A/N: Guys. Can you believe? I've thought about this story so often, and never thought I would actually have time to finish it. However, when I think about actually FINISHING it and making it final, it makes me sad. Maybe it won't ever end? LOL. Anyways, thank you all again for sticking with this. I know this last break was a little too much to ask from me. But, fear not: I have not died, and am ready to keep writing. Finish? Who knows. But, there's always beauty in the journey and I think we're gonna see that in the next few chapters. I still have a few ideas up my sleeve for our two favorite SVU women. Thanks again for sticking with this. You guys are the best. Hopefully updates will be coming more frequently.

Chapter 91
Fiancee

"So, you're really gonna do it, huh?" Munch asked this question in his usual, cynical way—but that was what everyone loved about him. The party had died down, with only a table of the usual SVU detectives and lawyers, and a few of Alex's family members still hanging around at another table.

Olivia looked across the table at Munch and took Alex's hand into her own. "Yeah." She took a breath and looked at Alex. "Yeah, I'm really gonna do it, John." Alex looked at Olivia with admiration, almost worshipping every word that came out of her mouth. Kathy noticed and couldn't help but smile. It finally seemed like everything was falling into place.

Across the room, Roger sat with Charlotte, Ames, and Bill. The rest of the Cabot clan had left an hour or so earlier. Olivia watched as Roger and Charlotte chatted about something, tuning out the conversation that went on around her. After a few moments, she heard Alex's familiar laugh and pulled her attention back to her table. She looked toward Alex and smiled, knowing that she'd know that Olivia had been checked out. "John, don't worry about that," she paused, "and although it's doubtful…if we ever need a divorce attorney, I know who to come to.

"Damn. Burn." Fin punched Munch in the arm as the older detective rolled his eyes and laughed. "For real though," Fin continued, "congratulations to the both of you." He paused and took his drink into his hand, urging others around the table to do the same. "Olivia, you and I have shared some times," he let out an exasperated breath and everyone around the table nodded in understanding, especially Elliott. "And through all of us working together for so many years, we all start to know each other really well. We see each other at our most vulnerable, most proud, most scared. And through all of it, we become friends, guardians, secret keepers. How could that not draw people as close as humanly possible?" There were nods around the table, and Olivia noticed that the other conversations had died down, everyone focused on Fin. "We like to tell ourselves that we have friends outside the job. But I think we all know that it's just us…the people around this table are our coworkers, but really, when it comes down to it, they are just our absolute best friends. Who else could understand us BUT us? We've faced down some of the most dangerous, heartbreaking, and terrifying situations and who was by our side? Everyone here." Alex joined hands with Olivia, watching intently as the detective gazed upon Elliot, Fin, Munch, Cragen, Huang and Casey.

"All that, I guess, is to say that I know you, Liv." He took a second and gathered himself, pointing with his glass around the table. "I know you, El. And, yes, unfortunately, I know you too, John." Chuckles erupted around the table. "And Liv, I know that there's nothing in this world that I want more than for you to find your family. And…I think you have. Every one of us here in this restaurant would stand up and defend you, stand by your side, and help you through anything. So," he raised his glass and stood, noticing that all attention was on him. "Here's to Olivia and Alex. May they always love one another the way I know they do. Keep each other safe, sound, and loved. Cheers."

Wow, Alex mouthed at Olivia. Neither of them were expecting that, and judging by the slightly raised eyebrows of everyone else not only at the table, but in the restaurant, no one else was either. Olivia raised her champagne class and winked at Fin, feeling the love in her heart swell for her fellow detective. The silence was only broken by an unmistakable voice.

"Hear hear!" Judge Hermann raised his glass and his voice as everyone at the other table smiled that way. After a couple moments, side conversations started up again and Olivia got up to speak to Roger Cabot. As she approached the table, however, Ames stopped her, meeting her halfway.

"Olivia, let's talk." He put his hand on her upper back, guiding her away from both full tables and into a small booth in the corner of the restaurant. Oh, here it comes, Olivia thought. She sat down in the booth across from Alex's cousin and looked him over. He was tall, blonde, and had those same blue eyes that all the Cabots had, that seemed to pierce into your very soul. His shiny, new, platinum wedding band reflected the light above the booth and Olivia could see her reflection in it.

"Listen," Ames began and took a breath. "I'm not here to bust your balls." They both laughed: Ames lightheartedly, Olivia nervously. "But, you know my uncle Roger is just about the kindest, warmest man on the face of the earth. As much as I loved my aunt Caroline, that's where Alex gets all her fight and venom." Olivia leaned back and sipped her champagne as he kept talking. "So, I think it's my place to just kind of have a talk with you about Alex…and your intentions with her." Olivia began to speak but Ames held up his hand.

"Olivia…I couldn't scare you if I tried, I'm afraid. However, this isn't meant to scare you. I just need you to know that I have Alex's back." He took a sip of his beer. "And I always will." Olivia nodded her head.

"I understand. I would expect nothing less." Olivia saw Alex look around for her at the table, and when she located her, Alex put her hands out, shrugging. What's up? She silently gestured through the air. Olivia's eyes gestured to Ames, sitting across from her and gave an almost imperceptible shrug—just enough that Ames didn't see. Alex rolled her eyes and patted Olivia's empty chair next to her, begging her to come back. Olivia winked and promised herself she wouldn't be away from Alex's side longer than she needed to.

"Anyways, what I guess I'm trying to say is…" Ames had been speaking, Olivia guessed, during the few moments she was silently communicating with Alex, but she just now tuned back into what he was saying. "Please take care of her. That's what Alex needs most, even though she would never admit it…" he paused. "And I'm not saying I'll kill you if you ever lay a finger on her…but, I know a lot of people." He began to laugh as soon as he said this. "I couldn't even keep a straight face with that one." Olivia smiled and Ames reached across the table and shook her hand. "Well, Olivia, congratulations to you and Alex. Welcome to the family."

Moments later, Olivia saw the SVU table all gathering their belongings to leave. She walked over and gave each of them a hug, thanking them for being there. Elliot pulled Olivia and Alex into a hug at the same time as Kathy watched. "Love you guys. Congrats."

Kathy piped up from outside the front door as they were leaving, "and if you need any help planning let me know!" Elliot smiled and pulled her closer to him as they both turned to cross the street.

Alex and Olivia turned back into the restaurant and noticed the only person left was Roger. He sat at his same table, watching them say goodbye to friends and family, and gestured for them to sit down with him.

"Well, I told Olivia this earlier, but…I'm not surprised this happened so soon." He smiled proudly, looking from Olivia to Alex.

"So soon?" Alex was confused. "So soon from when?"

Roger smiled and glanced up at Olivia, "Do you want to tell her? Or should I?"

"Well," Olivia turned toward Alex. "The Yankees game the other night…" Alex waited with bated breath. How could this be related to the Yankees game? "Well, I went with your dad, not with Elliot." Alex's eyes darted between Roger and Olivia, waiting for the complete story. "I knew that I wanted to speak to him about marrying you, and I think it was a good night for both of us." Roger nodded.

Alex sat with her mouth open in surprise for a few moments. Roger didn't give her time to say anything, however, and moved toward Alex. "Well, I've been waiting…let me see it." He gestured toward her left hand, his hand out asking for hers. Alex took her hand off Olivia's thigh and displayed it to her father.

"Wow…I uh….wow. I don't even know what to say." He looked at Alex inquisitively. "And, you didn't help her pick this out?" Alex shook her head, a small smile spreading across her face.

"I know," Alex said thoughtfully. Olivia was confused, until Roger spoke up through a bit of emotion.

"That just uh…Well, Olivia, that looks a lot like Alex's mother's ring." Olivia's eyes moved from Roger to Alex, and down to her finger. "Much bigger, though." They all laughed, and Olivia noticed the tears that formed in both Alex and her father's eyes.

"Well! I suppose that's enough for me tonight." Roger stood up and stretched. "I'm staying in the city for a bit, Lex, so if you want to do dinner or something just let me know." Alex's thoughts shifted, and with a tilt of her head, Roger explained a little more. "Oh, it's nothing. I'm helping an old colleague with a few things and it's just easier to stay here." He looked from Olivia to Alex and wrapped his daughter into a hug. "And, it's nice to be close, in case you need me." He pulled Olivia in for a hug as well. "In case emeither/em of you need me." He smiled at both of them and walked with them to the front door.

"Olivia I didn't say anything before, but this place is very nice." Olivia nodded and smiled at him as he said goodbye to his daughter. "I'm so proud of you Alexandra. And I'm happy you've found what you've been looking for."

"Olivia…good job kid." He patted Olivia on the arm and they exchanged a smile as Roger stepped out into the brisk night air.

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"I just…" Alex sighed, a satisfied smile on her face. She held her left hand out in front of her, even with her face, as she stood next to her nightstand. Olivia was undressing and looked over at her fiancée, who took the ring off and placed it in the small jewelry dish on her nightstand.

"What, Al?" Olivia turned, clad in the sweatpants she had just put on and a bright pink sports bra. Alex looked her over and smiled.

"I just can't believe…" she smiled, "I just can't believe I'm gonna be your wife….your wife, Olivia…" she paused. "Your wife!" Each time she said this phrase, she emphasized a different word and both of them were on the edge of laughing when they pulled each other closely at the end of the bed.

"Yeah." It was a whisper from Olivia. The detective cleared her throat through a smile and swallowed before pushing Alex's hair behind her ear. "You know? I can believe it." She ducked down and placed a small, delicate, kiss on Alex's lips that was interrupted by a smile so wide that their lips were no longer touching. Olivia stepped back and saw that same dazzling smile she knew so well, and she couldn't help but return one of her own.

Olivia watched as Alex walked into the closet and undressed. She always loved how her fiancée stripped completely naked in the bathroom or closet and then walked over to her dresser to apply lotion to her body before she went to bed. The smell and sight were so familiar to Olivia that she almost looked forward to it every night, and tried to be in bed before Alex to watch it all unfold.

Alex pulled out a pair of Olivia's running shorts and one of her NYPD softball shirts and pulled them both on. She put her hair in a pony tail and bounced into bed, curling up to Olivia who was sitting with her back against the headboard. Olivia smiled down on her, took her glasses off, and pulled the chain on the light next to her bed, leaving only Alex's light on. The detective sank down into the bed, pulling Alex close to her.

"I really can't wait to call you my wife," Olivia whispered. She ran her hand from Alex's shoulder down to her hand and intertwined their fingers together. "I never thought I'd be able to."

Alex flipped in the bed and turned her light off, then sank down and scooted her backside against Olivia, the detective folding around her. She heard Olivia smell her neck and moan lightly. "You smell so good baby." Alex smiled and rubbed the tanned hand that held tight to her midsection. She wasn't sure she could hang for any kind of sexy business tonight, although she'd never admit to her lover that she was tired.

"Olivia?"

"Yeah?" At this, Alex turned over to face the detective.

"You proposed! To me!" Olivia laughed at Alex's apparent shock that this had happened as the attorney continued. "You, Olivia Benson, decorated officer, sexiest woman I've ever seen, and patron saint of the West Village Lesbians…" Olivia scoffed and rolled her eyes. "You got down on one knee and asked me to be your wife." Alex accentuated these words, pointing from Olivia to herself when she said the respective words.

"Why is this so hard for you to believe?" Olivia stroked up and down Alex's thigh, gripping onto her hip, lightly shaking her to emphasize her point. "Alex, you're so far out of my league. Come on. You really think I wouldn't lock you down when I had the chance?"

"I'm not even going to dignify that with a response." Alex smiled and Olivia pulled her close, kissing her softly. Olivia saw Alex's eyes grow heavy and knew that all of the excitement from the day probably wore heavy on her fiancée.

"Goodnight Alexandra." Olivia kissed her forehead and pulled her close. "I love you."

Alex's sleepy eyes opened, heavy with sleep. She reached up and booped Olivia's nose. "I love you, FIANCEE!" Olivia watched as Alex's eyes fell heavier, and within five minutes, she was completely out.