*2 Days Later*
"Maria! Come on, Baby!" Olivia shouted through the apartment to Maria who was playing in her room. Today was a bit nerve wracking for the girl. It was the day that they were going to have and interview with the principal of the local elementary school where Maria would be attending kindergarten.
"Coming, Livy!" A sweet little voice called back before being followed by tiny footsteps running down the hall.
"If you're not too tired, we could go shopping for your bedroom afterwards." Olivia suggested knowing that the girl might end up being exhausted by the end of the appointment. This reminded Olivia that she would have to make an appointment with Huang, the psychiatrist that often helped the detectives at SVU to 'understand' criminals and he also helped them so that the could get victims to speak out against their attackers. The reason why she had to make an appointment with him was because, ever since they had come home from the hospital, Maria had been having nightmares. The worst one happened last night and the poor thing was so terrified, Olivia had to let Maria sleep in her room with her. She knew that was bad parenting but she couldn't just let her child suffer alone and she had to admit that she herself still felt drained from the past few days dramatic events. She and Elliot still hadn't spoken and she realised that they were both being a little petty. The problem was they were both as stubborn as Hell so neither of them had approached the other to apologise.
Olivia was brought out of her silent rambling by Maria who squealed and hugged her legs tightly. "Really, Livy?!" She asked with a broad grin.
"Of course, Honey. We can't leave it plain like that forever, can we now?" Olivia chuckled as she gently wrapped her arms around the child still attached to her. She was hoping that by decorating her spare-no, she hoped that by decorating MARIA'S room, it would offer the girl ore security in her life.
"You ready to go?" Liv asked as she held Maria by her shoulders at arms length.
"Mhm." Maria mumbled looking down at her shoes nervously.
By now Olivia had learnt to read the little that was now hers and she knew that when Maria avoided all eye contact it meant she was afraid. Olivia sighed and crouched down so that she was no longer looming over the five year old. "Maria? Sweetie?" She asked as she punched the girls soft brown hair behind her ear so that she could see her face more clearly.
"What's the matter, Baby?" Olivia questioned as she continued to play with Maria's hair.
Slowly, Maria looked up at her foster mother, the fear was evident in her eyes and voice when she spoke. "What if the other kids are mean to me? I'm not like them, I'm different." She asked distressed. Olivia realised how the girls native Spanish accent was not prominent. "I don't have a Mommy and Daddy like them." Maria continued to stress as tears filled her eyes.
"Oh, Honey." Olivia whispered sympathetically, drawing the child into her arms. She rubbed her back and hushed her before saying,"if the others say anything about you not having a Mommy and Daddy just tell them that you're loved anyway, ok? Because you are. I love you, Grandpa loves you and your Auntie Alex and all your Uncles loves you, alright?" She wished she could come right out and say, 'You do have a Mommy and I'm right here.', but she thought that it was too soon to make any such promises. Right now she just had to be satisfied with being called 'Livy'. She didn't know what would happen now if Maria started calling her 'Mommy' only for her to be ripped out of her life. No matter how much reassurance she got from her extended family, Olivia knew there was still a strong possibility of social services taking her little girl away.
"You really mean that?" Maria mumbled into her ear with her head rested on Olivia's shoulders.
"I really, really mean it." The female detective assured her as she got a tissue out of her jacket pocket. "Now let me look at you." She added taking the girls face into her hand so that she could wipe it dry of the silent tears that had run down her cherub cheeks. "There. You're as beautiful as ever." Olivia said grinning before planting a living kiss on Maria's forehead.
"I love you, Livy." Maria replied as Olivia stood from her crouched position.
Olivia smiled with tears in her eyes as she placed a hand on top of Maria's head. "I love you to, Maria." She replied tenderly before looking at her watch and widening her eyes. They were behind schedule! "But you know what?" The elder female looked down at the girl.
"What?" Maria asked confused.
"We really do need to leave now or we're going to be late for our special meeting." Olivia tried to make it sound exciting but knew she had failed when the girls smile wilted a little. "Come on." She said putting her arm around her shoulders. "Let's go." And with that, they collected their essential belongings and left the apartment.
XXX
Olivia and Maria now sat outside the principals office, waiting to be called in for their meeting. They had been silent ever since the schools receptionist had directed them to the hard plastic chairs. Maria made sure she was as close to Olivia as was possible. She was so close that she was practically in the woman's lap.
Despite Olivia's reassurances, the girl was still nervous, especially now that they were in a strange new place. Olivia was dreading the day when she had to go back to work and Maria had to go to school. It was going to be difficult. For both of the. If Maria was this nervous about a meeting with a potential new principal, Liv hated to think how clingy the girl will be on her first day of school. Just thinking about her foster daughters terrified face was enough to scare Olivia and make her feel guilty, she knew Maria wasn't the only one who was going to shed a few tears when the inevitable day arrived.
Olivia felt and saw Maria stiffen when the door to the principals office opened suddenly, revealing a tall man with handsome features. "Olivia Benson?" He asked Ina gentle tone as he looked at Olivia who nodded and wrapped her arms around Maria who clambered into her lap.
"That's me." She confirmed as she stood up with Maria attached to her hip and her arms around her neck in a grip that was tight enough to put Elliot's choke hold to shame.
"Please come in." The man Olivia presumed to be the principal, stepped aside and gestured for her to enter the office.
Olivia scanned the room that closely resembled a casual meeting room as the man followed her into the office, closing the door behind him with an almost silent click. "My name is Matthew Nicholls, I'll be Maria's new principal." He said as he gestured for Olivia to sit in a comfy looking armchair in front of his desk. Olivia obliged and sat with Maria still huddled in her lap. "This cute little thing must be Maria." Nicholls cooed as he bent over slightly to examine Maria who quickly hid her face in Olivia's chest.
Olivia looked at him apologetically as she rubbed a comforting hand over her little girls back. "She's a little shy." She told him softly, letting him know the child's response had nothing to do with him personally.
Nicholls nodded in understanding before he stood up straight and walked round to behind his desk. "You're lucky you called when you did. We have one space available in one of our kindergarten classes. After I got off the phone to you, I received three other calls from parents looking for a placement." The principal told Olivia, now getting down to business as he sorted out some paperwork. "The process of enrolment should be pretty straight forward. I only have a few questions and then we can get down to signing the right documents. If all goes well, Maria can start Monday." He continued and Olivia's eyes widened. It was now Wednesday and she wasn't sure if Maria would be fit to attend school that soon after her ordeal.
Olivia cleared her throat and sat up a little straighter. "Monday? Wow...ok." She blinked rapidly as she held onto Maria a little tighter.
"Is that going to be a problem? Because as I said-" Matthew said, noticing the detectives slight reluctance.
"No! I mean, no, Monday is good. It's just...I'm not Maria's biological mother. I only just recently became her foster mother." Olivia quickly cut him off before he could go any further. "She was a victim of a case we just recently closed over at SVU so she's still a little fragile."
A look of realisation suddenly appeared on his face only to be replaced by sympathy as he looked at the little girl who was practically half asleep in Liv's lap. "You work for the Special Victims Unit." Nicholls started more than asked. "Was she-"
"Yes." Was all the man managed to get out before he cleared his throat, feeling a little awkward. "If you think Maria will have trouble settling in, I could give you contact information for a child psychologist." He offered and Olivia smiled in gratification.
"Thanks but I already have a psychologist in mind." She told him, thinking of Dr. Huang.
"Ok, well I hope therapy helps and I can assure you, the staff here are wonderful at dealing with all sorts of situations involving the students."
"I know. I've heard a lot of praise for this school. I'm certain Maria will develop well here." Olivia agreed.
After Olivia had answered all the necessary questions, Principal Nicholls asked her to read through the schools contract which discussed the behaviour expected of all students as well as their parents when they were on the school grounds. Once she had read through it thoroughly, she signed the dotted line and began to fill out the medical forms and emergency contact sheet that would go into Maria's school file. When she came to the secondary emergency number, Olivia paused before she looked up at Nicholls. "I don't really have any family that is blood related. I can only think of my boss, who Maria calls Grandpa, and my work partner. Is that ok?" She asked. Suddenly, she felt a little inadequate to parent a child.
"That's fine, Detective. As long as it's someone you trust, it doesn't really concern us. We just like to have back up options." The principal assured her and Olivia nodded briefly and looked back down at the form.
Once everything was filled out appropriately. Mr Nicholls filed the paperwork away and Olivia stood up with Maria still clinging to her. "Would you like to meet your teacher, Maria?" He asked softly. The child had woken up when Olivia had risen.
Maria looked to he Forster mother to see if it was safe and Olivia nodded. "Ok." She answered timidly as she laid her head down on Olivia's shoulder but she no longer hid he face.
Olivia followed the principal through the school and stepped outside a red door in a colourfully decorated hallway. Clearly this was the section allocated to the kindergarten. Mr Nicholls lifted his hand and rapped on the window that was in the door. They then heard a soft 'come in!' So he opened the door and they wee greeted by about 20 kids and one teacher who seemed to be in her mid 20's. Mr Nicholls gestured for the teacher that he wanted to speak to her and she whispered something to a little girl who was too busy drawing to notice the new people on the room.
"Miss Holly, this is Detective Olivia Benson. Detective Benson, this is Miss Holly. She will be Maria's teacher." The principal introduced the two women who smiled at one another and shook hands.
Miss Holly directed her attention onto Maria who was looking around the bustling classroom, half-curious half-frightened. "Hi Maria. You're going to have so much fun in my class. Everyone is very nice." The kind teacher assured her.
Maria studied the classroom and her new teacher for a few seconds before she smiled sweetly at Miss Holly and nodded, seeming to be convinced. The three adults discussed a few more formalities before they concluded the arrangements for Monday. School started at 9am everyday and it finished at 3.30. Olivia made a mental reminder to tell Don about this so that she would be free for an hour each day so she could collect Maria and bring her back to the precinct. They then said their goodbyes and Mr Nicholls walked Olivia out to her car. Once they were safely secure in the car Olivia began to head in the direction of the closest shopping Mall.
XXX
"Do you like this, Sweetie?" Olivia asked Maria as they stood looking at a white, four poster, princess bed complete with pink canopy curtains.
Maria nodded and smiled. "It's for princesses!" She exclaimed before her smile faded.
"What's the matter?" Olivia inquired concerned.
"I'm not a princess." The little girl mumbled.
"That's not true. Wanna know what I think?" Olivia responded as she crouched down beside Maria and wrapped her arm around her slim waist.
"What?" Maria asked.
"I think that there is a princess in every little girl. Especially you ." Olivia emphasised the last part as she stood up. "So, because you're MY princess, I think this bed is perfect for you." She concluded before she looked around the furniture store for one of it's employees.
Suddenly a pair of arms were wrapped around her waist and she heard a sweet little, 'Thanks, Livy!' Coming from Maria.
"You're welcome, Honey. Um...excuse me?" Olivia finally managed to get the attention of one of the store's sales assistants.
"Yes, Ma'am?" The young girl asked.
"Could we find out if you have any of these in stoke?" Olivia gestured towards their bed of choice.
"Of course. Follow me." The young girl, whose employees badge told Olivia her name was Lydia, lead them towards the desk where she then found out there were three of the beds available. Olivia paid the fee and asked for the bed to be delivered to her apartment later that afternoon.
Before going home, the pair went to a few kids stores and purchased a large amount of clothes and toys. Olivia noticed how Maria didn't pick out any skirts or dresses. She realised that it was a classic symptom of rape and sexual assault victims. She wanted to be covered up so she didn't feel quite as exposed. Olivia hoped that with Huang's help, Maria would grow out of this stage and learn how to be a normal, happy little girl.
On the way back to the car, Olivia took out her phone and dialed Cragen's number. She waited for a few rings before she heard the familiar gentle, "Hi, Honey."
"Hi, Daddy." Olivia said with a chuckle and looked down at Maria who was smiling widely. Maria knew that by Olivia's response, she was talking to her 'Grandpa'.
"How can I help you, Liv?" Don asked, knowing her 'sweet' voice meant that she wanted something from him. He smiled thinking how typical this was of Daddies Girls.
"Can you come over to my apartment later? I need help setting up Maria's room, more specifically, her bed. It's gonna be a killer." She didn't quite think through how much work it was going to take to put together the complicated looking bed and she was useless with DIY projects. Don on the other hand, she knew, was a magician when it came to jobs like that, as was Elliot but he wasn't an option at that moment in time, given their current feelings towards each other. That's why Olivia winced when she heard the Captains sigh of stress.
"Liv, I've got tonnes of paperwork to fill out and the the Chief of D's is on my case about finding your replacement-"
"I'm being replaced?! What the Hell, Captain?! You said-" Olivia was no officially in 'Benson' mode, she was no longer 'Liv' or 'Livy' to Donald Cragen. She was simply Detective Benson, one of his most dedicated, hard working detectives and now-
"Oh, Olivia, that came out wrong. It's only temporary. You know, until you're ready to come back." Don quickly interjected before she could go off on one of her rants.
"Actually Dad, a replacement won't be necessary. I should be back Monday. Tuesday the latest." Olivia told him quickly.
"Monday? Why so soon?" Don inquired, he thought she would at least have 2 weeks off.
"I managed to find a school for Maria, she's been accepted, she starts Monday. What's the point of me wasting my days waiting for her to finish? I could be out there catching perps." His 'daughter' told him as she packed the bags into the trunk of her car. The whole time she was on the phone she had managed to make her way through the crowds and unlock her car. After the bags were loaded, she got Maria into the back and strapped her into her car seat she had gotten the day before Maria was released from the hospital. As soon as she knew Maria was being discharged, she had to quickly run out and get one. She spent hours looking for the safest, most comfortable one.
"Well that was quick. How is my granddaughter anyway? Let me talk to her." Don said and Olivia handed the phone to Maria.
"It's Grandpa. He wants to speak with you." Liv told the girl before closing the passenger door and getting into the drivers seat.
"Hi Grandpa!" Maria's face lit up when she held the phone to her ear to hear her Grandfather talk. "Uh huh, his name is Mr Nicholls and my teacher is called Miss Holly. She seems real nice." The girl paused as she listened to Dons reply. She giggled at whatever he said before replying. "Of course I'll make you lots of pictures Grandpa. And Livy too!" Maria agreed with a nod. "Ok, you too. Goodbye." She handed the phone back to Olivia after that and Olivia returned the phone back to her own ear.
"Yeah, Don?" She asked.
"Hey, look, I'm sorry I couldn't be of any help. With Maria's bed I mean. I'm sure Elliot wouldn't mind-"
Olivia stiffened at her partners name before interrupting her 'father'. "Actually, it's fine, I'm sure I'll work it out on my own. You don't need to apologise. Listen, I need to get home, Maria's getting tired and I'm pretty beat myself..." Liv trailed off as she watched Maria's eyes begin to droop in the rear view mirror. 'Last night must have really taken its toll on her.' The concerned mother thought, worriedly.
"Yeah, of course. I'll try and stop by tomorrow after work. Is that ok?" Don replied.
"That sounds great. I'll cook dinner." She told him.
"Alright. Bye, Honey."
"Bye, Daddy." The 'father and daughter' pair bid their farewells to each other in a similar way as how they greeted one another at the start of the conversation. Olivia hung up and placed her phone in a drinks holder before she started the engine and began to make the journey back to her apartment.