The courthouse steps were full of reporters and cameramen, everyone anxiously awaiting the final result.
"Has the jury reached a verdict?"
"Yes, your Honor."
They passed the verdict sheet to the judge who read it before she instructed the foreman to announce the results.
"On the first count, murder in the first degree, we find the defendant guilty. On the second count, murder in the first degree, we find the defendant guilty. On the third count, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, we find the defendant guilty. On the fourth count, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, we find the defendant not guilty."
Kessler requested a roll call.
"I can't believe they found her not guilty on the second kidnapping," Rubirosa commented as she, McCoy, and Steele met for drinks.
McCoy asked the jury as they were leaving why they found for one kidnapping charge and not the other. The jury had been satisfied that Margaret arranged for the first attempt to kidnap Cassie, but there wasn't sufficient evidence that Margaret ordered the second kidnapping.
Clearly, Marsh had arranged it hoping he would get paid, but it was unclear if Margaret had actually instructed them to try again or if she just said, "I'm not paying because you failed."
Steele was happy with the result. "We got a big win. Kessler can eat my boots."
Kessler was already talking about appealing the jury's verdict. "They made it contrary to the evidence!"
Margaret was already regretting her choice in counsel. She thought Kessler would help her win; instead he helped her lose.
After the verdict was read, Greenfield was immediately remanded to prison where she would await her sentencing hearing. It would not take place until January 2008.
You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!
Instead of having musical night in the apartment, Alex and Olivia decided to take Cassie out to see a play.
The media had camped out outside the apartment building, Cassie's school, and One Hogan Place. Cassie's mother wanted to keep her out of the media's eye and away from the drama, so she was stuck inside during the trial.
Now that there was a verdict, everyone was badgering the lawyers on the case, Judge Petrovsky, and the jury.
This meant that the family could finally get out.
Cassie looked adorable in her pink dress, white boots and faux fur white coat. "Mama, Papa, let's go."
Alex was trying to get ready. She had been brushing her hair when Olivia snuck up from behind and started kissing on her neck.
"Maybe we should skip the play," Olivia murmured against her skin.
"We can't," Alex laughed. "Cassie's too excited." They had tickets for How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Suddenly, Cassie burst through the door.
"Papa, stop kissing Mama. We have to go!"
Alex and Olivia both laughed before they grabbed their coats. The blonde wore a beautiful one-sleeved grey dress with a matching handbag. Olivia had on a tuxedo with a bold red vest.
Keeping true to their Friday night tradition, they got pizza before the play. Olivia had found a little Italian restaurant that was four blocks west of Broadway. The place only had 30 seats. Normally, they would have been all booked on a Friday night, but when they heard the name Cabot, they were able to squeeze them in.
The walls were burnt orange, gold, and off white. Grapes on the vine detailed the walls and the photographs were of vineyards in southern Italy.
"May I interest you in a bottle of wine?"
They didn't have time for a whole bottle, "but I would like a glass of the nebbiolo."
"I'll go with a beer."
They brought out some steamed milk for Cassie, and ten minutes later, they were all sharing a truffle and prosciutto pizza.
"When I was a little kid, there was pepperoni and there was cheese that's it." This pizza had a truffle mascarpone, arugula, and Parmesan cheese on top.
They made quick work of their pizza and had their dessert to go. They hid the chocolate cake in Alex's purse and could eat it during the show.
15 minutes later, they were making their way to the middle of the orchestra section. Olivia hadn't been to a play in years. Without Alex, it wasn't the same.
Alex got an usher to take their picture.
"Mama, Papa, let's find our seats!"
The little girl was a big fan of Dr. Seuss. This was so exciting.
The audience was full of children and parents. Alex used to be that woman who hated having kids in the theatre because they would laugh at the wrong time or start crying if the show was scary, but in this moment, all that mattered was that her little girl was happy.
The lights went down and the show began.
Washington, DC
A storm that started in the Midwest moved its way to the east coast and then moved upwards.
By the time Casey got to Union Station, it was pouring rain. Abbie was waiting for her when she came in through the gate.
She had on a cute little beret to keep her hair from getting wet and frizzy.
Casey couldn't help but laugh when she saw her.
"What's so funny?" Abbie questioned as she took Casey's bag.
Casey pinched her cheek. "Your hat is so cute."
Abbie rolled her eyes. "It was either this or my top hat."
"You have a top hat?"
Abbie groaned. "Let's go, Princess!"
They got in line to get a cab. The line was long but it moved fast as cabs went around the circle dropping off passengers and grabbing new ones.
Abbie rattled off the address to her Southwest apartment and they were off. The traffic was insane, as cars ignored the traffic lights and fought the rain.
Twenty minutes later, they ran from the cab door to Abbie's apartment. It was only 20 feet but they both got wet along the way.
Casey stole Abbie's hat and put it on her head. "Do I look posh right now?"
Abbie smacked Casey behind and started taking off her clothes. "I think it's time for a shower."
"I like the way you think."
The two shared a kiss before shedding their clothes for the shower. Abbie couldn't get enough of her redheaded girlfriend.
"I love you," the Texan growled before pulling Casey into another kiss. It had been love at first sight.
Casey was taken aback by the candid confession. "You love me?" Casey was happier with Abbie than she had ever been before, but she was afraid to put a label on it.
"How could I not?" It was like breathing air. She didn't have to think about it.
When Casey looked into Abbie's big brown eyes, she knew the sultry Texan meant it. "Show me."
Abbie turned on the hot water and pulled Casey into the shower. The raven-haired beauty distracted Casey with a kiss before she took her body soap and poured it over the redhead's shoulders. Strong hands lathered the soap all over Casey's body.
"OHMMH!" Casey moaned loudly as she felt Abbie's thumbs tease her nipples. The ADA could feel her knees buckling as Abbie took care of her.
"I love you," Abbie whispered against Casey's ear as her fingers slipped in between her lover's legs.
The Texan tended to her lover from head to toe, washing Casey's vibrant hair and adding a leave in conditioner before they left the shower.
Casey was hungry but not for food. "Take me to bed."
"Yes Ma'am." Abbie scooped her up bridal style and ran off with her.
Two hours later, Casey and Abbie emerged from under her sheets. The ADA rested her head on Abbie's neck. "Say it again."
"I love you."
"Say it again."
"I love you."
"I never get tired of hearing it."
"And I'll tire of saying it."
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Olivia had no idea what to get Alex for Christmas.
Luckily, the blonde had taken Cassie for a girls' day with Aunt Liz and Aunt Margo, giving Olivia some time to shop.
What do I buy for the woman who has it all? She had an abundance of shoes, clothes, jewelry, anything Olivia could think of getting.
Cassie was easy. Olivia got her a beginners' watercolor set and a new stuffed animal.
"Now what do I …"
She was about to get on the escalator when she saw a sparkling gem in the storefront. She knew what to get Alex.
The hairdressers all fussed over the adorable blonde. Cassie had to get her bangs cut so she could see.
"Aw, she's got the most beautiful hair," shiny, no split end, "and her dress is so cute."
They even gave her candy.
"She's going to get a sugar high if people give her candy everywhere we go," Alex commented.
"Like mother like daughter," Liz told her.
"Aunt Liz!"
"Don't' you Aunt Liz me! When you were a little girl … cookies, brownies, ice cream, every time I turned around you were into some sugar, would get more hyper than the law allows and then crash in the backseat, snoring all the way home."
"I do not snore!"
"Maybe not anymore, but you sounded like a bear cub when you slept as a child."
Margo couldn't help but laugh as Alex and Liz bickered. They were exactly the same, always has to be right.
After the hairdresser, they went to the nail salon, and then to lunch.
Margo had found a new restaurant in midtown that had great reviews. "They cook with seasonal ingredients, farm fresh, local …"
Liz grunted. "It sounds like a place that doesn't use any salt because it's bad for your blood pressure."
Alex guffawed.
"Not everyone can sustain themselves on cheeseburgers and fries."
Liz grinned. "Do they have cheeseburgers?"
The Prickly Pear did have cheeseburgers, but what caught Liz's eye was the pork belly sliders. They sous-vide it overnight and then toss it in five spice, cumin, and ginger before grilling it and then it gets a hoisin-honey glaze.
"It's served with fresh arugula, spicy mayo and a crispy onion on top."
"How big are these sliders?"
The waitress held up her hands. "They're three of them."
"And they come with fries?"
"A basket of 'em."
"That's what I need!" Liz was excited.
She sounded like a little kid on Christmas.
Margo went with the sweet potato gnocchi with braised fennel and leeks.
Alex got the butternut squash risotto with spicy sausage and crispy shallots.
"And for you miss."
"I'd like the grilled cheese and the carrot fries." This wasn't any grilled cheese. It had prosciutto and béchamel inside, made with homemade sourdough bread with the crusts cut off before they sear the bread in herb butter.
The Prickly Pear was known for its drinks as well as the food. They had, a hard pear cider, and a full coffee and tea bar.
Liz did not hesitate to get a hard cider. "The best thing about New York, I never have to drive."
Alex got the spearmint hot chocolate as did Cassie.
Margo went with the mint tea. "Bill and I went to Morocco on our second honeymoon, the mint tea with tagine … oh it was heavenly."
Alex had not left the country in years. It would be nice to go somewhere with Cassie and Olivia. Maybe, they could go somewhere this summer.
"This is the best thing I've ever put in my mouth," Liz declared as she took a third bite out of her first slider. It could have been the booze talking, but everyone else also had a fantastic dish.
The gnocchi had a nice crust from being seared in the herb butter and it was soft on the inside, like a pillow.
The risotto was creamy and cheesy and had nice warm spices to enhance the squash.
The grilled cheese was crispy, buttery and the carrot fries were sweet and salty.
There was little talking, mostly munching and muttering until they were done.
Suddenly, Alex remembered her girlfriend. "I should bring her back something, this was excellent."
"The sliders," Liz told her, "do it."
It was right up Olivia's alley. "Pork sliders it is."
When Alex and Cassie came home, Olivia had been right about to fall asleep on the couch.
The five year old ran up to the detective and hopped onto her lap. "I got my nails painted."
"Very pretty," Olivia kissed her forehead.
"We brought you back some lunch," Alex told her. "Do you want me to heat it up now?"
"What is it?"
"Pork belly sliders."
Olivia growled with happiness. "You really do love me."
"Bet your cute butt I do."
Olivia tore through that plate so quickly, Alex couldn't believe she had tasted any of it. Maybe I should get the sliders next time.
They had a simple Saturday, movies and a simple pasta dish for dinner before going to bed.
Olivia couldn't help but smile as Alex burrowed her head against the brunette's neck. She couldn't wait for Christmas Day, when she'd get to put the ring on her lover's hand.