Note: This is something that's been sitting in my docs for a while now. obsessedwithstabler and I wrote it over the summer, and... don't read if you don't like angst.

Warning(s): MAJOR character death, labor-related pregnancy problems. Lots of angst. Consider yourself warned.

For a long time, Olivia Benson didn't think she would get her happy ending.

Six years into her partnership with Elliot Stabler, it dawned on her that what she felt for him was something far deeper than what partners should ever have for each other. Once she finally acknowledged what she knew was there, she also knew she could never tell anyone. Elliot was happily married with four beautiful children, and Olivia would have died before she ever interfered with his happiness.

But Kathy Stabler took that decision from her when she handed divorce papers to Elliot.

She was there for every minute of it. From the late night calls to having to pick him up from his favorite bar after he was cut off, she saw him through it all. He slept on her couch, leaned on her shoulder, and let her comfort him.

Then, a year after his divorced finalized, he sat Olivia down and asked her out on a date.

That date turned into an overnight stay, and when Olivia awoke in the morning with Elliot's head resting on her breast, she knew she could never let him go.

She opened her eyes and smiled. She was sitting in her rocking chair, the window allowing a gentle breeze into the room. That first night had been almost a year ago. Elliot had long since moved into her apartment, with his kids visiting as much as they could.

Elliot was moving around in the kitchen, probably making lunch for them. He had been more protective of her lately, and she completely understood. Her hand came to rest on her swollen belly. While they hadn't talked about having a baby, when that pregnancy test came back positive, they had both been elated. Olivia had wanted a baby for years, and Elliot wanted to give her her heart's desire.

Now she was a little over a week from her expected due date, and she had never been happier. Elliot had turned her guest room into a nursery, complete with fairy tale murals on the walls. From the crib to the changing table, everything was ready for their little girl.

Soon, he joined her in the room and handed her a prepared plate with a bottle of water. "Here you go."

She grinned and balanced the plate on her belly. "This looks delicious, El." It was chicken penne and she was suddenly ravenous.

He returned the grin as he sat across from her. When his twins were born, he'd thought he was done having kids. Still, when they'd learned of Olivia's pregnancy, he'd been over the moon with excitement. That had only grown as her due date drew closer. "Need anything else?"

"No, I'm fine." She dug into her food eagerly.

Nodding, he gave her shoulder a squeeze before he started to eat his own lunch.

When she finished eating, she set her plate aside and put her feet up. The baby gave a firm kick and she absently rubbed her belly.

Elliot reached over, grinning widely when he felt their daughter moving around. "There she is."

"She's really active today," Olivia murmured, watching with warm eyes as Elliot stroked her belly. "I can't believe we only have a week to go."

"Maybe even less."

"Maybe. But I hope she's not in a rush." She cradled her belly.

He rubbed her belly gently, earning another light kick in response. "She'll come when she's ready."

"Mm hmm. I finished packing the hospital bag last night." She placed her hand over his.

Elliot turned his hand over to squeeze hers. "How are you feeling?"

"Good. A little tired and sore, but I'm thirty-nine weeks pregnant." She laughed airily.

Her laugh made his smile widen. Leaning over, he closed the distance between them with a gentle kiss.

Olivia melted into the kiss, closing her eyes. "I can't believe I have you..."

His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "I love you."

"I love you, too," she breathed, leaning into his hand. "I love both of you."

He touched his forehead to hers, his smile never fading as he pulled her a little closer.

They kissed again and Olivia closed her eyes.

She finally had the life she wanted.

Two nights later, Elliot and Olivia were lying in bed. Olivia had been feeling a little more uncomfortable than usual so she had gone to bed early, with Elliot joining her shortly after. But not long after she fell asleep, she rolled toward Elliot and gently rubbed his chest. "El...?"

He stirred, instinctively wrapping an arm around her. "Hmm?"

She softly kissed his lips. "My water just broke..."

Immediately he was alert, sitting upright in the bed.. "It did?"

"Mm hmm." She smiled sleepily and stroked his arm. "It's time to meet our girl."

Elliot helped her sit up. "We'll go to the hospital. Have the contractions started?"

"I think I've been having them for a while." With his help, she rose from their bed and changed into sweatpants and one of his old shirts.

He found the bag she'd packed and picked it up. His other hand rested on her back as he led the way out to his car.

Through the trip, he could see that she was uncomfortable. But she smiled as she texted Fin and Maureen. They would be the ones to call everyone and update them, and she was grateful for both of them.

They arrived at the hospital in record time, where Elliot checked them in at the front desk. A nurse supplied a wheelchair, and he helped Olivia sit in it. He reached down and gave her hand a tight squeeze as they made their way to the maternity ward.

Once Olivia was settled in a private room and made comfortable, a nurse came in to examine her. "Well, honey, you guys made it just in time. You're already at six centimeters dilated," she announced, removing her gloves and washing her hands. "It won't be long, but you should rest as much as you can."

Olivia nodded and settled more comfortably against her pillows. The painkillers made her comfortable and she gave Elliot's hand a squeeze.

"You ready?" He smiled at her, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb.

"I am," she murmured, resting her eyes for a moment.

He smoothed his other hand over her forehead. "In just a few hours, she'll be here..."

"I can't wait. I love her so much already."

"I do, too."

She held his hand tighter, and through the night her labor steadily progressed. The nurses were pleased with her progress, and when it was time for her to push, Elliot was quickly scrubbed in. As soon as he came back to her side, Olivia grabbed his hand. "She's coming," she panted.

Elliot sat at her hip and squeezed her hand tightly. "Are you ready to meet her?"

"Yeah..." She let out a teary laugh that morphed into a groan as another contraction forced her to bear down.

Elliot let her squeeze his hand hard. He put his other arm around her. "Just lean against me."

Olivia leaned into him, letting him support her as she pushed.

"Good girl, Olivia," the OB called out. "You're doing great."

Elliot smoothed his hand over her hair, murmuring encouraging nothings to her as she pushed again. "Almost there..."

"Her head is out! Keep pushing, Olivia!"

Olivia nodded and cried out as she pushed again. There was a moment of quiet, then the OB held up the baby for them to see. The newborn finally cried out. "Here she is!"

With Elliot's help, they moved the newborn into Olivia's arms. One of the nurses handed Elliot a pair of sterile scissors. "Want to cut the cord?"

Grinning even as his eyes misted with proud tears, Elliot cut the cord as the baby was settled safely against Olivia's chest.

Olivia stared at the crying newborn in awe. "Oh my god..."

"She's beautiful." Elliot's face softened with affection as he settled next to her, gazing down at their newborn daughter.

"She really is." Olivia couldn't hold back a sob. "I love her so much, El."

He melted, scooting closer to her and wrapping an arm around, pulling both of them against his side. "I love her, too..."

She leaned into him, exhausted but overwhelmingly happy.

"We never decided on a name."

"Well… we have one part." She smiled teasingly at him. "She's a Stabler."

He chuckled. "At least that part's settled."

"And we still have time." She peered down at the newborn. "We can get to know her."

"Yeah. I don't think she's in any hurry to learn her name."

"Right now I think she's just in a hurry to eat," Olivia laughed as their daughter nuzzled against her breast. She moved her gown aside and settled their daughter in to nurse for the first time.

After a moment, the baby latched on, letting out a quiet sigh as she began to nurse.

Olivia sighed in relief and nuzzled into her husband. Exhaustion was settling in and she yawned.

Elliot rubbed her arm and leaned his head against hers. "Try to rest now. I'll be right here."

She nodded tiredly, letting Elliot take their daughter when she pulled away from her breast. "I love you both..."

"I love you, too." Elliot carefully settled their newborn daughter in his arms. "Hey there, sweetheart..."

With practiced ease, he moved her to his shoulder and lightly patted her back until she burped. Olivia watched them until she finally fell asleep with her head on Elliot's shoulder.

Early the next morning, Olivia awoke to the sound of Elliot speaking softly to their newborn. For a moment she just listened to him, her emotions washing over her.

After a few moments, Elliot looked up at her and smiled when he realized she was awake. "Morning."

"Morning." She yawned and stretched her arms a bit. "How is our girl?"

"She's great." He touched their daughter's palm, smiling when she wrapped her fingers around his.

"Good. Have you called your kids yet?"

"Yeah. They want to meet her a little later today."

"I can't wait." She smiled as she carefully sat up. "Do you think they'll let me eat? I'm finally hungry."

"I think so. Do you want me to get the nurse?"

"I can get her." She reached for the call button, noticing that her arm felt a little numb. She attributed it to the IV and pressed the call button.

A couple of minutes later, a nurse joined them in the room. "Good morning," she greeted. "Ready for some breakfast?"

Olivia grinned and nodded. "I am."

"Great. We'll bring you up a tray."

"Thank you." She turned back to Elliot and their daughter. "Bring her over, El?"

Elliot leaned over, carefully settling their daughter in Olivia's waiting arms. He smiled, watching as Olivia immediately cradled their baby. He'd longed to see this moment for so long, and he didn't think he would ever tire of it.

Olivia beamed as she took their little daughter. "Hi, sweet girl..."

The baby yawned, flexing her little fingers as she snuggled into her mommy.

She grinned even wider, cuddling her daughter to her chest. "I can't believe we made this little person, El..."

"She's perfect." He smiled softly at her.

"She really is." She ran her fingertip down their daughter's cheek, humming softly to her.

The tenderness of it made Elliot's face soften. He brushed his thumb against her cheek. "You were meant for this."

Olivia sniffled and looked at him with a soft smile. "Yeah?"

"Mm hmm." He leaned over her and pressed a kiss to her head.

The moment was interrupted when the nurse returned with a breakfast tray for Olivia. Olivia reluctantly let Elliot take their daughter, then sat up a bit more. "I'm starving."

"Once you're out of here, we'll get you something better to eat." Elliot carefully settled their baby in her isolette.

"I'd rather have a nice breakfast prepared by you," Olivia replied, removing the lid from her breakfast tray.

"We can do that."

She grinned as she picked up her fork and tried a bite of her eggs. "I hope they release us today. I want to sleep in our bed."

"I think they will. I know the kids want to come over later to see their sister."

"Mm hmm." She took another bite of her eggs, but as she tried to swallow, something felt wrong. Immediately she tried to cough.

"Liv?" Elliot leaned closer. She coughed again and he swore, settling the baby in her isolette. "Shit." Then he helped Olivia lean forward and firmly patted her back.

She coughed the eggs up after a moment, but something wasn't right. She continued to gag as she weakly grabbed Elliot's hand.

Elliot met her eyes and felt his heart race with panic when he saw the left side of her face starting to droop. He reached over and pressed the call button, yelling, "We need help in here!"

She grasped his hand again, fear washing over her as she tried to say his name. A muffled sound escaped, making both of them even more worried.

"You're gonna be okay..." Elliot held her tight, cradling her head to his shoulder and stroking her hair. He was just about to yell for help again when nurses suddenly flooded into the room.

Reluctantly, Elliot released his wife so they could examine her. Olivia looked terrified through the process, her eyes searching the room when he left her sight.

He found an opening near the head of the bed and reached out, keeping a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I'm here, Liv. I'm not leaving you."

Finally one of the nurses raised her head and met Elliot's eyes. "She's having a stroke."

His stomach churned and he tightened his grip on her. "What can you do for her?"

She quickly explained that she was going to give Olivia a clot busting shot, then she would be taken upstairs to determine if she would need surgery.

Everything that was being said terrified Olivia. She tried to hold Elliot's hand tighter, but her grip was weak and numb.

He gripped her hand tightly, stroking her hair with his other hand. "You'll be okay..."

She weakly tugged on his hand, trying to pull him closer.

"I'm here, baby," he assured her, leaning over her when the nurse indicated he could. "Right here..."

"I...love you..." she breathed, her speech soft and slurred. "Always...have."

"I... I love you, too." His grip on her tightened. "But you're gonna pull through this. You hear me? You're gonna be fine."

She nodded weakly. "And… I love her..."

"I know. In a few days, we'll all go home..." He touched his forehead to hers, his lips finding hers in a soft kiss.

She leaned into the kiss, but moments later her eyes closed and she went limp into the pillows.

The nurse ushered Elliot away. "We have to move her, now!"

Elliot backed up, his heart racing. "Help her!"

Olivia was rushed out of the room, and Elliot found himself alone with their daughter.

The commotion roused her and she awoke, crying. Elliot felt weak as he picked her up, settling her against his chest and patting her back. "Shh..."

As he tried to soothe her, Maureen came into the room with a bouquet of flowers. Seeing her dad look so worried alarmed her. "Dad?" She quickly set the flowers down.

"Liv..." Elliot inhaled sharply, willing his nerves to settle. "She just had a stroke..."

"Oh God..." She quickly crossed the floor and went to hug her dad.

Elliot hugged her, squeezing his eyes shut. "It was just... sudden. One minute she was fine, and then they were taking her into surgery."

Helpless, Maureen looked at the tiny baby cuddled in the crook of his arm. "Is she...?"

He nodded shakily. "The baby's fine."

She blew out a breath and nodded. "What can I do, Daddy?"

"Just... just stay here for a while?"

"Of course." She guided him over to the two chairs she saw, and she sat down with him. "I'm not going anywhere."

The baby had stopped fussing, and Elliot sighed softly as they sat down. "Do you want to hold your sister?" he offered, grateful for the distraction.

"I'd love to hold her," Maureen murmured, smiling as her dad laid the newborn in her arms. "She's so tiny..."

Elliot nodded, his expression relaxing just a little. "She's perfectly healthy."

"And beautiful." Maureen fussed over her baby sister.

"Yeah..." Elliot touched the newborn's rosy cheek.

Maureen leaned into her dad, gently patting her sister's back. "Did you guys ever pick a name?"

"Not yet." He shook his head. "We wanted to get to know her first."

"That makes sense." She looked worried when her sister started to squirm. "Does she need something?"

"I think she might need changed. I'll take her and get her cleaned up."

"Okay, Dad." She immediately shifted her sister into their dad's arms.

Elliot took the baby and settled her on the isolette. He rummaged through the diaper bag until he found what he needed and changed her. "There we go..."

Maureen watched them with sad eyes. "Kathleen and the twins were supposed to come before dinner. Do you want me to text them?"

He nodded. "We'll see how Liv is first."

"Okay." She pulled out her phone and quickly updated her siblings.

Elliot sat back down, letting his newborn daughter snuggle into him. "That's it..."

Maureen looked at the two of them with a soft smile, and they settled in to wait for news of Olivia.

The next couple of hours were the slowest of Elliot's life.

He waited, trying to convince himself that Olivia would be alright. No matter what happened, she could pull through this. She would be in the hospital a few days, and then he'd take her home. He would take care of her until she recovered, then they'd raise their little girl.

Elliot stirred when his daughter fussed, waking from her nap. Immediately he scooped her up, offering her his finger. "Shh…"

The door opened and a solemn faced doctor stepped in. Maureen immediately looked up from her book and nudged her dad. "Dad, there's a doctor here..."

Elliot settled the baby back in her cradle and launched to his feet. "How is she?"

"Mr. Stabler, please have a seat."

Something about the doctor's tone made him unsettled. Elliot reluctantly sat down, staring expectantly at the doctor.

The doctor sat down in front of Elliot. "Mr. Stabler, as you know, your wife suffered a stroke. It was...catastrophic. It's not particularly common, but she most likely had blood clots that were asymptomatic and went undiagnosed."

A lump formed in his throat as Elliot tried not to hear what he knew the doctor would say next. "What can I do for her?"

He gave Elliot a sympathetic look. "Mr. Stabler… Elliot, I am so sorry to have to tell you this. But your wife passed away during surgery."

Maureen's eyes went wide and she couldn't stifle a gasp.

In that moment, Elliot felt his heart stop. Feeling numb, he shook his head. "No, she... she was completely fine this morning," he argued. Not even three hours ago, she had been awake, talking about taking their baby home.

Her doctor nodded sadly. "When she underwent surgery, we attempted to break up the clot that caused the initial stroke. Unfortunately there were multiple clots."

Elliot barely heard him, his head spinning. His mouth went dry as he tried to respond. "But she... she was healthy. Everything was going just fine."

"I'm so sorry..."

The doctor's voice became hollow and distant as Elliot dropped back into his chair. Maureen turned to her dad, pulling him into a hug. Too shocked to respond, Elliot froze, his vision blurring as tears stung his eyes.

The doctor quietly left the room after offering another apology that Elliot didn't hear.

Maureen turned in her chair and hugged her daddy tighter.

Slowly Elliot leaned into her, a tremor going through him. "Oh god..."

"I've got you, Daddy." She rubbed his back gently. "I'm here."

Elliot fell silent, squeezing his eyes shut tightly as he tried to convince himself that this wasn't happening.

It couldn't be.

Reviews are appreciated, and stay tuned! I'm still breaking this into chapters, but it's looking like a 4-5 chapter arc.