Disclaimer: SVU and all of its characters were created by and are the property of Dick Wolf. I make no profit with this story, which is my own original work.


Elliot was heading back to the hospital, prepared for an extended stay. Even though it was Monday morning, he wasn't due back at work, having been told by Cragen to take a few days to avoid burnout. It had required every ounce of his willpower to follow his Captain's advice and remain at his home resting over the weekend, but the company of his kids had helped tremendously. Likewise, it was a great comfort in knowing that both Fin and John had volunteered to spend their time keeping Olivia company.

Even though Elliot knew it to be fact, it was hard to believe that a little more than two months had passed since he'd first brought his partner to the hospital. Olivia still remained in a coma, but her pregnancy had flourished, and her figure had blossomed. Despite her state of perpetual sleep, her complexion was glowing, and every day there were new curves to marvel over as her body changed with the development of their little Peanut. As for Olivia's hair, it had already grown out so much that it was practically impossible to tell that any part of it had ever been shaved for the burr hole surgery that had taken place so many weeks ago.

In fact, now that Olivia was nearing the seventh month of her pregnancy, Elliot was getting ready to go on a more permanent medical leave himself. Dr. Barrett had mentioned that a premature birth was possible, and Elliot wanted to be able to devote all of his time and attention to both his partner and their daughter whenever necessary. As soon as this shortened upcoming week at work was complete, he would be starting to use the backlog of time that he had built up for himself.

As for Olivia's medical care, the FBI continued to cover all expenses. In addition, they had upheld their other promises, and bestowed upon Olivia a substantial financial settlement that was waiting for her to collect. Currently, the monies were building interest in an account in the bank.

For Elliot's part, he had taken it upon himself to secure a larger apartment. Even though he and Olivia had never had a chance to discuss the status of their relationship, given that she was still incapacitated, there would soon be an infant that he would have to provide for. His current residence barely had enough space for himself and his kids when they came to visit, let alone anyone else. Thankfully, Kathy had been a tremendous help, as had his SVU family. The only one who was still having difficulty getting on board with the fact that she was getting another sibling was Kathleen – but again, her rage was primarily directed at her father. Elliot had tried talking to his middle daughter again at dinner the night before, but had been met with the cold shoulder.

That was why, as he neared his partner's room, Elliot had been beyond shocked to hear the sound of a familiar voice filtering out into the hall. As much as his heart clung to the hope, he knew that Olivia hadn't regained consciousness, or else the staff would have alerted him immediately. But for reasons he had yet to learn why – or could even comprehend – Kathleen had chosen to cut school and come here to the hospital and spend her day visiting a woman who she claimed had ruined her family.

Not wanting to eavesdrop, no matter how curious he was, Elliot made every effort to announce his presence. Though it wasn't something he was accustomed to doing, he knocked before entering the room, only stepping across the threshold when he heard Kathleen pause mid sentence. Thankfully, when he came into view, his daughter didn't bolt on sight, even if she did level a withering gaze in his direction. Knowing this wasn't the time for a lecture, and that the subject of Kathleen's having cut class could be saved for later, Elliot instead offered an apology.

"Sorry, sweetie. I didn't mean to interrupt. I didn't know anyone would be here. If you'd like, I can just drop off my things and go for a cup of coffee, give you some more time alone with Olivia."

The look of surprise on his daughter's face was evident, as apparently she had been anticipating an interrogation of sorts. She was silent for several moments as she considered what her father had said, before ultimately agreeing.

"You haven't heard what I've said already? You don't want to stay and listen?"

"I only heard enough to be able to recognize your voice, that it was you here in the room. I couldn't tell what you were saying. Of course I'd love to spend time with you, but I also understand if you need the space to talk to Olivia by yourself."

Nodding her acceptance, Kathleen ultimately agreed.

"I'd like that. Maybe I can meet you in the visitors lounge when I'm done here, and we can grab that coffee together or something?"

"Of course. That would be great."

Elliot turned on his heel to exit the room when he heard Kathleen calling after him yet again.

"Dad!"

Looking back over his shoulder, he saw where his daughter was pointing to one of the bottles of nail polish on Olivia's nightstand. It had been awhile since he'd given his partner a proper manicure, even though he'd been keeping up with her pedicures as much as possible.

"Do you think Olivia would mind if I painted her nails?"

"I think she'd love that. All you need to do is make sure to leave the nail on the index finger of her right hand polish free. That's where they place the pulse oximeter to keep track of her blood oxygen levels."

"I can do that. Thanks, Dad."

Fighting back the lump in his throat, Elliot made his way out of the room. It was the most Kathleen had spoken to him since he had told her that Olivia was having his baby. He'd known all along that the teen had just needed time to adjust to the news, but even so, knowing that the connection might potentially be restored was a wonderful thing.

Once he was in the visitor's lounge – and relieved to have the room to himself – Elliot settled and tried to wrap his brain around the events of the day. He also began to make plans for the following week, when he would ultimately start moving in to the new apartment. The one thing he wanted to wait until the absolute last minute for was decorating a nursery, because it just didn't seem fair to do that without Olivia's input. Their little Peanut would be her first child, she deserved to have a say in how that particular room was put together.

After a brief phone call with Kathy, where he reassured his wife that their daughter was safe – apparently the school had just called in regard to Kathleen's lack of attendance – Elliot informed his ex wife that he would send Kathleen back home in a cab in a few hours time. Once he had disconnected, Elliot sighed heavily. Even though he had been getting as much rest as he could, he still felt exhaustion creeping in. Deciding it wouldn't hurt to close his eyes for a few minutes while Kathleen was sitting with his partner, Elliot leaned his head back against the cushion of the couch and let himself rest. He was asleep in minutes.


Elliot hadn't been resting for long when Kathleen came racing into the visitor's lounge in a panic, frantically shaking her father in an attempt to wake him. Even though there seemed to be no sense of urgency among the staff, what she had just witnessed in Olivia's room had frightened her terribly, and despite her conflicting emotions over the situation as a whole, she still needed the reassurance that only her father could provide.

"Dad! Dad, wake up."

Having been startled awake and recognizing just how anxious his daughter was, it appeared that Kathleen's distress was contagious. Elliot immediately assumed the worst, and was on his feet in an instant, already on his way to Olivia's room with his heart in his throat and ice running through his veins. When he ultimately entered the familiar quarters and found that things were much as he had left them – save for the fresh coat of bright pink on his partner's fingernails – Elliot allowed his breathing to return to normal. Turning to face his daughter, he braced his hands on her shoulders, concern still evident in his voice.

"Katie, what is it?"

"I'm sorry, Dad. None of the doctors seem worried. But one of the machines keeps making a noise, and I got really scared. I thought something might be happening to Olivia or the baby."

As if to prove her point, the machine that Kathleen had been referring to chose that exact moment to make a noise again, and Elliot couldn't hide his smile as he understood its significance. Having spent so much of his time here at the hospital, he was quite familiar with the sound, but he could easily understand how it would seem to someone who didn't understood the logic behind it.

"What you're hearing means that the baby is kicking. Since Olivia isn't able to tell us when she feels any movement, the doctors have positioned a device on her abdomen. Much like the fetal heartbeat monitor, it keeps track of the little Peanut's development, and lets us know when she's most active."

Kathleen's facial journey was a sight to behold. It was only when Elliot saw his daughters more conflicted emotions that he realized he had spoken the nickname he had given his child with Olivia out loud. Hoping that he hadn't done any more damage to his already fragile relationship with Kathleen, he opened his mouth in an attempt to explain. Before he had a chance, however, she beat him to it.

"You call her Peanut? You really do have enough love in your heart for all of your kids, don't you?"

"Of course. Nothing would change that. But what made you finally come to that conclusion?"

Finally feeling more at ease, Kathleen lowered herself into the chair that she had previously occupied.

"Maureen always said your name for her, especially when she was little, was Jellybean. I think Mom told me about that once too. Up until I got angry with you for it, you used to call me Bug. I even remember before the twins were born, and even though you didn't want to know, you somehow found out you were having a girl and a boy. Even before they had names, you referred to Lizzie as Munchkin and Dickie as Champ."

Elliot couldn't hide his smile.

"You were so young when they were born. But I suppose we did keep those nicknames for awhile. Part of the reasons I'm doing it now is because it doesn't seem fair to give this little one a name when Olivia can't offer any input."

"That makes sense. I'm sorry I've been such a brat. I know its no excuse, but I was only just getting used to the divorce, and the news you gave us that night a few months back came out of nowhere. I know you'd never cheat on Mom, though."

"Thank you for that. And you're right, I wouldn't. I'm sorry, too. I'm sorry that there wasn't more time to prepare you. It's the last thing I wanted, and I know the last thing Olivia would have wanted is for any of you to be upset."

Kathleen fell silent for a few moments, before asking her next question with a tentative voice.

"Do they think she's going to wake up soon?"

Taking a seat in the chair next to his daughter, Elliot decided it would be best to just be honest.

"It's still just a waiting game. No one seems to be able to say for certain why Olivia slipped into the coma in the first place, or when she will wake up. It was likely a complication of the stroke she suffered as a result of the brain bleed, and the doctors have mentioned that it might have even been her body's way of protecting itself so it could properly heal. But the good thing is, despite the seriousness of the situation, she's strong, and the rest of her health is good. The baby is developing just the way she should, and there have been no other complications."

Kathleen seemed to absorb that information, and while she was still troubled, her mind had been put at ease. Knowing that he would eventually need to send his daughter home to her mother – and having not yet broached the subject of the fact that school had been cut that day – Elliot instead opted to continue on with the truce that had been reached.

"What do you say we head downstairs, and have that cup of coffee we talked about? Then, if you wanted, you could stay for a bit longer, and watch while Olivia has her weekly ultrasound. I was thinking maybe now that you've witnessed what our Peanut is like when she kicks, you might like to see what else your little sister is up to."

It was a risky offer, Elliot knew that when he posed the suggestion. But there had been no doubt whatsoever on Kathleen's face, only acceptance.

"I'd like that. It probably wouldn't hurt for you to eat some lunch, too, Dad. You have been remembering to take care of yourself, haven't you?"

Elliot certainly wasn't complaining about Kathleen's change in attitude, but my, how she had done a complete one-eighty in terms of her opinion. Just as recent as the day before, she had been at his apartment under duress, and now she was willingly spending time with him – and not only that, but encouraging him to look after his own needs.

"I think we can manage lunch. The only question is, did we want to brave the hospital cafeteria, or try one of the nearby restaurants?"

"We can go somewhere close. I know you won't want to leave Olivia for long. Or, if you'd rather, I can go and pick something up for both of us and bring it back here."

Some days it was difficult for Elliot to remember that his daughter was of the age where she had enough freedom and independence to travel throughout the city by herself – at least during the day. He tried not to think about the fact that very soon, he'd be teaching another one of his children how to drive – roughly around the same time that his newest would be learning how to walk. The juxtaposition of the two events was so difficult to wrap his head around, that Elliot didn't even want to try. Instead, he decided to simply accept Kathleen's offer.

"That sounds great. Why don't you head to the deli that's about half a block away, and pick up something there? I'm sure you'll be able to find some food you'll like, and you can just get me a roast beef and swiss on rye with a side of fries."

Taking a few bills out of his wallet, Elliot passed the money to his daughter, and reminded her to be careful. Then, he settled in the chair she had vacated and took Olivia's hand in his own, bringing it to his lips. He was going to use the time alone with his partner to marvel in wonder at what had just transpired. Maybe, if he was lucky, he'd get another miracle soon, too.


Kathleen returned a short while later, bag of food in hand. Much to Elliot's surprise, his daughter even attempted to give him the change, which he told her to keep. The pair set up their lunch on the table in Olivia's room, and Elliot was relieved that Kathleen had thought about the one factor he had not, and remembered to purchase drinks to accompany their meal. It was only when Elliot noticed what his daughter had chosen for herself that he thought back to an interaction earlier in the year, around the time of the twins' confirmation. After the ceremony, he had offered to take the whole family out for burgers, only to be met with scorn from Kathleen, who had informed him that she was now a vegetarian.

Since that day, he had tried harder to understand his middle daughter's new dietary choices. He eventually learned that she hadn't cut meat from her life completely – only beef, pork, and poultry. On rare occasions, Kathleen still enjoyed fish, which was why today she had brought herself back a tuna melt to enjoy. Like her father, she also added a side of fries to her order, and Elliot couldn't help but feel a slight role reversal as Kathleen wouldn't start eating until after he had taken his first bite. Wanting to alleviate her concerns, he waited until after he swallowed the food in his mouth, then spoke.

"I promise, I'm taking care of myself. For one thing, I know that if I didn't, Olivia would be one of the first people to kick my ass if she ever found out. I have a lot of help. Everyone is making sure I eat and that I'm getting enough rest."

Kathleen felt a flash of guilt before she realized that her father was only making conversation, not casting blame. Not once had he ever tried to make her feel bad for the way she had been acting, even when she'd been treating him like shit. Yes, it had taken her some time to come around to the idea of her father and Olivia having a baby together – still seemed very surreal if she was being honest – but she wasn't as angry as she had been before. Plus, she had always liked Olivia. If any woman deserved to be a mother, it was her. Kathleen just hoped that her father's partner would wake up soon so she could enjoy the experience.

Not long after the two were finished eating, they returned to their previously occupied chairs by Olivia's bedside. It was then that Kathleen noticed the camcorder that Elliot had brought with him, having just gotten it out of his bag.

"What are you going to use that for, Dad?"

"I've been recording every ultrasound that Olivia has had. I don't want her to miss a moment, so I'm making a memory of each one that I can, so when she wakes up, I can play them for her and she still gets to experience them."

"That's so sweet. I have that old MP3 player at home, since you and Mom gave me a new one for my birthday this year. Maybe I can talk to Maureen and Lizzie, see if they'd want to help. We can create a playlist of music for Olivia. Music is supposed to help, right?"

Elliot was deeply touched that his daughter had that idea.

"It can. I've even been reading to her every day. I've started to lose track of how many books we've gone through by now. I also read to the baby, too."

Before Kathleen could say anything to that, the sound of a rolling cart captured both of their attention. Even though he knew exactly who and what was coming, Elliot turned his head toward the source of the noise, to see Dr. Barrett pushing the portable ultrasound machine into the room.

"Good afternoon, Olivia, Elliot. Are you both ready for this week's look at your little Peanut?"

As though realizing they weren't alone, Dr. Barrett acknowledged Kathleen.

"Hello. Nice to meet you. I'm Dr. Barrett, Olivia's obstetrician."

"Kathleen. Olivia is carrying my little sister. Dad said it would be all right if I was here for the ultrasound today."

Dr. Barrett turned her gaze to Elliot, who nodded in confirmation.

"Of course. If you two will just give me a minute to get set up, we can get started. Elliot, I know you'll also want to get the camcorder ready."

Prior to beginning, Dr. Barrett did a basic exam on Olivia, including palpating lightly on her abdomen to gauge the positioning of the baby, and using a fabric tape measure to record fundal height. So far, everything had been on track, yet another indicator along with the ultrasounds that despite Olivia's comatose status, the child growing within her body was developing exactly as she should. Just as she always did, the doctor reported her findings to both Olivia and Elliot.

"Okay, Olivia, everything continues to look good. I think it's time we had another look at your little Peanut, don't you?"

Turning the ultrasound machine on, Dr. Barrett squeezed a healthy amount of conductive gel on the wand and made a pass over her patient's swollen abdomen. By this point, Elliot was already recording, so he was more than ready when the doctor pressed the button that would allow the room to fill with the sound of the baby's heartbeat. That was when Kathleen gasped softly to Elliot's right, and he broke his focus on his youngest daughter to check on the well being of his middle one. That was when he saw that he wasn't the only one committing the moment to memory.

"Katie? You okay?"

"She's so little. But her heartbeat. She sounds so strong – and she'd have to be. Look what she's already been through."

As it always happened during these times, Elliot felt the tears pricking at his eyes, and the lump in his throat grow, making it difficult to swallow. It helped to know that someone was here today to share in his sense of awe and wonderment, but it didn't make him stop wishing that Olivia would wake up and witness these moments for herself in person.

"She is, and I can't take any credit for that. She gets her strength from her mama."

"She gets it from you, too, Dad. Not to mention you and Olivia are both the most stubborn people I know. Of course your child would inherit that trait."

Laughing, Elliot couldn't help but admit that Kathleen was right. She also wasn't the first person to have told him that, either. With Benson and Stabler genes coursing through her blood, their little Peanut would no doubt be a handful. But he was one hundred percent here for it, and he couldn't wait to meet her. He just wanted Olivia to be there for it, too.

Once the ultrasound was complete, Elliot passed Kathleen the camcorder, then took over the task of wiping the excess conductive gel from Olivia's abdomen from Dr. Barrett. When the doctor arranged a day the following week to repeat the procedure, and reminded him that would be the appropriate time to perform a 3D ultrasound to get a clearer image, Elliot felt his heart skip a beat. Thanking the obstetrician, he waited until he was alone in the room again with Kathleen before pressing a kiss to Olivia's forehead.

"You did so good, again, Liv. Our little Peanut is getting so big and strong. I can't wait until you can see her."

Something about Elliot's words prompted Kathleen to say her own.

"Thanks for letting me watch that, Olivia. I've never seen anything like it. You're going to be a great mom. I just need you to wake up so you can take care of my dad and my little sister."


Not long after Kathleen had left – having been put in a cab by her father with the fare paid to take her directly back to the family home in Queens – Elliot was back by Olivia's bedside. His mind was still whirling by what had transpired today with his daughter, and while he was relieved that most of the tension had resolved itself, some of it seemed very much like a dream.

In a reflective mood, Elliot instead opted to sit with his partner in the silence. Aside from the intermittent sounds of their little one moving in her protective cocoon, and the ever present soothing noise that was the rhythm of mother and daughter's heartbeats, Elliot relished the quiet. He would talk to Olivia more in a bit, maybe even read to her, but for now, just existing in the same space was more than enough.

Elliot wasn't sure if it was his imagination or merely wishful thinking, but Olivia seemed to be clinging to his hand more often than not today. It wasn't uncommon for her reflexes to respond to his touch, squeezing his hand or fingers. But that wasn't the only thing. Her facial muscles were more active today, too – her eyelids were twitching and even fluttering more than usual. Elliot was well aware that his partner was responsive to painful stimuli, and as much as he wanted the things he was noticing to be signs that Olivia could potentially be waking up, he also fervently hoped that it didn't mean she was in any kind of pain. That was the last thing he wanted. Knowing that a nurse was due to come in soon to bring in the necessary supplements for a tube feeding, he made a mental note to ask about what he had observed so far.

As though having read Elliot's mind, and wanting to rush along the process, the next time the blood pressure cuff on Olivia's arm inflated, an alarm sounded. The reading was one of the highest it had ever been since she had been brought to the hospital, even if it wasn't specifically in a danger zone. More convinced than ever that his partner was in pain, Elliot pressed the call button to summon a nurse to the room, only to have someone step through the door mere moments later. Much to his surprise, the nurse wasn't alone, and was accompanied by Dr. Adelman, who must have just come onto the floor to make rounds.

The neurologist bypassed any form of proper greeting, and instead headed directly to the bed to check on his patient, brushing Elliot to the side without any sort of apology or explanation. Lifting each of Olivia's eyelids, he shone a penlight to check the response of her pupils, and called to the woman on the bed sharply. Hope sprung anew in Elliot's heart, and he stood frozen in his spot, not even aware if he was still breathing as he waited to see what would happen.

"Olivia? Can you hear me? Olivia, I need you to open your eyes."

Another alarm sounded, this time from one of the devices monitoring the movement of the baby. Just when Elliot thought he was going to spiral headfirst into panic he heard a sound that made his knees want to give out on him, but in the best way possible. A small moan escaped his partner's lips, the first noise he had heard her make in months, and though it broke his heart to know that she was in pain, it was also one of the most beautiful sounds Elliot had ever heard, because a part of him had been convinced he might never get to experience that again.

Dr. Adelman called to Olivia again, and received a similar response. Although not his field of expertise, he placed both hands on his patient's abdomen, and that was when Elliot noticed Olivia's stomach visibly constrict. He was even more worried when the doctor turned to the nurse and gave his next orders.

"Page Dr. Barrett. I know she's still in the hospital. Have her get up here as soon as possible. I'm fairly certain this is only Braxton Hicks, but I want to be sure."

Another moan from Olivia, and then the monitor keeping track of her heart rate increased as she grew increasingly more agitated. Dr. Adelman commanded her again to open her eyes, and this time, when she responded, and Elliot found himself staring into a pair of deep chocolate pools. He thought he would faint from relief.

"What...?"

"Try and relax, Olivia. I promise we'll explain everything, but right now I need you to work on keeping yourself calm. Elliot is here with me, and Dr. Barrett is on her way to see you. First, can you tell me how you are feeling?"

"Hurts. Save my baby."

Elliot's heart pulled, to know that even now, after everything that had transpired, Olivia's first instinct was to protect their child at all costs. He wanted nothing more than to go to her and pull her into his arms, offer whatever reassurances he could. It was taking every ounce of willpower in his body to remain rooted to his spot so as not to interfere with the treatment his partner needed at the moment.

As though she had transported herself there, Dr. Barrett appeared from out of nowhere, and despite the myriad of emotions surging through him all at once, Elliot felt shored up in knowing that the doctors were doing everything within their power to make certain that not only Olivia, but their little Peanut, were stable.

"She's awake? And having contractions? Odds are high it is Braxton Hicks, given the stage of her pregnancy, but it is possible that the pain triggered enough of a response that it enabled her to wake up from her coma."

Turning to her patient, Dr. Barrett tried her best to calm the woman on the bed.

"Olivia, I don't want you to panic. I don't believe your child is in any danger, but I need to do a brief exam just to make certain that your waters haven't broken, and to ensure that you aren't dilating. Do you want to be alone for this exam, or would you like Elliot to stay?"

"I want him here. I'm scared."

Not willing to be separated from his partner any longer, especially when she was this frightened, Elliot was by her side in an instant. Making sure to stay as out of the way as possible, he took Olivia's hand in his own, and brushed her hair back to touch his lips to her forehead.

"I'm right here, Liv. I'm not going anywhere. You've got this."

Dr. Adelman, who had already stopped the continuous motion of Olivia's bed when he had arrived earlier, moved to the side to allow Dr. Barrett the freedom of movement she needed to conduct her exam. By now, the machines had quieted somewhat, and Olivia's blood pressure was stabilizing. Whether that was a result of whatever contractions she had been experiencing having passed, or because Elliot's presence had a healing power all of its own, no one could say for certain.

Olivia clung tight to her partner's hand while Dr. Barrett examined her. It wasn't a painful process, merely uncomfortable, but relief flooded her body and mind upon learning that despite the level of pain she had just experienced, she was not in active labor. The contractions were diagnosed as having been Braxton Hicks, common at this stage of pregnancy. With a promise to return the following day, the obstetrician stepped out, leaving Olivia with a doctor she only vaguely remembered as having been her surgeon, and a man she trusted more than anything. It was when the former spoke, that she hoped she would get some answers to the questions swirling through her mind, even though she knew Elliot would never keep secrets from her.

"Okay, Olivia. I'm sure you have a lot of things you need answered. First things first, I'm going to turn back on the circulation function of your bed, just as a precaution, okay? Also, would you like to sit up a little bit more?"

"Please."

After being repositioned, Olivia felt less like she was being stared at and more on an even level with the men in her room. Also, while Dr. Adelman had stated that he was uncomfortable with her drinking anything liquid just yet, he had permitted her to have some ice chips to soothe her dry mouth, and Elliot had already fed her a couple.

"Okay. Will somebody please tell me what the hell is going on?"


It was more than hour later before Olivia received any amount of answers to satisfy her enough. She was full of questions, as well as a ton of confusion over the amount of lost time she had absolutely no recollection of. One thing was for certain, and that was that Elliot's presence was incredibly reassuring, and Olivia knew she had been right to entrust her partner with everything she had placed into his hands. She longed for time alone to just talk with him, but first she still had to endure yet another evaluation to determine her levels of cognition after learning about the stroke she had suffered during the surgery so many weeks before.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Dr. Adelman left Olivia to rest, with instructions to call her nurse if she felt any pain or anything out of the ordinary. Still feeling as though she were living inside a dream, Olivia could only nod her agreement, too relieved to finally have time alone with Elliot to say much else. Thankfully, as soon as they were on their own, her partner didn't hesitate to envelop her in his arms, his relief just as evident as her own.

"You have no idea how glad I am that you're awake, Liv."

"Please tell me that you haven't been living here at the hospital."

With a rueful chuckle, Elliot sat in chair by Olivia's bedside, pulling it as close as possible. Somehow, he had manged to not let go of her hand in the process.

"Of course, you would wake up from a coma and have one of your first concerns to be about me. I assure you, I've had plenty of people making sure that I'm taking care of myself. Not to mention, even when you're sleeping, you're still a formidable woman. My fear of you kicking my ass has kept me in line, too."

"Good to know."

For all her bravado, it was when it was just the two of them that Olivia's face crumpled. Her hand went to her abdomen, and she looked at Elliot with tears in her eyes.

"I've missed so much, time that I'll never be able to get back, and I hate that. Not just the ultrasounds, but even feeling her move for the first time. I should have been awake for that. It's not fair."

Elliot's heart broke for Olivia. He hated to see her so upset, and would have given anything to turn back the clock and spare her this heartache. That much power wasn't something he was capable of, but he could at least restore some of the memories that the woman he loved was lamenting about having missed out on.

"I can help with some of that, Liv. I've been keeping a thorough record all this time, both by way of a diary and video logs. I've used my camcorder during every ultrasound, so you can go back and view them all – and while I may have missed the very first one, I've kept track of some of the movements the machines have picked up on, too."

Olivia was emotional again, but this time her tears were prompted by gratitude and not sadness. There was still so much she needed to ask Elliot about – not to mention thank him for. Dr. Adelman had explained some of the decisions her partner had needed to make on her behalf, and while Olivia had no regrets about having made Elliot her medical proxy and power of attorney, she hated that he had been put in such a delicate position.

"Have you told the others?"

"Of course. I made a few phone calls while I was banished from your room during your evaluations. Everyone is so beyond happy and thrilled, but of course they are going to wait a few days before descending on the hospital to see you. They want to give you some space to acclimate to things, then they will come and visit."

Olivia was silent as she absorbed that information. She had so many questions, but surprisingly the one at the forefront of her mind had nothing whatsoever to do with her current medical situation or even her daughter.

"El, why are my nails pink? My memory is still very foggy, but I distinctly remember coming home from Oregon with them unpainted, not to mention I know for a fact that no manicure – no matter how expensive – lasts that long."

Bringing Olivia's hand to his mouth, Elliot placed a kiss on her knuckles.

"I would claim responsibility, but I'm afraid this current paint job is not my doing. However, I have been keeping your toenails freshly polished throughout the course of your stay here. I just wanted to pamper you a little. Today's manicure, though, is courtesy of Katie."

As the weight of what Elliot had said dawned on Olivia, her eyebrow arched up so high it was almost as if it would disappear off her forehead entirely.

"Your family knows? I mean, I suppose they would have to by now, it's been so long. I'm sorry to have left you to deal with that on your own. I can't imagine that was an easy conversation by any means. I guess that means they don't hate me."

Not wanting to worry his partner, but knowing he needed to be completely honest, Elliot shifted in his chair to ensure his gaze was leveled directly with Olivia's.

"They don't hate you. I'm not going to lie to you, there was some tension when I first told them, particularly from Katie, but I was the only one she was angry with. I want you to know that. You are not to blame. But she was here today when I got to the hospital – even skipped school to come visit you, but that's a story for another day. Let's just say that she's now completely on board with having another little sister."

There was so much Olivia wanted to know, like what Elliot's other kids thought about the situation, or even how Kathy had reacted to the news, but the last thing she wanted was to overwhelm herself. It wasn't as if she had to absorb all the news that had happened during her time in the coma within the first few hours of waking up. Instead, she just wanted to enjoy the time spent with her partner, and come to terms with the fact that she was a lot more pregnant than she last remembered being.

As if trying to prove a point, a fluttering sensation from within happened at that exact moment, followed by a sound from a machine to her right. Olivia's palm traveled to the swell of her abdomen, her eyes wide as she realized what had happened.

"El!"

Reaching out for her partner's hand, she placed it over the same place where she had just felt movement, so he could experience it as well. Together, the two shared in the wonder of the moment, feeling their daughter kick for the first time as a couple. It was Elliot who ultimately broke the silence, his eyes wet with tears that matched those in Olivia's.

"Looks like our little Peanut knows her mama is awake and wants to say hello."

Olivia's face softened even more, and the tears she had been fighting to hold back started to slip down her cheeks.

"Peanut?"

Pressing his lips to Olivia's forehead, Elliot leaned close to explain. His voice was almost a whisper as he spoke.

"I didn't know when you were going to wake up, and I couldn't bear to give her a name without you – it just didn't seem right. But it also didn't seem fair to keep referring to her as 'baby' or 'little girl." I'm not even sure where it came from, Peanut just slipped out when I came in to visit one morning. I guess you could say it kind of stuck."

"I love it."


So much of the afternoon had passed in a whirlwind, with people coming to check in on and assess Olivia repeatedly now that she was awake. There would be more evaluations to come the following day, too, and while the thought of it was very overwhelming to consider, Olivia was just relieved to learn that Elliot had every intention of spending the night with her. The last thing she wanted to do right now after having just woken up after so long was to even think about falling asleep, even though she couldn't deny the fact that a part of her was still feeling very exhausted. Though she hadn't admitted her fears to anyone but her partner, Olivia was terrified that if she went to sleep again, it would be yet another several months before she'd wake up. She didn't want to risk it – not when she'd already missed so much.

In the meantime, there were other things to look forward to, such as the 3D ultrasound that Elliot had told her about that would be happening when Dr. Barrett came to visit tomorrow. While she hadn't seen them all as of yet, Olivia had watched a few of the videos her partner had recorded for her, and she was amazed at the way their daughter had grown.

Another bonus was that after inquiring as to whether or not Olivia was hungry, the doctors had arranged for her to have a dinner tray delivered. She would be scheduled to continue receiving the tube feeding supplements to ensure she was getting the proper nutrition, but for the time being was to start out with a somewhat restricted soft foods diet. Once the occupational therapists were able to examine her more in depth and evaluate her swallowing response and other reflexes, that would likely change, but they didn't want to overwhelm her system by having her take on too much, too soon. At any rate, Olivia was just relieved to have something to eat that wasn't provided to her by a tube or an IV line.

Not having realized she had sighed so audibly, Olivia felt herself relax almost instantly when Elliot took her hand in his own. Comforted by her partner's presence, she tried to quiet her busy mind and glanced to her side, wanting to put the man who was looking at her with a question in his expression before he could even put it into words at ease.

"I'm sorry. I know I'm probably thinking very loudly. It's just that everything that has happened today seems so very surreal. I can only imagine what this has been like for you."

"You don't have to apologize, Liv. If it's something you need to talk about, I'm here. If you need time to process, I understand that, too. It's only been hours. Give yourself the grace to come to terms with things before you go beating yourself up."

Nodding, Olivia took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to focus on happier things as opposed to the myriad of thoughts that were trying inundate her brain all at once.

"Can you just...talk to me? I could really use the distraction. Doesn't really even matter about what."

"I could read to you, if you like. I've been doing that every day since you've been in the hospital anyway."

Olivia's face softened, and her lower lip trembled ever so slightly.

"I'd like that."

Instead of choosing one of the many novels he'd narrated to his partner over recent weeks, Elliot instead opted for an old favorite standby, one that he had read from on several occasions. It was a book of sonnets written by William Shakespeare, in keeping with the theme of English literature that he knew Olivia favored.

The longer Elliot's voice filled the room, the more obvious it was that Olivia's agitation was decreasing. The cadence of her partner's timbre was putting her at ease – but she wasn't the only one, and it didn't take the woman in the bed very long to become aware of that fact. The hand that was resting on her abdomen easily observed that their daughter, or as Elliot referred to her, their little Peanut, was also reacting to the sound of hearing her father speak.

"Seems like I'm not the only one who likes listening to you."

"That's probably because I've been reading to her, too."

Any battle Olivia was fighting to keep her tears at bay was immediately lost. A glance at the nightstand allowed her to see something she had failed to notice previously – a collection of books for not only children, but also some of her all time favorites, and she was so deeply touched to know just how much time Elliot must have devoted to them.

Elliot continued to read to Olivia for a little over an hour, and he didn't stop until her dinner tray arrived. The last thing he wanted to do was leave for any reason, even to get his own food, and thankfully he didn't have to. The nurses had thought ahead for that very instance and arranged to have something brought up for him from the cafeteria. Now, the two partners could have their dinner together.

For the time being, the circulation feature on Olivia's bed was turned off so she could eat. Her meal wasn't much – just a small selection of soft foods, but it was a perfect starting point after having not been able to consume anything by mouth in so long. Some mashed potatoes, a container of yogurt, and a banana may not have seemed like much, but to Olivia, it looked like gourmet cuisine. She had missed so many aspects of her pregnancy, and she hoped she would still get to experience some part of the weird random cravings – however bizarre hers might turn out to be.

The only major difficulty was, Olivia found that her physical strength wasn't quite what she expected it to be. It wasn't that she was necessarily experiencing weakness on any particular side, as sometimes happened to those who have suffered from a stroke, but rather her muscles were just not familiar with what to do after not having been used for such a long period of time. Elliot had told her that she'd had visits from physical therapists on the regular, but that didn't change the frustration Olivia felt when her hand wouldn't stop shaking, and all she was doing was holding a spoon and trying to feed herself. Still, she managed – and without spilling anything. In the end, she hadn't been able to eat as much as she would have liked, but the food had tasted amazing.

After they were done eating, Olivia asked Elliot to talk to her some more, in particular because she had some questions that couldn't wait any longer for answers. She realized that maybe her timing wasn't the best, but she also knew that unless her brain was put at ease, there was no way she was going to be able to get any semblance of rest – and the last thing she needed right now was to stress herself out.

"I'm guessing I don't have an apartment anymore. I know the FBI was keeping up with things while I was UC, but I can't imagine they would have continued that for this long."

"Actually, Liv, I've been in touch with Dana on more than a few things. You're going to be pleasantly surprised. What bit of news would you like to hear first?"

Olivia regarded her partner carefully. Knowing that Dana had been involved was very telling indeed. Had she woken up after merely a few days time, her first instinct would have been to examine Elliot's knuckles for any signs of telltale bruising, knowing instinctively that he would have done whatever he could to avenge her – especially if he had somehow found out about exactly what Dean Porter had failed to do. But the last thing Olivia had been expecting to learn was that the FBI had not only kept up with paying the rent on her apartment, but had also assumed responsibility for all of her medical bills, as well as a substantial compensatory settlement. It was a relief knowing that Porter had been terminated from his position, even more so learning that Elliot hadn't needed to intervene on her behalf.

"I'm still going to need to find a new apartment. My one bedroom isn't exactly big enough for a baby."

"About that, Liv. I hope you don't get mad at me for making a decision on your behalf, but I was kind of forced to do a lot of that recently. I may have found a place for all of us. I know we've never explicitly discussed moving in together, so if that is something you don't want, I'll let you have the apartment and we'll figure something else out, but I really hope you'll say yes and we can all be a family."


Several hours later, those words from Elliot were still at the forefront of Olivia's brain. She hadn't been able to give him an answer immediately, but then again, he hadn't been expecting one, either. Her partner obviously understood how much was on her plate at the moment, and didn't want to add any more stress or pressure than what she was already carrying. He had merely been stating fact.

Now, awake in the middle of the the night, and alone with her thoughts – Olivia had feigned sleep earlier, only so as to convince her partner to get some rest of his own. As much as she missed Elliot's company, there was no denying that the sound of his soft snores from across the room were equally comforting. Plus, no matter how much he had promised to be there for everything, there were some issues she needed to be on her own to process. She wasn't even what she would call restless or agitated, Olivia would merely describe the current state of her mind as 'busy'.

Before she could turn her focus to any other one of the myriad of topics swirling in her brain, the sound of approaching footsteps captured Olivia's attention. Even though she hadn't even been awake for a full twenty four hours yet, she was accustomed to the frequent checks on her by staff, and recognized the subtle squeak of a nurse's shoes against the linoleum floor. She wasn't annoyed by the intrusion, rather more worried that the disruption would also wake Elliot, which was the last thing she wanted. As soon as the woman in scrubs cleared the doorway, Olivia made eye contact, and raised a finger to her lips, giving the universal signal for silence.

The nurse – who Olivia ultimately remembered as having introduced herself at the start of shift as Natasha – widened her eyes and hurried over to the side of the bed.

"Olivia, what are you doing awake? Is everything all right?"

Natasha was speaking in a voice just above a whisper, and Olivia answered in kind.

"I'm fine. I'm not in any discomfort, I just can't seem to turn my brain off. But after having slept for so long, I guess it makes sense to be a little restless."

After a few moments of consideration, the nurse offered a suggestion.

"Do you think maybe you might be hungry? I know we've been keeping you supplemented with adequate nutrition, but you only just had your first real meal in weeks tonight at dinner. Your little one might be trying to tell you something."

As though sounding her agreement, Olivia felt her daughter give a tiny kick in response to what had just been said, and she rubbed her hand over her abdomen.

"It would be worth a try. What are my options?"

"I know you're on a soft diet, and you probably won't want anything too heavy this time of night. How about some yogurt? Or, if you're in the mood for something sweeter, we have pudding cups at the nurses station, too."

Taking a few moments to make up her mind, Olivia elected to go with some rice pudding. Natasha offered to bring her two servings, just in case one wasn't enough to satisfy her appetite. In the end, the snack helped tremendously, allowing Olivia to settle enough that she was able to doze lightly not long after. The nurse had also helped allay any residual fear that remained about the possibility of falling back to sleep and not waking up again, with the reminder that no other risk factors for recurrence of coma were currently present.

When Olivia next opened her eyes, she could tell it was still the early hours of the morning, but the sun was just starting to peek through the clouds, meaning she had actually been successful with sleep. Her first instinct was to check on Elliot, but to her surprise, the spot her partner had previously occupied on the sofa by the window was empty. If she strained her ears enough, Olivia could swear she heard the sound of running water, and her detective skills were not so out of practice that she couldn't deduce that Elliot was simply in the bathroom taking a shower and getting ready for the day. As if to prove her point, the noise soon stopped, and about ten minutes later, Elliot emerged from a door near the entrance to her room. The instant their eyes met, his brow furrowed, and he rushed to her side.

"Liv, I'm so sorry I wasn't here when you woke up. I thought I would be finished before then. Forgive me."

"There's nothing to forgive. I'd certainly prefer you shower than have to smell you. I'm sure you remember how much pregnancy heightens the senses. I do hope you didn't forget to apply deodorant."

Elliot made a big show of raising his arms, one after the other, and sniffing dramatically. The partners then dissolved into laughter. Once her residual giggles had abated, Olivia offered some advice.

"Don't give up your day job to focus on a career in comedy. What you can do, however, is go and get yourself some breakfast. I'm sure they'll be bringing the trays around, and whatever they have in store for me, I'd rather not eat it alone."

Leaning forward to press a kiss on Olivia's forehead, Elliot was pleasantly surprised when she tilted her head up so their lips met instead. The touch was brief, and very much chaste, but it sent a thrill through his heart, and he promised to return as soon as possible.

In Elliot's absence, someone else came into the room, an individual Olivia didn't recognize, but then she'd been experiencing a lot of that since waking up the day before. Her partner was more familiar with hospital staff than she was, but she knew that was no fault of her own.

"Good morning, Olivia. I know you probably don't know who I am, but I can assure you that I know you very well. We've had lots of conversations over the last several weeks, even if I was the one carrying most of them."

The woman paused briefly, then continued.

"My name is Kara, and I'm your physical therapist. I've been working with you daily to ensure that your muscles stayed in good condition throughout the course of your coma. Now that you're awake, I'd like to keep up those sessions, and help you regain some of that strength. We'll start by having our appointments here in your room, but gradually will work our way up to bringing you down to our physical therapy center a few floors away."

"I'd like that. I still have some time to get myself back in shape before this little Peanut arrives."

Kara smiled.

"That's what Elliot has always called her, too. I'm glad to see you've approved of his nickname."

"How could I not? It's adorable. Plus, it's not as though I've had any time to brainstorm on any actual names as of yet."

"I'd suggest Kara, but I have a feeling that there may be times when I won't be one of your favorite people. And I'm okay with that, so long as I get you back in top condition. I'll be back to see you this afternoon, Olivia. I just wanted to stop by now so you wouldn't feel ambushed later."

"Thank you. I appreciate that."

Olivia was still processing what had happened when Elliot returned, a breakfast sandwich in one hand, and a bottle of orange juice in the other. Surprised that her partner hadn't chosen coffee for his morning beverage, it was then that Olivia learned that he had purposely avoided drinking the brew in her presence ever since she had been brought to the hospital, knowing that it was forbidden, and not wanting to tempt her unnecessarily. Before Olivia could say anything in response to that, her own tray was delivered, and she temporarily shelved those thoughts away to be discussed later, determined to focus her energies on the food in front of her than anything else.


After a simple meal, where she enjoyed Elliot's company more than the food itself, Olivia faced yet another endless parade of doctors and medical professionals. She tried her best not to get annoyed, understanding that she was indeed a medical marvel, and that her case was rare. But as much as she wanted the answers as to why she had experienced what she had, her attention was instead focused on the upcoming ultrasound – the first she would get to view in person after entirely too long.

The only other person Olivia really wanted to see, besides her obstetrician, was Dr. Adelman. Considering that the man in question was both her neurologist and surgeon, it was his opinion that mattered most. From what Elliot had told her so far about the physician, he had played an integral role in her care. Though Olivia's own memories of Dr. Adelman were faint, her impressions of him since having woken up had all been positive.

While it was a question at the forefront of her mind, Olivia knew better than to ask just yet when she could possibly be discharged from the hospital. Not only was her neurological health still being assessed, but there was also her pregnancy to consider. If it were only her well being on the line, she might be willing to be a bit more stubborn, but there was no way she was going to jeopardize her daughter's health.

Once Olivia had been given a bit of a reprieve from all the poking and prodding, she asked Elliot to give her some ice chips to help moisten her dry mouth. Liquids were still off the table until she saw both the occupational and speech therapists, who were due to arrive later that afternoon. Having realized that she had not yet appraised her partner of a development that had occurred while he was away earlier, Olivia decided that this temporary lull would be the perfect opportunity.

"So, I met Kara."

Elliot raised an eyebrow, but his smile was evident on his face.

"I like her. She's the one responsible for keeping you in shape all this time."

"So do I. She said she's going to come back later today to work with me here, but once I'm feeling stronger, I'll likely have my physical therapy sessions on her floor."

"Makes sense."

Before Olivia had a chance to say anything else, the sound of a rolling cart could be heard in the hall, and it didn't take either her or Elliot's detective skills to determine that it was headed in their direction. Sure enough, a few moments later, Dr. Barrett appeared in the door of her room.

"Good morning, Olivia. I hope you don't mind that I'm here a bit earlier than planned. I had an opening in my schedule and thought I'd spend a little extra time with you."

"Not at all."

The obstetrician just asked for a few minutes to get set up. As she worked, she explained how today's exam would go. Of course, Olivia was disappointed that the ultrasound wouldn't happen immediately, but she understood that other things required the doctor's attention first.

In the end, Olivia's patience paid off. Just when she thought she'd have to go on waiting forever before getting to see a glimpse of her child, Dr. Barrett wheeled the cart into place by the bed. With a glance at Elliot, Olivia didn't even need to voice her request out loud before her partner was by her side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and offering whatever support he could.

"Are you ready to begin, Olivia?"

"Yes."

Pulling up her gown to expose her abdomen, Olivia held out a hand, feeling instantly relieved when Elliot took it without hesitation. Even though it had been awhile since she'd consciously experienced one of these, Olivia remembered the familiar sensation of the conductive gel. That wasn't what held her focus, however, and she held her breath until with a touch of a few buttons an image appeared on the screen in front of her.

Not even trying to stop the tears that had started to fall, Olivia just clung more tightly to her partner. What she was seeing before her eyes might very well be the most beautiful thing she had ever witnessed in her life. The other ultrasounds had been a fantastical sight to behold, no question, but now – a 3D view of their daughter – it made the prospect of giving birth in a short amount of time that much more of a reality.

While their little one's eyes were closed, an impressive crown of hair was already present. The detail was so intricate that Olivia could almost count each and every one of her daughter's eyelashes, and she reached out a finger as though to trace the cupid's bow of that tiny mouth. The miracles didn't stop there, as she and Elliot watched, transfixed, as their child kicked her mother, then moved her arm ever so slightly until she was sucking on her thumb.

"Liv."

Elliot's voice was barely above a whisper, and Olivia didn't need to turn her head to look at him to know he was just as emotional as she.

"I know."

The pair continued to watch as Dr. Barrett moved the wand around, giving them more of a view of their daughter's face. Though she hated to tear her eyes away from the screen for any reason, Olivia needed to share the impulsive thought with her partner.

"Hope. I want to call her Hope. If it's all right with you, that is."

Rather than responding in the affirmative, Elliot kissed Olivia tenderly, then pulled back ever so slightly, but still left their foreheads touching, unwilling to break the connection.

"I love it. It's actually one I had in mind, too. Especially after everything you've both been through. Have you thought of a middle name?"

Olivia looked deep into her partner's blue eyes. She was suspecting that her next suggestion might be met with a bit of resistance, but she was more than willing to argue her case.

"Actually, I'd like to name her after you. Maybe not directly, but a variation. What do you think of Eloise? You've held us together for so long, I want her to know where she gets her strength."

Elliot smiled.

"And here I was going to fight to name her after you, because you are just as strong in your own right. What do you say we compromise?"

As though sensing the two needed to be alone, Dr. Barrett excused herself from the room, with the promise that she would bring by a video copy of the 3D ultrasound soon. Though there was no doubt that both partners heard that exchange, they were too deeply invested in their own conversation to pay it much heed. It never registered as the obstetrician left the room, and Olivia merely repeated the question on her mind back to Elliot.

"What kind of compromise?"

"You want part of her name to honor me, I want part of her name to honor you. Why not both? What do you think of Hope Eloise Benson-Stabler?"

Losing the battle over her tears yet again, Olivia nodded her agreement.

"I love it."

Though it was on the tip of his tongue to add something else – that perhaps their daughter would not be the only one to have Stabler as her surname – Elliot swallowed down the urge for the time being. He reminded himself that Olivia had only just woken up the day before, and needed a bit more time to acclimate. Proposing marriage might be taking things a bit too quickly, especially when she hadn't even agreed to sharing the apartment with him yet. He wasn't going to give up entirely, though. One day he hoped his dreams would come true.


Later that night, Olivia was in the process of unwinding. It had been yet another whirlwind day, and she was exhausted, but still not ready to sleep. Thankfully, Elliot had offered to read to her some more, and the sound of her partner's voice was keeping her from focusing on the more troubling aspects of the day.

For all the positive news she had received – and the ultimate highlight of getting to see exactly what their daughter looked like – the afternoon had also brought with it a few disappointments as well. Even though Olivia had been aware of the possibility that she might not be getting out of the hospital as soon as she would have liked, she wasn't expecting to have to stay until after she had delivered Hope. As disconcerting as that had been to hear, the more she considered it, the more it made sense. Dr. Barrett and Dr. Adelman had consulted extensively with one another, and although the risk of any future neurological complications were minimal, it had been determined it was safer for Olivia to remain as an inpatient through the remainder of her pregnancy.

All hope was not lost, however. Despite the concerns, Dr. Barrett was confident that Olivia would be able to experience as traditional a childbirth as possible, and barring any unforeseen issues, labor and delivery would proceed as normal. There wasn't even a need for restricted bed rest, so she would be able to continue with her physical therapy sessions with Kara and work on regaining her strength, or even simply walking the halls with Elliot.

Speaking of Elliot, Olivia hadn't even been able to think of anything to say when her partner had informed her that he was officially on leave. In addition, he had every intention of spending as much time with her as possible, and even though Olivia wouldn't be able to participate in person in terms of fixing up a nursery for their daughter, he would work together with her on it so she could design it to her specifications, and he would follow her instructions to the letter. When he'd brought out his laptop to prove his point, she hadn't known what to say.

That was how, over the course of the evening after dinner, Olivia had found herself pouring over websites with her partner. From cribs and other furniture, to baby clothes, and within a matter of hours, they had a wish list compiled. Elliot also didn't hesitate to bring out his credit card for the larger ticket items once a decision was made, and as for the others, his mind was already whirling with ideas.

Given that the hospital would be Olivia's residence until after she gave birth, a more traditional baby shower might not be possible. But since she was a first time mother, Elliot wanted to ensure that she experienced everything that pregnancy had to offer. His first steps were to talk with her doctors to ensure that what he had planned would be possible, but as soon as he got the okay, he had every intention of throwing a small – but no less festive – baby shower for his partner right here so all their friends could honor the mother to be. Olivia's having woken up from her coma was yet another reason to celebrate.

"El?"

Elliot paused in his reading, halting his racing thoughts at the same time. There was something in the inflection of Olivia's tone that made him think she was hesitant, and he wanted to do whatever he could to reassure her.

"What is it, Liv?"

"I don't want to bother you, but I would really like some ice cream – preferably Salted Caramel."

Elliot couldn't hide his grin. After having missed out on so much, he certainly wasn't going to deny Olivia any of her cravings. Plus, after being examined by both the occupational and speech therapists earlier today, she had been upgraded to a normal diet with no restrictions. The only thing he didn't want to do was leave Olivia alone for any reason – at least not for any length of time.

"You let me take care of that. Let me see what I can do, I'll be right back."

With a quick kiss, Elliot headed toward the nurse's station, intent on sharing his plan. A few moments later, an order had been placed with an nearby ice cream shop, with a delivery scheduled to arrive shortly. Elliot was also told that he could order anything at anytime. The staff was willing to be very accommodating to Olivia's needs. With sincere thanks, Elliot headed back to his partner.

"Your ice cream will be here shortly, Liv."

"Thanks."

Olivia hesitated before speaking the next words on her mind, then reminded herself that there was no reason to be afraid.

"When I get out of the hospital. I want all of us to live together as a family. You, me, and Hope. And of course, your children whenever they come to stay."

Elliot thought his heart would burst with happiness. Still, the last thing he wanted was for Olivia to feel pressured into making a decision she wasn't ready for. Before he could say anything, however, his partner continued.

"I've lost too much time as it is. If what I've been through has taught me anything, it's never to waste another moment. So what do you say? Will you raise a family with me?"

Instead of answering verbally, Elliot simply pressed his lips to Olivia's, kissing her soundly. Her arms came up to wrap around his neck, holding on tight. That was how the nurse found them when she entered the room a few minutes later to deliver her patient's salted caramel ice cream. Not wanting to intrude, she simply deposited the dessert on the tray table and tiptoed back out again, completely unnoticed by the couple so wrapped up in one another.