A/N: Hi! Thanks again for your dedication to this story. It really warms my heart to see the same people, and new people of course, reviewing and commenting on this story—it makes me extremely happy. This chapter is sort of a filler too, but it addresses a character we've kind of seen popping up around some chapters lately, so hopefully it will tie up some questions a little bit. I can't wait to write the proposal chapter, but I feel like I'm not ready to get it in here just yet. I have so many ideas flying around in my head that I want to really settle on one. Again, thanks for everything you all do! Enjoy!
Chapter 77
Opening
"Wow!" Olivia exclaimed as she sat down at the extra chair at the Stabler's reserved table. "The whole damn fam is here!" Elliot smiled as he put his arm around Kathy and looked around the table at all five of their kids. Olivia took a seat in between Kathy and Eli, kissing the young boy on the top of his head. She loved all of Elliot's kids, but they all teased her about the fact that Dickie and Eli were her favorites.
"Did you all get your own?" Olivia asked, and everyone nodded—the whole Stabler family had entrees named after them, the twins sharing their favorite.
"Yup. Twin's tortellini!" Dickie said as he smiled at his sister, Lizzie. Olivia felt Kathy pull her arm close and she leaned toward her, both of them exchanging curious glances.
"So Elliot told me about…" she paused and looked around the table to ensure that none of her children were listening. "About your plan." Olivia looked at Kathy questioningly and noticed her discreetly tap her wedding ring when everything clicked.
"Oh!" The smile that erupted from Olivia's face melted Kathy's heart. She lowered her voice and ducked her head, rubbing her neck lightly. "Yeah."
Of course, Kathy pushed her for more information. "Well?! When? Where?"
"Soon enough." Olivia laughed. "I haven't decided everything yet, but I'm taking her dad out Thursday to the game, so hopefully he'll give me the go ahead and then I'll decide. I have a few ideas…and, I have the most important thing, so."
"Yeah! Elliot told me it was huge. How many carats are we talking here, Olivia?" Kathy laughed quietly as she looked around to make sure her family wasn't eavesdropping.
"Enough." Olivia grinned, knowing Kathy wasn't going to give up.
"Common' Liv! I won't tell anyone!" She leaned in close to Olivia, so close that their shoulders were touching.
Olivia shyly turned toward her and smiled, "About four." Kathy's mouth fell open. Before she could say anything else, Olivia stopped her. "I know! I know! But, it screams Alex. You'll have to wait till you see it."
"Well, get a move on then!" Both women smirked as Lorenzo brought out the first group of plates, placing them in front of each member of the Stabler family. Olivia stood up and grabbed a plate from Lorenzo, placing it in front of the empty chair she had occupied moments before.
"Enjoy!" She got up and Elliot waved goodbye to her as his family began to eat. Olivia made her way to the front of the restaurant, stopping by the hostess stand to visit Kayla. While she stood speaking to the teenager, Alex opened the front door slowly. "Wow!" Alex hadn't noticed Olivia standing there and smiled when she saw her. "You look beautiful, Al." She pulled the blonde into a tight hug as Alex placed a delicate kiss on her cheek.
"This place looks great. I'm so proud of you, Olivia." Kayla watched in admiration as Alex held Olivia and looked around the restaurant.
"It really does look awesome, Olivia." Kayla smiled. "And, you guys are so cute." They looked at each other and Olivia rolled her eyes at Kayla, smiling as she released the blonde that she held tightly in her arms.
"Listen, Al, I've got a spot at Elliot's table for you, next to Kathy. And I ordered you some food. If you don't want what I got you, just let me know and I'll get you something else babe, ok?" Olivia pointed toward the table and Alex nodded as she turned around and kissed the detective softly on her lips.
"I'm sure whatever you got me will be great." She turned to leave and Olivia couldn't help but watch: she wore dark jeans that clung to her runner's legs, with a green V-neck cable knit sweater. Olivia watched as Alex took off her navy jacket and draped it on the back of the chair next to Kathy.
"Excuse me, detective Benson?" Olivia was in a daze and the unfamiliar voice caught her off guard. She turned around and saw a reporter standing in the foyer. Olivia stuttered and extended her hand, a curious look on her face—she was trying to place how she knew this woman.
"Uh, yes. Hi." The woman took her hand and shook it as she started her spiel.
"Hi! My name is Jo Lewis and I work for The Ledger." Olivia had heard that somewhere before. Why couldn't she figure it out? "I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about the restaurant reopening? We are writing a small blurb about it for tomorrow's edition." The woman seemed nice enough. As Olivia opened her mouth to answer, however, she paused: she picked out the sound of Alex's clacking heels over the commotion of the customers and the acoustic music that filled the restaurant.
Olivia turned to see Alex almost stomping toward her. Before she could say anything, she felt Alex's hand on her arm, and watched as her other hand motioned to the three of them standing in the foyer. "Could we take this outside, please?" Olivia looked into Alex's eyes and saw a fire burning that intimidated even her—something was definitely up.
As the door to the restaurant was closing, Olivia heard Jo begin speaking in a pleading tone. "Ms. Cabot, listen I just want to say I'm sorr—."
Alex cut her off. "Are you fucking kidding me?" Olivia's eyes grew wide. But, she trusted Alex and remained quiet, allowing the blonde to continue.
"I really didn't mean—." The reporter tried to get in a few words, but to no avail.
"No." Alex put her hand up, stopping any further conversation. "This is all I have to say to you, so listen carefully: I cannot believe you have the audacity to come in here and try to act like you have only good intentions. The last time I saw you, you tried to unearth some gossip, and for what? Just so you could have the 'scoop' that no one else had? Well, news flash. By the time that press conference took place, everyone already knew that Olivia and I were together."
Olivia felt the understanding sweep over her face. Now she realized why Alex was so hostile. She was caught between this newfound understanding and shocked by the fact that Alex had just lied. Olivia knew lawyers had a penchant for lying, but Alex usually didn't, and never did around her. But, they had Donnelley's relationship disclosure to back it up if Jo went digging, so this little lie couldn't really harm anyone, Olivia thought.
"So if you think you can just come in here and act like you're covering a story on Serena's just so you can pry further into our lives then you're sadly mistaken." Olivia hadn't ever seen Alex this angry: there was a vein in her neck that protruded a little further out when she spoke and her eyes tore through the reporter like she wasn't even standing there. Her normally pale, ivory skin flushed an infuriated pink color from her cheeks down through her neck, and Olivia stepped up behind her, placing her hand on Alex's back for support when she heard her continue. "You have no idea what your presence has done to our relationship in the past two weeks, and I'm not letting you anywhere near our relationship, or Olivia, again." Alex took a breath and turned to Olivia, taking her hand into her own.
Jo swallowed and took a shallow breath—there was no doubt in her mind now why the ADA had the reputation she did. She steadied herself and began speaking in a nervous, hesitant tone. "Can I have two minutes to explain myself?" She paused and watched Olivia look towards Alex, who was considering this in her head. As Jo noticed the blonde contemplating the idea, she elaborated. "I can't imagine everything you two have been through in the past few months, but I really would like the opportunity to explain myself. It might not make anything any better, but I want you both to know, and" she took a breath, "I need you both to hear what I have to say, because I've felt guilty about it."
Alex looked around and noticed a few of the patrons leaving the restaurant and thought it might be better to take this conversation down the street for a moment. She nodded her head behind them and the three women walked about fifty feet down the sidewalk and turned halfway down a small alley where a closed bakery stood. Olivia pulled Alex close and took her hand, watching the blonde wave her hand toward Jo as she glanced at her watch. "Two minutes."
She didn't waste any time. "I need to start out by saying that I know this was selfish. I'm not making any excuses for that. And, I'm not using my profession as an excuse. But, you know, when you're a journalist, you find the story. You find something that no one else knows and you go for it, and at times, you don't really think about who it's going to involve or what is going to happen as a ripple effect. So, I first want to apologize because I know that, even though my source was right, that it probably wasn't the right time or place to ask you what I did, Ms. Cabot, so I'm sorry." Alex didn't respond. "And, detective Benson, I'm sorry that I brought your career into the spotlight as well, and made it seem like there might be some conspiracy or covering up or whatever there." Olivia gave her a brief nod.
"One minute." Alex glanced at her watch and turned her attention back up to the reporter, whose words became rushed.
"When I heard from a source that you two were spotted in the Vineyard I thought it would be a great story that might be able to get me off the court room bullshit that I've been covering for the past few months. I've always wanted to write lifestyle or gossip, and I haven't gotten a fair shake."
"So you thought you'd even out the playing field for yourself by potentially ruining someone's career and relationship in a public setting?" Alex was surprised to hear Olivia's voice, and turned to see that same, determined look she gave suspects in the interrogation room.
"I know." Jo hung her head. "That's why I wanted to start out by saying I know it was selfish. And, I'm honestly sorry. I really am. I never meant to cause any problems between the two of you." She paused. "I knew that there would probably be some sort of investigation but I didn't know that you both had already disclosed your relationship, and that's where I was wrong. You're right, Ms. Cabot, I was looking to unearth something that I knew could only help me. Looking back, I should have never asked that when and where I did."
There was something about her that made her seem sympathetic, Olivia noticed. She didn't know whether it was her innocent eyes or the way she said 'I'm honestly sorry,' but Olivia believed her, and she thought Alex might too.
"But, I really am doing a story on the reopening of the restaurant. I don't expect you to believe me, but I promise that's why I'm here. I didn't mean for anything to play out like this tonight, and I would still love to talk to you, detective Benson, about the restaurant, if you have time later, and if you're open to that." She began to walk away when Alex's voice made her stop.
"Hey. How about you come back tomorrow night?" She agreed. "Nine o'clock. There won't be many people and we can talk about the restaurant and a few other things that I think need to get out on the table." Jo nodded and turned toward the street to hail a cab. They both watched as she got in and sped away. Olivia turned to Alex and motioned toward the disappearing car.
"I knew she looked familiar!"
"Yeah. There's something going on there, and I don't know what it is." Alex tapped her lip with her pointer finger, focused on the street.
"What do you mean?" Olivia examined Alex's steel blue eyes, still looking in the direction of the car that had disappeared around the corner.
"I'm not sure. On one hand, I believe her. But, on the other hand, I feel like there's something else that's coming our way." She took a breath and focused on Olivia, surprising her by using some cop lingo. "Just watch your 6, Benson."
Olivia laughed out loud and pulled Alex in for a hug as they leisurely walked back toward the restaurant. "Alex, I've never seen you that angry. Is there a hot head simmering beneath that Harvard-educated mind?"
"Oh, I've been known to fly off the handle a few times. But, a hot head? I wouldn't say so." She paused. "I guess I'm just a little protective of you, that's all." They smiled at each other as Olivia opened the door, allowing Alex to walk in first. The detective walked back to the Stabler's table and pulled out Alex's chair, allowing her to sit down and continue eating.
Elliot looked up from his pasta. "Everything ok?"
"Yeah. Just a reporter wanting to talk about the reopening." Olivia looked around at the table. "Everyone good? Need anything?" No one said anything except Dickie, who looked up and smiled.
"Yeah! Come over here and sit down." He pulled an empty chair from the table next to them and smacked it on the seat, encouraging Olivia to sit next to him. She did so, and stared across the table at Elliot, Kathy, Alex, and Eli. Alex smiled down at Eli and picked a noodle off of his shirt, placing it back on the table as he smiled and blushed at her. Olivia read Alex's lips say 'I'll fix it,' as she watched Eli frown at the red stain on his white polo.
Olivia watched as Alex took her own napkin and dipped it in her water, scrunching it together so it was damp. Her delicate hands pulled Eli's shirt out from his body and dabbed at the stain, almost vanishing it completely. Olivia could feel the smile spread across her face when Alex put her napkin down and clapped her hands together, sharing a smile with Eli as he hugged her tightly. Olivia was lost in the thought of maybe the two of them having kids of their own one day—the detective still hadn't completely made her mind up about wanting kids, but there was something so moving about Alex being the mother of her children that Olivia couldn't shake from her mind.
"You know, you can have him." Dickie looked at Olivia and pointed his fork at Eli, laughing loud enough for everyone to hear his remark. Alex looked toward him and noticed the content smile that adorned Olivia's face, and she couldn't help but think the same thought: Alex knew that Olivia was thinking about their future, and about maybe having their own kids one day. Alex still had her reservations, but raising kids with Olivia Benson was definitely an adventure she would be up to adding to her list. The blonde returned the smile when she felt Eli's hand on her arm. She turned toward him and wrapped him in a big hug.
"Don't let them be mean to you. They're just mad because you're my favorite!" Everyone chucked loudly as Dickie's mouth fell into an open smile. Olivia stood and rubbed his shoulders, pointing to Eli.
"You know, you're just not as cute as him anymore." She kissed Dickie on the head and motioned toward the kitchen. Alex watched as she disappeared behind the door, still lost in the thought of being a mother to their kids.
"So, how was the wedding?"
Alex snapped out of her daydream at the sound of Elliot's voice. She picked up her wine and took a sip, refocusing on her food. "It was great!" She twirled her linguini around her fork and waited for Elliot's next question.
"And, how'd things go with the family? Was it her first time meeting everyone?"
"Well, you guys know my uncle Bill," Elliot nodded, "but, other than that, yeah, it was her first time meeting my family. And, of course, everyone loved her."
"Of course!" Elliot smiled and shoveled the last bite of his dinner into his mouth, giving Kathy time to interrupt.
"Well, who doesn't like Olivia, though, really?"
Elliot scoffed. "Well, probably about 100 guys at Rikers, Sing Sing, Attica…" his voice trailed off as the four older Stabler children smiled.
Kathy rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean!"
Alex nodded. "I know what you mean." She paused, and saw Olivia reemerge from the kitchen. Looking toward her, she continued speaking. "There's a lot to love." Elliot and Kathy exchanged knowing glances as Lorenzo came around to collect their empty plates.
Alex glanced at her watch. "Well, I think I'm going to get out of here. It was so nice to have dinner with all of you—it was great to see you guys!" She nodded toward Kathleen and Maureen, specifically, who she hadn't seen in ages. As she was leaving, Eli stood up and gave her a hug, and she bent down to wrap her arms around the young boy. Olivia noticed this from the front of the restaurant and she smiled lovingly at the sight.
"You've got an admirer." Kathy stood to hug Alex and motioned toward Eli. They both smiled as they embraced, Kathy telling Alex how nice it was to have dinner together. Elliot made his way over and gave the attorney a hug as well.
"See you tomorrow?"
"See you tomorrow, Stabler."
Alex gathered her jacket and purse and made her way to the front of the restaurant, but when she reached the foyer, Olivia was no where to be found. Kayla noticed her questioning look and nodded her head toward a small door behind the hostess stand. She reached behind her and opened it, allowing Alex to enter.
The room was only about 6 feet high, and Alex felt like she should turn sideways to scoot through the narrow hall. Two pendant lights were dimly lit overhead and illuminated Olivia's solid figure leaning over a desk at the back of the room. "Olivia, what is this?" Alex chuckled as she made her way back towards the detective.
"Oh. I don't want any money up there anymore. I don't know if that's why they robbed the place or not, but I don't want a cash register in plain sight. So, I'm having Lorenzo take all of the checks now, and if he has cash, he brings it back here." Alex watched as Olivia shuffled through a large stack of twenty-dollar bills, sorting out a few fifty's and even a one hundred dollar bill.
"Wow. Did pretty well tonight, I'd say?" Alex raised her eyebrows, impressed.
"Yeah, I'd say so." Olivia closed the drawer below her and smiled. "But, the free meals to that Stabler clan kills us." They both laughed and Olivia pulled Alex close, resting her hands on the small of the blonde's back. "Thank you for being here tonight, sweetheart. It means a lot."
"Of course, Liv. I wouldn't miss it."
"I think I might get out of here with you, actually." Olivia pulled Alex in for a kiss, and the blonde could feel the appreciation that the detective had for her. Alex pulled back and smiled.
"Oh really?" A seductive smile tugged at her lips, her blue eyes focused on Olivia's mouth.
"Really." Olivia winked at Alex and that's all it took.
"Let's get out of here."