A/N: Another day, another chapter. This one is longer than usual so I hope it makes up for the wait, I couldn't find a place to split up the chapter. For disclaimer, view profile. My many thanks to The Congressman for betaing the chapter for your pleasure.
"Room 36109. My new home," Olivia sighed. She absolutely, positively hated hospitals, doctors, and nurses in that order, but for the sake of her babies the detective agreed to bed rest in the hospital until they were born. Pushing the door open she dropped her bag and…
"SURPRISE!" Elliot, Kathy, Fin, Munch, Chester, Alex, Melinda, Ryan, Don, Maureen, Kathleen, Lizzie, Dickie, and Eli had all crowded into her small private room. Olivia nearly went into labour then and there, shocked at the sudden intrusion. Elliot smiled and walked over to her, kissing her cheek and wrapping an arm around her waist. "Hi baby."
She glared at him half-heartedly. "So this is why no one was available to give me a lift here," Olivia stated dryly but with a smile on her face. "And why half my stuff was missing from my closet," she observed, gesturing to her belongings.
"Even though baby showers are normally done about 7-8 months in and normally only girls attending, we thought we could do it now and have this day as a memorial day for the one that didn't make it." Chester said, his low voice carrying easily throughout the room. He may have only been on the squad for about 8 months but he knew without a doubt that these people loved each other as a family and he was glad they welcomed him to their team.
Olivia stood in the doorway with her boyfriend, staring at the group of people before her for several long seconds; her mind finally processed what she had missed when she had opened the door, everyone had a gift in their hands. Elliot lovingly kissed her nose, taking her bag out of her grasp and passing it to Chester to put under the bed. Smiling, he led Olivia over to the bed, allowing her to sit and then bowed with a kiss the back of her hand.
"Sit here my Lady; prepare receive your gifts," Elliot said regally with a wide smirk before stepping back to sit on the edge of the bed. Olivia let out a soft giggle, happy to see her partner's playful side that was normally reserved for his children. She was such a lucky girl.
Munch stepped forward into the place where Elliot had stood moments earlier, starting to give Olivia her gifts many gifts. He held his present out to her first. "Here you go Liv," he said, enveloping her in an awkward hug.
Olivia kissed his whiskery cheek before taking the present. "Thank you John," she said as she began to tear at the wrapping. It was one of the old school, walkie talkie type baby monitors.
"I got this one so no one could hack into the Wi-Fi and see you and the kids," Munch stated with a nervous smile. That changed quickly to a strangled grimace a few seconds later when Olivia flung her arms around his neck, hugging him tight.
"Someone, save, me!" he choked out while everyone began laughing, Elliot hardest of all. Fin eventually took pity on Munch's scrawny butt and waded in.
"Liv, ya gotta let him go Babygirl." Fin was gentle but firm with the pregnant detective as he loosened her grasp on the sergeant. Once Munch was free Fin took advantage of being close to Olivia and gave her his gift with a chaste kiss to the forehead. She cupped her hand on his cheek and smiled at him before opening the gift wrapped box. There was about 20 pieces of paper about the size of a fifty dollar bill, but they didn't bear President Grant's likeness. Instead, upon closer inspection, Olivia realised they were hand written coupons; things like: 'good for one free three hour babysit', 'good for one nap at work,' and the one that looked to be Olivia's favourite, 'good for one chocolate bar and bottle of wine after a hard case'. Olivia smiled before attaching herself to Fin, the same as she had done to Munch. Being younger and fit than his scrawny partner Fin happily returned the hug. He was glad that Olivia liked her gift, especially since most of the coupons were the babysitting ones. He couldn't wait to be 'Cool Uncle Fin' to the babies, although they may not appreciate it until their teenage years.
"You just want to be able to spend more time with the babies don't you?" Olivia asked with a laugh as she broke the hug.
"Damn, you caught me. You should be a Detective," Fin joked as he stepped back to allow Don to give his gift.
"I hope this helps you and Elliot." Don said before handing over the wrapped box. Olivia opened it and gasped. It was a sunset orange picture frame with streaks of red, yellow, and purple triangles with a plain metal cross adorning each of the corners. Inside it held a copy of the sonogram Olivia had had gotten just two days before the shooting. Engraved with a blue stain was the words:
The four have become three, as one now rests with Me
Olivia tried to blink back the tears that were threatening to fall; it was beautiful in the way it celebrated the surviving three and honoured the fourth now watching over them in Heaven with God.
"Don, it's b-beautiful." Olivia breathed, beginning to cry. The Captain gathered up his favourite detective (not that he would admit that out loud of course), in his arms and kissed her forehead.
"I'm glad that you like it Olivia," Don said, his own voice thick with emotion.
As he held her, Olivia didn't care that biologically Don wasn't her father; ever since she had met him, he had offered her his guidance and looked after her, being her dad in all but name. "Thank you, Dad," Olivia said softly into his ear.
A smile formed on the older man's lips. "Anything for you, daughter," Don whispered back. He let go and passed her a handkerchief to dry her eyes before stepping back and allowing O'Halloran to take his place.
"It's not much, but I saw it and I thought of you," Ryan said with a nervous smile, offering his hand for Olivia to shake. She took his hand and pulled him in for a hug before accepting the bag. Inside were two teddy bears in police uniforms that were joined at the hip by a love heart. One had ice blue eyes and the other had chocolate brown eyes. In front of them was eight little bear cubs, and angel bear and another bear beside that one. A bear in a nurse's uniform stood behind the heart. There was a bear to represent each of the Stablers and Olivia.
Unfortunately for Ryan, he received the same reaction as Munch, Fin, and Don before him, one very tight hug. He went from a normal healthy colour to pale white with blue tinges in under two seconds.
"Liv, you gotta loosen your grip. You don't want to make Ryan pass out do you? Then we would have to deal with Stucky!" Elliot cajoled as he pried Olivia off his favourite lab tech. "I know you are excited and want to show him how much you love your present but you need to let go before you break his ribs."
Just as Elliot finished his sentence, there was a loud snap. A bead of sweat formed on Ryan's forehead as he braced himself for pain. Only the pain never arrived. Apparently Eli had decided to bite his tootsi pop at just that moment; Ryan let out a breathy sigh of relief. He retreated to the edge if the room and found himself beside a beautiful wom- oh God it was Kathleen Stabler.
Kathleen smiled shyly at him as she shifted Eli to her other hip. Ryan went a light shade of pink and put his head down. Not Stabler's daughter. Not Stabler's daughter. She was a beautiful woman but the lab tech was afraid of what Elliot's reaction would be, since the detective's reputation preceded him (especially the part about him punching out three partners, two within a week of meeting them). Ryan was so focused on keeping his cool he did not notice the looks the woman was sending him.
Chester stepped forward to give Olivia his and George's present that they had agreed to go halves in. He held out a small wicker basket with a card, bunch of flowers, and a cake of Olivia's favourite chocolate. Olivia opened the card first, inside was a picture of a bassinet that looked to , made of the same wicker can as the basket she now held on her lap. The card read:
Being delivered now,
and accepted by George
Pre-empting Olivia's hug, Chester wrapped Olivia up in a huge bear hug.
"I thought you might like to keep them close; you can move them anywhere easily now, yours and Elliot's room, kitchen, lounge, dining room, study, or even the Bullpen at the 1-6," he said.
"It's beautiful, and explains George's absence," Olivia observed contently as she returned the hug. After a few moments, she pulled back from him slightly and picked up the Foxgloves, raising them to her nose.
"How did you find these?" she asked happily.
"I have a friend who's a florist," Chester said with a shrug. "There are plenty more available where these came from."
Olivia's eyes lit up; she opened her mouth to ask where and her eyes bulged when she tasted, foil?!
"I'm not telling you where my sources are, just eat your chocolate, although you may want to remove the wrapper first," Chester told her with a smirk and a wink. Alex leaned forward and pulled Chester back as he grinned like a Cheshire cat, allowing Melinda to step forward and pass on her gift. Melinda's gift was much like Fin's, a bunch of coupons for Olivia and Elliot for babysitting, house chores, and baby supplies. Olivia had calmed down a little by this point so she didn't try to strangle the M.E, just returning the friendly hug Melinda had started (to the complaints of Munch and Ryan, the latter causing Kathleen to giggle).
"You and Elliot are to use mine and Fin's gifts, you hear?" Melinda ordered softly either a smile. The M.E. then broke off and swapped positions with Kathy.
"I figured most people would get you newborn things so I got you unisex onesies and two jumpsuits, pants, and tops each," Kathy smiled, giving Olivia a quick one armed hug as she handed over the gift bag overflowing with baby clothes. Olivia wrapped both her arms around the blonde woman's neck. Kathy then gestured for Alex to take her place, the ADA handing Olivia an envelope.
"I hope this helps you and Elliot," Alex said with a sad smile and soft hug. Olivia returned the hug, a little confused at what her friend meant. She opened the envelope and pulled out a wad of papers; it was a transcript of a confession from a man named Ryan Kwole. His daughter, a black Muslim with Autism had been gunned down by Police; she had been holding a butcher's carving knife in one hand and was reaching into her jacket pocket with the other. The Police had tasered her which had, as anyone who deals with people on the Autistic Spectrum know, had no effect so within 30 seconds 41 shots had been fired at her by the unknowing cops, fearing for their lives. Olivia felt for the poor woman; she had heard this being talked about by fellow cops. It was regrettable and the cops should have used more discretion but in the heat of the moment she knew these things happened.
Kwole had found out that the cops who had shot his daughter worked at the 16th precinct and he had gone there to confront them; Internal Affairs had spoken to him but the officers were cleared for the incident, receiving only a two week suspension. At the end of the confession he apologised to Olivia, having seen on the news that he had hit one of the most dedicated officers in the NYPD and it had caused her to miscarry. Olivia had tears running down her face as she finished reading the confession and wordlessly passed the transcript to Elliot, who was still perched on the end of her bed. He was also ready to cry once he had finished reading the confession too.
"The poor man," Elliot and Olivia said sadly at the same time. Elliot passed the papers to Don and they began to circle the room, skipping over Eli (who was too young to understand) and Lizzie, Kathy and Alex (who had already read it).
"He doesn't expect you to forgive him, but he and his Lawyer thought that your grief may ease a little if you knew why," Alex said softly.
"Knowing the 'why' does help me a little; Kwole is going through a tough time too. Do you have his Lawyer's number?" Olivia asked as she dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. "I want to thank him for telling me what happened."
"Elliot should have his number; it was him he called after all when you were framed for that biker's murder," Alex stated with a hint of a smirk.
"I have the shark's number." Elliot muttered. He still didn't like Langan on the sole principle that the lawyer defended the people he put behind bars to make New York safer for everyone (well, the guy also had the hots for Olivia which was just as bad in his book). Alex then stepped back to allow Maureen, Kathleen, Lizzie, Dickie and Eli to come forward.
"It's not much," Maureen began, just like they had practiced.
"But we hope," Kathleen said her part.
"That you love it," Lizzie continued.
"And think of us when you look at it," Dickie finished.
"Here Livia." Eli said, leaning towards her from Kathleen's hip as he held out a small box. Inside was a necklace with a fine gold chain with six letters, M, K, L, D and two E's. Each letter held the birth stone of the person they represented.
"It matches the necklaces you brought for each of us girls when we turned 16," Kathleen said softly.
"And the watch you brought me," Dickie chimed in with a smile.
"We always have a part of you with us," Maureen began before Lizzie took over.
"We want you to always have a piece of us with you." The four children stepped forward and wrapped Olivia and Elliot in a group hug.
"Why Livia cry?" Eli asked, touching her shining cheek.
"Because I am very happy Eli. These are happy tears bud," Olivia said with a sniff. The children stepped back from Olivia's bed, Kathleen 'mysteriously' finding herself ending up beside Ryan again. Now to get his number without him going any redder and Dad not picking up on it. She grinned surreptitiously at her thoughts, sending her brain into overdrive.
While Olivia was focused on the moving children Elliot got down on one knee behind her. "To get your last present Liv, I suggest you turn around," Chester said with a smirk. Olivia spun on her bed as quickly as someone pregnant with quads could. Her hands flew to her mouth as she gasped, seeing Elliot on the floor.
"Olivia Jayne Benson, before you became my work partner I went through partners quicker than Munch can come up with a conspiracy theory."
"Hey! Nasty but tr-." John interjected before Fin clapped his hand over the older detective's mouth.
"With you around, I got nowhere near the amount of suspensions and as result my closure rare went up. After almost 10 years as your partner you have become the one person I can talk to about anything. You know, to see and understand the horrors we face on the job and as I know you can handle it, it don't attempt to sugar coat anything when I talk to you about a case that haunts me. Olivia Jayne Benson, will you do the honour of marrying me?" Elliot finished his speech with the million dollar question.
The room was silent, waiting for Olivia's answer; only one person hoping she would turn him down.
That person was disappointed when Olivia grabbed Elliot's tie and pulled him towards her, kissing him hard. When they broke apart, gasping for air, Elliot rested his forehead against his partner's.
"So, I take it that was a 'yes'?" Elliot asked hopefully.
"Yes! Yes, yes, yes." Olivia shouted, pecking him on the lips after each 'yes'. That was when Kathleen figured out how to get Ryan's number. She smiled to herself, pleased with her idea as everyone began cheering for the happy couple, who were at this point sharing another kiss.
