Chapter 14
The next morning when Olivia blinked she saw a very excited 8 year old holding a sleepy 18 year old's hand. "Merry Christmas mommy!" Olivia smiled, "Merry Christmas baby. Did you wake Lucy up?" Amanda was serious, "No mommy, I just looked at her like you and you both did the same thing. Do you want me to look at daddy?" Olivia remembered their late night, but this was a daddy's duty. "Yeah, you look while I brush my teeth."
Olivia was brushing her teeth when she heard, "Merry Christmas daddy and Happy birthday!" They all walked into the family room together, "Oh my gosh! Lucy, look!" They watched them open everything with excitement. Amanda was zooming around on her hoverboard. "Pretty earrings mommy!" Trevor yelled, "Take it easy on my floors." Lucy walked over to them, "Guys, this is way too much." Olivia passed her a box and called Amanda over to sit down. "Lucy, we want you to be comfortable, this is your home. It's time you settle in."
Amanda sat down beside them. "Open your box." Lucy saw the blue Tiffany box and opened it. Amanda leaned forward, "Wow! It's pretty. We both have necklaces." Lucy opened it and smiled, "Thanks Liv." She looked at the papers and smiled some more. "You're kinda adult(ish) so to make it legal, you have to sign them."
Amanda looked, "You're adopting Lucy? I thought you were adopting me?" Olivia kissed her, "We are, but yours will take a little longer." Lucy signed the papers, "Thank you." Trevor stood up, well let's cook breakfast together." Amanda jumped, "No daddy. We have more."
Olivia walked him into an empty room in the house. It said happy birthday on the door. "Welcome to your man cave daddy!" There was new furniture and a huge TV mounted on the wall and a new Xbox with lots of games. "Wow! I never come to this side of the house." Olivia smiled, "No one does, so hopefully it will be peaceful for work and play." They made breakfast together and ate as a family.
They took a nap since Amanda woke everyone up. The dinner menu was prime rib, Mac and cheese, zucchini, glazed carrots, and a birthday cake. "Luce, will you help Amanda make and decorate the sugar cookies?" They sat at the table as a family. "Mommy, next year we will have a baby at Christmas." Olivia smiled, "I know and maybe you can help me pick out the pjs." They ate and sang happy birthday to Trevor.
They ended the night by watching "It's a Wonderful Life" in color, because Amanda was already complaining. "Come on, it's my favorite movie. And try to stay awake." Olivia sat in Trevor's arms, while Lucy and Amanda sat in her arms. Amanda was awake and excited, "I can't wait for the next holiday. Trevor laughed, "Well, it's soon New Years. Wait until you see the ball drop."
They spent the next couple of days as a family. They even took Amanda ice skating and sledding. Trevor did all of that while Olivia and Lucy enjoyed some sister time and hot chocolate. "Liv, when and what are we going to tell Amanda?" Olivia smiled, "It's not a secret. Whenever you want. You won't show for a while. Have you decided about school?" Lucy shook her head, "I want to take some classes and go back full time next fall." That made Olivia happy.
"Why do I have to take a nap?" Olivia patted her bed, "We all are, so climb in. We have to stay up late tonight." After the nap they had dinner as a family and headed to Time Square. They met Alex and Fin. Elizabeth and Don joined them. They all huddled together, to stay warm. Lucy and Elizabeth were closer and talked everyday, Trevor had Amanda on his shoulders, and Fin was holding Alex. "Mommy count!" They all shouted, "5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Happy New Year!"
January was a tough one. The holidays and time off from work and school was kicking everyone's butt. Trevor, Olivia, and Amanda had been thrown back into their normal routine for about a week. Trevor had a big case and was out the door before anyone woke up. Lucy was starting school herself, but she was still helping by taking Amanda, Kat, and Dominick to school and picking them up.
In the middle of everything Olivia had a birthday. Trevor sent Olivia, Alex, Elizabeth, and Lucy on a girls weekend to the spa hotel. When Amanda found out she wasn't invited to the girls birthday party, she was pissed. "How come I can't go?" Olivia tried to explain that she wouldn't enjoy it, but Daddy and Fin had a fun weekend planned. She just snatched her arm away and left crying. "I can't leave her like this." Trevor promised her he had it under control, "Finish packing, I've got it!" Olivia didn't know what Trevor told her, but Amanda walked in and said, "Happy birthday mommy. Have fun!"
The trip was so relaxing and just what Olivia needed. Olivia was getting ready and heard Amanda, "No! I don't have to listen to you. Get out of my face." Olivia walked out, "Hey, what's going on?" Lucy shrugged, "Liv, I swear I didn't do anything." Olivia looked at her and rubbed her back, "Oh I'm not blaming you at all." She looked at Amanda who had her arms folded.
She knelt down which wasn't as easy anymore since she was 4 months pregnant. "What's going on? You do not talk to Lucy like that. Do I need to go over punishments?" Amanda's eyes got watery, "Apologize now!" Amanda looked at Lucy, "No!" Olivia was shocked, "Get your iPad and put it on my bed and park your butt there." Amanda cried the whole way.
"Luce, how long has this been going on?" Lucy hung her head, "All week." Olivia knew something was off, she asked Lucy if Amanda was different. "Luce, I asked you. You can't let her treat you like that. You're the older one and in charge." Lucy was embarrassed, "I lied to you, because I didn't want her in her trouble. I thought she was just tired, but it's like she hates me. I don't know what I did." Olivia told her to go pick up Kat and Dominick, "I don't want them to be late. I'll deal with her and bring her myself. I love you." Olivia popped her butt, "Ouch Liv!" Olivia laughed, "Don't lie to me again." Lucy laughed, "Yes ma'am."
She walked into her room and saw her baby girl. Amanda looked up, "Are you going to spank me?" Olivia pulled her into her lap, "I should! You don't talk to Lucy like that and you don't ever get to tell me no. Do you understand me?" Amanda shook her head, "Yes mommy." Olivia narrowed her eyes at her, "This isn't like you and I know you love Lucy."
Amanda wiped her eyes and Olivia saw her eyebrows scrunch together. "Lucy, just saved your butt. So, tell me what happened. Now!" Amanda chewed on her lip, "You like Lucy more than me." Olivia shook her head, "Why do you think that baby?" Amanda sat in her lap and hugged her around her neck, "You and daddy adopted her and not me."
Then she cried a big sobbing cry. Olivia felt the back of her shirt getting wet. She held her, rocked her, and laid her on the bed until she was asleep. Olivia left her and called Cragen, "I'm sorry. At this rate I'll never make Lieutenant. I'm almost contemplating being a stay at home mom." Cragen scoffed, "Oh no you won't. Liv you're on desk duty. You can stay home whenever you need to. We can get you working on files or making calls. We're ok."
She called Amanda's school and explained she was sick and texted Lucy that she was keeping Amanda. She called Trevor last, "Is she alive?" Olivia rolled her eyes, "Really Trevor?" Trevor laughed, "Hey, you're telling me, that kid looked you in the eye and said No!" Olivia started explaining and Trevor became serious, "Wow, poor baby." Olivia agreed, "She's on punishment, but we are talking when she wakes up. Love you and see you tonight."
Amanda woke up around lunchtime and Olivia made grilled cheese and soup. "Do you want juice or milk?" Amanda rubbed her eyes, "Juice please." Olivia sat down, "You were tired huh?" You haven't been sleeping?" Amanda chewed, "A little bit." Olivia talked to her, "Amanda, we love you and Lucy equally. We had to adopt Lucy immediately because her mommy wasn't being nice. It involves a lot of adult stuff that you don't need to know. Baby your daddy and I are working on your paperwork. It's just not ready yet." Amanda started crying, "Why are you crying?" Amanda wiped her face, "Because I was mean and hurt Lucy's feelings." Olivia kissed her, "You know you can fix it. It's called an apology."
They finished lunch and cleaned the kitchen. "Now, you read a book, no iPad or TV today." Amanda grabbed a book and sat on the couch reading while Olivia worked. Olivia was making Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad and garlic bread for dinner when Lucy came home. Amanda looked at her and Lucy walked over and hugged her. "I'm sorry Lucy. I won't do that again." Lucy smiled, "I love you squirt! And I brought you something." Amanda lit up, "Homework." Lucy saw her face drop, "But maybe these Skittles will help." Amanda smiled, "Thanks Lucy!"
Amanda did her homework and Olivia talked to Lucy. "I'm sorry. I caused this." Olivia shook her head, "No you didn't."They ate dinner and after dinner Amanda got another stern warning from Trevor. "You will respect us. Lucy is your older sister and when mommy and daddy aren't home, she's the adult. The next time you tell any of us "No", you will get a spanking." Amanda was very different with Trevor and very serious. "Yes sir. I did apologize. I'm sorry daddy." Trevor hugged her, but made her take a bath and go to bed. Amanda took her bath, hugged everyone. "Mommy can I lay in your bed with you." They fell asleep together. Trevor looked at Olivia, "Pushover."