Olivia felt tears sting her eyes as Brian clung to her hand.  The ME pulled the sheet back over Regan Allen's body and Olivia turned, leading Brian out into the hall.  She could feel his hand shaking slightly and see the tears in his eyes, but her attempts at comfort had been rebuffed.  As soon as Brian saw Elliot, he wrapped his arms around Elliot's waist and hung on tightly, tears streaking down his face. 

            Elliot felt his heart break for the little boy who was in many ways so grown up as he bent and lifted Brian into his arms, holding on tightly.  He met Olivia's eyes over Brian's head and she nodded slightly, Brian's tears reflected in her own dark brown eyes.  As Brian clung to his neck, Elliot shifted so he could wrap his other arm around Olivia's shoulders, drawing her close and gently kissing the top of her head.  Olivia wrapped her arm around Elliot's waist and held on, needing comfort herself.  Elliot knew that she was in pain for Brian, for all the kids actually.  Elliot led them out to the car and set Brian down in the back seat.

As Olivia slid in next to him, Brian began wiping at his eyes, trying to hide the tears.  Elliot glanced in the review mirror as Olivia wordlessly pulled Brian closer, hugging him to her side.  "Why don't we stop and get something to eat?" he suggested.  He didn't think that Maureen would mind staying a little later and he knew that Olivia would want to talk to Brian about what had happened.  Olivia nodded silently as Brian stayed glued to her side. 

Ten minutes later Elliot stopped outside of a Denny's.  Once they were seated, Elliot glanced down at the little boy next to him.  Brian was slowly tearing a napkin apart, apparently having the same nervous habit as Olivia.  Sensing that Brian didn't want to open up around her, Elliot suggested that Olivia go to the bathroom.  She looked at him like he was slightly crazy, after all, she should know if she had to pee better than he would.  But seeing the look in her partner's eye, Olivia nodded and left to go stand in the bathroom for a few minutes.

When he was sure that Olivia was out of earshot, Elliot turned to Brian.  "I'm sorry about your mom, Bri."

Brian nodded.  "Olivia said that I can still be sad that she died, even though she hurt us."

"That's right," Elliot said gently, resting a hand on Brian's shoulder.  "Sometimes, loving a parent is a complicated thing."

"I can't cry in front of Olivia," Brian said, almost to himself.  "Big boys don't cry, and I have to be a big boy now and take care of Maggie and Jacob."

Elliot pulled Brian into his lap and hugged him tightly.  "No Brian, you don't have to take care of Maggie and Jacob.  That's what Olivia's for.  She's going to take care of all of you.  And it's okay if you want to cry, even in front of Olivia, or Maggie or Jacob.  Men can and do cry, especially when something very sad happens."

"Do you cry?" Brian asked, looking up at Elliot.

Elliot sighed.  "Yeah.  Sometimes.  I cried when all of my kids were born and when my wife and I got divorced.  And sometimes when my cases are really sad, I cry."

Brian nodded wisely, then frowned.  "Elliot?  I'm sad that my mom died.  But is it okay to be a little happy?  She can't hurt us anymore."

Elliot sighed.  "Nothing that you feel is wrong, Brian.  Your mom did a lot of bad things to you and now you know that you're safe.  Olivia and I aren't going to let anything happen to you, I promise."

Brian nodded and wrapped his arms around Elliot.  As he let himself be comforted, Brian wondered if this was what having a dad was like.  Another guy to talk to and ask questions.  "Elliot?" he asked, pulling back slightly.  "Are you going to live with Olivia and us?"

Elliot laughed and shook his head.  "No, sorry.  I live in my own apartment.  But I'll come visit a lot, I promise."
            Brian thought about that for a second.  "I guess that's alright."

Before they could say anything else, Olivia walked back to the table.  "Hey."  Her eyes questioned Elliot's and she clearly saw the response of "later" reflected in the deep blue eyes of her best friend.  The three of them shared a banana split before they finally decided to head home. 

Once they arrived back at the townhouse, Elliot took Brian up to bed while Olivia checked on the other two.  Maggie was sound asleep, curled on her side with her "Livvy" doll clutched in her arms.  Olivia sat gingerly on the bed and brushed a hand over Maggie's blonde curls.  "Sleep tight, sweetie.  I love you."  She kissed Maggie's forehead gently before standing and readjusting the blankets.  She left the room quietly, making sure to leave the door cracked a fair amount. 

Olivia crept into her room as saw that Maureen was sprawled on the bed, face down, completely out.  It looked like she'd fought a rather violent war with the blankets also since they were tangled around her and bunched up.  Laughing softly, Olivia did her best to cover Maureen back up before turning to Jacob's portacrib.  The baby was sleeping on his side with his knees curled tightly to his chest and his left thumb stuck in his mouth.  Olivia kissed her fingers and brushed them gently across his brow.  "Good night, angel," she whispered.  "I love you."

She tiptoed out of the room and found Elliot waiting for her in the hall.  "Are the other kids okay?" he whispered.

Olivia nodded.  "They're sound asleep.  Maureen too.  How's Brian?"

"Waiting for you to come say goodnight again."

"How's he doing?" Olivia asked, running a tired hand through her mop of short hair.

"He's confused.  He's sad, but part of him is relieved because she can't hurt them anymore.  He said that he didn't want to cry in front of you because big boy's don't cry."

Olivia sighed.  "What did you tell him?"

            "That men cry sometimes and that it's okay if he does too."

            "Thanks for talking to him, Elliot," Olivia said softly.  "If you wanna wait, I'll go say good night and meet you downstairs."  Elliot nodded and started towards the living room while Olivia opened Brian's door slowly.  "Hey, Bri."

            Brian looked up at her.  "Are you going to tell Maggie about Mom?"

            Olivia sat down on the bed and brushed a hand over his hair.  "Not right now.  I think that she needs to sleep.  I was going to tell her in the morning."

            Brian nodded and reached his arms out.  Olivia drew him into her lap and held him close, rocking back and forth.  "I love you, Brian.  You don't have to worry anymore because I'm going to take care of you, I promise."

            "I love you too, Olivia," he whispered, drifting off.  Olivia held him for a few more minutes before tucking him into bed and kissing his forehead gently. 

When she arrived downstairs, Elliot was sitting in the living room.  He gestured to the other end of the couch.  As she took the seat, Elliot handed her a coffee mug.  She looked at the coffee, slightly distrustfully.  She didn't want to drink coffee and then not be able to sleep for the little time she had left until the kids woke up.

            Reading her expression, Elliot smiled.  "It's decaf.  I thought you could use something warm."

            Olivia smiled gratefully.  "Thanks."

            "How are you doing?" Elliot asked gently.  "This isn't easy on you either."

            "No, it's not.  But right now, they," Olivia nodded her head towards the ceiling, "are my first priority.  And tomorrow morning, I have to find a way to tell a three-year-old that her mommy is dead."

            Elliot reached over and caught Olivia's hand in his.  "Liv, she's only three.  Maggie probably doesn't even know what death is.  And if she does know what it is, she certainly doesn't really understand it."

            Olivia nodded and squeezed Elliot's hand gently.  "I know.  But I want her to know.  I don't want her to grow up thinking that her mother just abandoned her."  Olivia paused.  "Do you think I should try to find a shrink for Brian?  Maybe Maggie too?"

            "I don't know.  Wait and see how they seem to be adjusting, maybe.  Kids are resilient, Liv.  If it seems in a few months like they're having problems, then yes.  But first they need to get used to life here, to not being afraid and beaten."

            Olivia nodded.  "Thanks for coming tonight.  I'm really glad that Brian could talk to you."

            "I didn't think either of you should go through this alone," Elliot answered softly.  "I know you could have handled it, but that doesn't mean that you should have had to all alone."

            Olivia nodded.  "Thank you."  She stifled a yawn and Elliot laughed.

            "How late do the kids sleep?"

            "Yesterday Brian didn't get up until about 8.  He'll probably sleep later though today.  Maggie was up by 6:00 though."

            Elliot laughed.  "You better get to bed then, it's almost 5:30 now."

            Olivia nodded.  "You too, you have to work in a few hours."

            Elliot groaned.  "Don't remind me.  I'll go wake Maureen up."  Ten minutes later, Elliot hugged Olivia good-bye and led Maureen, who was still half asleep, to his car.

Olivia collapsed on her bed and what seemed like only seconds after falling asleep, Maggie was tapping the back of her hand gently and whispering "Livvy."  Not willing to wake up yet, Olivia pulled Maggie up in bed with her and was thankful that, after cuddling close to her, Maggie fell back to sleep.  Olivia was woken up again at 8:00 by the now-familiar sound of a baby crying.  Leaving Maggie tucked in her bed, Olivia took Jacob downstairs and began fixing his morning bottle.  As she fed him, Olivia looked into Jacob's huge brown eyes and couldn't help but smile.  Over the last three days, she'd fallen completely in love with all three of the children. 

Maggie came downstairs a few minutes later.  "Wha'cha doing, Livvy?"

Olivia smiled.  "I'm giving your brother some breakfast."

Maggie climbed up on the couch and stroked Jacob's head gently.  "Hi, Baby Jacob," she said softly.  Then she looked at Olivia hopefully.  "Can I hold the baby?"

Olivia paused, thinking, then nodded.  "Sure.  Come sit on my lap."

Maggie obeyed and Olivia helped her hold Jacob, making sure that she supported his head.  After a few minutes, Maggie bent her head back to look at Olivia.  "Does Jacob love me?"

"Of course he does, sweetie.  You're his big sister."  Olivia paused, then decided to get it over with.  "Maggie?  Do you know what it means when someone dies?"

Maggie nodded.  "It's like they sleep for forever."

"That's right.  Baby, last night some policemen found your mom.  She died."

Maggie nodded.  "Oh.  Okay."

Olivia was only slightly surprised by Maggie's lack of response.  At three, she was really too young to understand.  "Hey Maggie, do you want to help me make breakfast?"

Maggie grinned and nodded.  They walked into the kitchen and Olivia pulled out the ingredients for chocolate chip pancakes.  Olivia grabbed a kitchen chair and pulled it up to the counter.  "I'll measure everything and you can put it in the bowl, okay?"

Maggie nodded.  "Where's Brian?"

"He's still sleeping honey.  After we make the batter, why don't you and I go wake him up?"

Maggie nodded.  Olivia carefully measured out the mix, which Maggie dumped gleefully into a large mixing bowl.  Next came the water.  Maggie giggled as she poured it in little rivers all over the bowl.  After Olivia helped Maggie add a couple handfuls of chocolate chips, she began mixing the batter, Maggie's hand clutching the spoon under hers.  When they were finished, Olivia carefully poured the batter onto the griddle in the shape of Mickey Mouse's head.  She remembered her own mother making them for her when she was little.  And when Serena wasn't hung over.

When they were finished, Olivia washed Maggie's hands.  "Okay, you can run wake up Brian now."

Maggie hurried off and Olivia took advantage of the downtime to make herself a pot of coffee and set the table.  Maggie and Brian ran into the room a few minutes later, Brian still looking sleepy but intrigued by the idea of Mickey Mouse pancakes.  After breakfast, Olivia took a quick shower and got dressed while Brian and Maggie watched "Stanley."  When she was done, Olivia made her bed and got Jacob dressed.  Then she called the two older kids upstairs and while Brian got dressed, she helped Maggie into a pair of pink overalls, a white and pink turtleneck, and her sneakers.  Then she carefully brushed Maggie's hair and pulled it into pigtails. 

Once everyone was ready for the day, Olivia wrapped Jacob in a blanket and placed him in the car seat, glad that the seat was detachable.  It had a base that stayed in the car but the actual seat came out so Olivia could carry Jacob around in that and not have to disturb him if he was sleeping. 

They piled into the car and headed for JC Penny's.  Olivia had realized that the kids all needed more clothes than Kathy had provided for them.  She headed for the toddler's section first, hoping that if she had something for Maggie to play with, she'd be entertained enough to let them get through the rest of the day.  Watching what Maggie gravitated towards naturally, Olivia grabbed several pairs of jeans and cute tops, mostly in pink and purple.  She also picked out a couple of little dresses and some necessities.  She also added a pink winter coat from the sale rack.  Even though the warm weather was hanging on, it was supposed to drop the next week.  As an afterthought, Olivia added a baby doll to the pile. 

They went to the baby section next and Olivia grabbed some more clothes for Jacob before they finally ended up in the boy's department.  By the time they were finished at Penny's, it was lunchtime and Olivia needed caffeine.  Badly.  She decided to bring them by the station house and see if Elliot wanted to do lunch with them. 

When they walked in, Maggie began pulling on Olivia's arm again to be picked up.  Carefully balancing the car seat, Olivia bent down and picked up Maggie with one arm.  Munch looked up and grinned.

"If it isn't the little mother," he said, teasing.

Olivia shot him a glare.  "Have you guys seen Elliot?  I thought we'd take him to lunch."

"Like a date?" Fin asked, joining his partner in making fun of Olivia.

"Of course not.  If it was, then you and John would have dates all the time," Olivia shot back.

Fin laughed at the horrified look on Munch's face as he stood and walked over to Olivia.  "He's in interrogation right now.  Hi, Brian.  How are you doing?"

"Okay."

"Hey there, Miss Maggie," Fin said, stroking her back gently.  "You look very pretty today."  Maggie kept her face buried in Olivia's shoulder, so Fin tried again.  "What did you guys do this morning?"

"Livvy took us shopping," Maggie whispered.

"That was nice of her.  Did you get any toys?"

"No, clothes," Brian answered.  "And after lunch we get to buy stuff for school."

"Ah, I always loved buying school supplies," John said, coming over to join them.  "When do you start school, Brian?"

"Monday.  Olivia took us there yesterday."

"Did you meet your teacher?"

"Not yet."

"That's tomorrow," Olivia said with a smile.  The smile turned into a grin when she saw Elliot emerge from the interrogation room.  "Hey!" she called.

Elliot looked up, then grinned back.  "What are you guys doing here?" he asked, ruffling Brian's hair.

"We thought you might want to join us for lunch," Olivia said, shifting Maggie slightly in her arms.

"Lunch sounds good."  Seeing Olivia struggle with the baby and Maggie, Elliot held out his hands.  "Want me to carry you, Maggie?"  Maggie shook her head.  "You can ride on my shoulders," Elliot tried to bribe her.  Maggie shook her head again.  Elliot shrugged and took Jacob's carrier.  "Where to?"

"McNally's?" Olivia suggested.  It was a pub that they frequented both during lunch and after work.  At lunch it was pretty family friendly.

"Sounds good to me.  Are we walking or driving?"

"I have the stroller in the trunk of my car," Liv said as she began walking towards the door.  "But it's buried under about 10 shopping bags."

"Driving it is," Elliot said with a laugh. 

"Bye, Livvy," Munch and Fin called out in unison, earning themselves a death glare as they broke out into laughter.

At lunch, Maggie allowed Elliot to sit next to her, something that Elliot considered to be a step in the right direction.  They managed to get through the meal without any mishaps and decided to walk back to the station house. 

"What are you and Maureen doing tonight?" Olivia asked as she kept one eye on Brian who was running ahead, then back to them again.

"Maureen has a date, so I'm spending some quality time with me," Elliot answered, carrying Jacob.

"Wanna come over for dinner?"

"Sure, what time?"

"Whenever you get off work.  Any good cases come in today?"

"Nah.  Munch and Fin are working Regan's case.  Cragen said that we were too close to it."

"Who were you interrogating then?"

"Oh, that.  A working girl who knew Regan and Zapata.  But he's using a different name now."

"Really?

"Marcos Costello.  Munch and Fin are researching, but so far nothing's come up.  It's like he goes underground, jumps up for a second, then goes back again before we can find him."

"But wait.  Brian knew him as Zapata.  Are we sure it's the same person?"

"The description matched, but if Zapata has a brother also involved in the operation it could be him also."

"Great," Olivia sighed sarcastically.

"Relax," Elliot said softly.  "We'll get him."

"I just wish I could help."

"I know," Elliot answered.  As they walked, Elliot tentatively reached over and linked his fingers with Olivia's.  She glanced at him, slightly surprised, then smiled.

After dropping Elliot back at the station house, Olivia loaded the kids into the car.  They stopped at Walgreens so Brian could pick out school supplies before running a last minute errand.  Fin's earlier comment about buying toys had stuck in Olivia's head and she realized that, except for Maggie's two dolls and Brian's Lego set, they didn't have any toys.  She stopped at Toys R Us and Brian stared up at the store.

"Why are we here?" he asked in awe.

"To buy toys, silly," Olivia answered with a smile as she managed to get Jacob into the pouch and situated against her chest.

"For us?" Brian asked disbelievingly.

"Do you not want new toys?" Olivia asked with a small smile.

"No!  I mean, I do!  But why?"

Olivia sighed sadly, she hated that Brian seemed to have such difficulty accepting good things.  She crouched down so she could look Brian in the eye.  "I want to buy you toys so you have things to play with and because I love you and you're such a great kid."

"Me too?"  Maggie asked, bouncing at Olivia's side.  "Me too, Livvy?"

Olivia laughed and wrapped an arm around Maggie's waist.  "You too, sweetie.  Are you guys ready to find some toys?"

"Yeah!" Maggie exclaimed excitedly.

"Brian?" Olivia asked gently.  She was determined that Brian would come to accept love and believe, without questioning, that someone could love him without hurting him.

Brian nodded, a shy smile appearing on his face.  "Can we get whatever we want?"

"Within reason.  How about we get some things for your rooms, too?"

"Why?" Brian asked.  His mother had never bought them things for no reason before.

"To make the rooms seem more like yours," Olivia answered simply.

"Okay," Brian said after a second.  He wanted the room at Olivia's to he his, he wanted to stay there forever.

They walked into the toy store and Olivia grabbed a cart, setting Maggie in the seat so she wouldn't run off.  The first aisle they found was stuffed animals.  Maggie let out an excited squeal.

"Aminals!"

Olivia helped Maggie pick out a brown teddy bear, a stuffed Labrador retriever, and an orange striped cat.  She also grabbed a black teddy bear and a floppy elephant for Jacob.  She wasn't sure if Brian was too old for stuffed animals but when she glanced over at him, Brian was gently stroking a stuffed lion, desire plain in his eyes.

"Why don't you bring your friend home with us?" she suggested gently.

"I'm too big for stuffed animals," Brian answered, his voice thick with sorrow.  "Mom said."

"Well I don't think you're ever too old for stuffed animals.  I have a teddy bear that Elliot gave me," Olivia said with a smile.

"Really?  How come?"

"How come Elliot gave him to me?"  Brian nodded.  "I had to go to the hospital because I was hurt and Elliot didn't want me to be alone."

Brian smiled and put the lion in the cart.  "Elliot's nice," Brian said as they headed for the game section.

Olivia grinned.  "I'm glad you think so.  Why don't you pick out a game or two?"

Brian perused the aisle carefully, considering all of his options before he came back, holding a Simpson's version of Clue and Disney Monopoly.  Olivia had already grabbed Candy Land and a barnyard memory game for Maggie.

"Olivia, can we get Uno?  We used to play it at school during indoor recess."

"Sure."

Brian scampered off and was back less than a minute later.  As they continued their journey through the store, Brian looked up at Olivia.  "Is Elliot your boyfriend?"

Olivia almost choked on the gum she was chewing.  "Why would you think that?" she asked cautiously.

"Because he comes over a lot and he helps you and he makes you smile."

"You make me smile too, and you're not my boyfriend," Olivia said with a grin as she tweaked Brian's nose gently.

"That's because I'm a kid," Brian giggled.  "Elliot's a grown-up."

"Well no, Elliot's not my boyfriend.  He's my best friend."

"Can't your boyfriend be your friend, too?"

"Of course they can.  But Elliot's not."  Yet, she added silently.

By the time they got all the way through the store the cart was completely full.  Jacob had fallen asleep in the pouch and Olivia had one hand unconsciously holding the baby while she pushed the cart with the other.  Maggie was overdue for her nap and getting cranky.  She'd started whining when Olivia refused to buy a large kitchen play area for her, despite the fact that she'd won on the dollhouse issue.  Brian was even starting to droop.  He'd stopped walking and now stood at the front of the cart, holding on while Olivia pushed him. 

After paying for everything, and trying not to think of what her Visa bill would look like that month, Olivia loaded the car.  It was packed with toys and new everything for the kids' rooms.  Once she'd started, she'd realized just how inappropriate all of her extra bedding was for children.  In desperation, she slid the dollhouse box into the back seat of the car, resting it on the floor.  Once the children were situated, Olivia looked in the mirror and smiled.  Maggie was already almost asleep, clutching her teddy bear, Jacob was still sleeping in the car seat, and Brian was staring out the window.

They got home and Olivia tucked Jacob in for his nap.  When she was sure that he was down, she put Maggie into her own bed so she could strip Maggie's sheets.  Brian went to his room and began trying to construct the potions lab from Harry Potter with his Lego set.  Olivia quickly washed Maggie and Brian's new sheets before remaking Maggie's bed with they butterfly sheets she'd picked out.  On a whim, Olivia had also picked up a couple of sets of pink Christmas lights to string around the room to replace the night light.  Once the bed was made and the lights hung, Olivia set up Maggie's new toys and covered the empty electrical sockets with plugs that she'd also bought.  When she was done, Olivia turned off the lights and stood back to survey her work.  It was perfect, just the way that a little girl's room should look.  The closet was full of clothes and the small book shelf now held the books that Kathy had sent plus a few that they'd bought that day.  The pink lights cast a glow over the entire room making it look warm an inviting.

The next thing to be tackled was the swing that she'd bought for Jacob.  She'd left the box in the living room, figuring that was the best place for it.  As she opened it, she couldn't help but groan.  It had parts.  She hated putting stuff with parts together.  It took her about half an hour, but the swing was finally set up.  She grabbed the last three bags which contained everything for Brian's room, and knocked on the door.

"Bri?  Can I come in?"

"Yeah."
            Olivia opened the door and stared at the scene in front of her.  Brian had every piece to the Lego set spread out on the floor and the directions in front of him.  "How's it coming?" she asked.

"It's really hard," Brian answered, frustration thick in his voice.  "Can you help me?"

"Well I can try, but I was never very good with things like this.  Elliot's coming over tonight, I bet he'll help you."

"Okay!" Brian answered.  He began putting all of the pieces back in the box, then carried it down to the kitchen table.  When he got back, Brian looked eagerly at the bags.  "Can we put my stuff up now?"

"We sure can."  Olivia emptied the bags and began decorating the room in the soccer theme that Brian had chosen.  "You like playing soccer?" she asked.

"Yeah, we used to play in gym.  It's really fun."

"Maybe you can play in the fall," Olivia suggested.  "I think that we already missed registration for the spring session."

"Really?" Brian asked, excited.

"Why not?  If you want, I can call the park district tomorrow and see if maybe you can play baseball in the summer."

Brian's face almost split, his grin was so big.  "Thanks, Olivia!" he said, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"You're welcome," she said, hugging him back.  When they finished, Olivia and Brian began pulling out his new toys.  There was a Nerf basketball net hanging on the back of his door and a small collection of Jurassic Park dinosaurs sitting on the top of the book shelf. 

"Why don't we put the games downstairs, that way we don't have to run up here every time we want to play something," Olivia suggested, gathering Brian's games.  She'd already put Maggie's down there.

"Okay." 

They headed downstairs and Brian tried to work on his Lego model again at the kitchen table while Olivia went through the house baby proofing it by covering all of the exposed outlets and putting child proof latches on all of the drawers and cabinets that Maggie or Jacob, eventually, could reach.  She was starting on the upstairs when she heard Jacob start to whimper.  She walked into her room and picked Jacob up, talking softly to him as she changed his diaper and carried him downstairs.  Once he was safely fed and swinging gently back and forth in his new toy, Olivia headed upstairs to finish baby proofing the house.

"Livvy?" Maggie called sleepily.

Olivia walked into the room and smiled at the little girl ensconced in her bed.  "Hey sleepyhead.  How are you feeling?"

"Good.  My teddy bear slept good."

Olivia sat on the bed.  "Well, I'm very glad.  He looked pretty tired when we got home."  Maggie nodded in agreement.  "What's your teddy bear's name?"

Maggie shrugged.  "Dunno."

            "That's okay.  I'm sure you'll think of one.  Ready to go see your new room?"

            Maggie nodded eagerly.  Olivia helped her off the bed and Maggie held her hand as they walked down the hall.  When Olivia opened the door, Maggie gasped.  "It's pretty!" she exclaimed.

            "I'm glad you like it."

            "Look at my dollies!" Maggie said happily, pointing to the stuffed animals and dolls that Olivia had arranged on the bed.  They spent a few minutes playing before Olivia convinced Maggie that they should go downstairs.

            As she stared into the open fridge, Olivia heard the doorbell ring and Brian's shout that he'd get it.  A few minutes later Brian dragged Elliot into the room.  Olivia turned from the fridge with an apologetic look on her face.  "I'm sorry, El.  I got distracted and haven't even thought about…dinner," she finished softly when she saw that Elliot was holding bags of food from her favorite Chinese restaurant.  "You didn't have to," she said, feeling slightly guilty.  "I invited you…"

            "I know," Elliot answered as he began unloading the bags.  "But I figured that you'd have a pretty busy day."

            "Thank you," Olivia said softly, resting a hand on his arm. 

            Elliot turned and their faces were only inches apart.  They stared at each other for a moment before both broke away abruptly, Olivia beginning to wash the kids' hands while Elliot grabbed plates and silverware. 

            As they sat down to dinner, Elliot looked at the Lego structure that was now sitting on the counter.  "That's pretty impressive, Brian."

            Brian blushed.  "It's really hard.  After dinner, can you help me with it?"

            "Sure.  Nice job with the swing, Liv."

            Olivia smiled, blushing slightly.  "Thanks.  We made a little Toys R Us run today."

            "Is that where you got your bear, Maggie?" Elliot asked the little girl who was sitting on Olivia's lap, eating with one hand and holding her bear with the other.

            Maggie nodded.  "Uh-huh."

            "What's his name?"

            "Mr. Bear," Maggie answered softly, without a second thought.

            "What did you get, Brian?"

            While Brian filled Elliot in on the toys that he'd gotten, including the name of every species of dinosaur that he now owned they finished eating.  Olivia cleared the table so Brian and Elliot could work on the potions lab.  Seeing Elliot and Brian with their heads bent together, one dark and one fair, Olivia felt her heart swell.  She made a mental note to go out and get a new camera to capture moments like this.  Her last camera had taken an unfortunate dive off of the top shelf of her bookcase and broken into several pieces.

            While Brian and Elliot worked on the Lego project, Olivia played with Maggie and her new dollhouse.  Around 7:00, Olivia drew Maggie's bath and started getting her ready for bed.  Once she was all clean and ready, Olivia carried Maggie back downstairs and set her on the floor.  Maggie ran over and hugged Brian tightly.

            "Night, Brian."

            Brian bent over and hugged his sister.  "Good night, Maggie."

            Then Maggie tiptoed around Elliot and over to Jacob, who was sitting in the infant seat on the table.  Maggie climbed onto a chair and carefully bent over, kissing the top of Jacob's head.  "Good night, Baby Jacob."

            She climbed back down from the chair and ran over to Olivia, who picked her up.  Olivia bounced Maggie slightly on her hip.  "Can you say good night to Elliot?"

            Maggie waved from her position safe in Olivia's arms.  "Night, Elliot."

            Elliot smiled and stood up.  He walked over to where they stood and gently stroked a finger down Maggie's cheek.  She rested her head against Olivia's shoulder, but didn't bury her face, which was progress.  "Good night Maggie.  Sleep tight."

            Olivia carried Maggie back up to her room and tucked her in.  "Do you want a story?"  Maggie nodded.  "Which one?"

            "The Princess book!" Maggie exclaimed.

            Olivia laughed, sensing that this could become a favorite, and grabbed the pink anthology of Disney stories that they'd found that day.  By the time she finished the story of Cinderella, Maggie was sound asleep clutching her teddy bear and Cinderella doll to her.

            Olivia took care of Jacob's bath next, dressing him in a sleeper with trains on it before she carried him back downstairs.  "Wow, that looks great," she said, admiring the structure that Elliot and Brian had worked on.

            "Brian did most of it," Elliot said with a smile.  "He's great with this stuff."

            Brian blushed.  "Elliot helped a lot."

            "Well then you both did a great job.  It's bath time though Bri."

            Brian started to run up the stairs, then turned and looked at Olivia.  "Will you read me more Harry Potter tonight?"

            "Sure."

            "And…can Elliot come too?" he asked nervously.

            "Of course he can," Olivia answered.  Brian beamed at her and hurried up the stairs.  A couple of minutes later, they heard the shower turn on.

            "You don't mind helping tuck him in, do you?" Olivia asked.

            "I never miss a reading of Harry Potter," Elliot responded with a laugh.

            "Do you want some coffee?"

            "Coffee would be good."  He followed Olivia into the kitchen and carefully moved the Legos from the table to the counter.

            "Thanks for helping him with that.  Brian adores you."

            Elliot grinned.  "The feeling's mutual, he's a great kid.  Sounds like you went a little crazy at the toy store today."

            "They're kids and they didn't have anything to play with and probably never had," Olivia snapped defensively, her back to him.  "I'm trying to give them a real childhood."

            The sudden venom in his partner's voice took Elliot aback.  "Hey," he said gently, coming up behind her and resting his hands on her shoulders.  "I was just teasing, Liv.  I think it's great that you're doing so much for them.  I'm just worried that you're getting in too deep, too fast."

            Olivia turned, confusion written all over her face.  "What?"

            "Look around you, Olivia.  How much money have you spent on toys and clothes?  What are you going to do if, for some reason, you don't get approved for long term foster care?"

            "That's not going to happen," Olivia said firmly as she turned around.  The very idea sent a stab of fear through her heart.

            Elliot sighed, not sure if he should say what he was thinking.  "For the last six years I've watched you, Liv.  You've kept your heart off the table and protected yourself.  But it would take an idiot to not notice that you love these kids.  I don't want to see you hurt."

            Olivia smiled sadly.  "I can't not love them, El."

            "I know."  Elliot looked at her seriously.  "I can protect you and watch your back when we're on the job Liv, but I can't protect your heart."

            They were interrupted by Brian running down the stairs, his hair still wet.  "I'm ready!"

            Olivia forced a smile.  "We'll be up in a second, Bri.  Why don't you find where we stopped last night?"

            "Okay!"

            Olivia looked back at Elliot who smiled.  "No matter what," he said softly.  "You're doing a great job with them, they all love you and you're making such a huge difference in their lives.  Even if, God forbid, you do lose them, they'll remember you and how wonderful you were to them and how much you love them."

            Tears rolled down Olivia's cheeks as she wrapped her arms around Elliot's waist.  "I can't lose them, Elliot," she whispered as his arms came around her, stroking her back and hair.

            "I know," he whispered.  "We're going to do everything we can to keep them with you."

            Olivia sniffed and pulled back, wiping her eyes.  "Brian's waiting for us."

            Elliot nodded and as they walked up the stairs he rested a hand lightly on her lower back.  They arrived in Brian's room and found him sitting in bed with his lion in one arm and the book in the other.  Olivia sat next to him on the bed while Elliot sat at the foot and listened as Olivia and Brian took turns, each reading a page until Brian's eyelids started to droop and Olivia took over reading completely.  Olivia slid Brian under the covers and kissed his forehead.

            "I love you," she whispered.

            Elliot bent and kissed Brian's forehead as well before they quietly left the room.  Once they were downstairs, Elliot heated Jacob's bottle while Olivia straightened up the living room.  Elliot sat on the couch, Jacob in one arm, and patted the seat next to him.  Olivia sat down and Elliot draped his other arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer to him.  With a smile, Olivia rested her head on her partner's firm chest and reached over to play with Jacob's fingers while he ate.  After a couple of seconds, he latched on to her fingers and held on until he drifted off to sleep. 

            Together, they brought Jacob upstairs into Olivia's room.  Elliot handed the baby to her and she kissed him goodnight, whispering that she loved him.  Elliot kissed the baby goodnight as well and laid him down in the portacrib.  When he straightened, he wrapped his arm around Olivia's waist and she did the same, leaning her head against his shoulder.  They stood like that for several minutes, just watching Jacob sleep.  Before heading back downstairs Olivia peeked in at Maggie to make sure that she was all right, then did the same with Brian.

            When they got back downstairs, Olivia looked at Elliot, feeling shy for the first time since she'd known him.  "You wanna watch a movie or something?"

            Elliot grinned.  "Yeah."  They settled onto the couch, Elliot again tucking Olivia close to his side.  She flipped through the channels until she grinned and Elliot groaned.

            "Again, Liv?  Haven't you seen this movie enough?"

            "It's a great movie," she argued.  "It won Oscars!"

            "But we've seen it a million times."

            "So then this will make a million and one," Olivia responded with a laugh.

            Elliot sighed and leaned back to watch Silence of the Lambs.  During a commercial break, Olivia tilted her head back to see Elliot's face.  "You know what Brian asked me today?"

            "What?"  Elliot's hand came up to toy with the hair at the nape of her neck, which sent shivers down Olivia's spine.

            "He asked if you were my boyfriend."

            Elliot laughed.  "What brought this on?"

            "I really don't know.  He said that you were nice, then just…asked.  He said it was because you're over here a lot and you help me and make me smile."

            "Well that's interesting," Elliot said with a smile of his own. 

            "Yeah," Olivia whispered, more to herself than Elliot.  When the movie ended, Olivia uncurled herself from the couch and Elliot stood, stretching. 

            "I'd better get home, I want to be there to glare at Maureen's date."

            Olivia laughed.  "God El, you're awful!"

            "Are you telling me that when Maggie starts dating you won't be protective?"

            "I don't even want to think about it," Olivia answered as they walked towards the door.  When they got there, both stood, awkwardly.  "Thanks for everything today," Olivia said finally, wishing it was something slightly more witty."

            "No problem," Elliot answered.  "If you need anything, you'll call?"

            "Of course."

            They paused again.  Finally, Olivia stood on her toes and brushed a kiss over his cheek.  Without thinking, Elliot slipped his arms around her waist and drew her closer, capturing his lips with his.  Olivia sank against him as her arms twined around his neck and their tongues brushed against each other, teasing and inviting.  When they finally pulled away, her lips were swollen and both looked rather dazed. 

            Olivia was the first to speak.  "Wow," she whispered.  "That was new."

            " I know," Elliot replied, resting his forehead against hers.  "I'd say I'm sorry…"
            "Why?" Olivia asked softly.  "I'm not."

            "Neither am I."  Elliot grinned.  "So you told Brian I'm not your boyfriend…maybe we should amend that."

            "Yeah, we definitely should," Olivia answered softly.  "But let's not tell the kids yet, mine or yours.  I don't think mine would be able to keep it a secret and I don't want yours to be upset."

            "Mine won't be upset Liv, they like you."

            "Liking me as their father's partner and liking me as their father's girlfriend are two totally different things."

            "Okay, we'll keep it between us for now."

            Olivia grinned.  "You pick up the kids tomorrow night, right?"

            "Yeah.  Can I call after everyone goes to bed?"

            "You better."  Olivia reached up and slanted her lips over his, smiling slightly when he responded.  This was so new, and yet very familiar.  She'd been kissed before, many times, and had certainly enjoyed it.  But this was the first time that everything had felt so…perfect.  The way his hands were splayed protectively across her back, the feeling of his soft lips on hers, the way his slight five o'clock shadow scraped against her skin.  When he pulled away, Olivia reached up and caught his bottom lip lightly between her teeth. "I'll miss you," she said, her voice rough with desire.

            "You too," he said with a grin as he began kissing along her jawbone.  "You're much more fun to look at than Munch and Fin."

            Olivia let out a delighted laugh.  "I'll be sure to tell them you think so."

            Elliot sighed, his breath warm against her neck.  "I better go if I want to scare the hell out of Maureen's boyfriend."

            "I'll see you Saturday," Olivia responded. 

            "I'll call tomorrow and we can work out the details.  Will you be home?"

            "I'm taking Brian by his school and Maggie by daycare in the morning so they can get a feel for it before Monday.  We'll be home in the afternoon though."

            Elliot shook his head.  "That's too long.  Wanna have lunch?"

            Caution appeared in Olivia's eyes.  "They'll get suspicious at the station if I keep coming in on my days off…"

            "Then we'll meet there.  Panera at 12:30?"

            "Sounds great."

            Elliot bent and kissed her one more time before he opened the door.  Once he was gone, Olivia let out a long sigh.  So much had happened that normally she'd be analyzing and reanalyzing every little part of the evening.  But right then the only thought going through her head was that Elliot Stabler, her partner, her best friend, was one hell of a good kisser.