"Mmm…these are delicious." She said. Liv nodded her agreement around her mouthful.
"Thank you," Alex said
"These are real blueberries too, aren't they? These are really good," Kate continued. Alex wasn't sure, but she thought she might be blushing. Glancing at Liv's amused smile confirmed her suspicions. She felt her face warming even more when she felt Liv take her hand and squeeze it. Alex looked up into Liv's eyes and smiled at the love she saw there. The pair continued staring at each other until Kate broke the moment,
"You guys are so lucky," she said, "I'm jealous" Liv dropped Alex's hand and they looked away, embarrassed that they'd been caught. Kate apologized, "Sorry, I'm sorry! I just meant that you guys are lucky to find another person to love…I hope I find someone…that I'll be comfortable enough to be with someone again…" Liv reached out and took Kate's hands in her own.
"You will find someone. You're a sweet, loving woman who just…" Liv's words faded as Alex watched her lover comfort the young woman. She was so good with victims; she always knew the right thing to say to them. Sometimes Alex wonder how that was possible, if something had happened in Liv's own past, but she could never bring herself to ask. Instead she just smiled and watched.
"Isn't that right, Alex?" Liv asked.
"Hmm?" Alex barely answered, causing Liv to smile.
"Please excuse my partner, she'll be back with us in a moment." Liv teased, and she and Kate shared a secret smile. Alex wondered what had been said, but not too much.
"Should I make some more pancakes?" she asked instead. A chorus of "yes please!" met her ears.
"So, what do you do Alex?" Kate asked.
"I'm a lawyer," Alex answered.
"Prosecution or defense?"
"Prosecution. I'm an ADA, or at least I was…"
"What do you mean?"
"Alex just got back from an extended break," Liv cut in. They still weren't sure how much they could give away in safety, "but now that she's back, we hope she'll be able to come back to her old job."
"Oh, you worked together?"
"Yeah, that's how we met." Liv said. Kate smiled at the women.
"Who wants more?" Alex asked.
Alex deposited more pancakes on everyone's plate. She was leaning across the table, and Liv took advantage of the exposed skin and tickled her.
"Hey! Hey hey hey! Not fair!" Alex danced away, barely holding onto the plate in her hand. Kate tried to hold in her laughter while Liv gave her best innocent face, "I will get you later." Alex vowed. Liv's eyebrows raised, she always enjoyed Alex's retaliations.
Alex wandered back to the stove, wondering what she would subject Liv to this time.
