After Olivia and Alex had their meeting with Judge Donnelley the next morning, they took their family out to eat. It had been too long since they'd been able to just enjoy each other's company like this. They would never have lives that were anything close to normal, but they believed in seizing the moments when and where they could.
It was after Olivia paid the bill that she realized Alex had been quiet for too long.
"Okay." she laughed. "Spit it out."
"I want to take the kids with me on a wedding-related expedition." Alex told her promptly. "I even promise that you can still get new outfits for them."
"Are you going to to tell me exactly what it is that you're thinking of?"
Alex chose her words very carefully. "Not right now, but it will be worth it. I even promise that you can still get new outfits for Noah and Serena."
"That's true." Olivia fished her car keys from her pocket. "There's another thing I need to check on, anyway. I'll get myself home."
"Solid plan."
Alex put the keys in her own pocket and worked on getting Serena ready leave.
Olivia looked over to her son. "Ace, would you like to hang out with Stardust and mommy today?"
He clapped his hands together in excitment. "Yes!"
"Great. Please come around so I can help you."
Before long, Olivia was watching her family drive off to have their adventure.
Then she looked around to see exactly where in the neighborhood she was. Just her luck, the officebuilbing where Alex and Casey worked was just down the block. Perfect.
Most of the place's occupants had already cut out for the holidays. Alex was obviously gone, but Olivia had a feeling that Casey was in her office, finishing up her paperwork.
She hated paperwork.
"And as Casey's friend," Olivia said as she made tracks for the building. "It's up to me to break her monotony."
OFFICE OF CASEY NOVAK
27 MAIDEN LANE
UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN
Casey was actually feeling pleased with herself at that particular moment. She knew that she wasn't the only one amongst herself and her colleagues who was glad to have this most recent case behind them. It had been a super-doozy across the board for all who had been involved. Now was time to move on, and not just because Christmas Day was fast on the approach.
Casey was tired. Alex was tired. The SVU was tired. Their families were tired.
The onslaught of cases they'd had since the autumn were to blame, and it had been a long time since they'd been able to really pause to catch their collective breath.
None of this had escaped Judge Donnelley's notice. As a gift to her favorite people, she saw to it that they were all given paid vacation until the first Monday of the new year. She just kept the gesture anonymous.
All Casey was thinking about at that particular moment was that this year marked the first Christmas where she had a family of her own. The last thing she expected was a visitor.
Olivia knocked on her friend's open door. "Anyone home?"
Casey gaped at the sight of her. "Olivia?"
"You busy?"
"Not at all. I actually just got back from filing the last of my paperwork, and now I'm off until January." she waved her in. "Come have a seat."
Olivia shook snowflakes from her hair as she sat on her friend's couch. "I'm done until January, too. Are you down for an adventure with me?"
"Always." Casey sat with her. "Where's your brood?"
"Alex and the kids are having their own adventure. She just wasn't specific about it."
Casey shook her head and sighed. "Alex is doing her 'silly but coy' routine, isn't she?"
"That's it in a nutshell. I have some wedding stuff to do, and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me."
"Absolutely."
At this, Olivia made her way over to Casey's coatrack, found the her coat, and held it open for her. "Then let's get the show on the road."
"I'm coming, I'm coming." Casey padded across the room and let Olivia help her into her coat. "What's your hurry?"
Olivia had the good sense to sound a little sheepish. "Sophia said that other than law, you're an expert on flowers and gems."
"So you just want me for my keen eye." Casey deadpanned as she finished getting ready.
"Not true. I've also just missed being with you."
Casey softened up. "I've missed you, too. What's the first place on your agenda?"
When get reached the street that Olivia's first stop was on, they still had a small stroll to go in the cold, but Casey didn't mind because she was just happy to be with her friend.
"You know," she said after a moment. "Melissa has been working on the basics of learning how to read."
This took Olivia by surprise. "She is almost four, but what's got her so motivated?"
"Her new sisters and brother. The reality has really hit her lately because mine and Soph's new project has been hammering out the nursery."
"So Melissa feels that learning how to read is doing her part to help?"
Casey bobbed her head. "We're glad that she's eager to learn because we also have to tackle a recently-developed irrational fear of hers."
"Which is what?"
"My baby girl is freaked out by the vacuum cleaner." Casey sighed in dejection. "For me, life with lots of siblings, and a boatload of nieces and nephews has always been one thing, but it's always a different ballpark when it's your own kid."
Olivia just laughed and then pointed to a door that they'd stopped in front of. "Here were are, Case."
The name of the place was called Hanover's Finds, and specialized in all kinds of jewelry and unique objects. Casey would have never seen if Olivia hadn't showed it to her on the street. Items for sale filled every nook and cranny, and each area was more exciting than the next. Hanover's Finds was a gift emporium.
Casey turned to Olivia. "This place is cute. How did you find it?"
With a very straight face, Olivia delivered the answer. "Long story short: I sought refuge in here from a rainstorm a few days after Sophia showed up. Ironically, Hanover's Finds was the first place I found."
"Wow. And what—you found something that you wanted to get for Alex?"
"Yes, but it wasn't ready at the time." Olivia replied.
"And now…?"
"I got a notification earlier that everything is finally tip-top."
Casey put her hands on her hips. "But…?"
"I thought you might also want to come get something for Sophia."
They both knew that the 'something' was a wedding ring.
Casey sighed. "You really delight in pushing my buttons."
"Lovingly so, but yes."
Before Olivia could tack on anything else, the proprietor joined them. He was a middle-aged man, with very handsome and kind features, and an even kinder expression. A finely pressed tartan suit, a fine beard and distinguished handlebar mustache, sharp Italian leather shoes, horn-rimmed glasses, and a warm smile completed the display. He was probably the Hanover of Hanover's Finds.
"May I help you?" he asked as the other two drew closer.
"I'm Olivia Benson." the lieutenant explained. "I came in around early October, and I saw a piece that I was interested in, but it wasn't ready. I did put my name down for it, though."
The old man searched his memory. "Was it The Ocean Grace?"
"Yes. I got a notification earlier that it's ready now."
"My son will have sent that out. One moment, please."
He returned with a small velvet ring box, and when he opened it, Casey found herself gasping. The middle of the ring boasted a blue tanzanite gem, and was bookended with bright diamonds, while the band was shaped like ocean waves. Every other wave was decorated with alternating diamonds and tanzanite. It was extremely beautiful. Just like the ocean. Just like Alex.
Casey beamed at Olivia. "She's going to love it."
"You think so?" she asked nervously.
"I do, because you know, Alex loves the ocean."
The proprietor spoke up again, addressing Casey. "Pardon me, madam, but you are not Miss Benson's future-intended?"
"I am not. I'm actually engaged to her daughter."
"Well, many happy returns. Have you picked any wedding rings yet?"
Casey shook her head. "No. Do you have anything in the peg-head setting?"
"We do. My son can help you."
The younger Hanover was as sharply dressed as his father, and when they explained the situation to him, he walked with Casey to another part of the store.
"Miss Benson?"
She gave her attention back to the proprietor. "Yes, sir?"
"Is there anything else that you wish to look at?"
Olivia tapped one sleeve. "Do you carry anything like wristwatches?"
"Most certainly." he came around from behind the counter, too. "This way, please."
Olivia was led to the far side of the room, where there was a whole display of extremely nice wristwatches. She had never seen so many before. Where would she start?
Casey caught up with Olivia just after the proprietor had left her to her own devices. She was pleased with herself again.
"Liv, check this out."
She was treated to the sight of a rather unique ring. Nestled within two silver bands were two small pewter elephants, holding trunks, and tucked in on top of those trunks was a diamond but in the shape of a heart. Everything about the ring was right in Sophia's wheelhouse.
"It's perfect."
"Thank you." Casey closed the ring box and looked at the display case. "Are you stuck on what kind of wristwatch to get for Alex?"
"Yes. Please tell me you know something about watches, too."
"I know a lot about beautiful things. Alex's new wristwatch is in here, somewhere."
It didn't take them long at all to find a new wristwatch that suited Alex's personality. When they rang it and the rest of their new purchases up at the register, the proprietor suggested the idea of getting the new items engraved. Olivia and Casey took him up on this. They were given a promise of two hours until everything would be ready, so Olivia and Casey moved on to the next errand.
EVER AFTER CHILDREN'S BOUTIQUE
210 MADISON AVENUE
UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN
The Ever After Children's Boutique was Olivia's go-to place when it came to shopping for the many children in her life. Today, she was going to find clothes there for Noah and Serena to wear at the wedding. Casey was helping.
Or at least, she was trying, too.
"Hey! Earth to Casey!"
She gave a small jump when she realized Olivia was calling to her. "I swear I'm with it."
"Then look at the romper you're holding."
Indeed, Casey was holding a teeny-tiny romper made to look like a tuxedo against one side of her baby bump. She quickly put it back on the rack and moved to the part of the aisle that had tuxedos that would actually fit Noah.
"Oh. I wasn't even paying attention."
"But you're clearly thinking something about a baby boy."
Casey shuffled her feet in a bashful way. "Sometime in the future, we plan on somehow having kid number five."
Olivia hugged her. "That's great. And you guys want Henry to have a brother?"
"We do."
"Well, at least Henry doesn't have seven sisters, like your brother brother does." Olivia remarked as they returned to looking at the clothes again.
Casey chuckled. "Life blessed Junior and his wife with four sons."
"Woah." Olivia marveled. "Who else amongst your siblings are parents?"
"Ellington, Beatrix, Virginia, and Tiffany are mothers, too. Tiff is even pregnant again."
"I bet Senior and Violet are elated about that."
"You have no idea." Casey told her. "They're both only children, so grandchildren always excite them—it's why they dote on Melissa, and look after her for free at the shop. Family is everything to my parents."
Olivia's heart bloomed at this. Every day, she found a new reason to be happy that Sophia was marrying into a family that had all kinds of love to give.
"Will you tell me about your family, please? I still don't know the finer details."
"I'd be happy to tell you about my family."
And she did.
THE WATERING CAN
777 5th AVENUE
UPPER WEST SIDE
The flower shop was quiet. They had just handled a big rush, and were enjoying the 'after storm' phase before they moved on to the next project of the day. When Casey and Olivia entered it after completing the last of their errands, they were greeted by Sophia and Melissa, who were passing by on their way to their next task.
"Mom? Casey?" Sophia said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
Casey kissed her. "Vacation time started."
"Oh!" Sophia regarded her mother. "Same for you?"
"Mhm. Casey was also helping me with some wedding stuff, and then we decided to come pop in over here."
"Cool!"
Melissa looked around. "Nana Livvie, where's Nana Allie?"
"She, Noah, and Serena had some stuff to do."
"So did you and mama?" Melissa probed.
"Yep."
The little girl made a beckoning motion. "You can come play, please?"
Olivia smiled at her. "I will in just a little bit, okay, treasure?"
This was all the satisfaction Melissa needed, so she hugged Olivia and followed Sophia away as Violet found them.
"Were you two running errands?" she asked.
"Yes." Olivia replied. "And then we decided to come here. Is that okay?"
"Of course. It always will be." Violet smiled at them. "Is there anything you need right now?"
"I want to take Olivia upstairs for a minute. I also want to introduce her to them…"
She indicated her siblings. They were all watching the scene, waiting for the invitation to join the conversation. Over the years, they'd all heard of Olivia, but had never been properly introduced to her. Now she was right in front of them. Their curiosity about the woman who had birthed their sister-in-law-to-be had skyrocketed. Violet looked pointedly at her other children, and they immediately fell into place.
"My youngest is due home on the bus any minute, but Olivia, these are the rest of mine and Augustín's children." Violet explained. "Left to right, we've got my son, Junior, and my daughters, Ellington, Beatrix, Virginia, Tiffany, and Savannah."
Olivia shook hands with each sibling in turn. "I'm so glad to finally meet all of you, and I'm so glad we're going to be family."
"We're glad, too." Junior told her. "It's also nice to finally meet our baby sister's friend."
Beside Olivia, Casey blushed at being referred to as 'baby sister,' but said nothing.
"The feeling is mutual." Olivia shook Junior's hand again. "Don't let us keep you all from work."
The Novaks dispersed, and Violet said something to Casey in Slovak before going to stand at the front counter. Casey's blush intensified.
"What did she say to you?" Olivia laughed.
"Violet said we can stay because they're working on things for the wedding, but she also said that I should bring you upstairs."
"And the residence is called The Old Mill?"
"Mhm. Another lifetime ago, this building was an actual mill of some kind."
Olivia lifted an eyebrow. "So what's got you blushing?"
"Going upstairs means that you'll see my childhood photos, and my old bedroom."
Olivia held up her shopping bags. "I do need a place to put my things."
Casey pretended to be exasperated as they went behind the front counter, past Violet. "Oh, alright. Come on."
"Maybe I'll even find some of your baby pictures." Olivia teased gently.
This time, Casey actually groaned. "God, I hope not."
"Why?"
Violet called after them, "She was quite bald, my dear!"
Casey rolled her eyes, exasperated by her own mother. "Fingers crossed that I can have alcohol in my system when she starts telling those tales. She's the best storyteller I know, and even though I'm kid number six, she's never missed with me."
When the duo were halfway up the stairs to The Old Mill, Casey stopped and turned to Olivia.
"We are going to be family, aren't we? It means that we'll be learning even more about each other than what we already know."
Olivia nodded. "Yes, especially since you're going to marry Sophia. How about I tell you a story from when I was a kid, and you tell me one from your childhood? How's that?"
"It's fair." Casey beckoned for Olivia to follow her the stairs again. "Come on. We're nearly there."
So Olivia began a story about when she was eight, and had landed facedown in a mud puddle after attempting a balancing act that she had been warned well against.
Casey took in every word.
Does anyone want to see what Alex is up to? I can write that chapter, but only if it's wanted. I'm actually a little stuck.
