Chapter 12
AN: Hey, so I'll probably update every second day for a little while. I'll increase it once I've gotten used to my new situation.
December 8th 2020
A little over a week have passed since Antonio's birthday and ever since then both Alex and Olivia have been extra busy, because of that they haven't seen each other in person. As they haven't got a chance to see each other they have met up to get coffee.
"I have ten minutes," Olivia tells Alex as she knows that she is cutting it close by meeting Alex but she also knew that it was something she really wanted to do.
"I have fifteen," Alex says, as she hands Olivia her coffee.
"Have you had more clients since the new restrictions were announced?" Olivia asks as she has noticed an increase in SVU cases.
"Yeah," Alex confirms. "I've had clients who went through hell last lockdown and are terrified of being back in that situation," Alex admits.
"Is there anyone who is wiling to talk to me?" Olivia asks, as she knows that with the events of the last few months that is even more unlikely.
"Not at the moment," Alex admits. "We're working on each of their options, what they want going forward," Alex explains, knowing that that takes a lot of time sometimes.
"Right," Olivia says, taking a drink of her coffee.
"So, onto happy topics, how's Christmas shopping for Noah going?" Alex asks curious.
"Good," Olivia says with a laugh. "Noah has a very long list, I'm working on what are actually real options," Olivia explains.
"What are some of the impossible ones?" Alex asks curious and Olivia knows she can't mention one of them.
"Well Noah wants a dog, I'm not sure that's a good idea," Olivia admits.
"You love dogs," Alex tells her, knowing that.
"I do, but I'm not home enough, it wouldn't be fair on a dog," Olivia reminds her.
"Good point," Alex says. "Our first Christmas in the program together we didn't go to a see a Santa, I wasn't sure it was a good idea, but Antonio did write a letter," Alex admits. "Top of his list was that he wanted to feel safe again," Alex explains.
"I'm so sorry," Olivia says, not being able to imagine a nine-year-old boy wanting that. "Do you and Antonio have plans for Christmas?" Olivia asks curious.
"Some kind of food at my place," Alex answers. "Rafi will come over to unless he's too busy dealing with the election fallout," Alex explains, knowing that Rafael also sees his mother earlier in the day. "What about you?" Alex asks curious.
"Just me and Noah," Olivia explains. "Fin is going to be with Ken, Alejandro, and Jaden. Rollins is going to be with her mother, daughters, and nephew. Carisi is going to be with his family, and Kat got the short straw and is working," Olivia explains. "Everyone's making due with what we've got at the moment," Olivia comments.
"The pandemic didn't change my Christmas plans," Alex admits. "Me, Tonio, Rafi; that's pretty standard," Alex admits.
"Me too," Olivia admits, then she gets an idea that she is incredibly nervous to ask about. "Why don't you and Antonio come over to my apartment," Olivia suggests. "It won't be anything fancy, but we could be together; Barba too if he wants," Olivia says, adding the thing about Barba to try and playdown how much of a big deal it is.
"Sure, that sounds really nice," Alex answers, knowing that it will be a lot more than nice, causing Olivia to smile, and the two of them continue to walk together.
Not long after she accepted an invitation to Oliva's for Christmas Alex is arriving back at Vita Nova, as Antonio has a final he is at his apartment while Liz is sitting at her desk.
"Hey, Kenzie here yet?" Alex asks.
"Not, she called, she is going to be about twenty minutes late, but she assured me she'll be there," Liz explains.
"Okay," Alex says with a nod.
"How's Liv?" Liz asks curious.
"Good, but just as busy as we are," Alex answers.
"Not surprising," Liz admits.
"Did you and your siblings figure out what you're doing for Christmas?" Alex asks as she knows that the Stablers were trying to figure it out.
"Yeah," Liz confirms. "Dickie, Katie and I are going to Mo and Carl's for lunch and we're going to video call Mom, Dad, and Eli," Liz confirms. "It will be dinner for them, and because we can't go there and they can't come here it seemed like the best option," Liz explains, knowing that it is going to be extremely strange.
"Are you okay with that?" Alex asks interested.
"It is what it is," Liz says, with a shrug, and as she does Alex's phone starts to ring.
"I've got to got to take this. If Kenzie gets here before I finish, start the conversation, keep her comfortable, you know what to do," Alex says, knowing that she doesn't have to give Liz many instructions.
"Yep," Liz confirms.
"I'll join when I can," Alex says. "Cabot," Alex answers, and she walks into her office while on her phone.
December 25th 2020
Over two weeks have passed since Olivia invited Alex, Antonio, and Barba over for Christmas and it is finally Christmas day. After spending the morning at her apartment with Antonio Alex and Antonio are walking towards Olivia's apartment, both carrying presents, where Rafael is meeting them in a little while. As they walk Antonio notices something about his mother which surprises him.
"Wait, are you nervous?" Antonio asks, and Alex just gives him a look. "Wow, you really are. I don't think I've seen you actually nervous, scared and anxious about something, yes, but not actually nervous," Antonio admits, honestly feeling a little amazed.
"It's not a big deal," Alex says as she and Antonio stop walking.
"It kind of is," Antonio responds. "Mami, you need to just tell Olivia how you feel," Antonio tells Alex.
"It's not the day for that," Alex says as she starts to walk again.
"I don't know, I think it's kind of the perfect day," Antonio admits, as he walks faster to catch up with Alex.
"We are not taking about this," Alex says as she gets to Olivia's apartment door and knocks.
"That's your exact problem," Antonio informs his mother as the door opens revealing Olivia and Noah.
"Merry Christmas!" Noah says exactly.
"Merry Christmas," Alex and Antonio say.
"Merry Christmas, come in, come in," Olivia says, letting them into the apartment. "Any ETA on Barba?" Olivia asks curious.
"About ten minutes or so," Alex answers, as he texted her.
"Good," Olivia says.
"Mom, can I show Antonio my new game?" Noah asks, clearly excited.
"Sure, if Antonio wants to see it," Olivia says.
"I definitely do," Antonio says, and he follows Noah into his room, while Alex and Olivia head towards the kitchen.
"You didn't have to bring presents," Olivia says, though she and Noah did pick out presents for Alex, Antonio and Barba.
"It's Christmas Liv, presents are apart of that," Alex reminds her. "Can I do anything to help?" Alex asks curious, and Olivia just gives her a look. "I don't mean anything food related, I mean anything at all," Alex suggests.
"No, I'm okay," Olivia says. "Did you and Antonio have a good morning?" Olivia asks curious, as Alex sits on one of the stalls.
"Yeah, it was nice," Alex confirms. "What about you and Noah?" Alex asks curious.
"It was really great even with Noah waking me up at five this morning," Olivia explains, and Alex laughs. "I'm really glad you could come over," Olivia admits.
"I'm really glad I could too," Alex says, and both she and Olivia exchange smiles, as they do there is a knock on the door. "Want me to let in Rafi?" Alex asks curious.
"Well, it would be rude to leave him at the door," Olivia says, causing Alex to laugh, and she gets up and heads to the door, less than a minute later Alex walks back over to Olivia with Barba. "Merry Christmas Rafa," Oliva says.
"Merry Christmas Liv," Barba says.
"Are you every going to get rid of the ugly beard?" Alex asks interested.
"Don't start," Barba says. "Either of you," Barba adds, looking at Olivia as he knows that Olivia feels the same as Alex. "Where are the boys?" Barba asks curious, purposely changing the subject.
"Noah's room," Olivia answers.
"Then I'm gonna say hello to them, because both of them are much nicer than the two of you," Barba says, causing both Alex and Olivia to roll their eyes, as Barba heads towards Noah's room.
"Has he always been this dramatic?" Olivia asks curious.
"He was so much worse when he was younger," Alex reveals amused.
"Wow," Olivia says, sounding impressed. "So, when you started Harvard Barba was dramatic and you were cold?" Olivia asks, as she knows how Alex used to describe herself.
"Pretty much," Alex says, leaning against the counter close to where Olivia is cooking, rather than going back around to the stalls. "That and universally hated by our pre-law class," Alex explains, as the majority of their of their class hated Barba from where he came from and hated her either because was a woman or because she didn't 'fit' into what was acceptable within their social class at the time.
"You know you've told those stories, and so have Barba, but can't imagine anyone hating you," Olivia admits.
"Really?" Alex asks. "I don't know, Liv, there's been times where I thought you hated me," Alex says, and hearing what Alex says, Barba decides that going back to Antonio and Noah is a hell of a lot more appealing; plus, he may need to distract the two of them if things deteriorate between Olivia and Alex.
"Never," Olivia says, turning to look at Alex, sounding shocked.
"What about when you formally requested a new ADA?" Alex asks curious knowing they have never talked about that.
"I was pissed," Olivia admits. "And hurt, worried about everything that was going on with Richard, but I never hated you," Olivia admits. "Ally, I could never hate you," Olivia says, taking a step forward.
"Good to know," Alex admits. "For the record I could never hate you," Alex assures her.
"Good to know," Olivia says, with a nod, and for a few moments the two of them stand in comfortable silence. "Food almost ready, do you want to get the boys?" Olivia asks.
"Sure," Alex says, she goes to get Barba, Antonio, and Noah. Once the boys are in the main area of the apartment Alex, Oliva, Barba, Antonio, and Noah proceed to have an incredible Christmas together.
Six days have passed since Christmas and just like every year Alex has been working none stop since then as there is a lot of domestic violence during the holidays. It is early in the evening on New Years Eve, and Oliva and Noah are preparing to celebrate.
"Alex is still coming, right?" Noah asks curious.
"Yep," Olivia confirms. "She'll be here soon," Olivia explains, as she already got the text from Alex saying she is on her way.
"Good," Noah says, looking glad. "Mom, I really like Alex being around," Noah explains.
"I really like her being around too," Olivia admits, and there is a knock on the door. "That will be her now," Olivia says, and Noah excitedly hurries to the door, then waits for his mother to get to him. Smiling at how happy her son is Olivia opens the door and reveals Alex, who has clearly come straight from work as she is in a business suit.
"Happy New Year, Alex," Noah says, before hugging him.
"Happy New Year, Noah," Alex says, returning the hug. "Are you excited?" Alex asks curious.
"Yes! I'm gonna stay up!" Noah says, sounding determined.
"He's determined," Olivia says amused, as her son and Alex break apart. "Come in, come in," Olivia says, letting Alex into the apartment. "So, where's Antonio tonight?" Olivia asks as Noah hurries to collect something.
"With Liz, Richard and some of their friends," Alex explains. "Liz assures me that they're following covid restrictions," Alex explains.
"You think they will? I mean they're young, it's New Years Eve," Olivia points out, knowing that Richard at least has breached restrictions before, and from what she has seen young people seem to be the ones breaking restrictions the most.
"I know they will because Liz will make sure of it," Alex explains, and Olivia gives her an interested look. "After everything she's seen in her life, everything she's heard, and been around, she doesn't take chances when it comes to safety," Alex explains.
"Right," Olivia says, with a nod, not completely sure if that is the healthiest mindset.
"Alex, we got hats, which one do you want?" Noah asks, showing Alex three 2021 hats.
"I'll take this one," Alex says, taking the purple one and Olivia smiles, knowing that their was a time where a lot of people would have loved to see Alex Cabot in a purple party hat.
"You know, I think we should take a picture in our hats," Olivia says, as she definitely wants to remember this.
"Yes!" Noah says excited. "I'll get your Phone," Noah says as he knows his mother's phone is on the bench.
"A picture Olivia?" Alex asks amused.
"It seems right," Olivia says, and Alex nods, feeling that Olivia has a really good point.
A few hours after Alex arrived Alex, Olivia and Noah are sitting on the couch together, and Noah is fast asleep between Alex and Olivia, even though it's not midnight.
"So much for making it to midnight," Olivia says amused.
"He put in a pretty good effort," Alex says.
"Yeah, he did," Olivia says, smiling down at her son.
"We can always wake him when it gets closer," Alex suggests.
"He'll like that," Olivia confirms. "So, where's Barba tonight?" Olivia asks curious as when she was getting ready to ask Alex to come over, she worried that Alex would say no because she had plans with Barba.
"Still fighting for voting rights," Alex explains, knowing that Barba has been incredibly busy. "What about your squad?" Alex asks curious, and Olivia knows exactly what she has to tell Alex.
"Well, Fin is proposing," Olivia reveals.
"You're kidding?" Alex asks shocked.
"Yep, should be going ahead with it any minute," Olivia explains.
"Wow, Fin getting married," Alex says impressed. "Good for him, he deserves some happiness," Alex admits.
"He really does," Olivia confirms, as she gets up to collect a blanket, which she covers Noah with. Just as Olivia covers Noah both Olivia and Alex's phone's go off.
"Amber alert," Alex says, reading it.
"Yeah, it ours," Olivia says, with a sigh. "So much for a better new year," Olivia says. "I've got to go," Olivia admits.
"I can stay with Noah if you'd like, save you from having to call someone," Alex offers. "If that's okay with you," Alex quickly adds, feeling worried about Olivia is going to say no because she doesn't trust her.
"Are you sure? You don't mind?" Olivia asks, it not crossing her mind once that it is a bad idea, rather that Alex wouldn't want to.
"Not at all," Alex answers.
"That would be great, thanks," Olivia tells her. "You'll find what you usually sleep in in my top draw, I don't know how long I'll be," Olivia explains.
"It's okay, we'll be fine," Alex assures her.
"I should get changed," Olivia says, heading into her room to get changed, before heading into work.
The following morning, the first day of 2021, Alex, wearing what she always sleeps in when she's at Olivia's, is in the kitchen of Olivia's apartment making coffee and trying to figure out what she can arrange for Noah's breakfast, when Noah wakes up.
"Morning Noah," Alex greats.
"Alex?" Noah asks, turning to look at her. "Where's my Mom?" Noah asks curious, as he stands up.
"She got called into work," Alex explains. "I know it's not the same, but you've got me," Alex tells him as he walks over to her.
"I like spending time with you, Alex," Noah reveals, as he sits down on a stall.
"I like spending time with you too," Alex assures him. "So, what were you thinking for breakfast?" Alex asks, as she leans on the bench.
"Cocoa Krispies?" Noah asks curious.
"Let's see I can find some," Alex says heading over to the cupboard.
"Mom keeps them in the top shelf," Noah reveals, and Alex looks where Noah says.
"Got them," Alex says, and Noah smiles.
Over the next few minutes Alex gets everything ready for breakfast, and the two of them start to eat together.
"You like Cocoa Krispies too?" Noah asks, looking amazed.
"Yep," Alex says with a grin. "I'll tell you a secret, your Uncle Rafa once dared me to eat Cocoa Krispies for breakfast, lunch and dinner," Alex explains.
"Wow," Noah says amazed. "That would have been soo cool!" Noah says, and Alex realizes that she has to make sure he doesn't get any ideas.
"It was at first, but then it made me feel really sick," Alex explains.
"Like eating too quickly?" Noah asks.
"Exactly," Alex confirms, as she hears the key in the lock so she looks up, preparing to move to protect Noah if needed, but to her relief Olivia walks in.
"MOM!" Noah says excited. "Happy New Year!" Noah says, running over to her and hugging her.
"Happy New Year," Olivia responds, returning the hug. "Are you and Alex having a good morning?" Olivia asks curious.
"Yep!" Noah says, as Alex walks over. "We're having Cocoa Krispies," Noah explains.
"I hope that's okay," Alex says to Olivia.
"It's fine," Olivia assures her. "Why don't you finish breakfast," Olivia says to Noah and he nods and heads back over to the bench.
"Bad?" Alex asks, seeing the look on Olivia's face.
"Bad," Olivia confirms. "I'm just home to see Noah and get changed," Olivia explains, taking a step towards Alex. "Happy New Year Alex," Olivia says, before hugging her.
"Happy New Year," Alex responds, in a quiet voice, and the two of them break apart. "I can stay with Noah for the day if you'd like," Alex offers, as she knows it will save Olivia from needing to get someone else.
"Are you sure? Don't you have work?" Olivia asks.
"Only if I get an emergency call," Alex admits, as she handled everything she could before yesterday so that she could try to prevent people from being in danger on a difficult holiday. "But if I do, I can ask Liz and Antonio to get the details and go from there," Alex explains. "I'm sure, Liv," Alex tells her.
"That would be great, thanks," Olivia tells her. "Feel free to borrow whatever you want to wear, it will be much more comfortable than your suit," Olivia offers, though she knows that all her close are likely going to be too big on Alex.
"I'll remember that," Alex responds, and they both walk back over to Noah, as Olivia can spend a little bit of time with Noah and Alex before needing to head back into the precinct.
January 4th 2021
Three days have passed since the start of the New Year, and the case Olivia has been working has gotten so much more complicated. Due to the complications Olivia and Fin are sitting at a restaurant with Barba as they need his help.
"Consulting with the innocent project, helping Lex when needed, defending voting rights on the ground. I've barely slept since the election ended," Barba reveals.
"Liv said once everything cleared up, you might consider doing defense work," Fin comments.
"Your case or hers? You're both getting sued," Bara comments, causing Olivia to scoff, as while the two of them have seen each other a couple of times since she was sued it wasn't the right time to talk about that fact.
"The city settled one of mine. Liv's still waiting on her day in the barrel, but that's not why we're here," Fin explains.
"It should be," Barba says.
"Alex is my lawyer, I'm fine, we don't have to talk about it," Olivia explains as while she kept insisting that she didn't need a lawyer Alex kept reminding her that she needed one, so she agreed.
"Lex? Didn't realize she changed her practice areas," Barba comments, though he isn't surprised.
"Come on, we both know that won't matter to Alex when Liv needs help," Fin comments.
"Oh, I know," Barba confirms, with a teasing smile.
"Anyway," Olivia says, drawing the word out as she wants to change the subject. "Hypothetically, if we arrested a defendant who was not innocent…" Olivia starts to say.
"Decorated vet. Six tours in Afghanistan. Comes home to find his daughter raped by her foster father…" Fin finishes explaining.
"And he shoots the guy point-blank range three times? Hypothetically," Barba says, knowing exactly what they are talking about.
"So, you're all caught up," Olivia says, not overly surprised.
"All right, hold on. Carisi asked you to intervene on Davis' behalf?" Barba asks surprised.
"Well actually, Carisi doesn't know we're here," Olivia admits, and Barba laughs. "We wanted to see if you would feel him out. And see if he would cut Micky a deal," Olivia explains.
"With Carisi's stomach? He won't have the stomach to take this to trial," Barba comments.
"As long as Mickey doesn't go to prison," Fin comments.
"I feel for him, but he shot a suspect under arrest going to trial. The government frowns on that. And it's against the law," Barba points out.
"That's why we called you," Olivia says.
"Not Lex?" Barba teases and Olivia rolls her eyes.
A few hours later things have escalated beyond what Olivia intended and because of that she is calling Alex as she sits in her office.
"Hel…." Alex starts to say.
"What is with you and Barba and Vigilantism?" Olivia asks, cutting Alex off, causing Alex to laugh.
"You had to have seen that coming when you asked Raf to feel Carisi out," Alex comments.
"So, you're all caught up," Olivia comments.
"Oh yeah," Alex comments, sounding amused.
"So, you and Barba and Vigilantism? What's the deal?" Olivia asks.
"You know when we started Harvard Rafi and I talked about changing the system, changing things to make it better for people who were discriminated against," Alex explains, knowing that it was an early on conversation they had after a day where their classmates had been particularly brutal. "I guess over the years we've both lost faith in that system, realized that it's not so simple to change things so working outside of it all together might be best," Alex admits.
"I still believe I can change things," Olivia admits.
"I know," Alex admits. "That's because you're incredible," Alex informs her.
Three days have passed since Olivia and Fin got Barba to take a case and since then Barba has lost the case to Carisi. As he knows what he wants to do next Barba is walking into the Vita Nova offices.
"Rafael!" Antonio says, sounding excited to see him, as both Liz and Antonio stand up.
"Hola Antonio," Barba greats, smiling at him.
"Rafael Barba, it's nice to finally meet you in person," Liz greats.
"Yeah, it is," Barba confirms, though he is still amused that Alex Is working with the daughter Olivia's former partner, as Alex walks out of her office.
"Rafi, I thought you'd still be licking your wounds," Alex teases.
"It wasn't the outcome I wanted, but it was one I could live with," Barba admits. "Can we talk?" Barba asks Alex.
"Sure," Alex says and the two of them walk into Alex's office. Once in Alex's office Alex sits in her chair while Barba sits across from her.
"You're wearing your lucky tie," Alex realizes.
"I don't have…." Barba starts to say, and Alex just gives him a look. "Okay, I am," Barba confirms.
"Whatever you want to say, Raf, just say it," Alex says as she leans back in her chair, honestly feeling very curious.
"When you were sick, even with as worried as I was, it felt good to help your clients," Rafael admits. "I worked well with Liz, and you know how well Antonio and I get along," Rafael starts to say.
"Are you saying you want to work with us?" Alex asks surprised, and glad.
"It's what we always talked about," Barba says, remembering all the late-night conversations where he and Alex talked about changing the world. "What you do here is important Lex, and I want to be a part of it," Barba admits. "But I'd also like to take on other clients if needed," Barba explains, as while he wants to help Alex and work with his clients, he also wants to take on other clients in need.
"I won't be able to give you an office," Alex admits, as she doesn't actually have one due to the changes she made to the space to make it suitable.
"What about a desk?" Barba asks curious.
"That I can give you," Alex admits.
"Then I'm good," Barba responds.
"Good," Alex says. "This is going to be really nice, us working together," Alex comments.
"Yeah, it is," Barba responds, and the two of them exchange smiles, both looking forward to this.
