Chapter 26

They came back on Sunday. David and Lucy had a birthday dinner ready for Amanda. "Ok guys, enough. A birthday is one day." Lucy smiled, "Well, we didn't get to spend it with you." David gave her a photo book. "Hey, this is from the museum!" Olivia and Lucy were so jealous.

They were in bed, "Liv, why didn't you ask about Barba?" Olivia kissed her, "Even when we dated, we also kept the job at the job." Amanda liked that idea, "Liv, we kinda do that. No matter what happens at work other than our vacation we don't talk about work." Olivia kissed her, "I know and if you hadn't been so excited, I wouldn't have allowed it." Amanda frowned, "Don't frown, I know you love your job. I love that you fight for victims."

They were in the squad room and Nick was right Barba was an ass. She was listening, but her eyes were glued on the pictures in front of her, especially the one that showed Jocelyn's bruised neck. Olivia was watching her closely. Cragen must have seen it, "Rollins, are you with us?"

Amanda blinked, "Yeah Cap! You know if you hit someone with a belt even during sex as Cain is saying. You may get a mark, welp, maybe even a bruise depending on the force. Barba, do you know how hard and long you would have to pull on a belt to make bruises that bad and deep?" Everyone turned to the photo. Barba stood up and laughed, "I like her." He grabbed his bag, "See you tomorrow in court. Rollins, good job!"

As soon as he left, Nick held up his hands, "He's crazy, like I said!" Amanda walked to Olivia, "We have therapy." They sat down on the couch and Amanda immediately talked, "I'd like to say something." Alexis encouraged it, Amanda had come a long way.

She had their full attention, "I want to take a step back. I'm not saying I'm healed or I don't need to talk, but I want to do it on my own terms. I also have Liv and I know she won't let things get out of control." Amanda told Alexis about the last case and her vacation. "I'm figuring out things as I go. I have a new family, hell I have a new life and I want to try to live it."

They both smiled, "You know I used to think my dad loved me and protected me and my mom didn't, but having my family now, I realized I was wrong." Alexis wanted to hear it, "How were you wrong?" Amanda smiled knowing the truth. "Sometimes the truth hurts, but sometimes the truth teaches you an important lesson. He didn't love me or protect me. He did everything he did for him. He loved drugs."

Amanda sighed thinking of her sister, "Kim was just like me all of those years and I thought because I went to school and became a cop, I was better. She was punishing herself and deserved better." Amanda looked up, "I don't want to be punished because I didn't do anything wrong. I deserve so much better too."

Olivia cried and hugged her, because she finally got it. Alexis was so proud of her, "You've got it Amanda! I agree you deserve better and I completely trust you to take a step back. Just remember, I'm always here."

The next day in court, Barba went from being the biggest ass to the hero. They entered the squad room, laughing after buying him lunch. Barba got Cain on the stand and gave him a belt, he looped it around his neck, and told him to pull it. "Amanda it was all you, pointing out the belt marks." Cain pulled the belt hard causing him to choke and still didn't leave one mark.

On Friday before leaving, Cragen stepped out, "Rollins, my office!" Amanda entered, "Yes sir?" Cragen smiled, "You've been exceptional! Amanda, I want you to study. He passed her a Sergeant's exam book. Amanda laughed, "I'm too young." Cragen agreed, "Yeah well, start anyway. I wanted to put it in your head."

When they got home Lucy had dinner ready. "Mama! Manny!" Olivia looked around, the place was always clean, but with a one year old it was impossible. "Luce, you've been busy today." Lucy smiled, "I made chicken enchiladas, rice, and tossed salad." Amanda looked around, "You also cleaned everything!" They sat down to eat, "Ashley said she was coming over to talk about the wedding. I want to help!"

The next morning Ashley came over for breakfast and they started looking at plans. "So this is the area you want. I already booked it. This area is perfect. We are praying for a beautiful, not rainy fall wedding, but if that comes up, this area has its own covered area we can switch to." Olivia handed her a list, "This is the guest list and it's not long. We kinda wanted to keep it as small as possible."

Ashley went over the program, "So we will start with the wedding. Who's walking before you?" Amanda answered, "Lucy and Noah are the only ones. Lucy will hold our flowers and Noah will hold the rings. David needs to be up front close in case he gets restless." Ashley winked at Lucy, "Ok, we'll find you a pretty dress and you can help pick out Noah's outfit."

Amanda continued, "We want it short and sweet. We will write our own vows, kiss, and that's it." Ashley wrote it down, "So these are your reception choices and each already has menus and cake." They looked and chose a sit down dinner and normal cake cutting ceremony. "David will take pictures, he will take some the day of the wedding, but once the trees change color some, we will pick a pretty day and do casual and full dress."

Ashley smiled, "Perfect that brings us to the dresses. I have samples." Lucy played with Noah and smiled. Ashley was very nice and really cared about making their day special. It meant a lot to her, because she loved Olivia and Amanda.

They decide to pick out dresses for each other. Amanda rolled her eyes, "Oh gosh, let's see what Olivia Benson wants to see me in." Amanda was the first to find something, "Liv, how about this?" Amanda pointed at the reformation Winslow dress. Olivia looked and immediately saw what Amanda was looking at. The model was sitting and the long sheer dress became short and opened to see all legs. Ashley and Lucy looked, "That's pretty!"

Olivia kept looking, Amanda hadn't worn one dress since they met. Amanda laughed, "Having trouble?" Olivia found something. It was a Kleinfield gown with an off the shoulder neckline and three quarter sleeves. Amanda smiled, "Wow Liv! You think I can pull that off?" Lucy looked, "Yep!"

They picked October 1st. It was the first Saturday of the month. October also gave them close to a year anniversary. After all, they did meet that month. Lucy asked, "How about the honeymoon?" Amanda answered, "We just took vacation. We are cops, Luce we can't." Ashley had an idea, "Yeah, but you can go to a hotel and a nice one. We're in New York!" Ashley had an idea, "Leave it to me, but be packed."

They had plans and they were early with the marriage license. "Ashley, thanks for all of your help." Olivia smiled, because she even got a huge hug from Lucy. Amanda smiled, "They're making progress. Everyone is growing up."

That night Olivia asked, "Are we taking David up on his offer?" Amanda knew what she was talking about. "Is it weird Liv?" Olivia shrugged, "We need help to make a baby Amanda. We know him, trust him, and he's Noah's father, so your baby would be Noah's real blood sibling." Amanda frowned, "Don't say that!" Olivia questioned, "Don't say what?" Amanda looked, "Your baby, my baby. They will be our babies once I say I do. Olivia apologized, "Sorry baby, you're right. I guess we should talk to him."