RATING: PG
SPOILERS: None.
PAIRING: A/O
SUMMARY: Kennedy starts Kindergarten and one of his mommies has a hard time with that.
“Liv….Liv….wake- up!”
The brunette was jarred from her deep sleep by Alex shaking her and calling her name.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“It’s Kennedy.”
More awake, Olivia was struggling to untangle herself from the sheets.
“What’s wrong? Is he sick? Missing?” Her brain was trying to process too many things at once, and getting nowhere.
“No.”
Olivia stopped what she was doing and looking confused, she shook her head. “Then what’s wrong?
“He starts kindergarten tomorrow.”
Olivia tried to calm her pounding heart down. Taking a deep breath, she crawled back into bed and sat looking at Alex.
“Ok.”
“Ok? Just Ok? Liv, he’s starting school tomorrow. He’s not going to be a little boy anymore. He’s growing up.”
“Alex, sweetie, that’s what kids do; they grow-up.”
Alex’s face crumpled and tears began to fall as she sobbed, “I know…but he’s…he’s my ba-ba-baby.”
Olivia pulled Alex to her and held the blonde while she cried. As she rubbed her lover’s back, the younger woman began to calm down. Olivia bent and kissed her, trying to take it a bit deeper, but Alex stopped her.
“What sweetie?”
“How can you think about sex at a time like this?” Alex wailed. “Our baby, my baby is going out into the world where he can get hurt!”
Alex was close the shrieking and Sydney began to, Clarence came trotting down the hall barking and soon Kennedy was standing in the doorway rubbing his eyes and holding his Pooh.
“What’s wrong Mommy? Why you cryin’?”
Upon seeing her son standing in the doorway, Alex began crying all over again. Olivia detached herself from Alex, scooped up Sydney and took Kennedy by the hand. On the way back to the bed, she shushed Clarence.
“Mommy’s just a little…sad right now. How would you like to sleep in here tonight?”
She settled Kennedy in next to Alex, who was holding him for dear life. She started to put Sydney back in her crib, but Alex stopped her. The six month old was big enough to safely sleep between her mommies as long as she slept on a pillow.
Looking at the ever shrinking queen size bed, Olivia managed to find some space on the edge. Just as she got situated, Clarence jumped up and squeezed between Olivia and Sydney. Sighing, she tried to go to sleep.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Mom-O! Mom-O! Get up! It’s my first day of school and I don’t wanna be late.”
Olivia groaned as she rolled over and say two sets of blue and one set of brown eyes looking at her.
“Yeah Mom-O, he doesn’t want to be late.”
Olivia glared at an obviously calmed Alex. Rubbing her stiff neck, she glared at Alex as she made her way to the bathroom.
They finally made it to school after Alex had insisted on taking at least a dozen pictures of Kennedy in his shorts, shirt, book bag and sneakers. They’d made his picture with each other, Sydney , Clarence and then after several miscues by the self timer, one of the entire family.
They walked Alex to his classroom, bumping into Serena and Jenny, who were bringing Sophie to school. Serena looked like she was ready to give birth any minute and was cursing the heat. Sophie was technically a year older than Kennedy, but her birthday fell after the cut-off date, so she was in his class grade wise.
Kennedy and Sophie were happy to be in each other’s class and with their mother’s forgotten, they ran into the classroom in search of their seats.
All four mothers watched them, with Alex and Jenny tearing up, Serena fanning herself and Olivia wondering what all the fuss was about.
XXXXXXXXXXX
“Kennedy get off to school ok Liv?”
“Yeah.”
“How’s Alex?”
“How’d you know Alex had a hard time?”
“I’ve got four kids. Kathy cried a river when Maureen started school. Most mother’s do on the first one.”
“Oh she bawled all right. Woke me from a deep sleep, piled all the kids and the dog into the bed and teared up again this morning. At least it’s over with now.”
Elliot laughed. “Whatever you say Liv.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’ll see.”
Before they could discuss it further, they got a call.
XXXXXXXXXXX
“Kennedy, Alex, I’m home!”
Alex came running toward her at record speed and launched into her arms.
“Mom-O!”
“Hey Co-Counsel, how was school?”
She walked into the kitchen with him as he jabbered on about his day. Alex gave her a big kiss, seemingly recovered from the trauma of Kennedy starting school.
They listened as Kennedy talked a mile a minute about his day and what all they were going to do this year. Alex and Olivia exchanged smiles several times.
The good mood came to a halting stop as Kennedy announced, “I want a hair-cut.”
“Baby, you just got a haircut last week.”
“No, I want a big boy haircut.”
Alex looked at Olivia, confused. “What’s a big boy hair cut Kennedy?”
“You know, not one that looks like a bowl!”
Olivia was trying hard not to laugh at the horrified look on Alex’s face.
“But Kennedy, that’s the way your hair has always been cut.”
“I know, but none of the other boy’s hair is cut this way.”
“Oliver Kennedy Cabot-Benson, that is not the truth! I saw several boy’s with hair cut like yours.”
Kennedy ducked his head. “We got laughed at by the boy’s with real hair-cut’s Mommy. Can I please get a hair-cut? At a barber shop like the other boy’s?”
Alex began to cry as she sputtered, “They laughed at you?”
“Alex.”
Ignoring Olivia, Alex tore up the steps and slammed the bedroom door shut behind her.
“What’s wrong with Mommy, Mom-O?”
Rubbing his head she replied, “She’s just got growing pains.”
After calming Alex down and convincing her that going to the school and demanding the names of the boys who had laughed at Kennedy would be a really bad idea, they agreed that Kennedy could get a “real” hair cut.
“I’ll ask Munch where he gets his hair cut, ok?”
“Munch? Not Elliot?”
“Have you looked at Elliot’s hair? It’s pretty much a modified buzz cut. Fin doesn’t get hair cuts, Cragen is bald, so that leaves Munch.”
“Oh.” Alex began to tear up again and Olivia pulled her into a hug. “Liv, what do you think will change next?”
“Huh?”
“With Kennedy? He’s out in the world now. Our safe little world won’t be enough for him now.”
Olivia was glad Alex couldn’t see her rolling her eyes. “Alex, he’s been in pre-school since he was a baby. It’s not like he’s been locked up in a room for the last five years.”
Alex pulled away from Olivia and struggled to sit up.
“Olivia! He was with the same kids for most of those five years. Now he’s with a whole new group of kids. New surroundings.”
Olivia moved toward Alex and gently pressed her back against the bed. Kissing her jaw line she whispered, “He’s in private school Alex, it’s not like he’s in any real danger.” She punctuated the point by taking the blonde’s nipple in her mouth. Alex hissed at the contact. “You have to trust how we’ve raised him so far Alex.” Olivia began trailing kisses down Alex’s body and smiled when her wife spread her legs. Dipping her tongue into the blonde, she went to work trying to satisfy her wife.
As they lay in a sweaty heap afterwards, Alex piped up with, “Don’t think I’ve forgiven you just because you’re good in bed.”
Olivia smiled against her shoulder and they drifted off to sleep.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Hey Munch, come here for a second, would ya?”
After pouring his morning tea and adding a spot of honey, he made his way to Olivia’s desk.
“What can I do for you Benson?”
“I need to know where you get your hair cut.”
Munch ran his hand over his hair and raised an eyebrow.
“Something wrong with my hair?”
“No. Kennedy wants a ‘big boy’ haircut. He wants to go to a barber shop.” She shrugged her shoulders.
Overhearing them, Elliot joined the conversation.
“What about my barber Liv?”
Before she could answer, Munch jumped in with, “The kid wants a haircut Elliot, not a weed whacker job!”
Elliot ran his hands over his hair and looked offended. “Is that true?”
“Uh, kinda.”
“I go to Mr. Bonet’s Salon for Men. I would be happy to make a referral for Kennedy.”
Elliot and Olivia said, “Referral?” at the same time.
“Mr. Bonet has an exclusive clientele and unlike Elliot’s House of Hair Horrors, you can’t just pop in. I assume we will need to do this on a Saturday?”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Alex, Olivia, Kennedy and Sydney stood outside the “hair salon for men” and waited on Munch.
“I’m not so sure about this Olivia.”
Before they could discuss it further, Munch came up.
“Ah, ladies and young Master Kennedy. Come, let’s go inside and get this young man a ‘big boy’ haircut.”
The lobby of Mr. Bonet’s Salon for Men was ornate and some how seemed to fit Munch. They didn’t have to wait long before Mr. Bonet personally greeted Munch and turned his attention to Kennedy.
“Master Kennedy, I understand you are in need of a haircut more fitting a young man of your stature?”
Kennedy looked up at him and muttered, “Huh?”
“He’s going to give you a haircut Kennedy.” Munch held his hand out to the child.
Munch, Kennedy and Mr. Bonet turned to go into the salon when Alex spoke up.
“Where are you going? I won’t allow you to cut one piece of my son’s hair unless I am there!” For once, Olivia had to agree with Alex. Some of the photos of Mr. Bonet’s clients had very strange haircut’s.
Munch waved for them to follow.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Kennedy was situated on the booster seat in the barber chair and sat patiently while his mommies, Munch and Mr. Bonet bickered over an appropriate hair style. After deciding on something suitable, Mr. Bonet shooed them away from his work area.
“Would you like a shave Master Kennedy?”
Before Alex could launch into a tirade, Mr. Bonet shot her a dismissive glance. “I’m only going to give him a warm towel treatment, Mother.”
Olivia thought the way he said mother was slightly condescending, but kept her mouth shut. She took Alex’s hand as Mr. Bonet removed the warm towels from Kennedy’s face and started snipping away the bowl haircut. Olivia noticed Alex flinched each time blocks of hair fell to the ground.
After what seemed like an eternity to Alex, Mr. Bonet swirled Kennedy around in the chair.
“Well?”
Olivia, Alex and Sydney all looked at Kennedy. His wavy hair had been cut short on his sides and just enough left on top to give him some waves. He looked adorable.
Olivia heaved yet another sigh as Alex began to cry.
TWO WEEKS LATER
Alex had gotten over most of her weepiness and had even volunteered to be room mother. Olivia was glad to see her life getting back to normal. Alex had endured some good natured ribbing about her teary exploits; however, she did request that Olivia make it up to her.
Olivia slipped out of the harness and threw it to the floor as she made her way back to Alex’s mouth.
“You know baby, we could make fun of you more often if it means love making like this.”
Alex kissed her hard and flipped Olivia beneath her, catching the detective by surprise. With a sly smile, she went to work on her wife.
Afterwards, Olivia was lecturing Alex on how Kennedy would soon start to exert some independence and how Alex was just going to have to accept that.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
“Mommy! Mommy! Look at what I drawed! I made it for Mom-O. You think she’ll like it?”
Alex took the piece of artwork and looked it over. The drawing was of Kennedy and Olivia “practicing” their place kicking.
“This is really good baby. I’m sure Mom-O will love it.”
Settling into his booster seat, Kennedy smiled and reached over to touch Sydney ’s face.
“Hey Sitney. Did you have a good day today?”
Alex smiled upon hearing her son talking to his sister. Kennedy was very gentle with Sidney and always asked how her day had gone. The six month olds eyes would always light up whenever her got into the car. She’d usually jabber right back at him, as if trying to answer his questions.
As Alex made her way through traffic, she listened while Kennedy went through his day and laughed as he told her about a milk through the nose incident during lunch.
“Mommy? Guess what we played during P.E. today?”
Opening the door to the loft she asked, “What?”
Kennedy shut the door behind them and shouted, “Soccer!”
Alex had put Sydney in her bouncy seat and was getting everything out to make dinner. She was half listening to Kennedy until he said the next part.
“And I wanna sign-up to play soccer! I’m good at kickin’ it!”
Alex stopped adding the ingredients to her soup and looked at Kennedy.
“You what?”
“Mommy, wasn’t you listen’ to me I wanna play soccer!”
“Mommy was listening Kennedy, but I just wanted to make sure I heard you. I thought you and Mom-O were going to sign you up for football? That grasshopper league or whatever it was.”
Kennedy laughed. “It’s grass-cutter Mommy and I’d rather play soccer.” Thinking about what Alex had just said and his Mom-O, Kennedy asked, “You think it’ll be ok with Mom-O?”
Smiling to herself, Alex hugged and kissed Kennedy on top of his head.
“Oh, I’m quite certain she’ll be just fine with it Kennedy.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Olivia sat patiently listening to Kennedy rattle on about his day while she ate. Alex was feeding Sydney in between eating her own food.
“Kennedy, why don’t you tell Mom-O what you’ve been playing in P.E.?”
“Yeah! Mom-O, we been playing soccer and I like it!”
“You do? Well that’s great Kennedy.”
“An’ I wanna play soccer instead a playin’ football.”
Olivia dropped her fork and with an open mouth she turned to look at Alex who was intently staring at Sydney .
“Kennedy, I thought you liked football? That you wanted to play football?”
“I do like it, but all my friends are gonna play soccer.”
Olivia considered her words very carefully. “Kennedy, it’s…ok, if you don’t want to play football, but do you always want to do what everybody else is doing?”
“Huh?” Kennedy looked confused.
“Kennedy, why don’t you go upstairs and run your bath water, ok?”
Looking at Alex, he nodded and did as told.
“Soccer?”
“Olivia, it’s just a game.”
“Just a game? It’s soccer! That’s not even a real sport!”
“Let’s table this discussion until after the kiddies are in bed.”
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Alex joined Olivia in bed and accepted the older woman into her arms.
“He wants to play soccer Alex. Not football.”
“Liv, it’s just a game and it’s just a season.”
“But Alex, what if he likes it and never wants to play football?”
“Liv, you’re over reacting. It’s just a game.”
“Alex, it’s not just a game, it’s…it’s…”
Alex realized Olivia was sniffling. “Are you crying?”
“No.” But even Olivia could hear the tears in her own voice.
“What’s wrong Olivia?”
“Well…kicking footballs almost every night…that’s, that’s my time with Kennedy. Our special time. Just me and him, and now that’s going to be gone.”
“No, it won’t.”
“Yes it will!”
“Liv, weren’t you the one who said he was going to gain independence?”
“Yes, but I didn’t mean this!”
“Liv, he’s getting older and it’s not like we’ve kept him locked in a room these last five years. His world is expanding.”
Olivia raised her head and glared at Alex.
“That’s pretty low Alex, using my own words against me!”
“You married an attorney, what else did you expect?”
“Love, compassion, understanding.”
“Oh, you mean like you gave me?”
“That was different!”
“Mmmmhmmm.”
“It was!” You were just worried about his hair! I’m talking about his future!”
Olivia was quickly silenced by Alex’s mouth on hers.
After making love, they lay together. Olivia was almost asleep when Alex said, “Just think Liv, instead of Mike VanderJaqkt, maybe he’ll be David Beckham.”
Olivia groaned and they slept.
::