A little bit more...enjoy :) Thanks again for the reviews. I am glad people are trusting me to tell this story, even if things don't always look like they are heading in the right direction.

The party was in full swing and Noah seemed to be having a good time being passed around from person to person. Even though she regretted that he didn't have an extended family like most children, Olivia took pride in the fact that her friends and coworkers loved her son as much as if they were related by blood.

She had given up her plan to make dinner, something she wasn't very good at anyway, and had gone with Maureen's suggestion of ordering pizza. No one seemed to mind and in fact it made the party less formal and more fun. Although Olivia still didn't feel great, she felt better knowing her friends were enjoying her son's birthday and that Noah was having a good time.

Olivia went in the kitchen, carefully placing the single candle on her son's birthday cake, stopping for a moment to snap a picture of it with her phone. "Hey…" the voice startled her and she turned quickly to see Brian standing behind her. "Do you have more beer?" he asked and she motioned toward the fridge. She hadn't planned on inviting him, especially since their relationship had crumbled at the idea of parenthood, but she had run into him outside the precinct a few days earlier and he had asked her all about Noah and how things were going. She felt like inviting him would be a step towards maintaining their friendship, but she was surprised he had actually shown up. "You want one?" he asked as he pulled a bottle from the refrigerator and opened it, taking a long drink.

"No," Olivia answered quickly. Even though she had no problem providing beer and wine for her guests, the smell of it was getting to her. She figured it was due to the flu bug she'd been fighting off, but just standing there watching him drink it was making her queasy. "I need to get the cake out there," she said.

"Olivia," Brian knew it was the only time he'd get her alone and he wasn't sure how long they'd have before someone came in. "Can we talk…please?"

Olivia sighed, "About what?" she asked. "I need to get the cake out there."

"Noah…he's a great baby," Brian smiled. "I'm sorry I wasn't more supportive of the idea of having a kid. I see how happy he makes you."

"Thanks," she said softly. "He is great, Bri. He's the best thing that ever happened to me."

He nodded, "I just wanted you to know…that I'm sorry. I didn't want to keep you from your dream. And I'm sorry I was so upset…when we thought we might be having a baby. I shouldn't have reacted like that."

"If I had been pregnant," she smiled. "I know you would have come around to the idea. You're a good guy. You'd be a good dad." She squeezed his hand, "I never doubted that…but I'm glad you don't have to since it isn't what you want."

He leaned in and hugged her, kissing her softly, but pulled away when he saw Nick enter the room. "I'm sorry…" Nick sputtered. "I was just coming to see if you needed help with the cake?"

"Can you take it in?" Olivia asked, embarrassed. "I'll be there in a minute."

Nick nodded, taking the cake without saying another word.

"I didn't mean for him to see that," Brian said honestly. "He's never gonna let you live this down. I know how much he hates me."

"He'll get over it," Olivia smiled.

"I miss you…you know that?" he asked as he hugged her once more. "But nothing's really changed…we still want different things."

"I know that," she took a deep breath. "And I miss you too…I really do."

"I'm happy for you though," Brian said sincerely. "You're a great mom. That is one lucky kid."

"Thanks, Bri," she said softly. "Let's go watch my son blow out his birthday candle." She took his hand and they walked out of the kitchen.

A few hours later, Olivia was in the kitchen beginning to clean up the party mess, but she was distracted by the pictures on her phone. Sliding through the photos she had to smile; Noah opening his presents, Noah with frosting covering his face, Noah laughing and giggling in her arms. This was her baby…the one she never thought she'd have. This was her life and she could hardly believe it. She sat down and opened a pizza box, suddenly realizing she was starving. She picked up a cold slice and took a bite, savoring the taste and grateful she wasn't feeling sick anymore.

"I picked up all the trash in there," Fin said as he came in carrying a garbage bag. "Who would've thought we could all make a mess that big?" he laughed and sat next to her. "Everyone else is gone…" he motioned toward her, "Having a little snack?" he asked.

She smiled, "I'm starved," she admitted. "I didn't feel well most of the day so I didn't eat anything. I'm finally feeling better," she grabbed a second slice and bit into it quickly. "Thanks for helping me clean up. I appreciate it."

"No problem," he watched her eat the pizza and looked around at the mess in the kitchen. "Is Noah asleep?"

"Yeah…he was out in seconds," she finished her pizza and grabbed a third slice, noticing Fin looking at her in disbelief. She knew it was ridiculous that she was still eating, especially since she'd been fighting the urge to throw up all day, but she couldn't help it, "I am really hungry all of the sudden," she chuckled.

He laughed, "What the hell is on that pizza?" he looked in disgust. "Are those anchovies?"

She nodded, "Yeah…the place mixed up the order and sent this one with the others. No one ate it, so it's all that's left. It isn't that bad…really. I like it."

"Obviously," Fin laughed as he picked up the pizza boxes and stacked them with the trash. "You want this?" he asked as he picked up the box with the rest of the anchovy pizza.

She shook her head, "Nah…just put it in the fridge." She stood up and started washing the dishes. "Thanks again, Fin," she said seriously. "I'm glad I have friends I can depend on to help."

"You know I'm always here," he said honestly. "Can I ask you a question though?"

"Sure," she said as she dunked the plates in soapy water.

"What's up with you and Cassidy?" he asked. "Nick told me he saw the two of you making out in the kitchen earlier." He didn't have any hard feelings against Brian, not the way Nick did anyway, but he didn't want to see Olivia hurt either.

Olivia turned off the water and turned to look at him, "Nothing is going on with me and Brian," she insisted. "And we were not making out. It was just a friendship hug and kiss and Nick came in at the wrong time. Trust me…Brian doesn't want the life I have now," she sighed. "Apparently no one does," she immediately thought back to Elliot and his refusal to come to the party.

"Hey, you have a great life here with that little boy," Fin tried to comfort her. "He's lucky…and so are you. Don't forget that."

"I won't," she smiled. "Thanks." She turned the water back on and went back to the dishes. "You should get home," she suggested.

"Yeah," he agreed. "Don't stay up too late though. The rest of this mess will still be here tomorrow." He headed toward the door, "And don't eat any more of that pizza," he teased. "It's disgusting."

She laughed, "Okay…I promise…no more pizza and I'll go to bed in a few minutes."

"See you tomorrow," he said as he walked out.

"Yeah," she said, suddenly more tired than she'd felt all day. She turned off the water, taking one last look at the mess and shook her head in defeat. Then she walked to the living room, locked the door after Fin let himself out, and walked to Noah's room. "Happy Birthday Sweet Boy," she whispered as she watched her son sleep peacefully. She thought about Brian, not wanting a family and about Elliot, unsure if he could start his life over with a baby, and she wondered if Noah would regret the fact that he didn't have a father in his life. She'd grown up without a father, and she'd always longed for one. She hated thinking her son would grow up the same way. She'd just have to work extra hard at making sure he knew how special he was to her.