Chapter 7

Returning to their table, Olivia discovered her cappuccino was cold and her little girl was growing tired, so she took their order of fries to go. Once she was back to the car, she made sure that Nevaeh was buckled securely she got in and drove off to find their apartment building.

She was delighted to find that their home was only a few blocks from the precinct. Parking the car, she and Nevaeh spent a few minutes just staring at the building. It was a lot bigger than she had expected. It appeared to be 20 stories high, well actually it looked more like a hotel than an apartment building.

As they approached the door, and were about to buzz for the superintendent, the door swung open and an elderly door man ushered her in. "Hello my dear. Come on in out of the cold." He smiled warmly.

"Thank you." Olivia said as she ushered Nevaeh into the lobby.

A middle-aged gentleman came and took her bags. "Good evening miss, we are glad you had a safe trip. I am the manager here, and I have been ordered to take care of all your needs." He smiled and took her bag for her.

"Y…you have?" Olivia asked in surprise.

"Yes dear, we were expecting you an hour ago."

"Actually, I think that I have the wrong address, you must be waiting for someone else." Olivia fiddled nervously with her jacket, her other hand holding onto Nevaeh a little too tight.

"Ouch!" she tried to yank his hand away.

"Oh, no, I am positive you are the right lady. The note said, 'Beautiful olive skinned woman with a small little girl, about 2 years of age, by the name of Olivia Benson and Nevaeh Benson is that about right ma'am?"

"Well yes, but there is no way this can be the right place. It is too much, it can't possibly be right. I can't afford this" She said feeling like she was about to faint.

He laughed. "Oh you are in the right place alright, let's just say, your gentleman friend who arranged this for you was feeling generous."

"Well I must say; I am a bit overwhelmed." She said breathlessly. "To say the least."

"Well my dear, I hope that you will enjoy your new home." He smiled, "by the way, my name is Jack." He led her to the elevator and pressed floor number 5.

As they rode the elevator to the fifth floor, Olivia felt a sudden uneasiness about the whole thing. Don had told her that he had made arrangements for her and found her a home. This was something that didn't make sense. Why would Don spend so much on her? Such an expensive way to show affection; Well for the time being, she didn't have much choice. She was starting work Monday, and that left no time at all to find a another place.

When they reached the fifth floor, Jack stepped out and bid her to follow him. A few doors from the elevator he stopped. Room 504! He opened the door and stepped aside letting her enter first.

The apartment was simple but beautiful. She was actually surprised at how cozy and welcoming it felt. "Here we have a nice kitchen to the right, and straight ahead is the living room, with large windows overlooking the town waterfront area. To the left of the living room was the master bedroom with a large queen size bed. The other room is a smaller room perfect for Ms. Nevaeh. It has a small single bed with railings on both sides to keep her from falling out. The bathroom is just there equipped with towels and soap and the tub." Jack said.

The apartment was spacious and comfortable. Olivia loved it! She knew it was more than she could afford, but she felt that it was 'her'. Crazy as that sounded, it almost felt like she picked it out and decorated it herself. She also noticed that some of her furniture was replaced. Although she did have a substantial amount of money from a source that she was very unwilling to talk about, she had put most of that toward college and finishing the academy. The rest she was saving for a rainy day and Nevaeh's education. Well, not matter, she was taking it!

"I love it!" She smiled happily.

"Good! I am glad you like it." Jack smiled back heading for the door.

"Wait, what is the rent on this place?" Olivia wondered, half wincing at what she was sure would be a large sum.

"Actually, ma'am I wouldn't know. I am sure that the owner will take that up with you when you meet with him."

"Well, where is he? I would like to find out before I get carried away here." She laughed.

"I wouldn't worry about it miss, it seems that the gentleman who called for you took care of the first 6 months of your rent." He offered.

"Really?" Olivia asked astonished. "How generous of him." She made a mental note to call Don and thank him.

"Well, I hear that he cares for you a lot my dear." He grinned knowingly.

"Oh, it's nothing like that." She laughed, "He's just a friend."

"If you say so, miss." He gave her the key and turned to leave. "If there is anything that you need, just call downstairs. Ok?"

"Ok, thanks Jack!" She smiled and closed the door after him.

Touring the apartment, she felt like shouting as she looked out over the water. What a great place!

Nevaeh was also enjoying the spacious rooms. She ran from one end to the other, not quite sure what to make of all this freedom. This was nothing like their previous smaller home.

Olivia went to the kitchen and investigated the fridge. She grinned happily. It was fully stocked, along with all the cupboards. "Don, you are an angel!" She then went about preparing a light supper, then, settled down to watch a bit of TV before giving Nevaeh a bath and then putting her to bed.

After Olivia was sure that Nevaeh was sleeping, she filled the tub with hot water and stepped in for a good long soak to relieve the day's drive away. She wondered though, what exactly she was going to do tomorrow. Since her things were organized for her it opened up her time. She'll figure it out tomorrow. for now, she would just soak here and enjoy the rest of the night. She slipped deeper into the bubbles and smiled in contentment.

On the outskirts of town, on a large sprawling landscape rested the Tutuola Mansion. Odafin was sitting in his office enjoying his favorite drink. Tonight, he was going to celebrate. He had done it! He had gotten her to Atlanta. Set her up in a lovely apartment, one that he could have made much more lavish. But he knew Olivia, she would have been suspicious, she knew his tastes. So he dressed it up according to what was practical, and he also felt that it was more appropriate for a child.

A child! The thought of Nevaeh pained his heart. 'Why Olivia? Why would you have another man's baby? Why couldn't she be ours?' A tear escaped his eye and he brushed it away with a flip of his hand. Taking another sip of his drink, Odafin gazed longingly at a picture of Olivia and vowed, "Soon my sweet, soon we will meet again. And this time, you are not getting away. This time you will give me what I want, nothing and no one will get in the way. And that; is a promise." He raised his glass to her and then drained it.

A/N: Thanks for reading..leave a review. All thoughts are welcome