A/N: I know it's been a while and I haven't forgotten about it. I don't own any of the characters except my own.
Rafael had flown to Chicago to get Kevin. He had stopped over at Lisa and Trevor's and found out that Kevin was with their nephew Trevor and his friends at Great America for the day. He figured Olivia would be at work, so he went over to her District but was told that she wasn't there at the moment but to try the 21st. He went over to the 21st, got out of his car and went in.
"Mr. Barba, it's nice to see you again."
"You too, Sergeant."
"Call me Trudy."
"Ok. Then you can call me Rafael."
"Got it."
"Liv wouldn't be here, would she?"
"She is. She's always here. I'll walk you up."
Trudy and Rafael headed up the stairs, Trudy put her code in and they continued up. They walked over to Hank's office and Trudy knocked on the door.
"Come on in."
Trudy opened the door.
"Are you two doing anything nasty in here?"
"No."
"Olivia has a visitor."
"Rafael poked his head in."
"Hey, Liv."
"Hey!"
Trudy left and went back downstairs and Hank and Olivia put the files they were looking through down.
"Rough case?"
"You could say that. It's similar to a case I remember working on in New York."
"Oh yeah, before I forget, these are the files Fin told me to give you."
"These are for this case. How's Michelle?"
"She's hanging in there. She has my mom to keep her company and Maggie and Ed have been around quite a bit. Her parents are coming in next weekend and then Kevin will go spend some time with them in Dallas."
"How are you?"
"Honestly, I have no idea. I'm not cut out to be a father to an infant. I barely liked Noah when he was a baby but he has grown on me and I love him now."
"Does Michelle know how you feel?"
"No."
"Don't you think you need to discuss this with your wife? She didn't do this on her own."
"I know. I was there when it happened. I just never saw myself as a family man. I want to be a good dad to my daughter but I'm really scared, Liv."
"I was scared when I was pregnant with Lexie last year but Hank was so amazing. I had never experienced anything like that before but he had."
"You made it look so easy with Noah."
"It was far from it and it was even harder when I actually carried the child because I was going through changes of my own. I was moody, I was emotional and my body was changing, among other things."
"I've noticed my own weight gain."
"I put on a little bit of weight when Olivia was pregnant."
"Trevor put on weight when Lisa was pregnant too."
"Obviously it doesn't show that much on him because he's so tall. The same with Carisi. All he does is eats."
"He pretty much always has."
Then Alex and Casey came in.
"Hey, Liv."
"Hey."
"Rafael."
"Ladies."
"Are we still on for tonight?"
"Yeah. I'm looking forward to it. The guys are going out for pizza."
"Barba, why don't you join us?"
"Maybe I will."
"Who's all coming, Liv?"
"The three of us, Lisa, Pauline, Trudy, Kim, Erin, Olive, Stephanie, Natalie, Sharon, Maggie, Donna, Cindy, Sylvie, Gabby and Meredith. Same as always. Greg took off today and went with Sarah to Great America with all the boys except Ben. Since we'll be at the house, the kids will all be there but everyone understands that."
"What's for dinner?"
"Olive's cooking. Trevor is closing the office early and Olive wanted to make something for dinner. I didn't have a problem with it."
Olivia's phone rang, so she stepped out of the room to take it. It was Amanda reminding her about the baby shower for Michelle next weekend and wanted to know if any of them were coming. She said she'd be there but she was bringing Lexie. Hank would not be there and he was keeping Noah with him. She asked if they knew about it and she said they did. She went back into Hank's office.
"Everything ok?"
"Yeah. That was Amanda asking about next weekend."
"You are coming, right?"
"I am and I'm bringing Lexie. Justin and Olive are going away for a week, so Hank is going to have the boys. I couldn't talk him into coming though. Lisa, Pauline and Sarah are coming too. I think they are coming without any children, so Trevor is taking care of their 5 on his own."
"That would be interesting to see."
"Yeah, it would, actually."
"So, you and Pauline are fine?"
"Yeah. We got to see Kevin's presentation. That was pretty amazing."
"We're pretty proud of him. He worked so hard on it and it helped him learn more about his real dad. Maggie told him everything about him."
"Lisa's cousins were here as well, so he connected with them too."
"We heard about that."
"Mouse helped him get his presentation on something he could save and off his phone."
"He told us and he said he couldn't wait to show us."
"I was surprised he got Ed to speak."
"Maggie was too."
"I'm glad the two of you are getting along a lot better than you used to."
"I am too. Both Michelle and I wanted them to be grandparents to Lucie. Maggie accepted me in Kevin's life and I wanted to return that by having them be grandparents to our daughter. Mom and Maggie have become BFFs. They've done most of the work for the baby shower. Thank you for your gifts, by the way."
"You're welcome. I figured it was easier to have ordered it online and have it shipped directly to you than have to wait until I get there to get something."
"That made sense. I did the same thing for you."
"You sure did. How's Michelle handling being off from work?"
"She's been fine but Fin has had a few choice words for me though. He hates being in charge."
"He hated it after I left and Dodds went to Joint Terrorism. He is perfectly capable of handling it."
"That's what Michelle keeps telling him."
"Have Rollins and Carisi set a date yet?"
"Not that I know of. He wants to adopt Jesse but can't unless Declan gives up his parental rights to her. She hasn't been able to get a hold of him and he hasn't contacted her in over a year. Carisi is basically the only father she has known. As annoying as he can be, he is great with Jesse."
"You're a great dad too. You stepped into the father role of an already made family. I like this Rafael."
"My mom does too. She is crazy about Kevin and she loves Michelle. She is ready to spoil her granddaughter rotten the minute she is born."
"I'm sure her daddy will too."
"No doubt."
"Lexie has Hank wrapped around her little finger."
"I'm glad I get to do this once. I'm not sure about the delivery room bit though."
"Everyone thinks you'll pass out."
"I don't doubt that. Fin said the same thing about Carisi."
"I'd like to see Fin trying to get through that."
"Carisi said the same thing."
Rafael pulled out his phone.
"Here's the nursery."
"That is precious."
"Thanks. It was just finished."
"Who worked on it?"
"Ed, Paul and Richard mostly but Fin and Carisi helped too. My mother supervised, of course. My mom, Michelle's parents and Maggie and Ed got all the furniture."
"It sounds like all the grandparents are going to spoil her."
"Oh, no doubt."
"I should probably get back."
"Ok. I'll be home before I meet everyone."
"Ok. See you later."
"Yep."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"Let me know when you're home. I'll be at my hotel."
"Ok."
Olivia kissed Hank and then she left with Alex, Casey and Rafael. The rest of the work day seemed to go by quickly. Olive had gone home early to cook dinner. Then Olivia arrived at the house.
"Hey, Olive."
"Hey."
"It smells great."
"Thanks. I'm making baked mostaccioli, homemade garlic bread and brownies for dessert. I figured I could just double the recipe and we could have leftovers."
"That is a great idea. Hank and Justin can also get some."
"Exactly."
"Did Alyssa and her mom leave already?"
"Yeah. She had to get to therapy."
"That's right. I forgot. Hello, Alexandra!"
Lexie was bouncing in her high chair.
"Mama!"
Olivia kissed Lexie on top of her head.
"Where are the boys?"
"In the family room watching a movie with Captain."
Olivia went into the family room.
"Hey, guys."
"Hi Mommy."
"Hi Gama."
Olivia scratched Captain on his head and then headed upstairs. She went into the office to lock her gun up and then she went into the bedroom to change. She put her swimsuit on with her shorts and a tank top. Hank had come home and said hi to everyone before he headed upstairs. He locked up his gun and went into the bedroom. Olivia had just come out of the bathroom after putting her hair up into a ponytail. Hank kissed Olivia and then she headed back downstairs, while Hank changed his clothes. As she was heading down, the doorbell rang. It was Lisa, Trevor, Pauline and the kids.
"Hey."
"Hello. How were things today?"
"Same crap, different day."
"That's for sure."
"Come on in."
"Thanks."
Emily and the boys headed right for the family room.
"Sorry about that."
"Don't worry about it."
"Is Hank home yet?"
"Yeah. He's here."
Hank came downstairs.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"Did you left Rafael know you're here?"
"Yeah. I texted him and he said he'd be here in a little bit."
"Ok. Good. Where's Justin?"
"He had something to finish up."
Olive had put Lexie on the floor and she crawled to Olivia.
"MAMA!"
"Oh, my goodness! You can be so bossy sometimes."
"She takes after her mother."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
"I'm going to get you for that later."
"I'm not afraid of you."
Lexie started giggling at her parents.
"Are you laughing at Mommy?"
"No. I think she's laughing at you."
Justin came in.
"Hey. I'm going to take a quick shower."
"Ok."
Justin went downstairs to take a shower, while Olivia picked Lexie up. They all went into the living room. Hank put his arm around Olivia and kissed her cheek.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Everyone talked for a while and then once Justin was out of the shower, Rafael was there. Everyone else arrived as well. Matt went down to look to see what could be done about adding another room and then the guys left to head out for pizza. Once they left, the women and the kids ate dinner.
"Olive, this is delicious."
"Thanks."
"How are you feeling?"
"Much better. I wasn't that bad with Daniel. I'm really hoping for a girl this time."
"I want a little girl too."
"Do you want a baby with Will?"
"More than anything."
"Trevor wants one more. He really wants a son. I told him after they're a year and a half, we'll discuss it. Erin, what are you and Jay hoping for?"
"Honestly, we really don't care as long as he or she is healthy. That's all that matters. If Justin and Olive are having a girl, it would be great to have a girl too but they will grow up together as cousins anyway."
"Will would love a niece."
"I'm sure he would."
"Have you told his dad yet?"
"Yeah. He and Jay have a strange relationship. Jay's the one that has been around the most but Will is the one that can do no wrong."
"He really likes Owen."
"See what I mean? Owen isn't even Will's son and Pat likes him. He really didn't seem all that happy about us having a baby. My parents are going to be the only grandparents in this kid's life."
"Ours too just like with Daniel."
"You don't have a good relationship with your parents, Olive?"
"No. My dad sexually abused me and my mom let him. He did it to my sister too. She now lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. I feel safer now than I ever have being in a family of cops."
"I can imagine."
"When I left home, that was the last I saw them. I don't care if they are dead or alive. I really don't. They're not the people I'd want to be around my kids anyway. They both drank and did drugs."
"My mom was an alcoholic and was both verbally and physically abusive. On top of that, I'm the product of rape."
"That explains why your mother drank."
"Yep and she blamed me for everything."
"I may not have been the best mother, especially to Lisa but I never hit my kids. I'm a cop's kid, so I knew better. I yelled a lot though."
"Yeah, you did. I try to be a good mother too but they try my patience sometimes, especially Emily and the boys. Honestly, I have no idea how Sarah raised 4 boys and made it look so easy. I could barely handle Emily and now we've added two sets of twins since then."
"It should be interesting to see how Trevor handles things with the 5 of them next weekend when we're in New York."
"Exactly. You couldn't talk Hank into going?"
"No. He's planning to take Friday off and he's got the weekend planned for him and the boys. I wouldn't have minded taking Noah, so he could see Lucy but he wanted to stay with Daddy. Friday night I already have plans to meet Don and John for dinner. Don is bringing Eileen and I think Fin, Amanda, Jesse and Carisi are joining us."
"Where are you and Justin off to?"
"We're going to Washington DC. Neither of us has been there but we didn't think Daniel was quite ready for that yet. We're leaving Thursday and coming back on Wednesday."
"You flying?"
"Yes. I figured we could see a lot more if we didn't drive out. One of his best friends from the Army lives out there, so we're getting together with him and his wife while we're there."
"That sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun."
"They have a daughter about the same age as Daniel and we already said we weren't bringing him. Maybe next time."
"Hank and I have been talking about wanting to go out there too."
"I want to go see my sister but not this time of year. It's too hot. I want to go when it's a little cooler but I may not be able to travel by then."
"She is welcome to come visit anytime."
"Thanks."
They finished dinner, had dessert and talked for a while. Then whoever was going into the water, went into the water. The others that didn't go in just put their feet in the water. The guys arrived back at the house and then everyone headed home, so the kids could go to bed. Justin took Daniel down and got him ready for bed, while Hank got Noah ready for bed. Olivia got Lexie ready for bed and nursed her before she put her down. Justin brought Daniel up to say goodnight to everyone and took him back down to read him his bedtime story. Hank brought Noah in to say goodnight to Olivia before he read him his story. Hank came in to get ready for bed and once Lexie was done and Olivia kissed her, Hank took her and put her in her crib. Olivia went to get ready for bed and then she joined Hank in bed. They kissed each other and made love before they fell asleep in each other's arms.
The weekend went by pretty fast as it usually did. Rafael and Kevin headed back to New York after Olivia told Rafael she would see him at the end of the week.
Stay tuned…
Reviews are always appreciated.
