Olivia left the room and slipped into her office. She called the Chief of Detectives' office and just like that, another person knew that she and Rafael had a child together without any information on the why.

It had been a drunken discussion one night after Brian Cassidy and before Noah. In that short period between. Liv told Rafael of the pregnancy scare and admitted that she was afraid that she would never get to have a child, though she knew, eventually she wanted one. It was something she'd wanted for a long, long time. She wanted a family of her own. Rafael admitted that he had never considered it until he started working with SVU. He admitted to her that he'd like a child someday, but he didn't think he'd do well with a baby.

Olivia offered it as a joke, "well we could have some samples frozen, maybe even fertilize a few."

"Fertilize?" Rafael had choked, laughing as he'd been sipping his scotch.

Once they'd recovered from laughing at his misfortune, she'd nodded, "samples for if we find someone else and embryos because if I never get married, of course I want to raise a kid with my best friend."

He'd stared at her for a long time, the drunkenness blurring the line on what answers he thought were okay.

"Well," he shrugged, "I definitely am not opposed."

That was the answer he'd settled on because part of him screamed that they could just try if she really wanted a baby with him and another part knew he wasn't ready for the domesticity.

Liv looked through the window in her office, observing the way Rafael and Aspen were flipping through a food delivery app.

It was clear that Rafael hung on her every word, mentally recording things she commented about disliking and things she mentioned liking.

She brought her phone that she'd been holding up and texted Lucy, asking her to bring Noah to the precinct so she could take him to lunch.

Fin and Rollins returned not long after she'd sent the text.

"Cap," Fin said as his head peeked through the door of her office.

"Come on in, Fin," she turned from the window and moved to sit at her desk.

"I'm here, too," Rollins said as she followed Fin in and she closed the door.

They both sat opposite her.

"I have to tell you both that, officially, Fin is on point for this case. Barba asked me to recuse myself so I didn't get the case thrown away and you know normally I'd fight tooth and nail but I don't want to risk it this time."

"Officially, meaning you'd still like us to report findings to you?" Fin arched an eyebrow and a smile dancing across his features.

"I," Olivia glanced toward the window where Rafael was laughing at something Aspen had said, "yeah. I can't just not know what's going on here. I know as C.O. I'm supposed to be able to separate myself if-"

Rollins interrupted, "you don't have to explain, Liv. I- we, we get it."

"Can you explain how the hell this happened, though? Before we tell you what we found out," Fin requested.

"It was just meant to be a…" Olivia's brow furrowed, "like a safety net. If either of us got to a point where it was like now or never and we hadn't found someone. We wanted to know who the other parent was and we wanted to be able to allow the other to be in the child's life."

"Makes sense to me," Rollins shrugged.

"But then I adopted Noah, so I pretty much forgot about it and Barba decided that being Uncle Rafa was enough so we were intending to have the embryos destroyed but things got so hectic and I completely forgot about them."

Fin looked at her and nodded slowly.

"Judge Linden says we should go after the facility so," Liv glanced toward the room where Rafael and Aspen were still chatting, he was nodding and she saw him stand and come toward the door.

His head peeked in, "oh, sorry to interrupt."

"No problem, counselor," Amanda said cooly, it was clear she still hadn't forgiven him for the Wheatley trial.

"Olivia, Aspen wanted to know if you're going to join us for lunch?"

Liv turned and gave a small smile, "I'm actually… uh, going to have lunch with Noah and try to get his feelings on all of this."

Rafael's eyes went a bit wide and he tilted his head, glancing back he said something to Aspen before slipping into the room, "I thought maybe we could do that together."

Olivia shook her head, "when we introduce them, but I want to make sure he knows that I'm not going to love him any less or that it's going to change that he and I are a team or anything like that."

Rafael nodded, he looked at Rollins and Fin before back at Olivia and he gave her the same look he'd given her when he asked if she was okay, years ago now, after a particularly difficult case.

She gave him a small nod.

With a weak smile in her direction, he slipped back from the room.

The beard was something she didn't think she'd ever grow used to, even the weak smile had an air to it.

Fin and Rollins looked at each other and then back to Liv.

"Lucy should be here with Noah soon, can I have a quick update please?"

"Well, we're trying to find enough to get a warrant. The doc that we spoke to there was really shady, Liv," Rollins explained.

"What kind of shady?" Liv pressed.

"Well, he started commenting immediately on how Amanda looked like she'd be a fantastic surrogate and then started talking about how he was an innovator in IVF studies."

"That's not the first time we've heard that."

Fin shook his head.

"We're looking for even the smallest thing because Carisi said they can't get a warrant for us on bad gut feeling alone," Rollins sighed, "even if he was infuriated by the comments made toward me."

Liv nodded, "it sounds fishy. Keep on it."

She saw movement outside her office door before it flew open and her favorite little boy ran in.

"Hi, momma!" He ran directly to her and hugged her.

"I'm sorry, I told him we should knock," Lucy grimaced upon seeing Rollins and Fin.

Amanda waved a hand, "don't worry about it, we were pretty much done, anyhow. We know these two got a big lunch date."

Fin and Amanda headed toward the door, "we'll keep you posted, Cap."

She nodded in response to Fin's words, "thanks, guys."

"Is that Uncle Rafa?" Noah moved toward the window into the interview room.

Olivia's heart started pounding, she was nervous about the conversation she needed to have with Noah. She was afraid that this new development would hurt him and she didn't know what the plan was, she didn't know if it would be weekends and vacations or if this would be the thing that would finally push the two of them together.

"It is," she confirmed softly, "why don't we go get lunch? He'll be around when we get back."

Lucy looked at Liv, "do you want me to pick him back up later?"

Liv glanced at the time, "probably around one-thirty or so? I'll text you if plans changed?"

Lucy nodded and smiled.

The three of them walked out of the precinct together and Noah hugged Lucy before she split off to go her own way.

Once they'd made it to the pizza place and were seated, Noah looked up at Olivia.

"Did I do something bad?" He tilted his head as he looked at her, he didn't sound worried but more nervous.

"No, not at all, sweet boy," Liv looked at him, "unless you did and I just don't know about it."

He shook his head, the curls on his head bounced a bit, "we just don't normally get to have lunch together unless you have a day off."

That statement saddened her a bit. She always worried that Noah would grow to resent how much she worked, that he would be mad that she couldn't be around as much as they both wanted her to be. She didn't want his childhood to be entirely missing his mom.

"Well," Olivia took a deep breath.

She was saved briefly by the waiter coming over.

They ordered a small pie and their drinks.

"Well," Noah repeated once the waiter was gone.

"Well," she laughed slightly, "you know that you and I are a team, right?"

Noah nodded.

"And we've let a couple people be on our team before but it's mostly been just us."

"Like Ed?"

A pang of sadness hit her, "yes, like Ed."

"Do you have a new boyfriend?" Noah asked bluntly.

"No," Olivia laughed softly, "no, I don't think so."

"You don't think so?"

"That's not what we're talking about."

"Well, we were talking about our team and the last person on our team was Ed and Ed was your boyfriend."

Olivia laughed slightly. She was often blown away by Noah's ability to state the facts upfront.

"That's true," she nodded, "but no."

"Are we getting a baby?"

Olivia's jaw dropped slightly and she tilted her head, "what do you mean?"

"Like you got me when I was a baby. Are we getting a new baby?"

"Would you be upset if you had a little sister or brother?"

Noah was quiet, she could feel the air swishing under the table from him kicking his feet.

"You can be as honest as you want," she encouraged him but didn't push.

"Well, babies cry a lot," Noah said, finally, after waiting for their drinks to be delivered.

"So no baby?" Olivia asked.

"No baby, but maybe a kid like me would be okay."

"Maybe?"

"Well, a kid like me could play games with me and I could teach some of my dancing and we could read together."

Olivia nodded, trying to encourage him to keep going as she sipped her ice water with lemon.

"I think having a little sibling would be kind of cool."

Olivia let out a soft sigh of relief.

"Why?"

"Well," Olivia rubbed at her cheek a bit, contemplating how to approach this because even as an adult it could be hard to process, she wasn't sure how to word it for a child.

Noah looked excitedly over her shoulder which alerted her to the arrival of their server with the pizza.

She took the couple moments to place a slice on each of their plates to consider further.

"So, Noah, there are special doctors who make it possible for some moms and dads who have a hard time having babies to have babies."

"My friend Max said he was made in a lab by a doctor and then another lady had him for his mom and dad because his mom couldn't."

Olivia was surprised by the bluntness once again, "sort of like that."

"Yeah," Noah said around a bite of pizza.

"Well, a long time ago, before I found you, I saw one of those doctors in case I ever wanted a baby."

Noah nodded a little.

"And your Uncle Rafa went with me."

"You and Uncle Rafa have a lab baby?" Noah asked.

Olivia took a slow breath, "we were going to but we decided against it because I found you and Uncle Rafa liked being Uncle Rafa, but there was a mixup and another lady had our baby anyway."

Noah's eyes widen, "but we can get the baby back right?"

"I think we can," Olivia said quietly.

"Was it the girl who was with Uncle Rafa?" Noah pressed.

"Yes, it was."

"So I have a sister?" He asked.

"Would that be okay?"

He tilted his head, taking a bite of his pizza, and chewed slowly.

Olivia held her breath as she waited.

"Can we still get lunch just us sometimes?" The boy's voice was soft.

"Of course we can, Noah," her voice was gentle, "you're always going to be my first baby and my special boy. We're always going to be a team."

He held his hand across the table with his pinky out.

She linked her pinky with his.

"And we'll see Uncle Rafa more then, right?"

Olivia nodded.

"Good, I miss him."

Rafael gave Amanda a grateful smile as she handed him the bag of food.

Amanda who had been very cool toward him since his arrival, softened just barely when she saw his genuine smile.

"Thank you, Amanda," his voice was low.

She glanced over his shoulder at Aspen who was doing a little happy dance upon seeing the food bag.

"She doing okay?" Amanda asked quietly.

Rafael nodded, "she's very bright, I think she and Noah will be fast friends."

Amanda gave a small smile, "I saw Liv leave with him a bit ago."

He glanced toward the office, "I hope that conversation is going okay."

Amanda gave a slow nod of agreement, "enjoy your lunch. Let me know if you need anything else."

"Hey, Amanda?"

She hummed and looked at him.

"Thank you, really."

The blonde woman's eyes softened a bit more and she reached to give his arm a squeeze, "things don't always go the way we think they're gonna. This, here, is another chance with all of us. I know Fin will take longer to win over than Sonny or I, but give him time. It's Stabler you have to worry about, I don't know how he's gonna react to your presence or whatever involvement you're gonna have with Liv, so be careful."

Rafael nodded and let out a sigh, "how's he been with her?"

"Not my place, Barba, not my place at all."

"You're right, I apologize."

She held up a hand of dismissal, "go eat your lunch," she gave him a smile and headed back out of the room.

He closed the door behind her and headed back to Aspen.

"Let's see," he said as he settled with the bag and dug into it.

"Can I have soda with lunch?" She sounded nervous to ask.

"I don't think that should be an issue, it'll be a special treat," he gave her a small wink as he placed a take out box before her, "your tenders and fries."

Her eyes lit up.

"Why don't we go out there? I'll have Amanda take you to wash your hands and I'll get you a soda from the vending machine. What kind do you like?"

"Is there grape?"

The idea of the sickly sweet soda made his nose wrinkle just barely, "maybe. If there isn't what's your second favorite?"

She tilted her head, "probably lemon-lime."

He nodded, taking a mental note, "alright. Lets go get washed up and then we can eat."

She hopped out of her chair and rushed toward the door.

Rafael followed closely.

"Amanda!" She called once she pulled the door open, "can you take me to wash my hands?"

Amanda looked up from her laptop and grinned, "of course."

The two of them headed toward the bathroom and Rafael crossed the room to the vending machine.

He heard Stabler before he saw him, once again talking to Fin. Briefly, he allowed himself to wonder how this man got any work done if he was so obsessed with Olivia and SVU.

Barba took the lemon-lime soda that fell from the vending machine and slipped toward the bathrooms.

He met Aspen and Amanda on their way out and handed the soda to Amanda.

"Aspen, go with Amanda and she'll get you all set up for lunch. I have to wash up and then I'll meet you back there. That okay?"

The young girl nodded and looked up at Amanda.

Amanda opened her mouth but upon seeing the look on Rafael's face, she nodded in agreement to this plan and mumbled, "I'll text you."

Barba continued to the bathroom while Amanda led Aspen back to the interview room.

Once inside the bathroom, he let out a heavy sigh. He was incredibly aware that this hiding was childish, that certainly wasn't lost upon him, but he knew Olivia wanted to be the one to ease her former partner into him being around.

He looked at his phone and texted Liv.

Rafa to Liv;

Stabler is back.

Liv to Rafa;

Why?

Rafa;

If I knew would I be hiding in the bathroom like an eighth grader?

Liv;

I know this is serious, but Noah and I are laughing at the idea of you hiding in a bathroom. We're on our way back to the precinct now. I'll see what I can do if he's still there when we get there.

A new text popped up across the top of his phone.

Rollins to Barba;

Apparently his new case might link in with one we had, but it all sounds like a load of bull. It had sounded that way when he left saying they caught a new case earlier, too. I think he got mad that Liv didn't rush back to him.

Barba to Rollins;

So you think he's just being nosey?

Rollins to Barba;

Nah. I think he's worried about Liv. He keeps saying she only says things are 'fine' when they're not.

Barba;

Are you not in the interview room?

Rollins;

Joe's texting me updates.

Barba;

The new guy?

Rollins;

Yeah. I'm with Aspen. She's refusing to start until you get back. Want me to make a diversion?

Barba;

I'm hiding in a bathroom like a middle schooler. Please get me out of here. Have you ever been in this men's room?

Rollins;

Watch the clock. Two minutes and I'll have you a clear line to the interview room.

Barba;

Thank you. Again.

He looked in the mirror and fixed a few flyaway hairs before washing his hands and looking at the clock.

One minute.

This feels like the longest two minutes of his life.

Two minutes.

Rollins;

Go. Quickly.

Barba rushed from the bathroom, head down, back to the interview room.

If Stabler was anyone else and if Liv wasn't the one between them, he'd stand tall and go toe to toe with him. He wouldn't hesitate to push every button Stabler had if it was anyone else between them. Liv, however, Rafael would give anything to make her life easier. It was why he'd taken the defense role that caused them so much pain in the first place.

"Rafael," Aspen said once he'd gotten into the interview room and closed the door, "we can have lunch now?"

He looked at the young girl, "yes. I'm so sorry it took me so long."

She smiled, "that's okay. Amanda told me that the big man out there was mean to you and you didn't want to see him."

Silently, Rafael both cursed and thanked Amanda Rollins.

His phone rang.

"Hello?" He answered.

"Hey, you still hiding?" Liv's voice came with a warm laugh.

"No. Rollins saved me. I don't know how but I think I owe her something," he opened Aspen's styrofoam box and gestured for her to go ahead with a smile.

"She said you owed her big time," Aspen supplied as she took a french fry and dipped it in the cup of ketchup.

Olivia had apparently heard what the younger girl said and laughed again, "alright, Noah and I are about to be dropped off. We'll be up."

"We just started eating lunch," Rafael responded.

"I'll keep Noah with me until you finish?" Liv offered.

"That would be good."

"Sounds good. We'll see you soon then."

Once the call ended Rafael dig into the pasta he'd gotten from the Italian place they'd ordered from.

They chatted idly as he asked her about her favorite color and movie. She asked him for his birthday and some questions about Liv.

"How would you feel about having a big brother?" Rafael tossed in as they ate.

"I think it would be okay. Does he like Legos?"

Rafael smiled a bit, "he does."

The conversation continued, but ultimately Aspen had a similar sentiment to Noah.

Having someone to play with would be cool.

As the meal wound down, he cleaned up the trash and the leftover and took the leftovers to the door to Liv's office and knocked.

The door opened and he didn't see Liv, but glancing down he saw Noah.

"Hi, Uncle Rafa," Noah greeted quietly.

Liv took the leftover bag.

"Hey, kiddo," Rafael grinned at Noah.

Upon seeing the grin, Noah smiled and immediately hugged Rafael.

He hugged back just as tight.

It became clear that Noah had been nervous in those moments waiting for Rafael to finish. Nervous that these last few months of silence had meant the older man didn't care about him or that he'd done something wrong.

Rafael could see Stabler was still out talking with Fin and Rollins through the window in Liv's office.

"Would you like to meet Aspen now?" Olivia asked Noah.

He looked up at her and gave her a small nod.

Together they brought Noah into the interview room, the three of them sat down. Aspen looked between the adults and then at Noah.

"Hi, I'm Noah," he greeted softly.

"I'm Aspen," she gave him a small wave.

"Do you guys want to try a puzzle together?" Liv offered.

The children glanced at each other and then nodded at Olivia.

She got them set up and stood by Rafael as they watched for a bit.

"Will you guys be alright if we leave you be for a minute?" Liv asked.

Rafael looked like he wanted to protest but she took his hand before he could.

Noah looked over and gave a smile, "we'll be okay, momma."

She looked at Aspen.

The young girl looked at Noah and nodded.

Liv pulled Rafael into her office and closed the door.

"Why did you do that?" He asked, on the verge of arguing with her.

"We want them to bond," she explained, "they're more likely to relax and talk to each other if we aren't there guiding them and watching them. Give them some time."

He moved to look through the window into the interview room.

Liv moved to sit down, she saw Elliot was still here and took a deep breath.

"Can I trust you not to touch anything in here?"

Rafael's brow furrowed, she'd never asked that before, "I have no reason to."

She nodded a bit, "technically the policy is not to leave anyone unattended in my office but, I think I need to go talk to Elliot."

Rafa grimaced and turned toward the window into the squad room before he shuffled to the couch in the corner and dropped into it.

"I'll keep an eye on those two," he said, pulling his phone out and scrolling on it.

Liv could tell he wasn't pleased with her decision to go speak to Elliot. The way he was avoiding her gaze.

"If I don't go talk to him he won't go back to his own office, Raf."

"It's okay, Liv," he looked up at her, "seriously. I'm not upset. I have thoughts and opinions but I'm not upset with you and they're not directed at you."

"I know we're still here because I'm on the clock but once five rolls around we can get out of here since I'm not on point for this case," she picked her phone up and texted Lucy.

"We'll take the kids to your apartment?" He inquired.

Liv nodded and looked at him, "make dinner, watch a movie, figure out a place for Aspen to sleep for now, and then we'll have a glass of wine and discuss where to go from there."

Rafael nodded, it was a start.

She smiled weakly at him, "let me go deal with Elliot."

He nodded again.

"We'll talk more about your thoughts and opinions on him later," she said as she headed for the door, phone and wallet in hand.