Karlie absentmindedly stuck her hand in her purse, suppressing a smile as she felt soft fur rub against it. The kitten inside meowed; Karlie shushed her. "You're supposed to be a surprise for Taylor," she explained patiently.
When the kitten meowed again, Karlie sighed in surrender. "Whatever. Keep meowing."
She kept digging in her purse until she felt cold, hard metal, and fished out the key to her girlfriend's apartment. She smiled to herself as she stuck the key into the keyhole, and twisted until she heard a satisfying click. The door swung open, and Karlie stepped into the cool, air conditioned room.
Something clattered in the kitchen, followed by muttered cussing.
"Taylor?" Karlie called, slipping off her shoes. "Are you okay?"
Something clattered again, this time louder. "Karlie!" Loud, thumping footsteps began running towards her. "You're back!"
Before Karlie could even blink, Taylor had thrown her long arms around her neck, squeezing her in a tight embrace. "I missed youuu!"
Karlie pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, resting her hands on Taylor's waist. "I missed you, too, baby."
"Karlie, I was so scared you were going to cancel on me last minute, like last time," Taylor said, a dramatic expression on her face.
Karlie frowned indignantly, pulling away. "Excuse me? You were the one who cancelled."
Taylor rolled her eyes, waving her hand flippantly. "Details, details. I was trying to cook before you came, do you want to join? Or are you tired from the flight?"
"I'll come," Karlie said quickly, enthusiastically following Taylor into the kitchen, where a bowl was lying on the floor.
"I dropped it when I heard you enter," Taylor explained, bending down to pick it up and lower it into the sink.
"I know," Karlie replied. "I heard."
"You have that special effect on me, you know," Taylor continued with a smirk.
"Smooth," Karlie commented dryly, wrapping her arms around Taylor and planting a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"Thanks," Taylor said, suddenly sounding breathless at Karlie's touch.
Taylor turned so they were face-to-face, mouth parted, and Karlie grinned as she leaned in to kiss her; her lips tasted like frosting- had she been baking some sort of cake? Cupcakes, maybe?
Karlie pulled away. "I missed doing that."
"Same."
"So, Taylor, there's something important we need to do," Karlie started.
Taylor's body tensed up against hers, and Karlie reached a protective arm around her shoulder.
"It's okay, relax," she murmured, kneeling down onto the kitchen tiles.
Taylor nodded, dropping down beside her, letting out a deep exhale, her back slumping a little. "What?"
Karlie stared down at her feet, face reddening, her smile bashful. "I got you something from my business trip. Um, I thought you'd like her."
"Her?" Taylor questioned.
Karlie nodded, reaching into her purse, and pulling out a small, white kitten, and raising her to Taylor's eye level.
Taylor let out a squeal, first accepting the kitten into her arms, then hooking her free arm around Karlie. "I can't believe you got me a kitten!" she shrieked, the smile on her face spreading contagiously to Karlie's face.
"You like her?" Karlie quietly asked for affirmation.
"No," Taylor deadpanned. "I love her."
Karlie grinned petting the kitten with her long, slender fingers. "You do?"
Taylor must have mistaken her nervous excitement for envy, because she leaned up to kiss Karlie's nose, and whispered, "You don't have to be jealous, Karlie."
"I'm not jealous!" Karlie protested loudly.
Taylor laughed, crossing her legs. "Sure."
She let the kitten onto the floor, blowing kisses at her as she stumbled around on her paws. "Isn't she the absolute cutest? Look at her!"
Karlie chuckled, wrapping her arms around Taylor and leaning her head on her shoulder. "I know."
Taylor reached for the kitten, absently petting her head. "Do you want to go out for dinner tonight? I was going to cook, but I kind of want to play with her instead now. I wanted to take you out tomorrow, but... wait, you're staying til at least tomorrow right?" Her eyes were hopeful.
"Yeah, I'm planning on staying for a while, if you don't mind."
"If I don't mind?" Taylor repeated incredulously. "Of course I don't mind!"
Karlie grinned at Taylor's offended tone. "Okay, okay, I get it. You love me."
"I do," Taylor agreed.
"And I, you," Karlie added, pressing her lips to Taylor's neck, smirking at the small shiver it caused. "Are you going to name her?"
"Yeah," Taylor said without skipping a beat. "Detective Olivia Benson."
Karlie snorted. "Like in Law & Order?"
"Yep." Taylor grinned, nuzzling Olivia's head. "Olivia."
"Olivia," Karlie repeated.
"You're okay with that, right?" Taylor asked. "I, you know, this is our daughter. You should have a say in this, too."
Karlie's eyes widened, her jaw dropped at our daughter. She struggled to regain her composure, her face bright pink. She closed her mouth. "No, yeah, I'm completely fine with it," she stammered, still in shock.
Oblivious to Karlie's flustered state, Taylor nodded. "Okay. Olivia it is."
Karlie smiled to herself. Our daughter.
