AN: As always, thankyou to those that take the time to read, comment, fave, follow etc. It's truly appreciated :-)
Present Day...
Olivia was pulled from the memory of the significant turning point in her life as Lena approached from corner of the schooling room. She noted that Elizabeth was approaching Alexandra, who had just exited the building and began cleaning the lenses of her gold fine wire framed glasses with her apron.
Lena's voice had a hint of no nonsense to it as she spoke, "Olivia... after that little display you're not going to the Village picnic tomorrow."
"What?!" Olivia's jaw dropped. Not that she minded not attending the picnic, but still.
"You're going to stay in the Village and continue working on your sewing."
Olivia groaned, "This isn't fair! I'm being punished for speaking the truth?!"
Lena smirked and kept her voice low, "Elizabeth and I will be the only Elders remaining behind. The story is Elizabeth will be teaching you... and I will be teaching Alexandra... just so everyone knows, or if anyone asks."
Realisation dawned dawned on Olivia. She wasn't being punished for her attitude towards Miriam Cabot, far from it. "Have I ever told you that you're the best Maemm ever?"
"Once or twice before," Lena answered with a small chuckle. "Now remember the lores, Maedel."
"I know... we know! Forbidden until Rumspringa."
"Good! Elizabeth and I will allow the both of you to have some alone time together."
"So you can both have some too?" Olivia asked, trying to sound innocent.
Lena deliberately ignored the question even though it was true, "Tomorrow morning after breakfast, you will go over to Elizabeth, and Alexandra come over to me until we know for certain that noone is about. While you're with Elizabeth, you can continue working on Alexandra's birthday present. After that, you'll both come over for lunch and then you can have some time to yourselves. You have to stay within sight distance or calling distance if we can't see you... just like normal. Elizabeth and myself must know where you both are, just in case someone returns... unexpectedly. Most likely-"
"Alexandra's mother. Thankyou Maemm, and please thank Elizabeth for me!" Olivia said as they exited, and Lena continued in the direction of her forbidden lover. Olivia was making her way over to where Alexandra, Trevor and Rafael were waiting for her when she saw Brain approaching. She tried not to roll her eyes as she attempted to get one of her friend's attention before Brian stopped in front of her.
"Hey Olivia! I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me to the picnic tomorrow?" Brian asked hopefully.
"I'm really sorry Brian, but I'm having sewing lessons tomorrow with Elder Elizabeth... all day."
"Oh, ok then. What about the Village Gathering tomorrow night? Surely you can-"
Olivia cut him off, "I'm not sure Rafael would like that."
"What do you mean?"
The brunette feigned confusion, "You don't know, do you? I'm betrothed to Rafael."
"When did that happen?!"
"The pairings happened just last night. Alexandra is to be betrothed to Trevor, and I'm betrothed to Rafael."
"What about me, Olivia?" Rafael sidled up to the brunette, taking her hand in his own.
"I was just telling Brian that we're to be betrothed, as is Trevor and Alexandra."
Rafael smiled proudly, "It's to be formally announced at the Gathering tomorrow night."
Brian tried his best to cover his obvious heartbreak, "I'm sorry, I didn't know. Congratulations, the both of you. And to Trevor and Alexandra too." Even though he was a year younger, he'd always clung to the tiny sliver of hope of being paired with Olivia.
As soon as Brian was out of earshot, Olivia turned to Rafael and exhaled, "Thankyou so much."
"No problem. I know we all have to keep up the ruse until we go on Rumspringa," Rafael said as removed his hand from Olivia's grasp. "We're all suffering... I mean... going the the picnic tomorrow, right? "
"Fortunately neither Alexandra or myself are going seeing we have lessons with Elizabeth and Maemm."
"What?! You mean Trevor and I have to suffer through the picnic, and still have to pretend?"
"Go and speak to them right now! I'm sure one of them will be able to think of something!"
Rafael took off at a sprint after the Elder women, his hand holding his straw hat on his head.
"Where's he going?" Trevor approached, Alexandra by his side.
"To see what Maemm or Elizabeth can think of so you and Rafael don't have to go on the picnic. Thankfully they already have Alexandra and myself taken care of with lessons. At least then we only have to suffer through the Village Gathering tomorrow night when the announcements..." Olivia made a face of disappointment and disgust, "... are made official."
The 4 young adults knew they had to 'play the game', so to speak, until they were on their year long rite of passage. In the beginning, when they were all aware that they were 'the same', it was easy to pretend so as to keep their reality secret. And even though they had managed to pretend for almost 2 years now, after Trevor and Rafael finally admitted to Alexandra and Olivia respectively that they liked each other. However, right now with Rumspringa only weeks away, they had to be extra vigilant. They were so close to be able to express their feelings to the one they loved freely, and yet it was still so far away. But the Elder women that were the same as the young adults were helping them find ways to allow them some alone time, as long as the young adults 'played by the rules'... and the lores of the Village.
Rafael came trotting back to the group of young adults with a huge grin on his face.
"Well?" Alexandra prompted.
"Betrothal chests. An older tradition, but a tradition nonetheless. Trevor and I can work on them so we don't have to go! If we time it well enough during all our spare time, it should take us up until just before we leave for Rumspringa."
Trevor sighed, "But none of us are getting betrothed to each other. We all agreed... we made a pact!"
"I know, but Lena said we have to keep up the appearance that we are... until after we begin our Rumspringa." Rafael tried not to smirk as he turned to Trevor, "What's even better, betrothal chests cannot be seen by..." his eyes darted over to Olivia then Alexandra before they met with Trevor's, "... our future wives and they're not supposed to be seen by anyone else for that matter until they're complete. Nor can anyone else help us make them. So we'll have some time alone in the Village workshop and noone will be suspicious. We have to get the key for the workshop from Donald tomorrow morning."
"Chests won't take either of you too long to make though. Both of you are good at carpentry," Olivia said.
"True, but Elizabeth suggested that they be carved with traditional patterns which will take a long time," Rafael explained.
"Perfect! I honestly don't know what we'd do without those women on our side," Trevor grinned as all 4 of them watched Elizabeth and Lena in the distance.
Alexandra voiced her thoughts, "Won't that negate the lore of plainness? You know how Mother is."
Rafael shook his head, "Lena said it could be seen by some to be somewhat controversial, but seeing as though we'd be showing of our woodworking skills and using an old tradition, you're Mother should be pleased... especially if Trevor is the one giving you the chest. And even though they will be deemed Betrothal chests that you'll receive from each of us just before we leave, they will actually be both of your birthday presents, so... hope you don't mind if they're a few weeks late."
Alexandra and Olivia were both happy to wait to receive their birthday presents, even if they had to live a lie for a little longer. The group of 4 proceeded towards the main part of the Village, Alexandra and Olivia side by side, Trevor and Rafael side by side a step behind their respective 'wives-to-be'.
Miriam Cabot sat at the head of the table drumming her fingertips on the timber, "You'd better hurry up and get ready to go to the picnic today, Alexandra. We don't want to be late."
Alexandra braced herself, "Mother. I'm-"
"What?"
"I-I'm having more lessons with Elder Lena today."
Miriam sighed in exasperation, "Haven't you learnt to cook yet? Sometimes I wonder how I gave birth to you. I knew how to proficiently cook and sew before I turned 10!"
"I know the basics!" Alexandra defended her lack of culinary skills. She only really cared when Olivia taught her to cook, especially when Olivia held her hand when showing her how to wield all the different knives properly or help stir with the wooden spoon. She had improved somewhat with Olivia and Lena's guidance in recent times, but sewing was Alexandra Cabot's forté.
"That will really impress Trevor Langan, a wife that can't cook anything more than toast and tea!" snorted Miriam. "No wonder your father was so disappointed that he left us."
It always broke Alexandra's heart when Miriam brought up the subject of her father's departure from her life, "T-that's why I'm having more lessons, I'm trying to better my cooking, Mother. All the different terms aren't easy to remember."
"Cooking and sewing are the only 2 things you need to know to live in the Village and you can't even get the most important one of them right. Thank goodness you know how to sew!"
Elizabeth spoke up as she entered the kitchen, "Well... Alexandra did learn that skill from myself, Miriam."
Miriam glared at her older sister, "Well she certainly didn't learn to cook from you."
"No, she didn't. She should have learnt them both from her mother."
Before Miriam could retort, there was a sharp knock at the door. Miriam quickly got up and threw the door open, only to see that sandal wearing... English girl with the thin, short chin ribbons... smiling pleasantly at her with a large, bulky calico tote bag clasped in her hands.
"Good morning, Elder Miriam. I'm here to-"
"Alexandra can't talk right now or join you on the picnic... Olivia. You'll have to come back another day, or maybe see her at the Gathering tonight. That's if she can't drag herself away from her husband-to-be, Trevor Langan." Miriam sneered and went to close the door in Olivia's face.
Olivia took a step forward, "I wasn't coming over to talk to Alexandra. I'm here for some sewing lessons with Elder Elizabeth."
Miriam rolled her eyes, "What is it with young adults these days? Mere weeks away from Rumspringa and they can't cook, can't sew... what are your mothers teaching you?"
"My mother taught me nothing-" Olivia kept her voice level before she was interrupted.
"That's quite obvious!" drawled Miriam.
"Because my mother died." Olivia wanted to ask what Miriam's excuse was for not teaching Alexandra either of these so call important skills, but she held her tongue. This certainly wasn't the first time Olivia had reminded Miriam of mother's passing, nor did she figure would it be the last.
"Oh! I'm so sorry! I forgot she did," replied Miriam with a smirk, the sarcasm clearly audible.
Olivia was certain that Miriam enjoyed reminding her that Serena had died. However, Olivia's attention was drawn to the approaching women behind her, "Good morning Elder Elizabeth! Good morning Alexandra!"
Both Elizabeth and Alexandra greeted Olivia just as pleasantly as the young bruentte had.
"Alexandra, Elder Lena informed me that she is ready for you to begin your lesson as I passed by her house." Olivia dare not call Lena 'Maemm' in Miriam Cabot's presence. She had once when she was a child, and Miriam almost gleefully told a very young Olivia Benson that 'Maemm' was only reserved for real mothers, and Lena most certainly wasn't Olivia's Maemm. Miriam had then said that Serena, on the other hand, would have been her Maemm... had she not died after giving birth to her. It took Lena several hours to reassure a visibly upset young Olivia that she was her Maemm, that Donald was her Daett, that Serena was her Mother, and that Serena herself was the one that had bestowed those Old Village names upon Donald and Lena.
"I'd better not keep her waiting then," replied Alexandra and bid everyone goodbye. As she exited the house past Oliva, Trevor and Rafael came around the corner.
"Oh dear boys, it seems your wives-to-be are unable to attend the picnic." Miriam couldn't hide her sadness after everyone had greeted each other.
Trevor said, "Actually Elder Miriam, neither are we."
Miriam was visible shocked, "Pardon me?"
"Trevor and myself have decided to make Betrothal Chests for them," replied Rafael.
"An older tradition that I'm sure you'd appreciate, Elder Miriam." Trevor turned on the charm.
Miriam couldn't stop beaming, "Of course! Such a wonderful old tradition too. It's lovely to see young adults embracing these old traditions!"
"Oh! I almost forgot Elder Miriam. Mother told me to tell you that she had some very important news," Trevor added.
"Did she say what?" Miriam tried not to sound too excited at the possibility of new gossip.
"Unfortunately not. However, she and Father are coming to pick you up by buggy. They shouldn't be too much longer, so we'd better not keep you."
Miriam gathered her basket and hurried away without bidding anyone goodbye.
"What was the news?" Elizabeth asked when she knew Miriam was out of range.
Trevor shrugged, "I made that part up. But I'm sure she'd have some gossip to tell Miriam... she always does. They were both gossiping about Eileen Switzer just days ago."
With the boys in the workshop up on the hill overlooking the Village, and Alexandra over at Lena's, a now barefoot Olivia had spread out the bulky material from the tote bag with the assistance of Elizabeth. A nearly complete checkerboard patchwork quilt of different shades of blue.
"Are you sure Alexandra's going to like this?"
"Olivia, she's going to love it... especially seeing you've made it."
"It's taken me almost a year to make, Elizabeth. She'd make something like this is just weeks."
"All the more reason she's going to love it. She's going to know how much effort you've put in to it for her."
"I just wish I would've been able to do something a little more than just checkerboard."
Elizabeth exited the room and returned a few moments later with a very simple Amish Centre Diamond quilt of blues, purples and reds. "Lena made me this for my 17th. It took her almost as long as you have to make Alexandra's quilt, and this one is much simpler. But I don't care how long it took her to make because I know how much effort she put in to it... and I cherish it."
"So, the honeycomb one Lena has-"
"Is the one I made Lena for her 17th," Elizabeth confirmed. "Even when we're apart, we have something of each other close by."
Olivia ran a hand over the various blue squares of Alexandra's quilt, "Miriam will belittle it, or make some comment about it."
"I wouldn't expect anything else for my dear sister. But it's not for her, Olivia... it's for Alexandra."
"Elizabeth, was Miriam always like... how she is?"
"Ever since I can remember. Sometimes I wonder how Miriam and I are even related. Our Mother and Father wouldn't have tolerated her... attitude... had they known. She was all sweet and innocent in their presence, but when she was out of their presence, the real Miriam appeared. I think Mara Langan brings out the worst in her, and has done so ever since they were children. Her attitude got worse after Alexandra's father left, sadly. I think there was more to him leaving than Miriam lets on, but I have no proof. I miss Forsythe as much as Alexandra does," Elizabeth lamented with a heavy sigh.
That was the first time a very long time that Olivia had heard the name of Alexandra's father being spoken.
Elizabeth patted Olivia's arm, "Now come on, enough chatter. All you have left to do is the other half of the bindings and Alexandra's quilt will be finished. Once you're half way through stitching them, I'll go and check on the boys to make sure they're actually building your birthday chests and not... breaking the rules."
Olivia couldn't help laugh before expressing her gratitude, "Thankyou Elizabeth... for everything these past few years. I don't know how the 4 of us would've survived without your and Maemm's help."
"Let's not speculate... but I think you would've found a way, just as myself and Lena did." Elizabeth gave Olivia a smirk, "And don't think thanking me will let you and Alexandra off the hook this afternoon... you can't break the rules either!"
Alexandra looked over at Lena with concern when she saw the finished example of what she was about to embark on, "Are you sure about this? You know I didn't have any success with the sponge cake I attempted. Mother still keeps going on about it."
"I'm absolutely sure about this one. I wouldn't have suggested this recipe if I didn't think you could do it."
"I'll manage to ruin it some how, I always do!" Alexandra said disparagingly.
"I don't think you will."
"I'll burn it!"
Lena shook her head, "No... not possible with this recipe."
"I'll get the ingredients or measurements wrong!"
"I don't think that will happen if we follow the recipe."
"I always manage to get it wrong when Mother-"
"I believe Miriam puts too much pressure on you with her hovering and you start second guessing yourself when you cook at home, Alexandra." Lena sat down at the table with her book, "I have total confidence in you that you won't ruin it."
Alexandra panicked, "Aren't you going to help me?"
Lena gave the blonde an encouraging smile, "I will... when you ask for it. The ingredients are in the pantry and the kerosene refrigerator. The measuring jugs, scale, mixing bowls, rolling pin and pie pan are on the bench already. Read the recipe, gather the ingredients and then go from there. If you don't understand something, just ask me and I'll explain it so you will comprehend it. You get this done successfully, then you can come over the day before Olivia's birthday and make another one just for her."
"I don't know about this," Alexandra worried one side of her bottom lip with her teeth seeing the various items on the kitchen counter.
"I'll let you in on a little secret. This is the one recipe even Elizabeth can make."
"Really?!" the younger blonde was awestruck.
"It's not very often that she makes it because it's so decadent and rich, but she can."
"Aunt Elizabeth's never made it before for me and Mother."
"That's because Elizabeth only makes it for me... and that's why I'm going to teach you to make it for Olivia. I've never taught Olivia this particular recipe because it's so simple. Now, time to stop talking and start cooking."
Sitting down at the table next to Lena, Alexandra reluctantly picked up the piece of paper that contained the recipe and read. A smile began to grow as she read further down the page, "There's no cooking involved!"
"Apart from melting butter for the base, and melting the 2 main ingredients together... no, not really."
"But... isn't using store bought prepackaged plain chocolate cookies for the base... cheating?"
Lena leant towards Alexandra and whispered, "Well, we could make the cookie base from scratch of you'd like... but I won't tell if you won't."
"You made that chocolate pie?" Olivia said disbelievingly after the hearty lunch the 6 had shared, an old folded bed sheet under her arm. The boys had already returned to the workshop with a jug of orange juice to share and a glass for each of them, knowing that one of the Elder women would check on them later.
"Chocolate ganache pie," Alexandra corrected an interlocked her pinkie finger with Olivia's as they rounded the corner and began walking to the slight slope of Lena's garden behind her house that afforded them some privacy.
"You'll have to tell me how to make it."
"Unfortunately, I can't... I'm sworn to secrecy because it's an old Donnelly recipe!"
"Maemm must've helped you, Alexandra."
"Not at all. I'll have you know I made the entire thing myself!" Alexandra replied as they stopped, unfolded the bed sheet and placed it on the ground before they both sat down cross legged, Olivia on Alexandra's right.
Olivia scoffed, "You're lying!"
"If you keep going on about it Olivia Benson, I'll never make it again."
"I don't think you could make it again," the brunette joked.
"Fine! I won't make it for your birthday and I won't make it while we're on Rumspringa!" Alexandra huffed and turned her head and body away to the left while still remaining cross legged.
Olivia shifted and pressed the front of her body against Alexandra's back then whispered in the blonde's ear, "You know I'm only teasing. I'd love for you to make it again... even if you won't tell me."
Alexandra peered back over her right shoulder, "You'd better apologise then!"
"How would you like me to apologise? Like this?" Olivia leant closer and lightly brushed her lips over Alexandra's.
"Hmm... I'm not sure. What's the alternative?"
The brunette kissed Alexandra again, but this time was much longer. Both would agree they had certainly improved from their 'little Maedel kisses' in the early days, not that they'd stopped kissing like that either. It had become somewhat of a ritual when Olivia left Alexandra's room after reading at night to share a sweet, innocent 'goodnight' kiss.
"Mmm... much better!" Alexandra smiled in to the kiss, "I accept your apology."
Keeping cross legged, Olivia lay back on the sheet and folded her right arm behind her bonnet covered head. Alexandra extended her legs straight out in front of her, turned on to her right hip and lay down beside Olivia, not before bending her right elbow and propping her head up with her hand so she could look down at Olivia. They relished doing this, just looking at each other and not having to sneak glances when they were sure noone was looking. They chatted about Brian's reaction to the news of their respective 'betrothals' and wondered what Dean's reaction would be when he found out later tonight... not that either of them ever had a chance. They also chatted about their upcoming birthdays and, of course, what they wanted to do during Rumspringa. After a time, Alexandra rested her left hand on Olivia's left knee before eventually slipping her hand under the hem of Olivia's dress to touch bare skin. Even though they were 'playing by the rules', these last few weeks each had begun to start pushing the boundaries that they knew were forbidden until their Rumspringa.
"Alexandra!" Olivia raised her eyebrows, playfully chastising the blonde.
"What?" She feigned ignorance as her hand crept a little higher.
"You'd better stop that!"
"Stop what?"
"You know exactly what! Don't break the rules now."
Alexandra's hand paused mid thigh, "We're not... laying together... I'm only touching you, so we're not breaking the rules."
"I know where your hand is heading! Now if you keep doing what you're doing, you might tempt me to break the rules!"
"Good!" A cheeky grin plastered on the blonde's face.
Olivia reached down and reluctantly halted Alexandra'a progress towards the edge of her short pantalette bloomers, "As much as I want you to keep going where you were going, Maemm and Elizabeth could come around the corner! I don't want us to get in trouble now. We have to wait... just a few more weeks."
Alexandra sighed and moved her hand back down a few inches towards Olivia's inner mid thigh, "Alright. How about you tell me what we're finally going to do when we're alone in Rumspringa House on our first night."
They had already had this conversation several times, especially over the last few weeks. Initially it'd been just little hints and possible suggestions of what they would do, but now it was what they both imagined would happen. Olivia kept her voice soft as Alexandra lowered her head closer, "We'll lock ourselves in our room, which will be furthest from the boys room..." she leant up and kissed Alexandra, "... we're going to slowly undress each other, one piece of clothing at a time..." she kissed her again, "... and after each time we take off clothing, we're going to kiss like this..." Olivia demonstrated longer this time as their tongues lightly brushing together, "... until we're completely naked. Then, I'm going to pick you up and lay you down on the bed..." again they kissed, "... and then I'm going to kiss, touch and caress every inch of your body that you allow me..." they shared another kiss, ".. to show you how much I love you."
"I like the sound of that. I want to show you how much I love you too... and unlike here in the Village at night, you don't have to go back to your house. We'll be able to fall asleep together, and wake up together!" the blonde said as her hand began its journey creeping higher once again.
"Alexandra Cabot, hand out from under there and on top of my clothes right now!" Olivia hissed.
Yet another cheeky grin appeared as Alexandra lazily removed her hand from Olivia's thigh underneath her dress, and boldly placed it on Olivia's right breast before giving it a very gentle squeeze.
"You're incorrigible!" Olivia couldn't help but laugh as she sat back up. "Right, we're going for a walk... Miss Handsy! Leave the bed sheet, we'll come back later."
As they left the seclusion of Lena's backyard garden hand in hand, Olivia picked a single white daisy and placed it behind Alexandra's ear before sharing a soft kiss. They made their way up to horse paddock, located halfway between the stables and workshop to see Moses, who lazily made his way over to them.
Alexandra pointed back towards the main entrance road to the Village as Olivia patted Moses, "Is that Donald coming back already?"
Olivia squinted, "No, Daett took the open buggy and Ruth today... it looks like... the Langan's buggy?"
They spoke over the top of each other, "Mother!"
"Miriam!"