The next morning, Alex had the unfortunate luck of being woken up early because of terrible morning sickness. Already an early riser, Olivia helped her through it, and when it was over and Alex felt decent again, she joined Olivia at the breakfast bar in the kitchen.
"Pick your tea, babe," Olivia motioned towards a cast-iron tea rack that was full of all sorts of boxes of tea. "And I'll put the kettle on."
Looking at the rack, Alex counted eight different varieties of tea, and some of them were completely foreign. After a moment, Alex tapped the one in the middle, the box of Rooibos tea.
"That one, please."
"Good choice. I lived on this when I was pregnant with Sophia—I wouldn't be surprised if she's a tea nerd now."
Alex watched Olivia put back the rack of tea and get everything ready for tea before she sat across from her at the bar.
"When did you become a tea nerd, Via? You've been a coffee enthusiast for as long as we've known each other, and it's already close to two decades now."
"Damn, we're getting old." laughed Olivia. "I still drink plenty of coffee, so don't panic, but I have Amanda to blame because she got me hooked on a particular brand that she brought back for me when she went on a trip to Puerto Rico a few years ago. Then when I moved to this apartment, I found that there's an actual tea shop the next block over that sells a big variety, including the brand that Amanda brought back."
"Well, I know what to get you for Christmas." Alex quipped in amusement. "What's on your agenda?"
Olivia checked her watch. It was already six.
"Lucy will be here in an hour, which means have to at least get Melissa and Noah up soon, so they can at least be sociable. That will be interesting because Noah is not a morning person. Breakfast will be in order after that."
Alex watched Olivia tend to the now-whistling tea kettle, prep two mugs with hot water and tea bags, and bring them over to the counter. She also watched as Olivia brought over cream, sugar, and two spoons, as well.
"You're so cute, Olivia." chuckled Alex as the older woman sat and they made their tea to their liking. "But I meant that work-wise."
Olivia laughed nervously. "Oh. I'm going to see Sophia at nine, and then bring her to the Madison Pub—she was let go."
"What?! Why?!"
"I'll explain later, I promise." Olivia told her. "After I get her, though, I'm going to bring her by the precinct so she can meet everyone. They're curious about her, and she's curious about them."
"Awww. This will make Fin the weird uncle, and Carisi the dorky older brother, huh?"
Olivia nodded. "That sounds about right."
"Then what position would Amanda fill?"
Olivia grinned wryly. "The cool big sister with a credit card."
"That also sounds about right." Feeling the baby get super wiggly, Alex blew out a breath and glided a hand over the lower area of her middle. "I'm going to go to my office because I'm sure Tucker will show up looking for me before noon, and I know that when Casey shows up—because she will—Barba will be right behind her, demanding to be let in on what's happening."
Olivia groaned. "Anything else?"
"Someone, probably Fin, will come asking about what or who to ask for permission to open that sealed file on Gunner DiMaggio that Amanda found, and I wouldn't be surprised if Elizabeth Donnelley find out about Sophia and starts asking most of us questions about objectivity."
"We're going to have a banner day." Olivia took a deep drink from her mug and set it down again. "Do you want to come home here tonight?"
Alex's heart jumped. "Yes, I do."
Olivia reached over to a small pot on the counter that held loose change and plucked something off the top, sliding it across the counter to Alex's mug. It was a house key.
"Lucy has the other key, but here's yours, if you get home before I do. If you really want, you can also stop at your place and collect things you want to keep here. You don't have to, but you're welcome to."
Alex leaned over the counter and kissed Olivia on the lips.
"The lease will be up on my apartment in two weeks, anyway, so I will totally go get some things later." Alex patted Olivia's hand as she resumed her seat. "Thank you."
Before Olivia could say anything, she suddenly felt like they were being watched, and when she turned, she saw Noah standing in the doorway where Melissa had stood the previous night.
"Mama?" he asked, looking between her and Alex in puzzlement. "Mama?"
"Hi, baby boy!" Olivia greeted him as she slid off her bar stool and walked over to him. "Did you wake up?"
Noah just blew a raspberry at his mother as he held out his arms to her.
"Silly boy." Olivia picked him up and sat him on her hip. "Come on—let's go see if Melissa is awake."
Noah just nodded and laid his head on Olivia's shoulder.
When they were gone, Alex looked down at her middle, framing her bump with both hands.
"Well, kid," she said softly. "It looks like we have a family now. What do you think? Are you happy?"
Alex could only feel tiny wiggles from her offspring, but she still took the movements as a yes.
Before Olivia went to see Sophia, she stopped to get new clothes and shoes for her at a maternity boutique that she knew of, and when she presented the new things to her, Sophia burst into tears.
"I'm sorry, mom; I just haven't had anything new from anybody in a long time, and I'm still trying to get used to people being nice to me without a catch!" Sophia blubbered. "What do you think of me?"
"That you've been through quite a lot in the last twenty-four hours, and that you're pregnant and hormonal." Olivia said gently. "All of this is going to take a lot of adjustment, but I'm very patient and want to help you, sweetheart. It's okay; I won't judge you."
Olivia held out the new things again.
"You're going to want these things since what you were wearing yesterday was put into the rape kit, and I'm sure you don't want to wear hospital clothes outside. Get dressed, and I'll find your doctor. Did she give you a clean bill of health?"
Sophia nodded. "The discharge papers, too. Everything's been filed… I was just waiting for you."
"Good girl."
"Okay, but what about my bills, though? Melissa's?"
"Already taken care of by someone who wants to stay anonymous." (the person in question was Casey) "Now get dressed already, kid. Have you eaten?"
Sophia shook her head. "Not yet."
"Then I'll make sure we get something to eat when we get out of here."
Sophia finally relaxed. "Okay, mom! Thanks!"
MADISON PUB
7 PENNSYLVANIA PLAZA
MANHATTAN
The Madison Pub was a very swanky place, even for ten-thirty in the morning. The moment that the Bensons entered, they were practically descended upon by the floor host. This man appeared irate, but that was because he'd been told to keep a look out for anyone suspicious after the other people from the SVU had come asking questions the previous day. He just hadn't been expecting anyone fitting the description to come during the breakfast shift. That's why he only had eyes for Olivia first.
"Hey, are you with those cops that came sniffing around here yesterday?"
Smoothly, Olivia replied, "I think 'sniffing around' is a crude way to put it, but yes."
"Well, your people being here yesterday, asking about one of ours, was very bad for business, and my manager made it very clear that if anyone from the sixteenth came back, to give them the boot and call their boss, pronto!"
"I guess I saved you a phone call because I am the boss of the Special Victims Unit at the Sixteenth Precinct, but today, I have no intention of asking any questions."
"Then why are you here?"
Finally, Sophia stepped forward, looking annoyed. "Because, Giancarlo, she's my mom, and she's going to wait for me while I clear out my things and sign my severance papers."
Giancarlo knew full well that Sophia had been let go, so he loosened up. "Of course, and I'm sorry. Go on back."
After a hasty apology to Olivia, too, Giancarlo left her to her own devices and went to the other side of the room to check on the other clientele.
As Olivia sat at the bar, watching Sophia go through a door marked 'Employees Only,' she remembered the last time she'd come to this place: it was her first outing with David Haden, a dazzling man in an even more dazzling coat of armor. She'd had fun with him, but then it got too dangerous, and she'd had to let him go, but then came the Delia Wilson scandal, and his association with it. After that, especially when she heard through the grapevine that David had resigned because of it, Olivia thanked her lucky stars that she'd cut ties with him when she had, otherwise she would have gone down with him. To this day, she still wasn't sure what would happen if she ran into him on the street.
She was shaken from her thoughts when she saw a young woman approach her. She looked to be about Sophia's age, and was dressed in a uniform that showed she was an employee of The Madison Pub. What raised red flags for Olivia was that the poor girl was very skittish.
"I saw you talking to Giancarlo a minute ago; you told him that you're a cop?"
"I am, and my name is Olivia." she discreetly showed her her badge. "What's your name?"
"Megan Franks. Listen—I was here when your people came asking about Gunner DiMaggio yesterday. He wasn't here because it was his day off."
"But I take it that today isn't?"
Megan gave a nod. "You got it. Gunner hasn't shown up today at all."
"When did his shift start?"
"Same as mine—six, because we're both dishwashers."
Megan glanced around nervously, and this prompted Olivia to gently ask, "Who are you scared of, right this minute?"
"My boss, Mister Maddox. He doesn't like us talking about things unrelated to the pub with our guests if they aren't ordering anything."
"Then if he comes by, we can tell him that you were recommending some dishes to me, alright?"
Megan gave a second nod, and relaxed a little bit. "Alright."
"Good." Olivia told her. "My people weren't able to find anything about where Gunner goes when he isn't here. Do you know anything?"
"Some dive bar by Grand Central called The Main Event. I see him around there sometimes." Megan became nervous again. "If you see him, don't tell him it was me that told you about The Main Event, alright?"
"Okay, but what does he have on you?"
"It's what I know about him, but I'm not saying. I want to keep my job."
Olivia decided that she'd kept Megan long enough, so she discreetly slipped her her card. "Thanks for talking to me, Megan. Call me if you want to talk about anything else."
Megan put the card in her pocket. "Alright. I should go."
"Good idea. Go on."
Megan did, passing though the 'Employees Only' door that Sophia had used earlier. Olivia stared after her, making a mental note to look her up later while also hoping that she hadn't gotten her into trouble.
Sophia returned not long after, looking happier than she had upon entering.
"Okay, mom! All done!"
Sophia had returned, and was carrying a box of her things.
Olivia stood and lifted the box from her daughter's arms. "You got everything?"
"I do."
Olivia smiled at her daughter; her happiness was contagious. "Then let's vamoose."
16th PRECINCT
966 WEST 88th STREET
MANHATTAN
"Well, here we are." Olivia said as she and Sophia stepped into the squad. "This is the Special Victims Unit."
While Sophia looked around, Olivia flagged a passing uniform down, instructing him to take their things and put them in her office. As he walked away to fulfill the task, Olivia spotted Fin, Amanda, and Carisi at the media center, so she led Sophia over.
"Everyone," she said when they arrived. "Say hello to Sophia."
Fin, Amanda, and Carisi seemed to be having a group blank-out because for a minute, all of them just stared.
"Mom," Sophia said nervously. "What's the matter with all of them?"
"Either someone just lost a bet, or they're just freaked out by how strong our genes are."
Olivia looked at her underlings, arms crossed with an eyebrow arched in amusement.
"Do you all have to go back to kindergarten again? Come on!"
Fin sidled forward, holding out a hand. "I'm Odafin Tutuola, but please just can call me Fin. I've known your mom since she was—"
"Ah-ah!" Olivia admonished. "Fin, don't you dare!"
Sophia shook Fin's hand and then giggled as she looked to Olivia.
"Mom, I know how old you are, and it's not like you're a brontosaurus!"
"Hey!"
Sophia just nodded towards Carisi, who was holding up a sign.
"Who's this, and why is he holding a sign that says, 'Call me Sonny'? He doesn't look old enough to be called that."
"Because he's not." Amanda said with a laugh as she gave Carisi a playful swat on the the side of his head. "And now he owes Fin and I twenty bucks apiece because we bet him that you'd say what you said about the sign."
Grumbling, Carisi handed out the cash. When Amanda put hers away for safekeeping, she shook hands with Sophia.
"I'm Amanda Rollins, and I keep the boys in line—most of the time." she handed Sophia her business card. "Call if you need anything, especially if you want a mom friend besides your own to talk mommy or baby stuff with."
Sophia took the card and put it in her pocket. "Thanks! You have a kid?"
"Yep!" Amanda chirped. "I have a nine-month-old baby girl named Jesse!"
Feeling her own baby wiggle, Sophia began rocking her hips from side-to-side, hoping to calm the little one down. "Baby girls are a joy, and I definitely welcome new friends in my life, so I will definitely be giving you a call."
"I can't wait."
Sophia turned to Carisi and held out a hand. "Sophia Benson."
"Dominick Carisi." he said, shaking her hand. "I get called Sonny because I have three older sisters, and they've been calling me that forever because I'm the only brother. But you can call me Carisi—everyone else does."
"Good to know."
Sophia turned to Olivia again.
"I really like your friends, mom."
Olivia beamed, proud. "That makes me happy to hear, because they're the siblings I always wanted, but never got. I love them all."
OFFICE OF ALEX CABOT
27 SOUTH 80th STREET
MANHATTAN
Alex had luck on her side that morning when she got to work. After giving Casey a warning to stay away from her office for awhile and that she'd warn her when it was all clear, she didn't have long to wait for Tucker to come seek her out.
"Councilor?"
At the sound of her title, Alex looked up from the documents she was reading at her desk to see that Ed Tucker was in her doorway.
"Well, hello." the blond said coolly as she came out from behind her desk and sat on the edge of it, facing her guest. "What brings you here?"
Ed Rolled his eyes as he entered Alex's office and approached her desk. "You know damn well what brings me here. Just give me Olivia's ring."
"To be technical, it isn't hers because she didn't say yes, did she?"
"Why are you making this difficult?"
"Because I want to, and because I have to know: you've known Olivia for almost as long as I have, but what behooved you to think that she'd leave the SVU or New York? And yes, I know about all of the tailspins she's been on since Elliot abandoned her."
"People change over time, but I seem to remember that you 'came back from the dead' what, three times, and then finally stayed away until Stabler had left."
Alex was the one to roll her eyes now. "Okay, so I had to find myself, but I would still respect Olivia's feelings, and include her in important life choices. I wouldn't ask her to leave a place she loves for a place I want just because it suited me; that's just selfish! Part of loving someone is doing things together and making sure that you both agree and want the same thing!"
"You really love her, don't you? How long?"
"Since I first met her eighteen years ago, and she was even there for me in the hardest times. I also know about more of her secrets in addition to Sophia that I'm sure she has never told anyone else."
At that, Ed realized Alex had a point. He'd always known, even back in the day, that Olivia and Alex had a special bond that was unexplainable, even to the rest of the squad. He loved Olivia a lot, but in the time since they'd been back from Paris, he'd started to realize that there things that she was definitely not saying. She wasn't acting hostile, but the more he'd thought about it, the more he realized that it would probably going down that road again. Letting Olivia go Really was for the best.
Tucker had been hoping that Olivia would accept his marriage proposal, but deep down, he'd had a strong feeling that no matter how long he'd given her to think about it, she would have still said no.
"Do you and Olivia have secrets from each other?"
"Not anymore."
"How many times have you fought over the years."
"Many." Alex confessed. "To be fair, I hadn't seen her for a few years until yesterday. Even still, when I was younger and first assigned to the SVU, and only interested in using them as a political stepping stool, I was never once out for their blood. Every time you turned up, they turned tail and asked for my help numerous times to undermine the latest obstacle that you'd hurled at them, especially when you framed Olivia or Elliot for things they clearly hadn't done. People don't forget things like that, so why now, Ed? Why, after your less than beautiful history with the SVU, are you showing interest in Olivia?"
"Time changes people, and she and I chose to put the past aside."
"Did the others approve of you two being together? She loves Fin, Amanda, and Dominick dearly, and she fashioned a family out of them."
"None of them knew."
Alex narrowed her eyes. "Why would you leave the friends of the woman you intended to be your wife out of the loop? Olivia's been through a hell of a lot, even before she joined the Police Academy, and she values love and relationships more than most people do."
"We didn't want the others to disapprove."
Alex got to her feet and put her hands on her hips; she was definitely mad now. "But you still wanted to get out of here with her and Noah, and have a fresh start in Flagstaff?"
"You know about Flagstaff?!"
"I know everything, including that you freaked the hell out when you learned about Sophia, and also the possibility of Noah having younger siblings."
Ed surveyed Alex. "But you want more kids with Olivia?"
Alex made a show of pointing out her baby bump, and Ed immediately shuffled his feet, realizing that like he had with Olivia, he was fighting a losing battle.
"You'll take care of them?"
"I will treasure them all and give them more than they've ever wanted. Olivia has been as good as my family for the better part of twenty years now. Also, I, unlike you, don't have plans for early retirement any time soon, and I know for a fact that Olivia doesn't even want something like that."
"Going to Flagstaff wouldn't mean she would have to retire early!" Ed sputtered.
"No, but a move across the country to a place like that would still be taking her away from everything she's worked so hard for. I would never do anything to jeopardize losing my family or go so far as to do something so drastic that it would make them feel miserable." snapped Alex. "Not after the horrors I've been through, not after the horrors Olivia has been through. Nobody in Olivia's inner circle can understand that the pain that comes with extremely traumatizing events like I do. You may have loved her, but can you understand being bonded on this kind of level that I'm talking about?"
Alex went to her desk and removed the ring from the drawer that she'd been keeping it in. When she stood in front of Ed again, she didn't give the ring back just yet.
"This really is a nice ring." Alex remarked as she turned it over in her fingers, making the diamonds twinkle in the light of the sun coming in through the window. "It's beautiful."
"Thank you."
"Now promise me that the next time you see Olivia, it's to tell her goodbye."
"I promise, Alex."
She tossed him the ring.
He caught it, and with a bob of his head, he left.
