"Are you ready?" Alex asked as she stared at the normally stoic detective who was trying her best to hide her nervousness.
"Are you sure we can't lose?" Olivia asked for about the millionth time since their arrival at the court house.
"Liv, it's an open and shut case," Alex stated, "There is no way on earth that you will be walking out of the court room today without Maria."
"I know, but with my questionable background and my job," Olivia said, "I don't have the best record."
"Olivia, first of all, your background has never once been questionable and you are a damn fine detective. Your jacket speaks for itself, so stop worrying and let me do what you're paying me for."
"But we're not paying you," Olivia pointed out.
"I know because you could never afford me," Alex said, laughing as she placed an arm around Olivia and pulled her against her, "You are the best option for that little girl. If I didn't believe it myself, I wouldn't be here right now. I need you to put on your cop face, as we call it, and go in there and blow Petrovsky away so that angel will have a permanent loving home."
Olivia nodded as she took a final breath to try and calm her nerves. This wasn't unusual when it came to her testifying. Every time she received the subpoena, she would be nervous until about four questions in, but this was different. This testimony would change not only her life but Casey's and Maria's as well.
"We are here in the courtroom to determine if the minor child shall not only stay with Olivia Benson and Casey Novak, but if they shall be granted adoption of the said minor child," Petrovsky stated as she took her seat and looked out at the courtroom. She couldn't help but smile at the turn out to show that Olivia would be the best choice for the minor to stay with, even though there was no doubt in her mind. In all honesty, this was only a formality because in her mind and opinion she had already granted Olivia full custody, "Olivia, will you please step up here?"
Olivia nervously stood and walked up to the bench, "Yes, your honor."
"I need to know what preparations you have made for the minor child."
"Your honor Casey and I have provided Maria with a loving and stable home. Since she was placed in our care, for protective custody, we have fully furnished our guest bedroom for her. She has a closet full of clothes and toys as well."
"Olivia, it takes more than a furnished bedroom and closet to raise a child," Petrovsky stated, deciding to make Olivia sweat it for a few minutes.
"Yes, your honor, I understand that," Olivia said, trying to keep her emotions at bay. This was not looking good for them; why the hell didn't Alex put Casey as the first parent? "We do have a regular pediatrician for her that she has seen. On that visit, she was given a clean bill of health and received all her booster shots. Dr. Huang has referred us to a psychologist that specializes in children who were sexually abused. She attends a session once a week and once a month we attend the session as a family."
"What about her education?" Petrovsky asked, "It is my understanding that you didn't have her enrolled in any form of formal education."
"We did not, for fear of her safety," Olivia answered.
"And, now?"
"Now, we have her enrolled in Our Lady of Pompeii."
"That is a very pricey school, detective. My grandchildren have gone there."
"Yes, your honor, it is."
"How are you affording it?" Petrovsky asked, even though she knew Alex was paying for the schooling. She was the one that told Alex to have them look into Our Lady of Pompeii.
"Our attorney, Alex Cabot, who is currently assigned as her guardian ad litem, is paying for her tuition."
"Once the adoption is granted, if I grant it, how are you going to afford the tuition?"
"Your honor, if I may?" Alex stated, standing.
"Go ahead, Ms. Cabot."
"I have informed both my clients that I would like to continue to pay for her tuition once the adoption is finalized."
"Very well," Petrovsky stated as she waved a hand as if to dismiss Alex, "You are a detective with the NYPD correct?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Your partner is your ADA, Casey Novak, and is also named as the second parent in this adoptions proceeding."
"Yes, your honor.'
"Ms. Novak, could you please approach the bench as well?"
"Yes, your honor," Casey stated as she walked and stood next to Olivia.
"It says here that you are listed as the second parent."
"Yes, your honor."
"Not to cast doubt, but how would you two work that if you broke up?"
"Your honor," Casey said with a smile on her face, "Olivia has asked me to marry her and I have accepted."
"Congratulations," Petrovsky said with a smile, "Have you set a date?"
"No, ma'am, not as of yet."
"Very well," Petrovsky stated as she shuffled through some paperwork on her desk, "You are the ADA assigned to the squad that Olivia works for, correct?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"So that means you can keep the same odd hours as Olivia can at times?"
"Yes, ma'am.'
"I know Our Lady of Pompeii's after school only goes to six pm, how are you two ladies going to work that around your hectic schedule?"
"We have someone who is willing to pick her up from after school and watch her for us, if needed," Casey stated.
"I take it you not only trust this person, but they have passed a background check?"
"Yes," Olivia stated.
"Who would this person be?"
"Alexandra Cabot," Casey answered.
"Alex, you yourself work's for the DA's office and sometimes work hectic hours," Petrovsky said, looking over the two women in front of her toward the direction of Alex, "How is that going to help these ladies?"
"Ma'am, my position with the White Collar Crime division allow for my hours to mainly be nine to five. There are very few and rare occasions that I am actually there after five."
"It sounds as if you ladies have everything covered," Petrovsky stated, smiling at them, "I need to hear from the state."
"Yes, ma'am," they said in unison as they took their seats.
"Who is here on behalf of ACS?" Petrovsky asked, looking over at what would be the plaintiff table in a criminal case.
"I am, your honor," A woman stated as she stood.
"You are?'
"Social worker, Sara Ramirez."
"Ms. Ramirez, have you had an opportunity to observe the child with Ms. Benson and Ms. Novak?"
"I have on several occasions as well as inspecting her living arrangement."
"What are your conclusions?"
"I could not find a more suitable home and loving parents for Maria. It is my recommendation that full custody be granted to both women."
"Thank you, please, take your seat," Petrovsky stated as she turned to face the women again, "Do either one of you have anything else to add?"
"No, ma'am," Olivia stated as she reached for Casey's hand.
"Deciding who should become parents and who should not is one of the toughest jobs a family judge has. Many times we are spot on with our decisions and sometimes we are not. I have talked with the child and reviewed all statements that were submitted to me by your attorney. The information I have received from that and what I have heard today has led me to believe that it would be in the best interest of the child to remain in the custody of Olivia Benson and Casey Novak."
Olivia pulled Casey to her in a tight hug as the tears poured from her face.
"We will return in six months for the finalization of the adoption," Petrovsky stated, "Olivia, Casey..."
"Yes?" they stated, in unison.
"You have been given an amazing gift, "Petrovsky said with a smile on her face, "I hope you will cherish it every day."
"We will, your honor."
"Court is adjourned; now, go get your daughter."
A/N: I'm sad to say but this story is coming to an end. The next chapter should be the epilogue. To everyone who has followed, reviewed, favorite, and read this story thank you so much. To Trace619 thank you for the idea. This story wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for you. You will never know how thankful I am for you sharing this idea with me and allowing me the opportunity to write it.
