A/N: Hi! Don't fret! The moment will be here soon enough. I hope you appreciate this chapter—and I think you will! Thank you all so much for your reviews and favorites. It always makes me feel so great when I check after uploading a chapter and I have comments to read from all of you wonderful people. Thank you! Enjoy!

Chapter 85

Surprise

Alex walked through the apartment door and rested her purse on the kitchen table. It was a beautiful night, she noticed: out the wall of windows, the soft twilight bounced off the buildings across the parkway. She let down her hair and listened for any movement in the apartment, and after a few moments of complete silence she called out.

"Liv?" Nothing. She turned and walked down the hallway, peeking into each room as she went past. "Olivia? Are you here?" Not a sound was echoed in the apartment, so Alex assumed that Olivia was still at work. She walked into their master bedroom and began to undress when she saw a piece of paper lying haphazardly on the bed. She picked it up and began to read.

Alex,

I thought it might be nice to spend a night at the Four Seasons for your birthday, since you just want to go out to dinner tomorrow night. I have a bag for you—a car will be here at 7 to get you.

I love you

Olivia

Alex smiled for a second, but jumped when she heard a knock at the door. Clad in only her bra and pants, she walked to the door and spoke through it.

"Yes?"

A muffled male voice came from the other side. "Um, yes Ms. Cabot?"

"Yes…?"

"Uh, well, I'm here to pick you up…well, I'm a little early."

On the other side of the door Alex looked at her watch: 6:58. "Oh! Yes! I'll be down in one minute." She ran to the bedroom and rummaged through her clothes, ecstatic to spend a night away with Olivia. She found a simple cotton dress and slid on a pair of black heels, grabbing her phone charger as she left the room. After checking her bag for Olivia's favorite shade of lipstick, she pulled her coat on and walked out.

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Olivia stood in front of the floor to ceiling windows and watched the rain fall softly against the building. Today when she left the precinct, she didn't know this would be happening tonight, but she thought maybe that was best—then, perhaps, Alex wouldn't expect it either. She gripped the blue velvet box in her hand and felt the nerves rise in her body as she glanced at the clock. It was 7:35 and Alex should be there any minute.

It was special, Olivia thought. No one knew it was going to happen—she didn't even know herself until about two hours ago. She could imagine the surprise on everyone's faces tomorrow night when they walked into Serena's. Olivia thought about Roger, and hopefully how happy he would be when he saw this ring on his daughter's finger. Before she could think about it anymore, there was a knock at the door. Olivia tucked the box into her bag and jumped to open the door.

"Wow." It was breathless, and Alex had barely heard it.

"That's a nice hello." Alex closed the door and pulled Olivia close, kissing her passionately as the door shut behind them.

"Well, I uhh…You look…you're just beautiful Alex." The attorney smiled and took off her jacket and purse, hanging them from the coat rack in the corner. She returned to Olivia, pulling her close and running her fingers through the short hair on the back of Olivia's head.

"So what's all this about, baby?" Olivia wrapped her arms around Alex's waist and pulled her close.

"Recognize it?" Olivia took a quick, cursory glance around the room.

"Of course I do, but…" Alex's voice trailed off as she looked around.

"What?" Olivia grew concerned as Alex's face fell a bit. Suddenly, she had an ominous thought—what if Alex hated the idea? What if she had picked the wrong place? What if she said no?

"Well, Liv. I mean…this place doesn't exactly conjure up the best memories for me." She smiled sympathetically at Olivia—she could tell the detective was just trying to make tonight special for her birthday.

"Oh." Olivia walked over to the large windows, thinking that she may have made a disastrous mistake. She leaned her arm on the window and rested her forehead against it, looking down on the lights of the city. Alex approached her and Olivia felt the blonde's hand on the small of her back, the warmth radiating up her entire body. Suddenly she remembered what Roger had said to her just a few days before—that no matter the place or the time, what Alex is going to remember about this is how she felt, and Olivia wanted to be the one to make her feel that way. She had to trust that what she had prepared would be enough. She took a breath and prayed to any God that would listen before she turned and looked at Alex.

"Liv, what's wrong?" Olivia took Alex into her arms, turning her to look down upon the city, the detective's arm around her waist.

"You know, I've been thinking…and I know that this place may not hold many happy memories in your mind, but in mine, it's uh…really special." Alex turned to her with a questioning look on her face.

"What do you mean?"

Olivia smiled softly and began—she had Alex right where she wanted her. "Well, I'll tell you." She motioned to the couch. "Have a seat on the couch, over there." Olivia slyly bent down and took the ring box out of her bag when Alex turned around, placing it in her back pocket so the attorney wouldn't notice it right away. Quickly she caught up with Alex, sitting across the table from the blonde.

"You were sitting right there." Olivia motioned to Alex as she smiled endearingly. "Elliot tells me he won two games in backgammon and you only won 3, but I know you wiped the floor with him." Alex gasped.

"I beat him four games to one!"

"I knew he was lying." Olivia winked charmingly as she continued, knowing Alex had no idea where this was going. "I came in, ready for my shift during your protective detail." Alex nodded. "I don't know if you remember, but I asked if you wanted to continue playing. You said no, and I was glad you did, because I honestly have no idea how to even begin to play that game." She chuckled and Alex smiled, listening attentively.

Olivia stood up and extended her hand to Alex, who took it and followed the detective. "You…" Alex felt Olivia's hands attach to her hips, moving her slightly to the right of where she had been standing before. "Were standing right there. I remember admiring you as you looked down on the street. I don't know what it was, but your hair looked different from before you went into WITSEC. I remember not being able to take my eyes off you." She reached out and touched Alex's hand, caressing it lightly. "I remember my heart breaking when you said you missed the smell of the city, that you wanted to be outside…In that moment, I realized that this all hadn't been a bad dream. That it was real, and that you really had been away for what had seemed like forever."

Alex turned and pulled Olivia in for a kiss. "Oh, Liv." The detective pulled away for a moment and smiled.

"Then you started talking about the guy you were dating that worked at the same office as you." Alex rolled her eyes and winced uncomfortably. Olivia noticed. "No, no, just hear me out…You stood here and told me about him, and I couldn't help but notice how beautiful you looked. Almost as beautiful as you do right now." She took Alex's hand in her own again, and continued.

"But, anyway…" Olivia breathed through some nerves. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that even though I thought I was over you when you left, I knew right then that I wasn't. I realized that when you love someone, you can't deny it, even though I kept trying when you came back to the city a few months ago."

"I fell in love with you right here, Alex." Olivia pointed to the ground and squeezed the blonde's hand lightly. "And, for so many reasons, I continue to fall in love with you every day." Alex felt a shift in this conversation, and quickly her heart fluttered. She watched as Olivia reached into her back pocket and couldn't breathe when she saw her drop to one knee. Alex's free hand clutched her heart as the one that held Olivia's trembled.

"Alex, I love you. I love you more than I could ever express. When you came back into my life, on one hand I thought we'd never be at this place. But, at the same time, there was an undeniable fate that I couldn't fight. There's a destiny that was so obvious to me—that we were meant to be together." She took a breath and Alex felt Olivia's hand leave hers as tears filled her eyes.

Olivia took the box into both of her hands and realized her hands were shaking. She steadied herself and opened the box, revealing the ring she had so carefully crafted for the woman she would hopefully, soon, call her wife. Alex gasped, her hands covering her tearful smile.

"Oh my god, Oliv—" The detective held her hand up, taking Alex's into her own once again.

"This is where I fell in love with you. And, this is where I'll ask you the most important question of my life." Her hands shook as she realized that she had forgotten to breathe. "Alexandra, will you marry me?"

The words had barely left her lips when she felt Alex's hands take the box from her and pull her up, kissing her passionately. Olivia sensed Alex's hands attach to the back of her head, pulling her close enough for Alex's tears to streak her own face. "Mmm, Liv."

Olivia moaned between kisses, pulling Alex as close as she could. Tears streamed freely down Alex's face, and her mouth turned up into a smile so wide that made it difficult for her to kiss her girlfriend anymore.

They pulled away from one another and Olivia let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Her hands shook as they traced down Alex's back, caressing over her shoulder blades and down her sides. She looked at Alex and noted the tears on her face as she took her hands up to her delicate cheeks and wicked them away. Alex laughed and kissed the detective, holding her face in her hands. They stared into each other's eyes for a few moments before Olivia cleared her throat.

"So…?"

Alex had a questioning look on her face for a moment before she realized that she hadn't answered Olivia's proposal. "Oh, Liv. Yes! Yes, of course!" They kissed, and as Olivia bent down to pick up the box on the table next to them she felt Alex's hand on her own. "Come here."

Alex led the detective down the hall and into the bedroom, kissing her deeply as they stood near the foot of the bed. Olivia leaned back and admired Alex before she pulled the attorney close, whispering near her neck. "I can't believe you're going to be my wife." She peppered Alex's slender neck with kisses, emphasizing them with her tongue.

Alex smiled pleasingly. "I can." She smiled as she stared into those familiar golden brown eyes. "I love you, Olivia."

"I love you too." Before she could finish speaking, Alex's hands attached to her neck. For some reason, Olivia became nervous as the gravity of the situation dawned on her. She felt her hands continue to tremble, and Alex noticed.

Alex took Olivia's hands into her own and placed them on her body, one around her back and one on her breast. They kissed, desperately yearning for each other: Alex's grip intensified around Olivia's neck and the detective's still shaky hands wandered over her fiancé's slim body. They parted long enough for Alex to get a few words in.

"You ok baby?" Alex took Olivia's hands into her own, steadying them. They had made love before, and Olivia knew that, but this time was different.

"Yeah…yeah, I'm good." Alex looked at her with inquisitive eyes, prompting her to continue. "I uh…it's just," she felt Alex's hands run through her hair, eliciting a shy smile.

"What Liv? What are you thinking?" They were so close that Alex didn't have to speak above a whisper, still running her hands lovingly through Olivia's short hair, scratching a bit at her scalp.

"You just made me the happiest person in the world, Alex. I'm so in love with you, and I just can't believe you actually want to marry me." Alex smiled at Olivia seriously, kissing her slowly, her eyes opened and focused. "I just…I know we've made love before, but I uh…I can't help but think…"

"It will be different, Olivia. From here on out, it's going to be different. I'm going to be your wife, baby." Alex pulled Olivia into her, rubbing her hands up and down the detective's strong back. "Are you nervous?"

Olivia gazed into those blue eyes as she saw Alex look right back at her. Before either of them could say anything, Olivia felt her hands slide under Alex's dress, lifting it over her head. Quickly, the detective's hands were all over her, slowly stroking every bit of flesh not covered by her bra or thong. Alex reciprocated, ridding Olivia of her shirt and pants.

Before they both knew what had happened, they were standing naked at the foot of the bed. Olivia gazed down at Alex's breasts as if it was the first time she saw them, timidly reaching out and touching them, cascading her hand over her already hardened nipples.

Alex moaned and fell into Olivia's arms as the detective kissed up her neck. "Mmm, Alex. You're really gonna marry me?" Olivia spoke between kisses, her tongue paying special attention to that spot right above Alex's pulse point.

"Yes. Oh, Liv. Don't stop touching me, baby."

"I won't." Olivia lay down on the bed and delicately pulled Alex on top of her. "I never will." She gradually ran her hands from Alex's arms down her sides and over her backside, watching as goose bumps rose over the alabaster skin atop her.

Alex gazed down on Olivia with a feeling that was more than love—more than lust, even. It was a pure and absolute devotion: almost as if Olivia could open her mouth and say anything, and Alex knew she'd oblige. The defined body underneath her represented everything she held dear in her life—Olivia's strength, her love, and her unwavering dedication had gotten her through some of the hardest times in her life, whether Olivia knew it or not. She leaned down and kissed Olivia's neck, feeling the warm skin meet her tongue. She couldn't stifle the moan that escaped her when she felt Olivia's hands pull her close, attaching to her back, and running down to her legs. She was startled when her own voice leapt from her throat.

"I remember the last time I was in this bed…Do you?" Alex sat up on the bed, her knees straddling her lover beneath her. She looked down on Olivia's body, scratching lightly over her abs as she waited for her response.

"I remember how hard it was for me to stay out there on that couch." Olivia's hand glided up Alex's taut stomach to her breasts, stroking them lovingly. "I remember that I considered making up a reason to come in here and see you…to maybe sit with you for a just a few minutes." As Olivia spoke, her hands magnetized even stronger to Alex's body, lightly squeezing her thighs as she eyed the slender body above her.

Alex's body was ablaze—Olivia's hands were a roaring fire, sparking a new flame over every inch that she touched. She felt her eyes roll back in her head and then close in pleasure, concentrating on Olivia's delicate touch everywhere on her. When she had gathered her thoughts enough, she confided in Olivia. "I didn't go to sleep that night. And it wasn't because of Connors…I wanted to feel you—like this." Her hand roamed Olivia's body, feeling every muscle, every groove. Olivia leaned forward and grabbed the covers, pulling them over their joined bodies, Alex lying down over Olivia as she felt the detective continue her slow seduction.

"Kiss me, Liv." It was breathless, eager, pleading. Their warm bodies coalesced together as Olivia held Alex close, probing her mouth ardently with her tongue. After a few moments of silent, controlled passion, Alex felt Olivia's arms flex around her body, swiftly changing positions so her back was flatly resting against the mattress. She reached up and tousled Olivia's hair, gently running her hand through it as they gazed seriously into each other's eyes. "I love you."

"I love you." Olivia leaned down and placed soft kisses on Alex's neck, making her way down to her supple breasts. The blonde moaned beneath her as Olivia slipped under the covers, paying special attention to her erect nipples, licking and lightly sucking on them until she felt Alex throw the covers back. She looked up at the attorney with questioning eyes as she continued moving down her body, kissing the area near her belly button and along her hips.

"I want to see you." Alex moaned softly, and Olivia separated her legs and sat back on her knees, running her hands down the inside of her fiancée's thighs. It was a yearning, passionate sound, and Olivia wanted to continue in this way, slowly making love to the woman beneath her. Soft, slow moans spilled from Alex when Olivia delicately drew a finger through her, spreading moisture throughout her core.

"Oh, Alex." Olivia had a hard time focusing on anything other than the warm wetness that coated her finger. A shiver ran through Alex when she heard Olivia rasp her name in her ear. Quickly, she took Olivia's hand into her own, returning it to her soaked center. She watched Olivia look into her eyes and felt the sublime pressure when she entered her.

Alex hips bucked up, meeting each slow thrust from Olivia. The detective watched as Alex's hands grasped for her, pulling her body up to lay with her as Olivia continued her slow pace. Each time Olivia's fingers left Alex, she could feel her lips beckoning them inside once again, pulling her deeper, eliciting low raspy moans from both women. Alex quashed Olivia's moans with an open mouth, holding on to the back of her head with one hand and her shoulder with the other.

Alex started a rhythmic pace, kissing Olivia with each thrust from the detective. Before long, Olivia felt Alex pull back, her hand tightening around Olivia's shoulder. They looked into each other's eyes and Olivia watched as Alex bit her lip, the beginning of a smile sneaking over her face. Olivia knew she was close, and she moved down to her core, continuing her pace as she leaned down and ran her tongue over the sensitive bud awaiting her touch. Alex groaned pleasantly, feeling Olivia's fingers continue as she added a thumb circling around her clit.

Olivia felt the familiar tightening and release accompanied by a low, quiet moan and followed by an excess of liquid around her fingers. The detective leaned down and ran her tongue through Alex once again, eliciting a jolt through her lover's legs. She smiled softly and kissed her way up Alex's body, licking the areas she knew would drive Alex wild.

"Liv," Alex pleaded, "come here baby." Alex opened her arms and Olivia fell on top of her, resting her head on Alex's chest as the cool, alabaster hands ran over Olivia's back lovingly. They lay like that for a few minutes: Olivia above Alex, the attorney running her hands up and down Olivia's back, gently pushing her hair out of her face. Alex took a deep breath and jumped when she heard Olivia shout.

"Oh!" Before Alex could even sit up and question anything, Olivia was halfway down the hallway.

"Liv?" Alex chuckled a bit as she pulled the covers up on her body, trapping them between her hand and chest. She heard Olivia's feet quickly patting down the hallway before the detective bounded toward the bed, straddling Alex's legs as she sat down. "Liv, what—?" She hadn't seen the box in Olivia's hand yet, and she settled herself, her knees and shins resting against the mattress.

"You forgot this." Olivia pulled the box from behind her back and opened it, displaying it to Alex.

"Oh my g—Liv." Alex was astonished. Her engagement ring was the most beautiful piece of jewelry she had ever seen. Tears filled her eyes as she watched Olivia take the ring out of the box and pull her left hand close.

"I uh…" Olivia stammered, "I've been waiting so long to do this." After elegantly slipping the ring on Alex's finger, she continued. "And to be honest, I wasn't even going to do this tonight." She took a breath, still holding Alex's hand. "I always thought it was sort of cliché to propose on another important day—like Christmas or a birthday or Valentine's day, or whatever."

"Well it's not my birthday yet!" Alex took Olivia's face into her hands and kissed her slowly, as a stray happy tear streamed down her face.

"I know, I know…I just…" Olivia reached over and wiped the singular tear streak away, smiling at her fiancée. "I just couldn't wait." They gazed at each other as Alex pulled Olivia close, hugging her as tight as she could. When she let go, they both glanced down at Alex's hand.

"Olivia, baby, this is…" she sat for a moment, her hand extended out in front of her face, trying to formulate a thought—anything to express how she felt.

"Do you like it?"

"Are you serious? Olivia!" She focused on Olivia's eyes. "Even if this wasn't the most beautiful engagement ring I'd ever seen in my life, I'd love it because you took the time to choose it for me. You picked it out because you thought I'd like it." She paused. "But, let's be real: it's beautiful, it's…it's more than I could have ever imagined, Liv."

The detective let out a breath. "Phew. Good. I thought you'd like it, but I just wanted to make sure." Alex decided to just nod and let the moment pass. In all reality, she was completely overjoyed, but concerned at how much money this must have cost Olivia. She didn't know too much about jewelry, but she knew it had to be over $25,000. She didn't have much time to think about it before Olivia shot up, her hand smacking herself on the head.

"Hey, so, I made reservations for dinner tonight—do you want to go?" She was looking around the room for both of their clothes as she asked, fumbling with a shirt that she had just picked up off the floor.

"Well, yeah! Of course." Alex was still admiring the ring on her finger when she felt Olivia flop a full bag on the bed.

"Perfect." Olivia rifled through the bag and took out a few items, placing them on the bed, hastily. "So, um, sweetheart…?" Alex tore her attention away from her left hand and looked up at Olivia, who had a hurried look on her face. The detective tried to maintain a calm, focused demeanor and smiled softly at Alex. "We've got to be there at 9." Alex looked at the clock and jumped out of bed, mirroring Olivia's rushed behavior. "I packed you some stuff in that bag, so you've got some options." Alex kissed Olivia on the cheek, a quick 'thank you,' as she dug through the bag and three minutes later, they were hand in hand, riding the elevator to the ground floor.

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"Olivia, I just can't believe…This was so unexpected." They sat at a small table in a softly lit steakhouse, their hands connected across the table.

Olivia smiled proudly at Alex. "I know we've kind of been poking around the subject, but I just couldn't wait to propose to you, Alex…well," Olivia rubbed her neck, nervously, "until about two hours ago—I think I could have waited a little longer once I decided I was going to do it." She laughed as Alex responded with a curious look. "I was nervous!"

"What? Why? You knew I'd say yes."

"Well, I didn't know, but I thought you would. But, I was still nervous, Al." They laughed as Olivia continued. "It's a big deal, you know? It's not everyday that I ask someone to marry me." Alex leaned across the table and kissed Olivia softly on the cheek, a small smile adorning her face. The blonde sat back down and admired Olivia, sighing quietly.

"God, every time you say it, my heart just pounds out of my chest."

"Say what?"

"That I'm going to marry you." As Alex spoke she gazed into those familiar golden-brown eyes and saw nothing but pure, unadulterated love and admiration staring back at her.

"Well…you are…aren't you?" Alex laughed, rolling her eyes.

A half hour later they were finishing up their dinner when Alex looked across the table to Olivia. "Hey." It was quiet, almost a sigh. Olivia looked up and met her eyes, as Alex reached across and took her hand. "You, Olivia Benson, have made me so happy. I couldn't think of anything I'd rather do than be your wife." A wide smile spread across the detective's face, and she took Alex's hand to her lips, kissing it softly. "Thank you…for all of this. It was so thoughtful." She took a sip of her water and continued. "I have to admit, when I saw what room you were in, I was, um, let's just say less than thrilled. But when you told me…when I realized that you had remembered everything from that night so long ago, baby it changed everything."

Olivia smiled weakly at Alex. "You know, I don't ever want you look back on anything that involved me and not think of it fondly. I know that sounds cocky, or a little off, but if I can fix something that was once wrong and make it right, I'm going to do that…and I'm going to do it for the rest of my life." She paused and put her fork down, pushing her plate to the side. "When I was leaving the precinct today, I didn't really have anything planned for tonight. I thought we could go up to the roof, spend a little time in the hot tub, get some take out and watch a movie. But then I don't know what hit me. I felt that ring box in my bag and, although I had been thinking about how I wanted to propose for a long time, it just hit me. I knew what I wanted to do…and I couldn't wait."

"Well, I'm going to be honest." Olivia was intrigued, and leaned forward to hear Alex's lowered voice. "There's something I want to do right now too…and I don't want to wait, either." Alex smiled when she saw Olivia's face and continued. "I mean, we didn't really have too much time to…" she paused, "celebrate together." They smiled at each other. "That's something we need to work on."

Olivia cocked her eyebrow and asked for the check as the waiter disappeared. "Well, we can start tonight. We've got the rest of our lives."