Chapter 2: Life in a Tailspin
April 2008
Olivia and Elliot lay naked in be as the loud buzzing alarm rang off.
Since the divorce papers had been signed they moved into Elliot's apartment but were considering seeing a real estate agent about a house near Kathy's house in queens.
Olivia: Oh my god El what time did you set the alarm for? You have to be at work in 15 minutes and I am supposed to pick up Kathy for her 35 week checkup in 10 minutes.
Elliot: Shit, go get showered. If we had time I would join you.
Olivia: Stabler!
They scrambled out of the house. Elliot sped off in his SUV going one direction as Liv sped off in her sedan in the other direction.
When Olivia reached to the house she climbed out and rang the doorbell.
A frazzled huge Kathy answered the door with Elizabeth hanging onto one foot and Richard hanging onto the other.
As they saw Liv they instantly let go of their pregnant mother and both jumped on her.
Are you guys ready for daycare? She asked. I brought you guys some snacks. Here are some cinnamon graham crackers.
Yay! They screamed in unison.
No, Kathy yelled from the next room, Lizzie is severely allergic to cinnamon.
Opps, Liv said, that was close, I have a chocolate bar in the car for you Lizzie.
As Liv got both Richie and Lizzie bucked into their car seats, Kathy slowly made it to the car.
She looked exhausted. Trying to get four kids ready for school and being 9 months pregnant wore her out easily.
When she finally made it to the car, Liv drove carefully to the twin's school and took them inside.
After dropping them off Liv and Kathy made their way to Kathy's doctor's appointment.
Kathy, you are measuring a good size for 35 weeks but you've still got a month to go, so take it easy, the doctor warned.
Doc I have four kids under the age of 12, the words take it easy don't exist in my dictionary, Kathy replied.
The baby's lungs aren't developed enough and would have to spend time in the NICU if you deliver early and I know you don't want that so you have no choice to take it easy, Olivia please make sure she takes it easy, the doctor asked.
I will do my best, Olivia replied.
I'll see you in two weeks Kathy, the doctor said in leaving.
Let's go Liv, we are wasting precious sleep time. The twins are only in daycare for a couple more hours.
They got into Olivia's car and she back out of her parking spot.
So we are going to set up everything for the nursery this weekend right, Olivia asked.
Yes, I took out all the boy clothes and blue bedding that we had when Richie was born. Kathy replied.
Great, I took the day off thinking this appointment was going to be longer so maybe I'll start on the clothes today.
I am craving chocolate ice cream right now, can we stop and pick some up.
As Olivia drove through the green light in search of a parking spot, she failed to notice the car coming right towards the left side of her car.
Before they even knew what hit them, the car came crashing into the side.
Kathy grabbed her belly as she felt the impact.
Olivia in shock screamed for Kathy.
As Olivia's car stopped after the impact, they sat in the car both scared to move.
Olivia assessed the situation, she was fine besides a few cut and scrapes but the car had been hit on Kathy's side.
Liv, Kathy said, my legs are wet, I think my water broke.
Olivia panicked on the inside but kept her composure.
Liv it hurts.
Ok, just breathe in a minute someone will be here to help us.
Liv, I am having a contraction.
Take my hand and hold tight.
Olivia unbuckled her seatbelt and looked down at Kathy's skirt to see that what she thought was her water breaking was actually blood.
Trying not to scare her, Olivia asked. Kathy how far apart are your contractions?
Scared to reply, Liv they are right on top of each other.
Kathy screamed.
Breathe, Breathe.
Liv, the baby is coming. I feel the head in place.
Olivia leaned Kathy's seat back carefully not to further injure her.
Kathy can you place your feet up on the dashboard, Liv asked?
I can't, I think my foot is stuck, I can't get it up
Ok, well try to spread you legs as wide as possible.
Liv ripped off her underwear and saw the head beginning to crown.
As the head came out, Olivia reached over to check for the umbilical cord around the baby's neck as he came through the birth canal.
One more push Kathy, and he'll be out. Olivia reached down and grabbed the baby as he made his way into the world.
Olivia grabbed the tiny human and he made his presence known with a loud cry.
Just then, sirens of ambulances and police cars were heard.
Look Kathy, look at your beautiful boy, Olivia said, as she looked up to see an unconscious limp body next to her.
Olivia placed the baby in her lap and began to shake Kathy to get her to stay awake.
Kathy! Kathy! Kathy! She screamed but it was too late, Kathy was dead.
Olivia got out of the car from her untouched side door with the baby in hand. She stood outside stunned as she watched the firefighters cut her car door open to release Kathy's lifeless body.
Elliot came running from one of the squad cars to see his bruised up girlfriend holding his newborn son.
What happened! What happened Liv! Where's Kathy?
El, she's dead. She didn't survive the accident.
They broke down crying in each other's arms with their new baby in hand.
Let's get you and the baby to the hospital, Elliot said heading towards the ambulance.
