Title: Stones in the Road

Series: Give a Little Bit

Author: Megan Faye

Rated: PG

Disclaimer: I don't own anything here.

A/N: Sequal Give a Little Bit This song just reminds me of a picture of Mariska Hargitay, and inspired this story.

A/N 2: Thanks to SpyBarbie who allowed me to use the Comment "Brain bleach;" I forgot where I read it whe I borrowed it. She has given the okay, and asked to use the brain bleach after reading the scene. :-)

Don made her close her eyes. Casey would never forget that he loved to surprise her, and that he made her close her eyes before he opened the door to their home. The good thing about selling her Manhatten condo is that it sold for a lot more than he expected it to. It had made more than enough to remodel his house, and get a few extras for Casey.

He'd been secretive about the whole remodel over the last 4 months.She'd asked why it was taking so long, but he just told her that things were going well, and she needn't worry about it. Don scooped her up into his strong arms and carried her up the path to their home. The spring flowers were blooming and the scent was very welcomed to Casey. Don had left the door open, and easily manuevered his lovely wife over the thresh hold. He gently set her on her feet and allowed her to look at their new digs.

Casey didn't recognise the place. The yellow glass windows that surrounded his front door were replaced with new clear ones, and had little privocy curtains. The wood flooring at the entry was clean and un-scuffed. Don lead her into the dining room, where her kitchen table sat proudly in its new spot. She recognized the wine glasses as a wedding gift from her cousin. Hanging over the fireplace was a colage of wedding pictures. She hadn't even had a chance to see them yet.

The kitchen hadn't changed much, but the new stove and fridge were bigger, nicer, and matched the decor better. Also, he'd bought new dishes, as Marge had bought the last set, and a small breakfast table in the nook off to the side. It was a cute little room, in her opinion, and Don's decorator had done well.

Her bed from their apartment had been brought in early that morning after she left for work; all her bedroom furnature had. For some reason, though, it was in their guest room. She decided he probably had a good reason, and continued to silently look the rest of the house over. It wasn't a big surprise when she saw that his deck hadn't changed in the slightest bit.

"What do you think so far?"

"Its beautiful," she said contentedly, as he moved on to the master suite.

"Our room," he said, holding the door closed. He took a breath and pushed the door open.

"Oh my God, its beautiful," she gasped. He'd bought all new furnature for the bedroom, in a dark cherry finish. It was classy, and elegant without being fem. The colors were neutral, and she loved them; sage green, her favorite, and blue, his favorite. She loved it. "Don, this is amazing," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. "What about the master bath?"

"New spa tub will be in next week, and it'll be done. The one we picked had a problem, so I ordered a new one yesterday. We'll have to use the guest bath for now. Go look at our office." He pulled her alond, excitedly, and opened the door to the room across the hall from the guest room.

All of her law books had been organized, and put on shelves neatly behind her desk, which faced his. He'd hooked up their computers and set up his desk how he prefered things. It looked as though he'd started on a few projects. She hadn't noticed that her desk and his were similar in color and style until they were next to each other.

"One more room, my bride," he said taking her hand. "Mary Anne and I worked on this room for a month. She said it is perfect, and she thinks you'll love it." Don let the door open. He'd had Mary Anne come in as they left work, and turn on the lights in this room, to create the perfect atmosphere.

Inside was an absolutely perfect nursery. The walls were painted into a full-room mural of 'Mr. McGregor's Garden,' to match the Peter Rabbit bedding in the crib. He'd used a different, higher quality of carpet in this room; it was so soft. Where a small window used to be, a large bay window with a covered seat now brought light in. The coom was lovely, warm, and very inviting. The two had gone as far as to fill the shelves with books, and set toys out. It reminded Casey of a magazine picture.

"Don," she said and paused.

"This is what took so long, Casey," he said from behind as he wrapped his arms loosly around her hips. "Do you like it?"

"I love it," she whispered. "How did-"

"You said you wanted a baby, and I figured you were serious," he said, smiling.

"Well, yeah, I'm definitely serious."

"Honey, you look a little...worried." She chuckled lightly.

"You're psychic. No, I'm not worried. You just...you have excellent timing," she said, pulling his hands around her stomach.

"How so, love?"

"Donny, I'm pregnant," she said, smiling and leaning back into his arms. "I found out about 3 weeks ago, but I couldn't get an appointment to my doctor until day before yesterday. I wanted his confirmation first...before I told you."

"You're pregnant?" he asked, turning her to face him, genlty. She nodded and quickly found herself being lifted off the ground in the tightest hug she'd ever been on the receiving end of. "Oh my God; how far-?"

"I'm 10 weeks along."

"Casey," he said smiling. "Pleasae take it easy at work now. Okay?"

"Hell no," she said, grinning

"Didn't think so."

"Let's keep it quiet for a while. Okay?" Don nodded and hugged her tightly again.

Lizzie stared in the mirror. 16 was supposed to feel different. She should have a 'Sweet 16' party, or get a car or something, but her parents probably couldn't afford to do that for two kids right now. Liz didn't want the sweet 16; that was for the rich bratty girls she loathed in her old school. Liz and Dickie had turned 16 almost a full 2 months ago, and hadn't even been home. Finals were going on at their school, making studying crazy, and trips and phone calls home few and far between. They'd missed Eli's first birthday, but as Elliot informed them, his party hadn't been a success, as the baby had an ear infection. Allie's party had been put off again, as she had been sick off and on since March with ear infections, cold, sinus infection, and so on. The whole family would get together when the twins were done with the school year and celebrate all the birthdays in a massive blowout.

Liz wondered how he could have a Sweet 16 party, a boy's 16 party, a 3-year-old's party and a 1-year-old's party in one. If Liz ended up with a Blue's Clues cake, she'd cry. At least there was some good; tomorrow was the last final and they'd go home for a few weeks.

Her mother, Kathy, wanted them to spend their first weekend at her house. Olivia and Kathy were becoming as close friends as Olivia and Casey, which was so strange to Lizzie. Her mother had been so unkind to Olivia. She supposed, though, Liv was a stronge woman who could take care of herself. Lizzie even tried to look at it as a lesson in forgiveness. Truth be told, she figured it would also give Olivia some insight into 'Life with the Stablers' having Kathy around.

"Hey, Lizard," Dickie called into his sister's dorm room. "All packed?"

"Wish I could skip tomorrow."

"Yeah, you and 99 other teenagers. We never had a chance to exchange birthday gifts," he said, handing her a small gift bag. "I got permission to shop online with Dad's credit card.

"Does he know?"

"I had Dad's permission, and he said it was okay. Any way, open it." Liz opened the bag. Inside was a little fuzzy purple jewelery box. She opened it. There was a silver necklace that matched Olivia's 'Fearlessness' necklace she always wore. "Olivia said Every woman should have one of these. Read the back." Lizzie turned it over and inscribed on the back were the words 'You Are Loved.' Lizzie smiled up and hugged her brother. "Glad you like it. Kathy, Casey, Hannah, Marueen, Kathleen and Rose all have one, too. Dad got them for Kathleen and Maureen as a graduation gift. John gave one to Hannah when he adopted her. Casey and Rose got them as 'Welcome to the Family' gifts. And Kathy was a forgiveness gift from Dad. I told him I wanted to give you yours. He let me in on a secret; all the women in the family have those words inscribed on the back. Its just a family thing. So, now you'll always know where you belong," he said.

"Thanks, Dickie. I love it. I got you something, too." She handed him a package, which he tore into. She's found a copy of his favorite books autographed by the author before he died. "Hitch hiker's Ultimate," she said.

"Oh my God! Thanks Lizzie!"

"Thank the Moms squared; my financing came from the two of them," she said, grinning.

"Excuse me, boys aren't allowed in the girls' dorms," a teacher said, passing through the halls. She was new, started a few weeks ago to help with finals, and take over starting summer semester.

"I've got a pass. She's my sister, and the gift I ordered for our birthday finally got here. I wanted to give it to her." Lizzie showed her the necklace.

"And she happened to have a gift for you?"

"We're twins, but I'm 3 minutes older. I'll see you tomorrow, Lizard. Good luck," he said as he left her dorm.

"Thank you, Dickie."

Olivia bagged the last of Allison's things. Don had finally convinced Liv to allow Allie and Eli to stay with him during the day; Male Nanny-style. He'd been thrilled when

"Allison," Liv said softly. "I want you to put your shoes on, and stay right next to your brother. Its pretty crazy in here right now."

"Okay," she said, pulling the shoes onto the wrong feet. "Mommy?"

"What?"

"Why does Elijah got a room at Paw-paws house?"

"What are you talking about, Honey?"

"Paw-paw said that it was Eli's room," she explained.

"What room?"

"The room with the toys." Olivia started to catch on. They'd been to dinner the night before to discuss the final details of Don caring for the children. Allie had run off, and Don brought her back. "Paw-paw said it was for Eli."

"Sweetness, was there a bed like Elijah's?" Allie nodded. "And were there little baby things like a changing table and a baby swing like Elijah used to have?" Allie nodded again. "Let's go talk to Paw-Paw Don. He;s in the car." Liv lifted her 1-year-old onto her hip and grunted. "Good God, you are getting heavy." Elijah babbled at her, pointed to her nose and tugged at her ear lightly. "Is that so?" she asked the baby.

Olivia opened the door and walked her children to Don's SUV. As she strapped them into the car-seats, she gave Don a sly grin.

"What?"

"Eli's room?" Don smiled and went red.

"Allison, you went supposed to tell, Peanut!"

"How far along is Casey?" Don sighed as he turned the car on. Silence filled the car as the kids dozed off. "She's 11 weeks along now."

"Congratulations," Liv said, smiling.

"She only told me 4 days ago. I wanted this, but now-"

"You are absolutely terrified?" Don nodded. "So was Elliot when I got pregnant with Elijah. You are so great with the kids; don't worry."

"Well, the life of a male nanny-"

"You're officially a Manny."

"I hate that term. I'm caring for my grandkids and son or daughter. Not some stranger's kids. Hell, I've known Elliot half his damn life."

"You knew him before SVU?"

"Yeah. Beat cop at my old precinct. Good kid. Knew him before the twins were born. That's 2 as Lt. Stabler, 16 as Detective, and 3 before that. I requested him for the unit."

"Why?"

"Maureen and Kathleen were his two little girls. They 6 and 8 when I moved over, and one of the first cases I saw there involved two girls that age. I almost left, but instead I called Elliot in to see if he could crack the case. He did, sat with the parents through out the trial, got the dad to go into counseling, and all that with four kids at home, two were still in diapers. After the trial was over, I found him up in the bathroom, thowing up. When he finished, he cleaned up, and asked me for the next case. He hated every single partner I paired him with; we're talking pure hatred. They were too gently with the perp, too gentle with the vic, too rough with the vic, didn't care enoug, cared too much. After 4 frigging years of it, I had him pegged as Not For This Unit."

"But...?"

"I found a partner he liked." Don gave her a weak look that made her smile.

Elliot looked around his living room. It was clean, his 16-year-old twins were out for the weekend with Kathy, Don had Eli and Allie, and Maureen was with Kathy. It was a night where he and Olivia could just exsist as two adults in their home with-out fighting toddlers and/or teenagers.

And Olivia had fallen asleep on the couch waiting for him. Elliot smiled and pulled the blanket from the couch and tucked it around her.

"Hmm?" she moaned.

"Just rest, Liv," he whispered, planting a kiss on her head. He enjoyed watching her sleep. It calmed his nerves after a rough day. This woman was truly his world. And to add icing to the cake, he had two little angels with her. He was a happy man. Elliot's cell phone rang, pulling him from his happy veiw. "Stabler."

"Elliot, its John. You need to get to my apartment. Now," John said urgently.

"Why? What's happened?"

"She's here."

"Who?"

"Alex. Alex is here."

Sorry for the delay. Had out-of-town visitors (my boys!!!!) and now my father-in-law is visiting from Louisiana. :-)