Disclaimer: Last I checked they were still not mine.
Author's Note: Thank you all for reading my story. I'm almost finished writing the story, so I'll try to update more often because I hate waiting for chapters because they keep me in the lurch until they're updated he he.
Mekaky: Thank you for your review :)
.lindi.V.: More coming right up, thanks ;).
i-love-benson: Thanks for your comments, I love that movie by the way; a classic in my opinion. My story may seem like it's based on that in the beginning, but it's not as you'll later see :).
Moony192: Thank you very much for your nice comments on my writing. Casey & Olivia's sisterly bond is based on my mine that I share with my sisters. :D
Oh, and Casey is loosely based on Quinn from "Daria" because I loved her attitude. Anyways, on with the show er, I mean story . . . .
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Chapter Two: Bonding
Cragen residence:
Don was making his way downstairs to the kitchen when he heard someone humming. He leaned against the kitchen door to observe Olivia. It had been a while since he heard her hum; it was then he realized that having moved wasn't such a bad choice after all.
Kitchen:
Olivia was getting herself some orange juice when she felt someone's eyes on her. When she turned she realized that it was her father. She was making her way to the table when she asked, "What are you thinking about dad?"
Her voice seemed to bring him back to the present, "Oh, I was just thinking about the old house, your mom, and all the changes we've had to make. I know this can't be easy for you girls," he said moving to sit at the table with her. "I understand that it is especially difficult for you. I-I-I know that you took your mom's death the hardest," Don said with great difficulty.
Clearing her throat and pushing back the tears that were threatening to burst out, Olivia reached over to grab her dad's hand.
"It was, it still is very hard to think about all the things that happened, but it's been almost two years, we all had to move forward at some point," she said.
He gave her a small smile, "You're right, and this promotion couldn't have come at a better time."
Don was a Lieutenant at a precinct in Manhattan, but at the recommendation of his old Captain he was offered a higher position with a formidable raise as Captain of a Special Victims Unit in Queens.
"Besides, now your Uncle John can visit more often," he said which caused them both to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Casey asked as she made her way to the table.
Trying stop from hyperventilating Olivia took a drink of her juice before answering, "We were just talking about Uncle John."
"Oh jeez, what did he do now? Did he get arrested again?" Casey turned to ask her father.
Unfortunately, Casey's questions only made them break out with more laughter. "No honey, he's not in jail. I have to say that in his defense he was protesting against the use of dangerous chemicals on crops that would've been poisonous if ingested."
"We get that dad, but did he have to do it naked?" Olivia asked.
Casey cringed before saying, "Yeah, I still have nightmares about that. Plus, he got arrested. I mean that's just wrong. He's a cop, who got arrested. It just sounds wrong when you say it out loud."
Olivia rolled her eyes at her sister's comment, "Anyone can get arrested. Even you can, princess."
Casey protested, "Oh no, not me. Besides, I'm too pretty for jail, that tacky orange glow jumpsuit is not really my color, and with my blond coloring, it would just clash. The color may suit you, but not me."
"Me?" Olivia asked surprised with her sister's comment.
"Come on, we all know that it's only a matter of time before you get arrested "Miss everyone should be treated equally." I swear you're so much like Uncle John, it's scary," Casey said before continuing with her breakfast.
"Oh, you mean because we each have a brain, and like to think for ourselves instead of worrying about what others may or may not think about us?" Olivia asked as she went to put her glass in the sink.
Don was too busy thinking about the past he didn't hear the argument that was going to undoubtedly end in tears. It was usually Casey's tears because it took a lot to make Olivia cry which was strange considering her past. Don then went on to think about his late wife Marge, and his "brother" John.
John Munch wasn't really related to the girls or to Don. However, they did consider him family as Don grew up with him. They worked together in the same squad for years before John retired, and Don got his promotion. John was there when Don and his late wife Marge adopted Olivia when she was almost two years old. They filed for legal custody after John and Don had worked a case of child abuse, and child abandonment. Nobody knew at the time that the case would change the lives of the people involved.
Don remembered how thrilled John was to become an uncle, especially to a little girl as sweet as Olivia. Even though, they all knew about her horrible past, and her abusive alcoholic mother. It was a miracle that she didn't bare any scars not only emotional, but physical as well.
Uncle Munchies, as the girls affectionately called him when they were younger was also there when Don and Marge found out that they couldn't have children. It was then that they decided to adopt again to give Olivia a sibling. Unlike Olivia, Casey was adopted soon after her birth without any complications. John was also there when Marge died because the plane she was working on as a stewardess crashed leaving no survivors. John played a pivotal role in pulling Don out of his depression along with Casey, and Olivia's help.
"Dad what's wrong?" Olivia asked.
Casey reached over and tapped Don on the shoulder, "Daddy, say something. You're scaring us."
Don blinked several times, "I'm sorry what did you need?"
"We asked you if you were okay. We called your name several times, but it looked as if you were in your own little world," Olivia said as she got up to get her father something to drink.
"I'm sorry girls, I was just thinking about how great your uncle John is. I was also thinking about the days when your mother and I adopted you girls. I'll never forget the look on your mother's face when everything was official and we finally became a family. The day we received the paper work with your new names your mother couldn't stop crying when she read them. You went from Olivia Benson to Olivia Cragen, and you went from Casey Novak to Casey Cragen," Don said as he thanked Olivia for the cup of coffee she handed him.
Loud knocking broke up the emotional moment, which Don was thankful for because he didn't want to make their first day of school any more difficult than it already was. Wiping his eyes and excusing himself Don got up to answer the door.
In the foyer:
"Finally, I thought I was going to spend my whole morning knocking," a loud voice shouted as floated into the kitchen. Both girls snickered because they recognized the voice that belonged to their beloved uncle.
John made his way to the kitchen with Don following close behind.
Back in the kitchen:
"Ah, there are my favorite nieces," John said with a bright smile.
"We're your only nieces," Olivia answered playfully.
"Nobody likes a smartass, and it's lucky for you two because if you weren't I wouldn't be able to give you this," John said as he produced two large packages poorly wrapped in some bright paper.
Casey squealed, and jumped up from her chair greet her uncle, "Ooh, what'd you get me?"
"Casey, that's not how you were raised," Don reprimanded.
"I'm sorry." she looked down at her hands.
"That's fine kiddo; I know how excited you get with this kind of thing. Here open it, and find out," John said as he handed Casey her present which she happily took.
John then turned to Olivia who was staring at the whole scene unfold, "Livvy, don't you want your present?" he asked puzzled when Olivia made no move to get her present.
"What's the occasion? It's not our birthday, and it isn't Christmas. Wait, did you finally get your tax refund? No, that can't be it because for that to happen you'd have to file taxes, which you don't seeing how you don't trust any form of government. I'll never know how you made it as a cop as long as you did," she said snickering.
Don burst out with laughter while John took the more diplomatic approach, and smacked her gently upside the head with her present.
"If you don't want it, I'll just have to return it. No better yet, I'll just give it to Casey seeing how she's more grateful," he said as he went to hand Casey her present.
"Freeze," Olivia shouted a little louder than was necessary.
Fortunately, that got the desired effect as John froze mid step with a smile on his lips, 'I knew that would get her,' he thought.
"You'll do no such thing. I'll take my present now, thank you. You know I just like to ruffle your feathers; I didn't mean anything by it," Olivia said.
John walked back over to her, and gave her a kiss on the cheek before handing her the box, "I think I did well this time. I'm positive you girls will be pleased with what I got you."
"As long as it's not something on black helicopters, the JFK assassination, or government conspiracies I'm sure they'll love it," Don said half joking.
"Well, I just wanted to get you girls something to commemorate your first day of school," John said, but not before giving Don a look that promised retribution at a later time.
"That's right today should be a national holiday," Casey joked.
"It's not every day that Case becomes a sophomore . . . "John said before he was interrupted by Olivia.
"Yes, who knew she would make it so far with her poor grades," Olivia laughed.
"Livvy it's your last year of high school. I wanted to make it extra special for my wonderful nieces," John said trying not to laugh at Olivia's previous comment.
"Awwww, that's so sweet, thank you so much," Casey said as she wiped at her dampened eyes purposely ignoring Olivia's jab.
"Now you know I don't get as emotional as Casey, but this does mean a lot to me, thank you," Olivia said as she reached over to give John a hug.
"Aaah! I can't believe it," three shocked pairs of eyes turned to Casey.
