After quick check-ups were had for Sophia and Amanda, Olivia took a phone call that had her cursing a little bit when she hung up. Carisi, Sophia, and Amanda, who were all packed into the police cruiser with her, stared.
"What's wrong?" Amanda asked cautiously.
Olivia fell back in her seat. "Karissa is dead."
"What the hell?" the other three squawked.
"She actually threw a chair through the interrogation room window, and managed to cut herself on the glass. She bled out on the way to the hospital."
"Damn." Carisi said. "Now we can't even sentence her."
"I don't care." Amanda decided. "I'm just glad to be done with her."
Sophia gave a nod of agreement and then spoke to Olivia. "Mom, will Casey and Melissa be at the precinct when we get there?"
"Yes." Olivia confirmed. "They will be, and so will Violet and Senior, and Beth Anne, Benoît, Blue, Kim, and Jesse."
"Good. I can't wait to see everyone."
16th PRECINCT
966 WEST 88th STREET
MANHATTAN
2:30 PM
"MOMMY!"
Sophia's heart jumped right out of her throat when she recognized Melissa's joy-filled voice ringing through the bullpen. Looking around, she saw her daughter burst from the kitchen and make a beeline for her.
When she got close enough, Sophia picked her daughter up and gave her all the hugs and kisses she could tolerate.
"Oh, I missed you, Melissa Joy." Sophia sat her daughter on her hip and gave her another hug. "How are you? Good?"
"Yep." Melissa looked around. "Where is Aunt Mandy?"
Sophia pointed her out in the wheelchair. "She's over there with Nana Livvie and Uncle Dominick."
"I can go, please?"
Sophia set her down and straightened her clothes out for her. "Yes, but mind your p's and q's."
Absently, Melissa patted her own left leg. "Aunt Mandy's leg doesn't work."
That's one way to put it, Sophia thought. "Correct, my tiny love. Be gentle."
Melissa took her mother seriously and proceeded towards her aunt with caution, only to turn to putty when Amanda pulled her into her lap and hugged her.
The kitchen was very crowded as everybody found who they belonged to, but Casey found Sophia in a heartbeat and kissed her soundly as they embraced.
"I missed you so much." Casey told her.
Sophia smiled at Casey. "I missed you, too, but everything is over now, and the baby and I are safe and healthy. How are you?"
"Just relieved that my family is together again."
Casey gave Sophia another hug and then a nudge in Alex's direction as she stood nearby. Though Alex had maintained a cool head for Olivia's sake while things were happening, Casey had helped her through a crying jag just an hour previously. Now, she was waiting to be with Sophia, but trying not to be obvious about it.
"Go say hello to her." Casey said in Sophia's ear. "She's been worried about you, too."
Eventually, Sophia had seen everyone, and she sat to the side, watching in amusement as Amanda's parents tried to convince her to go back to The Plaza with them so she could have a place to clean up. As it turned out, The Plaza was closer to the precinct than her apartment was, but Amanda still wasn't having it.
Noticing that Sophia's thoughts were definitely elsewhere, Casey sat with her.
"Seriously, Starshine—how are you doing?"
"I want to go home."
Casey's heart sank a little. "Oh…"
Sophia saw the train of logic that Casey had hopped on, and kissed her quickly.
"Lover, I mean home with you."
Relief coursed through Casey. "I thought you meant…"
"I know, but my home now is wherever you and the kids are." Sophia kissed Casey's fingers. "We should really start getting used to the idea, don't you think?"
"Yes. Definitely."
"Good."
Sophia let out an audible yawn and stretched.
"What about Melissa, though? I don't have the energy to mind her, and I was hoping to have some time with just you…"
Casey completely understood what Sophia was driving at, so she turned and beckoned to Violet. She was carrying Melissa, so she hurried over quickly.
"Little Bean," Casey said to Melissa. "Do you want to come home with us, or do you want to go back to the flower shop with nana?"
"I want to go back." she said after a pause. "Can I?"
"Of course." Casey turned to Sophia. "Why don't we see what mommy thinks about this all?"
"Do you promise me and mama that you'll be a good girl?" Sophia found herself saying.
"Yes."
"Good." Sophia tapped her cheek. "May I have a kiss, please?"
"Okay!"
She gave Sophia a peck on the cheek, and then repeated the same action for Casey before cuddling up to Violet and slinging an arm around her shoulder. The Novak family matriarch hugged her granddaughter, and then regarded her mothers.
"I'm going to keep Melissa overnight."
"Violet, are you sure?" Sophia said in surprise.
"One hundred percent—she and Casey already stayed the night last night. She's also smitten with us, and even has her own apron for helping me water the plants in the shop. You two need some time yourselves."
Violet turned to Melissa and got her to look her in the eyes.
"Do you want to stay the night at my house again, and help water the flowers?"
Melissa didn't have any hesitation. "Yes, please, nana."
"Good girl. Give your mamas a few more hugs and kisses, okay?"
Melissa happily obliged, and after she felt satisfied, she left with her grandparents.
Casey turned again to Sophia.
"You ready to go?" she asked.
"More than you could possibly know, Red. Let's roll."
After stopping at Olivia's and Alex's to collect 'moving in' items, and then at Luna's Café to get takeout, Casey and Sophia were finally back at their own home. Sophia felt peaceful as it dawned on her that she and Casey finally had a place of their own, and would hopefully be moving into a bigger one soon. Never once had she thought that the road to her happy ending would be this dramatic, but even still, she realized, she would gladly do it all again.
When they were done eating, they retreated to their bedroom. Casey changed into an old t-shirt featuring AC/DC and boxer briefs, and she also had her long hair tied up in a messy top knot. She had also scrubbed all of he rmakeup off.
Sophia, meanwhile, just sat on the bed and burst into exhausted, overtired tears.
"What's on your mind?" Casey asked her.
"That I'm wiped out, but I want two different things right now." Sophia pouted. "I just can't make up my mind, but I also don't want you to think I'm selfish."
"That's the last thing I would ever think of you, ever, especially because you've raised Melissa on your own for so long. That takes a lot of self-sacrifice that not everyone has." Casey rubbed Sophia's arms reassuringly. "What do you want? Try me."
"I really want a bath, and to wash my hair. I just might need your help."
"There's nothing wrong with that, and I'm happy to help you."
Sophia gave her a grateful grin. "Thanks. This just wasn't the way I wanted you to see me naked for the first time."
"Life is messy, Sophia, and it doesn't always go the way you expect—my parents can attest to that."
"Because of Abigail?"
"Uh-huh. They weren't expecting her at all, but almost twelve years later, and we wouldn't be who we are now if not for the pint-sized Novak."
"That's a good point. When is her birthday, again?"
"Day before Halloween—so, soon." Casey kissed Sophia's temple. "I'm going to take a wild guess and say that the other thing you want is for me to touch you until you say my name again?"
Sophia blushed. "Yes."
"Then it can be arranged, Sophia. I want you to know something, though."
"Hm?"
"None of what you're telling me right now is selfish. This all just falls under the 'for better or for worse' column. Do you understand?"
Sophia nodded. "Yes, but we aren't even engaged."
"Not yet." Casey stood and tugged on Sophia's hand. "Come along, beautiful. I'll draw you a bath now."
Casey had a very nice bathroom, and completely separate from the shower was a deep, green claw-footed bathtub. She filled it warm water, and for good measure, rose oil. The scent always calmed her down, and ever since she'd gotten pregnant, the smell always made the baby relax, on the extra hectic days.
Clearly, Sophia was having a not-so-hot day because instead of walking towards the bath, she just stood in the middle of the floor, staring.
"Did you sleep at all?" Casey asked, undressing her.
"Yes—Amanda sang me to sleep, but it still feels like nothing happened."
"Then we'll take extra care… Oh, look at you."
Devoid of her clothes now, and even her medical alert bracelet, Sophia was very naked, but battle scars and all, Casey was dazzled by her.
"Wow." Casey sighed dreamily. "You're so beautiful."
Sophia grew a little shy. "You really think so?"
"Lover, I know so."
Casey placed a flurry of hot kisses all over Sophia's body, including her breasts and her baby bump. Sophia let out a soft moan, especially when Casey got on her knees and kissed her legs and thighs. She felt her legs buckle slightly as Casey teased her with her tongue before kissing her way back up her body, ending with a kiss on the lips.
"Let's get you into the tub now." Casey began guiding her. "Come on. I've got you."
When Sophia was in the tub, Casey sat beside it on a stool and undid the young woman's hair tie, finger-combing through her chocolate-colored tresses.
"How do you feel?" Casey asked after a few minutes.
"Better." Sophia let out a sigh of contentment as Casey tilted her head back and used a cup to pour water over her hair. "One of these days, though, you're seriously going to have to let me take care of you."
"The time will come, darling. How's our girl?"
Almost immediately, Sophia arched her back as she felt the baby do a complicated somersault. "She's as jumpy as all get out—I think she likes the water."
"Was she like this when you were away?"
"No. She slept through most of it." Sophia leaned forward in the water and clutched her ankles as she let out a low moan, but one of displeasure. "Right now, she's wide awake and all but kicking me."
Casey began washing Sophia's back. "Something tells me that she'll be more chilled out after this."
"Oh, I hope so."
Casey made a humming noise, and Sophia turned in the water to look at her.
"What is it?"
"You said that this wasn't how you pictured me seeing you naked for the first time, but I want you to know something."
"Yes?"
"You are positively beautiful, and for better or for worse—no matter how bad you're ever feeling—I will always love you."
"You're so good to me, Cassandra." Sophia took Casey's hand and placed it openly on her breasts. "Don't stop, okay?"
Casey began washing Sophia's chest, purposefully taking her time on her breasts and even her nipples, getting every last inch of skin. The gasps and sighs coming out of Sophia's mouth made Casey's heart go light. She also kissed Sophia's neck as she started washing the soap off her body.
"I won't stop, darling. You relax, alright? Just relax."
When Sophia was clean and dried off, she was blissfully happy, and in need of one last thing. As per usual, Casey was reading her mind.
"You still want me to touch you?"
Sophia nodded. "Yes, please. I need to feel you."
Casey pulled back the covers on the bed, and then undid Sophia's robe. It fell away, and once again, she was looking at Sophia in all her glory.
"What exactly do you need?"
Sophia crawled under the covers, and when Casey joined her, she spread her legs.
"I need for you to lay with me, and touch me like you did last time." Quite intentionally, Sophia placed Casey's fingers between her legs and began moving them. "Do you remember?"
"I do." Casey moved her fingers and thumb in a very delicate, but deliberate way. "Relax now."
Before too long, Casey had Sophia moaning in pleasure as strung her along for as long as she could stand it.
"Oh, you're doing so good, Sophia." Casey smoothed back her hair and kissed her. "So good."
"I love you." Sophia panted. "I need you."
"I'm right here."
"Don't leave."
"I won't." Casey picked up the pace, and Sophia was crying out, shamelessly. "I won't."
There was nothing said for awhile after that.
The only sounds were Sophia's moans and shouts as Casey continued to work on her.
"Oh, my God!" Sophia arched her back again.
Casey pressed a kiss to her brow. "Go."
Sophia came immediately.
She called Casey's name out four times as she felt an extremely powerful orgasm shake her body. "Casey! Casey! Casey! Casey!"
"Right here."
They kissed on the lips.
"I'm right here."
"Stay with me until I fall asleep?" Sophia asked hopefully.
Casey nodded and held her close.
"Of course. Close your eyes now."
Sophia shut her eyes immediately because her eyelids were too heavy.
"I can do that. I love you."
She yawned hugely.
"I can't wait to marry you."
Casey hugged her. "I can't wait, either."
When Casey was sure that Sophia was asleep, she extracted herself out of her hold and tucked her in before going downstairs. She had intended to find her phone, to look up ways to measure someone's ring size without them being aware.
But she was interrupted by a text from Violet.
Sophia's ring size is five, same as mine.
Though perplexed that Violet even knew this information, Casey sent her mother a thank you text and set her phone down again.
Then she sat down on the couch, but with Sophia upstairs, and Melissa away, things were too quiet. Even the baby in her belly was behaving, and not being squirrelly.
She stayed on the couch for another beat or two before giving in and going upstairs to sleep next to Sophia.
