A/N: Here's the next installment. There are only a couple more chapters left. Thank you guys for sticking with the story. Like always, let me know your thoughts.

Chapter 32: The Long Road Back

Two days later, Olivia was faced with yet another dilemma. She and baby Xander were being released, but Alex was nowhere near well enough to go home. This meant she would have to leave Alex behind at the hospital. This was not the way she had pictured bringing her son home for the first time. The idea of Alex being at the hospital alone while she and Xander were home was nearly too much to bear.

It had been decided, meaning Alex dictated that Julia would move in with them for a while. Olivia was going to need help taking care of Xander the first couple of weeks, not to mention the care Alex would require once she was finally released. There was no way Olivia would be able to handle everything on her own. Olivia had originally agreed to the suggestion the day before. Today was a different story. Olivia was showing the obstinate side they all knew and loved by refusing to leave without Alex. Julia, Liz, and even Fin had all tried reasoning with her but to no avail. Julia had finally given up. She knew there was only one person with enough influence on the tough detective to make her see reason. She was calling in the big guns. She just hoped she'd be up to the task in her weakened state.

"We talked about this, Liv. I want you to take him home." Alex said barely above a whisper.

"Technically, we didn't talk about this. You decided for us." Olivia countered which made Alex's lips quirk into a near smile. Olivia was getting better at arguing with her.

"It's the best option we have. You know this."

"But you're here." Olivia said in a small voice.

"I know and from the looks of things, I am going to be here for a while longer."

"Christmas is next week." The idea of Alex missing Xander's first Christmas nearly broke both their hearts.

"I know and I don't want my son to spend his first Christmas in a hospital when he could be at home in front of our tree or in the nursery we made just for him. He's over a week old and he hasn't seen his home yet. I want you to take him home, Olivia."

Olivia opened her mouth to object when Alex continued.

"And I want you to stay home with him."

Olivia looked pissed. No, she looked furious. Julia and Liz both took a step back. This looked like World War III in the making.

"Alex…"

"Don't Alex me. You take my son home and you take care of him." Alex demanded. She paused to catch her breath. She had refused her last dose of pain meds so she could be alert enough to have this conversation/argument with Olivia and it was taking a toll on her.

"I can't leave you here."

"If the shoe were on the other foot, you'd tell me the same thing. You know you would so don't deny it."

Olivia clenched her teeth in frustration. She hated when Alex was all rational. "I don't like leaving you here. I almost lost you here. Don't you understand that?"

Alex saw the tears pooling in her detective's eyes. She glanced over at her aunt and god-mother and gave them a nod. They quickly stepped out of the room. Alex squeezed her hand.

"Of course I do, honey. I know all of this was scary. It was scary for me and I slept through most of it. I can't even begin to imagine what you must have been going through."

"I was so scared. I've never been that scared in my life." Olivia admitted.

"I know, but the fact that you held everything together and stayed so strong only proves to me that you really are the strongest person I know. I just need you to be strong one more time. I need you to do this for me. I need you to go home and let Aunt Julia take care of you and Xander. You need to rest too, Liv. You won't be able to do that here."

"I don't like it." Olivia said crossing her arms.

"Do you think I like this? I want nothing more than to be able to walk out of here with you this afternoon. I want to be able to curl up in our bed while our son sleeps between us." A few tears escaped her eyes. Olivia reached out and wiped them away. "I want to be with you on Christmas morning, but that might not happen. All of this is out of my control and I am so fucking pissed about that!"

Olivia chuckled a little. She knew better than anyone how much Alex hated not being in control of something.

"So please, let me control something. Do this for me and go home. Aunt Julia will be able to stay with Xander for a couple of hours a day so you can still come here for a visit if you want. Who knows? I might even get out of here in time for Christmas."

"You'll be all alone." Olivia countered.

"I won't be alone. Now that I'm in this lovely private room, Serena will be able to stay here with me, remember?"

Olivia remembered. She just didn't like it. "I can't win arguments with you. It's not fair and I hate it."

"I know. I thank God for small favors every day."

"I thank God for you every day." Olivia whispered kissing her hand.

Alex smiled and nodded. "Me too."

"Okay. I'll go. I'll be back tomorrow but I'm going to want to talk to you every hour when I'm not here."

Alex laughed softly then groaned. Laughing was not good right now. "Every hour might be a bit extreme, don't you think? The pain killers have me sleeping most of the day."

"Every hour, Cabot… even if it's just to hear you snore. That's the deal or Xander and I camp out here with you."

Alex nodded. "Alright. Every hour. I'll make sure Serena wipes the drool away and puts the phone up to my mouth."

"You do that." She leaned down and caressed Alex's face gently. "I love you so much. You know that don't you?"

"Of course I do. I love you too."

There was a soft tap at the door and Julia came inside followed by Serena, Fin, and Liz. "Detective Tutuola and Elizabeth are going to help you down to the car now, Olivia. Serena is here to keep Alexandra company."

Olivia gave Alex one last kiss before Fin started wheeling her away. "Every hour, Cabot."

"Every hour, babe."

Serena quickly realized calling every hour wasn't going to cut it for these two. Alex was a sulking mess as soon as Olivia and Xander had left the hospital. She had remained strong for Olivia because she knew the brunette would have never left otherwise. Now that she was alone, Alex had actually cried on her best friend's shoulder because she was without Olivia and unable to see her new son. Witnessing her friend's heartbreak sent Serena into immediate action. She made a quick call to her assistant and a couple of hours later, she had two new IPads with Skype installed on both. She had Fin drop the second IPad off at the apartment to Olivia. Serena figured being able to see one another might alleviate some of the stress of being apart. It seemed to be working too. Olivia's constant phone calls had stopped and Alex was no longer biting everyone's head off when she was awake, which was a relief. Whenever Olivia would Skype in, Serena would grin because Alex's eyes would light up like a kid on Christmas morning.

"Hi Mama. How are you today?" Olivia said in a playful voice looking into the IPad screen.

Alex smiled and nearly cried as she watched the image on the screen. Xander was awake and showing off his beautiful blue eyes. Although Alex knew better, it looked as if he was looking directly at her.

She touched the screen gently. "Hi baby… both of my babies. I miss you guys so much."

"We miss you too. We're getting ready for our afternoon nap and wanted to say hi."

"I'm glad you did. I'm about to have my afternoon therapy." Alex frowned. "They said they're getting me up and about today. I'll have to let you know how that goes, but I have a feeling it's going to be painful."

Olivia looked worried. "Are they sure you're ready for that. It's only been a few of days. Maybe I should come back over there."

"No, you shouldn't. Apparently, the sooner the better when it comes to therapy. The sooner I start moving this leg, the sooner I get to come home. That's incentive enough for me."

"Just… Just be careful. I worry about you." Olivia said biting her lip.

Alex gave her a lazy smile. "I know you do, sweetheart. Try not to worry. Melinda came by for a visit and she's staying to make sure everything is on the up and up with my therapy." Alex turned the IPad to show Melinda sitting in a nearby chair talking to Serena.

Olivia felt a little better. She waved and Melinda waved back. "Okay, but please be careful. I don't care how many doctors are in the room; you're still my responsibility…. No offense, Melinda."

"None taken, Liv." Melinda bodiless voice said.

Alex smiled. "You got it, Detective. Now let me see my son again before I have to go."

Olivia laughed as she put Xander back on the screen. He was sleeping now and he looked angelic. Alex grinned from ear to ear as she touched the screen. "I love you, Liv. Give my little man a kiss for me."

"I love you too, babe. Let me know how it goes."

"Will do."

Alex hit the home button and placed the IPad to the side. She took a deep breath and looked at Melinda and the physical therapist that had entered the room. "Alright Doc, let's get this therapy started. I got a kid at home that needs me."

"Is that the physical therapist out in the hallway pacing and talking to himself?" Olivia asked as she made her way into Alex's hospital room.

Serena was sitting on the small sofa by the window flipping through a magazine. She looked up and nodded. Olivia noticed her tense expression. "Alex made him cry again. This time she used some rather colorful foul words in several different languages. I don't think he's ever heard words like that; neither have I and I've lived with Abbie Carmichael for five years. So gird your loins with Miss Congeniality over there."

Olivia turned her attention to the other blonde in the room. Alex was sitting on the side of the bed with her head down panting slightly. A heavy sheen of sweat was covering her forehead and her beloved Red Sox t-shirt and bottoms were nearly soaked. Olivia could tell she was exhausted. She approached her fiancé carefully.

"Hey, sweetie. How are you feeling?"

"You did not just ask me that." Alex snapped.

Olivia swallowed hard. This was the fourth day she'd come to visit Alex to find a PT running for the hills and Alex in a foul mood. It always took the blonde at least an hour to return to her usual loving self.

"Alex, you can't keep making the physical therapist cry. Avery called me yesterday and told me that half of the guys in that department are refusing to come and work with you."

"I'm in pain, Olivia. I'm in pain and they won't listen to me."

"I understand that, sweetheart but the therapist are just trying to help you. You heard Avery the other day."

"If you say one more fucking thing about fucking Avery Livingston, I just might lose it! Since when did you get so chummy with the fucking doctor anyway?! Her name is Doctor Livingston, not just Avery!" Alex voice boomed within the room.

Olivia calmly took a breath. She glanced at Serena and gave her a discrete nod, silently asking for the room. Once they were alone, Olivia turned and faced the fuming blonde.

"You don't get to speak to me like that… ever. My Alex doesn't talk to me that way. Yes, Avery is your doctor, but she is also my friend. She's the same woman that saved your life just in case you forgot. If for no other reason, I will forever be indebted to her for that fact."

"She's too pretty to be a doctor. Doctors aren't supposed to look like models." Alex said in a quiet voice.

Olivia smiled sadly knowing what the issue was now. Alex was feeling insecure, which was something that rarely happened to Alexandra Cabot. "And she doesn't hold a candle to you." She said moving into Alex's space. She caressed her red blotchy cheek.

"Look at me, Olivia. I have these scars and bruises all over, not to mention this!" She said pointing at the broken leg encased in a cast.

Olivia nodded. "I am looking at you and what I see is so incredibly beautiful. Don't you get it?" She held Alex's face in her hands and looked into her eyes. "Just the fact that I can look at you right now is so amazing. I've never seen a more gorgeous sight."

"I'm sorry." A tear escaped Alex's eye and she sniffed. "I'm sorry for being a bitch to you. I don't know what's wrong with me."

"You've been through a terrible ordeal and you're still reeling from it. I understand that. We all do, but baby you have to keep working at this. They aren't letting you out of here until you're able to be mobile on your own. Don't you want to come home to me and Xander?"

Alex looked up and glared at her. The look was so intense that Olivia almost took a step back. "You're using my son against me, Liv. That is low."

Olivia laughed softly when she saw Alex crack a small smile. "I will use every underhanded tactic that I know to get you home. I won't apologize for that."

Alex sighed and lowered her head. Olivia could see the tears of pain and frustration there. It nearly broke her heart to see Alex this way. The Alex she knew had always been so powerful and larger than life. Olivia sat down next to Alex and took her hand. She ran her fingers over the scratches that marred the pale skin. "Talk to me."

"I'm tired and everything hurts."

"I know it does."

"I am trying though, Liv."

"I know you are, baby."

"I want to come home."

"Then you know what you need to do."

Alex stared down at the floor in silence for a long time. "You can send the PT back in. I'll finish the session."

"And?"

"I said I'd finish the exercises. What more do you want?" Alex nearly whined.

Olivia raised a brow.

Alex rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll apologize to him."

"And?"

Alex ground her teeth. "Serena too."

"Good girl." Olivia kissed her forehead. "I'll be right back."

Olivia stepped out into the hallway and saw the PT talking quietly with Serena in the corner. She approached him sheepishly. "Miss Cabot is ready to resume her therapy if you are still willing. She also has something to say to you." She glanced at Serena. "You too."

The young man looked a little spooked. Olivia touched his arm and smiled reassuringly. "She wants to apologize. She's in pain and cranky, but that's no excuse for bad behavior. She knows that."

The PT squared his shoulders and slowly entered the room. Olivia and Serena held their breaths as he disappeared behind the closed-door. When they didn't hear any yelling or crying, they both relaxed a little.

"You think it was safe to send him back in there? I've known her for years and even I wanted to run for the border." Serena said with a laugh.

"Yeah. She agreed to apologize for being rude to him and finish the session. You can expect an apology as well."

Serena chuckled and shook her head. "You're probably the only person on the planet with that kind of influence over Alex Cabot. You have her wrapped around your little finger, Detective."

"No. It's the other way around. I've been wrapped around her finger since the moment I laid eyes on her."

Forty-five minutes later, the young physical therapist exited the room and he didn't seem too worse for wear. He gave Olivia an update stating that Alex had made great progress and that he'd return tomorrow at the same time. He smiled and thanked Olivia for whatever she had said to Alex. Apparently, she had apologized profusely and had been the model patient once they had resumed their session.

Olivia tapped softly on the door before entering. "Hey, you up for some company?"

Alex was again sitting on the side of the bed with her head down. "Only you. I don't want to see anybody else right now." She said tiredly.

"Fair enough." Olivia sat down in the chair next to the bed. "The therapist said you made progress. That's good news, baby."

Alex still looked miserable. "Not enough to make it home by Christmas."

"You don't know that. That's still three days away."

"We have to wait to see what 'Avery' says." Alex said in a mocking tone as she rolled her eyes.

Olivia almost laughed. "What is your deal with Avery Livingston? She's an excellent doctor. She's been wonderful with you."

Alex shrugged her shoulders. "I think she likes you."

"I hope she does since she's my friend."

"You know what I mean, Liv."

"I do and you couldn't be more wrong. She's just a nice person. If you'd stop glaring at her when she examines you and actually talked to her, you'd be able to see that too."

"Whatever. The only thing I want to talk about is going home. If she tells me that then maybe we can be best friends."

Olivia chuckled and shook her head. "We'll just have to wait and see then won't we. Now, how about I help you get cleaned up. I love the sweaty look on you, but I'm not sure everyone else will."

"You don't have to get back to Xander?"

"Your Aunt Julia and Liz are with him now and I pumped enough milk to cover his next couple of feedings so I have a little time. So how about a sponge bath?"

A slow smile appeared on Alex's face for the first time today. "Really?"

"Yeah. I checked with the nurses during your PT session and they said it would be okay if I did it. Apparently, you've scared them too. So, what do you think about letting me be your nurse for a little while? I promise to handle you with extra care."

"Hello nurse." Alex said with a full-blown smile.

"Now, that's my Alex." Olivia said placing a kiss on soft lips.

TBC...

Coming up: Christmas Miracles