A/N: Been home with the side effects of the Covid Vax. Many chapters written. Can't promise this speed of updates always.
Also, still winging it. Thx for reading.
Elliot Stabler was a pro at puke.
5 kids. 4 pregnancies with Kathy. 30 years on the force. Nothing phased him.
He was, however, worried about his boy. And his other boy. And his Liv. Maybe she was right- her mood and queasy stomach that week was just flu.
He called Bell.
"Hey Lieu."
"Hey Elliot- everything okay?"
"My boy is puking at school- I gotta go get him." He answered honestly, leaving out the important detail of which boy.
"Oh no… Well it is flu season. Go get him and take the day. We'll see you tomorrow."
He nodded. "Thank you so much."
He arrived to the boy's school 10 minutes later. He walked into the nurse's office to find Noah laying on the small cot they had with Eli rubbing his head.
He smiled. "Hey guys..."
"Hey dad" they said in unison.
"Oh no" Noah mumbled before sitting up and leaning over to vomit in the bucket next to him. Eli frowned and rubbed his back.
Elliot walked over. "Alright little man let's get you home okay?"
They got him cleaned up and standing with a new bucket. Eli looked nervous.
"Dad you got him... you'll be alright with him..."
Elliot laughed. "Buddy. This is kid #6 I got it. He'll be fine." He kissed his head. "Walk to the 1-6 after school, Livie will bring you home."
He nodded and rubbing Noah's arm. "See you tonight little bro. Love you." He nudged him.
"Love you" he he said softly and Elliot picked him up, bringing him to the car.
Back at the station, Liv looked at Fin, panic still in her eyes.
"We're gonna tell everyone soon…." She began and sighed. "Can you just keep it to yourself for now?
Fin couldn't help but chuckle. Liv rolled her eyes, knowing what was coming.
"Captain. We've known since mine and Phoebes non wedding. We've definitely known since Wheatley Gate. And you super confirmed it when you put a framed picture of you Stabler and the clan on your desk." He was full on laughing now.
She gave him a look and he got his laugher in check but still smiled. She couldn't help but smile back.
"Get in there," she said, "and don't say a word unless you want to work weekends for the rest of your life."
He nodded heading into the interrogation room. She took a steadying breath and followed.
She emerged for air 6 hours later to several texts and Eli sitting at her desk doing homework.
She smiled when she saw him. He was starting to look more and more like his dad.
She let her mind drift to what their baby could have looked like. She shook her head gently, pushing the thought aside.
"Hi buddy." She said.
He looked up and smiled. "Hey. I've never seen you in action before. It was kinda awesome."
She laughed. "It was rough in there. I hope you didn't listen to much." She walked over and dropped a kiss to his head.
He laughed. "Carisi shut off the speaker after about 20 minutes."
"20 minutes? Should have shut it off after 5." She laughed. "Did you see Noah before dad got him?"
"Oh yeah, the nurse called me out of class." He puffed out his chest a little bit. "He wanted his big brother" he said proudly.
Liv beamed. "Well, I think you are the best big brother... don't tell Dickie," she teased.
"Oh I'm definitely going to tell him!" He grinned, looking extra like his dad.
She chuckled shaking her head and looking down at her phone to read the texts from El.
Elliot: Got the goods. Still puking. We're hanging in our bathroom.
Elliot: He finally was able to relax and fall asleep. Staying here. I expect more puke to come.
Elliot: More puke. Eli is gonna walk to the 1-6 and ride home with you.
Liv: Hey I'm sorry. Just got out of a 6 hour interrogation. How's the boy?
She smiled when he texted back immediately with a picture of him asleep against him on their bed.
Elliot: Devastated he'll be missing the game tomorrow. Got him to sip on a bit of water but he can't eat anything.
Liv: Poor guy :( Tell him not to worry- they'll be many more Stabler boys baseball games.
Elliot: I did- plus King Dickie told him if he was feeling better he'd come over and we'd watch on the couch. Big brothers are the best :)
Her heart melted.
Liv: Yes they are. :) Especially this one sitting in my office right now! Heard he sat with Noah till you got there.
Elliot: He did. It was pretty cute- will have to use that next time they fight- haha.
Liv: Lol! We'll be home soon. I'll bring dinner. I love you.
Elliot: Love you more, baby.
She slipped her phone in her bag and looked up. She was surprised to see Bell looking at her through the window from across the squad with a raised brow.
She walked in to her office with a brow raised. "I thought Stabler's boy was sick??" She asked glancing at Eli.
Eli's eyes widened. He knew they were still keeping things hush-hush. He let out a pretend cough. "I'm better?" He tried.
Liv gave him a look and he shrugged.
"Nice to see you too, Ayanna. Eli? Wait for me at the car?" He nodded and grabbed his stuff heading out.
The two women faced each other as the door shut. Bell tried to hold a serious face before she bust out laughing.
Liv rolled her eyes. "You too?" She asked.
Bell nodded. "Washburn owes me 50."
Liv sighed and walked out into the bullpen. Ayanna stood behind her still laughing.
"Ok." She said to her squad and Carisi. "Who has money on me and El?"
They all raised their hands and smiled.
She waved her hands dismissively and started walking towards the elevator.
"Start paying up."