Chapter 20
"Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."- Franklin P. Jones.
After Alex's emotional love declaration the three of them had talked further and they had decided that they would start calling the Detective Oliver from now on when they were alone until he would tell the squad, his captain and Liz. They all felt like that Alex and Oliver owed it to the EADA to tell her in person. Alex and Oliver thought that Fin, Munch and Amanda would be ok with it. Nick they didn't know but they thought he would have some problems with it and all three of them knew that Elliot would certainly not be alright with it. They didn't know how bad it would be but Oliver and Alex would prepare themselves for the worst. Cragen and Oliver were pretty close and they thought that he needed to come on terms with it but that in the end he just wanted the Detective to be happy. After they were done talking Alex went to take a shower and Oliver and Abby would stay in the living room. When Alex was done Oliver would lay down for an hour and then they would have lunch since it's 11.30 am.
"Do you know when you can change your name legally and how much it will cost? Because if you don't know it I can look it up for ya." Abby asks.
"Normally I could do it already because I don't have a uterus and ovaries anymore, if I recall one of the nurses in the hospital correctly. I don't know if the fact that I have testicles change that negatively. I don't think so. As for the price I don't know, I'm not a lawyer but it shouldn't be a problem. I think I have more than enough to pay for everything and I don't need to pay for any surgery I might need. Thanks to Lex that's covered with the deal she got for me with the hospital. I can't wait to change it legally now, having Alex's support and yours kinda set me free. And I actually would love it to wear my middle name too. I guess I have to talk with someone how to going from now on. I mean I don't need to have a hysterectomy anymore and I do have testicles. Maybe that changes something for the process as it normally goes. Of course I don't know that goes too for now." Oliver answers.
"Eager to wear Alex's name huh?" Abby teases.
"Yes I am. Just because I can't say those three words yet doesn't mean I don't want forever with her. I know it's soon and that it probably for the best to wait with planning or acting on it till after my recovery and maybe even till after the final surgery, but if I could change my name today I would propose her tomorrow and marry her the day after. Of course this all hypothetically speaking. Should Alex want the same then I would want to give her a dream wedding, her dream wedding, within reason. I don't want to have a guest list with 2000 guest on it. No matter when it is that I say 'I do'. But that is something to think about in a year or two. For now I have other things to think about and to worry about." Oliver answers.
"Oliver Alexander Benson, did they hit you on your head too in the hospital?! Alex is head over heels in love with you for years. I'm sure she wants to marry you in two years, I'd bet my life on it if I have to. But we talk about that later. Speaking of worrying about other things, what are ya gonna do if Elliot or anyone else from the squad acts really bad and things are getting out of hand?" Abby asks.
When Abby is done and she looks at the Detective she sees a goofy smile on his face.
"What? Why do you look like that?" Abby asks.
"You called me Oliver Alexander Benson." Oliver smiles.
"Well that's your name, ain't it? It may not be official and I'm sure I make mistakes occasionally but I'll try not to make them." Abby smiles.
"Yes it is. It just feel so good hearing it." Oliver answers
"Back to my question. Do you know it or is it too soon to ask?" Abby asks.
"I don't know yet. I don't plan on waiting with telling it for too long. I have a lot of sick days that I'm gonna use for recovering and if necessary I could take a leave of absence. Cragen and Liz said that Lex and I should take as much time as needed. We agreed on 6 weeks first and then to call every week if we want to add another one or not. They said that as long as they wouldn't get trouble from above that they couldn't handle we could take all the time we wanted and needed. And to be honest I don't know if I'm going back soon. Especially with everything that's going on. I guess it depends on how fast I recover and what I need to do for my transition. I mean being a SVU Detective and going through the process is not something that's gonna be easy. There are two things I am sure off at this moment and that is what I want with Alex and being a guy. For the rest it's one big mess in my head." Oliver answers.
"Well that are two very important things to be sure about. Give it time, Oliver. A lot happened in barely a week. You had nightmares two nights in-a-row. Take it one day at the time. Beside the trial there is nothing that's gonna rush you. How about we gonna surprise Alex together and make a nice dinner for her tonight? It will take your mind of things and you can do something nice for your woman." Abby asks.
"That's a good idea Abs. We need to do the groceries anyway so maybe we could go with the two of us and Alex can take a nap or do something for herself to relax. Speaking of Alex, she'll probably will be back soon so let's stop talking with the heavy stuff. But I would like it very much to surprise her with dinner. So let's do it and go get what we need after I lied down." Oliver says.
"Alright but we need to make her take a nap otherwise she wants to come with us. Ya know how she concerned she is about ya. I'm glad she is and that she loves ya but it ain't a surprise if she's coming with us." Abby says.
"Good point, I hadn't thought about that, Counselor. I'm sure with the two of us we'll manage it." Oliver says.
"That's because I have the brains and you have the balls, Detective." Abby jokes.
"Har har, Carmichael. You wish you had my brains too. It's not just balls I have and ya now it." Oliver jokes back.
"You're just jealous I'm more handsome than you are, Oli." Abby says.
"No I'm not jealous, the most beautiful woman in the world is my gal. You're just jealous you're not as beautiful as she is. Wait... what did you call me? Oli?" Oliver asks.
"Yeah I did. Ain't it a nice nickname? Ya told me I needed to figure out a new one so Oli it is." Abby smiles.
"I do like it. Yeah. Oli sounds good, Tex." Oliver says with a smile.
"Good that's settled then. Oli it is. We could always change it in oil. Then we would be 'Texas oil'." Abby jokes.
Olivia laughs out loud and soon Abby is joining him. They are still laughing when Alex walks back into the living room. She smiles when she sees her friend and well now her boyfriend laughing.
"Wanna tell me what's so funny?" Alex smiles.
Oliver and Abby look at each other and burst out in laughter again. Soon tears are rolling down their cheeks. Alex can't help it and starts laughing too even though the blonde has no clue what they are laughing about.
"Ow damn, this much laughing hurts." Oliver says, still laughing though.
When the three of them calmed down Alex tries it again.
"What was it that you need to laugh about so much?" Alex asks.
Oliver and Abby don't look at each other afraid they'll start again.
"I said to Oliver that his new nickname should be oil, then we would be 'Texas oil'." Abby snickers.
Oliver desperately tries to hold back his laughter. His stomach still hurts from their laughter. But Alex isn't helping him because she starts laughing again make them all laughing again. It isn't really that funny for other people probably, but to the three of them it is.
"I'm gonna lay down for an hour. Give my body some well deserved rest. Who of you two lovely ladies is gonna help me up?" Oliver asks when they're done laughing.
"I'll do it. I can check you again when we're in the bedroom." Alex says.
"Alright, but you don't have to stay. I'm not gonna sleep just rest." Oliver says.
"Just let us get you in the bedroom first, Benson." Alex says.
Alex helps Oliver up and the two of them go to the bedroom. Alex looks at Oliver's wounds. They look so good that they decide Alex checks them once a day starting today. And starting tomorrow Oliver could take a shower again as long as he didn't stay under the water too long the Dr. had said that he could take them again after today. The blonde attorney stayed for half an hour to chat with Oliver while he was lying down before she goes back to the living room. In the mean time Abby had been surfing on the Internet on her smart phone and had found out that in the city half an hour away from the cabin was a shopping center with a market and big supermarket along with some other shops. Just when Alex walks back into the living room Abby tucks her smart phone back in the front pocket of her skinny jeans.
"Hey. How are the wounds?" Abby asks.
"They look pretty good actually. We agreed that I look only once a day at them." Alex answers.
"That's good news. How about we start making lunch? We should be done when Oliver gets back here." Abby asks.
"Sounds fine by me. I'm sure he doesn't wanna stay there longer than half an hour more. It's gonna be hell when he starts feeling better and refuses to take his rest periods." Alex sighs.
"Tell me something I don't know. The only time that dude is staying at one place for longer than an hour or so is when he is sleeping. Or doing paperwork at the precinct although that ain't his choice most of the time. What do ya have in mind to make for lunch?" Abby asks.
Alex laughs at Abby's comment about Oliver and staying on one place.
"Right back at ya. Most of the time he starts doing the damn paperwork when we had a fight about it. And I told him that I want it on my desk the following morning. Cops there is nothing they hate more than doing paperwork except for lying in a hospital bed of course. I thought we could make a salad with some sandwiches." Alex answers.
The two ADA's walk to the kitchen and start making lunch. Starting with chopping vegetables for the salad.
"So Cabot, you and Oli are finally together. Any idea where ya see it going?" Abby asks.
"Oli huh. Is it safe to assume that's your new nickname?" Alex asks smiling.
"Yup. I think it fits well. Oliver thought it was nice too. So Oli it is. Since you are the only one who may call him Liv I had to find something else fitting. This is what came up in my mind." Abby answers.
"I think you're right. I'm proud of him, he really tries to open up to you and me. I'm so happy that we told each other what feel for each other. Even though he didn't say the three words yet I know he feels the same for me. We talked about what we want and we both want the whole picture. I know we have to go slow and that's alright. Physically I mean, seeing what happened. And probably because now he is still in the wrong body. But leaving that out of the picture if it were up to me I would go as fast as possible. I mean I know he's it for me. Always has been and always will be." Alex says smiling.
"And yet the two of ya only got together recently. Everybody knew you two were head over heels in love with each other, well everybody except for the two of ya and Elliot. Although I think he doesn't want to know it. But let's not talk about that. What do ya mean with going as fast as possible?" Abby asks.
"I know he's not ready for that, going as fast as possible so it's hypothetically speaking, if he would ask me to marry me I would have said yes and skip the u-haul part. Of course I would have wanted a beautiful wedding so we wouldn't marry the next day but as soon as we could have planned everything. Of course I would want to be together in the same house or apartment in the mean time. But not living together for about a year and half or so and then being proposed and getting married. But like I said he's not ready for that and I can understand that. If it would be the other way around I probably would have felt the same as he's feeling. I can wait. I just want to be there for him and make sure he knows that I love him and not gonna leave him no matter what. God, I sound like a lovesick teenager instead of a woman who's 31 years old." Alex answers.
"there ain't nothing wrong with being in love, Cabot. You waited long enough for it. Too long if you ask me. Anyway. Just enjoy it as it is. And who knows when Benson finally believes you won't leave him he comes around and goes faster than at a snails pace. Mentally of course. Because I know one thing for sure, if anyone hits on ya they're in big trouble if he doesn't kill them that is. He probably will be even more protective of ya now than he already was, if that is possible. Which I doubt. Speaking of Detective Badass how about I finish things up here and you go get the dude? Ya know it feels normal to say that, him or dude or something else like that." Abby asks.
"I know what you mean. It feels good to me too. I had a few days to get used to the idea. But it went easier than I thought it would be." Alex answers.
"You knew? How?" Abby asks.
" A couple of things, in the hospital he said something about a case related to this and he said that he didn't know what he wanted to do with his testicles. After I thought about that I just putted one and one together and knew that this would be possible to come out. He always has been one of the guys, never did girly stuff and I always have known that there was something bothering him but that he didn't know himself what it was. Alright, let's stop talking and let me get 'tha dude' before he gets impatient." Alex answers smiling.
After Alex and Oliver were back they had eaten lunch and the brunette ADA and Detective had managed to convince Alex to take a nap since she almost hadn't slept last night and the night before that. When they were sure that Alex was asleep the two got their wallets and wrote a note which they left on the coffee table where Alex could see it easily before they sneaked out the cabin. During the ride to the city they had a pleasant conversation. When they were walking towards the supermarket they passed a couple of shops and Abby deliberately had brought their conversation to Oliver's and Alex relationship and the conversation she and Alex had earlier, when they walked by a jewelry store. Of course the Texan had chosen that way deliberately too not that she mentioned it to the Detective. Walking by said jewelry store Oliver stops walking and looks at Abby. He didn't earn that golden shield for nothing.
"Abigail Carmichael, what exactly did Alex say that made you deciding going to this city and walk by a jewelry store? Because I know you did this on purpose." Oliver asks.
"Uhm, I plead the fifth." Abby answers.
"Nuh uh, wrong answer, Counselor. Either you tell what she said to you or we're going straight to the supermarket or market and back to the cabin." Oliver says sternly.
"Ya hang out with too many lawyers, Detective. Fine no need to twist my arm. She said that it was hypothetically cuz you wouldn't be ready to go as fast as possible, but if it was up to her and you would ask her to marry her she would say yes. The rest ain't necessary to tell ya now." Abby answers.
"You didn't tell her what we talked about?" Oliver asks.
"Nope. Not a word. I thought this is much more fun than talking about what ya said with her." Abby smirks.
Oliver thought about it for a minute. Asking himself if it wasn't too soon, they only had been together for a couple of days. Then he thought about how much had happened in those days and how Alex had been there for him. And that the younger blonde had told him that she still wanted everything with him that she had wanted before he had told her about the surgery. How she had reacted when he had told Abby and her what his names were gonna be and lastly what Abby had told her about what Alex had said to the lanky brunette. How they had danced around each other for years and how much they had been through and that he knew that he wanted for ever with the beautiful blonde. And he knew that even though it was extremely fast it was the right thing to do.
"You're gonna get me killed one day, you know? Alright since you want to play cupid, let's go inside. Alex and I never did things the normal way, why start now. But I warn you, if you were wrong or lying to me I swear I kill you and I do get away with it." Oliver says sternly, but a smile threatens to break through.
"Normal ain't in your dictionaries Oli. I know I'm gonna get ya killed one day, just not one day soon." Abby smirks.
Oliver shakes his head and walks into the store with Abby following behind him. Oliver was lucky that Abby knew Alex's ring size as it was the same size as her own and he'd found the perfect ring soon. After buying the ring the two of them went to the market and bought the fresh ingredients they needed for Alex's surprise dinner and after that they went to the supermarket to buy the rest. When they were on their way back to the car Alex called to ask where they were. She had just woken up and found the note. Abby lied to Alex that they were still in the grocery store and that they would be back in half an hour, give or take a few minutes.
The rest of the afternoon they had spent playing card games and watching a movie. Around 5 pm Oliver and Abby had ordered Alex to go outside and relax in a lounge chair with a book. Alex had agreed but she knew something was coming up. When she asked for it Abby had said that they were just making a simple meal but that they wanted it to be a surprise. After an hour dinner was ready and the table was set and Oliver called Alex that dinner was ready. Abby and Oliver had made Alex's favorite dish, casuela, with a side salad. Alex was touched that Oliver and Abby had made her favorite dish. The three went to sit down and Alex said multiple times how delicious it was. Oliver and Abby had spoken about when Oliver would ask Alex and they decided that Abby would go do the dishes alone after their dinner so that Oliver could ask Alex. It wasn't romantic like Oliver actually wanted it to be, but Abby had said that to Alex it wouldn't matter, that she never would have thought that Oliver would ask her in the first place so soon. And that if he would drop on his knee, if that was possible, and ask her it would mean the world to the blonde. As the end of their meal came closer Oliver got nervous and was quieter than he normally would have been. Alex noticed it but decided not to ask about it right then and ask him what was wrong when they would be alone. Dinner was finished and Abby gets up to clean the table. Alex stands up and helps her to get everything to the kitchen.
"Abby, you and Oliver went to get the groceries and made dinner for me. How about I help you with the dishes? We can sit down and relax sooner if we're doing it together." Alex asks.
"I'll do the dishes alone. It's your special evening Alex. Go sit with Oliver. Really it's ok." Abby answers.
"Alright, but what did I do to deserve all of this?" Alex asks.
"Making Oliver happy. To be there for him but most of all to love him. Now go sit down with your boyfriend and enjoy your evening." Abby smiles.
"Alright, I'll go sit down. You two are up to something. I don't know what it is yet but I will figure it out before the evening is over." Alex says.
Abby just smiled and motions Alex to get out the kitchen. Alex shakes her head and goes back to the dinner table and sits down next to Oliver.
"Liv, you've been quiet during dinner. Is there something wrong?" Alex asks.
"No nothing is wrong. I do have a question to ask you. But let's go sit on the couch first." Oliver answers.
"You know that if something is wrong you can talk to me, right?" Alex asks.
"I know. And I will if there is something wrong." Oliver answers.
Alex gets up and helps the Detective and they walk to the couch. Oliver had pulls out the jewelry box out of his pocket when Alex walked to the couch in front of him and holds it behind his back. Alex sits down and waits for Oliver to sit down too. As soon as Alex is sitting Oliver carefully drops on one knee and pulls the box from behind his back. Alex sees the box and tears are coming in her eyes.
"Alex I'm the happiest and most blessed guy in the world to have a girlfriend like you. You are here for me when I need you the most. You make me feel safe and loved. You get me like no one else. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. You are smart, funny, caring, devoted and so much more. I know we had agreed to go slow and on my pace and physically we will need to do that. But these passed few days you have showed me that you truly love me and will be there for me, that you won't leave me and that made me realize that even though we are only shortly together I never want to life without you by my side. That even though there are a lot of things going on, I know for sure that we'll get through it. That I will get trough it because I have you right beside me. But there is one thing differently now, I don't want you to be at my side as my girlfriend, I want you to be at my side as my wife. Alexandra Laura Cabot will you do me the great honor to become my wife? Will you marry me?" Oliver asks.
"Yes. Yes Oliver Alexander Benson, I will marry you." Alex chokes out.
A/N Y'all didn't see this coming, did ya? Surprise, surprise.