Author's Note: This little fic was originally written for the Special Valentine's Unit Fan Fiction Exchange. When I saw the "EO Valentine Pregnancy Fic" prompt, I jumped at the opportunity to get to revisit the What She Needs universe and celebrate the holiday with a little bit of Benson-Stabler family fluff!

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Olivia rolled her eyes as she stepped into her office, her attention instantly drawn to the much-too-large bouquet of flowers sitting on her desk. "Elliot Stabler," she mumbled under her breath, shaking her head.

It was Valentine's Day.

She'd woken up to heart-shaped pancakes and her giggling little boy covered in syrup as he excitedly enjoyed his breakfast treat. When Olivia questioned Elliot, he simply informed her that it was Noah's first Valentine's Day with them, and he deserved to have a special day. Olivia scoffed, grabbing a travel mug of tea and kissing her boys goodbye on her way out the door.

It was a sweet gesture though, Olivia had to admit. While she didn't put any importance on the holiday, she appreciated Elliot's enthusiasm and excitement to celebrate the day with their son.

"Whoa! Nice flowers Sarge," Nick said, poking his head into her office and interrupting her thoughts. "Looks like Stabler's hoping for a happy Valentine's Day."

"Get out," Olivia said teasingly, throwing a pen at her partner.

When Nick pulled the door closed behind him, Olivia sat down in her chair, reaching for the card attached to the flowers. As hard as she tried, she couldn't help the giant smile or the tears that came to her eyes as she read the note.

'Happy Valentine's Day from your two favorite guys! We can't wait to celebrate with you and Baby Benson-Stabler tonight! We love you!

-Elliot and Noah'

Unable to stop herself, Olivia's hand drifted to her abdomen, where the child she and Elliot created rested just below her hand. It was early in her pregnancy, and they hadn't told anyone yet, having just found out about their little surprise a few weeks earlier.

She'd told Elliot their news on New Year's Eve, wanting to begin the new year celebrating the impending arrival of the newest member of their family. He'd been overjoyed, falling to his knees, cradling her abdomen and shedding a few tears against her. His reaction was better than she could've imagined, and for now, they were still keeping the news to themselves.

Olivia knew they'd have to announce her pregnancy sooner rather than later. For safety purposes, she needed to come out of the field, and based on the size of already-growing stomach, it was a secret she wouldn't be able to hide very much longer.

It had been almost two years since Elliot's return to her life. After her abduction by William Lewis, Nick reached out to Elliot, and within hours of her rescue, he was in her hotel room and hadn't left her side since then.

Together they'd worked through their issues surrounding his departure and what they'd meant to each other during their partnership, admitting the feelings they'd both harbored for each other for years. Elliot helped Olivia through her recovery, both physically and mentally, and throughout it all, they'd committed to a lifetime together. Nine months ago, she'd brought Noah home, and Elliot had welcomed the little boy into his life, thrilled to have the chance to parent a child with Olivia, even if it was temporary. Now, they were just months away from finalizing Noah's adoption, and they were both ready to make him a permanent part of their family.

When they'd least expected it, a few weeks ago, Olivia took a trip to the doctor to confirm what she'd suspected for a couple of weeks.

They were having a baby.

It was overwhelming in the best way, and Olivia couldn't imagine anything better for their family. But for now, it was just their secret to share in, and somehow, Olivia felt it made it all the more special.

"Daddy loves us so much, little one," she whispered to her baby.

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Mid-morning, Olivia was hit with a wave of nausea. "Not today," she whispered before emptying her stomach into the trashcan beside her desk. When she was finished for the moment, she leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes as she tried to settle her stomach. She hated this feeling, and unfortunately for her, the morning sickness seemed to linger on into the day.

Nick quietly knocked against the doorframe before stepping into her office. "You ok, Liv?"

Olivia nodded unconvincingly. "I'm fine, Nick," she replied, and she could see immediately that he didn't believe her.

"It's just that you've been sick quite a bit over the last few weeks. More specifically, in the mornings," he pressed, his eyes fixed on hers, and Olivia understood exactly what he was alluding to.

Nick knew.

Olivia felt a small wave of panic, and she hoped it wasn't written all over her face. She wasn't quite ready to tell, and she wanted to discuss it with Elliot before she revealed their news to her squad.

"You seem like you don't have much to do today, Detective. I guess that means all of your paperwork is finished and submitted?" she asked with a glare that caused Nick to wordlessly back out of her office.

When he was out of sight, Olivia again rested her hand on her abdomen. "Alright, little one. I think we need to have a talk with Daddy. It's time for the world to know you're coming."

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The rest of Olivia's day was fairly uneventful, with the exception of a few more bouts of sickness. Nick refrained from any more comments, but the looks on Fin, Amanda, and Carisi's faces told her they shared in his suspicion of her current condition.

When Olivia walked into their apartment, the scent of whatever Elliot was preparing for dinner overwhelmed her and irritated her already-unsettled stomach. Quickly dropping her bag and coat, she rushed to the bathroom, emptying her stomach for at least the fifth time today.

A few moments later, Elliot's hands were gently rubbing her back. When she was finished, she leaned back against Elliot's chest.

"I'm sorry," she rasped, feeling guilty and assuming their evening was ruined. She was certain Elliot had worked on dinner for quite awhile, and now she was sure neither of them would enjoy it.

"Don't be sorry," Elliot whispered, his lips pressed against her head. "I'm just sorry you're feeling so bad."

Olivia tipped her head back to look up at him. "It's not your fault."

A smirk crossed Elliot's face as he looked down at her, his hand drifting to rest on their baby. "It's a little bit my fault."

Olivia elbowed him as they both laughed. She shifted, curling herself into him, enjoying the feeling of being in her love's arms.

Looking up at him again, she sadly said, "I'm sorry for ruining dinner. I know you worked hard on it."

"I did, but you are more important to me than a dinner," Elliot said against her head. "Why don't you take a minute in here? I'll go get everything cleaned up."

"Thanks El. I love you." She leaned in to kiss him, but he bypassed her lips, pressing his against her cheek.

"Brush your teeth so I can kiss you properly."

Olivia laughed again as Elliot extracted himself from her embrace. After freshening up, Olivia made her way to the living room where Elliot settled her on the couch with their son in her lap while he cleaned up their abandoned dinner.

Noah babbled for awhile, no doubt telling Olivia all about his day with his daddy, before falling asleep against Olivia's chest. As she snuggled her son, she looked over at Elliot, who had stopped his cleaning to watch her and their son. Their eyes met, and neither could hold back a smile, before Elliot returned to his work.

Olivia had never been a fan of Valentine's Day. Maybe it was the commercialism, or maybe the sickening mushiness, but it was always a holiday she dreaded. But this year, despite her sickness changing their plans, she couldn't help but think that this, a quiet night at home with the two loves of her life, had been the best Valentine's Day she'd ever had. Next year would no doubt be even better, as they'd get to celebrate with their new son or daughter in their arms.

Once Noah was down for the night, Elliot and Olivia relocated back to their couch, Olivia's head resting in Elliot's lap as she tried desperately to choke down the lingering sickness.

After a moment, Elliot's hand drifted down and came to rest against her barely-there baby bump.

"Do you have a feeling yet? Boy or girl?" he quietly asked.

Olivia closed her eyes, focusing on the soothing circles Elliot's fingers were gently tracing across her abdomen.

"I don't know," she answered honestly. "Sometimes I wonder if it's a boy, but then times like this, where I feel sicker than I probably ever have, when I think about how horrible I was to my own mother, I feel like I must be carrying a girl."

Elliot chuckled, continuing to draw small patterns along her skin. "Do you want one more than the other?"

Olivia shook her head, her eyes opening to meet his, and Elliot was surprised to see tears form in her eyes.

"I just want a healthy baby, El," she whispered before biting her lip, trying to prevent the tears from falling. "I realize how lucky I am to even be pregnant at this stage of my life, so I just want to get this baby here, and I want both of us safe at the end of it all."

Elliot's other hand began stroking through her hair. He understood and shared in her fears, but he refused to consider any result other than bringing home a healthy Olivia and Baby Benson-Stabler to complete their family.

"I hope our baby looks like you," he said with a smile as his thumb brushed along her forehead.

"With your eyes," Olivia whispered.

Elliot shrugged. "With my eyes, I guess."

Olivia reached up to Elliot's hand in her hair and gripped it, slipping her fingers between his as she pulled it down to rest on her bump with his other one.

"We need to tell my squad," she said. "I think they already know. Nick all but told me that he knows, and I think the morning sickness has given it away to the others."

"Whenever you're ready," Elliot said. "I've been ready to tell them since the day you told me." His hands softly cradled her belly. "They are going to be thrilled for us, Liv. Especially Nick."

Olivia hummed in agreement. "Nick will try to chain me at my desk," she said with a smile.

Elliot chuckled. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

Olivia closed her eyes for a few moments, enjoying the quiet moment with Elliot and focusing on his hands protectively moving against her. After a few more moments of stillness, Elliot brushed his hands over her bump one more time and said, "How about we get you changed for bed?"

Olivia nodded, and after he helped her up from the couch, they walked arm in arm to their room. Olivia stood at the foot of their bed while Elliot silently changed both of them into pajamas. She knew Elliot had probably hoped their evening activities would be a little different, but there was still a smile on his face as he planted little kisses all over her as he changed their clothes, paying special attention to the small curve of her abdomen.

His lips finally landed on hers, and Olivia could feel every single one of his feelings for her. She deeply appreciated the way Elliot cared for her, and she didn't know how it was possible, but she was certain that she loved him more now than she ever had before.

When she was dressed, Elliot slipped his arms around her waist. "Feel like trying to eat something before bed?"

Olivia thought for a moment before looking up at him, nervously biting her lip. "Any chance you'd feel like making pancakes again? Since I missed them this morning?"

Elliot smirked at her. "Heart-shaped?"

Unable to stifle the grin slipping across her mouth, Olivia nodded. "Please? I mean, it is Valentine's Day."

Olivia's smile widened as Elliot's laugh rang out through their bedroom. His hands found one of hers, and they made their way back to the kitchen. Elliot helped Olivia sit on the counter, where she watched him prepare her evening breakfast.

After plating her food, Elliot cut a bite of pancake and held the fork toward Olivia's mouth.

Olivia closed her eyes, enjoying the first bit of food she'd been able to eat all day. She thought it might have tasted even better since her love made it for her.

"Good?" Elliot asked, hopeful that this meal wouldn't make her sick again.

Olivia nodded. "Really good. I think our little one likes them too. Thanks, El."

Elliot fed her another bite. "You're welcome. You know I love cooking for you, both of you, even if this little one won't let you enjoy it right now."

He gently pushed her knees apart, stepping in between them and placing his hands on her tiny baby bump, and Olivia rested hers on top of his. All of a sudden, Olivia watched Elliot's eyes fill with tears. Her hands drifted up and down his arms as her concern grew for him.

"El, what's wrong?"

He wiped a few escaped tears as his eyes met hers again. "Sometimes it just hits me out of nowhere. I just…it's hard to believe sometimes, that we're here, that we have Noah, that we're expecting another child…I didn't think we'd get to do this."

He pressed his forehead against hers, and Olivia could hear the sincerity in his voice.

"But here we are."

"Here we are," Olivia echoed.

One of Elliot's hands reached up to cradle her face, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. "I just really love you, and Noah, and this baby, and our life."

"I love you too, Elliot. I'm happier than I've ever been."

Olivia pulled him tight against her, rubbing his back as he shed a few more tears against her shoulder, and finally, he pulled back, his red-rimmed eyes full of love for her.

"Still hungry?" Elliot asked.

Olivia nodded as she answered, "Starving."

He smiled as he fed her another bite of pancake, and again she closed her eyes, savoring the taste.

"Tastes better than a regular pancake because it's heart-shaped," Elliot said matter-of-factly.

Olivia laughed, gently pushing him away. "You're insane, Elliot Stabler."

"Happy Valentine's Day, Liv."

Olivia slipped her arms around Elliot's neck and pulled him into a searing kiss. "Happy Valentine's Day, Elliot."