A/N: Another chapter of set up and filler. Please review.
Teddy squealed loudly when he saw his parents, power crawling over to them.
"Oh my... there's my baby boy!!!! I missed you!!!" Liv said excitedly, lifting him up and smooching him all over.
He giggled hysterically and laid against her, holding her shirt tightly.
"No love for daddy," El teased, kissing his cheek several times as he raised a hand to touch his face. "Oh I missed you boy… you have fun with everyone?"
Teddy yawned and Emma appeared from the bedroom. "He and Anna Kate have been up playing since 6:30," she groaned.
"They were "talking" to each other from their rooms," Eli laughed.
"Noah didn't hear them cause he left me to snuggle Eli," Emma teased.
Noah looked up from his place on the couch where he was feeding EJ. "I miss my brother," he stuck his tongue out.
Eli smiled sadly and nodded. "I miss my brother too," he winked.
Sam emerged, dressed for the weather in thick leggings and one of Eli's Princeton sweatshirts, holding Joey.
"Oh there's Caps baby girl," Liv gasped cutely, handing Teddy over to El and gently taking Joey. "Oh Sammi she looks just like you I can't get over it!" She smiled, moving to sit on the couch with her.
Grinning proudly, she lounged back with a slight wince and laid against Liv's shoulder. "She's got her daddy's eyes though," she smiled and Liv sighed happily.
"We're all suckers for them… how you feeling?"
"Sore but, Jenny said everything is healing properly so that's good. Starting birth control today," she laughed softly when Liv gave her a look.
"Be extra careful when you're cleared okay? You're super fertile," she said just loud enough for her to hear.
"We aren't.. I mean," she sighed softly. "I'm not sure what we are."
"How about you, me, and Joey have a girls day this week?" Liv asked softly and Sam nodded with a small smile. "That'd be amazing."
Liv kissed her head and smiled, looking across to Eli who'd sat beside Noah again, and Elliot who sat on his other side with Teddy.
The youngest Stabler brother reached out for Eli, who gladly pulled him to his lap with a chuckle.
Laying against his chest, Teddy looked down at EJ in awe like he always did.
"Best friends," Eli whispered proudly.
"They are… but papa wants some cuddled with my guy," he chuckled, standing to take him from Noah's arms.
"Liv would you mind showing me how to do the winter car seat covers? I feel like an idiot," she laughed bit and Liv nodded. "Course baby. Don't feel like an idiot! They're tricky. When do you have to leave?"
"Another 20 minutes or so… we have time," she smiled.
"Alright good…" Liv smiled.
"What are we doing today, mom," Emma asked, popping down on the "girls couch."
"Daddy is gonna take your brothers home so Ted can nap, and I thought you and I could start our Christmas shopping?"
"Yes!" She gasped with a grin.
Noah groaned. "Dad can we just online shop."
"Negative," he and Eli responded together.
"It's like having two dads," Noah exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air as they laughed.
"You, me, and Ted are gonna shop when he wakes up!"
"Can we play video games till then??" Noah asked hopefully and El nodded and smiled. "Course buddy that sounds fun."
"Yesssss," Noah grinned as Emma rolled her eyes playfully.
"Boys," she giggled.
Liv taught Sam and Eli how to do the winter covers on the twin's carriers, and El helped him get them settled in the car while Liv brought out the rest of the kiddos and Sam locked up.
Eli put a hand on Sam's back to steady her on the ice, and smiled small when she peaked into the backseat of Eli's small SUV to double check that the twins were there.
"You good?" He asked softly, as El watched on while Liv got Teddy in his car seat.
"Perfect I'm just feeling a little emotional today," she whispered, looking up to him.
Leaning in, he kissed her head. "Let's get these appointments done and spend some time alone tonight okay?"
She looked up again and pursed her lips out, for a kiss. He gladly gave her one and got her in the car, helping her buckle and shutting the door.
"You guys gotta get this figured out," El said softly and Eli breathed out, nodding. "Yeah… yeah I know."
"Let's do a guys night this week yeah? You me and Dick?"
"Dad I think I just need some you time," he asked softly and El smiled small, giving him a big hug. "Whatever you need. Text us updates on our little ones. Love you boy."
"Love you, too, dad."
Waving and blowing a kiss to his mom, Eli rounded the car and climbed in, taking Sam's hand and driving off.
The radio was playing quietly on a country station, and Sam gripped his hand tightly when lyrics from a Thomas Rhett song filled the car.
I don't talk to God like you always tell me I should
I don't live my life every day like you prayed that I would, uh
Yeah, I'm a mess of a man with lessons to learn
You're the last thing on earth I deserve
You shoulda slammed the door, changed the lock and said, adios
To my selfish heart, tore it apart and left me alone
Don't know why you were patient and wasted good savin' on me
Maybe angels don't always have wings
He parked the car at the office and gave her a knowing look.
"Love you," she whispered.
"Love you more."
"Mom? Dad?" Emma asked, her parents as they walked in the house.
"Hm?" El said, heading to the kitchen to heat up a bottle for Ted who was snuggled into Liv's arms.
"This is gonna sound crazy," the 13 year old said with a soft sigh. "But just hear me out."
Everyone, including Noah and Ted, looked to her as she spoke after a brief pause. "We should invite Kathy to Christmas… or at least drop off dinner."
"You crazy," Noah said with a snort, sitting down.
Liv and El were speechless and watched as their daughter turned to her little brother with crossed arms. "Look I don't like her at all but no one deserves to be alone on Christmas. So we should talk to the big kids on Sunday and see what they think," she said.
"But she's a jerk," Noah groaned, and Liv cracked a small smile to Elliot as the younger two began to fall into their old habit of talking like no one else was in the room.
"I know. But I think as good Catholics we need to love others like Jesus loved us."
"But its Kathy, Emma, she's like public enemy number one!"
"But she's still everyone's mom."
"Mom is everyone's mom. She's their mother."
"Still. I just think we should talk to them about it. Or at least drop off some gifts."
"Good luck with that!"
She scoffed. "I can get Liz to do anything and you…" she trailed off as he shook his head, knowing where she was headed.
"No!" He exclaimed.
"You're the cute little brother Dickie will do anything for you and if Dickie folds and Liz folds the rest will."
"Why is this so important to you???" He asked, incredulously.
"It's just been heavy on my heart. I talked to Jake this morning," she sighed, sitting beside him.
In sync, they rested their heads together and got comfy. "I just… she clearly has issues and telling her to screw is the easy solution. We should be helping her. I don't know. Maybe it's a dumb idea," she sighed.
"She didn't tell daddy about you…"
"But I have him now…"
"You're way nicer than me," he huffed, pausing. "Maybe a few gifts would be a good start," he pondered.
"What would we even get her?"
"Candle? Mom likes candles."
"Maybe candles and a blanket?"
"Maybe it could just come from us?" Noah asked excitedly, "if the big kids don't wanna do it. Kill her with kindness," he said, laughing evilly.
Finally cutting in, Liv sat beside them and gave them both a small smile.
"I think a few small gifts and some dinner would be a good start… okay?" Liv said softly, wrapping her arms around them both. "And I think it's so kind that you're thinking that way, baby. I'm so proud of you," she breathed, kissing her head.
"I just don't wanna be cruel… even if she was cruel," she shrugged and smiled small when El came up behind her and hugged her tightly.
"You make me so proud, Emma Bee," he whispered, tears in his eyes.
"Yeah yeah she's alright," Noah teased and El laughed loud and hard.
"Alright, let's go, I need a day with my baby girl!" Liv smiled, kissing her temple.
"And I need to kick dads butt in video games," Noah said triumphantly, laughing hysterically when Elliot pushed him sideways on the couch and started to tickle him.
"So…" Liv said, swinging Emma's hand as they walked through the mall.
"Soooo?" She asked.
"So your brother and Sam?"
Emma groaned. "Don't get me started."
"That bad huh?"
"Mhm. You and daddy need to talk sense into them. It's the same old thing. Eli wants to date. Sam wants him to go to college," she sighed. "But they're still doing stuff."
"She just had twins?" Liv said aloud, though not meaning to and blushing.
"I mean not sex but you know," Emma rolled her eyes.
"I need to find time to talk with them," Liv sighed. "But anyways...how are you and Jake? We haven't seen him?"
"Good," Emma sighed happily, smiling up to her mom. "Just been busy and he has too. But actually...Can he come over this Friday ?"
"Of course Emma Bee, just not too late of course."
"I know," she smiled.
"What should we get these boys huh?"
"Daddy asked for no more ties," Emma said, cackling.
Liv laughed, too. "He does have so many! He needs a new watch, so I thought we'd get him one from you, Noah, and Ted."
"Good idea… can I pick it out?
"Well I certainly don't trust Noah to," she teased and Emma grinned.
"What do you want, mom? And don't say 'oh just for my babies to be happy,'" she mimicked with an eye roll that made Liv laugh harder.
"Wellllll," she said, nudging her.
"You gotta give me ideas. You know the boys aren't shopping today."
"Oh I know. I bet they tell us Teddy napped too long!"
"Or that he was fussy!" Emma giggled. "And you know he'll just be playing on the floor between them while they play video games, totally fine!"
"He's the chillest baby ever. Better than you, even!"
"I'm so glad you had him. He's the best."
Liv looked down at her baby girl and stopped walking to pull her in for a tight hug.
"Moooom," Emma teased and she laughed, pulling back as they resumed their walk.
"When you were born, I couldn't have imagined ever having the life we have now… thought it would just be you and me."
Swinging their arms again, Emma smiled. "I'm glad it turned out the way it did… even if Kathy is accidentally alive again."
Liv burst into laughter and Emma did too.
"Come on girl, let's go shop and get dinner."
"Oh we can we choose since we know they aren't gonna go shopping??"
"Yes!" Liv exclaimed and Emma fist pumped the air.
When they got home earlier than expected with food from their favorite Indian place, they found the boys at the kitchen table wrapping gifts.
"NO DON'T LOOK!" Noah cried, trying to use his body to shield the table.
Eli, Sam, and the twins were over and both Elliots laughed as they joined his efforts.
"You actually went shopping??" Emma exclaimed.
"That's what I said!" Sam laughed as the boys disappeared into Noah's room to hide gifts.
"What are you guys doing here??" Liv smiled, handing the food and bags off to Emma and moving to gently hug Sam.
"We both were needing some girl/dad time, and El said you both took tomorrow off so thought it would be okay?" She asked nervously.
"Oh baby of course, you guys are welcome here whenever," Liv smiled, kissing her head and sitting beside her.
"We set up Teddy's pack and play in Eli's room so the twins are sleeping right now."
"Perfect," Liv smiled. "Enough room in there?" She asked as El and Eli stepped on the patio with drinks in hand and Emma and Noah went to their rooms to start their make up homework.
"Enough room for one permanent crib at least," Sam said, clearing her throat awkwardly.
Liv caught on to what she was saying and lifted Teddy into her lap when he reached up, turning to face the young woman.
"What are you thinking?" She asked cautiously.
"That I'm feeling bad cause Noah misses his brother and I think Eli misses home. And I… I'm gonna be all medically cleared in a month and we can't," she sighed, getting flustered and covering her face. "He's not going to want to leave. I know him... it's gonna be a fight."
Sucking in a deep breath Liv nodded slowly.
"What did you two decide on? Originally? I mean, do you want him to leave?"
"God no… I just… I know if he doesn't…"
"Sam," Liv said in a soft but stern voice. "Eli is 18 years old… he has two paths in front of him and only he can make the decision on which he's gonna take."
"He applied to Hudson and NYU," Sam blurted, tearfully.
"I know… he told us. And he got in."
"And he's trying to renegotiate his scholarship at Princeton," she groaned.
"I know…"
"I don't want him to regret us," Sam whispered, looking up to her. "Or regret not doing what he wants because of us."
"Eli is smart… he's stubborn like his dad, but he's smart and rational," Liv began, smiling small when Sam interjected. "He gets the rational from you."
"Someone had to bestow that," she winked, "but anyways, you have to let him decide and you have to control only what you can, okay?"
"Okay," she nodded slowly.
"So… the original plan?"
"He stays for the first month and then just a few days a week."
"But you don't want that?"
"No… and not just cause I don't think I can do it alone… cause they're his, too, and It would kill both of us for him to miss out.
"I know you're kinda maxed out on space down there, but what if you put a twin bed in EJ's room for him?"
"That's not a bad idea," she nodded slowly.
"Or, you just stop putting so much pressure on yourselves and just live in the moment," she whispered to the young woman she knew would be her daughter in law one day. "You love each other and you love your babies. And I think the more you can just focus on that the better. Okay?"
Sam nodded thoughtfully and leaned into Olivia with a small smile.
"And one last word of advice?" Liv said, softly, waiting for Sam to look back up to her.
"Don't forget to open yourself up and be vulnerable… you don't have to protect him constantly. Because if you don't open up? You'll loose out on time you could've had together."
Outside, Eli was sipping his bourbon with his dad, who turned toward him.
"You're such a good dad, Bud. I'm really proud of you," he smiled.
"Thanks man," he smiled small.
"They're doing okay?" He asked, sitting down in one of the chairs and motioning for Eli to join.
"Yeah, they're doing great. All three of them," he smiled small.
"What are you two doing huh?"
"Wish I knew," he sighed.
"You've gotta make your own decisions."
"That's what I said to her. If I end up at Princeton or at Hudson I… I have to make it on my own. With them in mind."
He paused to sip his drink and then looked over at his dad. "She thinks I'll regret her… be mad at her if I 'choose' them over Princeton. It's not a choice though, not really."
"It's a break, and mostly from your relationship if that's what you want. But you're not taking a break from being their dad."
"Exactly," Eli sighed and nodded.
"What do you want, man?" El said, looking at him.
"I wanna go to college and I wanna date Sam and I wanna raise our kids."
"And her?"
"I think she wants the same but… she won't tell me. She just keeps saying 'we aren't doing anything,' or 'no labels.'"
"She's a lot like your mom… she's lost a lot in her life and is afraid to lose again. You two have been through hell in the last year and the fact that you've worked through it and are some how parenting at barely 18 is incredible. I think you two need to live in the moment and focus on what's important. What's important to you?"
"Samantha, Joey, and EJ… and finishing high school and picking a college."
"So focus on that in that order. And then go from there. Okay?"
"Alright," he nodded, taking another sip.
"You're much happier around her… you remind me of me around your mom. Don't fuck it up and miss years with her like I did. Okay?"
Eli chuckled. "Alright pops."
There was a long pause before Elliot spoke again. "And for the love of god use a condom when she gets cleared."
Bursting into laughter, Eli covered his face and nodded. "Yeah, yeah I know."
"C'mon. Let's go hang inside with them before the babies wake up."
Checking his watch, Eli nodded. "They've got another hour. They're like clockwork, I swear."
"You're lucky," El laughed as they walked in.
"Whose lucky?" Liv asked with a smile.
"Our son and bonus daughter because they're babies sleep like clockwork," he smiled and Eli blushed, sitting beside Sam and wrapping an arm around her.
The older pair watched the younger settle in together, as Sam looked up and Eli pecked her nose.
"Love you," he whispered.
"Love you," she replied with a small smile.
Liv looked up to El who was grinning like a fool.
Later that night, once the kids had gone to bed and the twins were fed, The Elliot's retired to their rooms with their ladies.
Eli laid back on his bed, watching as Sam, for the first time since the twins came, willingly changed in front of him.
He smiled small and watched her, admiring the curves of her post partum body and eying her swollen breasts.
"Down boy," she teased and he chuckled, scooting to the end of the bed and pulling her very gently between his legs.
"So beautiful," he said, softly and genuinely.
Her hands fell to his cheeks and his slipped from her waist down to take handfuls of her ass.
"You have a birthday coming up," he whispered to her. "What can I get you?"
"You got me two babies," she teased and he chuckled. "Uh uh… that's what you got me."
"That was perfect timing," she whispered, referencing the two days between their birth and his 18th birthday.
She stepped a little closer, so their bare chests were touching, and kissed him gently.
"You have a good talk with your dad?"
"I did… you with mom?"
"I did… I realized I'm being… too closed off and that it's making us miss time together."
"Hm…" he said thoughtfully. "I realized I'm too much focusing in the future instead of enjoying the moment we have right now."
"Think they planned that wisdom?"
Eli gave a big smile. "Those two? No. They just share a brain."
She chuckled softly and kissed him again. "So where does that leave us?"
"Wherever you want."
"Do we have to put a label on it? Can we reevaluate before college?"
"Whatever you want," he said again, resting his forehead against her chest and pressing a soft kiss to the spot between her breasts.
"I think I wanna not put a label on it and reevaluate before college. And I think I want you to stay with me as much as you can, cause I love watching you be a dad and I love having you around."
Letting out a sigh of relief, he kissed the spot again and rolled his head upwards, chin resting there now. "So good to hear you say that."
"I do love you… so very much."
"I know… I'd do anything for you, Samaroo," he said, standing and keeping a firm grip on her ass.
Her bare nipples scraped against chest and she let out a soft moan as she leaked a little bit of milk.
Laughing at the pouty face she made, he kissed her again and broke their embrace to get her pumps from their bag.
They settled into their nightly routine with ease, and Sam laughed a little as he locked the door, motioning for her to stay naked as she climbed into his bed.
"What's this kink huh?" She whispered.
"Watching you pump or breastfeed is just like, the sexiest thing," he whispered back, helping her get set up and comfortable.
She laughed softly. "Did your dad make your mom do this?"
"Probably. She blinks and he gets a boner."
Covering her mouth, Sam laughed harder and nodded. "They're kinda insane."
"With their sex life? Or yeah. I bet anything they're in doing it right now."
"Ouch," El winced, leaning back to look at the hair in the tweezers that Liv just pulled from his eye brow.
"Big baby," she said, and he grumbled, squirming under her.
"I thought you were climbing on me for sex not torture."
"I was but-"
"Ow Liv fuck!"
"-I saw how horrible your brows were and needed to pluck them."
"This was a trap."
"Yes," she agreed and he pouted again, rolling his hips up to try and distract both of them.
"Oh babe your nose is covered in black heads," she said, putting her glasses on.
"Oh fuck me," he mumbled pathetically.
"After I squeeze these, wait!" She gasped and he groaned again, laughing now.
"Yes we can do face masks," he said, and her smile got wider.
He laughed watching her disappear to the bathroom and texted Eli.
El: You guys wanna do face masks with me and mom?
Eli: Haha yes Sam just finished pumping!
"Kids are joining us," El said and Liv grinned even bigger, doubling back to the bathroom for another two headbands.
The pair joined them, hanging out for a while, chatting and doing masks until the twins started to wake up around midnight.
Teddy whined too on his monitor and El chuckled. "That growth spurt."
"I'm exhausted so I'm gonna get him and he can eat while I sleep," Liv yawned with a laugh, kissing all of their heads and disappearing to get Ted.
"It's Joey's turn so will you warm a bottle for EJ?" Sam asked with a small smile, and Eli nodded.
"On it."
"Hey bud you wanna hang on the couch with me for a little?" El asked his son who smiled.
"Yeah dad, sure," he grinned as they headed to get the twins.
Liv came back with Teddy who was already latched on and eating like a champ.
"Slow down dude," El laughed, kissing his head and then Liv's lips. "Gonna hang with my boys for a little," El said, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Don't stay up too late," she whispered with a smile and kissed him again.
"I won't, love you."
"Love you babe."
Eli was already on the couch feeding EJ when El sat beside him with two glasses of scotch.
"Thanks dad," Eli smiled and nodded, looking back down to EJ.
"I think this is the first time you, me and him have hung out just us," El said softly, turning to the side and taking in his son and first grandson.
Nodding and smiling, Eli looked over to him. "So weird huh?"
"So weird," El breathed with a laugh. "But so good."
"You wanna hold him?"
El nodded and took EJ from him, resuming his feeding.
"Man I remember when you were this little. I used to think about what you'd be like when you were grown…"
"Everything you ever dreamed of?" Eli teased, sipping his drink.
"And more," El said seriously.
"Even though I knocked up my high school girlfriend," he whispered with a soft laugh.
"Especially cause you did that. Because the man you've grown into? Jeez Eli… unmatched."
"Thanks dad," he said, barely a whisper.
EJ kicked his bottle from his mouth and pouted, a cry forming on his lips.
"Ohhh why so sad buddy," El whispered. "You want your daddy?"
"C'mere boy," he whispered, taking him back. The infant took his bottle immediately and snuggled into his dad's arms.
"How you doing with all this Kathy shit," El asked and Eli shrugged.
"So detached from her… the pains for my siblings and you… mom and Emma…"
"Emma got her a Christmas gift today."
"She told me… she's a better person than all of us."
"Just like your momma," El said, taking another sip of his drink.
"I'll drink to that."
"Talk to Dick today?"
"Yeah… he spent time with his girls and says he's fine but…"
"What did Sarah say?" El laughed softly.
"That he cried for a solid hour while Anna Kate napped, but…" he paused for a sip, "he called his therapist after."
"Progress," El nodded. "Maybe should have a sibling meeting before Christmas?"
"Good idea," he nodded.
EJ finished his bottle and Eli put him on his shoulder to burp him and rock him back to sleep.
The dark hair he was born with was already lightening like Eli's had, and El leaned in to gently kiss his little head. "Love you so very much my grandson," he whispered.
"He loves you, dad… I can't wait to see you guys as he gets older… both of them and mom too," Eli grinned.
El took him very gently and Eli snapped a few pictures as the two cuddled and they continued to chat quietly.
"You and Sam talk?"
"Yeah… you and mom gave us the same advice," he laughed.
"Yeah we're good like that," El laughed. "What did you decide?"
"Enjoy the moment… go with the flow and not label it… re-evaluate before college."
"I think that's a good plan, Son."
Eli was quiet a minute and then nodded. "I always loved her… you know I mean, she's incredible. But like… watching her be a mom I just… I fall more and more in love with her every time I see with the babies."
"That'll do it to ya… just gets better every day."
"I can't wait…"
"Don't wish it away too fast… your first son and daughter will only be this age one… you and your partner will only experience it once."
"Yeah," Eli smiled small and nodded.
It was 2 am when the boys snuck back into their rooms.
Eli laid EJ down beside his sister and gently put his hand on the side of her head, smiling when she rolled her face into his palm.
"Come to bed," Sam whispered from behind him.
Leaning down, he kissed both twins heads and then crawled into bed beside her, wrapping his arms around her.
"Love you E," she said sleepily.
"Love you more, baby."
Teddy was passed out beside Liv when El climbed in bed.
Kissing both of their heads, he snuggled up with them, starting to fall asleep when Liv spoke softly.
"Love you…"
"Love you more, baby."