Disclaimer: See chapter 1.

Awaking the next day, Olivia checked her phone and saw that she was late to an appointment with the obstetrician that she and Elliot had agreed on. Putting her phone down, she turned over and began to kiss up his jaw line before kissing him fully on the lips. When he responded, she knew he was awake.

"Time to get up."

"I don't wanna. Let's stay in bed all day."

"As fun as that sounds, we're late for the appointment."

"That was today?! Oh shit!"

"El, it's okay. Just get up and get dressed."

"I need a shower."

"Yeah, me too."

"Wanna share? I heard it helps save water if you share a shower."

"If you're trying to seduce me, it's working, but we can't take too long. We're already late."

"Isn't that what started this?"

She laughed at his corny joke and slapped his shoulder lightly. She got up and made her way to the bathroom, sashaying her hips as much as possible. He watched with a goofy grin on his face. He got up and followed her into the shower.

An hour later, they were sitting in the doctor's office waiting area, waiting to be called. She bounced her leg and picked at her nails while he tapped his fingers. Both of them were worried about the baby and the test results of the blood and amniocentesis that was done just a week earlier.

"Do you think he or she will be healthy?"

"I don't know, Liv. I've been praying that the baby will be."

"I wonder what he or she will look like. I wonder if the baby will be a boy or girl. What do you think?"

"I just want him or her to be healthy; that's all that matters to me."

"Deep down, you have to want one or the other."

"All I want is a healthy baby and you to be happy."

She smiled at him and took his hand.

"I love you, El."

"I love you too, Liv."

The nurse came out into the waiting area with two clipboards in her hand. She glanced at them and looked out at the patients.

"Erica Daniels and Olivia Benson, follow me please."

Olivia and a blonde woman she assumed was Erica got up and, along with Elliot, followed the nurse back into the office. The nurse instructed Erica to hang back while she took Olivia's weight and basic vital signs. Once finished, she took Erica's weight and basic vital signs and led the ladies, and Elliot, to their rooms. Olivia was put in room two and Erica room three.

Olivia took a seat on the bench while Elliot sat in a chair next to the bench and took her hand in his. The nurse left the room. Olivia looked at Elliot. He smiled at her and kissed the back of her hand. The nurse came back in.

"Hi, my name is Louise. I'm so sorry about the wait. We've been packed. It's like everyone has decided to get pregnant at the same time."

"It's okay."

"Are you first timers?"

"No, I have four kids from a previous relationship, but she is."

"Any questions so far? Any major concerns or problems?"

"I just want to know if he or she is healthy."

"Well, Dr. Scarpetta should be in shortly to answer that. I wish you two the best."

"Thank you," they said in unison.

Louise left the room. Olivia looked at Elliot.

"Busy place, huh?"

"Apparently."

After a couple minutes, they heard crying coming from the next room. Olivia looked at Elliot, her heart in her throat.

"El?"

"I'll check."

He couldn't stand that tone. He kissed her hand and left the room. He made his way to room three just as Louise and Dr. Scarpetta left the room. He made it look like he was just taking a breather before straightening up and tapping lightly on the door. A soft and tearful 'come in' was heard. He opened the door.

"Ma'am, my girlfriend and I heard you crying and she sent me to check on you. Are you alright?"

Erica looked up at the strange man in the doorway. She wiped the tears that were falling down her cheeks.

"Um, I'll be fine. Thank you though. Tell your girlfriend that I appreciate her concern."

"You're welcome. We're next door if you need anything."

"Okay, thanks."

Erica smiled and Elliot left the room and made his way back to Olivia. Opening the door, he saw she had changed into a gown and that the doctor was in the room. He took his seat next to her again.

"Okay, so, everybody's here?"

They nodded.

"According to the amnio and the blood tests, you're baby is negative for Down syndrome and several other developmental diseases. Your weight looks good as does your vitals. Are you having any problems? Any questions or concerns?"

"No, I'm just happy that he or she is healthy."

"Could we find out the sex?"

"It's too early to tell, but I can get an ultrasound and let you listen to the baby's heartbeat."

"That would be great."

"Okay, I'll send a tech in to do just that."

"Thank you."

Dr. Scarpetta left the room and Elliot looked at Olivia with a smile on his face. Olivia leaned down and kissed him.

"The baby's healthy."

"I know; I'm so relieved."

"So, now that you know the baby's healthy, which do you prefer: boy or girl?"

"Personally, I want a boy, but I'll be glad to have either as long as it's with you."

Olivia smiled.

"What about you? Boy or girl?"

"A little girl, that's what I've always dreamed of having is a little girl who is just like her daddy."

"Really?"

"Really. I don't know why, but I've always wanted a girl, but, with you, I want a girl and a boy."

"You think it's going to be twins?"

"I don't know. Could be, but I would take anything because my dream of having a family is finally coming true."

"I'm glad that I could help make that happen."

Olivia grinned at him and he kissed the back of her hand again. There came a knock on the door again.

"Come in."

Erica poked her head in. Olivia looked up and smiled and signaled her to come into the room. Erica came in and shut the door. Erica looked at the two before her.

"I feel like I owe you an explanation."

"You don't owe us anything."

She looked at Olivia. Tears fell down her face again.

"Come sit beside me."

Olivia patted the bench beside her. Erica walked over and sat down next to Olivia who took her hand. Erica smiled as she suddenly felt comfortable with these two strangers. She sighed and sniffled.

"I, um, I just found out I'm pregnant."

Olivia looked at her, but didn't interrupt.

"My husband, Nathan, and I have been trying off and on for the past three years."

"Where's your husband?"

Elliot looked at Erica with sympathy on his face as well as concern.

"He, um, he was deployed a few weeks ago, Baghdad, and a couple days ago…I found out that he was killed. It was a roadside bomb. Now, I'm pregnant and I'm alone."

"Where's your family?"

Erica looked at Olivia. She softly cried and Olivia put her arm around her. She rubbed her shoulder soothingly.

"I…don't…have…family. My-y p-parents disowned m-me when N-Nathan and I got m-married."

Olivia looked at Elliot. He knew that look. It was the look that said that they had to help this girl. He nodded uneasy about that and the fact that they were still in a doctor's office while this poor stranger broke down. Erica calmed enough and began again. She told them about how her parents thought Nathan wasn't good enough for their daughter because he was a soldier and couldn't provide for her adequately. They had fought tooth and nail about everything until her father said to get out and to never come back. Olivia shook her head slightly at the story. Just because Nathan was a soldier wasn't a reason to never see their daughter again. She understood Erica more now though.

"Erica, could you wait for us to finish up here and we can go somewhere and you can tell us the rest?"

"That's okay. I've bothered you enough already."

"No, ma'am, you haven't. We'd like to hear more and maybe we could help."

"Thank you, but that's okay. I'll be fine."

"Erica, please, you don't have to be alone."

Erica looked at Olivia and considered what these two strangers were saying. They were saying that they wanted to help her, her and her baby. She pondered the pros and cons before finally nodding.

"Thank you. We should be out shortly."

Erica nodded and left the room. Olivia looked at Elliot. He wrapped his arms around her as her tears fell. The tech knocked and, upon Olivia's okay, came in, dragging an ultrasound machine behind her. They did the ultrasound and got to hear the baby's heartbeat. After setting up another appointment, they made their way to the waiting room.

Erica was sitting in a chair near the door. She had two pictures in her hand and was staring at them. She looked up as Elliot and Olivia came out and smiled through her tears. She got up and they walked out of the office.

AN: I hope this makes up for the short chapter. I don't know where Erica and her story came from, so enjoy what she offers and apparently I have big plans for her. I hope you like it! Thanks for the favorites/reviews/follows! They're much appreciated!