36 weeks
Her last day of work was actually less emotional than she thought it would be. 36 weeks pregnant was hard on any woman, especially one in her 50s. She waddled everywhere, her feet and back hurt and she was ready, more than ready to be out of her office for the next few months. She had made it farther than Michelle thought she would. The doctor had told Olivia that whenever she was too tired to work, she would take her off. But she was determined and as she packed up the last of her stuff, she wondered why the fuck she had been so stubborn. She could have been resting for the last four weeks and honestly, she could of used it.
Hannah was measuring... bigger. Which wasn't really a surprise to anyone. Olivia's belly was big and wide and she never knew her skin could stretch so much. New stretch marks lined the underneath of her belly, the sides of her breasts, the curve of her hips. But she embraced the changes. She welcomed them. For her body, she, was doing something she never thought she would do. Carrying a child had been the most terrifying, exciting, rewarding experience of her life and she was almost there. She was ready to be there.
The small spot in their room that had been reserved for Hannah was complete. The crib was up, the signs were up, the name banner Kathleen insisted on buying was up. They even had a small bassinet that Elliot assembled so she would be closer to them on the nights Olivia decided to put her in her own space. Exclusively breastfeeding until she went back to work was still the plan, so they knew Hannah would spend most of her time in bed with them. Not that either one of them minded, that's exactly where they both wanted her anyways.
Elliot was due to pick her up in thirty minutes. With the expanse of her abdomen, coupled with how tired she was, driving was not in her itinerary anymore. Her man had picked up so much slack during this whole pregnancy. He took care of everything outside of her job. The cooking, the cleaning, the shopping, dance practice, soccer practice, drop offs and pickups. Sometimes she felt like he was more exhausted than she was. Which he most likely was. Taking care of a home, as well as Elliot took care of it, was hard work and she couldn't wait to help him out more.
Lamaze classes were going well. Twice a week her and Elliot loaded into a class with people half their age to practice deep breaths and focal points. Olivia wasn't even one hundred percent convinced any of it was going to help her when the labor process began but Elliot and Michelle insisted she go. "Period cramps times one hundred," is what Amanda had explained labor pains as. And although that may have been helpful for other women, it wasn't very helpful for a woman who couldn't even remember the last time she had a full blown period. She remembered how bad her cramps used to be, remembered popping more than one tylenols in her mouth in the squad car, remembered Elliot always bringing her a chocolate bar at the exact moment she needed it, but she didn't remember the exact pain of them. And to know they were going to be one hundred times worse than what they were, Heaven help her.
But she could do this. She was going to do this. She didn't have a choice but to do it. And sometimes it made her laugh. She preached about protection day in and day out. At her job, on the streets, even to Eli when she felt like he needed it but she wasn't really one to talk. Her ass was 51 years old and pregnant because she had thought she had went through menopause already. Talk about not knowing her own body very well. Although, she still mostly blamed Elliot. According to Michelle, her body probably decided to drop an egg because it was being stimulated again. Being spectacularly stimulated again and the man was the one doing the stimulating.
But God, what a blessing. Olivia had never considered herself really religious. Noah was baptized and sometimes they went to church but fate was not something she believed in. Until Elliot came back into her life. There really was no better explanation for Hannah though, other than fate. Her body decided to drop an egg at the perfect time and as much as she blamed Elliot for it, she was so beyond thankful.
Hannah was meant to be. She was meant to be theirs. She was always meant to be theirs and Olivia wouldn't change her life for anything. And as she shoved her last file into her bag, she couldn't wait to complete their family.
37 weeks
Special ordered clothes, booked venue on the water, hair and makeup stylists, peacock colors, large cake, planned honeymoon and a hole in everyone's pockets later, Elizabeth was more than happy with how everything came out. And as Elliot watched his own bride lean over one of the tables to set down a centerpiece, her hand resting on top of her beautiful belly, he couldn't help but walk over to her.
Thirty seven weeks. Not full term, but not pre term either. At their appointment the day before, Michelle had given them the okay to try natural ways to induce labor. With Olivia being older and Hannah being larger, everyone seemed to want her out as soon as possible. It was even hinted that if labor hadn't begun by their next appointment, Michelle may want to schedule an induction. Something that Olivia did not like the sound of. She had spent weeks, months, reading everything she could on the natural process of labor and she really wanted it to be all natural. Although she was miserable, she wanted their little girl to come when she was ready to come, not when someone else was.
"You should be sitting," he said as he glided his palm along her lower black.
She hummed, "It says the more I move, the easier labor will be."
"Yeah, but you don't have to be moving all the time."
"And you don't have to be worrying all the time. I'm, we're, fine daddy. If I get tired, I'll sit. I just want to make sure today goes as perfect as Elizabeth wants it to go. I feel like she's been planning this wedding forever. We don't want any hiccups. Now to think of it, have you checked the food? How's the food coming along?"
The wedding was due to start in two hours, and neither one of them were even all the way ready. Olivia had made it through hair and makeup but had not put on her dress yet, her body still covered in a pair of yoga pants and one of his shirts, her favorite go to outfit with her belly. Elliot was still in his jeans and t-shirt and he couldn't quite figure out why they seemed like the only ones in the family double checking the planner's work.
"You know, we hired someone to do all of that for us."
Her eyebrows raised slightly, "And you trust those people to do it correctly?"
"They better do it correctly with how much we fucking paid them," he mumbled. He didn't even want to talk about how much money Elizabeth sucked out of them for this day. The girl deserved it, she really did but God, it was so damn expensive.
She laughed. It wasn't the first time he had complained about the money. He had given Elizabeth a set budget but with the blonde's constant begging and Olivia's constant puppy dog eyes because she was only going to get married once, they had spent more money than he agreed to spend. "Don't worry, El. Ours won't cost so much." It really wouldn't. She wanted a nice wedding, she did. But she didn't need all of… this. She didn't want all of this. She wanted a nice dress, a simple venue to fit their close ones, and subtle decorations. Nothing too extravagant.
But as much as she was trying to comfort him, she didn't make him feel better. He had been very clear, time and time again, that he wanted her to have everything she ever wanted. Everything she ever dreamed for in a wedding and the fact that she was fine spending less because they spent more on Elizabeth's made him a little agitated. "I want you to have whatever you want to have."
"I will. I just don't want all of this. I do want a really pretty gown though." She never thought she would but Elizabeth's wedding dress shopping day definitely had proved her wrong with that one.
He leaned in to kiss her lips, "Anything you want."
"Even if it costs us 100,000?" She couldn't help but laugh at the look of shock on his face. Elliot was a stickler with money. Not that she was complaining. Saving anything they could in New York city was a win in her book. But really, she had absolutely no intention of spending that much on their wedding day. "I'm just kidding, Elliot." After another peck of the lips, she said, "Go check the food. Then meet me in our room so you can help me get this dress I have to wear on."
He grinned. Helping the woman get dressed? He'd do that any day. "Will do, baby."
The roll of her eyes was not lost on him. "Just to help me get dressed, Elliot."
"What? I'm trying to help get our baby girl out of you." Really, that's what Michelle had meant when she said natural forms of induction. Sex was the most natural way to induce labor and if she wanted their baby out, it was not only going to help but make her feel good. Definitely was a win-win situation in his book.
He was right, which was why they had greatly increased their sexual activity the last few days. But they were at his, their, daughter's wedding and she was already halfway put together. It was not going to happen. "You can help with that when we get home. You can help me get dressed in ten minutes. Now go."
He groaned, only lowly, gave her one more kiss and took off towards the direction of the kitchen. The food better be going well.
EO
The venue Lizzie chose was actually nice. It provided each set of parents and each sibling their own rooms to change in and big rooms for makeup and hair to be done if they were needed. With her belly and her scars, Olivia preferred to change only in front of Elliot, so it was a nice perk to have their own room.
And as she lowered herself slowly into the chair provided to wait for Elliot to help her, she couldn't help the groan that escaped her mouth. Something about sitting that day was painful. It seemed to send a tinge of pain from her back to her stomach. But with how far along she was, she wasn't surprised by any sort of pain. Hannah had definitely dropped, evident by not only the way her belly was lower but also by the way that she could breathe better. According to the last ultrasound, she was averaging around seven pounds already and that was an average sized baby being born, and she still technically had three weeks? Of course she was going to be feeling pain at random times. She rubbed her hands along the swell of her abdomen, smiled softly when Hannah moved slightly and sighed when she propped her feet up on the ottoman.
As much as she was trying to stay active, Elliot was right. Sitting was the best thing for her to be doing. Her feet and back hurt so bad from the extra pressure and really, she probably shouldn't have sat down because she was not getting back up without some help. Elliot was literally going to have to pull her up from the spot she was currently sunk in, she already knew it. But it was too late at that point and she figured there wasn't any harm in closing her eyes for a few minutes. There was absolutely no way Elliot was going to allow her to miss the wedding and at that point he should have been on his way to the room anyways.
So, her eyes drifted shut, her hands rested on her stomach and right when she felt like sleep was going to take her, that small tinge of pain returned. From her back to her stomach and whatever Hannah was on, was definitely causing an issue when she was sitting. Damn, she really shouldn't have sat down.
Elliot walked in the moment she was attempting to stand back up, his arm catching her around the waist just in time to assist her. "Thank you," she said as she arched her back slightly to try to get Hannah to shift off whatever she was pinching. Something she had learned pretty well her last few weeks of pregnancy was that when Hannah was uncomfortable, she would shift and that's exactly what her mama needed her to do.
His arm remained around her back to keep her firm on her feet as she took the time to stretch her muscles out, "You okay?"
"Yeah, she's pinching something when I'm sitting down. Trying to get her to move off that something."
He nodded his head in understanding, maneuvered his hands around her body as she bent, arched, moved her body from side to side and when she seemed content with her stretching, he moved his hands from her back to the sides of her belly. "Better?"
"For now." Until Hannah decided to shift again.
"Ready to take your clothes off?"
The grin that accompanied his face was dangerous and although she really tried not to, she smiled. He always knew how to make her smile. "You're an idiot." She looked like a bowling ball, she really fucking did and there was no denying it at that point but yet the man still always wanted her naked.
He hummed, pushed her shirt up her stomach, over her arms, around her face perfectly to make sure none of her makeup smudged and groaned when she was in nothing but her bra and yoga pants. Something about seeing the woman's skin always did it for him. "I love you naked."
"And you're a horn dog."
"I don't know why you say that like it's a bad thing. It's not like I want to see anyone else naked."
She was thankful for that, she really was. Not that she ever questioned the man's faithfulness. "I know. I just… I can't wait to have my body back." Although she was pretty positive it was never going to be the same after this, she couldn't wait to breathe normal again, to walk normal again, to move normal again, to have normal sex again. All those things that were prohibited by carrying around a seven pound baby in her belly, she couldn't wait to have back.
"I know, baby. You're almost there."
"I know."
Elliot was caring, loving, and careful when he helped her. She had denied herself a helping hand for so long. Before him, she couldn't remember anyone washing her hair. Now? Every night he washed her hair. Every night he washed her body and massaged her sore muscles. Helped her dress because her legs just didn't seem to want to lift enough to do it by herself and as he pulled the long purple dress over her belly she couldn't help the tears that filled her eyes. Her whole life all she wanted was someone to love her and although it happened later on in her life, she was so happy that she finally got it.
The wedding was beautiful, perfect even. And when Elliot went to hand Elizabeth over to her groom, Olivia had to say his name to get him to let her go. Something about a father giving away his daughter to another man was not only hard, it was emotional. Tears were shed, jokes were laughed at and every time Olivia shifted uncomfortably in her seat, Elliot looked at her skeptically.
The woman was always uncomfortable at that point but to the point where she couldn't sit still? However she kept assuring him she was fine, that it had to be Hannah pinching a nerve. Although the tinges were not constant like a pinched nerve would be, they weren't really painful, weren't consistent and Hannah was still moving, so she wasn't very concerned.
They danced and ate and danced some more and when Elliot watched Olivia stop her movement with Noah on the dance floor to rub her hands along her belly and lower back he excused himself from his conversation with Elizabeth's new in-laws to go to her.
"Hey buddy, do you mind if I jump in," he asked Noah who was still using his mother's hand to spin in a circle.
"Of course, dad!"
"Thank you."
As soon as his arms were wrapped as far around her back as they could reach with her belly, he leaned in close to her ear, "You sure you're okay?"
"Yes, El. I'm fine." At this point she really didn't know if that was the truth or not though. But she was pretty positive she wasn't having contractions. Contractions were supposed to feel like period cramps, right? And the tinges, which were what she was going to keep calling them, did not feel like period cramps. They were still very inconsistent and were not growing more painful and she knew she had never had a baby before but everything she read about contractions contradicted what was currently going on.
"Liv."
"El. They're not contractions… I mean at least I don't think they are. They're not painful or becoming closer, they're just… different." Which was normal also. The closer she got to labor, the more symptoms her body was going to experience.
He had never physically had a baby before either, obviously, but he knew enough to know that it was possible that labor could be starting, even if she didn't think it was. "You really should sit down."
She shook her head. "No. If it's starting, which I'm not saying it is, I need to keep moving. We want her out and she's not going to come out if I'm just sitting still."
"If she's coming, she's going to come when you're sitting still too. Labor doesn't stop when you're sitting, Liv."
Right. She knew that also. Once it started, that was it. But if she was going to rest, like he so wanted her to, like she probably needed to, she wanted to rest in their home on their bed. "You're right. But I would rather be home, especially if it's starting. Is it bad if the father of the bride and the father's soon to be bride dip out early?" She smiled slightly. She was mostly kidding, really. The wedding was due to end in an hour and half anyways and she was pretty sure she could last that long. Especially since Elliot agreed to help clean up afterwards.
"Since the father's soon to be bride is about to pop, literally, I don't think it's bad."
What a man. Would leave his daughter's wedding to take her home to be more comfortable. "No! We can't do that. You agreed to help afterwards. I'll sit. Just get me a chair for my feet."
EO
Kathy and Elliot were busy grabbing glasses off a table when she spoke. The bride and groom had left to their room for the night, along with the guests. Leaving the immediate family and staff to clean up. "She doing okay?"
Olivia had not moved from the spot Elliot found for her. A comfy chair with her feet propped up, a water bottle and plate of fruit within reach. Every once in a while she would shift, but still, nothing was painful for her yet and she still wasn't sure if labor was beginning or if Hannah was sitting on something.
"Yeah, she's having some weird pains though. Doesn't know if it's labor or a pinched nerve. So we're just paying attention."
Kathy nodded, "Hopefully it'll be a fast and easy labor for her."
"I hope so too. I hate seeing her in pain. I hated seeing you in pain. The scariest moments of my life were the births of our children." Him and Kathy had grown to respect one another again. Eli was still doing incredible, had improved on his attitude towards his mother and step father, was getting good grades, doing well in soccer and Kathy had finally realized that letting him stay with Elliot and Olivia had been the best decision for everyone. It was nice. Nice to have a blended family that all got along.
"I know. But she's going to do great. She has some good child bearing hips too. I'm not worried."
If that wasn't the truth. The woman had curves for days. "Mm, she definitely does." He loved how much he had to hold onto at night.
Kathy couldn't even help the grimace that crossed her face. That was not a picture she needed of the two of them. "You're gross."
"Why does everyone keep saying that? Have you seen her?"
"Yeah, yeah. Full blown pregnant and still looks like a goddess. I know."
He chuckled and reached for the last glass on the table. When they were done with clean up, he made his way back over to Olivia, who was surrounded by their children. Noah was in a chair next to her, his hand running softly against her stomach, Eli had taken a spot on the chair for her feet, her feet now propped on his lap instead and Kathleen, Maureen and Dickie were standing.
"So you think she's coming mom?" Noah asked.
"I don't know yet. It's just a different feeling than I've had but it could be possible." As Olivia answered, Elliot made his way behind her to place his hands on her shoulders. Whatever her and the kids were talking about beforehand was definitely of great significance.
"I want to be there when she comes," Noah said, his arm wrapping tighter around her.
It was an issue they had been having with all the kids. They all wanted to be there. All wanted to help in some way. And although Olivia felt bad for denying them the experience, she really didn't want anyone else with her while she labored and pushed. She had no idea what was going to happen during those two things but she knew all she wanted was Elliot. Labor was the most raw thing a woman could ever experience and the fact that she was still determined to do it without medicine, made it even more raw. And she only wanted Elliot to see her raw.
"I know, baby. But it will be more calming for me this way. It's going to be painful and I really think just your dad being there will be for the best."
"And I'll keep you guys posted the whole time," Elliot added. They had no intention of keeping the kids in the dark. They just wanted to do this alone.
"So, you think it will be best for me to take Eli and Noah? Just in case?" Kathleen asked.
Olivia looked up at Elliot and smiled when his hands gave her shoulders a squeeze. He had already made it clear, this was her birth, he was just her support and whatever she wanted to do, they were doing it. "Yeah, just in case. I'm still not one hundred percent sure so if it goes away or doesn't progress, Dad will get you two."
Although they were sad, both boys nodded their heads in understanding and busied themselves in hugging her.
"I love you, mommy. And I love you little sister. Hope to meet you real soon." Noah said, as his lips dropped from his mother's cheek to her belly.
All the other kids followed suit and when they walked in one direction towards their cars, Elliot held his hands out to help her up. "Let's get you home, mommy."