A/N: Sorry, it is probably going to be a minimalist weekend, but enjoy anyway! I will make it up to you though…eventually! To answer reviews…yes it is fast. That is all I will say about that. :) Also, Tracer you made my day by finding my 'Owen's demon spawns' line funny!
The next morning of the Fourth, Alex awoke to Caroline in bed with her and Casey. Casey had her arm wrapped protectively around the little girl as Caroline had her head snuggled into her mother's chest. It was the most beautiful sight Alex had ever seen in her life. Grabbing her phone she snapped a few pictures of them before sneaking into the bathroom.
After brushing her teeth she walks downstairs to make some coffee. As she reaches the main floor and heads to the kitchen she hears a little voice call out, "Alex."
Turning around she sees Caroline waiting at the top of the stairs. Smiling up at the little girl she say, "Yes, Caroline."
"Can I come with you?"
"Of course sweetheart, come on." Quickly the little girl makes her way down the stairs and follows Alex to the kitchen. As Alex makes the coffee she asks, "What kind of cereal do you want for breakfast today sweetheart?"
Caroline instantly frowns, "I want you to make pancakes."
"I can't sweetie the smell will bother Aunt Kim she's sick remember?" Alex tries to persuade.
"I want pancakes, Alex. Please." Caroline begs giving the face. Oh that face, she scrunches her eyebrows together and just barely sticks out her bottom lip and you can't help but laugh and cave every time. Alex shakes her head wondering how she is even a successful prosecutor when she can't stand up to Caroline's 'face'.
"Okay, let's see if Mommy brought the microwaveable kind. If she didn't you and I will go out for pancakes." Alex caves. She knew she shouldn't give in to Caroline but she felt for the little girl. Caroline wasn't a huge cereal fan and four straight days of it was a bit much for the tike. Soon Alex finds the pancakes and has them cooking in the microwave for Caroline while praying that it won't upset Kim's nausea.
Picking the little girl up Alex walked to the back windows of the house to look out over the water. It was going to be a beautiful day. Caroline lays her head against Alex's shoulder looking outside with her while she plays with Alex's hair. Alex smiles thinking these are hands down the best moments of her life.
Hearing footsteps on the stairs Alex looks over to see Casey motioning for her to be quiet and keep looking out the window. Casey spotted Alex and Caroline as she was coming down the stairs and thought it would make the most beautiful picture, so she quickly takes a couple pictures before Caroline sees her. As soon as the little redhead notices her Mommy picture time ends with a squeal of, "Mommy!"
Smiling Casey opens her arms and scoops the little girl over into them just in time for the microwave to ding. Walking back into the kitchen, Alex doctors up Caroline's pancakes and serves them to her while Casey fixes them both some coffee. As she hands Alex her cup she steals a kiss and whispers into her ear, "I missed my good morning kiss when I woke up."
Alex grins, setting her and Casey's coffee down. Taking Casey tight in her arms she bends her over and kisses her causing the redhead to laugh into the kiss and wrap a hand behind Alex's head and kiss her again. Flipping her back up right she hears Caroline giggle and sees a now laughing Serena and Abbie.
Without missing a beat, Casey asks, "Did you enjoy the show?"
Serena laughs, "Enough to take a picture!" Abbie just shakes her head and says, "Alexandra there was a child present. Now, who is more of a child than an adult?"
"Still everyone but you honey," Serena laughs as Abbie scowls and throws herself into an arm chair. "There is no winning with you two!" The brunette grumbles.
"Ah, but I love you just the way you are honey. Did you ever stop to think that I wouldn't like you enough to marry you if you were so serious?" Serena asks with a smile.
"Okay, fine." Abbie grumbles but still kisses Serena.
Unexpectedly, Kim emerges from her and Owen's room. "What have you been cooking?" she asks with no inflection in her tone so it is hard to read her mood.
"Um that depends, do you hate the smell?" Alex replies hesitantly looking at Casey with a little fear in her eyes.
Kim quirks an eyebrow still trying to decipher the smell through her new heightened senses finally it clicks. A look of pure excitement and supreme happiness comes across Kim's face as she claps her hands together much to the shock and surprise of everyone since it is so unlike the serious brunette. "Pancakes!" she exclaims, "I smell pancakes. I want some. You make them Alex you cook them for Care-bear all the time, make me some please."
"Oh my God, what did Owen give you, I want some!" Abbie calls out to Kim regarding her sudden super happiness, as she crosses the room quickly to take a seat at the island counter with Caroline. Kim quickly turns to face Abbie with an evil look in her eyes and replies, "Um yeah, he gave me demon spawn 1 and 2 so no not sharing any of that with you if you get my drift." Abbie pales about ten shades as Serena bursts out into a fit of laughter quickly joined by Casey and Alex.
Trying to change the subject, Casey asks, "So Kim, where is Owen?"
With a wave of the hand Kim replies, "Out running the beach probably. He has it in his head we are going to have baseball stars so he has to be super fit or some nonsense. I tried to tell him he has at least five years before he has to worry about that, but no such luck. Now, where are those yummy pancakes?"
Later that afternoon, Casey sat on the beach next to Caroline making a sand castle while Alex, Abbie, and Owen were trying who could out swim the other. Watching the three was becoming increasingly funny as after every lap one of them was claiming the winner had cheated. In truth, Owen could most likely out swim both women, but was holding back for the fun of it.
Hearing someone walking up behind her, Casey turns to see Serena. "Kim is sleeping again. I didn't know being pregnant could make you so tired." Serena said sitting next to Casey to watch the other three in the water.
"Yeah, pregnancy takes it out of you. I remember when I was pregnant with Caroline it was all I could do to not fall asleep at work during the first trimester. After that I felt great though until about month eight then I was just ready to have her out of me." Casey replied with a laugh.
Serena looks over at the redhead. Finally she asks, "Do you want more kids Case?"
"Yes, of course I do. Why would you think I wouldn't" Casey asks.
"I didn't think you wouldn't, I just asked." Serena replied playing with a shell in the sand. The blonde is really avoiding what she wants to talk to Casey which she feels is rather childish. At last, Serena asks, "Casey, what I am avoiding asking you is do you know what you're doing having Alex move in with you? I know it's not an eloquent way to ask you, but I am really worried about you and Alex. I don't want you two to rush into something and you to get hurt Casey. I hate to ask you, but I just need to know that you are sure."
Casey watches Alex in the water for a bit before answering. Alex, Abbie, and Owen are now splashing each other in the waves. She is laughing and having so much fun. Seeing her like this just makes Casey's heart fill more with love for her blonde. She doesn't doubt that she is in love with Alex, which gives her the courage to answer.
Looking at Serena, Casey answers, "To be honest, no I don't know what I am doing Serena. But, do any of us know what we are doing really? What I can tell you is I am in love with Alex, and I love being with her. She makes me so happy, and seeing her happy makes me even happier. So, in the end, I don't really care if anyone else thinks it's the right or proper thing to do, because at the end of the day it's the right thing for Alex and I to do."
Serena smiles at her friend. She might still agree with Abbie that it isn't a good idea, but she can respect her friend's logic. "Okay, Casey. I just wanted to know that you had thought it through, and you clearly have so I will support you." Serena says wrapping an arm around Casey's shoulder.
"Thanks, it means a lot."
That evening everyone sat on a blanket on the beach to watch the fireworks. Every couple situated on their respective blanket watching the best part of the Fourth together. Casey and Alex sat next to each other with Caroline in between them as the colorful explosions lit up the night sky.
Alex loved fireworks since she was a child, but watching them with Casey and Caroline made her love them in a whole new way. Seeing the awe in Caroline's eyes as she watches the fireworks go off seems to make the experience all that more special. Then just watching Casey's face light up with each blast makes Alex love her even more. Bending her head down, she laughs at the cheesiness of her own thoughts.
Casey sees Alex duck her head laughing and wonders what the blonde could possibly find so funny. Leaning into her girlfriends ear she whispers, "What is so funny baby?"
"My thoughts," Alex's whispers back. Turning her head to look at Casey, Alex smiles knowing she's been caught and won't hide the truth.
Casey looks into her girlfriends eyes. No matter where she is or what she looks like she is the most beautiful person Casey has ever seen. "A penny for them?" Casey asks as a beautiful blue firework lights up the night sky.
"Mommy, it's your favorite!" Caroline says pointing up. Smiling Casey replies, "Good eyes sweetie you are right!" As she finishes she looks back to Alex.
Alex smiles, "For you Case they are always free. I was just thinking about how ridiculously in love with you I am."
Casey runs her hand up behind Alex's head and pulls her in for a kiss. Hearing Caroline squeal in delight they break the kiss to see what firework has caused the little girl so much joy. As Casey watches the firework diminish in the sky she looks at Alex. Leaning in again to Alex's ear she whispers, "I love you so much. Thank you for being in my life and in Caroline's."
Whispering back into Casey's ear Alex said, "I will be in your life as long as you want me Casey."
After the fireworks, Casey and Alex carried a very sleepy Caroline to bed. Working together, they quickly got the little girl bathed and dressed for bed. It didn't take long for her fall asleep once Alex laid her down. The blonde had barely begun Sweet Caroline when she noticed the little girls breathing even out. Walking to her and Casey's room she smiled thinking about how much of a routine she and Casey had gotten into with Caroline in such a short amount of time.
Entering their room, Alex finds Casey already in her pajamas asleep on the bed with a book. Shaking her head, she walks over to take the book out of her girlfriend's hands. Looking down at the slumbering woman, Alex smiles and brushes a strand of red hair from Casey's face. She knows that Casey was trying to stay up for her and couldn't manage. It had been a long day in the sun and then a late night watching the fireworks. Honestly she was amazed they'd all made it as long as they had.
Standing she walks into the bathroom and quickly brushes her teeth and puts on her own pajamas. Walking back into the bedroom she turns off the light and slowly pulls the covers out from under Casey not wanting to wake her. Covering Casey up, Alex crawls into bed. Pulling the sleeping woman into her arms Alex takes a deep breath of her perfume and sighs. Without a doubt she loves Casey Novak and will one day marry her.