When Olivia returned from The Yellow Viper that evening, Sophia had already retired to her bedroom, and Olivia found Alex in theirs, knitting and staring into space, lost in thought about something.

Just for a moment, Olivia stood in the doorway, taking in the sight of how beautiful her girlfriend was. At the moment, Alex was wearing a form-fitting tank top that showcased her curves very well, and her favorite black yoga shorts. Her hair, which was past her shoulders these days, was tied up in a messy bun, and any stray hair was being kept out of her eyes by a stretchy polka-dotted headband. Alex was also makeup-free, and even wearing her new green-framed glasses, a recent change from her trademark black frames that she'd been sporting for over a decade.

In Olivia's eyes, Alex was perfect.

"Hi, beautiful." Olivia greeted her as she shut their bedroom door behind her and things away. "Did you have a good time with Sophia?"

Alex grinned and set her things on her bedside table, ready to give Olivia her complete attention as she sat on the bed with her. "I did, and something even happened."

"Oh?" Olivia asked interestedly. "What was it?"

Alex mounted Olivia so she was straddling her, face-to-face. Olivia almost felt like she was going to completely lose her train of though already because although Alex was a capital minx and physically affectionate, even when she wasn't pregnant, she'd still never gone this far with her before.

"I will tell you, but," she gently squeezed Olivia's legs with her thighs. "You tell me about your time at The Yellow Viper first."

"Okay." Getting more into the spirit of things, Olivia put her hands on the sides of Alex's bump, her heart swelling as she took in the feeling that hers and Alex's child was growing away in there. "For starters, Elliot told me that Elizabeth is recovering. She's even getting new glasses tomorrow because the ones she had were obliterated."

"Well, good. I was going to call and check on her in the morning. Did you find out anything else?"

"Elliot told me who the incoming head of IAB is."

"Do tell."

"Constantine Kemper."

Alex immediately snickered. "Mad Dog Kemper is coming—this will be fun."

"Do you know her?"

"Just by reputation—this will be a welcome change."

"Definitely." Olivia rubbed the small of Alex's back. "Elliot even told me that he thinks it's a good idea that Yardley is getting out of Queens Narcotics."

"Why? Does he not like it?"

"He's glad that Yardley is expanding her horizons, but as for himself, Elliot has felt like he's had a good full run. On top of that, Dansforth is transferring to Albany and Jeffers is going to Chicago. The new, incoming captain is even coming all the way from Santa Cruz."

"Meaning that Elliot is also feeling the winds of change?"

"Yes, and Alex, you can't tell this to anyone, but I know how Elliot is reacting to those winds of change."

"Oh, I am all ears."

"He's going to have a meeting with Kemper because he wants to come back to Manhattan, and he wants to see who will have him."

Alex lit up. "And the SVU really needs the extra manpower since Amanda has been knocked out of commission and is pregnant."

"Yeah, exactly. Elliot and I even had a chat, and he even apologized for dropping out of my life."

"Did you forgive him?"

"I did, and I gave him my blessing to come back to the SVU."

Alex clapped her hands excitedly. "I really hope it happens, Via. I know Rafael is leaving, and I'm going to miss him, but if Elliot comes back while Casey and I are attached to the SVU, this would all be so amazing!"

Olivia nodded. "He and Fin would make so many jokes about being the 'old men of the squad,' Amanda would probably get giggly because she's old enough to be his kid, and Carisi would just turn into a babbling dork."

"Sounds about right." Alex laughed. "You know your squad well."

"Sometimes a little too well."

Wanting a change in subject, Olivia rubbed Alex's thighs vigorously with her hands and watched in amusement as the blond immediately arched her back, leaning into her touch.

"You like that, hm?" Olivia cooed.

"I really do." Alex leaned forward and gave Olivia a kiss on the lips. "I have to tell you my thing now."

"About you and Sophia, right?" Olivia took a few deep breaths to steady her concentration and pulse. "You said something happened?"

"Yes." Alex nodded. "We bonded in some major ways, and I even told her about getting shot and what happened after."

"Wow. I'm proud of you, Allie-cat."

Like Olivia had her demons, Alex's revolved around her injury, being forced into Witness Protection, and the trial. She'd long since put it behind her, and these days, she didn't talk about it unless she really had to.

"Thanks." she arched her back and made a soft mewling sound as Olivia rubbed even lower on her back. "There's more."

"Go on."

"You need to have a sit-down chat with Sophia soon—maybe take her to her favorite place to eat. She told me more things about herself that you should know, and hear straight from her."

"Things that you didn't expect, from the sound of your tone."

"Definitely in that category." Alex confirmed. "She's seen the horrors and the wonders of the world, just like we have. I also told her why you and I are so loyal to each other."

"What did she think?"

"Sophia was impressed. She's also very curious about how she got her name."

"You know the story—you didn't tell her?"

Alex shook her head. "No. She grew in your body, so you should tell her."

"Then I will, when we're at her favorite place to go. Now to figure out what it is…"

Alex just nodded, thinking about what else she wanted to say, for the words were getting stuck in her throat. Olivia sat up straighter so that they were level, and Alex's rounded middle was touching her stomach, allowing them to both feel the baby as it wiggled.

"What is it?" Olivia asked gently.

"I was already seventeen when Sophia was born, but we connected in such a deep way tonight that she asked me something that really surprised me."

"What did she ask?"

"If she could call me mom, and I said yes."

Olivia was immediately a puddle of mush and became teary-eyed.

"Really?" she asked.

"Uh-huh. I love her like she was mine, Olivia, and she loves me enough to think of me as one of her parents." Alex wiped Olivia's tears. "What do you think?"

"That my heart is just overflowing with love for you right now," Olivia took one of Alex's hands in her own and kissed the palm. "And that I want to marry you."

Alex's heart skipped a beat. "Olivia, are you proposing?"

"No, but I've been thinking ever since you wandered back into my life that I want to be your wife."

"And I would love to be yours." Alex replied with zero hesitation. "You are my soulmate, Olivia."

"And you are mine."

They kissed again, and just for a minute, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.


The next morning, everyone in the Benson-Cabot residence woke in a very good mood, but especially Sophia, for she'd dreamt of her happy ending with Casey, and it had been wonderful.

Sophia arrived at her place in Hell's Kitchen in due time. It was a small studio with a mostly open floor plan, but she'd made the most of it, even after Melissa's birth. She liked it, but she'd always known that she wasn't going to stay there forever. Maybe that's why she'd been stockpiling moving boxes for the past two years. At any rate, having the help of the Novaks would make things go quickly.

Sophia was alone with her thoughts for only a short while when she heard a knock at the door. Hurrying over to answer it, she saw that it was Casey. After she took her things and put them away, Sophia motioned around at everything.

"Well, it's not much, but this is where I've been living for the past few years."

"I like it." Casey said, looking around.

And she did—cozy was the word. Immediately next to the front door was a closet for shoes and the like, and opposite it was a full kitchenette. Besides everything you'd expect to see, there was also an area with a small washer/dryer set. Past the kitchen, on the left, was a dining area, complete with a table set for two people, and next to that was a corner of the room containing bookshelves and armchairs. Everything was sized just right for Sophia and Melissa. Next to that was a nice desk that was piled high with more books, lots of journals and knitting supplies, and a stack of DVDs. Beside the desk was a smaller shelf with the rest of Sophia's DVD collection. Some few paces away was a big, fully-made bed whose top blanket bore an enormous depiction of the Eiffel Tower on it. Even the beside table was shaped like the Eiffel Tower, and the dresser had a earring tower shaped like it on the top of it. Just opposite that was what Casey supposed was a bathroom. There was also a closet, along with a play area, and lots of art on the wall.

"Your place is cute, Starshine." Casey told Sophia. "Where does Melissa sleep?"

Sophia crossed over to the bed and tapped the bottom part with her foot, which, upon closer inspection, Casey saw contained another bed.

"It's a trundle bed." Sophia said as they sat down on the top level. "When we move in with Olivia and Alex and we move to a bigger place, we'll get our own rooms. That might make Melissa trip out, because she's always had me as a roommate, and lately, she's been bunking with Noah… oof…"

Casey scooted closer. "What's up?"

"Baby girl just woke up, and she's extremely wiggly."

Casey pointed to her middle. "Our boy is asleep in here, and he has been since I left my place."

Sophia made an amused noise. "I like the sound of that—'our boy.' Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"What does your place look like?"

"It's a bit small, but it's decorated simply and kind of cute, like something from an old movie. You'd like it, and guess what?"

"Hm?"

"In my room, it's like walking into Paris."

"Really?"

Casey nodded. "Yep. I've been to Ireland and Slovakia, but never any part of France."

"Do you speak French, Red?"

"No," Casey admitted. "But you do, huh?"

Sophia winked. "Oui."

"Should we go to Paris one day?"

Now Sophia felt a jolt of surprise. "Do you mean that? I've never even been out of the country before."

"I really do mean it—imagine a kid-free adventure in Europe. We could go hang out in London, too."

"That would be amazing. We should go, then."

"Then we will, and you know what? You and I will not only go to Paris, but we'll go the Eiffel Tower, and I'll do this."

Casey leaned forward and kissed Sophia deeply on the lips, going on to cup Sophia's face in her hands as she deepened it. Sophia was surprised and her heart suddenly jumped into her chest, but quickly returned it.

"Wow." Sophia said with a rush of joy when they pulled apart. "That was amazing."

"There's more where that came from." Casey kissed Sophia a few more times, making her way down her chest. "Lots—"

DING-DONG!

Casey was interrupted by the doorbell, prompting her to sigh.

"And that'll be my mom or Savannah." she stood and helped Sophia to her feet, giving her a nudge towards the bathroom. "You go freshen up and I'll go answer the door, alright?"

Sophia quickly straightened out a wrinkle in Casey's shirt. "Got it. See you in a minute."

As she headed to the bathroom, her mind was filled with thoughts of more kisses, and of the Eiffel Tower at twilight.

Her future was looking pretty bright.