How Olivia didn't have any sort of traffic collision on the way to the florist, she didn't know. Maybe guardian angels.
Ellington met her in the parking lot and brought her up the residence. Here they were intercepted by Violet in the hallway. Olivia had never been more glad to see her.
"Please tell me how Alex is." the lieutenant said to Violet.
"She is extremely weepy. Augustín and I think it's a coping mechanism for the pain. Hasn't said a word about it." Violet chose her next words carefully. "Look, I'm not your mother, but I have a suggestion about the next phase of the night."
Olivia felt relieved. "What is it? I'm game for anything."
"Have your little ones' baby sitter get fresh supplies for them and tell her to bring them here. We'll watch over Noah and Serena."
"I can do that. What about Melissa, though. Both of her mothers are occupied now."
Ellington stepped in. "Don't worry about that little cherub. Ma, pop, and I will watch over her. The others will pitch in. You know how the saying is—it take a village to raise a child."
"Yes. It totally does." Olivia ran her fingers through her hair. "How long do you think it'll be until Alex and I will be heading to the hospital?"
Violet replied, "About three hours. Diana is incredibly impatient."
"Sounds about right." Olivia sighed. "I'll get hold of Lucy in a little while to tell her about the kids. Right now, I just want to be with Alex."
"We understand. Just let us take your coat and purse first."
Olivia had forgotten she was yet wearing them, so she handed the items over.
"We'll put these in the closet by the lift door." Violet informed her. "Melissa is asleep in Casey's old room, but the rest of us will be downstairs."
Ellington pointed to a door at the end of the hallway. "Alexandra is just through there."
Olivia thanked them, and took a moment to compose herself. Staying calm was key right now. Alex needed her. So did Diana.
The only light in the room was coming from a dim lamp on a beside table. Alex was atop the bedcovers, but in a sitting position. Her tears began all over again when she saw who had come calling.
Olivia closed the door and sat with Alex, holding her. Her own relieved tears began when her melted into her arms. Nothing would separate them now.
Alex let out a heavy puff of air. "Olivia, you're finally here. Violet and Ellington have been taking care of me."
"That's good." Olivia wrapped one arm around Alex's waist and kissed her on the top of her head. "What do you need right now?"
"Just to be held. This really hurts."
Olivia held her closer and made herself comfortable on the bed. "Tell me when you need something. Even if it's just to squeeze my hands."
Alex's pain was ebbing away now, so she was able to nod. "Please tell me what's going on downstairs. No one will say anything."
"I don't know anything about Sophia or Casey just now. You have been my main priority." Olivia admitted. "But Violet did just run an idea past me."
"Oh?" Alex's interest was piqued. "What is it?"
So Alex was told about Violet's proposal. She liked it at once.
Lucy agreed to the new plan when it was run by her and promised to have everything taken care of quickly.
Alex watched Olivia put her phone away. "What the hell happened to you? Last I heard, you and Amanda were stuck in the elevator."
Olivia gave her a short version. "The fire department showed up. It took the Jaws Of Life to even get the doors open, and it took two of the firefighters to help me get out. Never will I ever tease Harper about her own claustrophobia again."
"How did Amanda get out?!"
"I wasn't looking because the paramedics were checking me out." Olivia said truthfully. "Everything is fine. Amanda is at the hospital with Dominick now. She even asked me to call Beth Anne."
"Did you?" Olivia pressed.
Olivia nodded. "Yes, and I told her what was happening."
"Perfect." Alex changed positions as she felt Diana perform her most terrific stretch yet. "Just please tell me that you left out the part about the elevator."
"Oh, you bet. Beth Anne just brought three healthy babies into the world." remarked Olivia. "The elevator tale is all on Amanda now."
"I should say so. Anything else happen? Your work life is not quiet."
Here, Olivia paused. The other update was about Constantine.
"Well... Constantine Kemper stopped by. She had a proposal for me, and one for Amanda."
"What was it? I've met Constantine and I like her."
"Our friend fell out of the sky with some life-changing things. I almost had to pinch myself. She offered Amanda the opportunity to take the lieutenant's exam in September. I bet she's given Constantine an answer already."
"That's wonderful." Alex looked up at Olivia and stroked her face. "What did Constantine tell you?"
Olivia took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "She offered me the opportunity to take the captain's exam."
With a mighty effort, Alex moved all the way up into a sitting position and faced Olivia.
"Please tell me your answer." she said seriously. "I know you want Amanda as your top lieutenant and that you want her to succeed you."
Olivia was very straightforward. "I told Constantine I want to take it, but that I had to run it by you first. She understood. The elevator mishap occurred before I could call you."
"Then go for it." Alex encouraged. "You know how much I want this for you."
Olivia did. "Thank you, Alexandra."
She laid back down. "Call Constantine right now. It feels like Diana will be keeping us occupied soon."
"I saved her number awhile ago when I saw it on a memo. Hang tight."
Kemper picked up fast when she saw her phone ring. "Olivia?"
"How did you know?" the lieutenant said in surprise; she hadn't remembered giving her number to Kemper before.
"Lucky intuition. And Amanda called me a little bit ago to tell me that she's accepted my offer."
At this, Olivia's heart bloomed. "Then I am officially giving you my word that I do want to go for the captain's exam."
"Oh, congratulations!" Kemper enthused. "I'll put your name on the list. May I ask how Alex is?"
"She's resting in my arms right now. Our daughter is going to be with us by tomorrow, for sure."
"That's wonderful. I can't wait to see the little miss. Good luck."
Olivia thanked her and ended the call. This time, she left her phone on the bedside table.
Alex's tone was very soft. "I'm so proud of you. Do you have an ETA on the little kids?"
"No, but I imagine they'll be here soon. Let's wait for them."
"I'm okay with that."
And they waited together in silence.
In the end, Noah's and and Serena's visit was brief. The Cabots didn't mind. They were just happy to see their children. It was a momentary distraction. But all of them had left as quickly as they had arrived.
After that, it was clear that Olivia and Alex had only one task ahead of them. Waiting for Diana.
There was truly nothing else do.
Casey and Sophia ended up going to the hospital first.
Savannah drove them. This was mostly because she had been the first person to locate their keys fast enough. Everyone also knew that she would be calling Maureen Stabler for company, as they were an item now. The two of them would also be meeting up with Harper. All three of them would wait together for news about Amanda. Everyone else would be migrating over soon.
Things were getting real now.
Doctor Larom let the Cabots be after a check-up. Diana was definitely coming, but she was taking her time. Alex was not pleased.
She was in tears. "Olivia, Diana is being so slow! I just want to hold her!"
"Oh, so do I." Olivia commiserated. "Just think about how we'll finally be able to kiss her, and count her fingers and toes."
"Let's cross our fingers that she even stays put for that long." Alex gave a soft moan of discomfort as Diana erupted into a flurry of kicks. "Right now, she's just being ridiculous."
"Was she like this yesterday?"
Alex shook her head. "No!"
"Please tell me how I can help you."
"Will you rub my back? Right here." Alex pointed to a specific spot.
"Yes." Olivia sat on the bed, Alex between her legs, and began doing exactly what she wanted. "How's that?"
Alex leaned forward and held her ankles as she worked on centering her breathing. That was a chore all by itself. She wished that the epidural could prevent her from feeling Diana's sharp, close-to-the-surface movements, too. But it didn't.
Alex breathed a sigh of relief after a few minutes. "Thank you, my love. How long did the doctor say she would be before she came back?"
"An hour, I'm afraid."
This reality hit Alex like a ton of bricks and she shook her head as tears threatened to fill her eyes. "Nope. Not gonna cry. Did you bring my hospital bag?"
"Yes." Olivia retrieved it and set it down in front of her. "What do you want?"
"To clean my makeup off, and have my hair out of my eyes." Alex decided. "Will you also do my nails?"
"Yes. We can take care of all of it."
It took some time because of Alex's discomfort, but she eventually had her makeup off, her hair secured out of her face, and her nails painted. She felt better. About her appearance. Her discomfort still hadn't leveled out.
"Is Diana still acting funny?" Olivia asked Alex after awhile.
"Yes. I think she actually changed positions." Alex whimpered. "Please hold me."
Alex was already generating a lot of body heart and the room was already very warm. Olivia felt as though she would toast if she was one degree warmer. But she said nothing of this.
Instead, she removed her socks and shoes, then setting them off to the side with her coat, gun, and purse. They wouldn't be needed for awhile. She also removed her blouse to show off the tank top underneath. Her own comfort was good as it could be. Now she could really help her wife.
"I'm always happy to hold you." Olivia sat with Alex again. "Lean back. Just breathe."
Alex did lean back into Olivia's arms and breathed a deep sigh of relief. It was a small comfort, but she would take it. This was going to be a long night.
With nothing but pain and waiting.
Alex hated the paper gown she was in. Same for the monitors she was hooked up to.
And the fact that she was hyper-aware of her daughter's movements? Also not fun.
But... she would be getting her much-loved, dearly longed-for, much-wanted rainbow baby out of it. Best silver lining ever.
Olivia was even holding her. Bliss.
Unfortunately, both Cabots were thrown for a surprise when Larom informed of an update on Diana's position.
"What do you mean, she's crooked?" screeched Alex. "Are her feet still facing the right way?"
Larom was unfazed by the outburst and patiently pointed out the whole of Diana's positioning to her parents. It was then explained that while the baby was crooked, she wasn't in immediate danger. Diana just needed some coaxing.
"I have an idea of how to hasten her progress." Larom turned off the ultrasound machine and indicated for Olivia to start wiping the gel off Alex's midsection with a stack of towels she was holding out. "It's the first of a few things to try.""
Alex winced as she felt a tiny heel nail her. "Please tell us. My little girl is getting more impatient by the minute."
Larom continued to remain calm. "Going for a stroll around the ward is a good first step because it's non-invasive."
Alex only shuddered at the idea of what an invasive procedure could be.
Olivia spoke up swiftly. "And the ward goes in a circle, right?"
Larom nodded. "Correct."
Finished wiping the gel off, Olivia chucked the towels in a nearby trash bin before appealing to Alex. "How does a stroll sound?"
Alex wrinkled the bridge of her nose as she Diana's kicks increase, but managed a nod. "That sounds perfect."
"Okay." Doctor Larom prepared to roll the ultrasound machine away. "I'll go put this back and bring supplies that will make your walk easier."
Alex thanked her and watched her go.
Olivia said, "Some progress is better than nothing. What do you think?"
Alex became sarcastic. "I'm ready, if it can get us out of this bed. Diana still hasn't let up. I want to cry. Did Sophia do this to you?"
"No. She was very calm."
Alex groaned.
Luckily, Doctor Larom returned quickly with a more modest gown, slippers, and a wheeled IV pole.
"Okay." the physician addressed them. "I'll move the saline to the other pole so you can bring it with you. And Olivia?"
She responded to her name. "Yes?"
"Will you please help Alex change?"
Olivia nodded. "Yes. I can do that."
The Cabots were once again left to their own devices when Alex had been properly outfitted for her stroll on the ward. They were moving at a snail's pace, but Alex didn't mind. Anything to help Diana.
"This kid is really something else." Alex lamented after awhile.
"It'll be ammo for the first time she really gives you grief." joked Olivia.
"Ugh. And how long until it's actually show time?"
"Doc hasn't said." Olivia rubbed her wife's back. "Dearest Diana is the prize at the end of the finish line. What color hair do you think she'll have?"
Alex realized that Olivia was trying to distract her, so she was actually able to laugh. "You've seen my baby pictures. I had no hair until I was almost one."
"Then just humor me, Allie-cat." Olivia soothed. "Tell me what color hair you think Diana could have. Please?"
So for the sake of the conversation, Alex began waxing philosophical about the possible hair color for their soon-to-be-born daughter. It was one way to pass the time.
The hospital waiting room was full. More so than usual on a regular mid-week night.
It was currently playing host to a large number of people. The Bailey Three. Savannah Novak. Abigail Novak. Everyone from the Stabler house in Queens. Noah. Serena. The elder Novaks and Carisis. Most of the adult Novak and Carisi children, along with their spouses. Blue and Zoltan Balthazar. Jesse Rollins (she had arrived with her aunt and uncle). Elliot. Fin and Melinda. Both Langans. Elizabeth Donnelley. Constantine Kemper. They had all come together on this cold night.
They were family.
One big, assorted, unconventional, happy, wonderful family.
Hours passed. Many of them.
There was finally activity around twelve-thirty.
Carisi emerged into the waiting room, still in scrubs and a matching cap. One very happy grin was plastered on his face.
In the chairs closest to the doorway, Solomia Carisi shook her husband awake.
"Dom! Open your eyes now!"
Dominick Carisi Senior woke abruptly from his dreams. The first person he registered was his only son.
"Junior, my boy!" he said merrily as he sat straighter in his chair. "What's the word?"
Carisi beamed. "My kids are here! Trip and Billie are here!"
Everyone congratulated him.
There was an excited chatter after he left with Jesse, Blue, and Zoltan. Renewed eagerness was in the air.
Violet Novak moved across the room to look out at the New York City nightlife. Even though the rain had yet to stop. Even though it was dark. It was just one more way to kill time.
A single thought echoed in her mind.
Two children down, three more to go.
