Bit of a long update. I'm planning to update this story on Fridays so look for the next update them.


The marshal's left Olivia's room not long after having that conversation. They told Olivia and Amanda they would move them as soon as the brunette was released from the hospital in a few days. For now, they suggested they pull Noah and Jesse out of their respective schools and all 4 of them would be placed under a protective detail around the clock. They should spend the next few days figuring out their cover story and preparing to be a believable couple. The silence in the room was palpable, the severity of the situation both women found themselves in. A few years ago, both would've turned their noses up at the thought of protective custody, but things have changed. Neither women wanted to put their child into an unknown amount of danger if it can be prevented.

Olivia spoke first. "Well, this is not something I ever expected to happen. Are you sure you're okay with this, Amanda?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. So, how do you want to play this?"

"Well, you've been with SVU for almost 8 years now, so we could say that's how long we've been together. We can say we've been married for 5 years and I adopted Noah on my own. Then we decided we wanted to have Jesse and now this new baby together."

"That seems like a believable story, but that won't work with the kids call us Aunt Amanda and Aunt Liv. How are we going to explain this to the kids Liv? They're both too young to understand what's going on." Amanda said, looking down at the ground. The weirdness of this situation washing over her.

"We need to pretend for them too. They're too young for us to be only acting like we're together in public. That would just confuse them. I'll talk to Noah and ask him to call you whatever name you would prefer being called. We can't both be "mom" and not be confused all the time. I should warn you, Noah has had some behavioral problems lately. I don't know how he'll react to all this."

"Jesse calls me Mama. I guess Noah can use it too and Jesse and the new baby would call you mommy. We'll work through Noah's problems together, Liv. I'm so sorry that I got you and Noah wrapped up in this. I feel so guilty." Amanda said covering her face with her hands.

Olivia reaches over pulling her hands away from her face and cupping her chin making blue eyes meet brown. "It's okay, Amanda. Both of us are always saying we could use a break from the job. You've given us one. There's something else we need to discuss though. How do you want to go about this whole couple thing? What kind of PDA are we talking about? What would you feel comfortable with? Have you ever even been with a woman?"

"Woah, Liv that's a lot of questions at once. PDA wise, all we're going to need to do is some handhold, arms around each other. maybe some kisses on cheeks, and you should put your hand on my belly a lot. You're playing the role of the doting mommy waiting for her baby to be born. And Yes, I've been with women before. Never a relationship because I don't do that with anyone regardless of gender. I have a question for you. Sex. We've got no idea how long this is going to last. What if one of us wants to?" Amanda said blushing because she's talking about sex with Olivia Benson. She has feelings for the brunette and pretending to be with her without getting to be for real sounds like hell. But, she's willing to commit to it.

"We'll deal with that when it happens. If the kids think we're together, we'll we be sharing the same bed?"

"I guess that would make the most sense. How about you ever been with a woman?"

"Yes, I've been in several relationships with women. I'm bisexual, Amanda."

Before Amanda can respond to that, Fin walks back into the room and tells her it is time to go back to her room. They say a quick goodbye and then wheels Amanda back down to her room. She's discharged in the morning and goes to stay with Jesse, Noah, and Frannie at Olivia's place. The blonde isn't allowed to visit Olivia in the hospital, so they communicate by text. The brunette texts her a list of items of hers and Noah's she would like packed. They are planning on leaving within the next day or two. They aren't allowed to bring a ton of stuff with them, but both are planning on packing some sentimental items. clothing to last them until they can buy more, and a few toys for the kids. Amanda makes sure she has Jesse's blanket she can't sleep without and Noah's elephant. They would've had a major meltdown had either of those items been missing. The younger woman has kept Jesse in the dark about everything going on. Framing this as a fun trip with Noah and telling her to call her Aunt Liv mommy. Surprisingly, the 3-year-old agrees without a fuss, almost like she can sense her mom's seriousness.

Olivia had a much more in-depth talk with Noah one day in the hospital. Telling him a very bad man was trying to hurt her and Auntie Amanda and that they would move somewhere else while other officers tried to find him. She told him that her and Amanda loved each other so much and asked that he call her Mama from now on. Liv couldn't tell him where they were going. The marshals wouldn't tell them the name of the town until they were on the way. The brunette told her son she understood how hard this would be, but that she needed him to be brave and strong. And to please cooperate with her and Amanda. Noah could also sense the seriousness his mother was trying to convey and agreed to not give her a hard time about anything.

Today was the day. Liv's gunshot wound had been healing, and she was showing no signs of infection. After a week in the hospital, they were ready to discharge her. She's be on crutches for another few weeks, but her wound wasn't that serious. That also meant that tonight they would leave for their new life in Colorado. Agents Perez and McAndrews were planning on sneaking them out once nightfall hit and placing them in a safe house. Early the next morning they would get on their flight to Denver and finding out their destination. The agents had got a vest for Frannie permitting her to ride in the seats with the rest of the group. Amanda was not all comfortable having her ride with the luggage. They had not been told what story would be fed to Carisi and Fin. It hurt both, not being able to say goodbye, but they knew this was for the best.

Their night in the safe house was quiet. Neither woman slept much. They were both anxious about the reality of the new chapter in their lives was about to begin. Around 5 am their alarms went off, and they met each other in the kitchen. Liv making coffee for herself and tea for Amanda. She was already not doing a good job with following the doctor's orders to keep it easy. The blonde suspected many fights with the older woman about using her crutches as instructed.

"Are you ready for this?" Olivia said. They had decided they would act like a couple in the airport so they could get used to it. They would also remind the kids about calling both mom.

"Yeah, I want to get out of here. I'm so paranoid that Al will come after us. It's like I can see him around every corner. Do we want to make the kids some breakfast here or feed them when we get to the airport?" Both women would try to include each other in decisions about the kids. They would now be co-parenting.

"Let's wait. Give them an extra half an hour to sleep. Do you want to shower first?" Liv asked, stirring her coffee and leaning against the counter.

"Yeah. I'll take a quick shower. One of the agents from the detail offered to walk Frannie for us, so we wouldn't have to worry about that this morning." Amanda turned to walk towards the bathroom, the nerves bubbling in her stomach. In a few hours she'll be pretending she's married to Olivia.

Liv was lost in her own little world in the kitchen. While her relationship with Amanda had improved over the last few years, but they still fought sometimes. Living and parenting with someone is completely different from being friends and working together. Part of her was filled with nerves. She's been harboring feelings for the other woman for a long time. Part of her thought Amanda felt the same way she never pursued anything because of their boss/subordinate relationship. Now things would be a lot different.

Amanda stepped out the shower, calling out to Olivia that she finished in the bathroom. She told her she would wake the kids after getting dressed and get them ready. The detective put on her bra and panties and then looked at herself in the mirror. Her hands smoothing over her large bump. Part of her worried for this this baby now because Al being their father. Scared of what that would mean to them. Amanda finds herself whispering to her baby that everything would be okay, she'd make sure of it. The blonde finished getting dressed, combed her hair and then started to coax her daughter out of sleep. She rubbed her back and calling her name. Her daughter's brown eyes opening, still showing signs of tiredness. Amanda let her wake up on her own for a few minutes before moving across the hall to Noah's room. She repeats the same routine with him, but he sits up in his bed, rubbing his eyes.

"I know it's early, bud, but we have to get up to get on the airplane." Amanda said to Noah, sitting next to him on the bed. He cuddles into her neck. "I think your mom put the outfit she wanted you to wear over on the dresser. If you need help with anything, I'll be in the other room helping Jesse get ready." Amanda got up from the bed after Noah pulls away.

As she's walking out of the room Noah says "Okay, Mama."

A warm feeling comes over her, hearing Noah calling her that. She pauses for a moment before continuing to walk out of the room. She hears the shower shut off and McAndrews and Perez announcing their presence as they open the door. Frannie runs into the apartment, having received a nice long walk. The blonde says hello to her dog and the agents before yelling to Liv that they're here and walking back into her bedroom. Frannie following close behind. She gets Jessie dressed, dries her hair, and puts on some makeup, not bothering to straighten her hair today.

Amanda and Jesse meet Noah and Olivia in the living room after making sure both kids went to the bathroom and brushed their teeth. They've fitted Frannie with her service vest. Neither woman likes putting her in a service, but they just didn't have the time to prepare for her to ride in the carriage area of the plane. And it was something they were not comfortable with. They've fit all the belongings they're bringing into one big suitcase. With carry ons for everyone. The children's are filled with snacks and small toys to occupy them on the 4-and-a-half-hour plane ride. While the women's bags are filled with books and laptops to help pass the time.

The redhead US Marshall Elizabeth McAndrews reaches into her pocket and provides a ring for both women to wear. To show that they're married and Liv and Amanda slip them on their left ring fingers.

The other Marshal Victor Perez is tall with dark hair and eyes. "Everyone ready to go? Our flight leaves at 10 so we should get going."

The women nod. The Marshalls take their suitcases and bags. Amanda holds Frannie's leash in one hand and is holding Jesse's hand with the other. Olivia is using one crutch on the side where she got shot and ushers Noah to walk in front of her. The group moves towards the car where they've got about a 10-minute drive to the airport. Everyone is tired and quiet, during the ride.

Perez announces that they will live in Georgetown, Colorado. A small town with a population around a thousand, 45 minutes outside Denver where Olivia will be working. They arrive at the airport and check their bag. McAndrews offers to take Frannie's leash and Amanda accepts.

Liv looks at her and in a low voice says, "can I hold your hand?"

"Um sure." Olivia reaches over and laces her fingers with the blonde's giving it a squeeze. To the outside world they look like a little family about to get on a plane. Maybe about to go on a vacation. Instead of running from a man trying to hurt them. They now have their carry ons on their backs. The marshal's and Frannie keeping a respectable distance and a watchful eye on them.

Liv doesn't let go until they arrive at security. "Baby" she hears Amanda say. "Can you help Jesse with her shoes I can't bend like that to help her?" The blonde had worn shoes she could slip off and on, but Jesse still needed help to get hers on and off sometimes. She'd worn a pair of black leggings because they were much more comfortable than jeans with how pregnant she is and a comfortable blue maternity top and grey hoodie to combat the cold weather.

Liv was a little taken aback by Amanda calling her baby, but this is why they agreed to start this now. In hopes they wouldn't be as awkward when they arrived at their destination. The brunette bent down helping Jesse take her shoes off and she put them in the bin. Amanda was already on the other side of the metal detector so Jesse just ran towards her. On the other side, Liv bent down again putting on the little girl's bunny shoes.

"Can you tell mommy thank you Jesse?" Amanda asked as the older woman stood back up, wincing because of her recent gunshot wound.

Jesse looked back up at her, "Thank you mommy" she said in her little voice. Noah complained that he was hungry which got Jesse all riled up. So, they found a small shop to get breakfast sandwiches and drinks for everyone. They found a spot near the gate to eat their meal.

Not long after it was time to board the plane. Olivia would sit with Agent Perez and Noah and across the aisle was Amanda, Jesse, McAndrews, and Frannie who was laying at their feet without a fuss.

The flight itself is uneventful. Jesse falls asleep as soon as the plane is in the air and Noah is content to watch movies on his iPad for the duration.

They land and McAndrews takes Frannie to relieve herself outside while Perez grabs their suitcase. Their flight took off around 10:00 and was 4 hours so it's weird for them to have arrived and it only being about 12 in Colorado. The 2-hour time difference would be something which would require a lot of getting used to.

The last leg of their journey is the 45-minute car ride to their new house and everyone is ready to get there. The whole group is hungry and tired. Amanda's back is bothering her from sitting in one spot for so long and so is Liv's leg. They had held hands in the airport again and neither one of them felt as awkward about it this time.

They and Frannie drive in one car, with the Marshalls following behind them. Once they're in the house, they'll be on their own.

"Are you two excited to see the new house?" Amanda said to the children in the back seat of the car. Jesse strapped into her car seat and Noah sitting next to her.

"I wish we didn't have to leave New York and I wish Lucy could've come with us."

"I know this is going to be hard Noah, but I promise things will be great here. Noah, I get to stay home from work right now. And your mom won't have to work like she did in New York. She'll be home at the same time every night and she won't have to work weekends anymore." Noah doesn't reply, turning his head to look out the window. Jesse is babbling in her car seat. Doing that thing Toddlers do where they are talking, but not really about anything.

"Hey Noah," Liv calls from the driver's seat. "I'd appreciate it if you would give this a chance and have a good attitude about this. It's hard to start over in a new place, but I think this will be good for all of us. Do it for me sweet boy."

"Okay, mom." Noah said looking back at his mother.

They arrive outside a beautiful 3 story, 4-bedroom house, with a huge yard, and a couple of bathrooms. The house is fully furnished, including the kid's rooms, and the nursery. There's a playroom in the basement for Jesse and Noah and the yard has one of those jungle gyms in the back with a slide and some swings. They also stocked the kitchen with some basic food items.

"Wow." Amanda said. "This place is gorgeous and big. It's like triple the size of my apartment."

"Yeah it's nice." Liv says from across the room. When she looks up at the blonde, she sees Amanda wincing and she moves to her side as fast as her leg will allow her. "Are you okay, Manda? Is it the baby? Is something wrong?"

When she arrives next to Amanda the younger woman grabs her hand and places it on the right side of her belly. The brunette feels a strong kick against her hand. "I'm fine Liv. The baby is just getting pretty strong."

Liv still has her hands pressed to Amanda's bump. Almost like she's in awe. Her hands start move in circles pressing on certain spots and feeling the baby push back. "Hey, little one calm down in there. You're giving your mama a hard time today."

Noah and Jesse walk into the room and initially they again asked about food, but then he asks what the two women are doing.

"The baby is kicking, Noah. Would you like to feel to, bud?" Amanda said to him. He walks over and Liv lifts her hand and grabs his to place on the spot where the baby had been moving the most. Jesse runs over too yelling that she wants to feel too. The detective finds herself with three different hands all resting against her bump. She smiles and for the first time she thinks to herself this might work. They can be a family.

"Mama, Jesse and I are starving. Can we have pizza for lunch? Please?" He said bright blue-green eyes looking up at Amanda like he's willing her to say yes.

She turns and gives Liv the same look. "What do you say, Liv? I think I saw some takeout menus in the kitchen." Her own hand comes to rest on her belly. "The baby wants pizza too." She said to her in a serious tone of voice that made Liv chuckle.

"Okay. Pizza for lunch, but everyone is having some vegetables for dinner." Liv said. The other three occupants in the room cheered and Olivia laughed again.

Things were winding down for the night. They had let Frannie out into the yard, the kids were bathed, and ready for bed. They were all snuggling on the couch while Olivia read everyone a book. She paused in her reading seeing two children who were struggling to stay awake. "I think it's time we get these two in bed." Liv looks over at Amanda and catches her in the middle of a huge yawn. "Looks like it's your bedtime too. I'll carry Jesse up to bed. Why don't you go lay down?"

Liv leans over and kisses the blonde on the forehead before getting up and gathering Jesse into her arms. She feels the little girls head fall to rest on her chest and Liv didn't realize how much she missed being able to do this with Noah. Her son was much too big to be carried like this. The brunette sends Noah into his room, telling him that she'd be in to tuck him in after putting Jesse down. The Lieutenant places Jesse down on the bed tucking her under the covers placing a kiss on her head and telling her goodnight. Then she walks into Noah's room and does the same to him.

Olivia enters the bedroom she'll be sharing with Amanda and the blonde is sitting on the edge of the bed. "You could have gotten into bed, Manda."

"I wasn't sure which side you preferred to sleep on." Manda says her voice giving away how nervous she is.

"Um, I prefer the left side, but if that's where you prefer to sleep, I can sleep on the other side."

"No, the right side is fine." Both women climb into the queen-sized bed and do their best to stay on their respective sides.

"Good night, Liv."

"Night, Manda."

Amanda has spent the last hour tossing and turning, trying hard to get comfortable. Something that's easier said than done when you're 7 months pregnant. Not only did the weight of belly make it hard to get comfortable, the baby was always most active when she was trying to rest. She rolls over back onto her back and rubs her hands up and down her belly. Like she's trying to will the baby to relax.

"Are you okay, Amanda?" Liv said popping up beside her.

"I'm sorry and I keeping you awake? I'm fine the baby won't stop moving so I can rest. Go to sleep Liv. I'll go lay on the couch for a while so I don't bother you."

"Stay, Amanda." Liv says as she moves down the bed and rests her cheek against Amanda's bump, she kisses above her belly button and begins to talk. Directing her words to the baby. "Hey there little one. It's late and I think you should settle down now and let your mama get some sleep." Liv carries on, talking, and kissing her belly. She then starts to sings. A lullaby she used to sing to Noah when he was a baby. Amanda reaches down letting her hand rest in Liv's hair stroking her scalp with her finger tips. She closes her eyes when she feels tears well up in them. Liv is being so sweet right now. The blonde can feel the baby's movements slow before coming to a stop. Olivia being successful in singing the baby to sleep. She places one last kiss there before moving back up to lie on her pillow. She leans over and kisses Amanda's forehead like she had done earlier on the couch. "Get some rest Amanda."

The blonde falls asleep a few minutes later and Liv watches her for a while. She looks peaceful curled up in bed like that. Olivia rolls over to her side and closes her eyes when Amanda pushes her way into her arms. Her head burrows itself into the brunette's neck, her arm falls around her waist and her legs intertwine themselves with Olivia's. A sleepy Liv murmured before the younger woman settles back into sleep. She kisses the top of Amanda's head and wraps her arms around her. Sleep taking over as she is content to have the blonde in her arms. In fact, she can't get over how right this feels.