A/N: Sorry for the delay! Enjoy this update! :)
El greeted his girls and the crew took a booth in the back.
Everyone was visibly nervous when their dad came back with beers and double shots for his daughters.
"You don't have to hear this," Dickie said to his sisters and they nodded quickly.
"We do. And so does dad." Mo said and Dickie downed his shot before sitting back.
"Where do I start?" He asked, more to himself.
"The beginning, dumbass," Liz said.
2011:
"Fuck" Kathy said angrily as a college aged Dickie came into the kitchen of their Queen's home.
"Mom you okay?" He asked. Her face was tear streaked and she shook her head. "That fucking bitch Olivia. Won't just leave us alone!" She said, holding up Elliot's phone he'd forgotten when he went to get moving supplies that had at least 50 unread messages and missed calls from his old partner.
"What? I thought you loved Olivia? She's always been so good to us. Why is dad ignoring her?" He asked innocently and genuinely confused.
"Your father slept with her, basically dated her when we were divorced. I'm sure that didn't stop."
Dickie raised a brow. "I mean we kinda figured that… but dad is loyal and loves you, mom… he wouldn't cheat on you?"
She shook her head. "I just want her gone," she said, taking out her own phone and quickly typing a text to Olivia's number.
"Mom…Mom you're angry you should wait…" he tried gently but she snapped at him. "No. I'm not waiting. I need this chapter of my life to be over- who's son are you anyways? Mine or hers?"
He gulped and watched her text the woman who'd become a second mom to him over the past 12 years.
K: Olivia. Stop texting my husband. It's over. He's done with you. He's retired and moving on with his life and his FAMILY. Something you'll never be and never have. Whatever you had wasn't real. I'm his wife and I won. He'll always choose me, so let him go. Enough is enough.
"Momma that's kinda harsh…" he trailed off as she hit send.
"Do not tell your father about this. Understood?"
"Y-yes maam…"
El's head was in his hands and the girls were in shock.
"She… never expressed anything but love for Liv to us…" Mo said softly and Dickie nodded. "I dealt with the brunt of the hate. It relaxed until mom came to visit me one year alone. She was out walking and saw Liv with two kids- one that looked exactly like Lizzie…" he trailed off when his twin cut him off.
"You and mom both knew about Emma?!" She practically yelled and Dickie nodded slowly, tears filling his eyes.
Mo, who never got mad was now steaming. "That's fucked up, Dick," she said loudly, standing and marching off to the bar. El got up to follow her.
They returned a few minutes later, El having calmed Mo down, and everyone took another shot of the bottle he'd now purchased.
"I'm not proud of any of this. I've struggled with this for a long time. And because of that, our baby brother has taken the brunt of my shit and our baby sister didn't have her dad for so long," he shook his head.
"What else is there," Katie asked cautiously and Dickie told them about Liv and Kathy's hospital conversation and the letter Kath made her dad write for Liv.
"Why did she even come home… for Liv's ceremony?" Lizzie asked softly and Dickie shrugged.
"She was so jealous and angry. She resented Eli and hated Liv. And when she wasn't fucking strangers to get back at dad, she was aloof to poor Eli," he paused to take another shot. "The shit with Liv was so old and dad didn't know about Emma... I think she needed something new to be mad at. But her anger caught up with her here, clearly. And none of you ever saw it except for me," he said, slumping back in his seat.
El's face had fallen and the girls were in tears. "Liv didn't want you guys to know. She didn't want you to think less of mom. But Eli knows all of this… and maybe I shouldn't have told him but… he was home and saw first hand how she was. And it breaks my fucking heart cause he loves Liv so much and feels like he never even knew mom. And after coming to terms with all of this myself? Fuck, I don't blame him."
Everyone was silent for a while before Lizzie cleared her throat and spoke. "She shouldn't have put that burden on you, Dickie. That wasn't right," he whispered, reaching to hold his hand in a rare moment of kindness to her twin.
"Agreed," Mo and Katie said together.
El's head was in his hands, his heart broken for his children, especially Eli and Dickie.
"Daddy," Mo whispered, taking his hand. "You didn't know…"
"I should have," he sat back and looked at them. "I failed all of you. And now I have this new family and I can't blame you when you get upset, Dickie. You shouldn't have had to go through that."
"Dad she would have done it whether you were there or not… she was so unhappy and took it out of Liv and Emma and you," he sighed.
"And it's not your new family, daddy," Lizzie said with a frown. "Liv has always been family. We missed her so much when you guys were gone and… the kids are beautiful additions to that. We love them so, so much."
He nodded through his tears and Mo spoke next. "I'm really heart broken for Eli right now…
We're his big sisters we should have known and seen the signs and helped."
"Yeah daddy it's our job to protect him I… I'm so sorry," Katie stuttered our and he shook his head.
"Eli is… he's okay. He's so close with Liv now- it's incredible to watch their relationship; their friendship... He's filled that roll and is dealing with it as best as he can, but you guys haven't. And no one expects you to. I just… I know this changes everything. I didn't even know about half of this…"
"Liv never told you?" Katie asked, shocked and El shook his head. "She didn't want to influence me in anyway about your mom and felt it had to come from you guys…"
Mo started sobbing then and El rushed to hug her tightly. "I j-just l-love her so m-m-much," she whispered into his chest.
"We don't deserve her," Katie said thoughtfully and the twins nodded in tandem.
"She's an angel on this earth and I love her so much. I'm in love with her. Every fucking day I look at her and I can't believe she gave me another chance. But like I told Dickie earlier… I still love your mom. There's no hate or resentment. Because at the end of the day she gave me five amazing kids."
They all nodded and Dickie looked across to his dad. "You're really awesome. And you've been awesome our whole lives and I'm sorry I didn't see it as much as I should have when we were little."
The girls nodded in agreement and Mo poured them all more shots. "Carl said he'd get us," she said, tossing her's back as her siblings and dad laughed.
"What's gotten into you, sis," Dickie chuckled and she sighed. "Just letting lose I guess," she lied poorly and her sisters glanced at her.
It was 1am when they decided they should stop drinking.
"I wanna hangout with Liv," Mo slurred to her dad and the girls nodded, getting overly excited.
"That sounds like so much fun! Is she still awake?!" Lizzie exclaimed with a giggle.
"Yeah she's been sexting dad all night," Dickie, who now had the giggles said.
"So pregnancy hormones are real???" Katie said nodding. "Go to know…"
"Well we're gonna hang with Liv tonight so dad you're gonna have to wait until tomorrow," Lizzie sang causing everyone to laugh harder and El to grow impossibly more red.
"Wait wait wait wait wait daddy make sure it's okay with Liv! Call her. No, imma call her," she said taking her phone out and FaceTiming her.
Liv answered with a smile and they all cheered. "Liiiiv!" Mo said and she laughed.
"Hi baby… you guys have fun tonight?"
"So much fun but can we sleepover? We miss youuuuu."
She laughed harder. "Yes of course! All of you? The littles are still awake so we can kick them out onto the couch."
"Yes of course wait! We should have a girl talk sleepover," Lizzie yelled excitedly and the girls perked up even more.
"Oh yeah you guys have a huge king! We can cuddle and daddy can sleep on the floor," Katie cackled and El laughed.
"Whatever you guys wanna do!" She smiled.
"I know your hormones are off the charts but maybe you and dad just do a quickie while we eat pizza," Lizzie said in a problem solving tone of voice that caused Liv to laugh harder.
"That's a good idea!" Mo said enthusiastically.
"You're so smart," Katie whined, leaning against her sister.
"Okay okay okay, you guys are done," El laughed taking the phone. Dickie was in stitches beside him. "We'll see you in a bit baby, I love you," he grinned, trying to act sober.
"I love you more, baby. You guys too!" She called, "see you soon."
Liv shot him a quick text when they hung up.
O: Wouldn't mind a bathroom quickie. They're too drunk to remember any of this tomorrow hahaha.
E: I can't promise you that my cocks gonna work with the amount of Tequila I've had, but I'll eat that perfect pussy any day of the week.
O: Hmmm baby…
Carl walked in and waved to them, and Mo got up racing to her husband and hugging him tightly.
He laughed and looked up at her siblings and dad who he realized were just as wasted and happily waving to him.
"We're gonna have a sleep over at mom and dads!" She exclaimed and Carl smiled, pressing his lips to hers. "Whatever you want honey. You have fun tonight? Take your mind off stuff."
She nodded and quickly blinked her tears away. "I'm gonna tell mom tonight I think," she whispered into his chest and he gave her a squeeze. "You should… what's with the mom though?"
"I don't know I'm drunk and I love Liv," she giggled and he laughed, escorting them all out to his SUV.
When they walked in, they collapsed gently into a group hug against their step mom, all talking over each other about some variation of how much they adore her.
The littles, Eli and Sam came out of his room where they'd been playing video games and the older siblings raced towards them, hugging and kissing them.
"Look at my cute baby brother!" Mo said, squishing Noah's face and causing him to giggle.
"My mini me is still awake," Lizzie sang, rocking back and forth with Emma.
Dickie pulled Eli into a tight hug, not letting go, and Katie hugged Sam, murmuring something about how her brother better marry her one day.
El approached Liv and gently pulled her to their room. His eyes were watering and the big kids knew the gravity of everything that was Kathy had just hit him and he needed a minute alone with his wife.
He was crying in her arms as soon as the door shut, apologizing and holding her face and begging for forgiveness.
"Elliot… honey…" she cooed gently easing his head to look up to hers. "Baby… it's okay…. It's over and I have you and our 8 beautiful kids. Elliot, it's all ive ever dreamed of or wanted. A life with you. And we had to go over some hurdles and deal with some hurt. But we're together. I'm having your baby at 53. This is everything," she said, pressing soft kisses to his lips and wiping his eyes.
"I don't know what I did to deserve you but fuck, I'm so thankful," he whispered, cupping her cheeks. "I just want to show you how much I fucking love you but I'm so drunk," he whispered and she laughed, smiling up at him.
"How about we send the kids with a sibling tomorrow and take a day for us?" She suggested and he nodded quickly, dropping his voice low.
"I just wanna make love to you all day… use my tongue and my fingers to make you shake and moan," he whispered and she whimpered into his chest. "I want you to squirt all fucking over me," he muttered, slipping his hand down her pants to swipe at her clit.
"El… the kids," she breathed out.
"They'll be fine," he said, looking down at her as her face contorted and her breathing became heavy.
Her head fell against his chest and she gasped softly as he swirled her clit in slow, long motions. "I wanna take you from behind in the kitchen," he whispered, increasing his speed. "Fuck you until I have to carry you back to bed… and then do it all over again."
Eyes falling to his hand that was down her pants, she let out a quiet moan as she clenched and came undone quickly.
"So worked up today," he whispered into her ear as she came down from her high, nipping at her neck.
"Drunk dirty talk El is my favorite," she whispered and he gave her a soft kiss. "You're my favorite."
"Tonight was okay with the kids?"
He nodded. "Hard, but needed. They love you so much."
She smiled small and nuzzled his neck. "My heart hurts for them…"
"I think Mo is taking it hardest… I know her and she feels like she should have know. And something else is going on, but I just don't know what…" he sighed.
Rubbing his arms gently, she pulled back to make eye contact with him. "I'll talk to her. And I think we should bring all this up in therapy too."
"You're so smart," he whispered and she laughed. "Cmon baby," she said, leading him out of the room.
When they came back out, the kids were eating pizza and Liv looked at the boys. "So we need to see your tats, guys," she smiled, sitting beside Mo who leaned into her.
She shot Carl a concerned look and he stealthily shot her a text as the guys showed photos of the their fresh and still covered artwork.
"So I got everyone's initials here," El pointed, "and mine and mom's badge numbers here," he touched his heart and she smiled up at him, kissing him gently.
"And I got my girls names here, and then this," he showed the picture of the back of his arm to his siblings who all looked slightly confused before Noah grinned. "Wait is that us!" He said, jumping up and hugging Dickie.
He laughed and squeezed him. "Yeah man… maybe when you're older one day we can get matching."
"Dude that's so awesome!" Eli grinned and Emma sighed happily, leaning into Lizzie who was playing with her hair.
"So girls sleepover in mom's room?" Emma said with a grin and the girls nodding, yawning and saying goodnight to the boys.
Liv lingered a bit, holding Dickie close. "You okay?" She asked softly and he nodded, giving her a squeeze. "Love you, Ma."
"Love you, baby," she smiled, pulling back and walking to her room.
Sammi sat back nervously and Liv stopped, looking at her. "Hey… You coming?"
Eli gave her an encouraging smile and she nodded, following the girls who were all already snuggled up in bed.
Carl sat back and Noah snuggled into Dickie. El looked at his son in law, "what's going on," he asked with a small frown.
"We've been trying to get pregnant but… no luck," he frowned and Dickie's face fell. "Oh shit I'm sorry man," he frowned and Carl shrugged. "All good. We're gonna start looking into IVF- she's gonna talk to Liv tonight finally. She's just been sad."
"My poor girl," El frowned and Carl nodded. "It's been hard… she's taking it hard. But, Ted coming and doing the nursery has helped her a lot so…"
"IVF is expensive," El said softly. "Let us know if we can help… please."
Carl nodded. "Thank you El, that means a lot."
They were interrupted by Noah's soft snoring against Dickie who squeezed his eyes shut. "I fucking love him."
The girls chatted until they fell asleep one by one. Mo was fighting sleep and Liv looked over at her.
"Baby, do you wanna go into Emma's room and chat and we can sleep in there?"
She nodded quickly and they made their way down the hall, stopping to smile at the boys who were all passed out on the couch.
Curling up in Emma's bed, they got comfy and faced one another. "Talk to me," Liv asked softly, gently rubbing Mo's arm.
The younger woman burst Into quiet sobs, and Liv sat up and pulled her into her lap as best she could. "Sh sh… Mo... It's okay baby… talk to me."
"I can't get pregnant… I don't know what's wrong with me," she sobbed softly and Liv rubbed her back gently.
"Oh baby… I'm so so sorry…"
"W-we are gonna try IVF but I feel like a failure… I've had two miscarriages and…" she stopped, sniffling and Liv played with her hair soothingly.
"Why didn't you tell me baby," she whispered and Mo shrugged. "I don't know… I didn't wanna bother you…"
Liv shook her head. "You're never a bother… ever. You're my daughter and I would do anything for you… I'm so sorry you're dealing with this baby… and you're absolutely not a failure," she said firmly.
Her sentiments made Mo cry a little harder and, through sobs, she shook her head. "W-we don't deserve y-you…."
"You deserve all the good that's in this world," she said simply, "and IVF is expensive so if you need help, you tell me and daddy and we'll give you anything we can."
"Thank y-you," she choked out. "I love you Liv and I'm so thankful for you," she whispered.
"I love you baby… always, always. And you can always come to me and your daddy about anything. You know that right?"
She nodded quickly and her eyes closed as Liv gently rocked her to sleep.
The girls were woken by baby Anna Kate cooing between them as Dickie sat on the edge of the bed with flowers.
"Morning," he smiled at them and they both grinned.
"Morning babies," Liv said with a yawn, sitting up slowly. Mo lifted her niece and snuggled her close. "Oh there's auntie's baby," she cooed, rocking the little one close.
"You both doing okay this morning?" Liv asked looking between them. "I know last night was hard."
Dickie nodded. "I woke up snuggling my baby brother and then went to pick up my fiancé and baby girl. I'm really good, ma." He smiled small holding her hand.
She looked to her oldest girl. "You're okay?" She asked and Mo nodded. "I'll get there... thank you for being there for me," she whispered, leaning into her.
"Always, my girl," she whispered as Dickie smiled at them.
"Sar and I are gonna take the kids today so that you and Dad can have some alone time," Dickie said with a small smile and Liv grinned.
"Thank you baby... that'll be so great."
He nodded. "Now c'mon, dad made breakfast," he said as they made their way to the kitchen.
They all said their good mornings and Liv sat hugging her baby girl who gave Lizzie a wink.
"Liv, we gotta plan the nursery," she smiled and Liv nodded. "I know," she half laughed.
"How about we take a look and see all what you want?" Kathleen suggested and Liv nodded, standing slowly and rubbing her belly.
The girls made their way to the would be nursery, and nodded for Liv to go in. She raised a brow and opened the door before gasping as tears formed in her eyes.
"Oh my... guys..." she said breathlessly, turning to look at them.
They were beaming and rushed to hug her as her emotions took over.
"This is incredible... thank you... thank you so much," she cried softly, looking back at the finished room.
"You're so loved baby boy," she whispered to her belly. "So loved."