Disclaimer: I don't own SVU. Dick Wolf and the people at NBC do.

January 20, 2012

The next few weeks flew by. Olivia is now three days past her due date and spending about ninety-five percent of her time at home. She has been on maternity leave for the past week or so. She could have started earlier, but had decided to wait as long as possible so she would have more time at home after the baby was born...and Elliot was back. It still felt as if she was living in a dream...Elliot was coming home. He would be back in about a week, and, for that reason alone, Olivia hoped the baby would wait a little longer to arrive. She wanted Elliot to be there.

After another restless night, Olivia decided to make a trip to see Casey at her office...she was the only one, other than Olivia and Don, who knew about Elliot. The others would find out soon, but because it was a federal assignment, it needed to be kept quiet until Elliot was back...just to be safe. Before heading to town, Olivia calls Casey...to make sure she will be there and that it is a good time for a visit.

Casey picked up after the second ring. "Novak."

"Hey, Case."

"Oh...hey, Liv."

"So...I was thinking about heading down there for a little while...Are you going to be in the office today, or do you have court?"

"Nope. I'll be here. How about you meet me here around twelve, and we'll grab some lunch?"

"Sounds good. I can only clean the house so many times, you know."

Both Casey and Olivia laughed. They talked for a few more minutes before hanging up.

As Olivia got ready to go out, she thought she noticed that she was having an easier time. Over the past few weeks, she had been becoming short-winded quite easily, even while doing something as simple as getting dressed. Today, however, she didn't lose her breath quite as bad.

On her way up to Casey's office, Olivia had to take a short break...the baby was killing her back. After stretching her back, the pain eased, and she went on her way. As she opened the door, Casey thought that Olivia looked different, but didn't say anything. She didn't want to accidentally hurt her feelings. "Hey, Liv. I'll be ready in just a sec. I need to finish up this email."

"No problem. I'm going to run to the bathroom real quick. I'll meet you back here in a few."

"Okay."

When Olivia returned from the bathroom, Casey was locking her office door, ready to leave. "Ready, Liv?"

"Ready when you are."

They decided on a deli just down the block. Olivia was craving a chicken salad sandwich. As they sat down at a table, Olivia stretched her back again. "You okay, Liv?"

"Yeah...I'm fine. The baby's just killing my back today."

"Oh...I'm sorry. You think today's the day?"

"I doubt it...and, to tell you the truth, I kind of wish she would wait a few more days, you know..."

"Yeah...but didn't your doctor say she would have to induce you on Monday if she's not here by then?"

"Yeah...I know...I was just hoping that...you know...that Elliot could be there."

"I know, Liv, but you have to do whatever is best for you and the baby...Elliot will be here soon."

"I know...you're right."

The girls spent about an hour or so at the deli before walking back to Casey's office. On the way back up the stairs, Olivia stopped, leaning forward to stretch her back. "Shit!"

Casey turned around to look at her friend. "What's wrong, Liv?"

"I think my water just broke."

"Oh my God. Umm...okay...what should I do?"

"Call Don. Tell him to meet us at the hospital."

"Okay. Here...let's get you to the car...I'll call him on the way."

Casey helped Olivia into the passenger seat of her car. Olivia was scared...she didn't know what to expect. She had been going to childbirth classes, but this was still her first child.

"Come on, Olivia. One more big push," the doctor instructed.

Olivia squeezed Casey's hand and pushed. They had been at the hospital for almost six hours, and she had been pushing for the last forty-five minutes or so.

"Here she is!" The doctor laid Olivia's daughter on her stomach.

Olivia's eyes were filled with tears. "Hey there baby-girl."

"You did it, Liv. You're a mommy." Casey was crying, too.

"I am...I'm a mommy. You hear that, little one. I'm your mommy." With that, the nurses took the baby to weigh and measure her and to clean her up.

A few hours later, Olivia was spending some quality time with her baby girl when there was a knock on the door. Don poked his head in. "Hey, Liv. I know you're tired, but do you feel up to having one last visitor."

"Of course, Don. Come on in. Let me introduce you to your granddaughter."

Don walked over to the side of the bed, smiling. "Actually, there's someone else who wants to see you."

Olivia looked up into Don's eyes, seeing that he was hiding something from her. "Who?"

"Just a sec." Don walked back over to the door and opened it. Olivia heard him tell someone waiting outside "Okay...they're ready." Then he quietly excused himself.

There he was. Olivia was looking into his beautiful blue eyes for the first time since April. "Elliot." It was a cross between a gasp and a sob...tears were streaming down her face.

Elliot quickly made his way to the side of Olivia's bed and bent down to give her a hug. "I'm so sorry. I didn't have a ch..."

"I know, El. Don told me everything." She looked into his eyes and smiled. "There's someone wanting to meet you. Elliot, this is your daughter."

A tear slipped down Elliot's cheek, but he didn't care. "She's beautiful, Liv. She looks just like you."

"Wait till you see her eyes...they're just like yours."

"Does she have a name yet?"

"Umm...well, I had something picked out, but if you don't like it..."

"I'm sure it's beautiful. What did you have in mind?"

"Ellie. Ellie Jayne Stabler."

"Ellie? You want to name her after me?"

"Yeah...I mean...I want to name her after my best friend...her daddy."

They were both crying as Elliot looked at his daughter, then back at Olivia. "Can I hold her?"

"Of course, Daddy." Olivia smiled as she passed the baby to Elliot.

"Hey there, Ellie. It's me...your Daddy. I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier, but I want you to know that there wasn't a day I didn't think about you...and your Mommy. Daddy loves you so much, pumpkin. When you get bigger, I'll teach you all kinds of fun stuff - how to ride a bike, and how to play basketball, and maybe even take you fishing...if you want to, of course. And if not, then we can stay home and play princess. Whatever you want, baby girl."

Olivia watched as Daddy and daughter bonded. She couldn't believe it...Elliot was back, and, on top of that, she was a Mommy. Elliot carried little Ellie back to Olivia in bed. As he passed the baby back to her mommy, his eyes locked with Olivia's, and he leaned in to kiss her softly on the lips. "I love you, Liv...and I wish I could have been here, or called you...something - they wouldn't let me, baby. Believe me, I tried."

"I know, El...I love you, too."