The weekend is over and their home that has shielded them the past 48 hours is invaded once again by this haunting case. The trial would begin around 10 this morning. Peter still hadn't told her on what grounds they were able to arrest Rob and it worries her. She trusts him with her life, but it terrifies her running into this so confidently and so blindly. That was over 3 hours away though so for now...for now she would enjoy these last few moments they could stretch out of their weekend.

"You have no idea how good that feels," Olivia laid on her side in bed with a few pillows nestled under her heavy swell, reveling in the feel of Peter's hands placing pressure on the knots in her back. The baby was doing all sorts of shuffling these days, trying to somehow fit in the crowded space. She was running out of room and Olivia had no idea how women went past 40 weeks even the slightest.

"It's almost over baby," he moves closer until his body is flush against hers and moves his hand to her swell. His lips connect with her temple and he cuddles her close, feeling the quick kicks of their baby.

"I don't know if I can make it another three weeks," her voice is still laced with sleep and she could almost sleep for another hour or so, but she knows it's not the best idea. Today is a big day and she needs to be on her A game.

"Come on, let's get some food in you mama. Maybe it'll help you feel better," he's up and off her in seconds coming around their king bed and helping her to her feet. "I hate seeing you like this," she winced as she stood up, feeling the pains in her pelvis. It had been like this weeks ago when the baby had finally dropped.

"You did this to me," her tone is serious but her face is forgiving when she gives him a small smile.

"Liv, please don't kill me in that delivery room," he's holding onto her hands still as he looks at her with a hint of a grin and she's trying her best to hold back laughter.

"No promises," she winks and leaves him to ponder before taking her first morning trip to the bathroom.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Oliva had done great in court this morning. She wasn't nervous at all. Despite doing this over a hundred times she still experienced some anxieties when it came to testifying. Sometimes she was the victims first outcry witness and her words could be the defining line between a perp going away or not. Today was different though, she answered the questions thrown at her as best as she could. Everything about this case was very circumstantial and with Peter keeping what felt like the biggest piece holding this case together from her, she was going into this not knowing a damn thing.

That was until later this evening when she got news that Nikki had caused quite a stir in the courtroom today. Olivia was normally very aware of her surroundings and made an effort to always look over her shoulder, but she had been so caught up thinking about today she hadn't noticed Rob waiting behind her SUV. He had tried talking to her despite her trying to dismiss him, because he couldn't help but get one last threat in before this was all over. Fin had been nearby leaving to his own car as well and she was forever thankful he naturally looked out for her and got there just in time.

As much as she should have taken it as a sign to get her ass home, she needed to speak with Nikki. It was killing her that she wasn't allowed in court since she was testifying and she needed to know what the hell happened. Luckily for her, there was a bar where she knew to find most people in law enforcement.

"Nikki," Olivia waddled her way over to where she sat at the bar. She was still dressed for court and she figured she had come directly here afterwards, which was hours ago. "You tried to frame Rob Miller today in court?"

"What choice did I have? He was going to get away with this!"

"You lied under oath. You could get disbarred for this," she doesn't even flinch at Olivia's words. Nikki continued nursing the mixed cocktail between her hands.

"Oh please Olivia, I've been doing this long enough. You think I'm afraid of losing my job of tap dancing in a courtroom? My daughter is safe and I won't have to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder," she turns back towards the bar in an attempt to dismiss Olivia, but she's not having it. How did she think this made her look as a Lieutenant? She was the one leading this case and if word got out that SVU attempted to frame anyone for a guilty verdict, who would ever trust their department again?

"That's not the point, Nikki! You know I never would have approved this which is why you felt the need to do this behind my back," Olivia had left the courthouse leaving her faith in the jury and now she had no idea if she should.

"You know what, Olivia? You might want to ask that loving fiance of yours who's idea this was to begin with."

Everything stopped around her- Peter? It was him who was behind this? Was this the exact thing she was supposed to trust him on when they arrested Miller last Friday?

"Yeah, he's been lying to you. You can be mad all you want but neither of us have to live in fear anymore. That bastard is going away," Olivia stood still in disbelief with her hand over her mouth.

She has two options: go upstairs to their condo and ask Peter calmly about trying to frame Miller, or completely lose her shit on him for lying.

She vows for the second option.

He had spent the entire weekend lying straight to her face. When she goes upstairs she doesn't want to hear some bullshit about him trying to protect her, because this was the opposite of it. Peter could lose everything he's ever worked for, including the law firm he's working on. How could he have been so reckless?

Her key clicked into the lock of the home they've shared together. It's been six months since she had packed up her and Noah's things and moved them over to his place. It took awhile for her to feel like it was their place too. Slowly, there was less sports memorabilia and more pictures of them all filling the space within. Noah's school pictures, date nights, family outings, and her favorite one sat on Peter's desk in his home office. It was a photo of them at one of Noah's choir concerts for school. He was so excited to have Peter there. She likes to think of it as one of the few events that officiated Peter's status in Noah's life.

Olivia closed the front door behind her and made sure the locks were secured before setting the alarm system. She tried to unzip her boots she had worn and laughed to herself when she realized there was no way in hell she could bend over anymore. The small heels of her booties clicked against the hardwood floors and she heard the faint sound of music coming from what she assumed was the kitchen. She smelled garlic and fresh bread baking in the oven. Damn him for being so good to her.

"Hey baby," Peter greeted her when he heard her round the corner into the kitchen. He wore a black apron around his waist, still dressed in slacks and his buttoned down shirt. He gave her a boyish grin and went to grab a wine glass. She heard the pop of a lid and the sound of the dark liquid filling the cup, before he turned his body to where she stood at the counter.

He tried handing the glass over to her and her eyebrows lowered in confusion. "Relax, it's that sparkling grape juice they give to kids on New Years," he leans to kiss her temple and hands the glass over to her again. "Can't have pasta without wine. This is the best we got for a few weeks," he steals a playful kiss from her before returning to the pot of white sauce he has going on the stove. The effort makes her smile a little, even a small laugh escapes her. He's always thinking about making her happy.

Looks like she'll be going with her more calm approach instead.

"What are you so quiet for?" He looks over his shoulder at where she still stood unmoved. It's like her feet are glued to the floor until she asks him directly what the hell went on in that courtroom today. As much as she was angry she was also completely defeated. She doesn't want to argue anymore because of Rob Miller. It's exhausting to think about this going on much longer and she hopes that the verdict tomorrow will give them all closure.

"I spoke with Nikki today. Right before I got home actually," her words came out strained. She doesn't want to talk about it anymore. She wants to enjoy this dinner her love made for her and maybe spend the rest of the night with him in bed watching tv. But what he did today in court was beyond bending a few rules. He broke her trust.

"She told you huh?" He doesn't tense up or show any signs of guilt. Instead he lowers the heat below the pot and turns to make his way back over to her. Olivia simply nods and bites away at her lower lip. "I've got maybe three months left at special victims. I'm gonna put away every fucker I can, including Rob Miller," he stands less than a foot away from her with his hands on his hips. His jaw clenched and she knows his building anger isn't directed at her. It's at Rob, it always comes back to him and she resents him for it.

"It isn't that simple though. You've risked so much by doing so. You got caught lying in court-"

"And Nikki laid her heart out to that jury letting them know why she did it. She feared for her life and her safety and I think they saw that. I'm not worried about it or my job," he has that cocky sonofabitch look in his eyes that tells her there's no point in arguing with him, because he's already decided.

"You lied to me all weekend," she pushes past him and sets the wine glass on the marbled counter. Her fingers grip the edge with her back turned to him. Olivia understands his point. Him and Nikki did what they felt it took to get a guilty verdict. It isn't as if she never did the same thing. She concluded though that the most upsetting part is that she was left in the dark. This must be exactly what Cragen felt when she pulled one over on him.

"And now you know why," she feels his hand skim up to her waist and the heat of his body overtakes her. "I didn't want to lie to you, but you and I both know what would have happened if I told you the truth," his mouth is near her ear, each of his words bouncing against her hair. "Please look at me," he pleads with her. Olivia spun slowly with his hand still attached to her hip. She feels his fingers grip onto the fabric of her blouse, and she knows he's resisting touching her. He's giving her space and time to think.

"I'm sorry for lying but I hope you understand," he adds. She understands too much but it's the apology she's the most understanding of, and is grateful that he listens to her. He hears every word she says and granted it may be the lawyer in him but she knows her lover cares about what she has to say.

"I get why you had to keep it from me. I guess it just didn't help the blow of it all hearing it from Nikki," her palms reach up and flatten against the hard planes of his chest. His breaths are even and steady, and it wills her to do the same. "That food almost done?" She looks to her right at the sauce that's bubbling and realizes just how hungry she is.

"Almost," he tilts her chin up to him and captures her lips, dragging his tongue along her lower lip. He wishes these last few weeks of pregnancy hadn't brought her so discomfort, or else he'd be working on getting her underneath him. "You sit and I'll finish cooking," he detached himself completely from her and she almost protests if it wasn't for the delicious smelling food.

He resumes stirring and checking on the garlic bread he's got going in the oven. She reached for the glass of the sparkling juice and rounded the corner to take a seat at the island. It's contentment that fills her when she looks over at him humming to the music and making her dinner. Their baby kicks her then and her hand flies up instinctively. It's a not so gentle reminder from their little one that yes, this is her life.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Guilty

He was found guilty.

These last few months have reached their final chapter; relief doesn't even come close to describe how Olivia feels in this very moment. It was early this morning when they got the call that the jury was in. Her coffee had barely been brewed before they had all rushed to the courthouse, but missing her morning caffeine was a small price to pay for a guilty verdict. Nikki cried happy tears and the worried crease between Peter's eyebrows had dissipated. They had all been relieved of this demon of a case and the quiet that followed was indescribable. It's a reminder why she still gets up at the crack of dawn everyday for the past twenty years of her life. They all do the job that no one else lasts barely a year doing.

They returned to the 1-6 and finished up paperwork so they could all get out at a decent time tonight in the hopes of not getting any new cases. Fin, Amanda, and Carisi all went a few blocks over to the bar they often frequented. As much as Olivia wanted to, these last few weeks of pregnancy were kicking her butt and her bed was always the better option. Peter and her hopped into the white mercedes he had driven to work this morning and headed home to their boy. His hand rested on the console with hers, his fingers weaved between each of hers with his thumb brushing against the top of her hand. Her forehead rested against the cool glass of the window and she wills herself to keep her eyes open.

"We're home," Olivia felt his fingers grip gently into her scalp as his thumb skimmed across her jawline. She hadn't even remembered nodding off. "Let's get you upstairs and into bed," he leaned over to kiss her cheek and moved his hand to run along her swell.

"And food," she grumbles, still half asleep and it makes him chuckle a little.

"Yes, and food," his mouth tips up into a smile. His life wasn't just about him anymore, he had three other lives that he felt were so much more important. Peter never saw himself living such a life full of domesticity. Life was routine before Olivia and Noah. Weekdays spent in his office, and weekends spent in clubs and bars along with meaningless hookups. His money went to cars and last minute trips with the boys; private tables at the clubs and meaningless objects to fill his home. Then when Olivia came she showed him there was a much more purposeful life worth living.

He turns the car off and hurries to the other side to help her lift out of the front seat. She still tries to deny she needs the help but she still accepts it. Peter grabs her bags without question and makes sure to lock the car door before taking the elevator from the parking garage up to their place. She's silent and rests her head on his shoulder on the way up and his head turns to place a kiss to the top of her head. The bell dings and they make their way to the end of the hall, turning the key to the cocoon they've created. They relieve Lucy and are glad to see Noah was already asleep in bed.

Like always, they went to give Noah a kiss goodnight before leaving his door cracked and going to their master bedroom. She sits on her side of the bed and stretches out with her arms behind her holding her body up. Peter remains standing at the door with his arms crossed over his chest watching her. She's his. And yes, that might sound possessive but he doesn't care. He is hers just as much.

"Could you help me?" she points her foot out and it makes him grin small over at her. Her brown waves that fall past her shoulders frame her face and he can't help the urge to tuck the piece that's fallen in her face behind her ear. He moves in front of her to his knees and unzips the sides of her boots before taking each one of them off.

Peter stands to his feet and goes into the bathroom to turn on the shower for her, and makes sure to grab a towel for her. When he emerges she's already to her feet undressing and he's just glad she accepts his help. "I'm going to heat you up some leftovers," he kisses her swiftly and heads into the kitchen to fix her a quick dinner before bed.

Her, them, their future all surrounds him in their home they've built together. Noah's toy chest that sits in the living room, Olivia's favorite foods fill the fridge, and what makes him smile the most is the bag of baby clothes from the boutique Olivia was dying to go to this weekend. It got her mind off the case for a bit and that's all that mattered to him. Her and Noah's happiness is all that mattered to him.

In three weeks time he hopes, he'll be rushing her off to the hospital and Olivia will be cursing his name as he speeds through the streets of New York City. He knows she'll try her best to put on a brave front for a while, but soon enough labor will get tough. She'll cry and he'll be there sweating up a storm trying not to panic. He's gonna stay strong for her as if he's done this a hundred times. She'll beg for relief from the pain and Peter will coach her through the contractions as they come.

As much as he hates the idea of Olivia being forced through the worst pain of her life, he can't wait to hold their little one. He's hoping for a girl but he hasn't told her that, because at the end of the day he wants a healthy baby. A being that's half him and half her that they get to bring home, and let the weight of the world fall away from them as their family grows from three to four.

Crying because this story is coming to an end. I have one more chapter left in me for this, and then that's it for this story. I think an epilogue is needed too :) but I have already started working on another Benstone story because I love them.

I hope you enjoy this late night post. Stay safe out there guys! xo.