," Alex smirked before placing her soft lips to Casey's, taking a moment to deepen the intimate touch. As they separated, she stared into those green eyes that drove her mad, "I love you."

"I love you too," Casey whispered as she moved to the door, "I'll call you if I need you."

"Okay," Alex laughed as she collected her bags. "See you soon."

Watching her wife leave, Casey suddenly felt out of place, as if the roles should be reversed. Turning back to face her children, she wondered what it was she used to do with them. The baby was simple, but Christine and Conner were another subject.

"What do you mean they cancelled?" Alex snapped as she paced her wife's faux office. She'd taken to using it as her own while managing the firm while she was out. "We are ready for this meeting. This is unacceptable."

"Well, get used to it," Melanie said as she sighed and turned to leave.

"Does this happen to Casey?" Alex called across the room.

"No, clients wait for her," the younger woman explained as she turned to face the older blonde, "You are not her."

"Well, the Wonderland four are going to have to get over that right now," Alex snapped.

"Alex," Melanie argued, "We are going to have to bring Casey in, they are demanding her presence. If we keep putting them off they'll back out."

"They don't get to control this situation," she spat, "if we cave and something goes wrong it could ruin her!"

"It's a chance we are going to have to take! We can afford for them to back out on this deal, that would ruin the firm too!" The younger assistant bit back. "This is my career as well, I'm not going to let your poor decisions destroy it."

"I'm trying to protect my wife!"

"Then let her come explain the plans. They want to hear her ideas as the architect, not yours," Melanie argued.

Alex sat on the edge of the desk staring out the large windows over looking the bay, "They will see through her...it's Russian roulette."

"It's a risk that has to be taken."

Alex scowled at the younger blonde, "I don't like it."

"Well, get used to it, because it's happening," Melanie deadpanned. "Go home and get her. We can spend the afternoon prepping her and I will reschedule it for tomorrow."

Alex let her head fall in frustration as Melanie left her to her thoughts. She felt terrified of this move. If something happened to Novak Architecture they would be crushed financially. They had investments and savings, but between their existing debts and the mounting hospital bills they would be struggling.

Placing her hands over her face, she quickly prayed for guidance. She needed as much strength and direction that she could get. She only hoped Casey was having an easier time at home.

Casey sat in her daughter's room reading the little blonde the story of Alice in Wonderland, while Conner took his afternoon nap and Gabe lay swaddled in his Moses basket next to them. It had been a busy afternoon of playing pirates and princess, feedings for the new little one, lunch for the older two, and now she was ready for her own nap.

The hope that Alex would return home soon was dwindling, and eventually she'd text Abbie for support. It was exhausting healing from a brain injury and she was in much need of a break. She needed quiet and a moment to recharge.

"It would be so nice if something would make sense for a change," Casey read only to close the book slightly and look up towards the young child's mirror to see her own reflection. The action caused causing the little girl to look up at her.

"Mama, what is it?" Christine asked in a very Alex like manner.

Looking down at the little blonde, Casey brushed her fingers through the child's hair. "I just can relate to Alice that's all."

The child frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Well," Casey pondered, "I cant remember a lot of stuff. Like, I didn't remember how to play pirates and princess earlier today and you had to teach me."

With this information the little girl giggled, "That's silly."

Raising an eyebrow, she questioned, "Why is that silly?"

"Because you never played it with us before, only Mommy."

As the child finished her statement, she stood to go get a doll from her toy bin. Casey watched the little girl move around her bedroom. Her answer was perplexing.

"So, what did I play with you?"

"You work," Christine replied absentmindedly as she climbed back up on Casey's lap with her doll, "Mommy plays. Can you keep reading now?"

Casey was so confused and feeling more like Alice by the minute. "Okay, let's read," she said leaning back in the rocking chair.

Yet before she could get too much further into the story, she heard the doorbell. "I bet that's Abbie," she groaned as she stood to investigate.

Walking through the apartment, Casey paused briefly, looking out over the bay at the early afternoon sun. It seemed like her wife had been gone for hours. The time apart made her yearn for Alex's touch.

Moving to the door, Casey sighed. She was so tired and wanted to take a nap. Opening the door, she greeted her Texan friend, "Carmichael."

"Novak!" Abbie laughed taking her into a brief hug, "I'm happy to see you well and amongst the sane. Good to see your first solo time with the bambinos' didn't chase you off."

"Yeah," Casey replied running a hand through her hair finding the shaved spot from her surgery. The scar was still as fresh as her lacking memories. "I guess I don't do this often..." she muttered as she closed the door and led the way to the living room.

Abbie observed the redhead as she navigated herself to the couch. Casey looked weak and worn. She was really concerned about her state, "Has it been rough today?"

"I just don't know," Casey grumbled. "I guess I am ready for Alex to come home."

"Well, it looks like not much has changed," Abbie sighed sitting on the chair opposite the sofa.

Glaring at her friend, Casey questioned, "What does that mean?"

"I don't mean it in a negative way," Abbie defended, "Alex just always does the majority of the parenting because you are working. The difference now is you are recovering."

"Well, I want Alex home for other reasons."

Abbie frowned, she could see something major was bothering her friend, "What's wrong? You can tell me."

Sitting up, Casey looked towards the children's rooms. Ensuring they were no where in earshot, she whispered, "I love them. I do and I don't even know them. But," she paused fighting to pick the right words.

"You feel lost," Abbie offered.

"Yes!" Casey exclaimed. "Alex is my compass. I know everything is okay when she is around."

"I feel that way with Rena," the brunette sympathized.

"I just don't get why I didn't do more with the kids...I mean I asked Christine what we used to play and she said we didn't, why?"

"Because you were becoming a famous architect," Abbie deadpanned. "Your kind of career doesn't come to just anyone. You have to work for that level of success."

Casey lay flat on the couch staring at the ceiling, "It would be so nice if something would make sense for a change..."

"Okay, Alice," Abbie smirked.

"I'm serious though," Casey whispered as the front door opened causing her to jerk.

"It's Alex," Abbie offered.

"Thank God," Casey mumbled settling back into the couch.

"Hey," the blonde called from the entry way seeing Abbie seated in the living room. Hanging her coat, she made her way towards the sitting space, "Is she napping?"

"No," Casey replied, "She's thinking about how lost she feels."

"Well," Alex said leaning over the couch.

Casey looked up at her wife. A calming sensation rushed through her at the sight of the magical woman she had the pleasure of calling her wife. Blonde hair falling down towards her, blue eyes playfully gazing upon her. Love did not explain how she felt about this woman.

"I might have the perfect remedy for feeling lost," Alex began, "If you aren't too tired how would you feel about going to work today."

Casey continued to stare into those playful blue eyes. "Can I?"

"Yes, if you feel up to it."

"I want to feel normal again," Casey whispered, "Please take me."

It pained her to know that being in their home didn't make her wife feel normal, but she needed to be the strong one now. Smiling, she replied, "Then let's go."

Walking down the hallways of Novak Architecture, Casey found herself beginning to feel very overwhelmed with emotions. She periodically would see familiar faces, but the entire office building was something new to her. The last she could remember about work, she was working in a small rented office space. This building was something grand and had clearly been designed by her.

Seeing her name tagged on the wall, she let out a sigh of relief, "I'm glad we are here already."

"Whoa," Melanie interrupted. "This is not your office."

"Then why does it say my name on the door?" The redhead questioned.

"Because it's your fake office," Alex explained, "You couldn't take clients into you usual workspace."

Casey bit her lip trying to figure out why. Finally she recognized the problem, "Too messy?"

"Absolutely," both blonde's replied.

"Smart," Casey sighed, "So where is it?"

"Down this way," Alex said leading her further down the hall to a corner suite. With each passing step her heart pounded harder in her chest. She'd be lying if she didn't say she feared that Casey would realize that work was more important to her, but she also feared that she might suffer a setback in her recovery by pushing herself too fast.

Reaching the door, she took the handle, "This is your real space," she said revealing the cluttered area.

Yet, Casey smiled brightly as she scanned the room. Finally, something seemed normal, "Now, this looks like me."

"Great, one annoying chaotic mess makes my boss feel normal," Melanie sighed earning a stare of disapproval from Alex. "Oh come on, it's the truth and you know it!"

"I love it," Casey said as she walked into the mayhem, running her fingertips over rolled blueprints scattered across her large desk, "it feels so me..."

"Good," Alex forced out with a pained grin, "now we have to begin prepping for tomorrow..."

"What's tomorrow?" Casey asked as she walked to the floor to ceiling windows looking over the harbor. "I can see why I built this here."

"You loved watching the boats go by when you were stressed," Alex explained as Melanie interrupted.

"Tomorrow you have to go in front of the museum benefactors. You have to pitch your latest designs to them for their approval."

"Can I do that?"

"You have to," Melanie affirmed, "If you don't they are going to pull the project which will cost Novak Architecture millions."

Alex didn't hesitate to scowl at the pushy assistant. "However, we don't want to freak you out. The goal is to just have you prepped on the designs so you can answer questions for them."

Casey looked between the two women before scanning the disarray again. Finally, she looked up, "Okay, let's get started."

A few hours later, Alex found herself lounging back in 'her' office looking out on the harbor while fiddling with her pendent locket. It was a peaceful scene with the sun falling low in the sky, and it made it easy for her mind to wander. She found herself replaying the vision of her wife seeming so at peace nose deep in blueprints and sketches.

Sighing, she turned in the fancy desk chair to view the space she'd designed years earlier. It was so sterile in comparison to Casey's real office. Her wife's was cluttered and in complete disarray. Casey could happily live with laundry in piles and sketches of work scattered about, it was one reason why Alex had made the concession when they first moved in together to do all the laundry if Casey could do her work in one closed off room. The agreement had made their lives a success.

And then they had kids and everything changed...

Casey's passion began to weigh on her in ways she'd never imagined possible. Alex had yearned to have a partner as involved in their family as she was, but she hadn't really stopped to think about the fact that it was her wife's passion that had attracted her in the first place. Although, it was still Casey's request and want to have kids that had led them to parenthood.

Glancing at the family picture on the desk, Alex sighed, "What happened to us?"

Turning again in the chair, Alex looked back over the water, she could easily see how her sea loving wife would enjoy the view so much. When stressed, it must have reminded her of being out on the water, another one of Casey's passions. She just wondered where she and the kids fell on that list.

"Hey gorgeous," her wife's smooth words derailed her thoughts instantly replacing them with a bright smile on her face.

Spinning in her direction, Alex could quickly see the change. Casey stood a little taller, her eyes brighter, and that goofy grin that could stop her dead in her tracks was back. "Hi," was all she could manage; it was like seeing a ghost.

"So," she began as she walked in the room, "I've reviewed everything, and I think I'm ready for these folks tomorrow. I even have some new ideas for other areas that I think they'll appreciate." As she finished, she sat on the edge of the desk in front of Alex.

Peering up at the redhead, Alex questioned, "Are you sure you'll be able to handle it?"

"Absolutely," she replied, "I've got this, I know it."

"Do you mind if I come?" Alex asked suddenly fearing her presence would no longer be needed.

"Ha!" Casey laughed as she stood and pulled her wife up into her arms, "You've always been welcome."

Pausing for a moment at the words, Alex stared into those mischievous shamrock eyes. She wanted to question her bride, but in that moment she choose to lean in and capture her full inviting lips instead...

Arriving home that evening, Casey let her Alex go ahead. Taking a moment at the door, she hesitated feeling some form of familiarity take over. She couldn't exactly place it, but if she had to describe it she would have said it was like deja vu.

Then as she crossed the threshold she heard their squeals of excitement, looking up to see two animated children rushing forward with a beaming Alex holding Gabe behind them. It was her family, her beautiful family, and they were happy to have her home with them.

Yet, in that same instance the scene changed. It was as quick as a green flash, but everything changed. The children were still bouncing forward, but Alex was different.

The smile was absent. Her look was more of disdain than love, and Casey could feel a twinge of guilt towards it...

But then it was gone, and here her happy family was before her again. The thought briefly fled her memory as they dashed into her arms, and in that instance she realized one thing.

These were her children and her love for them was endless.

Looking to Alex, as she clutched them close, she realized her wife had given her everything important and meaningful. It was a blessing she didn't know if she could ever repay. All she could do was mouth a, "thank you," as the blonde beamed and continued to rock their baby. And to Casey, life seemed perfect in that moment.

Yet even in that perfection, Casey couldn't help but wonder about their past...