As Fin sits at his desk with a pile of DD-5's to type up he finds his mind wandering. He stares blankly at his computer screen. He sits silently as he watches his Captain transition from the conference to her office. He feels like a damn fool for not noticing sooner. He wanders how many times she has walked past him, and he has been too busy to notice her condition. Now that he is in the know, it is the only thing that he can focus on.
Once Olivia reaches the safety of her office she double checks her wardrobe. She glances down at the flowing hunter green blouse, and a simple black cardigan. After a few deep breaths she shifts her glance to the stack of paperwork on her desk. She retrieves her glasses from her drawer, and begins working through the pile. Olivia puts her best effort into keeping her personal, and professional life separate. The sensation of butterflies in her stomach reminds her that she is not alone.
In the squad room Carisi hovers over Amanda's desk. He pretends to be consulting his file folder as he watches the room. Amanda taps his ankle with her foot. He furrows his brow, and shifts his glance towards her.
"That seemed unnecessary."
"You are supposed to be giving me an update. Instead, you're over there gawking at who knows what."
"What's going on with the Captain?" He furrows his brow.
Amanda shrugs, "We are consistently overworked, and underpaid. Multiply that by twenty years, and I think that you have the answer."
"Did you see the look that she gave Fin, when she headed to her office?"
"Unlike you, I was actually focused on my job."
"I'm telling you, something is up with her."
"So?! It's none of our business."
"And," Carisi continues, unfettered, "Fin knows what it is. I can tell by the look she gave him."
"I think that is just the look that you give someone when you work with them for eighteen years. You know, a look of commiseration."
"'Manda, come on. You know better than that. You are a detective. Detect. Something is fishy."
"What is fishy is that you are standing there, and still haven't given me any indication what is being offered by the DA."
"I will tell you, but only because I am obligated to."
Amanda scoots slightly away from her desk. She groans, "Here we go. I don't want to hop down the rabbit hole with you."
"Will you just keep an eye on it?"
"Have you ever seen her in a situation that she can't handle?"
"Not my point. I'm concerned about her."
Later that evening Olivia is sitting on the edge of Noah's bed as she reads him a bedtime story. She looks over at him, and finds him paying little attention to the story. She marks the page in the book, and places it on his bedside stand.
"What's on your mind, little man?"
"I'm just worried, I guess."
"Oh, yeah? What are you worrying about?"
"You."
She furrows her brow, and pulls the glasses off her face. She places her hands on either side of her young son's face.
"I assure you that you don't have to worry about me."
"Mommy are you sick?"
"What would make you think that?"
He looks away, as if he is guilty of something.
"We can talk about whatever has you thinking that."
He stares up at her with his bright blue eyes, "I know it isn't kind to eavesdrop. I heard you in the bathroom the other morning. I needed to pee. I didn't mean to overhear. It sounded like you were getting sick in there. Are you okay?"
"Noah, I'm fine. Are you worried that something is going to happen to me?"
"Maybe," he shrugs, "Ryan's mom was sick, and she died."
"I know. That was really sad. Noah, I assure you that I'm not going anywhere. Ryan's mom had cancer. I don't have cancer."
"It sounded like you were sick again after my bath."
She takes a deep breath, "You know, Noah, I really appreciated how concerned you are about me."
"That isn't an answer," he responds, "Are you sure that you're not sick?"
"I have been feeling a little sick lately, but it isn't anything to be worried about."
"I'm going to need more than that."
"I guess I didn't anticipate that we would be having this discussion so soon. I am a little unprepared."
"Just wing it," Noah suggests.
"Noah, I have been getting sick lately, but not because there is anything wrong with me. In fact, the reason behind why I have been getting sick is actually something pretty exciting."
"We are getting a puppy? That's what I have been hoping for."
"No. We're getting a baby," she reveals.
"Who?" His face puckers.
"You, and I. We are going to be getting a baby."
"Here?"
"Yes."
He furrows his brow, "From where?"
Olivia smiles at him. She gently takes his hand, and places it on her abdomen. "Right here."
"You are telling me that there is a baby in there?"
"Yes," she confirms.
"That seems cool, but I'll pass."
She finds herself laughing hysterically, "You can't pass. That isn't an option."
"My friend, Savannah, her mom had a baby, and she said that all it did was cry. That would be a no thank you from me."
"Son, I really appreciate your concern…"
Noah cuts her off, "It's too late to return to sender?"
"Return to sender? Where did you come up with that?"
"We just had a field trip to the post office," he reminds her.
She nods, "Of course. Yes, Noah. It is too late to return to sender."
"Is it too late to request a sister?"
"I don't get to decide if the baby is a boy, or a girl. Why are you requesting a sister?"
"I'm your boy. You don't need another one."
"Are you feeling a little jealous?"
"I'm sorry, mommy, I know that isn't kind."
"Are you upset with me?" Olivia queries.
He seems fairly content as his hand rests on her abdomen. He smiles, "No."