Olivia woke to the smell of coffee and the sound of violent gagging. Throwing the sheets off, she rolled out of bed and quickly made her way into the ensuite, clicking her tongue in sympathy when she saw her wife hunched over and heaving hard. She walked over to stand behind Alex, pulling her hair away from her face gently as she rubbed steady circles on her wife's trembling back. "Hey baby, I've got you," she murmured, frowning in sympathy when Alex simply groaned and heaved again.

Once they were both sure Alex's stomach was completely empty, Olivia flushed and helped Alex lower herself onto the lip of the tub. She walked the short distance to the sink, wetting a rag with cool water. She knew what her wife's seemingly sudden ailment meant, especially combined with the other little clues Alex had been playing off as coincidence. But she promised she wouldn't pry, and she would keep her word.

"Here baby, this'll help a little," Olivia said softly, pressing the cool rag to Alex's forehead, cheeks and then her neck. "You think dinner got to you? I know I'm not Ramsey, but I haven't killed anyone yet." She smiled when her joke succeeded in making her wife smile.

"I don't think it was dinner," Alex replied, her voice slightly hoarse. "Might've been the Thai I ate for lunch yesterday." Olivia nodded, playing along, walking back to the sink to fill the cup they kept there with some mouthwash and holding it out to Alex. Her wife smiled gratefully, albeit weakly, and swished, standing on shaky legs to walk over to the sink and spit.

Olivia stood close, hoping to offer both her physical and emotional support with her proximity. "Are you feeling a little better?" she asked, brushing Alex's hair out of her face and offering what she hoped was a comforting smile. Alex nodded, and Olivia felt her chest fill with warmth when the blonde leaned happily into her touch.

"A little bit, but I think I'm going to go see the doctor," Alex replied with a small sigh, stepping forward to rest her forehead on Olivia's bare shoulder. Olivia immediately wrapped her arms around her, squeezing gently as they rocked a little. "Do you want me to come with you?" She felt Alex shake her head against her shoulder and pressed a kiss to the blondie's temple. "I'm only on call today so let me know if you change your mind."

"I will," Alex replied. "But I think I'll be ok. I just wanna make sure it's not a bug or something. Can't have New York's Finest getting sick because of me."

Olivia let out an amused little huff and shook her head. "One of New York's Finest, baby," she corrected playfully.

"That, is a matter of opinion Detective," Alex retorted just as playfully, pressing a kiss to Olivia's shoulder and then her cheek before pulling back slightly to smile at her. Olivia noted happily that her wife's porcelain skin had returned to its normal shade as opposed to the almost sickly pallor it had carried moments before.

"You're biased Counselor," Olivia said, pressing a kiss to the tip of Alex's nose. "You think you could keep some toast down?" she asked, smiling slightly at Alex's almost pained expression. "I know it's the last thing you want right now but you've gotta eat something, and I'll make you some tea. It'll help soothe your stomach."

Alex sighed and nodded. "Alright, sounds good. Meanwhile, I'm going to call in and check if my doctor can see me today."

Olivia nodded, pressing one last kiss to Alex's forehead before making her way to the kitchen, forcing herself to give her wife the privacy she needed to make her phone call to whom Olivia was certain would be her OBGYN. She busied herself with making her own coffee first, taking a sip before starting on Alex's tea and toast, her mind racing as she picked up on the soft murmur of Alex's voice floating from their bedroom. Ignoring her initial instinct to listen in, she allowed herself to delve headfirst into the thoughts flashing through her mind.

She didn't want to get ahead of herself, she knew what could come from that, but the thought that Alex, that her wife, could currently be carrying their future child was…

It was magical.

It excited and terrified her and she let the emotions carry her imagination to scenes of cribs, cuddles and strolls in the park. Of sharing all of their baby's firsts, of loving their child with absolutely everything she had, everything she was and making sure they knew it. Making sure they were happy, and healthy and safe and wanted for nothing.

As she spread a light layer of butter on the piece of toast in her hand, she looked around the kitchen and into the living room, already taking inventory of what needed to be baby-proofed, of what they would possibly need to get rid of completely when the baby started to wander and explore, and of possibly buying a gate to block the entry into the kitchen.

The screeching of the tea kettle pulled her from her musings and she swiftly turned off the heat, searching the cabinets for Alex's favorite herbal tea, reading the ingredients carefully before deciding it would be alright and placing the teabag in the porcelain mug she had set on the counter for Alex next to her toast. She poured the water as Alex walked into the kitchen, noting that her wife had changed out of her pajamas and into dark jeans and a sky blue, cable-knit sweater that made her eyes sparkle.

Olivia couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips.

Her wife was glowing and it was beautiful.

"Thank you for breakfast baby," Alex said with a soft smile and Olivia nodded, leaning forward to press a kiss to Alex's forehead. "I take it the doctor is able to see you today?" she asked, picking up her abandoned coffee mug and grimacing slightly as she took a drink of the now cold beverage.

Alex nodded, nibbling at her toast almost hesitantly. "She told me to come in as soon as I could actually." Olivia watched with slight satisfaction as Alex took a larger bite of her breakfast, apparently deciding that her stomach wouldn't rebel against her because of it. "I could drive you if you want," Olivia offered casually, abandoning her cold coffee and opting to make a fresh batch.

"I'll be ok," Alex replied after swallowing, bringing her tea to her lips and letting out a content little hum that made Olivia smile. "It's just a check up. I'm sure I won't even be in there an hour."

Olivia nodded, still playing along, though she knew that this appointment could take up a good part of the morning. She found herself hoping that the lowlifes of New York decided to behave themselves today so that she could be home when Alex came back.

"-and then we can go to your birthday dinner."

Olivia was snapped out of her thoughts by that statement, looking into those blue eyes that were now sparkling with mischief and amusement. "What?"

"Your birthday dinner," Alex repeated with a grin. "Did you think I forgot?"

"Um," Olivia tried, chuckling at herself and rubbing the back of her neck. "I didn't think you forgot but I kind of did." Alex snorted, finishing off her toast and the last of her tea. "Of course you did."

"Where are we going again?" Olivia asked, motioning for Alex to stay put with a wave of her hand as she collected her dishes and moved over to the sink to wash them. "And do I have to dress up?"

"Liv," Alex whined slightly and Olivia's grin grew. "Did you really forget or are you purposely trying to stress me out? You know that stress is bad for the b-"

Alex's abrupt pause almost made Olivia snort. 'Gotcha' she thought as she dried off Alex's mug and put it away. Deciding that she could save teasing her wife for later, she responded: "I didn't forget, and I'll be ready I promise. I'll even shower and everything."

"You're insufferable," Alex responded with a groan.

"And yet you married me," Olivia retorted, walking over to where Alex was sitting and wrapping her arms around Alex's wasit, pulling her close and using her knuckle to tilt Alex's chin up before pressing a kiss to the blonde's upturned lips. She reeled in the taste of honey and spice that mixed with the slightly fruity taste of Alex's lip balm, and she only pulled away when the blonde had relaxed completely against her.

"Don't you have to go to your appointment?" she asked, slightly proud of the slight daze that clouded Alex's expression for a moment before she was able to collect herself and nod.

"I should get going."

Olivia nodded, pressing one more kiss to Alex's lips before stepping back to let her stand. She watched as the blonde collected her purse and keys, smiling when Alex stopped in front of the mirror by the door to apply a light coat of lipstick before pulling on her jacket.

"Hey Lex," Olivia called out, leaning against the kitchen counter and waiting until Alex's eyes met hers. "I love you."

The smile that spread across Alex's face made Olivia's heart soar and she knew that she would work her entire life to make sure that Alex smiled like that as often as possible.

"I love you too Liv. I'll see you in a bit."


"Alexandra, good to see you my dear."

Alex looked up, immediately smiling at her OBGYN. Doctor Reneè Ansley had been with Alex and Olivia throughout the first pregnancy, offering sound advice, comfort and even a shoulder to cry on after they had lost the baby. "Likewise Reneè," Alex responded, returning the gentle hug the older woman wrapped her in.

"And I hear we have good news!" the doctor exclaimed warmly as she opened up the chart in her hands. Alex smiled, the excitement in Reneè's voice palpable, matching the excitement fluttering in her chest.

"The nurse said you'd be able to let me know how far along I am?" Alex asked, anxious to get through the numerous examinations that she knew were coming.

"One step at a time Alexandra," Reneè replied with a smile, placing Alex's file on the counter and taking her stethoscope off of her neck as she stepped towards the examination table. "How have you been?"

Alex nodded once, allowing the doctor to check her breathing before responding. "I feel ok. I was sick this morning but it hasn't been too bad."

"Ok, that's good," Reneè replied warmly, resting her stethoscope around her neck once more before reaching for the blood pressure cuff. "But I meant how have you been?" Alex sighed, thinking about the question, sitting quietly as Reneè took the rest of her vitals. After the doctor checked her blood pressure, temperature and pulse she finally replied.

"I'm scared Reneè, I'm scared of what might happen. I'm scared that history will repeat itself." Alex swallowed hard, looking down at her hands before she continued. "I'm terrified of getting Olivia's hopes up…"

"I take it you haven't told her yet."

The thought of her slip that morning made Alex smile slightly. "I haven't, but she is a detective after all."

"New York's Finest," Reneè replied, throwing a wink at Alex over her glasses as she scribbled a couple of notes in Alex's file. "Olivia loves you Alexandra, and no matter what happens, that is one thing that won't ever change."

"I feel like I let her down." Alex confessed, her emotions getting the best of her and making her voice crack slightly. "She's always wanted to have a baby, to start a family. I want to be able to give that to her."

Reneè placed a warm hand on Alex's shoulder, her touch comforting. "I know you do, dear. And based on your vitals and the labs I had the girls run up, come October, you and Olivia are going to have your little one." Alex smiled, her eyes filling with happy tears as she placed a hand on her stomach and rubbed gently. 'I can't wait to meet you my love.'


"El, you have to swear to me you won't say anything," Olivia insisted into the phone as she used her tablet to scroll through Pinterest. She wouldn't ever admit it, but she shared Alex's pinning vice and had spent her morning creating different boards, all baby themed.

"I swear Liv, I won't say anything," her partner replied and she could hear the smile in his voice. "Liv, don't take this the wrong way, but-"

Olivia nodded though she knew Elliot couldn't see her, making sure to close Pinterest before setting her tablet down on the coffee table. "I know, I'm jumping the gun a little bit, but I can't help it."

"I know, Liv, I get it. And I'm happy for you, for both of you."

"Thanks El," Olivia replied, the excitement fluttering in her chest.

"You know, if it's a boy, Elliot is a really good name."

Olivia laughed loudly at that. "I'll keep that in mind." She was about to add something else before she heard the telltale sound of Alex's keys in the lock. "I gotta go El. See you later." Ending the call swiftly, Olivia stood just as Alex walked through the door, smiling brightly at the sight of Alex's flushed cheeks and slightly disheveled hair. "Hey gorgeous. How'd it go?"

Alex smiled and pulled off her jacket, hanging it on the coat rack before turning toward Olivia. "It went well. The doctor prescribed something for the nausea and told me to stay hydrated." Olivia glanced at Alex's purse, catching a glimpse of the ever familiar prescription bag. "I'm glad it went well baby. Are you feeling ok? Do you need anything?" she asked, not able to resist wrapping Alex in a hug when her wife came to stand before her.

"Honestly, I could use a shower." Alex replied, leaning close and nuzzling their noses together tenderly. "And then maybe a nap before we start getting ready for dinner?" Olivia hummed, tipping her head slightly to press a light kiss to Alex's lips. "Will this nap involve cuddling?" she asked with faux seriousness.

"Oh most definitely," Alex replied, matching her tone, baby blue's twinkling with mirth. Kissing Alex again, Olivia smiled and nodded once before replying: "You have yourself a deal. Do you want me to make us a light lunch while you shower?"

"I'd much rather you join me in the shower," Alex suggested with a grin. Olivia chuckled and shook her head. "As tempting as that offer is my love, you need to eat something."

Alex pouted and Olivia almost caved. But whether or not Alex was ready to admit it, she was eating for two and Olivia knew that the toast she had eaten before her appointment wasn't going to cut it. "You're adorable, but I'm sticking to my guns. Go on," she replied with a chuckle, gently pushing Alex towards their bedroom.

When Alex's sweater came flying towards her, Olivia caught it before it hit her face, shaking her head at the grinning blonde who simply winked and retreated into their bedroom. Olivia pressed the sweater to her nose briefly, taking in the smell of their laundry detergent and Alex's sweet perfume. Smiling, she folded it and placed it on the couch, images of Alex and their future child getting up to all kinds of shenanigans together flashing in her mind's eye.

They would drive her crazy, that was certain. But she wouldn't have it any other way. And as she wandered into the kitchen to start on lunch, she murmured: "I love you already baby. I can't wait to meet you."

"I'm sorry that I got sick on your birthday Liv," Alex murmured sleepily. "This is not how I pictured this day going." After lunch they had cuddled up in bed as agreed, Alex laying on top of Olivia, her head on her chest as her wife ran gentle fingers through her still slightly dampened hair. Olivia's heartbeat was strong and steady in her ear and Alex was surrounded by her warmth and her scent.

"You don't have to apologize baby," Olivia replied, scratching gently at her skull in a way that made Alex purr. "This has been the most relaxing birthday to date and we're still going out to dinner. Besides, it's not your fault you were a little sick this morning."

"Yeah, but I wanted to make you breakfast in bed and all that," Alex argued with a sigh.

"I know, but then we would have had to call the fire department and that would have really been a rough way to spend my birthday."

Alex pinched Olivia's side, grinning when the brunette yelped slightly though she could feel her wife's body shaking with laughter at her own joke. She lifted her head and glared at Olivia's amused expression. "Liv, that happened one time. One time. You're not funny."

"A little funny," Olivia countered, gently shifting them both so that she was sitting against the headboard with Alex in her lap. "But, seriously, you know I don't like making a big deal about the day I was born."

Alex nodded sadly, knowing that the circumstances surrounding Olivia's conception always weighed heavier on the detective's mind when her birthday came around. When they had first started dating, Alex had wanted to make a huge deal out of the day, but she had learned that Olivia actually preferred a more quiet, intimate setting, with maybe a few friends or even just the two of them.

"I know," Alex replied softly, leaning in to kiss Olivia softly. "I know that what happened to your mother was horrible Olivia, and I would never want to imply that I'm in any way glad that it happened. But I am so, so happy that I have you in my life, that I'm able to be with you, to love you and be loved by you." She ran a gentle hand through Olivia's hair, before cupping her cheek and continuing. "You are a gift to this world Olivia Benson, and I am just so grateful that I'm able to be a part of your life."

Alex sighed happily when Olivia leaned forward to kiss her, resting her hands on her wife's chest. The kiss was soft, sweet and intimate and it made Alex's heart swell to know that she would be creating a family with this wonderful human being. When they parted, she smiled, gazing lovingly into warm, amber pools, soaking in the love she could see sparkling there. "Happy birthday, Liv."

"Having you in my life is greater than any gift that anyone could ever give me Alex," Olivia replied, her voice low and laden with emotion. Alex bit her lip, thinking of the little gift she was growing inside of her. Though she had been planning to make the announcement and give Olivia her gifts after dinner that night, there was something about this moment that just fit.

"So, does that mean you don't want your presents?" Alex asked, keeping her tone light and playful.

"I mean, I always want presents," Olivia replied with a grin, kissing Alex's nose and making her giggle. Alex nodded, and shifted out of Olivia's lap despite her wife's protests.

"Where are you going?" Olivia whined playfully, grabbing at Alex's waist. Alex laughed, wiggling out of the detective's grasp. "I'm going to get your presents, I'll be right back."

Alex walked into their shared closet, opening one of her drawers and pulling out 3 boxes and a pen.

The first box contained a delicate white gold chain with a small, rectangular pendant. Set in the pendant was a small amethyst, Olivia's birthstone, a small emerald, Alex's birthstone, and set in between them an opal, the baby's birthstone. The minute she had stepped out of the doctors appointment, she had called the jeweler that had helped her with the necklace and asked if there was any chance he could set the final stone that morning. He, in turn, had congratulated her and gushed for a few moments before assuring her that he would start work on it right away.

The tiny opal he had chosen was perfect, white with swirling hints of colors that sparkled in the light and Alex had almost cried when she saw the finished product, thanking the man profusely before allowing him to wrap the gift for her.

The second box contained an old Cartier watch that had belonged to her father. When Alex had told her mother that she was thinking of buying Olivia a new watch, her mother had simply smiled and given her the names of some family friends that just happened to be jewelers. However, a few days after their conversation, a box had arrived at Alex's office by personal courier that contained the ever familiar yellow gold and steel watch her father wore throughout her childhood. With it, came two notes, one from her mother and one, to Alex's surprise, from her father.

With tears in her eyes, Alex reeled in every word her father had written, telling her that it had always been his intention to pass this watch along to whomever Alex had decided to marry. And, to Alex's surprise, though they had never really talked about it, her father had written that he hoped that the woman that would eventually steal Alex's heart would be worthy of the gift of Alex's love. Alex had cried, called her mother, and cried some more before thanking her. She had taken the watch to be resized, which to her continued surprise, was done free of charge when the man saw her father's initials engraved in the back.

'Anything for Alexander Cabot', the jeweler had said with a warm smile as he handed Alex the newly sized and gift wrapped watch.

The third box contained the tiny, crochet cap and the toy badge. Alex smiled as she ran her finger over the rim of the box, quickly writing out the message she had decided upon on the little notecard she had stored with the gifts. She placed the note inside the box and closed it once more, collecting all of the gifts before returning to the bedroom where she found Olivia sitting expectantly in the center of their bed. "Miss me?"

"Always," Olivia replied immediately, smiling brightly and eying the boxes in Alex's hands. "That's a lot-"

"Hush, it's your birthday, I'm allowed to spoil you," Alex interrupted, climbing onto the bed and tucking her legs under her before handing Olivia the box that contained her father's watch. She watched with excitement as Olivia carefully unwrapped the black box, setting the paper aside and opening the lid, a gasp falling from her wife's lips. "Alex…"

Sensing the protest on the tip of her wife's tongue, Alex interceded gently. "It was my fathers." She swallowed, surprised by the sudden emotion she felt build in her throat. "My mother had it sent to me, along with a note from my father telling me that he wanted to give it to the woman that stole my heart."

"So you gave it to me instead?" Olivia joked with a slight chuckle, though Alex could hear the thickness of her voice and see how her wife was blinking back the tears. She watched as Olivia removed the watch almost reverently from its box, and slid it onto her wrist, fastening the clasp and holding it out happily for Alex to see. "Very handsome," Alex complimented tenderly, wiping away at a rogue tear that escaped her eye.

Olivia leaned forward to kiss her and Alex happily reciprocated, resting their foreheads together briefly after they broke apart. "Ready for the next one?" she asked, giggling at Olivia's excited nod. She grabbed the box with the necklace and handed it to her wife, smiling brightly at Olivia's gasp when she opened it.

"It's so pretty," Olivia exclaimed, slowly taking out the chain and holding the pendant in her palm as she ran her finger over the stones. "Amethyst for me, emerald for you… what's the opal for?" Alex couldn't contain her smile, and she fought the tears as she reached out to take the necklace from Olivia instead of answering the question. "Here, let me put it on you," she offered softly, sliding her hands around Olivia's neck and fastening the clasp before sitting back to admire how the pendant sat right between her wife's collarbones.

"Alex, what's the opal for?" Olivia asked again, her voice soft, curious and so hopeful it made Alex's heart swell. She sniffled, handing Oliva the third box without a word, offering an encouraging nod when Olivia continued to question her with her gaze. "Open it."

She watched, biting her lip as Olivia slowly pulled the lid off, her heart beating wildly in her chest as she watched her wife's expressions shift slowly. Curiosity, then, as she read the note, realization, a laugh and then, sheer elation as she looked back up at Alex, the smile on her face hitting Alex full force, warming her like the rays of the sun. She let the tears flow freely, her own smile threatening to split her cheeks as she said: "Congratulations Liv, you're gonna be a mommy."

And then the world was spinning and Alex wsa on her back, laughing happily as Olivia pressed kisses to her cheeks and forehead and nose and lips, looking down at her with sparkling eyes, that smile still in full force. "We're gonna have a baby?" she asked and Alex nodded, lifting her head to press a kiss to Olivia's smiling mouth, tasting her tears and her joy before pulling back.

"We're gonna have a baby Liv."

Alex giggled when Olivia pressed another series of happy kisses to her mouth and watched curiously as her wife slid down until her face was hovering just above Alex's tummy. And as she realized what Olivia was doing, the tears started again, rolling down her cheeks as she reached down to run her fingers through Olivia's hair, listening intently as her wife spoke softly.

"Hi baby… I know we haven't met yet but I gotta tell ya, I love you so much already. And I can't wait to welcome you to the world, Baby Benson."