So I plan on having this as a one shot maybe a follow up if people are interested. Setting the timeline, we are about two years past season 17. Ed and Olivia have been married for a year – Olivia is 45 Ed 48 and Noah 5.

"Mommy," Noah yelled running to the door when he saw Olivia walk through the front door.

"Oh my sweet man I missed you," Olivia said bending down to pick up her son.

He was growing like a week and she knew the days of being able to pick him up and carry him were numbered.

"Missed you mommy," he said with a big smile.

"How was school today," she asked walking over to the couch knowing her son was about to give her a play by play of his day in every detail?

She leaned over and gave her husband a kiss before Noah went off in animated detail on his day. Noah had just started all day kindergarten which was a pretty big change from his half day pre-school. She had to admit it did make things a little easier with their schedules and Noah being in school all day. Olivia was able to take him to school in the morning and Ed was able to pick him up most days in the afternoon. They still had Lucy on call for those days where things were just crazy and neither could get away.

"Oh and and and I gots homework mommy," Noah said with an excitement she prayed he never lost.

"Well, that sounds fun. What homework do you have?"

"I need pictures of my family….we make a tree."

Olivia didn't seem to put it all together right away and was grateful when her husband jumped in.

"They are making a family tree."

Olivia immediately tensed.

"Don't worry I talked to the teacher and explained in general terms our extended family isn't typical. Uncle Fin, Munch and Sonny and Aunt Manda and cousin Jesse may seem like a motley bunch but they are our family."

"I love you," she smiled kissing him again.

"Mommy I need pictures," Noah said wedging himself between his parents.

"Ok, ok sweet boy lets go pick out some pictures."

"We will get to see the family tree at parent's night on Friday," Ed informed.

"Right, parent's night…and so it begins," she said with a smile.

Friday had been a crazy day at the 1-6 as they caught a case late morning putting Olivia in jeopardy of missing her first parent's night. She kept Ed up to date throughout the day a she tirelessly worked to get this case under control. Thankfully her "family" had her back and she was able to walk out the door just in time to make it to Noah's school.

"Mommy, mommy come on and meet my teacher," Noah said running up to his mom who just walked into the classroom.

"Ok sweet boy," she said kissing the top of his head. "Sorry I am late," she said giving her husband a kiss.

"You aren't late. Seems like this is a pretty informal gathering. The teacher made a brief introduction and the kids stood up and said their names and now the teacher is making her rounds."

"Good so I missed the boring stuff and am here for the exciting stuff," she smirked.

"I think you planned this all," Ed gruffed back.

Olivia gave him a wink before her son was pulling her towards the teacher.

"Noah, your teacher is talking to someone else. You have to wait your turn it is rude to interrupt someone," Oliva said trying to teach her son some patients.

"Ok mommy," Noah said but was bouncing with excitement.

"How about you show us your family tree?"

"Yeah, it is over here."

Olivia and Ed followed their son over to a wall which displayed the family trees of all the students. Olivia smiled seeing the pictures that created her son's family tree. At the very top was a picture of Ed, Olivia and Noah with the words Family tree underneath. Starting at the top Noah had individual with Olivia and Ed as his parents. Under Olivia's side there where pictures of Noah with her whole squad plus her former Captain and Amaro. Under Ed' side of the family were Ed parents which unfortunately never got to meet Noah, plus Ed's brother, sister and his longtime IAB partner. For two people without a big traditional family certainly filled out a family tree nicely.

"Look mommy, look daddy it's Noah family," he cheered.

"It certainly is…we make a pretty great bunch," he said ruffling his son's hair.

"Look at Tommy tree it takes two pages," Noah said about his new friend's family.

Olivia looked at clearly the largest display of the bunch and couldn't help but chuckle. The parents each had 4 or five siblings who had a couple kids each, tommy himself had 5 brothers and sisters.

"Looks like they are a good catholic family," Ed chuckled softly to his wife.

"Certainly seems that way."

"Tommy has 2 older brudders and 3 older sisters," Noah informed proudly. "Do I have any brother's or sister's," Noah asked innocently.

Wasn't that a loaded question. While Olivia was able to determine Ellie never had other children she was certain Johnny D forcefully father other kids. Even at this young age Olivia told Noah about his birth mom the best she could and would continue to explain the situation as Noah got older, but she would not go into his father's past only that he died too.

"No you don't sweet boy."

"Can I have one? I will be a good brudder."

Olivia's heart crumpled seeing her son proudly declare how good a brother he would be and she had no doubt he would be the best brother ever. Not knowing what to say and trying to hold it together and this unexpected turn, Ed quickly jumped in.

"How about we talk about this later buddy and we go and find your teacher."

"Okay," Noah said excited about finally talking to his teacher and ran off in the direction.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"No worries," he said giving her a kiss.

The rest of parent's night went smoothly. Noah's teacher had nothing but praise for their son who, she said multiple times, was a joy to have in class. Ed and Olivia were proud that their son was thriving in school and seemed to have a thirst for learning. By the time they got home it was almost Noah's bedtime who didn't put up a fight, exhausted from the excitement of the day. Once he was sleeping the two adults retreated into the living room with a glass of wine and bourbon respectively.

"So I think for our first parent's night it went pretty good," Ed said with a smile.

"Yeah, we have a smart boy on our hands."

"A smart boy that seems to be itching to be a big brother."

Olivia let out a little sigh and took a sip of her wine.

"It seems that way."

"I know we have made passing comments about this but I think maybe now we need to have a serious discussion."

"We can't have a kid because Noah wants to be a brother."

"No, but it is good to know where he stands on things."

"Where do you stand on things," Olivia asked?

"For a long time I never thought I would be a father….for a long time I was not a person who should be a father."

"What do you mean," she asked slightly confused?

"I was caught up in my own shit with my ex-wife. I was so angry and I couldn't trust anyone which doesn't make a great foundation for a relationship. I couldn't have a healthy relationship let along thinking about bringing a child into that mess. My life changed when I started to trust someone…I became a better version of myself," he said making sure he maintained eye contain with her. "I starting wanting things I never thought I would want before."

"Oh yeah…like what?"

"It started off small hoping for meetings outside of a work setting, getting random texts throughout the day and weekend invites. As time went on it was wanting a girlfriend, a wife, a family…all the things I got when somehow you gave me a chance and let me into your life."

Ed," Olivia whispered out a she cupped his cheek with her hand.

"I love you Olivia…and I love our family. I never realized how much love I was capable of until you and Noah came along…if this is it I am the luckiest man alive….but if we decide to expand our family I have the love to give."

Olivia placed her wine glass on the coffee table before turning her attention to her husband. Her heart felt ready to burst with happiness. Whatever happened this man was truly her other half.

"I love you," she said kissing him softly.

"So I take it you want to have another kid?"

"Even though I had such a rough upbringing I have always wanted to be a mom. Between my inability to keep a relationship and my job I never thought that was going to happen. Then by the grace of god Noah literally found me and it was just like nothing I could ever have imagined. I was so grateful we found each other and once we found our rhythm I thought about a sibling, but a single mom with one kid was hard enough. You came into my life and just made everything so much more. I want to do this with you Ed…I want to have another child with you because I think we have so much love to give and Noah would make an amazing big brother."

"So we are going to do this…we are going to adopt another kid."

"We are going to do this," she said with the biggest smile Ed had ever seen. "But umm there is something we should figure out."

"What's that…isn't deciding to adopt another kid kind of the big part?"

"Well yes," she chuckled. "But there is another option."

"Such as?"

"I was working a case about…I guess ten years ago. It was this awful case about the theft of embryos from a cryo bank. I had just been turned down by an adoption agency because my job was deemed too dangerous and after seeing the heart break some of the victims went through over losing their chance to have a baby…I had my eggs frozen," Olivia admitted.

"Are you saying we could have a baby together?"

"If you wanted to go that way yes. I can't carry the baby but we could look into surrogacy assuming your swimmers are up to the task," she joked.

"Would I need to get tested?"

"I am not sure how it all works we will have to look into it, but I am assuming they would test them first and make sure you are good to go."

They both knew that whether the child was biologically theirs or not they would love a child no differently but it still was exciting to think about the possibility of having a child with the woman he loved more than anything on this earth.

"Can we look into both options? I would really like to try and have a baby with you but if we adopt a child too I would be just as happy….maybe both."

"Ook cowboy let's try one at a time huh," she laughed at his excitement. "We can certainly start the process for both and see where it leads us."

They knew Olivia couldn't carry a child but that didn't stop them from celebrating their decision to have another kid with passionate love making throughout the night. Over the next couple of weeks Olivia and Ed had contacted their lawyer to start the adoption process while also taking the steps to go through a surrogate. If thy went the adoption route it would be a lot different this time around than with Noah so they both spent a lot of their free time researching and trying to be ad educated as possible. For the time being they were going to keep this to themselves until they got a little further along in the process, but it was so hard to contain their excitement.

"Hey Lucy thanks for coming on short notice," Olivia smiled at her sitter as she walked into the house.

"No problem Liv, I would have just been studying all day."

"Oh no I don't want to take you away from your studies."

"It's no problem I could use the break. It's a beautiful Saturday I rather take Noah to the park then sit inside."

"Well, we shouldn't be long just a follow up doctor's appointment and then maybe we can meet up with you at the park."

"That sounds great I hope everything is ok."

Olivia looked around for her husband and her son. Once satisfied they were still in the back room Olivia turned to Lucy who she considered as more than a sitter but a friend.

"I am dying to tell someone but please keep it between us for right now."

"What is it Liv," Lucy asked slightly concerned?

"Ed and I are trying to have a baby…maybe through a surrogate or maybe through adoption. The doctor's appointment today is actually to make sure Ed is good before they fertilize my eggs which I had frozen years ago."

"Oh my god Olivia that is amazing," she said giving her long time employer a big hug. "Ohhh those blue eyes and your dark hair on a little baby watch out world."

"We still have a long way to go before we get there," Olivia chuckled. "We haven't even started the surrogate search yet but I think we have narrowed it down to an agency."

"Olivia it is truly amazing…I am so happy for you and Ed and of course Noah…oh he is going to be such an amazing big brother."

"He definitely wants to take on that role, but we are waiting until we have a better understanding of a time frame before telling him…or anyone for that matter. I just needed to tell someone and you are like family by now."

"Thanks Liv that means a lot."

Their doctor appointment couldn't have gone any better as Ed got a clean bill of health and his little swimmers were strong. They had signed all the documents for fertilization and set up another appointment for Ed to make a donation and a final screening. Now they just needed to set up a surrogate.

It took a couple of weeks but they had finally managed to have a Saturday off where they could start interviewing surrogate candidates. They were both a little surprised that the surrogate could be from anywhere in the country not just New York or the surrounding area. There was way more to surrogacy than they ever thought but they still wanted to explore this option.

"Hey Lucy," Olivia smiled seeing her walk into the apartment. "Thanks for being able to take him today. We have these skype interviews and I think it would be easier if Noah was occupied and not in the apartment."

"It's not a problem. So you're going to pick the one today?"

"Oh I don't know…maybe. I'm not sure what we would do without the internet these days…It is crazy the person we might like could be in California."

"How does that work?"

"It's complicated and involves an even more complicated contract," Olivia laughed. "But she could stay in California until the baby is due and then we can fly her here or if for whatever she is not allowed to fly we will fly out there. We pay for all her medical care and for her…service and whatever housing and travel involved."

"That does sound complicated."

"Yeah, I hope whoever we pick are a little closer than California."

"Hi Lucy," Noah said hopping into the room.

"Hey Noah you ready to hit the park?"

"Yup, is Jackson going to be there," Noah asked referring to Lucy's sisters kid?

"They are going to meet us there."

"Yes," Noah cheered.

"We should only be a couple hours but if you need to come back sooner just send me a text."

"Don't worry about it we will be fine."

Ed wasn't a huge fan of technology and after being on 6 different skype calls over the past 4 hours he was even less a fan. His head was pounding, a combination of starring at a screen and going over various details from each surrogate interview. No two candidates were alike and they all had different requirements.

"So what do you think," Olivia asked sitting back on the couch?

"I think I have a migraine."

"Ed."

"I know, I know. Honestly, I wasn't in love with any of them."

"Good."

"Good?"

"Yeah, neither was I."

"So what do we do now?"

"The agency said they would set up some more interviews. They said not to be too worried we didn't find one today, these things take time."

The door opened and Lucy walked in with Noah who looked dead on his feet. Ed walked over to him and picked him up, the small boy snuggling into his dad's arms.

"I think it is past someone's nap time," Ed said softly.

"I am honestly surprised he made it home. He didn't want to leave the park, him and Jackson were having so much fun. He took a little powernap on the train ride but he's exhausted," Lucy gave them the update.

"I'm going to go put him down," Ed said walking to the back room.

"How did the interviews go," Lucy asked?

"They were ok, but we didn't find the right fit today."

"So what do you do now?"

"More interviews."

"Oh, ok."

"Something wrong Lucy," Olivia asked sensing a change in her mood?

"No, I was just…I don't know thinking about some stuff."

"Come here sit down," Olivia said concerned. "What's going on?"

"I have been thinking about something for a while now and this is not something I am just doing on a whim I did my research," Lucy explain.

"About what? Is everything ok with school?"

"Yes, I am still going to graduate on time. If you want, I want to be your surrogate."

Olivia had been preparing for the worst. She was expecting to say something happened with school, or in her personal life…maybe she was moving and couldn't watch Noah any long. There were a million other things running through her brain other than an offer to be their surrogate.

"Umm what?"

"I want to be the surrogate for you and Ed."

"Lucy I don't even know what to say. Doing this…with school how is that going to happen?"

"People give birth all the time and then they have a baby to take care of after. Assuming it happen in the next three months I would be giving birth before my final year start and if it takes longer and I need to push off a semester or take some summer classes I can do that."

Ed walked back into the room sensing something serious was happening.

"Um Noah is down for the count. What's going on?"

"Ed, um Lucy just offered to be our surrogate," Olivia explained.

"Wow, ok well that makes it easier."

"What," Olivia asked still in shock?

"Well, I like her waaaaaay better than anyone else we interviewed. I also like the fact we know and trust her and can hopefully be a part of the whole process of doctor's appointments and such."

"Oh absolutely," Lucy quickly agreed. "Doctor's appointments, sonograms, first kicks really whatever you guys want to be involved in. Liv I have known you for almost 5 years now and I have seen Noah grow and thrive. When Ed came along I watched the same transformation in you and he just added to the support and love Noah was already getting. If there was anyone made to be parents it is you two and if I can help in the process I want to."

Olivia was crying at this point wondering how so many amazing people came into her life. Lucy had started out as a baby sitter, turned into a friend and now she was family. This girl was an amazing individual.

"Lucy, if this is something you truly want to do then we would love to have you as our surrogate," Olivia said through her tears.

"Then let's get the contract ready."

Olivia brought Lucy into a hug never wanting to let her go. This was really happening; they were really going to have a baby with the help of Lucy. While it was simple to have Lucy as the surrogate that didn't make the contract any less simple. There were so many details that had to be in the contract for both Lucy's protection and Olivia and Ed's protection legally however they all knew it was not necessary.

Once all the legal documents were finalized and Lucy was medically cleared it was now just a waiting game. Since the eggs were already fertilized before they were implanted there was a much higher chance the procedure would take on the first time, however everyone was trying not to get their hopes up.

"You want to stay for dinner," Olivia asked Lucy who had stayed late due to a hectic work day?

"Just because I might be carrying your bun doesn't mean you have to feed me," Lucy laughed.

"Hey I would offer to feed you with or without a bun," she joked back.

All parties involved were grateful they were able to joke and keep some levity about the situation.

"Damn you for being so nice…I will stay for dinner."

"Good, Ed should be home soon. I texted him as I was leaving the station and he was about to walk out the door too."

"Great," Liv said getting dinner ready.

Sure enough Ed walked in the door a short while later.

"Something smells good," Ed observed. "I am starving."

"Daaaaddddddddyyyyyy," Noah yelled running to greet him by the door.

"Hey buddy what is mommy making that smells so good?"

"Scetti and garlic bread."

"Hmmm that sounds soooo good let's go say hi to mommy."

Ed walked into the kitchen with Noah on his hip to see Liv taking the garlic bread out of the oven.

"Hey baby," he said giving her a kiss which caused Noah to giggle.

"Hi love."

"You got to hungry boys ready to eat right Noah."

"Right."

"Well, maybe if my boys would set the table we could eat sooner…oh and Lucy is joining us."

Ed leaned forward to see into the living room and sure enough lucy was sitting on the couch.

"Hey Lucy," Ed smiled not seeing her earlier.

"Hey Ed, how was work?"

"Good just glad to finally be home."

Ed set Noah down and handed him 4 plastic cups to take to the table. They long since switch to mostly plastic after a couple broken glasses which sent the parents into a panic that Noah would get cut on glass and Noah to tears for breaking something.

"Daddy what this," Noah asked returning to the kitchen with a small box?

Ed picked Noah up and sat him on the counter taking the box from his son.

"I don't know, Liv," he turned and asked his wife?

"I don't know," she said eyeing the box that was addressed to the three of them.

Ed popped the lid off the box and Olivia gasped. Tears instantly flooded her eyes and she looked up to see Lucy discreetly filming the family interaction. Inside the little box was a pregnancy test with the word "pregnant" indicating a positive test.

"What is it mommy," Noah asked having no idea what was going on?

"Oh my god Ed," she said giving him a kiss momentarily ignoring their Noah.

"I love you," he whispered back.

"Mommy…daddy what in the box," Noah asked again.

"Noah remember how you said you wanted a brother or sister?"

"My brother is in the box," Noah asked excited?

Olivia and Ed couldn't help but laugh.

"No, but we got the news that your sibling is on the way."

"He in the mail?"

"Ha something like that buddy," Ed said picking his son up off the counter knowing it would take a while to explain it to him.

Ed took Noah back to his room to try and explain how he was getting a sibling while Olivia rushed out of the kitchen to hug Lucy.

"Lucy," Olivia started not sure what to say.

"Congratulations Liv," Lucy said giving her a hug.

"When did you find out? How did you find out?"

"My first period was extremely light and I missed my last one totally. I didn't want to get your hopes up until I knew for sure."

"How far along are you?"

"Actually almost 8 weeks…the first pregnancy test I took came up negative so I thought it didn't work which is why I let you know we should schedule another procedure."

"Guess I should call them and cancel," Olivia laughed slightly still with tears in her eyes.

"I hope you're not mad I wait to tell you."

"Oh Lucy no not at all. I would like to keep it between us though until you are a little further along."

"Hey it is not my news to tell," Lucy smiled. "I'm just the oven."

"You are way more than that Lucy and you know it."

Ed and Noah walked out from the back room, the little guy sitting between Lucy and his mom while Ed sat on the other side of Olivia.

"Hi baby brudder," Noah said patting Lucy stomach.

Lucy looked up at Olivia both had tears in their eyes.

"Remember Noah you could have a sister too," Ed reminded him.

"Hi sista," Noah added.

"This kid is going to be the death of me," Olivia said kissing the top of her son's head.

"I tried to explain to him…I am not sure how much he really obtained," Ed said wrapping his arms around Olivia.

"Enough to know I have a baby in here…for him that is probably the most important part," Lucy said with a smile.

"How are you doing," Ed asked?

"Good so far a little tired which at least now I know why. For a couple days I thought I was going nuts getting my regular sleep yet feeling exhausted."

"Are you able to get enough rest? Is there anything I can do? Run to the grocery store or anything?"

"I am good but thank you."

"Please let me know if there is anything you need day or night," Ed requested.

"Man I wish I had that service," Olivia joked.

"You do have that service and you know it," Ed jabbed kissing her cheek.

Olivia and Ed didn't want Lucy to leave, but they knew they couldn't keep her there. They wanted to wrap her up in a bubble for the next nine months but knew that wasn't an option either. They had to trust that whatever unknown higher power that made this all happen would deliver them a healthy baby in less than nine months' time.

"I love you," Olivia said sliding into bed next to Ed.

"I love you too."

"I can't believe this is happening," she whispered getting emotional again which seemed to be her constant state tonight.

"It is pretty incredible knowing our little baby is growing every day and getting bigger and stronger. I am not going to lie I am a little terrified," Ed admitted.

"I am too but you aren't alone."

"And neither are you."

And just like that the family of three was about to be a family of four. Olivia couldn't believe how her life made a total 180 from where she thought she was heading. She truly believed she would never have kids and here she was about to have her second with the man of her dreams. Everything she went through, all the heartache and pain, it was worth it all to be right here right now…happier than she had ever been.