Olivia and Alex headed back to the precinct. They wanted to wait for their friends. It seemed a good thing to do.

They sat together on the office couch.

Alex began, "I've been affiliated with you and your squad since I was twenty-five years old. It's what I know. But... I wouldn't change what we're building. Ever. I would still do all of it again in a heartbeat."

"Really?" Olivia said curiously. "Lex, you've been through a lot."

"I would do all of it again because it led me to you. And the family we're making."

"Then does it sober you that you've spent so much of your adulthood with us?" Olivia wanted to know.

Just as Alex finished saying this, she noticed movement approaching the office door. Fin had come calling. He was also carrying a sealed coffee can. Olivia and Alex rose to greet him.

"You're still here?" Olivia beckoned him. "Nick and Amanda still have to stop by. We're waiting for them to come collect their their things after Zara is given the green light."

"Olivia also told the detectives to come in tomorrow morning at nine-thirty." Alex pointed to the coffee can. "What is happening, here?"

Fin drew level with his friends. "A cash collection was begun for Zara while all of us were out."

Alex was taken aback. "Woah. Any idea who donated?"

"Everyone: the uniforms, the cubicle works, day shift, night shift." Fin then pointed to the ceiling. "So did Robbery."

"What?" Alex and Olivia said together.

"All I know is that someone literally has friends upstairs. Word was passed along. Everyone in that unit put something in. Including Captain Kingmire."

Fin set the coffee can on Olivia's desk and removed the lid. Rather an extraordinary amount of money was revealed. Some of it even spilled out.

"I threw money in. So have Dominick, Upchurch, and Casey. Neither of them could have known already. Now Nick and Amanda can help Zara get set up for a new life here. Poor kid lost a lot today."

"Indeed she did." Olivia agreed. "Listen, my friend—it's getting on. Take Dominick to the bar for a drink. Try not to catch a case. I'll see you both in the morning. Copy?"

"I do, sarge. Have a good night." Fin then bobbed his head to Alex. "And same to you. See you around."

Alex gave a parting wave. "Good night."

She and Olivia set about counting the money after Fin left. They also donated to the mounting pile. It wasn't even a question.

And in the end, they learned that everyone's generosity went very far. Just over a thousand dollars had been collected. Olivia tucked all of it away in a spare cash envelope from her desk.

The precinct building loomed over Nick and his family in the dark. One last item needed tending.

But Zara sighed petulantly when she saw it. "Here? Again?"

"Yes, princesa. It won't take long." Nick picked her up. "How is that?"

Zara just yawned. She was out like a light before long.

Olivia waved her detectives in to her office after seeing they had collected their belongings.

"Hey." Olivia greeted them. "Got what you need?"

"Yes. Thank you." Nick indicated Zara. "Someone is in 'power down' mode."

Amanda nodded. "Sweet pea was not happy about coming back here, but she powered down because she was just too tired to squabble."

Alex made a sound of sympathy. "I understand that. Doing so is a go-to move that Beverly sometimes chooses to resort to."

"Here is one last surprise." Olivia slipped the cash envelope into Amanda's coat pocket. "A cash collection was created earlier. Even the robbery department. Fin can tell it better."

Amanda immediately moved the envelope to her inside coat pocket. "Wow..."

Alex informed the couple, "It's all for Zara. To help her out with getting her what she needs."

"We are so grateful for the surprise. And touched." Nick chirped. "Thank you."

Amanda gave an emphatic nod before saying to her boss, "Liv, will you please pass our thanks along?"

She nodded. "Happy to."

Alex held out a business card to Amanda. "Here is Judge Donnelley's information. She called me earlier to make sure I give you and Nick a message."

Amanda pocketed the card. "Oh?"

"Her Honor told me to say that she will help you and Nick out where Zara is concerned. Pro bono."

"I... What?"

Alex laughed. "In spite of whatever 'urban legend' you may have heard, she does love Olivia and her squad. All she asks is that one of you drops her a line tomorrow. At some point."

"Okay. Thanks." Amanda told her. "I will definitely drop her a line."

"Outstanding."

Here, Olivia hugged her detectives. "Go home. Be a family."

The detectives thanked them and bid their friends a final farewell before taking their leave.

Olivia didn't speak again until she was sure no interruptions would be had. Tears of emotion fell down her face.

"Did all of this just happen?" she asked Alex. "Did our friends' lives just turn upside down? And we witnessed it?"

"Yes." Alex wiped Olivia's tears. "Nick and Amanda are finding new ground. It'll just take awhile."

"Everything about this job takes a lot. But I love it." Olivia slipped into her jacket when Alex held it open for her. "My friends became my family. In more ways than one. But now I can imagine a life without you and the children. Or our loving friends."

"I one hundred percent agree." Alex began packing her things up. "What you think? You and me: ride or die?"

Olivia kissed Alex on the cheek and began gathering her own possessions. "Ride or die. For life."

Nick stopped with his family at Amanda's apartment next. Time to conquer the next item on the to-do list.

Amanda packed a bag of long clothes for a stay at her fiancée's house. And a bag of necessities for Frannie Mae. Meanwhile, Nick made quick work of cleaning out the refrigerator. No need to let anything waste. Frannie Mae? She curled up beside Zara. It was her best way not to get trodden on.

Still... As Amanda turned off the lights to her apartment and locked the door, she wondered when they would settle in to a place that was just their own. A home to begin again.

Zara woke to eat dinner. She and her family had takeout. But she still made a point to sit alone on living room couch.

So Amanda stole into the kitchen where Nick was cleaning up from their meal now.

She pulled Nick into her arms. "How are you? I haven't had a moment to ask. Please tell me."

Nick melted into Amanda's embrace. "I wanted Zara back when she left New York. But... A situation like this is the last thing I wanted."

"No clear-minded person would." Amanda raked her fingernails in the nape of Nick's neck, causing him shudder in pleasure when she hit an erogenous area. "But you've got me. I won't let you do this alone."

Amanda pulled Nick into a standing position again and held his hands to her middle.

"I've been doing some thinking since Alex presented me with Judge Donnelley's card." Amanda said. "What if we had a small courthouse wedding? Not a big to-do: just family and friends? I want to be your wife. Soon, mi amor."

Nick rubbed Amanda's arms comfortingly. "And I want to be your husband, just as soon. Keep going."

"Small weddings are easier to arrange. It would also mean that we can secure things were Zara is concerned. Nick, I want to do my part."

He looked at her with nothing but love. "You would do that?"

"Yes. We've been though so much, even before today. And you know how much I have always loved Zara. She is also getting a sibling from us in the near future. I want to make our bond permanent." Amanda kissed him. "What about you?"

Nick returned Amanda's passion. "That us an absolute yes. Let's go the small wedding route. Before anything else knocks us off our feet."

Amanda's heart leapt. "Okay. I'll bring it up when I call Judge Donnelley tomorrow."

"Excellen—" But Nick was interrupted when his phone rang and spotted Olivia's name on the screen.

"I bet she wants to see where your head is." Amanda deduced. "Go talk to Liv. Tell her our news."

Nick happily hurried away to the back of their dwelling. It was quiet.

Amanda migrated to the living room.

Frannie Mae was now completely stretched out. Her head was resting on Zara's lap. The dog felt to blissed out that she turned on to her side and let a contented sigh. Zara's heart fluttered when Frannie Mae moved in as close as she could for a snuggle. And wagged her tail. This dog was very friendly.

Amanda seated herself on Zara's free side. "You know... Frannie fell asleep in my lap when I first met her at the animal rescue. I loved it."

Zara glanced down to see Frannie Mae was already dozing. "I think that's about to happen."

"You cool with that?" Amanda said quickly.

"Mhm." Zara leaned against Amanda, but put her energy into petting Frannie Mae's very silken coat. "I love her."

Amanda stroked Zara's hair. "What do you want right now?"

Zara yawned. "Just this."

"Okay. I'm always happy to be with you."

After some time, Zara moved on to Amanda's lap. She had anticipated this beforehand. Zara would be clingy until (or if) she settled into this new world. But Amanda was happy to be patient.

Nick found them this way. He stopped to watch.

But Nick also noticed Amanda and Zara playing with the chains of their saint necklaces. He also felt comfort when he remembered that Maria had one, too. Each person he cared for was now protected.

It also made Nick happy to see Amanda accepting a tradition from his world so easily. And with open arms. Nick loved her even more for it.

All of these observations happened in the space of a few moments. His family hadn't noticed him at all.

Nick spoke to Olivia again when his family was out of earshot. "Zara is as content as she can be for now. Amanda's cuddling with her on the couch. Even the dog is there. She fell asleep on Zara. I won't be surprised if princesa does the same very soon."

And… As it happened, Zara was fighting sleep.

"It's okay to close your eyes." Amanda rubbed Zara's back. "Daddy will carry you to your bed."

Zara gave what felt like her millionth yawn of the night. "Are you sure, Mandy?"

"Quite. And you know... I learned from your mommy today that you and I have a fun thing in common." Amanda said to her. "She said that your middle name is Juliette?"

"Yep! That was mommy's mommy, and abuelita's mama was called Zara." she sat up and assumed a thinking face. "Mommy and daddy say I look just like she did, but that I have Nana Juliette's eyes. Hmm..."

Amanda could see that Zara was in the process of trying to remember her train of thought. It took a few tries. But then she found it.

Zara squeezed Amanda's hands in an attempt to center her own concentration. "Hey... Is Juliette your middle name?"

"Very good. I'm Amanda Juliette." the detective told her. "My Juliette is my mama's little sister. I haven't seen her for a long time. But she is very kind, and would love you."

Zara beamed and leaned back against Amanda. "I like that you and me and her have the same name."

"So do I." Amanda returned to giving Zara soothing back rubs. "Just sleep. Frannie and I are both here, ZJ. Close your eyes now. Rest."

Tickled because Amanda had used a nickname that no one had ever called her before, Zara finally closed her eyes.

And her sleep? Dreamless.

But... Once again, Amanda was faced with a new thought: bringing her crazy Atlantan family into the mix. Hopefully... It wouldn't be for a case.

All was well at Olivia's and Alex's place, across town. The children were asleep. Dinner made by Alex had been had and cleaned up from. She also started a shower for her girlfriend. And she would be damned if she couldn't her halfway. Olivia had done so much for her as of late.

And Olivia was just... tired. The feeling was all over her face.

Olivia sat on her bed, legs hanging over the side. Every last feeling was crashing in on her. At once. In a word... Olivia felt paralyzed.

Until she registered Alex's actions.

The younger woman had already slung Olivia's blazer over a nearby chair. But at the moment, she was now kneeling in between her legs. And undoing her blouse for her.

Olivia couldn't help noticing that Alex's attention was focused. Like a laser. Fine motor skills were not her best assets these days because of her clunky arm splints.

"What are you doing?" Olivia said in surprise.

"That water is running. It'll be hot soon." Alex pointed one finger behind Olivia, towards the bathroom. "Right now, I'm just giving you a jumpstart in getting ready."

Olivia was deeply touched. She also noticed that Alex was having a struggle.

"I can do it…" Olivia offered.

"No. Just one moment.." Alex shook her head. "There we are…"

Olivia's blouse had finally come undone. She eased herself out of it. Alex was immediately treated to an eyeful of her girlfriend's chest, but she maintained her focus. Now for Olivia's trousers. They were easier because there was only a single button and a zipper.

Alex rid Olivia of her trousers in one fluid motion. She grew amused to see she had practically hypnotized Olivia.

"You are my home. Taking care of you brings me joy." Alex told her. "But… You kept me from bleeding out once. Would you save me again?"

"Yes. Always. I wanted to on that night. And again, when you came back." Olivia looked Alex directly in the eyes. "You are my home, my heart, my future. I will do anything for you. Or everything. I don't ever want to be without you. Not again."

"It took all of these years and the recent events to see that my heart has been with you. All along."

The blonde kissed the brunette's own heart. She loved Olivia as much as Olivia loved her.

"I thank you for keeping it safe until I realized it."

The only response Olivia could make to being touched so intimately by her love was an unkempt humming sound.

"I guess that means 'you're welcome,' huh?" Alex looked Olivia up and down. "You are beautiful."

Alex peppered kisses on Olivia's lips, and then down her throat, across her torso, and back up again. She was feeling more safe with Olivia every day. It delighted Alex that she was this patient. Allowing her to test the waters out.

Plus… The way Olivia was responding showed Alex that she was also loving the attention and affection.

"I would say, 'Marry me,' but it's too soon." Olivia told her after a few moments.

Alex's heart skipped a beat. Her heart was yet repairing from all that Jude had done, but she knew that Olivia was her soulmate. They were also having the same thoughts. Olivia wanted be her wife.

"I love you. Always have, always will. You're so gentle. Kind, too. And patient." Alex moved closer between Olivia's legs. "But I do understand why you're holding yourself back."

"Good. I'm glad you get it because I wasn't sure how to say it." Olivia reached out and ran her fingers through Alex's hair. "Hear this: I will wait for you."

Alex gave Olivia's thighs a squeeze. "Just like I will wait for you. Ask me when we're both ready. I will tell you yes."

Olivia rose to her feet, bringing Alex with her. "Deal. You are my heart. And my home. You are it for me for life."

Alex kissed Olivia on the lips. "I feel all of that for you."

Olivia pressed kissed to Alex's knuckles. "Lex?"

"Hm?" she said breathlessly.

"Come in to the shower." Olivia removed Alex's arm splints. "I need you."

Alex's heart took such a nosedive of joy at these last words that her fingers could only slip on her own blouse buttons. "I will join you when I can remember how buttons work..."

Olivia undid the buttons for her as she walked them both to the bathroom. "I've got you. Just relax. You are very safe with me."

Alex had never trusted Olivia more.

So they held each other in the shower, bathing together, laughing, and talking together until the water ran cold.