***No idea what's up with wanting to post Ch.1 each time... Grrr! sorry about that!
Let It Go - Chapter 5
Maybe something like the Cabot's East Hampton House.
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A 1965 Mustang in mint condition was the most extravagant thing Olivia had ever bought herself. She had lived in the city her entire life and buying a car, more so an expensive vintage one, was completely out of character for her, and a bit ridiculous. From the moment she owned the car, it spent most of the time in a parking garage. But there was something about the freedom of owning that car specifically. Something about how it was out of character for her. But there was also another upside Olivia never planned on when she bought the car, her son. He thought it was "cool" and since Noah passed his toddler stage, they started taking drives outside the city, mostly Olivia hoping she could show Noah what was beyond the confines of New York City.
As Olivia predicted, Special Victims had caught a case 3 days ago and the press was hot on their heels about a high profile suspect. Fin practically had to shove Olivia out the door, or rather into the elevator of the Precinct as he convinced her they would be fine, but he would call if there was anything they couldn't handle.
So with Lucy's help, Noah and Olivia's bags were packed in the trunk of the Mustang, and they were headed to the Hamptons for a week's stay with Alex.
The Hamptons were only about a 2-hour drive, but by the time they were thirty minutes outside the city, Noah with his head bobbing, was sound asleep in the back seat. His excitement to see the ocean and of course, Alex had worn him out already, and the car ride had lulled him fast to sleep.
Olivia rested her left elbow on the window seal of the car, twisting the ends of her hair round and round. She too was excited to see the ocean and of course Alex. She fumbled with the old radio dial hoping to find anything she could occupy her mind with.
How she was feeling was a bit overwhelming, to say the least. The last couple of weeks had been a whirlwind for she and Alex. From the moment Alex knocked on her apartment door, to her confession, to the texts and late-night phone calls that had become routine, they were on this fast track to make up for time lost, and to reveal what they had been holding back for years.
Olivia looked back at Noah, his hair blowing in the warm breeze as they headed down I-495. She hoped that she was making the right decision. The right decision for Noah. The way Alex was making her feel, the way just talking to her throughout the day or telling her about her day lying in bed at night, it felt right, it felt good to Olivia. It was making her happy. But she wanted to make the right choice for Noah, and she couldn't let Noah see her in too deep in a relationship with Alex until she was certain Alex would be around at least a while. Olivia had no expectations for "happy ever after", or dissolutions about "forever," but she did worry about Noah falling under the Alexandra Cabot spell as she had time and time again.
"Mom? Are you excited to see Alex?" The sound of Noah's voice brought her attention to him. She looked back in the rearview mirror, now, wide awake, his head was cocked sideways waiting for her answer.
"Yes baby, I am."
"Me too," Noah said, his eyes now focused on something passing by. "Mom?"
"Yeah?"
"Does Alex have a dog?"
Olivia grinned to herself. She loved the perspective of a 7-year-old and the things he prioritized in his life.
"No, she doesn't, but I bet we will run into a dog or two that might need to be petted or played with."
"Yeah, I bet so," Noah said, satisfied with that option.
They made their way into the Hamptons, both of them "wowing" at their surroundings of green grass, big houses, and a glimpse of the ocean before they pulled up to a long driveway. Olivia checked the number on the mailbox and texted Alex, "I think we're here?!".
They pulled up to a traditional style house, that was magnificent, to say the least. Alex was standing at the end of the driveway at the main walkway, admiring the vintage mustang Olivia had recently told her about. As they came in to view, Alex waived, looking relaxed her bright blue shorts showing off her long legs.
"HI ALEX!" Noah waved back as they parked.
"Hi, guys! You made it!" Alex said helping Noah out of the car and into a big hug. "Your hair is blonde!" Noah noticed immediately.
Alex laughed, "yes, it is!"
Olivia made her way out of the car on the other side, pulling her sunglasses from her face looking at the house in front of her. She was also in shorts, and one of her favorite white tees that Alex immediately admired its um, fit.
She made her way to Olivia, reaching at first for her hand. Olivia took it.
"Hi," Alex said grinning.
"Hi," Olivia said almost shyly. "And the blonde is definitely more you," she flirted.
"I'm starting to feel like my old self again," Alex smiled. She then tugged at Olivia's hand, "Come on let's get your stuff and I'll take you on the tour!"
Alex complimented Noah for being such a gentleman as he did his best to help with their bags, though they weighed as much as he did.
"Alex this house is incredible," Olivia said looking around from the entryway.
"It belonged originally to my grandparents, my parents added on, remodeled, my father remodeled again a few years ago. It's truly become the best retreat."
"How come you have never mentioned having this house before?"
"I guess I didn't want the Squad thinking I was some rich girl with a big house in the Hamptons."
"Alex." Was all Olivia deadpanned, giving her a look that said they all knew she was a rich girl that probably had a big house in the Hamptons.
Olivia's eyes wandered to the right, then left, then up the stairway of the sunshine-filled house. "Everything is picture perfect."
"Liv, this the Hamptons everything has to be picture perfect." Alex snickered.
"Oh, of course," Olivia Jokingly agreed.
"Everyone has their own bedroom, and bathroom," Alex said looking back to Olivia, "if they want." She said suggestively, just loud enough for Olivia to hear.
Olivia smirked and playfully rolled her eyes. "How many bedrooms and bathrooms does this house have exactly?"
"7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms…"
"WOW! We only 1 bathroom!" Noah interjected, clearly his mind blown at the enormity of the house.
"And we have a pool and a tennis court…"
"I assume one must be highly competitive to play on that tennis court," Olivia interjected.
"Cabot's don't like to lose," Alex shot back, understanding Olivia's comment. "Noah you can also play basketball, and we have a home theatre to watch all the cartoons and movies!"
"Whoah!" Noah said, his eyes wide.
"And for you," Alex said looking to Olivia "a jacuzzi, a small gym if you care, and all the poolside lounging you can stand."
Before Olivia could respond, more excitement in the form of cheers came from Noah. "Mom look at the pool! And look it has a shark and swans!" He said spotting the giant floats floating atop the water.
Alex leaned into Olivia, "I didn't know if you would want the white swan or the black swan, I'll let you choose."
Olivia raised her brow, "I'm thinking this week the black swan might suit me more," Olivia grinned, playfully.
"I was hoping you would say that," Alex grinned... "Ok, let's get your suitcases and I'll show you your rooms."
All made their way upstairs, first to where Noah would be staying. Noah quickly noticed the Lego box sitting on the dresser with a blue bow on top.
"Is that mine?" Noah asked curiously.
"Alex," Olivia said shaking her head.
"Just a little something to occupy him," Alex winked before turning her attention back to Noah, "yes, it's all yours"!
Olivia looked to the nightstand, "You bought him books too?"
"Ohh," Noah said making his way to where the books were stacked by the bed.
"I love that he likes to read, a boy after my own heart," Alex said as she patted her chest. "It was just an excuse for me to go to the local bookstore."
"Uh-huh," Olivia said knowing Alex was enjoying spoiling Noah.
"Hey Noah, why don't you check out your books and your Legos while I show your mama her room," Alex suggested as she moved the Lego box to his bed.
"Okay!" Noah said as he climbed on to the bed.
"Hey, flip flops off," Olivia reminded about no shoes on the bed.
Noah flicked off his shoes already enthralled with one of the books and his Legos close beside him. He looked like a kid on Christmas day protecting his presents.
Olivia followed Alex to the next room over, "I thought you would like this room," Alex said stepping aside for Olivia to see.
"It's beautiful," Olivia said looking around the perfectly decorated and serene bedroom.
"It used to be my room... The ocean is a block away, but you can see it from here, and if you open the windows at night you can hear the waves."
Olivia smiled at the peaceful thought of being lulled to sleep by the sound of waves crashing.
"That sounds amazing. And Alex, the flowers, they're beautiful." Olivia said walking towards the abundance of colorful flowers sitting on the dresser.
"I picked them up this morning…. They're just for you."
Olivia turned to look at Alex, who was watching for her reaction.
Olivia reached for Alex's hand, the same gesture Alex had made earlier. Olivia gently squeezed her hand, holding it in hers, Olivia's thumb brushing across Alex's fingers.
"I'm so happy you're here," Alex said above a whisper.
"This feels like a dream."
"It's not a dream. I like to think that we're being rewarded for our patients."
Olivia stepped closer to Alex, her other palm now cupping her face, feeling her soft porcelain skin. Alex was entranced by the shade of Olivia's eyes, the electricity in her touch…. Neither missing the fact that this was the most intimate they had ever been with each other.
"Mom," Noah said, peering in the doorway of the bedroom. "I couldn't find you! This house is huge!"
Alex and Olivia both laughed, as she and Olivia let go of the other.
"Come on, I'll show you my room," Alex said, her eyes lingering on Olivia's.
Noah skipped down the hallway between them as they followed Alex to the master suite.
"Alex…" Olivia said, pausing to look around. "Why would you ever want to go back to the city when you could be here?" Olivia asked in awe as they made their way to the master bath, leaving Noah occupied with the view of the shark floating in the pool below.
"So, this is the tub you were in the other night?"
Alex grinned, "ah yes, this is the one I was saving a spot for you in."
"Oh yeah, that's right," Olivia said playfully. "I may remember something about that. Think there's room for two in there?" She asked suggestively.
"We'll just have to wait to see, I guess."
Alex and Olivia both knew that the flirting was already out of hand. Just in the last week, their flirting had escalated, it was just a chance now to flirt in person.
"Um, we should..." Olivia said trying to change the subject before they went any further, "probably go somewhere else." She tried.
"Yeah, we should," Alex agreed, understanding that they both were feeling the intense attraction that they had built up between them. "Let's go downstairs, I have some snacks ready, I figured you and Noah might be hungry after your drive."
"A snack does sound great," Olivia said following Alex back into the bedroom where Noah was to inform him of snack time.
"Ok, so Noah what should we do first!?" Alex asked as they made their way back downstairs and to the kitchen.
"Swim!"
"Of course!" Alex certain that was going to be Noah's answer. "How about we grab the snacks and go out by the pool?" Alex suggested.
"I gotta get my bathing suit on and my sunglasses!"
"Ok, if that works for your mom, you both go get your bathing suit on and I'll get everything ready to go outside."
"That sounds like a plan to me," Olivia agreed. Noah took off upstairs as soon as the words came from Olivia's mouth. Olivia let out a little laugh. "I guess I'll meet you back down here in a bit to help you carry everything outside."
"Sounds like a plan." Alex agreed.
—
Olivia had sent Noah back downstairs to ask could he help Alex while she changed into her own bathing suit. With the intention of changing quickly, she grabbed the sage green bathing suit she had bought last weekend, shorts and an oversized t-shirt. But as she stood in the bathroom she caught herself just standing in front of the mirror.
She turned to the left, her bottom lip tucked between her teeth. She turned further around, studying the curves of her body, the age of her body. She grimaced, before she sucked in her stomach, lifted her breasts in her hands, then let go. She finally let out a breath of acceptance about the woman in the mirror that she thought she saw, and that she thought Alex might see.
Noah had taken a few bites of his sandwich and even initially bypassed a cookie because he was far too anxious and interested in "riding the shark".
After sunscreen and a few reminders about pool safety from Olivia, and some help on the shark float, Noah was floating around the pool, with his red sunglasses on and his legs crossed at his ankles.
"That kid is ridiculously cute," Alex smiled, handing Olivia the gin and tonic she had made her.
"I can't believe we got through the last week of school because all he talked about when he got home was coming here, and Alex this and Alex that."
"I love the city, but feeling the sand between your toes, the ocean breeze, even just not hearing the sounds of horns honking and garbage trucks for a little while is good for anyone."
"I couldn't agree more with that," Olivia said, her eyes on Noah. "But clearly, a little Alex is good for everyone too."
Alex just chuckled.
"Mom, Alex watch me!" Noah squealed as he jumped from the side of the pool into the water.
"That was a big slash!" Alex cheered.
Alex reached for Olivia's hand and Olivia smiled as she took Alex's hand in hers. They sat silent for a moment watching Noah playing blissfully in the pool.
"This, this is nice," Olivia said never looking over at Alex only playing with her fingers, only hearing Alex let out a breath she had seemingly been holding.
"It is… I get butterflies every time I touch you," Alex admitted, her eyes also on Noah.
Olivia suddenly pulled her hand from Alex's. Alex looked at her immediately regretting what she had said thinking that she had scared Olivia until Olivia replaced her hand just above Alex's knee.
Alex looked down at Olivia's hand mimicking how she had held her hand before, rubbing the tips of her fingers gently at Alex's knee.
"Liv," Alex breathed as she now couldn't take her eyes off of Olivia's hand.
Olivia grinned devilishly as she finally looked towards Alex, "we came here to see if this works didn't we?"
Alex sunk further in her chair and Olivia's had risen just a bit further up her thigh.
"God," was all Alex could say as she covered her blushing cheeks.
It had only been a couple of hours and Alex was already on fire.
"Mooooommmm! Get in!" Noah begged as he hung on to the side of the pool.
Olivia had wondered how long she could get away with sitting by the pool and that maybe Noah would entertain himself. "Ok bud, I'm coming in."
"Yeah!" Noah splashed.
Olivia pulled her t-shirt over her head and Alex didn't dare take her eyes off of Olivia as the green one-piece bathing suit revealed itself.
Olivia caught Alex watching her as she stood to finish undressing.
The bathing suit hugged Olivia's curves, and tastefully accentuating her ample features. Alex took another sip of her drink,
amazed at how Olivia's skin already looked bronzed at just the hint of sun, and her thighs suddenly made Alex bite her bottom lip...
Olivia saw that Alex was staring.
Whatever Alex saw, the way she was looking at her, the woman Olivia thought she saw in the mirror earlier was definitely didn't seem to be the same woman.
"You getting in?" Olivia questioned.
"Huh?" Alex said, jostled from her trance.
Olivia laughed, "Are you getting in the pool?"
"Yeah! Come on Alex! Jump in!"
Alex wasn't the least bit embarrassed that Olivia had caught her staring at her. If it wasn't already clear that Alex thought Olivia was beautiful… sexy, she would surely know it by the end of this week.
"Yeah, I'm coming in," Alex said, standing to remove her cover-up.
Olivia took a quick glance at Alex, her brow rIsing at seeing her perfect alabaster skin against the red one-piece before jumping in and Noah giggling relentlessly at being splashed.
Alex and her large brim hat waded into the pool via the steps and made her way to both Olivia and Noah.
"So beautiful," Olivia said just above a whisper but making sure Alex heard her.
Alex couldn't help but grin ear to ear. Right then, right there with Olivia and Noah the Hamptons did seem picture-perfect.
