Chapter 15
"Love is a force more formidable than any other. It's invisible – it cannot been seen or measured, yet it is powerful enough to transform you in a moment, and offer you more joy than any material possession could."- Barbara de Angelis.
After Olivia was finished and broke down she stayed in Alex's arms for about an hour. Crying together about the hell Olivia had been trough. Alex was glad that Olivia allowed her to keep her close. The blonde knows that sooner or later Olivia would push her away or try it. As long as Olivia allows her Alex will do everything she can to help her girlfriend. After they both had calmed down a bit Alex had reheated their dinner and Olivia ate a bit. It was a warm night and they had been outside for a while before they went to bed. At first Olivia wanted to stay in the guest room by herself and Alex went to her own bedroom. But an hour after they went to bed Olivia had a nightmare and she had moved to Alex's bedroom after that. It was a difficult night for both of them. Due to the fact that Olivia was exhausted she had fallen asleep again but that night Alex had been woken up three times by the Detective, screaming in her sleep. After the second time Alex stayed awake, sitting against the headboard with Olivia in her arms but even the safety of her attorney's arms couldn't prevent a third nightmare. No need to say that both women still were exhausted by the time they got up. After their morning ritual and breakfast Alex asked if it would be wise to have Abby coming over that night but Olivia almost bit her head off. Alex didn't want to get into a huge fight over this so she let it rest. After lunch it seemed like Olivia was feeling a bit better emotional and she suggested that Alex and she should go getting groceries and make something nice together for dinner to thank the Texan. Alex had agreed to get them, knowing that Olivia couldn't sit still for even hour normally, except for paperwork due to her job. It was a 15 minutes drive to the stores in the nearest village. Abby had called and told them that she would leave around 4 pm and that she should be there around 6 pm if she was lucky with the traffic. When they returned from the village Alex and Olivia made some preparations for their dinner and after that Olivia lied down on the couch to take a nap. Laying her head on Alex lap who was reading a book in the meantime. Thankfully Olivia slept for 2 hours without a nightmare. Around 5 pm Alex woke the Detective up giving her some time to wake up properly. And now they are waiting for Abby to arrive. It's close to 6 pm and Abby hadn't called that traffic was a bitch so they expected the tall brunette any minute from now.
"I'm going to sit outside in one of the lounge chairs." Olivia says.
"Are you sure? Abby's going to be here soon." Alex asks.
"Yes, I'm sure. I need some fresh air." Olivia answers.
"Alright, let me help you to get comfortable there then." Alex says.
Alex stands up from the chair she was sitting in and helps Olivia up from the couch and the two women walk outside to the lounge chairs. Alex helps Olivia down into the chair slowly and when the strong brunette is settled the younger blonde walks back inside. Waiting for Abby to arrive and sensing that the Detective wants to be alone. She decides to make some coffee for when the brunette attorney arrives. About 10 minutes later Abby arrives at Alex's cabin. Alex sees her coming and walks to the front door and opens the door. She waits in the door opening. Abby kills the engine and gets out of her car taking a small back, her briefcase and her purse with her. After she leaves the car she locks it and walks to Alex.
"Hey Blondie, how are things up here?" Abby drawls while hugging Alex.
"Could have better, could have been worse. Let's go inside first." Alex answers slowly.
"That doesn't sound so good." Abby says walking inside the cabin behind Alex.
"Do you want a short tour first or a cup of coffee?" Alex asks closing the door behind the brunette.
"If you have coffee ready I'd say coffee first. Where's Liv?" Abby asks looking around in the living room.
"Coffee is ready. Liv's outside sitting in a lounge chair. But I think we should leave her there for a moment. She just went outside. Well take a seat wherever you want, I'm gonna crab us some coffee." Alex says.
Abby sits down on the couch and waits for Alex to return with their coffee. Shortly after she left the blonde is back with two mugs filled with coffee. She hands one to Abby and sits down next to her on the couch.
"So, how are the two of you holding up?" Abby asks.
"Today was alright considering the circumstances. During the night it was bad though, Liv had three nightmares." Alex answers.
" That's bad yeah. But with everything she went through I'm not surprised. It's good that today went well after a night like this. It's gonna take a long time before she'll be alright again I think. Did ya gals talked about what happened?" Abby asks softly.
"We did last night. It was hard but Liv told me what happened in Rikers. She wanted for me to know what happened before we go to trial. I'm so proud of her Abby, so proud that she let me in and told me what happened to her. I know she's still afraid she'll lose me, no matter what I say. It's gonna take time and me proving her that she won't lose me." Alex answers.
"That makes two of us. I'm glad she trusts you and talks to you Alex. I know how important it is to be able to talk about it with someone close to you. Someone that understands it." Abby says softly.
"I'll be there for her as long as she lets me. I'll always be there for her no matter what. She just needs to realize it yet. Now how about I give you a tour and we go to see if Liv wants to have dinner?" Alex asks.
"Sounds like a good idea to me. I have to say this is a great area. I hope it will do the both of you good to stay here for a while." Abby answers.
Alex shows Abby the cabin and then the ADA's are walking outside to Olivia, the Detective is staring at the lake when they see her.
"Howdy Detective." Abby says.
Olivia turns her head.
"Hey Tex. Did you have a good ride?" Olivia asks.
"Yeah it was alright. Not too much traffic." Abby answers.
"That's always nice. I assume the two of you came here asking to have dinner?" Olivia asks.
"Yes we are. Do you want to have it now?" Alex asks.
"Sure. Abby must be starving and I think that you're hungry too. So let's go." Olivia answers.
Alex helps Olivia up again and they all went back inside. Since they had prepared everything this afternoon there is not much needed to get dinner on the table. Basically all Alex has to do is to bake the steaks and the potato parts. Olivia already told the blonde how to bake the steaks so it won't be a problem. Abby and Olivia are staying in the living room having small talk while Alex finishes their dinner and 10 minutes later the three women are sitting at the dinner table enjoying their meal.
"This steak is so good, Alex. Everything is good." Abby says.
"Well thank you but it's Liv who you should thank, I only helped her prepare it and baked it like she told me to do." Alex says as she blushes.
"That's crap Counselor and you know it. Don't sell yourself short. You did as much as I did. We made this dinner together, Abs." Olivia says.
"Well I don't care who did what, it's great. So thank you both." Abby smiles.
"It's the least we could do after all you're coming all the way up here for us." Olivia replies.
"Thank you Abs, our big bad Detective here doesn't know how to take a compliment." Alex smiles.
After they finished their dinner Abby insists that she helps Alex with cleaning up and doing the dishes. After they are done they go the living room where Alex sits down on the couch with Olivia's feet on her lap, Abby sits down in the chair across from the couch.
"Did ya think about how ya want to do it, Liv?" Abby asks.
"I thought that maybe it's for the best if Alex watches the tape without me. So if it's alright, I think the two of us should prep for the trial while Alex watches the tape. If you still want to watch it of course, Lex." Olivia answers softly.
"I want to be prepared so I can be there for you in the courtroom. I get it that you don't want to see it so I think it's a good plan that you and Abby are going to prep for the trial at the same time." Alex answers.
"On one side I wish he would go for a deal so that I don't have to go to a trial. On the other side I want him behind bars for the rest of his life. How fucked up is that? Don't answer it. I don't want to talk about it. Let's go do it, the longer we wait the harder it gets. And the more I can think about Alex watching the damn tape." Olivia says with a slightly shaken voice.
"Alright. Where are we going then?" Abby asks.
"You can take the spare room. I'm staying here in the living room." Alex answers.
"Spare room it is." Abby says.
Alex stands up and helps Olivia to the room while Abby opens her briefcase to pull out the tape and the things she needs for prepping. She lays the tape on the coffee table and waits patiently for Alex to come back giving her and Olivia some time together. She briefly wonders where she's gonna sleep tonight but quickly dismisses the thought, now is not the time to think about that. After a couple of minutes Alex walks back into the living room.
"Abby, if you think it's getting too much or if Liv's wants to, stop prepping. I don't want neither of you pushes her over her limits. Alright?" Alex asks with a soft voice.
"Of course, I don't want to push it neither. We can always continue tomorrow should it come that far. Now I know that you know what happened, like I did, but I feel the need to warn ya, Alex. It's different when you know someone so well personally. I knew what happened but watching it made me sick, literally. I'm not saying you can't handle it, you worked more case with SVU than I did, but you're even closer with Liv than I am. This is going to upset you, gets you pissed off at least. You need to take care of yourself too, Counselor. It won't help Liv if you pushing it to far yourself and you're not able to look at her anymore. The damage that will be done is irreparable. But I don't have to tell you that. If it gets too much to watch the tape, stop it, pull it off. I ain't saying this to offend you. I'm saying this as your friend who cares about the both of ya." Abby softly answers.
"I know you do. We both care about Liv and she cares about the both of us." Alex says.
"That may be true but there's a difference." Abby says.
Alex knows that she probably knows what the brunette means but she can't stop herself from asking.
"What do you mean? What's difference?" Alex asks.
"You know what I mean. I care for Olivia as a friend and she cares for me as a friend. You love her, Alex and she loves you. You may not have said that to each other or anyone else but we both know I'm right. The two of you have stopped the dance you were doing for years. And it's about time you did that." Abby says softly.