10
"What?" she gasped incredulously. "How is that even possible?"
"As I explained when we started these procedures, there is always a risk of a multiple pregnancy with the fertility medications we gave you," the doctor said calmly. Olivia imagined he was more than used to flabbergasting women with the news they were expecting more than one baby, given his line of work. He didn't seem perturbed at all.
"Yes, but I had a scan in the ER just over a week ago and they never mentioned anything about it," she argued, still convinced the doctor must be mistaken.
"It's fairly common for a twin pregnancy to not be detected in very early scans. It's all down to the positioning of the embryos, not to mention our ultrasound machine is probably a lot more advanced than the one they have in the ER."
Olivia remained silent, trying to take it in. Twins was the last thing she had been expecting. It was true she had been warned that there was a higher chance of them given the interventions they were doing, but she had still never believed it was something that would actually happen to her. Things like this happened to other people. Then she looked at Elliot and realised that maybe she had been naïve. He had twins himself. Things like that did happen to regular people after all. She just hadn't counted herself as being amongst them.
"It more than likely explains the increased morning sickness," her doctor added. "You're going to have to take it really easy Olivia. Your pregnancy is doubly high risk now, when added to your age. I'm going to release you to your OBGYN early, as everything looks good so far, but they're going to want you to come in every couple of weeks or so more than likely. For now though, let's get you re-hydrated. If you follow the nurse now she will set you up."
"Thank you doctor," Olivia mumbled, still in shock.
Elliot followed her quietly, but as soon as she was hooked up to the IV and the nurse left them alone, he spoke.
"Wow," he exclaimed. "Twins, huh? I might have guessed you wouldn't go into this Motherhood thing half-heartedly."
"You can talk!" She grinned at him. He was hardly in a position to tease her. Then her expression suddenly grew serious.
"How am I going to do this, Elliot? How am I going to care for two babies? I had worked out I would just about be able to comfortably afford day care for one, but two? Not to mention the cost of the birth and all the prenatal care and everything. I can't afford not to work. I need the insurance for one."
"Shhh," he soothed. "It will work out, I promise. You don't have to plan everything right now."
She looked at him so sceptically it made him chuckle. He knew full well she would want everything finalised to the last detail before she could relax.
"OK," he acquiesced. "Look, maybe Cragen will give you some extended leave? You've more than earned some time off?"
"Maybe," she said unconvinced. A few days off was one thing, but a high-risk twin pregnancy could potentially call for months off and that was even before the babies were born. She sighed heavily.
"Liv, you're having two babies! It's fantastic news. You're going to be a mommy of two!"
"Yeah," she said quietly. She should be excited. She was. It was such an amazing miracle. The only thing was she was also absolutely terrified about how everything was going to work, not to mention the crazy thoughts she was having about how on earth she would fit two babies into her uterus, what effect it would have on her body afterwards and worse...how they were going to come out!
She was suddenly overwhelmed by another wave of nausea and grabbed the bowl which had been placed beside her since she would be unable to move easily to the bathroom while she was hooked up to the IV. She cringed as she heaved into the bowl. Throwing up in front of her partner was embarrassing to say the least.
"You OK," he asked nervously, once she had finished and raised her head again. She looked at him. He was watching her awkwardly, looking like he didn't quite know what to do with himself.
"You don't have to stay," she said. "This is going to take a while. I can call a cab."
"Don't be silly!" he said. "I'm going to make sure you get home safely. No arguments!"
She smiled.
…
Even though the nausea was still relentless, she had to admit the IV had made her feel a little better. She felt like she had slightly more energy. It was also a relief to know that her body had been given a proper balance of nutrients, which she knew her babies needed to grow. Given the extent of her nausea and inability to keep anything down, her doctor had reluctantly prescribed her an anti-emetic. He explained that no medication was one hundred percent safe during pregnancy, but that in this case he considered the benefits far outweighed the risks. She was sustaining two other lives after all and she needed sustenance. She was told that due to the high level of ketones which had been detected in her urine, she would need to come in for fluids over the next few days until the level dropped. Hopefully the medication would help and she'd be able to keep some food down and things would start to get more manageable.
It was all so overwhelming. Elliot had driven her home and she had reluctantly invited him in for a coffee out of politeness. Luckily he had picked up on the fact that she was exhausted and wanted some time to think about everything alone and he had declined, telling her he would check in on her the next day after work. The fights of the last few months almost seemed like a distant memory, she thought as she settled down onto the sofa. The whole process of going to the hospital and learning the shocking news had completely knocked her for six.
The following day she thought she felt marginally better already, thanks to the medication. She had managed to keep her breakfast down for a couple of hours and so far lunch had stayed put. It was great to feel food in her stomach again. The only disadvantage that came with feeling better was the boredom. She hated sitting around. She wanted to be back at work. She really didn't know what to do with herself. She played on the internet for a while, ordering a couple of books on twin pregnancies. It still didn't seem real. She half expected to receive a phone call from the clinic any minute, informing her that it had all been a huge mistake and that in fact it was just one baby in there after all.
By the time evening came she was beyond frustrated. She wondered if Elliot would really come and check in on her like he had promised. She knew there was always the chance a case had come in, preventing him from leaving, although she suspected he would have at least called or sent her a text if that had been the case. Right on cue her phone beeped. She clicked onto the message. He was leaving the precinct now and said he would swing by the supermarket to pick up a few things for her and to let him know if there was anything specific she wanted. She quickly tapped out a grateful reply, listing the items she wanted.
Once she had finished, she suddenly felt self-conscious. She was still in her pyjamas, not seeing the point in bothering to dress if she was going to be in all day. Thinking she had plenty of time, she decided to hop in the shower and make herself a bit more presentable. She was hoping she could convince him to hang around for a bit and entertain her. She was sick of her own company.
She dressed in a pair of slim blue jeans and a turquoise green top that she dug out of the back of her drawer. It wasn't the sort of top she would consider wearing at work, as it showed a little more cleavage than she thought was generally advisable given the kind of scumbags she dealt with day after day. However, it wasn't too over the top. It was enough to make her feel feminine. She thought she should make the most of appearing slim, for she could only imagine what she might look like in a couple of months. She placed her hands on her abdomen. It was so strange to think there were two little people in there. She wondered if they'd be girls, boys or maybe even one of each. She decided right then and there that she wouldn't be waiting. She wanted to know as soon as the doctor's could tell her. She wanted to decide on names and prepare as well as she could.
She returned to the living room, picking up a few bits and pieces here and there in an attempt to make the place look a bit tidier. A quick glance at her watch told her that he should be arriving any minute now, although it depended on how long he spent at the supermarket of course.
Five minutes later she heard the door chime and she let him in.
"Hey," he greeted her. She felt a little self-conscious as she felt his eyes give her a quick once over. "You look nice," he added.
Blushing nervously and ignoring the compliment she grabbed one of the shopping bags from him and they headed towards the kitchen to put the groceries away.
"How was today?" she asked.
"It was fine. I've mostly just been going over the medical reports on the Jenny Foster case."
"It's a difficult one," she said sympathetically. She knew he wasn't finding it easy.
"Let's not talk about work," he sighed. "How are you, anyway? Are you feeling any better?"
"I am actually. These meds must be working. I kept down lunch!"
"Wow, that's great," he said chuckling at her enthusiasm.
"And I've been trying to get used to the idea there are two in there."
"It takes a while," he said thoughtfully. "In fact I'm not sure I completely believed it until after Kathy gave birth and suddenly there were these two screaming infants to take care of."
"Was it really hard?" she asked tentatively.
"I won't lie. It wasn't easy, but you know I was working. Kathy had her Mother come and stay for a few months to help out. Once they got into a routine and started sleeping better at night it wasn't so bad. When they got older they played together a lot and in some ways it was easier. With the older two, it felt like they needed constant entertaining, but the twins pretty much entertained themselves."
Olivia was silent. She didn't have a Mother to ask to come and help out. She would have to do it completely alone. Elliot must have guessed her thoughts.
"I'll help when I can, Liv," he said earnestly. "I know this is going to be hard for you alone."
"Thanks," she replied. She wasn't really sure how much she could possibly rely on him though. He worked full time and they weren't even his children. How could she possibly ask him to do much? It wouldn't be fair.
"Have you thought about when you're going to tell the Captain?"
She sighed. That was another task she wasn't looking forward to. She dreaded all the inevitable questions. Not to mention the fact that Cragen was probably going to be put out about all the time off she was likely to need.
"Liv, I think you should tell him sooner rather than later. You need to take it easy. You shouldn't be putting yourself in any danger."
"I know, but it's still so early. I'd rather wait a few more weeks until I'm in the second trimester at least.
"I'm only talking about the Captain; not the whole department."
"Maybe you're right. I'll think about it."
"Good."
"You never know, this might work out well for you: they might pair you up with someone young - and hot," she joked.
"Right," he said moodily, shifting his gaze to glare at the floor, making her suddenly feel very awkward. She had only intended to make a joke out of the situation. Perhaps he had misinterpreted it as a dig about the time he had been given a temporary partner while she was undercover? He'd never confirmed anything, but there had been rumours going around that something had gone on between them.
"Hey, it was just a joke," she said.
"Hilarious!" he snapped sarcastically. It took her aback. She hadn't been expecting him to be so sensitive about the issue.
"You hungry?" she asked, in an attempt to change the subject.
"Not really," he replied. "Maybe I should get going?"
"Do you have to?"
He looked at her then, seeing the genuine confusion in her eyes and he knew he shouldn't take it out on her. It wasn't her fault she didn't feel the same way.
"I guess I am a little," he said softly, the anger already dissipating, replaced by guilt at having snapped at her in the way he had.
"Then stay for dinner," she invited him.
"OK," he agreed.