A/N: Hey, another chapter! So in this chapter there's a small time jump of a couple of days so nothing major. Also, I'm sorry if you guys are into stories that go into detail with court scenes/investigations. I'm going to try my best to make it as true to the show as possible but to be honest, I find those kind of things a bit boring to write *hides face* and, I'm not from America so the only information I have on the law etc are from TV shows.
"Maria, Honey! Hurry up we're going to be late for your first day at school!" Olivia called through her apartment, slightly exasperated. The five year old had been stalling all morning from bathroom breaks to pretending to look for something.
"I can't find my school shoes!" A small voice was heard coming from down the hall.
Olivia rolled her eyes and looked by the front door, where two little black Mary-Janes were situated. "I left them by the front door last night, Baby. You know that. Now come on. Elliot's waiting to give us a ride." The brunnette shot her partner/boyfriend an apologetic look. He just smirked and shook his head dismissively.
"Elliot's here?!" Maria squealed as she ran down the hall, dressed in one of her new school outfits. She ran past her foster mother and straight to the male detective before wrapping her arms around one of his legs in greeting.
"Hey, Sweetie. You all set for your first day?" Elliot greeted the little girl, returning the embrace.
Maria pulled away and looked down at her sock covered feet. "I guess so. Livy says it's going to be fun." She replied, sounding slightly unsure.
"Livy's right. You're going to have a blast."
"Ok, guys, we've wasted enough time. If we waste anymore we're going to be late for work and I don't think Cragen will be very happy." Olivia interrupted the conversation as she grabbed her purse from the kitchen counter. "Shoe's and jacket. Maria, Now."
Elliot pulled up outisde the elementary school and he and Olivia looked back at Maria who was sat in her car seat. "Ok we're here."
Maria looked up from her hands that were folded in her lap, her expression was one of fear. "Are you coming with us, Elliot?"
The man shifted in his seat and thought over the girls question. To say he was conflicted would be an understatement. He would have loved to have seen her off into her new classroom but he felt that Olivia should do this on her own.
Olivia looked between her foster daughter and her partner before answering for Elliot. "Of course Elliot is coming inside with us-"
"Liv-" Elliot sighed.
"No buts, El." His partner interrupted him. "Maria's not the only one who needs you right now." She whispered softly so the child in the back seat couldn't hear.
The three exited the car, each adult on either side of the five year old. Maria reached up and held both their hands before they walked in to school building.
"Good morning. I'm Olivia Benson. My foster daughter, Maria Recinos, starts school here today. I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of her classrom." Olivia announced her presence to the schools receptionist.
The young woman smiled in greeting and introduced herself. "I'm Anna. I'm sure Maria will be very happy here." She typed something into her computer and smiled. "Ah you're a very lucky girl, Maria. You're in Miss Holly's class. Her classroom is just down this corridor, fifth door on your right."
The trio followed the receptionists directions and soon they were stood in front of the classroom door which was open and filled with excited childre who were squealing with joy. Olivia smiled and bent down so she was eye level with her child. "Ok Maria, I want you to be a good girl and I will be back at three thirty to pick you up."
"Livy...I don't want to go to school. I wanna stay with you." Maria's lip trembled as she flung herself towards her foster mother who quickly wrapped her arms around her. She felt Elliot place a steadying hand on her shoulder so that she wouldn't fall from her crouched position after th sudden impact.
"Shhhh, it's going to be ok. Calm down, Baby." Olivia soothed, rubbing the childs back comfotingly. It was breaking her heart to see Maria so upset but she knew deep down that this was something that had to be done.
"Is everything ok?" Miss Holly appeared in the doorway of the classroom.
"Maria here is a bit nervous about her first day at school." Elliot explained as he watched his partner comfort her child.
Miss Holly nodded in understanding, this wasn't the first time she had witnessed a scene like this and it certainly wouldn't be the last. "Maria? Would like to come and see your cubby hole? Today we're going make decorations for them. It's going to be really fun." The young teacher asked softly.
Olivia closed her eyes and sighed softly when Maria heard the woman speak to her. "Maria, Sweetie, I have to go to work but Miss Holly is going to take real good care of you until I come and get you later." She pulled the child out of her arms and held her by the arms.
"No! Don't make me! I want to go with you and Elliot! I want Grandpa!" The little girl began to sob and Olivia felt tears in her eyes.
Liv stood up and guided Maria towards the school teacher. "I should be here to collect her once school finishes but I will call if I'm running late. Would it be ok if she stayed on at one of the after school programmes until I get here?" She spoke to the teacher, ignoring the five year old who was now openly crying.
"No! Please don't leave me, Mommy!"
Olivia froze at that one word...Mommy. Her heart finally cracked and that one simple word has was the final nail in the coffin.
Miss Holly saw the conflict in Olivia's eyes and bent down so she was eye level with her new student. "Maria, your Mommy has to go now. All your new friends are waiting to start class. Come inside and I will show you where you can put your jacket and backpack."
At the woman's soft words, Maria seemed to deflate. She turned to Olivia, "You'll be back to take me hom, right?"
"Of course, Baby. I'll be here to pick you up as soon as school is finished." Olivia reassured the little girl.
"I'm going to miss you, Mama. Tell Grandpa I said 'Hello'." The child gave Olivia and Elliot a quick hug before turning back and running into the classroom.
"I'm sorry. We've held up your class long enough. If anything happens concerning Maria, you have my cell and work phone numbers as well as my captain's. She calls him Grandpa. Erm...I packed some spare clothes just incase and-"
Olivia was interupted by the teachers soft chuckle. "Detective Benson, don't worry. This isn't my first rodeo. Maria will be fine. Once she settles in she'll be back to her usual self. Now go. I'll see you at three thirty."
The female detective sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "Ok, thank you and remember if anything happens just-"
"Liv," Elliot called over as he put his cellphone in his pocket. "That was Cragen, we've got a case."