Prompt #27: Olivia and Elliot adopt a child with special needs and help them with their struggles. They all support each other in this new stage in life.

And Baby Makes Four

~oOo~

It was a couple of weeks before Halloween when Olivia's cell phone rings.

"Captain Benson."

"Olivia…this is Judge Linden."

"Oh, hi. This is a surprise. Is everything ok?"

"Actually…is your foster license still active?"

"Yes, it is."

"Perfect. There's this absolutely adorable nine-week-old baby girl who we can't keep in a stable foster home."

"Oh no."

"Yes. She does have some medical problems though."

"Is she ok?"

"She's special needs so she's needing extra appointments and the like."

"Oh goodness. Let me talk to Noah and my fiancé and see what they think. Can I call you back in just a bit?"

"Of course. How is Noah? I haven't seen him since your adoption was finalized."

"He's great. He's into dance and is doing well in school."

"And your fiancé is…."

"My former partner, Elliot Stabler."

"And he'll pass a background check?"

"Yes. He has five kids and two and a half grandkids."

"Half?"

"One is on the way."

"How sweet. Tell him congratulations for me. I'll be expecting your call."

"I'll call you back as soon as I can."

"Thank you. Bye." Liv hangs up and shakes her head.

Noah comes in the living room. "Hi, Mom."

"Hey, sweet boy. I'm glad you came in here. I got a phone call."

"Do you have to go in?"

"No baby. I got a phone call from Judge Linden."

"The judge who did my adoption?"

"Yes. She called and asked if we would be interested in being a foster family to a baby girl who has some special needs."

"Oh. What did you tell her?"

"I told her I'd have to ask you and Elliot and call her back."

"Good. What's her name?"

"She didn't say. But the baby is nine weeks old and keeps getting passed around from family to family and she isn't doing well. Which is what happened with you."

"Oh wow. I say yes. I can help you with her."

"I had a feeling you'd say that. You have a heart of gold my boy. Thank you."

Elliot walks in the door. "I'm home."

"Hey. I'm glad you're here. I need to talk to you about something."

"Did I forget something?"

"No. I got a phone call from Judge Linden. She did Noah's adoption."

"Oh. What did she want?"

"There's a nine-week-old baby girl who has been bounced from home to home and isn't doing well."

"Oh no. Is she ok?"

"She does have special needs so being bounced isn't helping her at all."

"What did you tell her?"

"That I'd talk to you and Noah and call her back. She also wanted to know if you'd pass a background check since you'd have to be added to my license."

"Oh. Okay. What all is involved?"

"Surprise visits, we can't take her out of a certain area without permission. Hearings…"

"Okay. Let's do it."

"Okay. I'll call her back and tell her we are doing it." She goes over to him and kisses his cheek.

Olivia goes back in her room and finds the number the judge called from.

"Hello?"

"Judge Linden, it's Olivia."

"That was fast."

"Yes, it was. Noah and Elliot both agreed we should take her."

"Great. You can get her at the same place you got Noah."

"Ok. I'll get the guys and we'll go get her. Does she have a car seat?"

"No, she doesn't that I know of."

"Ok. We'll stop and get one then we'll head over as soon as we can."

"I will let them know to expect you. Thank you, Olivia."

"You're welcome. Is it going to be like Noah and foster for a year then we can adopt her?"

"Yes if that's agreeable with you."

"That is perfect. I have a feeling that she will fit in just right with us."

"I do too. She's so sweet."

"What's her name?"

"She doesn't have one."

"Oh no. And that's not helping at all either."

"No, it's not. She's listed as Baby Girl Doe."

"As soon as we come up with a name, we'll let you know so things can be changed."

"Thank you. Can you come in for a hearing as a formality next week?"

"Yes. Just tell me what time and Elliot and I will be there."

"Great. I'll be in touch."

"We'll look forward to seeing you again."

"Thanks again, Olivia. I know she'll be in good hands with you."

"She won't have to be bounced around again."

"See you soon."

The judge hangs up and Liv grabs her purse.

"Okay, guys. Come on. We have to go get some things before we go get the baby. And one of the first things she needs….is a name."

"She doesn't have a name? That's sad."

"Yes, it is. I think we should see her and then decide on a name."

"I agree. What do we need to go get?"

"All the baby stuff. I gave all of Noah's away."

"Ok. Let's go."

They head down to the car and Elliot drives them towards a baby store.

Noah climbs out of the car and grabs Olivia's hand. "What do we need first Mom?"

"Well…a stroller, crib, toys, clothes, changing table."

"Wow…a lot."

"Yes, but it will be worth it to get her home with us. It's not helping her by bouncing around."

"Did that happen with me?"

"Sure did. And when you came home with me, you started getting better."

"I'm glad you got me."

"Me too baby."

They walk into the store and Olivia scans the store. "Okay, stroller first."

As Olivia walks over to the strollers, Elliot comes up beside her. "I'll put everything together."

She smiles and takes his hand. "Thank you."

They walk over to the strollers and look at all of them. One of the employees walks over and smiles. "Hi there. How can I help you?"

"Hi. We're looking at the strollers. We're going to get our foster daughter shortly and need everything."

"I can help with that. I'm Grace."

"Hi, Grace. I'm Olivia, this is Elliot and Noah."

"Do you want one that can grow with her as she grows up?"

"Yes, please. We'll have her a minimum of year…but hopefully longer."

"Ok. Let's go over here then." They walk over to the strollers that will grow with the baby. "What color do you want?"

"Oh uh…something neutral. Probably black."

"Black it is. Here's the two we have that will work."

Olivia nods and tries the samples out. "Noah, come try these. You're probably going to be pushing her a lot so you need to be comfortable with it too."

Noah nods and walks over. He tries both out and they all settle on the first one.

"Okay. Now, it comes with a car seat so that will be good. But we probably should get an extra one for Elliot."

Elliot nods. "Good idea."

They add the extra car seat and base for his car. "Okay, now I wish I had one of these for Noah..but those wrap things that I can put the baby in and be hands-free."

"I know just what you want. Follow me." They walk over to where the wraps and carriers are. "These are good."

Olivia smiles and grabs a couple. "Okay. Now, we just need a crib, changing table, and clothes for her."

"How old is she?"

"Nine weeks."

"Aw, tiny thing. So I'd recommend going for three to six months and if you need the zero to three months, you can always come in and get some of those."

"That's what I was thinking."

Olivia gets some clothes while Noah goes to look at the toys and sighs. "Mom…what do I get her?"

"The noisier the better. Babies like noise."

"Ok. Noise…I can do that." He gets them and heads over to the blankets and gets one from him. "Here we go, Mom."

"A blanket?"

"Yeah. From me."

"She will love it. Let's get her a couple more too. You'd be surprised how fast babies go through things."

He nods and gets a few more. "What else do we need?"

"A changing table or a dresser we can put a pad on and use that for her changes."

"Ok."

They find everything they need and get everything delivered except the stroller and extra car seat. Once they get back in the car, they head over to where Liv picked Noah up when he was a baby.

Olivia takes Elliot's hand and Noah's. "Ready?"

The boys nod and walk into the office.

"Sergent Benson. How can I help you?"

"Actually, it's Captain now. Judge Linden called me about the baby girl with special needs that's been bounced around."

"Oh yes. Everything is up to date?"

"Yes."

"Is that…"

Olivia nods. "That's Baby Boy Doe as you knew him. His name is Noah."

"Noah. That's a good name for you."

"Thank you. You knew me?"

She nods. "Yes. I was the social worker who approved your adoption."

"Oh. Thank you. Mom has been pretty good."

"Pretty good?" She ruffles his hair.

Noah laughs. "Mom…"

Olivia laughs. "Ok."

While that's going on, a worker goes to get the baby and brings her out. "Here she is."

"Oh wow. She's really tiny."

"Yeah. She's underweight a little but she'll be ok."

"Ok. Is there a special formula she needs?"

"She's not doing well on formula, so there's a phone number of a place you can get donated breast milk. She seems to be doing better on that."

"Ok. I'll call first thing tomorrow."

"Ok. There's some frozen milk in the bag for her."

"Thanks. We'll come up with a name for her and let you know."

"Thank you. We've just been calling her baby girl and that's not good for her."

"No, it's not."

Elliot walks over and takes the baby. "Hi, pretty girl. You're so cute."

"And you are…"

"Elliot Stabler. I'm Olivia's fiancé."

"Congratulations. And you'll pass a background check."

"Yes. Everything is on file. And I have five kids, and as Liv says two and a half grandkids."

"Two and a half?"

"One is on the way."

"Oh.. congratulations."

"Thank you."

The baby starts to fuss and Elliot shifts her and lays her against his shoulder and rubs her back. "You're ok baby. I gotcha."

"You really are a girl dad."

"Three of my kids are girls so I better be." He laughs.

Olivia laughs. "That is true." She signs the paperwork and takes the baby from Elliot. "Come're baby girl. Oh, you're ok."

Elliot smiles and signs too.

"Do you have a car seat?"

"Yes. We just got one at the store and everything is set to be delivered. Her crib will be in my room."

"Good. And she'll have her own room as she gets older?"

"Yes. If I know Noah, he'll probably insist on her being with him. He's already thing like a big brother and got her the toys that make a lot of noise and a blanket."

"I'll make sure she's safe. I promise. I help Aunt Amanda take care of Nicky."

"Who's that?"

"She's a former detective at SVU. She's married to the DA that is assigned to SVU who also used to be a former detective. In fact, he was her partner."

"And Nicky is…"

"Their baby son. I'm his godmother. Just like Jesse and Billie."

"Ok."

They finally get back to the apartment and Liv picks the baby up and holds her close. "First thing first..she needs a name."

"Yes, she does."

Elliot sits beside them and puts his hand on the baby's back. "Hi, baby girl. What should your name be huh?"

Noah grabs his phone and pulls up a baby name page. "This page has a list of names that sound good with my name. Mia?"

"Mia what?"

"Mia Abigail?"

"No. It doesn't flow. But what if we go with Abigail? Call her Abby."

"Love that. Abigail what?"

"Abigail Elizabeth?"

"Perfect."

~oOo~

The year flies by. Abby has thrived with Elliot Olivia and Noah. Judge Linden smiles at Noah holding Abby on his lap.

"Noah, you look like a pro with her."

"Thank you. She loves sitting on my lap. She still can't say my name but she's trying."

"Good. What does she call you?"

"Na."

"Close enough." She laughs. "Noah, I have a very important question to ask you."

"Go ahead."

"Will you promise to always take care of Abigail and love her?"

"Yes. I will be the best big brother to Abby ever."

"I have no doubt. Now, Olivia and Elliot."

They smile and nod. "Hi, Your Honor."

"Hi. Abigail has really thrived with you."

"She's had some challenges, but we've figured out what works for her."

"As I knew you would. Are you ready to make this final?"

"We were ready a year ago."

"Olivia, Elliot, are you willing to love and make Abigail yours?"

"Yes, we are."

"And you know that she will inherit and be entitled to everything."

"Yes, we are aware."

"Okay then. I hereby declare that Baby Girl Doe is hereby known now and forever as Abigail Elizabeth Bens…"

Olivia shakes her head. "Stabler."

"Abigail Elizabeth Stabler."

Noah smiles. "Your honor, I actually…"

"Oh yes, I see that paperwork. You'd like to add Stabler to your name."

"Yes please."

"I don't see why not. Noah Porter Benson-Stabler it is."

"Thank you, your honor."

"You're very welcome."

Noah holds Abby close and she smiles. "Na."

"Yes, Abby. Say Noah."

"Na."

Noah laughs. "We'll keep trying."

He stands up with her in his arms. "Okay, Abs. Let's go."

Olivia smiles and reaches for her. "Come see Mama baby."

Abby shakes her head. "Na."

She laughs. "Ok. You can stay with Noah."

They head out with Abby safe in her big brother's arms and Elliot and Olivia walking hand in hand a step behind them.

The author of this SVU - Autumn in New York story will be revealed in November