A/N: Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I am still considering a sequel to this story. If you have ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Epilogue: 1 Year Later

"Liv, someone's at the door. Can you get that?"

Olivia could hear Alex's bodiless voice floating through the baby monitor sitting on the living room table as she came down the hall.

"I got it babe." Olivia called back.

As she made her way through the living room, she glanced around the spacious penthouse and noticed how different it looked today. A year ago, the apartment looked like something out of a design magazine; everything was in its place and spotless. Not anymore. Now, there were a few traces of baby toys, stuffed animals, and baby books lying here and there.

Evidence of how their lives had merged and changed in the last year could be seen in every room. By the front door, Olivia's leather jacket was hanging on the coat rack next to Zander's tiny snow-suit and Alex's camel colored overcoat. What used to be Alex's study was now "their" office. Olivia's many commendations, Criminal Justice degree, and certificate for her latest promotion to Sergeant were all hanging next to Alex's Harvard undergrad and law degree. The living room was a mixture of both their family and friends. There were random framed photos on the mantle and walls of Alex's extended family, Olivia's mother and brother, as well as snapshots of them all together. There was even a photo of Brian holding Xander at the park. Alex had snapped and framed that photo herself. When the blonde presented Brian with a copy of the photo, Brian had given her a hug and kiss on the cheek as a thank you. Alex would never admit to blushing, but she did indeed blush. Olivia ran her finger over the picture as she walked by. She still hated that Brian couldn't be there as much as she'd like, especially on days like today, but she had made peace with it.

She smiled when she heard Alex's smooth voice come through the monitor again. She was talking to their one year old son. Today was Xander's birthday and Alex was in charge of getting him into his outfit before their guest arrived for his party.

"You need any help up there?" Olivia called from the bottom of the stairs.

"No, I got it covered… I think. He's going to look great. I'm just not sure about myself."

"Nonsense. You always look great, Counselor." Olivia called out as she headed to the door. She grinned when she saw familiar faces standing there. "Hey there. Come on in."

Olivia stepped aside and allowed Fin and Melinda in. They were closely followed by John, Captain Cragen, and her partner Nick.

"Where is the birthday boy?" John asked looking around in hopes of getting his hands on his nephew first. He, Fin, and Nick would often argue over who got to hold Xander first. It still amazed Olivia and Alex how three of the toughest cops in New York turned to mush around their son.

"He's getting dressed… again. We made the mistake of getting him dressed before he had his lunch. I don't know what we were thinking." Olivia said shaking her head.

Melinda laughed. "We've all been there, Liv. Don't feel bad. My daughter ended up in just her diaper on her first birthday. My advice is to take your pictures really quickly because as soon as he sees that cake, it will be all over."

"And talk about a cake! My Lord, how many people are coming today?" Cragen asked looking at the huge "Thomas and Friends" cake across the room. Xander had recently become fascinated by the animated show. Olivia still didn't know where Alex had found a baker to make an exact replica of the small blue train and didn't even want to ask how much money the attorney had spent to have it completed in time.

"Believe it or not, just the usual crowd. I know it's a lot, but his mother is Alexandra Cabot. What do you expect his cake to look like?" Olivia said.

"It's Benson-Cabot… and what exactly did you mean by that statement, dear?" Alex said coolly as she entered the room carrying a now squeaky clean Xander. He was wearing a cute light blue sweater vest over a white shirt with matching bow tie and khakis. Olivia thought he looked like a tiny Tiger Woods. She wanted to roll her eyes but knew better. 'He is such a Cabot.' She thought to herself.

"Umm… I meant that… umm…" Olivia mumbled trying to come up with something to say.

Fin laughed. "Busted."

Olivia narrowed her eyes. "Shut it, Fin."

Fin only laughed harder as he watched Alex glare suspiciously at Olivia. Olivia turned and gave Alex her best puppy dog eyes. "I just meant that you're the best mother in the world because you make sure our son has the best of everything."

Alex narrowed her eyes. "Just mother?"

"Of course not… you're the best wife in the world too." Olivia quickly added before giving Alex a soft kiss on the cheek. She ignored the snickers and whipping noises the guys were making in the background.

Alex couldn't hold it any longer and laughed. She shook her head at her wife. "You're still a horrible liar, but I made a vow to love you anyway."

Olivia grinned at the group. "She remembers that, but not the obey part."

Alex's comeback was interrupted by the doorbell. "You are so saved by the bell."

Olivia laughed as she headed towards the door. She pulled the door open to find Serena Southerlyn and Avery Livingston stand a few feet away trying to look nonchalant. She bit her cheek to keep from smirking. She knew something had been going on with these two since she spotted them together at the wedding reception.

Six months ago, Alex and Olivia were married in front of a small group of their friends and family on the beach in the Hamptons. Most people had expected a large and elaborate affair, but that wasn't what either of them wanted. Once Alex was completely back on her feet and life had returned to normal, they planned a ceremony that matched who they were as a couple. It wasn't flashy or grandiose. It was intimate, quiet, and romantic. No one gave them away and there was no wedding party. It was just Olivia, Alex, and little Xander sleeping in Alex's arms as the Honorable Elizabeth Donnelly officiated. The couple said traditional vows as the sun began to set into the ocean in the background.

The reception had been the only flamboyant part of the day. The Cabot estate was decorated to fit royalty complete with a full wait-staff, tables with expensive china and gorgeous centerpieces, a huge dance floor and band blanketed by beautiful white tents and twinkling lights. After toasts were given and the first dance completed, the champagne was flowing and the party was in full swing. It was while Olivia was twirling her new wife around the dance floor that she spotted the usually reserved Dr. Avery Livingston smiling and laughing as she sat at a table across the room with a now very single Serena Southerlyn.

After the New Year, Serena and Abbie had finally talked things through. They decided to go their separate ways as friends rather than staying together and risk that friendship turning into resentment and hate. They still loved one another deeply; they just wanted two different things out of life. Serena was devastated of course, but with the help of friends she had gotten through it.

Olivia shook the memory away and invited her friends inside. "Come on in you two. Did you guys come together?" Olivia asked then noticed the soft blush rising up Serena's cheeks.

Avery smirked at her friend. She knew the cat was out of the bag so to speak. "Yes. It didn't really make sense to come separately. We knew you and Alex would see right through it anyway."

Olivia laughed. "You're right. We would."

Avery helped Serena out of her coat and handed it off to Olivia. Serena gave Olivia a quick peck on the cheek before leaving the two friends alone to talk. They both watched Serena head straight for Xander. Olivia leaned against the wall and watched Avery watching the blonde in the other room.

"You really like her, don't you?"

Avery flicked her hazel eyes to Olivia's and held her gaze for a moment. "I do."

"You know about her history?"

Avery nodded. "With her ex, Abbie? Yes. She told me about her."

"And she knows about… Danny and what happened to her?"

Again Avery nodded. "We've had quite a few long talks over the past six months." She shrugged her shoulders. "We're still getting to know each other, you know? It hasn't been an easy year for either of us, but it's been nice having someone to talk to."

Olivia nodded. "I don't mean to pry. I just care about both of you and I don't want to see either of you hurt."

"I know that, Olivia and you know I value our friendship. Serena has been very honest with me about her past. I know what it's like to spend a long time with a person. I know you can't just turn that off no matter how it ended. Serena also knows that there will always be a part of me that loves Danny. But… I know that Danny would want me to be happy. She would want me to find someone that makes me happy."

"And Serena is that someone?" Olivia asked.

Avery watched Serena making funny faces at baby Xander. She smiled fondly before meeting Olivia's eyes again. "I think she is." She said with conviction.

Olivia smiled and nodded. "Good. It's been a long time since I've seen Serena smile like that. You both deserve to be happy."

"So we're good?" Avery asked knowing this talk was Olivia's version of the big sister warning.

"We're good." Olivia said pulling Avery towards the living room. "But I'm not the one you have to worry about. You still have to talk to Alex."

Avery groaned. "But she's scary."

Olivia laughed fully. "Just a little bit."

Within the hour, all the guest had arrived and baby Xander was being passed around the room as the guest of honor. Julia, Bill, and Liz arrived with a surprise for the couple. Bella, Theo, and their son Phillip had flown in early for Christmas. Alex and Olivia weren't expecting them for another week. Alex was beyond delighted to have her entire family there to share Xander's special day. She was only mildly worried when she saw her very handsome, Casanova-like cousin Phillip chatting up Amanda Rollins in the corner of the room. She made a mental note to warn Amanda at some point in the evening.

To the surprise of many, Elliot Stabler dropped by with a gift for Xander as well. It had taken a long time and a few tense talks, but the two old friends had managed to find their way back to one another. Alex had been the key to making that happen. She and Elliot had spoken privately and buried the hatchet so to speak. As long as Elliot didn't hurt Olivia, she wasn't opposed to him being in their lives. She knew that deep down, Elliot was a good man and he cared deeply for Olivia. When it looked like Olivia was pulling away, Alex would often give her a little nudge in his direction. Soon the tension was no longer there between them and all that was left was friendship. Alex knew all was well when Elliot gave a tearful and loving toast at their reception. The man who wished them the best and a life full of love and happiness was the Elliot she had remembered from long ago. She was glad to see him back. She had missed him.

Olivia looked around the room and continued snapping pictures. She wanted to remember this day. It had been a long and difficult year. So much had happened. Alex had waltzed back into her life and tore down every single brick she had used to build a wall around her heart. She had found out she was pregnant and given birth to one of the greatest loves of her life. Then, she had nearly lost the other great love. She could hardly believe that it had been a year since Alex's near fatal accident. She had come so close to losing everything. There were times that she still woke up in a cold sweat reaching over to make sure Alex was there with her safe and sound. Yes, the odds had definitely been against them, but here they were… still together. They had made it to the other side and all was as it should be.

With blended voices singing Happy Birthday floating through the air, Olivia focused the camera on her wife and son. Alex was smiling widely as Xander grabbed a fist full of cake and shoved it into his mouth then smearing it all over his face. The blonde shook her head and laughed not even remotely concerned about getting cake on her undoubtedly expensive sweater. Olivia laughed out loud causing Xander and Alex to both looked up in her direction at the same time. They gave Olivia matching grins. Olivia snapped the picture.

"Hey, give me that." Avery said taking the camera as she pushed Olivia towards her family. "You have to be in the pictures too, Mommy."

Olivia tried to show Avery what buttons to push. Avery laughed and pushed her hands away again. "I'm a surgeon, for crying out loud! I think I can figure out how to work a freaking camera, Olivia."

Olivia laughed and held up her hands in surrender. She went over to her son and kissed the part of his head that wasn't covered with cake before meeting her wife's loving gaze. She knew she would never tire of looking into those beautiful baby blues. Coming to an agreement with their eyes, they both leaned down and kissed Xander's pudgy, cake covered cheeks at the same time. Xander giggled with glee and waved his hands as everyone laughed. Avery snapped the picture capturing the moment for posterity.

The End… for now.