Thank you to Amber77for reviews/alerts/favourites. I hope this next chapter pleases as much.
REMINDER – THIS CHAPTER IS A WEEK AFTER THE LAST ONE!
Manhattan SVU, Manhattan, New York
Tuesday, June 17th 2008
10.34 am
Olivia sat at her desk typing up the latest DD5's and sipped at her coffee. She was content knowing that Cole was at the hospital with Michael and that Melissa was in school. They'd settled into their new routine quite quickly out of necessity. When she worked, Cole was at the hospital, when he worked, Olivia was at the hospital and Melissa swapped between the two of them at night quite happily. Truth be told, they'd barely seen each other in the past week. Michael hadn't gotten any better, if anything, he gotten a lot worse. His frail body was battling numerous infections and she had been warned that if he didn't start fighting soon the doctors would push for her to switch off the machine or they'd have the court order them to switch it off. The adoption had been granted without any complications. No one wanted to fight them and they knew they couldn't place Michael anywhere else with him so ill. They had only been in court two hours and they signed the adoption papers there and then. Melissa and Michael were now legally her children.
"Hey baby girl what's up?" Fin asked passing her a Kleenex.
"I didn't even realise I was crying." She laughed softly as she wiped at her cheeks.
"You look like you haven't slept in days." He mentioned, he had never seen the bags under her eyes so prominent in the years she'd worked with him.
"I haven't." She replied.
That wasn't the Olivia he knew. The Olivia he knew would have laughed and made up a lie for why she looked bad, or commented on the fact that he'd told her she looked bad not look defeated and tell him the truth.
"Why don't you go to the cribs and get a couple of hours?" He suggested.
"No, I need more coffee and finish typing this up so I can visit Michael." Olivia explained.
"Let me get it for you." He smiled taking her empty mug.
As she typed she focused on getting it done. She wanted to hear Michael's progress and read three little pigs to him, his favourite story. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him and how much she needed him to fight.
Mercy General Hospital, Manhattan, New York
Tuesday, June 17th 2008
12.06 pm
"Hey." Olivia smiled as she entered the room.
Cole was sat in the very uncomfortable hospital armchair stroking Michael's hand. Olivia went over to him and kissed him on the cheek. He welcomed her touch.
"The doctor wants to speak with us." He told her getting to his feet.
"Ok." She replied and she took his hand as they walked the familiar route to the doctor's office.
Once inside they sat down and the doctor looked at them.
"We've been discussing Michael's progress, it seems he has given up all together. Even if he was to regain consciousness the chances are he'll be severally brain damaged and we've had all the experts we can see him and not a single one believe he'll wake up." The doctor explained.
"Ok." Olivia nodded.
"I'm afraid it's time." He finished.
She'd slowly been building herself up for this moment.
"Call in your loved ones Ms Benson." He said getting to his feet.
"I want him dressed in his blue teddy pyjamas. They're his favourite." Olivia whispered.
"I'll arrange that." The doctor replied.
"And I want him snuggled with his blanket and nunu the bear." She added.
"I'll get it sorted, call your family Ms Benson." And with that he left the room.
"You call the school, your Mom and your sister, I call the one six." Olivia turned to Cole.
She'd gone into autopilot, she'd been preparing herself for this moment for the past week and she knew exactly how it would play out. She wanted their friends and family to say goodbye and then she wanted herself, Cole and Melissa to cuddle up and read three little pigs as he drifted off. It was what she'd planned in her head for the past six days.
Mercy General Hospital, Manhattan, New York
Tuesday, June 17th 2008
1.48 pm
It was time.
Everyone who had a place in Olivia and Cole's life had been inside and said goodbye to Michael. The nurses had washed and dressed him and put him his blue pyjamas, he was cuddled up under his blanky with his nunu bear.
Olivia climbed into the bed beside him as Cole and Melissa cuddled up by his feet.
She opened the book.
"Once upon a time there was a mother who had three little pigs ..." Cole nodded and the doctor who had been in charge of Michael's care and he flicked the switch.
He had explained that Michael would drift off slowly, his heart would beat slower and slower and Olivia had prayed she'd get to the end of the book before his last breath was drawn. She could feel his breath against her hand as she read and that was all she needed.
"And he huffed and he puffed but the house of bricks would not fall down." Olivia ended as tears trickled down her cheek.
The last breath left Michael's body as she shut the book. Olivia looked at Cole and Melissa who were both crying.
"Michael's gone to be with Jesus." Melissa whispered.
"Yes he has baby." Olivia replied.
Olivia wrapped her arms around Michael in their last embrace. She kissed him on his cheek and slowly climbed off the bed as did Michael with Melissa.
Cole and Melissa went to the side of the bed. Melissa leaned over from Cole's arms and kissed Michael's cheek.
"I love you Mikey, be good for Jesus." Melissa whispered.
Then it was Cole's turn.
"I love you little man, you remember that Daddy will always love you." He whispered.
Olivia waited as Cole carried Melissa into the corridor outside where their friends and family were waiting.
She stepped right to the side of the bed and leant over him. She stroked his hair with one hand and stroked his hand with the other.
"Sleep tight my angel and remember that Mommy always loves you, help us watch over Melly. We'll keep you forever in our hearts." Olivia whispered as she kissed him once again.
The sobs took over her body and she sobbed silently. The nurses gave her ten minutes alone with him before they came in.
"It's time to go." The nurse whispered.
Olivia nodded and kissed him one last time.
"In my heart my angel." She whispered.
Mercy General hospital, Manhattan, New York
Tuesday, June 17th 2008
2.54 pm
Olivia walked into the corridor where everyone was waiting. She couldn't look into any of their eyes as Cole pulled her into him. She held onto him and Melissa as they sobbed together. Everyone there was crying, Cragen, Munch, Fin, Richards, Tammy (Cole's Sister) Mrs Jeffries (Cole's Mom) Casey, Alex, Melinda, Mrs Thomas, Miss Josephine, Elliot and Captain Jenkins.
Everyone was crying for different reasons, Olivia, Cole and Melissa for the love they had lost, the teams for their friends, co-workers and family.
They finally made their way from the hospital when the nurse explained that Michael was being transported. Olivia had seen too many people in body bags; he son wasn't one she wanted to witness.
They made their way home after making sure everyone would join them for a drink for Michael.
So very emotional scene and it isn't over, next chapter the funeral. Getting closer to E/O though so don't worry!
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