TWENTY-ONE

Olivia sat on the edge of the bed and smiled as their little girl wrapped her small hand around Olivia's pointer finger. The moment this tiny human was born, Olivia couldn't believe how deeply in love with her she was. 

"I'm so thankful she isn't a ginger," Amanda yawned. Olivia chuckled softly before turning her head to kiss Amanda's temple.

"She's a little blondie, just like her mama," Olivia smiled. Their gazes turned back to the little girl who was still lacking a name.

Amanda rested her head against Olivia's shoulder as her eyes fluttered close.

"Do you want me to take off?" Olivia whispered.

"What? Where would you go?" Amanda questioned, her eyes opening quickly.

"You are exhausted. I don't want to keep you up," Olivia replied. 

"This baby and I need you, Liv. Please stay... Maybe just sit on the chair? I need to roll over. My hips are still achy," Amanda spoke. Olivia nodded quickly as she climbed off the bed. She reached out for the baby and settled back into the chair with her daughter.

Amanda watched as Olivia snuggled the baby close and gently traced her finger over her chubby cheek.

"I like Charlotte," Amanda whispered, tears welling in her tired blue eyes.

"Really? That wasn't even in the top five. Amanda-"

"You loved that name, and I think Charlotte fits her very well. Now just pick something from the middle name list," Amanda said with a tired smile.

Olivia slowly reached for her phone and unlocked it. Once she found the list, she passed it to Amanda and looked back at little Charlotte.

"I really don't want her to share our middle names, no offense," Amanda spoke.

"Oh, just tell me you hate me," Olivia teased. Amanda laughed softly as she deleted those names from the list.

"It's down to Marie, Leigh, and Jean. You pick."

"I didn't just give birth, Mandy. Pick her middle name."

Amanda said Charlotte's name with each middle name option at least five times apiece. After a while, she smiled and turned Olivia's phone to her.

"I can't see that, baby. My glasses are at work," Olivia chuckled. Amanda quickly zoomed in and Olivia smiled once she was able to read the name.

"Alright, Miss Rollins. Your name is Charlotte Jean, and if you hate it then blame your mama."

///

Olivia stayed with Amanda and Charlotte overnight, then headed home to shower and change. As she left her building to check in with the crew, she bumped right into her mother. Serena looked at Olivia with wide eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you coming. Uh, how are you?" Serena rambled. Olivia looked at her for a brief moment before stepping past her and walking towards her car.

Olivia just kept walking without turning back. She didn't even stop when Serena grabbed her arm. All she did was pull it from her grip and kept moving.

"Olivia Benson, please!" She cried. Olivia turned to face her as anger covered her expression.

"I don't want you around! As you should know, since I yelled that at you!" Olivia spat.

"Please, just talk to me!" Serena cried. Olivia took a slow breath as she tried to not smack her mother.

"I became a mom last night, and the last thing I want to do is discuss anything on your mind. Give me the space I want, because there is no room for you in my life," Olivia huffed.

"I want to be a grandma! Can't I come-" Serena started, but stopped the moment that Olivia gripped her arm in her hand. She squeezed it as tightly as she could, her body just inches from her mother.

"You will never be a grandmother and will never be a mother to me. In the end, you are no more than DNA. I raised myself and made myself into who I am. Nothing I have done is because of you. My daughter will never know you, especially since you don't understand boundaries. If you cannot figure out how to stay away from me, I will get a lawyer involved. Do you understand?!" Olivia spat. Serena took a shaky breath and nodded. 

///

The crew was informed of Charlotte's birth and everyone sent Olivia with well wishes for Amanda and the baby. Fin was told that he'd be in charge for at least the next two weeks, and Olivia expected that her station house still be standing when she returned.

"I come bearing a deli sandwich from near the precinct," Olivia said with a forced smile. Amanda grinned from ear to ear when she saw Olivia.

"You are a godsent."

"I know. Now, give me Charlie and eat this sandwich," Olivia replied. She traded the baby for the sandwich before sitting down and snuggling the baby close again.

Amanda was silent for about fifteen minutes before she finally sat the sandwich down and looked at Olivia.

"You were gone a little longer than you thought you'd be. Is everything okay?" Amanda mused. Olivia avoided her girlfriend's eyes as she tried to come up with a lie. Amanda just gave birth, and the last thing she needs is to be stressed about Serena coming around. 

"There was a line at the deli and before that, the guys had a lot they wanted to talk about," Olivia replied.

"What else?" Amanda asked.

"Huh?"

"You are hiding something, Olivia. Tell me, please. I'm strong," Amanda replied.

Olivia blinked a few times before lifting her eyes to look at Amanda. 

"Serena was at our apartment when I was leaving. We physically ran into each other, and then I yelled at her. Right now, I'm having a hard time getting past that. All I want is to focus on you and Charlotte, but she keeps coming back into my head," Olivia whispered.

"No matter what happens, Serena is nothing to you. This baby and I are your family, and she just wants to fuck that up."