Sorry it's been awhile! Where last we left off, Sophia and Casey were getting ready to pack up Sophia's apartment while Olivia helps Alex pack hers up, and just before Casey's family arrives, there was talks of her and Sophia going to Paris one day, and they share their first kiss ;)

On with the show!


Packing up Sophia's apartment went as quickly as she thought, with all of the Novaks helping, and just after they finished eating lunch, everything was completely packed up and ready to be driven across town to Olivia's and Alex's apartment. Sophia was grateful to her new family for their help, and she thanked them all for it, seeing them on their way.

Casey hung back, in Sophia's bedroom, waiting for her.

"Oh, please don't go." Sophia said.

"Okay, I won't. Have something in m—"

Casey's inquiry was cut off when Sophia pinning her against the nearest bedroom wall and kissing as much of her as she could, working her way down Casey's body from her lips to her chest, to her baby bump and back again.

Like Sophia had been after their first kiss earlier that morning, this time it was Casey who was dazzled and speechless.

"What do you think?" Sophia held Casey's face in her hands. "Did you like that?"

Casey quite liked it, and just for a moment, she imagined what things would be like when the two of them were alone and had time to do more than just kissing.

Friday night, movie night, couldn't come fast enough.

"I liked it very much."

Sophia kissed Casey and then checked the time. "It's only one, and Melissa is out with the nanny for the day. Do you want to go do something?"

"Actually, yes." Casey nodded. "We need to get you to the mall, post haste."

"What? Why? I was just there yesterday!"

"Unless I'm much mistaken, Starshine, when we were packing your clothes, I didn't see any maternity clothes."

"You're not wrong." Sophia sighed, brushing an imaginary speck of dust off her shirt. "I never thought I'd have another baby, so I donated all those clothes during a spring cleaning when Melissa was one."

Casey pointed to Sophia's rounded middle, giving itself away against her shirt. "Baby Girl is growing rapidly, and by the end of the week, you're going to be wishing that you had properly-fitting clothes."

"Good point."

They gathered their things and Sophia made a sweeping motion for Casey to go out into the hallway.

"Will you at least humor me and get something for yourself so I don't look like an idiot, carrying a bunch of shopping bags?"

Casey made a humming noise as they went into the hallway and headed to the front door. "I am starting a new position, and I do need to update my wardrobe, too. New shoes and maybe even a new briefcase also aren't out of the question…"

The tone with which Casey spoke caused Sophia to groan.

"Don't tell me you're a shopaholic."

"I have six girly sisters, all of whom I am very close to—of course I'm a shopaholic."

Sophia groaned again. "Great."

"Don't worry—I'll go easy on you."

Casey surprised Sophia by paying for her new things, although Sophia then insisted on paying for their snacks when they stopped for food. She also picked up a few new outfits, shoes, a new leather briefcase, because the one she had was old.

All in all, they had a fun time together, but before long, they were back at Olivia's and Alex's front doorstep.

Sophia sighed and hugged Casey. "I don't want to be away from you."

Casey returned the hug and kissed Sophia on the top of her head. "I don't want to be away from you, either. If you have a free night this week before Friday, call me, and I'll cook dinner for you, me, and Melissa."

"Okay, that sounds good." Sophia kissed Casey's baby bump, and then her cheek. "Are you sure you don't want to come in to say hello to everyone? They're all home now."

Casey nodded. "Yes, because then I won't want to leave. I'll call you if you don't beat me to it."

Sophia chuckled—they called each other daily now.

"Then this is until next time, Red."

Sophia kissed Casey like her life depended on it, and Casey returned the kiss, although he pulled away first and gave Sophia one last kiss before leaving.

As Casey did go, heading back to the elevators, her head was filled with one thought, and one thought only: she was going to marry Sophia Rose Benson. Little did she know that Sophia was thinking the same thing of her.

Olivia's voice brought Sophia back to reality as she entered her home and set her shopping aside.

"Hey, sweetheart!" Olivia greeted her. "I was just about to call you!"

Sophia found Olivia and Alex at the kitchen table, watching her, so she joined them.

"You were? Why?"

Beside her, Alex playfully ruffled her hair. "To celebrate you, Melissa, and I officially moving in! Are you staying for dinner, or are you going out with Casey?"

"I already went shopping with her," (she pointed back towards all of her new things by the door) "So I'm in for the night."

As she said this, she turned red and Alex laughed gleefully.

"Olivia, look! She's blushing!"

"What's the matter with you?" Olivia laughed at her daughter. "She walked you up here, huh?"

Sophia's blush intensified. "Yeah, and we kissed."

"Awww." the other two cooed in unison.

Sophia laughed and then smiled at her mothers. "I'm really glad you two like Casey and I being together."

"We love it." Olivia amended.

Alex nodded in agreement. "As crazy as Casey can be with her line of thinking around some kinds of cases, she's like our baby sister, and we've only ever wanted the best for her."

"And you're our daughter, so we want the best for you, too. It's our joy that things have worked out the way they have."

With one of the best poker faces she'd ever pulled in her life, Sophia said, "I love Caset a lot. What if I marry her? Your best friend would be your daughter-in-law."

They had once joked around about this, imagining the possibility of maybe four Missus Bensons in one family, but Olivia and Alex could see that Sophia was being completely serious.

"Would you stay a Benson," Olivia asked. "Or would you become a Novak?"

"Sophia Novak has a nice ring to it."

Chiming in, Alex chirped, "Fair warning—even without these loopy pregnancy hormones, I'm a crier, but I promise to get a grip on myself at your wedding."

Olivia laughed a loud, hearty "HA!" before turning to Sophia. "I'll have you know that she cries at Hallmark movies, and just about anything involving a dog."

Alex heaved a dramatic sigh and rolled her eyes. "Too bad you and Noah are both allergic."

"Actually, so am I." Sophia added with a giggle. "Sorry, but I'll get hives."

Olivia smirked at Alex. "Funny how life works that way, huh? This is what we call a cruel irony."

"Back to the drawing board." Alex muttered.

Sophia cleared her throat. "Casey and I are having a movie night on Friday at her place, and I'm hoping to cash in on that free babysitting I was promised."

"You got it, kid." Olivia told her. "Anything else?"

"No, but Casey invited Melissa and I over for dinner this week, before Friday, if things don't get too busy."

"That sounds like fun."

Sophia looked around, suddenly realizing how quiet it was. "Where are Melissa and Noah?"

"On our bed, watching Paw Patrol on the TV. It's their favorite show." sighed Alex. "I told them they could watch while we figured out what to get for dinner because your mom and I are just too tired to cook, but it's almost over, and we're still at a standstill."

Sophia clucked her tongue. "What would you two do without me?"

Rummaging through the pile of that day's mail, Sophia extracted a coupon flier for a local pizza parlor.

"So long as nobody goes for anything preposterous like pineapple, I'm down for pizza from Big Gino's."

"That's actually a really good idea." Olivia murmured as she as she put her glasses on to start reading the information on the flier. "Thanks, kid."

"Where are you going?" Alex asked when Sophia stood suddenly.

"To see Melissa and Noah, but first to go to the bathroom." she touched a hand to her swollen middle. "The baby is camped out on my bladder."

Alex wrinkled her nose in sympathy. "I know the name of that tune. Off you go, now."

Sophia left quickly.

Alex moved so that she was closer to Olivia. "The way Sophia and Casey talk about each other when the other isn't around is adorable. I still think Casey will have proposed by Christmas."

Olivia looked up from the flier. "Oh, no doubt. Those two really are proof that friends are the family you choose."

"And so are we."

"Definitely… what?"

Alex was looking at her with what could only be described as 'bedroom eyes,' and it took Olivia everything she had not to cave because she knew exactly what was being hinted at. They still hadn't found the time (or had the energy) to go to third base, but when they were in bed together, neither woman could keep their hands to themselves for long. With Alex being in her second trimester, she was now craving Olivia's body and touch all the time. Olivia was definitely happy to cater to Alex's needs with heavy petting, and was already very good at making Alex come with just her fingers.

Olivia kissed her lover on the cheek. "That is definitely on the agenda for later, but contain yourself."

"Oh, alright." Alex kissed her and stretched as she stood. "I'm going to get the phone so you can order, but for the record, I'm with Sophia about the pineapple thing."

"That was one time!"

"One time too many. Olives, yes, but pineapple, no."

They negotiated pizza toppings and came to an agreement, although they had to renegotiate all over again when they were joined by Sophia, Melissa, and Noah, all of whom were eager to have their voices heard, too.

If this is what family is like, Sophia thought. I'm so glad I've finally found it.

Even still, she found herself wondering what it would be like, having these kinds of nights with Casey and their own family.


I promise to keep updating this story; I just lost my groove for awhile, but now I have it back because I have a really good idea for what to do next ;) Hope to see you there!