A/N: I have 600 chapters for this written in my head.
It had been a week from Hell at Camp Stabler.
Noah had caught a stomach bug from his class that had knocked his siblings and his dad out one by one.
Noah on Monday night.
Eli on Tuesday morning.
Emma on Tuesday night.
Elliot on Wednesday at about 2am.
Liv and Teddy, who was teething like a maniac, were quarantining at Dickie and Sarah's, having escaped just after his teacher called with the news.
Their (soon to be) daughter in law was a saint, watching Teddy for a extra days during the week than normal so Liv could work between her office and the guest bedroom.
By Friday, the bug was still going strong for Emma and Elliot, and Noah had turned into makeshift nurse while Eli escaped the germs to Sam's house after doing a grocery run, helping with laundry, and making a few dishes (mostly for Noah).
Thankfully, Sam had evaded the flu and had begun setting up the twin's nurseries with Beau and Katie's help.
They'd moved in the dressers and some closet bins, and Sam was at least able to work on organizing their clothes.
Eli had just gotten to her apartment after picking up missed schoolwork when Liv called him.
"Hi momma," he said with a smile.
"Hi baby boy, I miss you!"
"I miss you too! You and Teddy bear still coming tomorrow?"
"Definitely… I was gonna see if you and Sam could watch him tonight? I wanna give Sarah a break and go check on germ city since it's been a whole 24 since dad and Emma have last barfed."
He laughed. "Course mama. Drop him off. You wanna stay for dinner? I'm making lasagna… the veggie one that's your favorite."
"That would be awesome baby, thank you," she smiled, a sense of pride washing over her at her son's independence.
"Alright, great. I'm gonna start dinner now and make enough for you to take home to the sickies. I left them with meals but I'm sure Noah has eaten half of them. What time will you be here?"
"Probably an hour or so, is that okay?"
"Course. We'll be here."
"Alright my love, see you soon. I love you."
"Bye momma love you," he said happily, hanging up.
Liv grinned to herself and called her husband who answered in a pathetic voice.
"Big baby," she teased and he laughed softly. "Shush. I'm tired, we washed all the sheets and migrated to the couch. Noah and Eli disinfected everything."
"Oh good," she grinned. "They're the best!"
"They're good boys for sure," El said with a yawn.
"I'm gonna drop off Teddy at Sam's. He's gonna spend the night with her and Eli, and then I'll be home. You need anything?"
"You," he growled and she laughed. "Anything from a store?"
"No… just you I miss you."
"I miss you, too, baby."
"I miss Teddy," he whined and she laughed.
"Oh no you don't, he's been terrible," she teased and he laughed softly.
"I don't care I still miss him."
"You'll see him tomorrow!"
He let out a pathetic whine and she chuckled. "I'll see you in a bit okay baby?"
"Okaaaaay."
"I love yooou," she drawled out.
"I love you more," he said with a smile, hanging up.
Eli was just about done with dinner when Liv knocked holding Teddy in one arm and his diaper bag in the other.
"Hiiii buddy," she smiled, pulling him in for a hug with a barely free hand when he opened the door.
"Hi momma," he grinned, hugging her back tightly and kissing her cheek. "I missed you this week," he said with a small frown that made her heart squeeze.
"I missed you too sweetheart," he said, handing him the diaper bag and using her now fully free hand to rub his cheek.
Ever the momma's boy, he smiled small and leaned into it before catching Ted when he lunged for him. "And I missed you my tiny best friend," he grinned, hugging him close.
Teddy squealed in delight and Liv made her way to Sam, hugging her close. "Hi baby girl," she grinned.
"Hi," she said through a yawn that made Liv laugh.
"They wearing you out?"
"Yes," she whined and Liv smiled.
"You're glowing though!"
"Glowing and growing," she laughed, rubbing her belly with a smile. "Counting down to December 1 at least!"
"So true!" She laughed and smiled, putting a hand on her belly. "Hi guys," she cooed, "it's your Cap. It's almost time for you to come meet us... be nice to mommy in the meantime okay??"
Eli watched her from across the kitchen, swaying lightly with Teddy and feeling himself get emotional at the sight of his mom connecting with his kids.
Sam noticed right away, and called him out with a giggle. "Alright there, daddy?"
Liv turned to look at him, emotional now too.
It was the first time she'd truly heard them acknowledge the painfully obviousness of the situation: he was their daddy.
Her baby was having babies.
"Momma don't start," he warned, laughing and wiping his eyes gently.
"I know I know!" She laughed, walking over to kiss his cheek and wipe a stray tear.
"I'm starving… let's eat and then you can show me the plan for tomorrow."
"Yes Captain," he smiled.
After dinner, Sam went for a quick shower while Liv sat with her boys in the middle of EJ's nursery.
"Can you believe it?" He asked softly and she shook her head.
"Nope. But you're my first baby boy… I never will get over the fact that you're growing up."
He blinked quickly and nodded.
"Momma?" He asked after a moment.
She looked over at him, watching as he pushed his tongue through his lips in thought like his dad and tried to keep his tears at bay.
"I was a shit… to everyone and… that's not the man you raised me to be," he paused to hold his hand up and stop her would-be "it's okay".
Closing her mouth again she nodded and reached for his hand, letting him continue.
"I… ever since we came home and Kathy died I uh… I've just wanted to make you proud. Like I knew immediately you'd fill that void and I never wanted to do anything to jeopardize that."
She nodded for him to continue when he looked up at her. "I, you know, I know you love me unconditionally but I guess there was a part of me that always thought well… I'm part of her," he paused for a moment and she nodded a second time. "But after all of this shit and how I've behaved I mean… your love hasn't wavered once, and momma I just want you to know how much of my hero you are."
Tears rolled quietly down her cheeks as she listened to him speak, gripping his hand tighter. "The man I am today, sitting in the room and ready to be the best parent I can be to my twins I… I learned that from partly from you. And not just that but, you've brought out a side of dad that is so amazing, and I'll be so lucky if I can be even half the man and father he is. I have you to thank for so much and, well, I don't do that enough."
Looking up at her, he smiled small and squeezed her hand back. "So thank you… and I hope I'm making you proud and I hope I continue to make you proud."
"More than you ever know," was all she could get out before she choked up and her eyes filled again.
He laughed softly and wiped his own eyes, leaning into her.
She exhaled and soft and happy sigh, looking around the room as Teddy laid across their laps.
"Two babies," she whispered and he grinned and nodded. "Two." He laughed, the insanity of his situation hitting him finally.
Laughing along with him, she threw her head back. "What the hell am I gonna do with three Elliot Stablers?!"
Eli laughed harder. "Be sainted when you die that's for sure."
Their laughter made Teddy start belly laughing and they looked down at him, cracking up harder when he showed all his new teeth.
"Oh my dude! Look at those," Eli exclaimed, lifting him up and inspecting. "No wonder you were a butt this week!"
"Seriously!" Liv exclaimed. "I feel so bad for him."
"Me too, dang brother," he pouted, pecking his cheek and smiling when he instinctively snuggled into him.
"You're gonna be a really good dad, Eli," Liv whispered, brushing his hair back.
"I agree," Sam said from the door with a smile.
"Thanks guys," he said shyly.
"Alright… I gotta head back to the house. I'm sure Noah is driving dad and Emma insane."
Eli laughed again and nodded. "He's going stir crazy. Tomorrow will be good for him!"
"Agreed!" Liv said as they stood and walked to the kitchen.
"Be good for brother," she whispered to Teddy, taking him in her arms for a snuggle and rocking him gently.
He nuzzled in for a moment before reaching out to Eli and making him grin. "Please tell Noah about this," he nodded and she smiled. "Absolutely."
"Bye Livie," Sam smiled hugging her tightly. "See you tomorrow."
"I can't wait," the older woman smiled, kissing her temple. "Let us know what you're craving in the morning I'll pick it up."
"Okay," she smiled and Liv nodded, going to hug Eli. "Bye sweet boy, thanks for helping with him and holding down the fort."
"Of course, momma, the drama king and queen certainly weren't gonna!"
Laughter filled the room again and she headed out.
Emma and El were snuggled on the couch when Liv got home.
They both looked exhausted and she pouted when she saw them. "Hi guys," she said softly as Noah popped his head out of his room. "Thank God you're here. Can we play video games?"
She laughed and nodded. "Give me a few okay?"
He groaned and ran over to hug her before running back to his room.
Turning her attention back to the pair on the couch, she let out a sad laugh at the state of them. "You guys okay?" She asked, kissing both their heads and then sitting next to Emma.
"So tired," she sighed.
"And we've been asleep all day," El added, reaching to hold his wife's hand.
"My poor babies," she frowned as Emma snuggled into her.
"Guys you should probably stay home tomorrow…" she trailed off when they both glared at her.
"Oh and you say me and Emma are twins. You should see the stubborn Stabler look on both of your faces right now," she poked and they both laughed a little.
"Mooooom," came Noah's voice, growing louder as he stretched out the "o".
He appeared in front of them and crossed his arms. "Can I go to Eli and Sam's?"
She laughed softly. "First off its just Sam's, and second, if he says it's okay."
"He does, he's coming to get me," he nodded and Liv lifted her phone to read a fresh text from her oldest.
E: Coming to get Noh cause he's bored
Liv laughed and looked up to him. "Pack paint clothes for tomorrow," she directed, smiling when a huge grin spread across his face.
"Okay mom!!" He said, sprinting off.
Emma groaned softly. "Thank God. I love him but he's been talking nonstop."
Liv shook her head with a smile and texted her oldest back.
L: You're your dad and sister's hero. Thank you!
E: :)
"Okay guys lemme get changed and then I'll come cuddle," she nodded, making them both pout dramatically.
Liv got herself changed into comfy clothes, coming out just as Eli walked in.
"Come on, Noh," he called, and Noah came sprinting.
"Bye losers!" He called and Emma and El both waved him off as he giggled.
With a gentle smack to the head, Eli directed his younger brother back to give everyone hugs and grumble I love you's.
They squeezed him and then he sprinted off with his big brother, chatting up a storm.
Liv locked the door and snuggled in with her sickies, smiling when Emma curled into her and started to fall asleep.
"I hate being away from you," El said randomly when they were 20 minutes into their second movie and had sent Emma to bed.
She laughed softly and looked up from where she was tucked in his arms. "I hate being away from you too, my love."
He kissed her temple and sighed softly.
"I know," she whispered. "They keep talking about sending you under…"
"The more they talk about it the more I want to retire and start a company."
"Yeah? What would you do?"
"Security… start a private company and hire ex military guys."
She leaned her head up again and kissed his jaw. "El I love that…"
"Always wanted to do it," he admitted. "Could be home with Teddy… there for the kids more and… the grandkids," he laughed a little.
"I worry about the twins when Eli goes to college," she said after a moment, and he reached for the remote to turn down the volume more of the tv.
"I do too baby I… maybe it's time?"
"That's up to you…"
"Don't make me make the decision alone," he laughed softly.
"I will never, ever tell you to retire baby," she said, turning to stretch her legs across her lap and rest her head on the back of the couch.
He looked down at her expectantly and she simply smiled.
"Baby if you want to do it, do it. But if you don't? If there's any doubt? Stick around. We can say no to undercovers and you can tell Bell to knock it off."
"I have doubts," he admitted. "But I don't know if it's fear or actual doubts."
"I have an idea," she gasped, jumping up and rushing off to Noah's room.
"Woman are you gonna…" he trailed off when she returned with a small white board.
"Make you make a pro/con list? Yes," she cheesed, resuming her initial position. "Okay, pros?"
"Easy," he nodded. "Have more time for Teddy and the kids. Be there more for the grandkids."
"Anything else?"
"No…. I mean… it would connect me back to my roots and help guys who need it?"
"That's a good one," she smiled, scribbling it down.
"Chicken scratch," he commented and she laughed softly. "Don't distract yourself. Cons?"
He sighed. "I love my job. I love working with you. Starting a business takes a ton of time and money."
She looked up at him.
"I'm not ready."
"You're not ready."
They said the words at the same time and made each other crack up.
"I think you're in your feels cause you're sick. So I think you need to come cuddle in bed with me and we can revisit this tomorrow... Okay?" She smiled, her eyes twinkling at him.
"Okay," he replied standing and pulling her back for a hug right as she got past him.
"Thank you," he whispered.
She laughed a little and hugged him tightly. "For?"
"Being my North Star," he whispered.
In response, she buried her head in his chest and blinked away her tears before pressing a soft kiss to his peck.
"Come on, come cuddle me. I haven't slept well without you," she said, pulling back and leading him down the hall.
"Me either," he whined, "but I didn't know if I was being dramatic."
"You weren't," she giggled as they climbed in together and snuggled up.
Their phones buzzed simultaneously and Liv reached for her's, smiling at the photo from Sam.
Eli was asleep with Teddy on his chest and Noah tucked into his right side; his left hand was protectively on Sam's belly.
The photo made them both tear up, cause it mimicked one Liv had taken when she was pregnant with Teddy, which Sam sent next.
In it, Noah and Emma flanked either side of him and Eli lay with his head on his leg as they watched a movie late one night. His hand, too, sat protectively on Liv's belly,
The caption was simple:
S: He really is going to be the best cause he learned from the best. We're all so lucky to have our Elliots!
Liv loved the image and typed a quick response before rolling into her husband, tangling their legs, and holding their arms to their chests.
The silence surrounded them, and she allowed the beat of his heart to begin to lull her to sleep before she spoke again.
"Elliot Stabler… you're a really good cop. One of the best, I think… no bias. But as good or a cop as you are? You're 100 times a better father. And I hope you never, ever forget that. No matter what work or life throws are you."
She smiled small when she felt him nuzzle the side of her face as a few hot tears landed on her cheek.
"I love you baby… I'm glad you're home," he whispered, smiling at the half asleep "hmm" she responded with before drifting off himself.