Alexandra laid with her back propped up against the couch armrest. And Alexis? She looked down at her from a straddling position. It was comfortable. And… Alexandra liked it. Greatly.

"Okay. Bette won't wake until morning. She is a heavy sleeper." Alexandra settled her hands on Alexis' waist. "I think unless Jesus comes back, we'll be uninterrupted. You have the floor."

"Alright." Alexis did her best to center herself. "It's about Kate. Sort of."

But Alexandra realized where this was about to head. "Ah. I see. Are you jealous of her in some way, since she's also pregnant?"

"Uh-uh. I'm happy for her, and I'm positively elated to be a big sister. But… Her words were a wake-up call."

"In what way?"

"My dad's loft only has room for so many people. And I know that Gram will be moving to her place. For good. Even still…"

"You want to move out." deduced Alexandra. "But you're just not sure of how to begin?"

Alexis nodded. "Yes. Bingo."

Alexandra moved one hand to Alexis' thigh, caressing it when the younger woman gave a soft mewl. "I understand. Truly. Even before I realized Bette was on the way, I was already saving up for my own place. It was very slow-going. But in every sense of the term."

"Got it. What happened when you were all moved in here?"

"I was—and still am—very happy. Don't get me wrong. The independence is glorious." Alexandra said. "But… even though I adore my parents, I don't think I could have lasted much longer."

"How's that? Do Horatio and Zadie treat you with kid gloves?"

"They did. Until I got pregnant." Alexandra studied Alexis. "What of your family?"

"Meredith did treat me like that. And my dad occasionally does. He had to working on winding back down after Paris."

"Understandable. What about Martha?"

Alexis grinned. "She's one of the first people who actually started treating me like the age I was."

"And Kate?" Alexandra queried.

"I know she's going to be my stepmom when she marries my dad, but she keeps tabs on me, the way that your big sisters do with you. Kate's never been a mom before."

"Then aside from your grandmother and my mother, you've never had any mother maintain such interest in you for so long?"

"Correct. Even your sisters and their wives fall in that category. So does Jenny." said Alexis with a start. "How do you not find it weird that I marvel over things like this?"

"Life hurt you. You are in the process of rebuilding from that, and that comes with having some epiphanies. Everyone is different. That's okay. I don't judge you because I love knowing who you are. Every little thing. Same for the others."

Alexandra's words were very thoughtful. Candid.

"As far as Kate goes, is it that you two happily meet each other halfway? Owing to your unique bond?"

"Yes. I love it. So does she." Alexis then had a sigh. "But anyway… She and my dad are having a kid. I'm having a kid. Plus, Lilibet is in my life. And I want to know her more. Maybe even look after her for an afternoon or something? Still…"

Alexandra read into Alexis' body language. "Are you concerned you'll be in peoples' way?"

"I am."

"But you're also thinking that it's time to move on from the loft?"

"Mhm. I know that I'm young, and that I'm having a baby at a young age. But… I am very happy. Could I give it up for anything? Uh-uh. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I am supposed to be here. With you. And the kids. Nowhere else now."

Alexandra touched Alexis' finger to her lips in a gentle kiss. "Your words overjoy me."

"I love you so much. Being Lilibet's mommy overjoys me." Alexis gave her girlfriend a resounding kiss on the lips before speaking again. "I want to marry you. Some day."

Alexandra fought back tears of surprise and affection but still managed to hug Alexis. "Why do I sense a caveat? Besides the age thing?"

"Well… I know people would also judge us because of the pace with which we're moving, but… Allie… I have no idea where I would go after I did move out."

"Hm. Nothing about us has been conventional…"

"You can say that again." Alexis deadpanned.

Finally, Alexandra sat up so they were evenly face-to-face. "I also want to be your wife. Truly. But it's not like we have to make a choice about it any time soon. Alexis Harper, I will happily wait for you to catch your breath. Or… However you wish to phrase it."

Alexis' heart caught in her throat. "You would do that? Really?"

"Mhm. You are the love of my life. Please breathe. You've got it." Alexandra touched her hand to Alexis' chest. "Meanwhile… Any time that you feel ready for it, be it next week or even a month before the baby comes, you are more than welcome to make your home here. With us."

At Alexandra's offer, Alexis grew so overwhelmed by emotion that she began to cry. But… She was happy. In a manner she couldn't explain.

"You're okay, babe." Alexandra pulled Alexis into her lap. "Just get everything out. I've got you."

Alexandra had been anticipating a reaction like this. But she was very patient. For she'd meant it at calling Alexis the love of her life. She couldn't imagine a future without her (and not just because she had a ring stashed away upstairs). And… she didn't want to.

It took some time for Alexis to feel 'cried out.' But Alexandra waited. Patience had always been her best virtue. On top of everything, she loved taking care of Alexis. Especially because it was plain that the redhead liked it.

"What's going on in that head of yours?" she asked once Alexis had completely settled.

"I'm thinking that my answer to your offer is yes. One hundred percent." Alexis told her with great confidence. "Are you down for discussing it in the morning? Before Bette gets up?"

"Yes." Alexandra nodded vigorously. "I love you."

"Just as I love you." Alexis then arched her back before blowing out a breath. "Never in my life have I been so hyper-aware of any one person as I am of this kid. Wow. The wiggling is unreal."

"You'll start feeling kicks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Most likely." Alexandra caressed Alexis' middle. "That is very surreal when it's your own kid."

Alexis tilted her head curiously. "Oh? Just when did you feel Bette?"

"Believe it or not, even though she's the only baby I've ever carried, I felt her at four months. Clear as day. And... We were at Disneyworld."

Alexis was immediately taken aback. "What?"

Alexandra kissed her. "Yep. I will tell you that story another day. One more interesting tidbit is that I went into labor with Bette at The Kentucky Derby."

"What?" Alexis echoed.

"The O'Malleys have had ties to Churchill Downs at least since the twenties. Jenny meets her family there every year. She took me as one last hoorah before I could settle in to wait for Bette. However… Our girl was born in Louisville, Kentucky because she decided to show up a whopping three weeks early. And she was born at the same time that the winning racehorse was announced."

"Par for the course. But then," Alexis remembered back to their conversation with Tallulah that afternoon. "Bette developed the same kind of palsy that you have. Right? Just… on her own? Was she in the 'premature baby' bracket?"

"Mhm. Then her getting sick just added to it. We couldn't come back to New York for awhile because she needed immediate intensive care."

"Oh, my God." Alexis' heart fell out of her chest. "How did you manage?"

Alexandra smiled, a defense of trying not to cry. "Jenny. She stopped her schedule at the hospital here, completely, to look after us. For a month. And she helped me through everything."

Alexis now felt stunned. "What all did Jenny help with? I'm learning new things about her all the time..."

"She delivered Bette in the ambulance because our girl was too impatient to make it to the hospital." Alexandra sighed. "But Jenny also helped with expelling the afterbirth and navigating all the aftermath of that. Never complained. Not once. Jenny even talked me down from over-anxiety when I ended up a longterm nasal feeding tube again."

"She mothered you and Bette? Is that what happened? Even though you couldn't even have known you for that long?"

"Mhm. Jenny said she didn't think twice about it."

Continually dazed, Alexis asked something else. "Did anything happen to you because of Bette's birth complications?"

"My body tanked out on me, and even though I was off of my longterm nasal feeding tube before Bette was born… the trauma of her birth earned me another go." Alexandra recalled. "I had it for the length of our stay in Louisville. Doctor's orders."

"Did you stay at the hospital the entire time?"

"No. But Jenny saw to it that we got a room at a medical charity house. She stayed, too. Held me when I wept in worry. Travelled with me to the hospital every day. Jenny even helped me with my own recovery."

"So you would be strong for Lilibet when it was time to go." Alexis realized. "Where was everyone else?"

"Admiring Joelle's new baby, but… it was also a busy time." Alexandra's heart trembled. "Spring."

"Your parents were probably tied up with work at the bakery. Did they visit when they could?"

"Uh-huh. But they made an effort to be there with us during the journey home."

Alexis murmured, "Has your life with Lilibet ever been quiet?"

Alexandra shook her head. "No. And… I didn't mean to ramble. Sorry about that."

"Hey." Alexis rubbed Alexandra's back. "We both admitted tonight that we want to marry each other. And I accepted your invitation to move in. You even held me through a dramatic crying jag. But you love me for who I am. And you love the baby for who they are. So… I've loved you for who you are. Just as I've loved Bette for who she is from the moment I saw her. The story of you and her is important to me. I want to learn."

Alexandra was now the one in unfettered happy, fast-falling tears. This woman was her soulmate. And she made her feel deeply loved.

Curious, Alexis gave Alexandra one of her hands. Just to see what she would do. Alexandra immediately slipped Alexis' hand down the front of her shirt and brought it to a rest against her heart. Then she held it in place while she focused her breathing.

An anchor. She'd made Alexis into an anchor. But did the redhead mind? No.

Alexandra spoke again when she could. "Alexis… When the time is right, and we're both not hot messes, would you become my wife?"

Alexis hugged her. "Yes. Would you be mine?"

"Oh, in a heartbeat."

Silence filled the room as they both processed what had just taken place. Quite unintentionally, but also without asking the question… they had informally proposed to each other. And accepted.

"You know something?" Alexandra planted a trail of kisses from Alexis' lips to her throat. "I'm realizing now that touch is my favorite sense."

"Agreed…"

Alexis' words ended in a soft lust-filled moan. Alexandra was the first person she'd ever been with who valued both her mind and her body. Respected both. So she let her keep going with her kisses and touches.

But Alexis caught Alexandra by the wrists when she started tugging at the hem of her shirt.

"I want to go all the way with you." she caressed her other half's wrists with her thumbs. "I do. But not just yet."

"Okay." Alexandra agreed. "I respect that. Do you have any idea when?"

"Uh-huh. But… You might label me cheesy."

The blonde arched an eyebrow. "Try me."

Alexis laughed nervously. "My birthday."

"Why, that's nearly seven days out!"Alexandra pouted comically. "How am I supposed to keep my hands to myself until then?!"

"But I didn't say stop touching me altogether, silly." Alexis rested her hands on Alexandra's thighs. "I don't think I could make it without your affections for that long. But… I do have one idea."

Alexandra was presently working double-time to maintain her focus now. She was in an overlarge t-shirt and short shorts, now that Lilibet was asleep. Alexis had noticed. And… She was raking her nails against her outer thighs. Teasingly. But clearly enjoying the response.

Alexandra cleared her throat as she arched her back. "Hm? Do tell."

"We can at least seal the deal with a kiss. I certainly enjoy them." Alexis batted her eyelashes at Alexandra. "And we both know that you do, too."

"How clever you are." Alexandra pulled Alexis closer to her. "And how correct you are. I love you. Time to seal the deal with a kiss."

And they did exactly that. But with many, many more kisses.