Stabler Family Vacation

Chapter 7:

A/N: Here's the next chapter. There won't be any flashbacks in this chapter. I hope no one is too disappointed. Thanks to all the people who reviewed last chapter: Hope06, Benson-Baby, SVU101, PaceyW'sgirl, , TV Angel 711, BiggestSVUFAN, MHFever and Tommys my 21. Thank you for continued support of this story.

Elliot sat in the passenger seat of the family minivan as Maureen drove. Eli, Tommy, along with Max, Mary were sleeping soundly while Elizabeth kept an eye on them. Noah, Dickie and Michael were in the car behind them as they made there way to Rhode Island.

Elliot gazed out the window, thoughtfully. It had been several months since he had last seen Kathleen. Not so long that it would have been before she got pregnant though. She had probably been afraid to tell him. She was an adult and had chosen to live her own life in Rhode Island. Elliot himself had been a deciding factor in driving her away. He knew this. He had still tried to exercise a bit of control over her life. Although, Olivia had reminded him that it was a bit more than a bit.

He had simply been worried about her but he had driven her away. And, when she'd needed help, she hadn't asked for his. She hadn't asked anyone in the family for help until today when she had called Olivia. Elliot wondered if Kathleen had tried to call him but somehow, he didn't think so.

Of all his adult children, Kathleen was definitely the most headstrong. He wondered if when he saw her again, whether she would even accept him. He had really screwed up big time. Even Olivia's calm patience hadn't been enough to counterbalance him when it came to Kathleen.

Maureen's voice cut through his thoughts "We should probably stop and get something to eat," she was already reaching for her cell phone to call Noah. "We'll be there in about a half hour anyway," she reassured her father.

"Alright," Elliot nodded.

"She's going to be fine," Maureen told Elliot with a gentle hand on his arm. "Mom would have called if there was a problem."

Elliot nodded again. As they pulled into the parking lot of the McDonalds he pulled out his cell phone. He got out of the car and walked over to a tree. He leaned his back against the tree as he called Olivia.

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Rachael curled up on the waiting room chair and pouted up at her mother. "Why is Katie so sad?" she asked.

"She's not sad sweetheart," Olivia told her.

"But she was crying," Rachael persisted.

"She's scared," Olivia told her, reaching down for her daughter and pulling her into a hug.

Kathleen's baby was not only early, she had had to go to emergency surgery because, although her water had broken, her cervix hadn't dilated nearly as fast as the doctors had been hoping.

Olivia had been allowed to bring Rachael in to see her briefly. Olivia had given Kathleen a hug and assured her that she was not alone before the doctor had come in and told Kathleen that they were prepping for surgery.

Olivia's cell phone rang. She turned to Rachael "Wait here sweetie," she said softly, getting up and moving just outside the waiting room, making sure she could still see Rachael.

She flipped the phone open "Hi," she said softly, knowing that it was Elliot.

"Hi," he returned just as softly. "How is she?" he asked.

"They're prepping her for a C-section," she informed him solemnly.

"I'll be there in about a half hour," he wished he was there now.

"You don't have-" Olivia started to say.

"She's my daughter, Liv," he said in a voice, choked back with emotions. "I want to be there."

"We're in the waiting room in the maternity ward," Olivia told him softly. "I'll see you soon."

"How's Rachael handling all of this," Elliot asked, somewhat guiltily; he wished he'd never gone to the movie.

"She's a little confused about what's going on," Olivia admitted "But she's fine."

"She takes after you, you know," he grinned, even though he knew Olivia couldn't see it.

"Funny," Olivia mused "I thought she took after her father."

"I sure hope not," Elliot laughed. "Give her a kiss for me?" he asked.

"Of course," Olivia smiled softly. "Do you wanna talk to her?" she already knew the answer and walked back into the waiting room. She handed the phone to Rachael "Do you wanna say hi to Daddy?" she asked.

"Hi Daddy," Rachael smiled into the phone.

"Hi princess," Elliot said affectionately "How are you?"

"Mommy and I road on a bus," she told him proudly.

"That's great," Elliot smiled softly.

Rachael's face fell "Katie's scared Daddy," she whispered.

"I know sweetie," Elliot said without missing a beat "I'll be there soon, okay."

"Okay," Rachael perked up a little bit.

"Can I talk to Mommy again?" Elliot asked, politely.

"Sure," Rachael moved to hand the phone back to Olivia "By Daddy. I love you."

"I love you too, princess," Elliot said before Rachael handed the phone back to Olivia.

"Hey," Olivia said softly.

"She's got her Mommy's resolve," Elliot remarked.

"I hope not," Olivia whispered, standing up and walking into the hall again "My resolve isn't holding up very well right now."

Elliot was silent for a little while "I'll be there soon," was all the comfort he could offer her. He wished he was beside her right now so he could wrap her in his arms. That was something that they both needed.

"I love you," he whispered as he saw Maureen getting ready to go.

"I love you too," Olivia whispered, running the back of her hand across her eyes. "I'll be waiting for you, bye."

"Bye, Liv," he whispered before, reluctantly, hanging up the phone and rejoining the miniture caravan.