A/N: Sorry for the delay. Enjoy and review!
"My wife, where's my wife??"
Elliot's booming voice rang through the halls of the hospital, permeating down to the emergency bay his wife lay in.
Rolling her head to Fin she groaned. "Get him."
He was about to stand to go out when El burst in and Liv held up her hands. "Baby breathe I'm fine."
"You're in the hospital!" He cried, panicked.
"I slipped, ankle is broken. Quick surgery and I'll be fine."
"And you got shot!"
"Clean through the leg," she reasoned and he shook his head letting out a breath and putting his arms around her. "Gonna kill me one day, Stabler," he whispered into her ear.
"Got the guy…" she whispered back and he laughed softly. "And kids okay," he added.
"Exactly," she looked up at him. "Babies okay?"
"Scared but yes… they're okay."
She sighed. "I'm sorry babe."
"No, no I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let you go out in the field," he whispered with a sigh and she shook her head. "El… you're not blaming yourself," she said sternly.
He sighed and shook his head again. "I'm just happy you're okay," he nodded and she smiled tearfully. "Me too…"
He bit his lip and looked at her and she shook her head. "Don't even…"
"Okay, okay," he sighed.
"It'll take an act of God for Cap to retire," Fin said with a laugh, walking back in.
El waved him off and kissed his wife again. "When's surgery?"
"Two hours," she sighed and he nodded.
"I'll be waiting."
"I know," she kissed him.
Her surgery to fix her ankle was textbook, and she woke several hours later to her baby boy laying on her chest and gently rubbing her cheek.
"Hi," she whispered, inhaling the sweet mix of Dreft and Johnson's baby wash that was her boy's signature.
He cooed softly and snuggled in as she opened her eyes and both her Elliot's came into view.
"Mama," Eli breathed out leaning over for a hug and burying his head in her shoulder.
"I'm here baby… I'm okay. I'm okay," she whispered, kissing his head a few times and trying to scoot over so he could climb beside her.
"Don't you're gonna hurt yourself, I'm okay," he whsipered, standing and wiping his eyes.
"Stop being strong," she gave him a look, inching over just enough for him to climb beside her.
He gladly did and let himself be her baby. "Where's your siblings?"
"Getting food with Mo… they're fine. Emma's words were 'shot?! Badass.' Then Noah asked to keep the bullet."
Her laugh was contagious and made him smile and relax. "And you?" She asked after a minute.
"Just PTSD," he joked, voice cracking.
"I know… I'm so sorry honey."
"No mama it's okay… I'm just concerned for you."
"Desk duty which will at least make dad happy," she teased, turning her head to El who was hovering on her other side.
"Very," he smiled, laughing.
"Yeah well… dad would put us all in a bubble if he could," Eli laughed a little and she nodded. "I know he would."
"It's 4am… where are they possibly getting food?" Liv asked with a chuckle, suddenly realizing the time.
"Who knows but Noah was 'starving with worry,'" El laughed.
"Oh my god," she laughed, shaking her head.
"He's insane," Eli smiled.
"Definitely… and you're hungry huh?" She asked the squirming little one who was due for a feed any moment.
"Babe I brought bottles and your pumps. Doc said about 24 hours of pump and dump will get the anesthesia out so he should be fine."
"You're my favorite," she sighed, reaching for the pumps and bottle and adjusting Teddy who was desperately trying to latch.
Eli laughed and nodded, taking his cue to give her a bit of privacy. "I'm gonna go get a snack myself, mom you want anything?" He asked.
"Please… anything I'm starving," she laughed and he nodded, kissing her cheek and heading out to the vending machine.
"You scared the shit out of me," El sighed, sitting beside her and getting the pump hooked to her other breast.
She let out a groan of relief and relaxed back, giving Teddy his bottle in hopes of distraction.
"You've been shot multiple times and went blind temporarily, welcome to my world," she laughed and he shook his head, smiling and kissing her.
"Glad you're okay baby."
"Always, my love."
Liv returned home later that day, and sat on the couch with her leg propped up, wincing in pain. Eli was still with them and hadn't slept, and Emma and Noah, after a FaceTime and lots of "I love you's," passed out on Mo's couch.
"Lemme get you some ice and Motrin," El nodded, getting her comfy and settling Teddy to her chest. He was such a mommas boy and was happy enough to just cuddle up with her and listen to her voice.
"Thanks baby that would be great… but you need a nap," she sighed and he brushed her off.
Rolling her eyes she smiled small. "You too, Eli," she nodded towards her son who shrugged and sat on the other end of the couch.
"I'm okay mama," he yawned and she rolled her eyes. "Stubborn," she chided, holding her arm out to him.
He smiled small and laid down, putting his head on a pillow in her lap, allowing her soft playing with his hair to put him right to sleep.
Teddy didn't take very long either, and passed out tucked into her chest.
Grinning when he came back, El snapped a picture and sent it to the kids after giving her her meds and ice.
E: Home and resting
M: Good! So are these two!
Liv and El both laughed at the picture of Noah and Emma dead to the world on the couch.
D: Eli talk to you guys at all?
O: No, but I can tell he's off. What happened?
L: Kathleen and Beau will be coming to talk to you guys later or tomorrow. Right guys?
K: Yes, Liz, we can speak for ourselves.
L: That's new.
Liv looked up El who nodded. "Definitely his," he sighed, sitting on her other side and allowing her to lean into him.
She frowned a little and gently rubbed his sons split knuckles. "My poor baby…"
"He's lucky he's got you as his mom," he whispered, kissing her head.
"Hmm and you as his daddy… all of them are. We love you so much, El."
"I'm sorry you got hurt babe," he breathed out, his voice cracking.
"Stop… I'm okay. Okay?"
He nodded and kissed her cheek repeatedly as they settled in together.
The pair fell off, and all four Stablers remained sleeping comfortably until Noah and Emma came in two hours later.
"Mom…" Noah whispered, leaning over the back of the couch to hug her snugly. "Hi…"
"Hmmm hi baby," she smiled sleepily, leaning her head back to kiss his cheek.
"Mommmm," Emma whispered into her other ear, hugging her too and kissing her cheek.
"Hi baby girl… Noah can you take Ted and grab him a bottle, and Em will you get my crutches? Let's go lay in bed," she whispered and they nodded.
Noah happily took Teddy, snuggling him up and heading right to the fridge to grab him a bottle while Emma helped her up.
The Elliot's both stirred, moving to help their mom and wife, when she gave them both a gentle slap. "Sleep I got it."
They grumbled in sync and laid back down. Emma snorted as she helped Liv. "They say we're just alike," she said, giving her a look that Liv mirrored and making them both laugh.
Emma diligently helped her mom get to bed and comfy, and then curled beside her while Noah sat on the other side of them feeding Teddy.
"Mom did you keep the bullet?" He asked and she laughed. "I did. I'll have daddy get it later okay?"
He nodded and smiled at Emma laughed. "Those Stabler boys," she mused and Liv nodded in agreement.
"They're something else, huh?"
"Mhmmm… but they're pretty great."
"I think so too," she smiled, kissing her head. "How was Mo's."
"Good, I think they had another negative test, she seemed sad," she sighed and Liv made an effort to hide her knowing smile. "Well I'm sure it'll all work out for them… God's timing, right?"
"Yeah for sure," Emma said, wrapping her arm around her middle and snuggling in.
Mo had texted Liv earlier in the week to let her know that they'd found out she was a month along, and the pair were gonna play up the negatives until she was 12 weeks.
Her heart had burst at the fact that her oldest "daughter" wanted to tell her first, and was so thankful for their relationship.
Emma swirled Liv's wedding bands, her mom's favorite habit of her girl's, and sighed happily.
"What," she whispered to her, smiling when she felt her smile against her stomach where her head laid.
"Nothing," she said through a smile and Noah rolled his eyes.
"Girl talk, yuck," he said, sliding off the bed with Teddy.
Both girls laughed and Liv called after him. "He's gonna need a change when he's done eating, you can bring him in and I can do it."
"Mom," Noah sighed dramatically. "I got this," he said, exiting. Both girls laughed when they heard the TV turn on and the Elliot's groan.
"So??" Liv questioned with a grin.
Emma rolled back and looked up at her, blushing. "You promise not to tell Daddy or Eli?"
"Of course, us girls have to stick together," she laughed, kissing her nose.
Grinning and sitting up, she squealed playfully. "Jacob kissed me. It was a peck. But he did."
Liv laughed, knowing that was coming. "Awe baby," she smiled, hugging her tightly.
"And please don't give me the talk, Lizzie already did," she shuddered like almost 13 year olds do.
"I won't… but," she started as Emma shook her head giggling. "That's so gross mom no no no."
Liv laughed and held her hand up. "If you have any questions promise me you'll come to me and not just Lizzie?"
"Promise," she smiled, cuddling back in and sighing happily. "I love you momma."
"I love you.. you'll always, always be my baby girl you know that?"
"The one and only," she teased and Liv laughed, nodding. "Truth!"
They laid in Happy silence a while longer, watching TV and laughing at the silly comedy that was on and the sound of Noah playing videos games with Teddy in his lap.
The door to their bedroom crept open eventually, revealing Lizzie and a big container of soup.
"Hiiii," she sang softly, smiling and coming in to kiss their heads.
"How ya feeling mom? Scared the hell out of us," she laughed softly.
"I'm okay, baby," she smiled, rubbing her arm sweetly.
Emma beamed stupidly at Liz's use of "mom," causing both women to laugh.
"Anyways," Liz continued, "grandma made soup and insisted I bring some over. Says it heals all wounds, even bullets," she laughed along with the girl.
"Thank you honey that's very sweet, let me come to the-," she trailed off when Liz shook her head.
"No, no, no. It's still warm. Let me make bowls for us and we can eat in here. Boys are still sleeping and Noah is reading to Teddy," she laughed.
Liv grinned. "Thank you my love," she smiled, squeezing her arm.
The trio ate their soup and laughed together for a few hours, eventually being joined by Teddy who was melting down until he saw his momma.
"I'll remember this," Noah chided playfully before returning to play his video games.
Teddy squealed through his tears at him and the girls all laughed.
When the oldest boys finally woke up, Liv was pumping while Emma fed Teddy.
"Shit sorry babe," El sighed, kissing her cheek.
"Honey it's okay, Liz brought dinner it's in the fridge."
"Mamas soup?"
"How did you know," she winked and he laughed.
"Alright I'm gonna make some and then I'll come in. Eli went straight back to bed. Kid looks like a zombie," he sighed.
"Yeah we gotta figure out what happened with him and Dickie," Liv added, slowly turning to look at their daughter.
El raised a brow at her, but Emma shook her head. "Nope."
"The loyalty is insane," El huffed and Emma smiled.
She lay between her parents with Teddy snuggled into her chest until they both started snoring softly.
El turned on his side to watch them and smiled, noting how much both of their looks were changing or had changed from Stabler to Benson.
"He still looks like you," she whispered and he smiled over their heads at her.
"I don't know… he morphs. When he's with the big kids he's all Stabler, but when he's with Emma he's all you."
"I see all you always... but maybe I'm biased."
He gave her a sweet smile and nodded. "Gonna get them to bed," he whispered, gently prying Teddy from Em's grasp and bringing him to his room.
Liv watched as he picked up their daughter with ease when he came back, and she snuggled her head into him. "Night momma," she muttered, "had fun today."
"Me too baby girl, I love you," she smiled.
"Love you momma," she whispered as El left the room with her.
She waited patiently for him to return, and laughed softly when he shut and locked their door.
"Can you help me change," she pouted and he nodded, smiling. "Course mama."
He opened her drawer and picked out a pair of his loose boxers and an old t shirt, turning back to her and holding them up.
"Perfect," she smiled and he grinned, sitting beside her and carefully unbuttoning her silky and expensive pajama top, in favor for his clothes.
"Possessive," she teased and he simply nodded.
"Damn right," he muttered as he breaded soft kisses to her neck and down her chest, stopping at her full breasts.
"Don't start something you can't finish," she whined and he chuckled, sitting back up and shrugging her shirt off, helping her slip on his.
"Doc said as soon as you feel up to it," he reminded her as she lifted her hips so he could help her shed her silky shorts next.
She watched his breath hitch when he saw her bandaged thigh, and gently lifted his chin in response. "I'm okay," she reminded him.
"And I thank God," he nodded, kissing her again and helping her put on his boxers.
"So comfy," she sighed happily, "why are guys clothes always softer."
"I don't know, but I even noticed between Noah and Emma's," he laughed, climbing beside her.
"Need to use the bathroom before I get comfy?"
She shook her head and laid it against his shoulder. "Just wanna sleep."
"Okay… kids have soccer tomorrow. Gonna drop them and comeback to help you. Also Katie and Beau wanna talk with us," he sighed and she nodded.
"Probably should get it over with."
"Agreed," he said, but sighed anyways.
"Sleep babe," she yawned, already drifting off.
"Yes captain."
Liv was on the couch elevating her leg and cuddling Teddy the next morning when Beau and Katie arrived.
"Hi ma," she said, hugging her tightly and sitting beside her.
"Mama," Beau smiled, kissing her head and rubbing her arm. "Glad you're okay."
"Of course… thank you guys for coming," she sighed happily, squeezing Katie's hand and glancing to El.
They could both tell how nervous she was, and she nudged her a bit. "Just be honest with us, Kate. We've been detectives a long time... seen it all and heard even more," she said gently.
Beau sat and nodded at Katie who sucked in a deep breath, hesitating as tears came to her eyes.
"Baby," Liv whispered, taking her hand again.
"But he's your son and we..." she trailed off sucking in a deep breath. "And you're hurt and I just feel like it's too much," she whispered, sniffling as tears fell.
"Oh sweetie... first of all, I'm fine. Just a scratch," she said, making them all snort, smile and rolled their eyes."
"And second of all, you're our daughter and this is a crazy situation and we're all trying to navigate it the best we can."
She was crying hard now, feeling unbelievably guilty and overwhelmed by Liv's unconditional love, and turned to look at her, wiping her eyes.
With a deep breath, she spilled the burden of truth in quick succession. "They're his, and I ran my DNA to confirm it. She's due around early December."
"And he's in complete and utter denial," Beau added with a sigh.
The parents remained quiet for a moment, processing the truth they'd known but yet to hear spoken.
"Well," El said softly after what seemed like forever, looking to his wife.
"Mazel?" Liv sighed half heartedly