Stabler Family Vacation
Chapter 2:
A/N: By popular demand, here is chapter two of "Stabler Family Vacation". I hope you enjoy it. I know I said I would explain about Kathleen in this chapter but every time I thought about how to do that, I thought of oh so many dramatic twists this story could take. I may incorporate a little something about Kathleen in here a little later but for now, enjoy the fluff!
"Momma, up," Mary extended her arms above her as she sat in her crib, looking expectantly at her mother.
Olivia lifted her little girl and kissed her on the forehead and on both cheeks "Bed time sweetie," she cooed. She and Elliot had read a story to the children and were in the midst of tucking them in.
Mary shook her head fervently "Uppie," she contended as her mother lowered her back into the crib. She pointed to herself "Mawy," then she pointed to the crib across the room from her where her brother stood, holding onto the railing with both of his tiny hands "Max," she smiled "Want uppie."
"No," Olivia corrected with a smile. She pointed at her daughter and then her son "Mary, Max, go to sleep." She turned the nightlight on and left the room only to be almost bowled over by Michael.
"Hey you," she scooped up the buck naked fourteen month old boy "Did your mommy try to put clothes on you again?" she laughed as she saw Maureen come around the corner.
"Thanks," Maureen panted as she took her son from Olivia "You wouldn't believe how fast he is," she said as her son squirmed in her arms.
"Oh," Olivia laughed "I believe it."
"Say goodnight to Grandma," Maureen smiled at Michael and adjusted him in her arms to face Olivia.
"Night Gama!" Michael waved at Olivia.
Olivia waved back, smiling. When Maureen had retreated to the bedroom that she, Noah and Michael were sharing for the duration of their stay, Olivia turned, running into Elliot.
Elliot laughed, wrapping her in his arms "Plenty of excitement around here tonight hmm…?" he chuckled warmly as he kissed her.
"Yeah," Olivia agreed. It was always harder to get the younger kids to bed when their older siblings were around. She turned and bent down just in time to scoop up a revved up Tommy as he came bolting out of the room he shared with Eli. The six year old soon followed his brother and was scooped up by Elliot.
"Whoa," Elliot said, looking at the two boys "Aren't you two supposed to be asleep right now?"
"Monster," Eli whispered as he held tight to his father.
"Scawy," Tommy whimpered against his mother's neck.
Elliot and Olivia shared a knowing look "Was Rick telling you two ghost stories again?" Olivia asked. Eli and Tommy silently nodded.
Elliot set Eli down on the floor and marched into the bedroom. Olivia set Tommy down next to his brother and followed her husband into the darkened room. There, in the glow of the nightlight they saw something move in the corner. The closet door was opening and closing slowly.
Elliot turned to Olivia and put a finger to his lips. She nodded, having done this dance several times before. She snuck over to the light switch and stood at the ready. The layout of the bedroom here wasn't much different than back home.
She watched as Elliot crept up to the closet door. He glanced in her direction and she flicked the lights on at the exact same moment that Elliot reached into the closet and pulled his eldest son out by the collar of his shirt.
The wide satisfied grin on Rick's face fell away quickly as he stared at his unhappy parents "Uh… uh…" he stuttered.
Olivia walked over and stood with her hands on her hips before the oldest Stabler boy "Why, why do you continue to do this?" she asked.
The blank stare she was met with was hard not to laugh at. Rick had been doing this to his little brothers for years. Olivia and Elliot had hoped that it would stop someday but Rick seemed too set in his ways.
"Go apologize to your brothers," Elliot sighed.
Rick nodded and went out into the hall. He knelt down in front of his two little brother's and smiled at them "Hey guys, sorry I scared you," he said softly "I was just having a little fun. Are we cool?"
Both boys gave him hugs "We're cool bro," Eli said as he pulled back from the hug and ran over to his mother and father, Tommy followed close behind.
"Alright," Olivia said in a loud clear voice, picking up Tommy "I think that now, it's definitely bed time."
"Yeah!" Tommy boisterously agreed.
