Eli stood at the window to the nursery.
Hands in his pockets.
Staring at the two small bundles in pink and blue hats.
He was so zoned on them, studying every one of their tiny features while simultaneously counting their breaths, that he didn't hear his fathers heavy footsteps approach from behind.
"Hey bud," El whispered, wrapping his arm around his son's shoulder.
"Hey dad," he breathed out, his eyes remaining on the babies before him. "You see mom and Sam yet?"
"Yeah, poked my head in but they were both asleep," he nodded.
The pair went silent a moment before Eli spoke again. "Dad?"
"Yeah bud?"
"When you first saw Emma… did you know?"
Sucking in a deep breath, El nodded slowly. "I did."
The young man was silent a moment before nodding. "What did it feel like?" He asked softly.
Elliot thought for a few long moments before smiling small. "Like… like I just had this instant connection to her. Like if someone showed up out of the blue to harm her I'd-"
"Jump through the nursery window and give your life for them," Eli cut him off with the whispered sentiment.
"Yeah…" he said, turning to look at his son. "Just like that. And I felt the same way about you, even though I missed your birth. Instant connection."
Eli finally tore his eyes away from his twins, content for a moment that they'd still be there when he looked back, and gave his dad a bright and tearful smile.
"I'm a dad," he whispered, exhaling all of the emotions of the previous 5 hours.
Elliot grinned, tearing up himself, and wrapped his boy in a bear hug. "Hell yeah you are."
Eli broke down into happy tears, hugging his dad and mumbling into his shoulder. "I can't believe they're here… they're perfect I just… god Noah is gonna be so excited to meet them," he laughed, pulling back and wiping his eyes. "I'm so excited to meet them!" He cried in a hushed tone.
Elliot laughed though his tears and hugged his boy again.
"You Elliots…. Always giving me a run for my money," Liv said, coming around the corner.
"Momma," Eli said on an exhale, falling into her arms.
"They're okay and she's okay," she reassured him, "I'm not though… because the minute I held EJ it took me right back to holding you… I can't believe you're a father," she laughed softly as her tears fell.
"They're both so lucky to have you as their Cap, momma… thank you… I'll never be able to thank you enough."
"You don't need to thank me… you're my baby and they're an extension of that."
He nodded quickly and smiled big, wiping his own tears.
"Now," she said, "let's get you over to the nurses station so you can get one of these," she said, holding up her wrist to show her hospital band, "and you can meet them," she nodded, waving to the nurse she knew all too well and sending him over when she ushered for him.
Liv looked up at El and smiled big. The pair were facing one another, and he grasped her bicep as she walked by, spinning and pulling her into a tight hug like he did all those years ago.
This time, though, she nuzzled into his chest and he pressed several sweet kissing to her temple.
"Come on, Papa," she whispered in an emotional and husky voice. "Come meet your grand babies."
Eli sat in the rocker across from Sam's bed as Liv passed him the twins one at a time.
He stared down at them in awe.
There was no denying his paternity.
EJ was his and his father's mini, and Joey already had the signature Stabler baby blonde hair and the same nose as her daddy and uncles.
Aside from that, Joey looked like her momma.
He was so engrossed in them that he wasn't even sure how much time had passed until a voice spoke softly from the bed in front of him. "E…."
His head shot up and he stood carefully, making his way over with their two little bundles.
"Hi…. Hi sweetheart," he smiled, getting emotional when she cried at the sight of them.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered, but he shook his head quickly and silenced her with a soft kiss.
"Don't… you're okay and they're here and that's what matters," he whispered, resting his head against her's. "You did so good Samaroo… God, they're perfect," he said, passing them to her one by one and then climbing beside her as best her could.
He held her like he always did, except this time his arm was cradling her's that held their babies.
"Jamie and Elliot," she whispered looking up at him as he smiled stupidly.
"I'm so proud of you," he said, kissing her head a few times. "I'm so proud of you…"
She looked up at him and he smiled, nuzzling his nose with her's. "You're amazing and I'm so proud of you Sam… I love you so much."
"I love you," she said, voice cracking and eyes welling up.
The arm over her shoulders pulled her in a little bit more and kissed her again. "We have so much time," he whispered. "Rest of our lives. I promise."
"I believe you," she said genuinely.
"We have two babies," he laughed softly after a moment and she smiled. "We do!"
Liv snapped several photos, smiling through her tears and exhaustion.
"You should update your siblings," Liv laughed softly, and Eli nodded and smiled, snapping their first family selfie and then a few more of Sam with them both.
E: Elliot Joseph Stabler III and Jamie Olivia Stabler. EJ & Joey… I can't believe it!
S: Dickie is sobbbbing. Congratulations guys!!!!!! They're stunning!!!
N: Omg omg omg omg Katie is coming to get me and Emma and we're gonna visit I'll be so quiet I swear
E: Haha! I can't wait for you to meet them, buddy!!!
Em: Oh my gosh! I can't believe they're here! I love them so much already!
M: Ahhhh congrats guys!!! They're perfect!!
L: I'm coming with Katie and the kids and I have a bunch of outfits
D: Incredible. They're just incredible!!!
K: We will be there soon!!! Tell mom and dad to go home and get some rest. Phoebe said Ted is napping.
E: Thanks guy!!! And okay, sounds good!
He set his phone down and nodded to his parents. "Katie's orders, go home and sleep. Teddy is asleep."
"Baby," Liv started, but Sam shook her head. "You have barely slept Liv… go home," she nodded, and the older woman smiled sleepily.
"You're sure?" She asked and Sam nodded. "They'll be here when you get back," she laughed softly.
They went over and hugged and kissed the new parents, gently rubbing the little one's cheeks.
"See you guys later okay?" Liv whispered, and Eli nodded. "Bye momma."
They watched them leave and he kissed her temple again, sending the photos to Tom, Harley, and a few other of their friends.
E: Look who's here!!!
H: Oh my gosh!!!!!! They are gorgeous!!!!! Congrats guys!!
T: Ew why am I crying???! They're perfect guys, congrats!!
H: Let us know when we can visit!!
E: We will!! :)
"Look at that sweet boy," Liv cooed softly as El took a sleeping Teddy from Phoebe's arms.
"Guys thank you so much… this was such a huge help. We don't know what we'd do without you," Liv breathed out and El nodded.
"Thank you so much, seriously."
"What we're here for," Fin nudged Liv, who smiled and hugged him and then Phoebe.
Liv walked them out, locking up and collapsing next to her husband and baby boy, snuggling in close.
"After Thanksgiving, let's go away… just the two of us?" El whispered. "Just for a weekend. Two nights."
Chuckling, Liv yawned. "We just had twin grand babies ," she whispered.
"Mhm," he nodded. "Katie and Beau already promised to help out Eli and Sam, and Mo and Carl agreed to watch the littles."
"And let me guess… you already booked a hotel?"
"Mhm," he smiled sleepily, making Liv laugh.
"My love… that sounds amazing," she nodded.
"Perfect," he smiled through a yawn, falling asleep in record time.
"I love them," Noah whispered for the 600th time.
He was on the couch in Sam's room, pillows around him and the twins in either arm.
Eli was sat beside him, wildly snapping photos and supervising him intently while Emma snuggled Sam and watched them.
"He looks like just you, Eli," Noah whispered and Eli grinned. "Yeah he really does buddy…"
Looking up, he smiled big and leaned his head against his shoulder, looking down at his niece and nephew.
Eli leaned against his younger brother, getting lost in his twins and how much his little best friend already loved them.
Emma came up slowly and wrapped his arms around him from behind, kissing his head and resting her head against his.
"You're gonna be the best dad Eli," she whispered and he grinned tearfully, putting a hand on her arms.
"Seriously… the best," Noah whispered, cheesing up at him. "They're so lucky to have you and we're so lucky you're our big brother," he added.
Eli finally let a few tears fall and kissed his head. "I love you guys."
EJ squirmed at his fathers voice and Joey's arm broke through her blanket, reaching up.
Laughing softly, Eli took her little hand in his. "And I love you guys even more," he whispered.