A/N: 70 chapters and 500 reviews! Wow! Thank you!!
Liv stood with her arms crossed in her office, staring at the interrogation room that's blinds were now closed.
She was zoned out when the giggle of her baby boy filled the hallway and her office and brought her back to reality.
El had taken the day off, claiming he needed to recover and spend some quality time with their youngest, and was deeply concerned when his wife had called him to come in.
"Everything okay?" He asked, worry all over his face, even as Teddy's giggles filled the room and he reached for his momma.
"Hi sweet boy," she whispered, kissing his chubby cheeks. "Can you go see Auntie Amanda?" She asked him, passing him to the blonde that had just walked in.
Teddy squealed and went right to her, and she left as Fin came in, standing guard at the interrogation room door.
El's head whipped from his wife, to his friend, to the window with the closed blinds.
"Liv," he said, trying to control his anger and anxiety. "If one of our kids is in there I swear to God," he began, but trailed off when she held a hand up. "Elliot… all the kids are fine," she said, "but I need you to sit."
His heart was racing, and very slowly, he sat down on her couch, wringing his hands, and watching her motion for someone to come in.
A tall and very serious man walked in and flashed his badge. "Captain Stabler, Sergeant Stabler," he nodded to Elliot. "I'm Agent Vince Moss of the US Marshals, Witness Protection division," he said, putting his hand out to Elliot to shake.
El stood slowly to shake the man's hand and looked between him and his wife.
"Sergeant… sit?" he asked motioning to the couch where Elliot had just stood from.
"Elliot," Liv whispered, nodding in agreement and taking a seat first, reaching her hands for him.
He slowly sat back next to her and gripped her hand tightly, trying to take steadying breaths and noticing his wife, who usually worked to calm him, was just as on edge as he was.
Vince let out a soft sigh and nodded. "There's no easy way to say this. Four years ago, an attempt was made on Kathy Stabler's life. The official story, per her request and based upon further intelligence, was that she died from her injuries. In reality, Kathy was offered witness protection for herself and all immediate family members, meaning spouse and children. She declined the extended offer and chose to go alone."
Pausing to take a breath and gauge Elliot's reaction, Vince leaned over on his thighs, looking down and then back up. "Once the threat was neutralized, just a few months after her alleged death, we offered her to come home. She refused. Stabler I…" he sighed. "I'm not here out of duty, I'm here out of courtesy. I just wanted you to know, for your kids sakes, that she had ever opportunity to come home."
Liv turned to face her husband who's face was growing red and breath was increasing.
"Elliot," she said, loud enough to startle him from his anger.
His head whipped to her, eyes wide and ablaze, before over to Fin.
Knowing him better than she even knew herself, Liv was on her feet and between him and Fin and the door he was guarding almost immediately.
"Elliot," she said, louder this time and catching him by his arms. "Stand down," she said, voice low as he eyed Fin behind her.
Looking back down at her, she cocked her head and nodded. "That's an order."
He took a step back, absolutely seething, and slammed his fists against the wall beside her office door, leaning there.
"Our fucking children!" He finally yelled.
"Their significant others are already on the way," she said, approaching him calmly from behind. "We'll talk to them first. We have a short window while the twins and Eli are napping. We're gonna FaceTime Sam."
Standing behind him, she placed her hands on his hips and rested her body against his. "I need you to calm down. We'll deal with your hurt later… right now our babies need us… especially Dickie. Okay?"
She felt him relax and turn slowly in her arms, wrapping her in a tight hug burying his head in her shoulder and caramel waves.
Vince left the room, letting them be until he was needed again.
"I'm here," she reassured him.
"I didn't know," he whispered.
"I know you didn't… I know…"
They remained like that for several more minutes until he'd calmed fully and Amanda came in with a crying Teddy.
"Hungry… keeps reaching for my boobs," she laughed softly.
Liv smiled small, pulling back from Elliot and nodded to him. "I think Daddy needs some cuddles. Let me get a bottle, then we'll have Kathy come out okay?"
He nodded, sniffling and sitting with Teddy who'd calmed the moment he hit his dad's arms.
Returning a few minutes later, Liv sat on the couch beside Elliot and nodded to Fin.
With a soft sigh, he opened the door and motioned for Kathy to come out.
She did, very slowly, and sat in the chair across from them, suddenly skittish and nervous- a far cry from the arrogant way she'd arrived.
"Elliot," she said softly.
"Kathy." He growled, and Liv put a hand on the back of his neck, squeezing softly.
There was an awkward silence, broken only by Teddy sitting up and coughing a little from sucking his bottle down too fast.
"Easy buddy," El whispered, pushing back his dark hair and patting his back.
"You two wasted no time," Kathy said with a scowl.
"I'm gonna stop you there," Liv said, holding up a hand and cutting her off sharply. "You don't get to come in here with your snarky bullshit like you didn't just pretend you were dead for the last four years. Understood?"
Liv was in Captain mode, and Fin snickered silently from his place behind her as she sunk meekly back into her chair with a frown.
"I don't care to have you explain yourself to me and I think my husband feels the same way," she said, emphasizing husband, dramatically. "However, you are going to need to explain yourself to our children. And when I say 'our' Kathy, I mean our," she motioned between all three of them. "Because despite how terrible they realized you were, and how unspeakably horrible what you spent the last 4 years doing is? You're still their mother," she finished on an emotion filled whisper that made Kathy blink quickly.
"All except Eli," she corrected, eyes growing dark. "He's mine."
Kathy scoffed and Liv tilted her head forward, giving her a look. "Excuse me?" She chided, and Kathy shrunk further into her seat.
"Why Kathy?" Elliot blurted out, and Kathy shook her head.
"We we're gonna divorce anyways," she mumbled.
"Divorce doesn't mean that our kids would lose their mother."
"Seems like they're fine."
Liv scoffed. "Fine?!" She exclaimed, standing. "You think your kids are fine? Just cause they are close to me? Just cause they grieved and are moving on with their lives? You think there's still not a gaping hole in their world from the loss of their mother. Their mother who they thought was murdered? What did you expect Kathy?" She asked rhetorically, yelling now, "that you were going to come back and all your transgressions would be forgiven?!"
"Liv," El said, taking hold of her hand. "Liv…"
"My husband fucked you and left you with a baby and you took him back," Kathy snarled.
"Says the woman who forced that burden on her son with no regard as to how it would effect him throughout his life," she laughed half heartedly. "Says the woman who kept a daughter from her father for 9 years," she said as she walked over to a family photo she had on her desk and picked it up, holding it out to her.
Kathy looked away and Liv laughed. "Look at her Kathy. Look at my baby girl who grew without her father."
Slowly, the blonde raised her eyes and looked at the photo of Elliot kissing Emma's cheek as she giggled.
Setting the photo back, Liv scoffed. "Says the woman who abandoned her children."
"I became a mother too soon. It was my first freedom!"
Liv whipped back around, and now it was Fin's turn to step between his Captain and his new number one enemy. "Not worth it," he reminded her.
Scoffing, Liv nodded and glanced out her window when she saw Carl, Beau, and Sarah walk in.
"You're right," she paused, looking at her. "You can tell them that," she pointed, "And then you can sit in our home tonight and tell your children that. To their faces," she said, walking out of the room to meet her "bonus kids."
After a tense explanation to the kids with Sam on FaceTime, Liv gave Kathy their address with specific instructions.
"You will be there at 3pm sharp. The kids will be there at 3:30. They'll talk with Agent Moss and then we'll get you. Understood? If you don't show up with a better explanation than what you just gave, they won't have the chance to hear it from you."
Liv was in her office, pacing behind her desk, when El came in and shut the blinds and locked the door. She was in survival mode, and thinking only of the emotional trauma she was about to unleash on her sons and daughters.
Teddy was knocked out in his carrier and El came up behind his wife, wrapping his arms around her tightly and breathing in her familiar and calming lavender shampoo and expensive perfume.
"I need you to fuck me," she whispered finally, and his grip on her tightened.
"You… you're sure?" He asked, but his hands were sliding down to her belt anyways, needing the same exact thing as her.
"Mhm… I need you to fuck me and remind me that this is real. That you're real and the last 4 years of our lives have been real," she whispered, voice cracking.
"Me too," he admitted, easing down her pants and pulling his growing cock free.
She bent over for him, arching her back and presenting her plump ass and glistening lips for him.
The blood in his body rushed directly to his cock, and it swelled quickly as he ran his tip against her slit.
"Baby it's been as real as anything. It's not a parallel universe baby… it's you and I," he whispered, pushing into her tight heat and making her body relax fully, a whimper falling from her lips. "I know," she replied softly.
"I love you," he said, repeatedly as he thrust quickly into her.
"I love you, more," she gasped, pleasure and their connection overwhelming her to the point of tears.
The twins were asleep in their bassinet and Sam and Eli were cuddled on the couch, watching them.
Elliot had texted that he, Liv, and Ted were making their way over, and from where Sam was laying on Eli's chest, she could feel how fast his heart was racing.
He'd woken up midway through the FaceTime and Sam had no choice but to tell him.
He was surprisingly calm, but she knew him, and knew he was panicking internally.
"Baby," Sam whispered, using the pet name for him she hadn't in so, so long.
"I'm okay… I'm… I'm gonna let myself breakdown and then… I'm gonna get Emma and Noah from school and… I'm gonna go get Ted and we'll uh… we're gonna camp here and I'm gonna focus on you and our babies," he nodded.
Sitting up slowly with a wince, she cupped his cheek and leaned in to kiss him softly, just grazing his lips.
"E… you don't have to be strong for me… we're a team. Together or not, you're my best friend."
He blinked very quickly and was about to speak when Joey whimpered.
"Saved by daddy's girl, but this isn't over. Okay?" Sam said softly.
"Okay," he nodded, pecking her lips and lifting the little one up.
"Hi…. Was that a good sleep?" He cooed softly, hugging her gently to his chest and sitting back beside Sam.
She laid her head against his shoulder, looking down at Joey who nuzzled her head into her daddy chest.
"I just… your dad, my… Kathy. I could never understand how they'd… they couldn't be a good parent who'd do anything for their kids. Now that I'm holding them… I understand even less."
"You're a good daddy, Eli… you learned that from your dad and your mom, Olivia. Kathy coming back… emotions you feel from that? Nothing will change those lessons. How you grew up and were molded."
He turned and looked at her, pressing his lips to her cheek. "I ever tell you how much I love you?"
"All the time."
"I wanna make this work Sam…"
"I love you too," was all she replied.
He gave her a small smile. "Gonna make you a Stabler one day," he said, relaxing back into the couch.
"No doubt in my mind," she smiled, closing her eyes and snoozing slightly while they waited for his parents.
Eli had let them know to come in with their keys, and he smiled to himself when he heard the door open and the quick pitter patter of Teddy's hands and knees across the tile.
"Hiiii buddy," Eli cooed with a smile as Teddy rounded the corner of the couch and came into view.
"Hi babies," Liv said, smiling small and following Elliot in.
"I had to tell him," Sam frowned softly, taking Joey so that Eli could pick up Ted.
"We figured." "It's okay." The paid said together.
Liv squeezed El's arm gently and smiled as Teddy snuggled up into Eli's chest and EJ started to wine.
"Dad, he's gotta eat… can you hang with him and my girls a bit? I need some mom time," he said, voice breaking.
"Course, but let me get a hug first," he said, pulling him in close and smiling a little when his boy relaxed into his embrace.
EJ started to cry and Eli laughed softly. "Bottle in the fridge, holding him up on your-"
"Shoulder while I warm it and he'll be fine for a bit?" El asked, finishing his sentence and making him laugh softly. "Yeah I had a little Elliot too, remember," he winked, picking up his grandson and making Liv genuinely smile for the first time that day.
"Mom," he nodded for her to head outside with him, the pair taking a seat on the swing bench with Teddy still snuggled into his chest.
They were quiet for a few long moment before Eli finally lost his resolve and his tears began to fall hard and fast.
"Oh baby… come here…" Liv whispered, wrapping her arms around him tightly and letting him lose it and be emotional.
When he finally calmed, he remained with his head against her shoulder. "You know I… I'm not even sad for myself I'm… I'm sad and scared for my siblings and I'm angry for you and dad and Emma…"
"You don't have to be there tonight," Liv whispered, kissing his head.
"I can't anyway… I have two newborns… but I will take the kiddos and keep this guy," he nodded, kissing Teddy's head.
"Thank you baby," she whispered and sighed.
"Anna Kate too… I'll have Sarah drop her off."
"Sounds good baby," she nodded, and Eli breathed out a chuckle. "Emma is gonna wanna be there."
"Think she should?"
"Definitely."
"Dad disagrees."
"That's cause it's his baby girl. I wouldn't send Joey into that lions den either."
Liv looked down at him with a proud smile. "Best daddy ever. Already!"
He tried to hide his grin and sat back up. "You doing okay?" He asked, and she shrugged.
"Like seeing a ghost," she sighed, "but almost… therapeutic? Saying everything you thought you'd never be able to say directly to her but… yeah at the end of the day I'm worried about my kids," she nodded. "And your dad."
"Dad'll be fine. He got the love of his life out of all of this," he smiled small. "Plus Emma and Noah and this guy," he said, kissing Teddy's head.
"He misses you," Liv commented with a small smile.
"I miss him too… I miss home I mean… I love it here with them and… I never wanna leave but uh.. I miss you guys."
"I'll make it a point to stop over more," she whispered, kissing his head.
"Thanks mama… it'll be easier when they're just a little older but… don't wanna wish it away."
"Don't do that… you'll miss it when it's over," she said with a nod.
They went quiet again and he laid his head back to her shoulder.
"I love you so much, mom. And I'm so fucking glad you're my mom."
Liv let out a quiet sob and kissed his head a few times. "I love you so much, my son."
Liv and El went home to prepare, and Eli took Teddy to get the kids early from school, and then just pick up Anna Kate while they were out.
When they walked back into his apartment, they found Harley and her mom, each cradling a baby while Sam sipped tea and took a few minutes to herself.
"What are you guys doing here?" Eli laughed with a small smile, going over to gently hug them both and kiss his twins hello.
"Baby… c'mere," Sam asked softly and he did, taking a deep breath and cracking a smile when Teddy crawled into her lap.
"Em… Noh," she asked, motioning them over.
"Mom and dad are fine… everyone is fine," Eli rushed out, holding his hands up towards them, making them sigh in relief and relax back in their chairs.
With Sam's help and encouragement, Eli shared the news with his siblings, moving to sit beside Emma who was fuming and Noah who was concerned.
"Eli we should be there!" Emma exclaimed, standing up, arms in the air and body shaking.
He began to speak, but Sam cut in. "I agree… Harley agrees and… you guys need to be there for them. Need this closure. So Harley and her mom will stay and help out… but I want you and Emma to go and face this, Eli I…" she trailed off.
Moving couches again, he sat beside her and took her hand. "Do this for me? For the twins…"
Glancing to Emma, who nodded quickly.
"Okay I uh… you're sure?"
"Yes," Sam said, kissing his cheek. "Go."
Liv was pouring a glass of wine when Elliot opened the door to let Kathy in.
They both had changed into comfortable clothes after she'd begged him to fuck her one more time, directing him to leave a mark.
She touched the fresh hickey on her collar bone, watching from the kitchen as Kathy looked around the house, admiring all of the photos on the walls and sneakers by the door.
"Your home is beautiful," Kathy said very softly, stoping when Liv held up a hand.
"I can't begin to express how uninterested I am in your small talk. Have a seat," she motioned before moving to sit on the love seat with Elliot's arm protectively around her.
She was opening her mouth to lay into her again, when the sound of the door opening stopped her.
In walked Eli with his hand protectively on Emma's shoulder.
Kathy gasped, a hand covering her mouth, but neither looked her way, instead keeping their eyes on their parents.
"Sam insisted. And we agree. Harley and her mom went over to help with the twins and Teddy, and when we left, Anna Kate had kidnapped Uncle Noah to play princess," he said dryly with a small smile.
"Plus, as Noah said. He 'loves the big kids to death buuuut… when does he ever get no competition time with all the babies,'" Emma added, finally making Liv and El laughed just a little and get up to hug their kiddos tightly.
Once they'd taken their seats again, Eli turned to Kathy.
"Kathy," he nodded, "this is my baby sister Emma… but I know you already know that."
She blinked quickly and waved just a bit. "Hi um… hi Emma… Eli you've… you're a man, now."
"Well it's been four years so."
Hanging her head in shame, Kathy nodded slowly. "What uh… what did I miss?" She tried to joke, and Emma rolled her eyes, sitting beside her dad while Eli shook his head.
"Everything. You missed everything."
"You seem um… happy…"
"Just had twins. How could I not be?"
"Twins?" Kathy whispered, and Eli nodded.
"Boy and a girl. Elliot Joseph and Jamie Olivia. EJ and Joey."
"Dickie also has a daughter, Anna Kate Margaret," Emma added.
"Mo finally got pregnant after lots of fertility treatments, and Katie and Beau are planning their wedding," Eli said.
"And Lizzie… Lizzie is living her best list."
"And teaching this one too much," Eli teased making Emma unable to hide her smile.
"Mom and dad had Teddy and got married… dad finally got added to my birth certificate and he adopted Noah, too."
"I'm headed to college at Princeton on a soccer scholarship. Dickie got his dream job; Mo is teacher of the year ever other year."
"Katie and Beau are lawyers and Sarah does Stabler kiddos camp at her place on Tuesday and Thursdays… twins will be heading eventually."
Eli nodded. "Give Sam a break during the week. Plus, already told Teddy that EJ would be his best friend and I can't lie to either of them.
"Truth!"
The siblings smiled at one another before looking down when they remembered the gravity of the situation.
Emma moved to sit between her parents and Eli looked back to Kathy who was fully sobbing now.
"I just hope you've got a good explanation… especially Dickie. He's gonna take this the hardest," Eli finally said after several painful minutes of silence.
"I…" she trailed off. "I'm proud of you."
"Means nothing. My mom is sitting right there," he nodded towards Liv. "Cause she adopted me, too. Didn't quite think through the legalities of witness, huh Kathy?"
"You're breaking my heart…" she gasped softly.
He waved her off. "I just hope the gang will be able to see you for what you are," he said simply, sitting in one of the kitchen chairs that had been pulled around to the living room.
The front door open suddenly and Dickie's joyful voice filled the condo.
"Livie? Dad?"
When they didn't answer he called again, voice growing closer. "Yoooo, mother, father… One of you better exp-"
His voice dropped off and Sarah rushed to place a firm hold on his hips as Eli stood, ready to pounce in case.
He stared at her for what felt like an eternity, studying her face and how she was sitting; looking between her and his siblings and their combined parents; looking back to his partner who nodded quickly and gave him a squeeze as he tried to process the unimaginable.
"Mom…" he finally choked out, dropping to his knees in a puddle of tears.