Olivia and Rafael sat on a bench as they watched the Noah and Aspen run around the park.

July in the city was hot, not nearly as hot on this day as it could've been, but still warm. Every kid in the park was wearing shorts and a short sleeved shirt, there was yells of delight and occasionally distraught yelps as someone was tagged in a very intense game of hide and seek tag.

Rafael looked so unlike himself in a pair of blue jeans and a cream colored t-shirt. He had a worn pair of Converse on which he claimed were his most casual shoes.

Olivia wore jeans and a loose white blouse. She looked a bit uncomfortable with the idea of being out and about on a work day until she saw how happy and excited the children were to be out in the sunshine.

"How're you feeling?" Rafa bumped his shoulder against hers.

"I'm alright," she smiled over at him, "though, it feels like I stepped into an alternate dimension."

"Is this another comment about my attire?" He rolled his eyes, she hadn't stopped teasing him since he'd come out of the bathroom wearing it.

"It's just nice to see you dress down once in a while."

"Was I supposed to wear a three piece suit to the park?" He quipped.

"No," though the mere image brought a bout of laughter from her, "it would be hilarious, though."

He shook his head at her, an amused smile on his face as he looked back out at the kids playing. He spotted Aspen immediately, despite her attempt to hide for the game. Noah was gone from sight.

Liv wasn't particularly sure she liked this game, she preferred to be able to keep eyes on Noah at all times when they were out and about, following the incredibly traumatic experience with his biological maternal grandmother.

Rafa seemed to sense how tense she was, his hand taking one of hers. He didn't comment or try to tell her to relax, he just hoped his presence would help.

She squeezed his hand gently as her eyes located the curly hair of her son, peeking from a spot that she'd looked over several times.

Noah saw her looking and gave a small wave and then pressed a finger to his lips as he disappeared back into his spot.

Even as young as he was, he knew she worried.

"I'm thinking lunch and then ice cream after this?" Rafa suggested.

"You're going all out for a family afternoon," Liv commented idly before realizing what she'd said and pausing.

He smiled over at her, the phrase bringing a sense of joy he hadn't been anticipating to his chest.

"Sorry," she mumbled.

"I'm not. That feels like what this is, that's what I think it is."

She pulled her eyes from the spot where Noah continued to hide and looked at the lawyer beside her.

"Is it not a family afternoon?" He asked.

"I like the way it sounds," she replied.

"Not the way it is?" He pressed, momentarily sounding more like a lawyer than he intended.

There was a small part of her that was worried about letting herself go all in. She was worried this was a honeymoon phase for him and he'd soon realize that taking care of two children wasn't just going to be Legos and park trips. It wasn't a big part of her, she knew he wouldn't be here if he didn't want to be. Rafael Barba never put time into something he thought wasn't worthwhile, but she had that small hint of worry that was keeping her from giving in fully.

"I like the way it is," she confirmed.

He heard the moment hesitation but he wasn't too worried, he knew that Liv always had a million things going on in her head. He was enjoying this far more than he'd ever imagined he would. He knew it wasn't going to be all sunshine and rainbows but days like this, days where he could listen to the laughter of the two children he adored with every ounce of himself, days with the woman he loved… he could easily get used to it. He knew that days like this would make any harder days to come worthwhile.

Rafael was all in, he was ready to have people to come home to. He was ready to share a bed every night. He was ready to escape his bachelor pad and trade it in for Legos and bedtime stories. He was excited. He just hoped Liv was, too.

Aspen came running over not long later, a fresh scrape on her knee and sweat matting her flyaway hairs to her forehead, "can I have some water?"

Olivia grabbed the girl's water bottle and handed it to her, "can I look at your knee while you drink?"

Aspen hesitated a moment, "it doesn't hurt too bad. I just fell while I was trying not to get tagged."

"It's okay, sweetie. I just want to make sure that no dirt or anything got in it so it doesn't get infected."

The young girl nodded after a moment and sat down next to Olivia, swinging her legs up so it was easier to see.

Looking it over, Liv reached into her bag and pulled out a small first aid kit, "would it be alright with you if I cleaned it up and gave you a bandaid?"

"Are they cool bandaids?"

Rafa laughed, "cool how?"

"Like Spider-Man or somethin'," Aspen shrugged as she sipped from her water bottle.

"I think," Liv opened the first-aid kit and dug around, "Batman?"

The ponytail on Aspen's head bobbed back and forth as she contemplated, "yeah, he's cool, I guess."

Liv smiled and got to work cleaning Aspen's knee up while she continued to drink some water.

Rafael laughed, "I think Batman is really cool."

"He's just a guy, Rafa. You could be Batman if you had a zillion dollars, too."

He started laughing harder, "oh, you think I could be Batman?"

She shrugged as she sipped her water, "why not?"

That made Rafael pause, she was right. Aside from the money, why couldn't he be? Which only made him laugh harder.

"I don't know what he thinks is so funny," Aspen said to Olivia, "Batman is literally just a guy."

Liv smiled as she placed the bandage on the girl's knee, "I think he thinks the idea of him in a Batman suit is funny."

Aspen looked at her knee and nodded, "maybe. Maybe he's just a weirdo."

Liv chuckled, "maybe we're all weirdos, kiddo. Being weird isn't necessarily a bad thing."

Holding her water bottle out toward Liv, "I think you're right. Rafa, can you push me on a swing when you stop laughing?"

He took a few moments more to calm down and then nodded, "of course, let's go."

And then they were gone.

Noah came over not long later and plopped down on the bench beside his mom.

"How you doin', momma?" He looked up at her.

She wrapped an arm around his shoulder, "I think I'm doing okay. How are you?"

A big smile spread across his face and he nodded, "I really like having a little sibling. You promise she can stay?"

Liv considered for a moment, "right now it's only a temporary order. Hopefully, soon, if the investigation goes well, we'll be able to make it permanent."

His brow furrowed a bit, "it's possible she might not be able to?"

"It's likely she will, I just don't want to make any promises until I'm certain," Liv gave him a smile, "but you don't have to worry about it, okay?"

"Okay," he sighed a little, "are we gonna move?"

"We may have to," she nodded, "is that okay?"

"I think it would be okay," he nodded a little, his curly hair bouncing some as he did.

"Do you have more worries or questions?"

"Is Uncle Rafa gonna stay, too? I really like having him around again and he seems so happy," he looked toward where the man had run off.

"I really hope he will," Liv followed his gaze.

Rafael was laughing as he pushed Aspen on the swing, she had never seen him look so relaxed.

"He does seem really happy," he voice was soft.

"Are you gonna marry Uncle Rafa?" Noah asked, still looking that direction.

"Maybe eventually," she admitted, "would that be okay?"

"I think it would be cool," Noah turned to give her a smile.

"Yeah?"

"I think this will be good for our team," he turned back to look at Rafa and Aspen, "I think our little family team of two could be a family team of four."

Liv felt as though her heart could explode in that moment, she pulled Noah into a hug and tucked her face into his curly mop of hair.

"Mom," he groaned.

She pressed a kiss to his head and released him, "I'm sorry, I know. I'm embarrassing you."

He looked up at her, "it's okay. Do you have any juice?"

Liv caught Rafa looking at her and saw the look asking if she was alright, she gave a small nod and then dug into her bag and grabbed a juice box for Noah.

Her phone started ringing as Noah sipped his juice box.

He leaned against her as he was once again nervous that this phone call meant she would have to leave.

She gave him a squeeze as she answered the phone, "Benson."

"Hey, Cap," it was Fin.

"Hi, what's going on?"

"Would you and Barba mind coming in for like fifteen minutes? It'll probably be short, so you could bring the kids."

A nervous ball began in her chest, "did you find something?"

"We should talk in person."

"When?"

"Whenever you can."

"You're making me nervous, Fin."

"I'll see you when you get here."

And he was gone.

Rafa came rushing over, as though the look on her face was enough to alert him.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Fin wouldn't tell me. Said we should talk in person."

"I can stay with the kids."

"He said we both had to hear this, but it shouldn't be long? So bring the kids?" Liv sounded distant and confused.

"Let's go. We can get lunch afterwards," Rafa said, he knew if Liv sat with this she'd assume the words… but so would he.

They took the time to get the kids some ice cream on the way to the precinct.

Amanda sat with them in the interview room while they ate their ice cream and talked about their time at the park and the Lego competition they'd had last night.

"Sorry to interrupt your day," Fin said as Liv sat in her desk chair.

Rafa sat in one of the chairs opposite her, "it's alright, Fin."

Fin opted to stand, his face was serious, but he nodded.

"What's going on?" Liv had been on edge since Fin had called and the more chit-chat there was, the more nervous she became.

Fin moved to a file Liv didn't recognize as one of hers on the table in the little sitting area in the corner of her office. He scooped it up and came back over.

"So, for people doing shady business, they kept meticulous notes and records."

Rafael turned to look at Fin, "no…"

"I have to inform you that there are many, many people that this has happened to."

"Fin, you don't have to talk to us like we're a random family who has no idea about all of what's going on. Give it to us straight, please," Liv punched the bridge of her nose.

"There are at least 200 children out there who were embryos belonging to people other than who they were implanted into," Fin explained.

"And you called because there's more of ours," Rafa stated.

"Only two in their records, one embryo split. Identical twin boys. It's possible there are more and their records slipped but the boys, they're five right now."

Liv's heart shattered. She felt like she'd been hit by a bus or even a train.

Rafael was frozen. He wanted to move over to Liv and offer her support, he wanted to hug her and hold her, but he was frozen in place by the knowledge that there were two more children out there who looked like he and Liv, who were a part of the two of them.

"Do you know anything about the family?" Rafael finally managed to choke out.

Fin took a deep breath, he moved to the chair beside Rafa's and sat, "we worried about informing you because we knew that it was going to cause a lot of issues for a lot of people."

"How do you mean?" Liv turned from where she'd been staring at the desk in front of her, to look at Fin.

"They're with ACS," Fin admitted.

Liv and Rafael locked eyes immediately.

"Why?" Rafa demanded, then his face softened, "sorry, I didn't mean-"

Fin raised a dismissive hand, "I get it. I'm not sure…"

"Fin," Liv pleaded.

"There was reports of a domestic dispute in mid-2020, peak COVID, at their residence. Apparently not the first, but this, this one, they found the mother… D.O.A. Father was covered in blood. He was certain she'd been cheating on him, didn't believe the IVF had taken and thought she'd taken it her own way."

Rafael rubbed his palms against his jeans, trying to dry them, "were the boys home?"

Fin looked toward the lawyer, "yeah, yeah they were."

Liv put her elbows on the desk and put her face in her hands, she took several deep breaths, just like she'd been taught by Dr. Lindstrom. There was more and more panic rising in her chest.

"We have to go get them," Rafael said as if it was obvious.

Looking between them, Fin said, "should I give you two a minute?"

Head still in her hands, Liv nodded.

Fin slipped into the interview room and joined Amanda and the children.

As he went, they could hear a distant cheer from Noah, "Uncle Fin! Aspen, this is Uncle Fin!"

The moment that door closed, Rafa was up and at Olivia's side.

She didn't even give him a chance to ask if it was okay to touch her this time, she just turned and rested her head against his chest as he started to lean down.

"We can't leave them there," he mumbled.

"Raf, neither of us have space to take in two more kids right now, though. Aspen is sleeping on a camping cot in Noah's room and you live in a one bedroom. We'd have to find a new place now."

"We can start working on it," he responded, "they're ours, Liv."

He said it like it was so simple, but Liv was struggling with being given this information. Going from one kid to two overnight was alright, but one to four in two days? That was a leap and with such a fresh relationship budding between her and Rafael. And how could she balance being a mother of four and Captain of SVU? She already worried every single time Noah stepped foot outside the apartment. Then to also explain to Noah that there were two more boys?

"Liv?" Rafael's voice was soft.

"What?"

"I'm going to call Rita," he said softly, "she has rental property. Let me see if she has something temporary? Until we can find something?"

Liv looked at him, "you're really just ready to jump into this?"

"I can work from just about anywhere, my caseload is light and income is significantly better than at the DA's office. It's…"

She took a deep breath.

"No, I'm not ready to jump into this but it's what's happening and I don't want any of our children to be out there thinking they're not loved or thinking they don't have a family or-" He stopped upon seeing her face.

"How… how are we supposed to do this? We… we can't have four kids, Raf."

"Why?"

"I barely saw enough of the one I've had. I work such hectic hours. I… I worry enough every moment of the day when Noah leaves the house and now I'm going to worry about Aspen, too. To add two more? What will be left of me?"

"It'll be okay. We'll keep Lucy on, if we can find a big enough place then I can have a home office, so she won't be entirely alone with all of them unless I have to go into the office."

"That's a four bedroom with an office? If we have the twins share a room!" Liv sounded exasperated, "the price of something like that? In this housing market?"

"We can do it, Liv," Rafa kneeled down beside her, "do you trust me?"

"You? I trust you. I do, Raf."

"Then what is it?"

"It's me! I… I always wanted a family and then I was satisfied and happy when it was me and Noah and I was overjoyed when it was the four of us last night and it was perfect and I know that it would be wonderful with them, but I worry that I'll be spread too thin."

"It won't just be you, though, Liv. You've got me. I've got you, Liv. We have the squad."

For a brief moment her mind slipped to Stabler, he had Maureen, then Kathleen, then he had the twins, Dickie and Lizzie. And then much later Eli, but Kathy had been a stay-at-home mom when Liv had known her. Kathy was a superhero in her own right.

The kids were all school age and now that schools were meeting in person normally again, it could work. Especially the way Rafa was describing, if Lucy was willing to work with this number of kids. Liv hadn't even gotten to talk to her about Aspen yet, let alone the possibility of Noah, Aspen, and now two more boys.

"Okay," Liv conceded.

"But, we have to do it right. We have to find a place and move and go through all the proper channels."

Rafael nodded, "can I call Rita?"

Part of Liv didn't want to, but she nodded.

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and moved to the corner of the room.

Liv got up and moved to go into the interview room.

"Fin, we need to have DNA samples run for evidence purposes. Can you get one from Barba, myself, and Aspen?"

"Will that hurt?" Aspen asked nervously.

"No, honey, not at all. It's just a little swab of your cheek and it just leaves kind of a funky feelin' behind," Amanda smiled at the girl, "this cheek right here," she reached and pinched Aspen's cheek lightly.

Aspen giggled, "okay."

Fin nodded and headed to grab the swabs to get the samples.

Olivia sat down at the table and looked around it.

Amanda caught her eye and did a silent check in, her face asked if Liv was okay.

The Captain gave an uncertain, weak smile, but turned to the kids, "once we get those samples we're gonna go get some lunch, okay?"

Both Aspen and Noah cheered.