A/N: I know I say this every time, but you all are AMAZING. I've caught myself on more than one occasion just checking to see if anyone has commented about a new chapter, or anything really! Not only does it make me extremely happy that people are receiving my writing well, but I'm SO happy when I read comments that tell me that this is the best way to start your day, or that you've been having a hard time and this story has made you feel better in one way or another. I am forever indebted to everyone who reads this story and says something nice like that, or anything at all for that matter. You all really make this story what it is! Thank you!

PS: I said this the last chapter too, but I mention another song in this chapter and if you haven't heard it, go listen to it. It's great and I really think it sets the scene if you listen to it with this scene or A&O in general.

Chapter 66

Breathtaking

"Alden!" Alex yelled through the loud music that vibrated throughout the hall. He didn't hear her, so she shrugged and turned around, facing Olivia on the dance floor. The music was loud, and the lights were low. Alex slinked into Olivia, holding her hands around the detective as they danced face to face. Olivia held Alex tightly with her hands pressed against her back.

"God, I'm probably the oldest person in here by like…" Olivia looked around but felt Alex's hand pull her head down to look into her eyes.

"Number one, no you're not. Two, even if you were, no one would ever know. And three, you're still the best dancer in this place." Olivia smiled and winked at Alex, as the attorney unexpectedly turned around, grinding her ass into Olivia. She moved Olivia's hands around to her hips and moved backward, leaving absolutely zero space between them. Alex looked over her shoulder and smiled when she felt Olivia's grip tighten. They danced to the rest of the song before a slow tune came over the speakers.

"Alright everyone—it's been real, but this is Ames and Summer's last dance for the night. Thanks for spending your night with me! And congratulations to the happy couple! For their last song, Ames would like to dedicate Ed Sheeran's 'Tenerife Sea,' to his beautiful bride."

"Hey everyone, thanks for staying and burning the midnight oil with us. I guess we're still kind of young!" He laughed and turned to his bride. "Summer, I love you more than words could ever express. I'm so happy I can finally call you my wife. This one's for you, Sum."

Alex turned and wrapped her arms around Olivia's neck, as the detective took the slender hand into her own. They gazed into each other's eyes, listening to the lyrics and swaying to the music. "Olivia," it wasn't often that Alex called her by her full name, so it caught the detective's attention. She raised her eyebrows, prompting Alex to continue. "I…I want to t—." Olivia felt Alex's fingers grasping at the short hairs above her neck, and watched as those blue eyes traced from Olivia's eyes around her face, and back. Olivia took advantage of the moment: she pushed Alex out, twirling her under the soft glow of the dance floor light. As she pulled her back in, she rested her hand on the small of Alex's back.

"Wow." Olivia sighed and shook her head, a radiant smile adorning her face.

"What?" Alex laughed out, delighted to see such a smile spread across her girlfriend's face. She searched Olivia's eyes, hanging onto the expression and unspoken words from the detective.

"I was just…I don't know what I ever did to deserve you." She looked Alex up and down, before the blonde could respond—not that she would have been able to. "You ever look at something and think that the words you would normally use to describe it wouldn't even come close to doing it any kind of justice?" Alex held her gaze, awaiting her explanation.

"Just looking at you now, I would normally tell you how beautiful you look. But, beautiful just doesn't fit. It's just not right." Olivia searched for another word. "Dazzling?" Alex blushed, lowering her head. "Exquisite?" The detective took a breath. She took Alex's chin into her hand, meeting her eyes. "I guess breathtaking will have to do…Alexandra Cabot, you are breathtaking." She pulled Olivia toward her, kissing her full on the lips as Alex's hand ran through her short hair. They separated and Olivia focused back on the vision in front of her. "What were you going to say?"

"I was just going to tell you that I'm," she took a breath. "I'm so in love with you, Olivia." The words worked through Olivia's ears and traveled through her chest, settling low in her melting heart.

"I feel the same way, Alex. You really are the best thing that's ever happened to me. And, I'll never understand why you chose me—but I'll be thankful for it every day." The music ended and Olivia let go of Alex, turning to where Ames and Summer were leaving, but Alex stood transfixed on Olivia. Her smile lit up the room, and as she clapped, her blazer bounced a little bit, shrugging all of the clothes that fit her just right up and down her body. Alex couldn't peel her eyes away from Olivia. She heard people moving towards the front door, ushering the new couple into the waiting limo.

Alex saw people disappear from her line of sight, but still, she was absorbed with Olivia. In her, she always saw the cop, the partner and the friend. But, lately, she saw the love of her life, hopefully one day her wife. She didn't feel her eyes fill with tears, but when Olivia turned toward her, she felt a single drop fall.

"What's wrong? Are you ok? Don't you want to go see Ames off?" Olivia placed her hand on Alex's back, awaiting a response. The attorney slowly shook her head.

"Nothing. Everything is perfect…" she kissed Olivia. "You, Olivia Benson, are perfect."

"Ok, now I know you've had too much to drink." Alex howled with laughter as Olivia held her around her waist, the blonde bending backwards supported by the strong detective.

"I thought I heard you laughing." A young man's voice echoed through the hall. Almost everyone was outside except Alex, Olivia, and a few people still seated at the mostly emptied tables, chatting with the other remaining guests.

"Alden!" Alex released Olivia and walked toward him. "We're taking you with us. The old people couldn't hang." He didn't look like Alex and Ames—Olivia had noticed this during dinner, but when he stood up, the difference between he and Ames, especially, was striking. He was about 5'10" with dark brown hair and green eyes, but he still had that Cabot style. His bow tie was undone and hung across his blue oxford shirt. He looked tired, but laughed when he heard what Alex said.

"Yeah, they can't keep up anymore. Well…my dad can." They all laughed as Alex agreed, grabbing her purse and walking towards the door with Alden. She beckoned for Olivia, but the detective stayed back for a second.

"You guys go head. I'll catch up. Bathroom." She waited for them to disappear through the doors—she dashed across the hall back to table 4, hoping it was still there.

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Olivia jumped into Alex's Mercedes and looked at its two other occupants: Alden was asleep already, resting his head on the window next to his seat, his phone charging in the console between Alex and Olivia. Alex had taken her heels off and kicked her feet up on the dashboard. She beamed at Olivia as the detective got in the car.

"Everything ok, baby?"

"Yeah. Just had to pee."

"I put Ames' address in the GPS. Don't freak out when you get there." Alex rolled her eyes and patted Olivia's leg as she looked out her window. "I'm gonna text my dad to see if they're awake."

A few moments later, Alex locked her phone and placed it next to Alden's, awaiting her father's response. She watched as Olivia drove—there was something sexy about the detective driving her car, and she couldn't look away. Olivia took her glasses out of their overnight bag and placed them on her face.

Alex whispered in case Alden was still awake. "God you're sexy as fuck." She could see Olivia blush through the darkness as the comment rolled out of her mouth. "And I love when I say something you don't expect and you look like that." They both smiled as Olivia turned toward Alex, and winked at her.

A buzz caught Alex's attention and she accidentally grabbed both phones together our of the center cup holder. "OH MY GOD!" She yelled and dropped Alden's phone back into the console as quickly as she could, covering her mouth.

"Wha—? Alex what's—who?!" Alden leapt up off the seat, looking around for whatever had shocked Alex.

She reached backwards and put her hand on his knee. "Everything's ok! I'm sorry—someone pulled out in front of Olivia. You're good. Go back to sleep. We'll be there soon."

He nodded, looking around for traffic. "Olivia, you ok?" He put his hand on her shoulder reassuringly.

"Yeah. I'm good, man. Thanks." They both watched in complete silence as he sat back and curled his arm under his head, resting his chin over his wrist. Olivia looked at Alex, questioning her reaction to her dad's text a few moments before. The detective looked in the rear view mirror, noting Alden's measured, steadied breaths—he was asleep minutes later.

"What was that about?" She whispered so quietly that her s's and t's barely made a noise. Alex's mouth hung open, covered by her hand. A smile tugged at her open lips and she started chuckling.

"I can't. I literally cannot even." She shook her head, almost dying of laughter.

"What'd your dad say?" Their conversation was completely in whispers, but the looks they gave each other spoke volumes. Alex sat up in her chair and leaned her upper body over the console, placing her hand on Olivia's leg.

"It wasn't my phone." She cocked her head back toward Alden, her eyes growing wide. Olivia's eyes narrowed, following her story. "And…it was a nude! How can he be getting nudes? He's only like…12."

Olivia laughed quietly, leaning back in her seat. "Ah, to be 17 again." Alex cocked her eyebrow.

"Oh really? Who says only 17 year olds send them?" Alex's hand reached up to Olivia's belt buckle, rubbing the area below it suggestively. Olivia wiggled a bit, grabbing Alex's hand before she could get much further.

"Well, you've never sent me one." Olivia knew that Alex thought it was cute when she pouted, so she pursed her lips together and longingly stared out the windshield, holding back a smile.

"Oh, Olivia Benson. Keep this shit up and maybe you'll get one sometime soon."

"What shit?"

"You just know exactly how to get me going."

Five minutes later, Olivia pulled up the long driveway that opened to a huge Victorian house. "Holy sh—."

"Told you." Alex patted Olivia's leg as she turned around, shaking Alden's leg. "Alden, we're here. Get up, buddy." He stirred and sat up.

"Thanks for bringing me home, guys." He opened the door as Olivia put the car in park and turned off the engine. All three of them got out and Alex handed him his phone—he thanked her and put it into his pocket without looking for any notifications.

"Liv, my dad said he's still up, so I'd like to go in and just say goodnight."

"Of course." Olivia motioned with her hand in front of her, signaling for Alex to lead the way. Alden walked ahead of both women and entered through a garage door. They made their way through 3 massive rooms before they reached him.

Roger Cabot sat on the couch, his glasses on his face. He read a copy of the day's paper, and as he saw them approaching, he folded it up, placing it on the table in front of him. "How was the party?" He wrapped his arm around Alden, his elbow catching on the young man's neck. He pulled Alden close and kissed his head.

"It was good, uncle Roger."

"Good. Did you behave yourself?"

"Yeah, of cou—."

"I'm not talking to you." There was an obvious pause. "I mean did you keep an eye on these two?" Alex and Olivia had been watching the interchange, as Alex wrapped herself around the detective in a side hug. They both jumped a bit when they realized that Roger was talking about them.

Alden rolled his eyes and laughed, walking towards the steps, hugging both of the women as he passed them. "They were fine! Goodnight!"

Roger laughed and sat back down, crossing his legs. "Do either of you want anything to drink? Tea? Water?"

"Uh, no thanks dad. I think we're gonna get out of here, actually. I'm pretty tired." Alex leaned down and kissed her father's head.

"Tired. Right." He said these words as he took Olivia's hand—the detective was expecting a handshake, but he again pulled her in for a hug. "That's what they call it now."

"Dad!"

"Go on." He flapped the paper at both of them. "I'll see you tomorrow morning here, right?"

"Yes. Just call me or text me when you wake up." Alex took Olivia's hand and turned to leave.

"Have a good night, ladies." He laughed to himself as he picked the paper back up and shook his head playfully.