It Happened to Us (A Law & Order: SVU Story)

Chapter 1

It was arguably the best time of year – that string of days after the height of summer's heat had passed but before fall's chilliest temps set in. The breeze was perfect. The sky was beautiful. The flowers smelled wonderful. Days like these were what Olivia Benson had dreamed of her entire life. Her nearly-two-year-old son tugged on her hair, and she had never been happier.

"Momma, go swing," Noah pointed over at the playground equipment.

Olivia smiled. "I guess that's my cue, Case."

"Alright Liv, we'll see you two tomorrow... same time, same place?"

"Sure thing. I took a couple days off, left Fin in charge."

"Oh boy, you better enjoy the weekend then, because who knows if the place'll be in one piece when you go back on Monday."

"Ain't that the truth?" The women laughed.

Noah was squirming, eyeing up the swings. He was kicking his chubby legs as hard as he could, trying his best to get out of his mother's arms and over to the playground. Olivia shifted her attention back to him and also noticed Sophie, Casey's niece quietly holding her aunt's hand, mouth agape, intently watching Noah with a questioning, somewhat confused expression.

Olivia patted Noah's bottom.

"Hey Noah, say 'bye-bye' to Sophie and Casey."

Noah turned back around in Olivia's arms. "Bye-bye Auntie Casey, bye-bye Soapy," he waved.

"See you tomorrow, Noah," Casey chuckled and ran her hand lovingly over Noah's soft chestnut locks.

"Bye Liv." As Casey and the little towheaded girl turned to leave, Olivia turned to Noah.

"Okay, little man. You ready to go swing?"

"Yessss, momma, I telled you dat please," Noah huffed.

"Okay, okay," Olivia set Noah down but kept hold of his hand, as he pulled her toward the swings. Noah was such a little boy. Never still. Always into something. But she wouldn't trade it for anything. At a certain point, coincidentally or not - around the time Elliot told her Kathy was pregnant with Eli, she had given up all hope of ever being a mother. But now she had Noah, and she felt so blessed. She loved him in a way she had never known love could exist. They reached the swing set and as she lifted Noah into the baby swing and started pushing gently, Olivia thought about Sophie's reaction to Noah. Now that she had experienced the pure joy that being a mother was, she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have a sweet little girl.

Her thoughts were interrupted by "Heartbreaker" by Pat Benatar coming from the back pocket of her jeans.

Smiling, she pulled out her phone and answered with one hand, continuing to push Noah who was laughing, happy as could be, with the other.

Without having to look at the caller ID, she slid to answer, "Hi, Raf. What's up?"

"Hey babe," she heard through the receiver and something in her churned the slightest bit. It had only been a few months and she was still getting to used to all this, to Barba calling her 'babe.'

"Nothin really. Just wanted to see what you sillies are up to."

"We're at the park!"

"Swinging?"

"You know it!" For the first time in a long time, Olivia felt really and deeply cared about. Her and Barba hadn't been together long and, if she was honest as much as he was always supportive and cared about Noah, he didn't have much experience with kids and was really uncomfortable around Noah at first. But the fact that he paid attention enough to know and remember the things that were a part of Olivia's routine with Noah made her feel special.