The day Olivia walked into the precinct, I immediately lost my breath. She looked almost exactly like Marge did when we first got married. I felt like I was hallucinating. They both had this exotic feel to them, and something about their eyes…I couldn't believe the similarities. In any case, that's where my feeling of protectiveness toward Olivia originated. I didn't think of her as Marge, not by any means, but I sort of felt like Liv was Marge's daughter, and thereby mine too.

I worried about her from the beginning. I sat her down to interview her and I learned her history- who, or at least what, her father was, and how her mother handled it. Or, more accurately, didn't handle it. Olivia was so incredibly strong as she told me about it all. I saw her potential as a cop, as a confidante for the vics, but I also realized how fine a line she was walking. I could see a case breaking her, crushing her completely, sooner rather than later. That strong exterior couldn't hold up under everything. And it made my heart ache.

To my surprise, she soon became the glue holding the squad together. Some detectives came and went…Brian, Monique, Ken…plus we lost Alex…but the core stayed the same. In fact, it got stronger. John, Fin, Elliot, and Olivia are best friends, closer than family. As much as she would hate to hear it, Olivia is our girl. We all want to protect her, and we're all connected by that feeling. Forever.

I had no idea, all those years ago when I put Elliot and Olivia together, what I was setting in motion. It became clear not long after her arrival, however, that there was something there. I know most of my detectives think Elliot and Liv pulled a fast one of me, keeping their relationship "secret" for so long, but I flatter myself that I figured it out before anyone. Even them.

I forced myself to ignore it, and in this area I was derelict in my duties as their captain. But I love those two. I wanted them to be happy, which isn't easy in this job. And I didn't want either of them to leave. If anyone pulled the wool over my eyes, it was me.

I'm a hopeless romantic. I'm sure that would come as a shock to most people who know me, but it's true. I lost my wife, the woman I loved, and it tore me apart. I started drinking like never before…too much. Way too much. And I saw Elliot's potential to do the same under the same circumstances. I found him in a bar too many times after tough cases not to recognize his weakness. I couldn't let Elliot and Olivia lose each other, even if it meant my ass on the line.

My actions with regard to them sometimes make me doubt my effectiveness as a captain. But they also reaffirm my values, my hope in mankind. Somehow I think that's more important.

I can't believe how long we've all been together now. The same group, with the exception of Casey, for about seven years. We truly are a family, and I can't help but attribute our closeness to Olivia. She brightens the squad room with her smile and her laugh. She helps us all get through.

I hope that Olivia gets what she needs from us. Without the squad, she had no one. She goes home alone. As much as I am aware that it is against the rules, I hope she and Elliot are together for the rest of their lives. I hope she gets the love she never had as a child from all of us. I hope part of her, even a small part, thinks of me as her dad. I can't change who he was, but I can try to be there for her like he should have been.

She has her bad days, and God knows I've yelled at her time and time again…but I never lose sight of how proud I am of her.

I couldn't ask for a better daughter.