Disclaimer: I own nothing
Hey all, thanks so much for the reviews, I appreciate every one even though I am getting slack in replying. Glad you are all still enjoying the story. This chapter Olivia and Tyler talk and there is a bit of Alex and Tate at the end. Enjoy. R&R is loved, especially new readers.
Later that night Tyler sat naked in bed, leant up against the pillows as she watched Olivia pace at the foot of the bed.
They'd eaten a wonderful meal of Spaghetti Bolognese with garlic bread and salad for dinner. Followed by coffee and good conversation before Olivia had asked to retire early. After their heated make out session earlier she had agreed readily. She had paid no mind to the look Olivia had sent Alex and the nod she had received in return, now though she wanted to know what was going on.
She tried to ignore the sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach and reminded herself that Olivia loved her and they had just spent a good hour burning the sheets off the bed. She wouldn't decide to leave her now would she? Maybe all the excitement in the last couple of days had her hankering for New York again.
"Olivia you're making me dizzy and scaring me here, are you trying to tell me you're leaving?" she asked, heart in mouth and Olivia's eyes went as wide as saucers
"NO" she almost bellowed rooted to the spot "God no, not unless you kick me out, I want to stay, for as long as you'll have me"
"Really?" Tyler's heart kicked into overtime and she couldn't prevent the grin that split her face as relief poured through her. Then she became confused and a slight frown marred her features "But why all the pacing? Surely you know I love you and want you to stay?"
"Yes" Olivia nodded "At least at the moment" she sighed and Tyler shook her head and looked seriously confused "There's things about me you don't know, things that may affect the way you see me"
"I don't think so" Tyler shook her head "I think you are wonderful"
"Tyler please just let me say this" Olivia begged and Tyler bit her lip and sat back, arms crossed across her chest, waiting and wondering what had Olivia had so spooked. She knew there was nothing Olivia could tell her that would change her feelings for her so she sat back to listen to what her lover had to say.
Olivia sighed and turned her back on Tyler, it would be easier if she didn't see her reaction as she said it. "My mother... my mother was a wonderful person. When she was sober" she choked out hugging herself tight "She was very smart, warm and very funny. When she was sober I had no doubts that she loved me, used to crave her hugs and the things she would buy me. By the time I was 4 however she was drunk 80% of the time and I learnt how to keep out of her way, she wasn't a happy drunk. When I was older I tried to hide the alcohol, that just delayed the drinking and usually led to a beating as well" she sighed, wondering what Tyler was thinking, she was unusually quiet behind her. She didn't know if that was a good or bad sign. She hadn't been kicked out yet so she leaned towards good.
"I was 6 when she got drunk and angry enough to tell me about my father" she paused and bit her lip curling further into herself.
Tyler who was horrified at what Liv was saying, her heart pouring out to the young confused child that must have wondered what she had done wrong, knew instinctively that worse was coming. Olivia's next sentence confirmed it.
"My mother was walking home after late class one night when she was hit from behind and dragged into an alley. When she came too she was sore and a man was standing over her doing up his pants. She reported it, but they never found him. I came along 9 months later to be a constant reminder. She hated me for it and it led her to drink. She took great pleasure when drunk in telling me it was all my fault and she should have listened to her parents. Apparently they didn't support her choice in having me"
Tyler heard Olivia's voice crack and could no longer sit still. Swearing she bolted out of bed and reached Olivia who had been heading for the bathroom, grabbing her arm and spinning her around.
"No running, not from me, not ever. I love you Olivia, I always will, it doesn't matter" she promised earnestly cupping her face so that their eyes met. Her heart broke all over again as she watched her strong loveable New York Detective break apart in front of her and start to sob. Scooping the smaller woman up into her arms she carried her back to the bed, placing her gently in the middle before sliding in next to her and pulling up the covers. She lay on her back and pulled Olivia into her right side, letting her head settle on her chest, an arm and leg drape across her as she wrapped her arms around the heaving body and held her tight.
She spent long minutes reassuring Olivia as she cried, telling her she loved her and that it didn't matter, she was a beautiful person inside and out. She reminded her about Tate, about what she went through, how they met and the person Tate was today and how she was her best friend and honorary sister. She had never judged Tate and would never judge her. Finally Olivia showed signs of calming down, Tyler figured there had been 40 odd years of pain in that crying jag and was somewhat relieved Olivia had let it go, if only partially, but at least she hoped she could start healing now.
"I love you Olivia Benson, I want you to stay here with me, be with me. My family is now yours too, you're practically a Gates now. You also have Alex and Tate as and a small community that will claim you as their own." she pressed her lips against her lover's forehead in a gentle kiss while breathing in Olivia's scent. "You Ok?"
"I will be" Olivia sighed and settled closer "I still have more to tell you but that was the biggest kicker"
"You want to tell me now or take a break for the night and text Alex and tell her all is well?" Tyler asked next and Olivia sighed, not surprised that Tyler had caught the look she'd shared with Alex tonight.
"Alex can be patient for a bit longer, I still have more to tell, I want to tell it all just once" she sighed and snuggled in closer.
"I'm here, in your own time" Tyler bussed her head again and Olivia smiled, just a small grateful smile and taking a deep breath did so.
Tyler listened, her heart aching as she told her more about her mother, the influence it had over her choice of profession, the obsession she had in finding out who had fathered her, her mother's death, finding some peace in her friendship with Alex only to have it shattered. Then there was finding her brother, her belief in him, nearly losing her job. Tyler waited as Olivia gave a long pause before starting in on her last horrifying story. She listened, dread filling her as Olivia described going undercover, the conditions, the brutality she had faced, the fear.
Olivia was crying again, racking sobs shuddering her frame and Tyler could only hold her tight, rub soothing circles on her back, kiss her dark head and whisper words of comfort and love. The things Olivia had put herself through to help out rape victims. She felt anger towards the man who had abused his power like that. She wasn't surprised she had cracked and needed to leave, a person could only take so much.
"I love you Olivia, from now on you're going to put yourself first. I am going to put you first. I'm going to remind you every day that you are beautiful and wonderful and that I love you. You will never doubt me or yourself again, I promise"
"I never..." Olivia argued then stopped and bit her lip, pushing up on her elbows to look down at Tyler "I'm sorry, I was worried. You mean everything to me and I was scared I would lose that because of my past"
"What past Olivia? You can do nothing about your conception but that is something I wouldn't change for the world because I have you" Tyler told her earnestly. "Your mother, I never met her so I can't comment but she did make the decision to keep you which I will be grateful for, for the rest of my life. From everything I have heard Olivia you were a passionate Police Officer and Detective, you've dedicated half your life to helping others. As for you as a person babe you are warm, loving, tender caring person. You care so deeply about others, you have a great group of friends and you have charmed my family within a day. They love you but nowhere near as much as I do"
By the time Tyler had finished Olivia had tears streaming down her face, the words had moved her deeply and she had no doubt that she was loved beyond all reason by Tyler. Rolling on top of Tyler she leant down and kissed her deeply.
"I love you very much Tyler Gates" she murmured, feeling her body coming to life again. She knew she had to tell Tyler about other issues which led to her leaving SVU but the main ones were revealed for now. The rest would come in time.
"Hmm and I love you" Tyler grinned and palmed the large breasts she loved so much, watching as chocolate nipples responded lovingly to her touch "Now I suggest you text Alex so I can show you exactly how much"
Groaning in pleasure at Tyler's confidant touch Olivia dived for her phone. She gave a little squeak as Tyler slid her large body over her as she lay face down on the bed and started attacking her neck and shoulders with her talented hands and mouth.
Alex stroked the back of Tate's neck with one hand while the other rubbed circles in the base of Tate's back. She smiled as she struggled to calm her breathing and pressed a kiss to Tate's damp forehead as her lover groaned and pushed up on her arms to take her weight off her. Alex didn't mind the weight of Tate pushing her into the bed. She never felt squashed, just safe and comforted, not to mention well loved.
"I love you" she murmured into damp hair, finding it so easy to say it now that she had said it for the first time. She smiled when Tate shuddered and groaned, loving the reaction those simple words caused.
"I love you too" Tate husked and raised her head to look down into those gorgeous blue eyes. "I want to be with you Alex, not just for a few weeks, but a very long time"
"Good job I am not planning on going anywhere then" Alex said casually and felt Tate freeze above her, could practically feel the wheels turning in her head as she thought about that.
"You're not?" Tate asked, heart in mouth, not daring to think, to hope until she saw the soft smile spread across Alex's face
"No sweetheart, I'm not" Alex promised raising a hand to stroke the features she loved so much, drawing in a harsh breath when Tate turned her head and kissed her palm.
"Alex I..." Tate shook her head "I don't have any words to describe how I feel right now, how happy I am, how much I love you"
"I know" Alex cupped the back of her head and pulled her down for a gentle kiss "Don't you think I know?" she whispered against her lips
"But New York, big city lights, your job and family?" Tate wanted to be sure
"I'll visit New York, we'll go together when I have to go back for work commitments. I can do my job from anywhere, I'll just need an office or workspace. I was hoping we could add on to the cabin, just a couple of rooms" she clarified when Tate shot her a look "just an office and a spare bedroom in case we have visitors" she gave Tate her best pleading look then smiled when Tate sighed, knowing she was going to get her way.
"As for family, you are my family, and Olivia and through her Tyler and the Gates'" she hesitated and Tate raised a brow when she went shy for a second, could see the blush spreading across Alex's cheeks "Maybe one day we can..." she paused again unsure.
"What?" Tate asked not following where Alex was going with this.
"Never mind" Alex stated determining it was too early to mention it anyway, after all it had only been a week, which was quite startling for her that she was even contemplating it. Maybe in a couple of years when they are more settled and Tate wasn't likely to faint at the mention of it.
Tate sighed in frustration as she thought back over her conversation, they were talking about family, about Tyler and Olivia who she agreed was family. She had none to count and neither did Alex and it wasn't like they could start a family of their own...!
Holy shit. She stared incredulously down at Alex. She didn't know whether she was going to hyperventilate, cry or laugh. Kids!
"Tate?"
"Yes?" she squeaked and Alex couldn't help but laugh, figuring Tate had caught on, Tate growled at her and poked her in the side. A short wrestling match ensued, one that Tate decided to let Alex win, she loved having Alex astride her and allowed Alex to roll her over and pin her to the bed.
"You let me win" Alex frowned and Tate smiled "Why?" In answer Tate grinned, cupped her hips and pulling her higher up her body raised her head to latch onto a rosy pink nipple that was awaiting her attention.
"Fuck" Alex cried, head thrown back as she felt the pull of Tate's mouth all the way to her clit.
"That was the idea" Tate mumbled around her mouthful then continued to suckle strongly at her loves urgings.
It was a couple of hours later that Alex curled up to Tate with a smile of contentment. She had just had the best sex of her life, with numerous orgasms, with the love of her life. She had received a text from Olivia to say the talk had gone well and she was staying on the ranch which meant she would have her best friend with her throughout the years. But the kicker was when Tate leant down and whispered to her
"One year"
"What about it?" she asked confused
"We'll discuss rug rats then" Tate had smiled and Alex felt her heart skip. She had to admit she was confused and excited in one. She had no idea where this sudden urge for kids came from, she'd always been resigned that she'd have to produce an 'heir' when she was growing up, but to bring a baby into the world with the one you love?
Well of course Tate couldn't get her pregnant but they could pick a donor very close in appearance to her, or adopt.
Alex snuggled closer to her lover, determined for now just to concentrate on her lover and their relationship for now. Sighing she kissed the skin under her head and closed her eyes to sleep.