Chapter 7-TWO YEAR TIME HOP

It was almost the end of summer, everyone walked in hot, tired, but proud of their youth academy police medals. Liv got the gang as they were now called into the program for the summer. Every day they went to work with Liv and she dropped them off. Liv was gaining more experience. She was doing so well and Cragen was training her to take over as Captain.

They learned all kinds of stuff from real police work. It involved crime scene investigation, narcotics, traffic stops and safety, the K-9 unit, and even the dive team. They even helped them get driver's permits and driving lessons. Most importantly it kept them busy. Summer wasn't a good thing for a group of horney 16 year olds. Today was the last day and they ended it with a cookout for the students and their families.

Liv looked up, "Hey why don't you change and head to the pool." Noah jumped up, he was a big 4 year old now and if you didn't want him to know something you better spell it. He was so smart though, Amanda had already taught him how to read, so spelling pool wouldn't have worked. "Mama, I want to go!" Take Noah for me and me, mommy, and Lucy will follow you. The gang flew in different directions to change.

They were still the same, just older and more mature. All the parents recognized a year ago that dating was around the corner. Dominick and Amanda were boyfriend and girlfriend. Peter and Kat were funny. They actually dated other people and for a little while and included them in the group, but they were completely jealous if they each had someone different. They finally gave in and became a couple. All the parents had the sex talk with them and the kids understood their responsibilities with dating.

Last year for Amanda's 15th birthday and Noah's 3rd birthday they were both officially adopted by Liv and Alex. They were a family and it included Lucy. They sat Lucy down when Noah turned 3 and asked her, what she wanted out of life. "Lucy, we want you to tell us what you'd like to do. You know in life. We aren't having any more babies." Lucy looked sad, "When do I need to move out." Alex laughed loudly, "Ummm whenever you want, but that's not what we're asking. Look, Amanda mentioned something about you looking at colleges."

Lucy relaxed, "Yeah, I was thinking about the daycare and how they have a school. I looked into teaching, but even staying here, I can't afford it." Liv grabbed her hand, "We can afford it. We want to put Noah in preschool in the fall, so if you want to be a teacher, we will help you." Lucy smiled and then frowned. "I can't take money from you." Alex explained, "Hey we still need you to work here. You can pick up Noah in the afternoon or send the gang. We still need help with dinner, but with Noah gone and the gang in school, your day is free. What do you think?" Lucy hugged them, "You guys have saved my life." Liv winked and smiled, "I think you saved us too."

They joined the kids at the pool and even took a dip themselves. "Hey Liv! Hey Alex!" They looked and saw Teresa bring her kids in the gate, "Dominick!" Dominick hopped out and helped his sister with the bags. Teresa and her husband adopted Dominick. He was living a completely different life now.

She sat down, "That was an amazing program for kids. Thanks Liv, I think Dominick wants to be a cop now." Alex looked over, "Dominick Carisi get over here!" Dominick was cute when he was 13 but now he was handsome. Liv knew the second part of the sex talk was coming with Amanda, which meant birth control. Alex was a little in the dark.

Alex playfully messed with him, "You told me that you wanted to be a lawyer. So what's this cop talk?" Dominick smiled that smile that drove the girls wild, but he only had eyes for Amanda. I'm thinking I can major in criminal justice, become a cop, take law classes and switchover. I have major plans!"

Teresa shook her head and he jumped back in the water. "Are y'all ready for the Hamptons vacation?" Alex answered, "Yes! Work has had both of us swamped." Once Grandma and Grandpa Cabot started coming over every Tuesday for tacos, they did what everyone else did, they fell in love with the gang. So they were invited to family vacation.

Lucy headed back to fix spaghetti, salad, and French bread for dinner. "Amanda and Kat, will you guys hop out, take your shower and help Lucy with dinner?" They jumped yelling, "Sure thing!" Alex called Noah out and he came right away. He went through a tantrum period, but after a couple of pops on the butt, corner sitting, and iPad taking, they got it under control real quick.

As they were leaving, Liv said "Dominick and Peter, help Teresa with the kids and meet us for dinner ok?" Peter and Dominick answered, "Yes ma'am." Teresa turned, "Have fun on vacation guys!" Everyone was staying the night, because they were leaving in the morning.

The boys still stayed the night sometimes, but now they slept in Noah's room. They needed to be split up at night, plus Noah had a bunk bed with a twin top, full bottom bunk, and a bottom trundle bed. He also had a huge oversized bean bag chair and every game station out. Dominick and Peter helped Noah make a sign for his door. It said man cave, no girls allowed. They were so good with him.

They ate dinner and everyone was watching a Netflix movie. Liv was the only one who hadn't had a shower, "Hey! I'm going shower, I'll be back." She was met with silence so she left. After showering, she walked out to see Amanda sitting on her bed. "Hey, you waiting for me?" Amanda didn't say anything, but shook her head.

Liv hadn't seen this Amanda in a very long time. She shut the door, because Liv always knew when Amanda needed her. Amanda didn't play favorites, but when something serious happened, she checked with Liv first, always. "Talk to me." Amanda's voice was quiet, but when Liv heard what she asked she froze.

"Mama, is Noah really my brother?" Liv tilted her chin up, "Amanda, you were there when your mom had Noah. We all were, so you know he's your brother." Amanda wasn't dumb and neither was Liv. She knew what Amanda was asking and Liv never lied to her. She had already talked to Alex about telling the truth.

Little things had come up in the past and Noah was getting older. They always told Noah stories and showed him pictures of his mom and dad. Plus Liv and Alex were married but two girls. So he said things and had questions. Liv explained to Alex she knew it was coming. He was a brown haired and brown eyed boy, and in family pictures it showed.

Liv tried to talk to her, "Baby, I think I know what you're asking, but I need you to say it." Amanda looked at her mama, "I know he's my half brother, but not full right." Liv was disappointed, "Please don't ever say that to him. You don't have the same dad, but he is your brother. Just like you are our daughter and he is our son."

Amanda shook her head, "I'm sorry mama, I would never say that. I was just describing it that way to ask." Liv released a breath she didn't know she was holding. "I love him mama no matter what. I will always take care of him." Liv hugged her, "What brought this on." Amanda explained a girl at the youth academy asked if Noah was Liv's real son and if she was Alex's real daughter. "He looks like you and I look like her."

Liv smiled, "Actually when you both get really happy and excited about something, your lips and cheeks make you look like your mom. That's why I love seeing you two smile. I can never forget her." Amanda smiled, but Liv saw another question coming. "Do you know who his dad is?" Liv shook her head, but didn't tell her. "Would you ever tell me if I wanted to know." Liv shook her head again, but this time tears fell. She didn't want that sick bastard in her head.

Amanda was a wildcard sometimes, but other times, she could be so sweet and sensitive. Amanda was all Beth, her best friend in every way. Amanda wiped Liv's tears away. "It's bad huh?" Liv shook her head, "Amanda it's not pretty. Your mom loved your dad, you, and Noah so much. She would be so proud of you young lady."

Amanda smiled and it was almost like she was looking at Beth. "Ok mama, let's go watch the movie." When they joined everyone, Liv cuddled next to Alex and she could tell something happened. She looked over thinking Amanda would join Dominick, but she picked up Noah, "Move over squirt, before I sit on you."

That was them, Noah giggled but snuggled into her arms, until he fell asleep. After the movie, everyone said goodnight. Dominick and Peter both got a kiss on the lips and Noah screamed, "Gross!" Behind closed doors, Liv confided in Alex and they both cried. They loved Noah and they didn't call favorites either, but as long as they had Amanda they had Beth.

The next day they all headed for a week of fun, sun, and family. The house was amazing, right on the beach and it had a pool. They didn't ever have leave to have fun. Grandma Cabot took the girls shopping. Grandpa Cabot worked on baseball with the boys. Peter and Dominick both played baseball. Peter was a pitcher and Dominick played 1st base. They were both juniors who had played on Varsity since 9th grade. Division 1 colleges were looking at both of them. Grandpa Cabot always told them to have plans other than baseball. They both wanted to be lawyers, even though Dominick was in limbo.

The last night of vacation, they took blankets, and headed to watch the beautiful sunset. After the sun went down they made s'mores and talked about returning to the city. Liv asked the gang, "Are you guys ready for your junior year? I can't believe you are almost done." Peter smiled, "I'm ready to play baseball. Dominick and I will kill it this year! Right Dom?" Dominick gave him a macho high five while holding Amanda. "Heck yeah!" Kat rolled eyes, "Yeah well, you two better be ready for AP classes or you won't be playing anything." Amanda didn't say much, she just agreed. Noah screamed, "School is fun!" Amanda shook her head, "Noah you are super sticky.

Amanda and Kat were sitting on the bed. They were close, all four of them were. Normally they talked about everything together. "Amanda, I did it." Amanda turned, "Did what?" Kat's eyes got big, "IT! Amanda. Sex." Amanda grabbed her, "You had sex with Peter? When the hell did that happen?" Kat smiled, "Last night on the beach. Don't make that your first time, I'm still finding sand everywhere." Amanda laughed, "You're so silly." Then she got serious, "Did it hurt?" Kat shook her head, "Yeah! He was gentle, but he's so…" Amanda covered her mouth, "Stop! I don't need or want that in my head." The next day they headed home.