A/N: I want to thank everyone for their reviews on the last chapter. To clear up a few things. Maddie will be going into the seventh grade. I did skip a few years in the interest of the story. I will admit that it is possible I am off a few years. Math never has been and never will be a strong point for me. If so I am so sorry. As always reviews are welcomed.

Alex and Olivia sat at the table going over the paperwork and everything that would be needed for Maddie to start at the Military Academy. There was more forms needed for that school than was ever needed by NYPD and they could invent some forms.

After a long discussion they were both unsure as to whether they wanted Maddie to go to a school that showed such disrespect to their lifestyle. Even though the DADT policy from the military had been lifted there were still some that old school military who believed that gays should be denied their right to fight for their country. As much as it angered Olivia and especially Alex they knew this was something they had both been fortunate enough not to have to deal with in their life. They always had the fear that their children would have to deal with the backlash of it but up to this point they never had to. They knew that they couldn't protect them forever but that didn't stop them from wanting to or attempting to.

"Mom where are you?" Maddie called out as she entered the house tossing her book bag to the floor by the door. She knew they were visiting the school today and had hoped that they liked the school. She really wanted to go there to get a jump start on her career choice.

"We're both in the dining room sweetheart." Olivia called back.

"So what did you think? Did you like it? Will I be able to go there starting next year? Please mom please." Maddie spouted off in the same fashion that Alex would use to question a suspect on the stand.

"Sit down and let's talk." Alex ordered causing Maddie's face to fall.

"Yes Ma'am" Maddie uttered disappointment evident in her voice.

"We just have a few questions for you honey." Olivia said trying to calm and sooth their daughter.

"Yes ma'am"

Alex glanced at Olivia and continued when Olivia nodded in her direction giving her the lead. It was times like this that they were grateful that they could communicate without words.

"Honey are you a hundred percent sure that this is what you want to do?" Alex asked more relaxed than when she instructed Maddie to have a seat at the table.

"It is mom. As for military secondary schools this one is top in the nation. I can go to the citadel or west point from here."

"Honey you could go to those schools anyways without going to a military school."

"I know mom but it is so much easier to get accepted and there is less paperwork if you go from a military school. Not to mention if I continue in the private school I am in I will have to have some recommendations from senators and such."

"Honey I believe you could get any recommendation you will ever need without a problem" Olivia said laughing.

"I know all I would have to do is call Uncle Joe or Aunt Caroline but I would only be getting those because of who I am not what I have or can accomplish."

"The downfall of being related to a Cabot." Alex said saying what Maddie was afraid to.

"Yes." Maddie said hanging her head.

"Honey there is nothing to be ashamed of. You want to get what you want without using your family name. That is commendable. I did the same thing when I went to college."

"Really?"

"Yes. That is how me and your mother met." Alex said reaching across and taking Olivia's hand in hers the love shining through her eyes.

"How did you meet mom?" Maddie asked knowing the best way to get what she wanted was to sidetrack her parents a little.

"I was training at the police academy" Olivia said her voice raw with emotion "I would always go to the café your grandparents owned to study. They had some of the strongest coffee and the nicest looking waitress I had ever saw."

Alex blushed as Olivia stared into her eyes.

"One night as I was walking out of the café I caught how your mom was looking at me in the reflection of the glass. We had danced around our attraction to each other and I decided then if anything was ever going to happen I needed to jump in both feet. I turned and asked her out. To my surprise she said yes. The rest is pretty much history."

"It never bothered you that she was a Cabot?"

"I didn't exactly know how wealthy she was for a while. By that point I was so far gone I could have cared less. I was never in it for the money. I wanted the love of this blonde hair blue eyed woman."

"Your story is like a lifetime movie I swear."

"You have no clue" Alex said laughing thinking about all the ups and downs they had encountered and came out stronger than ever before. "Now, back to this school."

"I did extensive research and I have had a few visits to the school. I wanted to know fully what I was getting myself into before I asked you for this."

"Visits?" Olivia asked concern evident in her voice "You traveled to this school by yourself?"

"No mom." Maddie said shaking her head "I am very aware of how dangerous the world is. I had grandpa take me."

"Dad never said anything." Alex whispered more to herself than anyone

"I asked him not to until I was sure this was what I wanted."

"As upset I am about this information I am glad you have someone other than us to confide in and discuss the things happening in your life." Olivia stated making a mental note to thank him for being there for Maddie.

"Thank you mom." Maddie whispered as she looked from one parent to the other "So will I be able to go there next year?"

"To be honest we are not too happy with the commander of the school. He was extremely rude to your mother." Alex said watching her daughters face fall "But you seem dead set on this school. I can overlook his improprieties toward us if this is what will make you happy."

"Really I can go?"

"As soon as we know you understand that there is a physical test that you must pass and when you start staying on campus you will share the room with three other girls. There is no privacy there."

"I know about the physical test mom. I have to run the mile in fourteen minutes do at least 20 push-ups in a minute and 20 sit-ups in a minute and hang from a pull up bar for 30 seconds. That is why I asked for the extra gym class that my school was offering. It is boot camp style. I am running my mile just under thirteen minutes and can do almost double the required push-ups and sit-ups as required. I am up to ten pull-ups in a minute even though all I have to do is hang there. I don't want to be out done by a guy."

"That's my girl" Olivia said with pride streaming off her face.

"As for the privacy when I join the military it will be me and about twenty-five if not more females in one dorm. I have to learn now otherwise it will be a culture shock to me when I join. Now about the school? Can I go?"

Alex and Olivia looked at each other and then back at Maddie before allowing a smile to cross their features.

"Honey the forms are finished and the check has already been written for your first years tuition. I just need to know if you want to do any extra-curricular activities."

"Not my first year but in eighth grade I may want to do some."

"Just let us know."

"I love you both very much." Maddie said as she stood and hugged Alex and Olivia. "This means a lot to me. I will work very hard to make you proud of me."

"We love you very much too honey and we are proud of you each and every day." Olivia said as she kissed Maddie's forehead.