Only one chapter left after this one! I hope you enjoy it. Pregnant Olivia is my favorite. Still makes me sad we never got that...especially with Elliot at her side. This is the last time in this series we'll see that. Makes me sad...but I guess it just means I'll have to write it in another story ;) Hope you enjoy! Final chapter will be up soon. And then Part 3 titled: "Chasing the Sun" will be out soon. First three chapters are already written! Hope you're still in for the ride.
By August, Olivia was fully showing and in Elliot's eyes glowing. Everytime he looked at her, he thought about watching her with their little girl and all the stress of the world melted away. He was getting jabs from friends and coworkers about a house with six kids and he dodged them left and right because as far as he was concerned, he was one lucky son of a bitch. Olivia had left early that afternoon for a Doctor's appointment. He was climbing in the car ready to go home when his phone rang.
"Hello?" He turned the key in the ignition and checked traffic.
"Oh thank God you answered!" Maureen yelled into the phone.
His hands gripped the steering wheel and panic set in, "Mo-"
"The AC died and Mom is losing it. Like seriously losing it. You have GOT to go pick up a new one or we're all gonna die." She answered.
His shoulders relaxed and he couldn't help the laugh that escaped his lips, "AC? The AC? Jesus Maureen. You almost gave me a full blown heart attack. I thought something was seriously wrong. I thought someone was hurt."
"Someone's about to be hurt. She's ripping and roaring. I took the kids out back but she's swearing like a sailor saying she's going to kill you when you get home." She said.
"Me? Why me? I didn't break the AC?" He asked as he turned onto the busy street.
"Because you're the one that got her pregnant. Sorry Dad. You're target number one until my sister comes out. But we still have a ways to go." She said with a laugh.
He sighed and moved through traffic, "Alright. Well guard your siblings. I'll be there as soon as I can with a new Unit."
"Okay. But hurry. We might not survive." She teased.
"You got it. And Mo? Don't ever scare me like that or you're grounded for the rest of your life." He smiled, "Love you."
Forty-five minutes later, he walked into the house carrying the large box for the new AC unit. It was quiet. Too quiet. "Hello?"
He looked and saw the kids still outside with Scout clearly not ready to come into the house. Maureen pointed with her finger and he turned to see his wife standing in the kitchen leaning over the open fridge. He bit his lip, willing himself to not laugh. For if he did, he knew he'd really be in for it. Taking a deep breath, he lugged the box into the kitchen and put it on the counter, "Hey honey."
He went to touch her back but before he could even touch her she growled, "Touch me and you're a dead man Stabler."
He put his hands up and still tried not to laugh, "Got it."
She lifted an ice cube to her neck and let it slide down towards her chest, "I hate you. You know that?"
"I heard." He reached for some scissors in a junk drawer to open the box, "I got a new AC Unit. I'm going to hook it up right now."
She looked at him and tried to smile, "Thank you." She sighed and leaned further into the fridge, 'But I still hate you."
"Okay." He popped the top open, "What can I do to help while I set this up?"
"Distract me." She said and then smirked "Actually the way I'd like you to distract me would make it impossible for you to set up the AC at the same time. So...I guess I'll have to take one thing at a time."
He looked over at her and smiled, "Wouldn't that a, make you hotter and b, prove that you don't hate me at all?"
She shut the fridge door and glared at him, "I can still want to have sex with you and hate you. Makes it hotter actually."
He laughed then and started pulling pieces out of the box, "Okay. Good to know. But what about the getting hotter part?"
She slid her hands up his back and bit her lip as she looked at his ass, "I think I'd take my chances. Even if I die of a heat stroke it would be worth it."
When her hands moved lower he jumped and whispered, "We got five kids watching from the window and a dog. Careful Benson."
She huffed and moved away, "Fine. Back to fully hating you."
He moved to the freezer, took out a popsicle and handed it to her, "Take this. Go sit on the couch and I'll get to work. Put up your feet. And when this is all done I'll get dinner started, okay?"
She pulled the paper off the popsicle and smiled, "Did I ever tell you that I love you?"
He reached for his tool box under the sink and smiled, "So now you love me again?"
She smiled seductively and licked her popsicle from top to bottom causing his eyes to grow dark, "Pregnancy hormones. What can I say? They're a real bitch."
He looked behind her and saw Maureen pretending to gag, "Okay. Go...now."
He heard her laugh and slip the popsicle in her mouth, "Going. Going."
He heard her fall back on the couch and lift up her feet as he moved around the kitchen gathering what he needed, "Everything go okay at the Doctors?"
"Yes." She closed her eyes and smiled, "Baby girl is growing just as she should. Strong heartbeat. Measuring just right. Everything is good."
He smiled, feeling his shoulders relax even more, "Good. I'll be at the next one. No matter what."
She looked back at him and smiled, "It's okay El. It's hard for both of us to get time off."
"Yeah but this is our last kid. I don't want to miss a thing." He shrugged, "Plus I like going with you. Ends up being the only alone time we get sometimes."
She smiled and turned to watch him, "Feeling deprived of time with your wife Stabler?" He chuckled, "We shouldn't have had so many kids then."
He rolled his eyes and lifted the AC and walked into the living room, "Too late for that. Coulda done without the dog but I had little hope with that one."
"Nope. What Olivia wants, Olivia gets." She teased from her spot on the couch, she tilted her head and smiled as he bent over, "You know maybe the AC breaking wasn't the worst thing to happen."
He grunted and looked back at her, and saw her smiling at him again and he rolled his eyes, "I can't keep up with you."
She sucked on the pop again and sighed, "No. You can't. When your kids go to bed tonight you're soooo getting lucky. Hope you're up for it old man."
"Old man?" He lifted the Unit into the free window and smiled, "Who is the one who all but passed out last night after I was done with her?"
She pouted and then whined, "I was tired from a long day!"
"You had a two hour nap before we even started." He laughed, "I wore you out again."
She rolled her eyes and put her hand on her belly, "Well you try growing a human, work a full time job and be a Mom to five other kids and then tell me you aren't exhausted all the damn time."
He chuckled as he worked, "You do a hell of a job babe. I was simply pointing out that I'm not old. I can hold my own."
"Yes. You can." She sucked harder on the popsicle, "And you aren't old. Cuz if you're old I'm old. So we're both young and thriving. Although…" She sighed and settled further into the couch, "I feel like an old woman lately. Aches and pains."
"All part of pregnancy. You know that growing a human thing." He continued moving things around to adjust them, "It ain't easy work."
She smiled and rubbed her belly affectionately, "No. But damn worth it."
He looked at her out of the corner of his eye and smiled just as he flipped the switch on the AC, "Damn worth it."
Her hands went up and she smiled, "Success! Best husband ever!"
He smiled, walked over to her and sat down beside her reaching for the popsicle in her hand, he took a lick and smiled, "You remember that."
Two weeks later, Elliot got home after a particularly long three day case. He felt like he hadn't slept in days, and really he hadn't. He had spent the last three days looking for two young kids kidnapped by a neighbor. The youngest reminded him so much of Noah and it had taken all of his strength not to kill the perp when he actually found him. He pictured son over and over bruised and hurt like this child had been and it killed him. He was more than glad that his wife had been saved from this case especially.
Walking into the house well past midnight, it was dark. Scout greeted him at the door though and he smiled, leaning down to pat his head, "Hey bud. Troops asleep?"
Scout whimpered softly and Elliot yawned before kicking off his shoes. He walked upstairs slowly and began his usual nightly rounds. Often, the only way he could go to sleep was checking in on his family. One by one, he went into each room and checked on the kids, Scout never leaving his side as he did. Noah was his last stop, the young boy was fast asleep, his thumb in his mouth sucking lightly as he slept. Reaching down, he smoothed out his brown hair and Noah turned his head and continued sleeping. Thank God he was okay...
Satisfied that the kids were asleep and well, he turned and saw that Scout curled up by Noah's crib as if he knew that Elliot needed that extra security for his son tonight. He smiled to himself, scratched Scout behind the ear and then left the room. Walking into the bedroom, he saw his wife, fast asleep on her side. Her hand resting protectively over her growing belly. He walked over to her, leaned down and pressed a kiss to the side of her face but she didn't stir. Yawning, he walked as quietly as he could towards the bathroom. Stripping down, he felt the aches in his body pull at his muscles. He wondered how long he could do this job without falling apart. When he climbed into the shower, he braced his hands on the wall and let the water cascade against his body beating a rhythm that he focussed on.
Some days really sucked the life out of him.
He was so absorbed in thought, he didn't hear the shower curtain move. But he felt her hands on his chest and he immediately sighed with relief. His anchor in the storm. She pressed her lips to his neck and he felt her belly press against his back. A smile, the first genuine smile in days filled his face, "Hi."
Her hands smoothed up and down his back, "Hey. John called…"
He sighed and tilted his head back, the water crashed against his chest, "He shouldn't have done that. I don't need you stressing."
"I'm fine." She began to knead his tense muscles, "I'm fine El." She turned him slowly and pressed his hand to her belly, "We're fine."
He sighed and leaned his forehead against hers, "He looked like Noah. The little boy. And it just...haunted me."
"I know." She pressed her hands into his shoulders and he hissed, "I know El. I know."
He swallowed the lump in his throat, closed his eyes and held her close. His thumbs began rubbing circles against her belly. He felt a quick kick and he smiled, "Hi baby girl…"
She watched him carefully and whispered, "She's gonna be a Daddy's girl no doubt."
He chuckled and his eyes opened, looking at her through the fog filled room, "She'll have me wrapped around her little finger from day one. Just like her Mom."
She smiled and pressed a kiss to his shoulder, his neck and then his lips, "And she'll love you. Just like I do. For all you do, all you have done and will do."
Lifting his hands, he smoothed back her damp hair, he pressed his lips firmly to hers, "Been a long few days. But I feel so much better now…"
"Good." She smiled and nuzzled him close, "Anyway I can make it even better?"
He smiled when he felt her teeth graze the top of his shoulder, "Oh...I've got a few ideas and I think you are reading my mind."
She smiled and slid her hands behind him, squeezed hard, "Not too tired?"
He turned her face again and smiled, "Not for you Liv. Never for you."
Afterwards, Elliot lay awake, less stressed but still unable to sleep. Olivia was sound asleep on her side facing him. Her hair was curling from the steam in the shower. The sheet hung low on her hips and her arm covered her chest. Her belly was bare to him and he couldn't take his eyes off of it. Resting his hand above her navel he smiled when he felt another kick. A sign of life. This miracle of a life. A little part of him and a little part of his wife. His beautiful wife.
God this little girl was going to break him the moment he met her. After all they had been through, after five children and the loss of one more, he couldn't wait to meet her. Scooting lower on the bed, he was eye level with her belly and smiled, "Hey baby girl…" He whispered softly, "A few more months and you'll be here. And I want you to know that I cannot wait to meet you. Whoever you are, whatever you grow to be, I'll love you. Always. There is nothing I won't do to protect you. Nothing. You, your brothers, your sister and your Mom, I'll die for you. We can't wait for you...we've waited a long time. And our family will be complete once you're here. I love you." He pressed a kiss to her belly and sighed, "I love you more than you know."
He felt a hand on his head and he smiled, not surprised she was awake, "And we love you."
Scooting up on the bed, he sighed and leaned against his wife, "Thank you Liv."
She smiled and ran her fingers up and down his back, she kissed the top of his head, "For what?"
He sighed and wrapped his arms around her and their daughter, "For just...being here. Always right here."
She held him close and smiled against him, "I'll always be right here El. Always."
One month later, Olivia was standing outside school with Noah waiting to pick up the twins and Kathleen. Noah was watching all the older kids with wide eyes and a look that told her that he wanted to run after them. "Give it a few more years buddy. Mommy's not ready to let you go just yet."
"Olivia?" She turned and saw Ethan standing behind her, "I thought that was you."
Olivia smiled, she hadn't seen Ethan as much as she had expected. Emma and Maureen were still good friends but he had kept his distance. He was doing well, she knew that rehab had been successful. He was working again and he looked good, "Ethan. Hi."
He walked closer to her and waved at Noah, "This must be Noah. Emma's told me about him."
Noah stared up at the man and clung to his Mother's leg. She smiled and ran a hand through his curls, "This is Noah James. Yes."
His eyes fell to her belly and smiled, "And another on the way?"
She pressed a hand to her belly and smiled, "Another on the way...due late November or early December."
"Congratulations." He smiled and shook his head, "I really did never stand a chance."
Her face flushed but she smiled, "Sorry. But no. You didn't." She rubbed her belly and then said, "How's everything going?"
He took a deep breath, "Things are good. Real good. I have full custody of the kids again. Probation ends soon. And things feel...normal. Or as normal as they can."
She felt Noah holding her closer and she smiled, "Things are good with the kids? Everyone is adjusting?"
"Yes. They are doing good. And we're working on trust. But...they seem happier." He said with a sigh, "That's all I can ask for, right?'
"Right." She gave him a little nod, "I'm happy for you Ethan."
"Thank you. And...thank you for everything. I wouldn't be here today without your help. Not that I deserved it." He looked down, "You will neve know how sorry I am for the way I behaved."
"We don't need to...I mean yes what you did was wrong. But you're better now. Don't dwell on the past." She whispered, "You can thank me by getting better each day. Doing right by your kids."
"Dad!" Ethan turned and saw his kids coming towards him.
He smiled, "I will." He pointed in their direction, "I should…"
She smiled and ran her hands through Noah's hair, "I'll see you around."
Noah tugged on her leg as Ethan walked away, "Momma?"
She looked down at her son and smiled, "Hey baby…"
Noah looked past her and then shouted "Dadda!"
Olivia frowned and turned to her left, and then she smiled as Elliot came and scooped up their son, "What are you doing here?"
He smiled and pulled her closer, kissing her softly, "Thought I'd surprise you. Got out early."
She pressed a hand to his cheek and smiled, "Best surprise ever."
Noah wrapped his arms around his Dad's neck and he smiled, "Was that Ethan I saw talking to you?"
She smiled and saw him tense slightly. Even after all these years it was still a sore spot for him. She ran her hand up and down his arm and smiled, "Down boy."
He huffed and looked at her, "Bad memories."
She leaned against him and shrugged, "Not all bad. I happen to like remembering what happened in this parking lot…"
He smiled and ran his hands through her hair, "You mean after I made a fool of myself?"
She nudged him with her hip, "Yes. The part where you basically made me admit what I really wanted…"
He took a deep breath and smiled, "I guess that night led us right here…"
She beamed at him, looked at Noah who was watching her and pressed his hand over her belly, "Right here."
"Dad!" Richie came running up to them, "What are you doing here?"
Elliot handed Noah back to his wife and then reached down to pick up Richie and tossed him over his shoulder as the girls ran up to them, "Thought we could hit the playground for a bit before we go get your sister at her dance practice and go home."
Richie looked at his Dad upside down, "Monkey bar mania?"
Elliot chuckled and tickled his sides, "Monkey bar mania!" He winked at his wife and started to walk towards the playground with Richie over his shoulder.
The girls gathered around Olivia and Noah as they walked towards the playground. As they walked, Elliot caught Ethan's eye chrome across the way. Both men stared at each other for a moment, Ethan looked nervous. But Elliot offered him a small smile, letting him know that everything was okay.
Late that night, they were lying in bed. Elliot was fast asleep, he had been since his head hit the pillow. But she lay wide awake unable to rest. Her daughter was moving a lot tonight and she felt restless. Not to mention she was really craving tacos…
Glancing over at the clock she frowned, it was almost 2 am. She sighed and tapped her fingers against her belly. She moved back and forth, feeling uncomfortable and really craving those damn tacos. She glanced at Elliot and still he was fast asleep.
She watched him for a few minutes and then had a thought. She let out a long deep sigh, and moved her leg to the left, kicking him hard. He jumped and turned towards her, "Ow! Liv? What the hell?"
"Oh. You're up." She pretended to yawn and stretch her arms over her head, "Couldn't sleep?"
He leaned down and rubbed his leg, "Uh yeah. I'm up. What's with the kick?"
"Imagine that happening in your belly at all hours of the night." She said with a smirk. "Real bitch, huh?"
He sighed and turned towards her, "Baby girl is keeping you up?"
She frowned and looked down at her belly, "She's practicing for the olympics in there. Summersaults at every turn."
He smiled sympathetically and ran his hand across her stomach, "I'm sorry. What can I do?"
She bit down on her lip and leaned against the pillows suddenly feeling guilty, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have woken you up. Go back to sleep."
He shook his head and sat up on the bed, "I'm up Liv. I'm here. I told you whatever you needed I'd be here. Today's a bad night, so I'm here."
He started to massage her calves and she sighed, "You're too good to me."
"Hey...you're carrying around my daughter. It's the least I can do." He pressed his thumbs into her muscles and she relaxed, "You know we still need to think of names."
She pulled a pillow closer to her and pressed it against her chest, "I know. Richie's still rooting for Richie 2." She smirked, "He wouldn't let it go earlier."
He smiled and shook his head, "That kid is something else…"
"Yes he is. But he's our something else." She smiled to herself, "He's going to be so much trouble when he gets older. I can feel it."
He laughed, "Oh I know he will be. Like father, like son. I'm the reason my Mom went gray so young. God help me."
She smirked and felt the baby kick, "Honey, with six kids we'll both be gray sooner rather than later."
He smiled and moved onto her other leg, "You're probably right about that."
"You ever think about where we'll be in five years? Ten years? Twenty?" She smiled softly.
Elliot smiled "In five years...Mo will be getting ready to go to college. God help me. IN ten she'll be old enough to get married. In twenty I'll be a grandpa. But hopefully we'll be retired by then."
Olivia laughed, "With six kids...we're never retiring."
"Maybe not." He whispered, "I'll work till I die but not you. I don't want that for you."
She smiled, reached for him and pulled him to her side, "You gonna plan on kicking perps to the ground with your cane?"
He leaned against her and smiled, "You're mean."
"It was a simple question." She smirked pinching his sides, "I could see you doing it though. You'll still be a fox when you're a grandpa."
He chuckled and pulled her closer, "Grandpa...please don't. I can't even think about it. My girls are never getting married. Never dating. Nothing."
She smiled and looked down at her belly, "You'll have four daughters El. Gonna have to loosen the reins someday."
"Never." He pulled her closer and smiled, "I'm always gonna protect all my girls. No matter what."
She ran her hand along his collarbone, "Your daughters and I appreciate it…"
He looked down at her belly and smiled, "She calming down at all?"
She sighed and shrugged, "A little."
He looked at her and tilted her face up, "You okay?"
She smiled at him, "Yeah El. I'm good...go back to sleep." She rolled over onto her back and looked up at the ceiling.
He nudged her carefully, "What are you craving?"
A slow smile spread on her lips and she looked at him, "What?"
He chuckled "I said what are you craving?"
Her mouth hung open and she smiled, "Who said I was craving something?"
Rolling over and climbing off the bed he reached for his sweatpants, "Telling me will just make it easier for all of us. Otherwise I'm going to have to try to guess."
She sat up and frowned, "El, I'm fine. You really don't have to…" He gave her a look and sighed, biting her lip she smiled, "Tacos. With extra guac."
He leaned over and kissed her gently, "Tacos and extra guac. I'll be back as soon as I can."
She rested against the headboard and smiled, holding her belly, "See? You really are too good to me."
In mid October, they were at a school event. A fall festival. Olivia was feeling a little out of her element, tired, and incredibly pregnant. Chasing after a soon to be two year old, eight year old twins, an eleven year old and almost 14 year old was proving to be quite the task at this stage of her pregnancy. She knew she was irritable. Knew she wasn't being herself. And all the while, Elliot smiled, Elliot held her hand, Elliot supported her. And God she loved him for it.
"Hey, I'm gonna go grab something to drink." Elliot said, placing a hand on her back, "You want something?"
Olivia smiled, "Just some water. I'm gonna run into the bathroom though. Your daughter is practicing her soccer skills on my kidneys."
He smiled and leaned in to kiss her, "Not long now Liv. Not long now."
She squeezed his hand and started to walk away, "Keep on eye on Noah?"
Elliot nodded, "Of course. I'll meet you over by the picnic tables?"
She smiled, "Yeah. Sounds good."
Elliot scooped up Noah and walked towards the tables, "You want something little man?"
"Play." Noah said pointing towards the playground, "Play!"
Elliot huffed, "When your Mom gets back, okay?"
"I can take him." Kathleen walked over to him and smiled, "Julie left early and I'm bored anyway. I can hang with Noah."
Elliot smiled and handed her off, "You sure?"
Kathleen smiled, "Yeah. Mom needs a break anyway. She looks tired."
Elliot smiled, "She's pregnant kiddo. Growing a human isn't easy work."
"She's Wonder Woman. She'll never let us see her sweat." She smiled and walked away.
Elliot smiled and grabbed two cups, one with water and another with punch for himself. Walking over to the picnic tables he leaned against the edge of the table and watched Kathleen and Noah. The twins were playing soccer with their friends and Maureen was standing on the far end of the field talking to her friends. They were all growing up so damn fast. He smiled when he felt a hand on his arm and turned, expecting to see his wife. Instead he saw another Mother, he knew he had seen her before but he didn't know her name.
"Detective Stabler. So lovely to see you here." She leaned against him, "I know how hard it must be to get away from work. And with five, almost six kids! I wonder when you sleep."
He looked down at her hand on his arm and slowly he scooted across the picnic table, "Uh. Hi. Um…"
"Ashley. Ashley Wallace." She said putting a hand on her chest, she slid her hand along the line at the top of her shirt across her cleavage, "Conner and Skyler's Mom. They're in the twins class."
Elliot nodded, "Ah. Right. Sorry." He tried to smile politely, "I...sometimes get a little-"
"No need for apologies. I know how hard you work." She leaned closer to him, "But hopefully you remember my name now."
Elliot lifted the punch to his lips and nodded, "Kids having fun?"
She nodded, "Yes. They're off somewhere playing." She motioned towards the field, "Hard to keep an eye on them."
Elliot narrowed his eyes at her and didn't notice his wife walking towards them, "You should...lots of people here. Always good to know where they are."
"Spoken like a true cop and great father." She put her hand on his arm again, "If only my ex husband cared as much as you do."
Warning bells went off in Elliot's head and he frowned, "Look Ashley…"
"That wife of yours is one lucky woman." She bit her lip and looked him up and down, "If I were her, I'd never let you out of my sight."
Elliot stood up and turned towards him, "My wife, Olivia will-"
"Must be hard to find time alone. With five kids. One more on the way." She moved closer to him still, "You know...I have been looking at houses near where you all live. Nice neighborhood."
He crossed his arms over his chest, "Yeah. It is. Olivia and I really love it. So do the kids."
"You know Elliot, I've always found you to be really attractive." She bit her lip and shrugged, "And I've seen how tired Olivia looks. A man like you probably has a lot of needs. Needs that need to be met."
Elliot smirked at her, "And she meets them all."
Ashley's face flushed, "Well if she doesn't...I'm a good secret keeper."
Elliot took a deep breath and stared hard at her, "Man, you really can't take a hint can you?" She opened her mouth to say something but he shook his head, "Let me try again. Olivia, my wife, the mother of my children, is my number one priority. I don't care who you are. I don't care that you're single. I don't care what you think of me, of my relationship or what I do or don't need. I have everything that I need. And the reason for that is my wife. My best friend. So you can throw yourself at me all you want but it will be for nothing. I will never betray my wife. No matter what you say, no matter what you promise, she is the only woman I want. Now. Always." Ashley's eyes were wide, "Why don't you go find your kids."
Ashley took a deep breath, stepped away and turned to see Olivia staring at them with a huge smile on her face. She looked back at Elliot, nodded once and then turned to walk away. Elliot turned to his right and saw Olivia walking towards him. He took a deep breath and smiled as she reached for his hand, "Liv…"
Shaking her head, she leaned up on her tiptoes and whispered, "You're a hell of a guy Stabler."
His face flushed and he shrugged, "I meant it you know." He cradled her face with his hands and rested his forehead against hers, "I want you and only you. Now, and forever."
She held him at his waist and smiled, "I'll probably spend the rest of my life wondering why. But...I believe you. And I love you for that." She smiled and pulled away, "But if I wasn't pregnant...I'd kick that bitches ass."
Elliot smirked and rubbed her back gently, "There's my girl…"
The following day, Elliot got home late from work. He expected everyone to be asleep. But the light was on downstairs and he heard music as he got to the front door. Glancing at the watch on his wrist, he knew the kids should all be asleep. Except for maybe Maureen. Turning the door knob, he walked in and tossed his keys to the side as Scout ran to him.
He leaned down and greeted him, "Hey boy. What's your Mom up to?"
Scout just wagged his tail and walked back towards the kitchen. He kicked off his shoes, pulled on his coat jacket and hung it over the back of the couch as he walked into the house. When he crossed into the kitchen he saw Olivia pouring him a glass of wine, she turned to him and smiled, "You're home."
He walked all the way over to her and leaned down to kiss her, "What are you doing awake? You should be asleep. Resting."
"I went to sleep and then woke up. Told John to text me you headed out." She held out the wine, "Here."
He took the glass and frowned, "I feel guilty drinking when you can't."
She shook her head, "Don't. I'm good. You've been working so hard lately. And I get to come home. You deserve it."
He took a long sip and smiled, "Yeah you come home and be Mom to our five crazy kids. Not like you've been spending time at the spa relaxing."
She chuckled and pointed towards the table, "Go sit."
He took the glass and walked to the table, Scout ran towards him and sat by his side, "Always looking for scraps."
Olivia brought a plate over to him and laughed, "Only because you drop them at every chance you get."
"He whines if I don't." He said with a huff, "I can't say no when he whines."
She placed the plate down and wrapped her arms around his neck, she kissed his cheek and whispered, "He whines because he knows you'll cave if he does. It's a vicious cycle. He's got you wrapped around his paw."
He reached for his fork and frowned, "When did I turn into such a sucker?"
"The minute you met me." She teased and then sat beside him, "Or so I've been told."
He smiled and scooped up a spoonful of rice, "Probably right."
Olivia rested her elbows on her table and smiled, "Sorry."
He shook his head, "Don't be. I'm quite happy where I'm at."
She rubbed her belly and sighed, "Your Mom is going to pick up the kids tomorrow. You still want to come to my appointment with me?"
"Of course." He swallowed his food and reached for his wine, "Wouldn't miss it."
"Looking forward to seeing Sophia?" Her lips curled into a slow smile.
"Sophia Grace Stabler." He sighed and looked at her belly, "It's been 48 hours and you haven't changed your mind yet."
She chuckled, "Just because I back tracked on the first two...be nice." She looked down at her belly, "But I like your suggestion. Sophia Grace…it feels right."
He leaned against the table and whispered, "Sophia Grace…"
Reaching across the table, she squeezed his arm, "Ready to be a Dad of six?"
He was quiet, pretending to think, "Do I have an option to get out? Some back door I can sneak out real quick?
She gasped and reached out, to smack his arm playfully, "You're a jerk."
He laughed and swallowed a bite of food, "I'm kidding Liv. You know I'm kidding."
Wrapping her arms around her belly, she smiled and leaned back in her chair, "Better be. You leave me and we both know I'll find you. And then I'll kick your ass. With or without the belly."
He smirked, reached out and took her hand, pressing his lips to her knuckles, "I'm never going anywhere. You know that."
Olivia watched him while he ate and then...they both heard Scout whine. She bit down hard on her lip and saw Elliot trying not to smile. She waited a beat, and then hard him sigh as he jabbed a piece of meat and tossed it on the floor, "Let me rephrase that...ready to be a Dad of seven?"
He smirked, shook his head and then looked at her, "The things I do for you…"
At officially eight months, Olivia was feeling this pregnancy more than the last one. She chalked it up to having an almost 2 year old to chase down plus her other four kids. But every morning that she woke up and looked down at her belly, despite the pain, discomfort and often anxiety of being pregnant, she was so damn grateful. She was in bed on a Sunday morning, she yawned and smiled when Scout jumped up on her bed.
"Hi buddy." She reached out and scratched behind his ears, "Where's the rest of the morning crew?"
"They're getting dressed." Elliot said as he walked into the bedroom, "I'm going to take them to church."
She smiled at him and nodded, "Okay. Give me a few minutes and I can be ready."
Walking up to her, he sat down on the edge of the bed and reached for her hand, "Liv, you don't have to go. Why don't you stay home? You're tired. It's been a long week." He reached out and rubbed her belly, "And Sophia has been keeping you up."
"I'm good." She whispered, resting her hand over his, "I want to go. I feel like I haven't seen the kids in days. Maybe if it's nice out we go to the park after?"
He sighed knowing she wasn't going to give in, "You sure?" She smiled and nodded her head, "I swear Liv...if you go into labor while we're out I'll-"
She covered his lips with her fingers, "Stop. She's not going anywhere. I promise. She's pretty damn comfortable." A kick at her belly made her laugh and his eyes went wide when he saw the movement, "See? She's content. Sophia and I are just fine."
He leaned down, pressed his lips to her belly and smiled, "Keep growing baby girl. Keep growing."
She ran her fingers through his thin hair and sighed happily, "She's growing."
He looked up at her and saw her eyes were watery, "Hey...don't cry." Her eyes squeezed tight and she laughed but a tear escaped the corner of her eye, "Liv…"
He sat up quickly and pulled her closer, "I'm fine. I'm fine, I swear."
Brushing his thumb across her cheek he smiled, "Happy tears?"
She nodded and leaned into him, "Happy tears El. Happy tears."
"The best kind." He pressed his lips against the side of her face, "We've come a hell of a long way Benson."
She chuckled and held him tighter, "You think so? Me about to pop out baby number six? Didn't think it would happen when we danced around each other and pretended like we didn't want to jump each others bones?"
He laughed harder and shook his head, "You're insane. You know that?"
She pulled away and smiled, "And yet you love me. So what does that make you?"
Sighing happily, he leaned into her and whispered, "Lucky Liv. Damn lucky."
After mass, Bernie was standing with the kids. Elliot was off talking to someone else they knew in the parish and Olivia looked towards the altar. She looked at the candles and had a thought. Walking over to her Mother in Law she smiled, "Hey...think you can take the kids to the park? We'll meet you there in a few minutes."
Bernie smiled, "Sure. Everything okay?"
Olivia nodded and looked back at her husband, "Everything's good."
Bernie smiled, thinking she had an understanding of what she was thinking. She squeezed her arm and whispered to the kids, "Come on guys. Let's head to the park."
Maureen caught her Mother's eye and Olivia just smiled letting her know she'd see her soon. The rest of the patrons began to file out of the place, she saw Elliot finishing up his conversation with his friends. Placing a hand on his back, he turned and smiled down at her, "Hey. Ready to go?"
She shook her head and reached for his hand, "Not yet."
He looked past her and noticed that his Mom and the kids weren't there anymore, "Where are the kids?"
"We'll meet them at the park." She pulled his hand, "Come on."
He gave her a questioning look but knew better than to question her. She always had a reason for everything she did. He followed her towards the front of the church and saw their Priest beginning to blow out candles. He turned, saw the couple and Olivia just gave him a look. He smiled, in understanding left the matches beside two candles. Olivia let out a little breath, grateful that he could understand what she needed. Elliot followed her, and they both knelt down in front of the candles. She smiled sweetly at him and handed him the matches.
Elliot took a deep breath, struck the match and held it out to catch the wick of the first candle and then the second. They sat their for a moment, watching the flames catch the light. Elliot slipped his hand into hers and squeezed. "One for Sophia...and one for…"
His voice trailed away and she leaned against him, "They'll both be connected in a way." She looked down at her belly and smiled, "Our rainbow after a storm…"
He swallowed the lump in his throat, "I already love her. Every part of her. I can't imagine how much more I'll love her when I actually meet her."
"I know." She sighed and looked up at the flame, "El...that night you brought me here...I was scared. For so many reasons. And there are still so many things I don't understand. May never understand. But you sharing this with me...made me feel even closer to you than I thought possible. And it was the night that I finally started...healing."
"The first night we both started healing." He whispered, "Together. We'll always do everything together, Liv. I can promise you that. No matter what life throws at us...we're a team. Always have been."
Running her finger along the swell of her belly she whispered, "We're going to be okay."
Leaning forward, he kissed her cheek and whispered, "We're going to be okay Liv. We're going to be okay."
That night it was a semi warm fall night. They had decided to eat dinner outside as the sun set. Olivia was sitting in her favorite chair, curled up and listening. Just listening. Her eyes were closed and she could hear the twins and Noah running around. Scout was following behind them, barking and playing along. Beside her, Kathleen and Maureen were chatting about school, discussing their friends, boys, and she had to bite back a smile. Oh she was in for it with those two. She could hear Elliot somewhere in the background humming to himself as he cleaned up dinner.
She felt content. Happy. And lucky as all hell.
She was so lost in thought, she was surprised when she felt two small hands reach out to her belly. Her eyes opened and she looked down at her son, "Hi baby."
Leaning forward as best she could, she lifted Noah and sat him beside her on the chair. Noah watched her, then looked at her belly, his eyes were wide as he looked at it, as if he understood what was happening. Understood that his future sister and best friend was there. He leaned down, and pressed his head against her stomach and Olivia's breath caught in her throat. She watched Noah, and his little hands rubbed against her and then he pressed his lips just above her belly button.
"Love." Noah whispered, "Baby, love."
Olivia ran her hands through his curls and whispered, "You love your sister Noah?"
He smiled at his Mom and nodded, "Love."
She felt a hand on her shoulder and knew who it was without looking. She knew that touch anywhere. Lifting her hand, she placed it over his and sighed feeling him squeeze her neck. When she looked up, Maureen and Kathleen weren't talking anymore. Just watching, smiling. The twins were still playing, Scout following their every move. And she thought...all the things she'd been through as a kid...were worth it to end up right here.