Miracle

by ShrinkingViolet713

While running through the park, Olivia makes a discovery which will change both her and Elliot's lives forever. Will be EO. My first SVU fic! Please RR, no flames!

9. Chapter 9

Monday dawned bright and reasonably warm. Olivia dressed Jacob and made sure the diaper bag was packed before she woke up Brian. Once she was sure that he was getting ready, Olivia tiptoed into Maggie's room.

"Baby, wake up," she whispered, rubbing Maggie's back and kissing her cheek. "Come on Maggie Mae, let's get dressed."

"No daycare," Maggie mumbled, as she had every day the week before. "Wanna stay wif you."

"Honey, let's not go through this every morning. You'll have lots of fun at daycare today. You'll play with the other little girls and sing songs and do crafts."

Maggie rolled over and gave Olivia a look that clearly said she thought Olivia was crazy. "No I won't," she said petulantly as she sat up and wrapped her arms around Olivia's neck. "Wanna stay wif you."

"You know you can't stay with me, honey," Olivia said as she stood up, lifting Maggie with her. "But I'll come pick you up at 5:30, just like I did last week. Come on, let's put your pretty denim jumper on."

Olivia managed to get Maggie dressed and, as Maggie had again barnacled herself to Olivia, carried the little girl downstairs for breakfast.

"Okay, does everybody have everything?" Olivia asked, drinking her coffee as she bundled Jacob into his car seat, a task made only more difficult by the fact that Maggie was attached to her right leg.

"Yep!" Brian exclaimed.

"Homework, Bri?"

"In my bag."

"Lunch?"

"I'm buying today Olivia, remember?"

She sighed. "That's right. Money for lunch?"

"In my backpack."

"Good. Maggie, where's your backpack?"

"No daycare, Livvy!"

"Maggie, we don't have time for this this morning. Now, where's your backpack?" Olivia asked again, crouching down so Maggie could see she was serious.

Maggie pointed to her bag next to the door. "Don't wanna do daycare."

"Is your doll in your bag?" Olivia asked, deciding to ignore the familiar refrain. Maggie nodded. "How about your lunch?" Olivia continued.

Maggie nodded again and sighed sadly. She walked over to her pink backpack and picked it up. As she did, tears filled her big blue eyes and her lower lip started to tremble. "Pwease don't make me go?" Maggie whimpered, wrapping her arms around Olivia's legs, holding on tightly.

"Baby, you have to go. And Brian and Jacob will be there too," Olivia said as she crouched down and picked Maggie up, balancing her on one hip.

"Don't wanna go," Maggie started to wail, clinging to Olivia tightly.

"Baby, you know we have to," Olivia said, gathering Jacob and the diaper bag into her other arm. She got everyone loaded into the car, even though Maggie had refused to let go of her neck for a few minutes. As they drove through the city, Maggie's sobs grew louder and more desperate. By the time they arrived at daycare, Maggie was all but hysterical. Jacob, sensing his sister's distress, had also started to wail. Brian all but leapt out of the car, hugged Olivia goodbye as she climbed out, and raced towards the building. Olivia sighed and gathered the two crying children and their bags.

"Maggie honey, you need to calm down and stop crying, you're making Jacob upset and you're just making it harder on yourself," Olivia tried to reason with her as they walked into the building.

"Don't leave," Maggie sobbed desperately. "I wanna go wif you!"

Olivia dropped off Jacob, kissing him goodbye and apologizing to the teacher for the fact that he was in tears. Then she carried Maggie into the preschool room. "Maggie, come on honey, I have to go to work and you're going to have so much fun here!" she tried to sound cheerful, but knew that she'd failed when Maggie only cried harder.

"Livvy take me wif you! Please! I wanna stay wif you!"

"I love you Maggie and I'll miss you, but I have to go now."

"Livvy stay!" Maggie wailed as the teacher began to pry her from Olivia's neck. "Livvy, I love you! Come back, Livvy come back!"

"I'll see you tonight, honey! Be good! I love you!"

By the time she got to the station, Olivia had managed to stop the tears from flowing down her cheeks. She wiped her eyes one more time and walked into the station house.

Elliot watched his partner walk in and knew it hadn't been a good morning for Olivia. "Daycare still isn't going well, is it?" he asked as she sat down across from him.

She shook her head. "It was worse today. She cried so hard she was almost hysterical and she got Jacob crying too. I can't handle this, Elliot. I have to do something."

Elliot nodded. "We'll think of something, I promise. It's not fair to either of you to have to go through this."

Olivia sighed and nodded. She grabbed the file on Valerie Bowmen's case and started filling out paperwork. Elliot watched until he was sure that she was engrossed in the work before he stood up and walked towards Cragen's office. He'd had an idea the night before that he wanted to run by the captain.

Elliot knocked on the door and waited for Cragen's "come in," before he stuck his head in. "Hey Captain? You got a minute?"

"Sure Elliot what's up?" Cragen answered, leaning back in his chair and motioning to the seat across from him.

"Well, I was thinking, Olivia's been through a lot the past few weeks. She loves having the kids and she's doing a great job. But it's still hard to be a single parent, especially to three children."

"I've seen how hard she's working, Elliot. What are you getting at?"

"I think it would mean a lot to her if the squad did something to show that they support her."

"Like what?" Cragen asked, his brows furrowing.

"Well, I was thinking like a baby shower."

"A baby shower?" Cragen echoed, a small smile dawning on his face. "That sounds like something she'd enjoy. Are you going to plan it?"

Elliot laughed. "I might have four kids, but I've never been to a baby shower. It's usually a girl thing, but Olivia doesn't really have any girlfriends."

"I'll call Casey and see if she can fix something up. Why don't you ask Olivia what date is good for her and get back to me?"

"Um, I was actually thinking it might be fun if it was a surprise party."

"You do remember what happened last time you surprised Olivia with a party, don't you? I'm surprised she didn't kill you!"

"She would have if there hadn't been chocolate cake," Elliot pointed out. "But that's because Olivia's not a big fan of her birthday. You know, we should probably make sure that there's chocolate cake at the shower too, just in case."

Cragen laughed. "I'll pass that along to Casey. When were you thinking of having it?"

"I don't know. Maybe next month will be enough time to plan it?"

"Okay, good idea Elliot. I'll see what I can do."

Elliot grinned and stood up. "Thanks, Don."

"Now answer one question for me. What's going on between you and Olivia?" Cragen asked, raising an eyebrow and looking for all the world like an over-protective father.

Elliot froze for a moment. "Well, I've been spending a lot of time with her and the kids to help out. Saturday we taught Brian and Maggie to ride bikes."

Cragen nodded slowly. "Right. Just make sure that whatever happens outside the office doesn't affect either of your abilities to do the job. And for God's sake, keep it quiet, I don't want to deal with IAB."

Elliot grinned and nodded. "Got it Cap."

"And just to warn you, if you hurt her, there won't be any place you can hide."

"Yes sir," Elliot answered, now knowing how his daughters' dates must feel.

He walked back into the squad room and decided not to tell Olivia about his little talk with Cragen. If she found out that anyone knew about their relationship, as new as it was, she'd break it off so fast his head would spin. "Hey, find any…" Elliot trailed off when he realized that his partner was on the phone and looking terrified.

"Okay, got it. Yes, I'll be right there." Olivia hung up the phone and began frantically gathering her purse and jacket, her hands shaking as she did so.

"Olivia?" Elliot asked softly, his own sense of ill standing on end. "What's wrong?"

"I have to go pick up Maggie," she said, panic rising in her voice. "She's sick, I have to go get her, I knew I shouldn't have left her this morning."

"Wait, hold on a second Liv. What do you mean Maggie's sick?"

"She threw up, I have to go get her."

"Okay, we'll go now," Elliot said, resting a hand on her back. "You go tell Cragen."

Olivia nodded and hurried to Cragen's office, knocking on the half closed door.

"Come in Olivia," Cragen called.

"Captain, I'm sorry to ask but I have to go get Maggie from daycare."

"What's wrong?" Cragen asked, standing, worry etched clearly on his face.

"She got sick," Olivia answered, guilt gnawing at her stomach. "The teacher said that she cried so hard she made herself sick."

"Okay, do you want to take the rest of the day off?" Cragen asked, his voice soothing.

"Do you mind if I bring her here?" Olivia asked. "I don't want to get even more behind, or ask for more time off, since I just had a week."

Cragen motioned to one seat in front of the desk and, once Olivia had sat down, with her hands clenched tightly, sat down next to her. "Olivia, you're a mother now. Things are going to come up and you're going to need time off. I understand that and I expect it. You can bring Maggie here today, as long as she's not contagious. But this really isn't the place for a three-year-old."

"I know. And it won't happen again."

Cragen nodded. "You go rescue Maggie. Is Elliot going with you?"

"If you don't mind."

"No, I had a feeling he'd want to go. He seems pretty attached to the kids."

"They get along really well. Brian really enjoys having a man around."

"I bet. I hope she's okay."

Olivia smiled slightly. "Thanks. So do I." Olivia stood up and hurried out of the room to find Elliot waiting for her.

"Did Cragen give you the okay to bring Maggie here or are we going home after this?"

"He said I can bring her here this once, if she's not contagious." Olivia looked around desperately, patting her pockets. "Where are my keys?"

Elliot smiled and held up her keys. "I've got them. I'll drive, you're too shaky."

"I can do it," Olivia protested stubbornly as she reached for her keys, only to have them removed from her range.

"Olivia, I'm driving. Or we can take a cab, it's your choice."

Olivia sighed. "Fine, drive."

They walked quickly to Olivia's car and as they drove towards the daycare, Elliot reached over and laid his hand over her closed fist. "She's going to be okay, Liv."

"How can you say that?!" Olivia finally exploded. "She cried until she made herself sick! That's not okay Elliot! She sobs hysterically every time I leave her and when I pick her up, she won't leave my side! That's not okay and it's not healthy!"

"I know it's not. But we'll figure something out Olivia. We'll help her." He paused to look over at her at a stoplight. "When the twins went to preschool, they went through a similar phase. Every time I left, they started crying, thinking they wouldn't see me again."

"What did you do?" she asked softly.

"I went with them."

"To preschool?"

"Yep. I started out with a full day, and left a little earlier every day. Maybe you need to do something like that with Maggie."

"If it would help. But I'm not sure Cragen would give me the time off, I just took a week."

"He also knows that you won't be at your best if you're worried about the kids. Talk to Cragen, it can't hurt."

Olivia nodded as they pulled up to the daycare facility. Elliot had hardly stopped the car when Olivia was climbing out and hurrying towards the door. Elliot raced after her and stopped her at the door. "We can't go charging in there," he warned her, grabbing her arm. "If we do, it's just going to set her off."

"I'm not supposed to be worried about her?"

"No, you're not supposed to panic. Liv, she's fine. Sick, but fine."

Olivia nodded slowly and took a deep breath. "Okay, I'm okay. Let's go."

They walked in the daycare and the receptionist smiled. "Detective Benson, Maggie is in the nurse's office. She hasn't gotten sick again, I think she might be asleep."

Olivia smiled wanly. "Thanks Vicky. We'll go get her." Olivia led Elliot down the hall to the nurse's office and stopped in the doorway.

Maggie was curled up on the cot, her right fingers stuck in her mouth as she sucked and sniffed back tears. The nurse sat next to her and rubbed her back gently but Maggie was clearly unreceptive to her attempts at comfort. Olivia's heart broke at the sight of her little girl, so clearly miserable.

"Maggie, baby," Olivia whispered, walking into the room.

Maggie looked up quickly and when she was Olivia, she immediately reached out her arms as tears started to flow again. Olivia sat down on the cot, gathering Maggie close to her and rubbing her back as she murmured softly to her. Maggie wrapped one arm tightly around Olivia's neck and fisted her little hand in the collar of Olivia's coat. "Don't leave," she whimpered.

"You're okay baby. I'm here. Shhh, you're okay."

"I got sick, Livvy."

"I know, sweetie. What happened?" she asked, looking up at the nurse.

"It looks like she just got too worked up crying and her little body couldn't take it anymore, so she threw up. She hasn't gotten sick again, but it's our policy that if they have a fever or have thrown up, they have to go home."

Olivia nodded and continued to rock Maggie gently as Elliot sat next to them and gently stroked her hair. "Hey little girl," he spoke softly. "How are you feeling now?"

"Sweepy," Maggie answered with a yawn. "My tummy's growly."

"Growly like you're going to be sick again?" Olivia asked worriedly as she stroked a hand over Maggie's forehead to check for fever.

Maggie shook her head. "Like it used to wif my other mommy."

"Oh," Olivia said softly. "Growly like it's empty?"

Maggie nodded. "My tummy isn't sick anymore, Livvy."

"Okay, let's head out and we'll get you some soup. How does that sound?"

"You're leaving?" Maggie asked, her eyes filling with tears again as she clung tighter.

"What? Oh, no honey, I'm not going anywhere without you. You're going to come with me."

"Home with Elliot?"

Olivia smiled as Elliot drew Maggie into his lap. She settled against his chest and began playing with his tie. "Actually, Olivia and I are going to take you to work with us, how does that sound?"

Maggie smiled and nodded. "I wanna go t' work."

Olivia smiled and bent over to kiss Maggie on the top of her head. "I'm going to go get your things, okay Mags?"

Maggie shook her head and all but dove off out of Elliot's arms into Olivia's. "Stay with you, Livvy."

"Okay. Elliot, could you go get her coat and backpack?"

"No problem. Do you want me to get Jacob too?"

Olivia paused, thinking. "No, I'll pick him up tonight when I get Brian. If the station is no place for a three-year-old, it's certainly no place for an infant."

Elliot was back a few minutes later, carrying Maggie's pink coat and backpack. "Is everyone ready to go?"

"I'm coming," Maggie said, trying to sound firm, but sounding small and scared instead.

"You're coming," Olivia confirmed as she stood, still holding Maggie.

Elliot draped Maggie's coat over her as she nestled in Olivia's arms and kissed the top of her head. "Let's go get some lunch first?" Elliot asked Olivia, who nodded.

"Maggie has a lunch, but I think some soup would be best. Does that sound good, sweetie?"

Maggie nodded against Olivia's shoulder, still holding on for dear life. Elliot opened the door for Olivia as they walked outside. "Do you want me to take her?" he offered, reaching out.

Maggie clung tighter. "Stay wif Livvy," she said, shaking her head. But she reached out a hand for Elliot to hold.

Olivia settled Maggie into the backseat of the car and sat next to her, letting Maggie lie down and rest her head in her lap. Olivia stroked Maggie's hair gently as Elliot pulled away from the curb. He glanced in the review mirror and smiled. Olivia caught his eye in the mirror, but her answering smile was half hearted.

Elliot pulled into the parking garage of the station house and glanced behind him. "Is she still awake?" he asked with a smile.

Olivia nodded and climbed out of the car, carrying Maggie. They walked to a restaurant two blocks away and Olivia ordered Maggie a cup of chicken noodle soup and some crackers. When they'd finished, Maggie having eaten all of her soup and crackers and a few bites of Olivia's Greek salad, Elliot lifted Maggie onto his shoulders and they headed back to the station.

As they passed a bookstore, Maggie let out an excited squeal. "Lilo! Look Livvy! Lilo and Stitch!"

Olivia looked where Maggie was pointing and laughed. In a window display was a Lilo and Stitch book "Do you want to go into the bookstore?" Olivia asked and Maggie nodded violently. They walked into the store and as Maggie perused the children's section, Elliot drew Olivia off to the side.

"How many are you going to get her?" he asked.

"I don't know. Three or four maybe. Why?"

"I just don't want her to get the idea that if she has a fit and makes herself sick, then she gets to come to work with us and gets presents."

"If she's sick and is going to have to spend an entire afternoon at the station house, where there's nothing for her to do, then yes, I am going to buy her something to entertain herself with. It's not like she's faking sick so she can skip daycare, it's my fault she's sick!"

"Whoa, back up there. What are you talking about Olivia?" Elliot asked, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"I'm the one who made her stay there Elliot! I took her there, already in tears, and left her there, sobbing hysterically! If I hadn't forced her to stay there then she wouldn't have gotten sick!"

"Liv," Elliot spoke softly and stroked her hands over her arms. "This isn't your fault. Maggie's just going through a tough time right now. There's nothing you could have done to prevent this. And blaming yourself isn't going to make it any easier for Maggie to go to daycare. I just don't want Maggie to think that making herself sick is a good thing."

Olivia looked over at Maggie, then back at Elliot. "I hate leaving her like that."

"I know you do, sweetheart. And we'll call the daycare when we get back to the station and see if you and her teacher can work something out. But I think you and Maggie need to sit down and have a little talk."

"I know. I just…I want her to be happy."

"She is. Look at her, Liv. She's coming out of her shell, she's playing. She loves you and she's loved. It shows."

Olivia smiled, looking back at the little girl who was sitting in the bean bag chair looking at the pictures in a book. "Let's get back to the station; Miss Maggie needs her nap, especially after this morning." Olivia and Elliot walked over to the bean bag chair Maggie was sitting in and crouched down. "What did you find?" Olivia asked.

Maggie smiled. "Lilo. An' a kitty wif a hat. An' babies." She pointed to the three books that she had spread out in front of her.

"Those look like excellent books. Do you want to take those to the station with us?"

Maggie paused, then smiled. "Really?"

"Yep. Why don't we pick out a new coloring book and some crayons for you to play with, too?"

Maggie smiled and climbed into Olivia's arms. "Sank you, Livvy."

"You're welcome honey." Olivia lifted Maggie. "El, can you grab the books?"

"Sure. Maggie, what coloring book do you want?"

"Princesses," Maggie answered.

"And sparkly crayons?"

"Yes, pwease, Elliot," Maggie smiled innocently.

"Sparkly?" Olivia asked, arching an eyebrow.

"What can I say, I learned a lot from my girls."

They stood in line, then headed back to the station, Maggie clutching her new books and skipping between them. But once they were walking up the steps, Maggie stopped and reached up her arms. "Uppie, Livvy."

Elliot reached down. "How about I carry you, Maggie Mae?"

"I' the scary man gonna be here?"

"Scary man?" Olivia repeated, confused. "What scary man?"

"The scary man in black."

Olivia bit her lip and Elliot chuckled. "That's Uncle John, Maggie," Olivia said, managing not to laugh, barely.

"He's scary looking," Maggie whispered, burying her face in Elliot's neck.

"Uncle John might look scary, but he's very nice," Elliot assured her gently.

Maggie sat up in Elliot's arms and gave him Olivia's "yeah right," look.

"Captain Cragen will be there too," Olivia said with a smile, hoping to take Maggie's mind off of her fear of Munch. "Remember, he helped take care of you a few weeks ago when Elliot and I had to go out for a little while?"

Maggie still didn't look completely sure as Elliot carried her into the station. Fin looked up from his computer and smiled at the little girl. "Hey there, Maggie," he said, noticing the way she clung to Elliot. "Are you feeling better?"

Maggie nodded, still attached tightly to Elliot's neck. "She's tired," Olivia explained.

"I bet," Fin agreed, nodding.

"El, I'm gonna tell Cragen we're back, can you take care of Maggie?"

"No problem. We'll be just fine, won't we sweetie?"

Maggie looked at Elliot through huge blue eyes. "Read my book?"

"Sure thing, Maggie." Elliot grinned at her and kissed the tip of her nose, then looked at Olivia. "We're fine, Liv. Go."

Olivia nodded, brushed a hand over Maggie's hair, and headed for Cragen's office while Elliot sat down at his desk and settled Maggie in with The Cat In The Hat.

Munch walked in from lunch and stopped short at the sight of Elliot cuddling the little blonde sprite and reading to her while Maggie giggled. "Well look who it is, Daddy and the little angel."

Maggie turned her head into Elliot's chest, latching onto his tie for dear life. "Scary man," she murmured.

"No, it's Uncle John honey," Elliot soothed, rubbing her back as he looked up at Munch. "Don't mind her, John. It's almost n-a-p time."

"No nap," Maggie answered, shaking her head.

"No nap until Livvy comes back, how's that?"

Maggie shook her head. "Wanna read."

"It sounds like someone's feeling better," Munch said with a smile. "Are you, Miss Maggie?"

Maggie nodded, still holding onto Elliot's tie. "No mo' daycare t'day," she said with a small smile.

"Won't you miss your little friends?" Munch asked, leaning against Elliot's desk.

Maggie cuddled into Elliot, but answered. "No, wanna stay wif Livvy."

"How come?" Munch asked curiously.

Maggie paused. "I love Livvy," she answered, as if it was obvious. "Livvy's nice."

"Yes she is, and Livvy loves you very much," Elliot assured her.

Munch walked back to his desk and raised his eyebrows at his partner. "Unless I'm wrong, Elliot thinks our Liv is more than nice."

Fin chuckled. "Oh yeah. They're about two longing looks away from causing the station to combust from the heat."

"They make a pretty family, don't they?" Munch asked, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied smile.

"Yep."

"You think the Cap knows about this?" Munch continued, watching Elliot and Maggie through dark glasses.

"I think he knows a lot more than he lets on," Fin answered, turning back to his files. Fin had never been one to gossip about his co-workers, despite the fact that Munch gossiped like a school girl.

"What if he knew this would happen?" Munch suggested.

"I swear to God, if you start with some ridiculous conspiracy, I'm walking out of this squad room and never coming back."

"I'm just saying, there's been a chemistry between those two since day one."

"And I'm just telling you not to say anything."

Oblivious to the fact that her love life was being discussed by two of her co-workers, Olivia sat in Cragen's office, waiting for him to get off the phone with Casey. She didn't know that not a minute before she'd knocked on the door, Casey and Cragen had been busy planning the surprise baby shower for her. Cragen hung up the phone and smiled at the clearly worried woman sitting across from him.

"How is she?" he asked, concern showing in his voice as well.

"I think she's feeling better. She had some soup at lunch and right now Elliot's reading to her."

"Good. Feel free to use the crib today, she can nap and play in there if you promise to get work done," Cragen narrowed a look at Olivia that had her feeling like a child.

"Thanks, sir."

"Olivia," Cragen said with a smile. "I'd like to think of myself as your friend as well as your Captain. You can call me Don."

"Thank you…Don," Olivia smiled back. "Actually, I was wondering if I could ask a favor?"

"Shoot."

"I was talking to Elliot and he said that the twins had a similar problem when they started preschool."

Cragen nodded. "I remember. He felt so guilty leaving them."

"He told me that it helped when he went with them a few times, kind of eased them into it."

"Sounds smart. Get them used to being left little by little."

"Exactly. I was wondering, could I take some time this week and try that with Maggie?"

Cragen pursed his lips thoughtfully. "How much time would you need?"

"Well, I was hoping to take all day tomorrow, then I could probably be in by 2:30 on Wednesday, take a half day on Thursday, then be in by 10:30 on Friday."

"What about next week?" Cragen asked. "Would you need to take some time on Monday and Tuesday?"

"I don't know," Olivia answered honestly. "It depends on how well she's adjusted this week. Maybe come in at 9:30 or so on Monday and Tuesday. I know it's a lot to ask, Don, especially since I took an entire week two weeks ago, but…"

"But you need to feel comfortable leaving her someplace before your head can be on the job and before Maggie can really start getting used to life with you." Cragen smiled. "Go ahead, get her settled. This is part of that being a mother thing, Olivia. Things are a little rocky right now because you and the kids are still getting used to everything. But it'll calm down and you'll all get into a routine."

"Thanks, Captain," Olivia said with a grin. "I don't foresee having to take any more time off any time soon."

"You have plenty of time built up, don't worry about it. You take care of yourself and those kids and we'll work the rest out when the time comes."

Olivia walked out of Cragen's office and paused, watching Elliot reading to Maggie. She was so proud of Maggie for overcoming her fear of men. Or if not of men in general, then at least of Elliot. "Maggie Mae, are you ready for nap time?" Olivia smiled, reaching out her arms.

"Where's th' bed?" Maggie asked, looking around the squad room.

Olivia chuckled as she nuzzled Maggie's neck. "It's upstairs in the crib."

Maggie shook her head. "Cribs are for babies, Livvy. Me big girl."

"It's not a real crib, baby. It's a room where Elliot and I sleep when we're here late. There are beds there. Big girl beds."

Olivia carried Maggie into the crib and the little girl looked around before holding on tighter to Olivia's neck. "Scary, Livvy. You stay with me?"

Olivia paused, then smiled. "Okay, I'll stay with you up here. Let me call down to Elliot so he knows that I'll be up here, okay?"

Maggie nodded and when Olivia laid her on the bed, she held on tightly. "Stay here."

Olivia sighed and lay down next to Maggie, gathering the little girl into her arms. "Okay, you're safe baby. Sleep tight."

Olivia laid there until Maggie's deep steady breathing told her that the little girl was sound asleep. Feeling the emotions of the day catch up with her, Olivia closed her eyes, just for a second, and fell into a deep sleep.

Elliot looked at his watch for what must have been the twentieth time and sighed. Olivia had said she'd be down when Maggie fell asleep to get something to work on up in the crib. That had been an hour ago. For the first half an hour, he'd told himself that Maggie was just having trouble falling asleep. Then he'd tried to convince himself that Olivia was just nervous about leaving Maggie all alone in the crib, even for a few minutes. But now he was really worried.

He finally gave up and hurried up to the crib, being careful not to make any noise in case Maggie was sleeping. He tiptoed into the crib and melted at the scene in front of him. Maggie was asleep, curled in Olivia's arms while Olivia slept also. Elliot smiled broadly as he picked up a blanket and gently draped it over the sleeping females. Once they were covered, Elliot bent down and brushed gentle kisses over both of their foreheads. He went back downstairs to gather up some paperwork and took a seat on the couch, watching Olivia and Maggie sleep.

An hour later, Olivia blinked her eyes open and looked around, surprised. One arm was asleep, which she quickly realized was because Maggie was laying on it. Moving slowly, she slid her arm out from under Maggie and sat up, running a hand through her hair. She turned to head back down to the squad room and jumped half a mile when she saw Elliot sitting on the couch, watching her with a knowing smile.

"How long have you been here?" she whispered, walking over to sit next to him.

Elliot smiled and linked fingers with her. "About an hour. You look so relaxed and happy when you're asleep."

"You watched me?" Olivia blushed slightly. She didn't mind Elliot watching her while she was awake, but watching while she slept was something completely different. If she was asleep, then she was vulnerable.

"I came up to see what was keeping you and you looked so irresistible, I couldn't leave." Olivia blushed and Elliot grinned. "You were curled all protectively around her, this peaceful, innocent expression on both of your faces."

"Stop it, Stabler," she grumbled.

"You know, you're cute when you blush, Liv."

Olivia paused, then leaned over and pressed her lips to his. Elliot immediately responded to the hard fast kiss, wishing it could have been slower and more drawn out. They broke apart quickly, knowing they were at work and it was likely that someone would walk in on them. Or that Maggie would wake up and start asking questions.

Seeing the satisfied smirk on Olivia's face, Elliot chuckled. "You couldn't think of a comeback, huh?"

"Well it worked," Olivia argued back.

"If that was meant to be a punishment though, it's not going to deter me. If anything, I'm going to tease you more."

"Not if you don't want to tip everyone else off as to what's going on."

"Would it really be so bad if they found out?" Elliot asked with a smile.

Olivia gave him a long look but was interrupted by a small, frightened voice asking, "Livvy? Livvy!"

"I'm right here sweetie," Olivia hurried to the cot and gathered Maggie into her arms.

"You left, Livvy," Maggie said softly, holding on tightly.

"No I didn't baby, I was sitting with Elliot on the couch."

"Elliot?" Maggie asked, sitting up and looking around. When she saw Elliot, she smiled and held out her arms.

Elliot smiled and walked over to the cot, sitting next to Olivia and hugging Maggie tightly. "Did you have a nice nap honey?"

Maggie nodded into Elliot's chest. "We pway now?" she asked hopefully.

Olivia caught Elliot's eye and shook her head. "Maggie, Elliot's going to go downstairs for a little bit because you and I need to chat."

"What's chat?" Maggie asked, her little brow furrowing.

"It means you and I need to talk."

Maggie paused. "Elliot stay?" she asked, holding onto him tightly.

Olivia sighed, but shook her head. "Sorry hon, this is a Livvy and Maggie only talk."

Maggie nodded as Elliot stood and waved her little starfish hand. "Bye Elliot."

"I'll see you in a little bit, Maggie." Elliot gathered the papers he'd brought with him and shot Olivia a look that told her she was doing the right thing.

Once Elliot was out of the room, Olivia settled Maggie on her lap facing her. "You know I love you, right Maggie?"

Maggie nodded. "Love you too, Livvy."

"Sweetie, as much as I love you, I can't be with you all the time."

"Why not?" Maggie asked, eyes wide.

"Because, sometimes I have to do things, like go to work. And when I have to go someplace without you, I don't like leaving you when you're crying."

"Don't like it when you leave, Livvy." Maggie said, wrapping her arms around Olivia's waist.

"I know, Maggie. I don't like it when I leave either. But sometimes I have to."

"You're not coming back," Maggie said softly.

"Don't I always come back, Maggie?"

"Mommy didn't," Maggie said softly, playing with Olivia's necklace.

"Oh baby." Olivia drew Maggie into her arms and held on tightly. "I know your mommy didn't come back, but I promise that I will always come back."

"What if you don't?" Maggie asked, eyes big and tear filled.

"I will. I will always come get you. Sometimes it might be a whole day, when I'm working and you're at daycare, and sometimes it might be short, like when I'm helping Brian with homework or taking a shower. But no matter what, I'll always come back for you, because I love you very very much."

"Miss you, Livvy."

"I miss you too, but you know what makes me really happy? When I think about getting to go and pick you up at daycare because I think of how much fun we're going to have playing when we get home."

"Wanna play with you at home all the time."

Olivia laughed. "I know, and that would be a lot of fun. But if I didn't go to work, then we wouldn't have money to have our house, or for toys and food. How about this. I have to go to work, which means that you have to daycare."

"Why can't I come work with you?" Maggie interrupted.

"Because, Elliot and I make bad guys go to jail and the bad guys are too dangerous for you. But you have a very special job."

"What's that?" Maggie asked curiously, her interest peaked.

"Your job is to go to daycare. You're very important there because you're Jacob's big sister. So you get to help make sure that he's all right during the day."

"Teacher said I can't play with Baby Jacob."

"Well I'll talk to your teacher and see if you can go visit Jacob during the day. Because Jacob's just a baby, he needs his big sister there so he won't be scared."

"Daycare's scary," Maggie said in a barely audible voice.

"I know. How would you like it if I came to daycare with you this week?"

Maggie's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yep. I'll come tomorrow for all day."

"Yay!" Maggie exclaimed, hugging Olivia tightly. "I love you, Livvy!"

"I love you too, Maggie. But you have to listen to me now. If I'm going to come to daycare with you, I need you to do something for me."

"What?" Maggie asked.

"I need you to try not to get scared if you have to stay at daycare, or with Maureen, okay? It makes me sad when you cry because I'm leaving. It makes my heart hurt."

"Don't be sad, Livvy," Maggie hugged her tightly.

Olivia smiled. "I won't be sad if you're not sad, okay?"

"Okay." Maggie beamed. "Pway now?"

Olivia shook her head. "Remember what I told you about not being able to play when we're at the station?" Maggie nodded. "Well you can color and look at your books and play with your doll, but Elliot and I have to work."

Maggie sighed sadly, then perked up slightly. "I wanna help!"

"I'm sorry sweetie," Olivia chuckled as she stood up, carrying Maggie in her arms. "But our work is for grown ups. It was a very nice offer though. Thank you."

When they walked down the stairs, Maggie began to squirm. Olivia set her on her feet and she raced off towards Elliot. "Elliot! Livvy's gonna go to daycare with me!"

Elliot laughed as he scooped Maggie into his arms. "Doesn't that sound like fun?"

Maggie nodded. "You come too, Elliot?"

Elliot was taken aback. "I'd love to come," he said after a long pause. "But I need to come to work and help Uncle John and Uncle Fin." Seeing Maggie's lower lip begin to stick out, Elliot thought fast. "Maybe I could come have lunch with you and Livvy. How's that?"

"Okay." She grinned hopefully. "Read Lilo and Stitch, Elliot?"

"I would, big girl. But I have to work."

"Livvy has to work too," Maggie sighed.

"Maggie, I can read to you," Munch said, pushing himself back from his desk.

Maggie stared at him, wide-eyed. Olivia held out the book. "Uncle John can read to you, honey. He's really good at reading stories. And I'll be right here where you can see me."

Maggie reached out and slowly took the book from Olivia before climbing off Elliot's lap. She clutched the book tightly to her chest as she walked slowly towards Munch's desk. When she got there, Maggie paused, thinking, before she shyly held out her book.

Munch took the book and looked at the little girl in front of him. "Do you want to sit on my lap?" he offered.

Maggie paused, then nodded and let him lift her up. She sat on his lap upright, not relaxing against his chest, as Munch opened the book and began to read, doing different voices for the different characters.

Olivia looked up when she heard Maggie giggling and grinned to see that she was apparently comfortable with Munch.

When the story was over, Maggie smiled innocently at Munch. "Again, Uncle John?"

Munch smiled at the little girl. "Okay, one more time. But then I have to get some work done."

Maggie smiled as she opened the book to the first page. "You're a good reader, Uncle John."

Fin snorted. "Well Uncle John's pretty old, Maggie. He's had a lot of practice."

Munch glared at Fin as Maggie giggled, but instead of starting an argument he began reading.

Olivia tried to concentrate on the paperwork that was sitting in front of her, but she kept glancing nervously at Maggie in Munch's arms. Not that she didn't trust Munch, he continually surprised her with his skill with children. She just worried about Maggie being with someone other than herself.

Elliot watched Olivia and smiled. The protective mother in her had come out full force. He reached out a foot and nudged her gently under the table. When Olivia's head snapped back to look at him, he smiled reassuringly. Olivia sighed and nodded, turning back to her paperwork.

When Munch finished reading, Maggie leaned back against his chest and smiled. "Again?"

"No Maggie, we talked about this," Munch shook his head. "I have to get some work done."

"Maggie, how would you like a snack?" Fin asked gently.

Maggie nodded. "Yes please," she said shyly.

"Do you want to come with me to get something from the machine?"

Maggie shook her head and held onto Munch's tie. "Stay here."

"Fin, something healthy," Olivia spoke up. "Not candy and soda."

"I like candy," Munch said, tickling Maggie and making her giggle.

"Me too," she said. "Livvy don't like candy."

"Yes I do, but candy is only for special occasions, not for everyday," Olivia said. "And soda isn't good for little girls."

Fin stood up and headed for the vending machine. Maggie slid off Munch's lap and walked over to Olivia's desk where she climbed into a chair. When Fin came back with a small bag of Ritz peanut butter crackers, Maggie took them shyly.

"Sank you, Mr. Fin."

Fin smiled and crouched down. "Why don't you call me Uncle Fin, Maggie?"

Maggie nodded. "Okay," she said softly.

At 4:00 Cragen stuck his head out of his office door. "Olivia? You and Elliot can head out and pick up the boys."

"Are you sure?" Olivia asked.

"Yeah, go on. I know you've been wanting to."

"Me too, Cap?" Elliot asked, surprised.

"Yep. Good luck in daycare tomorrow, Olivia."

Olivia sighed. "Thanks. The little chairs might just kill me." She turned to Maggie. "Ready to go get your brothers?"

"An' go home?"

"Yep." Olivia started gathering Maggie's books. "El, dinner?"

"Pwease, Elliot?" Maggie asked, reaching out her arms.

"Well how could I resist an invitation like that?" Elliot asked with a grin as he stood and scooped Maggie into his arms. "How about a shoulder ride, Mags?"

"Yeah!" Maggie yelled, then squealed excitedly as Elliot lifted her up.

"Okay Maggie, say goodbye to Uncle John and Uncle Fin." Olivia said, handing Maggie's coat up to her.

"Bye, Unca John, sank you fo' weading t' me," Maggie said, waving from her perch. "Bye Unca Fin, sank you fo' the snack."

"Bye Maggie," Munch and Fin chorused.

"Bye Miss Maggie," Cragen said from the doorway.

"Bye-bye, Cap'in Cwagen," Maggie said, waving happily. "Come on, Elliot! Go home!"

"Yes ma'am!"

As they headed out the door, Cragen smiled to himself, thinking that they made a wonderful family.

*****

Olivia walked into daycare the next morning and dropped Jacob off in the infant room, then walked with Maggie into the preschool room. Mrs. Johnson, Maggie's teacher smiled.

"Are you ready for today?"

Olivia chuckled. "I hope so."

"Livvy's gonna stay wif me," Maggie said, holding on tightly to Olivia's hand.

"Yes she is, and we're very excited about that," Mrs. Johnson said with a smile. "Maggie can you go put your backpack away so I can talk to Livvy for a minute?"

Maggie held on tighter. "I wanna stay."

Olivia crouched down so she was eye level with Maggie. "Maggie, do you remember what we talked about yesterday? About how I can't be with you all the time?" Maggie nodded and Olivia continued. "Now I need you to be a big girl and put your backpack away for me. I'll be right here waiting for you."

Maggie paused, then nodded and walked slowly towards the coat room, glancing over her shoulder every few feet.

Olivia stood up and faced the teacher. "I'm not entirely sure how to do this."

"Well usually, we try to have the parents observe. If you can be here but not interacting with her too much, it usually makes the child more comfortable and helps them overcome their fears. If you do play with her, Maggie's the type who won't branch out and will only play with you. That won't help anybody."

Olivia nodded. "What about lunch? My…uh…partner was planning on coming to join us."

"It's okay to eat with her. You don't have to ignore her, but try encouraging her to play with the other kids."

"Got it." Olivia looked down as Maggie wrapped her arms around her legs, clutching her doll. "Is your backpack away?"

Maggie nodded. "Livvy, come play."

"Why don't you go play with some of the other little girls?" Olivia suggested. "Look, there are some playing with the kitchen set."

"You come too," Maggie tugged at her hand.

"How about I sit here and watch you?" Olivia sat down in a tiny chair, her knees almost touching her chest. Maggie stared at her wide-eyed and Olivia smiled gently. "I'll be right here, baby, you can see me from the play area."

"You'll stay here?"

"Right here."

"O…kay," Maggie said uncertainly. She walked slowly over to the kitchen area, holding onto her doll for dear life. "Hi," she said softly.

"Hi, Maggie," one little girl with dark brown braids answered. "My name's Jenna. Do you wanna play with us?" Maggie nodded and Jenna looked at the doll in her arms. "Is that yours?"

Maggie nodded again. "Her name's Livvy."

"Play you're Livvy's mommy and have to make breakfast," Jenna instructed.

Maggie shook her head. "No, I'm gonna be her Livvy."

"What's a Livvy?" another little girl with dark blonde hair asked.

"That's Elise," Jenna explained.

"I used to have a mommy, but she was mean. Now I have Livvy an' she's nice," Maggie answered simply. She pointed to Olivia. "My Livvy came with today."

"Lucky," Jenna grumbled. "My mommy goes to work."

"Livvy works with Elliot."

"Who's that?"

"Her partner. He's nice."

"Oh," Jenna and Elise chorused.

Olivia beamed as she watched the interaction between Maggie and the little girls. After about half an hour, Maggie walked over, followed by the girls.

"Livvy, we wanna color," Maggie said, climbing into Olivia's lap.

"You'll have to ask Mrs. Johnson about that, sweetie," Olivia answered. "But who are your new friends?"

"Jenna an' Elise."

"It's very nice to meet both of you," Olivia grinned. "Now why don't you three go ask Mrs. Johnson if you can color?"

"Okay," Maggie slid down. "You come too, Livvy?"

"No, you go play with your friends. I'll be right here."

"Will you hold Livvy?" Maggie asked, holding out her doll.

"Sure." Olivia watched Maggie scamper off and leaned back in her chair, the only way she could sit without her legs cramping up, and watched as Maggie and her friends began finger painting.

Lunch time rolled around and Elliot walked into the preschool room, balancing Jacob in one arm and a brown paper sack in the other.

"Elliot!" Maggie yelled, racing across the playroom and throwing her arms around his legs.

"Maggie," Mrs. Johnson warned gently. "Let's use our inside voice, okay?"

"K," Maggie said, still attached to Elliot's legs.

Jenna and Elise had followed Maggie and stared up at Elliot with big eyes. "Who's that?" Elise asked.

"My Elliot," Maggie said. "He comed for lunch. An' this is Baby Jacob. He's my brother."

Olivia walked up to Elliot and barely managed to resist brushing her lips over his. "Hey," she said with a soft smile. "I'm glad you could make it." Olivia took Jacob and cuddled him close.

"No problem." Elliot's answering smile revealed that he knew exactly what she had been thinking. "I thought the little one here would enjoy joining us for lunch."

"Thanks. I checked on him a few times, but he seemed to be doing okay. Of course, he's too little to really notice when I'm not there."

Elliot watched Jacob latch on to Olivia's collar and smiled. "Oh, he knows all right. How's Maggie doing?" he whispered, watching as Maggie hurried off to get her lunch.

"Actually, really well. She's been playing with Jenna and Elise all day."

"Good. No tears?"

"Nope. She still watches to make sure I haven't left, but I think she's having fun with her new friends.."

"Good, that's a step." Elliot grinned as Maggie came back, tugging on his leg.

"Uppie, Elliot?" Maggie asked hopefully.

Elliot chuckled and bent over, lifting her into his arms. "Can you show me where we eat lunch, sweetheart?"

Maggie nodded from her perch and pointed at the group of small tables. "Over there."

"Of course," Elliot said with a smirk for Olivia. "Tiny chairs."

"I've gotten used to it," Olivia laughed. "But I'm not sure I'll be able to move tomorrow."

After lunch Elliot crouched down to Maggie's height. "Bye honey, have fun with your friends today."

"Elliot, stay," Maggie said, her eyes filling with tears.

"I can't Maggie, I have to go back to work."

"Stay with me an' Livvy," Maggie whimpered, wrapping her arms around Elliot's neck.

"How about after daycare, you and Livvy and Brian and Jacob come over to my house for dinner?" Elliot suggested.

"El, it's a school night," Olivia reminded him. "We have homework and baths to take care of."

"It's not fair though that you have me over every night and take care of dinner and everything. I want to do my share."

Olivia smiled. "Then make dinner at my place, or we can do Friday night at your place. But during the week, I don't want to interrupt their routine."

"Okay," Elliot rubbed Maggie's back gently. "How about I come over for dinner tonight?"

"Pwomise?" Maggie whispered.

"Promise." Elliot kissed her cheek. "Bye sweetie."

"Bye-bye Elliot." Maggie answered, kissing Elliot's cheek.

Elliot placed Maggie on the ground and stood up to face Olivia. "Do you want me to take Jacob back to the infant room?"

"No, I'll do it in a little while. He's asleep now."

"Okay, Mommy," Elliot said with a smile. "I'll see you tonight."

"Thank you for coming."

"Like I said, no problem." He gave into temptation and brushed a kiss over her lips. It wasn't much, but it was as much as he'd get away with there. "I'll see you at 5:30?"

"Yep," Olivia smiled as her cheeks pinked slightly. "Miss you."

"Miss you too." As Elliot waved to Maggie and headed back to the office, he wondered why he couldn't get the image of Olivia cuddling Jacob out of his head. It was more than wanting her on a sexual level, it was wanting to help raise the kids, wanting to wake up with her and go to sleep with her in his arms. It was a kind of longing that he had never known, not even with Kathy.

"Have a nice lunch?" Munch asked teasingly as Elliot walked into the station, still shaken by the realization that after a mere two weeks of dating, he was already planning a future with his partner, one that involved her being his partner in every way. "How are Olivia and the little angel?"

"They're fine, why?"

"Just wondering how a certain little girl who doesn't do well with men finds herself all cuddled in your lap. You must spend an awful lot of time with the kids for them to be so comfortable with you."

"I have been," Elliot answered. "I've been giving Olivia a hand most nights. Besides, Maggie warmed up to you yesterday."

"A hand with what though?" Munch mumbled, almost to himself.

"What?" Elliot asked, arching his eyebrows.

"Nothing, nothing," Munch said with a knowing smile.

"Right," Elliot said, giving Munch a strange look as sat down in his desk and glanced over at the empty desk across from him, desperately missing the woman who sat there.

Across town, Mrs. Johnson smiled at her class. "Okay everybody, it's story time, then nap time. Everyone come sit on the magic carpet."

Maggie ran over to Olivia and took her hand. "Come to story time, Livvy."

"Why don't you go sit on the magic carpet and I'll listen from here?" Olivia suggested.

Maggie shook her head stubbornly. "I want you to come too," she said, tears welling in her eyes.

Olivia knew she probably she shouldn't, but Maggie had made such progress that day that she figured giving in a little wouldn't hurt. "Okay," she agreed, allowing Maggie to drag her over to the rug, stifling the moan of pain when she straightened. When she sat down, Maggie climbed into her lap, sticking her fingers in her mouth and sucking as she leaned contentedly against Olivia's chest.

Maggie's friends, Jenna and Elise, sat on either side of Olivia, also cuddled close, missing their mothers. Olivia reached up and gently removed Maggie's fingers from her mouth. "Big girls don't suck their fingers, honey," she reminded her gently as she began rubbing Maggie's back.

After story time, it was nap time. Olivia tucked Maggie onto the mat and kissed her forehead. "Sleep tight sweetie."

"Will you be here after nap time?" Maggie asked, holding onto her hand tightly.

"Right here."

"Are you napping too?"

Olivia laughed softly. "Not today, Mags. But you have sweet dreams."

"Okay. Love you, Livvy."

"I love you too, baby."

That night, Maggie was bubbling over with excitement from her day at daycare with Olivia. Between Brian talking about his new class computer assignment and Maggie talking about daycare and her new friends, it was impossible for Elliot and Olivia to get a word in edgewise. After dinner, Olivia began helping Brian with his computer project while Elliot cleaned up the kitchen and played with Maggie.

The next few days continued to go better for Maggie, with Olivia leaving a little earlier everyday. And every night, it became more and more obvious just how attached Maggie was getting to Elliot.

Wednesday was Olivia's meeting with the new social worker. Muriel Smythe arrived at the townhouse at exactly 7:30. Olivia had wanted a later meeting so dinner would be over and cleaned up.

Brian raced to the door when the bell rang and paused. "Who is it?" he asked.

"Muriel Smythe, I'm your new social worker," the woman answered.

Brian nodded and opened the door. He eyed the woman solemnly. "I'm Brian," he said finally.

"It's nice to meet you," Muriel said with a smile. "Is Olivia home?"

Brian nodded. "She's changing Jacob's diaper. She said I could answer the door because you were coming, as long as I remembered to ask who it was."

"Well that's very good of you to remember," Muriel tried to keep from laughing. "Can I come in?"

Brian nodded. "Okay. Olivia will be down soon."

Muriel nodded and sat on the couch. "What's it like living with Olivia?"

"I like it. Olivia's really nice and Elliot's here a lot."

"Who's Elliot?"

"He's Olivia's partner at work. He's really nice." Brian's brow furrowed. "What happened to the other guy?"

"Did you like Mr. O'Connor?"

Brian shook his head. "He was mean. He tried to pretend he was nice, but he wasn't. And he was mean to Olivia and Maggie hated him."

Muriel nodded as Olivia walked down the stairs, sizing up the new social worker. She looked to be about 55 with light brown hair and gentle eyes. And she seemed to be passing Brian's test, at least so far. "Hello, I'm Olivia Benson," Olivia said as she entered the room, Jacob in one arm and Maggie clinging to the other hand.

Muriel smiled, standing up. "Muriel Smythe, nice to meet you, Detective Benson."

"Olivia, please. Brian, are you sure all your homework's done?"

Brian nodded. "Can we go to the park now?"

Olivia glanced at Muriel. "I thought maybe we could head over to the park and let the kids play while we talk. It might be easier for them."

"I'll have to do a walk through of the house."

"I know. Would you like to do this now? The kids will need baths when we get home."

"That sounds all right."

"Brian, honey can you get your shoes on and grab your coat?" Olivia asked gently. "Maggie's too?"

"Okay," Brian said, holding out his hand. "Come on Maggie." He led his sister to the front closet as Olivia took Muriel upstairs. "This is my room. I have Jacob in here, so when he wakes up in the middle of the night, he doesn't wake Brian and Maggie."

"Does he still wake up?"

"Not as much. Actually, he slept through the night the other night. It scared me half to death when I woke up and realized the time."

"That sounds about right," Muriel chuckled. "Where do Maggie and Brian sleep?"

"This is Maggie's room," Olivia said, opening the door.

Muriel looked in and nodded. "And Brian?"

"In here," Olivia showed her Brian's room.

"I'm surprised you have so many toys for them, according to your file, you've never fostered children before."

Olivia nodded. "When I took them in, I didn't have anything for kids. But they're living here and I want them to be happy."

Muriel raised an eyebrow. "You think buying them toys will make those kids happy?"

Olivia bit back a sigh. "No. I know that they can have all the toys in the world and if they don't have a parent who loves them, something will always be missing. I love them with all my heart, all of them. But they're still kids and they need things to play with."

Muriel nodded. "Why don't we head down to the park? It's a school night."

"Sounds good." Olivia followed Muriel down the stairs. "Brian, Maggie, are you guys ready?"

"Yep," Brian said with a tentative smile. "Can I ride my bike?"

"With helmet?" Olivia asked with a grin.

Brian sighed. "Do I have to, they look so dorky!"

"If you want to ride the bike, you'll wear the helmet, buddy. I don't want to be scraping your brains off someone's nice clean sidewalk."

Brian giggled. "Okay, I'll wear it."

"That's my boy," Olivia grinned.

"Me too, Livvy?" Maggie asked, tugging on her arm.

"Can you ride your bike?" Maggie nodded. "Will you wear your helmet?"

Maggie nodded again. "It's pretty."

"Yes it is. Let's go play."

As they walked to the park, Olivia pushed Jacob, bundled in the stroller while Brian and Maggie rode ahead. Once they arrived, Brian jumped off his bike and raced for the monkey bars. Maggie linked hands with Olivia and looked up at her. "Swings, Livvy?"

Olivia smiled. "Okay, we'll play on the swings for a little while."

While Olivia and Maggie played on the swings, Muriel walked over to Brian. "Hi," she said with a smile.

Brian looked down at her consideringly. She looked nicer than Mr. O'Connor had. "Hi."

"So, you started school again a few weeks ago?"

Brian nodded. "I'm in third grade."

"What are your favorite subjects?"

Brian blushed. "I like history."

"History's pretty cool," Muriel agreed. "What do you do after school?"

"I go to daycare. Then Olivia and Elliot pick us up and we go home and have dinner. After dinner, Olivia and Elliot play a game with Maggie and me. Then I take a shower. Then Olivia and me read and I go to sleep. Sometimes, instead of playing a game, Olivia and Elliot take us to the park."

Muriel smiled. "Do you take a shower every night?"

"Yeah," Brian said with 8-year-old disgust. "Olivia said I have to."

Muriel chuckled. "Do you like living with Olivia?"

Brian nodded. "She's a good mom. She takes really good care of us. And she loves us lots. We love her too."

Across the park, Olivia sat on the swing with Maggie, pushing them back and forth. "Honey, Muriel is a social worker. Like Mr. O'Connor was. Do you remember him?"

Maggie frowned. "Don't like him."

Olivia tried to keep a serious expression on her face. "I know. But Muriel is nice. She wants to make sure that you and Brian and Jacob are happy. But she's going to have to talk to you."

"You too, Livvy."

Olivia smiled and brushed a kiss over the top of Maggie's head. "I'm sorry sweetie. Muriel has to talk to you alone. But I'll be sitting right over there on the bench with Jacob. Okay? You can still see me."

"You gonna leave," Maggie whimpered, wrapping her arms tightly around Olivia's neck.

Olivia sighed. "Maggie baby, I'm not going to leave you. And remember what I said about always coming back for you?"

Maggie nodded. "Love you, Livvy."

"I love you too," Olivia said with a smile as she saw Muriel coming over to them. "Just tell her the truth, okay?"

Maggie nodded. "Lying's bad."

"Yes it is," Olivia chuckled.

Muriel arrived at the swings and smiled. "Hi Maggie."

Olivia stood up, placing Maggie on the ground. "Sweetie, I'm going to go sit on the bench with Jacob, okay? I'll be right here."

Maggie latched onto Olivia's hand for a minute, then nodded slowly and let go, even though she was still sucking on her fingers.

As Olivia walked away, Muriel smiled at the little blonde girl in front of her. "How do you like daycare, Maggie?"

Maggie paused. "Livvy comes too."

"What do you mean Livvy comes too?" Muriel asked, confused. "You mean when she drops you off and picks you up?"

Maggie shook her head. "All day."

"Maggie didn't like daycare, she didn't like Olivia leaving," Brian explained, drawing next to his sister.

"What did Olivia do about that?" Muriel asked, admiring the way Brian was trying to protect his sister.

"She went to daycare with Maggie yesterday and today," Brian answered. "She's going everyday this week."

Muriel smiled. "That sounds like fun. Do you like living with Livvy, Maggie?"

Maggie nodded, smiling shyly. "I love Livvy."

"What's your favorite part of living with Livvy?" Muriel asked.

Maggie paused, thinking. "Livvy plays with me."

"How about you, Brian?"

Brian paused, trying to think of how to explain what he was feeling. "Olivia takes care of us. I go to school now and I have friends. We're not hungry all the time. And I know that she and Elliot won't let anything bad happen to us."

Muriel smiled, touched by his honesty. "Is there anything you'd change about it?"

Brian smiled slightly. "Olivia and Elliot would get married. Then Olivia would be our mom and Elliot would be our dad and we'd have a real family."

Muriel chuckled. "I don't know if that could happen, but it's a nice wish."

As they walked back to the townhouse, Muriel glanced sideways at Olivia. "Do you have a plan for what happens if you have to go to a crime scene in the middle of the night?"

Olivia nodded. "I've made arrangements with my partner's daughter to watch the kids if I have to go in."

"How old is this girl?"

"Nineteen. She's a sophomore at NYU."

"Okay." They arrived at the house and Muriel smiled. "I'll call in a few weeks to set up another appointment."

Olivia nodded. "No problem. You have my work number?"

"It's in your folder. It was nice meeting you, Detective and I look forward to working with you."

"You too," Olivia said, and meant it.

"Bye, Brian! Bye, Maggie!" Muriel called, then paused when a car pulled up and the most drop dead gorgeous man she'd ever seen exited the car. He oozed sexuality, something she'd been convinced only happened in smutty romance novels.

"Elliot!" Maggie squealed, racing down the stairs and into Elliot's arms.

"Hi sweetie," Elliot grinned, kissing her cheek as he lifted her into his arms. "Did you just get back from the park?"

Maggie grinned and nodded. "I swinged."

"That sounds fun," Elliot said as Brian ran up and wrapped his arms around his waist. "Hey buddy."

"Why are you so late?" Brian asked, looking up at him.

"I had to take care of some stuff for work. But I'm here now."

Olivia grinned as Muriel walked back from her car and held her hand out to Elliot. "Hello, I'm Muriel Smythe, the children's new caseworker."

Elliot smiled and shook the woman's hand. "Detective Elliot Stabler."

"I should have guessed, based on Brian and Maggie's reactions. You've made quite an impression on them."

Elliot smiled, stroking a hand over Brian's hair. "If it's half of the impression they've made on me, then I'm very glad."

Muriel frowned and flipped open the file she had on the Allen children. "According to my notes, one of the reasons you requested a new caseworker was that Maggie is scared of men?" she asked Olivia.

Olivia nodded as she handed Elliot her keys. "Why don't you take Brian and Maggie inside?" she suggested. "We'll be right in."

Elliot nodded. "Do you want me to take Jacob?"

"No, he's okay." Olivia waited until Elliot had ushered the older children inside, Brian watching her curiously until Elliot shut the door behind them. "Maggie is afraid of men. She was sexually molested by at least one man."

"She seems to get along with Detective Stabler just fine."

Olivia smiled, looking at the house. "Elliot's been very active in their lives almost since I found them. He came to the hospital while they were getting checked out and has spent almost every evening with us. It took her awhile to warm up to him, but Elliot was great. He never forced Maggie, he was just always there."

"He seems to be very close to Brian too."

Olivia beamed, nodding. "Brian's desperate for a male role model. Elliot's the closest thing he's ever had to a dad. He just shines whenever Elliot's around."

"It's great that he has a man to look up to," Muriel said with a smile. "I'm guessing Detective Stabler's daughter is the one who will baby-sit for you?"

"Actually, his two older daughters both want to baby-sit for the kids," Olivia laughed. "But his oldest is the one I have on call."

"How many children does Detective Stabler have?" Muriel asked.

"Four. Three girls and a boy."

"How do they get along with Brian and Maggie?"

"Amazingly. Dickie and Brian are joined at the hip and Maggie follows Lizzie around like a puppy."

"Do they spend much time together?"

"Elliot only has the kids every other weekend, so they've been together once. But he has them again this weekend and I imagine we'll get to spend some more time together."

Muriel nodded. "I'd better get back to the office and finish up my reports. Have a good evening, I'll be in touch."

As she drove away, Olivia walked into the house to find Elliot playing with the kids in the living room. "How did it go?" he asked.

Olivia smiled as she lifted Jacob out of the stroller and cuddled him to her. "I think it went really well. I thought you couldn't come by tonight," she said, sitting on the floor next to him.

Elliot shrugged. "I wanted to see how your meeting went." He paused, then slid an arm around Olivia's waist. "And I missed you guys."

"You did?" Maggie asked in amazement.

"Sure I did, Maggie Mae," Elliot chuckled. "I missed you lots and lots."

Maggie grinned and rested her head on Elliot's shoulder. "Misseded you too," she said with a yawn.

"Sounds like someone played hard at the park tonight."

"Yeah, it's bedtime," Olivia smiled. "Do you want to give Jacob a bath while I throw Maggie here into the tub?"

"Sounds like a plan."

"Elliot read to me too," Maggie mumbled as she was transferred into Olivia's arms.

"I would love to read to you hon," Elliot grinned as he and Olivia headed upstairs. "But are you sure you'll still be awake by story time?"

Maggie nodded even as Olivia shook her head. "I have a feeling she'll be asleep before we finish one story," Olivia whispered, looking at the sleepy child in her arms.

After settling the kids into bed, Olivia sat on the couch and pulled Elliot so he was leaning against her chest with her arms wrapped around his shoulders. "That went so much better than last time," she said, grinning.

Elliot chuckled. "Hon, it couldn't have gone much worse than last time. I'm sorry I interrupted though, I thought you'd be done by the time I got here."

"It's okay, Muriel was very impressed by you." Olivia said as she leaned forward to press a kiss to his cheek.

"She seemed nice and like she cared about the kids. More so than that other asshole."

"I got that too. Plus, she was checking out your very nice ass."

Elliot sat up quickly. "She was not!"

"Of course she was," Olivia laughed. "I should know, I've spent enough time staring at it."

Elliot tipped his head back to catch her lips with his. "You're allowed to stare at it. She's not."

"I'll keep that in mind," Olivia chuckled as she kissed him back, sinking into the feeling of his lips on hers.

Elliot slid around so he was laying over her, supporting himself on his elbows. He brushed his lips over hers teasingly before fusing his mouth to hers. Olivia moaned with need. Desperate to feel his skin, she slid her hands into the waistband of his pants, stroking the bare skin and scraping her nails over his firm ass.

Elliot gasped, his eyes widening. "Liv," he gasped.

"Hm," she hummed, reaching up to trace her tongue over Elliot's ear.

"Liv, we have to stop," Elliot moaned.

Olivia sighed and reluctantly removed her hands from Elliot's pants, even as she kissed him once more longingly. Elliot pushed himself up slowly with a look of frustration on his face. He sat on the other end of the couch and pulled Olivia's feet into his lap, rubbing them gently.

"This is killing me, El," she sighed, throwing her head back in frustration.

"I know babe," Elliot agree with a sigh. He moved her feet so she could see the effect she'd had on him.

"Then why are we waiting," Olivia groaned.

"Because I'm going to give you romance if it kills me."

Olivia sighed. "Okay, romance it is."

Elliot chuckled. "I'm glad you agree. So, what are we doing this weekend?" he asked with a smile

"You have your kids, and Brian has his play date on Saturday. Why don't we do something on Sunday?"

"How about Friday night?"

"We don't have any plans. What were you thinking of?"

"Pizza and a movie at my place?"

"That sounds nice," Olivia said, reaching up to kiss him gently. "Can we find a movie that's okay for Maggie and won't bore the older kids?"

"I'm sure we'll find something."

"Won't your kids mind sharing you again? They spent all weekend with us last time."

"And we all loved it," he assured her. "Every time I've talked to them over the last two weeks, Dickie asks when Brian can come over and play video games, Katie asks when she can baby-sit, and Liz wants to come over and play with Maggie. They'd be disappointed if we didn't spend time with you guys." Elliot kissed the tip of Olivia's nose. "And so would I."

"We would be too. I just didn't want to hog all of your time with your kids."

"You're not hogging. You and the kids are part of my life, an important part. The sooner everyone get used to that, the better."

"Did you tell them about us?" Olivia asked, surprised.

Elliot shook his head. "I want to, but you wanted to keep it a secret for awhile. My kids already love you, Olivia and that's not going to change because we're dating."

"I'm worried about work though. I don't want to put our jobs in jeopardy. If we have any hope of Cragen not reassigning both of us, we need to prove that our work and solve rate won't suffer. Which means giving it time. Plus, your kids like me as a friend, your partner. But I don't want them to hate me just because I'm the first woman you've dated."

"I know, and they won't," Elliot began stroking the back of her neck as he kissed her jaw gently. "But I want to be out in the open about this. I want to tell everybody that I'm dating the most wonderful woman in the world.

"Elliot," she said softly as her cheeks pinked.

"You are," he insisted as he slowly kissed backwards, down to the nape of her neck. As he traveled back up the other side, he stopped at the spot behind her ear and placed several warm, loving kisses there. Then he pulled back and blew gently on the spot. Olivia gasped as goose bumps rose on her skin. "You're beautiful and loving, you took three children in and are raising them like they were your own. You're smart and intuitive. I'm so lucky to be with you."

Olivia was blushing deep red when she turned so she could wrap her arms around Elliot's neck. She shifted, leaning back and pulling Elliot with her until he lay on top of her, supporting himself on his forearms while her arms remained twined around him. "It just so happens, I think I'm pretty lucky to be with you too." She reached up and pressed her lips against his before slowly kissing along his jaw, scraping her teeth across the 5 o'clock shadow that darkened his jaw, making him look only sexier. Few men could get away with looking scruffy, but Elliot wore the look perfectly.

Elliot moaned as Olivia shifted, pressing her hips against his. He knew she could feel his reaction by the chuckle next to his ear. She wrapped her legs around his waist, drawing him closer, only their clothing separating them. Elliot's arms grew weak and he collapsed onto her. "God, Liv," he groaned. In retaliation he slid one hand between them to cup her breast as his thumb stroked over her nipple.

Olivia pulled him tighter as her hips ground against his groin. They were playing with fire and she knew it, but it felt so good. Elliot's hands were roaming over her body when one found its way to the hem of her dark blue shirt and slid inside. Elliot stroked his fingers slowly over her waist but refused to remove the shirt from her body. Frustrated by the amount of clothing between them and the fact that Elliot's hand refused to move further up her body, Olivia took matters into her own hands and reached down to remove the shirt herself.

"Wha?" she asked in confusion when Elliot's hands reached down and covered hers, stopping her progress.

"Not now," he whispered, kissing her gently. "Not here. This is important. I want it to be special."

Olivia sat up slightly and cupped his cheek gently. "It will be special Elliot. No matter what, it'll be special because it's us."

"You're right. But that doesn't mean I don't want to give you romance and candles and flowers."

"I don't need those things, I need you."

Elliot grinned and brushed a brief kiss over her lips, wondering how he'd been so lucky to find love right in front of his face. "You might not need them, but you deserve them. You deserve everything, Olivia."

"But I have everything I want right here. I have you and the kids and work."

Elliot grinned, but refused to relent. "Next weekend, you, me, my apartment, and romance galore."

"What about the kids?"

"I have a feeling I know of two young women who will be more than willing to baby-sit and one little girl who will be more than willing to help them."

"I can't ask one of your daughters to baby-sit so I can seduce their father!"

"How about if I ask them to baby-sit so their father can seduce his incredibly sexy girlfriend?"

"I'm just not sure that I'm comfortable with your kids knowing about us yet. And certainly not with them knowing that we'll be having sex."

"Liv? I was kidding, babe. When we tell them about us, it'll be both of us. We're in this together."

She smiled. "Thanks. I know you don't like waiting…"

"I don't mind waiting for some things. And this will be more than worth it." Elliot kissed her again, long and lingering. But when she reached up to draw him back down to her, Elliot pulled away. "I need to go home before things get out of control."

"You always do this," Olivia murmured.

"I promise next weekend, I'll be saying anything but stop."

"I'm looking forward to it," Olivia whispered.

"What time are you in tomorrow morning?" Elliot asked, standing and pulling her to her feet.

"I should be there by 10:30," she answered as they walked to the door.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow morning," Elliot kissed her almost desperately.

"You could stay," Olivia offered with a seductive smile.

"Not yet." Elliot kissed her forehead. "Sleep tight, Olivia."

'Yeah right,' Olivia thought to herself as Elliot pulled away. She didn't think she'd get any sleeping done that night.

The next day, Olivia walked Maggie into her classroom. She watched as Maggie hung up her coat and backpack, grabbed her doll, and raced off to play with her friends. Olivia grinned. It had taken most of the week, but Maggie was finally comfortable at daycare. She'd teared up a little when Olivia left on Wednesday, but as Olivia left earlier and earlier, Maggie continued to get better at being left.

By 10:00, Olivia had kissed Maggie good-bye, checked on Jacob one more time, and was on her way to the station. When she got there, Elliot was watching the door. "How'd it go?"

"Great, actually. She didn't cry at all and was busy playing with her friends by the time I kissed her good bye and left."

Elliot grinned. "Good. She's been getting more confident all week. Do you think it'll carry over into next week?"

"I hope so. What's on the agenda for today? Any new cases?"

Elliot grinned. "Actually, Munch and Fin think they've found Velez's new hideout. We have unmarked cars cruising the area and keeping a watch on the place. Hopefully we'll be able to get some proof so then we can get them in jail where they belong."

"And Alex can come home," Olivia said so only Elliot could hear.

"Elliot, Olivia, head down to Roosevelt Hospital," Cragen called. "There's a vic there."

"Got it," they said, heading out the door.

That night, Olivia arrived at Elliot's house at 6:15. Brian waited wide-eyed for the door to open while Maggie clung to her hand and Jacob cooed in her other arm.

Elliot opened the door and beamed at the woman in front of him, then looked down as two pairs of arms wrapped around him. The blue eyes of Brian and Maggie stared up at him. "Hi, guys," Elliot said with a grin as he hugged them back. "Everybody's inside if you wanna go in and see them."

Brian hurried in and Elliot could hear him greeting Dickie. Maggie stared up at him with big eyes and lifted her arms. "Carry me?"

Elliot chuckled. "Okay Miss Maggie, up we go." He lifted her into his arms as he bent forwards and brushed a kiss over Olivia's cheek.

"Come on in," he said with a warm smile as he took her hand in his own.

Olivia followed Elliot into the apartment and looked around. There were boxes of pizza on the kitchen counter and Elliot had pushed the living room furniture back to make a space on the floor for the kids. Brian and Dickie were already lying on big pillows and playing a video game.

When she saw the kids, Maggie began squirming to get down. "Lizzie!" She exclaimed. "Katie! Hi!"

"Hey Maggie," Liz said, taking Maggie from her father. "Wanna go play in my room?"

"With Katie?"

"Yep," Liz carried Maggie off to her room.

Kathleen walked up to Olivia and smiled. "Can I take Jacob?"

Olivia paused, then handed the baby over. "If you need anything, I have the diaper bag here."

"No problem, we'll be fine," Kathleen assured her. "We'll have lots of fun, won't we Jacob?"

Olivia looked around and laughed. "I guess we're not needed here."

"They get along so well," Elliot beamed. "Is Brian excited to go to Alex's tomorrow?"

"Oh yeah. He's hardly stopped talking about it. What are you guys doing tomorrow?"

"Dickie wants to go to the batting cages and mini golf tomorrow night, if you're interested."

"Sounds like fun. I'll have to ask the kids, but I bet they'll want to. What time?"

"Maybe 5:30 or so. Why don't you call when Brian gets back from Alex's?"

"It's a date."

Elliot leered. "I wish. Want to call them for dinner?"

Olivia nodded and stuck her head into the living room. "Hey guys, go wash up for dinner, okay?"

As Dickie and Brian raced for the bathroom, Olivia walked into the room Lizzie and Kathleen shared. She found Maggie basking in the attention of the older girl, Lizzie's stuffed animals spread out on the floor.

"Livvy, look!" Maggie exclaimed, holding up an armload of stuffed animals.

"Wow, you have a whole zoo there. It's awfully nice of Lizzie to let you play with her toys."

Lizzie shrugged. "She's having fun, and they're the only toys I really have here."

"Well you'll have to put the animals to bed for a little while because it's dinner time."

"Come on, Maggie," Lizzie said, standing and taking Maggie's hand in her own. "Let's go wash our hands."

Olivia smiled as she watched Lizzie lead Maggie to the bathroom, Maggie chattering away with a look of adoration on her face.

"Lizzie loves getting to be the 'big sister' for once." Elliot said softly as he walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.

"She loves it because she doesn't have a younger sibling tagging along after her everyday."

"I don't know. I have a feeling she'd like it everyday even more."

"Well she'll have to be happy with every other weekend."

"Hey Dad! Are we going to eat or just let the pizza get cold?" Dickie yelled from the kitchen.

Elliot felt Olivia's laughter echo through her body. "If we don't get in there, there won't be anything left for us," she said, turning around in his arms.

"I don't think pizza is what I'm hungry for," Elliot said softly, kissing below Olivia's ear.

"Oh God," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Kids are eating…my bedroom door has a lock…"

"Olivia, Elliot, come on!" Brian yelled. "Dickie and me are going to eat all the pizza!"

Elliot laughed. "Having a relationship with seven kids, you don't get much privacy."

"No kidding," Olivia whispered. She reached up and fused her mouth to his. Feeling Elliot grow aroused against her, Olivia drew back with a seductive smile on her face. "Maybe we can slip away for a bit when they're watching the movie."

"Sounds good. But right now, we'd better go check on our kids."

They walked into the kitchen to find the kids sitting around the table, waiting. "It's about time!" Dickie exclaimed. "What took so long?"

"Uh, your dad and I were talking," Olivia said quickly.

Kathleen watched both adults blush and leaned over as her father sat next to her. "Nice lipstick, Daddy."

Elliot felt his cheeks heat and reached into the center of the table for a piece of pizza. He risked a sidelong glance at Olivia to see her trying to cover a look of panic. He reached under the table and linked fingers with her, gently stroking the palm of her hand.

Olivia glanced at him and smiled slightly. After dinner, they piled into the living room. Dickie and Brian were sprawled over two recliners while Liz and Kathleen sat on the couch, Maggie tucked in between them. Elliot pulled an ottoman over to the couch and settled against the back of the couch, his legs propped up on the ottoman. When Olivia would have situated herself on the floor, Elliot shook his head and patted the ottoman in front of him. Olivia glanced at the kids and, seeing them engrossed in the previews of the movie, settled on the ottoman. Elliot grinned and looped his arms around her waist, drawing her back against his chest.

As they watched "Monsters, Inc.", Olivia looked around the living room at the kids who were sprawled over the furniture. "They look happy," she whispered, leaning back into his embrace further.

"They look like a family," Elliot whispered back. "Like they've known each other their whole lives, not just a few weeks."

Olivia smiled. She bent over and lifted Jacob into her arms, cradling him to her. Elliot's arms shifted so he could reach up and play with the baby's fingers. Halfway through the movie, Elliot hit the stop button.

"Hey!" Dickie exclaimed, sitting up quickly. "What'd you do that for?"

"I wasn't sure if anyone would want ice cream," Elliot said with a grin. "I bought the makings of a sundae bar."

"OOH!" Kathleen squealed. "Cherries?"

"Of course. And chocolate sauce and whipped cream and sprinkles."

"I get first scoop!" Kathleen exclaimed, jumping up from the couch and racing towards the kitchen.

"No way!" Dickie yelled as he and Brian chased after Kathleen, Liz and Maggie on their heels.

"Guess I said the magic words," Elliot chuckled.

"Yep, we should probably go help them," Olivia said, reluctantly laying Jacob back in the carrier and moving out of Elliot's arms to stand.

"Kathleen can handle it," Elliot said, reaching out and catching her hands in his, pulling her back until she was straddling his lap.

Olivia leaned over and risked a brief kiss. "Maybe, but I want ice cream too."

"No problem," Elliot grinned. "Katie, can you bring Olivia and me some ice cream?"

"What do you guys want?" Kathleen yelled back.

"Everything!" Elliot called. He smiled lovingly at Olivia. "See? Now we have five minutes of privacy and we still get our dessert."

"You're a sneaky man, Elliot Stabler," Olivia laughed as she settled against his chest and kissed him longingly.

"Dickie, if you're going in there, bring Dad and Olivia their ice cream," Kathleen called, a bit more loudly than necessary.

"I think she suspects something," Olivia said softly as she broke the kiss.

Elliot nodded. "I'd bet money on it."

"Here you guys go," Brian said as he and Dickie walked into the living room. He handed Olivia a huge bowl of ice cream and two spoons. "Katie said you guys should share."

"Oh," Olivia's eyes grew big. "Uh, thanks honey. Are the girls coming back?"

"Yeah, they're cleaning up," Dickie answered as he flopped onto the recliner.

Elliot arched an eyebrow. "And why aren't you helping your sisters, young man?"

"Because they said we'd be more help staying out of their way," Brian answered.

"That's probably true," Elliot murmured into Olivia's neck and she chuckled. "You want some?" he offered up a spoonful of ice cream.

Olivia grinned and nodded, opening her mouth. Elliot slid the spoon into her mouth and when she closed her lips over it, he all but groaned. With a grin, he leaned over and kissed the corner of her mouth, his tongue moving to lick determinedly. When he pulled back, Olivia's eyes bore questioningly into his.

"You had chocolate," he explained with a shit-eating grin.

Olivia grinned back and swiped her finger through the whipped cream on top of the sundae and dabbed it on his nose. Elliot let out a surprised squawk. Keeping his eyes on her, he deliberately set the ice cream on the end table next to the couch and wiped the whipped cream off his nose onto a napkin. Then he reached over, grabbing both of her wrists in one hand, and began to tickle her mercilessly.

Olivia let out a squeal. "Elliot!" she laughed hysterically. "Stop it!"

Dickie grinned devilishly. "Get Olivia!" he exclaimed.

The next thing Olivia knew, both boys had joined in tickling her. "NO!" she exclaimed around her laughter. "Girls, help me!"

Maggie watched with big eyes. "Lizzie?" she asked, climbing into the older girl's lap. "Is they hurting Livvy?"

"No sweetie, they're tickling her, like this," Lizzie answered, tickling Maggie's ribs gently. "It makes Livvy laugh."

"Why's she need help?"

Lizzie grinned. "Because now we can get the boys." With that, Lizzie set Maggie on the couch and dove at her twin.

Kathleen followed suit, tickling Brian until he was laughing and begging for mercy. Maggie watched in awe for a few minutes before she crawled across the couch and tentatively danced her little fingers up and down Elliot's ribs.

Elliot let out a surprised shout and twisted, pulling Maggie into his arms as well. "Oh, you think you can sneak up on me, do you?" he growled playfully, tickling her back.

Olivia beamed at Maggie's laughter, then took advantage of Elliot's distraction to attack his ribs.

"Mercy!" Elliot yelped as both Maggie and Olivia tried to tickle him. "Uncle!"

Olivia laughed as she pulled Maggie into her lap. "Good job honey, we got him!"

Maggie giggled. "We won!"

"Yep, we won."

"I let you win," Elliot objected.

"Sure," Olivia chuckled as Lizzie let out a shriek and jumped away from her brother, clutching her rear end.

"Dickie! Ow!" she yelled. "Dad, he gave me a wedgie!"

Dickie was laughing so hard he couldn't talk, much less defend himself. Elliot raised an eyebrow at his only son. "Richard, we've talked about this," he scolded.

"I know," Dickie managed. "But it's so funny! But Maureen and Katie are better."

"Why are they better?" Olivia asked, confused.

"Because they wear thongs!" Dickie exclaimed.

"Oh, you're dead meat kid," Kathleen exclaimed, launching herself at her brother.

Experience had Elliot moving Olivia and Maggie off to the side, then setting himself between his children. "Kathleen," he warned. "No blood shed on the clean carpet."

"Dad, he didn't need to tell everyone that!"

"Don't worry Kathleen," Olivia said with an understanding smile. "Brothers are made to embarrass you."

"What's a thong?" Brian asked curiously.

"It's underwear that girls wear," Dickie exclaimed. "But instead of having a butt, it has a string that goes up your butt so it's like a having a wedgie all the time!"

"Ugh, why do they wear them?" Brian asked.

"Because…because we do!" Kathleen exclaimed.

"Well Olivia's smarter than that," Brian said loyally. "Aren't you?"

"Oh…well…uh…that's private Bri," Olivia answered, blushing bright red. "Isn't your guys' ice cream melting?"

"Oh yeah!" Brian exclaimed. Both he and Dickie grabbed their dessert and settled down to watch the end of the movie. Lizzie and Kathleen watched them distrustfully until they were sure that no more tickling would ensue before settling themselves in also. Maggie climbed off Olivia's lap to sit in Lizzie's, cuddling close as Lizzie stroked her hair gently.

After a few minutes, Lizzie reached over and tapped Olivia's leg. "Look," she whispered, gesturing to Maggie.

Olivia looked down and smiled. Maggie was half asleep in Lizzie's lap, sucking on her fingers. "Do you want me to take her?" Olivia whispered.

Lizzie shook her head. "She's okay."

Jacob let out a testy wail a few minutes later and Olivia lifted him out of the carrier. She also grabbed a bottle from the diaper bag and went to the kitchen to warm it. When she came back, Kathleen grinned hopefully.

"Can I feed him?" she asked.

Olivia paused. "Sure. Make sure you burp him halfway through," she said, passing the fussing baby and bottle down to the teenager.

"Got it." Kathleen smiled up at Olivia and whispered, "You go cuddle with Dad."

Olivia paused. She wasn't prepared for that observation and wasn't sure how to respond. She ended up just kind of nodding and settling back on the couch. Elliot smiled and draped an arm around her shoulder, drawing her close. Olivia laid her head against his chest as Elliot began playing with her hair, stroking gently. Olivia hummed with contentment and wrapped an arm around his waist.

When the movie ended, Olivia stretched. "I think someone over here needs to hit the sack," she said, gesturing to Maggie.

"No, I wanna stay," Brian began to beg. "Please, just one more video game?"

"Bri, Maggie's passing out on Lizzie's lap. She needs to go to bed."

"No bed," Maggie said, sitting up and trying to force herself awake. "I wanna play!"

Olivia sighed. "How about we change you into your jamas and then you can play for a little while, okay?"

Maggie paused, thinking. "No bath?"

"Nope, we can take care of baths in the morning. Okay?"

Maggie nodded with a grin. "Okay."

Olivia stood and grabbed the diaper bag, rooting through it until she withdrew Maggie's pink princess pajamas. "Let's go sweetie."

"Lizzie too," Maggie said, latching onto Lizzie's sweater.

Olivia raised her eyebrows at Lizzie. "You mind?"

"Nope," Lizzie said, standing with Maggie in her arms.

When Olivia came back, Brian and Dickie were deeply engrossed in a video game, Katie was sitting on the couch, still rocking Jacob, and Elliot was nowhere to be found.

"He's in the kitchen," Kathleen said, not even looking up.

"Oh, uh, thanks," Olivia walked into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around Elliot from behind. "Your daughter definitely knows something's up."

"She's smart. But if you've noticed, she doesn't have a problem with it. Where are the little girls?"

"They're playing in Lizzie's room. The boys are playing some video game, and Kathleen's getting awfully proprietary about Jacob."

Elliot chuckled. "I think you're going to have a hard time getting them home tonight, hon."

Olivia sighed. "I know. But hopefully, promising to see you guys tomorrow night will help ease the separation. You need help cleaning up in here?"

"Nope. That's the good thing about paper plates, very little clean up. And the girls did a good job with the ice cream."

Olivia nodded. "Elliot?" she asked tentatively. "Are you going to talk to Kathleen about us?"

"Are you okay with it if I do?" Elliot asked.

She sighed. "I'd rather you do that than have her just wondering and making up her own assumptions. Teenage girls have wild imaginations."

"That's very true. Do you want to be there when I do?"

"Only if you think it's best. Don't you think she'd feel, I don't know, ganged up on?"

"Babe, it takes a hell of a lot to intimidate Kathleen enough to have her tone down an opinion."

"I don't want her to resent our relationship."

"She won't," Elliot assured her, rubbing his hands up and down her back.

"I hope not," she answered, reaching up to kiss him gently.

"Hey Olivia?" Lizzie asked, walking into the kitchen. "I think you'd better come here."

"What's up?" Olivia asked, hurrying out of the room. "Is Maggie okay?"

"Oh, she's fine." Lizzie followed Olivia into her bedroom with Elliot on her heels.

Olivia took one look at the scene in front of her and began laughing silently. Maggie was lying in a pile of stuffed animals, sound asleep. One arm was wrapped tightly around a panda bear with her fingers stuck in her mouth.

"I think it's time I get someone home and into bed," Olivia chuckled. "How did this happen?"

"I was reading a story to her and she just fell asleep," Lizzie said with a shrug.

"Liv, why don't you get Jacob's things together, pry Brian away from the video game, and I'll get Maggie," Elliot suggested.

"Thanks." Olivia walked into the living room and quickly gathered Jacob's supplies and Maggie's clothes. "Brian, honey we have to head home. Maggie's fast asleep."

Brian sighed. "Can I play with Dickie tomorrow? I almost beat him!"

"What were you guys playing?"

"Simpsons' Speed Chase."

"How about batting cages and mini golf tomorrow night?" Olivia offered.

"Cool!" Brian exclaimed.

"But only if we head out now."

"Can I finish this game?"

"No, we really need to get going."

Brian sighed. "Okay. Bye Dickie, thanks for letting me play."

"Maybe we can play again tomorrow."

"Okay, bye!" Brian waved goodbye.

Olivia grinned and gave Dickie an one armed hug goodbye. "Kathleen," she said, turning to the teenager who cradled a sleeping Jacob. "You're going to have to give him up now."

"Oh, can't I keep him, just for a few days?" Kathleen teased with a grin.

"Sorry," Olivia laughed. "You don't need a baby waking you up in the middle of the night."

"He's so sweet, I wouldn't mind."

"Give it about ten years and I bet you'll have one of your own to keep you up at nights."

Kathleen sighed. "Okay, I guess if I have to give him back." She stood and laid Jacob in his car seat. "Can I carry him out to the car?"

"If you want," Olivia laughed as she tucked a blanket around the sleeping baby. She gathered the diaper bag and walked into the foyer. Elliot stood there with a very sleepy Maggie lying against his shoulder, still clutching the panda bear. "Maggie, baby let's give Lizzie back her bear now."

"It's okay Olivia," Lizzie spoke up. "She can keep him."

"Are you sure honey?" Olivia asked, stroking a hand over Lizzie's light auburn hair.

"I have plenty of stuffed animals. Maggie could probably use a few more."

Olivia blinked back tears as she wrapped her arms around Elliot's daughter and hugged her close. "Thank you sweetie. That was very sweet of you. Maggie baby, can you say thank you to Lizzie?"

"Sank you, Lizzie," Maggie mumbled, still clutching Elliot and the panda bear.

"You're welcome Maggie. Will you play with me again tomorrow?" Lizzie asked, reaching up to rub Maggie's back.

Maggie nodded sleepily and yawned. Elliot brushed a kiss over her forehead. "You'll see her tomorrow, Lizzie. Everyone else ready to go?"

Olivia nodded. "Brian, can you grab the diaper bag?"

"Got it," he grinned up at Olivia and Elliot.

They walked out to the car, Brian climbing in first. Next Olivia settled Jacob's car seat into the holder and made sure it was secure. After brushing a kiss over Jacob's cheek, she straightened and allowed Elliot to slip Maggie into the car. He gently buckled her in, then kissed the top of her head. "Good night Brian," he said, smiling at the boy. "I love you."

"Night, Elliot! I love you too! I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Yep. Night, Maggie. I love you."

"Love you too, Elliot," Maggie murmured, her head resting against the car seat from exhaustion.

Elliot beamed and kissed Maggie's cheek before standing up and looking at Olivia. He walked over and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly to him. "I can't believe she said that," he whispered into her neck.

"She does, you know."

"I know," Elliot grinned. "She's come so far and I'm so incredibly proud of her."

"You and me both." Olivia drew back to brush a kiss over his lips. "Thank you for having us over tonight. The kids had a great time."

"And you?" Elliot whispered, kissing gently along her jaw to her lips.

"Of course." She smiled as Elliot leaned her against the car, kissing her thoroughly. One hand cupped her hair while the other slid down her waist to rest on her hip, his thumb stroking gently over her hip bone.

Olivia sighed into his mouth as he stroked her tongue with his own. She slid one hand up the nape of his neck so she could rake her fingers through his hair. Her other hand slid down to cup his buttocks, squeezing gently.

"You and the kids could stay," Elliot whispered.

The mention of her children had Olivia crashing back to reality. In a flash, she had pushed him away. "Elliot, the kids are watching."

He chuckled. "With Kathleen's suspicions, you'd better believe it."

"Yeah, well mine might be a little harder to explain it to. And Brian will definitely ask those questions."

"Maybe I won't be the only one having a talk with my kids tonight, huh?" Elliot asked with a soft smile.

"Seems like I have to do that with them on a daily basis."

"Yep," Elliot chuckled. "That's part of parenthood, babe."

Olivia nodded. "I'd better get the little ones home though; it's awfully late for them." She paused. "Do you want me to call when I get them down?"

Elliot smiled and cupped her cheek, brushing his thumb over her cheekbone. "I'd love that. But in case I'm still talking to Katie, why don't I call you?"

"Okay. And we'll figure out tomorrow?"

"Yep." Elliot brushed his lips over hers gently. "Good luck with the questions."

"You too."

"Talk to you later," Elliot said, knowing he was stalling, but not wanting to release her.

Olivia smiled and rose on her toes to kiss him once more. "Go talk to your daughter, El. I have to go have a talk with my son."

"Right." Elliot reluctantly released her and opened the car door, allowing her to slide in. "Night, guys," he said to the kids in the backseat.

"Night Elliot," Brian grinned. Maggie just waved sleepily.

Elliot chuckled softly. "Be safe driving home, Liv."

"I will. Tell the kids goodnight for me again."

Elliot nodded and waved as Olivia drove away, then walked into the house to face the questions he knew were coming. He looked around the living room, surprised to only find Kathleen sitting there. "Where are the twins?"

"In bed."

Elliot's eyebrows arched almost to his hairline. "In bed? How did you get them into bed so easily? I didn't hear any screams and I don't see any blood. Okay, how'd you do it?"

Kathleen looked somewhat guiltily towards the bedrooms. "Sorry dad, I can't tell you. Secrets of being a big sister and all. But I have a question for you."

"Uh, okay, shoot. But first, I'm not going to find your brother and sister bound and gagged in their rooms, am I?"

Kathleen laughed. "No, I promise."

"Okay then. What's on your mind?"

"How long have you and Olivia been dating?"

Elliot blinked at the bluntness of his daughter's question. "Uh, what makes you think Olivia and I are dating?"

"Well, not that I'm complaining, but we've spent the last two weekends with Olivia and the kids."

"I know, I've been trying to help Olivia adjust to parenthood. Plus, the kids have never had a father."

"I know. But there's more between you and Olivia than friends, Dad. Don't try to lie to me, I saw you kissing her tonight. And not like you'd kiss a friend either. I'm not stupid, I have eyes and an idiot could pick up on the sexual tension between you two."

Elliot sighed. "Olivia and I have been seeing each other more or less since she found the kids."

"But that's only been about three weeks then."

Elliot nodded. "Yep."

"So you guys weren't together when you and Mom were still married?" Katie asked, eyes serious.

"What? No! Kathleen, listen to me. I know I wasn't around a lot because of work. But I would have never cheated on your mother."

"You and Olivia have been close for a long time."

"I know. She's my best friend."

Kathleen nodded. "Do her kids know?"

"Not yet, but I'm pretty sure Brian suspects something."

"What about your jobs? I thought it wasn't allowed for you to date within your department?"

"How did you get to be so smart?"

"I listen. All those nights you and Mom thought I was sleeping when you'd fight, or talk about work? I was sitting on the stairs, listening."

"You heard that?" Elliot asked softly. "I'm so sorry honey."

Kathleen shrugged. "It's okay, Dad. I guess it was actually better for me. I mean, I wasn't totally surprised when you and Mom told us about the divorce. I kind of figured it was coming."

"Oh Katie," Elliot said softly as he pulled his daughter onto his lap for a hug. "You need to know that your mom and I loved each other very much. But when we got married we were very young. And as we grew older, we also grew apart."

"I know, Daddy," Kathleen said with a smile. "Besides, I have lots of good memories of you and Mom too. And you're both happier now, so we're happier too."

"Really?"

"I promise. How serious are you and Olivia?"

"We just started dating," Elliot chuckled.

"Right. Well, if you guys ever need time alone or anything, I'll baby-sit."

"You're okay with Olivia and me dating?" Elliot asked, slightly surprised.

Kathleen shrugged. "Sure, why wouldn't I be? She's been your partner since I was ten, it's hard to remember a time she wasn't around. She's always treated us really well and now she's taken in three kids and made them her own. And she makes you happy."

Elliot hugged his daughter tightly, amazed by how mature she sounded. "Thank you for taking this all so well."

Kathleen laughed. "It's not completely selfless. If you and Olivia are dating, I get to spend more time with Jacob."

"Hey Katie?" Dickie asked, sticking his head into the living room. "Can we come out now? You only paid us for half an hour and it's been 45 minutes."

Elliot raised one eyebrow. "You paid them to go to bed?"

"Nooo…"

"Uh-huh, $3," Dickie said. "$1 every ten minutes."

"Kathleen Ann Stabler," Elliot said warningly.

"Well it worked!"

"Okay, but no more paying your siblings to go to bed. Got it?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. Dickie, you and Lizzie need to get into bed. Katie, you too."

"But Dad, it's only 10:30!" Kathleen exclaimed, horrified.

"Yep. Consider it punishment for bribing the twins."

"Haha!" Dickie laughed, pointing at his sister.

"And you, young man, have to give your sister her money back. You know better than to take bribes."

"Aw man," Dickie moaned. "Lizzie too?"

"Lizzie too. Now brush your teeth, change into your pajamas, and into bed. All of you. I'll be in to kiss you goodnight."

Dickie sighed. "Okay. Night Katie." Elliot cleared his throat and Dickie held out the money. "Here."

Kathleen stood and took the money from her brother. "Thanks, squirt," she said, giving him a noogie, then a kiss.

"Ew! Dad, girl cooties! Gross!" Dickie yelled, wiping his cheek desperately.

Elliot laughed. "Give it a few years and you won't think it's so gross, son."

"Yes I will."

"Tell me that in two years."

"I will," Dickie promised as he scurried off to his room.

Elliot laughed and gave the kids a few minutes to get ready while he straightened up the living room. First he checked on Dickie and, after making sure he was in bed and most likely going to stay there, Elliot knocked on his daughters' room. He'd learned his lesson the hard way about knocking on their door. If he didn't there'd be hell to pay.

"You girls ready for bed?" he asked with a smile.

Lizzie nodded from amongst her pile of stuffed animals. "Yep. Night Daddy."

Elliot bent over and kissed Lizzie's forehead. "You know, sometime I'm not going to be able to find you in this pile of animals. You'll be buried alive."

"Daddy, you're silly," Lizzie giggled.

"So are you," he said, making sure she was tucked in. "Love you, Lizzie."

"Love you too, Daddy. I already gave Katie her money back too."

"That's my girl." Elliot stroked a hand over Lizzie's hair and turned to his older daughter.

"Lights out, KatieBug," he said with a grin.

"Just a few minutes, Dad. I want to finish this chapter." She held up Return of the King. "It's really good."

"Because you're imagining Orlando Bloom?" Elliot teased.

"Nope. Viggo Mortenson."

"You do know that he's about my age, don't you?"

"So?" Kathleen laughed at the look of horror on Elliot's face. "Don't worry Dad. I promise not to run off with him."

"Phew," Elliot said, wiping his brow in mock relief. "Okay, one chapter, then bed."

"Got it."

"And Katie?" Elliot asked as he sat on the edge of her bed. "About what we talked about tonight, can we keep it between the two of us? At least for a little while?"

Kathleen nodded, then lowered her voice. "Does Olivia know you told me?"

"Yeah, we talked about it. She would have been here too, but the kids needed to get to bed."

"I know." Kathleen smiled. "She's really great with them. She acts like she's their real mom."

Elliot was touched by his daughter's wisdom. "In her heart, I think she is."

"In theirs too, probably."

"Yep. But right now, you need to get some sleep."

"Okay. Night Dad," Kathleen said with a smile, kissing his cheek.

"Goodnight KatieBug. I love you."

"Love you too."

Elliot turned out the light on his way out the door, Kathleen's reading light casting a glow over the room. Once he was sure everything was alright in the apartment, Elliot double checked the locks on the door and windows, then headed into his own room. He grabbed his cell phone and settled onto his bed, pressing number two on his speed dial.

On the second ring, a contented voice answered. "Hey there. How'd it go?"

"Great. I feel so guilty though Liv."

"Why?"

"All those nights that Kathy and I waited until the kids were in bed to try to hash stuff out? Kathleen wasn't in bed, she was sitting on the stairs, listening to our marriage fall apart."

"You can't blame yourself for that," Olivia said softly. "You and Kathy did your best to shelter the kids from your problems. But Kathleen's smart. Don't you think she would have figured something out even without listening?"

Elliot sighed. "Probably, but I still feel guilty as hell."

"Like you said, we can't protect them from everything. But she's okay with us dating?"

"Yep. And before you ask, I asked her not to tell anyone else."

"Thank you."

"No problem. How'd things go with Brian?"

"I lucked out. He fell asleep in the car on the way home, so I got a reprieve until tomorrow. And maybe he'll forget what he saw."

"Yeah right," Elliot laughed. "Who are we talking about here? Brian noticed something between us before anything even really started."

"You're right," Olivia sighed. "I'm doomed."

Elliot laughed again. "No you're not, you can handle it. He's just a kid, Livia."

"I know. But kids tend to ask the hardest questions."

"Why don't you and I sit down with Brian this week and talk to him about it together?"

"I'd love that, but he's my son and my responsibility."

"I know he's your son," Elliot smiled. "But I love him just as much as you do."

She smiled softly. "Brian asked if we were getting married the other day."

Elliot raised an eyebrow. "What did you tell him?"

"I asked why he was asking. He said that then you'd be his dad for real and we'd be a real family."

"Oh Livia," Elliot said softly. "Do you think me spending so much time with you guys is what did that?"

"I don't know. But I don't want you to feel like you have to stop spending time with us. I mean, I understand if you feel like you want to or like things are moving to fast…"

"Olivia," Elliot said with a soft chuckle. "Slow down, you're rambling. And you never do that. Trust me, I don't feel like things are moving too fast. I just don't want to make things harder on you by being around too much."

"You've never made it harder," Olivia answered honestly. "If anything, you've made it easier. I couldn't do this without you."

"I bet you could," Elliot said with a smile. "You have all the instincts, you just hadn't gotten to give them a work out before."

"Well whatever instincts I have are getting a hell of a work out now."

"True, what did you tell Brian when he said he wanted us to be a family?"

"The only thing I could think of through the shock, that you and I don't have to be married for us to be a family."

Elliot beamed. "I think that was the perfect answer. What are you going to do tomorrow while Brian's at his friend's house?"

"I was thinking of grocery shopping. I figure it'll be easier with only two kids."

"I thought Brian was good in the store?"

"Oh he is. But three kids in a grocery store is still hard. I spend half my time trying to keep Maggie from putting every cookie box in sight into the cart and the other half trying to remember if I got bananas."

Elliot chuckled. "Better watch out or you'll go bananas."

"You should know," Olivia teased back. "What are you guys doing during the day?"

"I figure we'll do some homework and relax."

Olivia laughed. "Planning on hitting the books? What is it, Algebra?"

"Oh yeah. And a little chemistry."

"Well you have fun with that. I know a little baby who'll be waking me up very early in the morning. And if he doesn't a certain blonde will."

Elliot chuckled. "Very true. And you love every minute of it."

"Yep," Olivia grinned.

"Well I'll get you go so you can get some sleep, babe. Call tomorrow?"

"Of course. Night Elliot."

"Goodnight, Liv. Sleep tight."

Olivia smiled as she slid further under the covers, falling asleep to the sound of Jacob's steady breathing.