Thanks again for all the reviews. I took the advice of some readers and put off posting until I had enough written to move the story forward. I hope you enjoy it. I was going to wait and post when I was completely done with the story, but after reading reviews from people who really wanted more updates, decided to go ahead and post my two completed chapters tonight. The rest of the story should be up by early next week (Monday hopefully.) I appreciate all the kind reviews and everyone who has taken the time to follow this fanfic journey with me. Thanks!

"Can you believe they are actually gonna do this?" Fin leaned over and asked the former captain. All the years he'd worked with Elliot and Olivia, he'd known they had feelings for one another that they never allowed themselves to admit to or act upon. Watching their relationship develop over the past several months, he still wasn't sure how he felt about it. Deep down, he knew Elliot was a good guy who loved Olivia and their children, but he couldn't get past how hurt she'd been when he'd walked away from her, how afraid she'd been to tell him about the baby in the beginning, or the way he'd continued to hurt her throughout the recovery from his brain injury even if it wasn't his fault. Olivia was like a sister to him, and he wanted her to be happy. She was facing a long, possibly painful road with Elliot and he was worried about her.

"They want to do this," Donald Cragen looked at his friend, shaking his head in defeat. "It isn't our call…and no matter how we might feel about things that have happened in the past, in the here and now, they are good for each other. They need each other…and they love each other." He'd had the same concerns as Fin, but watching Elliot try so hard to make things okay for Olivia while she was in the hospital had changed his mind. He'd watched Elliot break down in front of him, suffering from intense headaches and confusion, all while trying to care for the woman he loved. He deserved credit for that…and while he knew Olivia was going to spend the rest of her life caring for Elliot and their children, he was sure that she wouldn't want it any other way. She was happy…and she deserved some joy after so much sorrow.

Elliot and Olivia stood before the judge, their family and friends sitting in the back of the courtroom. He took his walker and pushed it to the side, determined to stand on his own for the ceremony, and then he reached over and took her hand in his. The judge looked at the two of them, and smiled. They'd elected to follow the traditional wedding ceremony instead of writing their own vows and while they both had plenty they could say to one another about how they felt and how much in love they were, none of it needed to be said. Looking at one another, all they could feel was the relief that they'd made it this far, that they were still together after all they'd been through, and that they were going to be together for the rest of their lives. Maybe relief wasn't the typical feeling couples felt on their wedding day, but for the two of them it made sense.

"Do I have to call her Mom?" Eli looked up at his brother questioningly.

"No…" Richard smiled at his little brother.

"Noah does," Eli reminded him.

"Because she's Noah's mom," Richard whispered. "She's not ours. She's our step-mom and that means she loves us and wants to help Dad take care of us, but she knows we have our own mother."

"No one takes care of you," Eli reminded him. "You're a grown up."

"Eli…let's talk later, okay," Richard sighed and redirected his brother's attention to his father and Olivia. He wondered how long Eli had been worried about having to call Olivia "mom" but then again he realized Eli didn't seem all that worried about it…he just seemed to wonder about it. Richard knew he'd been more worried about his father getting remarried than he'd wanted to admit, but his brother and sisters seemed fine with it so maybe he should too. He liked Olivia…a lot. He was just worried about his father hurting his new family the way he had hurt him. Things were different now though, and he was glad his dad was more willing to talk about his feelings and that Olivia was dedicated to helping him build a stronger relationship with his children. Richard longed to be closer to his father, and maybe that would happen now.

"You may kiss the bride…" Richard heard the judge say, a slight giggle in her voice as Elliot leaned close to Olivia and kissed her softly on the lips. Richard wondered how he'd let his mind wander long enough that he'd tuned out the ceremony, but then Elizabeth leaned next him and whispered.

"That was fast," she laughed. "I think the wedding took less time than the adoption." Noah was sitting in her lap and he was fidgeting, wanting to get down.

"Congratulations…" Judge Linden couldn't hide the smile on her face. "I'm so happy for you two…and your new family."

"Thanks," Olivia nodded. She turned and looked toward the group sitting in the courthouse and smiled, "Let's take one more group photo…okay?" she asked, motioning for them all to come forward. They all gathered around the couple, and Judge Linden took the picture with Olivia's phone. Maybe it wasn't a typical wedding ceremony, but to them, it was perfect.

"Congratulations, Liv," Nick hugged her. "I'm glad you're happy…" he shook Elliot's hand and smiled, "Take care of my partner," he winked and Elliot nodded.

"You think you're coming back to SVU?" Amanda asked. "After the baby…"

"Of course," Olivia replied. "I'm sure my replacement is doing a good job…but I want to come back."

"Good," Amanda smiled, "Cause we miss you." She reached out and hugged her, feeling awkward considering the conflict they'd had in the past, but they'd been closer lately and she felt like the hug was warranted.

"I miss you too," Olivia admitted. "All of you." She rested her hand on the swell of her stomach and sighed, "I miss being able to do things and go places…getting back to work will feel like a treat after the last few months."

"Now, now…you know you're not gonna want to leave that little girl at home and come back to the long hours and unpredictable schedule," Fin teased. "You'll be complaining about it within a week."

"No she won't," Elliot added, "Because she's going to work normal hours. We've already talked about it."

"Really?" Fin looked unsure. "Olivia Benson…working normal hours? I'll believe it when I see it." He reached out and hugged her close, "I'm happy for you…you know that, right?"

She nodded, "I know…thanks."

"We need to get back to work," Fin looked at Amanda and Nick. "We've been gone all morning. The place is probably coming unglued." They all said their good-byes, complete with more hugs and handshakes as they left.

"I should be going too," Don said as he hugged Olivia and shook Elliot's hand once more. "You know I'm happy for you," he smiled. "But do me a favor…be honest with each other from now on. You've both spent too many years denying how you really feel…and even now I know you both have fears you're not expressing…things you're holding back. Don't do that. You can't run away from each other now…" He turned and walked away, not even waiting for a response and they looked at him and then to each other.

"What the hell was that about?" Elliot asked.

"He just wants us to be happy," Olivia insisted. "Doesn't want us to sabotage our relationship…he's right. We do need to be honest with each other."

"Is there something you need to tell me?" Elliot asked, worried.

She shook her head, "No…I'm good."

"Me too," he leaned close and kissed her quickly. "More than good."

"So lovebirds…" Maureen teased. "We were thinking we could have a short wedding celebratory lunch and then we can take Noah with us to the house in Queens so you two can have the rest of the night your yourselves. How does that sound?"

"What are you thinking about for lunch?" Elliot asked. "Olivia shouldn't be on her feet anymore."

"We could go to that burger place across the street," Richard suggested.

"You know…" Olivia sighed, "I don't feel much like eating lunch. I'm tired…and my back is still killing me. Could you just take us home?"

"Sure…" Richard nodded.

"Are you okay?" Elliot asked with concern.

"Of course," Olivia nodded. "I'm just really tired. Maybe if you're hungry you could get a burger to go…and we could eat at home." She exhaled slowly, trying to ease the pain in her back. "Do you mind? You could all go eat after you drop us off?"

"Its fine Olivia," Maureen smiled. "We'll just get you home so you can rest…take care of our baby sister."

"Thanks…" Olivia sighed. "I'm sorry to ruin your plans."

"It is your wedding day," Elizabeth reminded her. "You can spend it however you want. Even if you want to spend it taking a nap," she smiled as she put her arm around her step-mother and guided her toward the door.