A/N: Your reviews have really touched me on this, so thank you and keep them coming!
A little fluff next chapter as a break :)
Liv woke early with Teddy the following morning, curling on the couch with him to nurse.
She swore he ate for at least 3 hours in the morning, but didn't mind the alone time with her youngest before the rest of the crew woke.
Relaxing back with her coffee, she checked her phone to find a text from Eli. It was just 630 and she smiled small.
E: Can I come out and sit with you?
L: Of course baby
The door to his room opened, and he emerged all wrapped in a blanket and sat beside her.
"How you doing this morning?" She whispered and he nodded. "Feel less angry just…. Hurt."
"You're allowed… but?" She asked knowing there was more.
"I… I wanna see her today. Can you and dad take me?"
"Of course honey," she said with a nod. "Can you talk to me more about your feelings?"
He breathed out a sigh and leaned his head back. "I think it's Jack Dawson's baby," he whispered.
"Okay," she said gently, nodding for him to continue.
"Um we…she was with him hanging when we were fighting but… he's left for early admission to college," he sighed, "Big football scholarship and… I just have a feeling."
"Do you think he would want to be involved?"
"No… no I don't think so."
"Do you want to be involved?"
He looked at her with tears in his eyes and shrugged. "I… I don't know. She's been through so much and… I love her mom but… I don't… I have so much ahead of me?" He questioned more than stated, as if begging for the right answer.
"You do," she whispered.
His eyes drifted to Teddy, then back to her. He looked completely helpless, and she reached to grasp his hand.
"I think… no I know," she corrected, "that if you're meant to be with someone. If that person is your soulmate? The one God made for you? You'll find your way back."
"Like you and dad?" He said with a hint of a smile.
"Just like me and dad."
"Just don't be a dumbass and wait 23 years," came El's deep voice, laden with sleep from behind them.
Teddy pulled off his latch at the sound of his daddy's voice, looking for him and causing Liv and Eli to chuckle.
El sat on the side Teddy was nursing on and gave him a soft kiss to his head. "Finish eating. Dad's right here, buddy."
Liv gently coaxed him back to her breast where he resumed his eating, clutching her shirt with his free hand.
The three sat in silence for a bit before Eli spoke again. "Does… is she gonna live with Katie?"
"Well… we wanna talk to you about that today. We aren't sure yet but Katie offered," El said and Liv nodded. "But has to be okay with you."
"Yeah I… I think so," he nodded, a bit unsure.
"Listen the Calvary was texting till late last night and everyone is coming over to talk today… okay?" El asked and Eli sighed.
"Why? It doesn't… it doesn't concern them."
"Well…" El began but Eli shook his head. "Katie is gonna be in her side of course, Mo will take their side, Dickie will try and play devils advocate to stick up for me which will cause a fight with Liz and Sarah and," he groaned shaking his head, "Em and Noah will be upset and I just…" he trailed off trying to calm his bubbling frustration.
"Baby, Mo already warned them… she and Carl are gonna lead the discussion okay?" Liv reassured him and he sighed, nodding.
"You have a huge heart buddy…" Dickie said from behind them, walking out slowly with a still waking up Anna Kate, "and I know if it were up to you, and it is, but I mean without hearing all the sides you'd have her move in here and be super dad but… you have a lot of life ahead of you and as your siblings it's our job to guide you. I promise we'll be good. Do you trust me?"
Eli looked down as Dickie sat beside him. "I don't know," he sighed, holding his head. "Yes but…."
"Bud I know we've had our differences, and I'm so glad we've gotten so close again. And I know it's still hard to fully trust me but I and… everyone has your best interest at heart."
His eyes welled up and Dickie passed Anna Kate to El so he could wrap his brother in a tight hug.
He lost it, sinking into his arms and letting his tears flow while Dickie consoled him. "You got a good heart, brother, and you take care of everyone else. Let us take care of you, okay?"
"O-okay," he whispered, hanging onto him for dear life.
The family, including the littles much to Eli's dismay, sat in the living room with Carl and Mo in the middle.
The couple had gotten more involved with their church in the wake of not being able to conceive, and started doing counseling sessions with other couples and families that were struggling.
El and Liv had offered money for IVF, and after several months of prodding, they'd finally accepted it and started hormone therapy.
"Eli… we wanted to meet to first and foremost, make sure you're okay. And secondly, see what we can do for you moving forward. How we can help you and how we can help Sammi," Mo said to her little brother.
He nodded and Emma put her hand in his shoulder, leaning into him.
"So…" Carl said softly, "talk to us?"
He nodded lightly and sighed. "I dont… I love her," he said, embarrassed. "I love her but I dont…. It's not mine guys I know it's not."
"We know," Mo said with a nod. "She confirmed to Katie," she sighed softly and Eli looked down.
"Where's she gonna go? I…" he looked at his sister who nodded.
"She's more than welcome to live with me and Beau," she nodded quickly, and Beau nodded from behind her.
They were newly engaged, but both attorneys and lived in a large brownstone.
"She could have her own floor with the baby. We'd figure as long as she's going to school and working at least twice a week part time we're fine with her being there as long as she needs," he said to Eli and Katie nodded.
"We have a few clerk positions open at my firm and if she wants to work there she can," Katie smiled small.
"The studio also said they'd let her do reception," Liz said softly, reaching across to squeeze her brother's hand. "I called today," she nodded.
Liz had danced as a kid too at that studio and knew everyone well.
"Whatever she wants to do," Katie nodded, "we'll support her."
"And when the baby comes, I'll happily take it with Teddy and Anna Kate on days Lucy doesn't," Sarah nodded.
Eli looked to Liv and El. "We'll pay for Lucy to watch the baby three days a week with Teddy," Liv said, bracing for the water works to start in her son's eyes.
Eli broke down and Liv wrapped her arms around him while Emma hugged him from the other side.
"But…" El cut in, moving to kneel in front of him. "All of this is dependent upon you being okay with it."
"And," Carl said, moving to kneel next to Elliot. "No one is going to be upset with you if you say no and aren't comfortable with this."
He nodded slowly, keeping his head in his hands. Noah got up and moved infront of the two older men, putting his hands on his brother knees.
"We all know what you're gonna decide. And that's why we love you and why you're the best big brother and friend and person I know. You're my hero and Emma's too. And you're gonna continue to be a great friend and uncle or whatever to Sammi and the baby," he nodded.
There wasn't a dry eye in the room and Eli looked up, wrapping his arms tightly around his little brother. "I love you bro. Thank you," he whispered.
"You're welcome," he nodded. "I love you bro," he smiled.
El pulled both of his boys in for a hug and Emma and Liv joined.
"You wanna go see her?" Liv asked and he nodded.
"How about the three of us go with Ted, and then we'll give you a call to bring the rest of the crew?" El nodded to Katie who smiled small. "She'll really like that."
Eli stood and hugged his brother in law tightly, moving to Mo next. "Thank you," he whispered and she kissed his head. "I love you baby brother."
"You're gonna be a really good mom," he whispered to her and Mo smiled, giving him a squeeze.
El and Liv walked down the hallway of the hospital. Teddy was strapped to Liv's chest and Eli was walking nervously with flowers for Sammi.
"You want to go in alone?" Liv asked her boy softly and he nodded. "Y-yeah I think so."
"Alright we're out here if you need us," El said, kissing his sons head.
He surprised him with a tight hug before giving Liv a more gentle one and kissing Teddy's head.
Knocking softly, he made his way in slowly to Sammi's room.
"Hi…" he whispered.
She looked up in shock, not expecting to see him walk in.
Her eye was swollen and her nose had been broken, as well as her arm.
His eyes watered and he sat the flowers down, sitting beside her and gently pulling her close to him.
She melted into his embrace and broke down in his arms, sobbing out apologies.
"Sam Sam…" he whispered, "sh…. I gotcha sh…"
They remained locked together until the both calmed. She sat back slightly and he gently wiped the tears from her face.
"Eli I'm so sorry…"
He shook his head. "It's done I just… I'm glad you're okay. That the baby is okay," he whispered.
Her eyes filled up again and her lip quivered. He nodded and held her hand tightly. "I know."
"Eli I'm so sorry… I…."
"Stop… please," he begged. "It is… it's Jacks right?"
She nodded and more tears spilled. "H-he said he doesn't w-want…"
"Okay… do you? You were going to a clinic and…" he trailed off.
"I didn't b-but…" she let out a shakey breath. "She's healthy um and… should have… I should have lost her," she whispered. "Just feels like a sign."
Eli's lip quivered and he gently leaned his head against her's. "She?"
Sam nodded and gasped, beginning to cry again.
His hand found her belly and she covered his. "I um…"
"I dont… I understand… Eli I love you. B-But it wouldn't be fair to hold you back."
He nodded, but kissed her softly anyways. "I… I wanna be your friend and… um I wanna be in her life. And my family does too and they'll do anything they can to help you. They have a whole plan," he smiled small.
"Thank you," she whispered. "I… I'll do what I can to earn your trust I…"
"Sam… you need to focus on her. On you and her and… like dad said. If it's meant to be it'll happen. But… right now she needs you. And only you."
Sam nodded and hugged him closely again.
"I love you, Sam," he whispered and she hugged onto him, rubbing his hand that was still on her belly softly.
"I love you, Eli."
There was a soft knock behind them that broke them apart slightly.
"Hi," Liv whispered, moving to hug the young girl gently through her injuries before El did the same.
"Did we hear 'she'?" El asked with a small smile and Sam nodded, rubbing her belly with a smile.
"Yeah.. still can't believe it," she laughed softly.
"We're gonna do what we can to help you, honey," Liv nodded. "Me, El, Katie and Beau are gonna sit down with you and figure out everything okay? They're saying you can go home tonight, so Katie is getting your room all set up and Beau, Mo, Carl, and Liz went to move your stuff out from your apartment okay? They released the scene today."
Sam nodded, keeping her hand locked on Eli's. "I dont… I don't know what to say… thank you guys."
"We're you're family honey… we got you," El smiled small at her as Teddy started to whine softly.
"Boys… how about you run out and get us some lunch before everyone shows up so Sam and I can have some girl time and I can feed Teddy," Liv nodded and the boys waved goodbye, doing as they were told.
"I thought he would hate me," Sam whispered as she watched Liv take Teddy out and get him to latch.
"He was hurt… and he still is but, he's got the best heart. So I think that what you're deciding is good."
Sam nodded and looked to her mother figure to continue. "Honey," Liv said gently. "You… being pregnant you're gonna have a lot of emotions and feelings and… he's a good man and he'll do whatever for you. But you can't let him okay? If you're serious... about him having his own life and stuff you can't let him do that. Cause he will. He'll fight and kick and scream and give it all up for you. And if that baby was his, this would be a different conversation but it's not and he's just 17..."
She nodded, wiping her eyes. "I know I… I've already been," she groaned feeling embarrassed. "Second trimester is different," she laughed slightly and Liv nodded.
"Trust me I know… but you can't do that to him it's not right… okay?"
"I understand," she nodded.
"I love you like a daughter… but Eli is my baby boy… and I have to go mama bear sometimes," she smiled slightly once she was confident the younger girl heard her.
"He's really lucky to have you, Liv… we all are."
She reached to squeeze her hand. "We've got you. We love you and we've got you."
"Thank you," she whispered.
They chatted a while longer before the boys got back and everyone poked their heads in.
Emma and Noah raced to gently hug Sam, both getting emotional at how she looked and the reality of what happened to her.
Everyone gave her hugs and loved on her, and after a few hours of chatting, the older kids except for Katie and Beau, took the littles, including Eli, home.
"We have to establish a plan... ground rules," Katie said.
"We aren't gonna go crazy and have you sign an agreement because we trust you," Beau clarified.
"But this is subject to change," Katie nodded, holding her fiancés hand.
They ran through everything with her and she shook her head. "I cant... go back to the studio I..." she began to get emotional and Katie nodded. "We'll get you set up as a clerk to start as soon as that cast comes off okay?"
She nodded quickly. "I Wanna start sooner I... I wanna prove to you guys that I can be trusted and everything."
"If you feel you can handle it I'll make some calls," Katie nodded with a smile.
"A-and Liv, El... if I'm working I wanna pay for Lucy..." she was cut off by El's hand.
"Your money needs to go to supplies for that baby, and savings for a house of your own one day. Okay? No questions asked."
The young woman was overwhelmed by the generosity, and started to cry again while Liv hugged her.
Eventually, when the plan was cemented, El and Liv left and Katie and Beau got Sam checked out and home.
They arrived home to dinner made and flowers for Liv and a bottle of scotch for El on the table, accompanied by a note from Eli.
Mom & Dad-
Thank you for everything.
I love you so much
Eli
P.S. Dickie bought the scotch.
The emotions of the prior 24 hours caught up with Olivia, and she buried her head in her husbands chest, letting go of the tears she'd been holding in.
They pulled apart only when they heard laughter coming from Emma's room, and smiled at one another.
Peaking in through the open door, they saw the trio on the floor playing Uno, and a beautiful bouquet of flowers on Emma's desk.
"We see you!" Noah called and they laughed, walking in.
"Did you guys already eat?" El asked and Emma looked at her parents and then back to her brothers. "These two eat more frequently then Teddy so yeah."
"We're growing boys," Eli shrugged.
"Yeah we're gonna be taller than you so we need to eat more."
"Nuh uh!" She said, looking at him and Noah nodded. "Uh huh."
"Mom is tall," she pointed to Liv.
"Yeah but I think my birth dad was like," he looked to Liv, "6 feet 5????"
"Sounds about right. Noah is gonna be tall," she smiled at the ease of which he talked about his birth parents lately.
Emma playfully stuck her tongue out at them and the three turned back to them. "So, you guys okay?" Liv asked and Noah nodded.
"I'm excited for another baby. I've been saying we needed another girl!"
"Dude you begged for a baby brother for like 3 years," Eli laughed, motioning to Teddy in his mom's arms.
"Yeah but being with Anna Kate? I just think girls are fun in a different way."
"Only saying that cause she's obsessed with you," Emma rolled her eyes.
"Teddy is too, though," Eli said thoughtfully, "what's your secret??" He teased.
"I'll never say," he grinned, and on cue, Teddy turned to look at Noah with a contented smile.
"Okay you guys are crazy and need showers. Tomorrow is a long day!" Liv laughed.
Summer Soccer practice kicked off the following day which would provide a nice distraction for Eli, and his two tiny body guards.
"Can I cuddle Teddy first?" Noah asked and Liv shook her head.
"No you can shower first cause you'll fall asleep cuddling Teddy."
"Fair," he shrugged running off.
The kids showered and got settled, and after making Eli promise to get them it there were any issues and a long and much needed cuddle with his daughter, he returned to the room to find Liv feeding Teddy.
"She okay?"
He nodded, locking their door and smiling at her laugh. "Yeah. Just needed her daddy. Worried about big brother and Sam."
"She's the sweetest, and she has the words best dad," Liv said with a small smile as Teddy finished.
"You wanna take a long weekend next weekend? Head to the beach house? Just you me and Ted?" He asked, laying across the bottom of the bed and looking up at her.
"What about the kids? I mean of course but…" she trailed off when noticed his stupid grin. "Their suggestion?"
"Their suggestion," he confirmed, watching her put Ted in his bassinet after he let out a loud burp.
"They're the best," she sighed happily, relaxing back and spreading her legs so that her thong was visible under her stretched nightie.
"Presumptuous," he teased and she smirked down at him.
"You locked the door, you're laying at the bottom of the bed, and you're looking at me like you're a hungry dog who hasn't eaten in years and I'm a piece of steak."
"Am I that obvious?" He asked, and she laughed when he quickly crawled to settled his head under her nightie, kissing her slit in the process.
"Wait," she whispered, and he popped back out, kissed up her body and landed at her lips. "Hm?" He asked.
"I'm really proud of our son," she said to him seriously, and that same stupid grin reappeared.
"Me too… me too," he said, rolling on his back and taking her to lay on him.
"Whatcha doing?" She questioned with a raised brow causing him to laugh.
"Thought we were having a moment?"
"We were and we did and now I want you to finish what you started."
With a laugh, he rolled her back and kissed her lips.
"Yes, Captain."