Olivia was running late as usual in the morning. "Noah are you ready? I need to drop you off for school before going into work. Have you seen my phone? I had it charging on the counter last night when I went to bed."
"Mom, where are my socks? I can only find one." Noah called from his bedroom.
"Here you go. Olivia said as she walked in Noah's bedroom. "Here is a loose one in your clean clothes basket. After school today you need to put your clothes away in your drawers. You can't just leave your clothes in your basket after I give them to you."
"Ok, can we go get Mcdonald's for breakfast. Pleaseā¦" Noah said looking at Olivia with his big puppy dog look.
"Sure, but you need to be ready in five minutes. And you need to eat an apple as well for breakfast." Olivia said as she searched her bedroom for her phone.
Olivia still couldn't find her phone as she was back in the living room searching. When she came home after Elliot's intervention she was exhausted. She knew it would be hard however she had still thought maybe they could reach him and he would agree to counseling.
"I'm ready." Noah said as he ran in and put his shoes on. "Let's go."
"Noah, have you seen my phone?" Olivia asked as she drove Noah to school.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot. I was playing games on your phone this morning before you woke up. Here. I had it in my backpack pocket." Noah said as he was finishing his Mcgriddle sandwich.
"Thank you. I didn't know where it had gone. Here we are." Olivia said as she pulled up to Noah's school. "I hope you have a good day. Don't forget your lunch."
"Bye, mom," Noah said as he handed Olivia her phone and jumped out of the car. So much energy Olivia thought and laughed. She turned off her phone and placed it in her purse.
When Olivia walked in work she knew it was going to be a long day. She needed to do paperwork of recent cases, start looking at new budget projections and of course meetings. She used to think Cragen had an easier job. However now she knew how stressful being the boss could be.
"Hey, guys." Olivia said as she walked in the squadroom. Amanda and Fin were at their desks. "Please come to my office so we can have a quick check in."
"Hey, Liv." Fin said as he followed her into the office. "We are having a slow day. I am working on paperwork. Kat had to go to court to testify on the Roberts rape case. She should be back around two if we are lucky."
"Liv, I am waiting to hear back from the Brooklyn D.A. We could have a possible connection to a recent case of theirs." Amanda said as she walked in and sat in a chair.
"Good, really good. I will be doing some paperwork as well. I have two phone conferences today. Garland at eleven and accountant at two. Both should take about an hour. Other than that I'm here and able to fill in if we have a call." Olivia said as she turned on her computer.
Garland's meeting had gone as expected. More reports due. And a possible new committee coming. Olivia was buried in paperwork as she heard her name being called. "Yeah, Fin what's up?" Olivia said as she walked in the squadroom.
"Liv, mail came. You have a package which was dropped off at the front desk. Also we are ordering lunch from O'Donnell's. What would you like?" Fin said as he handed Olivia her package and a menu.
"Hmm, so many choices. I will have a reuben, onion rings and diet coke. Want to have lunch together since it's just us now?" Olivia asked Fin as she gave him money for the order.
"Sure, I should be back in about forty minutes with food. And my treat. You can get it next time." Fin said as he placed Olivia's money on the desk.
Olivia smiled as she walked in her office. Fin had been such a good friend over the years. He had become her brother. Anytime she had needed him. He had been there. Especially the past ten years. He was there to help pick up the pieces after Elliot left. He was there for Lewis. He was there when she had adopted Noah. She really was blessed to have him in her life.
She remembered she had a package to open. Package was a square box with something inside. No return address. Olivia wondered what it could be. She shook it. Box didn't rattle or make any noises. Hmm. Olivia didn't like to admit but she loved surprises and presents. Especially since Noah came in her life. Regularly she would leave gifts around the apartment for him to find. And Amanda had helped Noah surprise Olivia as well.
As Olivia opened the box she laughed when she saw what was inside. A stuffed penguin. Noah had been asking for awhile to go visit the zoo. Another hint she thought. Wait, there was an envelope included with the stuffed animal.
Olivia opened the envelope and saw the letter was from the New York Aquarium. Olivia read she was given a conservation fellow membership. Olivia looked online to see what it was. Her membership included membership for two adults and three guests for four zoos and the New York Aquarium. Also included a note her membership would be renewed and good for five years.
Who would have sent her this? $525 a year was an expensive gift. Especially for five years. She couldn't imagine Amanda doing it. She was a single mom like Liv. Fin was getting married and saving every penny. Carisi may have just done a day pass for Liv and Amanda to go and spend a day together with the kids. Rafael? No, he would have told her. Cragen? Same, he would have asked what she and Noah would like and given her that gift.
Olivia called down to the front desk reception. "Carol, hi it's Olivia Benson. I just opened a package and there is no name included. Do you remember who dropped it off? Ok, thanks again."
"Liv, hey. Here we go. Hope you are ready to eat. I also got us turtle cheesecake for dessert." Fin said as he walked in Olivia's office carrying their lunch order. "Cute penguin."
"Hey, I just got a surprise gift. A yearly membership for the zoos and aquarium for five years. However no note. And when I called Carol she said an employee from the aquarium dropped off the package. I just got off the phone with the aquarium and an employee there said the donor was adamant they would remain anonymous." Liv said as she was puzzled who it could be.
"Wow, you have a secret admirer. Add them to the list." Fin laughed. "Did you check your cell phone? Maybe the person left you a message?"
"Good idea. No, I have had my phone off all day. I couldn't find it this morning. Noah took it and was playing games before school. And when he gave it to me in the car I just turned the phone off. And then I just forgot about it." Olivia reached in her purse and turned on the phone.
"Five missed voicemails." Olivia said as she pushed replay. "First message is from the dry cleaner. My pickup order is ready. Second message. Elliot. He must have called when he got home last night. Third message. Elliot. He seems more upset. Fourth message. Elliot. Fin, he is really spiraling right now." Liv said as her eyes teared up. She didn't know if she could listen to the last message. Was it Elliot? Or was it the police saying he was hurt? Olivia couldn't let herself think the worst.
Olivia took a deep breath and put the last voice mail on speaker. Elliot's voice came on. Angrier than she had ever remembered. "Liv, no I should call you Captain Benson. Your silence is clear. Message received. I will leave you alone. Bye."
Fin came around the desk and gave Olivia a hug. "Breathe, Liv. Deep breaths. Count to five. Breathe." Fin repeated over and over while he stroked her back and held her in an embrace. "We will help Elliot but right now I am worried about you."
