CHAPTER 10

All in the Family

Kathy Stabler sat at the kitchen table staring out into space. She was cradling the cordless phone, the Queens area phone book in front of her, open to listings of private detectives.

What if he would have done something like this to her, she thought. She would kill him and she knew it. There was no excuse for hiring someone to tail your spouse. But she couldn't stop her sister's warnings from ringing in her ears.

"I'm telling you Kat it's the only way," she said knowingly. "The 'I'm stuck at work' excuse is brilliant because you can never dispute it. The only way you'll know if he's lying is to hire someone to investigate him."

Her sister was right. But she still felt guilty about it. If Elliot was indeed innocent, the mistrust could ruin their marriage.

Kathleen bounded into the kitchen. "What's up Mom, where's Dad?"

she asked, rummaging in the fridge. "Let me guess, he's at work. Listen, Paul is going to pick me up from soccer practice tonight. Tell Elizabeth to stay out of my make-up!" Kathleen was like that. She could never follow one line of thought, she just threw everything she was thinking into one sentence.

Kathy closed her eyes. Her world was falling apart, she had to find a way to stop it. "Okay, okay," she answered dully. Satisfied, Kathleen scurried out of the kitchen. She looked down at the phone in her hand and dialed.

"McCready and Williams."

"Yes…I need to hire a private investigator."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Alex, this is ridiculous," Olivia complained, watching Alex run around the apartment, stuffing Olivia's random items into a shopping bag.

"No, it's not!" Alex shouted, tripping on a corner of the rug. Regaining her composure, she looked at Olivia harried. "You've got to go. Now." She held the bag out to her.

Olivia was beyond frustrated. She ignored the offering. "Alex, now is your chance to stand up to them."

Alex dropped the bag. "Liv, you do not know my parents," she said desperately. "Especially my dad. He would strangle me with his bare hands if I brought disgrace to the Cabot name." Alex was a hot mess. She had received a call from her mother that morning saying surprise! They were in town for a week and wanted to stay with Alex. Hopefully it won't put you out too much dear, she had said. But you never make it back to Dallas anymore and we miss you. Alex had gritted her teeth so hard, she was surprised her teeth hadn't crumbled.

"You need to seriously grow up Alex," Olivia said not unkindly. "Coming out to your parents would be one of the best decisions you could ever make."

"AUUGHH! You sound like my ex!" Alex screamed, pumping her fists. Olivia was amused at this display. Alex wasn't the type to throw a tantrum. "What is it with my girlfriends?"

Olivia cocked her eyebrow. Alex had never called her that before. An image of Elliot lying in her bed last night flashed through her mind and she guiltily pushed it away. Alex moaned and plopped down beside her, laying her head on Olivia's shoulder.

"What am I going to do?" she moaned.

Olivia patted her on the head. "What time did they say they were going to be here?"

Alex consulted her watch. "In about an hour." She looked pleadingly into Olivia's eyes. "Please go. I'm not ready for this."

"So I'm supposed to wait a week before I can talk to you?" Again, she thought of Elliot. Between work, his family and Alex, they had precious little time together. Although she had to admit, any time away from him was too long. Alex being occupied would free up some time, but she still didn't like the idea of being away from her so long.

Alex flushed, guilty. "I know it's not fair Liv, but-"

The knock on the door cut her off. Olivia glanced at Alex. Once red, she was now ghostly white. She made no move to get the door.

"Alex," Olivia said gently. "Get the door."

Alex sprang into action. "Quick, get into my bathroom!"

Olivia stared at her dumbfounded. Not waiting for a protest, Alex pulled Olivia off the couch and sprinted her into the bathroom. Opening the door, she pushed her in slamming it shut behind her, cutting off all protests.

"I'm coming!" Alex yelled, sprinting back towards the door. She yanked it open to find George and Louise Cabot standing there flabbergasted. "What took you so long?" George asked in a Southern drawl.

Alex laughed, breathless. "I was so into my work, I didn't hear you. Hi!"

George gave a booming laugh. "Get over here girl," he ordered, pulling her into a bear hug. Normally, her father was a massive man, all brute and brawn. It amazed people that he squeezed himself into a suit every day to serve the clients at his law firm. Even though he was cheerful, Alex thought he looked somewhat under the weather and he had lost so much weight it was noticeable.

"Hello Alexandra," her mother said, more demurely. She gave Alex a quick, almost non-existent peck on each cheek. Louise was a former beauty queen, a real Texas belle. She had never had any aspirations in life but to be George Cabot's wife. "My, do you have time to get to the gym? It seems you have put on a little extra padding." As usual, Alex ignored her mother's critique.

Alex looked back and forth between her parents. Her dad looked exhausted and her mother had worry lines etched into her face.

"This isn't a surprise visit, is it?" she asked quietly.

Her dad's smile faltered. "Alexandra, let's sit down for minute there." He collapsed on the couch, her mother grabbing his hand and sitting next to him, daintily. Still standing, Alex looked back and forth between both of them. "What is going on?" she asked in a shrill voice.

"Alexandra, your papa is sick," he said tiredly. "Had myself a check up and the doc tells me I got something called congestive heart failure. Now, it isn't the exact name for my problems, but it's a general description." Bizarrely, Alex couldn't help thinking he sounded a lot like her boss Arthur Branch. "I came to New York to see you before I went in for surgery."

Alex was appalled. "Papa! Why didn't you tell me? I could have come to you. Why did you get on a plane?"

Louise tsked. "Alexandra really," she scolded. "When was the last time you came home?"

Alex's eyes started to tear. Alex and her parents didn't have the closest relationship and they all knew it. But did they really think she was too heartless to visit her sick father?

"So…are you going to die?" she asked weakly.

"I hope not," he said in his brutally honest manner. "So you got us for a week. Make the most of it squirrel. How about you take us around this God forsaken city and show us why you love it so much."

Alex remembered Olivia in the bathroom. "I…I have to clear it with work…why didn't you two tell me you were coming sooner?" she asked helplessly.

"Alexandra," her mother purred. God, how can a person purr Alex thought? "If we would have done that, you would have made up some excuse as to why it wasn't the best time. Now we're here, make the necessary arrangements."

Alex could feel a headache coming on. She had to rescue Olivia from the bathroom. "Okay, why don't you guys get set up in the guest room?" she asked, with false cheerfulness. "I'll get your bags, you left them in the hallway."

George pushed off the couch. "We had some dark child carry them up for us, apparently this building has those people as renters."

Alex stumbled. "Dad!" she admonished. Her headache was getting worse by the minute. "I really am not in the mood for all of that."

"Oh, excuse me African-American people," he drawled. "Everyone is just so PC around here…" he trailed off into the room about to launch into a tirade about the liberal left, her mother following closely behind.

Alex dashed into her bedroom and yanked open the bathroom door. Olivia stood there red-faced, looking like she was ready to slap Alex.

"You little-"

"No time, they are in the guest room," she quickly cut her off. Groaning, Olivia had no choice but to follow. She snuck her safely out of the apartment shutting the door behind her. She collapsed against it, expelling a breath. Now if her parents saw Olivia, she could just say she was a neighbor. Her dad would certainly approve of the likes of Olivia. She started to laugh at the insanity of it all.

"Feeling proud of yourself Alexandra?" Olivia angrily asked.

Alex steeled herself. "I love you Olivia," she said sincerely. And she really did. "But not enough to uproot my life. I'm sorry."

Olivia swallowed Alex's confession. "You don't have to do it for me, do it for yourself," she said, quickly side-stepping the love admission. She turned and walked down the hallway without a backwards glance.