Two months later:
Hank grabbed a cup out of the cupboard and served himself a cup of coffee just as Kim came in.
"Have you heard from Cat and Al"? she asked.
He nodded. "Yeah, they arrived in Los Cabos yesterday afternoon local. They'd just settled in, when they called me".
"Good. I'm glad they got a chance to get away for ten days. After all that's happened these past few months and the babies on the way, they sure can use some time alone together".
Hank smiled. Just as he had been happy about Justin and Olive when they were going to have Daniel, he was just as happy for Caitlin and Alvin.
"Oh definitely, cause when those babies are there, they won't have a minute to themselves".
"I'll take the beach, the sun and cocktails any day"! said Jay as he walked in.
"I'll take the baby and the vacation, anytime", said Kim.
At that moment Adam who was about to enter the kitchen, discreetly turned heels and headed back to his desk. Having a baby was a very sensitive subject for the moment. Since they had found out about Caitlin, Kim had been bringing up the subject a lot and their opinions differed. He wanted kids, but he wasn't ready.
Caitlin walked out of the Oceanfront Villa, that they were staying in, unto the patio. Al was reading in one of the long chairs alongside the pool as he listened to the waves delicately caress the sand. She paused for a moment, taking in the beauty of the view. She hadn't been expecting Al to go to such lengths. She had worried that he had overdone it but he had reassured her.
"I've been putting money on the side my entire life. I haven't gone on a vacation in years. This may be the last chance I have at spoiling you before the babies arrive. I want this to be magical for us"!
She had smiled and placed her hand on her growing belly. "You're already spoiling me with this gift"!
She walked past him in a beautiful black bikini and headed for their private pool. His heart accelerated as he saw her and he closed his book. He watched as she entered the swimming pool and realized how lucky he was to have her in his life. He put his book down, stood and joined her.
He took her into his arms and kissed her passionately. He directed her to a corner of the pool and untied the string of her bikini top. He removed his mouth from hers and brought it's attention to her breasts. She inhaled deeply as he licked and sucked her hardening nipple. He did the same with the other one and she felt his desire for her as he pressed hard against her. His hands trailed down to her bikini bottom and slid it down. He removed his, as his fingers invaded her femininity and teased it. She let out a whimper of pleasure. He lifted her up and she put her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, allowing him to fill her.
Ten days later:
Alvin walked into the district a happy and rested man. He waved to Trudy as he headed upstairs. One of the cops looked at Trudy.
"Was that Detective Olinsky"?
"Yeah. Why"?
"I don't know, he's changed. He's always happy and smiling now".
She smiled. "Love will do that to a person. Especially if it's the one".
Hank met Alvin at the top of the stairs. "How was it"?
"Great".
"And how's Caitlin"?
"She's good. We had a great time. We rested, took in some rays, swam and had long romantic walks on the beach".
"Good, I'm glad you two had some time alone. You think you're up for dinner tonight at the house"? "With Meredith and I"? he added cautiously.
"I'll check with Caitlin but I don't see why not".
"You're sure"? asked Hank.
Alvin knew that he was talking about Meredith.
"Right now, I'm the happiest I've been in many years and you know what? It's beautiful and it makes you feel alive. If she makes you happy the way Caitlin makes me happy, then I want that for you".
The two men looked at each other and smiled. "Ok then. Let me know when you've spoken to Caitlin and I'll let Meredith know".
Alvin thought for a moment. "Tell you what, I have a better idea. I'm going to catch up on what I've missed while in paradise and you call Caitlin. I'm sure she'll like that".
"Got it".
Caitlin put the last load of laundry in the washing machine when her phone rang. She hastened to the kitchen to pick it up.
"Hey kiddo".
"Hi".
"Alvin says you had a great time".
"Such a great time that we considered not coming home".
"That good huh"?
"Yeah. What's up"?
"Busy but good. Listen, Meredith and I were wondering if you and Al would like to come over for dinner tonight. Al said I should check with you first".
"Of course. We'd love to".
"You sure you won't be too tired"?
"I'm more than fully rested and I've got nothing on my agenda today, so don't worry".
"Alright then, 7 o'clock? Al can drive me home and maybe Meredith can pick you up"?
"Sounds great. Can I bring anything"?
"Nope, just you. I've missed you".
"I've missed you too. I'll see you later".
At the end of the day, and a full day combined with catching up and working on a new case, Alvin's vacation seemed far away. He and Hank headed back to Hank's.
A little before seven, Caitlin headed outside to wait for Meredith. It was two weeks till Christmas and the Chicago weather was getting cold. She wouldn't be surprised if it snowed in the coming days. She was wearing a grey pair of jeans, a long red sleeve tee, black boots, under her jacket and a black beanie on her head. Meredith's car stopped alongside the curb. Caitlin got in the car.
"Hey Cat", said Meredith as she smiled at Caitlin.
"Hi Mer. Thanks for picking me up".
"Of course. You hungry"?
Caitlin laughed. "I'm always hungry"!
When they arrived at Hank's, Hank and Alvin were sitting in the sofa watching a hockey game on TV and having a beer.
Caitlin removed her jacket and put it on the coat stand. Meredith looked at her with loving eyes.
"Pregnancy suits you Cat. You look radiant and beautiful".
Cat blushed, she had never been one at ease with compliments.
"May I"? asked Meredith looking at her round belly. She was almost 5 months pregnant but with twins it looked like it was 6.
Cat smiled. "Of course".
Meredith placed her hand on her belly and very naturally Caitlin guided it.
"That's twin B, the relatively quiet one and over here", she shifted her hand to the other side, "is twin A, the one with all the energy".
Meredith suddenly had a moment of nostalgia and Caitlin knew she was thinking about Lexi. Al too thought and spoke a lot about Lexi and for Cat there was nothing more normal.
Caitlin cocked her head to the side gently. "You know Al talks to them about Lexi".
"He does"?
"Yes, very often. She'll always be in our hearts and I want these babies to grow up knowing what a wonderful sister they had".
Meredith took Caitlin in her arms. "You are truly an amazing person Cat. I'm grateful that Alvin has such a loving and caring person in his life".
Once the emotion between them had settled, they walked together into the living room.
As Meredith said hi to Alvin, Cat hugged Hank.
Alvin took Caitlin in his arms. "There you are".
"Missed me"? asked Cat.
"Are you kidding? I only thought about you like… every other minute. Yeah, I missed you".
They sat back down in the sofa as the pot roast cooked.
"So, when do we get to know the gender of the twins"? asked Hank.
"We decided to not find out the gender. We want to have the surprise".
"And what about names? Any ideas yet"?
Alvin smiled. "We've got a few ideas in mind but sometimes it's hard just agreeing on one name per gender, now we have to agree on two"!
"We'll I'm sure they'll be beautiful"! said Meredith. "The babies and the names".
They sat down for dinner and chatted. Even if at first it seemed odd to both Alvin and Caitlin to see signs of tenderness between Hank and Meredith, after a while, it didn't.
Once they'd had dinner, they played trivial pursuit while eating a slice of Meredith's homemade cherry pie. Eventually, the evening winded down and Alvin could see that Cat was getting tired. They thanked Meredith and Hank for the dinner and great evening and headed home.