"A fiber optic tree, Liv are you serious? We cannot have a fiber optic tree, that's not traditional that's un-American…we…are getting a real tree."

"Shhh, you'll wake him up." Nick looked at Leo asleep in his crib in their room that Olivia had asked him to move two days ago after he found her asleep in the nursery. She confessed she just wasn't ready to be apart from him in case he cried in the middle of the night. He moved the crib for her but then they had one of their "friendly" arguments over Leo's new sleeping arrangements with Nick believing should not be permanent. Olivia agreed it wouldn't but for now she wanted him at arm's length. He wondered if he was wrong to think this of her since Olivia was getting such a late start in life at motherhood and going through such a traumatic ordeal that she would become too attached to Leo and prolong his sleeping in their room.

"Nick Christmas is in 4 days all the good trees are gone by now." Olivia told him. He watched at her climbing into bed getting under the covers complaining it was cold in the house. "I think the furnace needs to be checked."

"I'll check it tomorrow and after work I'm going to stop at every lot and get us a tree Liv."

"Ok." She said. He noticed a large trash bag by the hamper.

"What's in here?"

"The clothes the Martin's sent, I don't want them so I'm going to put them out with tomorrows trash."

"Liv I know you're angry and have every right to be but throwing them away is not the answer. Give them away you know as well as I do they're plenty of babies who need clothes." Looking at him she knew he had a point, it's just that she had so much pent up anger towards them right now.

"You're right; I was planning on visiting the squad room this week and turn in my maternity leave slip so I can drop them off at the Salvation Army on our way in."

Fin saw her coming pushing Leo in his stroller from his peripheral vision. He was at his desk reclining very casual twirling a football in his hands when he spotted her and the baby.

"Hey Liv, so this is Leo." He said coming over and giving her a hug. Olivia noticed Nick was not at his desk as she passed by although he knew she would be visiting today.

"Aw the baby's here." Amanda said coming over. Captain Cragen was on the phone and saw the gathering from his vantage point behind his desk. He made his excuses and ended the call.

"It's so good to see you Liv how are you?" Amanda asked.

"I'm great minus the lack of sleep but he's all worth it."

"Congratulations Liv." Her captain said giving her a one arm hug.

"How's everything?"

"Couldn't be better." She said smiling down at her son.

"He's beautiful Liv, you were destined for motherhood." Amanda was squatting making a fuss over the baby then looked up at Olivia smiling.

"I agree but you are coming back after your daughter's born right?" Her hesitation was noted by all who surround her.

"Yeah I'll be back."

"Good because we miss ya round here."

"I miss you all too."

"Hey little fella." Don said leaning down shaking his little hand. "Mind if I hold him?"

"Oh absolutely." Olivia picked up Leo handing him over to her captain.

"Hi there I just want let you know you couldn't have picked a better mom than who you have." Olivia blushed at his words as her colleagues looked on appreciatively. Fin put his hand on her back giving it a light rub.

"Where's Nick?" Olivia asked.

"He's at a parent conference for his son." Cragen added. At a parent conference. Olivia dwelled on that for a second. He never mentioned that to me. He's just getting to know his son after 9 years and now he's going to parent conferences? How much of this Is Cynthia's doing? She thought not liking where her thoughts were taking her.

"A-ha and what do we have here and where's Olivia and who is this handsome creature invading our squad room?" Sergeant Munch said entering. He removed his hat giving Olivia a kiss on her cheek.

"Congratulations Liv I'm very happy everything worked out for you."

"I am too John."

"So does that mean little Leo here gets two birthdays?" Fin spied his partner a look.

"Munch if you haven't noticed babies are only born one time."

"No he's right Fin. Leo's real birthday is now October 10th and although he was due to be born on November 7th he has two ages, his chronological age and his adjusted age. Technically he's 9 weeks old but developmentally he's almost 6 weeks."

"And strong as an ox," Don said watching her son grip his blanket trying to pull it close to his mouth.

"The Jets could use him they need all the help they can get." Fin added. Nick would keel over from a heart attack if he knew Leo grew up to play for the New York Jets football team. Nick was a true NY Giants fan through and through and would not here of Leo playing for the opposition she thought.

"Well if you ever need a baby sitter you can call me anytime, he's just so adorable."

"You say that now Amanda but when you can't get him to stop crying or when he spits up on your $100.00 blouse you'll run out never to look back." Amanda smirked at her partner.

"No such thing, I love kids, I baby sat all the time back in GA. Someday I'd like to have a family of my own." Olivia smiled at her remembering their conversation a few weeks back. Amanda was young, beautiful so landing a partner for life shouldn't be hard for her unless she let the job consume her. Leo sneezed and started to fuss in Don's arms.

"Now that's why I love kids because I get to give them back after the cuteness wares off." Olivia took Leo cradling him against her chest, cooing softly and planting light kisses on the top his head. He started to calm down after a moment recognizing her soothing voice, her familiar scent and her secure arms.

"Well we'll be on our way I have to go drop off my leave slip to hr. Merry Christmas everyone." Merry Christmas Liv was echoed by her colleagues.

"And Merry first Christmas to Leo." Amanda said waving bye bye to the baby.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Nick arrived with the tree he promised. "Man it's cold out there. Can you believe it's going down to single digits tonight?" He set up the tree stand and asked Olivia to get water. He struggled trying to get the tree perfectly straight into the stand but finally after perseverance it stood straight.

"Honey the tree looks great thanks." Olivia said cradling a sleeping baby in her arms.

"Got these too." He handed her a bag with boxes of ornaments. Olivia put Leo down in his travel carrier and looked through the boxes until she found the one that said baby's first Christmas. She smiled holding it up marveling at it, she started to well up. He smiled at her coming close.

"He's my Christmas miracle."

"Yes he is, here let's hang it here. With Nick coming up behind her, his hands covering hers that covered her belly and together they hung Leo's ornament smack dab in the middle. She leaned back on him and he kissed the side of her head. Olivia smiled contently closing her eyes. While trimming the tree she asked him why he was at Gil's parent conference earlier.

"When I came by today they told me you were at a parent conference for Gil?"

"Yeah Cynthia asked me to go, why, is there a problem?"

"No it's just that I thought you would have mentioned it, it kind of took me by surprise that's all."

"Took you by surprise? Gil's my son Liv, I'm gonna be involved in his life academically and socially. You mean the real reason it took you by surprise was that Cynthia wanted me there. She's not trying to get with me Liv she just wants me involved in the whole nine yards with him. She won't even accept child support from me."

"And that's supposed to make me feel any easier about her motives?"

"Do you hear yourself? She doesn't have any motive and besides if she did I would tell her I'm not interested. Gil is my son and that is the only connection I will ever have with her. Come here." He tossed the garland over the branch coming down off the step stool and then pulled her into a hug. "I love many people in this world but I only have intimate love for you."

"I'm sorry Nick I'm just still an emotional mess."

"There's no need to be anymore. You have everything you've always dreamed of." They kissed each other sweetly on the lips and Olivia placed her hands over his as he touched her stomach.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

It was Christmas Eve and Nick was on his way to pick up Zara. He had her for Christmas Eve and until 11:00 a.m. Christmas day. That evening his mom would be over for dinner and gift exchange. Olivia sat at the kitchen table feeding Leo his bottle as Nick downed his glass of orange juice then got up depositing his breakfast dishes in the sink.

"Ok gotta run I'll see you both soon."

"Don't forget the ham they close at 3 today." She reminded him. Sometimes Nick hated her little reminders. He was exhausted running around doing last minute shopping, working full time, his regular Tuesday night with his son Gil and grocery shopping for items Olivia forget to get for Christmas Eve dinner.

"I won't Liv." He bent over kissing Leo on his head then kissed her tummy before lifting up meeting her lips where he lingered before ending the kiss then rubbed noses with her.

"I love you." he said.

"I love you too Nick. Drive safe; people are often in too big a hurry this time of year."

"This is NY they drive like its Christmas every day."

"True, see you soon." He winked at her giving her a wave good bye. Olivia gazed at her son. "I did ok picking out a dad for you didn't I? I hope you grow up to be just like him, honest and decent, caring and compassionate." Leo gazed up at her grunting, shaking his hands and pressing his legs into her forearm. Olivia swore that was a smile forming on his lips as she babbled back to him.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

"Daddy I thought you said my brother would be here."

"I did too piquita but he went to Puerto Rico for Christmas."

"Why did he go there?"

"That's where his abuelita and abuelito live but right after Christmas you're going to meet him. His mom and I have been working on it."

His mom and I, Olivia knew there was nothing going on between Nick and Cynthia but every time she heard any reference to Nick and her, she got this uneasy feeling.

"The ham is delicious." Nick's mom commented.

"It came from the honey baked ham store." Olivia told her.

"I always want to eat the outside first." She said.

"Me too Nick said."

"I think will do this for Easter, it's no muss no fuss and it tastes so much better than what you get at the super market." His mom said.

"I'm stuffed." Olivia said.

"Can we open presents now?" Zara asked.

"After we clean up sweetheart." Her abuelita told her.

"Olivia you sit since you did all this preparation Nick and I will clear the table." Nick wiped his mouth setting down his fork surrendering his appetite then got up to help his mother.

"Olivia is Leo awake now?" She checked her wrist watch.

"It's almost 6 so he should be getting up soon for a feeding." They crossed into the living room where the baby was in his playpen. Just like clockwork he was in the waking up stages. He turned his head from left to right opening and closing his eyes, stretching out his legs then wiping at his face with his hands.

"Oooh you smell that Zara?" He began to fuss.

"He pooped didn't he?"

"He sure did. Can you get me a diaper and the yellow box of wet wipes over there?"

"Sure."

"Ok my sweet love we're gonna get you cleaned up now. Yeah, how about that my precious. Mmmm I love you Leo." Olivia never missed a moment showering her son with love and attention.

"Thanks sweetie." Zara watched as Olivia changed him holding her nose.

"It's a stinky one." She told Zara. "Ok all done. Want to hold him?"

"He might be too heavy for me."

"I'll help you." Olivia put him in Zara's lap as she cradled just him just like a pro. Nick and his mother had been talking about Maria becoming suspicious if Zara did mention spending Christmas Eve at Olivia's. Nick assured her not to worry that he would explain it to Maria if she asked him.

"I'll be right back with a bottle." Leo was wide eyed when Olivia retuned sitting on the floor.

"Does Leo have a daddy?"

"He does but I adopted him so I don't know who his daddy his, it was all done privately through a lawyer's office." Zara looked up at Olivia like she had antennas sprouting from the top of her head. Olivia was ready for any questions Zara may have about her own pregnancy but for some reason the kid never asked about that. Nick and his mom entered after finishing the clean-up.

"Ok I think we're ready to see what Santa brought." Nick said. An hour later the three prepared to leave.

"Merry Christmas Olivia, thank you for a lovely evening." She said patting her hand.

"You're welcome and Merry Christmas." Olivia next leaned down to meet Zara's gaze.

"Good night Zara it was nice having you here for dinner tonight and thank you for my lovely gift, it's beautiful. I hear Santa is going to be busy tonight." She smiled looking up at Nick as she hugged his daughter.

"I may have to buy out the rest of the seats on the train just to make room for all your gifts piquita." Zara held her arms up locking hands with Nick, leaning against his legs laughing. After they left Olivia shut off all the lights and turned in early. Her feet were starting to swell from the salty foods and her back hurt.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

"I'm so glad you don't have New Year's Eve shift tomorrow." He straightened is tie in the mirror as she laid on in the middle of the bed with the baby watching him.

"Me too now I can spend a nice quiet New Year's Eve with my ladies and my little man." Nick said turning around looking at how content she was lying there with Leo kissing his naked belly. He bent over half on the bed half off stretching to kiss Leo then Olivia then his daughter.

"I'll see you later."

"Bye."

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

In a little more than a week Olivia would be entering her 7th month. Sex had become pretty much obsolete with her libido. Just finding a comfortable position on bed was a chore anymore. She felt bad for Nick whose libido was in high gear most nights that he slept alongside her.

"There isn't enough time." They stood encircled in each other's arms in the middle of her bedroom kissing lightly.

"Shhh there's time." He said kissing her neck.

"I think I heard him."

"You did not hear him." Nick laughed through his kissing on her neck.

"Shhhh you're right I didn't hear him." They moved over to the bed gently falling into the covers. Olivia removed her sweater and bra as he transformed from fully clothed to nude in nano second. They lay side by side as he felt her belly push up against his. Nick traced over her soft warm skin with his fingertips while his lips busied themselves against her cheek then her earlobe finally coming to the crook of her neck. His hands smoothed down her back, her hip then her leg that rested on his hip

"What is this?

"It's my foot what did you think it was?" She said giggling because it tickled.

"I don't know an animal maybe like a squirrel or a turtle or something."

You are so seriously deranged." She pushed his hand away from her foot.

"What are you doing?" Olivia said.

"It's weird I can't feel anything when I touch it, it feels like it should be mine."

"I can feel it." Olivia said climbing atop him.

"I really miss you, I do kind of like this with the night lights on." She said giggling, assaulting his mouth with wet kisses. She opened her eyes only to find his piercing hers in the dim light with deep intent.

"Nick are you ok?"

"I LOVE YOU." He whispered before his mouth crashed onto hers. Their lovemaking was becoming intense. Not having sex in the last two weeks really had built up the need in Nick.

"Wait! Wait wait wait! Stop!" The monitor blinked to every one of his cries and stirs.

"What? Why are you stopping?" Leo's cries were becoming more audible now.

"It's not that bad maybe he'll go back to sleep." Nick told her continuing his kisses through his strokes. Olivia tried her best to get back into it with him but she just couldn't ignore the baby's cries for help. Nick sighed as she helped him roll off her. Olivia grabbed her robe and he lay diagonal in their bed, the look of disappointment evident on his face. He got up a few moments later, closing the bathroom door.