They would be able to leave the hospital that same night. Amanda wanted to bring her family home. Fin spent a few days home with them and they let Fay play hooky one day too. She absolutely adored her baby sister and loved to help Amanda take care of her. The two sisters would have a very tight bond as they grew up and thankfully Riley wouldn't put Fay through the ordeals Kim had given Amanda.

Fin had to learn and adjust to having two youngsters around the household. There wasn't much time for chilling but he never complained. Noise meant they were alive and kicking so it was music to his ears. Riley were only a few months old when they moved into a three room apartment with windows towards the East river. Amanda came back to work. They had both adjusted to not being co-joint at work all the time. Life was good.

There had never been any discussion about Riley taking the last name Tutuola and they'd sent in papers to change Fay's name too even before the little one was born. A week after they were all home from the delivery the papers dropped down their shoot. Fay was immensely proud of her new birth certificate that read Faith Olivia Tutuola. But she wouldn't be the last one of the family to get a new last name.

Even though Fin had always said he would never ever re-marry the thought started to tickle him a little. And he was man enough to admit when at fault, not that he often was though. It wasn't like they needed it, they were a family with or without a ring but there was something about putting a ring on her finger that made him feel excited. During a beach visit that following summer Fay had gotten a plastic ring in one of those bubblegum machines and he noticed that it fitted Amanda's left ring finger perfectly as Fay were trying it on her mom's every finger in the car back home. He borrowed that ring that night and paid a jeweler a visit the very next day.

A few weeks later he got an opportunity too good to miss. Fay spent the night at Ken's and Alej's since they were planning a daytrip to Sesame Place in Pennsylvania the next day and would leave very early to get a whole day in the park. They had joked a little about him and Amanda having a date night but Fin actually wasn't joking. He'd made an effort. Made dinner and pampered her with a pre-dinner drink. Non-alcohol of course since she was still breastfeeding Riley. Riley had another one of her peaceful nights. They were spoiled with a very low-maintenance girl that had quickly found her day and night rhythm and even though she had a strong and demanding voice she usually quiet down as soon as she got some TLC.

After dinner Amanda went in to feed Riley as Fin cleared the table and kitchen. He loved their apartment. It had plenty of space for all four of them and would work even with two teenagers. Teenagers he thought and smiled to himself. Crazy thought. He'd bought a box of her favorite donut brand and arranged them nicely on a plate with a napkin underneath. He placed the donuts in the middle of the table and then two smaller, empty plates at their places at the table. They had places at their table. He loved that fact.

He made sure the tea kettle was warm before he went back to the table and put the box with the ring on her empty plate. He then walked down to their bedroom where he knew she'd be with their youngest. Just as expected he found them in the chair by the window. Her breast was covered up so Riley must be done eating.

"Hey," she whispered with a smile when she noticed him in the doorway. He'd been lurking there for a while just enjoying the peaceful scene. He smiled back as he got up to her and he kissed the top of her head.

"She's done?" he asked as he carefully touched her cheek. She was just a slight shade darker in the skin than Fay, still lighter than Fin though making them literary come in every color. Her hair was dark black though. Curly but soft as could be. The blue tint that had covered her eyes when born had remained oddly enough. On Fay it had disappeared within a week but Riley's were still the darkest of blue. Except for the hair and eye color she was a spitting image of her big sister when she was born.

"Done and wiped out," Amanda smiled. He wished he could get down on his knees to their level but he knew it would be hard for his leg and if he got a chance he wanted to save the knee bending for a little later.

"I got tea and dessert waiting for you," he said after watching the girl intensely for a while.
"Oh I'm still so stuffed," she sighed with a smile.
"Its donuts," he lured and he could see on her face she liked that intel.

"What have I done to deserve all this pampering?" she sang and nudged his arm playfully.
"You don't have to do anything, I just need to be better at it so it doesn't feel like a onetime thing," he said.
"I didn't mean it like that," she said apologetic.
"I know you didn't but I still mean it," he smiled and this time planted his lips on top of hers.

"Common, put her away and come out to the kitchen," he urged after a while as she remained seated. He had a light tone but he really wanted her to see what was on the table. She gave him an odd look but then her face broke into a smile and with his help she got herself standing with the baby in her arms. She put her down in her portable that was on top of the bed and Fin helped her tuck her in to speed things along. Amanda chuckled silently at his eagerness. She was usually the one that got worked up about donuts, not him and she found it funny.

He took her by the hand and led her out and down to the kitchen. Once there he let her go and stepped aside so she could walk past him. She kept her eyes and smile on him though and didn't notice her plate until she was right by the table. He couldn't see her face at first but saw her whole body tense up a little. Her hand went up to her mouth and he saw her finger her lower lip as her eyes were glued on the tiny box on her plate.

"What's this?" she asked holding her breath as she turned to look at him. She looked stunned.
"Open it and find out," he smiled, loving that he'd manage to surprise her. She smiled nervously and looked down at the box again. She shot him another look though before she took the final step so she could sit down. Her legs suddenly felt very weak and her head a bit empty.

"Common," he urged as she wasn't reaching for the box. He stayed a few steps away, wanting to watch her clearly as she finally reached for the box. She held it down to the plate with one hand as she opened the lid up with her other hand.

"Fin," she gasped once she saw the perfect ring for her inside the box. It was plain gold with just one perfect little stone of purest diamond sparkling on one side of it. She wasn't much for bling or fancy jewelry and she loved that he knew this about her. She'd never seen a more perfect ring before. As she brought it up closer to her eyes as they were tearing up she spotted the fine wavy line springing from the stone and all the way around to the back of the ring. It made the diamond look like a flower growing or perhaps its crocked root that so perfectly represented their relationship from the beginning to this day. This perfect day.

She managed to pull her eyes away from the perfect ring and again held her breath as she looked at him with anticipation in her eyes. He approached her with a big smile. He had her flabbergasted and he liked that. With the help of the table he got down on one knee beside her. He spotted the slight shiver in her lower lip and he touched her jaw line briefly before he grabbed a hold of her hand. She swallowed hard.

"I can't promise you perfection," he started knowing exactly what he wanted to say having gone through this in his head for a while now. She shook her head slightly with a smile on her face. She didn't want perfection. Perfection was overrated.

"I can't promise you I won't ever hurt you. But I can promise you I will try my darnest not to. That I will love you regardless and make sure you know that. That I will be here whenever you need me and even at the times when you pretend you don't need me. I'll be here for you and for our two amazing little girls. There aren't enough words to tell you just how much I love you, love them and love what we have. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. Will you let me?"

By the end he too had tears in his eyes. When she nodded her tears welled over and he swiped one side of her face with his hand before he reached for the ring. He could feel her trembling and he stroked the top of her hand to calm her down before he gently put the ring on her finger. It fitted perfectly. They both looked from the ring up at each other at the exact same time and they smiled through tears. She leaned forward and placed her lips over his. They kissed but had to come up for air ever so often since their noses were a bit stuffed from crying.

They got interrupted by a harsh shriek from down the hall.
"Darn kid," Fin sighed jokingly and Amanda chuckled as she separated from him. They hoped she would settle down on her own but they weren't so lucky.
"I'll be right back," she said but stayed to help him get up off the floor. She managed to sneak him a quick kiss as well before she rushed down the hall towards the now angry crying coming from the master bedroom.

That had gone perfectly he thought to himself and felt happy and relieved. He went and turned the tea kettle off and then walked down the hall to make sure Riley was okay.
"It was just the blanky," Amanda smiled once he came up next to her. Fay had a bit reluctantly given her blanky to Riley when they first brought her home. It had pained Fay to give her security blanket up, both Amanda and Fin could tell, but she'd been determined she wanted her sister to have it. And Riley was as fond of it as Fay had been and it helped Fay to know it was at least nearby and someone was looking after it. When Amanda walked in Riley had kicked it down somehow and lost touch with it. As soon as it was back in her arms again she'd fallen right back asleep.

Amanda touched the tiny girl but got stuck watching her own hand as the stone glimmered at her. She smiled brightly and turned to look at Fin. He'd seen what she'd looked at and it made him happy she was so happy. He was standing right beside her with his arm around her waist and now he leaned down and kissed her. He pulled her in further and the kiss got deeper fast. Her now ring wearing hand got stuck somewhere in the air above their sleeping kid as she got lost in the kiss. His hands travelled down and cupped her butt cheeks as he pressed her into him harder.

Finally he had to let her go and he looked down at the kid and then scanned the room quickly. She watched as he let her go and then grabbed the portable cot. He couldn't find the baby monitors anywhere so he just put Riley down right outside the door and shut it before he came back to Amanda.

"Did you just put our kid on the floor and shut the door on her?" Amanda asked with an amused face as he reached her.
"Oh it's warm, safe, she has her blanky and with her mama's voice we'll know if she needs us," Fin said and got her down on the bed. Amanda chuckled under his lips as they travelled down and around her neck and then came back up to shut her up. She couldn't stop the laughter though, this night was crazy and she couldn't stop all the good feelings from seeping out of her.

"Okay can the wifey get into this or," Fin finally complained but with a smile.
"Don't call me wifey," she said as she started to laugh even harder. She tried to pinch his arm but she felt overwhelmed and out of strength making it a lame attempt.
"You prefer MILF?" he suggested and got her laughing so hard tears came pouring out again.
"No," she cried. He rolled off her and pulled her with him so she got half way over him instead. She leaned her forehead against his cheek as her laughter thinned out. She managed to get her head up then and she looked at him intensely, with a smile on her face and her finger tracing the side of his face.

"I love you so much Fin," she whispered.
"Well good cause I love you too," he said and brought her head down so he could kiss her. He would get him some that night and as Riley had heard his wish she kept sleeping peacefully out in the hallway, blissfully unaware of what her parents were up to behind the closed door.

Just a few weeks later the two said their 'I do's' and sealed it with a kiss down at the courthouse. She wore a simple, but gorgeous cream white dress that ended just by her knees. Unfortunately Riley had thrown up in her new white heels the night before so Amanda stood comfortable in her old boots but pleased the kid hadn't come down with something more serious than a temporary tumbling stomach. The boots made her ensemble boho chic though, Fay had let her know. Fay had also helped her pin a few of Fay's own hairpins in her hair so the braids going around Amanda's head sported tiny white flowers with a little bit of bling to them.

Fin had cleaned up nicely too. He wore a black jacket with a white shirt. Fay had folded a dark red cloth to put in his jacket pocket. That along with the black pants, black shiny shoes and the trimmed haircut he looked like a million bucks in Amanda's eyes. Fay wore her favorite dress and stood between her parents during the whole ceremony. As usual involved and concerned about the people around her, especially those she called her family. Just like her parents she called the squad her family too. And they were all present.

Riley, in a color coordinated to Fay's dress romper, sat pleased on Sergeant Munch's arm. She'd been quiet through the whole ceremony, past several arms until she ended up there and now fully intrigued with the medallion Munch had put on his jacket. By Munch's side stood Nick and Cragen, both sharply dressed and both having had the pleasure of holding the little girl earlier.

On any other day she would have also graced detective Olivia Benson's arm but not today. Liv's arms were at the moment occupied with a smiling, dark-haired little two year old boy that only a month ago had arrived to her home and care from Russia. She was in that new-mom bliss mode and seeing how long she'd longed for this she'd probably stay in the mode for quite some time. She had adopted the boy on her own but Cassidy was by their side right now and she didn't thought it impossible the two would raise him together in the future. For now though the boy and his wellbeing was her priority. Seeing Amanda and Fin in front of the judge made her hopeful for her and Cassidy though. Seeing how long these two partners had come and the obstacles they'd worked through. Olivia admired them.

It was such an amazing day. After the ceremony the Rollins-Tutuola family treated their guest to an early dinner. Amanda kept her surname but added Tutuola to it. Around the squad room it got too complicated to have two detective Tutuolas she figured so she stayed with Rollins around there. Outside work though she always used Amanda Tutuola. She liked the sound of it.

Ken and Alejandro joined the festivities at the restaurant and so did Eva and her two boys. Amanda felt so very blessed when she looked around the room. She had everything and more than she'd ever dared to wish for.

Sure life wouldn't be perfect. Life would keep throwing them curveballs and they would have their ups and downs but Amanda didn't want it any other way. It just wouldn't be her life if it didn't come with some hardship and it made her appreciate all those amazing moments even more. Fin would stick to his word. He would do his best to not ever hurt her and the rare moments it did happen he always were quick to apologize. And he would love her regardless, fight her insecurities until there were none left and let her know almost every day just how loved she was. He would even buy her flowers at times and to his own surprise never ever forget her birthday or mother's day. And she would send it all back to him just as much and if possible even more.

She remembered a time several years ago, before Fay was born and she'd been sitting in the squad room looking around. Looking at Fin and thinking about the secret affair they had. She'd felt very content with life then. Little did she know she would sit here several years later and be more than content. She would be happy. She was happy. That was an even better feeling.

Her thoughts had brought her temporarily out of the room but now when she resurfaced her attention fell right where everyone else's seemed to have gone. Fay was standing on her chair on the other side of the table holding everyone's attention. She was still in her funny jokes period and Amanda heard her ask;

"How do you get holy water?" It was a joke Amanda knew but it registered a little too late as people shook their heads in wonder and Fay shouted out the answer so the entire restaurant could hear;
"You have to boil the hell out of it."

"Hey hey," Amanda said, "I banned that one." The laughter around the table got stuck on hold as Amanda got all the looks on her. She'd tried to look strict but failed miserable and once Fay saw the smile the girl's giggle got everyone else started again. Fin had tried his best to not laugh knowing the joke was banned but failed eventually and soon everyone was laughing almost hysterically. Amanda too. It was a funny joke after all.

Fin grabbed her hand under the table and got her to look at him. 'I love you' he mouthed and she leaned in to kiss him. They got interrupted as Riley splattered her hands on their cheeks.

"You hitting your parent's are you, you cheeky girl," Amanda smiled at the little girl sitting in her lap smiling brightly, showing off her single set of teeth in her lower gum. She had to touch them and of course was rewarded a slightly hurtful bite. It only brought an even wider smile on Amanda's face though. Fay had seen them across the table and came running around, not wanting to be left out of the moment. She crawled up her dad's lap and put one hand on her mom's shoulder and the other one on her baby sister's cheek. Riley gurgled something to Fay and she immediately acknowledge her.

"Yeah I know, you want dessert now," Fay smiled and then wiggled her eyebrows at her mom and dad. Fin chuckled while Amanda shook her head with a smile.
"Now I know where you get your cheekiness from," she said and touched Riley's nose before she planted a kiss on Fay's forehead.
"Okay dessert time," Fin said out loud and Fay let out a loud 'yay'.

"Can I just?" Munch asked as he held up his glass and looked like he was about to stand up.
"Speech," Nick and Cassidy both coughed a couple of times earning a few smiles form the small crowd. Munch got up with his glass raised which made everyone around the table grab their own.

"I've taken upon myself to say something for those of us that work with you but I think it goes from all of us," Munch winked.
"Odafin. Amanda," he said with his most formal voice, "thank you for letting us be a part of this your special day. It's truly an honor." He took a dramatic pause which no one that knew him well were surprised by and the squad partners had time to exchanged looks and smiles before he started speaking again.

"Odafin, I'll address you first since I've known you the longest," he said and raised his glass at Fin. Fin did the same with his but then put it back down as Munch spoke.
"My friend, my old partner, it should've been me. I can't believe you chose her over me," Munch got the laughter he'd aimed for.

"In all seriousness. I love you. Today when I stand here and watch you I'm a very happy man. A wise Indian man once said; when love reigns, the impossible may be attained, and he must have been thinking of you when he said it. I'm sure Amanda had something to do with it but seeing how you let love back in, my friend, makes me so very happy," Munch raised his glass again at Fin and Fin raised it back as he tried to hold himself together. Munch switched his stand a little so he faced Amanda. She got a shy smile over her face and felt her cheeks blush. She met Liv's eyes briefly and she gave her a calming wink.

"Amanda, my friend, my new partner, it should've been me. I can't believe you chose him over me." Again the table burst out in laughter. Fay didn't really get it but laughed anyway.
"It's been a joy having you join the squad, seeing you work your southern charm on the big city. Seeing you work your charm on that old man right next to you. You surely have done good here. I love you Amanda," he raised his glass at her and she did the same.

"From all of us, may the most you wish for be the least you get." And with that he raised his glass at the table and everyone but Riley joined him in the toast.

"That you were such a poet Munch," Cassidy smiled.
"At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet," Munch mused and got some somber laughter.

Fin coughed a little to get attention and got it quickly.
"Excuse me for not getting up but," he gestured to Fay in his lap and got all smiles and understanding around the table. He used her as an excuse though feeling the weight of the attention he directed to himself.

"I just want to thank you all for sharing this day with us, I know Amanda feels just as blessed to have you guys in our lives," he reached out and squeezed her shoulder. She'd looked at him but felt her eyes tear up when he met her eyes and she turned her gaze outwards instead and nodded to let them all know she agreed to what he was saying.

"It's been… a road," he finally settled with and smiled. He got some small chuckles around the table.

"I'm glad we finally got here, that she didn't give up on me along that mentioned road," he said and made her look at him again. She bit her lip to hold in the tears she felt threatening behind her eyelids and she tried to smile and shot Fay a funny face as he spoke to keep herself sober. Fay listen intensely to the grown-ups. She couldn't fully grasp the importance of the day but she loved how happy her mom and dad seemed. And how smashing they looked in their new clothes. Her mom looked so beautiful with make-up and all. Fay reached out and touched her mother's cheek. Amanda grabbed it afterwards and planted a kiss in her palm.

"I hope it's a long road, that she won't run too far ahead of me and that you will all be there with us," Fin managed to say before his throat stocked up and he raised his glass. Again all the glasses were raised and he got some cheers and shouts.

"And with that…" Fin said after he'd taken a sip of his drink and touched the top of his oldest daughter's head. Fay spun around quickly and shouted; "Dessert." Everyone of course laughed at the precious girl and like on queue two waiters rolled forward a tray with a delicious looking cake on it.

Amanda leaned into Fin aiming for his cheek but he saw her coming and turned his head to meet her lips with his own. It was a short but sweet kiss and she stroke his clean cut and smooth cheek as she let his lips go. She stayed nearby though and looked him deep in the eyes.

From across the table Olivia had caught the two and she couldn't help but smile. She'd seen their affection in small dosage previously but today they, mostly Fin, didn't hold back at all and it was such a treat for a romantic's eyes. The boy in her lap demanded her attention as he obviously wanted cake just as much as everyone else around the table.

"Thank you," Amanda whispered to him. He looked a bit perplexed.
"For making me so very happy," she explained and immediately got a smile from him. He gave her another quick kiss.
"Most delightful job in the world," he smiled as he let her go again.

"You know what else is delightful?" their daughter interrupted.
"Cake," she said with her hands up in the air when they looked at her.
"Cut it already," she urged and Amanda kissed her eager little face as Fin chuckled.

"Okay okay," Fin said and got up. He'd picked Fay up and put her feet down on his chair so he could reach for Amanda's chair and pull it out. She got up with Riley in her arms but handed her over to Eva who was sitting right next to her. They went around the table to the cake carriage and a waiter handed Fin a knife. It wasn't a huge cake but it was more than enough for a party of fifteen. Fin handed over the knife to Amanda and then put his hand around hers. Together they cut the cake and got cheers from more tables than their own. Apparently they were supposed to feed each other some cake and they just went along with it.

He wasn't ready for the cream she smudged on his nose once they were done though and he made one of his priceless faces. She was quickly there though with a napkin and wiped it off. He grabbed her and pulled her in for a passionate kiss getting another round of applauds by the tables around them.

"Don't ever stop being you," he said once he let her go, "I love you."
"I love you too," she smiled as her heart flooded over with love that would last a lifetime.

It's been written in the scars on our hearts We're not broken just bent And we can learn to love again

XXX

I just want to thank everyone that has read, reviewed and those who are just Finanda shippers. It's been really fun to get this, my Finanda lovestory, down in script. I can only hope we'll see some Finanda on the actual show.

I have to send a special thank-you to killerQueen32. Your reviews has been awesome to read and even at times been the one thing that kept me going. And, without buttering up too much, you've inspired me to be a better reviewer myself. It does help the writer & you can actually influence the story.

So now all I have to do is mark this one as 'complete' and that's that. On to the next fan fic perhaps. Next one won't be a lovestory though me thinks. Need to get back to the dark that is SVU ;)

Make sure you have a good day today! XO