Sarah watched Richard's face as they drove to his dad's place. His jaw kept clenching and unclenching, a typical sign of tension. She reached across the center console for his hand, and even though his eyes remained on the road, he gave her fingers a gentle squeeze.

She knew better than to ask if he was okay. She knew he was, but there was always a small jagged piece of insecurity that feared it's head whenever they visited his father. She knew he loved his dad. A lot. But there were a plethora of issues she knew caused a rift long ago. Healing that rift was like climbing Everest. Some days it seemed impossible, but she knew they were trying. Both men were stubborn and hot headed, but she knew that those qualities could be good. Both men were doggedly determined to mend what was broken, and she knew that stubborn determination would pay off in the end.

The silence continued until they parked in front of his dad's building. Sarah reached for the door handle, but paused when Rich didn't move. He continued to stare at the door, his hands still gripping the steering wheel. She waited. She knew better than to push. Making Richard move before he was ready was a mistake…she learned that a long time ago. So she waited.

He took a deep breath and slowly released his hands from the steering wheel. His head turned and she easily read the apprehension in those deep blue eyes. She loved his eyes. Every expression, every emotion was always clearly projected there. They were truly the window to his soul, and despite his often combative exterior, his soul was deeply passionate and affectionate. He loved big, and she felt lucky to be the recipient of that love.

"You ready?" He asked gently.

She almost laughed. He seemed infinitely more nervous than she was. "Yeah," she gave him a reassuring smile. She knew it would be fine. She'd met his dad a couple dozen times, and she liked him. He was so much like Rich, and she couldn't help but love him because of that.

While she wasn't worried about announcing their engagement to Elliot, she worried a little about meeting Olivia. She had been with Richard for almost two years, and she never really got a clear read on how she should feel about the woman. If nothing else she understood that the emotions of the Stabler children were varied and extraordinarily complicated.

Rich brought her up every now and again. More so lately as it seemed Elliot had begun to pursue a relationship beyond the platonic. All she could gather was that Olivia Benson was a significant part of his childhood, and he loved her like a second mother, but it was clear that his love for her brought a sense of guilt and betrayal that she couldn't understand.

With another long exhale, Richard opened his door and she followed suit. He came around the front of the car and reached for her hand which she took happily.

As they approached the door he gave her one more tense look before she gave him a reassuring smile. He squeezed her hand and lifted his other to rap firmly on the door.

Behind the door there was the sound of shuffling, and a woman's voice calling, "Finish with that, El. I'll let them in." In that moment she realized she was only seconds away from meeting the Stabler family enigma, Olivia Benson.

Sarah nervously wiped her now sweaty palm on her dark wash jeans, as the deadbolt flipped, and the knob turned. Sarah wasn't sure what she expected, but she was certainly surprised by the tall brunette who answered the door.

The woman was incredibly beautiful, and not at all what she expected. Sarah had seen pictures of Richard's mother. She had been beautiful in a completely different way. His mother's straight blond hair, light skin, and blue eyes stood in stark contrast to Olivia's curled dark hair, tan skin, and wide brown eyes. Where Kathy appeared to be a ray of sunshine, Olivia seemed more like a warm crackling fire, her entire aura radiated warmth.

"Dickie," she smiled, and Sarah watched as that warmth traveled to her doe like eyes. Olivia opened the door wider, allowing them to step in. Once inside she pulled Richard in for a tight hug that he seemed happy to return.

When she released him, he dropped a quick kiss on Olivia's cheek. "Hey Liv," he greeted. Sarah noted the shortened name, and the familiarity in which Richard had spoken it.

Liv's eyes drifted from Richard to Sarah. Sarah gathered courage and stretched her hand out. "I'm Sarah Jensen."

That warm smile returned as she returned the handshake. "I've heard a lot about you." It seemed unfair really. She was certain this woman knew everything about her and she knew almost nothing in return. "I'm Olivia."

"Nice to finally meet you," Sarah returned the smile.

Olivia didn't release her hand, rather she pulled her forward so Sarah could fall into step beside her. She dropped her hand, and Richard trailed behind them as they made their way towards the kitchen.

Elliot was facing the stove, stirring something, but he called his greeting over his shoulder. "Hey Sarah!" She loved the familiarity of it. She loved how it wasn't a big production, he just greeted her like he would any of his own kids.

He finally turned and she nearly giggled at the apron he was wearing. "Why don't you and Dickie take a sit. It's going to be a few more minutes."

She eyed the barstools, but Richard pulled her towards the couch. Olivia remained in the kitchen, but she was taken aback when she noticed a mop of curls tucked into the corner of the couch behind a book. Her head whipped around towards Richard, but he didn't seem in the least bit surprised by the kids' presence.

Rich leaned in and lifted his fist for a fist bum. "Hey Noh." He leaned closer to check out the graphic novel he was reading. "That the dragon one you were telling me about?"

The boy gave Rich a shy smile. "Yeah."

"Cool," Richard said as he settled down next to him. "Can I see?"

"Yeah." The boy's smile widened when Rich dropped down next to him on the couch.

Richard's eyes lifted to hers and he patted the seat next to him on the couch. She obediently sat, but she couldn't take her eyes off the kid.

"Noah, this is Sarah. Remember I told you about her?"

Noah's eyes danced with mischief. "Yeah. She's your girlfriend." He exaggerated the last word and it made her laugh.

She waited for Rich to tell her who the hell the kid was, but he didn't. He just settled next to the boy and began a super involved conversation on dragons.

She glanced over her shoulder to see Elliot and Olivia speaking quietly in the kitchen. His hand was on her hip, and there was some pretty close talking going on, and suddenly it clicked.

Her eyes drifted back to the child on the couch and she had to hold back her gasp. That had to be Olivia's child, his hair was nearly the same color, and those curls…but that wasn't what jarred her. When the little boy lifted his eyes shyly in her direction she noticed he had the same color eyes as Richard's, and as she looked closer she noted the similar shape. Damn. She expected some discomfort meeting Olivia, but she hadn't expected she might encounter a secret love child this evening.

She watched Richard point out pictures in the book, and she wondered if this kid was the reason for his complicated emotions concerning Olivia. If his dad had an affair, that would definitely leave a lot of people with resentment.

Sarah discreetly looked over her shoulder again to view the couple chatting comfortably. Olivia leaned back into the counter, and Elliot's hand remained on her, as if he couldn't stand to not be touching her.

Her mind scanned through everything Rich had told her about Olivia. She had been his dad's partner. For thirteen years. That would make them close, and it probably wouldn't have been difficult to cross lines….

Richard had asked her not to Google her, which seemed like a really weird request, but she figured she had got some bad press at some point and Rich wanted to protect her. It was kind of sweet. She knew she was the captain of Manhattan SVU, which was an incredible accomplishment. She must be pretty driven, and strong to excel in a male dominated profession.

She racked her mind for anything else, and she came up empty. Rich surely hadn't told her about his youngest brother, and she would ask him about it later. It seemed like a strange thing to keep from her.

She continued to watch the pair talking in the kitchen, and she was surprised they hadn't noticed her obvious observation. They seemed to be in their own little bubble. Rich mentioned that they could be seeing each other, but they haven't made any official statement or anything. Basically all the kids thought that the inevitable had finally happened. If Sarah were to guess, she would say they were absolutely together.

She watched Olivia drop her hand on his chest, and speak quietly. She seemed to be reassuring him of something, and she wondered why he would be nervous. She and Rich were the ones announcing their engagement. She slid her hand up his chest and cupped his face. Her thumb brushed lightly over the light stubble there. Elliot lifted his hand and covered hers, bringing it to his side. He nodded his head, and took a step back.

Sarah returned her gaze to Rich and Noah, sending that the kitchen conversation was over and someone might notice her watching.

"Dickie?"

Sarah smiled at the boy's use of Richard's childhood nickname, knowing he probably picked it up from his mother. She noticed that no one had called him Richard since he stepped through the door. It was funny because if anyone dared call him Dickie anywhere else they would be given a fat lip.

"Noah," he said back.

So the boy's name was Noah.

He leaned towards Richard and his mischievous smile returned. "Are you going to ask Sarah to marry you?"

Richard chuckled before he leaned in as if he was letting Noah in on a big secret. "I already did," he whispered loud enough for Sarah to hear.

Noah's eyes widened. "Did you say yes?"

Damn. That kid was cute. That dimple. Both Elliot and Rich had the same one. She motioned for Noah to lean closer. He complied and she smiled. "Yes."

Noah practically bounced with excitement and his eyes immediately darted to his parents in the kitchen. Before he could say anything, Rich stopped him. He put a finger to his lips. "Shhh. We're going to surprise them after dinner, okay?"

The kid nodded. "Okay."

As if on cue, Elliot called from the kitchen. "Dinner is ready!"