39

Elliot walked into his bedroom that night and found the bed empty. He went to check the bathroom before leaving the room and walking to Macie's and Rory's room. Elliot opened the door slowly and found his wife and youngest daughter snuggling with Rory in her bed. It was a tight fit, but they looked happy. 

"We have a king bed a few feet away that would fit all three of you better," Elliot smiled, his voice soft as he watched the sleepy faces of the girls he loves.

"I like my bed," Rory yawned.

"What about Mama? She needs a little more space because of your baby brother," Elliot replied.

"The baby is okay," Olivia replied as she looked down at her swollen midsection. Her son was just as uncomfortable as she was, but she didn't want to ruin the moment. Macie and Rory were cuddling so close to her, their small hands gripping her t-shirt after a stressful day.

"What if I make some popcorn and we go downstairs and lie on the pullout couch? We could put on a movie and have some family time," Elliot offered.

"I'm too tired to move, Daddy," Macie smiled, burying her face into her mother's shoulder.

Olivia took in a sharp breath as she looked at Elliot, who was on the verge of tears.

"Macie, did you call me daddy?" Elliot asked, and Macie nodded as she turned her head.

"Is that okay?" She asked, and Elliot nodded as he moved to the bed. Elliot caressed Macie's curly pigtails before leaning close and kissing her forehead.

"If you and Rory want to call me daddy... I'd love to have the title. I love you both so much," Elliot breathed. Rory sat up and eyed her stepfather, before reaching over and touching his arm.

"Really? You won't hurt our mama?" Rory asked, and Elliot shook his head.

"No, baby. I won't hurt your mama, and I will always love her and you two."

Rory quickly slipped to the bottom of the bed before climbing off and running to hug Elliot. He looped his arms around her and tugged her close before kissing her forehead softly.

"I'd like kettle corn, please... Daddy," Rory whispered, looking up at her father.

"Anything for you, sweetie."

///

The girls curled up together and fell asleep in Elliot's recliner while Elliot and his wife lay together on the pullout couch. They all started there, but then the girls stole the bowl of popcorn and refused to share.

"I'm going to quit," Olivia whispered.

"What? Olivia, you can't quit. We need you," Elliot replied, his hand moving over the slope of his wife's bump. He felt his son move under his hand as Olivia looked at him in confusion.

"Who needs me?" She asked.

"The kids and I-" Elliot started, but stopped when his wife placed a hand over his mouth.

"I'm a mother and a wife... I can't quit our family, and I can't quit our son because he has seventeen weeks before he'll be out of my body. El, I'm going to quit SVU."

"Really?" Elliot asked, shoving his wife's hand away from his mouth.

"The girls need me, El. They need a mama who is present and can volunteer in their classes and bake for bake sales... If something happens and our son doesn't end up being our last, then I'll be home and won't risk our lives at work," Olivia explained.

"You love being a detective," Elliot whispered.

"I know, but I love being a wife and mother more. If I'm home, the girls will know what it's like to have a present mother again... I tried my hardest to be present when we lived in Miami, but it was hard. I was a cop, and Hugo was being a prick. I'm going to stay home and enjoy the next four-ish months of my pregnancy and take care of my kiddos... Our kiddos," Olivia breathed, her arms wrapping around Elliot's body as she slipped closer.

Elliot wrapped his arms around Olivia's body, the only thing between them was their unborn son. He kissed her cheek gently before nodding as he leaned back slightly to look into her eyes.

"We can go see Cragen tomorrow and tell him about your decision. We can clean off your desk, and you can be home to see the girls get off the bus," Elliot smiled.

"I love you, El. Thank you."

"Of course, Liv. I love you too."

///

Olivia sat on her decision to quit for a week. Elliot went back to work, so Olivia was alone while Rory and Macie attended school. She enjoyed the quiet hours when she could make a mess in the kitchen while she prepared dinner, or sit on the back porch with a book. She spent time reading her bible and praying, before settling on what she wanted to do all along. Olivia walked into the squadroom around noon with lunch for everyone.

"Does anyone want subs?" Olivia asked, carrying the bag with one hand and trying to stop her other hand from shaking. She knew quitting was her best option, but she was still worried about how everyone would handle it.

"Did the kidnapping make you nicer?" Fin teased as he stood and grabbed the bag from Olivia before giving her a side hug.

"Just a little, but don't press your luck. I could have a mood swing at any second and snap," Olivia replied, smiling at her friend. Elliot walked over and kissed his wife before placing his hands on her waist.

"Is everything okay?" Elliot asked.

"I'm going to resign today," she frowned.

"If you don't want to..." Elliot trailed off, but knew his wife had made up her mind. She was going to resign from the NYPD and settle into life as a stay-at-home mom. 

"I know this is the right decision, and I cannot wait to spend my days at home. Once our baby is born, I'll be able to watch him hit his milestones! El, I'll miss being a cop, but I would miss out on so much if I kept working here."