Chapter 21

Three weeks later and there was still no baby. Olivia was a week past her due date and needless to say she was unimaginably cranky about the whole situation.

They had a doctor's appointment on Olivia's due date, a week early. Dr. Matthews told them it could be any day now, but at that point Olivia wasn't dilated at all and she hadn't had any contractions. So the doctor told her not to push it too much, but that some light exercise like walking could help get the process going. If nothing happened within the next 10 days, Dr. Matthews was going to induce Olivia, but for now she told the eager couple not to worry about because a person's first baby was usually late.

So, because they didn't have any patience left, they walked. Every night Brian was able to be home, which was most nights that week, they had walked through the park across the street from the apartment. But after 8 days, it had still done no good.

Olivia just wanted it all to be over at this point. She felt like an obese duck, waddling everywhere and looking extremely awkward. And she thought her back had hurt or that her feet had been swollen before, but she had proven wrong. Her back never stopped hurting, no matter how she sat or laid and her feet were so big she couldn't tie her tennis shoes, because her feet wouldn't fit and she no longer had the ability to reach her own feet.

Olivia had spent all day on the couch waiting for Brian to get home. She was achy and tired and she just didn't feel like doing much of anything. There wasn't really anything else to do either. The baby's room was ready; the bassinet was set up in Olivia and Brian's bedroom; the house was clean, meals were cooked. As far as Olivia was concerned she earned a day on the couch with the TV and a marathon of her favorite show.

Around 5, Liv heard the lock turn and Brian walked through the door, shedding his shoes and work coat at the door.

"Hey babe." He leaned in for a kiss from Olivia, as she was still sitting on the couch. Too comfortable to get up and too pregnant to even try and get up on her own.

"Still nothing?" Brian asked her, referring to contractions or any other sign of labor.

"Absolutely nothing, nada, zip. If this child does not make her way out real soon, I will be forcing her out." Olivia wasn't messing around anymore. She was done being pregnant.

"I know you will." Brian laughed at his girlfriend, sitting down in the couch with her. "How about we eat a little dinner and then go for a walk?"

"Sounds good to me." Olivia answered. "Now help me get up and we can just reheat last night's leftovers." Brian grabbed Olivia a hands and pulled her up from the couch.

They ate their dinner and Brian changed into jeans and a t-shirt, all ready for their walk.

"Alright, are you ready to go?" Brian asked Olivia.

"Yep." Liv followed Brian to the door.

Brian stopped before opening the door. He placed a hand on Liv's baby bump. "Hey kid, I know you like it in there, but your momma and I would really like to meet you sometime soon. So how about you just cooperate and get the heck out." Brian told Olivia's belly.

Liv just laughed at him. "You better hope this baby listens to her Daddy." She would never admit it, but she loved when Brian talked to the baby, she thought it was pretty adorable. Although she would never tell Brian that's how she felt; it would make both of them look like softies.

The couple made their way, slowly because Olivia's waddling pace wasn't all that fast, through the park. The first part of their walk was the same as all their other ones, nothing happened. But as the headed towards home, things were a little different.

As they walked, Olivia stopped in her tracks, inhaling deeply.

"Liv, what's wrong?" Brian stopped alongside her.

She exhaled slowly. "I think I just had a contraction." Olivia stared at him wide eyed, unsure of how to react.

"Really?" Brian however was excited by it.

"I'm pretty sure. Let's keep going, see if I have anymore." Olivia had been so sure she was ready to have this baby, but now that it could be happening within hours, it scared her.

A few minutes later, Liv stopped once again. Inhaling and exhaling slowly. The contractions didn't hurt per say, they were just very uncomfortable causing a lot of pressure in her abdomen.

"Another one?" Brian questioned.

"Yeah, I think we might finally be getting there." Olivia told him, trying to hide her worry about what was happening. "Let's get home."

They had to stop two more times on the way home for Olivia's contractions. It was starting to look like they might finally be heading to the hospital. That was until they got home.

As soon as they got back to the apartment, the contractions had stopped. Olivia was once again irritated by the whole process.

"How about we watch a movie and see if they don't start up again." Brian suggested, knowing how annoyed Olivia was. He just wanted to meet their daughter and she was not cooperating, at all.

The couple sat through a movie on the couch, Olivia's feet in Brian's lap as he massaged them for her. The whole time was filled with not a single contraction.

As the movie finished and the credits were rolling, Brian's phone rang. He grabbed it out of his pocket and answered it. He had a quick conversation with whoever was on the other line before hanging up.

He looked over at Liv on the other side of the couch. She could tell by the look on his face, what he had to do.

"Do you really have to go back in? This late?" Olivia knew what the job entailed, she had done it every day for 15 years and she understood the commitment. But it was hard for her to be alone right now and after the few contractions she had, she was worried about what might happen.

"I know. This case is kicking our butts. I'm sorry, Liv. I could try and call back; see of someone can take it for me." Brian offered.

"No, it's okay. I understand." Olivia said.

"Are you sure? I really shouldn't be leaving you." Brian was torn. He knew they needed him at the precinct and they were so close to solving the case, but Olivia needed him just as much if not more.

"Really it's fine. Just don't be gone too long." Olivia assured him.

"I will certainly try." Brian walked out of the room, into the bedroom to change back into his work clothes.

He came back out into the living room after changing, kissed Liv, and left for the precinct. He was just hoping nothing happened while he was gone. It looked like everything had stopped for the night, but he knew anything could happen in a short amount of time. He just had to trust that Olivia was going to be okay.

Olivia sat in front of the TV for a little while longer, after Brian left. It was almost 10:30 before she got up to go to the bathroom and get ready for bed.

On her way to the bathroom, Liv stopped mid step. All of a sudden she felt a lot of pressure in her lower abdomen and pelvis, making her uncomfortable. She just figured it was another contraction, it felt similar to the ones she had earlier. As she finished her step and took another, though, she felt a gush fluid leave her body and run down her legs, onto the floor.

Olivia was too stunned to move. She didn't know how to react or what to do. She was 9 months pregnant, due any moment now, home alone with Brian at work, and her water just broke.