By the time Olivia reached her destination, Elliot was already there. They'd mutually agreed that Elliot coming to the precinct or Olivia coming to the bureau would've been a disaster. There were too many memories for Elliot at the 16th precinct, and both knew that Olivia had accidentally put herself right in the middle of Elliot's formerly ongoing investigation. A public park seemed a good meeting spot. Out in the open yet secluded from prying eyes, as parents, nannies and children didn't seem to care about the two adults talking among themselves.
"Hi" Elliot waved. Olivia's heart did a somersault in her chest. She sighed out of frustration, angry with herself that she couldn't simply turn off that part of her, the part she'd rather refuse to acknowledge.
Elliot got into the heart of the conversation, "So, when do I get to meet the little guy?" he grinned.
"That's what I wanted to talk with you about" she began, "Noah's at his friend's house tonight, for a sleepover, and I thought we could hash this out before things go any further" she clarified, "You probably don't want everyone thinking you had a sixth child" she sighed, "especially with me"
"That wouldn't be so bad" he smiled.
Olivia controlled herself, "I'd like to have a plan, something ready to tell him"
"Sure" Elliot sat down on a park bench. It was late afternoon, perhaps early evening, and the sun hadn't begun its decent yet. "How'd he come up with that anyway? That I was his Dad?"
"There's this photo that I have- he managed to find it" Olivia conceded, though she didn't want to
"Managed?" Elliot grinned, "What, did you have it hidden away somewhere?"
Olivia's expression gave away her answer.
"Which photo?" he questioned her gently.
"You don't remember?" the memory was etched into her mind like it had happened yesterday. It was one of the reasons she'd hidden the photo away for such a long time. To see it on her dresser or night stand would've been far too much for her to bear-

They'd been partners for three years by then. She'd heard Elliot speak about his family, The twins had been ready to start Kindergarten when she's begun at SVU, Kathleen was in grade school, and Maureen in high school. Olivia had heard Elliot speak about the kids, watched them grow up through photos on his desk.
"Come on, it'll be fun" Monique Jeffries ribbed Olivia good-naturedly, "how often does John celebrate anything, really?"
True, John Munch hardly brought up birthdays or other celebrations, but he'd invited the squad to what he called a "divorce dinner" meant to celebrate his divorce anniversary.
"Which one?" Elliot had joked
"Who can keep track?" Munch had shot back with a smile on his face.
Dinner had been fun, a much needed break. Munch had snapped photos and later sent the film to be developed. Olivia had remembered that Kathy wasn't at the party, if one could call it that.
"Kid stuff" Elliot had explained
"And you're not home with them?" Olivia had wondered aloud
"Sometimes, they need their mom more than they need me" he laughed, but Olivia could see the pain in his eyes. He downed his drink quickly and grinned, just as Munch had shown up and snapped a photo of them, practically arm in arm.

The memory had been fleeting. After, when everyone had gone home, Olivia had gone back to her apartment, after Elliot had dropped her off, and thought about what he'd said. She'd felt that no, his children did need their father, as much as they needed their mother.
Weeks later, after the photos had been distributed in the bullpen, Olivia had tucked hers away in her purse until she'd come home, framed it and kept it among other photos she'd treasured.
That is, until Elliot had walked out of her life, seemingly forever.
And was now, back in.

"Oh, that photo" Elliot realized belatedly. "That was a long time ago, Liv"
"It was" she agreed, "and you can understand now why I kept it away"
"I never meant to hurt you like that" he apologized
"You did" she sighed, "even if you didn't intend to" she finished the question, "but right now, I need your help. I wanted you to be ready, to be prepared if this rumor gets out farther than just between Noah and his friend Jeremy"
"I still don't think it's anything that I can't handle" Elliot grinned
"I've seen rumors get out of hand" Liv spoke candidly, "and you know you have, too"
The smile vanished, "I could go over there now, if you'd like me to"
"I don't want to interrupt his playtime, but I also don't want to leave this to chance, either"
"Come on" Elliot took her hand, "a wise woman once told me there's no time like the present"