Annabelle winced at the frown that formed on Rafael's face as the baby quit kicking, "why won't you let me feel you, angel?"

"I'm sorry, Raf." He sighed, standing up to finish taking his work clothes off. "I don't get it. She kicks everyone else. Maybe she's just getting a head start on being tu princesa?"

"You're already 33 weeks. She won't be moving around much longer."

She smirked, wrapping around his body the best she could, her stomach pressing tightly against his, "Maybe we should just stay connected."

His hands rested against her back, palms pressing into the knotted muscles, causing her to groan in pleasure, "have you eaten today, carino?"

She shook her head, "but I'd kill for some macaroni and cheese now."

He chuckled, pulling away after kissing her forehead, "go ahead and get dressed. I'll get some started."

After slipping on the pair of jean shorts and the white t shirt, Annabelle ate her fill of macaroni, before the couple headed for that week's doctor's appointment.

-xXx-

Annabelle shifted as her daughter moved into yet another uncomfortable position, doing her best to alleviate the pain from where she was sitting in the large leather chair inside her office at Hudson. "Stop moving you little demon," she hissed, pressing her hand against her left side.

"Are you okay?"

Her eyes flickered to the man standing in the open doorway, her brain trying to figure out how she knew him, before she nodded, relaxing as the pain lessened, "Peachy." Shaking her head to clear, she shuffled the papers she had been studying about different kinds of births, "How can I help you?"

He took the seat she gestured to, his hands coming to the front of his body, revealing the navy-blue folder, "I had a few questions about my final project." He opened the folder with a smirk, thought his face was angled down and she couldn't see the expression, as he brought out a few pages, "I'm discussing how being sexually tormented effects one's life."

"Okay. What problems are you running into?"

"I haven't been able to interview any of the victims of my chosen killer…because they're dead."

"Oh. Where was he based? Maybe you can talk to the police about it for a few details?"

"New York," she nodded at his words, "and Chicago."

Her shoulders tensed, "who are you researching?"

"Greg Yates. Have you heard of him?"

"A bit. I'll make a couple of calls, SVU will probably be able to help you out."

"Thanks," he stood to leave, pausing at the doorway, to look at the still tense professor, "Or, I can just call you. Afterall, he sexually assaulted you," his voice turned soft, "even if you don't want your pathetic husband to know." He was gone before Annabelle was able to think of a reply, leaving her a shaking mess.

-xXx-

"Benson."

Annabelle winced at the business-like tone that graced her ears, three hours after the incident in her office, "Hey, Liv."

"Are you okay? You sound upset."

"Uhm, sorta. I, well, some guy came by my office and it weirded me out. But I'm fine. Anyway, I called to see if you wanted to do a girl's day? You, me, and Manda."

"Sounds great. Tomorrow?"

"Yeah. I have to go to my other office for a couple of hours, but afterwards would be great." She hissed as her daughter landed a rough kick to her ribs, "this child is slowly killing me."

"She's ready to come meet you," Olivia chuckled.

"She needs to quit meeting my ribcage," Annabelle laughed, closing out the windows on her computer as she saved the documents. "Okay, I'm going to get off here, and go home. I need a nap."

"Alright. Be safe, if you need anything, call me."

"I will." The two hung up, before Annabelle struggled for a few minutes to stand up before succeeding and picking her bag up from the top of her desk, locking the door on her way out.

-xXx-

"Only six weeks left, angel." Annabelle rubbed her stomach, whispering to her unborn daughter as she waited in the doctor's room for Dr. Grundy to make her arrival. "Daddy will be here as soon as he can." She jumped as a light knock sounded, before the white coat slipped inside.

"How are you feeling, Anna?"

"Tired," she laughed slightly, getting into the usual position for the greying lady to check on her child.

"Your weight is on target, and your blood pressure seems to be really good. A lot better than I usually see in first time mothers." Annabelle gave a little smile, relaxing a little as the ultra sound gel was squirted onto her stomach, Now, have you been having any cramping or contractions at all?"

She shook her head, "just a few Braxton Hicks, which you told me was possible."

The doctor nodded, "I did," They both looked at the screen when a heartbeat filled the room, "A nice, strong heartbeat." She moved the camera around, letting the expectant mom see more, "today we just need to test your Group B Streptococcus, and then I'll take a urine sample to check your sugar and protein levels, then you'll be good to go."

Five hours later, Annabelle was dipping a pickle into her half empty jar of peanut butter as she read a report from one of her underlies at Attention Inc, refuses to look towards the entrance when she heard the door open and close. "Hola carino."

"Hey," she eyed him as he poured himself a glass of whiskey, before grabbing a still warm chocolate chip cookie and spooning a thick dollop on a portion of it. "Busy day?"

He made a sound of affirmation as he took a long sip of the burning liquid, before nodding when his had his fill, "motions court, but it wasn't too bad." Finishing his drink, he swiped a cookie from her plate, throwing her a grin, "what'd you do today?"

"Oh, nothing much. Had a conference call, went to the doctor, made some cookies."

"Why'd you go to the doctor? Is something wrong?"

She shook her head, "Nope. Just my 36 weeks checkup."

"That's tomorrow?"

"Nope. Today. 1pm."

"No. Carmen wrote it down for me. It's tomorrow."

"Rafael, it was today. We're both fine, no worries." With those words, she heaved herself from the bar stool and left him in the kitchen.

-xXx-

"Why do you have a pillow between your legs?"

Annabelle turned her head, eyes locking onto the forms of Amanda and Sonny, "My doctor said it'll help with my back. It does." She pulled the pillow from its confinement, "Thanks for coming." She thrust her hand out towards the pair, "now help me up."

"How'd you con Benson into letting us come do this?"

She raised her head, throwing a grin towards the taller man, the moment he had got her completely settled onto her feet, "I told her she could be godmother." She panted as she struggled to catch her breath, "if she could leave my lungs alone, I'd be a lot happier." Grabbing a pair of jean shorts, she slipped them up her long legs, before throwing on a loose t-shirt with a faded saying about using handcuffs. She frowned when she noticed how much tighter it was across her chest, before shaking her head and exiting the comforts of her bedroom. Making it into the kitchen, she smirked catching sight of the two talking at the breakfast counter, "Help yourself to some coffee," her smirk blooming into a teasing smile as they looked at their half empty cups in guilt. She waved off any explanations they were about to give, pulling a bottle of apple juice from the fridge, taking a long drink before grabbing a container of strawberries. "Smoothie?"

The two partners stayed while the expectant mother made herself a strawberry-banana smoothie and pancakes, before they left to go back to the precinct, and Annabelle headed to Hudson for her office hours, refusing to dress up like she normally did, as she was only supposed to be there for about two hours. Exactly an hour and a half later, Rafael was knocking on the door, "you ready, love?"

She nodded, pushing herself away from the desk, accepting his hands as she stood up, "Can't believe we have three weeks left."

-xXx-

"She seems to be about 6 pounds, and her heartrate is perfect. Are you still feeling her move around as much?"

Annabelle shook her head, "Maybe three or four times a day now. There not as painful either, thank God," she giggled a bit.

Dr. Grundy smiled at the woman before turning towards Rafael, "Have you felt her kick yet?" when he answered negatively, the doctor nodded in understanding, "It happens sometimes. My youngest wouldn't let my husband feel her until I was ten days overdue."

"This child better be out of me before then."

The group shared a small smile, before the older woman spoke again, "the only thing I'm worried about is your blood pressure. It has been high for your past two appointments, which means," she fixed the pregnant woman with a stern stare, "bed rest for you."

Annabelle sighed, "for how long?"

"Until your daughter makes an appearance. I want you to stay in bed, unless you are eating or coming to see me. Got it?"

"She'll do it," Annabelle glared at her husband when he answered her doctor, before her mind started to frantically work to figure out what to do for the next three weeks of classes.

-xXx-

Good morning,

I just wanted to let you know that my doctor has put me on bed rest, until further notice, which means that I will not be in any of the final classes. I told ya'll I had a plan at the beginning, and I will be holding class via Skype each day. I know it isn't something ideal, but I'd hate to make everyone have to work with another professor for the final three weeks, especially if everyone finishing up their final projects. I will have someone there to get your assignments on the days that they are due, which means that I absolutely will not be accepting any late work. If you have any questions about any of the assignments, including your finals, please send me an email and we can work on your issues.

Thanks, Annabelle Barba

Sending out the email to her three classes, send closed the laptop and scooted down until she could lay down, already disliking the ordered bedrest. "Do you need anything to drink?" She shook her head. "You hungry? Are you warm enough?"

"Raf, I'm fine," a yawn slipped it's way past her slightly chapped lips, "I think I'm just gonna take a nap. Love you."

When she woke up, it was dark outside, and she wasn't entirely sure what time it was, except for the fact that it must have been late as Rafael's arm was curled around her waist, and their daughter was playing the drums against her stomach. She shook his arm the best she could, "wake up."

"What's wrong?" He paused, his hand flexing against her belly button, "Is that?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, princesa." She didn't have to be looking at him to know that a smile was attached to his face, and he was silent until the movements stopped, "I felt her."

"Night, love."

"Night, darling. Thank you for my daughter."

-xXx-

"You seem happy."

Annabelle smiled from where she was sitting in the teal painted wooden rocker that sat in the corner of her unborn daughter's bedroom, "I can breathe today, too. I think she finally moved off of my lungs," she gave a small chuckle, her eyes roaming the newly finished nursery. "I'm so impressed with ya'll."

Rafael glanced at the three grey walls, before landing on the single teal wall where the white crib was placed, "You've never told me why you chose teal and yellow?"

Annabelle shrugged, "I didn't want the typical pink room. Now it's just grey with pretty little colors. I like that book case a lot," she giggled, "it makes me happy." He grinned at her excitement as her green eyes looked at the tall wooden structure, each of the eight squares were filled with things. The top two shelves were children's books, the other six squares had cute trinkets and other knick-knacks, including a small stuffed Nemo from her cousin, Louise.

A loud hiss left her teeth, her hands instantly cradling her stomach, making Rafael look at her in alarm, "What's wrong?"

"Damn Braxton Hicks." She relaxed as the pain disappeared, "they've been happening all day. I'm not sure if she's gonna make it the final two weeks or not."

"The doctor said to call her if you started having contractions."

"I'm not having contractions," she stopped, holding her breath," I'm only at 40 weeks. She's too stubborn to come early."

He made a sound of disbelief, "whatever you say, darling." He kissed her forehead, "I'm going to shower this day away." Twenty minutes later, he walked into the kitchen where she was ignoring what looked to be a half-eaten peanut butter and pickle sandwich, her hand pressing on her lower back. Looking at the floor and then the half empty glass on the counter, he gave her a small smirk, "Spill your drink?"

She glared at the Cuban, "No. That would be my water." Annabelle held her breath as another pain hit her, "it broke five minutes ago. I think we need to go to the hospital."

"What?"

He continued to stare at her in frozen panic for longer than she deemed necessary, "damnit, Rafael Barba. Let's go."

He jumped, as if she slapped him, "right. Stay there. I'll get the bags."

She smiled, knowing it was the first time she had ever seen the man flustered, before pulling up her contact information, to call the people that needed to know.

-xXx-

"Looks like you're at a seven right now."

Annabelle groaned, throwing her head back in frustration as she felt Dr. Grundy's hands tap her knee. "it's been nine hours. Why won't she get out?"

Grundy gave the 27-year-old a smile, "These things take time. She's nice and warm right now. Wouldn't you want to stay that way for as long as you could?"

"No. I'd want to quit torturing my mother."

Rafael's thumb stroked the back of her hand, "you're doing great, carino." She didn't reply, her entire body tensing as a stronger contraction hit.

-xXx-

"Alright, Anna, when the next contraction comes, I want you to push, okay?" Annabelle nodded, sweat matting her hair down on her forehead. "Push, Anna."

"You're doing so good, love."

"This is all your fault," the redhead hissed between her teeth, panting as the contraction ended, "I hate you."

She felt his lips brush her sticky head, "I love you, too."

It wasn't until after the next contraction that she realized Dr. Grundy was having a rushed conversation with a nurse, before the greying woman addressed her, "Anna, I need you to quit pushing, okay?" The nurse hurried from the room.

"Why?!"

"I need you both to stay calm. Maria is going to bring in the anesthesia, and we're going to get you set up for a c-section, okay?" As the woman was speaking, she was checking vitals and grabbing things from around the room.

"What's wrong?!"

Another contraction racked through her body, causing her to clinch her fists, "Do not push, Anna." Grundy set up a blue screen, separating the auburn-haired lady's body in half and blocking the view Annabelle had of her stomach. Maria walked in, "IV in now. Mr. Barba, I need you to step out of the room, please." She motioned to a nurse that had followed Maria in, "Alex will take you to the waiting room your friends are in. I'll come get you as soon as we're finished."

Annabelle didn't hear anything else from the conversation, a small scream ripping from her throat as a sharper pain than before tore through her body. A few minutes later, the contractions seemed to be slowing down and the pain seemed to be lessening, "tell me if you feel anything, okay, Anna?" Annabelle knew something was happening, even if she couldn't feel anything, "I've given you some pain meds and something to slow your natural labor," Grundy's breath was slightly labored, the sign that she was tense.

-xXx-

Annabelle groaned, her eyes opened for less than ten seconds before she slammed them shut against the harsh hospital lighting. "lights."

She heard shuffling before his voice graced her ears, "there off. How you feel, carino?"

"Like I'm dying."

He chuckled, but there didn't seem to be any humor in the sound at all, "you almost did."