A/N: This is a long one. Next, tattoos, Kathy tales, and smut. Woot.
"Sarah!" Emma gasped when Lucy walked in with the three kids.
"Hi baby!" She smiled, going to hug her tightly.
"Where's my niece," Noah said, after dumping his bag in his room and spotting Liv in the kitchen with her.
She laughed and handed her down to him, smiling as he rocked her gently and made his way to the couch.
"Yeah I think he's gonna be a good big bro," Eli smiled over at his mom and Emma agreed. "Ditto."
The older two went to their rooms to set their bags down and start some homework, and after a while, Eli knocked on Emma's door.
"Come in," she called from her desk and he came in plopping on her bed.
Turning, she laughed at her brother. "Yesss?"
"I have to ask momma and dad but would it be cool if Sammi stayed on an air mattress in here tonight? Her parents are fighting again and normally I'd say she could take my bed but I got that big all state tryout tomorrow."
"Duh," she smiled. "You okay today?"
He nodded. "Yeah kinda. Dickie said he was excited to see me and hang tonight so maybe he and I can talk more."
"Good," she said. "I think you should talk to them about her staying here a bunch. Cause I think you still need your alone time," she sighed and he laughed. "You know you're 12 right."
"12 going on 20, like dad says," she giggled.
The pair headed out to the living room as Dickie and El came in.
"There's my favorite baby sister," he said, picking her up and spinning her.
She grinned hugging him tightly and kissing his cheek. "I missed you! I feel like I haven't see you in forever," she said with a smile as he plopped her down.
"I know, it's been like a week which is too long," he said, pulling Eli by his outstretched arm that was waiting on a fist bump in for a hug instead.
"How are you, brother?" He asked into his ear and Eli nodded. "I'm alright," he smiled small. Dick nodded and pulled back, smiling as he watched his dad with Emma, Noah, and his his daughter on the couch.
"Noah don't be a baby hog," Emma teased and he grinned. "I just got her, I'll share in a few."
El laughed and kissed his head. "I can't wait for Teddy to get here. You're gonna be the best big bro," he said proudly as he wrapped an arm around his boy.
Dickie took a seat on the couch next to his youngest brother after giving Sarah a sweet kiss and Eli made his way to the kitchen to his mom.
He leaned against the counter, looking over at her. "Momma, can Sam stay here tonight? Her parents are fighting again. Emma said she could sleep on the air mattress in her room cause I need a goodnight sleep cause my tryout."
"Yeah baby sure… I think we should talk too about how much she'll be staying here."
"Emma said same thing…" he sighed.
"She knows she's 12 right," she chuckled and Eli nodded and she came and stood beside him. "Listen… I love Sam I just don't want you guys to get worn out with each other. You're young…"
"I know Momma," he nodded, leaning his head on her shoulder as they watched El and Noah play. "Do you think he knows how good of a dad he is?"
Liv nodded. "His ego is massive, of course," she teased. "Easier with Luce getting you guys today?"
"Much… thank you for that."
She nudged him. "I'm your mom I'm supposed to make your life easier. Not need to thank me ever."
"How's the little guy today?" He asked, putting a hand on her belly and smiling when he felt his baby brother kick.
"Insane, but so good. Definitely enjoyed resting today."
"I'm glad you did it," El said, coming into the kitchen with a smile and pressing a soft kiss to her lips.
"Me too… I guess my thorns aren't all that bad," she winked and he laughed.
The family sat for dinner and Dickie told them his news with a massive grin. "That's amazing son… I'm so proud of you!"
"Andddd… since it's hybrid, I'll be home 2 days a week so I thought we could take Teddy on those days."
Everyone looked up at him. "Really?"
He laughed. "Guys I'm a big softy now. But yes I think I would be good to bond with my baby brother and I want him and my daughter to be close growing up."
El had tears in his eyes and Emma giggled. "Daddy is a bigger softy I think," she teased and Liv laughed, grasping his hand.
"That's just really sweet guys… Mom and I will have to talk about it but yeah… that's amazing," he squeezed her hand with a smile.
"I'm perfectly fine with it," she smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek.
They finished eating, cleaned up, and the boys went out on the balcony to chat.
"Think mom would let me get tattoos with you guys?" Eli asked, in part to break the tension.
El laughed. "No- but I also won't."
He smiled small and Dickie put a hand on his shoulder. "I know you love her… and you've got a heart of gold for it… but I'm worried about you man. This is your time to live and focus on you- not take care of someone else…"
Eli sighed and nodded. "I just… I feel bad I don't want her to get hurt…"
"I know… and none of us want that. Just remember to take care of you please?"
He nodded and gave his brother a hug before looking at his dad. "Pops can you give us a minute?" He asked and El nodded, trying to hide his sadness.
"Sure guys," he said, heading in and sitting beside Emma on the couch.
"Uh oh… daddy got kicked out," Liv teased, looking at him from across the couch.
"Noah don't you wanna go hang with your brothers," he asked his youngest hopefully, knowing he'd immediately share what they talked about.
"Nah dad I'm good," he said, looking down at his sleeping niece in his arms.
"Daddy we may never get to cuddle Teddy when he comes- Noah is gonna be more obsessed than he is with Anna Kate," she said dramatically and El laughed softly, wrapping his arms around his daughter and listening the convo the girls were having as he watched his boys.
"I'm having a hard time… with…" Eli sighed, "I just need you to listen. Promise?"
"I promise buddy…" Dickie said, his concern growing.
"I'm having a hard time dealing with what Kathy did to Momma," he said cautiously.
Dickie sucked in a big breath and clenched his fist that was on the railing. He felt anger bubbling in him and tried to suppress that and the sadness he felt from his little brother calling their mom by her first name.
Letting out the breath he was holding, he released his fist and nodded slowly. "Like…"
El flinched when he saw his younger son whip his head to the older. "Like? Seriously man? You know exactly what she did. More than anyone else."
Dickie took another deep breath and held a hand up, "you're right... relax, I'm sorry…" he trailed off to let the younger continue.
"I… she didn't tell dad about Emma. She was mean to her in the hospital. She wrote that stupid letter. What else is there?" Eli asked, still ready to square up at him.
From inside, Liv gave her husband who was getting ready to stand firm shake of her head, causing him to sink back in the couch.
"It doesn't matter… she's gone and you have Liv," he started and was cut off.
"It does matter to me. I'm really struggling with this. I feel like I didn't even know her. I feel more connected to Liv than I ever did to her. So I need you to tell me everything. Please Dick," he was practically begging and Dick put a hand on his arm.
"Okay. Okay buddy... relax please?" He asked him softly, trying desperately to be the big brother he deserved and leading him to the set of the chairs.
El watched his boys settle in a tense but calm conversation, eventually coming inside when it was time to take Anna Kate home for bed.
"You guys okay?" He asked his boys and they nodded, seemingly too relaxed.
"Yeah pop we're fine," Eli said, nudging his brother who nodded.
They said goodbyes and love you's, and Dickie whispered to his dad as he hugged him. "Can we get drinks Friday night?"
"Yeah son of course… tats too?" He asked hopefully, desperate to bond with his oldest boy before his youngest arrived.
"Yeah that would be really great," he smiled giving him a squeeze.
Liv was getting the kids ready for bed and checking homework while El finished cleaning up. Emma came out in her pajamas that matched her mommas, and wrapped his arms tightly around him.
"Daddy you okay?" She asked softly and he nodded. "Yeah… yeah just worried about your brother is all I guess," he smiled small.
"Will you come cuddle with me?" She asked and he squinted down at her. "Thought you wanted girl time?"
She shook her head. "I do but… I want my daddy more right now," she squinted back up at him.
His heart melted and he lifted her up, carrying her into their room so they could have some alone time, and snuggling up with her. "What's on your mind Emma Bee?" He asked softly, kissing her nose.
"Just worried about everyone. Sam, Eli, you, momma, Teddy… Noah's fine," she giggled, "but just worried."
"Well… when you love someone, you worry about them. That much is normal. But you can't make yourself upset about it you know?" He said gently and she nodded.
"Yeah… I just care a lot… too much sometimes," she giggled softly.
"Like your momma," he said proudly and she cuddled into him.
They lay chatting softly as Liv moved from Noah's room to Eli's.
"What's going on," she asked Eli with a slight frown.
"Dick's telling dad everything when they get drinks and stuff on Friday…" he said nervously.
She took a deep breath and nodded, tears springing to her eyes.
"Mama no," he said softly and she shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'm okay- just emotional… I'm okay," she whispered. "It's just gonna break his heart…"
"I know but… momma he has to know… I understand you wanting us to tell him but…" he sighed and she nodded, wiping her eye and hugging him.
"Momma please don't cry," he whispered and she nodded quickly. "I'm okay, I'm okay… I love you and I'm so proud of you. You're much braver than I baby."
"No I'm not and I never have been. But I do get it from you," he smiled small and she nudged him. "Love you, boy."
"Love you mom. Go, Emma wanted girl time," he smiled and she laughed.
"Emma is already probably cuddled up with dad," she smiled and he chuckled. "Daddy's girl."
"Mmhmmmm. Come say night to us before you go to sleep," she said and he nodded.
Sam came to his room as she was leaving, and she gently grasped her arm. "You okay sweetie?"
She shrugged. "I'll get there…"
"C'mere," she smiled small, pulling her in for a hug. The young girl melted into her arms, savoring an unfamiliar mother's affection before heading into Eli's room.
Liv stoped and smiled at their bedroom door when she saw her husband and their daughter cuddled up and chatting.
"What are you two getting into," she asked with a smile, slowly crawling in beside them.
"Talking about when I was little… I was telling daddy stories," she giggled and Liv smiled.
"You're still little baby, don't forget that," she whispered, kissing her cheek. "Can I stay or you need some alone time?"
"You can stay momma," Emma smiled, taking her hand and swirling her wedding bands.
"Whatcha thinking about baby girl," she asked softly, brushing her hair back.
"Sometimes I just think about how happy I am that daddy is here, and that you're so happy… you weren't ever this happy before him. Even with Tuck Tuck," she said, and Liv smiled at El when he cringed a little at the mention of his arch enemy.
"Well, that's cause your daddy is my person. My best friend and soul mate. You'll find out one day when you meet yours," she said with a happy sigh.
"One day, many years from now," El corrected with a laugh and Emma giggled. "Actually there's a boy I like," she said in a sing songy voice. Liv burst out laughing at the expression on her husbands face.
Looking up at her dad, Emma started giggling, laughing harder when he pulled her close to him in both arms, and started shaking his head.
"No I'm sorry you can't leave. You have to stay here forever. No no no no no." He said, shaking his head as both his girl's laughed at him.
"Daddy you've been through this 3 times already," Liv laughed, "you'll be fine with our Emma Bee too."
"Nope, shes my baby girl I won't be fine," he pouted dramatically and fake cried.
Liv nudged him and he smiled sadly. "Tell me about him," he said, scooting down to be eye level with his daughter.
"Wellll…. His name is Jacob and he's in my class. And every day at lunch his mom packs him a cookie and he splits it with me," she said with a happy sigh.
"That's very sweet… he seems like a gentleman. Do Noah and Eli know him?" He asked curiously and Emma nodded. "Yeah they love him."
"Elliot," Liv said warningly with a laugh as El nodded slowly.
Emma caught on and looked up at her dad. "Daddy noooo," she giggled and El jumped up running to his youngest boys room with Emma chasing after him.
Noah looked up from his desk with a raised brow when the pair burst in with his mother waddling behind in a fit of laughter.
"Tell me about Jacob," El said, wrestling Emma who was trying to cover his mouth- both laughing.
Shaking his head, Noah held his hands up. "I always get yelled at when I spill the beans so no don't involve me - you can ask Eli," he said dramatically as Eli and Sam appeared at the door. "Ask Eli what?"
"About Jacob," Liv said with a laugh and Eli chuckled. "He's a very nice and respectful boy. He walks her and Noah out to meet me every day."
El's eyes lit up and Eli shook his head. "Dad, no."
"Come on pleaaase."
"He's 12, no!"
"Wait what," Noah asked.
"You guys want me and Dickie to pick you up from school on Friday?" He asked with a grin and Emma laughed. "Daddy you're insane."
Liv shook her head with a smile. "Okay. You guys need to finish homework please!" She nodded at Noah and Eli who grumbled and returned to their work.
Emma returned to her parents room, where they cuddled and chatted until the little girl got sleepy. The pair tucked everyone in and said goodnight, before curling up in bed together.
"What's Dickie gonna tell me on Friday night, Liv…." He whispered and she sighed.
"Stuff about Kathy. Stuff that's not my place to share…"
"Liv, we're married…." He sighed rolling on his back. "You can tell me anything."
"You're just gonna get upset, and make you feel more frustrated at the mother of your children. I don't want that."
He groaned and shook his head. "You're the mother of my children."
"Less than half of them," she sighed and jumped slightly when he whipped his head to her. "Liv seriously," he snapped a little too loudly and she frowned, blinking away the tears that rushed to her eyes.
"Don't get mad, I'm trying to protect you," she whispered and he softened immediately, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm sorry… I… I know," he sighed.
She remained quiet for a few movements. "It has to hurt… that Eli is calling his mom Kathy and me momma…. That has to hurt El."
"It doesn't," he said softly and she shook her head, pulling away. "Stop lying Elliot."
He took a deep breath. "Of course it hurts me. But it doesn't bother me that it's you he's calling momma. It bothers me that Kathy was so much a miserable person and I didn't see it. And by proxy, my son was as miserable as he was until we came home to you. He's opened up so much. And not just him, Dickie too. And the girls to an extent."
She lay quiet for several minutes, trying to control her overstimulated emotions, emphasized by the pain in her back from their growing son. Sitting up, she made and effort to stretch her back and El rubbed her arm gently. "What's it hurting," he whispered.
A tear finally escaped her eye and her voice cracked. "Everything… my back, my feet, my head… my heart," she whispered, causing his heart to break.
"Baby…." He whispered, crawling behind her and encouraging her to relax into his chest. She sniffled out several sobs and he rocked with her slowly. "Breath…. Breath okay? I'm here. Why is your heart hurting?"
"F-for you… for our daughter and son," she said referring to Emma and Eli, "and for the fact that you missed out on so much time with her and I with him…" she whispered. "Im sorry, I'm just so emotional," she half laughed. "I just… I need you to not be upset with me when Dickie tells you everything…"
"I could never… it wasn't you," he said, kissing her cheek softly. "Never."
She leaned forward slightly so he could massage her back. "I hate these pregnancy hormones," she frowned and he shook his head. "I love them. But I love you. In every way I can have you."
She nodded and he continued. "I appreciate you trying to protect my heart, but I'm a big boy… and I need to hear the hard truth from my kids so I can help you help them," he said gently to her and she nodded, sniffling slightly.
"Relax… it's all okay. Relax against me cmon," he said gently and she nodded, leaning back against his chest again as he rubbed her lower back and she moaned softly.
"That feel good babe?" He whispered and she nodded, letting out a sharp breath. "He's kicking up a storm," she said, wincing as El worked on a hard knot.
He smiled when her body eventually relaxed fully against him and she closed her eyes. His hands wrapped around her belly, resting on the underside and gently rubbing it.
"He's gonna be strong," he commented and Liv nodded. "Just like his daddy…"
"I know you probably aren't comfortable but the pressure is off my back for the first time in a week and a half like this… can we stay like this a while?" She asked hopefully and he nodded, kissing her shoulder. "Anything you need."
He readjusted slightly and she sunk back into his arms. "What tattoos are you getting," she asked softly, leaning her head to look up at him slightly.
"It's a surprise…" he said with a wiggle of his brow.
"Meaning you have no idea?" She teased and he chuckled. "Correct. More like I have a million ideas. But don't know what to do."
"You'll figure it out," she nodded, nudging his hand down towards her waist band.
"Oh yeah?" He chuckled and she nodded. "Pregnancy hormones," she whispered as he snuck a hand down to circle her clit gently.
She breathed out a soft gasp as he touched her exactly where she needed it, holding onto his free arm that rested below her belly.
Coming undone within 5 minutes of his starting, she collapsed against him, completely spent, and drifting off to sleep. "I'll take care of you tomorrow," she whispered and he kissed her cheek. "I'm not worried about it. Sleep, Liv."
Their hectic lives resume after her much needed day off, and while things with Sam calmed for the moment, Elliot's longer shifts to compensate for Liv's shorter ones were taking a toll on poor Noah.
Eli texted her around 2:30 that Thursday, an hour before school let out.
E: Anyway dad can come home early and do dinner and bedtime with Noh? I don't mind watching them if he has to go back. Noh's just super miserable. I had to eat lunch with him again today.
O: Yes absolutely. Love you.
E: Love you momma.
Liv walked to her office door and put a hand on her belly. "Elliot, can you come here?"
He got up and headed over to her. "What's up, Cap?" He asked putting a hand over her's discretely. She hated PDA at work, but he always managed to find a way.
Holding up her phone so she could read their son's message, she pouted up at him. "Please," she asked softly and he sighed, giving her a look.
"He needs his daddy," she said, squeezing his hand.
"Okay… okay fine," he nodded, "please just don't stay too late."
"Promise." She smiled, kissing him.
"PDA at work," Bell called with a laugh. "Momma really must be feeling those hormones."
She laughed and flipped her off, returning to her office to work.
El was standing outside the school when the kids walked out.
"Daddy!!!" Noah yelled, sprinting over from where Emma, Jacob, and Eli were standing.
"Hi baby boy," he said when he got to him, dropping to hug him tightly.
"I missed you dad… you're home tonight??"
"Yes I am," he smiled, kissing his head.
He stood slowly as the kids approached. Jacob was clearly nervous. "H-hi Sergeant Stabler, I'm Jacob…"
"Hi Jacob," he smiled, sticking his hand out to shake it.
Emma and Eli let out a sigh of relief and the Stabler's heads turned to the voice calling the little boys name and then 'Elliot Stabler'
"Elliot Stabler as I live and breathe!" Dani Beck said with a smile in her southern twang.
"Dani, how are you," he smiled slightly looking down at their kids and protectively wrapping his arms around the littles.
"I'm good Elliot how are you? I was wondering if the Stabler kids were yours," she said with a chuckle.
"Oh yeah, they're mine, all three," he nodded towards his oldest.
"Well my son is smitten with your daughter," she said softly to him and Jacob turned red. "Mom," he said with a sigh.
Eli chuckled. "And so how do you guys know each other."
"Uh we were partners when momma was undercover a long time ago. Before even you were born," El said.
"Woah I didn't know momma went under cover!!" Emma said, turning with a smile.
"Oh yeah. Couple times," he smiled, smoothing his girls hair.
"That's so cool, daddy, I need her to tell me about it," Emma said, excitedly texting her mom.
"Wait wait wait," he said looking down at her with a smile, "go wait in the car," he smiled nodding and the kids said their goodbyes, heading over to the car with Jacob doing the same.
"Olivia?" Dani asked with a smile and he nodded. "Love of my life, long story. You?"
She held up her ring finger and smiled. "Found love again. Have our Jacob and a 3 year old. Let's get drinks some time with the spouses? Catch up? I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot of one another."
He chuckled. "Sure. Maybe after our little one comes," he winked and she laughed. "I heard. Another baby! Congratulations."
"Thank you. Sorry I gotta get them home. Crazy cases the past few months so need some time with my baby boy."
"Still at SVU?" She asked and he shook his head.
"Organized Crime task force. But Liv is Captain over at SVU."
"Impressive," she smiled. "Maybe I'll get to meet her finally."
He laughed. "We'll plan something. Good to see you Dani."
"See you Elliot," she smiled nodding and he headed to the car where the kids were already on FaceTime with Olivia talking about Jacob's mom and how they didn't know she went undercover.
"I said hold on," he laughed sighing and grabbing Emma's phone. "Hi baby."
"Hi," she laughed. "I'll text you," she winked.
"Sounds good. I love you."
"Love you more," she smiled and they hung up.
El got the kids home and got homework started. He checked his phone and laughed at the text from his wife.
O: Thinking about that fuck from that night I caught you drunkenly kissing Dani Beck.
E: Come home mad at me and I can give it to you again.
O: I don't think you can lift me on the counter right now.
E: Try me. ;)
O: Haha. I love you. Go be with our boy.
E: Yes, Cap. Love you more.
He set his phone down and put his hand on Noah's shoulder. "C'mere, I need your help on something."
Nodding excitedly, he jumped up and followed his dad into his parents room. There was a box of his and Olivia's old memorabilia on the bed and El sat, patting the spot next to him.
Noah grinned and sat next to his dad. "I don't actually need help, I just wanna spend some time with you alone," he grinned down at him and Noah beamed, hugging him tightly.
They went through a bunch of their medals and awards and Noah ate up every story his dad told him.
"I can't believe you did all that daddy," he said in awe after he told him all about getting shot and loosing his eye sight- and then showed him the bullets for proof.
"I did. And I came out stronger than ever. So can I ask you something," he said gently.
Noah nodded and El nudged him. "Why do you get so scared and upset when you don't see me as often cause work?" He asked him softly. "You afraid I'm gonna get hurt?"
Looking down, Noah sighed. "I don't know… I just… my real dad didn't want me and then Tuck left and…" he trailed off.
El pulled him to sit in front of him, holding his face and making him giggle. "Noah… I am never. Ever. Ever leaving you. You are my son. And you may not be my blood but that means nothing. You're my baby boy, and I would do anything for you."
He blinked tears away and nodded slowly, crashing into his dads chest. "I promise buddy… I'm not going anyways, I promise. I'll always come home to you. And you can call me anytime youre sad and miss me."
"I know daddy… I'll try to not be as sad I promise," he nodded and El shook his head. "I don't want you to try and not be sad… I want, when you get sad, for you to remember how much I love you and that I will always come home to you Noah. Always."
The little boy wrapped his arms tightly around his dads neck and nodded. "Love you so much dad," he muttered into his neck and El squeezed him, tickling his sides and causing him to giggle. "I love you more baby boy."
El was reading in bed by the time she got home, and looked up at her with a smile.
"Hi momma," he said softly as she yawned and immediately started getting undressed.
"Hi daddy," she replied with a tired smile, letting out a happy moan when she took her bra off.
He watched her with a raised brow as she settled in next to him, wearing only her underwear, and casually got herself situated with her pillows and the covers up to her neck, before wrapping an arm around his waist and closing her eyes.
"Did you want a shirt," he chuckled and she shook her head against his chest. "Too tired," she muttered, already almost asleep.
"Okay, night baby, night boy," he whispered, kissing her head and turning his light out. "I love you guys."
"Love you daddy," she mumbled into his side, drifting off.
He let out a happy sigh and played with her hair before passing out himself.