Chapter 37

A Cabot Christmas

Rosemary was in the kitchen finishing up the crepes as Alex yawned, taking a seat at the kitchen island; still comfy in her satin blue pajamas on Christmas Eve.

"You hear from Olivia last night?" Rosemary asked.

"Yeah, finally…" Alex mumbled, annoyance in her voice.

"Lexie. You can't expect her to sit around all day and wait to talk to you," Rosemary tried.

"That's not it, Mom. She got drunk yesterday and passed out. That's why she didn't answer me all day."

Rosemary nodded. "Does she have a problem with alcohol?"

"No…" Alex said. "I mean, she doesn't drink every day. Or even every weekend. But she does drink when she gets upset. And she drinks too much. I just worry about her is all." Alex stabbed a crepe with her fork and began eating it.

"Sometimes, that's what people do, sweetie. They turn to something when they're upset. Some people, it's food. Some it's drugs. Some it's alcohol. It's not the healthiest thing in the world, but it's just what people do to cope. And you're sure she doesn't have a problem?" Rosemary asked cautiously.

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'm with her most of the time. She just doesn't cope well when she's upset."

"I understand. Just be sure to always let her know you're there for her, okay Lexie? It can make a world of difference for someone knowing they have somebody to talk to." Rosemary gave Alex's head a kiss as she gave her some orange juice.

Alex gave a weak smile before responding. "I will, Mom."

"Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a phone call to make."


Ringing.

Ringing.

Again, loud ringing.

Olivia stretched and opened her eyes, reaching over on her nightstand to grab the phone. Squinting at the screen, it was a number she didn't recognize. Sliding her thumb over, she answered.

"Hello?"

"Hi, dear! It's Rosemary Cabot. How are you?"

Olivia sat up. "Fine. Is Alex okay?"

"Yes, dear, she's just fine. I just wanted to call you and chat."

Olivia couldn't help but swallow. "Uhh, sure. What's up?"

"I heard you're spending Christmas alone this year."

Olivia briefly paused. "Yeah."

"Well, no, you're not. No one deserves to ever spend a holiday alone. Text me your address, and I'll come and pick you up."

Olivia blinked as she was speechless. "Ma'am, that's really okay. You don't have to do that. I don't want to intrude on your family holiday."

"Olivia Benson, you're family now. So don't pull that with me. Plus, who else will I recruit to help me make my potato candy? You don't expect me to beg Alexandra, do you?"

Olivia chuckled. "No, I guess not. But just… don't come here." This house is a fucking disaster. "I'll drive. You picked me up last holiday, let me drive this one." Good cover!

"Only if you're sure. I'll pay you the gas money, so don't worry about that. I'll text you the address in case you forgot, okay?"

"You really don't have to give me gas money. And okay. Oh, wait…" Olivia continued. "I don't have gifts for anyone."

"Your presence is gift enough, Olivia. See you tonight? Or are you coming tomorrow?"

"I can drive tomorrow. I need to do some things here today." Olivia quickly got up and began getting dressed. She had to find Alex a present, and quickly.

"Okay dear. Safe travels!"


Rosemary never told Alex that Olivia was coming, and neither did Olivia. She assumed that Alex already knew, since Rosemary had called her. She got in her car at 6:00am, carrying a box with Alex's last minute gifts. Turning her car on, she threw on some rock music and began the few hour journey to East Hampton.

"Merry Christmas!" Rosemary said around 8:15, hugging a sleepy Alex as she came down the stairs in another pair of pajamas.

"Merry Christmas, Mom," Alex sleepily replied, returning the hug. Christmas music was lightly playing throughout the house, the smell of ham filling the air.

"Smells great in here," Alex said, making her way to the kitchen. The tree was shining bright in the living room, along with the other lights and decorations strung around the house.

"Morning, Lex! Merry Christmas!" George Cabot said from the kitchen table.

Alex smiled as she gave her grandparents a hug. "Merry Christmas, Grams and Gramps!"

"Ho ho ho!" William Cabot boomed, coming from the basement in a Santa suit, carrying a sack full of presents.

"Dad!" Alex laughed. "What are you doing?"

"Dad? Who is dad? I'm Santa!" William held his arms out to Alex who gave him a giant hug.

"Well, then Merry Christmas, Santa. Got any gifts in there for me?" Alex tried to grab onto the sack and look inside.

"Uh uh! No peeking! Santa was late this year. So if you don't mind me, I need to arrange the gifts for everyone under the tree." William winked at Alex before carrying the large bag over to the tree.

Just then, there was a ring of the doorbell.

Alex went to open the door, and was met by her uncle Dave in an elf hat, carrying his own gifts.

"Lexie! What up, dude! Merry Christmas!" Dave extended his free arm out for Alex to give him a big hug.

"Merry Christmas, uncle Dave!"

"Here, set these inside, I've got more in the trunk."

Alex took the packages from him and handed them to her mom before going back to stand in the doorway and wait for him. As he was rummaging in the trunk, Alex saw a light blue Mustang making it's way down the road.

That looks like Olivia's car…

Once the car got closer to the house, it began slowing down, turning its turn signal on to enter the driveway.

"Mom!" Alex yelled, with Rosemary coming over.

"Yes, honey?"

Alex turned to her mom and wrapped her arms around her tightly before giving her cheek a kiss. "Did you call her?!"

Rosemary smiled. "Of course I did. I told you I would! She may protest with you, Lex, but the girl won't say no to me. She doesn't need to be spending Christmas alone. And I made sure of that."

"Well, shit, if it isn't Olivia!" Dave said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder as they both began walking to the front door. "Lex! It's your girlfriend!"

"I see that," Alex said with a smile.

"Hey," Olivia said, arms behind her back as she now faced Alex in the doorway.

"Hey," Alex said in return, smiling from ear to ear. "Merry Christmas, Liv."

"Merry Christmas, Al." Olivia brought her hands from behind her back and handed the package to Alex, who immediately furrowed her eyebrows.

"Liv… you didn't have to get me a present. You're present enough! Plus, I didn't get you anything. I didn't know you were coming."

Olivia looked over to Rosemary who shrugged. "I thought she knew. I told her I was going to call you."

Dave made his way through the door, with Olivia following behind him. But before she could completely come in, Alex stopped her and pointed up. Looking up, Olivia immediately smiled and blushed, seeing the mistletoe carefully hanging above the door.

"Al…"

Alex, holding her present between them, leaned over to take Olivia's lips in hers. She held her there for a long moment before breaking away.

"Sorry, Liv. Those are the rules! Now, come on!"

Alex pulled Olivia into the kitchen, momentarily leaving her to go sit her present under the tree. They then greeted everyone again before Rosemary began pulling out ingredients. "Olivia! Would you like to help me make potato candy?"

"Sure!"

"Can I help too, Mom?" Alex asked, her mother smiling at her.

"The more the merrier. Bill, turn up the Christmas music, would you?"

William turned up the Christmas music before he and Dave made their way down to the basement. Delilah and George were playing Scrabble together at the table as they sang along to the music.

"Here, let's get these potatoes peeled." Rosemary brought out a few peelers as everyone began peeling potatoes.

Still unsure of what potato candy even was, Olivia decided to pry for more information.

"So, what is potato candy? That seems… strange," Olivia chuckled.

"It's even better than the pies, Liv. Trust me," Alex said, her mouth already watering at the memory of the taste.

"Really?" Olivia asked, her eyebrows raised. She was completely unconvinced. "I mean, I like potatoes, but… I don't know. In candy form?"

"Don't knock it until you try it!" Rosemary said, pointing her peeler at Olivia. "My mother made this every year for Christmas. Lexie loved it as a girl, so after my mother passed, I always made sure to make it."

Olivia gave a soft smile. "Of course, I'll try it. I trust you. You're an amazing cook!"

"Now you're just sucking up," Rosemary teased.

Olivia laughed as they continued prepping the dessert.

After an hour, the dough was cooling in the fridge to be prepared for the next and final step. Alex and Olivia were sitting on the couch, watching Home Alone as they held hands. Rosemary was working on the Christmas lunch in the kitchen as she talked to Delilah and George. Dave and William were still downstairs, doing whatever it was the brothers liked to do on Christmas.

"I swear, this is my favorite movie of all time," Olivia said, laughing at the scene of the delivery boy leaving Kevin the pizza.

Alex broke her gaze away from the movie to watch Olivia. She absolutely loved how she laughed. She thought she was the most beautiful person on the planet, and couldn't help the smile that formed on her face. Olivia quickly felt the eyes on her and turned to look at Alex, a big smile growing on her face.

"What?"

Alex shook her head, blush slightly creeping up her cheeks as her smile got wider. "Nothing. You're just beautiful, is all."

Now it was Olivia's turn to blush. She put her head down, breaking her eyes away from Alex as her own smile grew wider. Alex then put her hand on Olivia's chin and lifted her head up, forcing her to look back at her. "I mean it, you know."

"And you're also beautiful, Alex. So, so beautiful."

Alex quickly leaned forward and gave Olivia a long kiss. Once their lips parted, Alex drove them forward again, giving Olivia a stronger kiss, which soon turned into a string of kisses; some with tongue.

Rosemary looked over at the couch after snapping the green beans into a pot, and opened her mouth to say something, but quickly closed it. She decided that would be one of her gifts this year; to not give Alex grief over making out with her girlfriend on the couch.


Christmas lunch was soon done, and everyone was gathered around the large dining room table piling their plates with ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, rolls, and several other items.

After finishing a mouthful of ham, William spoke up at the head of the table. "Okay. Now that it's Christmas, it's time to share with everyone your favorite thing that happened this year! I'll go first. My favorite thing this year was seeing my sweet little girl graduate high school Valedictorian and begin her journey towards her career." He looked at Alex with a proud smile on his face, as she was blushing and chewing her food. "You have made me the proudest father in the world, Alexandra. And I love you."

"Thanks, Dad," Alex mumbled shyly, forking some more food into her mouth.

"I'll go next," George said. "My favorite thing was celebrating 50 years of marriage with my sweet Delilah." He then leaned over and gave her cheek a kiss as everyone cooed and applauded them on their milestone.

"Well, honey, you've stolen my answer!" Delilah teased. "In that case, my favorite thing was our trip to the Caribbean. Such a wonderful trip to celebrate our anniversary."

Dave put his hand on his chin, tapping it with his finger as he pursed his lips and furrowed his brows. "Dang. I'm not sure what my favorite thing this year was. No, you know what? It was Thanksgiving. Probably one of the funniest, fulfilling Thanksgivings in a long time." He winked at Rosemary who rolled her eyes at him, remembering the banter they shared the entire holiday.

"Okay, my turn!" Alex said. She quickly reached next to her under the table and placed her hand carefully on Olivia's thigh. "My favorite thing this year was meeting Olivia. She's helped me come out of my shell in so many different ways, and she's honestly the biggest light in my life right now. So, thank you for being a bad shot and hitting me with a soccer ball. I'll never regret meeting you."

Everyone chuckled at the soccer part, and Olivia couldn't help the grin that crossed her face or the blush that flushed her skin. Her heart was thumping loudly; she was hopelessly falling more in love with Alex as time went on.

Olivia looked to Rosemary, who pointed back to her. "Oh no. You go Olivia. Cabot family tradition."

Olivia nodded her head as she tried to think of something. Finally, she cleared her throat and opened her mouth to speak. "Honestly, the best thing that happened this year for me, isn't just meeting Alex. It's meeting all of you. I've never really… had much of a family my entire life. And only knowing you all for about a month has changed my world in ways no one could even imagine. Rosemary, I'm beyond thankful for you opening your home to me on the holidays. You taught me so much about baking, and I'll forever be thankful for that. I can't wait to bake a pie for my friends back on campus. William, I'm beyond thankful for you for also opening your home to me, and for not strangling me when you found out I was dating your daughter." Everyone around the table shared bouts of laughter. "Dave, George, Delilah, I'm thankful for you all treating me like you've known me longer than you have, and for accepting Alex for who she is. You have no idea what that means, especially when the world can be so cruel. So, honestly, thank you all for being a wonderful family. For the first time in my life, I actually feel accepted and wanted somewhere. And that means more to me than anything, and more than you could ever understand. So, finally, thank you Alexandra. Thanks for giving me a chance, even though in the beginning people didn't want you to. You've changed my life in so many ways already, and you're my absolute favorite part of the year."

Olivia quickly choked back some of the tears that were stinging behind her eyes as Alex leaned over and kissed Olivia's cheek, wrapping her arms tightly around her shoulders. Once she broke away, Rosemary was the next to lean over and hug Olivia, holding her tightly as she planted a kiss to her forehead. Whispering, Rosemary said, "You are always welcome in this house, Olivia."

Breaking away from the embrace, Rosemary smiled before speaking. "Well. I've had many good things happen this year, so it's really hard to pick just one thing. But if I am being completely honest, my favorite thing has been seeing Alex become the person she has always been. I was always a little suspicious of her interests growing up, but I'm so happy you were able to come to terms with who you are. And I want you to know, I will always support you and love you. That was never questionable. And, I'm cheating, but I'm going to give another thing. Olivia, I'm very thankful you for meeting my daughter and being so kind and caring to her. That's all I've ever wanted for her, and you seem to be doing just that. So thank you."

Everyone continued chatting as they finished their meals, diving into the potato candy. Alex immediately closed her eyes and moaned at the taste, throwing her head back as she picked up another piece.

Olivia held up the candy and surveyed it before finally taking the tiniest bite from it. Chewing and surveying the flavor, she perked up in her seat and turned to Rosemary. "Wow. This is absolutely delicious!"

Rosemary, wearing a proud smile, said, "See? I told you! Can't even tell there's potato in it, can you?"

Olivia shook her head as she finished the piece. "Nope. Holy cow, this is so good!" She happily picked up another piece as William stood from the table.

"Okay! It's present time!" He motioned for everyone to head to the living room and take a seat as he began passing out presents. Alex quickly grabbed her gift from Olivia and held it in her lap as she waited patiently.

"Here!"

Looking up, Olivia saw William holding out 4 boxes for Olivia. One was large, two were small, and one was medium sized.

Olivia raised her eyebrows in confusion as she took the heavy gifts and placed them in her lap. Looking at the tag on them, they were all made out to her. She then looked back to William and Rosemary, who were smiling at her. "Are… these are for me?"

"Of course, dear. Everyone deserves a present or two," Rosemary said, kissing the top of Olivia's head.

Olivia looked over to Alex who looked just as confused. "Hey, I had no idea about this," Alex defended.

Rosemary chuckled. "Nope, she didn't. We picked these out for you weeks ago."

Olivia felt tears stinging her eyes again, and quickly used all her energy to choke them back. "You really didn't have to get me anything at all. I didn't get you guys anything."

Rosemary held up her hand to silence Olivia. "Dear, you're in college. You don't need to get us anything. And you got Alex something, so that's enough for me. Now come on, let's open these gifts!"

William insisted that the older adults went first, so Olivia and Alex could go last. So everyone watched as William, Rosemary, Dave, George, and Delilah opened a myriad of gifts and laughed and thanked one another for all of the unique gifts they had opened. Finally, it was Alex's turn. She first opened the gifts from her parents and family, wanting to leave Olivia's present for last. She was given blue sweaters and shirts, a couple skirt suits for her pre-law classes, shoes, a new phone, and tons of other items. Dave, as a gag gift, gave her a bottle of Jack Daniels; a throwback to the shots they took on Thanksgiving. Rosemary immediately grabbed the bottle and gave it to William as she scolded Dave, with Alex and Olivia laughing hysterically. Finally, Alex was ready to open Olivia's gift. Tearing into the box, she held up a hoodie and laughed as she read the lettering on the front.

"Well, what does it say?" Rosemary asked curiously.

Trying to contain her laughter, Alex read the hoodie out loud. "Future Lawyer. (Noun). I already argue like one, soon I'll just get paid for it."

William immediately threw his head back and started laughing as Rosemary chuckled. Olivia also couldn't contain her laughter as she looked at Alex who was slipping it on over her shirt.

"It's perfect. And," Alex lifted up the front of the hoodie to her nose and breathed in, closing her eyes. "It smells like you. I love it, so much! Thanks Liv!"

Looking into the box, there was one more tiny wrapped box inside. She pulled it out and ripped it open, pulling out the gold necklace with the letters "ALEX" in script at the bottom. Her mouth open, she surveyed the sparkling jewelry in her hand. "Liv… this is beautiful. It has my name on it!"

Olivia smiled and nodded, taking the necklace from Alex to help put it on around her neck.

"How does it look?"

"Beautiful," Olivia said, not looking at the necklace at all, but rather Alex's eyes, making her blush.

"Wow, that's lovely!" Rosemary said, now standing in front of Alex to survey the necklace. "Nice choice, Olivia!"

Olivia smiled as Rosemary now moved in front of Olivia, picking up the biggest box of her gifts and handing it to her. "Now, normally I don't care what order gifts are opened, but you have to open the big one first to understand the others."

An eyebrow raised, Olivia smiled before beginning to rip the paper off of the large box; Alex sitting right next to her as she watched.

As soon as the paper was gone from the front of the box, Olivia froze. Her mouth was wide open, staring at the present in front of her.

"Holy shit… sorry! Holy… what? You didn't – this is… this is too much, you didn't…"

Rosemary laughed and put her arm on Olivia's shoulder. "A little birdie told me you liked to play Xbox."

Ripping the rest of the paper off, Olivia still stared at the gift in her lap, mouth wide open; an Xbox One, just released several weeks before.

"This… how did you? But…" Olivia shook her head, surveying the console. Rosemary then held up the other 3 gifts to Olivia, who opened them. The medium box contained an extra controller for the system, and the two small gifts were Battlefield 4 and Call of Duty: Ghosts.

"No freaking way… you did not have to do this… honestly… this is too much, I can't accept this."

Rosemary wrapped her arms around Olivia and held her tightly. "You are accepting these gifts, Olivia. You deserve a wonderful Christmas, and this is our appreciation for you being so great to Alex. Please enjoy it!"

Olivia immediately stood up and wrapped her arms tightly around Rosemary, some stray tears finally escaping her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered. "For everything."

Rosemary held Olivia tightly as she smiled. "No need to thank me, Olivia. Just keep being the amazing person you are."


"What did I just do?!" Alex said, staring at the screen where there was nothing but white.

Olivia, chuckling, responded, "Alex… you just flashbanged yourself."

"I what?"

Olivia laughed harder. "You just threw a flashbang and blinded yourself."

Alex stared at the screen which slowly came back into focus. Her character was crawling on the ground slowly.

"Al, you gotta get out of prone," Olivia said, running her character through a building and shooting someone.

"Prone?"

"You're crawling on the ground. You're no good doing that! You gotta get up and run," Olivia tried to coach, throwing a few grenades as she shot someone else.

"How did I even get down there?!" Alex began mashing the buttons and ended up finally getting up to a crouch, but threw a grenade in front of her in the process. Her character then, a few seconds later, blew up. "Now what happened!?"

Olivia couldn't take it anymore and was leaning back on the couch and laughing hysterically. "You blew yourself up, Alex!"

"Are you kidding me?! Liv, I'm not any good at this."

Alex tried running her character around again once it respawned, slowly rotating herself around as she walked into a building and immediately got shot by someone.

"Seriously?! That was bullshit! I didn't even have a chance to aim the fucking gun!"

"Alexandra Rose!" Rosemary called from the stairs as she made her way downstairs to the basement, Dave following behind her. "What did I just hear out of your mouth?!"

"I believe she said, 'Bullshit! Couldn't aim my fucking gun!'" Dave answered, cackling as Rosemary turned around and scolded him for repeating the words.

"Language! Both of you. You don't hear Olivia talking like that!"

"That's because she's actually good at the game, Mom. I'm playing like shit." Alex again walked into a building and tried to shoot someone, but died again, causing her to groan as she sat the controller down and put her head in her hands.

Olivia was biting her lip as her body shook, trying extremely hard not to burst out into laughter.

"Alexandra! What did I just say?!" Rosemary's mouth was wide open staring at her daughter, who was clearly irritated by her performance at the game.

"Yeah yeah, quit cursing. Got it." Alex shrugged off her mom as she focused on the screen, finally turning a corner and successfully killing someone with a headshot. She immediately squealed and laughed evilly. "Yeah, take that, asshole!"

"ALEXANDRA!"

Dave was leaning against the wall clutching his sides as tears streamed down his face from laughing so hard. Olivia was now also laughing hysterically, waiting for her character to respawn.

"Al, you better stop," Olivia said, trying to control her laughter. "Your mom is going to whip you, and I'm going to have to laugh at you."

"Where did you learn to speak like that?!" Rosemary said, still scolding her daughter.

"Olivia," Alex said with a smirk, not even trying to hide the fact that she frequently listened to Olivia play Xbox with Elliot, and had heard enough of their frustration to know when to be angry at a game.

Olivia dropped her mouth open and gasped as she began blushing, desperately trying to save herself. "Woah, woah, wait… Alex! I –" Olivia scoffed. "I don't… talk like that…" She mumbled her next words. "All the time…"

"Olivia…" Rosemary playfully chastised her. "Are you teaching my daughter foul language?"

"No! I'm not… teaching her. She must just listen to me when I get really into a game."

"That's not the only foul thing she teaches me," Alex added, a smirk on her face as she started laughing. Doing this to her mother was just too much fun.

Olivia immediately paused the game and hid her face in her hands, groaning. "ALEX! Come on…"

Dave crouched down onto the floor, smacking it as he continued laughing at Alex's antics. Rosemary gasped and hid her own face in her hand, blush creeping up her own face at her daughter's crude admission.

"Oh God… Alex… I really didn't need to know that."

"Sorry, Mom. Seriously. I'll stop. Liv, turn the game back on!" Alex starting clicking buttons on the controller trying to resume the game. "Come on, I wanna kill more of these bitches!"

"ALEX!" Olivia and Rosemary shouted at the same time.


Alex and Olivia played Call of Duty together for a few more hours before the family joined them downstairs, gathering to watch Christmas with the Kranks. Alex was cuddled into Olivia's side, her arm around her torso as she watched the movie. Soon, Olivia felt her phone vibrate and pulled it out of her pocket.

Elliot: Merry Christmas Liv! Hope ya had a good day dude!

Olivia: Merry Christmas El! Sure did bro! I'm up in the East Hamptons (;

Elliot: Oh shit! You go see Blondie after all?

Olivia: Yup. Alex's mom called me and talked me into coming. So glad I did. Not only are they the sweetest people on the planet, they got me a gift, El… like a really big gift.

Elliot: Oh yeah?! Lemme see!!

Olivia sent Elliot a photo of the Xbox One and games that she had snapped earlier in the day.

Elliot: ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS!? IS THAT THE NEW XBOX? MARRY BLONDIE IMMEDIATELY.

Olivia: Yes sir it is!! And calm down, tiger. Too soon to be talking marriage lol.

Elliot: Yo, I call dibs when you come back. We gotta tear up COD. You played anything yet?

Olivia: Yeah, me and Alex played for a bit. She's fucking hilarious when she plays, lmao. She's so bad but she's so cute. She tries so hard and gets so angry when she dies lol.

Elliot: What?? You got Blondie to play with you?! Kathy never plays with me… Liv, seriously. Marry her.

Olivia: Shut up El lol.

Elliot: I'm serious. But also, she's going to get her ass kicked by me when we play. I won't take it easy on her.

Olivia: Neither do I! You don't have to. She's a noob LOL.

"I'm a what?" Alex whispered, looking down at Olivia's last text.

Olivia, panicking, locked her phone and cleared her throat. "Nothing, babe."

"No, no, no. I saw that." Alex pulled out her phone and searched the word, reading the result in her head.

A person who is inexperienced in a particular activity, especially computing or gaming.

"Well, at least it's not insulting," Alex sneered, leaning up to give Olivia's cheek a kiss. "I guess you'll just have to teach me so I can get better. I wanna crush Elliot, the little bug…"

Olivia chuckled. "We'll have to do a lot of training, Alex. It could take years."

"Fine by me. I could definitely spend years with you." Alex looked into Olivia's eyes and smiled before giving her a soft kiss, before feeling her mother's hand smack her shoulder. Turning her head, she looked at her mom with her eyebrows raised.

"Watch the movie," Rosemary said, pointing to the TV. "You two can do that later in your room."

Alex smirked at her mother. "You mean we can sleep in the same room?"

Rosemary shrugged her shoulders. "It's Christmas. Don't say I never did anything for you."

Alex smiled at her mother before returning back to Olivia's embrace, focusing on the rest of the movie with her family.

This has been one of the best Christmases I've ever had.

Little did Alex know, Olivia was thinking the exact same thing as she held her girlfriend tightly in her arms.