Work Text:
It isn’t even the middle of December yet, and Alex is already sick of Christmas.
Between countless invites to parties she knows that she won’t be attending, plus the fact that she’s already lost track of the amount of ‘Tips and Tricks for the Holidays’ segments TMS has been pushing, and coupled with Lizzy choosing to spend the holidays with Jason and his fiance, she is ready for the month to be finished.
She’s currently standing at one of the bars in the penthouse of The Skylark for one of UBA’s executive holiday parties, sipping on a glass of champagne, and debating if enough time has passed so she can leave without seeming rude.
“So much for holiday cheer.”
Alex looks to her right as the bartender slides a glass of champagne to Laura, a small smile on her lips as she looks at the gorgeous news anchor.
“Hi honey,” Alex greets, letting her eyes drift over Laura’s attire. She looks stunning in a crimson red suit, the jacket dipping low enough in front to showcase that she isn’t wearing anything underneath. The matching tailored pants drape over the tops of her shoes, making her already endlessly long legs seem even longer. Her hair is slicked back and slightly tousled, and her lips stained a dark berry red. She’s stunning, and Alex flushes lightly when she realizes she is openly staring, and turns back to her drink.
“Hi Alex,” Laura says, taking a sip of the champagne placed in front of her and observing the now flushed blonde in front of her. “Shouldn’t you be enjoying the party?”
Alex shrugs lightly, tossing a quick glance around the room. “I just needed some air.”
Laura nods, her gaze raking over the blonde anchor’s frame. “And the air at the bar is so much better because…” she trails off, her question lingering in the air.
“There’s less fake smiling, and a lot less people who want me fired or want my chair,” Alex sighs, before glancing at Laura uneasily. “Unless you’ve decided you want to take another lap around morning television?”
“Oh God no,” Laura laughs, leaning against the counter of the bar. “I do not miss waking up at three thirty.”
Alex laughs, brushing her soft waves over her shoulder. “You get used to it.”
“If you say so,” Laura hums, taking another sip of champagne. She looks around the room, seeing mostly executives in suits and investors huddled together drinking expensive scotch. “Jesus, this is depressing.”
“Tell me about it,” Alex scoffs, shaking her head and following Laura’s line of sight. “Why do you think I’m over here?”
“I figured you were avoiding Chip or Cory, but I’m starting to think you had the right idea. None of that looks fun.”
“I was thinking about leaving right when you walked over,” Alex admits.
Laura looks around the room one more time before draining her glass of champagne and setting it back down on the bar. “Drink up Levy and let’s get out of here.”
Alex looks at Laura, her eyes widen as the brunette drains her glass and she realizes she’s not kidding. “Really? Laura!”
Laura just flashes the blonde a slight smile before starting to saunter towards the door, leaving Alex to finish her drink and scramble after her.
“Laura! Where are we going?”
Alex catches up to the brunette quickly, glancing around the room as they walk to the door to get their coats.
“You used to be more fun than this,” Laura teases as she takes her coat from the attendant, slipping it on over her suit and sending a text to her driver.
The blonde lets out a small huff, but gathers her coat and slides into it, crossing her arms over her chest. “Fine, lead the way Peterson.” Alex rolls her eyes but follows Laura into the waiting car. “And for the record, I’m still plenty of fun.”
“We’ll see.” Laura crosses her legs, angling her body so she is closer to Alex. “There’s no point in wasting this outfit.” She lets her gaze roam openly over Alex’s body. “Or yours either.”
Alex flushes, tugging her bottom lip between her teeth as the car pulls out into New York traffic. “Will you at least tell me who we’re meeting?”
“Now where’s the fun in that?” Laura teases as Alex glances out the window. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out as soon as you see where we’re going.”
The blonde groans softly, closing her eyes and leaning her head back against the seat. “Maggie?”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not the way you used to say her name, Al.” The smile on Laura’s lips is teasing as she looks at the younger woman.
Alex shrugs slightly, cracking her eyes open to look at the brunette. “That was a long time ago,” she says softly.
“It really wasn’t that long ago,” Laura contradicts, offering Alex a flute of champagne from the pre-stocked bar in the back of the car. “Or have you forgotten in your old age, Levy?”
“How long have you been waiting to use that line on me?” Alex asks, accepting the glass with a nod of thanks.
Laura laughs, raising her drink in a toast to Alex. “Long enough. But you both deserve to be happy.”
Alex opens her mouth to respond, but the older anchor cuts her off. “Just think about it. That’s all I’m asking.”
The blonde sighs, taking a sip of her champagne and looking out the window, seeing the bright lights around them as they slowly drive through the darkened city streets. She knows Laura is right, if they can move past what happened in the nineties, she and Maggie can get along for at least one night. “I’m not making any promises, especially not after that fucking book.”
Laura arches her eyebrow, taking a sip from her own glass and observing Alex for a long moment. “You hurt her too, you know, when you left. The book was nearly twenty years of broken promises and pent up emotions Alex, what did you expect?”
“For her not to associate me with a sexual predator Laura!” Alex shoots back, her temper flaring. “I – She’s your best friend. But we both know why I left. Maggie knew from the beginning what I wanted from my life, from my career. I know you’ll always take her side, but I’m not the – she let me leave...”
“You both hurt each other,” Laura says finally, not wanting to rehash the history between Alex and Maggie. “But I know you still love her. And for what it’s worth, she still loves you.”
Alex exhales slowly, taking another drink as she stares stubbornly out the window. “She’s probably dating someone now, so it doesn’t matter.”
“No one that’s worth mentioning.” Laura shrugs, well aware of the amount of women in and out of Maggie’s bed. Some tend to last longer than the others, but she doesn’t think it’ll be the case this time.
Alex rolls her eyes, finishing her drink as the car rolls to a stop in front of Fig. 19. She nods her thanks to the driver as he opens the door and assists her in exiting the car, wrapping her coat around her.
“Did you at least tell her I’m coming?” Alex asks Laura as the brunette guides them through to the hidden entrance of the speakeasy, giving the password at the door.
Laura’s slight smirk is enough of an answer, and Alex rolls her eyes again. “Jesus Laura,” she mutters, slipping off her coat and handing it to the waiting attendant. “When she kicks me out, and I freeze to death waiting for a ride in this fucking weather, I’m blaming you!”
“She won’t. Trust me.” Laura hands her coat to the attendant as well, adjusting her suit jacket and gently ushers Alex inside. Her voice drops an octave and her lips brush the shell of Alex’s ear eliciting a shiver from the blonde. “Not in that dress.”
Alex flushes as she looks down at her chosen outfit, a strapless satin pencil dress with a slit up the back. It's classy enough for the party, the way it skims over her curves, and tastefully exposes just enough cleavage, and more importantly, comfortable. “I – I didn’t…”
Laura’s hand slips low on her back as she ushers her to the bar, ordering drinks for them both in a voice too low for Alex to hear. She looks around for Maggie, but she can’t catch a glimpse of her among the other patrons.
A shot is placed in front of her and she looks up at Laura, who meets her eyes challengingly. “Drink up Levy. You’re going to need it.”
“Fuck off Peterson.” Alex rolls her eyes but takes the shot anyway, wincing at the burn of the whiskey as it slides down her throat. Seriously, who shoots whiskey anymore?
“Maggie’s at a table in the back.” Laura says, sliding a double pour of vodka in front of her and gesturing towards what Alex guesses is Maggie’s general vicinity. “And I’m pretty sure she’s alone.”
Alex flushes slightly, clearly her intentions of being subtle hadn’t paid off. She takes a sip of her drink to cover her heated cheeks. But then again, Laura had always been able to read her, usually too well.
“You’re sure she won’t mind me being here?” Alex asks softly, hating the way her voice catches. She takes another sip of her drink to cover the quiver in her voice, but it’s too late. Laura is looking at her with soft eyes, she can see her hesitation, her uncertainty.
“I promise,” Laura assures, her hand sliding low on her back again as she guides Alex to Maggie’s table.
Alex exhales shakily as Laura guides her through the bar to the quieter area in the back where Maggie is seated. She can hear Maggie’s familiar, honeyed tone as she gives her drink order to the waiter, and sees the familiar brown curls as she gets closer.
“Laura!” Maggie greets, standing up to embrace her oldest friend, before her eyes fall on Alex, standing slightly behind the brunette anchor. Her voice softens slightly, but she makes no move to approach her. “And Alex.”
“Hi Maggie,” Alex murmurs. She’s always stunned at Maggie’s beauty, her effortless curls, her voluptuous curves, the depths of her hazel eyes. Tonight is no exception. She’s dressed more casually than they are in a belted black jumpsuit that emphasizes her curves and highlights her ample cleavage. This was a bad idea. She swallows, tearing her eyes from Maggie’s and looking at Laura. “I’m sorry – this was a bad idea. I should go.”
“Come on Alex, just one drink.” Laura looks between her and Maggie, seeing the hesitation in Alex’s eyes.
She hedges, still uncertain. “I don’t want to intrude…” Her voice trails off, as she glances across the room towards the door.
“Alexandra, stay.”
Alex searches Maggie’s expression for a long moment before giving in, nodding her acquiescence. “Just one drink.”
“Good,” Laura smiles, sliding into the curved booth and gesturing for Alex to sit down as she located the menu. “Maggie, what are you having?”
“I just started with a Manhattan,” the journalist answers, making herself comfortable in her seat as Alex slides in next to her.
“How was the party?” Maggie asks Alex, who shrugs nonchalantly.
“A lot of men in suits, you know how those things are.” She takes another sip of her vodka, trying to figure out what to say, how to navigate being in such an intimate setting with her ex.
“I think I’ll try The Vanishing Point,” Laura muses, looking over the menu before handing it over to Alex and Maggie to peruse.
“Alex knows all about that one.” Maggie’s comment stings more than she would like it to and Alex busies herself with the menu so Maggie can’t see the hurt in her eyes.
“We both know why I wouldn’t stay.” The quiet retort slips out before Alex can stop it and it's her turn to see the barely concealed hurt and anger that flashes over Maggie’s expression.
“Jesus,” Laura sighs, looking between them. “Can you two not get along for an hour?”
Alex wants to remind Laura that she’s the one who insisted she come, but she bites back the comment and instead looks at Maggie, and her eyes soften seeing the genuine hurt reflected back at her. “I’m sorry,” she murmurs. “I shouldn’t have said that. It was uncalled for. I’m sorry Maggie.”
“No more than my comment about the drink,” Maggie concedes. “I’m sorry Alex. I was also out of line with that.”
“Thank you,” Alex says, acknowledging her apology with a tilt of her head. She turns back to Laura. “See? We can get along.”
Laura looks between them skeptically, before sliding out of the booth and picking up the menu. “I’m getting us all another round of drinks.”
Alex watches Laura as she makes her way to the bar, staunchly avoiding looking Maggie’s way. It’s better for them to sit in silence until Laura returns.
“Look who’s under the mistletoe!” A drunken patron singsongs as he passes by their table, stopping and looking at them in utter delight. “You have to kiss her!”
Alex glances up, seeing for the first time a small sprig of mistletoe over their table, conveniently located where she and Maggie are seated together in the small booth. “Oh no, we aren’t –” she stammers, looking around wildly for an escape. But Laura is still at the bar.
“Kiss! Kiss, kiss, kiss! Kiss!”
The man is now drawing the attention of other patrons in the speakeasy, and Alex feels herself flushing. She glances at Maggie who raises her eyebrow.
“He’s not going away,” she murmurs, fidgeting slightly in her seat.
“Just kiss me, Alexandra. Let’s get this over with.” Maggie leans in, pressing her lips against Alex’s.
Alex’s breath hitches as she feels Maggie’s lips on her own, and she involuntarily shivers with delight, leaning closer to the older woman. Everything fades to a dull roar in the background as she focuses on Maggie. The softness of her lips, her subtle scent of her perfume, Alex is fully consumed by her. All too soon Maggie pulls away, and Alex is left breathless and bewildered, her cheeks flushed as she stares at the older journalist.
“That was –” Alex trails off, her eyes flicking down to Maggie’s mouth again.
Maggie’s eyes are dark as she looks at Alex, a smirk pulling at the corners of her lips. “That was never our problem.”
Alex sighs, scooting closer to Maggie and glancing around the bar again. Thankfully the drunken patron had departed, and they were left alone in their quiet corner. “I am sorry, you know. That things ended the way they did.”
“Me too,” Maggie murmurs, looking at Alex thoughtfully. “I –”
She’s interrupted by Laura setting their drinks down. “I was hoping you two could get along for an hour tonight. But Jesus, I leave for ten minutes and you two are kissing in the corner? Did we suddenly travel back in time?”
Maggie smirks, pointing up to the ceiling. “Just blame the mistletoe.”
Laura laughs, looking between Maggie and Alex and shaking her head. They’ve always had a complicated relationship, and she knows better to interfere.
She doesn’t say a word when Alex finishes her drink and stays for another or when Maggie wraps her arm around Alex’s shoulders, and the blonde leans her head on her shoulder.
After another few rounds, Alex is even more handsy than normal, sitting so close to Maggie she’s practically in her lap.
Maggie’s arm is wrapped protectively around her waist, her eyes glittering as she looks between the blonde and Laura. “I think it’s about time we cut Alex off, unless you want a free show.”
“Since when are you allergic to threesomes?” Alex pouts. Laura chuckles, taking a sip of her drink and raising it in a mock toast to Maggie.
“Fuck off Peterson.” Maggie rolls her eyes at Laura, holding Alex to her more possessively. “But now you’re officially cut off princess.”
“You’re heading out?” Laura asks, a smile on her lips as she looks around for Alex, seeing the now mostly sober blonde gathering up her things at their table.
Maggie nods, barely refraining from rolling her eyes at Laura’s teasing smirk. “Don’t look at me like that. You knew exactly what was going to happen when you brought her along.”
Laura shrugs, handing over her credit card to close out their tab. “I wasn’t going to let her waste that dress on a bunch of boring men in suits when I knew I was meeting you later.”
They both glance over at the gorgeous blonde who is slowly making her way across the room towards them. “I’m very glad you did,” Maggie admits. “Can we give you a ride?”
“Bradley just finished at the studio and I’m going to pick her up on my way home,” Laura says softly, glancing at her phone. “But thank you.”
Maggie shrugs lightly, entranced by the look in Laura’s eyes as she sends a message to Bradley. “After tonight, it’s the least we could do. You seem happy with her, Bradley, I mean.” She says softly, she’s never quite seen Laura like this with anyone else she’s dated. And loathe as she is to admit it, Bradley Jackson looks good on her.
“I am,” Laura admits freely, smiling at Maggie and taking her card back from the bartender and leaving a substantial tip and signing her name with a flourish on the receipt. “And that’s all I want for you too, is to be happy.”
“I know.” Maggie says thoughtfully, turning and smiling as Alex comes up next to her. “Are you finally ready?”
“Mhmm,” Alex nods, looking at Laura with a question in her eyes. “Are you leaving too?”
“Bradley just finished at UBA,” Laura says with a smile. “I’m going to pick her up and then we’ll head home.”
Alex chuckles, shaking her head. “I really can’t believe I didn’t see you two coming,” she says with a laugh. “Jesus, it was so obvious.”
Maggie shakes her head, placing her hand on Alex’s lower back as she escorts her to the door, gathering their coats from the attendant and helping the blonde slip into hers.
“Look up.” Laura’s voice is teasing as she points to the sprig of mistletoe under the doorway where Alex and Maggie are standing.
Maggie’s lips twitch into a smile as she slides her hands around Alex’s waist, pulling the blonde flush against her body. “Kiss me Alexandra,” she murmurs, her voice low and husky.
Alex’s eyes flicker down to Maggie’s lips and she leans in, capturing her lips in a sweet kiss. She pulls back after a moment, well aware they are in public, letting her lips brush over the older woman’s again gently. “Merry Christmas Mags,” she murmurs, pulling back and looking into Maggie’s sparkling hazel eyes.
“Merry Christmas princess,” Maggie whispers, placing a chaste kiss to the blonde’s lips. “Let’s go home.”