December 26, 1980

Olivia, lying on her new patchwork comforter, wrote in her diary.

It was the best Christmas ever! There were so many surprises and visiting and gifts and everything that I didn't have time to write about it until today! It started early yesterday morning---the clock said it was five something---and I just had to sneak a quick peek. I tiptoed downstairs and found a pink ten-speed bicycle with a big blue bow attached! I was so excited that I could hardly keep my scream down! I ran upstairs and tried to go back to sleep, but of course I couldn't. So I finished that biography on Allen Pinkerton and started writing the extra credit report. Marmee knocked on my door at around 7 and whispered that since Daddy had worked late (On my bike?) we should let him sleep and have breakfast while---

A rap sounded at her door. "Olivia?"

Closing her book, she sat up and hastily fastened her new emerald green bathrobe before answering. "Come in, Daddy."

Don, smiling casually, walked into the room and sat on her bed beside her. "Your mother says you've been reading up on law and order," he said, gesturing at the tomes on her desk. "Thinking about a career?" He gave a mischievous look.

Olivia smiled a bit shyly. "Actually, I've been thinking about becoming a prosecutor," she replied slowly.

Still smiling, Don raised his eyebrows. "Really? Does a certain ADA have something to do with this decision?"

Meeting his eyes, Olivia nodded. "I'll always be grateful for what Ms. Donnelly did for me," she said soberly. "And I admire what she does for crime victims. But…but there's another reason…" She looked away, her eyes showing a pain he hadn't seen in a year.

"What is it, honey?" Don gently inquired, placing his lightly on hers.

"Ever since my final appointment with Dr. Waters in October, I've been thinking about all of the people that have helped me since…last year," she replied thoughtfully. "I was…an abused child, all alone except for my mother and her drinking buddy, and, and two strangers helped me when I needed it the most." She paused for a moment to wipe a tear away. "Because you took me in, other police officers helped me, too. Remember when my things were brought here?"

"Sure," Don said, nodding. He was dirty, but Eames did save me from putting that bed together.

"And even Anita Van Buren, who talked to me in the hospital, sent me a Christmas card from her and her new husband," she resumed. "I want to help people, especially kids, like I was helped. I'd like to be a prosecutor the same way Ms. Donnelly is. I don't want to just try criminals in court; I want to really talk to their victims and fight for their rights and needs. So, I figured I'd start getting ready now, though we won't be taking our career aptitude tests until next year. Last month I'd read a few legal pamphlets, plus a couple of crime books, in the school library right after I finished lunch. Now I've moved onto these." She gestured to her desk.

Moved by the girl's compassion and ambition, Don squeezed his daughter's hand. "If that's what you want to do, Olivia" he said, smiling with misty eyes, "then I'm behind you all the way." He embraced her with a kiss. "Why don't we go down to the kitchen and tell your mother?"

When Marge learned of her daughter's career plans minutes, she responded with a proud hug. "Why didn't you tell me about your plans?" she asked, rubbing the girl's back.

"I was afraid you would think I was becoming obsessed or something," Olivia replied a little sheepishly. "I didn't want you to worry about me." At least not any more than you do already because of last summer. "And Marmee, can you please do one thing for me, please?"

"What, baby?"

"Please don't tell Grandma---she'd really flip!"

She's using great detective skills already, Don thought as he and his family laughed.

Brooklyn, New York, Easter Sunday, 1984

Arriving at his new partner's home, rookie detective Michael Logan departed from his parked vehicle and walked towards the door, holding a huge basket of confections and trying to quell his nerves. The tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed officer hadn't meant to oversleep and miss Mass, breaking a promise to his partner of one month. But, the lovely lady at the gift shop had been kind enough to let him in at closing time, so he just had to invite her to dinner and a late movie---

"Ah, forget about it," he told himself quietly, ringing the front doorbell. "What's done is done, and I took time to put the candy in the fridge---"

Expecting an irate Max or a forgiving Marie to answer, the detective was surprised when the door opened to reveal an attractive young woman. She wore her brunette hair in a professional feminine bob. Her light green spring dress displayed a pearl-bordered cross. Each ear lobe held a pearl earring.

This must be one of the 'surprise guests' that Max alluded to Friday, and she looks familiar---

"Happy Easter, Detective Mike Logan," she said cheerfully. "We've been expecting you." She opened the storm door.

Stepping inside, he likewise replied, "Happy Easter right back at you, Ms.---?"

"Cragen. Olivia Cragen," she said, taking the gift basket from him.

That's why I kinda recognized her! She's the girl they thought Doug Franklin took a while back. Uh-oh, if she's here, that means that her lieutenant father's here!! Great job sleeping in, Logan. At least I know to watch before I flirt, or I'd be in worse shape!!

By now he had followed her to the dining room, where the hosts and guests were sitting down for Easter brunch. At either end of the table sat Max and Marie Greevey. Sitting in a booster seat near his mother was little Robbie, who was happily tapping his sippy cup with his toddler spoon. Beside him sat MJ, furtively pulling at his tie. And beside him was a man whom Mike deduced to be Lieutenant Donald Cragen.

Rising, Max put out his hand and smiled as he remarked dryly, "Happy Easter and glad you could join us, Michael."

"Max, please," laughed Marie.

"Don't sweat it, Marie, I deserve it," Mike said lightly as he shook hands. Then, hoping to further soften the situation, he added as he turned towards Cragen: "Hey, I'm lucky I don't work under Lieutenant Cragen here!"

"That's Captain Cragen now, Detective," Don said as he rose to offer his hand.

Oh, yeah, lookin' good, Mike!

"Sorry, sir," was all the younger man could say.

"Don't worry about it," Don said smiling. "Half of my people at the precinct still call me 'lieutenant.'"

"And I should have properly introduced you, anyway," Max added amiably. "Speaking of introductions, the lovely woman beside the captain is his wife Marjorie."

"Please call me Marge." She smiled as she put out her hand.

"And you've already met their daughter Olivia," Max concluded as the sixteen-year-old, having placed the gift basket on a kitchen counter, joined them.

"And the pleasure was mine," Mike said as he shook her hand.

"Thank you, but we need to wait a few years," Olivia replied pleasantly.

For the first time since his junior high school days, Mike felt himself blush. "I know that---it's just that you're so polite and charming that your boyfriend's folks must be very happy."

"Why, thank you, and they are," Olivia replied.

Sometime later, while the ladies washed the dishes in the kitchen, MJ busied himself with his Easter-theme coloring book in the dining room, and Robbie napped upstairs, the men conversed in the living room. Max fed 10-month-old Ritchie, who had fallen asleep before brunch and who was now alert in his high chair. Don and Mike sat on the couch nearby, munching on miniature chocolate Easter eggs from the basket that was now resting on the coffee table.

"That's my little guy," Max said as the child grabbed his bottle from the tray for a drink. "At this rate you'll be using your little spoon soon."

"Yeah, I'll bet!" Mike laughed. "In my experience with my nephew, those spoons make great face paint applicators!"

"I know, I've seen you eat at the station," quipped Max.

They were all still laughing (even the baby had joined in) when Olivia entered holding with her purse and a gift box.

"Marmee said I can take the Turkish delight for the Briscoes now," she said.

"All right," Don said almost reluctantly, rising to hand her the car keys. "Don't be there all day, hon. And be careful, please."

"I will." She gave him a cheek kiss.

"You're gonna be there all day or you're gonna be careful?" Max could not resist.

"Oh, Uncle Max!" She went to kiss him good-bye. Then, still smiling, she gave Mike a wave. "I'll see you later, then?"

"Oh, I'll be here when you get back," the young man said lightly. "I have to finish off these eggs before I get to the jelly beans."

"Save some for me!" Olivia laughed as she made her way to the front door.

As she walked to her father's car, she thought: He's got a sense of humor like Elliot's. Wonder what he's doing these days?

Entering the vehicle, she slipped behind the wheel and prepared to take her much-anticipated journey to Bensonhurst.