Everything Changes

Surprises Abounding

Time passed, and once Amanda and Nick introduced Bedelia and Maggie Blue to the rest of their SVU family, everybody pitched in to help the pair get settled in properly at their new apartment so they could finally start adjusting to their new lives.

Nick's mother, Audrey, caught wind of the Rollins' arrival and invited them, Amanda, and Nick over to her house in Queens. She didn't even blink an eye at Bedelia's pregnancy, instead taking her under her wing and offering to be her friend and look out for her.

When Audrey found out that the grandparents Maggie Blue had back in Atlanta didn't even acknowledge her because of her differences, she decided that the little one was her newest grandbaby and even started taking Sign Language classes so she would still be able to talk to her, even when she forgot her her words.

Audrey also showered Maggie Blue with welcome-to-the-family presents in the form of shoes, clothes, and toys. As it turned out, she belonged to the church that had been throwing the charity fair Bedelia had found, and not only that, but quite by chance, she had gotten a list Bedelia had complied of items that she wanted for Maggie Blue but couldn't quite afford. Bedelia connected the dots when she saw that Maggie Blue had gotten everything on the list, but was very touched by the generosity, nonetheless.

Maggie Blue? She was just very, very happy because Audrey was the closest to a real grandparent she'd ever had.

When it came to Amanda, Audrey had also met her a few times in passing over the years and had always liked her, but once Nick told her that Amanda was the best and most loyal friend he'd ever had, especially during the divorce proceedings, she came to like her even more and hoped, wished, and prayed that the young pair would get over themselves and fall in love with each other; they deserved a happy ending together. When she found out that Amanda was expecting and they were over the moon about it, she was beside herself with joy.

Speaking of Amanda's expectant condition, it soon came time to find out whether or not she was carrying more than one baby.

"You okay, Mandy?"

Nick posed the question to his girlfriend as he watched her fidget restlessly on the examination table, the paper lining crinkling whenever she moved. In all honesty, Nick wasn't sure if Amanda was uncomfortable because she was dressed in a paper gown and had a very full bladder, or if it was merely because she had a case of the jitters. Or both.

"Yeah, I'm okay." she framed her middle with her hands and gave him a very confident smile. "I'm excited for what's about to happen, but I was thinking about my mom just now."

"Oh?"

Amanda nodded. "She's due in two days, but I had a dream about her last night."

"You did?"

"Uh-huh. It was about going to visit her and Leon in the hospital, but the dream was crowded with children."

"Care to explain?"

"You and I had twins, and they were there, but just a little older, like maybe two years old? Maggie Blue was also there, and so were a pair of little blond girls."

"Ever seen Blue's companions before?"

Amanda shook her head. "No, unfortunately. Remember how I said the dream was crowded?"

Nick raised an eyebrow. "Not counting your brother, you've already mentioned five kids. Who else was there?"

"Zara."

"Z..."

Nick started to say his daughter's name in question but was cut off when the door opened, and the doctor, a Doctor Dennings, entered and the real part of the appointment began.