A/N: Lol, glad to know you all don't need a warning for sexy times. I had a good laugh with that! Enjoy, I am working hard on the next one for you!
One month later…
Alex grabbed the last bag from the car and doubled checked for any toys that may have gotten lose during their drive. They'd rented a house with Kim and Owen along with Serena and Abbie for the Fourth of July week. It would be an interesting week for sure, partly because so much had changed over the last month.
First, Kim found out she was pregnant at the beginning of June. Owen was thrilled and Kim was excited for the first two weeks until morning sickness kicked in full force. She had some type of severe morning sickness that caused her to throw up multiple times a day. It had gotten so severe at one point that Owen had her admitted to the hospital. While there the OB did an ultrasound and found out, that Kim was having twins. Owen was ecstatic and Kim in total shock. After that Owen ordered his head of OB to prescribe some anti-nausea medicine for her and she was finally felt a little better. Poor thing was finally feeling a little better but you couldn't cook anything around her so pretty much everything had to be grilled. Needless to say it would make cooking this week quite difficult.
Next, Abbie just proposed to Serena the weekend before so they were full on nose deep in wedding magazines. Serena wanted to get married on the beach and Abbie wanted to get married back in Texas. It was usually a constant battle between ideas, but ended with laughter and kisses and acts Alex was sure she didn't want to imagine her friends in. Of course watching her two friends so happy together planning their wedding made Alex long to propose to Casey as well, but she wasn't about to cross that bridge just yet.
As for she and Casey they were super happy. There was rarely a night they spent apart and Alex found the ones they were apart she couldn't sleep. She was without a doubt in love with Casey and couldn't imagine not being with her. Plus, she loved Caroline as if she were her own child. Alex felt like they were her family and all she wanted was to make them happy, because they made her happy just by being in her life.
Walking back into the beach house Alex is met by a very exuberant three year old. "Alex! Aunt Kim threw up!" Caroline yelled out. "Really? That's awful is Uncle Owen with her?" Alex asked.
"Mommy and Uncle Owen." Caroline replied. Alex looks up to see Serena and Abbie looking a little green themselves in the kitchen. Alex shakes her head, "Are you two okay? You both look like you might get sick any minute."
"It was awful. If that's what happens when you are pregnant we have to adopt." Abbie answers weakly sitting in one of the island bar seats.
Serena rolls her eyes, "She just didn't make it to the toilet exactly. We cleaned it up."
"You two sound like you need some fresh air." Alex replies placing her bag down and handing Caroline her toy Ariel.
"Good idea Cabot! Serena, why don't we go for a walk on the beach?" Abbie asks jumping from the chair.
"Sounds like a fantastic plan. Caroline would you like to join us? We can build a sand castle." Serena smiles and holds out a hand to Caroline.
Caroline beams at the offer and looks to Alex for approval. Squatting down to eye level with the little girl Alex agrees, "You can go, but don't go anywhere near the water, stay with them, and listen to Serena. Got it?"
"Got it!" cheered Caroline running to Serena. Abbie frowns thinking over what Alex had just said, "Wait, why did you just say listen to Serena? Why not Serena and Abbie?"
"Because you are an even bigger kid than I am, and when around a giant body of water, I am going to have my child listen to the most adult person. Sorry Carmichael, no hard feelings." Alex says with a big smile as Abbie shakes her head and follows Serena and the little redhead out the door.
Walking to the window Alex watches the little girl run down the beach with her friends. Abbie chasing Caroline as Serena clearly scolds the brunette. Shaking her head, Alex loves how they all seem like one big family. Feeling warm arms wrap around her waist and Casey kiss her shoulder Alex sighs.
Taking in the scent of her girlfriend's perfume, Casey whispers into Alex's ear, "I love that you referred to Caroline as your child."
"What?"
"I heard Abbie ask you why you told Caroline to only listen to Serena," Casey pauses to turn Alex in her arms, "and you said that when it comes to water and your child you wanted an adult watching…."
"Oh," Alex replies realizing her choice of words, "and you loved that?"
Casey tangles a hand behind Alex's neck and pulls her into a soft kiss breaking it a moment later, "Yes, I did. You act a like a parent to her and I find it amazingly sweet." Taking Alex's hand she walks outside and sits in one of the oversized Adirondack chairs motioning for Alex to sit in between her legs. The blonde does so and leans back into Casey, as Casey wraps her arms around Alex.
Holding Alex tight against her body while watching the waves roll into the beach, Casey can't remember a time she was so happy. Running her finger through Alex's hair Casey thinks to Kim sick in the bed with Owen by her side. Casey doesn't doubt if she got that sick having her and Alex's baby that Alex would be with her every minute. Chuckling a little to herself, Casey finds it funny that she and Alex aren't even officially living together but she is thinking about being pregnant with their child.
"What's funny?" Alex asks.
Smiling as the blonde rolls in her arms to look her in the face, Casey replies, "Honestly, I was thinking that if I were pregnant with our child and super sick that you would be by my side. Then I realized that was a silly thought considering we don't even live together."
"Hmm, I see. You want to change that?" Alex asks biting her lips immediately after out of nervousness for the abrupt question.
Casey smiles brightly, "You want to move in with me?"
"Yes. Well you and Caroline, but yes."
"Okay!" Casey says capturing Alex's lips in a passionate kiss.
Alex breaks their kiss and looks deep into Casey's green eyes. Casey can tell the blonde wants to tell her something but is nervous. Brushing a stray lock of blonde hair from Alex's face she softly asks, "What is it baby?"
"Casey I am in love with you. I know I have told you that I love you, but I want you to know that I am in love with you. You have all of my heart." Alex says softly.
Casey smiles cupping Alex's face in between her hands, "I am in love with you too Alex." As she finishes she presses her soft lips to Alex's kissing her softly at first then more passionately.
Breaking the kiss Alex says, "Let's go to our room." Casey grins as she watches Alex climb off of her and stand eyeing Casey in a way that says all the things she plans to do to her. Standing to follow her gorgeous blonde Casey is sure of one thing...her sex life has soared to a mind-blowing new level.
Later that evening Casey sat outside with her brother, Abbie and Serena. Poor Kim had gone to bed early after dinner claiming that Owen's demon spawn babies were sucking the life out of her. Everyone found it humorous minus Kim who evidently was dead serious. Meanwhile Alex was putting Caroline to bed with a book and her favorite song.
Casey loved how much Caroline adored Alex. Every night her daughter would ask for Alex to put her to bed and every night Alex would sing Sweet Caroline to her. Alex treated Caroline like she were her own and Casey felt safe letting them both be close to each other because she knew in her heart Alex would never leave them.
Suddenly getting hit in the side with a flying flip flop, Casey is pulled out of her thoughts. "What?" the redhead exclaims at her laughing friends.
Serena high fives Abbie, "Nice shot!" Smiling as she kisses her fiancé.
Looking at Serena, Abbie replies, "With my good luck charm in my arms how could I miss?"
Casey shakes her head, "Okay crazies you have my attention, what's up?"
"We were noticing how extra lovey you and Alex have been this afternoon. Something you feel like sharing?" Serena asks.
"Before you start do I need to leave for this discussion?" Owen quickly asks fearing what story might be coming.
Laughing Casey assures Owen it will be G-rated and he settles back into his seat. Looking at her friends Casey says, "Alex and I decided to move in together."
Abbie's jaw drops and Serena's eyes go wide. "Really?" Abbie questions skeptically. Serena quickly nudges Abbie in the ribs and replies, "That's awesome good for you two."
"Serena?" Abbie starts but Serena jumps up. "Abbie, let's go for that moonlight walk on the beach." Scowling at her fiancé knowing that she is trying to shut her up Abbie begrudgingly agrees and they head off.
Casey looks over to Owen, "Well that wasn't the response I expected to get from my best friends, but okay."
"Casey, I think Abbie is just worried."
"Obviously Owen, but about what? Alex and I are in love what does it matter if we move in together?" Casey asks as she sits up straight and grabs her brother's beer taking a big swig.
Frowning at Casey he says, "Would you like to get your own beer, or do you plan to drink all of mine?"
"I'll get you another, now answer my question." Casey replies rolling her eyes.
"What's worrisome, Casey is you. Your husband died less than a year ago and now you have fallen hard for Alex, which is fine, but you need to be absolutely sure you know emotionally what you are doing. If you don't Casey and it comes to that point of real commitment you will shatter Alex and Caroline. Alex loves you with every ounce of her being and loves Caroline like her own child and Caroline loves Alex like a parent. If you move to fast you will destroy them." Owen answers with a sympathetic look.
Casey frowns at her brother, "So what is everyone sitting around waiting for me to break Alex's heart and ruin my child? Did you all forget that you all pushed us together?"
"Casey, you don't have to get defensive. No one forgets any of that and no one is waiting for you to hurt Alex. We are just concerned about how fast you both are moving is all. If it makes you feel better if you can assure me you know what you are doing I won't worry any longer." Owen sighs taking a sip of his beer and passing it to Casey.
Casey smiles thinking of Alex, "Owen I am sure. I haven't ever been so in love. Alex makes me so happy she is everything I have ever wanted in a partner. I can't imagine living without her."
Owen stands, "I am glad to hear that Casey. After everything you went through losing John you really deserve to be happy, so I am really happy for you. I am going to check on Kim and get us some beers. As in plural, yours and mine. Mine, being off limits to you."
Casey smiles watching him enter the house. Her brother doesn't realize it, but he just said something that hit Casey deep that she hadn't really realized these last few weeks. She didn't really think about John as often now with Alex in her life. She wasn't sure if that was good or bad.
Hearing the door open again pulls her from her thoughts as she sees Alex walk outside. The blonde looks beautiful in a pair of grey sweat pants and a white tank top. Casey motions for her to come and sit in her lap. As she does the redhead wraps her arms tight around her waist pulling her close.
Looking into Casey's eyes, Alex can tell something has recently upset her. Running a hand down her face Alex asks, "Do you want to talk about it?"
Casey shakes her head, "No baby, right now I just need you to snuggle with me and make me laugh. We can talk about it later if that's okay."
Alex kisses Casey lightly then says, "That would be fine babe." As Alex lies her head against Casey's shoulder Casey feels her stress and anxiety start to fade away. The blonde has this way of being able to make her feel like new without saying a word. Casey laughs to herself, it's like Alex has magical healing powers.
"What?" Alex says looking up at Casey.
"You have magical healing powers." Casey answers as they both erupt in laughter.
Owen walks back to the French doors to head outside with Kim following when he sees Casey and Alex in each other's arms laughing and sharing little kisses. Kim sighs seeing the two women, "They really are so happy together."
"Yeah, I just hope for both their sakes it stays that way." Owen sighs.
Kim hits Owens arm, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Owen shakes his head, "I am worried Kim that Casey is moving way to fast. I know she loves Alex, but they are moving in together. You've seen Alex around her, how long do you think she'll wait before asking Casey to marry her? If Casey isn't ready it will destroy both of them."
"Owen you can't worry about those things. Furthermore, don't you go putting all that negative crap in your sister's head because you will screw her up. She loves Alex and Caroline loves Alex. They deserve to be happy. It's why I worked my ass off to set them up! Don't you and your stupid male brain go ruining all my hard work!" Kim fumes.
"Hormones?" Owen smirks
Kim scowls, "Maybe just a little. But seriously, Owen look at your sister."
Owen wraps his arm around his wife as he looks out and watches Casey and Alex. They are wrapped in each other's arms, looking into each other eyes talking. Suddenly Casey throws her head back laughing; Alex obviously said something funny because she has a beaming wide smile on her face. He can tell that they are really happy. Maybe everything will be okay.
"See how happy she is Owen. I loved John and he made her happy, but not that happy. Alex has a way with Casey and she would move heaven and earth for Casey. What could possibly be wrong with that?" Kim asks laying her head against her husband's chest.
Kissing his wife's head he whispers, "You are so very right Kim. I don't know if I've ever seen Casey this happy. Have I ever told you that you are not only beautiful but smart?"
"Every time I prove you wrong sweetheart. Let's go join them before your demon spawns' make me sick again." Kim replies opening the door as Owen laughs.