Naught but a blank buzzing filled Olivia's ears at Trevor's news.

Harper was in labor.

On top of that, she was a handful of neighborhoods away. And it was also snowing something fierce.

"Liv?" Alex asked cautiously. "Are you with us?"

Olivia returned to her senses. "Yes. I'm just feeling freaked out now."

"None of us can blame you for that." her wife replied.

"Any particular tidbit from your wife that you think I should know?" Olivia asked Trevor.

"Harper isn't too far into labor." he said. "By the way, Maisie is a labor and delivery nurse at the hospital by our house."

This brought Olivia some relief. "So Harper is in really good hands."

"Yes. She definitely is."

Olivia exhaled soundly. "I needed to hear that."

"Will you call Maisie and put the phone on speaker?" Alex asked Trevor in a pointed tone.

"Yes." Trevor prepped his phone. "One moment…"

He quickly followed through on the suggestion and set the device in the middle of the table. It didn't take long for Maisie to answer.

"Trev?" Of all the people in the world, she hadn't been expecting to hear from her husband just then.

"Maze! How is Harper? You're on speaker with me, the Cabots, Casey, and Elizabeth now."

Maisie looked over at Harper. They were on her living room couch, and she was practicing various breathing exercises. She was doing everything in in power not to freak out.

But the look on her face totally spelled murder if she had to have a phone conversation any time soon.

Maisie spoke again. "Harper is doing fine for now."

"Alright. Where are Eloise and Arjan?"

"The kids are with your sister at her place." Maisie reminded him. "All is well."

"Good." Trevor approved.

Maisie changed lanes, calling out, "Olivia? Are you still there?"

"Yes!" she returned.

"I promise that I'm going to take care of Harper, okay? Like she was my own."

Olivia felt another dose of relief lift off her shoulders. "Alright. Thank you."

"Harper just came down from a contraction, but there isn't anything happening that requires your immediate presence." Maisie said authoritatively. "Do you understand?"

"Yes." Olivia said solemnly.

"Outstanding. I've heard plenty over the years about your fondness for going rogue. Please—just stay put."

"One of us will cuff her to her desk." Donnelley quipped, half-joking.

But Maisie took this in stride. "I will relay the word if or when Harper asks for more company. She isn't going anywhere."

Feeling like a broken record—but still just as thankful—Olivia said, "Thanks for everything."

"You're so welcome. I'll be in touch."

They hung up.

"At least we have a better grasp on things." Trevor offered as he pocketed his phone.

"Yes, we do." Alex agreed. "Our family is in debt to yours—we've been through so much together."

"I don't know about 'in debt,' but it's definitely safe to say that we're going to be friends for life now. Today will be a new chapter everyone involved in this new adventure."

"If I could drink to that, I would toast you right now."

Trevor chuckled. "That's the spirit."

Olivia heard them talking lightly, but she couldn't bring herself to participate. All she felt was worry for her sister. She also knew Harper well enough to know that would actually snarl at her if she arrived any time soon.

"Pardon me, everyone." she finally said.

These were the only words of warning she gave before leaving the room. Alex, Casey, Trevor, and Judge Donnelley knew that all that was left was to bunker down and wait for the weather to pass over them. But that didn't stop Olivia from worrying about her only sister.

"Should I go after her…?" Trevor asked with a feeling of uncertainty.

"I'm not sure." said Casey before turning to Alex. "What do you think?"

Alex just shrugged. "I've hit a brick wall."

Donnelley stood. "Then I'll go."

Nobody stopped her.

In her office, Olivia was trying to quiet her mind. It wasn't really working. She understood the importance of staying at her post in a crisis, but the current situation was a tad more complicated. How she wished she could call her mother. Too bad it was impossible. Resigning herself to staring out of the window seemed the only thing she could accomplish at all.

A knock at the open door jarred her thoughts.

Olivia spoke without turning around. "Please not right now, Trevor."

"Not Trevor." came a voice. "But the man is worried about you."

Olivia turned to find one of her favorite people in her doorway. Judge Donnelley was wearing an expression of kind concern. This was a good sign. For as formidable as the older woman was, she was also just as gentle. Not many people knew this.

When Donnelley shut the door behind her, Olivia knew they were in for a chat.

She sat on the couch and invited the judge to sit with her.

"Trevor is concerned?" she asked as they got comfortable. "I mean... he and Harper are friends. She's even going to work for him after her maternity leave is up."

"He is concerned for his friend, but I think that part of it is because Harper is your sister." Donnelley said at length. "Everybody knows that you're extremely protective of your loved ones. It's actually one of my favorite things about you."

Olivia reddened slightly. "It is?"

"Yes. Even for all the times you've pushed my buttons over the years, I've always admired you."

"Wow. Thank you, judge." the smile Olivia fixed on her face faltered after only a few seconds. "Have you ever heard anything about my mother before?"

"Not much. Just that you lost her unexpectedly and that Serena shares a name with her."

"Both of those things are correct. I, uh, actually found something crazy out from Harper when I met her."

"Do tell." Donnelley encouraged. "Your sister came around to my house last month, and we got to know each other a little more."

"Harper did what?" Olivia asked blankly.

"She was doing something with my daughter. That is neither here nor there." Donnelley made a ceasing motion with her hands. "Harper only mentioned surface details of her mother."

"From what I've heard, they got on well. It was just a different story where I was concerned."

"How do you mean?"

Olivia's tone was a little shaky. "I am the product of my mother's rape. She was mean about it. I was also hurt emotionally and physically by her. There was a long period of time where she was drunk what seemed like every other day. She couldn't stand to look at me at all."

Donnelley was already invested. "Were you and Serena ever able to patch things up?"

"Mhm. That was around the time I was brand new in the NYPD. Our bond wasn't really solidified until I was assigned to this unit."

"Well, that's good."

"Yes. And you know, judge," reflected Olivia. "I've never even been mad that I didn't know about Harper until this autumn."

Donnelley found herself impressed by Olivia's vast strength. "Most people would be angry about that kind of secret being kept, but you have always been far-flung from being labeled that way."

"Also something I'm proud of." Olivia leaned back. "Mother was drinking the night she died. Falling down the subway stairs was what did her in. I just didn't realize until I met Harper why mother had been drinking."

"I'm listening." Donnelley said seriously.

"Mother would have gotten Harper from foster care the next day if everything had gone according to plan."

"Why didn't Serena raise her?"

"The short version is that she was going through a lot. I wish I could forget. Mother had no business raising a child in those days."

An intense wave of sadness washed over Olivia.

"She chose to drink that night because she was nervous about what was coming. At least, that's as near as my sister and I have been able to figure."

"What was Harper's first reaction to you?" Donnelley pressed.

Olivia didn't miss a beat. "Harper clipped me with a water cup from her bedside table. When she looked at me, she saw a reflection of our mother."

Donnelley felt a stab of pity. "And I supposed Harper thought that Serena had abandoned her?"

"Yes, judge. That was my sister's exact train of thought."

"I can only imagine how freaked out she must have been." Donnelley mused. "For instance, Olivia, Sophia is your near spitting image. Harper is a closer copy."

"I look mostly like the original Serena Benson." Olivia rubbed her temples. "Melissa looks like my toddler photos, but her hair is turning red because those are the genes coming into play from the Rollins part of the family tree. Genetics is a funny thing in my family."

"But," Donnelley gave her another kind look. "Your family is full of amazing people, all of whom I love."

Olivia grinned. "That's incredibly sweet of you to say. Now there's just one last thing I've been mulling over these past few months."

"And what's that? You made your point about not feeling angry towards your mother."

"I could have known Harper back then if mother hadn't made the choice to drink that night. Maybe things would have been better. That's what I tell myself." Olivia tried not to cry. "If that hadn't happened, then I wouldn't have given Sophia up. She and I could have been happy together with mother and Harper. I would have raised my sister if I'd known about her. My family would have been whole." "

Donnelley next sounded like a wise old sage. "Indeed, but where would you have ended up?"

Olivia looked at her curiously. "Pardon?"

"You're a very accomplished member of an elite squad in the NYPD. Anyone who has known you for a long time also knows that you've conquered numerous unspeakable horrors. Again and again." Donnelley pointed to the closed office door. "Your team—past, but especially present—have really shaped who you are. Don't think I don't see."

But Olivia knew just what was being driven at. "I wouldn't be who I am without any one of them. The love I have for Amanda, Dominick, Fin, and Elliot is part of my identity. Everybody knows that."

"Yes." Donnelley affirmed. "Think about how things would have been if that other happy ending had actually happened. What would you have done if you hadn't gone into law enforcement?"

Olivia thought about it. "I've always been heavy into literature, and I speak a few foreign languages. Did you know that?"

Donnelley shook her head. "I did not. Do you keep literature in those languages?"

"Lots of books. I think I would have been a literature professor like my mother was."

"Yet, none of that would have made you who you are at this exact moment. You and I would have never met." Donnelley pointed out. "Where do you suppose everyone else would have been?"

Olivia shrugged. "I don't know about the guys, but in this 'other universe,' I think Amanda wouldn't have left Georgia."

"Probably." Donnelley agreed. "That possibility also means that you would have never gotten the whole story on hers and Sophia's father."

"Now I have it and closure." Olivia realized.

"Mhm. You would have also never met Dana Lewis."

"The only reason that Serena Diamond came to be was because I sent her mother to jail. There was no choice on that matter." Olivia said softly. "I can't imagine life without my little girl now."

Donnelley continued, "And where would you be without Noah?"

"Lost, judge. My son has always been my anchor."

Donnelley moved on to her next line of questioning. "Where would you be today without Casey?"

"More than likely so far down a path of self-righteousness that I would have never seen it. Casey has always been able to give me a kick in the pants whenever I need it."

"Very true." Donnelley moved closer. "Casey is engaged to Sophia now. They're getting married."

"And the two of them have already had a few life-changing adventures together... including how they met." Olivia said in amusement.

"Now look at them. Neither has ever been happier."

"Also very true."

Donnelley posed another pointed question. "So then where would you be without Alex?"

"I would be without my wife, and I wouldn't even know. Alex knew about Sophia first. She's always known my secrets. I know hers. And... I was even there when she got shot."

"Did you love her then?" Donnelley wanted know.

"I did. So much flashed before my eyes when I was at her side on the pavement." Olivia made a compressing motion. "All I could do was work on keeping her from bleeding to death. Alex Cabot's blood was literally on my hands. We had so many more adventures ahead."

"Why didn't you tell Alex that you loved her then?"

Olivia would have shuffled her feet if she were standing. "As dumb as it sounds, I was shy."

Donnelley prompted her. "And…?"

"Then all that time apart did a number on her head and mine."

"So do you think that being in such a real relationship back then would have been a good idea?"

Olivia answered this promptly. "Uh-uh. Alex and I hadn't finished encountering each horror that has made us who we are."

"That's right." Donnelley said in a motherly way. "And there's another event I can think of, when it comes to who you could have missed."

"Sorry, what?" Olivia had been flashing back the dark times from her past.

Donnelley gave a soft laugh. "I said, there's another even I can think of, when it comes to who you could have missed."

"Tell me."

"Diana. You wouldn't have have ever known that sweet little gem we'll be meeting in the springtime. She wouldn't even have her name."

Olivia felt another wave of emotion because her friend was right. "Sweet Diana completes us. Alex also tells me that the baby is remarkably strong."

"Just like her mothers." Donnelley remarked.

"Alex has also said that Diana is quick to quiet when she hears me. My baby girl already knows me." Olivia said proudly. "I never even would have never known Melissa. Or any of her siblings."

Donnelley rubbed Olivia's shoulder. "But you still had to go through everything you did to meet Melissa and everyone else. Was the wait worth it?"

"Yes. One hundred percent—I have a family that I love so deeply. They are my life." Olivia coughed so she wouldn't start crying. "I never thought I'd have one of my own."

"You're a better person because of them, and they're all better people for knowing you."

The biggest amount of relief yet left Olivia. "Oh, thank you."

"You're very welcome." Donnelley said. "A happy ending would have been great, but it wouldn't have been the same as today. Would it?"

Olivia shook her head. "Nope."

"Then giving up Sophia and not knowing about Harper were both for the best. Even though they hurt. The best part is that both of them found their way back to you. Olivia, your family is whole."

"We are, judge." Olivia agreed. "Alex and I wouldn't have it any other way. Now there's just one thing left on my mind."

Ever patient, Donnelley asked, "What is it?"

"Am I a bad sister?" Olivia's worry was almost childlike.

"No. Definitely not." Donnelley said in surprise. "Why?"

"Because I can't be with Harper now." Olivia indicated the falling snow outside. "Mother even left me a letter before she died, you know. Becoming friends with Harper was one of her last requests."

"Your sister practically worships you, Olivia."

"That hasn't escaped my notice. I just feel as though I've let my mother down."

Donnelley's following inquiry came out a little faster than she'd meant. She'd never had a conversation with Olivia for so long before. This woman was a treasure trove of uniqueness.

"Did your mother also ask you to look after Harper?" she asked.

"Yes." Olivia answered. "I just feel as though I let them down because I can't be with Harper when it matters the most."

Donnelley felt more like Olivia's mother than ever. "I want to believe that Serena Benson figured out as I did that you have a joyful heart. It's ingrained in your nature to take care of everyone you love, however you can... even from a distance."

Olivia said nothing, but a blush did creep into her cheeks.

"Harper also knows that bad weather be damned, you're going to go be with her, the second that you can." Donnelley said reassuringly. "The cherry on top is that she isn't alone."

"Yes." Olivia sounded like she was reassuring herself. "She's with Maisie Langan."

"Yet another person you could have missed. As for Harper, she's warm and safe right now. She also knows you're thinking of her because you asked about her during the phone call just now." Donnelley hugged Olivia closely. "You are a fantastic sister. Harper knows that. She always has."

Olivia melted into Donnelley's hold and returned it. "Thank you again."

Even though the snow continued to fall outside, Olivia finally knew that everything was going to be okay.

And that she would be with Harper soon enough.