A/N: Hi! Thanks so much for all of your reviews. I AM OBSESSED with writing this story lately, and I don't know why—but I love it! I will get back to the Langan storyline soon, but I liked writing this chapter because I think it balanced out the peristyle chapter from a while ago. Olivia unlocked her heart, and was pretty vulnerable in that chapter, showing Alex a special place, and opening up about her life. Likewise, in this chapter, Alex is vulnerable with her family, and with Olivia. As always, I'm looking forward to your thoughts, comments, and concerns.

Chapter 64

Wedding

Alex and Olivia walked up the gravel drive hand in hand. As they passed the lines of parked cars, Alex pointed to a dark blue BMW with a crimson Harvard sticker on the back window. "Well, my dad's here already."

As soon as it left her lips, Olivia looked up and immediately recognized the tall man greeting guests at the threshold of the barn entrance. His familiar boisterous voice was cheerful. "Alexandra. You look beautiful, sweetheart. And…" they could both tell he was searching for Olivia's name, "Detective Benson." He reached out and shook Olivia's hand.

"Judge Hermann, how are you sir?" She shook his hand strongly as he smiled at her.

"Please, call me Bill. I'm great! It's going to be a wonderful night." He motioned to the short blonde woman standing next to him. "This is my wife, Charlotte." Olivia shook her hand and nodded, smiling at the woman. It was good to put a face with a name.

"Alex, you look lovely!" The woman wrapped Alex in her arms, holding her close for a few seconds.

"Thank you aunt Char." She turned to face both of them and took Olivia's hand. "Uncle Bill, I know that you know Olivia from court, but I wanted to introduce her to you both…as my girlfriend." Charlotte looked at Bill and smiled.

"Told you." Bill rolled his eyes, accepting that his wife was correct about her assumptions, as he answered Olivia and Alex's confused looks.

"Long story. We'll tell you later."

Charlotte pulled Olivia into an unexpected hug. "Nice to meet you, Olivia." There was something warm and welcoming about Alex's aunt, and Olivia couldn't help but feel at ease already.

"Lexie, honey, your dad is inside already. I think he's saving you a few seats." Alex thanked her uncle Bill as she and Olivia walked into the barn, waiting for Olivia's comment that she knew was coming.

"Lexie?" Olivia smiled and turned toward Alex, teasing her.

"Don't you dare, Olivia Benson." A comedic moment quickly turned solemn, as Olivia and Alex noticed a large framed picture of Caroline Cabot sitting next to a lit candle. Olivia took Alex's hand into her own and caressed it lovingly as they walked toward the table where the picture was displayed. Another picture of a man sat next to Caroline's and a small handwritten note sat in between them.

Summer and I would like to take a moment and honor those who could not be with us today.

Alex moved toward the picture of her mother and noticed that two smaller pictures sat behind it. One she recognized immediately: it was from Alex's visit to Harvard. Caroline, Alex, Roger, and Ames all stood in Harvard sweatshirts outside on the campus, smiling at the camera. The second was a close up picture of Caroline. She was in a hospital bed, a baby wearing a pink cap in one arm, and another baby wearing a blue cap in the other. Another small handwritten note lay in front of Caroline's picture.

Whenever I think about my aunt Caroline, I recall how kind she was, how she would do anything to make you feel at home. Her ceaseless love and compassion is felt, and carried on by those who knew how truly kindhearted she was. We remember Caroline every day, but especially today, as we both pledge our lives to each other, and promise to carry on the eternal love that she showed to her family and friends everyday. For 31 years of my life, my aunt was a shining light—a beacon of everything that was right in the world. I will never be able to thank her for her selflessness, sense of charity, and kindness that she instilled in not only me, but also in everyone she touched. We only hope to honor Caroline through how we live our lives, as we know she will be watching today, and every day, with pride.

Alex read over Ames' handwriting as tears filled her eyes. Olivia's hand held Alex close, wrapping around her back to support her. She put the piece of paper back down on the table as a solitary tear fell onto her dress. "Well, that's her." She smiled meekly. "He summed it up perfectly, of course." Alex's shaking voice managed a chuckle as Olivia squeezed her hand lightly.

They moved over towards the other pictures and read about Summer's grandfather, who had passed away just a few months before. Olivia turned to Alex and smoothed out a wet streak under her eye with the back of her hand. "You ok babe?" Alex nodded. "She was gorgeous, Al. Now I know where you get it." Alex blushed and hugged Olivia tenderly.

"Thank you…This was," she paused, motioning with her hand toward the table, "this was beautiful." She took one last look at her mother's picture before they headed toward the ceremonial area.

Alex spotted her dad quickly and walked down the aisle toward him. He was seated in the second row, three chairs in from the aisle. He stood up as Alex approached and wrapped her in a tight hug. "Hi sweetheart." The first thing Olivia noticed about him were those eyes. They were the same, icy cerulean color that she saw so often looking back at her. She watched as they chatted for a few seconds. "Did you see—?" He motioned in the general direction of the pictures. His voice trailed off as tears rose in his eyes. Alex nodded.

"It's beautiful. She would have loved it." He agreed and pulled himself together, extending his hand around Alex to Olivia.

"And, you must be Olivia?" She shook his hand firmly.

"Yes sir. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Cabot." He was an attractive older man, his blue eyes in stark contrast to his full head of grey hair. Olivia could tell that Alex must have helped him with is wardrobe: he wore black pants and a white oxford shirt, a skinny black tie accenting the top. A black fitted blazer capped it off, and the whole outfit made him look about ten years younger. He was about a head taller than Alex, and cradled the attorney close to him as he shook Olivia's hand.

"Please, detective, call me Roger. I feel like I know you already, I've heard so much about you." Olivia looked curiously at Alex as they all sat down, Roger speaking over Alex to Olivia. "I'm glad to see you could come—Alex told me about your hand surgery." Olivia smiled and nodded toward her pinky.

"Oh, it'll be just fine. I wouldn't miss it."

They all sat back in their chairs as Alex and her father chitchatted quietly about a current senate bill up for a vote. Olivia relaxed into the back of the chair, crossing her legs as she observed the setting. The barn was beautiful, and Olivia could tell that Summer probably had a lot to do with the décor. Even if Alex hadn't told her that she was in fashion, she could have guessed.

A few moments later Olivia heard Alex's father start down another conversation path. "So, sweetheart when can I expect all of this for you?" He waved his hand toward the altar where candles adorned the scene. Her head snapped to her father as Olivia sat up, eager to hear what she would say.

"Dad!" He leaned back and smiled, winking at Olivia behind Alex's back. Two men approached the altar and sat down, one taking an acoustic guitar into his hands, and the other sitting at the piano. Soft music began as Alex heard Ames' voice echoing behind them. She turned to look at him and tears filled her eyes as she watched him walk down the aisle, taking the time to stop and say hello to his family.

When he reached Alex's row, he stopped and smiled at Alex and Roger. Alex reached her hand out and took his, their eyes connecting for a few moments. He continued to the altar as a different song started. Three men walked down the aisle and stood next to him, each shaking his hand and hugging him before they took their spot. Next, three women came down the aisle, dressed in champagne colored Chanel dresses. They took their places opposite the men and looked toward the closed doors at the other end of the aisle. Russell and Linda emerged, smiling at their son awaiting his fiancé. They were seated in front of Olivia and Alex as everyone stood for the bride.

Summer was a vision: she had long, curled black hair and smiled as her father walked her down the aisle, toward Ames. As she passed, Olivia felt Alex's chin rest over her shoulder, her slender hand sneaking into Olivia's pocket to rub the detective's leg.

Twenty minutes later Ames and Summer stood across from each other, taking their vows. Unexpectedly, Olivia felt Alex's hand rest atop her thigh, gently stroking it. This distracted Roger Cabot, his eyes looking over, smiling at the love his daughter obviously had for her girlfriend. Olivia listened to Ames repeating after the minister, but quickly another voice took over her mind.

I, Ames, take you, Summer…

"You know, traditional vows are great, but they always seem so…businesslike." Olivia knew Alex wasn't through presenting her point, so she simply tilted her head towards Alex and listened, taking in what she was saying.

For richer or poorer…

"It's essentially a legal contract."

Till death parts us.

"I always thought that…if I ever got married…" Olivia glanced over at her.

I, Summer, take you, Ames…

"I'd want to write my own. There's just something easy about repeating after someone. It's different when you write your own."

Olivia looked towards Alex and winked at her. Alex leaned a little closer to Olivia and smiled contently. Minutes later, Summer and Ames kissed and everyone stood up, ushering them out of the ceremony area.

"Alex, Olivia, do you want to follow me to the reception venue? I'm going to wait for Russ, but after that I'm gonna head that way."

Alex looked at Olivia, who shrugged casually. "Actually, dad, I think we'll go ahead and go now. I'm sure it'll be easier for us to get out of everyone's hair and just go now." She kissed her father on the cheek. "Thanks. I'll see you there."

As they were walking out, Olivia felt a hand on her back. She turned around and saw Roger Cabot. "I just wanted to say thank you for making Alexandra so happy." Olivia must have looked surprised as he continued. "Since her mother passed away, we talk almost every day and I can tell how happy she is. And, I know you're the reason for that."

Olivia shook his hand and thanked him. "That's good to hear. She makes me happier than I can tell you, sir." Roger nodded and patted Olivia on the shoulder, motioning toward Alex with his hand.

"Better catch up," Roger said, "you know how she is." Olivia smiled and turned, jogging towards the blonde. As she caught up with her, Alex took Olivia's hand.

"What was that about?"

"Oh, nothing."

"Nice try. With Roger Cabot, it's never 'nothing.' Even if it seems like it."

"Must be where his daughter gets it."

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"You didn't want to wait for you dad?" Olivia took Alex's hand as they walked back to her car.

"No. I want to spend a few minutes with you. Alone." Normally, Olivia would turn to Alex and smile, insinuating that their 'alone' time would be something that involved a little bit of naughtiness. But, the way Alex said it at that moment melted Olivia's heart. They walked towards the rows of parked cars before Alex led Olivia off the beaten path, towards a small lake that sat a little further back on the property. Olivia held Alex's hand and steadied the attorney, as she was a little unbalanced on her heels over the hilly terrain.

They reached the cusp of the lake. "It's peaceful out here," Olivia commented, not hearing any traffic or ambulance sirens. She put her hand on Alex's back, holding her as if she were a fragile piece of glass that could shatter at any moment.

"Yeah, it is. I was surprised when I heard they were having their wedding in a barn, but now that I see it, it's beautiful." Olivia agreed. "Listen, Liv." Alex leaned into Olivia, feeling the detective's solid arm wrap around her waist.

"I'm sorry about our little spat on the way here. I think I was just worried that you were so nervous and I didn't know how to calm your nerves—I'm not used to seeing you so uneasy."

Olivia turned toward Alex, taking her into her arms. "No, Alex. I should be apologizing to you. It was stupid of me to think that people would look down on me just cuz I'm a cop. Your family seems great." Alex smiled and agreed.

"They really are, Liv. I can't wait for them to get to know you."

"Me neither. I just hope they'll like me."

"They'll love you."

"I don't know…I can be pretty hard to love sometimes." Olivia pouted and shrugged, prompting a smile from Alex.

"Well, that's true…but you sure are cute." She placed a kiss on Olivia's lips, holding her tightly to her body. They stared across the lake for a few minutes before they noticed the bridal party across the field, walking their way.

"Well, I hope they love me. Because I love you. And, I want that," she pointed at Ames and Summer approaching the other side of the lake, "to be us one day." Alex smiled and kissed Olivia, drawing her hands up to the detective's face, as Olivia wrapped her arms around Alex's waist. They both smiled into the kiss and Alex laughed a tad, as they broke apart. "What?"

She took Olivia's hand and turned back toward the cars. "Nothing. I'm just so happy, Olivia. You've made me so happy."

The detective smiled to herself, squeezing her hand into Alex's. "I hope so." She opened the door of the black SUV and helped Alex inside, waiting for her to put her purse down and buckle her seatbelt. "And, I hope you'll continue to let me make you happy for a very long time." She winked and shut the door—Alex could feel the familiar butterflies starting to whirl around her stomach as Olivia got in and started the car.