July comes and goes, Katie turns seven and they make it out to Long Island Beach to celebrate. Sandcastles are built and at her request peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are packed for lunch. They made it home just before sunset with tanned sticky skin from the popsicles they ate messily. It was the perfect day with just the four of them with Bernie as a surprise guest.

Now it's September and the time has come again for school to start. It marks another year of their girls getting older and moving on to first grade. It makes her sentimental as they walk to the school as a family. The girls walked in between them, each holding an adult's hand as they crossed the streets and made their way to their first day of school again.

She's in her pink scrubs, a new part of her wardrobe now that she's moved units at the hospital. Being a sexual assault examiner the last few years have been incredibly inspiring and she's grateful she's been able to help so many women but it was time to move onto something else. A new position opened up in the labor and delivery unit and she took it. It's new for her, all the happiness and warmness of the unit that goes around but she enjoys it. She comes home and snuggles her babies even more. For once, not because of the horrors she's witnessed that day.

Elliot is in his classic three piece suit looking just as appetizing as he did this same time last year when she first saw him. With his shield on one hip and his gun on the other he's ready to head straight to work after drop off.

"Okay, we're here," Olivia and Elliot both crouch down to eye level with the girls.

"We love you," Elliot pulls them both in for hugs and Olivia joins in on the huddle.

"Love you daddy."

"Love you Ellie," Ophelia says the new nickname she's come up with for him and she's close to tears. Close but she won't cry this year.

"I love you girls so much. Be good for your teachers today, okay?" Olivia limits her kisses to just a few this time and they're off to the helpers to get them to class just fine. They watch until they both disappear into the building and many of the other parents are doing much of the same.

"And happy one year to us," Elliot turns to look at her.

"Not until next week," she waved her finger at him.

"Okay, happy one year to me getting Ophelia's hot mom's number," he says coyly and it makes her chuckle. They begin their stroll back to the apartment so that he can drop her off at the hospital.

"Ah okay got me there," her hand slipped into his. "Is that still my name?"

"Well, you're still hot and you're still Ophelia's mom so yes," he says matter of factly. "I'll change it to my hot wife next anniversary," his eyes peek over at her to see her blush and shake her head.

"An answer for everything today," they're finally in front of their building. "You trying to get lucky tonight, Stabler?" She moves to stand in front of him.

"I'm lucky every night," he arches an eyebrow at her like a challenge.

"Touché."

There was never an official date that Elliot had been labeled as her boyfriend. They agreed that the first date was it for them, she knew they would never look back after that. So today they celebrated their one year anniversary and she can't believe how far they have come since then.

The stickiness of the summer slowly left and the coolness of autumn had returned once again. She's in a much more relaxed outfit compared to a year ago. A pair of dark jeans and a black sweater that dips into a deep enough V to show the top swell of her breast with a pair of boots to match. Her hair is blown out and much darker than the year before, long and layered down her back.

Even though they're just bowling she made an effort to look sexy not just for him but for herself. A matching black lace number is concealed beneath. Her eye makeup is a little more smoky than usual and the gloss she wears leaves her lips irresistible.

Life had been so busy this summer she doesn't remember the last time they had a planned date night like this. Except the job didn't care if it was planned or not.

It's how she's found herself here in his office at the precinct. He's got an important case to wrap up and with just a few more signatures on his never ending case files they will be out of here in no time. Elliot apologized profusely but she understands just how easily the job can be unpredictable that way.

So she sits across from him at his desk, the scent of her filling his office and he hopes it lingers until the morning. She's beautiful as she sits and waits patiently for him. Looking across at his signature being signed at least a dozen times before she gets up and takes a tour of his space. It wasn't often she was here and he had been wanting to change that, only their schedules hardly allowed it.

Her heels clicked with each step she took and she glanced over all the plaques he had hanging. His unthinkable amount of awards and accomplishments highlighted in silver and gold. Although she wasn't around to witness them she hopes she will be for the next one.

It's when she is behind his desk looking over the photos on the back table against the window. There's a few pictures of him with his squad. She pauses when she sees a picture of the four of them from the early summer at one of the girls' soccer games. Elliot is in a team jersey and the girls stood in front of them with metals they had won. They're mid laugh from something he probably said and Olivia is frozen in time watching with a sweetness in her eyes.

Next to it is a photo of just the two of them on the beach during the new year. She doesn't think she even remembers when they took this. She's against his chest and she thinks they're sharing a lounge chair. Her skin is bare and freckled from the sun, hair damp from running into the ocean with the girls, and he's grinning behind her with tan skins and blue eyes reflecting off the sun.

"I had no clue you framed these," she picked it up and swiped her thumb across the memory. "I love this photo of us," she's standing behind him now as he finishes up his work.

"It's my favorite," he felt her arms wrap around his shoulders. He can smell that she showered before she got dressed. Her hair products waft through his senses along with the vanilla musk of her perfume.

He signed the bottom of the document in front of him and closed the file. Officially, he was done for the night and Olivia was all his. He was more than okay with paying for the five star dinner and overpriced wine but she insisted they repeat the year before and go bowling.

"I'm all yours Ms. Benson," he says with intention because now they both know that won't be her name for long.

"I can't wait to redeem myself and totally kick your ass," she whispered into his ear before pecking him on the temple.

"Let's make a wager? It'll be more fun this way," she moved to sit on the edge of his desk to face where he still sat.

"I'm listening…" he stood and settled himself between her thighs.

"I think that if I win again this year, you put on that red lace from Valentine's Day," his hands landed on her thighs. He gave them a gentle squeeze as he looked down at her hungrily. He always did. It made her feel wanted each time those blue eyes of his looked at her.

"When I win a back massage followed by breakfast in bed," her eyebrow arches as she looks up at him.

"Okay. Deal," he reached to grab a hold of her chin to tilt her lips up to his. He steals a kiss and he tastes whatever tasteful lip gloss she wears. "We should get going," he kissed her again and gripped the back of her neck gently to hold her to him. Her hands come up to grab a hold of the lapels of his suit jacket. They kiss like this for a minute too long when he hears a knock on his door.

He can barely get a word out when he pulled away from her to tell whoever was on the other side of that door to wait. Fin had bursted into his office despite the closed blinds being a sign to check before coming in.

"Aw hell!" Fin shielded his eyes when he seen Olivia still propped in the desk and Elliot standing a few mere inches in front of her. "I just came to tell you I'm heading out man."

"Alright. Have a good night," he says over Olivia's shoulder with her face ducked into his neck from embarrassment.

"Good night Liv," Fin says with a chuckle bubbling in the back of his throat. "And next time, lock the damn door man," he shook his head in disappointment and made sure to close it on his way out.

"Well, I won't be showing my face around here for a while," she laughed into his neck and his chest rumbled from his own laughter.

"Please, it's just Fin. If this were to happen with anyone, you want it to be him. He minds his business well," she looks up at him with her chin against his chest and the laziest smile. He almost wants to say fuck it and spend their day back home on the couch just tangled up with one another. But she deserved a fun night out. They didn't get very many these days.

"I guess so," he kissed her forehead and separated from her.

"I'll go to the locker room to change and meet you by the elevators."

She beat him by 27 points exactly and earned her celebratory shot afterwards when they hung back at the bar. They had shared a couple pitchers of beer during their games and there's a nice buzz that follows. She's giggly and he's handsy with her as they sneak through their dark apartment, careful not to wake up the girls or Bernie who was down the hall in the guest room.

He's quick to lock the bedroom door and strip them both of their clothes. Their lips are sloppy in the way they kiss. Both of them seek with urgency to consummate their one year anniversary. Except this time around it's different. They're in their bedroom they share that they've danced this dance at least a hundred times.

He's got her pinned against the wall near the closet. Her legs wrapped around his waist with the tip of his erection begging for permission to enter her. Her face hides in the crook of his neck when the welcomed pinch of him filling her takes over. He is patient as he thrusts into her until their hips knock into one another. He stills as she stretches for him and her face still hidden, just her heavy breaths against his skin.

His hips rock into her to set a deep and torturous rhythm. She's moaning into his neck and it drives him further into her. His hands squeezed the hook right above her knees and pulled her closer to him. His knees and thighs burn but she feels too incredible at this angle to stop now. She's melting in his hands with every thrust. Her nails scratched at his shoulders and dug for relief in an effort to hold back the screams threatening to leave her mouth.

"Close," she breathed and her head fell back against the wall. She watched him beneath heavy lashes. He's flushed and his forehead glistened from the heat they brought into the room.

He kissed her cherry stained lips. His tongue soothed when his teeth nipped at her bottom lip. She still tastes sweet after the dessert they shared. Her body fits more snug around him, her thighs clinch and begin to shake. He kissed her roughly to quiet her best he could when she came beneath him.

He's quick to follow after her. Holding still inside of her as his release fills her. The weight of her along with the workout he had just done sets in and his legs give out beneath him without warning. He fell back and took her with him. They crashed to the ground and laughter filled the room. He broke the fall and she landed clumsily on top of him.

"Fuck, we are probably getting too old to do that anytime soon," a belly laugh leaves him. She's up to straddle his body and uses his chest as leverage for her hands. Her hair fell around her face and her beauty was effortless. She's freshly fucked and the afterglow of sex suits her well. He's more than satisfied with his work tonight.

"Feels too good not to," her hands glide up to his neck until her thumbs can smoothe over his jawline. Her lips find his and kiss him softly. His mouth opened and her tongue dipped into his. His hands find the curves of her hips and grip there lightly. It feels good to go slow, take their time after the hurried chase for relief.

"We should probably get cleaned up," she breaks their kiss and looks over at the bathroom door. She figured a hot shower would help relieve the ache her muscles were going to have in the morning.

"I would love to get up but I don't think I can," he grinned beneath her and reached to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"C'mon old man," she swung a leg over and managed to get steady on her feet. Her own thighs burned and felt like jello beneath her. She stretched her back before holding a hand out to him to help him up.

"If I'm old then what does that make you?"

"Your hot girlfriend that keeps you young," she slapped his ass and ran into the bathroom. She failed to close the door behind her in time and he made it to get her back. Filling their space with laughter one more time.

…..

weeks later…

It's Saturday morning. The girls are gone off to breakfast with Elliot and Olivia has decided to hang back to catch up on sleep. At least that's what she's told them. The apartment is finally quiet and the only thing she can hear are the thoughts swarming through her head as the positive pregnancy tests stare back at her. She took two so far and she's waiting until Casey gets here to take the last one.

pregnant

The two link lines confirm exactly what she's been feeling for the past week. A late period and the sudden queasiness that started a few days ago pushed her to go ahead and take a test.

Two positives back to back and she couldn't believe it.

It's a much different feeling than earlier this year at the beach house when she had only been left with disappointment and an emptiness at seeing the single pink line. It wasn't their time yet. But now? Now she thinks it is the most perfect timing.

Those two plastic sticks sat on the bathroom counter and she leaned over, her finger gripping the edge, staring at them for a little while longer. She just wanted to make sure that those double lines wouldn't disappear.

She's doing it completely backwards this time. They dated, moved in together, and now they were having a baby. And somehow this story turned out a whole lot better than following societal rules. The ring would come, she knows. But neither of them are in a rush. They're happy right here just like this with their two girls- for now.

There's knocking on her door and she knows by the urgency it's Casey. She had told her to stop by the bodega and to get her ass over here pronto. That was only a half hour ago.

"I got the pee sticks," she held the plastic bag up and pushed her way through the apartment and straight into the master bathroom.

"Okay wait a minute," Olivia is hot on her heels and is finding humor in her friend's urgency. "I don't have to pee again yet," she's laughing softly with her hands up in protest. Casey's in a pair of yoga pants and a sweater. A casual side of her Olivia enjoys the most.

"You already got two positives?" She picked up one of the sticks on the counter and held it up to the light. "Holy shit," is all she can manage and she's tossing it to the side so she can pull Olivia in for a hug.

"We're having a baby!" She squealed. "Fuck taking the other tests. You're definitely pregnant," she pulled back and held both sides of Olivia's cheeks much like an older sister would.

"I just want to make sure," she says muffled with squished cheeks.

"Well considering your tits are straining against that top a lot more than I remember a few weeks ago, I'd say you are for sure," her eyes drag to her chest and a smirk grows on her mouth.

"No way Casey," she shakes her head and frees herself from her grasp.

"Yes way Olivia. I'm surprised Elliot hasn't noticed."

"God sometimes you are worse than a man," she grabbed the sticks and went to hide them for safe keeping in the back of their closet. There's a small gift box in the back that she keeps a few photos in that's perfect.

"So…" Casey stood against the door frame with her shoulder pressed against it. "What now?"

"Now," she goes past her and leads them both into the kitchen. "Now I hold my breath and hope this one sticks," she almost vomited at the thought of the possible loss. Bringing a baby to term hadn't really seemed to be her body's forte. She winced at the memory of the last time.

"Things are much different now. I mean look around," she held her hands up to gesture at the apartment. "You're genuinely happy and this baby is just going to be the cherry on top."

Olivia can't help the tears that well over. Casey had been right. There's a major difference between now and then. She's created a home with the man she's insanely in love with and their two girls that she swears were sisters in another lifetime. And now they're getting the gift of another little human to love on in this place.

She can't wait to tell him.

"When are you going to tell him?" Casey took a seat at the kitchen island. Olivia went to start a kettle of hot water so they could enjoy a cup of tea.

"Tonight maybe after we all have dinner," she can't help the giddy smile creeping up on her lips. It was his birthday after all and what better gift than telling him he was going to be a daddy again.

"How about I watch the girls for you two so you can have some alone time for that? They can come over for a sleepover with Aunt Casey," she says nonchalantly as if she has any clue of the chaos she's getting herself into.

"You're going to watch two 7 year olds? By yourself?" Her arms crossed over her chest with an eyebrow raised.

"What, like it's hard? They're good girls," Casey waved her off. "We'll watch a movie, I'll let them play in my heels. It will be just fine."

"Okay," she laughs and goes to grab the kettle and pour them each a cup. "The girls are staying with Aunt Casey and I'm telling Elliot that I'm-" she takes a deep breath with a hand to her belly. "That I'm pregnant," she exhaled with relief.

Forget the watch she bought him. This…this was much better.