Author's note: Well, we can honestly say it has been long time no see. I apologize for that, as I am deeply sorry. I have been so busy lately that it got to the point where sure, I had time to write a chapter, but I knew it wouldn't be quality. So I waited. This is the first time I have had enough time. I hope you all forgive me. This chapter is in time for the holidays. I skipped a little ahead, as you will notice while reading it. Please don't sue me.
"The tree looks beautiful."
Casey peeked out from behind the giant Christmas tree, from behind which she had been adjusting a string of lights. "It does," she agreed as Olivia joined her and handed her a steaming mug of hot chocolate.
"There will be four Bensons to enjoy it this year," Olivia replied. As she spoke, the brunette gently placed her hand on Casey's very swollen stomach. "Us and the girls."
Casey smiled softly, placing her own hand over her wife's. "Four Bensons," she repeated. She knew that Olivia was deliriously happy over the thought that they would be having the twins any day now. When Casey first revealed that she was pregnant, she had been worried that the older woman was going to faint, and that worry grew exponentially when she shared the news that she was pregnant with twin girls. For as long as she could remember, Casey had dreamed about being a wife and a mother, and both of those dreams would be complete very soon. "Six days," she remarked out loud without realizing it.
Olivia seemed to know what she meant, because she answered "Yes. Six days. And do not argue with me. You are having our daughters in a hospital under a doctor's strict supervision."
"But-"
Olivia cut Casey off mid protest. "If anything happens to go wrong, we need to be at the hospital. I cannot take the risk of losing you and our children, no matter how slim the odds. I am only thinking of your safety. If not for yourself, do it for me?"
The tiny pout that Olivia gave just then made Casey melt. "Fine," she conceded as the brunette pulled her into her arms for a passionate kiss. "For you, I will go to the hospital. But if the doctor starts talking to me like I am stupid, as doctors are known to do, then I will tell him off."
"That's my girl," Olivia responded with a smirk. She took the lights out of Casey's hand and finished stringing the tree. Stepping back, she smiled. "Now for the ornaments." Olivia paused when she noticed that Casey's expression had changed to one of apparent worry. "Baby, what's wrong?" she asked.
Casey shrugged, her emerald gaze falling to the floor. "I don't want to ruin your Christmas."
"Casey, I am married to the girl of my dreams and we are going to be parents. That is the best Christmas I can imagine. Why would you be afraid of ruining it?"
"Because." Casey sighed, walking over to the couch. She grabbed her favorite pillow and curled up, reaching for a blanket. As she covered up, she elaborated. "The girls are supposed to be born on December 21, only six days from now. Well, what if I am still in a lot of pain on Christmas and not in the mood for much at all, and I do not mean sexually…that is part of it, of course, but it also comes down to me worrying that I will be very antisocial. I've never done this before," she said, looking up as Olivia sat down next to her.
Olivia leaned forward and hugged her tightly. "You make me happy simply being you. As long as I have you, there is no way my holiday can be ruined. Does that make you feel any better?"
Casey laid her head on the older woman's shoulder and closed her eyes. "Much better," she murmured. "I'm sorry, babe. I am just really scared. I want everything to run perfectly for us." She smiled, opening her eyes and meeting Olivia's gaze. Something in the brunette's chocolate brown eyes had a way of making everything seem okay, even when the rest of the world felt like an impossible puzzle. Olivia's love for her was a sort of safety net for Casey's own emotions; she knew that no matter what, she would always have the woman she loved. "I love you."
"I love you too." Olivia checked the mugs of cocoa and smiled softly. "I will go make two more cups. Extra marshmallows for the mommy to be, I presume?" the detective asked, her eyebrows arched suggestively.
Casey giggled. "Yes please."
Olivia winked. "Coming right up." She leaned down and gently lifted Casey's blouse. Kissing the redhead's stomach, she smiled. "Be nice to Mommy, little ones."
"Sometimes I swear they never run out of energy," Casey remarked with a laugh of her own. "It feels like they kick all day and all night, but then again, some of it may all be in my head."
"It's natural, honey. I would be worried more if they didn't kick at all."
Casey nodded in agreement. "I know." She returned Olivia's kiss and handed her her empty cup. Watching as Olivia took it and walked into the kitchen, the redhead sighed happily and leaned back against the sofa, allowing her body to relax as much as it could. She directed her attention at the tree, which still needed its ornaments. Her gaze wandered to the several dozen boxes of decorations on the coffee table. Reaching out, she picked up the two ornaments she was most excited about. They were the ones that read "Baby's first Christmas". Casey stared at them for several moments, until the sound of Olivia's voice jolted her out of her daydreaming.
"Here, beautiful," Olivia said as she handed Casey a mug filled way past maximum with marshmallows. Seeing Casey's emerald eyes widen, she chuckled. "You said extra marshmallows."
Casey shook her head in disbelief. "Good god, Olivia," she answered, giggling. As Olivia sat down, she leaned in and popped a marshmallow into Casey's mouth. Casey grinned, then said "I wish I may, I wish I might, that my detective is in the mood tonight."
"Who says I'm not?" Olivia asked, her chocolate brown eyes sparkling with devilish intentions.