“I feel so…fresh,” Alex said as they walked out of the spa.

 

Olivia grinned.  “Me, too!  Maybe for prom we can get eucalyptus wraps.”

 

Alex laughed.  “You’re really into this whole spa thing.  I like that.”

 

“What can I say?  You bring out the best in me,” Olivia replied.

 

Alex unlocked her car so they could get in.  “How do you want your hair?”

 

Olivia shrugged.  “I don’t really know.  Something pretty.  What about yours?”

 

“Well, I was thinking half-up, half-down.  Half swept up into these tight barrel curls and the rest down in more loose curls.  Then I could get some spiral strands in the front.  I think your hair would look really pretty with some soft curls and some tiny Swarovski crystal pieces.  We can get matching ones.”

 

Olivia laughed.  “You’re obsessed with those!”

 

“Speaking of which, let’s go look at my cake!  We have some time to spare before we go to the salon.”

 

“Sounds good to me,” Olivia replied.

 

When they arrived, Olivia rushed around to open the driver side door for Alex.  Alex laughed and protested, “Liv!  Whoever heard of anyone opening the driver side door for their girl?”

 

“I am completely at your service today,” Olivia told Alex, taking her hand and helping her out of the vehicle.

 

Alex smiled.  “Liv, that’s sweet, but I can do things for myself.”

 

“But I wanna take care of you,” Olivia pouted, stroking her stomach with a finger.

 

“Baby, you already do.  But you’re not my servant.  You’re my girlfriend,” Alex responded, placing a hand on her cheek.

 

Olivia placed her hand over Alex’s.  “I’m proud to be your girl.”  She linked her arm through Alex’s and they walked inside the confectionery.

 

“Hey, Susie.  Is my cake ready yet?” Alex asked, rubbing her hands together expectantly.

 

“You’re in luck, Alex.  We just finished decorating 5 minutes ago.  Follow me,” Susie, the owner of the confectionery, instructed.  She led them to a room in back and took off her apron.

 

Alex beamed with delight.  Gold buttercream frosting adorned the cake.  Milk chocolate Kahlua truffles circled the bottom of each tier.  A Swarovski crystal “16” graced the very top.  Each tier had a fondant and marzipan scene from 1001 Arabian Nights etched across it.  The bottom tier featured Scheherazade, the second tier featured Princess Badoura and the King of China, the third tier featured Zobeide, and the very top tier featured The Enchanted Horse.  The jewelry on the characters’ bodies was made from Swarovski crystals, silver, and Bedouin amber and blue agate gemstones. 

 

“Wow…the people look so lifelike,” Olivia murmured.  “And their costumes are so colorful.”

 

“Don’t they?” Alex asked, turning to her.  “It looks so yummy I just wish I could eat a piece right now!”

 

“Don’t drool, sweetheart,” Olivia teased. 

 

“I know it’s gonna be so good.  Inside it’s a chocolate and vanilla checkerboard design.”

 

Olivia grinned.  “Best of both worlds, huh?”

 

“It gets better.  There’s strawberry and chocolate ganache filling between the layers,” Alex continued.

 

Olivia licked her lips.  “Ok, now you’re making me crave some, too.”

 

“Mmm…I know.  And we can feed each other cake, too!” Alex said excitedly. 

 

“Just as long as you promise not to smear it all over my face!”

 

Alex gave her a look.  “Liv, you know I wouldn’t do that.”  She grinned from ear to ear.  “I’m totally saving that for our wedding day!”

 

Olivia smiled.  “You would.”

 

Susie looked from one girl to the other with a curious smile but didn’t say anything.  The gravity of what she’d just said dawned on Alex, but she kept her face expressionless.  Olivia’s face didn’t reveal anything either.

 

Straightening her shoulders, Alex said, “Well, thanks, Susie.  The cake looks unbelievable.  Fantastic job.”

 

“Any last minute details you’d like to change or add?” Susie asked.

 

Alex walked around the cake and gave it a thorough once-over again.  “Nope.  Everything’s perfect.”

 

Susie smiled.  “Great.  We’ll deliver it around 7:30.”

 

“Sounds good.  See you later,” Alex said.

 

“Bye,” Olivia said with a quick wave.

 

“Shit,” Alex muttered as they left the bakery.  “You don’t think Susie is gonna say anything to my parents, do you?”

 

Olivia shook her head.  “Nah.  She probably thought we were just messing around.”

 

“Good.  I don’t know how Dad is gonna react to his only daughter being gay, but if it’s bad, the last day I want it to happen on is my birthday.”

 

Olivia sighed.  “Yeah, we do need to be more careful.  But everything we do is so natural.”

 

“Definitely.  I don’t even think before kissing you or grabbing your hand,” Alex replied.

 

“Well, in the summer, it will be easier cuz we won’t have school and we won’t be at home as much.”

 

“I can’t wait until this summer.  We can both get jobs!”

 

Olivia raised her eyebrows.  “Wow.  Alex Cabot working?”

 

Alex rolled her eyes.  “Yes.  I think it would be nice if we both got a job together.”

 

Olivia chuckled.  “Where?  Hustler Hollywood?”

 

“We’re both too young to work there, Liv,” Alex said matter-of-factly.  “Besides, I don’t wanna be surrounded by sex toys all day long.”

 

“Well, I guess we could be lifeguards at the beach,” Olivia suggested.

 

“That would be cool,” Alex agreed.

 

“Yeah.  It would also give me time to surf.  I started taking up surfing a couple summers ago.  I guess I’m all right, but I’d like to get better.”

 

Alex grinned.  “Really?  I didn’t know you could surf!”

 

“Yeah.  A friend started teaching me.  Maybe I could teach you a couple moves.”

 

“That sounds great!  I’ve never tried surfing but it sure does look fun.  Maybe we could get a head start during Spring Break.”

 

Olivia smiled.  “Sure.”

 

Halfway through the drive to the salon, Alex decided to bring up something that had been in the back of her mind since Olivia mentioned surfing.  “Hey, Liv…which friend taught you how to surf?”

 

Olivia turned to look at her curiously.  “Why?”

 

Alex shrugged and tried to sound casual.  “Just curious, that’s all.”

 

“You wanna know if it was a past love interest, don’t you?” Olivia asked with a slight chuckle.

 

Alex blushed crimson and busied herself with checking her mirrors before switching lanes.  “Um…I just wanted to know if…if…” she stammered.

 

“Don’t worry, babe.  We were just friends.  She lives outta town.  We never even kissed.  Besides, I think she’s straight,” Olivia replied.

 

“Was she hot?” Alex asked.

 

“She’s cute.  But Al, just because a chick is hot doesn’t mean I’m automatically interested in her.”

 

Alex frowned slightly.  “Is that present or past tense?”

 

Olivia rolled her eyes.  “You’re such a lawyer.”

 

“Well, I will be in about 10 years.  And you didn’t answer my question.”

 

Sighing, Olivia responded, “Both.  Before we were together, I didn’t wanna fuck any chick just cuz she was hot and now that we are together, I don’t wanna fuck any chick other than you, regardless of how hot she is.”

 

“Good answer,” Alex said.

 

“Well, it’s true,” Olivia retorted with slight annoyance in her voice.

 

“So seeing another girl’s tits doesn’t turn you on in the slightest?” Alex asked pointedly, throwing her a brief glance.

 

Olivia rolled her eyes again.  “Well…I didn’t say that…”

 

Alex’s mouth dropped open and she turned to Olivia again.  “What?”

 

“Watch the road, Alex—not me!” Olivia ordered.  “Geez!”

 

“I know how to drive a car, Liv!” Alex yelled.  “And stop dodging my questions.”

 

“Oh come on, Alex!  Don’t tell me that if you saw a hot naked girl it wouldn’t make you at least a little aroused.  Your nipples get hard just like mine when we watch girl-on-girl porn.”

 

Alex blushed.  “That’s because I start imagining us!”

 

“So then why do you think it’s any different for me?”

 

“I don’t know…” Alex responded honestly.

 

Olivia threw up her hands.  “Alex, I don’t lust after other chicks!  I can appreciate a nice set of tits or a nice ass but that’s as far as it goes.  How hard is that to understand?”

 

“So when you masturbate or fuck me, you’re not thinking of anyone else?”

 

Olivia groaned.  “No, Alex!”

 

“Do you masturbate more than we make love?”

 

“No, Alex.  What’s with all the questions?”

 

“I’m just curious, that’s all,” Alex snapped.  A hurt look flashed across Olivia’s face and she turned her head and looked out the window.  Feeling guilty, Alex placed her hand on Olivia’s knee and said in a softer tone, “I’m sorry for snapping at you, Liv.  I guess I still get jealous sometimes.  I know it’s annoying.”

 

Olivia sighed and turned to look at her again.  “Alex, you are the most gorgeous girl I’ve ever seen.  I’ve told you before—I’ve never desired anyone as much as I desire you.  Shit, I even used to masturbate about you before we got together.”

 

Alex grinned.  “Really?”

 

“Yes,” Olivia confirmed.  “Babe, what is this really about?”

 

“Liv…I know you only have eyes for me.  It’s just…there are gonna be all these really hot girls in bikinis at the beach and all.”

 

Olivia smiled.  “Just because I may look doesn’t mean I wanna touch.”

 

“As long as you aren’t looking at anyone else more than you look at me.”

 

“Deal.  As long as you promise me the same.”

 

“Deal,” Alex replied.

 

**************

 

Alex sprayed on some of the perfume Olivia had given her and then slid into her Badgley Mischka cocktail dress for her dinner party.  She turned around and looked in her floor-length mirror.  The sequined black dress ended a few inches above the knee.  “You don’t think this is too short, do you?” she asked Olivia.

 

Olivia pulled the halter to her own dress over her head and said, “No, baby.  It’s perfect.”

 

Alex turned to admire how perfectly Olivia’s dress hugged her curves.  The white, pleated chiffon dress ended right at the knee and offered a nice contrast with her dark brown curls.  “You look so beautiful, Liv.”

 

Olivia smiled.  “Thank you.”

 

“I love that our dresses are like polar opposites.  In some ways, they represent us.  Our differences perfectly complement each other.”

 

“I agree,” Olivia said, wrapping her arm around her shoulders and admiring how they looked in the mirror.

 

Alex pulled at the top of her dress to adjust it over her breasts.  “You don’t think my dress is gonna fall down, do you?” she asked Olivia.  She gave it another sharp tug.

 

Olivia smiled.  “No.  Your tits hold it up nicely.”

 

Alex grinned.  “My tits?”

 

“Yes, your tits,” Olivia laughed, placing her hands on Alex’s breasts.

 

“Can I touch yours?” Alex asked.

 

Olivia gave her a look.  “You know you don’t have to ask if you can touch my tits, sweetie.”

 

Alex happily reached out and squeezed her breasts.  “They’re always so soft.”  Olivia’s nipples perked against Alex’s hands.  Alex giggled and added, “Well, except for the pokies.”

 

Olivia grinned.  “Even this built-in bra isn’t a match for them.  They’re so excited it’s your birthday.”

 

“I bet they’re even more excited that they won’t be covered by nipple guards this time.”

 

Olivia playfully backed away from Alex.  “Hey, don’t remind them.  They hide at even the thought of those awful things.”  She shuddered.

 

“Come on, Liv.  Were they really that bad?”

 

“They’re weird!” Olivia replied.

 

Alex laughed.  “So are a lot of other things.”

 

Olivia pulled Alex close to her and nibbled her earlobe.  “Is this weird?”

 

Alex blushed.  “No…that feels good.”

 

Just then, a knock was heard.  Olivia quickly separated from Alex and opened the door.  Madeline handed a white box to Alex.  “What’s this?” Alex asked.

 

“Just open it, dear,” Madeline instructed.

 

Alex took the lid off the box and pulled out a diamond tiara.  “Oh, this is so beautiful, Mom.”

 

Madeline took the tiara out of her hands and placed it carefully on her head.  “It fits you gracefully.”

 

Olivia shook her head and laughed.  “See, I told you that you were such a princess!”

 

Madeline smiled.  “You both look very nice.  The makeup artists should be here in about 15 minutes, so I hope you girls are almost ready.”

 

“We are,” Alex replied.

 

Madeline nodded and turned to leave when Olivia called out, “Um, Madeline?”

 

Madeline turned back around.  “Yes, dear?”

 

Olivia went over and gave her a warm hug.  “Thank you for allowing me to have such an integral part in your daughter’s life.”

 

Madeline rubbed her back and responded, “You’re welcome.  You make her happy and in the end, that’s all that matters.”

 

“Aww, I love you, Mom!” Alex exclaimed, running over and wrapping her arms around Olivia and Madeline.

 

Madeline pulled back and gave both girls a kiss on the cheek.  “I’ll be downstairs.”

 

Olivia hugged Alex’s waist and said gratefully, “I’m so glad we have your mom’s support.”

 

“Me, too.  It’s such a weight lifted off our shoulders.”  She looked at the clock and continued, “Oh, shit!  I need to get my jewelry on.”

 

Olivia fastened the clasp of the Panthère de Cartier necklace at the back of Alex’s neck while Alex put on the diamond briolette drop earrings that her mother had let her borrow.  “They should have put a ‘fragile: handle with care’ sign on this,” Olivia joked.

 

“It’ll be ok.  Am I missing anything?” Alex asked.

 

“What about the little Panther bracelet your Mom brought up earlier?” Olivia reminded her.

 

Alex snapped her fingers and ran over to her dresser.  “Oh, yeah!  Thanks, Liv!  You’re a lifesaver!”

 

Olivia followed her and placed her hands on her bare shoulders.  “You look amazing, baby.”

 

Alex turned around in her arms and pressed her lips softly against hers.  “So do you.”  She walked over to her jewelry armoire and pulled out a small pair of diamond earrings.  “You can wear these if you’d like.”

 

Olivia took the earrings from her and put them on.  “Thank you.” 

 

“If there’s anything else you wanna wear, you’re welcome to it.  I bet some of my jewelry would look better on you than it does me!”

 

Olivia smiled but politely declined.  “That’s ok, sweetie.  These earrings are just fine.”

 

Alex swung her hair over her shoulder and grabbed her purse.  “Come on, let’s make another quick video before we go downstairs to wait on makeup.”

 

Olivia chuckled.  “Always up for a new entry in the video diaries of Alex Cabot, or as I like to dub them, ‘The Princess Diaries.’”

 

Alex shoved her shoulder.  “Hey, it’s not just me.  It’s the Alex and Olivia video diaries.”

 

“Are you gonna make little entries and send them to me at night?” Olivia teased.

 

Alex paused for a moment to ponder.  “Hmm…that’s a good idea!  They can be like little bedtime stories.”

 

Olivia gave a wicked grin.  “And we know how much I like bedtime stories…”

 

*************

 

About 45 minutes later, everyone was sitting around Alex’s living room and waiting on the limo driver to get there.  Alex had finished opening all her presents from her friends and was impatiently checking the grandfather clock.  “Ugh…when is he getting here?”

 

“Let me guess.  Someone’s tummy requires food?” Olivia teased.

 

“Well, I am getting hungry but I also don’t wanna be late!” Alex exclaimed.

 

Olivia placed her hand on her knee comfortingly.  “Babe, the food isn’t gonna sprout legs and take off before we arrive.  We have plenty of time.”

 

“Hey, I learned early on not to get between Alex and her food,” Serena teased.

 

Alex threw some wrapping paper at her.  “Cork it, Southerlyn.”

 

“Hey, Alex, do I get a dance tonight?” Elliot asked.

 

Everyone laughed when Olivia shot him daggers with her eyes.  “Yeah, after I get about 7 with her,” Olivia replied, tucking her arm around Alex’s waist.

 

“Hey, I wanna dance with Alex, too!” Casey added.

 

Serena laughed.  “By the time the night is over, Olivia will have kicked both your asses.”

 

“Yeah, I have no problem fighting in heels!” Olivia joked.

 

“Maybe we should warn Abbie,” Serena replied.

 

Alex gave her a stern look.  “She wouldn’t dare show up.”

 

“Not unless she wants me to rearrange her face,” Olivia added.

 

“Ok, girls,” Elliot interrupted.  “Happy thoughts tonight.”

 

“Ooh, speaking of happy thoughts, you guys have to see Olivia’s painting of me!” Alex exclaimed, hopping up from the sofa.

 

“I’ve seen it already, but I’ll play along,” Elliot said with a smile.

 

“Olivia is a woman of many talents,” Casey replied.

 

Alex turned to Olivia and smiled.  “That she is.”

 

Once in Alex’s room, all their friends marveled over the painting.  “Wow, Liv.  That is beyond amazing,” Casey said.

 

“I agree,” Serena added.  “If Casey ever made me something like that, I’d probably marry her.”

 

Casey turned to her and pretended to be offended.  “So you wouldn’t marry me unless I painted you?”

 

Serena laughed.  “Do you have a better offer?”

 

“Perhaps something could be arranged,” Casey responded.

 

“Liv, that’s seriously good enough to go in an art gallery or something,” Kathy complimented her.  She turned to Elliot and asked, “How come you’ve never painted me anything?”

 

Elliot chuckled.  “Well, I would if I could.”

 

Alex smiled at Olivia.  “Yep.  I’m a very lucky girl.”

 

Serena turned her attention to Alex’s laptop, which was on her bed.  “Wow, Alex!  Is this your new laptop?”

 

“Yep,” Alex replied, grinning proudly.

 

Serena and Casey jumped onto the bed and opened Alex’s laptop.  “This is so fucking awesome,” Serena gushed.  “I totally want one!”

 

“I agree,” Kathy said, taking a seat on Alex’s bed beside Serena.

 

Casey opened up iMovie and clicked on one of the videos.  “Whoa…what is this?” she asked, staring intently. 

 

Serena quickly grabbed the laptop to get a closer look.  “Alex, oh my…”

 

The blood drained from Alex and Olivia’s faces.  Elliot ran over to watch.  “Damn, Liv!  If you moaned any louder—”

 

“Knock it off, El!” Olivia barked, turning beet red.

 

“Guys, come on!” Alex shouted, trying to retrieve her laptop.  “That’s private!”

 

“Let us finish watching!” Serena insisted, moving it out of her reach.

 

Kathy watched as Olivia slid her hand under the elastic of Alex’s shorts while Alex slipped her hands under Olivia’s wife beater.  “Oh wow.  This is intense,” she observed.

 

“Yeah, there’s making out and then…there’s Alex and Olivia,” Casey teased.

 

“Oh, please!  There’s nothing wrong with that video!  It’s not like you can see anything!  All our clothes are on!” Olivia protested.

 

“Probably not for long,” Casey remarked.

 

“Shit, Alex.  You gotta be more careful.  If your parents find this—” Serena began.

 

“They won’t!” Alex snapped.  At that moment, the video ended and she quickly snatched her laptop out of Serena’s lap.

 

“So how often does this tongue fuck—I mean—tongue aerobics occur?” Casey teased.  Serena, Kathy, and Elliot snickered.

 

Olivia and Alex both turned to glare at her.  “Shut up!” they shouted together.

 

“I have to admit—that was pretty hot,” Elliot said.

 

“You know our teasing is all in good fun,” Serena said, rubbing Alex’s back.  “If that had been us, you’d be ripping on us until Christmas.”

 

“Or us,” Elliot pitched in.

 

Olivia grinned.  “Alex and I are just naturally smokin’ hot.”  She pulled Alex into her lap and placed a soft kiss on a bare shoulder.  Alex smiled and cuddled closer.

 

“How numb were your lips after that kiss?” Serena asked.

 

Alex rolled her eyes.  “Serena…”

 

“Ok, ok.  I’ll give you a break since it’s your birthday,” Serena conceded.

 

A few minutes later, Madeline and John came upstairs to tell them that Sam was driving them to the hotel.  “Make sure you lock up and turn the alarm system on,” Madeline said.

 

Alex sighed.  “Mom, I always do.”

 

“Sam will come inside to get your things.  Have you girls packed everything you’ll need?” John asked Alex and Olivia.

 

“Yes, sir,” Olivia responded.

 

“Yes, Daddy.  Our luggage is downstairs,” Alex said.

 

“Would you like for me to take your laptop?” Madeline offered.

 

Alex quickly shook her head.  “No, Mom.  I’ll bring it.”

 

“Ok, dear,” Madeline said, kissing her daughter on the cheek.  “We’ll see you at dinner.”

 

“Don’t forget your charger,” John added, kissing her as well.  He brushed a curl back from her face and continued, “I can’t believe my little girl has grown up.”

 

Alex smiled and squeezed her father tightly.  “Before you know it, I’ll be off to college.”

 

Her father pulled back and held his daughter at arm’s length to admire her.  “I am so proud of you, Alexandra.”

 

“Thanks, Daddy,” Alex replied softly.

 

After her parents left, Alex turned to the rest of them and said, “Well guys, it’s time to get this party started.”

 

“I agree,” Olivia replied.  She went over to get Alex’s laptop and tucked it under her arm.  “Gotta keep this baby away from prying eyes,” she continued, looking pointedly at Serena, Casey, Elliot, and Kathy.

 

Elliot laughed.  “Why?  Do you have anymore X-rated films on there?”

 

Olivia turned to smirk at him as they all walked down the stairs.  “Not for your eyes.”

 

In a few minutes, a black Hummer limo arrived outside to take them to the Ritz-Carlton.  Alex jumped up and squealed as she grabbed her purse.  “Finally!”  She sighed happily and turned to Olivia.  “I cannot believe this is becoming a reality.”

 

Olivia kissed her softly on the cheek and offered her arm.  “This is the stuff dreams are made of.”