"I swear I stopped breathing when I saw her. I never believed in love at first sight until I saw momma; her emerald green eyes were sparkling brighter than ever, she was wearing a tight black pencil skirt with a green blouse, and a matching black blazer. Her luscious red locks were curled ever so slightly and fell past her shoulders but what made her irresistible was the fact she was smiling at me and when she spoke in her perfect husky voice…" I shouldn't tell my babies about what her voice did to my body, god Alex you're overtired, get a grip!

"She was just so thoughtful to make small talk with a complete stranger, to put a smile on my face after the terrible day I had: it was perfect. As she walked out into the garage and towards her car, I stood there speechless and watched the elevator doors close tipping my head back against the cold metal talking to myself out loud about how beautiful the unknown woman was. A week later, I had a meeting scheduled to meet mommy's new partner for the office so I didn't work so much—I was excited, happy for the opportunity to maybe have the chance a life outside of work like grandma always pestered me about—I just didn't think I'd find that life so soon and by the knock that came from the knock on my office door," Blayke made a little noise that made Alex laugh. "Yeah Blayke, it was your momma," she leaned down and placed a kiss on both babies little foreheads.

"The beautiful redhead who occupied all my thoughts for the past week and a half was at the door along with our boss who quickly introduced us—once he left, I offered momma some coffee which I proceeded to spill all over the place," Avery smiled slightly, although both babies were sound asleep. "She rushed over to help me clean it up and I froze, all I could think about in that moment was the feeling of her hand on my arm, gosh it felt so amazing—and I knew it meant nothing, she was just being nice, making sure I didn't burn myself, but oh my," Alex was lost in the moment.


Casey had woken up a little bit ago but kept her eyes closed, she was listening to the story Alex was telling the babies, hearing how she felt about everything. Casey loved hearing what it was like for her wife, smiling to herself thinking back to that exact moment. God she was so adorable that day wearing a light gray suit with a black blouse underneath, her blazer was off as she was in her office, pearl earrings, pale pink nail polish, black heels, wearing her glasses. Casey focused her attention back to the story realizing she missed a big chunk of it.


"…and I didn't want her to leave; I knew it was a long shot and probably unprofessional, but I needed to see more of her, so I asked her out for dinner. I was so happy when she agreed—that one dinner turned into two, then three, we ate all our lunches together, and went out on countless dinner dates as well. Things were going extremely well until a month after I met your momma, and I was having a really bad day—she had court that day, and because of that, we didn't get to have lunch together. My anxiety had been building all day… something you'll learn about mommy is sometimes I have panic attacks, momma is extremely patient with me, she always has been and knows exactly what to do, she's even found a way to bring me out of them faster than grandma and grandpa ever have, but they aren't something mommy can control. Momma is so incredible that she has helped decrease the number of panic attacks I have though, she's my rock, my savior, my everything," Alex made sure Blayke and Avery were supported and wiped her tears.

"…Anyways, I was having a really bad day and momma came back from court to find me having a panic attack in my office. Instead of running like most people would have done, she stayed to comfort me; she made me feel safe, held me in her arms, and kissed the side of my head not just once but twice as she rubbed my back. I remember that feeling so vividly, and when I picked my head up to look at her, she tucked a strand of hair behind my ear—in that moment it felt right as we locked eyes, to kiss momma." She saw Blayke smile and make a little noise, "I know, our first kiss was on mommy's office floor, laugh it up baby girls. But guess what? Your mommies love is real, true, and undeniably forever."

"After momma helped me through my first panic attack, I just knew she was someone special. I talked to grandpa about her all the time—he knew I was in love before I did, and that really scared me because of, well, because of…" Alex took a deep breath and looked over towards Casey, she looked as if she was sleeping—little did the blonde know, she wasn't. "Momma always says, 'take your past and find your path', that saying really stuck with me the first time she said it especially after she opened up about her own life. I didn't know everything she went through at the time, but enough for me to see how much that quote impacted her life as well. She turned way too many negatives she's suffered into so, so many positives, and I for one am unbelievably proud of her." Avery made a little noise getting Alex back on track, "I know baby mommy is stalling," she leaned down to press a kiss to her nose.

"Before I met momma I thought I found the one for me, turns out I was wrong and I ended up heartbroken, lonely, and completely shattered. I didn't know what to do with my life anymore. All I could focus on was school, so that's what I did; and when I finished school, it was work, all the time. My life consisted of nothing more than going from my apartment to the office, grandma and grandpas house on Sunday's for dinner, and possibly the grocery store once a week if I remembered—however I had just learned they delivered which I was becoming quite fond of. My heart was so closed off to anyone and everyone because I was so afraid of getting hurt, so terrified I would never be able to pick up the pieces again."


Casey was listening to what Alex was saying and her heart was aching for her wife, she wanted to get out of her bed to comfort her—but at the same time knew she needed this. She opened her eyes and saw Alex looking down at Blayke and Avery then quickly wiped her own tears before closing her eyes again to continue listening.


"Momma showed me through her actions how safe I was with her; more importantly, how safe my heart was with her. We went on the most incredible dates all through Manhattan, momma introducing me to things I never thought I'd ever do—but I'd do anything with her, because I knew I was safe with her, because I love her." Alex smiled at a memory in particular a 'Casey date' where she admitted to herself she was in love with Casey Novak. "I mentioned once to momma how I danced when I was little—we had been officially dating for a month and a half and she told me we were going out that night. We pulled outside of the location and my heart was beating out of my chest because I knew this was the ballet, but I thought there was no possible way momma would have remembered I danced growing up: but of course she did. She remembers every little thing about me, and that's just one of the many, many reasons I love her so much. We had the most incredible dinner nearby, then watched the most amazing performance and I knew, I loved her. Although I was too afraid to tell her because I didn't want to rush it, everything was so perfect."

Alex looked up at Casey and thought her wife was still asleep which she was happy about, "A month and a half later momma and I exchanged our first 'I love you's' after a push from your big cousin Isabel," she laughed at the memory. "After getting back from Seattle things were better than ever for your momma and I and before the holidays together, she asked me to move in with her. It was a dream come true—I couldn't believe this was my life. Thanksgiving was amazing, but the time in between then and Christmas my life changed forever. Momma really knows how to make you feel like a princess, but don't you worry your pretty little hearts because you two will be her princesses too," she leaned down to press a kiss to both of their foreheads.

"We went out to dinner at La-Haut au Chateau, what I learned later to be momma's restaurant—technically our restaurant," Alex laughed. "After the most incredible meal, we were met with a horse-drawn carriage that took us through Central Park to see all the Christmas lights and dropped us right in front of our special fountain. On our first 'real' date, momma took me to this fountain and pulled out a roll of pennies so we could take turn making wishes. I thought it was such a special idea, so incredibly touching, and when we got down to the last penny we both stood up and looked up at either the clouds feeling the sun on our faces or the stars seeing them twinkle before making our last wishes. That night, when I made my last wish and turned to see momma, she wasn't there at first then I looked down to see her on one knee holding out a velvet box in front of her, the diamond twinkling between the Christmas lights, the stars, and the lights of the fountain. And I still remember some of what she said because her vows and proposal get mixed up together," she laughed then recited, "…'You are the reason I smile, and you give me comfort beyond measure. If you'll let me—"

"…I promise to give you my love, my trust, my forever. Alexandra Elizabeth Cabot, will you marry me?" Casey said, both women holding back the tears in their eyes.

Alex picked her head up from looking at the twins in shock, she didn't know her wife was awake and neither woman knew a nurse had walked in and gasped, "OH MY GOD! Did I just interrupt your proposal?" the young nurse said, her hand covering her mouth.

Casey and Alex laughed lightly and shook their heads, "No honey, we're already married—I thought my wife was asleep and I was telling the babies our proposal story," Alex reassured her.

"Aww, that's so…" she stopped herself and found sudden interest in the floor. Alex didn't know what was going on, but Casey sensed something and because she didn't have the babies in her arms, she pretended to be in discomfort. The young nurse had been introduced to them earlier in the day briefly when Charlotte and Harper were there.

Casey flashed Alex a look, who nodded in response, "Sarah, honey would you be able to help me sit up a bit, I'm uncomfortable in this position," she lied. She was perfectly fine, just wanted the nurse to come closer and once she was, Casey put her hand protectively on Sarah's wrist.

"Honey, are you okay?" Casey questioned, softly.

"Yeah, I'm fine—let's get you repositioned," Sarah said, getting her emotions back in check. Casey wasn't having it so she halted Sarah's movements completely. "I'm sorry it's just, this is completely unprofessional and I shouldn't have been eavesdropping in the first place but I couldn't help it." She put her head in her hands. "I heard the end of what was said before I entered the room fully, and didn't mean to gasp or listen in, then thought I ruined a proposal which I guess I didn't, but I guess, you two are just so amazing together and it's like, you're still so in love—like it's still new love. And I saw your family in here earlier, I was in awe seeing your two other daughters; they are so beautiful and the few times I checked in you just, you gave them the same amount of love and attention even though you have newborns. You are such incredible mothers—I'm so sorry," the nurse said, looking down at her feet as a single tear slipped down her cheek.

"It's okay, honey," Casey said, seeing the young nurse standing in front of her, she had clearly just graduated, "Come here." Casey held open her arms seeing as she couldn't get out of her bed and the nurse sat down on the edge of the bed and let Casey hug her.

Sarah broke down, "This is so u-unprofessional, I'm so—I'm so sorry," she choked out through her sobs.

"It's okay sweetie. May I ask you something?" Casey said, rubbing the nurses back, looking over at Alex who had a frown on her face, this poor girl. Feeling her nod, she continued. "How long has it been?"

Sarah pulled back a little so she could look into Casey's eyes, "How-how did you know?"

Alex was watching the interaction and had no idea what Casey meant, but felt awful for the nurse. "Call it mothers intuition," Casey said.

"2 months," Sarah said.

"Oh honey," Casey pulled her close, and rubbed her back. "I'm so sorry. I know it doesn't feel like it right now, but it will get better. Eventually, the pain will subside, and you'll be left with nothing but the amazing memories you had with her. I promise you that."

Alex watched in awe, I love how Casey just knows, she always knows.

"I'm sorry, I'm supposed to be checking on you and the babies but here I am soaking your hospital gown with my tears," Sarah said.

Sarah tried to pull away but Casey held on tighter, "Shh, shh, shh, let yourself break down. I'm okay, our babies are fine because my wife is taking great care of both me and them—I promise you can make sure of that when you're feeling better." Casey returned the smile at her wife and mouthed 'I love you' as the nurse broke down again in her arms.

"Over the past few days," Sarah started to say but changed her mind, "My mom was my best friend, she was there for me through it all. My dad and my brother are two peas in a pod just like my mom and I were—but now that she's gone I feel so lost. And over the past few weeks, my dad has slowly started to share their proposal story with my brother and I…" Sarah said, causing Alex and Casey to share a look with each other. "I knew my parents loved each other, but it wasn't the type of love you two share. That's true love, the love you see in movies, and only hope to find. I'm really sorry for venting all my problems to you, this is supposed to be time your time to relax and—"

Casey cut her off, "Don't apologize for feeling your emotions. You needed this honey, and it's perfectly okay."

"Is this what you do?" Sarah asked.

Casey tiled her head, "What do you mean?"

"Sorry, umm that made no sense. I mean, are you a therapist," the nurse questioned.

Alex smiled and answered before Casey could, "No, but maybe you should be babe," she winked. "We're both attorneys actually."

"Well you're really great at helping others," Sarah said. "You two are really lucky to have each other and I'm so sorry for taking away family time. I know how unprofessional this was. Now that I've soaked your hospital gown, I should probably do my job. How are you feeling Mrs. Novak?" Receiving a look from Casey she corrected herself. "How are you feeling Casey?"

"I'm great, Sarah—thank you."

"Do you need anything?" Sarah asked, politely.

"No, we're good. Although it's very quiet compared to our house with two toddlers," she looked over at her wife who was nodding her head in agreement. Alex stood up and started walking over to her with the twins, they both wanted to be close after the interrupted 'proposal'.

"Let me know if you need anything else, I'll be here for the rest of the night. Thank you again," Sarah smiled shyly.

When she left, Alex handed both babies over to Casey knowing it was about time for them to feed then got into the bed with her wife. "They're so beautiful, Case—I can't even believe it."

"I can," Casey smiled at her wife then looked down at both girls who were now latched onto her breasts, their little hands intertwined, "They look exactly like their mommy."

Casey turned her head, green bore into blue and closed the distance between them, "Mmm."

"I love you so much, Lex. I loved hearing you tell Blayke and Avery our story," she said tipping her head onto Alex's shoulder.

Alex was happy Casey couldn't see the blush on her cheeks, "H-how much did you hear?"

"I woke up when you were telling them about spilling coffee in your office the day Branch introduced us," Casey said, picking her head up to see her wife's embarrassed face. "You're so cute, honey. I too remember that day vividly, more importantly I remember how our meeting ended and—"

"I asked you out for dinner," Alex cut her off, finding a new found sense of confidence.

"You did ask me out for dinner baby," Casey winked and kissed her cheek. "I was so irritated I had to run off to another meeting," she shook her head lightly at the memory, then smiled as she turned to face Alex. "I was planning on coming back after it ended with a redo cup of coffee because I noticed you didn't drink yours during our meeting so I could ask you out for dinner—however, you beat me to it before I left."

"You were?" Alex was shocked, how have we been together all this time and I don't know this? I knew she went home and thought about me after the night we saw each other in the elevator…but I didn't realize this.

"Yes, Lex. I felt terrible I had to run off to another meeting and as much as I wanted to stay and talk to you, I knew I had to wrap up with White Collar. So I planned to come back and ask you out for dinner."

"Aww, would you look at that. I wonder how things would have played out had you been the one to ask me out," Alex thought about it.

"Would you have denied my dinner invitation?" Casey questioned.

Alex's eyes went wide, "God no! I just—I think I would have t-thought it w-was a d-date, and I –well, umm I wasn't even sure if-umm-ya know-if umm, ahh—"

Casey started to laugh and captured Alex's lips effectively cutting her off. "I love that I still have the ability to turn you into a stuttering mess, babe. It would have been the same type of dinner we shared that night, with the same goodnight kiss on your cheek—Don't get me wrong, I was attracted to you right away honey, but I wouldn't ever treat such a beautiful woman like a booty call, especially when I know we're going to be working together. I mean, we ate lunch together everyday for over three weeks and went out to dinner together ten times before we shared our first kiss Lex—I think it's fair to say I really enjoyed your company, but I respected you too much to push you, or make you uncomfortable—especially because we work sex crimes."

Alex blushed and hung her head. "And then I ended up in your lap, and I kissed you."

Blayke and Avery had now been burped and were in front of the women on the bed; they were swaddled up, Casey sitting with her legs under herself facing towards the blonde a bit, Alex sitting with one leg hanging off the bed, the other tucked underneath herself facing her wife.

Casey lifted Alex's chin so green bore into blue. "Then you kissed me," she said, leaning in to kiss her passionately, they both moaned as their tongues battled for dominance and as the need for air became too great Casey pulled back. "And I love the fact you kissed me that day, Lex."

After a bit of comfortable silence as the women's foreheads rested against each other, Alex's arms wrapped around her wife's neck, Casey's rubbing up and down her wife's thighs, the redhead spoke up again, "If I didn't give birth today, I'd pull you into my lap right now," she winked.

Alex tipped her head back and groaned, god what this woman does to me. She looked back at her wife and saw that signature Casey smile and couldn't help but pull her in for another kiss, "God I love you, baby!"

"I love you too, beautiful."


The rest of the day and night flew by, and the next thing they knew Dr. Nickles came in to discharge Casey and the twins. Alex triple checked with her that they were good to go and after Dr. Nickles told her they were all in perfect health, off they went. But not before Casey gave nurse Sarah her phone number letting her know she was always there if the woman needed anything.

Alex thought she drove slowly with Harper when they brought her home from the hospital, but with two newborns she was tempted to call the squad and request a police escort so they didn't get pulled over for going below the speed limit. "Lex baby, I'd like to get home sometime today," Casey said from the backseat. She was sitting in between the two car seats, looking between both of them and smiling at their little outfits; they each had on long sleeved pink onesies, with matching white leggings that had black polka dots and pink roses, oversized headband bows that matched the leggings, and on each of their onesie in white cursive writing said: avery lennox and blayke alexandria so the grandparents could easily tell them apart. Over the last 24 hours, the mothers had picked up on slight differences in the girls, if you aren't looking for them, you can't tell—but if you closely they're there.

The car situation was going to be a bit difficult seeing as all four of their girls were all in car seats—and Charlotte was still so tiny she couldn't buckle herself yet, but they'll make it work: the mothers always do. The Rovers had the third row in which Charlotte and Harper were very excited to get to be big girls and sit back in, especially because they had 'iPads' according to Charlotte, aka rear seat entertainment systems for the girls installed for long car rides.

"I know, but I want to make sure we get there safely—we have very precious cargo!" Alex said, keeping her focus on the road.

"Every time you get behind the wheel you have precious cargo, sweetie," Casey shook her head at her wife's statement. "Come on, I want to see our babies."

"Just look down, you'll see two of them," Alex said, laughing at her own joke.


Within ten minutes, they pulled into the garage and Casey was so happy to be home; the second Alex could got out of the car, Alexander opened the door to greet them—Casey still stuck in the backseat trapped between the two car seats. "Hi princess. The girls are so excited to see you but your mother is making them wash their hands before seeing the babies," he winked knowing he bought them a good 5-8 minutes.

Alex visibly relaxed, she was a bit worried about how she was going to get Casey in the house comfortably along with both babies—when they left the hospital, valet brought around the car while Alex carried the bags, and a nurse pushed Casey and the babies in the wheel chair; even though Casey was fine to be up and about by herself, she wasn't supposed to lift the car seats. Of course that wouldn't stop her, but Alex would try not to let her if she could help it—that's her job as a wife.

"Thank you, daddy," Alex said, opening the backseat as he went to the other side of the car. If we both grab a baby, this can work Alex thought to herself.

"Casey honey, how are you feeling?" Alexander asked.

"I'm so happy to be home," Casey smiled. "How have the girls been?" fixing the blanket around one of the twins before he was able to unclip the car seat.

"Anxious to see you and Lexie, along with their sisters. As are we," he said proudly. "Who do I have here?" he questioned. "You're my little Blayke aren't you?"

Alex and Casey smiled, he was quite smitten with Blayke—she was named after him after all, although he would never favor a granddaughter: ever. It was very special to him that his daughters thought of him when naming their own daughter, Liz said the same thing exact with Harper.

They opened the door and went into the living room, clearly Liz was still with the girls washing their little hands; they sat the babies car seats down on the ottoman, then Casey and Alex unwrapped the blankets as the girls came bounding in with Liz. "MOMMA, MOMMY!"

"Shh, shh, girls," Liz called out, "Inside voices, we talked about this," Alexander turned around to see his wife pinching the bridge of his nose and laughed. There's only so much you can do with toddlers, and the babies are going to have to get used to it. If anything, it might be better for the girls to be loud so Blayke and Avery can get used to it—the sooner the twins get used to the noise, the easier it will be for them to learn to sleep during the daily chaos of the Novak home.

Alex and Casey both stopped their movements and squatted on the floor opening their arms, Charlotte flew into Casey's arms, Harper flew into Alex's arms, but both girls reached out for the other mother in some manner. The mothers stood up and sat on the couch with girls whispering sweet nothings, telling them how much they missed them and loved them. Their bonds were truly unreal—they visited the hospital twice yesterday, FaceTimed three times as well again for a bedtime story, but missed them like no other. Harper hugged Alex tucking her head in her mothers neck while reaching out to hold Casey's shirt; Charlotte hugged Casey, playing with her necklace while reaching out twist her finger through Alex's hair—seeking comfort from their mothers at the same time: nothing better than feeling safe, protected and loved.

Liz tipped her head back onto Alexander's shoulder and watched the scene in front of them, then took her phone out of her back pocket and snapped a picture: 2 overtired mommies, 2 happy snuggly toddlers, and 2 sleeping newborns.

Alex looked up and saw her mother and father standing there itching to see the twins, who she knew had just eaten before they left the hospital, and would be perfectly content for a few hours, "You two can take them out of their car seats."

Casey kissed the top of Charlotte's head and nodded seeing their hesitancy, "Absolutely, don't wait on us to do it, we're getting in some much needed snuggles with these little cuties."

Alexander and Liz's smiles doubled in size as they moved towards the babies, undid the buckles, and lightly gasped seeing how adorable their outfits were. "Oh you'll have to dress them in these outfits everyday so we can tell them apart," Liz laughed.

Any picture that got sent to her mother yesterday she sent back some sort of 'oh how cute, but who's who?' 'I love it, but who's who?' 'this one's my favorite, but who's who?'. She has been trying so hard to figure it out so finally Alex replied, 'mom, we're still trying to figure it out and we're their mothers'.

"Don't worry mom, we have plenty of onesies with their names—and we can always use different colored bows," Alex said. She and Casey had talked about that the night before when trying to figure out how to explain to the girls who was who and that seemed like the best way for toddlers, even for their family members at first.

"Oh that would be a great idea," then she frowned, "but you always match the girls."

"I know, so Casey suggested we do two and two," Alex said, running her fingers through Harper's hair then pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"I love that!" Liz exclaimed. They spoke for a while about the very, very small differences the mothers have noticed in the twins so far, seeing if Liz and Alexander could see them (they couldn't) then Liz remembered something, "Johnathan and Addison want to stop by around 4 tomorrow and bring dinner, but I told them they'd have to check with you however I told him I'd pass the message along." She looked down at the baby in her arms, "Right little Avery, I'm just the secretary."

Casey and Alex laughed at Liz who changed her voice to speak to Avery, "That should be fine, dinner is always appreciated." Casey laughed.

"Momma?" Charlotte picked her head up and looked into Casey's eyes, her green eyes matching her mothers.

"What baby?" Casey questioned, brushing the hair out of her face.

Charlotte looked over at her grandparents who had the twins in their arms, at her mother and sister, then brought hands up to cup her mouth and leaned in to whisper into Casey's ear, "Can I hold my sissy … pease?"

Casey smiled, gave Charlotte a little squeeze and nodded, "You sure can sweet girl, which one?" she asked, spinning her around. Alexander and Liz understood and held up the babies but Charlotte didn't need to see to make her decision. She didn't prefer one twin to the other, but did get to hold one of them more than the other in the hospital the day before so choose the opposite today.

"Abery!" Casey and Alex both smiled, 'Abery and Bwake' was the best Charlotte could do right now—what the mothers were getting a kick out of was Harper, 'B for Blayke was fitting, B for Avery…'; they think she doesn't quite understand that the fact there different names for the twins yet.

"Okay baby," Casey said, and saw Liz standing up. Harper twisted in Alex's lap and watched seeing as her sister got to hold a baby. Charlotte stayed in Casey's lap and they held Avery together to make sure the baby was properly supported; then Alex nodded to her father seeing Harper's interest peek up. He brought Blayke over after she scooted closer to Casey and helped Harper hold the baby.

Liz and Alexander both took out their phones at the perfect moment: Casey and Alex turned towards each other to exchange a kiss, their arms wrapped protectively around the toddler and baby in their laps, Charlotte looking at the Blayke (the baby in Alex's lap), and Harper looking at Avery (the baby in Casey's lap). After their kiss, both women looked down to see their four girls, this was their life: Charlotte Rayne, Harper Elizabeth, Blayke Alexandria, and Avery Lennox. Novak party of six.


Sequel: keep you eyes open for it!