A/N: Second half of the last chapter…I hope you enjoy! I loved writing this chapter! Let me know what you think.
That evening Alex and Casey sat downstairs of the sofa in the family room with Caroline sleeping curled up next to Alex. The wedding scene of The Little Mermaid was playing on the television in the background as Alex ran her fingers through the little girl's hair. Casey sat quietly watching Alex with Caroline at this moment. Every time she saw her daughter and her girlfriend in a situation like this she could see how much love Alex had in her heart for Caroline.
"She really missed you while you were away. We both did." Casey whispers. Alex smiles at Casey's words. "I missed you both terribly. I don't understand how some parents travel for work. I would be forever miserable and probably have to take pills to sleep." Alex replied sincerely.
Pushing Alex's hair behind her ear and tilting her face up to look into her eyes, Casey says, "Why don't we get her up to bed? We are going to have a super busy day tomorrow."
"Yeah I think you are right. Let's head to bed."
The next afternoon…
Opening the door to Casey and Alex's house, Kim and Owen instantly freeze. There are shrieks of joy coming from all directions and little people running all over. Slowly making their way to the kitchen they arrive to find Abbie and Serena standing next to the refrigerator. Abbie looks a little scared while Serena has a warm smile on her face. Moving to stand next to the other couple, Owen says, "There are way too many little people here."
Kim huffs pointing to her stomach, "Owen this is too many little people," pointing her finger out at the frenzied scene she continues, "that is a zoo of little people."
Abbie can't hold back her laughter, "Greylek hit the nail on the head. It is a zoo of little people in here. I don't think I've ever hated the rain so much."
"Have either of you seen Casey or Alex?" Owen asks.
Serena nudges Abbie out of the way so she can open the fridge and grab herself a beer while answering his question, "Last I saw them they were headed downstairs to set up some more toys for the kids. I bet you twenty bucks next year this shindig is at a kid's party place or a playground. You want a beer?"
Owen nods, accepting one and taking water for Kim. Serena quickly asks, "So did you find out during the ultrasound?" Kim smiles at Owen with a hand on her now clearly showing belly.
Owen nods while Kim answers, "Yes, we were able to find out, but we have a very special way to tell everyone."
"Hey that's great you two. Just let me know what color I need to order their boots in!" Abbie exclaims.
From behind them they hear, "Uncle Owen! Aunt Kim!" turning they see Caroline in Casey's arms.
"I finally caught the birthday girl and brought her to say hello." Casey huffed, clearly a little worn out. Setting the little one down to say hello, she decided to take a seat to rest for one minute.
"So where did you leave Alex, Case?" Serena asks.
"She is downstairs in the midst of the madness. By the way Abbie, she is asking for you. She says if she ever needed your craziness it is now. So tag your it." Casey says taking the brunette's beer and taking a big swig.
"You owe me Red." Abbie says walking away to help her best friend. Heading down the stairs Abbie finds Alex in the midst of probably fifteen kids although it feels more like a million at the moment with them all squealing and excited about playing a game. Alex is going over the rules of what seems to be some sort of preschool friendly treasure hunt. Sending the little ones on their way Alex walks over to Abbie.
"Thank you I needed someone who could help me supervise crazy-ville." Alex admitted.
"And why is that me and not Casey, you know Caroline's mother?" Abbie asks.
Alex frowns at her friend, "Casey had to go get the food and cake set up, it you would rather be upstairs with the others you are welcome to go Abbie, I just wanted to hang out with my best friend."
"Alex I am sorry that came out really wrong," Abbie says smacking her hand to her head, "I really didn't mean it like that. I was just wondering why you are down here monitoring all the kids with Casey sitting upstairs relaxing. I didn't realize she was working too. I just seemed like you were playing the mom role."
Alex touches her friends shoulder, "Don't worry about it Abbie. Hopefully one day I will actually be another mom to her anyway."
"Whoa Cabot, what does that mean?" Abbie asks cautiously.
"It doesn't mean anything Abbie other than I could see myself marrying Casey one day. I love her Abbie and I am amazingly happy with Casey and Caroline. I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life with them is all." Alex replies.
Abbie nods breathing an internal sigh of relief. She loves her best friend and Casey; she just highly doubts Casey is anywhere near ready to get married again. Honestly she was shocked they'd survived moving in together. Maybe Serena was right and these two knew what they were doing after all.
After the games and cake, Caroline sat down to open her presents. Casey was reading off the cards while the little girl opened them. She opens one from Abbie and Serena finding a new set of princess dress up clothes, then the next from Kim and Owen which is a beautiful Ariel doll. Casey grabs the next present and looks at the tag a little confused.
Alex sees Casey's state and asks, "What is it Case?" The room quiets down a little while Casey still examines the card and Caroline begins tearing into the present suddenly it clicks and Casey looks up smiling.
"It says Happy Birthday Caroline, can't wait to meet you, Love, Nolan and James! You are having boys!" Casey exclaims at Owen and Kim as tears stream down her cheeks. Caroline finishes unwrapping the present to find twin baby boy baby dolls.
Casey jumps up and hugs Owen and then Kim touching her belly and saying hi to babies Nolan and James. Alex quickly steps in to continue helping with opening the presents so their home can clear out again. About thirty minutes later that goal is achieved.
Later that evening after their friends had gone home and the house was cleaned up, Casey started the bath for Caroline while Alex laid out her new pair of pajamas she'd gotten for her birthday. Alex walked into the bathroom with Caroline in tow and sat down on the edge of the tub. Casey's sits back to eye Alex, she knows her girlfriend has done something she just can't put her finger on it. Finally smiling she asks, "What?"
"I made you a nice hot bubble bath complete with a glass of wine. I thought the wonderful woman who provided this world with a beautiful princess Caroline deserved to be pampered today as well." Alex says proudly.
Laughing a little with a big smile Casey gives Alex a quick peck to the lips and thanks her. Scooping Caroline up in her arms she gives her little girl a big hug and kiss and tells her that she is so thankful for her and will be back in a bit. Quickly she makes her way to her waiting tub.
Undressing and sinking her sore body into the warm water she begins to relax. Today was definitely an action packed day between Alex's castle shaped pancake disaster, to decorating and the unexpected rain with too many little children in their home. Luckily Alex thought quick and suggested they bring the playhouse inside, Casey owed her one for that lifesaver.
Oh and Casey can't forget finding out that Demon Spawn 1 & 2 have officially gained names of sweet babies Nolan and James. Funny how finding out what their babies were and getting to actually see them looking like babies not blobs quickly changed Kim's perspective on them, although, it quite possibly could be the fact that she isn't sick anymore too. This time next year they will actually be here with them on Caroline's birthday. She can't wait for her brother and Kim to have their babies it reminds her of how happy she and John were when Caroline was born. John…
Casey closes her eyes tight and sets her wine down with a shaky hand. Sitting up in the tub she pulls her legs up to her chest as she starts to cry. She feels like the worse wife ever. Not once today had she thought of him. It's their daughter's birthday and she literally probably wouldn't have thought of him once had it not been for Owen and Kim and the twins. What the hell was wrong with her? This was their daughters first birthday without him and she didn't once think of the man who helped make that beautiful little girl.
Casey just continued to cry until she realized that she had to pull herself together to go kiss Caroline goodnight. Climbing out of the tub, she quickly got herself dry and dressed. Walking down the hall she encountered Alex walking out of Caroline's room.
"Casey, I am sorry she fell asleep while I was reading to her. I just looked down and she was out. I am sorry babe I should have come and gotten you when she got out of the tub." Alex apologizes. Realizing Casey looks like she's been crying Alex asks, "Casey, are you okay?"
Not saying a word, Casey walks around Alex and into her daughter's bedroom. Walking over to her daughter she leans down and kisses the little girls head. As she pulls back she whispers super quietly to not wake her, I love you so much baby girl and so did your daddy. Quietly she leaves her daughter to sleep.
Walking back down the hall to her and Alex's room she climbs into bed. About ten minutes later she is joined by Alex. The blonde wastes no time pulling her tight into her arms resting her head in the crook of Casey's neck. Alex whispers, "I love you Casey. I understand you don't want to talk to me right now about what is bothering you, but I want you to know that no matter what I love you."
All Casey can say is, "I love you too Alex. Thank you for everything." She wants to tell Alex what she realized in the tub, but she doesn't even know where to begin.
It also strikes Casey that Alex was sweet enough to draw a bath for her as a thank you for bringing Caroline into this world. John hadn't ever done anything like that. Maybe it was just that Alex treated her so well that she didn't have to reminisce about John. Although she felt guilty that she was realizing more and more that she almost never thought of him. Closing her eyes she wished that she could just be happy and not guilty for one month with Alex.