Out In The Open - An SVU fic

Dinner

Olivia's apartment...

"You got a great little guy here" Nick said as he flew a happily squealing Noah around the living room while Olivia laughed from the couch. It amazed her that Noah had taken so well to Nick. He'd always been good with meeting new people yet it would take a while before he'd really warm up to them but with Nick, from the moment he walked in, Noah was taken with him and stayed in his arms the entire evening even while they ate.

"I think you're officially his new favorite person" Olivia grinned as Nick brought Noah in for a landing, straight into her arms then sat beside them on the couch.

"Close second...after his beautiful mom of course" Nick said causing Olivia to blush terribly as she smiled ear to ear all while Noah pulled himself up and stood in her lap, giving Olivia his version of a kiss which was actually more a slobbery sucking of her cheek

"See, he loves you"

"He loves my face!" she laughed at the tickly sensation

"Kid's got taste"

There was an awkward silence as she and Nick stole nervous glances at one another.

"It's way past his bedtime, I should get him down." she stood up from the sofa trying to hold onto a squirming Noah who was reaching for Nick.

"Mama go" Noah cried. Nick quickly got up and took the boy in his arms.

"Sorry buddy you heard mom, it's bedtime."Nick said as he gave soft yet firm pats to Noah's back to calm him. Olivia watched in amazement as Noah rubbed his eyes with his tiny fists and yawned all before he lay his head down on Nick's shoulder then, as he always did when sleep was pulling him, he began to hum as his eyes fought to stay open.

"Three years we were partners and I never knew you were a baby whisperer" Olivia said as she watched her son fall asleep.

"I have a lot of hidden talents - you'd be surprised"

"I can only imagine..." she smirked as she reached to take Noah. Nick kissed the top of his head before he gently transferred the sleeping child to his mother's arms. "I'll be right back" she said before disappearing down the hall and into Noah's room.

Nick nervously looked around the apartment as he took a deep breath and exhaled.

"...hidden talents - are you serious?!" he scolded himself. "You did not come here to throw corny lines at this woman; you came here to lay your cards on the table and finally get your feelings out in the open...if she even cares. I mean let's be real, you're nowhere near her league so why would she give a second look to a shmuck like you? Think positive Nick. You've waited three long, LONG years to tell her how you feel; you're out of SVU, Cassidy's long out of the picture and she's finally in a good place emotionally so there's nothing standing in the way of me saying what I need to say..."

"Out like a light" he heard Olivia say as she re-entered the room. He quickly turned around to face her and his heart stopped as if he were seeing her for the very first time all over again.

...nothing, except her perfect beauty that just rendered me silent.