The Book of Olivia
Chapter Two
The Years That Count
Age 16:
Sixteen year old Olivia Benson woke up with a start, tears pouring down her face as she screamed. Nightmares had been plaguing her for what seemed like forever. Suddenly, she felt arms surround her. "No, no. let me go," she screamed, fighting off whoever was holding her. She gave up after a long while, sagging against whoever was embracing her in a heap of exhaustion.
Suddenly, Hank's gruff voice reached through the haze her mind was in, and she realized he was the one holding her. She curled up closer to him, keying in on what he was saying to her.
"Liv, honey, hey it's okay. Calm down. It's just me Hank. It is all okay girl. You are safe now. Nobody can hurt you. You're at my house." He repeated those words until she curled up closer to him, placing her head on his chest. "Go to sleep Olivia. I am not going anywhere." She finally fell into a fitful sleep, secure in Hank's warm embrace.
Age 17:
Olivia was overjoyed. Her dad asked her if she would accompany him to the Annual Policeman's Ball, the date being one year to the day after they were reunited. Of course she had said yes.
"And the annual Commander of the year award goes to Captain Donald Cragen of the Manhattan Special Victims Unit. From my understanding, his daughter Olivia, would like to speak before she hands him the award."
"Yes sir," Olivia said, blushing slightly as she shook Mayor Karpinski's hand and took the microphone from him. "Hello everybody, I am Olivia. I met Captain Cragen, my dad, one year ago today. I was abducted when I was six months old. As a result of this, I never got to grow up with him in my life. He is a compassionate and dedicated precinct commander, but he is an even better father. The past year with him in my life has been the best year of my life, and I would not trade it for the world. Dad, would you please come to the stage?"
Captain Donald Cragen's eyes shined with tears as he went up to the stage, tenderly kissing Olivia's head before accepting the award from her. He nodded to the DJ before silently asked the Mayor to take his award back to the table where he was sitting, and Mayor Karpinski happily obliged.
"Our Commander of the Year has a special song that he wants to dedicate to his beautiful daughter Olivia," the DJ announced as he led Olivia to the dance floor. Olivia immediately perched her head on his chest, her ear resting above his heart as Bruce Springsteen filled the room. He whispered the lyrics to Olivia as they slowly danced.
When you need me call my name 'cause without you my life just wouldn't be the same. If you want me come sunny skies or rain, when you need me just call my name. If you miss me, I'll be there to brush the sunlight from your hair. I'll be there to guide you when trouble walks beside you. If you need me I'll be there, and when this dirty world has been cold to you, I got two strong arms waitin' to hold you. And when those mean days come along, we'll stand together and we'll take 'em on, so if you need me just call my name. When you need me call my name 'cause without you my life just isn't the same. 'Cause when this world kicked me around, baby you picked me up off the ground. So if you need me I'll be there."
Tears, these ones of joy poured down her face as she smiled up at her father, adoration gleaming in her chocolate brown eyes. "I love you Olivia baby, and I always will. Will you do me the honour of officially becoming a Cragen?"
"President Abraham Lincoln once said, "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. Thanks for giving me life the moment you and Serena made me and again one year ago today. Yes, I will officially become a Cragen."