Give Me a Name--Part 2
A/N: Okay the votes are counted (there weren't that many butI was eager to write this)and the winner is…
The waiting room was crowded, Munch, Fin, Cragen, Casey, and even George sat on the uncomfortable plastic chairs and waited. Elliot's kids had been informed but seeing as how it was just past midnight and they all had school the next day, they weren't able to come. Every now and then someone would get up to pace the small area or to retrieve the next round of coffee for the group, but it was mostly a game of waiting.
"She's been in there for," Munch stopped to check his watch, "almost three hours. How long does this take?"
"All depends," George said, "Labor can take anywhere from half an hour to days on end. But by that time they usually administer some drugs to help the process along."
"Thanks Doc," Fin mumbled. Everyone was dead tired, but no one was willing to leave. "Man why'd she have to go into labor this later at night. Couldn't she wait till morning or something?"
"I'm sure she had a choice in the matter," Casey sighed. She was due in court at 10 a.m. but there was no way in hell she was leaving this hospital before she saw her 'niece' or 'nephew'. "Who wants coffee?" she asked rising from her chair.
"Casey, wait," Cragen said standing up.
Casey stopped but noticed he wasn't looking at her but rather over her shoulder. Spinning around Casey saw Elliot standing at the end of the hall in baby blue scrubs. Moving like a single being, the group stood and walked towards him.
"How is she?"
"How's the baby?"
"What's the baby?"
The questions all came simultaneously, causing Elliot to laugh. "Everyone's fine, there's ten fingers and ten toes, a head full of hair, and two beautiful blue eyes."
"Well?" Munch asked. "What is it?"
"It's a baby," Elliot laughed. He was enjoying keeping them all in suspense.
"Cut the crap Elliot," Casey laughed. "Boy or girl?"
"Why don't you see for yourself? Straight down the hall last door on your right."
Without another word Casey side-stepped Elliot and made her way down the hall, leaving the rest of the group with Elliot. She stopped outside Olivia's hospital room and peered through the small window in the door.
Olivia sat in the bed, her hair tucked behind her ears, a huge smile on her tired face. In her arms lay a tiny bundle of blankets, cradled lovingly against her chest. Olivia looked up and waved her friend in. Casey pushed the door open softly and came to the side of the bed.
"Hannah Riley Stabler meet your aunt Casey," Olivia said tucking aside the blanket to reveal a tiny pink face and two shining blue eyes.
"Oh Olivia," Casey whispered, "she's absolutely perfect. Can I hold her?"
"Sure."
Casey took the small bundle from her and slowly lowered herself into a nearby chair. She stared into those eyes and what she saw was completely breath taking: pure innocence. This child was the epitome of perfection, uncorrupted by society and untouched by the cruelty of mankind. Casey simply stared into her eyes as she felt a tear slide down her cheek.
"Case?" Olivia asked. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Casey used her right hand to push away the tear, "she's just so beautiful." She took the newborn's hand into hers marveling at the tiny fingers. Hannah's eye opened wide before a yawn wracked her tiny body and she drifted into a deep slumber.
The group finally entered then with Cragen, Munch, Fin, and Huang crowding around Casey to admire the sweet treasure that was napping in her arms. Elliot found his way to Olivia's bed.
"How you feeling?" he asked placing a light kiss on her forehead.
"Like taking in a rousing game of tennis," she answered sarcastically; Elliot smiled. "That was one of the worst pains I've ever experienced."
"Oh come on it couldn't have been that bad," Fin said once he had finally pried himself away from his 'niece'.
"I would much rather be shot than go through that again," Olivia asked before turning to Elliot. "How about next time we opt for C-section?"
"Next time?" Elliot asked with raised eyebrows.
"Guess we'll just have to wait and see," she said smiling.
Cragen came over and gave Olivia a gentle hug. "She's absolutely beautiful Olivia," he said.
"Thank you."
"So how does it feel to be a grandfather?" Munch asked patting Cragen's back.
"I'll let you know when I have more than 4 hours of sleep in me," he said with a smile.
"You guys should head home," Elliot said. "We'll stop by the house before we head home."
"Sounds good to me," Munch said. He gave his final goodbye to little Hannah and left with Fin and Cragen.
"Casey?" Olivia called once everyone else had left. "Shouldn't you be going?"
"Yeah, aren't you in court tomorrow morning?" Elliot added.
"Yeah I do," Casey admitted, "but I just can't give her back. Can I take her home with me?"
Olivia laughed feeling the tugging pain in the lower half of her body. "Let's see if that offer still stands when she's up every two hours screaming."
"Oh it will," Casey said rising from the chair. She handed the bundle back to Olivia carefully placing a gentle kiss on the baby's forehead. "I'll see you guys tomorrow," she said before exiting the room leaving only Elliot and Olivia and their sleeping baby.
Well there you go. I'll probly be adding another chapter as an epilogue, look for it soon!