August

Dickie's wedding and the family trip to the beach launched the family into an overall quiet summer.

Kathleen and Beau had indeed eloped when they got back to the city, but ended up not inviting anyone but their shared secretary at their firm to witness.

The change of plans stemmed from Kathleen's change in mental state. The pregnancy had begun to take a greater toll than she anticipated, and for the sake of both her and Beau's sanity, they decided to keep the event to themselves for the time being, sharing the news only with a delighted Bernie.

Kathleen, now ready to burst with the newest granddaughter, had continued working as normal in order to keep her mind busy occupied.

39 weeks, however, was beginning to take a toll on the soon-to-be mother, almost as much as 35 weeks was taking a toll on her mother.

She and Liv had gotten even closer during the previous several months, leaning on one another for support and bonding over their shared disgust of the summer heat.

While the pregnant pair fought to remain positive as their emotions ebbed and flowed, the rest of the crew remained steady.

Mo and Carl were over the moon for their baby girl, now just 6 months old, and had begun discussing hormone therapy for baby number two.

Dickie and Sarah had jumped head first into married life and were enjoying an extended honeymoon phase with their growing daughters.

Liz and Peter were talking, seriously talking, about the future, and unbeknownst to her, Peter had already purchased a ring that he planned to give her during annual Christmas ice skating.

Sam and Eli were in their usual place, avoiding the fact that he'd be leaving for college after the first of the year and, instead, choosing to focus on their almost 10 month old twins who they swore grew overnight.

Emma had been on again, off again with Jake since Dickie's wedding and had been encouraged by her big sisters to just focus on being almost 14… that time for all that would come later. So she tried to focus more on dance- a reprieve from her brothers and the overwhelming hormones of teenage and pre-teens boys that came with soccer.

El and Liv had finally convinced the big kids to stop taking for Teddy, and slowly but surely the 18 month old was adding words to his vocabulary.

Noah had been good- going to therapy religiously and being more open with both his parents and his siblings when he started feeling bad or sad.

They were proud of their boy, but noticed a change in him as the school year and baby Finley's due date approached.

Thankfully, his therapist had caught on even before they had and had already implemented a plan.

"You're quiet today, Noah," Dr. Kolby said carefully.

"Yeah," he shrugged, placing a word on the scrabble board.. "Guess so."

"Can we play a different game?" Kolby asked, sitting back in his arm chair.

"Yeah," Noah shrugged, standing and preparing to moving to the board game section.

"Actually," Kolby said, motioning for him sit. "It's word association."

Noah raised a brow, intrigued, and sat back down. "Okay…"

"It's easy… when I saw a word, you tell me the first word that comes to your mind. So if I say… ice cream!"

"Delicious!" Noah grinned. "Or dad. Cause me and daddy always get ice cream after therapy."

Kolby laughed. "See… you're way smarter than that I ever remember. You try?"

Noah though a minute and then nodded. "Yankees."

"Gross!" Kolby exclaimed and Noah cracked up. "Go Mets."

"Smart man. Teddy?"

"Snuggles. Scrabble?"

"My grandpa. Soccer?"

"Eli! Uhhh… school?"

"Boring," Kolby smiled and Noah laughed, pointing dramatically to all of his degrees on the wall.

"What!"

"School is boring, but learning is fun. There's a difference."

"Huh," Noah shrugged.

"Dance?"

"Freeing. Cars?"

"Thunderbird. New school?"

"Nerve-wracking. Home?"

"My wife. Your mom?"

"Home," Noah smiled. "Dad too."

"And your dad?"

"Safety."

"Emma?"

"My best friend."

"Finely."

Noah hesitated and looked down. "Terrified."

"Why?" Kolby asked, leaning forward.

"Cause what happens if it takes away my home and my safety and my best friend?" He asked in a small voice.

"Can I ask you something?"

"You're gonna anyways," Noah cracked with a small smile.

Kolby chuckled. "What if it doesn't?"

"What do you mean?" He asked, looking up with furrowed brows.

"I mean," he said with a small shrug. "What if it makes your mom take more steps to being home more? What if it makes you and your sister closer and… I mean I think it will make your dad a little more protective," he winked and Noah chuckled.

"Yeah… yeah maybe…"

"You're allowed to be fearful," he reminded him.

"I know but…"

"Not buts… you're allowed."

Noah sighed and sat back in his seat, exhaling his breath in a huge whoosh to force tears away.

"Maybe you're right," he said finally.

"Well… I can say that your mom is actually at home on voluntary bedrest... 'least most of the week," he chuckled. "Which is a step."

"It's insane," Noah said, cracking a smile. "She's going crazy."

"I know she is. But see… things change!"

"Change is scary…"

"It is… you've got another big change about to happen at the end of the year. Do you wanna talk about that?"

"Do I wanna talk about my big brother going to New Jersey for college and then when he comes home he'll only have time for the twins? Definitely not," he groaned. "Topic for a different day."

"Understood," Kolby laughed. "I think we talked enough today.. yeah?"

"Yeah," Noah nodded quickly. "I'm ready for my ice cream!!"

"Same time next week?" Kolby winked, sticking out his hand for a fist bump.

"Same time next week," he affirmed, heading out to meet his dad in the lobby.

"Hey buddy," he said, pulling him in for a hug. "All good?"

"Yup!" Noah nodded, keeping his arm around his waist as they walked outside. "Ice cream?"

"On a day as hot as today? Yes!"

Noah laughed and nodded. "Should probably get mom and Em some."

"That's a good idea, kiddo."

"Any word from Beau?" He asked anxiously.

"Nope. Baby is still in with no signs of coming out."

"Sheeeeeesh. Why won't they tell us her name," he groaned.

"I think Grandma knows it…"

"What!" He gasped, looking up at him.

"Yeah," El laughed. "She's hinted at it a few times."

"I'm gonna need to work on that," Noah sighed and nodded.

"Nosyyyy," he teased, nudging him.

"I just don't know why everything has to be a secret," he said, hanging on the word "everything."

"There's two secrets… your nieces name and Finley's gender. Both are only secrets for a few more weeks… you've made it this far!"

"Barely," Noah said, grasping his dad's hand absentmindedly and making the older man smile to himself.

"Hey," El started, giving his hand a squeeze, and Noah smiled small, keeping his eyes ahead of him.

"Yeah, yeah…. Boy or girl, you and mom still love me, I know."

Elliot laughed. "Well… that and also, you're a great brother, Noah."

"Can I sit in the front?" He asked when they got to the SUV, changing the subject when he was uncomfortable just like his mother had taught him.

"Sure buddy," El chuckled, opening the door for him.

The pair got several ice creams, making their way into the house and bracing themselves to be greeted by the littlest man.

Teddy came sprinting towards the door the moment he heard the key in the lock, tossing himself at his big brother's legs the minute he saw him.

"Hiiiii NoNo," he said, his tiny voice muffled by Noah's leg.

He laughed and passed a grateful Emma her ice cream before scooping the little one up.

"Hi buddy. Did you have a good afternoon?" He asked, kissing his cheek.

Teddy nodded and reached out for Noah's ice cream, causing the older boy to laugh and give him a bite.

"Mmmmmm," he hummed, wiggling from side to side in his brothers arms. "Hi dada!" He finally said, lookin back behind them.

Elliot laughed and kissed his cheek. "Oh hi, son!"

"No No, dada."

"I know buddy," he laughed, rubbing his back and making his way to hug Emma. "You have fun with your Emma today?"

"Uh huh! Memma an Dake an Mama."

"He's in the bathroom," Emma clarified with a laugh, moving to hug her daddy.

"I trust ya," he smiled, giving her a squeeze. "Hi baby. You have a good afternoon?"

"Yeah," she smiled. "We played cars basically the whole time. Jake brought him a new one, actually."

Teddy let his body go limp so he could slide out of Noah's arms and sprint to find his brand-new police car.

"Dada!" He called, running back and holding it up just seconds later.

"Wooooow," El smiled, dropping to his level as Jacob came out of the bathroom. "That's awesome!"

"Uh huh!" He smiled, leaning into his chest. "Dada cawh."

El chuckled and rocked with his boy. "It is a dada car. Mama's car too, buddy."

"Ya dada," he nodded, snuggling into him.

"Can you play a little longer while I go check on mommy?" He asked, brushing his hair back.

Ted frowned dramatically and shook his head. "Dada."

"Okay," El laughed, standing up with him in his arms and waving to Jake. "Hey buddy."

"Hi," he laughed, putting his hands on his hips and looking at Teddy. "You're leaving me?!"

Teddy burst into giggles and reached for Jake, leaving Elliot free to see his wife in peace after discreetly thanking the young man.

"Hi," Liv whined when her husband walked in.

"Hi," he laughed, sitting beside her and marveling at her glowing figure.

She was in a silky, tank top and shorts pajama set with her hair tossed up in a messy bun. Her glasses were perched on the top of her nose and her skin was golden from the time they'd spent at the beach over the summer.

Her laptop was precariously balanced on her belly and her lips were pouted.

"Don't even suggest it," she sighed.

"I'm not suggesting anything. I'm just glad you're home and taking care of yourself."

"Uh huh," she chuckled. "How was therapy?"

"He went in alone… ok I think. Seemed in good spirits."

"Worried about him," she sighed, "especially with Fin coming soon."

"He's gonna be okay," El promised, moving her laptop and placing his hand protectively over her belly. "He's gonna see her for the first time and just be absolutely okay."

"I hope you're right," she smiled small, covering his hand with her's. "Any day for Katie now," she added.

"Beau said she's just as miserable as you," he teased, making her laugh.

"I mean that part is.. both fun and odd. That we've gotten to experience pregnancy together so close, ya know?"

"It's awesome… you and Katie always had a special bond."

"I love her," she said, her eyes welling up immediately and making him laugh.

"Don't laugh at me," she whined softly, tears now running down her face.

"I'm sorry baby," he chuckled, leaning down to kiss her softly and wipe her tears. "You're just so damn cute and emotional."

"Sh," she scolded playfully, leaning into his hand.

"What all did you do today?" He asked, caressing her cheek with his hand very gently.

"Worked, went for a little walk with Teddy and Emma, came back and napped with Teddy," she chuckled, "then worked some more."

"Sounds productive," he smiled encouragingly. "What's the plan for tonight?"

"I'm actually going to have a night with my boys," she smiled small. "Liz, Emma, Sarah, and Joey are gonna have a little girl time with Kate so Eli and EJ are gonna come up here and hang with us."

El's eyes lit up. "Does Noah know?"

"No," she chuckled. "He's been avoiding him, Eli said. I mean… not really but you know."

"Oh I know… distancing himself. More and more into dance which, hey… if he's happy?"

"That's what I said. He keeps bringing up making the basement a studio. Emma is fully on board, by the way."

"Well," El said with a small sigh. "As happy as I am that she's distancing herself from Jake," he said in a hushed tone, "I'm worried about how hard she's going on the dancing. I don't love that new teacher."

"We all are, hence dance sister time tonight," Liv winked, laughing at realization etched itself all over her husbands face. "Almost five girls and you still take so long to catch on."

"I guess I haven't in almost 40 years so I guess I never will," he chuckled, leaning down to kiss her belly. "You're in for it, babe."

He flattened his face to her belly when their baby started kicking at the sound of his voice.

"She loves her daddy's voice," Liv said softly with a smile, running a hand over his bald head.

"You love daddy now, but wait till you're a teenager," he chuckled, pressing several kisses to her belly.

"Poor thing," Liv joked. "Daddy… four big brothers."

"She'll never leave the house, and I'm okay with that I think."

"You think??" She exclaimed, laughing.

"Shhhh," he smiled, finally sitting up. "What do you want for dinner?"

She gave him a shy look, chewing gently on her lip and making him grin.

"Let me guess…." He said, over exaggeratedly thinking.

"It's not me, it's Finley!" She said, sitting up and playfully smacking him a few times as he tried to maintain composure.

"It's not me, it's Finney, and Finney wants a piece of slightly burned pepperoni pizza from the Antonio's and a side Greek salad!" He said in his best whiney Liv voice.

"Shut up!" She said, laughing harder as he easily overpowered her and laid her back against her pillows with her arms raised above her head.

He laughed at the cute pout that formed and the way her breathing picked up as he held himself up over her.

"Pepperoni pizza, slightly burned, and a side Greek salad it is for my girls," he whispered, his voice low and gravely as they baby kicked between them.

"Say thank you daddy," she husked, guiding one of their still joined hands to her belly and looking up at him with just her eyes.

"Didn't hear that, sweetheart," he said, glancing from her belly and then back to her face.

"Please daddy," Liv said for her, lifting her head to capture his lips.

"Twist my arm," he muttered, breaking his lips from her's when they heard their front door open and the two baby boys squeak at one another.

"Better open that door, Papa, I can hear him crawling this way," Liv laughed, slowly swinging her legs over the edge of the bed and accepting his help standing.

EJ's enthusiastic giggle was punctuated by each quick "step" he took on his hands and knees, and was followed closely by Teddy's quick footsteps and unintelligible babbles behind him.

There was a brief silence before banging on their bedroom door joined a renewed chorus of laughter and "mamas" and "dadas."

Liv had quickly slipped on a robe that matched her pajamas before nodding to Elliot to open the door.

Ted bounced in, running to Liv, followed by EJ who crawled right to Elliot and pulled himself upright using his Papa's legs.

"Well hello there," El laughed, scooping up his son's tiny clone.

His hair had grown in the months since the wedding, and was now wildly curly like his dad's had been at his age. It was a stark contrast from Teddy's ever-changing-with-the-sun dirty blonde to brown, poker straight hair.

Noah came running in next, jumping on the bed after helping Teddy up.

"Mom you didn't tell me that Eli was coming up tonight!"

"Well if you talked to me you'd know!" His big brother exclaimed, leaning against the door frame with Emma.

"I've been busy," Noah tried and Eli rolled his eyes and laughed. "Busy. You're 11!"

"11 and a half!" He corrected with a smile.

The pair maintained intense and serious eye contact for a moment before Noah broke with a smile and motioned for Eli to join him.

"Momma lay back down," Noah instructed, and Liv laughed.

"All I've been doing is laying down."

"Well keep at it," Emma said, brow raised and arms crossed. "Go on," she said, ushering her feet up on the bed as she laughed.

"You just want me distracted so you can go off and hang with your sisters."

"Never," Emma winked with a smile, kissing her cheek.

"Whatever, I'll always take mom time," Eli shrugged, laying back with his head on her shoulder and Noah cuddled between them.

"Mama's boooys," she teased, smiling when Teddy hugged her arm. "Memma."

"He's a Memma's boy," El chuckled, passing a reaching EJ to his wife. "Go see Cap while I walk Emma next door and pick up dinner."

"Daddy," she groaned. "It's two feet."

"More like 10… humor me?"

She sighed, but smiled ever so slightly anyways and leaned into him. "Fine…"

"What's for dinner?" Noah asked.

"Let me guess… pizza from Antonio's and a Greek salad?" Eli finished.

"Slightly burned pizza," Noah corrected and Emma laughed.

"You two…" Liv said nudging them. "Pick a movie while I stretch my legs a minute."

"Yes boss," Eli nodded, pulling a giggling Teddy and EJ into his arms while Liv stood slowly and waddled behind Elliot and Emma out the door.

"Oh shoot let me get my bag," Emma nodded, scurrying back upstairs while El and Liv stood at the door.

"Anything else while I'm gone?" He asked, stepping forward and taking hold of her waist.

"A quickie," she laughed softly, and he smiled, leaning down to kiss her.

"Tonight, after a nice bath?"

"Sounds amazing," she sighed. "I have to go in tomorrow."

"Don't remind me," he sighed.

"I'll be good," she promised.

"Till you aren't," he deadpanned, and she chuckled, stepping back as Emma came back down.

"Bye mom, bye Fin," she said, kissing her belly and then heading down the steps ahead of her dad.

"Bye mom, bye Fin," El echoed with a laugh before following their daughter.