Harper turned out to be a very pleasant person to have along while on an outing: she was also a wonderful conversationalist, and seemed to have studied just about everything under the sun.

While she told Olivia and Alex about her childhood, she was far more interested in learning about the two them, and how they had met. Olivia cheerfully provided anecdotes about everyone in the squad—although she and Alex tag-teamed to tell her stories about Casey. Harper learned about the rest of the family, as well, and found that she was already looking forward to meeting them all. For good measure, Olivia also told her sister the story of how they'd met Dana for the first time.

Of course, this meant that learned about what had happened in Oregon, too.

At the end of that story, Harper paused and stared at Olivia in disbelief, a piece of pancake hanging from her fork as it stayed suspended in midair, forgotten.

"You did all of that with Dana, Elliot was blown up because they found unstable dynamite, and you still went to Oregon to go undercover so you could fight ecoterrorist hippies?"

"Yes. Yes, I did, and it was worth it. I'd do it all again."

Harper shook her head and looked to Alex. "Where were you when this was happening?"

"Witness protection."

Harper just set her fork down altogether, and stared from Alex to Olivia, more than a little dumbfounded.

Olivia laughed. "And that's about the attitude Sophia greeted us with when we told her about this part of the family history."

"I— *HIC* Oh, no! *HIC* Xander, why?"

Bored, Xander had started hiccuping, which in turn led Harper to start doing the same. He also started kicking Harper in the side with both feet in an awkward. It was even more intense than usual… but it had been, ever since the day she became a widow. Junior hadn't taken well to the hours and hours of crying.

If he kept things up at the moment, Harper was going to get sick.

She pushed her plate back, and began massaging the spot where Xander was the most active. She made soothing noises, too, knowing he could hear her. Hopefully, that would soothe him and she wouldn't start crying in front of her sister, and her sister-to-be.

At the same time, Olivia's phone rang with an incoming call from Amanda. Alex was already moving around to the other side of the table to comfort Harper, so Olivia excused herself, careful not to jostle Serena. She was in a sling on her chest.

Olivia answered the phone when she found a quiet corner of the diner.

"What's up, detective?" she asked.

"Alec Lewis—Dana's husband—just returned my call from yesterday. He and the kids were traveling back from California."

"I see. Did he agree to come to the precinct?"

Amanda nodded, even though Olivia couldn't see her. "He did, and he said that the kids, Jennifer and Eugene, are coming, too. I told him to come in an hour. Is that enough time?"

"Uh-huh. I'm already out with Alex, Harper, and Serena, but we're in the precinct neighborhood. We'll be there before the Lewises arrive."

She cast a look at Serena. The little girl was sucking on a thumb and watching her. When Serena saw Olivia looking at her, she puffed up her chest and cooed at her. Olivia always made her happy.

"Amanda," Olivia said after a moment. "Can I trust you to pass a message along to the boys?"

"Of course, lieutenant."

"Alex and I officially adopted Serena today—she's a Benson!"

Amanda gasped joyfully and put a hand over her heart. "Oh, my goodness, Olivia! Congratulations!"

"Thank you!" Olivia chirped. "Trevor and Judge Donnelley were both visiting with Harper when Alex and I went to see her. Things just fell into place after that."

"Did the other two hear about your sister through the grapevine, or something?"

"That, and Harper's about to start work for Trevor soon."

"Come again?" Amanda squawked.

Olivia laughed. "I'm sure Harper will explain later."

"Alright."

"I'm going to go back to the table, to catch her and Alex up now, but we'll be there before long."

"Copy that. See you soon."

"Good bye."

Olivia hung up and returned to her family. Alex had since resumed her seat, and Harper was hiccup-free and smiling again. Olivia saw her empty plate beside hers and Alex's at the edge of the table, waiting to be collected by the waitress.

Both Harper and Alex gave Olivia their attention when she returned to the table.

"What was that call about?" Harper asked curiously.

"Amanda called to tell me that Dana's husband, Alec Lewis, is coming in to the precinct in an hour." she said. "The kids are coming, too, and now that I think about it, they're probably in their twenties by now."

"Do any of the Lewises know what's happened?"

Olivia sighed in dejection. "Uh-uh, so I have to tell all three of them. Delivering this kind of news is one of the hardest parts of the job."

"I'm sure."

Olivia turned to Alex. "Any specific time that you have to be at your office?"

The bespectacled woman shook her head. "No. Do you still want to me to come with you?"

"Yes, and," Olivia looked back at Harper. "I would like it if you could come—but only if you have the time. I don't want you to miss the mobile hospital."

Harper was quick to reassure her sister. "I've got plenty of time because it doesn't show up until two."

It was only ten-thirty.

"Very good. Will you come with us?"

Harper showed zero hesitation. "Of course. Just say when."


16th PRECINCT

966 WEST 88th STREET

MANHATTAN

10:50 AM


After seeing to it that Harper and Serena were settled over in the kitchen area, Olivia and Alex waited the Lewises out in Olivia's office.

The wait wasn't too long at all.

"Come in!" Olivia called, at the sound of a knock on her door.

The door opened to reveal Elliot. "The Lewises are here, lieutenant."

Olivia and Alex both stood, making themselves look presentable, and Olivia made a beckoning motion. "Thank you. Please let them in."

Elliot did, and the three Lewises entered. Once they were inside the room, he closed the door, and this prompted Olivia to step forward.

"Mister Lewis, I'm Lieutenant Olivia Benson."

Surprisingly, both he and his children smiled at her.

"So you're Olivia." Alec remarked. "It's good to finally put a face to the name."

Olivia hadn't been expecting this. "I beg your pardon?"

Eugene stepped in, introducing himself and providing further elaboration. "We've never been privy to everything that mom did, but her favorite 'adventures' to talk about have always involved you."

Jennifer introduced herself, too, before blurting, "And I have to know—she hasn't been pulling our leg, talking about the dynamite thing? Or the motorcycle? Or the ricocheting bullet?"

"Nope: all true." Olivia confirmed. "I was even there for two of those incidents."

"How did Elliot survive?!"

Olivia laughed softly as she remembered Elliot once referring to Dana (in fear) as a walking disaster zone. "That's a topic we stopped trying to decipher a long time ago, mostly for the sake of what sanity Elliot has left."

In an effort not to let his children overtake the conversation, Alec held a hand out to Alex.

"I'm Alec Lewis. Are you the lieutenant's partner?"

Alex shook his hand. "I'm Alex Cabot, and I'm not the lieutenant's partner in that sense, no, but I am the unit bureau chief of the Special Victims Unit."

The finality with which she spoke made something drop into place for the Lewises, and they all became serious.

"What's wrong?" Alec asked. "Is this about my wife?"

Olivia pointed to the couch. "Please have a seat, all of you."

They did, with Jennifer and Eugene sitting on either side of their father. It was clear to see that even thigh they hadn't been kind to Dana after she was put in jail, they each still cared about her and loved her. This news was going to destroy them, and Olivia and Alex both already felt bad for having to deliver it.

"What happened?" Jennifer asked firmly, her father and brother already at a loss for words.

"We are so sorry to have to tell you this," Olivia said. "But Dana passed away yesterday."

The Lewises were each immediately crestfallen, but when her father and her brother continued to be silent in their devastation, Jennifer continued to take the lead.

"We just came back from California, to attend the funeral of dad's brother. What happened to mom, exactly?"

"She was poisoned, and she passed away in my arms."

The Lewises could only stare in shock, so Olivia and Alex worked together to tell them what had happened. At the end, it was a few moments before they could think of what to say, but Alec finally spoke.

"For all the craziness and fast paces my wife had in her," he said shakily, wiping his tears. "She always put others first. What happened to Bishop?"

"He's dead, too. He didn't make it out of the warehouse." Olivia told him. "I made sure that Dana did, and I made sure she didn't die alone."

"Thank you." Alec said sincerely. "She really did love you."

Jennifer and Eugene both nodded in agreement, and they accepted the box that Alex offered, before passing to their father. Olivia watched them, and remembered back to Dana's letter. It had said that her husband and her kids had left her completely after she went to jail and told them about Serena. Now, here they all were, grieving like they had seen her yesterday. They had loved Dana all along.

"Wait, lieutenant!" Jennifer said suddenly. "Mom had a baby, but we were too full of ourselves to ask any specifics! Do Eugene and I have a brother, or a sister?"

"You have a new sister."

Jennifer looked around. "Where is she?"

"In the building, on this floor, with my sister—another person whom Dana protected. I didn't even know about her until after she escaped… so because of your mother, I was able to discover that I have a new sister, too."

"Can we see them?" Eugene asked. "Please?"

Olivia nodded and walked over to the door. Opening it, she called out to Carisi, because he was closest.

"Dominick, will you please go fetch our other guests?"

He nodded. "Sure thing, lieutenant."

He retuned quickly with Harper and Serena, and closed the door before going back to his desk.

Meanwhile, Olivia put her hands on her sister's arms to keep her steady—Serena was very wiggly.

"Harper," Olivia said. "These are Dana's husband, Alec, and their kids, Jennifer and Eugene. Why don't you give the baby to Jennifer first?"

"Alright. I can do that."

She crossed over to Jennifer and eased Serena into her arms. Any resentment that Jennifer had had about her was gone in a heartbeat.

"Oh, hello, sweet princess." Jennifer cooed to Serena. "I'm feeling sad about our mama, but I promise I'm so happy to meet you."

Serena was very surprised to see a new person, but once Harper showed Jennifer how to hold her properly, she began to giggle and snuggle.

Eugene looked over at Olivia. "What's her name?"

"Serena Diamond—that was what your mother named her. She also asked me to make sure that you and Jennifer stay in Serena's life; she wanted all of her children to know each other. It was really important."

Eugene and Jennifer had no trouble promising that they would oblige their mother's wish, and then they turned their attention to Serena, starting to dote on her.

Alec became overwhelmed with emotion, though, and left the room. Olivia and Alex followed quickly, and guided him into the room next door to the office. While he and Alex both sat at the table, Olivia shut the blinds on the mirror and turned off the speaker into the other room. There was no need to burst the kids' happy bubble.

"What are you thinking, Mister Lewis?" Alex asked.

He sighed haltingly. "Serena looks like her mother, brother, and sister already. Dana begged me to take her, and I wouldn't because I was just so angry."

Olivia took the empty chair beside Alex as she said, "Nobody would fault you for that. I know I certainly wouldn't—it was me who had to put her away."

"Really?"

"Mhm. It was me."

"But you still went back for her yesterday? Why? Oregon?"

Olivia nodded. "That particular adventure changed my life. Dana has had a piece of my heart ever since, and she always will."

Alec Lewis was moved by this, but still managed to keep it together. He wanted to get through this conversation in due fashion.
"Where is her body, please?"

"At the morgue." said Alex. "We'll make sure you know who to call."

"Thank you. Dana loved the FBI, but she also really loved the SVU—I would really like it if you all came to the funeral when I get everything sorted."

"We'll be there, and it's only right that Serena is there, too, even if she won't remember it."

Now Alec was nodding. "Yes, of course. And I have to know—what's going to happen to Serena?"

"Dana left a letter with her, explaining her situation, and she asked me to adopt Serena. If I didn't, Serena's father would have put her somewhere Dana wouldn't have been able to find her, just because."

"Oh, my God. He's dead. now, though, right?"

"Yes. A sniper took him out."

"Serena is perfectly safe now." Alex added quickly, remembering that civilians weren't used to hearing the word 'sniper' with no warning. "She's getting a second chance at life, and we've even already nicknamed her Stardust because she just fell into our lives like a falling star."

At this, Alec read between the lines. "Wait. Are you and Olivia a couple? Is that how you're partners?"

"Yes. We're even engaged, and just an hour ago, we officially adopted Serena. She is now Serena Diamond Benson."

He offered her a smile. "I'm glad that Serena has a chance to grow up happy, with two parents. And you said that Dana wanted Serena to know her brother and sister?"

"It was one of her dying wishes."

"Well, Jennifer and Eugene are legal adults now, but I wouldn't have tried to stop them, because it was what their mother wanted. Their mother loved them so much, you know." he ran his fingers through his hair. "Are there any siblings for Serena at home?"

Alex perked up and pointed to her middle, which Alec hadn't quite noticed. "This is Diana, and she'll be here in April. We also have a toddler son called Noah."

"Does he know about Diana and Serena?"

"He does, and he adores them. Those are just the others at home; we also have Harper now, and a grown daughter, an assorted number of grandchildren, and even a nephew."

"So Serena will have playmates abounding, now, and a few older other older family members to dote on her."

"Yes."

"Thank you for telling me this. There will never be a day when I won't love Dana, no matter what she did, and then she passed away after making sure that the people she cared about were safe." he said. "I'm proud of her for that."

"She was a true hero." Alex declared as Olivia immediately nodded in agreement.

"Definitely… Is it okay if we send presents to Serena?"

Olivia took charge here. "We would love that, and I have the next two weeks off. Why don't we trade information, and I'll give you a ring when I have something like a registry set up?"

Deciding that this was a good idea, Alec Lewis gave them both his business card (he was a banker), and they both gave him one of theirs. When they stood and shook hands, he posed a new question.

"Would it be too much trouble to go to the morgue today?"

Olivia shook her head. "Not at all. Come this way, and I'll arrange for someone to take you."

They left the room for the bullpen.

Alex returned to Olivia's office, and watched from the doorway as Harper, Jennifer, and Eugene fawned over Serena. The baby was in love with all of the attention she was receiving.

Not even a week ago, Serena had been at risk of being taken away from her mother, for no reason, other than just to be mean. Dana would have died with a broken heart. Now, Serena was happy and healthy, safe and sound. She was even a Benson.

She had a bright future ahead of her. Dana was surely smiling down from Heaven.

Harper had suffered, too, and even after being made a pregnant widow, she shed managed keep her head up. She and Xander were in their lives for good now, and Alex knew that she and Olivia were going to have a job of helping Harper heal, but it would be so worth it. They were family, after all.

Alex kept watching them all, and when Alec returned to tell his children it was time to go, she watched as Jennifer and Eugene gave kisses to Serena, and hugs to Harper. They even bid her a farewell, too.

Serena missed her brother and sister when they left, but she began to relax when Harper gave her a back rub. In a matter of moments, she was extremely relaxed.

That's when Harper saw Alex.

"How long have you been there?"

"Just a minute or two." Alex crossed the room and sat beside Harper on the couch. "How are you?"

"Happy that Serena could meet her brother and sister. She liked them a lot."

"That's good."

Harper nodded, and smiled when Alex reached out to Harper. She had a surprisingly strong grasp, and she responded to Alex by finding one of her fingers and holding on tightly.

"Oh, I don't want to go to my office building." Alex lamented.

"Then here." Harper put Serena in Alex's lap. "Get some cuddles in before Olivia comes back."

"Sounds good to me." Alex helped get Serena adjusted, and then gave one of her tiny hands a delicate kiss. "I couldn't imagine anything else."

Both mother and child just listened to the sounds of each other breathing after that.

Yes, Alex thought. Even after all those years of tears and loneliness, I would do it all again, in spite of who could and couldn't have been saved. I would do it all again, even just for a quiet moment like this one.