John was getting tired of sitting at his desk. When he took the sergeant's exam he didn't know it would mean more hours at the precinct. He hadn't know he would be replaced by Lake. He knew of course that one day retirement would come and his husband would force him out of the field for his own safety but he didn't think he'd be replaced so soon. Of course they had fought when Fin found out that John took the exam behind his back. They had fought when John had been reassigned. But John had taken it in stride. There was one shiny, perfect positive to spending less time on the job. He got to spend more time with their daughter.
John knew from watching Stabler almost lose everything how precious time with family can be. His daughter was already 5 and John could feel time slipping through his fingers, there was never enough. So, he was grateful for the excuse to spend as much time as possible with her, especially since she was in kindergarten now. He did feel a little bad for Fin. While Fin was drinking crappy coffee all night on a stake out with that fruit cake Lake, John and Cecelia got to have pancake Saturdays.
Cecelia Munch was adopted at 6 months old. She had a warm complexion, and a head of springy curls. She had both her daddies wrapped around her fingers from the second they saw her. She had John's way with words (and stories), and Fin's take-no-shit attitude which proved to be an adorable combination that left her fathers almost incapable of saying no to her. She was a precocious and fierce little girl. When Fin was away from work he used his husband's last name after they married in a small ceremony (one day when the law caught up to their love they would make it legal) 3 years after they met. It only made sense that the three of them share a name. Tutuola kept his last name at work. Because not a single soul at the one-six knew about Fin and John.
It was a crisp day in October when John had decided enough was enough. He was far too bored at work to continue. And so when he dressed their daughter that morning he declared it to be "bring your daughter to work" day. Cecelia was delighted. She had been begging for more than a year to see where her daddies work.
"Daddy! I want to look like a real detective!" She declared with her hands on her hips. John grinned. Twenty minutes (and a lot of clothes on the floor) later they had finally achieved the perfect outfit, according to Cecelia. John had found her some black tights, a black skirt, a light blue shirt, and a black jacket. John had also given her one of his ties. She looked just like him and she was thrilled.
"Daddy!" she grabbed his hand pulling him back from the door. "I don't have a badge, I need a badge!"
"Okay, give me a second Cece" John headed into the kitchen and rummaged in a drawer. It only took a minute for him to find his dupe badge that he sometimes carried. "How's this pumpkin?"
Cece squealed with delight and very carefully clipped the badge to the waist of her skirt a perfect imitation of the badge on Daddy's belt. John's heart swelled with pride. He grabbed her tiny hand and they left for the precinct.
No John did not clear it with Cragen before bringing his daughter in to work for the day. Cragen didn't clear it with him when he gave his husband a new partner. He didn't have to, was the unhelpful voice in his head. No, John wasn't bitter at all. From the moment they first stepped foot into the precinct, her tiny hand in his, they received stares and "aawwww"s from everyone they passed. When they arrived in the squad room John was only mildly surprised that no one was in. He let out a sigh before Cecelia was pulling his hand and bringing him in.
"Which one is your desk Daddy?" She looked up at him with her big brown eyes, her hair bouncing with enthusiasm. Munch grinned and picked her up. He sat her down on the edge of his desk.
"This is Daddy's desk Cece, and right next to it is Papa's desk" He told her pointing out Fin's desk as well. She reached across John's desk to pick up the photo on Fin's desk.
"Look! Big brother Ken!" She was delighted to see the photo. John sat down in his chair in front of her, supervising her perch on his desk. "Where's my photo Daddy?" Munch pulled open a drawer and picked out a photo of him and Fin. They had their arms around each other and John was holding a baby bundle of Cecelia in his arm.
"I keep it safe in my special drawer Pumpkin". He grinned at her. This was by far the best day at work since Lake had shown up. And then Cragen walked in.
"John I need you to –" He stopped abruptly as he looked up and noticed John. And John's guest. Cragen closed the file he was looking at and walked closer to John's desk. He put a hand on his hip and gave his sergeant a long look. The little girl beamed up at him. "John, who is this?"
"I'm detective Munch and I'm on the case" The little girl said proudly. She brushed her little jacket back and put her hands on her hips so her badge showed. A perfect impression of her father. John chuckled and pulled her into his arms, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
"Cragen, this is Cecelia Munch. My daughter".
Cragen blinked. Once. Twice. The third time he blinked he let out a long sigh. "John-" he started but realized he didn't even know what to ask. "How? Why? When? …. Do I even want to know?"
"I promise you captain, you will hardly believe the answer" John chuckled to himself. Cecelia giggled in his arms.
"Show me your badge!" She declared holding out her hand to Cragen.
Cragen's eyebrows shot up but he pulled out his badge and handed it to the adorable girl in Munch's arms. She took the badge from him and held it up in front of her face taking a very close look. She looked up at her Daddy who nodded at her.
"Looks legit" She said and handed Cragen's badge back to him. Cragen felt something familiar but he couldn't put his finger on it. He took another long look at the little girl.
"What is detective Cecelia Munch doing in my precinct?" He asked. John shrugged.
"Her father is working and I needed a bright spot today". He adjusted Cece to a more comfortable spot on his hip. "Do you want to see Daddy's breakroom with all the crappy coffee?" His daughter clapped her hands together in delight.
"I'll allow it just this once, but make sure she doesn't wander. We're expecting some real scum around here later. Benson and Stabler are out talking to the victim again and Fin and Lake are canvasing the neighbourhood" Cecelia squealed again.
"Papa's on the case Daddy!" She informed John with all the innocence of a five year old. She had no idea she had just outed John. But John knew it would happen today and he was finally ready after keeping her secret for so long.
"Papa?" Asked Cragen, his eyebrows touching his hairline again. Just when he thought he knew his detectives they would find something to surprise him with. At least John had the decency to appear sheepish.
"Fin" He said. "My husband Fin"
And suddenly a lot of things made sense for Cragen. Something he had suspected for a long time clicked and Cragen somehow wasn't surprised. He knows his detectives and he knows that this relationship just seems right. He saw John nervously fiddle with Cecelia's jacket.
"Of course". He looked at the little girl. "Papa should be back later. Have fun with Daddy detective" And Cragen hustled off to his office.
John let out a sigh before sitting down, shifting Cece to his lap. One team mate down, only several more confessions to go. Cecelia leaned back against him and played with the badge, the sun reflecting off in different directions as she tilted it. After a while he sat her in his chair and drifted over to the coffee station. While he was pouring a cup Olivia walked into the squad room.
It only took Liv a second to notice the adorable girl spinning herself around in Munch's chair, giggling. She watched the little girl as she approached quietly, intensely confused and curious. John was pouring himself a coffee and didn't bother looking up as he called out to his daughter, "If you keep spinning like that you're going to make yourself sick pumpkin".
Olivia stopped approaching, too shocked at Munch's words. If his use of pumpkin shocked her it was nothing compared to the girls response.
"Daddy I'm not a pumpkin I'm a detective" She smiled at Olivia. "Daddy is she your friend?"
John turned around and was surprised to see Olivia leaning on her desk watching him. He put his coffee down on his desk and picked up his daughter again. He perched her on his hip and straightened her too-long tie. Liv waited patiently for the explanation she could already guess at.
"Yes, this is Daddy's friend Olivia"
"Badge please" She asked again holding out her hands for it. Olivia was a little surprised but was happy to turn it over to the giddy little girl. Like with Cragen, Cecelia held the badge close to her face for inspection. She stretched up close to her father's ear.
"She's really pretty Daddy" She whispered. Olivia smiled. Cecelia handed back the badge and snuggled into John's side.
"Detective Olivia Benson, this is my daughter Detective Cecelia Munch" John introduced them. Liv looked surprised but only for a moment before she broke out in a huge grin.
"Nice to meet you detective" She bent to make eye contact with the little girl. "Are you spending the day at work with Daddy?" Cecelia nodded.
"Do you work with Papa too?"
Olivia felt her grin widen. She had a good idea who "Papa" is. She's a detective after all. John noticed Liv putting together the pieces and found himself grinning too.
"Yes Cece, Olivia works with Papa too"
"How long?" Liv asked. John chuckled.
"We've been married for 5 and a half years. And tell her how old you are my little detective"
"I'm not a little detective Daddy I'm a big girl detective and I'm 5!"
"Of course you're a big girl detective. And 5? That's such a big number sweetie, you certainly are a big girl" Olivia was delighted by the little girl. "Well honey if it's alright with your Daddy, I have some crayons and some paper you might be interested in?" Olivia couldn't help herself, the girl was too cute.
"Daddy I wanna color!" Munch gently set her down on the ground. She immediately walked over to Olivia to receive her crayons.
"Are you going to draw me something pretty for my desk Cece?" He asked, sitting back down at his desk while she climbed into the chair at Olivia's desk. The girl nodded as Olivia opened up the crayon box she retrieved from her drawer. Cecelia took her task very seriously. Olivia moved around to perch on John's desk.
"She's unbelievably adorable John". He smirked at her.
"Yeah and she knows it. That little detective runs our house" He shook his head. Olivia reached over and put her hand on his.
"I'm really happy for you and Fin" She said gently before swatting at his shoulder. "And I'm pissed you thought you could hide your family from us. You know we would have figured it out"
"I don't know Liv, some detectives you lot are our daughter is 5 already" John smiled wide. He was proud that they had managed to keep her secret and safe for so long. "We just wanted her to be safe. If no one knew about her or us then no one could try and take them from me". Liv understood.
They both watched the little girl color for a while. She was full of concentration and soon Olivia's desk was covered in the girls drawings. Until two more friends entered the squad room. Melinda Warner and Casey Novak were deep in conversation with each other. They fell silent when they heard the little girl.
Cecelia climbed back into John's lap waving a drawing in his face. "Look Daddy! It's for your work desk" John took a long look, appraising the fine art piece. It was a family portrait. A house, a tree, Fin and John, Cece, even big brother Ken.
"My dearest girl I don't think I've ever seen a piece with such detail. It belongs in an art gallery. But if you insist that I should have it I will be very proud to display it on my desk" He gave her his signature look over his glasses. Cece clapped her hands and kissed her Daddy on the nose. John grinned. And then he noticed their latest visitors. Melinda and Casey looked stunned. John quickly straightened in his chair, setting Cecelia onto the floor. His brave little girl marched right up to the new commers.
Cecelia Munch approached Casey and Melinda with a determination she could have only gotten from her fathers. "Aight, show me your badges" she said in a stunning impression of Fin. She rested her hands on her hips. Melinda and Casey found it hard not to giggle. Melinda crouched down in front of her.
"Hi sweetheart" She smiled warmly at the girl. "I would love to, but my friend Casey and I don't have badges".
Cecelia frowned a little before her face dawned with recognition. "Of course. You must be the M.E. and she's the ADA" Melinda blinked in surprise. Casey crouched down to meet Cecelia at eye level too.
"I'm Casey and this is Melinda. What's your name?" She asked gently. Cecelia puffed her chest out with pride.
"Hi Casey, Hi Melinda. I'm detective Munch". She stuck out her hand to shake. Both Casey and Melinda shook her hand while eyeing her father over the top of her head. "Daddy, do they work with you and Papa too?" She asked running back to look up at John. Munch patted her head.
"Yes they do pumpkin". He gave Casey and Melinda a sheepish grin. "This is my daughter Cecelia Munch".
Casey smiled wide. "If you're Daddy, can I take a guess at who Papa is?".
John matched her grin. "I'm sure you could guess with a fair amount of accuracy. But why spoil the fun of making Melinda solve the mystery?" Behind Casey Melinda pursed her lips in thought before chuckling.
"Given the men in your unit the options are slim". She smirked. "Besides your husband told me all about you three more than a year ago". Melinda chuckled, her eyes sparkling. John put his hands on his hips and hung his head a little.
"Trust my husband to open his mouth and overshare our private details". He sighed. "Although I can't blame him for oversharing to our particularly lovely M.E."
"You have nothing to worry about John, I would never share anything with anyone"
When Cecelia turned around and reached up to John to be picked up, John gladly lifted her into his arms and placed a kiss on her forehead. When Casey and Melinda let out a chorus of "awwww" the little girl buried her face in her Daddy's neck. Which earned another round of cooing at the adorable girl. Casey and Melinda took a seat on Olivia's desk.
"We were just coming by to bring Olivia out for lunch but maybe you guys would like to join us?" Casey suggested, looking between Olivia and Munch. Cece reached up to gently tug on John's overly large ear.
"Daddy, can we have pizza?" She whispered in his ear. John smiled and nodded.
"Would you guys mind ordering in?"
Olivia, Casey, and Melinda gave him a nod and Casey offered to call the order in. While she dialed, she called over her shoulder "You should probably ask Cragen too".
An hour later they were all sitting up in the lounge eating peperoni pizza and drinking soda. John only felt mildly uncomfortable; Cece on his lap and 3 out of 4 friends eyeballing him trying to figure out how he managed to keep a husband and child secret for more than 5 years. Cecelia was completely oblivious to her father's slight glare, and Cragen's accusatory glance. She continued to eat happily, sitting in John's lap. Cragen quietly cleared his throat.
"So, John" he started.
"We wanted to keep our family safe. It was nothing personal Cap" John interrupted him before he could ask. Cragen smirked.
"Actually I was going to ask if the brass knows or if I have an awkward conversation in my future". Cragen leaned back in his chair to study John. Munch sighed.
"The brass knows. You know we can't legally be married but we consider ourselves as such. We had a ceremony and everything. We kept our marriage from everyone until we adopted our daughter, then we had to inform the brass. We got help from the gay officers rights league, and the chief of D's made Huang evaluate us to determine our ability to remain partners on your squad. I know how much you would hate to have to replace us Captain, good help is so hard to come by these days". He fixed Cragen with a gaze over the top of his glasses.
Cragen simply shook his head. "Some detectives we are".
"We're detectives too, we should know how to keep secrets. If you guys had figured it out sooner you should have canned us" John chuckled. Cecelia giggled too, imitating her dad.
They finished their pizza and shared some cookies for dessert. John waited until no one was looking before grabbing the last cookie. He had already swallowed the last bite when little Cece reached across the table to find the cookie plate empty. She frowned before leaning back in John's lap and tugging on his ear.
"Daddy where did the last cookie go?" She looked at him with big brown eyes. John felt a tug on his heart.
"Pumpkin I have no idea where the last cookie went". He looked around at his co-workers to see Olivia grinning.
"Do you have an alibi?" Little detective Cecelia Munch asked her father. "Did anyone witness what happened to the cookie?" This had Olivia, Casey, and Melinda stifling giggles.
"I don't need an alibi, I've been sitting here this whole time. And if there are no witnesses it will be hard to prove a crime" John said using one of his long fingers to tap his daughter on the nose. Cecelia frowned at him.
"Captain, I'd like to report a crime. The last cookie is missing and I believe it was a kidnapping" Cece turned to Cragen, shifting in John's lap to cross her arms across her chest. Cragen regarded the small girl with a small smile tugging at his normally stern lips.
"Do you have any evidence?" He asked.
Cece pointed at the plate previously holding the cookies, just a few crumbs remained. "There are crumbs, and no cookies left". Cragen nodded.
"Do you have any suspects?"
Cecelia grinned. "I believe Daddy might be the perp". Liv grinned and leaned across the table, a gleam in her eye.
"Cap, with your permission I'd like to take the suspect into custody for questioning?" Liv winked at John.
"Be my guest". Cragen stood up from his chair to head back to his office. "Take the little detective Munch with you".
Cecelia practically bounced with the excitement of having been given an official task and a partner. She quickly climbed down from John's lap and ran around the table to Olivia, grabbing her hand. She used her big brown eyes on her new friend, leaning up to whisper to her.
"Do we get to use the cuffs?"
Casey smiled and Melinda laughed. Liv held Cece's hand as they walked back around the table and instructed Munch to stand up and put his hands behind his back. John had to crouch down so his daughter could cuff him. She was giggling the whole time. Olivia and junior detective Munch led John to an interrogation room, Casey and Melinda following, far too amused to go back to work. John was sat in the suspect chair (the uneven one) waiting for his jailors to return. It was five minutes before they entered the room. His hands were uncuffed and his friend and daughter sat across from him. Cece gave him an impressive stink eye that rivaled the one Fin was able to give. Casey and Melinda stood behind the glass while the interrogation began.
"Daddy, you like cookies". Cecelia started, trying to lay out the facts. "You like to eat cookies all the time".
"No, I'm pretty sure I don't like cookies all that much". John denied it, playing along with his daughter's game. "I hardly ever eat them".
"He's lying" Cecelia informed her partner Liv.
"Oh, I agree detective, I think he's trying really hard to cover up the truth. Admit it Munch, you love cookies so much you would steal the last one right off the plate" Liv started pacing around him. John tried really hard to suppress his grin.
"Okay, so what if I do like cookies? Do you have any evidence?". Cecelia frowned. Casey popped her head into the room to provide Cecelia with a series of drawings she had made. Cece Munch spread the drawings out on the table in front of John. She stood up on her chair so she could reach further across the table.
"I have picture evidence" She stated confidently. She began pointing to the various illustrations she had created, of cookies, and her daddy eating cookies.
"Looks pretty damming to me" Liv backed her up. "You really wanna keep lying to us John?"
John leaned back in his chair, enjoying how excited his daughter was and how well she played detective. He was unbelievably proud of how smart she is.
"I have no idea what you're talking about detective, I've never seen these images before, they must be fake".
Melinda entered the interrogation room next, she had her arms crossed over her chest. She winked at John.
"You could argue these images, but you can't disagree with DNA". She quirked an eyebrow. "Your DNA is all over the plate where the cookie was last seen".
Cecelia reached out to be picked up by Warner, excitedly wrapping her legs and arms around her. She was thankful for her backup. John winked at Melinda. Cece looked at the two-way glass behind Melinda.
"Can we charge him?" she asked Novak who was still standing outside the room.
"The DNA is good but I'd like a full confession before we collar him" Novak played it serious, giving the girl the roleplay she wanted.
And that was how Elliot Stabler found them.
John was sitting in interrogation, Liv shoving the "evidence" photos under his nose, Cece sitting on Melinda's hip and Casey standing in the doorway. Elliot was beyond confused when he got close enough to see the whole picture. Casey noticed him first, standing back so Elliot could enter the room.
"Hey guys, what's going on here?". Liv, Melinda, and John looked up at him surprised. Cecelia leaned away from Melinda to get a better look at Stabler. Stabler assessed her with confusion while Cece held eye contact.
"We're in an interrogation, do you got a badge?" She held her hand out. Elliot did a double take at her confidence before fishing his badge out of his pocket and handing it to her. Cecelia gave it careful consideration before handing it back.
"Nice to meet you detective" she said. Then she stuck her thumb into her own chest and proudly declared "I'm detective Munch".
John thought Elliot might faint and it greatly amused him. He watched Elliot open and close his mouth several times before turning to look at John.
"What?"
"Elliot Stabler meet my daughter Cecelia Munch" John was even more amused at the way Elliot's eyes seemed to bug out of his head. Cecelia squirmed to let Melinda know she wanted to be set down. She stood toe to toe with Elliot and looked up at him.
"We're doing an interrogation. Daddy stole the last cookie" She informed him. Elliot decided to question John later and instead let his parental instincts take over. He crouched down to her eye level.
"You got evidence?" He asked. She nodded and climbed back up into her chair so she could hand him her drawings. She glanced at Melinda and Casey.
"Melinda says he left DNA on the cookie plate, but Casey said she wants a full confession before we collar him". Elliot was impressed with the little girl. She was clearly the daughter of a cop; she knew her stuff. He stood up and flashed a smile a Liv. He looked back down at Munch jr.
"Well if she wants a confession then maybe I can help". He was startled when Cecelia fixed him with a giant smile.
With Elliot and Olivia backing her up Cecelia was able to get a full confession from her father. Novak offered him a deal, no time served but he had to provide Cece with a replacement cookie. Cragen eventually came along to kick them out of the interrogation room, they had a real perp to put in it. John carried her back out to the squad room, where he currently sat at his desk with his daughter in his lap. Olivia and Elliot were reclined in their desk chairs while Casey and Melinda sat on top of Fin's desk. The exciting day had obviously caught up with Cecelia since she currently rested against John's chest, her head tucked under his chin.
"She's adorable John" Elliot said. "How old?"
"She's 5"
"I can't believe you managed to keep an entire family secret from us" Elliot shook his head. John smirked. "How did none of us have any idea?" He gestured to the coworkers around him. Liv raised her eyebrows at him.
"Well, I mean, there were signs. Nothing giving it away but I'm not surprised to find out John has a family" Liv shrugged her shoulders.
"No way you knew" Elliot shook his head. "Well then do we get to know who the fifth Mrs. Munch is?"
"It's not a Mrs. it's Mr. Munch to you". Fin finally entered the squad room with Lake trailing a few feet behind.
John looked up at him with a smile that could light up the city. Cecelia lifted her head up hearing the new voice and looked over her shoulder. She squealed in recognition, climbing out of John's lap and running at Fin.
"Papa!" She shouted as Fin easily caught her and lifted her into his arms.
"Hey baby, have you been here all day?" He positioned her on his hip so he could raise his eyebrows at John. Munch stood up and walked towards his partner.
"I thought she might like to see where her daddies work. And I must say she's a much more intimidating detective than the two of us combined". He chuckled and gently patted his daughter's back. "I missed you today".
Fin smiled. And he pulled Munch in for a kiss so passionate it was almost inappropriate. John wrapped his arms around Fin, his husbands arms circling his waist, both of them trapping Cecelia between them. They only broke the kiss off when they heard Stabler making strangled squeaking noises.
"You … you …. You and Fin?" He finally managed to get out. John rolled his eyes and stepped back a little from his husband and daughter. He and Fin grinned at each other.
"Some detective you are Stabler". John chuckled. "Fin and I have been married for almost 6 years".
"Wha …. How?" Elliot seemed incapable of comprehending the situation. Fin grabbed John's tie and pulled him in for another kiss.
"You just felt like outing us today?" Fin asked Munch. John shrugged his shoulders.
"I figured it was about time we introduced her to everyone. The squad is practically family after all". John placed his hand on the side of Fin's face, using his thumb to gently brush his husband's cheek. A couple of "aww"s sounded behind them. Fin peeked around John to roll his eyes and Novak and Warner.
"I guess we can wear our rings now" Fin said, pulling out a chain that was tucked inside his shirt. A plain wedding band was hanging from it. He removed it from the necklace and placed it on his ring finger. John pulled a set out of his pocket and slipped his onto his finger.
"Jesus John, look at the size of that rock!" Olivia was flabbergasted at ring set John had just put on. Munch blushed lightly. The ring was a decently sized oval diamond with a halo of smaller diamonds. It gave off a vintage feel and was truly impressive compared to the plain wedding band that went with it. Fin grinned at Liv.
"I figured John shelled out enough over the years treating the four previous Mrs. Munch. I thought he deserved to be treated" Fin explained. He was holding John's hand tightly in his, their daughter still perched on his hip.
"Can I get a Fin please?" Melinda quipped.
Cragen reentered the squad room and took in the scene. Fin and John holding hands, their daughter in Fin's arms, Olivia and Stabler at their desks, and Warner and Novak sitting on a desk. Most importantly though, none of his detectives were working.
"You know I can think of several people who would kick my ass if they saw my detectives standing around like this" Cragen cocked an eyebrow. "If you all truly have nothing to do go home instead of standing around in my squad room".
No one had to tell the team twice as they all began to gather their things and head out for the night. John grabbed his jacket from his chair and the collection of Cecelia's drawings on his desk. He also made a point of setting the photo of him, Fin, and Cece proudly on his desk. Fin set Cece down to gather his things. Junior detective Cecelia Munch walked up to Cragen and stuck out her little hand.
"Thank you for letting us have a fun day Captain" She looked up at him with her big brown eyes. Cragen looked startled but shook her little hand.
"No problem detective. You make sure your family gets home safe and that your Daddy gets you that cookie" Cragen winked at her. He nodded at John and Fin and wandered off to office again.
Maybe it wasn't the way they had planned to come out to their team, but Fin and John couldn't deny the relief they felt now that the friends closest to them knew. If there was any fallout from this announcement of sorts, they would deal with it, but it meant the world to them that every single person they told today had nothing but support for them. And so they left the precinct to go find a diner that serves chicken nuggets each holding a small hand belonging to their most precious achievement: Cecelia Munch.