I Need Saving [A Bensler FanFic- Editing]

Chapter 17: Closing Arguments [Edited]

"Olivia Benson was raped, burned, beaten, and starved. She lost hope and is never going to be able to forget what was done to her. Make the right decision and let her sleep soundly at night knowing that the man who hurt her is going to be spending his days in prison," Casey spoke, as she finished her closing argument. She sat back down as Judge Petrovsky leaned forward and looked at the jury.

"Members of the jury, it is now your time to talk and decide what is correct. You are dismissed to discuss. We will be on recess until the jury decides," Judge Petrovsky spoke before we sat and waited for the jury to leave the courtroom.

We waited in Casey's office for a few hours until the jury came back.

"What say you?" The jury was prompted.

"On the charge of rape in the first degree, we find the defendant, Ike Ross, guilty," The main member of the jury spoke. 

"On the charge of kidnapping in the first degree?"

"We find the defendant, guilty," The woman answered again.

I zoned out for the rest of the charges, as tears streamed down my cheeks. I turned to look at Elliot once I came back and noticed that the courtroom was empty.

"Are you okay?" Elliot asked slowly.

"I'm so relieved," I whimpered, as I leaned forward and clung to my husband.

---

Ike got life in jail and I felt like I could finally start to heal. My life got into a more normal routine, and Elliot and I decided to make some changes.

"I like this one," Elliot spoke, as we looked around a house in Queens. It was far enough away from Kathy, but still close enough to see his kids.

"I do too, and there is plenty of room," I replied, as I rubbed my lower back.

"Just in the nick of time," Elliot chuckled, as I rolled my eyes.

"We still have four months until this baby is going to be here," I replied, as he shrugged.

Elliot and I continued to tour the house until my phone rang. I pulled it out of my purse and took a shaky breath when I saw the ME's office number.

"B-benson," I breathed nervously.

"Liv, it's Melinda. I just got the test results back," She spoke, as I felt my chest start to tighten.

"Who's the father?" I asked.

"Can you come down to the lab? I believe it's better to give you these results in person," Melinda replied.

"Yeah, of course. We will be down soon."

"What's wrong?" Elliot asked, as I tucked my phone back into my purse.

"The paternity results are back," I frowned, as Elliot's expression darkened.

"Let me talk to the realtor and see if we can put in our offer."

"Okay, I'm going to wait in the car."

While waiting for Elliot to come out, I focused on the small movements inside my swell. The results we would be receiving in less than an hour could destroy what we have going.

"Offer is placed and I really have a good feeling that we will get this house," Elliot smiled.

"El, are you sure? Bad things might start happening again," I whispered.

---

Inside Melinda's office, she opened a file and looked at us.

"I'm sorry if I scared you and Elliot," Melinda spoke.

"It's fine, Melinda. I just want to know who the baby's dad is," I replied softly. Elliot rested his hand against my leg as Melinda pulled out a few pieces of paper. I took them into my hand before lifting them slowly so I could read them.

"Elliot," I whispered, as tears poured down my cheeks. 

"Liv?"

"This is our baby," I sniffled, as my lips formed into a shaky smile. Elliot leaned in quickly and kissed me deeply, before taking the papers into his hand and reading them over.

"I just knew this was my baby!" Elliot grinned.

---

Shortly after Elliot and I got the results back, we found out that our baby was a little girl. Elliot tried to pretend that he wasn't happy about having another daughter, but his eyes were sparkling when he told the kids about the baby.

"Faith would have been so excited," I spoke, as Elliot and I lay together in our bed. Our offer on the house had been accepted and we were just waiting to move in.

"About having a baby sister?" Elliot asked, and I nodded.

"Yeah, I think so. She was such a chill baby, and I think she would have made an amazing big sister," I replied, as Elliot tugged me closer. He splayed his hand across my belly as our daughter moved.

"Did you think of any names yet?"

"Not really... What about you?" I questioned, as Elliot rested his cheek against my shoulder.

"What about Serena?" He breathed.

"Really? You'd be fine if we named her after my mom?" I questioned, and Elliot nodded.

"I think it would fit her perfectly, Liv. Do you like it?"

"I love it," I whispered. 

"Good, because I already have her middle name decided as well," Elliot chuckled, as he shifted so he could wipe tears from my cheeks.

"Really?" I laughed.

"Really. Serena Grace Stabler, and no, you can not tell me otherwise."

Life had been so bad for so long, and now it was getting good again. We had Noah and now little Serena was well on her way into the world. A new house would allow our family to grow and for me to heal.