𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗲

Birthday Cake.

Alex sighed as she signed the last file before closing it and putting it away, she had been promoted not long after Erin's death and was now section chief of BAU-1. But it seemed that she had only experienced the downsides of the job, Budget cuts, a kidnapping, Penelope was freezing her out and Aaron looked at her with much dislike. She felt like the villain,  even though she knew she wasn't. And her personal life wasn't much better, her birthday was nearing and she had no one to celebrate it with. James left her, Erin was dead and Olivia was stuck at work. It would be her first birthday alone since her mother's death.

 She snapped out of her pity party after someone knocked on the door. Alex ran her hands over her face before welcoming the person in. A loud "Come in!" sounded from the desk. The door opened and Alex was met by the sight of Olivia, who was glaring profusely at Aaron, who looked sheepishly at Alex. Asking for help, she sighed. "Liv, come in. And stop scaring agent Hotchner." she huffed out. "Yes, mother." was thrown back right at her, before Liv stomped past her and threw herself on the big sofa. "Thank you, Aaron." was all Alex said before closing the door and turning to Olivia, hands on her hips. "You should stop scaring the man, I do not want to deal with the paperwork if he dies of a heart attack." Liv chuckled, before saluting her mockingly. Alex sighed before seating herself next to Olivia. They had been friends since Erin's death. Olivia was Erin's sponsor from AA and the two had found comfort in one another. "So, Liv. How are you holding up" Asked Alex, Smiling softly at the younger woman? "Alexandra cut the bullshit. There are more important things going on right now." Liv stated a small glare with no real intent directed at Alex. "So we resorted to calling me by my full name now?" Alex asked rhetorically, raising an eyebrow. "You realize you look like her when you do that, right? But don't avoid the subject lady." Alex sighed, before nodding her head and standing up to pace around the room.

 "I- It's gonna be my first lonely birthday in 30 years. Without a birthday cake at that! I don't know what to do." Alex asked exasperated, threading her hands into the thick brown hair. Liv furrowed her brows at that, confused at why that was so important to the elder woman. "Why the birthday cake thing? You can buy one yourself?" Liv asked, genuinely confused. Alex sighed before sitting down, a tear rolling down her cheek. "Back- Back when we were young, Erin would bake a birthday cake for me. Even when we were fighting, she baked the cake and made sure it was delivered to our house. It was the most delicious thing I ever tasted. And now she is gone." came out in a croaked voice, before turning into a sob. Alex cuddled into a pillow, now a sobbing and wailing mess. "Oh darls, I- I remember now, it was the only thing that kept her connected to you in those 15 years. She told me about that two years ago, just after you joined.I'm sorry for forgetting!" Olivia whispered softly, before hugging the older woman close. "Don't worry Liv." Alex whispered back, Olivia sighed before pulling out a letter. "Wha- What is that?" Alex asked, furrowing her brows. "This was the letter i told Erin to write when i first met her, one of the biggest struggles she went through was accepting the fact that things were broken between you two. She did it with the condition that i gave it to you if something ever happened to her." Olivia finished, handing the letter to Alex. Alex opened the letter before starting to read. 

"My dearest Alexandra, It has been 13 years and i finally realized that we are never going back to the way it was. I hurt you too bad for that, it was a jerk move and i regret every single moment of my betrayal. From the thing itself to the screaming matches that followed after. I loved you, and still love you with all i had. But i seem to have a thing for ruining good things. I will continue to send you the birthday cakes until my death, since it's the only thing still connecting us. I left Alan, the kids are furious and i cannot blame them. Because who wants a dyke as mother.  But i made my bed 15 years ago, and now i have to sleep in it. I do not regret one single aspect of our relationship, it might have seemed like that and i am sorry. I was scared, of falling in love and my parents' reaction. But i hope that we can reconnect and i will get the chance to formally apologize to you when you rejoin us at the BAU. 

yours truly,

Erin.<3" 

The small heart and the lingering smell of her old perfume made her smile. She always wondered why Erin did what she did, and after 15 years, she finally got her answer. But now that she knew the woman felt the same way and had left her husband for Alex, she stared feeling insecure and guilty. "I- She never told me this, had she told me i would have dropped everything for her." Alex stammered, making Liv smile. "She knew that sweetie, but she also understood the stability James gave you. She wanted you to be free of her sorrow, to live like the world was on fire and to love like hearts don't break. She couldn't give you that, so she let you go. She was happy as long as you were happy." Liv said, the words only breaking Alex's heart further."i-I can't do this right now, I need to be alone for a while." Liv nodded in understanding before kissing Alex on the cheek and leaving the room.

two weeks later

It was official, Alex was now  a 50 year old woman with the most depressive life one could have, sitting on the couch with a B&J's icecream tub and a bottle of cheap wine next to her. Titanic playing softly on the TV and tissues on the floor. She had been crying since god knows when and resented herself for rebutting Erin. She had been in a depressive bout ever since her conversation with Olivia and had taken three weeks off.  Suddenly, a knock on her door sounded throughout the house, Alex wiped her nose and eyes before getting up to open the door. She was met by the sight of a grey-haired woman with piercing blue eyes and a stiff posture. A birthday cake with two layers in her hands, a yellow one decorated with purple flowers. On her shoulder was a bag no doubt filled with presents. Alex did not recognize the woman until she opened her mouth. "H-Hi Alex, Happy birthday."The woman congratulated her. Erin, her Erin. Stood right in front  of her, on  her doorstep. With the delicious birthday cake in front of her. "Oh my god-" Alex gasped, tears stinging her eyes and her hand flying to her mouth. She was shaking like a leaf and Erin saw that. "Vous êtes décédé l'année dernière. Cela ne peut pas être vous" Alex rambled, French being her go to language when stressed. "I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come. Erin put down the cake and the Presents before running back to the mercedes on the driveway. Alex seemed to have gained back her senses because she ran up to Erin, Who was searching for her car keys. Almost destroying the cake in the process. Erin turned around, preparing herself for a slap to the face or even worse. But instead she was met by the fiercest kiss she had ever experienced. Alex's hands entwining around her waist. Holding her tightly, Erin could not help the soft moan as she was pushed against the car. Eventually they had to breathe, so they broke apart. Alex started kissing every place on her face she could find. EYelids, forehead,nose, cheeks. Before hugging her tightly, a soft ramble of "I love you"'s leaving her mouth. Erin smiled and took Alex's face between her soft hands. " Alex, listen to me darling. I am so sorry for not telling you before, I loved you too much to do that to you and i didn't want you to worry about me. I am sorry for everything that has happened, I love you." Erin finished her speech barely before she was attacked by Alex her swollen lips. Erin smiled into the  kiss before returning it with the same burning passion. Hands softly tugging at Alex's hair, making her moan.  Things were rectified now. 

the end