A/N: Writers block on Game, but working through it! Make sure you check out my other stories: Booty Call & the Holiday Series :)
And again, to the anonymous reviewer and whoever else feels so inclined- I've chosen the kid's names based on my future kid's names that I've had picked for years. Nothing malicious or intentional about it- no one has time for that!
Enjoy and review- they make me happy.
Their case that kick started right before the holidays took off the minute they got back to work.
Liv had stationed herself in her in their command post at SVU with Jet and Ayanna while Fin, El, Amanda, and Velasco were out working the streets.
"This is literally just the start," Ayanna mused, sitting back after staring at her computer for an hour straight.
"That's what El was telling me," Liv sighed, absentmindedly putting a hand on her belly.
Jet looked between the two women, lingering at Ayanna and communicating silently for a moment.
Raising a brow, Liv questioned the interaction. "Yes?"
Taking a deep breath, Ayanna sat forward. "We need a UC…" she said slowly and Liv nodded. "Sure, Velasco has done it before, sure he'd be thrilled."
Groaning, Jet, who'd become close with the couple, spoke up in her famous, rushed monotone. "They want Stabler to go undercover since he's experienced and the age demo they're looking for."
Liv's mouth opened slightly, before closing. Blood rushed up her neck to her face, and her chest tightened.
"We haven't asked him yet," Ayanna said carefully. "Not officially I mean," she said in a hushed tone.
She was unable to speak, for fear of if she did, she'd most certainly say something she'd regret.
"I…" Bell was nervous now and she straightened in her seat. "We talked about it… me and the Chief, prior to knowing," she nodded at her belly.
Liv's mind was reeling.
Prior to knowing??
He has three young kids at home.
One who already lost his mother!!
How could they possibly think he was a good idea.
"He mentioned he had experience…" Bell started but she was cut off by Liv's harsh snap.
"And?? Did he tell you he was shot in the back and left for dead during that experience??" Her voice was full of venom and anxiety and she shook her head. "Excuse me," she rushed, before Bell could speak again, and walked to her office slamming the door.
"Fail," Jet mumbled, getting up to follow her.
Not bothering to knock, the younger woman opened the door and poked her head in. "He was in the room when they talked about it. Mentioned his stints from SVU but said he wanted to talk to you first. Just wanted you to have the full story before you rip his head off," she finished with an awkward wave before shutting the door again.
She lifted her phone in preparation to send him a text, but it lit up with Dickie's picture before she had the chance.
"Hi baby," she said breathlessly, prepared to go into an explanation of how now wasnt a good time.
Cutting her off before she was able to, he rushed out, in a panicked tone, "Uh Sarah's in labor we're on the way to the hospital and uh I don't know if she's gonna m-make it there."
"Okay, okay, okay… calm down honey. How far are you?" She asked, standing and quickly gathering her things.
"T-ten minutes and her contractions are like 2 minutes apart," he said as she heard Sarah begin to work through one on the background.
"Okay… just drive there I'll call the hospital okay? Sarah you're gonna be okay baby," she said, bursting out of her office to be met with a nervous looking Fin and Elliot.
Brushing past them, she continued, a woman on a mission. "Okay I'll meet you there I love you guys," she said, hanging up and quickly dialing the hospital.
Stopping short where the squad room met the elevators, she spoke again. "Hi this is Captain Olivia Benson Stabler from Manhattan SVU. My son is on the way with his pregnant fiancé. Contractions are two minutes apart and they're about 8 minutes out now. I need someone to meet them at the front with a stretcher and a kit, I think she's gonna have this baby in the car. Okay. Yes. Thank you," she said, hanging up quickly and looking up at Elliot.
"You going to hide in my squad room all day cause you got caught or you gonna come with me?" She asked in a tone that wasn't meant to be trifled with before storming to the elevator.
"Fuck," he mumbled looking back at his Lieu. "I got to go," he said, grabbing his freshly discarded coat and sprinting after her, just making the elevator.
"I'm coming with you," he said, adjusting his jacket and scarf and she looked up at him with tear filled eyes.
Placing a hand on her lower back and one on her cheek, he nodded. "I know. I know you're mad. But please give me the chance to explain tonight before you kill me. After that," he held his hand up in mock surrender, "whatever you need to do to me, do it."
She nodded, her bottom lip quivering. He leaned down and caught it between his own softly. "I love you," he whispered and she nodded. "I love you too… even when you make me want to murder you."
He chuckled as the doors opened and they walked out together, strides matching like they'd done it 1,000 times before- because they had.
"You've been wanting to murder me for 25 years and I'm still here so," he shrugged, "I'm a fan of my odds."
Smacking his stomach, they rushed to the car and then to the hospital.
Dickie pulled up, jumping out of his Jeep and sprinting to the passengers side.
"Captain's son?" A female doctor shouted to him as her team rushed out.
"Y-yea Dickie Stabler," he said, opening the door to allow them access to his screaming finance.
El and Liv pulled in behind him just as they loaded her out.
Dick looked panicked and the old partners jumped into action like it was still 2005. Liv rushed out of the car and held her hand out of his keys, which he tossed.
"Dickie, go baby, we'll be up as soon as possible," she said, rushing to the drivers side of his Jeep and leading the way to the garage ahead of El.
They parked and basically ran into the maternity ward where Sarah's parents were standing and arguing with the nurse to be let in.
"Captain Stabler my son is in there this is his fiancé's parents," she said, flashing her badge and the nurse nodded, reluctantly letting them through.
"Thank you," her mom breathed out. "Of course, go, go" she said, ushering her inside the delivery room just in time.
They all breathed a sigh of relief when they heard a baby's cry, hugging each other.
A nurse popped her head out after a bit and smiled, "grandparents, you can come in."
The men walked forward, but Liv hung back. El looked at her, confused, and she took a breath. "I don't want to overstep," she whispered to him.
From in side, Dickie saw the hesitation at and just outside the doorway, and made his way over, popping out next to his dad.
"Ma," he said, catching everyone off guard, "come meet your grand baby," he whispered, holding his hand out to her.
Her head cocked to the side as she tried to stop the tears that were threatening to flow, and nodded, grasping his hand and following him in.
El trailed behind them, stopping just behind her and resting his hands on her hips.
"Oh… she's beautiful," Liv whispered, her tears finally falling as she leaned back into Elliot.
Dickie was stood beside her still, and smiled small, looking at his girls.
She sensed the sadness behind his smile and gently gripped his arm. "She looks like your momma," she whispered and Sarah smiled through tears. "I said the same thing…"
"What's her name," came El's gruff and emotion-filled voice from behind her.
"Still working on it," Dickie smiled, "but close."
"Do you guys have a bag," she asked and he shook his head laughed. "I forgot it.. happened to fast."
El chuckled. "How about we run home and get you some stuff."
Dickie smiled and nodded. "Sounds great dad.. thank you. I'll owe you when Ted comes," he winked and El chuckled, shaking his head.
The walked hand in hand out of the hospital to gather their items. Walking to the passenger side of their car, El held it shut, trapping her between him and the vehicle.
"Hi, Cap," he whispered against her lips and she smiled small, knowing he was now using the name they'd decided on for her for the grandkids.
"Hi, Papa," she said back gently, still frustrated with him.
As if he read her mind, he kissed her lips softly. "I know you're still upset… but can we let it go just for a moment and talk about how we just became grandparents."
Her lips curled into a smile and he looked up at him. "That was pretty cool…" she paused and went to speak again but stopped short.
Cupping her cheek, he addressed her unspoken fear. "Kathy is there with him. Dickie loves you… he called you 'Ma'. No one is mad about Teddy…" his hand went to her belly. "You're so loved in this family, I wish you wouldn't ever doubt that."
The flood gates opened again and tears began spilling down her cheeks. "I can't lose you… I can't lose you, Elliot."
"What? What baby you're not going to?" he said, concerned.
"If you go undercover I might cause you're always so fucking stupid and reckless and I just got you back I can't lose you again," she sobbed, falling into his chest.
His heart broke and he wrapped her into a tight hug. "Baby…. Baby I…" he sighed softly. "I won't do it…"
"N-no… I don't want to h-hold you back or make you choose, we promised we'd never do that to one another," she said into his chest, shivering slightly in the cold January air.
"Get in the car let me turn the heat on," he whispered and she nodded.
She got in, and after he leaned over to start the car and blast the heat, he stopped to rest his head on hers. "You're not. You're helping me make the best decision for our family. And that's me being here to meet Ted and being a Papa to our new little grand baby, and make sure our boys don't drive you and Emma insane," he said, the end causing her to laugh through some fallen tears.
"I love you… I'm sorry I got so upset… fuck I need to apologize to Bell," she whispered, covering her face.
"Hey, hey… stop… she understands baby… I should have told you sooner that it was in the cards," he whispered.
"You should have," she whispered and they both chuckled.
"C'mon, let's get their stuff," he said, kissing her and walking to the drivers side.
She smiled when they got a text in their family chat.
D: Look who made a surprise and quick entrance this morning :)
L: Oh my god she's perfect and the best thing you've ever done I'm leaving work immediately
M: Dickie!!! She's beautiful!!!
K: Wowowowow I love her. How's Sarah??
S: Well I almost gave birth in the car, but thanks to Dickie and Cap, baby girl made her grand entrance in a hospital room.
O: We got to meet her. She's so perfect! Papa and I are heading to pick up a few things for them. Can someone grab the kids from school?
L: Can I check Emma out early
K: Liz you can't check one out early and not the others????
L: Omg they have soccer clinic today anyways and they're boys they don't care. Emma and I? We care.
D: Thankful Liv is having a boy. You don't need another girl to corrupt.
L: I'm going to corrupt yours.
D: Yes exactly.
L: So??? Papa??? Cap??? Can I get Emma early???
Liv looked up at El as she read the messages. He laughed. "Yeah babe that's fine- special occasion."
O: Daddy said yes, but you get to explain to your brothers.
E: Woahhhhh woah woah. On behalf of me and Noah 1. Rude and 2. Screw soccer we want to meet our niece!
L: Ugh forgot you were in this chat
M: Liz it's the family chat
L: Sometimes I think he's still 10. I'm coming to get all three of you
K: Lmao wait till they approve of this
L: Nope. Pulling my big sis card. See you in an hour, Dickwad- xoxo
M: So does she have a name?
S: She does, but not sharing till the whole fam is here.
K: Parents- If either of you get called in this afternoon youre disowned.
O: I will try my hardest!
Inevitably, Liv got called in for a new rape case in addition to their joint one they were working with OC.
O: Guys I'm so sorry. Dickie, Sarah- I'll text when I'm leaving work and if you guys are up I'll swing by. But please tell them the name! Xoxoxo
S: We understand! If I'm asleep Dick will let you in :) Love you
D: Love you Liv!
Eli: Be safe mom see you at home
E: She will be. She's on desk duty. Lol
O: Ignoring you. Love you baby- thank you!
Liv set her phone down with an unhappy sigh and started handling the case. It was a few hours later that Liz texted in the girl's chat.
L: 11/10 best name ever.
K: 100%
M: Still crying.
O: Dont tell me!
L: Dickie's super in his emotions today so if you can make it after work he'll appreciate that a lot
O: Trying to leave by 6!!
K: Don't make her feel bad Elizabeth
L: Omg I'm nooot just sharing how Dickie has a heart today!!!
M: Liv will they ever stop bickering?
O: Hahaha. Definitely not.
Dickie was waiting in the lobby of the hospital when she arrived around 6:30.
"Hi Ma," he smiled, pulling her in for a hug before putting a hand on her belly. "Hi bro," he said and she laughed.
"Soaking up every minute of dad life?" She asked him as they walked slowly up to their room.
"It's an insane feeling. Every fear that dad had when we were growing up… it all makes sense. You just… it's like you hear people talk about the love they have for their kids right? But until you look at this little thing that you made and is all yours… you'd move mountains and cross oceans to spend just 1 minute with them," he said, voice cracking.
She smiled proudly at him, squeezing his shoulder. "It's the most intense feeling; you can describe it... but until you experience it you'll never really understand."
He nodded and they walked quietly into the room where Sarah slept peacefully and deeply. Bee-lining for the bassinet, he scooped up the baby girl and they sat in the chairs on the opposite side of the room.
Passing her over, he smiled, his voice once again shakey. "Liv… meet your granddaughter. Anna-Kate Margaret Stabler."
Her head shot up and fell to the side; she pursed her lips and her eyes instantly welled up. "Dickie," she breathed out.
"Named for three of the most important women in her life. Anna, in honor of Sarah's mom Anne. Kate, obviously for mom," he paused, "couldn't do Kathleen cause we can't give our Kathleen too much," he teased and she laughed softly.
"And Margaret, for her badass Captain of a grandma. She's so, so lucky to have you, Liv. We all are."
"I can't explain how much this means to me," she whispered through her tears as she rocked her granddaughter gently.
He snapped a few photos of them and then set his phone down, leaving the pair in silence for a bit.
Looking up at the new father, she gave a watery smile and opened her mouth to praise him, but he cut her off. "Can I go first," he whispered and she chuckled, nodding.
"I… I was an asshole. And maybe sometimes I'm still an asshole. But… the last like 8 hours of being a dad have been the most eye opening of my life. And it's made me realize how, when we were little, you were the glue that held our family together. We'd have never seen dad If you didn't force him to take a break and be there, or work holidays so he didn't have to… or shit even buy us presents," he said and they both laughed softly.
"And…" he continued, "it's made me realize the extent of that secret I kept."
"Dick…" she began and he cut her off.
"Please," he begged and she nodded, allowing him to continue.
"It made me realize that… I would probably fucking murder anyone who kept me from my daughter," he whispered, his tears now falling hard and fast, "and I'm… Livia I'm so fucking sorry for that… and I'm so thankful that you have the kindest heart and Emma has that same kind heart cause… I don't think I could forgive me… in fact I don't think I ever will."
She got up slowly, and gently placed Anna-Kate back in her bassinet before returning to where they sat and wrapping her son in a tight hug.
"You've always been a son to me… and nothing you could ever say will change that. I tell Eli that all the time," she laughed softly. "I love you Dick. And I'm so thankful for you. And that everything turned out the way it's supposed. I have no resentments against you or your mom. I promise, son."
Allowing him to sob into her shoulder, she swayed with him slightly until he calmed down. "Thank you," he managed.
"Proud of you son… you're going to be an amazing father," she beamed and he nodded, laughing softly when the hours old baby whimpered from her bassinet.
"And so it begins," she laughed softly, standing up and holding her belly.
"Hey you're not far behind," he teased and she smiled.
"Theodore Richard," he said with a happy sigh, "sure you don't wanna call him Dickie??"
Tossing her head back and laughing she shook her head. "I can barely handle one of you," she teased and smiled. "Call us tomorrow and send more pictures tonight. Love you honey," she smiled, hugging him again before heading home.
"Thank god you're home oh my god dad can't do math to save his fricken life," Eli groaned from the kitchen table.
"And I need help on my spelling words," Noah called from the couch where he was studying flash cards.
"Mom I need you to help me pick an outfit for class pictures tomorrow," Emma sang from her bedroom.
El came out of the kitchen drying a dish. "You guys are making me look bad!"
Liv just laughed. "You become a grandpa and forget how to function?" She chided, walking over to peck his lips.
"Apparently!" He said, putting a hand on her back and pulling her close. "Love our little Anna-Kate Margaret?" He asked and she beamed.
"She's incredible," was all she could say before her voice caught in her throat.
El pressed a sweet kiss to her lips. "Dickie and I had a great conversation, too," she smiled small and he wiped her tears with the pad of his thumb.
Emma came out from her room in a dress she'd clearly already tried on from the looks on her brothers faces. "Guys should I go with this one??"
Slumping in his seat, Noah groaned. "Emma we already said you look gorgeous in everythiiiing."
"Dad would hurt you if you didn't it doesn't count. I'm calling Liz," she said, trudging back to her room with a dramatic huff.
Liv chuckled and made her plate, sitting next to Eli to help him with his homework.
After a while, Emma came out in the very first dress she picked out. "I'm gonna do this one," she said decisively.
"I liked that one best I told you!"
"Literally the first one you tried on!"
Her brothers cried in unison and she giggled. "Mommy, daddy? Yes?"
"You are gorgeous baby," Liv beamed and El nodded. "Stunning just like your momma."
She ran over and hugged El's waist tightly. "Maaaybe I can wear some make up tomorrow, daddy??" She asked, batting her lashes at him.
Liv looked up at him and Eli buried his face in his book, stifling his laughter.
El was frozen and Noah's head popped up from the couch, watching the scene unfold.
After several moments of silence, he slowly let out a breath. "S-sure baby that's fine…" he said, shocking the room. Emma jumped up and down, thanking him and running to call Lizzie back.
Liv smiled up at him, standing and kissing him slowly. "I love you," she said simply.
"Even after the day we've had and coming home to this mess?" He asked with a sheepish smile.
Kissing him again, she smiled. "Especially after the day we've had and coming home to this mess."