a/n: ok, this chapter is a bit rushed, sorry. It's just that I'm leaving today, and I wanted to get the last chapter out before I left, so, I had to put 2 or 3 chapters worth into one. Don't hate me for it! I'll try to do my best without making the end suck. And, I had to have a bit of a jump in months…sorry 'bout that one too. And, I don't pretend to know anything about childbirth, so, if I'm wrong with something. Sorry.
--0--0--0--0--0--
4 months
3:11am
Olivia woke up the minute she felt her water break. "Oh, shit."
Elliot awoke to the sound of her cursing, he looked around sleepily. "What?"
"My water…it broke."
"Your water?" He thought a moment, still half-asleep. Then the meaning struck, "Oh…oh God. Um…hold on a sec." He jumped out of the bed and ran around to the other side and helped her out.
"My water just now broke, Elliot. I'll be alright for a little bit. Just…can we get to the hospital."
"Right. Hospital. Let me go wake the kids…where is your bag?"
"Closet."
"Right…" He ran off to the closet and grabbed her bag then ran out the room and she could hear him yelling for Kathleen to wake up and get the car started. Then she heard the shuffling of many feet, she figured that the kids where getting ready to go. She slipped some slippers on, she really didn't need to do anything else. Elliot came running back into the room.
"Kids are awake and getting ready. You ready?"
"You got my bag, that's all I need."
"Right. Right. We should get going." He put one arm around her shoulder and the other on her stomach and began to help her out of the room.
She looked over at him and started to laugh.
"What?"
"Don't you think you should wear a shirt?"
"Right." He very carefully let go of her and threw on the first shirt he could find, then took up his position once more.
She laughed again.
"What is it this time?"
"Shoes. You know, I figured that I'd be a bit more scatterbrained than you, at this particular moment that is."
He sighed with frustration and went off to get a pair of shoes, then he came back but before he took up his position again he checked to make sure he had everything that he needed. "Am I good now?"
"As good as you're gonna get. Now, let's get goin'."
10 minutes later they arrived at the hospital and Olivia was taken to the delivery room by nurses and her doctor leaving Elliot and the kids in their wake. Elliot told the kids to sit down and for Kathleen to watch the twins. He went off to find out which room she'd been taken to.
After a few minutes he finally found out that she'd been taken to room 215 so he stopped by the waiting room where Kathleen, Lizzie, and Dickey where. He told them which room she was in and went off to find her. It took him a few extra minutes to navigate himself around the hospital but he finally found room 215.
"Liv?" He asked walking by her bed. "How you doing?"
"Back hurts."
"You get your shot already?"
"Oh, did I ever."
"Ouch, sorry. How far along are your contractions?"
"13 minutes. You don't need to worry, just yet. I've still got a little bit of time to go. Next contraction should be right about--" she stopped mid-sentence as the contraction hit. She screamed out in pain and grabbed onto Elliot's arm, squeezing tightly.
"Damn it, I thought squeezing somebody's hand was supposed to help take the pain away!" She yelled out in frustration.
"Hon, you're squeezing my arm."
She winced, "Same fucking difference." She said through gritted teeth.
"The epidural hasn't kicked in yet?" He asked after the contraction passed and she had time to rest.
"Oh, it has, it's just not doing to well, and they won't give me another. Where were you before?"
"Trying to find out where they took you, in the confusion I got left behind. I think that your doctor was a bit caught off guard, seeing as you're not due for around 2 weeks."
"Tell that to the baby that's trying to get out." She looked down at her stomach, "You hear that, you're early! You've still got 2 weeks left, go back, stop coming!!"
"I don't think that he's going to listen to you."
"Still hung up on that 'he' thing, are we?"
"He's a boy, I can feel it."
"Well, the only damn thing I feel is pain."
A few minutes later another contraction hit, they were down to 11 minutes apart. Not long after her contraction ended Dickey, Lizzie, and Kathleen came in and rushed over to Olivia's bed.
"How you doing?" Lizzie asked her.
Elliot smiled, "Déjà vu."
Dickey looked at her confused, "What?"
"That's the same thing your father asked when he came in."
"Oh. So, what's the answer?"
"I'm just peachy."
Kathleen smiled at her sarcasm. "Good to know. How far apart are your contractions?"
"11 minutes."
"Can we stay?"
"Of course. Just, it's kind of hot in here, so don't crowd."
"Ok, we'll go sit down until you go into labor."
"I'm in labor."
"You know what I mean."
"I'm kind of drugged here, Kathleen, elaborate for me."
"When you have to start pushing and all."
"When the real pain comes, you mean? Oh, alright." Another contraction hit and she once again screamed out in pain, causing the three newcomers to flinch.
"Has anybody called Alex? I told her I'd call her when I went into labor, no matter what time. What time is it now, anyway?"
"Nearly 5 in the morning."
"Oh, alright. Will one of you call her, do you need the number? Call your sister, too. She wanted to know."
"Olivia, calm down. We called Maureen already. I need Alex's number, what is it?"
"555-3175."
"Ok, I'll go do that now."
6 hours later:
"AHHH!" Olivia yelled through her contraction. They were 2 minutes apart, and painful as ever. She squeezed Elliot's hand as tightly as she could, which must have been tight from the look on her fianc's face. She didn't care though, as far as she was concerned this was all his fault.
And she told him so, "This is all your fault, you know."
He was taken by surprise, "What? My fault?"
"Yeah, your fault. You and your damn swimmers."
"You had a part in it, too, you know."
"Yeah, but without you, I wouldn't be here right now."
"You weren't complaining eight and a half months ago."
"Yeah, well, I wasn't in pain then!" Another contraction hit, causing more yelling and more squeezing. When the contraction was over she looked him dead in the eye, "You…are…getting…fixed!"
Dr. Samuels smiled, "You know, most women say that, very seldom do I hear that it actually came true, in most cases, I see the woman at least once again."
Olivia shot Dr. Samuels a look, "No chance in hell I'm doing this again."
"That's what they all say."
"Damn it, Vikki, you're not helping!"
Dr. Samuels laughed, "You're still two minutes apart, Olivia. Pretty soon you're going to have to start pushing though."
Olivia growled at the doctor for laughing, but before she could say something the next contraction stopped her, causing her to once again yell out in pain. The kids sat in chairs near the door quietly, watching what was happening in front of them, occasionally snickering at the things that Olivia said to their father. She was really pissed with him.
"Damn it! Can I just start pushing and get this whole damn thing over with?"
"Soon, Olivia." Dr. Samuels looked over at Elliot, "You're not going to pass out on us, are you?"
"What? No. I've done this before."
"Pass out then?"
He looked at his children sheepishly, "All three times, twice with the twins."
"Not now though?"
"He better not fucking pass out on me, I need a hand to squeeze!" Olivia called through her latest contraction.
Dr. Samuels went back to her side, "They're at one per minute now, get ready to start pushing."
11:09
"Push again, Olivia!"
"I'm pushing! I'm pushing! Don't rush me!" She yelled at the Doctor as she pushed, then she fell back against the hospital bed. Not long after she was pushing yet again.
"How…long…does this…take?!?"
"Just a few more pushes! You're almost done. NOW PUSH!"
Olivia leaned forward grabbing her knees and pushed as hard as she could.
"I see the head! Keep pushing!"
"I CAN'T!"
"You have to!"
She pushed again and Dr. Samuels summoned Elliot over to stand next to her, Kathleen took his spot and let Olivia squeeze her hand.
"One last push, Olivia!" Dr. Samuels called. Olivia pushed once again, straining to push harder than before, when the wails of a newborn could be heard she fell back against the bed, at the same time she heard a thud.
"He fainted!" Dickey called out rushing over to his father. He promptly slapped him.
Elliot jolted forward, "What the f--"
"Hey! Language, dad. You fainted."
"Shit." She said as he stood up cradling his head.
"Are you alright, no concussion?" Dickey asked.
"No…the baby?"
"Is fine," the doctor answered for him, she looked at Olivia and then back at Elliot, "You two are the parents of a beautiful little boy."
"I knew it!" Elliot exclaimed happily.
Dr. Samuels smiled, "Dad, would you like to cut the cord?"
Since he had before with both Dickey and Elizabeth he nodded and the he cut the cord, afterwards the doctor handed the baby over to the nurse to be cleaned. Elliot went back to Olivia's side.
"You fainted! I told you no fainting!" Olivia said exhausted, not even bothering to open her eyes and look at him.
"Sorry."
She opened her eyes and looked at him with a smile, "So, you got your wish."
"I would've been happy with a girl."
"But you wanted another boy."
"Yeah, I did."
The nurse had finished cleaning him off and had wrapped him in blue blankets then handed him to Olivia. She looked down at the still crying child with a goofy smile. "He's perfect," she said as she counted his fingers and toes. "All 10 fingers, all 10 toes. He's beautiful. Look, Elliot, he's ours."
Elliot kissed her on the head and looked down at the now calm baby. "He stopped crying."
"Yeah."
"What are we going to name him?"
"How about…Nathaniel William. That way we have one of my choices and one of your choices."
"Nathaniel William Stabler. I like it."
After a few minutes the nurse took Nathaniel away to the newborn unit, much to Olivia's protest. The nurse promised that after both she and the baby had gotten some sleep she would bring him back. Olivia, being extremely tired, finally gave in. Everybody came in to see her (Alex and Maureen had come right after being called; Fin, Munch, and Cragen had arrived about an hour prior) and then went to the nursery to see Nathaniel they left (Maureen bringing the three kids home to sleep some). Elliot and Olivia were alone.
"Come lay with me." Olivia said scooting over in her bed, making room for him.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, it'll help me sleep."
He carefully climbed into the bed next to her and wrapped his arms around her, keeping her close.
"Do I really have to get fixed?"
She laughed, "Not sure yet. I might want another."
"Really?"
"Yeah. You want another?"
"Of course."
She looked up at him with a smile, "Sorry I kept snapping at you."
"You had your reasons, I understand."
"I can't believe you fainted."
"Hey! It's my tradition. Don't knock it."
"Sorry, I didn't know."
He kissed her lightly on the lips, "You should get some rest."
"You too, we've been up since three. Oh, hey, by the way. What did they put down for time of birth?"
"11:14 am."
"Alright, I'll sleep now." She moved in his embrace and buried her face in his chest. A few minutes later her faint breathing told him she was asleep, not long after that he too fell asleep.
--0--0--0--0--0--
3:26pm
Elliot woke to the sound of snoring. He looked over at Olivia who was conked-out and chuckled to himself. He'd never known her to snore before, but, he imagined she was extremely tired, so the situation was way different. He kissed her gently on the cheek and very carefully climbed out of the bed. Being careful to walk quiet so to not wake Olivia he exited the room and made his way to the nursery. It didn't take him long to find Nathaniel, he was close to the glass so he could read the name on the plastic bed. He was sleeping peacefully.
Another man stood near Elliot, staring in awe at a crib that contained a blonde baby girl.
"Your first?" Elliot asked the man who looked up at him with a smile.
"Yeah. What about you?"
"Oh, no, I've got 4 others. But, first with his mother."
"They're so tiny."
"They don't stay that way for long."
"She scares the hell out of me, she looks so fragile, like the smallest thing can break her. I can't believe I'm a father."
"What's her name?"
"Christina Nicole. What about yours?"
"Nathaniel William."
The man smiled, "That's a good name."
"So is hers."
"When was he born?"
"11:14."
"Mine was 10:26, his mother woke me up at 3:04 this morning yelling her head off about her water being broke. I almost left the house with no pants on."
"Don't feel bad buddy, pants was the only thing I had on when I tried to leave. My fiancée, Nathaniel's mother, was a whole hell of a lot calmer than I was. And, this was her first child, I've gone through this 3 times before."
"I thought you had 4 others?"
"Twins."
"Oh. That would scare the shit out of me, just one is scary enough."
"Yeah. It's surprising though, how quick the instincts come to you. You'll do fine, it'll all seem natural, like you've done it your whole life."
The man nodded and went back to staring at the little girl, Elliot did the same with Nathaniel. Not long after he and the other man stopped talking a nurse came in and took Nathaniel out of his crib, Elliot took this as meaning Olivia was awake. He went off to room 215. When he got in he found his suspicions were correct, she was awake.
"Hey, when did you wake up?"
"As soon as you got out of the bed."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"No, it's alright. I wanted to see Nathan, anyway."
The nurse came in a handed Nathan over to Olivia, who immediately began to rock him from side to side, humming some nameless tune. Elliot looked on awestruck, as the man had been looking at his little girl not longer prior, she seemed to take the role of mother instantly. Not that that should have struck him as awe worthy, it was motherly instinct. Kathy had been the same way when Maureen was born.
She looked over at him and smiled when she found he was staring, "You want to hold him?"
He nodded and Olivia very carefully handed the small bundle over to him. Elliot cradled him gently in his arms and hummed the same nameless tune. Nathan woke and stared up at Elliot also awestruck, he opened his mouth but didn't cry. Elliot took Nathan's tiny hand and let it wrap around his finger, holding on for dear life. He smiled down at the tiny stubby fingers, and kissed Nathan's forehead. He brushed his dark reddish-brown that matched Olivia's with his fingers and stared into the deep blue of his eyes. "Hi, Nathaniel." He said in a small voice, "I'm your daddy."
--0--0--0--0--0--
3 months later:
Here comes the bride began to play and Olivia's stomach turning. God, she was nervous! She looked over at Cragen wide-eyed and he smiled at her. They began to walk down the isle. Once she was in the room her eyes locked with Elliot's and the people in the pews beside her disappeared. It was as if only Elliot and her were in the small church. They reached the end of the isle and Cragen let go of her and handed her over to Elliot, who's eyes she was still lost in.
"Who gives this woman away?" The priest asked.
"We do." Munch, Fin, and Cragen said at the same time, causing Olivia to smile.
The wedding proceeded and it was time for the two to say their vows. Olivia went first. She took his hand into hers and interlocked their fingers. Their hands fit together perfectly. "I didn't expect this day would ever come, and the last person I expected to be standing in front of me was you, although you're the only man I've ever truly loved. In all truths, I thought I'd never marry, that I would always be alone, loving you in secret. But, then everything changed. You weren't married anymore, and we started getting closer. That first day, when you came over after we went to the grocery store, was one of the best days of my life. I finally had my chance to be happy…and it was with you! I was so thrown…and I still am. It's been almost a year since that day, and I still have to remind myself that I'm not dreaming, that this is really happening." She looked up into his eyes and got lost in the beautiful blue of them yet again, "And, it never ceases to amaze me how I can still get lost in your eyes, or the fact that it still sends chills down my spine when you touch me, or how my heart stops whenever we kiss, I never thought that it was possible to love somebody as much as I love you. You're perfect for me in every way, I love the way that your eyes always have a way of showing your emotions, how they brighten when you're happy, or darken when you're mad, or the way that no matter how mad at you I get, all it takes is one look from you and I melt. You've given me everything that I've ever wanted, somebody to love, somebody who loves me, the most beautiful baby boy that I've ever seen, and so much more. I thank God everyday for sending you to me, you've been the greatest blessing in my life. I love you, Elliot Stabler. More than anything in this world." She placed a hand on his cheek and kissed him softly.
He smiled and inhaled deeply, "Standing here in front of you was the last thing I expected I'd ever do, too. I've loved you for the longest time, since before I should have, I just kept it well hidden. I had to. Then, I was single again, I could finally love you. It took me a little while to get my nerve, but when I did, it was more than I could have ever imagined. I'd never felt the way I felt for you before, words can't begin to describe it. If there is such a thing as a soul mate, I've found mine in you. We're perfect together. To me you're perfect, everything about you, your smile, your laughter, your voice, your eyes, your character, all the little things that make you, you. It always amazes me how you can look beautiful no matter what, if it's after a long days work and you haven't slept in over two days, or when you get caught in the rain, after you come back from a run in the park, when you're wearing simple clothes like sweats and one of my t-shirts, when you're wearing nothing at all, even when you wake up early in the morning and your hair is sticking up every which way. You're always gorgeous. Or how insanely jealous I get whenever a man looks at you in the wrong way. I love all the little things about you, the fact that on nights when you're extremely tired, you talk in your sleep, how you always have to sleep on the right side of the bed, or how you babble when you're nervous, the way you laugh, how your smile can brighten the darkest room, or the fact that I can look into your eyes and know exactly what you're thinking about. All in all, Olivia, I love you, always." He wiped away the tears in her eyes with his thumb and kissed her.
"Repeat after me," the priest said to Elliot. "I, Elliot Stabler."
"I, Elliot Stabler."
"Take this woman to me my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, through sickness and in health, for better or worse, till death do us part, as long as we both shall live."
Elliot repeated.
"Do you have the rings?"
Elliot nodded and took the rings out of his pocket.
The priest instructed him to place the ring on her finger and repeat after him.
"With this ring, I thee wed." Elliot repeated.
Then, it was Olivia's turn. The priest told her to repeat after him, and she did so. "I, Olivia Benson, take this man to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, through sickness and in health, for better or worse, till death do us part, as long as we both shall live." Then she took the ring from Elliot's hand and placed it on his finger, "with this ring, I thee wed."
"I now pronounce you, husband and wife." He looked at Elliot, "You may kiss your bride."
Elliot smiled and pulled Olivia in to a deep kiss, they held the embrace for a bit longer than they should have and when they broke apart they looked around sheepishly.
"It is with honor that I present to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Stabler."
Then they walked, hand in hand, down the isle as their guest threw rice. When they reached the end of the church they shared another kiss before getting into the limo.
Once inside Olivia slapped Elliot playfully on the arm, "I can't believe that you said that I look beautiful when I'm not wearing any clothes in front of all of those people!"
"What? It's true!"
"Elliot Stabler I'm going to…"
"What?"
She leaned in close, "Kiss you." She said before their lips connected. When they broke apart Elliot was grinning.
"What?"
"Well, Mrs. Stabler, I was just picturing us in Hawaii, on a beach, you in a bikini."
"Well, Mr. Stabler, I think I like that picture."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah." She smiled kissing him again, deeper this time.
"What did I say about starting things that you can't finish?" He said when they broke apart.
"Who says I can't finish it? We've got hours before the reception."
Elliot wriggled his eyebrows, "you still want that other baby?"
"Yes, and you know, they say half the fun is getting there."
"Do they?"
"They do."
"Well, then, we need to prove them wrong. I believe all the fun is getting there."
"Really, cause once you're there, it's no walk in the park."
Elliot smiled and pulled her towards him, "I love you, Mrs. Stabler."
"I love you, too. Mr. Stabler."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Prove it."
She smiled and kissed him passionately.
When they finally broke for air Elliot was grinning from ear to ear. "That 'bout does it."
Olivia raised an eyebrow and with one hand rolled the tinted window between the driver and them up.
"I like the way you think."
They got to their reception a little bit late.
--0--0--0--0--0--
2 years later
After 9 hours of labor and a hell of a lot of pushing Olivia gave birth to a 6 pound 3 ounce baby girl named Samantha Lynne. She unlike her brother had her mothers dark brown eyes, but like her brother had her mothers reddish-brown hair.
Elliot had, of course, passed out as Olivia was giving her last push, and fortunately didn't get a concussion that time either. Maureen, Dickey, Lizzie, and Nathan had been there for Sam's birth, but Kathleen was away in Washington D.C. where she was attending college at Georgetown University. She promised that she would come down as soon as she could.
Not too long after that Maureen announced to the family that she was getting married to her boyfriend, Jake, and that they were expecting a child. Elliot fainted then as well.
2 months after giving birth to Sam, Olivia was shot in the line of duty, the bullet was a through and through, went straight through her shoulder. She was hospitalized for a few days, but made a complete recovery and was back at work a month later.
Alex married 4 months after Olivia returned to work, to Daniel, the guy that Olivia had set her up with. They had a child a year after they married.
Steve and Kathy divorced a year after Olivia and Elliot married, and Kathy tried to get Elliot back, failing miserably. She eventually moved out of the state and back into her parents house.
And, Elliot and Olivia lived. Not happily ever after or any form of storybook ending. They just lived. Happily, yes. But, there was nothing perfect about their life together. But, they were in love, and apart from that, nothing else mattered.
THE END!
--0--0--0--0--0--
a/n: Sorry if the end sucks! It's 3:12 is the freaking morning, and I'm tired out of my mind! But, it's finished! I finished it, granted this chapter is over 4,000 words (that's the equivalent of about 3 of my regular chapters) it only took me a few hours to write, and It's late, I'm tired, if it sucks I blame it on the lack of coffee! So, anyway, let me know how it is, if you liked the ending, or if it was way to sappy for you. Whatever you think, tell me. I wanna know.
--0--0--0--0--0--
4 months
3:11am
Olivia woke up the minute she felt her water break. "Oh, shit."
Elliot awoke to the sound of her cursing, he looked around sleepily. "What?"
"My water…it broke."
"Your water?" He thought a moment, still half-asleep. Then the meaning struck, "Oh…oh God. Um…hold on a sec." He jumped out of the bed and ran around to the other side and helped her out.
"My water just now broke, Elliot. I'll be alright for a little bit. Just…can we get to the hospital."
"Right. Hospital. Let me go wake the kids…where is your bag?"
"Closet."
"Right…" He ran off to the closet and grabbed her bag then ran out the room and she could hear him yelling for Kathleen to wake up and get the car started. Then she heard the shuffling of many feet, she figured that the kids where getting ready to go. She slipped some slippers on, she really didn't need to do anything else. Elliot came running back into the room.
"Kids are awake and getting ready. You ready?"
"You got my bag, that's all I need."
"Right. Right. We should get going." He put one arm around her shoulder and the other on her stomach and began to help her out of the room.
She looked over at him and started to laugh.
"What?"
"Don't you think you should wear a shirt?"
"Right." He very carefully let go of her and threw on the first shirt he could find, then took up his position once more.
She laughed again.
"What is it this time?"
"Shoes. You know, I figured that I'd be a bit more scatterbrained than you, at this particular moment that is."
He sighed with frustration and went off to get a pair of shoes, then he came back but before he took up his position again he checked to make sure he had everything that he needed. "Am I good now?"
"As good as you're gonna get. Now, let's get goin'."
10 minutes later they arrived at the hospital and Olivia was taken to the delivery room by nurses and her doctor leaving Elliot and the kids in their wake. Elliot told the kids to sit down and for Kathleen to watch the twins. He went off to find out which room she'd been taken to.
After a few minutes he finally found out that she'd been taken to room 215 so he stopped by the waiting room where Kathleen, Lizzie, and Dickey where. He told them which room she was in and went off to find her. It took him a few extra minutes to navigate himself around the hospital but he finally found room 215.
"Liv?" He asked walking by her bed. "How you doing?"
"Back hurts."
"You get your shot already?"
"Oh, did I ever."
"Ouch, sorry. How far along are your contractions?"
"13 minutes. You don't need to worry, just yet. I've still got a little bit of time to go. Next contraction should be right about--" she stopped mid-sentence as the contraction hit. She screamed out in pain and grabbed onto Elliot's arm, squeezing tightly.
"Damn it, I thought squeezing somebody's hand was supposed to help take the pain away!" She yelled out in frustration.
"Hon, you're squeezing my arm."
She winced, "Same fucking difference." She said through gritted teeth.
"The epidural hasn't kicked in yet?" He asked after the contraction passed and she had time to rest.
"Oh, it has, it's just not doing to well, and they won't give me another. Where were you before?"
"Trying to find out where they took you, in the confusion I got left behind. I think that your doctor was a bit caught off guard, seeing as you're not due for around 2 weeks."
"Tell that to the baby that's trying to get out." She looked down at her stomach, "You hear that, you're early! You've still got 2 weeks left, go back, stop coming!!"
"I don't think that he's going to listen to you."
"Still hung up on that 'he' thing, are we?"
"He's a boy, I can feel it."
"Well, the only damn thing I feel is pain."
A few minutes later another contraction hit, they were down to 11 minutes apart. Not long after her contraction ended Dickey, Lizzie, and Kathleen came in and rushed over to Olivia's bed.
"How you doing?" Lizzie asked her.
Elliot smiled, "Déjà vu."
Dickey looked at her confused, "What?"
"That's the same thing your father asked when he came in."
"Oh. So, what's the answer?"
"I'm just peachy."
Kathleen smiled at her sarcasm. "Good to know. How far apart are your contractions?"
"11 minutes."
"Can we stay?"
"Of course. Just, it's kind of hot in here, so don't crowd."
"Ok, we'll go sit down until you go into labor."
"I'm in labor."
"You know what I mean."
"I'm kind of drugged here, Kathleen, elaborate for me."
"When you have to start pushing and all."
"When the real pain comes, you mean? Oh, alright." Another contraction hit and she once again screamed out in pain, causing the three newcomers to flinch.
"Has anybody called Alex? I told her I'd call her when I went into labor, no matter what time. What time is it now, anyway?"
"Nearly 5 in the morning."
"Oh, alright. Will one of you call her, do you need the number? Call your sister, too. She wanted to know."
"Olivia, calm down. We called Maureen already. I need Alex's number, what is it?"
"555-3175."
"Ok, I'll go do that now."
6 hours later:
"AHHH!" Olivia yelled through her contraction. They were 2 minutes apart, and painful as ever. She squeezed Elliot's hand as tightly as she could, which must have been tight from the look on her fianc's face. She didn't care though, as far as she was concerned this was all his fault.
And she told him so, "This is all your fault, you know."
He was taken by surprise, "What? My fault?"
"Yeah, your fault. You and your damn swimmers."
"You had a part in it, too, you know."
"Yeah, but without you, I wouldn't be here right now."
"You weren't complaining eight and a half months ago."
"Yeah, well, I wasn't in pain then!" Another contraction hit, causing more yelling and more squeezing. When the contraction was over she looked him dead in the eye, "You…are…getting…fixed!"
Dr. Samuels smiled, "You know, most women say that, very seldom do I hear that it actually came true, in most cases, I see the woman at least once again."
Olivia shot Dr. Samuels a look, "No chance in hell I'm doing this again."
"That's what they all say."
"Damn it, Vikki, you're not helping!"
Dr. Samuels laughed, "You're still two minutes apart, Olivia. Pretty soon you're going to have to start pushing though."
Olivia growled at the doctor for laughing, but before she could say something the next contraction stopped her, causing her to once again yell out in pain. The kids sat in chairs near the door quietly, watching what was happening in front of them, occasionally snickering at the things that Olivia said to their father. She was really pissed with him.
"Damn it! Can I just start pushing and get this whole damn thing over with?"
"Soon, Olivia." Dr. Samuels looked over at Elliot, "You're not going to pass out on us, are you?"
"What? No. I've done this before."
"Pass out then?"
He looked at his children sheepishly, "All three times, twice with the twins."
"Not now though?"
"He better not fucking pass out on me, I need a hand to squeeze!" Olivia called through her latest contraction.
Dr. Samuels went back to her side, "They're at one per minute now, get ready to start pushing."
11:09
"Push again, Olivia!"
"I'm pushing! I'm pushing! Don't rush me!" She yelled at the Doctor as she pushed, then she fell back against the hospital bed. Not long after she was pushing yet again.
"How…long…does this…take?!?"
"Just a few more pushes! You're almost done. NOW PUSH!"
Olivia leaned forward grabbing her knees and pushed as hard as she could.
"I see the head! Keep pushing!"
"I CAN'T!"
"You have to!"
She pushed again and Dr. Samuels summoned Elliot over to stand next to her, Kathleen took his spot and let Olivia squeeze her hand.
"One last push, Olivia!" Dr. Samuels called. Olivia pushed once again, straining to push harder than before, when the wails of a newborn could be heard she fell back against the bed, at the same time she heard a thud.
"He fainted!" Dickey called out rushing over to his father. He promptly slapped him.
Elliot jolted forward, "What the f--"
"Hey! Language, dad. You fainted."
"Shit." She said as he stood up cradling his head.
"Are you alright, no concussion?" Dickey asked.
"No…the baby?"
"Is fine," the doctor answered for him, she looked at Olivia and then back at Elliot, "You two are the parents of a beautiful little boy."
"I knew it!" Elliot exclaimed happily.
Dr. Samuels smiled, "Dad, would you like to cut the cord?"
Since he had before with both Dickey and Elizabeth he nodded and the he cut the cord, afterwards the doctor handed the baby over to the nurse to be cleaned. Elliot went back to Olivia's side.
"You fainted! I told you no fainting!" Olivia said exhausted, not even bothering to open her eyes and look at him.
"Sorry."
She opened her eyes and looked at him with a smile, "So, you got your wish."
"I would've been happy with a girl."
"But you wanted another boy."
"Yeah, I did."
The nurse had finished cleaning him off and had wrapped him in blue blankets then handed him to Olivia. She looked down at the still crying child with a goofy smile. "He's perfect," she said as she counted his fingers and toes. "All 10 fingers, all 10 toes. He's beautiful. Look, Elliot, he's ours."
Elliot kissed her on the head and looked down at the now calm baby. "He stopped crying."
"Yeah."
"What are we going to name him?"
"How about…Nathaniel William. That way we have one of my choices and one of your choices."
"Nathaniel William Stabler. I like it."
After a few minutes the nurse took Nathaniel away to the newborn unit, much to Olivia's protest. The nurse promised that after both she and the baby had gotten some sleep she would bring him back. Olivia, being extremely tired, finally gave in. Everybody came in to see her (Alex and Maureen had come right after being called; Fin, Munch, and Cragen had arrived about an hour prior) and then went to the nursery to see Nathaniel they left (Maureen bringing the three kids home to sleep some). Elliot and Olivia were alone.
"Come lay with me." Olivia said scooting over in her bed, making room for him.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, it'll help me sleep."
He carefully climbed into the bed next to her and wrapped his arms around her, keeping her close.
"Do I really have to get fixed?"
She laughed, "Not sure yet. I might want another."
"Really?"
"Yeah. You want another?"
"Of course."
She looked up at him with a smile, "Sorry I kept snapping at you."
"You had your reasons, I understand."
"I can't believe you fainted."
"Hey! It's my tradition. Don't knock it."
"Sorry, I didn't know."
He kissed her lightly on the lips, "You should get some rest."
"You too, we've been up since three. Oh, hey, by the way. What did they put down for time of birth?"
"11:14 am."
"Alright, I'll sleep now." She moved in his embrace and buried her face in his chest. A few minutes later her faint breathing told him she was asleep, not long after that he too fell asleep.
--0--0--0--0--0--
3:26pm
Elliot woke to the sound of snoring. He looked over at Olivia who was conked-out and chuckled to himself. He'd never known her to snore before, but, he imagined she was extremely tired, so the situation was way different. He kissed her gently on the cheek and very carefully climbed out of the bed. Being careful to walk quiet so to not wake Olivia he exited the room and made his way to the nursery. It didn't take him long to find Nathaniel, he was close to the glass so he could read the name on the plastic bed. He was sleeping peacefully.
Another man stood near Elliot, staring in awe at a crib that contained a blonde baby girl.
"Your first?" Elliot asked the man who looked up at him with a smile.
"Yeah. What about you?"
"Oh, no, I've got 4 others. But, first with his mother."
"They're so tiny."
"They don't stay that way for long."
"She scares the hell out of me, she looks so fragile, like the smallest thing can break her. I can't believe I'm a father."
"What's her name?"
"Christina Nicole. What about yours?"
"Nathaniel William."
The man smiled, "That's a good name."
"So is hers."
"When was he born?"
"11:14."
"Mine was 10:26, his mother woke me up at 3:04 this morning yelling her head off about her water being broke. I almost left the house with no pants on."
"Don't feel bad buddy, pants was the only thing I had on when I tried to leave. My fiancée, Nathaniel's mother, was a whole hell of a lot calmer than I was. And, this was her first child, I've gone through this 3 times before."
"I thought you had 4 others?"
"Twins."
"Oh. That would scare the shit out of me, just one is scary enough."
"Yeah. It's surprising though, how quick the instincts come to you. You'll do fine, it'll all seem natural, like you've done it your whole life."
The man nodded and went back to staring at the little girl, Elliot did the same with Nathaniel. Not long after he and the other man stopped talking a nurse came in and took Nathaniel out of his crib, Elliot took this as meaning Olivia was awake. He went off to room 215. When he got in he found his suspicions were correct, she was awake.
"Hey, when did you wake up?"
"As soon as you got out of the bed."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"No, it's alright. I wanted to see Nathan, anyway."
The nurse came in a handed Nathan over to Olivia, who immediately began to rock him from side to side, humming some nameless tune. Elliot looked on awestruck, as the man had been looking at his little girl not longer prior, she seemed to take the role of mother instantly. Not that that should have struck him as awe worthy, it was motherly instinct. Kathy had been the same way when Maureen was born.
She looked over at him and smiled when she found he was staring, "You want to hold him?"
He nodded and Olivia very carefully handed the small bundle over to him. Elliot cradled him gently in his arms and hummed the same nameless tune. Nathan woke and stared up at Elliot also awestruck, he opened his mouth but didn't cry. Elliot took Nathan's tiny hand and let it wrap around his finger, holding on for dear life. He smiled down at the tiny stubby fingers, and kissed Nathan's forehead. He brushed his dark reddish-brown that matched Olivia's with his fingers and stared into the deep blue of his eyes. "Hi, Nathaniel." He said in a small voice, "I'm your daddy."
--0--0--0--0--0--
3 months later:
Here comes the bride began to play and Olivia's stomach turning. God, she was nervous! She looked over at Cragen wide-eyed and he smiled at her. They began to walk down the isle. Once she was in the room her eyes locked with Elliot's and the people in the pews beside her disappeared. It was as if only Elliot and her were in the small church. They reached the end of the isle and Cragen let go of her and handed her over to Elliot, who's eyes she was still lost in.
"Who gives this woman away?" The priest asked.
"We do." Munch, Fin, and Cragen said at the same time, causing Olivia to smile.
The wedding proceeded and it was time for the two to say their vows. Olivia went first. She took his hand into hers and interlocked their fingers. Their hands fit together perfectly. "I didn't expect this day would ever come, and the last person I expected to be standing in front of me was you, although you're the only man I've ever truly loved. In all truths, I thought I'd never marry, that I would always be alone, loving you in secret. But, then everything changed. You weren't married anymore, and we started getting closer. That first day, when you came over after we went to the grocery store, was one of the best days of my life. I finally had my chance to be happy…and it was with you! I was so thrown…and I still am. It's been almost a year since that day, and I still have to remind myself that I'm not dreaming, that this is really happening." She looked up into his eyes and got lost in the beautiful blue of them yet again, "And, it never ceases to amaze me how I can still get lost in your eyes, or the fact that it still sends chills down my spine when you touch me, or how my heart stops whenever we kiss, I never thought that it was possible to love somebody as much as I love you. You're perfect for me in every way, I love the way that your eyes always have a way of showing your emotions, how they brighten when you're happy, or darken when you're mad, or the way that no matter how mad at you I get, all it takes is one look from you and I melt. You've given me everything that I've ever wanted, somebody to love, somebody who loves me, the most beautiful baby boy that I've ever seen, and so much more. I thank God everyday for sending you to me, you've been the greatest blessing in my life. I love you, Elliot Stabler. More than anything in this world." She placed a hand on his cheek and kissed him softly.
He smiled and inhaled deeply, "Standing here in front of you was the last thing I expected I'd ever do, too. I've loved you for the longest time, since before I should have, I just kept it well hidden. I had to. Then, I was single again, I could finally love you. It took me a little while to get my nerve, but when I did, it was more than I could have ever imagined. I'd never felt the way I felt for you before, words can't begin to describe it. If there is such a thing as a soul mate, I've found mine in you. We're perfect together. To me you're perfect, everything about you, your smile, your laughter, your voice, your eyes, your character, all the little things that make you, you. It always amazes me how you can look beautiful no matter what, if it's after a long days work and you haven't slept in over two days, or when you get caught in the rain, after you come back from a run in the park, when you're wearing simple clothes like sweats and one of my t-shirts, when you're wearing nothing at all, even when you wake up early in the morning and your hair is sticking up every which way. You're always gorgeous. Or how insanely jealous I get whenever a man looks at you in the wrong way. I love all the little things about you, the fact that on nights when you're extremely tired, you talk in your sleep, how you always have to sleep on the right side of the bed, or how you babble when you're nervous, the way you laugh, how your smile can brighten the darkest room, or the fact that I can look into your eyes and know exactly what you're thinking about. All in all, Olivia, I love you, always." He wiped away the tears in her eyes with his thumb and kissed her.
"Repeat after me," the priest said to Elliot. "I, Elliot Stabler."
"I, Elliot Stabler."
"Take this woman to me my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, through sickness and in health, for better or worse, till death do us part, as long as we both shall live."
Elliot repeated.
"Do you have the rings?"
Elliot nodded and took the rings out of his pocket.
The priest instructed him to place the ring on her finger and repeat after him.
"With this ring, I thee wed." Elliot repeated.
Then, it was Olivia's turn. The priest told her to repeat after him, and she did so. "I, Olivia Benson, take this man to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, through sickness and in health, for better or worse, till death do us part, as long as we both shall live." Then she took the ring from Elliot's hand and placed it on his finger, "with this ring, I thee wed."
"I now pronounce you, husband and wife." He looked at Elliot, "You may kiss your bride."
Elliot smiled and pulled Olivia in to a deep kiss, they held the embrace for a bit longer than they should have and when they broke apart they looked around sheepishly.
"It is with honor that I present to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Stabler."
Then they walked, hand in hand, down the isle as their guest threw rice. When they reached the end of the church they shared another kiss before getting into the limo.
Once inside Olivia slapped Elliot playfully on the arm, "I can't believe that you said that I look beautiful when I'm not wearing any clothes in front of all of those people!"
"What? It's true!"
"Elliot Stabler I'm going to…"
"What?"
She leaned in close, "Kiss you." She said before their lips connected. When they broke apart Elliot was grinning.
"What?"
"Well, Mrs. Stabler, I was just picturing us in Hawaii, on a beach, you in a bikini."
"Well, Mr. Stabler, I think I like that picture."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah." She smiled kissing him again, deeper this time.
"What did I say about starting things that you can't finish?" He said when they broke apart.
"Who says I can't finish it? We've got hours before the reception."
Elliot wriggled his eyebrows, "you still want that other baby?"
"Yes, and you know, they say half the fun is getting there."
"Do they?"
"They do."
"Well, then, we need to prove them wrong. I believe all the fun is getting there."
"Really, cause once you're there, it's no walk in the park."
Elliot smiled and pulled her towards him, "I love you, Mrs. Stabler."
"I love you, too. Mr. Stabler."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Prove it."
She smiled and kissed him passionately.
When they finally broke for air Elliot was grinning from ear to ear. "That 'bout does it."
Olivia raised an eyebrow and with one hand rolled the tinted window between the driver and them up.
"I like the way you think."
They got to their reception a little bit late.
--0--0--0--0--0--
2 years later
After 9 hours of labor and a hell of a lot of pushing Olivia gave birth to a 6 pound 3 ounce baby girl named Samantha Lynne. She unlike her brother had her mothers dark brown eyes, but like her brother had her mothers reddish-brown hair.
Elliot had, of course, passed out as Olivia was giving her last push, and fortunately didn't get a concussion that time either. Maureen, Dickey, Lizzie, and Nathan had been there for Sam's birth, but Kathleen was away in Washington D.C. where she was attending college at Georgetown University. She promised that she would come down as soon as she could.
Not too long after that Maureen announced to the family that she was getting married to her boyfriend, Jake, and that they were expecting a child. Elliot fainted then as well.
2 months after giving birth to Sam, Olivia was shot in the line of duty, the bullet was a through and through, went straight through her shoulder. She was hospitalized for a few days, but made a complete recovery and was back at work a month later.
Alex married 4 months after Olivia returned to work, to Daniel, the guy that Olivia had set her up with. They had a child a year after they married.
Steve and Kathy divorced a year after Olivia and Elliot married, and Kathy tried to get Elliot back, failing miserably. She eventually moved out of the state and back into her parents house.
And, Elliot and Olivia lived. Not happily ever after or any form of storybook ending. They just lived. Happily, yes. But, there was nothing perfect about their life together. But, they were in love, and apart from that, nothing else mattered.
THE END!
--0--0--0--0--0--
a/n: Sorry if the end sucks! It's 3:12 is the freaking morning, and I'm tired out of my mind! But, it's finished! I finished it, granted this chapter is over 4,000 words (that's the equivalent of about 3 of my regular chapters) it only took me a few hours to write, and It's late, I'm tired, if it sucks I blame it on the lack of coffee! So, anyway, let me know how it is, if you liked the ending, or if it was way to sappy for you. Whatever you think, tell me. I wanna know.