I couldn't leave you all hanging...You probably STILL hate me. But just read on my friends. Read on! And then don't forget to drop a review :)

Also one side note- I know the Kathy relationship might be strange to some people. But I wanted to do something different with this story. I really do think that Elliot and Kathy cared for each other but they weren't in love. I also think that Kathy and Olivia respected each other. Their relationship will be important in this chapter and the one to follow. Also I think it will show the trust between Olivia and Elliot too.

Knowing that Mariska and Isabella are great friends in real life too...I wanted to explore this a little. Also, their ability to co parent and be together as a family unit is inspired by my best friend and her family dynamics. She is BEST friends with her husband's ex and they are all so respectful and put the kids first. It's uncommon but I think it's nice.

In a story I am planning...they won't be friends lol! So just wanted to mix it up this time.

The next day, Elliot sat in the hospital room where Olivia was brought after surgery. She was still unconscious but the machine that told her heart rate beeped steadily. He had taken his shirt off so that Serena could have the skin to skin contact she needed but couldn't have from her Mother. His eyes darted from the tiny baby in his arms as she nursed a small bottle, to the sleeping woman in front of him.

He had cried so hard earlier he was surprised he was still awake. They felt heavy and swollen. But he couldn't close his eyes. He was too afraid to miss something. Too afraid they would need him and he wouldn't be there.

He was so lost in thought, he didn't notice when the door opened, "Elliot?"

Elliot looked up and saw Cragen standing by the end of Olivia's bed, "Hi Cap…"

Cragen's eyes slowly turned to Olivia on the bed, "No change?"

Elliot took a deep breath and moved the bottle as Serena started to fuss, "No…"

Cragen walked slowly over to the bed and reached for Olivia's lifeless hand, "You know the day I met her...I knew she would be a fighter."

Elliot smiled softly, "Me too. She came into that Precinct with such confidence. Ready to take on anyone who would challenge her ability...challenge the fact that as a woman she couldn't handle the job. She proved everyone wrong from day one."

Cragen nodded, "Yes. She did." He looked up at the machine in the corner signaling she was still alive, "And she'll prove them wrong again."

A new wave of tears burned in Elliot's eyes, "All she ever wanted was to be a Mother…" He turned away from Olivia and looked at Serena who was beginning to doze off in his arms, "She's fought so hard. For so long...why?" His voice cracked again, for the first time not afraid to show emotion in front of his boss. "The other night I told her that the baby was going to come when we least expected it. I didn't mean like this...Why did this have to happen? After everything she just went through and faced. Why didn't I see that car? Why didn't I-"

Cragen stepped around the bed and put a hand on Elliot's shoulder, "Elliot this wasn't your fault. That man ran the red...he was drunk. He's in custody now. No one could have predicted this."

Elliot nodded slowly and rocked Serena gently, "But she was finally letting go...finally allowing herself to be happy. We were ready to put the past in the past. Ready to focus on this…" He looked down and smiled, "Ready to experience this. Together. And I'm here...we're here." He bit his lip, and looked back at Cragen. "But she's not…"

Cragen squeezed his shoulder again, "She's still here Elliot. She's still here...and we can't give up on her yet. How many times has she proved the world wrong? She's going to do it again."

Elliot nodded once, needing to believe the words he said. "She's going to do it again…"

Cragen looked over and saw an extra chair, "You mind if I stay awhile?"

Elliot nodded, glad to have some company, "Sure. This little one needs to be surrounded by family...you're the only Grandpa she's got."

Cragen's face flushed, "Elliot…"

Elliot smiled, "Olivia wasn't kidding about that. So what do you want to be called? Grandpa Cragen or does the poor kid have to address you as 'Oh Captain, my Captain?'"

Cragen laughed, feeling grateful to have something to make him smile, "Grandpa is just fine…"

Elliot smiled and stood up, Cragen watched him carefully, suddenly feeling nervous as he hadn't held many babies in his life. "Well Grandpa...why don't you hold your Granddaughter…"

Cragen sat up a little straighter and held his arms out, Elliot placed the little girl in his arms and his heart flip flopped in his chest. Her eyes fluttered open and a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Cragen's heart broke in two as he looked at this little girl. "She's got Olivia's eyes…"

Elliot smiled and reached for his shirt, tugging it over his sore body. "Yes. She does. No doubt she'll look just like her and I'll have to carry my gun around with me at all times just to keep away the dirtbag boys."

Cragen smiled and felt a tear slide down his cheek, "Hey kid...welcome to this crazy, dysfunctional family. You have no idea how loved you are."

Elliot buttoned his shirt and sat down beside his boss, he looked back at Olivia before saying, "Can I ask you something?"

Cragen never took his eyes off of the baby but nodded, "You can ask. Can't say I'll answer."

Elliot smiled, "Okay. Fair enough." He paused for a moment then looked back at Cragen, "When did you know?" Cragen turned to him with a frown and a question in his eyes, "When did you know that Olivia and I…"

Cragen chuckled and rolled his eyes, "Oh...that." He looked at Olivia and back to the baby, "When did I know?" He paused again then smirked. "Day one."

Elliot chuckled and shook his head, "Cap I'm serious…"

Cragen smiled and pressed a gentle finger to Serena's face, she cooed up at him. "When did I know…" He sighed. "I saw the attraction. That was evident. I figured someday I'd come in and catch you going at it on one of your desks…" Elliot laughed harder, "And if you have...just don't let me know about it please. The incident one time in the cribs was enough-"

"We never…" He smirked, then his face flushed. "Came close but...never."

Cragen nodded but rolled his eyes, "Gee. Thanks for having some restraint." He paused and then looked at Elliot, "I knew you were close. To close...but if you want to know the exact moment I knew…" He smiled thoughtfully, "The fight after the bus station...the Gitano case. That's when I knew for sure."

Elliot licked his lips, a question rose in his chest that had been nagging at him for years. "You didn't try and stop her when she wanted a transfer."

Cragen nodded, he had waited for that question for years. "Elliot you were married." Elliot gave him a look, "Separated yes...but you were still married. She needed to go away. You both needed the space to figure it out. You would have killed each other if she had stayed...said something you couldn't take back." He shrugged, "I know it was hard...but I don't know if you two would be here today if she hadn't taken that step."

Elliot turned to look at Olivia, still lying so still on the bed, "I wanted to hate her. I wanted to pretend she was nothing to me…"

"Because that was easier than accepting how much she meant to you. You were afraid of losing her. If you took that step you didn't know if she would feel the same way." He smiled, "But she did."

Elliot sighed, felt an ache in his chest and shrugged, "Still haven't figured out why...but yeah. She did." He smiled, "But if you hadn't pushed me that day...I'm not sure how long it would have taken me to pull my head out of my ass."

Cragen smirked, "Why do you think I did it? I wasn't about to let Olivia leave again...she's the only one that keeps the rest of you in line. I need her." He turned to Olivia and sighed, "We all need her…" He looked down at Serena and whispered, "This little one needs her Mom…"

Elliot looked down at Serena, stood up and then walked over to the bed. He reached for Olivia's hand, lifted it and pressed it to his heart, hoping she could feel the beating in his chest. "Hear that Liv? We need you...Serena needs you. So...you need to wake up."

He glanced up at the machine beeping, hopeful for a moment he'd see a change. But nothing happened...and he sighed, squeezed her hand and waited. He'd waited before...and he'd wait again as long as he needed too.

A few hours later, Elliot woke up to the sound of Serena crying. He had a kink in his neck, he had fallen asleep bent over in the chair. He grabbed his neck, still stiff from the accident too. He groaned, but moved quickly when he heard Serena crying again. He stood up and walked over to the small bassinet at the foot of Olivia's bed.

He smiled and reached down, he lifted her gently, "Hey baby…" She cried harder and he lifted her, pressed her to his hard chest, "You're okay. You're okay...I got you…" Serena cooed and squirmed in his arms, "Shh…"

He started to hum softly as he paced the length of the room, rocking her against his chest. Every so often, she whimpered and he pressed a kiss to her soft brown hair. He smiled to himself when a memory washed over him of when Eli was a baby…

It had been a long night. A very long night. Kathy and Elliot had spent weeks working out a schedule for Eli. In the beginning, Eli only saw his Dad during the week. And though it was hard...Elliot knew that his son needed his Mother. But now at four months old, Eli was spending his first official night in his apartment.

The only problem was...Eli didn't seem to be as happy about it as Elliot was. Olivia had been called into work and he had been alone with Eli since she left. He was leaning over his son's crib as the young boy screamed louder, "Eli...buddy. You gotta help me out here. I tried feeding you...I changed you. I even gave you a warm bath. Nothing is helping...I can't call your Mom or she's never going to let me see you again. Please...please stop crying."

Eli screamed louder, he pressed his head to the wood of the crib and sighed. Then he felt a hand on his back and he stood up straighter. Olivia looked at him with a little frown, "Not going well?"

Elliot sighed feeling self conscious and ashamed he couldn't handle his own son, "He's been screaming for hours. I'm waiting for the neighbors to call the cops."

Olivia smiled and rubbed his back affectionately, "Well they know you are a cop...so maybe they're giving you the benefit of the doubt."

Elliot rubbed his eyes, "I'm exhausted. I tried everything. Everything. He won't stop. He hates me."

Olivia smiled and leaned down to pick up the small boy, "He doesn't hate you Elliot. He's a baby...babies cry."

Elliot fell into the chair beside him, not even able to stand up any longer. "I don't remember it being this hard…"

Olivia smiled and started to rock Eli, "Well to be fair…" She gave him a look, "You were younger then. And...you and Kathy did it together."

Elliot sighed, "I didn't take into account how hard it was going to be to do this alone. I mean I know we're coparenting...but it's different."

Olivia nodded and began to rub Eli's back, "True. But...I'm here." Her face flushed, and he saw the nervousness there, the uncertainty and it broke his heart. "You don't have to do it all alone."

Elliot's eyes started to flutter shut, but he needed her to know that he was so grateful for her. "How'd I get so lucky?"

Olivia smiled, still feeling the blush in her cheeks, "Not sure. Jury's still out on that one…"

He laughed and let out a little yawn, "Trust me...I know. I'm just hoping I get you to marry me before you realize how much better you could do."

She stopped for a moment but then smiled as Elliot began to drift off to sleep, she looked down and noticed that Eli had stopped crying, "You tired you're Daddy out little man…"Eli yawned and cooed up at her, she smiled, "Looks like maybe you are tired too…"

She bounced Eli up and down to keep him calm, Eli whimpered again and she rubbed his back gently. Quietly, she started to hum a song. A song that her Mother would sing on one of her good days. 'You are my sunshine…' The more she hummed...the quieter Eli got and he stopped squirming.

As she hummed she felt her heart flutter in her chest, and her love for this little boy grow, "You look good with a baby…" His voice was low as he spoke and it sent a shiver down her spine.

Olivia turned to look at Elliot, surprised to see that he was still half awake, "I thought you were asleep."

Elliot smiled as he watched her continue to rock Eli, not wanting to miss a moment. "Just resting my eyes…"

She pretended to huff as if she was angry, "I'm the one who just came off a 12 hour shift...and you're tired?"

He chuckled, "I'm sorry."

She smiled, walked over to him and sat down between his legs, "Yeah, yeah…"

Elliot watched her cradle Eli and smiled, "I meant what I said...you look good with a baby Liv."

She shivered at his words again, a million thoughts running through her head, "I love this little boy...more than I thought it was possible to love another human. But…" She looked at him out of the corner of her eyes, "I want to experience this...I want to carry a child. I want to give birth...share all those firsts. I know you've done this all...but I want that El. I want it so much sometimes it hurts."

He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the side of her face, "I have done this. And it was wonderful. But I want that with you too Liv…" She turned to look at him, "And I'm going to make damn sure we get it."

She smiled, tears brimmed in her eyes and she looked down at Eli and smiled, "Hear that little man? Someday you're going to be a big brother…"

Eli cooed in his sleep and Elliot smiled, "I think he approves."

She smiled, and leaned down to press a kiss to his nose, "He's out...for the time being."

Elliot yawned again and rubbed her back, "Then we might as well try and get some sleep of our own...it won't last."

Olivia smiled but shook her head, "Yeah we could...but I think I'm perfectly happy sitting here holding him. But you can close your eyes…"

Elliot smiled and watched her carefully, suddenly feeling very awake. "And miss this? Not a chance…"

She smiled but never took her eyes off of the little boy and wondered when their own child would come into the world…

Elliot sniffled at the memory and continued to hum softly to Serena who was now fast asleep in his arms. He smiled, pressed a kiss to her head and whispered, "I love you sweet girl. And so does your Mommy…"

"El?" A soft voice whispered from the other side of the room.

Elliot stopped short, he thought he was hearing things and then he heard it again, more frantic this time, "Liv…"

He turned and carefully walked to the bed. His legs were shaking as he walked and he didn't want to fall while holding Serena. "El?"

He sat beside her and smiled, "Hey…" He reached out and pressed a hand to the button for the nurse, "Hey...you're okay. Take it easy."

The door opened and a nurse walked in, she smiled when she saw what was happening. Carefully she took Serena from Elliot's arms and he leaned in and pressed a kiss to Olivia's forehead, "Elliot what-"

"It's okay…" Tears streamed down his face, he wanted to hold her tight but he was so afraid to hurt her. "Everything is okay. Breathe Liv…"

"We...we were in an accident." She whispered, her eyes finally adjusting to the light, "I…" She stopped and pressed a hand to her stomach, and the dam broke suddenly realizing what could have happened, "Oh God….no. No-"

"Shhh…" He whispered, he pulled her hands to his lips, he pressed feather light kisses to her fingers. "She's fine. She's perfect. You did so good baby."

Her eyes looked up at him wide and scared, she was desperate to see her child, she needed to know she was okay for real. "She?"

Elliot smiled, wiped at his eyes, leaned in and kissed her gently, "Yes. She. Serena Benson Stabler. All 7 lbs, 8 oz and 17 inches of her are perfect. Just like her Mom…"

Tears streamed down her face as she gasped for air, "She's...she's okay?"

He nodded slowly, and wiped at her tear stained face, "Do you want to meet her? You held her for a moment in the ambulance but…"

She hiccuped softly needing to see her daughter to know this wasn't some terrible dream, "Yes. Yes...please. I need-"

He smiled, stood back up on shaky legs and reached for Serena again, "Thank you…" He whispered.

The nurse smiled softly, "I'll go get a Doctor."

Elliot nodded trying to keep his composure, "P-please." He sniffled, pressed a kiss to Serena's head and turned back to Olivia, she was trembling as he sat down beside her, "I told you she'd wake up kiddo." Gently he placed the baby in Olivia's arms, "Meet your Mommy...the strongest woman in the world."

Olivia could barely see through her tears but she couldn't take her eyes off of the little girl in her arms, "Hi beautiful girl...oh God it's so good to meet you."

Elliot leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead, "I'm so damn proud of you Olivia." He laughed and pulled back, "I didn't think I could be more proud after the trial but…you proved me wrong. You always do."

She licked her lips and looked up at him, her eyes were searching his face for signs of injury. "Are-are you okay? Are you hurt?"

He smiled and gently brushed away her tears, unable to take his eyes off of her holding their daughter. "I've never been better."

She sniffled again and looked back at the baby, "I can't believe I almost missed this…"

Elliot rubbed her arm and sighed, "You weren't going anywhere. I wasn't letting you."

Serena opened her eyes and looked up at her Mom with wonder in her eyes, she cooed and Olivia's heart constricted in her chest. "You're sure that nothing is-"

"I promise. Doctors gave her a perfect score on all her tests. She's alert. She will only currently eat with me but I'm sure when you're ready she'll…" He paused feeling a rush of emotion fill his whole body realizing how close he was to losing this moment, "She's perfect. Just like her Mom."

Olivai pressed her lips to her little head, "Serena…"

The door opened slowly and a Doctor poked in, "Welcome back Mrs. Stabler." He smiled and walked over to them, "I see you two have officially met."

Olivia couldn't take her eyes off of the little girl in her arms, "Yes…"

"I know that you're going to be reluctant to let her go. But I would like to check you out real quick." He said, she looked at him quickly and he smiled, "She can stay with your husband...I just want to check your vitals."

Olivia looked at Elliot and he gave her a reassuring smile, slowly she placed Serena in his arms. It took her another minute before she could pry her eyes away from the baby. When she looked back at her Doctor, he smiled and leaned in to listen to her heart beat.

"How's the pain level?" He asked, eyeing the IV bag, pumping medicine into her body.

Olivia was quiet, finally taking stock of her injuries and realizing just how many there were, "I...I'm sore." She smirked, "Heard that's a side effect of having a baby."

Elliot couldn't help but laugh, grateful she was even able to make a joke after all of the trauma she had endured. It gave him hope and it made him love her even more. "There's my wife…"

Olivia shot him a look, "Elliot…"

The Doctor smiled and tilted her chin up to check her eyes, "Yes being sore is quite the side effect of giving birth...especially when you do it the natural way."

Olivia smiled and shook her head, "Wasn't really part of the plan."

"No." He said tilting her head side to side, "But I hear you did a hell of a job."

Olivia eyed him carefully, looking for signs of something being kept from her. "Serena is-"

"Just fine." He said without missing a beat. "We ran every test possible and she showed no sign of injury or trauma. You did good Mom."

Olivia sighed with relief and leaned against the back of the bed, "Thanks...I had some help though."

The Doctor smiled and looked back at Elliot. "True. But you did the brunt of the work Detective...you should be damn proud of yourself."

She smiled sheepishly, "So...what's the damage on me?"

"Well…" He stepped back and smiled, "Someone had to be looking out for you. We expected your legs to be shattered after they were stuck under the dashboard. But by some miracle...you survived with only some heavy bruising, cuts we stitched up and a mild concussion. But other than that...you're going to be just fine. You lost a lot of blood and your body was weak which was why you didn't wake up but I promise everything is okay."

Olivia took a deep breath and then nodded, "Okay enough to bust out of this joint?"

He smiled, "Not quite...but if you follow all our orders yeah. You'll be out of here before you know it."

She looked back at the baby, already wanting to pull her into her arms again to make sure this was real. "And it's okay for me to…"

He nodded again, "You can hold her, feed her...I'd like you to stay in bed and let your body heal as much as possible. But you can start bonding with your brave little girl…"

Olivia sighed and turned back to Elliot, "El-"

He smiled and reached down to place Serena in her arms again knowing she wasn't going to wait any longer. "Here…"

The Doctor smiled and pointed to the door, "I'll step out to give you some privacy. If you need more pain meds...call for a nurse."

She frowned and shook her head adamantly, "Wouldn't it be bad for the baby?"

"She's been taking formula from your husband. Until you're ready...we can keep her on it. I know you want to breastfeed...but you also need to take care of yourself. You can't be the Mom she needs if you don't heal. Okay?" He gave her a serious look hoping she understood how serious he was.

She nodded slowly and looked down at Serena, "Yeah. Yeah...okay."

He smiled, gave her shoulder and little squeeze and stepped back, "It's nice to finally meet you. I'll come check on you later."

"Thank you. For everything." Elliot said looking directly at him wishing he could do more to express how deep that thanks went.

"Just doing my job." He said as he walked towards the door.

Olivia traced Serena's cheek with the pad of her thumb, "Was anyone else hurt?"

He smiled, it was so like her to worry about everyone but herself, "No. The driver...he wasn't harmed." He fidget in his seat, "Drunk."

Olivia looked back at him, she could see he was struggling, "El-"

He shook his head, "I don't really want to talk about him. If I wasn't so afraid to leave your side I would have gone and killed him."

She frowned and reached a hand out to him, "We're okay El…"

He nodded slowly, he squeezed his eyes shut blocking out the memory. "I know...I know. But you almost weren't Liv. There was so much blood and I kept thinking...and you made me promise-"

"I just needed to know that she would be okay." She said, her voice cracking as she spoke, "I didn't want-I wasn't trying to upset you but-"

He reached out and touched Serena's head, licked his lips and looked at her, "I know you weren't...and I know why you wanted me to promise. And I would have-" He bowed his head and sighed, "But God it would have killed me Liv."

"Come here…" She whispered, he leaned against her, wrapped an arm around them both and she felt his body shake slightly, "We're all okay. Everything is going to be okay…"

She felt him shift beside her, press a kiss to the side of her head and whisper, "Thank God."

Serena yawned and her little fist lifted in the air and Olivia wrapped a finger around her hand, "She's so tiny…"

"Tiny but fierce." He said with a smile, "She came into this world just like I predicted...when we least expected it and flipped my world upside down."

Olivia looked at him and smiled, "Not necessarily the way we expected…"

He shook his head, "No...but when has anything in our relationship ever gone as expected?"

She couldn't help but laugh, "Fair enough…" She looked back at Serena and cooed, "Do us a favor kid...no more big surprises...at least not for a few years."

"You look good with a baby Liv…" He whispered, he saw her smiling, "Told you we'd get here."

"Yeah...you did." She said before leaning in to kiss him gently, savoring the feel of his lips against hers.

A knock on the door startled them both, Elliot looked up and smiled when he saw Kathy, "Hey Kath…"

She stepped into the room, and smiled at the three of them. "Hey…"

Olivia looked up and smiled, "Kathy…" Memories of the accident washed over, remembering how much Kathy had done for her. "Kathy I-"

Kathy wiped the tears from her eyes and shook her head, "Don't. Don't say anything." She walked over to them both and smiled, "I'm just so glad you're all okay."

Olivia looked down at the little girl and smiled, "How is it possible to love someone so much when you just met them?"

Kathy smiled and touched her shoulder softly, "Because you've known her a lot longer than you realize…"

Olivia looked up at Kathy, a gentle and grateful smile tugged at her lips,"You're right…"

She smiled and then looked at Elliot, "The kids are outside...they want to come in. But they didn't want to overwhelm you." She looked back at Olivia and whispered, "Do you feel up to some more visitors?"

Olivia nodded slowly, wanting to see them as much as they wanted to see her. "Yes. Yes of course."

Kathy smiled, walked over to the door and opened it slowly. Eli was the first to run into the room. Elliot leaned down and scooped him up wanting to make sure that he didn't hurt Olivia unintentionally. The other kids gathered around the beds, all trying to hold in their tears.

"Hi Livvie…" Eli whispered from his Father's arms, she could tell he was nervous. "You woke up."

Olivia looked up at Eli and smiled, "Hi buddy...yeah. I did." She looked down and smiled, "No other choice."

"You scared us." Lizzie said leaning into her Mom, "It was awful...we thought-"

Richie put his arm around his sister, "Nah...Olivia's stronger than all of us combined. She wasn't going anywhere."

Olivia smiled at the young man and whispered, "I think you give me entirely too much credit there kid. Besides…" She looked at Kathy who was standing by the door, "I wouldn't have been able to do it without your parents."

Kathy swallowed the lump in her throat and pointed to the door, "I'm going to go find Cragen and the rest of the guys."

Olivia paused, she tried to find the right words but all she was able to say was, "Kathy-"

Kathy looked at Elliot, but his eyes were trained on Olivia and she smiled, "I know Olivia. I know…"

As Kathy left and the door closed behind her, Olivia wished she could put into words what she had wanted to say. But the look in Kathy's eyes let her know she understood. She felt Kathleen at her side and she looked up at her, "Hey kiddo…"

Kathleen smiled, never taking her eyes off of her Stepmom as she spoke honestly and seriously. "Can you do us a favor?"

Olivia smiled, "Uh...sure?"

"No more near death experiences…" She looked at her Dad, "From either of you. At least for awhile…"

There was a little laugh in the room and Olivia smiled, "I'll do my best." She looked down at Serena who let out a little yawn and stretched her tiny little arms, "Especially because I don't want to miss anything else…"

The eight people in the room were quiet as they watched Olivia marvel at her daughter and they were all so grateful that things hadn't turned out differently.

An hour later, Olivia lay in the bed holding Serena to her chest. Elliot was outside saying goodbye to the kids. Their friends had come to see Olivia quickly before the nurses and Doctors ushered them out, saying she needed her rest. He slowly pushed the door open and saw Olivia staring down at the little girl in her arms. He paused for a moment and waited not wanting to break the spell…

"Hey kiddo…" She whispered, "Not exactly the birth story I was anticipating." Serena squirmed slightly and she smiled, "But I'm so damn glad you're here." She bit her lip feeling the familiar burn of tears, "You are...the one thing I have always wanted. And the one thing I never thought I'd have…" Serena stared up at her and their eyes locked, "I will never...ever hurt you. I promise Serena. You will always feel loved. You will never question your worth. You sweet girl...are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me and I love you so very much. Thank you for making me a Mommy..."

Elliot felt the lump grow in his throat, he walked further into the room and smiled when Olivia looked up at him, "Hey…"

She sighed and rested her head against the pillows behind her, "You must be exhausted."

Elliot smiled and shook his head, "I'm fine. You're the one that did all the hard work…"

She shook her head and put one hand out to reach for him, desperate for some physical contact with him. "Come here…"

Elliot walked slowly to the bed and sat down on the edge, he put his arm out and Olivia snuggled into his side, "How are you feeling?'

She sighed and leaned further into him, "Tired...very tired. But so damn grateful."

Elliot leaned down and kissed the top of her head, "I have never in my life been so scared Liv...seeing you in the car. I thought...you looked…"

She rested one hand on his leg and rubbed it gently, "I'm sorry…"

He sighed and slowly eased himself further down the bed beside her, careful not to hurt her or Serena, "Were you scared?"

Olivia looked at him and smiled sadly, "Terrified. Not of what would happen to me...just of…" She looked down, her eyes memorizing the little girl in her arms, "Of what could happen to her. Or of missing out on all of this...I've waited so long. And I thought-"

"I know." He whispered, pressing a kiss to her shoulder, "But you're here. You're both here. We're all right here…"

Olivia took a deep breath and looked down at the little girl, "When we were in that courtroom...looking at Hollister. The way he stared at me...I thought it would scare me. I thought...I thought it would terrify me more than anything. I mean I'd anticipated that moment my whole life and it haunted me. I felt nothing when he looked at me. But thinking I almost lost this...that was the most terrifying thing I've ever felt."

Elliot reached out to touch Serena's cheek, "Your Mom would be so damn proud of you Liv."

"This is going to sound weird…" She whispered, suddenly feeling self conscious. "And maybe I was delirious…"

He peeked at her out of the corner of his eye, "What?"

She bit her lip and looked at the little baby in her arms, "It felt like she was there...like it was you, me, Kathy and my Mom in that car. That she knew. She was trying…" She shook her head, "I know it isn't possible. Everything was so...so confusing but I swear I felt her."

Elliot smiled, "Nothing is impossible Olivia. Nothing. You've proved that tonight. I would bet my life on the fact that your Mother was with you today. Your Doctor even said it was a miracle you were alive. She was with you. Not just in the car...but in the courtroom too. She can finally be at peace now Liv. You gave her that...do you know how precious that gift is?"

Olivia looked at him with tear filled eyes, "She gave me my life El…" She looked down at Serena and smiled gently, "And because of that she gave me this little girl. It may not have all been easy...but without her I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be lying here holding this baby, married to you. She made a choice...a really hard choice. One I may never understand...but I just wish I could say thank you."

"You don't have too." Elliot whispered into her ear, "She knows how you feel Liv. She knows…"

Serena nuzzled into Olivia's side, "I hadn't read that entry that Casey had me read...I always assumed holding me for the first time was terrifying for her. That she'd feel…"

Elliot leaned up, resting his elbow on the bed and his head in his hand, "I'm sure it was hard. I'm sure she...I'm sure she struggled. But I am also sure she took one look at you and felt the love you feel for our girl right now."

Olivia leaned back into him and sighed, "He's going to jail...for the rest of his life."

"He is." Elliot answered, he rubbed her arm, "He can never hurt you. Never hurt us. Never hurt Serena…"

She looked back at him, "Time to let it go…" He nodded once, "But-"

He shifted on the bed, "But what Liv? When you read your Mother's letter you said-"

"I know. And I want that...God I want that." She looked back at Serena and whispered, "But someday...someday she's going to ask. And I can't lie to my child. I know what that did to me...and I worry that-"

"We'll do it together." He whispered back to her, "And she will learn how strong her Mother is. How strong her Grandmother was. And we'll work through it together. Just like we've done everything. We're partners Liv, in every sense of the word. For better or worse. This is no different…"

She nodded slowly and smiled when Serena wrapped her fingers around her thumb, "You know little girl...he won't like me saying it but your Dad is the strongest man I know. You got really lucky with him."

Elliot smiled at the scene in front of him, feeling like he could finally breathe for the first time in months. "Liv?"

Slowly, she turned away from Serena and looked him in the eye, "Yeah?"

He took a deep breath and tears brimmed in his eyes, "I love you so much."

She bit her lip and leaned in, she kept her eyes open when she kissed him, not wanting to miss a moment, "I love you too. More than you'll ever know…"

She felt him relax beside her and she held Serena between them. Needing the two of them beside her, needing to know this was real. That this was not all a dream. She was here, they were all here and now they could finally begin to heal.

The next morning, Olivia woke up in the hospital. The light was streaming through the window and she blinked a few times to process where she was. She felt a moment of panic wash over her before remembering that Serena was okay and that Hollister was in jail. Turning her head to the side, she winced as her body registered the injuries but she smiled when she saw Elliot sprawled out on the bed across from her. He had one hand in the bassinet and Serena had her tiny fingers wrapped around his large hand.

She took a deep breath, rubbed her eyes and then reached for her phone. She flipped it open, snapped a picture and closed her phone again. This wasn't a memory she wanted to forget. Serena seemed to sense that her Mother was up, she started to squirm in bed. Olivia wanted to get up and pick her up but she had been under strict orders to not do that without help. As if on cue, Elliot's eyes opened, he looked at Olivia and then at Serena who started to cry.

"She's up…" He said with a yawn as he pulled himself up on the bed.

Olivia nodded. "She's up…"

Elliot leaned down in the bassinet and gently scooped up his newborn daughter, "Hey little one...you want your Mom?"

Olivia smiled and held her hands out to him so he could place her in her arms, "I wish I could actually breastfeed…"

Elliot nodded and pressed the button for the nurse, "I know babe. But...we're lucky you're alive. You need to take the medicine so you can get better and we can go home. Serena's just fine taking the bottle."

After a moment, a nurse walked in to check on them. She went to get a bottle and came back a few minutes later. Olivia cradled Serena in her arms and helped her to feed, smiling at the little noises she made. Elliot stretched beside her and sighed before plopping back down on the bed he had been asleep on.

She looked at him and smiled, "Did you get any sleep?"

He nodded slowly, "Actually I slept better than I have in awhile...I knew you were both safe."

Olivia smiled as a memory washed over her, "You do like to stay awake to protect me...now both of us I suppose."

He smiled sheepishly, "Liv…"

A few weeks after Eli was born, Elliot got a call he had been dreading for years. An anxious Fin telling him that there had been an incident at the precinct. He cursed himself thinking about the fact that he should have been there to protect her. But of course he was with Kathy and the baby right now as much as possible.

He rushed to the hospital, ran down the hall and shouted to Fin when he saw him, "Fin!"

Fin turned and sighed, "She's okay…"

Elliot closed the distance between them, "What the hell happened?"

Fin shrugged, "A couple came in fighting...she was trying to calm it down. I was in Cragen's office and we heard shouting. When I came out, Olivia was on the floor having tackled the wife. But she had a knife and on the way down she got Olivia pretty good on the arm. It was deep...a lot of blood. Liv hit her head on the desk on her way down too...but no one else was hurt."

Elliot sighed and rubbed the top of his head, "I should have fucking been there-"

"You need to be with Eli. She knows that." He said, shaking her head, "If anything, I should have been out there."

Elliot shook his head, "It's not your fault."

"And it's not yours either." He said giving him a look, Elliot just frowned at him, "Look I gotta call Cragen and check in. Doc said she will be good to go soon...so just take her home and let her rest. She'll be just fine."

Elliot nodded, "Yeah...yeah I will. Thanks Fin. I'll have her call you later."

Fin walked away and Elliot took a few calming breaths before pushing the door open to her room. The nurse looked up at him expectantly and Olivia smiled, "It's okay. He's my boyfriend."

The nurse nodded, "Oh good...I can run through the list of things she can and can't do and then you can take her home."

Elliot locked eyes with Olivia, she looked calm and it frustrated him, "How bad is it?"

"Well thankfully there will be no nerve damage. But the cut went straight through to the bone. She needed 23 stitches and she's going to be very sore for a long time. Minor contusion on her head. The doctor prescribed some pain meds but she's already refusing to take them. Maybe you'll have better luck." She said looking at him.

Elliot nodded, "She'll take them."

Olivia rolled her eyes, "I'm right here you know…"

Ellito gave her a look that said they weren't going to argue about this and then looked back at the nurse, "What else should I know?"

"She shouldn't lift anything with her arm for at least the next 2 weeks. Keep it rested and elevated. The wound will need to be cleaned. Do I need to walk you through that?" She asked.

Elliot shook his head, "No. I've had practice…"

She nodded once and rolled her eyes, "Cops…" She smiled at Olivia, "I know you think you're fine and...you will be. But you do need to take this seriously so it heals properly. You don't want infection and because the knife nicked your bone it will take longer to heal."

Olivia nodded slowly, "Okay. I got it. I'll be a good patient. I can already tell he's going to have me on house arrest as it is. I'll be good."

The nurse smiled, "Let me go get some paperwork for you to sign and then you can get out of here."

"Thank you." Olivia said as she watched her go, then she turned back to Elliot, "El-"

"You're taking the medication." He said sternly, she raised an eyebrow ready to argue, "And you're staying home until the Doctor says you can go back to work. I'll stay with you."

She rolled her eyes, "I'm not a child Elliot and you need to be with Kathy and Eli. I can take care of myself. I've always taken care of myself."

"No. You aren't a child. And yes I'll be there for Kathy and Eli when they need me to be...but you need me too." He said without missing a beat.

Her cheeks flushed, "El-"

"Don't try and argue with me on this. I know you like to be independent...but you do need to take it easy." She didn't say anything at first, "And if you can't do it for yourself...can you do it for me?"

She frowned softly, confused by his statement, "El what-"

"I need you Liv." He said softly, his eyes bore into hers and he pressed a hand to his chest, "My heart nearly stopped when Fin called. I should have been there." She went to protest but he shook his head, "I know that you want me to be there for Eli and Kathy...and I can't thank you enough for that. But I want to be here for you too. I want to take care of you. I need to take care of you. But you have to let me do that. I love you."

She smiled softly at him and held out her uninjured arm, "Come here."

Taking a deep breath, he walked all the way up to her and held her close while still being careful of her injuries, "You really sure you want to be a cop forever?"

She laughed and pushed him back slightly, "Don't even start with me Stabler…"

Sighing, he lifted a hand and touched her just under the bruise on her forehead, "I know...I know."

"El…" She whispered, "I'm okay." He went to protest and she shook her head, "Take me home?"

He let out a little sigh of relief, "You're letting me take you home?" She gave him a smile and a nod, "Are you going to let me stay?"

She smirked at him, "Even if I said no you'd probably sit in the hallway all night. Or just scale the building...climb in the window."

He nodded, "You know me so well."

"I do." She started to pull herself off the bed, "Let's get the meds and go."

He watched her start to walk away and he whispered, "Olivia…"

She turned back to him, and then her heart jumped in her chest when she saw the look on his face. With her good arm, she wrapped it around his neck and pulled him close, "I love you."

He sighed, pressed a kiss to her lips and nodded, "I love you too."

That night, Olivia was groggy from the pain meds and spayed out on the bed, trying to get comfortable. When they got back to her apartment, Elliot went into instant protector mode. It had been a little uncomfortable for her. There had been a little arguing...a little push back. But everytime he looked at her, the pain and ache in his eyes let her put her walls down just a little more.

He had insisted on drawing her a bath, he sat beside her making sure that she didn't submerge her injured arm into the water. He made dinner, ensuring that she ate every bite to ward off any nausea from the medication. He had called to check in with Kathy and Eli, told her that he needed to be here tonight and she agreed. Olivia had left him alone while he spoke to her, needing a minute of space. As soon as she lay down on the bed, she felt her body start to succumb to sleep.

She wasn't surprised when she heard the door creak open. She kept her eyes closing, hoping that maybe he'd think she was asleep. She heard him shuffling around the room as quietly as possible. Then she felt the dip in the bed as he lay down beside her. It didn't go unnoticed when he took a deep, long breath and let out a sigh. She imagined the look on his face, exhaustion and frustration. She imagined his tense jaw, his dark intense eyes. She wanted to turn and say something to soothe him, yet she didn't think she could.

"Liv?" He asked softly, her words seemed stuck in her throat and she didn't respond, "At least one of us can sleep…"

He reached out and began to rub gentle circles on her back and she felt that maybe it was more for his benefit than hers. He was a very affectionate man and often needed to be touching some small part of her.

"I know you're stubborn." She heard him talking and was surprised he was talking when she was asleep but she didn't have the strength to turn around, "But I need you to let me in. I need you to let me take care of you...I know you're tough. I know you're strong. I know you can handle anything. But damn it Liv...I'm not as strong as you. I need to take care of you. Please...please let me." She heard him shift in the bed and then she heard his voice break harder, "Fuck…"

His words hung in the air for a moment and she felt the tears polling in her eyes. Slowly, she turned to look at him and his eyes were wide. He clearly thought she really had been asleep. They stared at each other for a moment, she reached her hand out and touched his face. That's when she saw the tears there and her heart ached.

"I'll make you a deal…" She whispered, he raised an eyebrow at her, "And you're not going to like it. But we're both stubborn and I think it's the only way that we're going to make this work...so hear me out."

Elliot took a deep breath, "Okay...I'm listening."

"You're right. I am stubborn. I've never had anyone take care of me and I don't like the idea of letting anyone take care. In fact I hate the idea of it." She frowned.

He looked at her softly, "Liv-"

"Even if it is you." She said, "Because if I let someone take care of me...it means I need them. And if I need you...it will hurt more when I lose you."

His eyes went wide and he sat up, staring at her in shock, "Olivia." The use of her full name caught her attention, "You are never going to lose me. I told you I'm in this and I meant that."

Sitting up slowly, she reached for his hand, "I know. And I believe you mean that…"

He tugged at her hand, confusion written all over his face. "Olivia, I don't under-"

"Life is unpredictable Elliot. We know that more than most people. I don't know what's going to happen. I know what I want to happen...but I don't always believe things can work that way." She shrugged sadly, "But...I'd like to try."

He looked at her and licked his lips, "So...what's the deal?"

"The deal is…" She scooted closer to him on the bed, tangling her legs with his. "I'll let you take care of me...if you let me take care of you."

He was quiet then and she knew she had him, "I don't need-"

She nodded her head, "I know you don't. Just like I don't need you to take care of me. But I need you...and you need me. So...we're at a standstill here. We're both going to have to give a little...in order to get a little. And we're both stubborn...must be the cops in us. But it's the only way this is going to work. Let me take care of you...and I'll let you take care of me."

Elliot looked at her carefully, studied her face and felt the love in his body and soul overwhelm him, "Deal."

A slow smile spread on her face and she held out her good hand to him, "Shake on it?"

He smiled then, that smile that made her weak in the knees and he shook his head, "No."

She pouted softly, "I thought you said-"

And damn it if it wasn't the cutest thing he had ever seen, he cut her words off with a kiss, "We make a deal…we kiss on it."

A slow smile spread on her face and she cupped his face in her hands, "Hm...I could be okay with that."

He gently lay her back on the bed and pulled her into his arms, careful of her arm, "Good."

She yawned then, snuggled into his chest and sighed, "You're going to watch me sleep aren't you?"

He chuckled and she felt the rumble in his chest, "Yep."

She sighed and pressed a kiss to his chest, "Fine. But just remember...paybacks a bitch."

He tangled a hand in her hair and breathed her in, grateful to have her beside him, "I think I can handle it."

He felt her smile falter and felt her relax against him. Her breathing began to even out and he knew she was falling asleep. And he lay there...watching her, feeling her, holding her and admiring all that she was. He'd protect her. Now and forever. And for the first time in his life...he knew that he needed her to protect him too.

Elliot walked over to her, she smiled up at him as Serena continued to suck on the bottle. He tangled one hand in her hair, then used the other to cup her face, his thumb rubbing her cheek gently.

"We made a deal back then…" He whispered softly, "You going to hold up your end of the bargain?"

She smiled up at him, "As long as you do the same…" He went to protest and she shook her head, "Physically you're fine El. But I can see it...just under the surface. I know you…"

He swallowed the lump in his throat, "I'm trying…"

"I know you are." She whispered, "And I love you for that. But you don't need to try so hard. It's okay to be vulnerable in front of me. I promise you're safe with me…" She looked down at Serena and smiled, "With us."

Elliot watched them both carefully and knew she was right, "God I love you both."

She looked up at him and smiled, "I know you do. And we love you…" She raised an eyebrow, "So...if I let you take care of me. Will you let me take care of you?"

He sucked in his lower lip and nodded before answering, "Always."

"Good." She patted the space beside her, "Come here. We need you."

Elliot settled in at her side and wrapped his arm around them both, he pressed a kiss to her forehead and said, "I need you both too."

She held her daughter with one arm, and rested her other arm against his leg. She squeezed the muscles there gently, and he squeezed her shoulder. Serena looked up at her parents and smiled. Elliot felt the tears and didn't push them back. He made a sound, deep from his chest and the ache there unlike anything he had ever felt before. He pressed his lips into the side of Olivia's head. With a trembling hand, she reached up behind her and held the back of his head.

"I know…" She whispered, still unable to look away from Serena, "I know El. I know…"

They clung to each other in that small bed, not sure what happened next. Just both grateful and so full of love and emotion. Any fear of looking weak or their need to be strong was gone. After months of turmoil, years of holding back, they both finally let go…

So hopefully you read and didn't hate me too much! As I said, E/O is always endgame in my book (even if it will never sadly happen on screen). In our world here though it can! I hope you all enjoy the reunion! I don't know what to expect...I know what I want but I don't think it will happen.

Anyway...there are probably only a few chapters left in this story. But I have some other ideas I am working on and am very excited about. So I hope you stick around and tune in! Thanks!