Fic: Aftershocks Part 3.1
She watched from the doorway as Alexandra climbed from the car followed by two young ladies and then finally Olivia. She took a hard look at the woman she had recently accepted as a daughter in law. She always wanted Alexandra to be happy but Jane never thought it would be with a woman. Especially a woman like Olivia Benson.
It hadn’t taken her long to accept Olivia like she had never accepted the men in her daughter's life. It was easy to tell that Olivia loved Alexandra and would die before letting anything or anyone hurt her. It was everything Jane had ever wanted for her daughter.
It may have been the limp, Jane decided. Olivia didn’t have her usually swagger. Jane smiled for all four of them then moved to hug Olivia first.
"Easy Mom. She's hurt," Alexandra said protectively. Jane threw her daughter a look that made the younger Cabot cringe.
"Stay high and you'll be fine," Olivia, said her arms open for an embrace.
They had just finished introducing the girls when the Stabler minivan rolled to a stop behind Alex's car. There were more introductions then the group from the city followed Jane into the house. She decided that the back sitting room would fit them nicely. When they arrived at the doorway Elliot followed Olivia down the hall so they could change from the fancy dress uniforms they wore.
After removing the dress uniform and replacing it with loose fitting slacks and a button down shirt Olivia found Elliot waiting in the hallway. He was examining a work of art by an artist neither of them had heard of. Elliot turned and looked at his partner then back to the painting.
"Some place," he commented. Olivia nodded and motioned to the spiral staircase at the end of the hall.
"You should see the upstairs," she told him and he grinned a little at her comfort level.
"I never pictured you at ease in a place like this," he said.
"Calling me low rent, Stabler?" Olivia asked lightly.
"No but this place is bleeding money," he replied.
"Not really. It's… Alex's family is great and I've never felt out of place."
"How's the ankle?" He asked as they started down the hall.
"How's the shoulder?" She replied.
"Hurts like Hell," he muttered. She nodded knowing she was one of the few people he would admit that too.
"Ankle's the same," she replied returning the favor.
They stood and he followed her down the hall with a comment of, "Don't fall cause you know I can't catch you." He noticed the limp become lesser as they entered the room where their families were waiting.
To Olivia's non-surprise Alex had an Ace bandage in her hand. She motioned to an empty chair and Olivia sat without comment. Elliot snickered softly until he saw Kathy holding his sling.
"My ankle's fine, Alex," Olivia objected taking the tan colored roll from the lawyer.
"Young man I do believe I need a hand with something. Can you help me?" Jane asked Dickie. Alex watched the two of them leave the room naturally suspicious of her mother. She took the bandage from Olivia and knelt down in front of her.
Elliot put allowed Kathy to put his sling on and then he kissed her. He hated the damn thing but he would wear it for her. Temporarily.
"We need an ice pack," Alex said and Olivia shook her head.
"It's fine," she objected.
"Your ankle looks like a grapefruit. Your crutches are in the trunk. I'll…"
"Alex. It's fine," Olivia said more firmly.
Alex looked up from where she was kneeling. Olivia saw first the anger then the resignation. Olivia noted that Alex's hands were trembling.
Christ, Benson, she's doing the only thing she can for you. Quit being an ass, Olivia thought. Olivia took Alex's hand and squeezed it causing Alex to look up directly at her.
"Olivia. Alexandra. May I get something for you?" A voice asked and Alex snapped back to reality. She was still unused to being able to have a conversation without speaking.
"Good afternoon, Harriet. We could use an ice pack. Thank you," Olivia replied her eyes still on Alex who looked on the verge of tears.
"Of course. Would anyone like something besides tea or lemonade?" Harriet asked. After receiving a negative response, the long time Cabot housekeeper patted Olivia on the shoulder and said, "It's good to see you Detective."
"Hey El can you get me a lemonade?" Olivia asked giving Alex the time to pull herself back together.
"Your hands broken?" Elliot asked moving towards the tray.
"No but I'm afraid if I get up Alex might duct tape me to the chair," Olivia replied getting a small smile from Alex.
"She'd use rope, Olivia. Duct tape is too mundane for a Cabot," Jane said as she and Dickie came back into the room. The young boy was carrying a rather large ottoman, which he sat next to Alex.
"Thank you, Dickie. Now Olivia can rest her foot on the ottoman," Jane said. Elliot handed Olivia her drink and muttered that she was out numbered. Olivia agreed as she lifted her leg and allowed Alex to fuss a bit more.
"Why's it called an ottoman? It's just a footstool," Dickie asked.
"If they give it a fancy name then people will pay more for it," Jane told him. Dickie grinned.
"I'm going to rename all the furniture and sell it," he told them.
"Start with the stuff in your room," Kathy replied dryly.
Alex handed Kathleen her car keys and asked, "If I ask you to go get Olivia's crutches you promise to not take my car for a joy ride?"
"No," Kathleen said taking the keys. Alex shook her head as Kathleen skipped away with Dickie trailing after.
"At least she's honest," Olivia said as Alex examined her ankle more closely.
"I think you need a doctor," Alex said careful to not touch the swelling and bruise.
"Let's ice it and see how it goes," Olivia replied. She watched Harriet nudge Alex out of the way and examine the injury herself. She tensed as Harriet positioned the ice pack and began to wrap her ankle.
"I can't tell you how many times I had to bandage up Victoria and Alexandra," Harriet commented as she efficiently wrapped Olivia's ankle. Seeing Olivia's expression she continued, "With Victoria it was sports injuries. Soccer, basketball, softball. She even hurt herself playing croquet once. Though I think Alexandra may have had something to do with that injury. Alexandra on the other hand couldn’t seem to figure out how to ride a bicycle. I'm surprised she doesn’t have scars."
She does, Olivia thought remembering the scar on Alex's left hip. Harriet gently put her injured ankle down and let Alex move back to Olivia's side.
"Thank you," Olivia said motioning to foot.
"You can't ride a bike? No balance?" Elliot asked.
"I'd like to see you walk in these shoes," Alex told him. He looked down and grinned.
"They don't match my belt," he said with a smirk.
The group sat and chatted while they waited for dinner. Jane and Kathleen shared an affinity for art. Jane was delighted to have someone to speak with and gave Kathleen a tour of the house showing off her collection. The twins, having no interest in art, went along. Elizabeth wanted to ask Jane questions about Alex and Dickie just wanted to get away from his parents.
Elliot took a seat near Olivia and they began a quiet discussion. Kathy, Maureen and Alex were far enough away they couldn’t hear what was being said and remained that way.
"It's hard being a cops wife," Kathy commented quietly as they watched the two detectives. Alex nodded even though she didn’t consider Olivia to be her wife.
"I never knew how much I would worry. I mean I know Olivia can take care of herself and God knows I trust Elliot to watch her back but…"
"It's the but that will drive you mad. Even if they weren’t cops they could have been there," Kathy pointed out.
"I've considered that. I've had lunch in that diner so many times," Alex replied.
"It's where we would meet Dad when he's working Saturdays," Maureen told her.
"I told Elliot I was pregnant with the twins in the booth they were sitting in." Kathy said with a sad smile.
"How… How do you cope? " Alex asked.
"I do denial pretty well," Kathy said wryly with Maureen nodding her agreement. Seeing Alex's expression Kathy continued, "If I don’t think about it then it I don’t worry about him."
"How's that working?" Alex asked.
"Just fine until I opened the door and John Munch was standing there looking like his dog died."
Alex couldn’t help it. She laughed which caused Kathy to break up too. Maureen stared at them failing to see the humor.
"I was in court questioning a witness and turned around to see Fin. He was shaking," Alex mused shaking off the semi hysterical laughter.
"Hard to imagine. Or not," Kathy replied.
"Or not," Alex repeated.
"There's a group of us that get together once and a while. Families of officers. You should come," Kathy suggested but Alex shook her head.
"We're not that out."
Maureen considered it for a moment then said, "That must really suck."
"The consequences professionally could be devastating," Alex replied. She sighed, "And yes it really sucks."
"Well if you ever need to talk you know where to find me," Kathy offered.
Alexandra Cabot, always independent and self reliant, took a steadying breath. "Thank you."