A/N: Omg, you all crack me up with your reviews. Anyway, here is the next installment. It was one giant chapter, but I broke it into two just to make it easier in case you didn't have enough time to finish it. Enjoy!
One month later, August 14…
Casey lay in bed reading a book and listening to the rain fall outside her bedroom windows. Sighing deeply she laid the book on the nightstand and rolled over to look at the empty side of the bed. Pulling Alex's pillow over she takes deep breath stealing what feels like the last remaining smell of her girlfriend from the linen. She missed Alex terribly.
It had only been two days but to Casey it felt like it had been a lifetime. Alex had traveled to Attica to go over testimony with an inmate relating to a current case, and was expected to arrive home tomorrow. Casey could hardly wait. She was so ready to have Alex back in her arms. Plus, Caroline's birthday was on the 16th and Alex would make it home in time.
Rolling onto her back Casey watches the rain continue fall outside. Alex had only officially moved in about a month ago and it surprised Casey how easy of an adjustment it was for the two of them. Granted they did have a few disagreements when she moved in, but all had been worked out. Casey smiled remembering the first hurdle they'd overcome.
Casey was pacingthe back courtyard while Caroline played in the playhouse. As usual Casey was trying desperately to burn off her frustration through pacing. She wanted to calm down some before her blonde girlfriend arrived home. Hearing Alex open the door from the kitchen and walk outside with her typical greeting of, "Hello my two favorite redheads!" Casey scowled.
Seeing how displeased her girlfriend was with her Alex approached Casey with caution. "Case, did I do something to upset you at work today?" Alex asked. She figured it was the most reasonable option since they hadn't been home all day, but she was still a little confused since they'd split caseloads before July.
Casey instantly huffed at Alex's wrong guess, "Work Alex, really? I only saw you for like fifteen minutes on lunch and that is your guess. Try again." Casey really wasn't sure why she was being so hostile, it was more that she felt insulted by Alex than anything else and it hit her in every raw spot possible. Finally she sits at the outdoor table and laying her head down. So much for putting up a decent argument she just doesn't feel like arguing.
Tentatively Alex sits next to her and places a hand on her shoulder. "Casey, I don't mean to sound dense babe, but I really have no idea what I did to upset you. I would like to know though so I can begin the groveling process to fix my offense." Getting no response the blonde brushes a handful of red hair away from her girlfriends face and kisses her cheek, "Please Casey tell me."
Casey sits back up and sighs, "Why did you hire a maid? Do I really suck at cleaning that bad that you felt the need to hire someone to clean up after us?" As she finishes she hangs her head feeling quite foolish.
Alex can't help but laugh causing Casey to look up with a disapproving look. "I am so sorry Casey," Alex begins and trying to cease her laughing, "I didn't hire a maid because you suck at cleaning. I've always had a maid so ending her cleaning services at my former apartment I just brought her over here instead of let her go."
Casey smiles and shakes her head, "So you don't think I suck at cleaning?"
"No, but I know I hate to clean. I would much rather spend my time doing other things than cleaning a toilet or dusting." Alex admits with a light laugh.
Almost every hurdle they'd had encountered was easily handled. It was a major contrast to when she and John had begun living together. Alex had never spent the night on the couch whereas when she and John would argue he often took the couch and a day to cool off before discussing the matter again. She and Alex had a tendency to avoid the pointless arguing and instead handle their problems rationally and go straight to the makeup sex. Honestly, she preferred her and Alex's way of handling things.
Snuggling up with Alex's pillow Casey settles into the cool sheets and lets the sound of the rain begin to ease her to sleep. Taking deep breaths she imagines that it is Alex she is holding onto she can't wait until tomorrow night when it really will be. Soon she is drifting into a deep slumber.
Casey looks over at Alex. They are driving down a winding road. Casey doesn't remember where they are going but she is happy. Alex and Caroline are singing along to some song on the radio while they make their way. Casey keeps trying to remember where they are headed but she can't.
Suddenly it is night and Alex is still driving. Casey looks into the backseat not hearing Caroline anymore. Her little girl is sleeping and seems so peaceful. Looking back at Alex, she smiles and starts to ask where they are headed when she notices it is snowing. Casey can feel her heartbeat speed up. Looking around the vehicle she realizes they are in the old Range Rover. They are in the Range Rover and driving in the snow. Something isn't right. Starting to feel like she can't breathe Casey looks over to Alex to tell her they need to pull over but it's too late the car begins to spin and roll down the mountain.
Once the descent is over, Casey feels the familiar feelings. The pain in her head and right arm, the sticky sensation of blood, however, looking over to the driver's side the memory changes. It's not John its Alex.
It's Alex in the seat with the windshield wiper through her chest. It's Alex. Alex has been taken from her this time, the love of her life. Casey can't even think rationally, she just begins to scream. Everything is wrong. How did they get in the car? Why is Alex not waking up? Why is this happening?
Suddenly Casey is being shaken awake. Opening her eyes she sees Alex over her. Realizing its Alex, and that she is alive Casey begins to cry uncontrollably. Alex sits on the bed and pulls Casey tight into her arms while she rocks her back and forth and kisses her head reassuring her that everything is okay. She has no idea what Casey was dreaming but whatever it was it must have scared her.
While soothing Casey, Alex kept mentally thanking god that she decided to come home early. Granted she was exhausted from not sleeping and driving all night, but she wasn't sleeping in the hotel either, so she decided to be reckless at midnight and pack her things and make the drive home. She and Casey had already arranged the day off work to shop for the supplies they needed for Caroline's birthday party so she figured she could steal a nap at some point today, and the best part was she could nap with Casey.
Finally feeling Casey settle down, Alex whispered, "Want to talk about it?" Casey just looked into Alex's blue eyes with her redden puffy ones. Alex didn't wait for her to say anything before she pressed her lips to Casey's. She could tell that Casey needed a moment to just feel close to her so Alex kissed her softly enjoying the softness her lips. Breaking the kiss after a minute she kisses away Casey's remaining tears. Looking into her eyes she waits for the redhead to speak.
"I dreamt we were in a car accident, the car accident, except it was you in John's place this time." Casey finally whispers. Taking a breath she continues, "For a few months after the accident I would relive the nightmare in my dreams, although, I haven't dreamt about it since moving back to the city. I don't know what made me dream about it now or with you being the one killed, but seeing you like that…I-I just wanted to die too," pausing to look right into Alex's eyes Casey adds, "I didn't want to live without you Alex."
Running her fingers through Casey's hair Alex whispers, "Case, its okay it was just a dream. I am fine and I am here with you now. I love you so much Casey." She continues to hold Casey for another couple of minutes before she hears Caroline's bedroom door open from down the hall. Casey looks up at Alex with a big grin on her face she knows her daughter is going to be ecstatic to see Alex home early since she thought she wouldn't see her until after school today.
As the little girl enters the room she rubs her sleepy eyes removing her hands she spots the blonde on the bed, and Casey and Alex watch as her face goes from confusion to excitement. "Alex!" Caroline squeals as she runs and jumps on the bed. Pulling the little girl between them Alex, Caroline, and Casey snuggle on the bed. Caroline immediately goes to playing with Alex's long blonde hair while Casey looks lovingly into her girlfriend's eyes.
"So how is this even possible? I wasn't expecting you home until noon at the earliest." Casey states.
Alex gets a super guilty look on her face and confesses, "Don't get mad but it was kind of impossible to sleep without you Case, so I might have decided after tossing and turning for a couple of hours to pack my bag and head home at midnight."
"Alexandra Cabot, you haven't slept at all?" Casey exclaims.
"No, but I figured after Care-bear went to school you and I could take a long nap."
"Hmm, I like the way you think counselor. It has been a long two days without you," Casey replies kissing Alex quickly before jumping out of bed. "Come on Care-bear. Let's let Alex get a shower and get to bed. She has to be exhausted and we need her well rested for tomorrow sweetie."
Caroline frowns at Alex. The blonde smiles and says, "Aw, Caroline, I promise sweetie we will play as much as you want when you get home today." The little girl nods, but still looks sad as she climbs off the bed to join Casey. Watching the scene unfold in front of her is more than Alex can handle and soon she is running after them. "Wait! I am making pancakes!" she calls out.
That afternoon Casey and Alex made their way through the party store. "There are so many options Casey I think we should just do a Disney princess theme." Alex suggests.
"Yeah baby, I agree. Next year though, I think we should plan way ahead. This was a little to last minute for me." Casey responds. Looking over the still multiple plate choices she mentally says 'fuck it' and grabs five stacks of dinner plates, dessert plates, and stacks of beverage napkins and dinner napkins. Turning to Alex with a devilish smiles she says, "Okay, I did my part, now you are in charge of figuring out silverware, cup choices and decorations."
"Oh really?" Alex questions, "And where are you going pray tell?"
Casey walks backwards down the aisle smiling wide at Alex, "To the best aisle of all of course! I am going to go make the party favors!"
Alex looks hurt with the list of what they need in her hands, "Hey! No fair! Help me then we can do the fun part together."
"Not a chance Cabot. That part is to stressful! Hurry up and meet me over on aisle 10." Casey says jogging off.
Alex looks helplessly at the wall. How had she managed to draw the short stick when she didn't even know they were drawing? Quickly grabbing a giant box of silverware, two giant packs of solo cups, and jumbo size pack of Disney princess theme décor she walks down to Casey's aisle. Reaching the aisle she finds Casey standing just as confused looking as she was on the previous aisle. Walking up the redhead she softly asks, "Just as stressed as you were on the last aisle?"
Casey turns to face Alex, "Seriously? It took you less than a minute to figure that stuff out?"
"I will admit I didn't put much thought into it. I just threw stuff in the cart with Disney princesses on it. Plus, it took you no time to figure out the plate and napkin thing so what are you talking about?" Alex questions with a quirked eyebrow.
Looking through the cart Casey sees that together just aimlessly throwing stuff in the cart they did a pretty good job. Smiling at Alex, Casey admits, "So this is Caroline's first real birthday party and I haven't done this whole buying party stuff for her past parties. I got a little overwhelmed back there and threw stuff in and bolted thinking this aisle would be easier. It's harder Alex."
Alex laughs, "Casey you are so silly sometimes." Pulling her girlfriend into her arms she kisses her and says, "Why didn't you just tell me all that from the start?"
"I don't know. I really didn't expect it to be so overwhelming." Casey answers laying her head on Alex's shoulder with a chuckle.
Alex quickly browses through their cart. "For winging it I think we did pretty well. So why don't we try to figure this whole party favor thing out together. We can't screw it up to bad right? I mean they are what four years old so how bad of a judge could they be, right?"
Casey laughs at the truth in the blondes words. After about another ten minutes they figured out the favors and bought the balloons. Now all they had to do was get the cake and Caroline.