Till Death Do Us Part

Part II: Musings

~Two Days Later~

"My God, Alex, that is a huge rock." Serena Southerlyn said as she admired Alex's engagement ring on her left hand. "It's gorgeous! Where did you get it?"

"John proposed at last." Alex said. "And we have to plan a wedding as fast as possible."

Alex was having lunch with three of her closest friends, Serena, her colleague, Olivia Benson, one of the SVU detectives that worked for Alex and Abbie Carmichael, who was an ex-ADA turned federal prosecutor and up from Washington for a week.

"Well, you can count on us to help." Olivia added. "What kind of ceremony do you want to have?"

"That's where one of our problems is." Alex replied. "John's Jewish and me converting would quite literally months. It's the same the other way around. So, we were thinking of him being the one to convert. I don't want to have to explain to my parents that I'm marrying a Jewish man. They're going to freak out enough once they meet him."

"Why is that?" Abbie asked as she took a sip from her glass of iced tea.

"My Father is a Democrat." Alex said, flatly. "And we all know how John feels about Democrats. I'm dreading bringing him to Boston to meet them…. and this is if they don't give me a headache about the age gap. Makes me thankful that he won't be introducing me to any of his family."

"Sounds like you two are in for a rough ride." Serena remarked.

"Oh, grow up, Serena." Abbie chided. "There is nothing wrong with dating an older man."

"Really?" Serena asked. "How would you know?"

Abbie sighed. "I know because I'm currently dating my former boss."

Alex nearly spit out her Diet Coke. "You're WHAT?"

"Jack and I have been seeing each other ever since I left the DA's office. He's the reason why I come up from DC every weekend. I'm working one getting transferred up here so that he and I can move in together." Abbie sighed. "We like to think of it as a chance to make up for all the times we DIDN'T act on the attraction between us."

Olivia and Serena exchanged looks while Alex and Abbie shared knowing grins. It was comforting for Alex to know that she wasn't alone in the world of younger women dating older men and actually falling madly in love with them.

Meanwhile, John had just broken the news to Odafin "Fin" Tutola, his partner, in the privacy of their car.

"I can't believe that you've been banging our ADA and you didn't think to tell me about it." Fin said. "And now, you're going to marry her. The Captain will NOT like this."

"Well, we wanted to be a little bit discreet." John said. "And it hasn't interfered with our work in any way. In fact, judging by your reaction, you could have never guessed that Alex and I had a thing until I told you."

"Damn straight." Fin muttered. "So, you want me to be your best man or something?"

John smirked. "Why not, I mean you ARE my partner and all."

"I guess this means that'll Stabler, the Captain and I will be throwing you one heck of a bachelor party seeing as this is your fifth walk down the aisle and all."

"No strippers." John said. "And you have to invite two other guests from the twenty-seventh precinct: Lennie Briscoe and Ed Green."

"And why those 2?" Fin asked.

"Well, let's just say that Lennie owes me." John was thinking about Gwen again as he spoke. (For all those who don't know, Gwen is John's second ex-wife…and Lennie Briscoe slept with her) He then sighed. "I can't believe that she said yes. I can't believe that she picked me. I must be the luckiest guy in the whole world."

"Either that, or you're dreaming." Fin replied.