The next morning, Elliot stood at the front door of his apartment, looking at his watch for the third time in five minutes. "Come on you guys, let's go!"

Dickie raced into the living room. "Dad, I can't find my soccer ball!"

"That's because it's already in the car."

"Oh," Dicke responded.

"I'm ready!" Lizzie exclaimed, joining her father and brother.

"Okay, where are your sisters?" Elliot asked, slightly annoyed. He hated being late.

"Katie's still trying to put her eyeliner on and Maureen's in the kitchen getting some water."

"No I'm not, I'm ready," Maureen corrected, appearing with a Nalgene bottle of water.

"Katie, we're late!" Elliot called.

Kathleen walked out of her room that she shared with Maureen thirty seconds later, dressed in a tight black tank top, black baggy jeans, and black boots. She was wearing the same black lipstick and eyeliner as the night before.

Elliot rolled his eyes. "Isn't that a bit much for a day in Central Park, Katie?"

Kathleen shook her head. "I always dress like this."

"We know," Lizzie rolled her blue eyes to the ceiling. "You look like Vampira."

"Lizzie, that's not nice," Elliot warned, though he secretly agreed with her. "At least grab a sweatshirt or something Katie. It's warm out, but not that warm."

Kathleen sighed but grabbed a black hooded sweatshirt from the back of the couch. "Happy now?"

"Yes. Does everyone have everything? Katie, you have all of your camera stuff?"

"Yeah, I packed last night."

"Okay, let's go." They loaded into Elliot's car and headed for Central Park.

In Manhattan, Olivia was standing in line at the deli, waiting impatiently for her turn. She'd decided to bring fried chicken, which she was stopping at KFC to get on her way to the Park, and different kinds of salad. Finally, after buying a BLT pasta salad, two kinds of potato salad, a fruit salad, and cupcakes (Maggie's request), Olivia headed out of the store. As she was loading the food into the trunk, she noticed that Brian was digging the toe of his sneaker into the ground and kicking at rocks, looking very nervous.

"What's wrong Brian?" Olivia asked softly.

"Nothing," Brian muttered.

"Brian…"

He sighed. "What if they don't like me?" he asked softly.

"What if who doesn't like you?" Olivia questioned, her brows furrowing.

"Elliot's kids."

Olivia crouched down to eye level. "Why wouldn't they like you?" she questioned. Years of interviewing children had taught Olivia that if you asked them questions, sometimes they'd come to the answers on their own.

Brian shrugged. "Some kids at my old school made fun of me because of my mom."

Olivia sighed. "Oh Bri. I wish I could tell you why some kids are mean and make fun of other people, but I can't. But I promise you that Elliot's kids won't tease you about your mom. And I'm sure they'll like you. What's not to like?"

Brian shrugged. "I dunno."

Olivia grinned. "That's because there isn't anything not to like, you're great. Don't worry about it. We're just going to Central Park to have lunch and play outside since it's such a nice day. Okay?"

Brian nodded. "Okay."

They loaded themselves into the car and, after swinging by KFC, Olivia arrived at Central Park and parked her car. She lifted Jacob's car seat out and carried it in one hand while she balanced Maggie in the other arm and carried the bag from KFC in the same hand. Brian was carrying the diaper bag and the bags from the grocery store. As they came over a small hill, Olivia saw Elliot playing soccer with Lizzie, Dickie, and Maureen while Kathleen took pictures.

Maggie began bouncing in Olivia's arms. "Elliot!" she yelled. "Hi, Elliot! Throw me? Please?"

Elliot looked up and paused at the picture before him. Olivia walked closer and he felt the breath leave his body. She was wearing a pair of dark jeans, a red shirt and a denim jacket. Dark sunglasses hid her eyes but she was grinning at him. He walked up to them and barely resisted the urge to kiss her. His kids were watching, he reminded himself. Instead, Elliot reached out and brushed his knuckles gently over her cheek.

"Hey," he said softly.

"Hey yourself," Olivia answered. "Care to give us a hand?"

Elliot laughed and took the KFC bag from her and the diaper bag from Brian. "No problem. Did you buy out the grocery store, Liv?"

Olivia laughed. "No, just a few salads, some chicken, you know, picnic stuff."

"And cupcakes!" Maggie exclaimed.

"And cupcakes," Olivia repeated with a laugh. "How are things with you?"

"Good. I couldn't convince Katie to take off the Goth crap though."

"It's a phase, El," Olivia reminded him softly as they approached the blankets Elliot had set up.

Dickie raced over after a loose soccer ball and stared at Brian. "Hi," he said finally. "I'm Dickie. I'm eleven."

Brian smiled nervously. "I'm Brian. I'm eight. I'll be nine in June."

Dickie nodded. "You wanna play soccer with me and my sisters?"

Brian grinned eagerly. "Sure! Can I, Olivia?"

"Go on," Olivia said with an indulgent smile. "But stay where we can see you!"

"Okay!" Brian and Dickie raced off towards the makeshift soccer field.

"That went well," Olivia said softly as she began unloading everything she'd brought. "Brian was worried."

"He worries a lot," Elliot responded. "It's all he knows how to do."

Olivia straightened and watched as Brian and Dickie took on Lizzie and Maureen in a game of soccer. "This is good for him."

"He'll be fine, Liv," Elliot said reassuringly as he rested a hand on her lower back. "He just needs to learn how to be a kid."

An impatient tugging on his arm made Elliot look down into Maggie's wide blue eyes. "Toss, please," she said, holding her arms up.

Elliot laughed and picked Maggie up, tossing her in the air and catching her a few times while she laughed.

"You used to do that to us, too," a voice spoke up from behind them.

Olivia and Elliot both turned to see Kathleen watching him with Maggie. Olivia had to work not to flinch at the severe makeup on her face.

"That's right, I did," Elliot said, smiling. "But then you guys went and grew up on me. Miss Maggie here is the perfect size though."

Kathleen nodded.

"Hey, Kathleen," Olivia said with a smile. "How are you?"

Kathleen shrugged. "Okay." She smiled slightly at Maggie. "Hi."

Maggie reached out for Olivia and, when Elliot passed her over, buried her face in Olivia's neck again. Olivia patted her back gently. "Maggie's a little shy. Maggie honey, this is Elliot's daughter, Kathleen."

Maggie still refused to budge from Olivia's arms so Kathleen bent over the baby carrier. "Hi sweetie," she cooed gently.

"Dad! They're cheating!" Elliot heard Liz wail from the soccer field.

He rolled his eyes at Olivia. "I'll be back. My referee services are required."

When he was gone, Olivia smiled cautiously at Kathleen. "Wanna give me a hand with setting everything up?"

Kathleen shrugged. "Sure." They began working and a few seconds later Maureen jogged up.

"Hey Olivia. Need any help?"

Olivia grinned. "Hey. Sure. Grab the plates and napkins, will you?"

"Okay." Maureen smiled at Maggie. "Hey honey. Aren't you cute?"

Maggie clung to Olivia, but smiled slightly. As she turned back to the bags of supplies, Maureen leaned over Jacob's carrier. "You sure are sweet when you're awake, little boy." Jacob grabbed Maureen's finger and held on. Maureen laughed. "Olivia, can I hold him?"

Olivia grinned. "Sure. Be careful to support his head."

"I know." Maureen picked the baby up and cradled him in her arms. "He's adorable, Olivia."

"He's a good baby, hardly ever cries unless he wants something." Seeing that everything was ready, Olivia stood up. "Hey! Lunch is ready, guys!" she yelled.

Elliot and Liz ran over from the field and settled on the blanket. Brian and Dickie had started over only to be distracted by something in the grass. After a few minutes, Olivia called again. "It's all gonna be gone if you guys don't get over here!"

Dickie picked something up and, carrying it carefully, the two boys walked to the group. "Look what we found!" he exclaimed.

"It's really cool!" Brian added.

Dickie opened his hands and Olivia jumped as she found herself staring at a foot long garter snake. Lizzie let out a yelp and hid behind Elliot, Maggie following. Kathleen and Maureen had both jumped up and were backed against the tree, staring at the snake like it might jump out and bite them.

"Isn't he great?" Dickie asked.

Olivia forced a smile. "Great."

"We're gonna keep him," Dickie said, grinning.

"What?" Liz shrieked.

"No way, Dad's never gonna let you!" Kathleen said firmly, shaking her head.

"We're naming him Slytherin, like Harry Potter," Brian continued, as if the girls hadn't spoken. "Wanna hold him, Olivia?"

Olivia cringed slightly but seeing the hopeful look on Brian's face she sighed. "Sure." As Dickie passed the snake into her hands, she tried not to shudder. "It's great guys."

"Where are we gonna put him, Dad?" Dickie asked.

Elliot shifted. "I'm not sure keeping him is such a great idea, Son. I'm not home a lot, who would feed him and take care of him?"

"We could take him to Mom's house," Dickie pleaded.

"Ew!" Kathleen exclaimed.

"Nuh-uh, you're not!" Lizzie argued.

"Maybe we could keep him at my house and you can see him when you come visit," Brian suggested. "Can we, Olivia?"

Olivia's eyes grew wide. "Uh…I don't think that's a good idea, Bri. We won't be home that much either. Plus, Central Park is his home. His family's here. I bet they'd miss him if he came home with us."

"Oh," Brian said softly. "I didn't think of that."

"I guess we should leave him here then," Dickie said.

"Why don't you guys go put him where you found him?" Olivia suggested, passing the snake back to Brian. The boys raced back to the field and Olivia bent down, grabbing the diaper bag and pulling out a bottle of hand sanitizer. After squirting a liberal amount on her own hands, she passed the bottle around to the rest of the group. When Brian and Dickie came back, she made them use it too, much to their horror.

After lunch, Dickie, Brian, Lizzie, and Maureen raced back to the soccer field. Elliot followed. Maggie sat by Olivia, staring at Kathleen with huge eyes. After a few minutes, she pulled on Olivia's sleeve. "Livvy?" she said softly. "Why's her mouth black?"

Olivia smiled slightly. "Why don't you go ask her?"

Maggie paused, then shook her head. "You do it."

"No, you want to know. I'll be right here though."

Maggie carefully approached Kathleen. "Why's your mouth black?" she asked softly.

Kathleen smiled slightly. "It's lipstick."

"Can you take it off?"

Kathleen nodded and grabbed a napkin, wiping the black off of her lips. "See? All gone."

Maggie smiled, dimples winking. "Now you're pretty."

Kathleen laughed. "Thank you. So are you."

Lizzie ran back to the blanket. "Maggie, do you want to come play soccer with us?"

Maggie thought about it for a second before nodding. Lizzie took her hand and led her to the field. When they were gone, Olivia smiled apologetically at Kathleen.

"I'm sorry about that. She's at that age where they have no filter between their brain and their mouth."

Kathleen shrugged. "It's okay. She's just a kid."

Olivia paused, then figured she had nothing to lose. "I like you much better without the black, though."

"It's how artists dress," Kathleen argued.

Olivia tipped her head to the side. "Who told you that?"

"My new friends."

Olivia sighed and sat down, patting the blanket next to her. "How's school going?"

Kathleen rolled her eyes. "Stupid."

"Yeah, to put it bluntly, high school sucks."

Kathleen laughed slightly. "No kidding. People are so damn shallow."

Olivia nodded. "I know the feeling."

"Like this guy, he said he'd go to a dance with me. Then my former best friend started spreading rumors about me and he said he wouldn't go. So they went. And she's a bitch."

"Yeah, she is," Olivia agreed. "Look Kathleen. I know people say that high school is supposed to be the time of your life. But the people who say that don't have anything great happen to them after high school. They're the ones who twenty years later still talk about their game-winning touchdown or when they were prom queen. The people who make something of themselves know that high school is hell. People are mean, bitchy, and shallow. But you know what? Those 'popular' people have it pretty bad off too."

"They do?" Kathleen asked, surprised.

"Yeah. Look at them. They act like they're such close friends, but at any time, one could turn around and stab another in the back. Just like your friend did to you. And these are their closest friends. Personally, I don't want to be friends with someone who's motive I'm always questioning. I'd rather have a few close friends who I can trust than a bunch of surface friends."

Kathleen nodded. "I guess I would too." She paused. "Were you popular in high school?"

Olivia shook her head. "No. I had five or six close friends. And most of us are still in touch."

"I don't really like the dark makeup, you know," Kathleen said softly. "I'm not a fan of Goth."

"Then why do you wear it?" Olivia asked gently.

"Because I'm not friends with Jenna anymore and all of her friends shunned me. I wanted to fit in with the art kids."

"Honey, if they're not going to be friends with you because you're smarter than to dress like a corpse, then they're not the kind of people you want for friends anyway."

Kathleen shrugged. "I guess not." She paused. "If they stop being my friends though, I won't have any."

Olivia sighed and slipped an arm around the girl's shoulder, hugging her gently. "Of course you will. What about people in your classes? Kathleen, you're smart and funny and talented. The other kids might just be intimidated by the make up."

"Really?"

Olivia nodded. "Really. You know, if you want, I could help you with makeup and stuff."

"You'd do that?" Kathleen asked with a small smile.

"Sure. It's hard to figure out your colors by yourself, trust me. If you want, I have a makeup case in the diaper bag with lipstick in it. You can try to find some you like."

Kathleen began shifting through the makeup case. She withdrew a tube and, taking out the mirror, slicked her lips with a dark red lipstick. "What do you think?"

Olivia looked up and considered the teenager. "Better. But I think that color's a little deep for your skin tone. Here," she reached over and looked through the case until she found another tube. "Try this one, it's a little lighter."

Kathleen wiped off the red and applied a color that was more mauve. "Better?"

Olivia grinned. "Much. That's a much better color on you than black. You can keep it if you want."

"Really? Thanks!" Kathleen stuck the lipstick in her camera case as Maggie ran over, pulling Lizzie behind her.

"Livvy, swing!" Maggie exclaimed.

"Yes, you and Lizzie can go swing, honey," Olivia said laughing slightly. "But be careful."

"No, you come too," Maggie said, grabbing Olivia's hand.

"Mags, I have to stay here with Jacob," Olivia said gently. "You'll have fun with Lizzie."

"I can watch Jacob," Kathleen volunteered hesitantly.

Olivia turned back to the teenager. "You sure? He should sleep for awhile, he had a big lunch."

"Yeah, we'll be fine." Kathleen assured her. "I've taken care of babies before, don't worry. And if we need you, you're not that far away."

"Okay." Olivia stood up and Maggie began pulling her towards the swings. "Pretty much everything you need is in the diaper bag!" she called over her shoulder.

Kathleen laughed. "Olivia, go! Have fun! We're fine." Kathleen turned her attention back to the sleeping baby. "What do you think, Mr. Jacob? Do you want to help me with my homework?"

Jacob let out a little snuffle, which Kathleen took to be a yes. She grabbed her camera and began taking pictures of him. After awhile, she picked up the carrier in one hand and walked over towards the swings. She lined up her shot and caught Lizzie mid-leap from the swing onto the ground.

Lizzie saw her and stuck out her tongue, which Kathleen also caught. Kathleen turned her attention to Maggie and Olivia. Olivia was sitting on the swing with Maggie in her lap.

As Olivia pushed them slightly back and forth, Maggie laughed. "Higher, Livvy! Faster!"

Olivia laughed. "You're just a little thrill seeker, aren't you?" she asked as she obediently pushed the swing higher.

Elliot looked up at the sound of Olivia's laughter and walked over to the swings. "Hey," he said with a grin. "Need a hand?"

"We're okay," Olivia called down, then let out a surprised shout when, on their way back, Elliot placed his hands firmly on her rear and pushed them forwards.

Maggie squealed. "Do it again, Elliot!"

Elliot grinned and obliged, again placing his hands on Olivia's rear. From the front of the swing set, Kathleen lined up her shot and waited. Three pushes later, she got the perfect shot. Olivia and Maggie flying high in the air, both laughing, while Elliot stood underneath the swing, looking up and grinning. Kathleen was distracted from her pictures when a persistent cry from the carrier. She picked Jacob up and immediately knew what the problem was.

Olivia began slowing the swing down, dragging her feet across the ground. Kathleen looked up at her. "Olivia? Where are the diapers?"

"In the diaper bag, I'll be right there."

Kathleen shook her head. "I've got it, don't worry."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I've done this before, you know."

Olivia smiled. "Okay. Let me know if you need anything."

"I will." Kathleen carried Jacob back to the blankets and changed him. As she did, Kathleen leaned over the baby and made funny faces, hoping to elicit a smile. When she was finished, she carried Jacob over to the soccer game so she could get some more pictures.

A while later, Maureen and Kathleen had gone for a walk, taking Jacob with them. Dickie, Brian, Lizzie, and Maggie were at the pond nearby, poking around and playing. Watching from a distance, Elliot sat on the blanket and leaned against the tree. Olivia sat between his bent knees, leaning back against his chest as his arms looped her waist.

"Everyone's getting along well," Elliot said as he brushed his lips against the back of her neck.

Olivia nodded. "I'm glad. Lizzie doesn't seem to mind Maggie following her around."

"Mind? She loves it," Elliot laughed. "After eleven years of being the youngest, she finally has someone littler than she is. But, next time we go out, let's leave the kids at home."

Olivia laughed. "What?"

"Just the two of us. On a date. As fun as today's been, it's also been torture."

Olivia turned her head, confusion darkening her eyes. "Why?"

"Because all day I've wanted to kiss you, but with the kids around I can't."

Olivia smiled. "The kids aren't watching us now. Why don't you try it?"

Elliot grinned and bent his head. His lips slanted over hers and Olivia shifted so she could deepen the kiss.

As Elliot's hands moved under the hem of her shirt to stroke her smooth skin, they heard a splash and a shout. "Daddy! Olivia!" Lizzie ran towards them as they jumped apart. "Maggie fell in the pond!"

Both were on their feet in a second, racing towards the pond. As they arrived, Dickie waded out of the water, soaking wet with a wet and sobbing Maggie clinging to his neck.

"Maggie!" Olivia exclaimed, taking her from Dickie. Maggie instantly attached herself to Olivia's neck. "Are you okay, baby? What happened?"

"We were just standing and she leaned over to try to touch one of the fish and fell in!" Brian exclaimed. "I was watching her, I promise!"

"He was watching her really good," Lizzie added. "It happened really fast."

Elliot had arrived in the middle of the explanation and immediately wrapped his arms around both Olivia and Maggie. He kissed Maggie's cheek and stroked her hair gently. "Is she okay?"

Olivia nodded. "I think so. Baby, do you hurt anywhere?" Maggie shook her head.

Elliot looked at the other kids, all of whom looked frightened and somewhat subdued. Then he noticed his son's wet clothes. "Dickie? What happened?"

"As soon as Maggie fell in, he jumped in after her and pulled her out," Lizzie answered for her brother who was blushing.

"You saved Maggie," Brian said in awe.

Dickie shrugged. "It's no big deal."

Olivia crouched down to Dickie's eye level, Maggie still clinging to her. "Yes it is," she said softly. "Thank you."

Dickie blushed harder when Olivia hugged him, but he was smiling. Olivia stood up and stroked Maggie's back gently. "How are you feeling, Miss Maggie?"

"Cold. Scared," Maggie whimpered.

"I bet you're cold. Let's go back to the blanket and get you warmed up, okay?"

Maggie nodded. "Want Livvy doll."

"We'll get your Livvy doll and we'll sit on the blanket and rest for a little bit, okay?" Olivia carried Maggie back to the blanket while Elliot rounded up the older kids.

As Lizzie ran ahead to check on Maggie and Elliot wrapped his arm around Dickie's shoulders in a one-armed hug. "I'm proud of you, son," he said with a smile. "You were calm under pressure and thought on your feet. Great job."

Dickie blushed again. "Thanks, Dad. Hey Brian! Wanna go play catch?"

Brian nodded. "Okay."

They raced ahead and Elliot called after them, "Ask Lizzie if she wants to play too!"

Elliot walked over to the blanket where Olivia had changed Maggie into dry clothes and was wrapping her in a blanket. Lizzie hovered by anxiously. "How's she doing?" Elliot asked softly, crouching down.

"Maggie? How're you doing?" Olivia asked gently.

"Scared," she answered, wrapping her arms around Olivia's neck again and holding on.

"I bet," Olivia lifted the little girl and settled back against the tree, Maggie cradled in her lap. "That was pretty scary."

Lizzie smiled at the little girl. "Do you want to come play catch with us, Maggie?"

"No," Maggie mumbled, clinging to Olivia tighter.

"How about the swings?" Liz offered hopefully.

"Want Livvy," Maggie answered firmly.

Olivia smiled gently up at Lizzie. "Thank you for the offer, but I think Maggie's still a little shaken up. And probably a little tired. It's past her n-a-p time."

"Okay. I hope she feels better."

"I'm sure after a little rest, she will," Olivia answered.

Lizzie ran off towards the boys and Olivia sighed. Elliot sat next to her and wrapped his arms around both Olivia and Maggie.

"Livvy?" Maggie whispered sleepily. "Sing to me?"

Olivia glanced at Elliot and blushed, but started singing "I Hope You Dance" softly. By the end of the first verse, Maggie was sound asleep. Olivia looked down at her and cuddled the little girl closer with a ragged sigh. Elliot drew Olivia closer, rubbing her arm gently.

"Talk to me," he requested softly.

"I should have been watching her closer," Olivia whispered. "I should have gone with them…"

Elliot shook his head. "It was an accident, Liv."

"She could have drowned, Elliot. Because I wasn't paying attention, she could have died. She would have if Dickie hadn't been so quick on his feet."

Elliot sighed. "Olivia, listen to me. Maggie falling in the pond was an accident. She slipped and she would have probably done it even if you were there. In our jobs, we see the worst. And because of that we tend to think that there are no accidents, that every bump and bruise a kid gets is from some kind of abuse or neglect.

"But that's not how it is. Kids get hurt, Liv. And as much as we want to stop it and protect them, we can't always do that. No matter how good of parents we are and how closely we watch them, kids are adventurous. They have no fear of getting hurt. And because of that, they're going to have accidents. It doesn't mean that it's your fault or that you're a bad parent. It means that we can't protect them from every little mishap in life."

"Yeah, you're the one to talk about not being overprotective, Mr. I-Have-To-Go-Scare-My-Daughter's-Boyfriend," Olivia scoffed slightly. But Elliot's message wasn't lost on her.

"I know I have problems accepting it, too. But all that means is that you and I get to work that much harder not to overreact."

Olivia sighed. "They've been through so much," she whispered, stroking Maggie's hair gently. "I want to protect them from anything else, to let what's left of their childhood go uncontaminated by anything bad."

"I know you do. Wanting that for them is what makes you such an amazing mother. But part of having a normal childhood is falling down and getting hurt."

She sighed. "I guess you're right. I'm just shaken up still."

"I know." Elliot drew her closer. "But she's okay. A little cold, wet, and scared, but she'll be fine. I bet she doesn't even remember it in a few months."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Remember when Dickie broke his arm falling down the stairs when he was four?"

Olivia chuckled. "I wasn't sure who to be more worried about, Dickie, or you driving there."

"Well as scared as I was, he hardly remembers it. What he remembers is more from stories we told him, like how he used to use his cast as a weapon against his sisters."

Olivia laughed. "Great. None of these guys better try that."

They were interrupted by Maureen and Kathleen hurrying up, Maureen carrying Jacob in his carrier. "What happened?" Kathleen asked worriedly. "Liz said Maggie fell into the pond?"

Olivia nodded. "Dickie dove in and pulled her out, thankfully."

"Is she okay?" Maureen asked softly, looking at the sleeping child.

"A little shaken up and very tired. But I think she'll be fine, other than a couple of bruises. She was lucky," Elliot answered.

"Why don't you guys rest here?" Maureen suggested.

"Yeah, we'll look after the other kids," Kathleen agreed.

"Thanks," Olivia said with a smile. "That'd be great."

Kathleen bent down and stroked a gentle hand over Maggie hair before she kissed the top of her head. "Sleep tight, sweetie," she whispered.

Maureen repeated the gesture and they both headed back to the younger three. After several minutes of playing, the kids all convened in the center of the field. After they talked, Brian, apparently the elected spokesman for the group, walked over to the tree where Elliot and Olivia were sitting.

"Olivia?" he asked nervously. "Can Elliot and Dickie and Lizzie and everyone come over for dinner tonight?"

"Is that what your little powwow was about?" Olivia asked with a smile. Brian nodded. "Sure they can come over. That is, if Elliot says it's okay."

"Elliot?" Brian asked hopefully. "Can you? Please?"

Elliot laughed. "No problem. We weren't planning anything tonight."

"Great!" Brian exclaimed, racing back to the others who were all waiting for him.

As he watched Brian run off, Elliot turned to his partner, nestled in his arms. "Are you sure you have enough food in the house for everyone?"

Olivia laughed and shook her head. "No, but I figure we can order pizza. That'll make the kids happy."

"Ah, pizza. The food of choice for every kid out there. That sounds great."

In Olivia's lap, Maggie squirmed and opened her eyes. "Livvy?"

Olivia grinned and brushed the hair back from Maggie's face. "Hey sweetie. Did you have a nice nap?"

Maggie nodded and Elliot reached over to stroke a finger over her cheek. "Are you feeling well enough to go play with the other kids?"

Maggie nodded. "You an' Livvy come too," she said firmly.

Elliot stood up and helped pull Olivia to her feet. As they walked towards the soccer field, Maggie let out a squeal. "Livvy, look!" she exclaimed, letting go of Olivia's hand and starting to run. "A puppy!"

Olivia took off after Maggie, catching her just before she reached the golden retriever. "No Maggie, you can't just pet strange dogs."

"Why not?" Maggie asked innocently.

"Because some puppies don't like being pet, honey. You have to ask the puppy's owner."

Maggie stared at the lady with the dog for a moment before burying her face in Olivia's leg. "You do it," she murmured.

Olivia shook her head and crouched down. "No, you want to pet the puppy, so you need to ask the nice lady if it's okay. I'll be right here. Just say 'excuse me, may I please pet your puppy?' Okay?"

Maggie paused, then spoke softly. " 'Scuse me lady, can I pet the puppy please?"

The lady laughed and nodded. "Of course you can. She's very friendly."

Maggie immediately began petting the dog who wagged her tail and tried to lick Maggie. "What's her name?" Maggie asked, stroking her fur lovingly.

"Her name is Anna," the owner responded with a smile. She looked at Olivia. "Your daughter is beautiful. And such a sweetheart."

Olivia paused, unsure of how to respond, before smiling. "Thank you."

The lady looked at Elliot who had come up to join them. "She has your husband's blue eyes. Gorgeous. Watch out in a few years when she starts dating. How many children do you have?"

"Um…" Olivia paused, not sure how to answer.

Elliot wrapped an arm around her waist and smiled. "Seven. Four girls and three boys. The others are over there playing soccer."

The woman looked over and smiled. "You have a beautiful family."

"Thank you," Olivia said finally. There was really no reason to correct the lady. After a few more minutes she called out to Maggie that they should let the lady finish her walk with the dog.

Maggie hugged the dog tightly around the neck. "Bye-bye Anna. You're a nice puppy." Maggie walked over to Olivia and waved at the dog's owner. "Bye-bye. Thank you."

An hour and a half later, everyone was tired and ready to head for pizza at Olivia's house. Elliot helped Olivia gather the kids' things and looked up when he heard bickering.

"Maureen, let me take him," Kathleen snapped.

"No way, Katie! You got to carry him on the walk!" Maureen argued back.

Elliot laughed when he saw his two oldest daughters standing on either side of Jacob's carrier. "Girls?" he asked, trying to keep the laughter out of his voice.

"Katie's trying to hog the baby," Maureen said crossly.

"You got to stay with him the other night," Kathleen argued back.

"That doesn't count, we were both sleeping!" Maureen exclaimed.

"Okay, that's enough," Olivia said with a laugh. "You guys can spend all night with Jacob. And maybe baby-sit?"

"Anytime," Maureen and Kathleen said together.

"Olivia, can Dickie ride with us?" Brian asked hopefully, coming up to the adults, Dickie's soccer ball in his arms.

Olivia paused. "Normally that would be fine, Bri. But there isn't room in the backseat."

Elliot smiled. "Why don't you ride with us?" Elliot suggested.

"I'll ride with Olivia," Kathleen volunteered.

Elliot raised his eyebrows at Olivia who nodded. "We'll see you at the house," Elliot said with a smile. "Do you want us to call for the pizza?"

"We'll figure it out when we get there." Olivia helped Maggie into the car and Kathleen turned around to buckle the little girl in.

Elliot smiled gently at her. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

Olivia felt her stomach clench with desire. "Yeah. In a few."

She climbed into the car and smiled out Kathleen's window at him as she pulled away.

Elliot arrived at the townhouse a few minutes after Olivia did. Brian and Dickie raced upstairs to play in Brian's room and Olivia heard the door slam. She rolled her eyes to the ceiling and called to have pizza delivered. After a few minutes, Kathleen walked up to her nervously.

"Olivia? You know how you said you'd help me with my makeup?" When Olivia nodded, Kathleen continued. "Do you think you could teach me now?"

"Can I come too?" Lizzie asked hopefully.

Olivia laughed. "Of course you can. Maureen? Would you like to join us?"

Maureen smiled. "That sounds fun."

"Me too!" Maggie exclaimed, pulling on Maureen's arm to be lifted up.

"Okay, you guys can head upstairs, my makeup's in my bathroom." Olivia glanced at Elliot. "Can you handle Jacob and waiting for the pizza?"

Elliot grinned. "I'm pretty sure I can do that." He lifted Jacob into his arms. "Come here, little man. I'll explain baseball to you."

Jacob yawned and Olivia laughed again. "He seems very interested." She followed the girls upstairs and raised her eyes at the state of her bathroom. The girls had laid all of her makeup out on the counter, organized by type. As the older girls leaned over the selection, trying to decide what they wanted to try on, Maggie sat on the toilet lid, her arms crossed and pouting.

"What's wrong Maggie?" Olivia asked, crouching down.

"Reen said I can't touch," Maggie said petulantly.

Olivia smiled. "Well she's right. You're still kind of little to play makeup by yourself."

Maggie shook her head. "I'm not little, Livvy. I'm this many." Maggie held up three fingers.

Olivia nodded seriously, trying not to laugh. "Yes, but you still have to be a little bigger before you can play with my makeup."

"How many is Lizzie?" Maggie asked.

Olivia held up all ten of Maggie's fingers and one of her own. "Eleven."

"Oh. How many is Katie?"

Olivia left up all of Maggie's fingers and held up six of her own. "Sixteen. Katie can drive."

"Can I drive?" Maggie asked.

"Not until you're sixteen, honey."

Maggie pouted slightly. "How many is Maureen?"

Olivia held up nine fingers, in addition to Maggie's ten. "Nineteen."

Maggie paused for a minute, looking thoughtful. "How many are you, Livvy?"

Olivia glanced at Maureen and Kathleen who obediently held up all of their fingers. She left Maggie's fingers up and held up six of her own fingers. Maggie stared at her in shock. "That's a lot!" she exclaimed.

Olivia laughed but nodded. "Yes it is." She looked up at Kathleen with a smile. "You ready?" Kathleen nodded. "Okay, first you'll want to wash your face to get all the old makeup off."

Kathleen obeyed and Olivia carefully selected eye shadow, blush, and lipstick colors. When she was done, Kathleen sat down on the lid of the toilet, Maggie standing next to her and watching carefully. Olivia began with the basics, explaining to Kathleen the importance of choosing the right shade of foundation. She then picked up a palate of brown tones and applied three of them to Kathleen's lid, explaining what she was doing and why. When she was finished, she handed the younger girl a mirror.

"Well, what do you think?" Olivia asked with a smile.

Kathleen stared at the reflection for a minute as a slow smile bloomed on her face. "I love it!" she exclaimed. Then she paused. "Why did you only do one eye?"

Olivia smiled. "That way you can try to do the other one yourself."

Kathleen bit her lip. "Are you sure?"

"You saw what I did," Olivia replied kindly. "You can do it."

"Okay." Kathleen picked up the eye shadow and went to work.

Lizzie smiled at Olivia hopefully. "Can you do my makeup now, Olivia?"

Olivia nodded and went to work, using a very light hand. When she was done, Maggie tugged on her arm. "Me too, Livvy! Me too!"

Olivia laughed and lifted Maggie into her arms. "You can wear lip gloss, how's that?"

Maggie shook her head. "Like Katie an' Lizzie."

Olivia rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Sorry sweetie. You're too little to wear makeup."

"But I'm this many!" Maggie exclaimed, holding up her fingers again.

"Yes I know. But you have to be fourteen before you can wear makeup."

"How many fingers is that?" Maggie asked, her eyebrows drawing together.

Olivia set her on the counter and held up all of Maggie's fingers and four of her own. "That's fourteen."

"That's more than Lizzie!" Maggie exclaimed indignantly.

"Well…yes…but I don't make the rules for Lizzie, because I'm not in charge of her," Olivia explained. "It's either lip gloss or nothing."

Maggie thought about that for a second before nodding. "Okay. Goss."

Olivia slicked lip gloss onto Maggie's lips as Maureen experimented with the eye shadow. "Hey Olivia? How come you have blue eye shadow?"

Olivia laughed. "Oh God. It's from undercover stuff. A few years ago, we had to go undercover at a rave."

Lizzie gasped. "You went to a rave? How come? Aren't they really dangerous?"

"Yeah. But we were looking for a girl who had run away from home. And I had to fit in with the teenagers there so we wouldn't be found out."

"Did you find her?" Kathleen asked worriedly.

Olivia sighed sadly and shook her head. "Not really. We saw her, but she ran. She died of a drug overdose."

"Oh," Kathleen said softly. "That's awful."

"Livvy," Maggie said, patting Olivia's face to get her attention. "Can I put makeup on you?"

Olivia paused. "Um…well…I guess."

Maggie grinned. "Sit down, Livvy," she directed, pointing at the toilet.

Olivia sat down and Maggie stood on her tiptoes, trying to see the makeup on the counter. Maureen lifted her up and let Maggie pick out they eye shadow.

"Why don't I help you, Maggie?" Maureen suggested carefully.

Maggie shook her head, blonde curls flying. "No, I can do it myself."

Maureen and Olivia exchanged amused looks over Maggie's head. "Okay," Maureen said, stepping back to let Maggie work.

"Close your eyes," Maggie instructed.

Olivia obeyed and felt Maggie brush eye shadow over her left eye lid.

"Be gentle," Kathleen reminded the little girl. "You don't want to hurt Livvy."

Maggie's touch immediately gentled. When she finished the eye shadow, she lifted her arms up to Maureen. Maureen picked her up and held her over the sink. "Now what, Maggie?"

"Face color," Maggie answered.

"Face color?" Maggie rubbed Maureen's cheek. The young woman nodded. "It's called blush, honey. Here are the blushes." Maureen pointed and Maggie picked one up. Maggie climbed down and scrubbed the brush in the blush before coloring in Olivia's cheeks. Maureen let her pick out a lipstick.

Finally, Maggie stepped back, a proud smile on her face. "All done. You're pretty, Livvy."

Olivia looked up at Elliot's daughters nervously. Maureen was clearly trying very hard to look comforting, or at least neutral. Kathleen was trying very hard not to laugh, but only marginally succeeding. Lizzie was staring at her in horror. Olivia stood up slowly and turned to the mirror. She couldn't bite back the gasp. One eyelid was bright blue, the makeup extended well beyond where it should have. The other eye matched it, only in green. She had bright red circles drawn on her cheeks and bright pink lips.

"Wow Maggie," she said carefully. "It's very…colorful."

"It's pretty," Maggie said, beaming.

"Yes, it is," Maureen said, trying to keep a straight face.

"Olivia?" they heard Elliot call up the stairs. "Pizza's gonna be here in ten minutes!"

"We'll be right down!" Olivia called back. She grabbed a wash cloth. "Just let me wash my face."

Maggie latched onto Olivia's arm. "No Livvy. Leave it on."

Olivia sighed. "Fine."

Lizzie grinned. "I'll go tell Dad we're ready!" she exclaimed.

"You know, that really isn't necessary, Lizzie!" Olivia called after her slightly desperately.

"Yes it is!" Lizzie giggled, racing out of the room. She reached the top of the stairs and leaned over the railing. "Daddy! We're ready!"

Elliot smiled and walked to the bottom of the steps. "Okay, I'm ready."

Lizzie walked down the stairs first and Elliot smiled, hugging her to him. "You look beautiful, sweetheart. Far too old, but beautiful."

Lizzie grinned and turned to watch Maureen walk down the steps with Maggie on her hip. Elliot hugged his oldest daughter and tickled Maggie gently.

"Elliot, I got goss!" Maggie exclaimed.

Elliot's brow furrowed. "Goss?" he repeated, confused.

"Lip gloss," Maureen explained with a smile.

"Ah. It looks beautiful on you, Maggie," Elliot said with an indulgent smile.

Kathleen took a deep breath and started down the stairs. As she saw her father, she saw tears fill Elliot's eyes and a proud smile grow on his face. When she reached the bottom of the steps, Elliot enveloped her in a huge hug.

"I've never seen you look more beautiful," he said huskily.

Kathleen blushed with pleasure. "Thank you, Daddy. But it's just a little makeup. Olivia showed me how."

"You look like my little girl again," Elliot said as he pulled back and looked at his daughter without severe black makeup for the first time in months. "Do you like it?"

Kathleen smiled shyly and nodded. "I really do." She paused. "Olivia showed me what she used. Do you think maybe we can stop by the store tomorrow and buy some?"

Elliot's smile grew as relief lit his eyes. "Of course, honey. Of course." He turned to the other girls. "Could you all go run and tell the boys that dinner will be here soon?"

"Sure," Maureen said, starting up the stairs.

Confusion darkened Elliot's face as he looked around. "Where's Olivia?"

Kathleen and Lizzie began giggling and Maureen bit her lip to keep from laughing aloud. "She's upstairs," Maureen answered, rejoining her family in the entryway. "Olivia!" she called up the stairs. "Come on down!"

"I'm okay up here!" Olivia's voice answered.

"Olivia, come on," Elliot called back. "What's the problem?"

"Uh…nothing."

"Come on, Olivia!" Lizzie called up the stairs. "Show Daddy!"

Elliot glanced at his youngest daughter. "Show me what?"

Kathleen giggled. "Maggie did Olivia's makeup."

Elliot's eyebrows almost reached his hairline. "Oh?"

"It's…interesting," Maureen said diplomatically.

"Very colorful," Kathleen added.

"Olivia!" Elliot called to his partner. "I know why you're hiding, come down!"

Olivia sighed and walked slowly down the stairs. As Elliot saw his partner's face, he had to bite the inside of his lip to keep from laughing. Olivia glared at him, clearly daring him to make fun of her.

"Elliot, I did it!" Maggie exclaimed, bouncing in Maureen's arms. "All by myself!"

"It's beautiful, Maggie," Elliot said with a slightly chuckle. "Livvy looks great." He smiled warmly at Olivia. "Girls? Go get the boys please," he said, never taking his eyes off of his girlfriend.

The girls walked up the stairs and Elliot drew Olivia into the kitchen. He lifted his hands to cup her face as he looked carefully at her. Slowly, he leaned in and brushed his lips over hers. As her arms came around his neck, he slipped his tongue into her mouth. Olivia moaned softly as his tongue caressed hers. When he pulled back, Olivia stared at him in shock.

"What was that for?" she whispered.

Elliot grinned and brushed his thumbs across her cheeks. "I wanted to make sure it was really you under all of this paint."

Olivia smiled softly. "And?"

Elliot smiled, drawing her closer again. "I'm pretty sure it is, but I better double check."

"I've always admired your thoroughness," Olivia whispered back as she raked her nails gently through the hair at the nape of his neck. He lowered his lips to hers and as the kiss deepened she moaned with pleasure. They were startled apart by the sound of the kids coming down the stairs, apparently as loudly as possible.

"Is the pizza here yet?" Dickie asked hopefully as he ran into the kitchen. "I'm starving."

"Me too," Brian agreed.

Elliot laughed. "Pizza should be here soon. Have you guys washed your hands after being at the park all day?" Judging from the guilty looks passed between the boys, Elliot figured the answer was no. "Why don't you all go do that?"

When the kids had gone, Olivia opened the fridge and pulled out lettuce and salad dressing. "Do your kids like Caesar dressing?" she asked, glancing back at Elliot.

Elliot nodded. "The girls like will eat any kind of salad, but Dickie still thinks eating vegetables will cause a long, painful death."

Olivia laughed. "So he wouldn't eat plain salad either?"

Elliot shook his head. "Don't worry about it though, he won't feel slighted."

Olivia smiled at him that he understood her so well. The doorbell rang and Elliot grabbed his wallet. "Elliot, I got it," Olivia said, reaching for her purse.

"You got lunch this afternoon," Elliot argued.

"And you got lunch all this week. It's my turn." Olivia pushed $35 into his hand. She would have gone to the door herself, but she still hadn't washed Maggie's makeup job off her face.

Elliot rolled his eyes. She was so stubborn. Then he grinned. It was just one of the things he loved about her. He paid the pizza guy and walked back into the kitchen carrying three boxes of pizza. "Where do you want these?" he asked.

Olivia pointed towards the end of the counter where she'd set up a kind of buffet with plates and silverware, glasses, drinks, and the salad. Elliot opened the boxes and Olivia glanced over his shoulder. "What'd you get?"

"One cheese, one veggie, and one sausage and pepperoni."

"Good mix. I don't know what Brian and Maggie will eat." She laughed. "Brian will probably eat whatever Dickie does."

"And Maggie will do the same with you," Elliot finished with a smile.

Olivia blushed but was saved from comment when the kids piled into the room. Dickie and Brian immediately grabbed plates and two slices of sausage and pepperoni pizza each. "Bri, take salad," Olivia reminded him as she supervised the other kids.

"Can I have a soda?" he asked as he grabbed a scoop of salad.

Olivia shook her head. "Milk. You had root beer at lunch."

Brian groaned. "Olivia," he whined. "Dickie's having soda."

Olivia sighed. "Sorry, Bri. But you only get one soda a day on the weekends."

"And Dickie's having milk too," Elliot added.

"Dad!" Dickie moaned.

Elliot arched an eyebrow and Dickie took a glass of milk, sitting down at the kitchen table. When the older kids had gotten their food and were settled, Olivia put two slices of veggie pizza on a plate and scooped up some salad. She sat down and settled Maggie into her lap. But before she'd taken a bite, Jacob began to fuss. Olivia sighed and looked at Elliot. "Can you take Maggie?" she asked.

Elliot shook his head and stood up. "I'll get him."

"Are you sure?" Olivia asked.

Elliot nodded and lifted the baby from his seat. "I used to do this with the twins all the time." He heated one of Jacob's bottles and settled the baby into his arms, eating hungrily. When the baby fell asleep again, Elliot shifted him to his shoulder, burped him, then let him sleep while Elliot ate. After dinner, the adults cleared the table, putting leftover pizza and salad into the fridge.

"Olivia?" Brian asked, coming back into the kitchen. "Can we play a game?"

"Sure. Monopoly and Clue are both down here in the closet and Uno is in your room."

"Okay." He stood on a chair and pulled down both games.

When Olivia and Elliot poked their heads into the living room a few minutes later, they saw the older kids sitting on the floor around the coffee table, Monopoly spread out in front of them. Maggie sat on Maureen's lap, moving the piece for her on their turn. Elliot pulled Olivia gently back into the kitchen.

"They're getting along well," he said with a smile.

"I know." She beamed back at him. "And yours are so good about letting Brian and Maggie follow them around."

Elliot slid his arms around her waist. "Dickie loves having another boy to play with. And Maggie could win anyone over."

"Do you think we need to go supervise?" Olivia whispered, taking Jacob from Elliot and settling the baby against her shoulder, nuzzling him gently.

"I think they're fine," Elliot answered. "Coffee?"

"Coffee is good." They sat there for an hour, talking until Maureen stuck her head into the kitchen.

"Can I put a video on for them? We finished the game."

"Who won?" Elliot asked with interest.

Maureen rolled her eyes. "Lizzie. As usual."

"A movie's fine," Olivia said. "But I don't have any movies for kids."

"I checked the TV Guide. Lilo and Stitch is on the Disney Channel. The boys won't be thrilled, but it's appropriate for Maggie."

"That's fine, thank you Maureen," Olivia said with a smile. A few minutes later, she stuck her head into the living room again and motioned Elliot to join her. Dickie and Brian were playing Uno, which was much more fun with more than two people. Lizzie was sitting on the couch with Kathleen while Maggie sat in her lap and Maureen was sprawled on the floor, propped up by two of Olivia's big pillows.

Olivia walked into the room and sat down in a big chair. Maggie immediately slid off of Lizzie's lap and climbed into Olivia's. Elliot grinned at the image of his partner holding a sleeping baby in one arm and a three-year-old in the other. He sat down on the couch next to Lizzie and his youngest daughter immediately leaned against her father. About half way through the movie, Olivia looked down and realized that Maggie was half asleep. She stood, balancing Jacob in one arm and Maggie in the other.

"I think it's time for someone to take a bath and get to bed," she said with a smile.

Maggie shook her head sleepily. "No, Livvy. I wanna stay up with the big kids."

Olivia smiled. "Okay, how about you take a bath and change into your pajamas, then you can come down and watch the rest of the movie?"

Maggie thought about that for a second, then nodded. "Okay."

Elliot stood also. "Do you want me to get the little man ready?"

Olivia nodded with a smile. "Thanks. You know where everything is, right?"

"Yep. And if I don't, I'll find it." Elliot lifted Jacob from her arms and cradled him against his chest. "Come on little man. Let's get you ready for bed."

When they left the room, Lizzie followed them with her eyes. "Wow, Dad's really good with Jacob."

Maureen smiled from the floor. "He loves babies. You guys don't remember, but he was that way with you too. He loved giving you baths and feeding you and putting you to bed. He's always been a pretty hands-on father. Especially once he made detective and was around more. When he worked the beat, he missed Katie and me being babies. But he was around a lot more when you and Dickie were little." As she said that, a thoughtful look crossed her face.

Kathleen caught her sister's expression and raised her eyebrows questioningly. Maureen shook her head and mouthed the word "later."

Lizzie nodded and stood up. She walked into the kitchen where Elliot was giving Jacob a bath in the baby tub. "Hey Daddy," she said softly, coming up next to him and smiling down at the baby. "Hi Jacob." She stroked a hand gently over the baby's head. "Can I help you, Daddy?"

Elliot smiled. "Sure, honey." Elliot handed her the washcloth. "Be careful when you wash his head, don't push on the soft spot."

Lizzie nodded. "He's so little," she whispered. "Aren't you sweet, Jacob? Yes, aren't you precious?"

Elliot smiled. "Okay, now we need to get him dressed." Elliot lifted the baby into his arms and wrapped him in a towel. "Do you want to help with that too?"

Lizzie nodded. She followed her father into Olivia's room and watched as he laid the baby down on the bed. "Can I get him dressed?" Lizzie asked hopefully.

Elliot laughed. "Sure." He talked Lizzie through diapering and dressing Jacob, and smiled proudly when Lizzie carefully lifted Jacob into her arms, swaying slightly. "You're really good with him, Lizzie," Elliot said, rubbing the baby's back gently.

Lizzie beamed. "Thanks. I'm going to start taking a babysitting class at school in a few weeks. It's after school."

"That's great, honey."

Lizzie paused. "Do you think Olivia will let me baby-sit like she's letting Katie and Maureen?"

Elliot drew a deep breath. "I don't know. I think you're probably a little young to watch three kids all by yourself. But I'm sure Olivia would love for you to come over and help play with Maggie and take care of Jacob so she can do stuff around the house."

"Really?" Lizzie asked, grinning.

"Sure. I know she'd appreciate the offer. Ready to go down stairs?"

Lizzie nodded and walked carefully down the stairs. She settled herself onto the couch, cuddling the baby in her arms.

Kathleen looked over at her sister. "Let me hold Jacob, Lizzie."

"It's my turn, Katie, you had him last," Maureen objected.

"No I didn't!"

Lizzie rolled her eyes. "It doesn't matter who held Jacob last. I have him now. Besides, I haven't held him yet."

Kathleen and Maureen sighed, but had to admit that Lizzie was right.

Maggie raced into the room a few seconds later, dressed in a pink princess nightgown. She climbed into Elliot's lap and leaned back to watch the movie. Olivia walked into the room a few minutes later and Maggie smiled sleepily at her.

"Sit here, Livvy." Maggie pointed to the spot next to Elliot on the couch.

Olivia obediently sat down and Elliot rested his arm on the back of the couch behind her. She wanted to lean against his side, but knew that, with the kids in the room, she couldn't.

"Is Jacob all ready for bed?" she asked, tilting her head to look at Elliot.

"Yep," Liz answered. "I got him ready."

Olivia smiled. "Thank you. You're awfully good with him, Lizzie."

Lizzie blushed at the compliment. "I'm taking a babysitting class at school soon." She bit her lip nervously. "Do you think when I'm done with it, maybe I could come over and watch Maggie and Jacob so you can do stuff around the house? Like a mother's helper?"

Olivia smiled. "That would be great, Liz. I'd love to have you do that."

"And maybe when I'm older, I can baby-sit?"

"Of course." Olivia looked up at Elliot and whispered. "I'm suddenly overrun with baby-sitters."

"I had a feeling this might happen," he answered with a grin.

When the movie was over, Elliot stood up, placing Maggie on the couch. "We'd better get going."

"Daddy, can Olivia and the kids come with us roller skating tomorrow?" Lizzie asked hopefully.

"That's fine with me, but you'll have to ask Olivia," Elliot answered. "They might have plans."

Lizzie turned to Olivia who had also stood up. "Can you? Please?"

"That sounds okay, we weren't planning on doing anything big. Why don't your dad and I talk tonight and figure it out?"

"Okay. Do you roller skate, Olivia?"

"Well, I used to. I haven't in awhile though."

"Daddy doesn't."

Olivia laughed. "No, I can't really picture him on skates."

Elliot mock glared at his partner. "Come on, guys. Dickie and Lizzie, you guys still have homework to do."

The twins groaned and Lizzie stood up, kissing Jacob gently and handing him to Olivia. Maureen and Kathleen kissed Jacob good-bye and hugged Maggie and Olivia before heading out to the car. Dickie and Lizzie followed them a few seconds later. Elliot smiled at Olivia who stood, rocking Jacob gently.

"I'll call you after the kids go to bed?"

"Sounds good."

Elliot hugged her gently, be careful not to squish Jacob, then brushed a gentle kiss over her cheek. He hugged Maggie and Brian, kissed Jacob, then followed his kids out to the car. He stopped halfway down the walk and turned around to send a shit eating grin at Olivia before climbing into the car and driving away.

Once they arrived home, Dickie and Lizzie headed upstairs to do homework and Kathleen pulled Maureen into their room. "Okay, what was that look about?"

Maureen flopped down on her bed, her head at the foot, and propped herself up with a pillow. "Olivia and Dad seem awfully comfortable with each other, don't you think?"

"They are best friends, Reen," Kathleen pointed out, propping herself against the wall. "And they're partners."

Maureen rolled her eyes. "I know that. But watching Dad with Olivia's kids, he's acting like a dad to them."

"They've never had a dad before, though. I think it's great that Dad's helping Olivia so much."

"Oh, I do too, don't get me wrong. And those kids are great. But I think there's more going on between Olivia and Dad than they're letting on."

"You think they're dating?"

"I think it's entirely possible."

Kathleen's brow furrowed. "But they can't date. Isn't it against department policy? They could lose their jobs!"

Maureen shrugged. "I don't know anything for sure. It's just a feeling I have. Didn't you see the way they looked at each other and how they'd use any excuse to touch each other?"

Kathleen paused, then nodded. "They did seem closer than they did before. And Daddy was seemed really close to the kids. It was like he and Olivia had this perfect schedule down, getting Maggie and Jacob ready for bed and everything."

"Are you okay with Dad and Olivia dating?" Maureen asked.

Kathleen shrugged. "It's kind of a new idea. I mean, I like Olivia and the kids are great. If he has to date someone, I'd rather it be her."

Maureen nodded. "I don't think we should tell Dad or the twins that we know. Especially since Dad and Olivia could get in trouble at work."

Kathleen nodded in agreement. "Plus, when they want us to know, they'll tell us."

"So we'll keep it a secret."

"At least for now."

Later that night, Elliot checked to make sure the kids were asleep before he called Olivia.

"Hey sexy," she answered with a smile.

"Hello gorgeous," Elliot responded. "How're things there?"

"Quiet. Brian and Maggie passed right out. Jacob went down about fifteen minutes ago. It was a busy day for them. How about at your place?"

"Dickie and Lizzie did some homework, then fell asleep with amazingly few pleas to stay up and watch SNL. Maureen and Katie are in their room."

"Today was fun," Olivia said as leaned against the back of her couch and smiled. "I'm glad the kids got along so well."

"I had a feeling they would," Elliot grinned. "Lizzie's really excited that you're coming with us skating tomorrow."

"What time does it start? Brian still has some worksheets to finish before he starts school on Monday."

"I called the rink and Skate to the 80's starts at 2:00 and ends at 6:00."

"Where is it?"

"Rock and Roll skating rink in Queens. Lizzie's friend's mom owns it."

"We'll meet you there at 2:00?"

"Sounds good." Elliot grinned. "What are you doing now?"

"Sitting here on the couch, wishing like hell that I could have given you a good-bye kiss."

"I have the same wish," Elliot answered. "Have you washed the makeup off yet?"

Olivia laughed. "As soon as Maggie was asleep."

"So," Elliot said, feeling more nervous than he had in years. "Now that you have two baby-sitters who are ready and waiting, what do you say to a real date next Friday?"

Olivia paused. "I don't know, El. It's not that I don't want to, but it's the end of the kids' first week at school and daycare. And I'm not sure I'm ready to leave them yet."

Elliot nodded on his end, disappointed. "Okay," he said softly.

"But…Olivia paused. "What if you come over later Friday night, after the kids have gone to bed? We can have a quiet, romantic dinner and I won't have to worry about leaving them quite yet."

Elliot grinned. "That's a great idea. I don't want you to worry about cooking though. Why don't I bring something?"

Olivia rolled her eyes. "We'll figure it out this week." She smiled. "I miss you."

"I miss you too, Liv."

"I'll see you tomorrow," Olivia said with a smile.

"Sleep tight, sweetheart."

"You too." Olivia hung up the phone and snuggled down into her covers, falling quickly into sleep.