A/N: The reviews from last night were priceless, thank you. Btw, Stussy, yes Alex was promiscuous. Enjoy, I am working hard on getting the next chapter finished!
Later that night Casey lay in bed thinking about Alex. Dinner with Alex was wonderful. She loved the blondes company, and Alex had gone out of her way to make Casey comfortable with her dinner game. She had found out things about Alex that she doubts anyone knows. Not to mention that Alex had told her that she had fallen in love with her.
The admission had shocked Casey at first, but Alex calmed her initial fears by assuring the redhead that she wasn't trying to pressure her. Alex was just being honest. She told Casey that she never wanted to hide anything from Casey. So as far as Casey was concerned Alex would be an open book and Casey would be free to turn to any page she liked. Casey wasn't sure that anyone had ever given her so much freedom with their thoughts and feelings before. She knew for a fact that John hadn't.
John had seen some awful things while in Iraq and he never wished to talk about the things he and Owen had seen out in the field. She respected his need to keep those details for himself, but often wished she knew what he'd dealt with emotionally from that time. Owen had always had that open book mentality with Kim and he'd even told Casey one Thanksgiving when Caroline was one what all he and John had endured. It was a horrific story and she wasn't surprised the army had honorably discharged them after the attack. Although, she never told John she knew what he'd seen overseas she did understand his need for distance at times. She'd only wished he'd been the one to tell her.
So lying in bed thinking about dinner with Alex, Casey wondered what had caused the blonde to be so open with her. What made Alex want to be with her so much? Why was Alex so accepting of her needing space at times and wanting the blonde close at others?
Serena and Abbie had been over at the house earlier that day when the flowers Alex sent had arrived. They were both happily surprised that the blonde was taking such lengths to court Casey. Abbie said she'd known Alex for years and Alex really hadn't been interested in dating anyone, but that Alex had always said when she met the right person she would take every measure possible to let that person know she wanted them. For whatever reason, Casey was that person.
Casey looked at the clock, it was 11pm. She wanted to talk to Alex, but was afraid it might be too late. Alex might be asleep. Figuring she give it a shot anyway she grabbed her phone and dialed the blonde.
After a few rings Alex answered, "Hey everything okay?"
Casey smiles hearing her warm voice, "Yeah, I just couldn't sleep. I wanted to talk to you."
Laughing Alex says, "You didn't get enough of me at dinner?"
"Not even close to enough," Casey admits with a blush that Alex thankfully can't see.
"Okay, want to get breakfast on the way to work tomorrow?" Alex asks quickly adding, "I know this place Caroline loves."
Casey smiles, "I love how you know of a place my daughter loves to eat breakfast in the City and I don't. You really are one of a kind Cabot."
"Thank you. So was that a yes?"
Casey laughs, "Yes, I will meet you for breakfast."
"Great! Feel better or do you want me to tell you a bedtime story?" Alex asks.
"Are you serious about the bedtime story?"
Alex grins wide even though Casey can't see it. Little does the redhead know Alex would read her every law book ever written if she asked. "I am totally serious Casey."
Casey smiles snuggling down under the covers, "Then yes, please tell me a story."
Alex smiles to herself, "Real or made up?"
"Made up. I want princesses and magic and castles." Casey replies with a yawn.
"Okay, I will tell you a story then until you fall asleep. Ready?" Alex asks, while getting comfortable in her bed.
"Mm, hm."
"Okay, once upon a time there was an Icy blonde queen who didn't believe in true love until one day a magician came into her court with a redhead assistant."
Casey laughs, "I am a magicians assistant Alex? Can we say fantasy?"
Alex scoffs, "This story isn't about you Casey it's made up. Remember?"
"Oh right, sorry." Casey yawns.
"So back to my story, upon seeing the redhead the Icy Queen finds herself falling in love with the magician's assistant. The queen was furious about this sure the magician had placed a spell on her..."
The next morning Alex waited for Casey to arrive at the diner. Knowing what Caroline would like Alex had already ordered it so the little girl wouldn't have to wait to eat. Luckily the food arrived just as Casey and Caroline walked in the restaurant.
"Good morning ladies," Alex said with a warm smile as Caroline climbed into the booth followed by Casey.
"Good morning," Casey replied frowning at the quiet Caroline, "Caroline can you tell Miss Alex good morning?"
"No," Caroline said picking up her fork and eating the pancakes. Looking up to Casey, the little girl said, "Thank you Mommy."
Casey smiles at her daughter and says, "Don't thank me thank Miss Alex she got those for you." Caroline doesn't say anything to Alex, but she smiles at her. Alex thought at least she was making progress considering that was the second smile in less than 24 hours.
"By the way," Casey starts with a smile, "thank you for my story last night. Sadly though, I fell asleep before finding out how the magician's assistant got free from the fire breathing dragon."
"Oh, that is such a shame. I guess you will have to call me again sometime to hear the end then." Alex says with a smirk.
"You won't tell me now?"
"It's not kid friendly, so no." Alex replies with a wink.
Casey nods in understanding with a big smile on her face. As the waitress arrives and takes their orders, Casey can't help but think about how much fun it is to be around Alex. The blonde just seems so full of life and it makes Casey want to be around her every minute.
The rest of breakfast flew by and before Casey knew it she and Alex were at the courthouse battling motion in judge's chambers. Leaving the courthouse and walking back to the office Alex asks Casey to follow her to her office. The motions didn't go well and Alex had let Casey handle the majority. Casey had tried her best to battle them but out of five she only managed to defeat two.
Walking into the blonde's office Casey sets her briefcase down in one of Alex's chairs as Alex throws hers down on her desk. Casey remains standing not knowing how long she will be saying after Alex vents. In all honesty she was a little nervous, she hadn't yet seen Alex so wound up.
Quickly Alex crosses the room and stands before Casey. Quietly she whispers, "That sucked. We got slaughtered in there. Nice job arguing against Langan he can be really tricky."
Before Casey had time to fully process Alex's words her lips were on Casey's. Breaking apart rather quickly, Alex whispers, "I'm sorry is it okay for me to kiss you here?" Casey nods in approval and Alex pushes her up against the desk. Casey takes the incentive and sits on the edge of the desk and pulls Alex to her deepening the kiss. It isn't long before Casey's hands start to wander from Alex's waist to her chest.
Feeling Casey's hands run up to her breasts Alex breaks the kiss. "Casey we can't I am sorry."
Casey still not yet fully thinking clearly from the kiss asks, "What?" as she pulls Alex back into the kiss. As she starts to trail kisses down Alex's neck, Alex steps back and walks across the room to put distance between them.
Turning to look at a flustered Casey who is coming back down from the high of the passionate kiss, Alex whispers, "Casey I am sorry…we can't not here."
"I know Alex. I am sorry. I was just lost in the moment. I don't want it to be like that the first time with...us." Casey says standing and straightening out her skirt. "I better go."
"Yeah."
That evening Alex sat in her apartment alone. She'd cooked a microwaveable dinner because she was too lazy to cook for herself. Times like these made her realize just how alone she was since her mom died. Now the worst part was she had this feeling like she didn't have to be alone. Casey had caused her to see a glimpse of what having a family could be like. It was as amazing as Alex always thought it could be.
Alex had always wanted a big family. As a child she'd spent most holidays alone while her parents traveled for business. Then as an adult after her father died and her mother became dependent on her Alex got to see what family holidays could be like. She missed having a family. She wanted a wife and children. She wanted to have someone to love who loved her back, to share her life with. She wanted to be the kind of parent she wanted but never had. Most importantly, she wanted to feel like she had a life.
Hearing her phone ring, Alex jumped from the couch hoping it was Casey. Seeing Abbie's name on the phone she deflated a little. "Hey Abb's what's up?" Alex answered.
"Just checking in on you. We didn't get to catch up after your motions today like we'd planned." Abbie replied.
"Yeah."
Knowing something was up with Alex's one liner response Abbie asked, "What's wrong Alex?"
Taking a breath Alex says, "Casey and I have been getting a little more serious, very much at her pace, which is fine. But Sunday night I took her to dinner and we were playing this question game. Anyway, she asked me if I have ever fallen in love and I said yes. She asked who and I told her."
"Oh my God, you did not. Seriously you did? Why am I just hearing about this?" Abbie exclaims.
Alex sighs, "Because. Now focus Abbie. Anyway, after motions today we ended back in my office and motions had gone poorly and I needed a pick me up so I kissed her. It got hot and heavy fast and I tried to stop us, but then it sped up again and..."
"Oh my God! You had sex in your office!" Abbie again interrupted.
"No! Jesus Carmichael will you let me tell the damn story?" Alex fumes waiting for a response as she walks to her bathroom.
"Yeah, yeah go on. My version was better though." Abbie mumbles.
"Anyway, I stopped it then. I didn't want our first time together to be there. She seemed fine, but now I haven't heard from her and I am wondering if I scared her off or something. I am acting all high school girl and it's driving me nuts and I hate sitting at home alone when I want to be with Casey and Caroline." Alex says as she sits on the edge of the tub. Turning on the water so she can relax in the tub, the blonde waits for her friend's response.
Abbie sighs, "Alex babe you go it bad. You not only want to be with Casey but Caroline too. I feel for you. I am sure you probably didn't scare her off, just take your bath and relax. I hear the tub running, I am not psychic."
"Ok Abbie I will try."
"Good. Now I am going to let you go before I get naked Alex images in my head."
Laughing Alex says bye and hangs up. Tracking down her iPad she climbs in the bath to read. She isn't one chapter into her book we she gets a FaceTime request from Casey.
Answering Alex makes sure to only have her head seen. "Hey Red Hot what's up?" Alex greets.
"Red Hot huh? Why is that?" Casey asks with a laugh and a smile while she lays in her bed.
"Well one, it made you laugh and smile so victory achieved, and two, because you have red hair and you are hot." Alex replies with an equally big smile.
"You know all the right things to say counselor. Are you in the bathtub?" Casey asks with a quirked eyebrow.
"Guilty as charged. I was relaxing when you called."
Casey shakes her head, "What is it with the women in my life and electronics and tubs tonight. Caroline dropped my cellphone in the bathtub tonight. I was going to call you right after and turned to get a towel and she decided she had to play angry birds right then. Needless to say tomorrow when I buy a new one I will also be investing in a LifeProof case."
Alex laughs so hard she almost drops her iPad in the tub. Pulling it together she notices Casey's wide eyes. "What?" Alex asks.
"I totally almost got a boob shot. Call me after you get out." Casey says with a smile as she disconnects the call. Alex lay back in the tub with a big smile on her face. Casey Novak wants her to call back.