[SO sorry for the delay, crazy hours at work. And this is just a very short update as an apology for not having written the rest of it. The rest to come soon, I promise. ;)]

Olivia's heart sank when she heard her cellphone trill, even more so because it was Elliot's ringtone. That could only mean one thing; work. Grumpily, she peered at the illuminated clock on the nightstand, and sighed inwardly when she read 3.28am. She had been looking forward to Friday all week, as she didn't work on Fridays, and she couldn't wait to spend the day with her girls. But, more importantly, she knew how tired Alex was, and she wanted to alleviate some of the pressure on her.

Olivia glanced at Alex as she snatched at the phone, relieved to see that she was still asleep. "Yeah?" she whispered into the phone, as she made her way into the living room. "Okay. Sure. I'll be there in a half hour."

Alex awoke just over an hour later, to the unwelcome sound of baby Maisie crying. Maisie was such a sweet-tempered child, but she was fussy and, so far, had not proven to be a good sleeper. Alex became aware of the empty bed next to her and, briefly, fantasized that Olivia was about to tend to Maisie. But her jacket was also gone, so she guessed she had been called in.

Tiredly, Alex made her way to Maisie's room. "You hungry, sweet pea?" she spoke softly, lifting the eleven-week child out of her crib, smiling as she almost instantly calmed. "C'mon then, baby, let's see if we can't do something about that," she sat in the comfy armchair that Olivia had bought only last weekend for Maisie's room, so that Alex could be comfortable when she was feeding her. She brought the child to her breast, gratified as she immediately began suckling.

Alex was bone-tired, and prayed that this would be the last interruption of the night. She suspected that tomorrow would be a busy day – she didn't know what time Olivia had left, but it was obviously important, and there was no telling what time she would be home. At least Lily was easy now; she was easily entertained, and a joy to have around. Alex wished she had more energy to take Lily out more – more museums, more swimming – but there were some days she barely had time to get out of her robe.

Within fifteen minutes, Maisie had had her fill, and Alex burped her and returned her to her crib. She headed back toward their bedroom, and spotted a note from Olivia on the table.

Work – I'm so sorry Alex. I'll call you tomorrow morning, and let you know when I can expect to get home. Love you. xxx

Alex smiled, and placed her hand lovingly on the note, feeling almost as if she were touching Olivia.

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3pm

As Olivia slid her key into the lock, she felt suddenly spent. Physical exhaustion combined with her emotional state, and she just couldn't wait to be in Alex's arms. She opened the door, and heard scurrying feet.

"Mama!" Lily looked excited, but was clearly trying to keep her voice low.

Olivia lifted her into her arms and hugged her close. "You're getting heavy, chipmunk," she smiled, as she kissed her cheek. "Are you okay?" she looked round the living room. "Where's your Mommy?"

"Mommy went to feed Maisie, but I went to look and I think she's sleeping."

"You're a very good girl," Olivia lowered her to the floor. "I'll go and check on them in just a moment. Tell me what you've been doing."

"I did draw a picture, for you and Mommy," Lily scampered over to the table to grab her drawing. "There's you," she pointed, "and Mommy. And Maisie."

"This is beautiful Lily. But where are you?"

"I'm here," Lily smiled, "drawing the picture."

"Well I think we need you here too," Olivia pointed to the picture. "Can you put yourself in here too? Maybe between me and Mommy?"

"Okay, Mama," Lily reached for a crayon.

Olivia ruffled her hair, and headed toward Maisie's room. The sight that greeted her made her breath hitch in her throat. Alex, still clad in her pajamas, was sitting in the armchair, her top undone, and a slumbering Maisie at her naked breast. Obviously she had been breastfeeding her when they had both fallen to sleep. Even in her sleep, Alex held Maisie securely, her right hand stroking her back gently.

Very carefully, Olivia lifted Maisie from Alex's arms, pulling the blanket over Alex to compensate for the loss of body heat. She rubbed Maisie's back, and was rewarded with a small burp. When she was sure she had no more wind, she lowered her gently into her crib.

Alex blinked groggily. "Hey, Liv," her voice was scratchy. "I must have dropped off. How long have you been here?"

"Just got back," Olivia kissed her softly.

"Everything okay?" she saw the haunted look in Olivia's eyes.

"Not really," Olivia admitted. "Six-year-old girl."

Alex nodded. She knew what a toll Olivia's job took on her, and she also knew, from personal experience, how harrowing some of the cases were. She touched Olivia's hand.

"You look shattered," Olivia changed the subject, seeing the dark rings under her wife's eyes. "Has our little princess been causing trouble?"

Alex smiled as she shifted in the chair, pulling Olivia down next to her, reveling in her warm body. "She's just been a little fussy, no biggie. I missed you," she kissed Olivia.

Olivia kissed her back, loving the sensation of her soft skin. She reached down, and tried to run her hand up Alex's leg.

"Nuh uh," Alex pushed her hand away. "I haven't shaved my legs in a week."

Olivia laughed, sliding her hand back in place. "I don't care about that," she said.

"C'mon, Liv," Alex snorted. "I'm a mess. I haven't washed my hair since Tuesday. My skin is shot. And I'm sure I'm growing a uni-brow, I haven't been near a pair of tweezers in God knows how long."

"And yet, you're still beautiful," Olivia breathed, as she lifted a soft breast.

"I'm a cow," Alex's emotions came to the fore, and tears sprang unbidden to her eyes.

Olivia saw the change in demeanor, and sat back. "Oh honey, what is this? You're beautiful, baby. You always have been. You're more beautiful to me now than ever before."

"I haven't even showered yet," Alex sounded so miserable it nearly broke Olivia's heart.

"Mama, I've done it!" Lily called from the living room, forgetting her vow to keep quiet.

Olivia got to her feet, and put out both hands to Alex. "C'mon. Let's go admire our daughter's art work. Then I'm gonna run you a bath."

"I can't take a bath, suppose Maisie wakes up."

"Then I will deal with her. No arguments. We have bottles of expressed milk in the fridge."

"But she doesn't like those as much."

"She's going to learn," Olivia was firm. "C'mon," she pulled her to her feet. "Come admire our little Michelangelo, while I fix your bath. No arguments," she fixed Alex with a mock hard stare.

When Olivia came out of the bathroom ten minutes later, she watched their elder daughter, perched on Alex's knee, talking animatedly. Alex seemed to be taking in every little detail of what she said, and responding enthusiastically, though Olivia knew she was too tired to be doing more than pretending. "Okay, chipmunk," Olivia called. "How about you and me spend some time with this jigsaw while Mommy has a bath, and then we'll have dinner. After that, let's all snuggle up for a half hour, and we can watch cartoons before your bedtime as a special treat."

Lily's face lit up. She didn't get to watch television very often, and it was extra special as she was going to get to do it with both of her mothers.

Once Alex was safely in the tub, Olivia reached out for her phone. "Can you keep a secret, Lily? It's a good secret."

Lily nodded.

"We're going to send your Mommy to the spa tomorrow afternoon. She's in serious need of some pampering – and some sleep. Tomorrow morning, you, me and Maisie are going to go to the park for a few hours, while Mommy sleeps in. And then she can go to the spa, and have all the treatments, to make her feel special again."

Lily smiled. "Mommy was very tired today," she said.

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Once Alex was asleep, Olivia sneaked out of bed, grabbed the baby monitor and made her way to the guest room. There, she reasoned, Alex wouldn't hear Maisie's cries, and would, she hoped, sleep the whole night. She yawned, realizing that she, too, was exhausted.

Olivia had been in bed less than half an hour when Alex appeared at the door. "Nice try, Benson," Alex said, her voice rich with humor. Alex approached the bed and held out her hand.

Olivia shook her head. "No, I'm staying here. That way, Maisie and I won't disturb your sleep."

"I can't sleep without you there," Alex said simply. "There will be no sleep to disturb. Either come with me, or move over and let me in there with you."

Olivia hesitated, so Alex lifted the corner of the quilt and slid in. She smiled as she felt Olivia's warm body against her own. She smiled, as she lifted a tired hand and stroked Olivia's face. "I need to feed her anyway. Either that or pump," she gestured to her full breasts. "These babies are used to a full workout at night."

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An hour later, Olivia carried their youngest daughter to her wife, who was sitting up in bed, unbuttoning her nightshirt. Alex smiled at Olivia. "I know this is hard. For us all. But," she touched Maisie's downy cheek, "it's worth it, huh?"

Olivia was overwhelmed with the unselfishness of her wife. Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded.

Alex lifted the quilt, inviting Olivia in. "Join us," she instructed. "There, baby girl," she adjusted the angle of the baby, laughing at the child's enthusiastic suckling. "Looks like you've got a rival, Liv. Maisie's a boob girl too."

Olivia laughed. She put a hand gently on Maisie's back. "Just as long as you know those are just on loan, Maisie-Moo," she said as she kissed Alex softly.