A mother for Bella

Sequel to A home for Nathan

2 of 4 in series

Chapter Three

It was hard for Olivia to stand behind the glass while her biological niece, a girl who had captured Olivia's heart at once, told her story to Elliot and Fin. The five year old sobbed hard as she told them about her mother's violent death and the mean scary monster she'd heard roar.

When it was done Olivia wrapped Isabella up tight in her arms and held her tight. Whispering comforting words about how she was safe and that no one was going to hurt her now, it was hard being on this side of the fence, being the family of the victim.

"Olivia there's a woman from child services here to see you." Cragen told her as she entered the bullpen.

"Bella, I want you to stay with Elliot for me while I go and speak with a nice lady ok?" Olivia said softly, masking the fear that was inside her.

"Ok." She nodded and Elliot picked her up and carried her out of the squad room knowing there was a chance voices would be raised and he didn't want Bella to hear any of it.

Olivia nervously made her way to her superior's office praying to a God she didn't believe in that she wouldn't lose Bella.

"Hi Detective Benson, my name is Julia Thomas." The social worker said shaking Olivia's hand.

"Nice to meet you Ms Thomas." Olivia replied politely.

"Ok well we'll get straight down to business, you are so far the only living biological relative we've been able to contact, I believe that you can contact your other brother Simon Marsden?"

"I haven't heard from Simon in years Ms Thomas, I don't even know if the number I have for him is the right one." Olivia replied. "But I'm a cop so I'm sure I could track him down if necessary."

"No need Detective, the only reason we would have to track him is if you showed no interest in taking care of Isabella McKellar which I believe you are intending to do?"

"Yes of course." Olivia replied firmly. "She's family."

"But you didn't know of her existence until this case am I right?" Julia continued.

"Right." Olivia replied guessing where this conversation was going. "But that doesn't change anything. She's my niece and I will fight for custody of her."

"I don't think there's going to be a fight we just have to look into your living conditions and such, make sure you're a suitable guardian for Isabella that's all." Julia reassured and Olivia nodded feeling a little relieved that there wouldn't be a fight.

"So tell me about your home situation." Julia encouraged.

"Well, I live with my adopted son Nathan Benson." Olivia said. "That's it really, he's a student at Saint Mary's Prep where I would also enrol Bella, it's a privet Catholic school with great results."

"Tell me about your home, where do you live, bedrooms and so on."

"I live in a two bed apartment however should I gain full custody of Isabella I would move to a bigger accommodation, until then while she stays with me she can have my room and I'll take the couch." Olivia smiled, she would do anything for Nathan and Isabella.

"Ok, well of course we will be looking into other relatives, grandparents and so on but we should be able to grant you full custody sooner rather than later, I believe that Isabella will continue to stay with you until her Mother's trial?"

"That's right." Olivia replied. "And I hope after."

"Well I hope so." Julia smiled. "I'll be in touch." She said before hurrying out knowing that she had to get back to work and Olivia had to sort out her job and Isabella.

"Go home Olivia. Take tomorrow too."

"Thanks."

At home Bella was instantly a happier little girl. She ate and watched cartoons and napped until Nathan got home where she got over excited wanting to play.

"Nathan play with me?" She asked as Nathan opened his school bag by the table.

"I have to do my homework first Isabella, after dinner?" Nathan suggested but Bella looked really disheartened. "Mom can I do my homework later?"

"Why don't you get some colouring things for Bella while you do your homework? I know having Bella here is going to make things difficult for a while but we need to try and keep a routine going." Olivia smiled from where she was cooking.

"Ok. Hey Bella do you want to colour? I have crayons and paper?" Nathan smiled.

Bella happily took Nathan's hand and allowed him to lead her to his bedroom to find colouring things before coming back into the kitchen and getting on with his homework while Bella coloured beside him.

After dinner Bella was bathed and put to bed which Nathan helped Olivia with and then once the five year old were asleep they had their usual movie on the couch.

"Mom is Bella going to stay with us?" Nathan asked.

"I think so Nathan, why?" Olivia asked.

"No reason." Nathan shrugged.

"Honey, you can tell me if there's something bothering you. Do you not want Bella to stay?" Olivia asked gently.

"I don't mind, she's a good kid." Nathan shrugged as he cuddled up into Olivia's side. "I just… everything will change won't it?"

"Yeah Nath it will change but for the better I think, what's worrying you?" Olivia pushed.

"Will they… if they don't think you're good enough to look after Bella would they take me away too?" Nathan asked shakily.

"No." Olivia said with finality. "The difference is baby, you're my son, you're adopted and they haven't been in our lives since then. Bella is biologically my niece, until they're sure that there is no other family that would be better suited to taking care of Bella they're going to be in our lives."

"Ok." Nathan said with only a hint of relief in his voice.

"Nathan? Are you worried about me neglecting you when Bella's here? Pushing you away?" Olivia asked softly.

Nathan didn't answer.

"Nathan will you look at me?" Olivia asked and Nathan sat up and bowed his head sheepishly. "Nathan." She said firmer and he lifted his eyes to meet hers. "You are my son." She said firmly. "Maybe it's not biological but I fought, hard, to get you to be mine. I will never neglect you, push you out, or anything else, if Bella comes to live here it will just make our family bigger and stronger and yes I'll have to spilt my time between the two of you but I won't love you any less or Bella any more."

The smiled on Nathan's face relaxed Olivia and he wrapped his arms around her again and they turned their attention back to the movie.

"I love you Mom." Nathan said softly.

"I love you too Nath, you're my boy." She said gently.