A/N: There is probably going to be one more chapter after this one. Like I said, I'm not sure where this story is going, so it's probably for the best to end it on a happy note, which it will. I don't own any of the characters.
A couple months had passed and Olivia and Noah had decided to move in with Charles in the girls. Charles and Olivia had bought another townhouse, even though he had had a lot of memories in the old one. Some were good and some were bad. He wanted to make new memories with Olivia that he had hoped would last him the rest of his life.
Olivia had left for Chicago a couple days ago to help CPD Intelligence with a case and she had hoped to return by Friday, so she could spend the weekend with her four favorite people. Charles had gotten the three kids from their respective schools. Olivia had decided to keep Noah in his current school until the school year was over and then he would be attending the same school that Bianca and Nicole did. After he picked them up, he had the car take them to the Jeweler. They all got out of the SUV and went inside.
"Mr. Brooks, it is so nice to see you."
"You too. I need to look at engagement rings."
"Yay! Daddy is finally gonna propose to Olivia!"
The three kids high fived each other and Charles shook his head. The salesperson took the engagement rings out of the case.
"Ok, you three, which one do you think I should get for Olivia?"
The three of them looked at the rings.
"This one."
"No, I like this one."
"I like this one."
"Are they all yours?"
"These two are mine and this one is hers but he will be my son soon enough."
"It's good that you are including them in this major decision."
"I wouldn't have it any other way. I think I agree with Noah. I like this one."
"I still like this one but that one is pretty too. You should buy them all and let Olivia pick out which one she likes."
"That's not quite how it works."
"Daddy, that one is pretty."
"Ok. This one it is."
The salesperson took the ring Charles had picked out and put the rest of them back in the display case. Charles guessed on her ring size and then the salesperson went to see if it was in stock. She had it, so she rang it up and Charles paid for it. The four of them left and got into the SUV. Olivia had texted Charles to tell him she was at the airport in Chicago, so she would see them later. He texted her back saying he couldn't wait.
"Olivia just texted me and said she's at the airport in Chicago, so she will see us later. How should I do this? Should I make reservations at a restaurant for dinner or should I have everyone over for dinner?"
"Who's everyone?"
"Her squad, Melinda, Peter, Lucy, Liza, Diana, Kelsey, Zane and the Katzes."
"You should do it at a restaurant."
"I agree."
"Me too."
"Ok."
They arrived at home and then the kids went to do their homework, while Charles made reservations for tomorrow night in a private room at a restaurant they went to a lot. He then contacted everyone to tell them what he was planning and what time the reservations were for. Everyone started replying and said they would be there. Olivia would be home in a few hours, so he made macaroni and cheese for the kids, while the kids did their homework. After the kids ate and got ready for bed, they picked a movie and watched it. Charles checked the flight to make sure it was on time and then he called Lucy to have her come stay with the kids, so he could meet Olivia at the airport. Lucy arrived and rang the bell, so Charles went to answer it.
"Lucy, thank you for doing this at the last minute."
"Oh, no problem."
"They are upstairs watching a movie. I figured Olivia and I would grab a bite to eat before we come home. Also, here's the ring we picked out for her. I wanted you to see it before tomorrow night."
Charles pulled the ring out of his pocket, opened the box and showed it to Lucy.
"That is beautiful."
"Thanks. It was the one Noah liked. He's got good taste."
"He definitely knows his mom."
Charles had called for the car. It arrived, he left and then Lucy went up to check on the kids. Charles picked up Olivia's favorite flowers and headed to the airport. Olivia's flight had arrived and she had gone to get her luggage. She had no idea Charles was coming to pick her up. She was expecting to call a Uber. She walked outside and saw Charles.
"Hey, you."
"Hey, yourself."
Olivia kissed Charles and then they got into the car, while the driver put Olivia's bag in the trunk.
"This is a surprise."
"Well, I wanted to surprise you and take you out to dinner."
"Who's watching the kids?"
"I called Lucy. I missed you."
"I missed you too."
"I made reservations for the five of us at our favorite restaurant tomorrow."
"That sounds like a plan to me."
"Do you want to grab a quick bite to eat?"
"Sure. I'm hungry."
Charles told the driver where to go and then he dropped them off. He said to let him know when they were ready to be picked up. Charles and Olivia went in for a quick bite to eat. Charles called for the driver and then he took them home. When they got home, the kids were asleep. Charles paid Lucy and she headed home. Charles and Olivia went to their bedroom to get ready for bed and then they made love before falling asleep in each other's arms.
The next day, the five of them spent most of the day at the Zoo and then it was time for them to get ready for dinner. Olivia got into the shower and the kids each took a bath too. Once Olivia was done, Charles got into the shower, so Olivia had time to do her hair and makeup. The girls put their dresses on, while Noah put his suit on. Charles had gotten Noah a suit to match one of his. Noah had come into Charles and Olivia's bedroom needing help with his tie.
"Charles."
"What's going on, Buddy?"
"I need help."
"Come on."
Noah walked over and stood in front of Charles. Charles turned him around, while Charles stood behind him, so they were both facing the mirror. Charles then tied Noah's tie. Olivia came out of the bathroom and watched her two favorite boys.
"Did you two plan your wardrobe?"
"We did."
Bianca and Nicole came in to the bedroom.
"We are ready to go."
"Good."
Olivia had gotten a phone call from Trevor Langan asking if she could stop by his office. She agreed and told Charles and the kids that she would meet them at the restaurant. She kissed Charles and Noah, hugged the girls and then she left. Charles got another car and then he and the kids headed to the restaurant. When they arrived, they got out of the car and went inside.
"Good evening, Mr. Brooks. Right this way."
Charles and the kids were taken to the private room and mostly everyone was there.
"Where's Liv?"
"She had to meet her lawyer at his office, so she said she would meet us here. I'm glad you could all make it on such short notice."
"No problem. I'm glad you're doin' this."
"I am too. I just hope she says yes. I'm a little nervous."
"Jesse, you look pretty."
"Thank you. You look handsome."
"Thank you."
Charles decided to show everyone the ring.
"That's beautiful."
"Thanks. Noah picked it out."
"Charles, I hope you don't mind that I brought Enzo."
"Not at all. Enzo, it's good to see you again."
"You too."
"These are my girls, Nicole and Bianca and my soon-to-be son, Noah Benson."
"Nice to meet you."
"You too."
"Jay, it's good to see you."
"You too, Up Chuck."
"Charles, I'm sorry. I probably should have told you I was bringing Jay."
"Don't worry about it, Liza."
"Besides Olivia, who are we missing?"
"Bob and Julia Katz. I'm sure they will be here shortly."
Charles got a text from Bob saying they were on their way, Olivia was with them and they would be there soon.
"They will be here soon and Olivia is with the Katzes."
"Good."
Charles had ordered champagne and Kiddie Cocktails for the kids. Diana introduced Enzo to Olivia's friends. Bob and Julia arrived with Olivia. The Hostess took them to the room where everyone else was.
"Wow! I didn't know we were having a party."
"Everything ok, Babe?"
"Everything is perfect. This is for you."
"For me?"
"Yep."
Charles opened the envelope and in it was the final adoption papers.
"Amazing! Bob, you knew about this?"
"I did. Congratulations, Buddy!"
"Thanks."
"Noah Sweetie, can you come here for a minute?"
"Sure."
Noah went over to where Olivia and Charles were.
"What?"
"Charles is officially your daddy."
"Yes!"
Charles bent down to Noah's level, so Noah could wrap his arms around Charles and give him a big hug.
"I love you, Daddy."
"I love you too."
"Noah is our brother?"
"Yes, he is."
"Yes!"
"Woo hoo!"
The three kids high fived each other and then they hugged.
"Babe, can you sit down please?"
"Of course."
Olivia sat down and everyone else except for Charles sat down.
"It doesn't seem possible that you and I have been together for close to a year. I knew I loved you from the moment I met you. We've already taken a few big steps in our relationship when we bought a place, moved in together and now I'm officially Noah's dad, which makes me so happy. I love you and you know that. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
Charles pulled the ring out of his pocket, got down onto one knee and opened the ring box.
"Olivia Margaret Benson, will you marry me?"
Olivia had tears running down her cheeks.
"Yes, of course, I will marry you!"
Charles pulled the ring out of the box and slid it onto Olivia's finger.
"Does it fit ok? I kind of guessed on the size."
"It's perfect!"
Charles stood up and then he and Olivia kissed to seal the deal. Everyone applauded and then they poured Champagne to toast the newly engaged couple. Everyone congratulated them and then they ordered appetizers. A little while later, they ordered dinner and sat down to eat their meal together.
"Olivia, we can't wait for you to be our stepmom."
"I can't wait either."
"Sometimes we wish Olivia could adopt us and be our real mom but we know she can't."
"You two know you can come to me for anything, right?"
"Yes. We love you, Olivia."
"I love you both too. Very much."
The girls both hugged Olivia. Charles was so glad that they loved her as much as they did, especially since he knew how close they were to Pauline. Several hours later, Charles paid the bill and everyone went home. The kids were asleep by the time they arrived at home. Olivia carried Noah in and Charles took both girls. Charles changed the girls' clothes and Olivia changed Noah's. Charles kissed the girls' foreheads, Olivia kissed Noah's and then they switched. Then they went into their bedroom to get ready for bed.
"Tonight was absolutely perfect and I was completely surprised."
"Good. I wanted to surprise you. The kids helped me pick the ring out and this was the one Noah liked. I knew I wanted to get everyone together for when I proposed."
"I love you. You know that, right?"
"Yes, I do. I love you too."
"I really don't want to wait to get married. I just want to be married to you."
"That's all I want too."
Charles and Olivia started kissing, they undressed each other, got on the bed and made love before falling asleep in each other's arms.
Reviews are appreciated.