[I have unashamedly stolen both plot and dialog from Season 9's episode Paternity, and twisted it all around for my own uses... oops! Thanks so much for all the reviews, I really appreciate them.]

"I know. I'm sorry. I'll leave you alone now. Kiss Lily for me," Olivia hung up the phone, and exhaled. She ran her hand through her hair.

"Alex?" Elliot guessed.

Olivia nodded.

"She okay?"

"She's irritated. With me," Olivia's nerves were frayed.

"Don't tell me. You forgot to buy batteries for her favorite toy."

Olivia slammed her hand down on her desk. She stood and glared at Elliot. "Must you always be so crass?" she demanded, as she stalked out of the squad room.

"Hold up!" Elliot called. "Where are you going?"

"To get the results from Warner. I'll be back in an hour." Olivia's tone made it quite clear that she didn't need company.

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Melinda handed Olivia a cup of herbal tea. Olivia sniffed it, her nose scrunching in disgust. "No coffee?" she whined.

"You don't need more coffee," Melinda touched her hand gently. "What is it Liv? You look like someone just ran over your dog. Is everything okay? How's Alex?"

Olivia snorted. "Well she's pissed with me, that's for sure."

"What did you do?"

"Apparently I'm babying her. But she was real pale this morning, Melinda, and the doctor said her blood pressure is a little high. I was just checking in with her. I don't know why she's so pissed at me."

"How many times have you called her today?" Melinda asked.

"Just a couple. Okay, four."

"Liv, it's 11.20am. No wonder she's tetchy."

Olivia nodded glumly. "I know. You're right. She's right. The doctor says she's fine. And we have a check-up tomorrow anyway."

"Are you going to that?"

"Just try and stop me," Olivia said firmly. She gave a small smile. "She won't try to stop me. She's happy for me to go to that. She wants me there. I think she's just tired, and sore, and I've been driving her crazy with stupid questions. I'm such a dork. I remember how it used to irritate me when I was pregnant, constant questions. I couldn't sneeze without her asking me if I was okay."

"Buy her some flowers. Tell her what you just told me. It'll be fine," Melinda said with a smile. "Pregnancy isn't easy on anyone."

Olivia smiled. "She's so beautiful right now," she said, wistfully. "She thinks she looks like a blimp, but she really doesn't. She's … God, it's such a cliché … but she really is glowing. And she doesn't even have a single stretchmark, not that I'd care if she did. I don't think I've ever been so attracted to her," Olivia blushed.

"Tell her that too," Melinda said softly. "She's 37 weeks' pregnant. She's likely a little insecure right now. Remind her how much you love her."

Olivia nodded. "Thanks Melinda," she placed the now-empty mug on her desk. She scooped up the file. "I'd better go, apologize to Elliot."

"What did you do to Elliot?"

"I told him he was crass."

"Stabler?" Melinda grinned. "He is crass, sometimes. Don't tell me, he made a joke about your sex life."

"Something like that," Olivia said glumly.

"Then don't apologize. Some things are private. You don't have to be one of the guys all the time Liv. If he offended you, and you snapped, that's fine. Just leave it."

Olivia smiled. "Okay, I will. I don't like him making comments about my wife. He should know that."

"Good girl," Melinda gave her a swift hug.

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Alex went to the door and looked through the spyhole. She recognized the delivery girl from their local florist, bearing possibly the largest bunch of flowers she had ever seen. She smiled and opened the door.

"Hey, Sherry," Alex laughed as the girl almost staggered under the weight. "Can you put those in the kitchen for me? Who are they from?"

"Check the card," Sherry said with a smile. "I don't know what she did, but she's sure as hell trying to make up for it."

Alex grinned, tipped her and showed her out. She returned to the kitchen, where she pulled out the card.

I'm so sorry. I'm an idiot. I love you Alexandra. O. xxxx

Alex picked up her phone and texted.

Yes, you're an idiot. You're my idiot. And I love you for it. And I love my flowers. You'd better not be late tonight, I have plans for you. Love you too. xxx

Olivia felt her phone vibrate, and she took it out of her pocket, smiling when she saw the text.

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"Mommy, lots of flowers!" Lily came into the kitchen as Alex was arranging them into vases.

Alex smiled. "Your Mama sent them to us."

"Real pretty," Lily smiled.

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Olivia emerged from Lily's room. "She'll be out like a light in five, mark my words," she said. "What did you two do today? She's exhausted."

"I took her to the park. She was like a demon, playing on everything. God, Liv, did we ever have that sort of energy?"

Olivia laughed. She pulled Alex to her, gazing deep into her eyes. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and kissed her deeply. "I'm so sorry I've been such a pain," she said.

Alex smiled. "And I'm sorry I've been so crabby. And I do understand how you feel; I was the same with you, remember? I needed reassurance that you were okay. I know you're just worried, but you don't need to worry Liv. I feel great."

"You sure do," Olivia's hand drifted to her torso. Tenderly, she cupped a full breast. "You really do," her voice dropped.

"Really? That's what you want? Now?"

"More than ever," Olivia admitted. She couldn't get enough of her wife.

"Okay then," Alex smiled, as her nipples tightened in anticipation and she felt her center throb deliciously. "But you're gonna have to do all the work."

"I'm okay with that," Olivia led her to the bedroom. "I'm more than okay with that."

"C'mon then, detective," Alex reached out to unbutton Olivia's shirt. "Show me what you got."

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"C'mon, Bean, you're coming with me," Olivia caught Lily round the waist and tossed her in the air.

"Liv!" Alex called. "She only just had her breakfast!"

"Oops," Olivia smiled, as she brought their daughter into a warm hug. "Your Mommy's right."

"I don't need to be right," Alex smiled. "I just don't wanna clear it all up if she gets sick!"

"I'm not sick Mommy," Lily declared.

"You will be if your Mama continues to fling you about like that."

Olivia was already buckling Lily into her stroller. "We're meeting your Auntie Carolyn at the diner, and she's going to take you all day. She says she has the whole day planned out."

Lily grinned. "Will I see Josh?" she asked, referring to Carolyn's boyfriend's 10-year-old son.

"I don't know, sweetie, it depends what his plans are today. Maybe."

"I like Josh. He lets me play baseball."

Olivia saw Alex's panicked expression. "It's okay, Alexandra, they only play with a soft ball and a plastic bat."

Alex relaxed. "You shouldn't scare pregnant ladies," she teased.

"Especially not today," Olivia kissed her softly. "I'll come by later, to pick you up."

"I can meet you at the doctor's office?"

"No way. I'm picking you up. I'm not having my wife taking a cab when she's three weeks away from giving birth. I'll be here by 2pm latest. C'mon, Lily, are you all set?"

Lily nodded. "Bye Mommy," she called.

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Olivia was horrified. Elliot was arguing vociferously that it was not their place to tell a cuckolded husband that the child he adored was not his. "I don't know, El," Olivia said, running her hand through her hair in frustration. "Maybe it's because Alex is so close to giving birth. I just can't imagine not knowing the most basic thing about her child... our child."

"But you used a sperm donor. What do you really know about the donor?" Elliot challenged.

"I know we chose him together," Olivia kept her voice even. "I know that we have been open about everything with each other. I know that I have been with Alex every step of the way through this pregnancy, just as she was with me, when I was carrying Lily. I cannot begin to imagine how I would feel if Alex had been deceiving me all along. Jake is married to a woman who is being unfaithful. Do you think ignorance is bliss?"

"First of all," Elliot shook his finger in that patronizing way that drove Olivia crazy, "Tommy is his son. And Jake is the only father he's ever known. They love each other. Why do you want to mess with that?"

Olivia tried to keep hold of her emotions. "Because it's not fair to Jake, or Tommy," she said.

"If Maria Keegan wants to tell her husband that Tommy's not his, that's her choice," Elliot insisted. He was so caught up that he failed to notice Jake Keegan sitting on a chair in the corridor. He had overheard every word.

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"It was awful," Olivia told Alex on the phone. "I know I wanted him to know, but finding out like that? I can't imagine how he felt."

"But you can imagine," Alex said softly, her hand unconsciously drifting to her distended belly. "And that's why it's getting to you so badly. Liv, we both know neither of us can see beyond this baby right now. It's all either of us can think about. It's bound to affect how you're thinking at work."

"How do you do that?" Olivia asked in wonder. "How do you always know what I'm feeling?"

"Because, detective, to me you are an open book," Alex smiled. "More and more. You don't hide things from me. You used to, you'd try to protect me. But now, we've both realized that that doesn't work, for either of us. Haven't you noticed how much has changed between us over the years? For the better?"

"Yeah," Olivia said in wonder. She blinked back tears. "I'm gonna sneak out early," she suddenly decided. "Elliot's just gone to Norfolk, to try and bring back Jake Keegan. It's all gone to hell for him."

"Shouldn't you have gone with him?"

"And miss your appointment? Not in a million years. I'll be home in 20 minutes. That gives us an hour before we have to leave for the doctor."

"Are you okay, sweetheart?"

"I just want to hold you," Olivia admitted. "I want to remind myself that what we have is real."

"Oh it's real," Alex laughed. "Your baby has been kicking up a storm all morning. If I'm imagining that, there's something very wrong."

"My baby?" Olivia teased.

"Yours," Alex said earnestly. "You know you're a parent to this baby, just as I am to Lily."

"If I can be half as good a mom to this one as you have been to Lily, I'll be very happy," Olivia said.

"Cornball. Get your ass back here. I wanna back rub," Alex commanded her.

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"Time to go," Olivia put out her hands to pull Alex from the couch.

"Can't we stay here for ever?" Alex pouted.

Olivia flashed her a grin. "We'll be back here in a couple of hours. And I brought files home with me, I can finish them here."

"You're not going back to work today?" Alex's face lit up.

"Not today. Today, I wanna spend with my family. I'll make up the time. C'mon," she held out Alex's coat.

Olivia called Elliot from the car. "Is Jake Keegan in custody?" she asked.

"Yeah," Elliot said. "So you and Alex, you're on your way?"

"We're right on schedule," Olivia said. "Let me know if you need anything, huh?"

Alex smiled. For all her protestations of not working, Olivia couldn't just abandon her caseload.

Olivia reached out and shut off the phone. She looked in her mirror, and drove on.

The noise was horrifying. Out of nowhere, a speeding car plowed into the side of their car. Alex's side. Olivia was dimly aware of being flung violently in her seat and the noise of screeching metal. And then she wasn't aware of anything.

Olivia didn't know how long it was until she regained consciousness, but she didn't think it was long. She blinked, trying to remember where she was. What we she doing? And why did her head hurt like a bitch? It all came back to her with a sickening rush. She turned, praying. Alex was unconscious in the seat next to her, blood pouring from her head. Her airbag hadn't deployed, and her side of the car was horribly caved in.

Olivia wanted to scream, but she forced herself to keep calm.

"Alex? Alexandra?" Very carefully, Olivia moved Alex's head to the upright position. She grabbed her radio. Forcing her voice to remain level, she pressed the button. "SVU Portable to Central," she said. "53, at 141 and McCombs. The victim is the pregnant wife of an MOS. Rush a bus and the Fire Department," she instructed. "Advise Fire Department that the victim is pinned."

Olivia looked down and saw Alex's bloody legs. "Alex," she said. "Oh God." She knew she had to get out, but the accident had buckled the door and she couldn't force it open. Finding a strength she didn't know she had, she smashed through the reinforced glass using the radio and climbed awkwardly out of the window. She could already hear the approaching emergency services, and she thanked God for the efficiency. "Hurry," she begged them. "Please hurry." She brushed off the concern of the EMT. "Don't worry about me, please help her," she insisted. "She's my wife," her voice trembled.

"The passenger airbag didn't deploy," explained the Captain of the Fire Department. "It needs to be deactivated."

"I understand that, but she's pregnant. The baby could be in distress."

"Bag's dead," said a firefighter.

"We're going to have to cut her out," said another.

"Why can't you use the jaws of life?" Olivia was frantic.

"They gotta stabilize her head and neck before we can do anything else. And it's real tight there."

"I got out, I can get back in," Olivia said, in a tone that brooked no argument.

"Watch your head," the EMT warned. "Okay," he said as she settled in the back seat behind Alex. "Place one hand on either side of her head, and hold her neck steady. Good. Put this on her," he passed her a neck brace.

"She's waking up," Olivia said. "Alex," she spoke softly to her wife. "Alex, it's going to be okay. Try not to move, okay? We were in an accident, but everything's okay. We're gonna get you out of there."

"Liv?" Alex's voice was weak. "Hurry. My water broke."

Olivia looked down, and her heart filled with fear. She had to try and keep Alex calm. She guided the neck brace into place. "I'm just putting this around your neck, okay?" she said softly.

Alex moaned in agony.

"I'm sorry. Sorry, sorry," Olivia said, being as gentle as she could.

"No," Alex bit out. "It's a contraction."

"Sweetie, put your head back. There you go."

"Good work," the EMT said approvingly. "Now keep your hands on her. Keep her steady."

"You're doing great, okay?" Olivia whispered to Alex. "Alex? Lex?" she tapped the side of her face gently, but Alex had lost consciousness again. Looking down, Olivia saw blood. She gestured to the EMT.

"She needs fluids," he realized. "Get me an IV kit. You gotta get the IV in," he told Olivia. "It's okay, I'll talk you through this. Find the biggest vein you can in her arm."

He talked her through inserting the needle, and attaching the IV. The whole time, Alex remained unconscious, and it was all Olivia could do to remain outwardly calm. She started to squeeze the bag, and finally Alex's eyes flickered opened.

"You're doing great," Olivia reassured her, hearing her whimper with pain. "They're gonna take off the roof, baby, but it's fine. We're not in any danger. I'm just going to cover your head."

Alex's cries became more desperate as the huge machinery was brought into operation. She could feel the baby wanted to come out, and she was terrified. Her legs were pinned, and she was frightened for the baby.

"I'm having another contraction," Alex's voice was weak.

"Just try and stay still, Ma'am," the captain said.

"Liv? The baby's coming, and I can't open my legs."

"We're gonna get you out of here." Olivia couldn't bear to think of the pain and fear her wife was suffering. She knew that the car had to be ripped apart to free her, but that would inevitably be agonizing for her. But they had to act, and fast, if the baby – their baby – was to survive.

"They're getting stronger," Alex panted.

"Just squeeze my hand, you're gonna squeeze my hand, and you're not gonna let go, okay?" Olivia tried to talk her down. "You are gonna do this. Okay, Alex. It's gonna be okay." Olivia held her tight, her cheek pressed against Alex's as she tried desperately to give her what comfort she could.

Finally, the side of the car popped off, and Alex was free.

"I've gotta get out of the way, so they can get you out. You're nearly done, honey."

"No. Olivia, don't leave me," Alex's face was pouring with sweat and blood. She had never felt pain, or fear, like it. Olivia was the only thing stopping her from crumbling completely.

"I'm right here," Olivia called, as the fire department strapped Alex to the backboard, with the help of the kindly EMT.

Alex's contractions were coming fast.

"She's lost a lot of blood," Olivia said to Cragen.

"Patrol is holding traffic. You'll be to the hospital in ten minutes," he tried to reassure her. He hated to see his favorite detective and her wife in this predicament.

"This baby is coming now," Alex's voice was stronger, as they loaded her into the ambulance. Olivia stroked her head lovingly.

"Just hold on ten minutes," the EMT begged.

"I can't," Alex gasped. "I can't."

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Sarah looked away from her computer screen at work as she heard Jay's ringtone on her cell. Jay didn't often call her at work, especially when she was as busy as she had been in the past week. "Hey, honey, you okay?" Sarah asked. She wasn't unduly worried, because she knew Jay wasn't working today.

"I'm fine," Jay sounded tense. "But there's been an accident. Gary just called. He recognized her at the scene."

"Recognized who?" Sarah's heart flooded with fear.

"Alex. She and Olivia were in an accident. Some drunken asshole plowed into them."

"Oh my God, are they okay?"

"Olivia's fine. Alex is real banged up, and she was having contractions. She's on her way to Mercy."

"I'll meet you there," Sarah said.

"Get a cab," Jay pleaded. She couldn't bear to think of Sarah driving when she was so upset.

"I will. It'll be quicker anyway," Sarah agreed.

"She's strong," Jay told her. "And she has Olivia with her."

"I should call Mom," Sarah's voice shook.

"I'll do it. I'm just getting into a cab now," Jay said. "I'll see you at the hospital."