A/N As you all can see ( if you read both stories) I've been very busy with writing the last week. This chapter is rather short, but it is on time. Now I know that ya all are looking forward to the wedding ceremony but don't ya forget something...?
What about their names...?
Chapter 25
"Congratulations, Alexandra and Olivia. So how do you girls want to do this?" Liz asks.
Liz is talking about the wedding ceremony, but Olivia suddenly remembers that Alex and she didn't talk about what they would do with their names. Or if they were gonna do something with their names.
"Liz,Tex and Casey, could you leave us alone for a few minutes? There is something important Alex and I need to talk about before getting married. Don't worry, it's not something bad. But it needs to been done before. So just for a few minutes." Olivia asks.
The three of them look surprised. That is until Case knows what Olivia means.
"Alright, ladies lets go. It is important and not bad at all." Casey says, standing up and walking to the door.
Liz and Abby look at each other and shrug their shoulders and walk to Casey. The three women left the room and Casey closes the door behind them.
"Ok Novak, clearly you know what Olivia was talking about, so shoot!" Abby says.
"Well they didn't talked about what they are doing with the names. There was no time for that with everything that happened. So that seems rather important to me and not a bad thing." Casey explains.
"Oh this could be interesting. Wanna place a bet gals?" Abby smirks.
"Sure why not? What are we betting on? And how much?" Liz asks.
"Oh no! No way! I don't do it and I do tell in front of the firing squad inside there if asked or noticed!" Casey says, pointing at Olivia's room behind her.
"Is the big bad ADA afraid of a wounded Detective?" Abby teases.
"No, but I am afraid for Detective Badass and the Ice Queen on a war path together. And they are, about that they are. They found out about betting on them because Munch screwed something up and Olivia figured it out of course. I'm gonna pay for that later, as are the guys and Don. So there is no way in hell I'm participating in this." Casey answers.
"It can't be that bad, can it?" Abby asks.
"Let me ask you something Ms. Carmichael. I know you have Liz so I don't need to ask you. Did you have seen them on one of their legendary fights, or heard about one?" Casey asks.
"Yes, I have seen it once. Why?" Abby asks.
"An ice rink is warmer then the air was when they both knew what was going on. Multiply their anger from one of their fights and that is what we have. Apart they are terrifying on a war path. Together, I don't wanna know what it is that were facing already. And I certainly won't have that growing worse because of a new bet added. They guys were really scared and so was I." Casey says.
Liz and Abby both shudder at the thought of Alex and Olivia being on a war path together like they are about this now.
"Alright, no bets. I don't have a death wish. But we each can say what we think they are gonna do with their names, can't we?" Abby asks.
"It doesn't matter that Olivia is wounded. She still kick all of our asses in a blink. If the guys were scared, I don't gonna take the risk neither. No bets. But I agree with Abby, we can say what we think they are gonna do with their names. You're in for that, Casey?" Liz asks.
"Yes. I am. Who's gonna say it first?" Casey asks.
"I think they are gonna keep their names as they are, professionally. And changes their names, personally, in Cabot-Benson." Abby says.
"I agree with you at the professional part, but you are of your game with the personal part. I think they gonna change that in Cabot-Benson and Benson-Cabot." Liz says.
"I'm not of my game. I just think that Liv doesn't think her last name is as important as Alex's is." Abby says.
"And I say you're both wrong." Casey says.
Two heads turns to Casey. Liz and Abby look at Casey if she has gone nuts.
"Well, care to enlighten us on that, Counselor?" Liz asks.
"I think that what ever name they choose, they are gonna choose it for both parts. Professionally and personally. It can be Cabot-Benson and Benson-Cabot or just one of those for both of them." Casey says.
"Nuh uh, Alex ain't gonna change her last name professionally. She wants to get that chair or more, some day. She ain't gonna change her name because of that." Abby says.
"I agree with Abby. Alexandra is to driven for that. She wants that chair at least. She isn't gonna change her name professionally." Liz says.
"I think they are gonna surprise you both then. And maybe even me if it's turns out they are gonna do something different then what I think. But I know for sure that Alex will change her name professionally. Olivia I'm not sure. But that depends on what Alex wants. I think Olivia will agree with what ever Alex wants. But we are gonna find that out in a few minutes." Casey says.
Meanwhile inside of Olivia's room.
"Lex, we haven't talked about what we are gonna do with our names. What do you want to do?" Olivia asks.
"It's good to know that before we get married, doesn't it?" Alex laughs.
"Yes it is. So what do you want? Do you want to change our names or not? Do you want to change it only personally or professionally too? How do want to change our names if you want to change them? I don't care to give up my name if that's what you want. So we can do what you want to do with them." Olivia asks.
"I don't want you to give up your name, Liv. In fact I want it the old fashion way. I want to have your last name. I want to be Mrs. Benson-Cabot. Professionally and personally. I want us to be ADA Benson-Cabot and Detective Benson. Or Detective Benson and Mrs. Benson-Cabot. If everything is gonna be alright, then maybe I want to get up higher professionally, one day in the future. But only if you agree with it and I want to be a Benson-Cabot then. No matter what I will be then professionally." Alex answers.
"Are you sure? I will be more then happy to take your name, Alex." Olivia says.
"Yes, I'm sure. If we are blessed and have future together I hope that some day we will have children. And I want them to be Benson's too. Maybe Benson-Cabot if that is what you want them to be. I can't be more proud then wearing your name, Olivia. Let the world know that I'm the most happy and blessed woman because I happen to be yours. I don't give a damn about whether it is or isn't politically correct. I'm yours, I'm Mrs. Benson-Cabot and nobody can make me change that. Not even you, Detective.
I know that you will change your name in Benson-Cabot if that's what I wanted it to be. But I don't want that. People already think that being an ADA is a more important job then being a Detective. They can't be more wrong then thinking that. Without you and the guys or any other Detective, I wouldn't have a job. Casey and Abby wouldn't have a job. No other ADA would have a job. But they always will think that, and even more if I would decide to climb up the political ladder. I can't change that but I can give a clear sign that I think everyone else is wrong and that I'm right.
That we are equal to each other. And that I'm proud to be married to the best Detective there is. By having your last name I make that clear to everyone. So if I stay an ADA for the rest of my at SVU, that's fine by me. I'll be more then happy to work with you for the rest of my life. If not I only will make that choice together with you. But no matter what, I will be Mrs. Benson-Cabot. Shortly, Mrs. Benson. If you want to climb the ladder in law enforcement I will be equally supportive of you as I know you are of me. If you want to stay a Detective that's perfectly fine too. I'm proud of you, Olivia. I'm proud of what you have achieved. I'm proud you are a Detective. I'm proud of who you are and what you are. Our jobs are equally important. To get the perps into prison, both our jobs are needed. Without the other one there wouldn't be a conviction possible. So to make a long story short, I'm sure about this. I never have been more sure about anything like I am about marrying you and wearing your last name." Alex finishes.
"Wow, Cabot. You know we have to give our vows later, don't ya? Seriously, I don't know what to say, Lex. I'm not as eloquent as you are with words. But I will be more then proud to have you as my wife and I will be more then proud to be yours. No matter what the future will bring, I'm yours for ever. I hope too that we will be blessed with a long future together. And have kids some day. But let's talk about that an other time. Because I want to get married first and now to be exact. So if you want it to be Detective Benson and Mrs. Benson-Cabot, that's what it will be. I want you to be happy. And if you are happy this way, we will do it. You are the most important, you will be for ever. And what makes you happy makes me happy. And for the record, I think you are the best ADA this country has. There isn't a better ADA then you are. And I'm really proud of you. When you announce yourself in the courtroom my heart almost bursts out of my body. That's because I'm so very proud of you. I'm honored that you want to wear my last name. I really am. And speaking of vows, I know you think fast on your feet, but if you need time for them just say it." Olivia says.
"I do know that I have to give my vows later. And no I don't need time for them. Do you?" Alex asks.
"No. I know what my vows will be. I have known for a long time I think. So lets get the guys back inside. I mean the girls. Alright?" Olivia asks.
"I have known them for a long time too. So let's get them back inside." Alex answers.
"Ok. I just want to have some fun calling them back inside." Olivia says, smiling mischievously.
"Okayyy. Do I want to know it now?" Alex asks, raising one eyebrow at Olivia.
"Just that I think, what I'm gonna say, I think about yours." Olivia winks and turns her head.
"CASEY NOVAK, GET YOUR PERFECTLY TONED AND BEAUTIFUL ASS INSIDE HERE. I WANT TO GET MARRIED!" Olivia yells.
She needs to keep herself from bursting into laughter as she thinks of the color Casey's face will have now, probably.
"You are cruel, Benson. You know her head will be as red as her hair is right now." Alex laughs.
"Did you already have forgotten that she is involved in the betting part, Counselor? This is perfectly legal and not cruel at all." Olivia answers, grinning at the blonde ADA.
Meanwhile on the corridor Casey, Liz and Abby are still talking and waiting for Alex and Olivia.
"You are nuts, Novak. It's too bad we will pay for it with our lives otherwise I certainly would have bet about this with you. We are telling you, there is no way in hell that Alexandra will change her professional name. Benson, well she probably will change her name. We have to wait and see what they are going to do personally." Liz says, shaking her head at Casey.
"Yeah, I agree. Obviously I don't know ya yet. But I do know Alex and Liv. And you are so wrong about this." Abby says.
"We will see who has it at the right end, the two of you or I. But don't start giving excuses or whine if I'm right and I say I told you so." Casey smirks.
Just as Liz and Abby wants to react they hear Olivia yelling.
"CASEY NOVAK, GET YOUR PERFECTLY TONED AND BEAUTIFUL ASS INSIDE HERE. I WANT TO GET MARRIED!"
Just like Olivia said, Casey blushes and her head turns as red as her hair is. Liz's and Abby's jaw dropped on the floor hearing what Olivia yells.
"Lets go inside." Casey says.
The redhead doesn't wait for an answer and turns around and opens the door and walks inside. With her head as red as an tomato.
"Really Benson? You had to yell this? Of all the things you could have said, you yelled this?" Casey asks.
Olivia smirks at her friend and looks behind her.
"Yes, I had too. And where are Liz and Abby?" Olivia asks.
"Picking up their jaws of the floor I think. Damn you, Benson. That wasn't funny." Casey mutters, looking at the floor.
"Oh I think it was hilarious, Counselor. And my eyes are up here, Case. Not down there on the floor." Olivia says.
Liz and Abby pick up their jaws from the floor and look at each other.
"Benson just went crazy. Alex is gonna kill her." Abby whispers.
"I think you are right. Lets go inside." Liz whispers back.
Abby and Liz walks inside and their jaws hit the floor for the second time in only seconds, looking at Alex and Olivia and see the smirks on their faces and the trouble they have not to burst out in laughter.
"Looks to me that you got them both speechless, Detective." Alex laughs.
"Looks to me you are right, Counselor. Hey guys, you can pick up your jaws from the floor and stop acting to be surprised." Olivia says laughing.
Abby is the first one able to react.
"You are nuts, Benson. And you too, Cabot. We both thought you were gonna kill Liv here. Instead you both are fighting not to burst out in laughter. And Novak here has the same color as a damn tomato. What were ya thinking, Benson? Wait, don't answer that. I don't think I wanna know the answer. When you two are done laughing are you gonna tell us what you needed to talk about?" Abby asks.
"You know what we need to talk about, Tex. And even if you didn't know, I know you know it now. There is no way you didn't badger Casey. She figured it out. So I know for sure that you managed to get it from her." Olivia answers.
"Har, har, very funny Detective Smartypants. Are you gonna tells what you two have decided to do with your names or not?" Abby asks.
Olivia looks at Alex. The blonde nods at Olivia. Letting her know that she can tell them what they decided to do. Well what Alex decided and Olivia agreed with.
"Before I answer that question. I have one myself." Olivia says.
She looks at Abby and Liz first before looking at Casey.
"You better give a straight answer, Novak. And for your sake I hope you didn't. Did the three of you bet about the outcome or not?" Olivia asks sternly.
Casey looks at Liz and Abby while answering Olivia.
"No we didn't. I talked them out of it. And if they would have I would have told you. Ask them if you don't believe me. I told them what happened with the guys and that there was no way in hell that I would be betting now. So no we didn't bet. Talk about it? Yes we did. But no betting." Casey answers.
Liz and Abby are glad that Casey talked them out of it. Looking at Olivia they know now that it would have been a very bad decision if they had done it.
"I believe you, Case. That's why I asked you it and not those two over there." Olivia answers.
"Livvv, don't keep us waiting. Tell us what ya all are gonna do with your damn names." Abby whines.
Casey tries not to laugh but fails miserably.
"What's so funny, Counselor?" Olivia asks.
"I will tell you after you tell us what you are going to do. Believe me it will be worth it to wait." Casey says.
Olivia has a feeling that she knows what Abby and Liz will think about what they are doing with their names. She also knows that Casey is probably the one that will be the closest to the truth so she decides to have a little fun. She looks at Alex for a moment. Alex knows by the look in Olivia's eyes that she is gonna play with them and she smiles at Olivia. Letting the Detective know that she is game. Olivia smiles back and turns her head.
"Well, Cabot here of course refused to change her name professionally. No matter what I said she wouldn't give in. She said that she couldn't change it professionally and that it wouldn't be right, politically, to change her name. It would be odd if she would change her name then personally so no changes with her name. If she refuses to change her name, why would I change mine? There will be no changes of names. Sorry gals." Olivia says with straight face.
Alex keeps her face straight to. Three jaws hit the floor as Abby, Casey and Liz look at the ADA and Detective. The shock written on their faces. Abby and Liz thought that Alex wouldn't want to change her name professionally, they didn't think she wouldn't want to change it all. And they all are shocked that Olivia won't change her name too.
"You're kidding, right?" Abby asks shocked.
"Why would I?" Olivia asks.
"Are you saying that you really are that stubborn and hard headed that you won't change your name for Alex because she doesn't want to change her name? For a perfectly reasonable reason, that is. What's wrong with you, Benson?" Abby asks, shaking her head.
Alex and Olivia looks around seeing the shock and disbelieve written on three faces, they can't keep their faces straight anymore and burst out in laughter. Casey instinctively knows that they have been played. And she knows that she probably was the one closest to what they actually had decided. It cost her a little will power but she manages to not burst out in laughter with her two friends too. Abby and Liz don't know what to think anymore.
"What can possibly so funny right now that you burst out in laughter? I really don't get you both right now." Abby says.
Olivia looks at Casey and knows that the young attorney got the picture.
"Tell them Case, they clearly can't keep it up with you." Olivia smiles.
"We have been played by Detective Badass here. My best guess is that she has a pretty good idea of what we think they are gonna do and she decided to have some fun with us." Casey answers.
Abby and Liz look at Casey and then back at Olivia, almost glare at the Detective.
"What? This was to easy to let it pass. And not to make fun out of it. Casey is right. You have been played. And she is right about the why too. Carmichael, you can't look me straight in my eyes and tell me you wouldn't have done the same if the roles were turned around." Olivia says.
"Damn it. I hate it when you do this. You are right, I would have done the same. Now are you done playing and finally telling us what you are gonna do?" Abby asks.
"Yes. We are going to be Detective Benson and Mrs. Benson-Cabot." Olivia says seriously.
"You mean personally, right?" Liz asks.
"No. Lex wants to do it the 'normal' way. She want to be Mrs. Benson-Cabot. Both, professionally and personally. And I'm honored and proud that she wants it this way. So it's gonna be Detective Benson and Mrs. Benson-Cabot both ways." Olivia says, smiling at Alex.
"People already think that being an ADA is a more important job then being a Detective. They can't be more wrong then thinking that. Without Liv and the guys or any other Detective, I wouldn't have a job. Casey and Abby wouldn't have a job. No other ADA would have a job. But they always will think that, and even more if I would decide to climb up the political ladder. I can't change that but I can give a clear sign that I think everyone else is wrong and that I'm right. That we are equal to each other. That our jobs are equally important. And that I'm proud to be married to the best Detective there is. By having her last name I make that clear to everyone. So if I stay an ADA for the rest of my at SVU, that's fine by me. I'll be more then happy to work with Liv for the rest of my life. If not I only will make that choice together with her. But no matter what, I will be Mrs. Benson-Cabot. Shortly, Mrs. Benson. I'm hers. Or as I said to Liv: I'm yours, I'm Mrs. Benson-Cabot and nobody can make me change that. Not even you, Detective." Alex says.
Casey smiles. Not only does she agrees with what Alex said, but she was right about they would do too. Liz and Abby turns to Casey and glare at the redhead. Casey is not intimidated and gets a cat that has eaten the canaries grin on her face.
"I told you so. But you two wouldn't listen." Casey sing songs.
"Ow, Novak. C'mon, give me a break will ya? Did ya really had to say it?" Abby whines.
"Casey, you know more about what happened then we do. It's obvious you do. So therefore it is not fair to use it for your own advantage." Liz says.
"That's giving excuses and whining. I told you not to do that if I was right." Casey manages to get out before laughing out loud.
Olivia and Alex are laughing with her. They both know what Casey meant when she said that it would be worth to wait before she would explain why she was laughing earlier. It is needless to say she needs to make her point now. After a minute or two they are able to stop laughing.
"I knew that it would be impossible for the three of you not to speculate. You all are lawyers. You all love to speculate on the outcome of things. And can't help yourself if the opportunity is there. Besides your job there is almost nothing that you love to more then talk and speculate and if possible bet on anything that passes by. The two of you, Liz and Abby, are so lucky that Casey talked you out the betting part. But seriously, did you really thought that Alex wouldn't change her name just because it politically isn't the right thing to do? You need to give her a lot more credit then you obviously are doing. Who is the most stubborn and hard headed person you know besides me? You should know by now that she doesn't give a damn about what's right or not politically. Not anymore. And that I'm whipped of course. I would have taken her last name and be more then happy with it and proud of it. But Lex wanted it this way. And what Cabot wants, Cabot gets. You all know that by now don't you?" Olivia says.
The last part makes everyone laughing out loud including Alex and Olivia.
Oh yes, Olivia is right about two things. What Cabot wants Cabot gets and the Detective is certainly whipped by the beautiful blonde. One look in those incredibly beautiful cerulean eyes and Olivia Benson is toast.
A/N 2 I thought a little bit of relaxation would be welcome. Things are hard and difficult for them already. In my opinion they deserved this little "break" and have some sun shining, so to speak. One more thing.
We all know how right our favorite Detective was... don't we?...