Chapter 18
STARTING WITH SPRING AWAKENING AND I'M ONLY GOING TO MENTION PATTERN SEVENTEEN.
Amanda and Olivia found themselves back in family court for Baby Boy Doe. They listened to the judge comment on this being the fourth foster home he has been removed from and they felt so sad for him. "Well, I have no choice, but to return him to ACS." They headed to the car, "Liv do you want him?" Olivia looked at Amanda like she had four heads, "Amanda you're six months pregnant." Amanda shrugged, "So what? And that's not what I asked. We go to every case and hear the same thing, the same outcome. We both want a happy ending. Maybe we're it."
Olivia didn't have time to process what Amanda said before her phone went off, "Benson. What! Wait a minute, what precinct? I'll be right there." Olivia looked at Amanda, "Nick went after Wilkes. He's been booked and it doesn't look good."
When they got there, Nick was behind bars. Nick looked at a disappointed Olivia, "Is IAB here yet?" Olivia held the bars, "I'm sure they're coming. Do not talk to anyone until your lawyer arrives. Do you understand me?" Nick blurts out, "Liv he came after me!" Olivia holds up her hand, "Not a word! Lawyer!"
The cases didn't stop because Nick was in trouble and they were once again short. They got a call about a male tourist who was scammed and raped. Carisi and Fin reported to Bellevue to interview him. They rigged a setup to catch the criminals. They got a man and woman who were responsible. The man is Little Tino and the woman ended up being Ellie Porter.
The squad was talking about the case and Nick, when in walked a familiar face. "Trevor Langan, what can we do for you?" He smiled, "You have my client, Ellie Porter." Olivia shook her head, "Wow, scraping the bottom are we?" Trevor looked shocked, "She's a victim." Olivia stood up, "Well she will also be at Rikers." He leaves and Pipa Cox shows up from ACS. Olivia is shocked thinking Amanda has gone behind her back after talking this morning. "Olivia, I'm looking for Ellie Porter." Olivia unsure, "She's at Rikers, you just missed her lawyer." Pipa shook her head, "Please arrange a meeting, ACS needs to tell her we have her son." Baby Boy Doe finally had a mom.
The days went on, Nick got out on bail and Ellie was told about her son. "Amanda you should have seen her, she was shocked he was even still alive. I feel so bad for her. She is a victim, she was forced at young age to have sex. No family to look after her. She doesn't know the father. She looked at him with so much love." Amanda hugged Olivia from behind and then she cried, "I wanted him to be with us." Amanda knew that, which is why she said something the other day.
Amanda was up to no good all alone. She knew Nick had a temper, but Wilkes was a very sick individual. Rollins set up a chat room and baited Wilkes in. She walked into the studio and held up the evidence for his wife to see. She told her that if charges weren't dropped she would use to bring him down, "I promise you his ass will be in a cell tomorrow." With that Nick was free. He was even able to keep his badge, although he was knocked back to street patrol.
Olivia came home fuming, "Do you want to explain how Nick miraculously got out on bail and all charges were dropped." Amanda shrugged, "I don't know Liv." As Amanda tried to move away, Olivia put her hand on the wall blocking her, "I told you not to lie to me. Pregnant doesn't have anything to do with your ass getting spanked." Tears fell from Amanda's eyes, "He bad Liv and Nick has had so much trouble. I had to do it. Please don't punish me." Olivia yelled at her, "I know you meant well, but Amanda your whole career." Amanda had nothing to say and Olivia walked out of the door. It was an awful fight all one sided because Amanda didn't engage. When Olivia finally came home Amanda was asleep. She awoke to kisses and they had the best make up sex ever. Amanda was warned to never to risk her career again, "And pregnancy saved your ass this time."
Ellie was ready to turn her life around for Noah. He wasn't Baby Boy Doe anymore. He was Noah Porter. Ellie gave names and it was all kept hush hush. She was a part of a sex trafficking operation and the leader was a man named Johnny D. Barba knew he was going after a monster. Fear got the better of Ellie and she skipped out on the halfway house, where she was safe. They quickly ran a trace on her ankle bracelet. They found her raped, tortured, and her burned body near railroad tracks.
They grab Little Tino who was out on bail. In interrogation they name dropped Johnny D to see the reaction. "Liv that was straight up fear. He's not going against him. They transferred him to Rikers, because he pleaded guilty to killing Ellie. He was found dead in his cell the next day.
Amanda and Olivia found themselves right back in family court a few days later. Trevor Langan was there to represent Noah's best interest. The judge looked at the notes, "So after locating the baby's birth mother, she was found dead. We are back to square one." The judge sighed deeply, "I have no choice but to have ACS continue to care for Noah, unless. Sergeant and Detective, you two have been at every case and found Noah correct?" Olivia stepped forward, "Yes Judge." The judge looked at Amanda, "I see you are starting your own family, but would you two be interested in fostering Noah? I know it's a lot to ask, but you two have taken a consistent interest in him." Olivia looked at Amanda and Amanda responded quickly, "We can do that Judge." The judge smiled, "I hereby order Noah Porter into your care as custodial parents for one year, at which time you two will be given the option to permanently adopt him." They took Noah home.
All ACS was able to offer was a car seat, so before heading home they picked up the essentials to make it until the weekend. Olivia and Amanda sat with baby Noah in between them on their bed, "Liv I'm six months pregnant and we have a seven month old. I've never been happier. Are you ok?" Olivia smiled, "I never imagined we would be here Amanda, but I'm so glad we are." Since Amanda was pregnant and on desk duty she took two weeks off, but they needed help and fast.
They heard a knock at the door, Olivia grabbed Noah and Amanda went to open the door. Fin was the first in with a huge teddy bear. Next was Melinda with a whole pack of diapers. Then Carisi with toys, formula, and bottles. Last was Alex with a whole bag of baby clothes. They greeted their friends and they were happy to have their circle of family. Olivia asked, "Has anyone spoken to Nick?" Fin explained he was on patrol and for the most part was keeping his head up. Olivia told them, "If he keeps it together, I'm getting him back as soon as I can. Fin and Melinda ordered dinner for everyone and they enjoyed the night together.
Noah began to get restless, so everyone slowly started saying goodnight. Alex hugged Olivia and Amanda, "I'm headed back out of town tomorrow, but I'm always only a phone call away. I'll be back when the baby is born. Can I Amanda?" Alex pointed to her now big bump to touch. Amanda smiled, "Of course." Amanda grabbed her hand and put it over a certain area. Alex felt the baby kick. "Ohhhh wow!" Before leaving Olivia asked, "Alex, I know this is a stretch, but do you know anyone that can help with a Nanny? Amanda only has two weeks off and once the baby comes, we will need help. 2 kids under the age of 1. What were we thinking?" Alex had someone in mind, "Let me check, but I think I know someone who can help."
Noah was a good baby. He slept most of the night. When he did wake up, it was for a bottle, a quick change, and went right back down. Olivia was nervous leaving them, "Baby are you sure you don't want me to take off today or maybe even the week? I can try to work from home and leave Fin in charge." Amanda shook her head no, "You guys are short, we will be fine. Hey we can even drop by and have lunch with you." Olivia wanted to be with them, but she knew she had to go in. When her phone went off, she huffed, "I can't even have breakfast with my family. BENSON!" Olivia smiled at Amanda, "Sorry Alex. How are you? Oh that's great, can I have her number. Oh sure, let me call the precinct." Olivia explained that Alex had a friend and her niece who was working as a Nanny lost her job when the family moved out of state last week. "She's on the way, let me call Fin to say I'll be late."
Olivia was enjoying the time playing and holding Noah, while she could. Amanda answered the door, "Hi! Welcome come on in." A young woman walked in, "Hi! I'm Lucy Huston. It's nice to meet both of you." They talked like old friends and Olivia reviewed her references. "The last family I was with was great, but once they moved, I just didn't find the right family." Olivia couldn't believe she wasn't able to find work, "Ok Lucy, why are you still available? What aren't you telling us?" Amanda laughed, "She's a detective, so just tell her." Lucy sighed, "I need a live-in job. I'm even willing to take a cut in pay. I don't have a place to stay." They both looked at each other and Olivia answered, "We can definitely try it. That side of the house is off alone. You may feel like you have your own space. The room at the end is furnished." They all agreed and her trial would be the two weeks Amanda was off. Olivia kissed Amanda and Noah and went on with her day.
The greatest news of the week came when they caught Johnny D with underage girls. They had enough to keep him and Barba started preparing for the biggest trial of his life. Amanda dropped by the squad, "Hey Liv." She kissed her wife, "How's Lucy?" Amanda shook her head, "She's good." Fin popped in, "Hey Amanda. Liv I walked the area with Annie Lin, the rape victim. I didn't get much, but she said he wore latex gloves and hummed a church song." Amanda swung around, "We had a humming rapist in Atlanta and I know it's crazy but same MO.
Fin and Carisi were going to Atlanta and when she made the call herself she felt totally sick when she had to speak to Captain Reynolds. Amanda turned white at just hearing his name. "Thank you Captain, my squad will be there tomorrow." Amanda got up and ran to the bathroom. As Fin looked on, "Liv what's that about?" She couldn't tell him, because it wasn't her place, "Just get in, get the information, and return. She went to check on Amanda who was throwing water on her face. "Liv I'm fine. We are at work. Keep it professional." With that she walked out. Amanda had never been so cold and short with Olivia. She didn't even understand it.
Amanda walked in the squad room and Olivia walked in her office. Fin asked, "Hey are you ok?" She was about to answer, when her phone rang, "Rollins." Amanda froze, she didn't talk, blink, or move. Fin watched her closely and didn't like what he saw at all. Out of all the time on the phone, all he heard was, "Yes Sir." Amanda hung up, "Have a nice trip Fin."
Amanda went home. She couldn't even remember how she got there. When she walked in she was in a complete fog. Lucy was as sweet as ever, talking up a storm. Lucy went to hand her Noah, she always wanted him as soon as she came in. "Lucy, I'm not feeling well. I'm going to take a shower and lay down." Amanda kissed Noah on the head.
Lucy didn't know what was wrong, but she called Olivia immediately. "I'm sorry to bother you, Amanda just doesn't seem like herself. Just thought you would like to know." Olivia knew exactly what was wrong, she needed to help Amanda get through this. She also needed help, she needed Nick back. She made a call for a huge favor. Nick was returned to normal duty immediately. One more slip, he would lose everything and Olivia who was soon to be Lieutenant Benson would never see that rank. She explained it all to Nick. "I need you to be perfect."
Olivia went home to check on Amanda. Lucy informed her of Noah's day and also that Amanda had been in her room since coming home, "Olivia I was going to check on her, but I heard her crying." Olivia smiled, "Thanks Lucy, probably hormones. Will you keep Noah for us tonight. We need some time." Amanda was on her side crying, the only comfortable position left for a seven month pregnant woman. Olivia knelt down in front of her and wiped her eyes. "Leave me be Liv."
"Amanda you're pregnant and Lucy said you haven't left the room, not even to eat" Amanda rolled her eyes, "Well isn't she a little snitch." Olivia saw the sadness in her eyes, "Tell me." Amanda slowly turned on her back and slowly away from Olivia on her other side. That one Atlanta call turned everything upside down. "Amanda don't make me spank your pregnant ass." She climbed in the bed facing her, "Liv I thought I was free. I was so mad at you for talking to him, being nice to him, treating him like he was a human being. I wanted you to hate him." Olivia sat up and pulled her in between her legs and held onto her stomach. "Amanda, I do hate him. It's the job, that's all you heard today. I will never let him or Patton near you." Amanda tried to pull away and Olivia pulled her back, "Patton called me before I left the squad. He asked why I wasn't coming and that I left before he got a 2nd fuck." Olivia fuming and her heart was beating so fast. She just kissed her and held her. The next day Olivia and Fin were on that plane instead of Carisi. Olivia was going to end this.