Take It Too Far

by Miss Meggie

She's stubborn, smart, and unexpected in so many ways but she's exactly what he needs.

30. Chapter 30

Liv knows from the swing of the hormones she has all the makings of post-partum depression. When her mother shows up asking her to watch Hadley she does so even though all she wants to do is sleep and cry and not bother hiding it for 24 hours.

Instead she watches Hadley without complaint. "I see Keely! I see him! You say I good I see Keely and I really good so…Keely." Hadley jabbers from the backseat kicking Liv's seat in her excitement.

She cracks a smile for the first time that day. "And I'm taking to Kelly hold your horses girlfriend!"

"Keely at work!"

"Yup! We're here!" She said turning into the lot and grabbing what she thinks of as her parking spot.

"Keely!"

"No Keely until you listen Hads!"She said while turning to look back at Hadley.

"I listen to my Libby!"

"Ok I'm going to get you and Klairey out you stand by the truck holding hands while I get baby Aaron. No moving til I say."

"No moves…Keep my Kare!" She agrees with a snappy nod.

She gets the girls out of the truck. She listens as she unsnaps the carrier from the base. "Kare stay! Kare still! Kare good baby." She smiles at Hadley's sisterly bossy tone.

"OK girls head for the big yellow door." She said once she safely has Aaron and has the truck locked.

-/-/-/-

Kelly stands atop the ladder and washes windows with Casey while smoking Pridgen's cigars when he hears tiny voices. "Keely!" "Dad-Dee!"

He looks down. "Hey babe, I'm letting the cigar slide because it's cold. I brought your best girls." Liv grins up at him.

He climbs down the ladder and scoops up both girls. "Hey girls!"

"Hey Daddy!

"Hi Keely! Fire trucks!"

"Just a second I'll show you." He said leaning down to kiss Liv. "Get inside, it's cold."

"Why're you doing probie work in said cold?" Liv scowled darkly at him.

"Casey got mouthy with the interim chief and I joined in."

"Never one to be left out huh baby?" Liv joked

"He's a total D-I-C-K-H-E-A-D. It was worth it."

She laughed. "I can't believe you just spelled out an insult. I'm going inside to say hi to the boys. Go show your other women the trucks."

"I love you. You look beautiful." He calls to her as she rolls off.

"I'm wearing "Duck Dynasty lounge pants and your flannel shirt which by the way has a hole in it. I'm not beautiful right now I barely look human." She said dryly.

"You can make anything work Liv. Even neon pink duck pants. To me you are always beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you different. Now, get him inside." He says as Hadley wiggles to be put down.

-/-/-

"Hiya boys! And Dawson and Brett!" She calls out.

"Did you bring food? I miss your chicken spaghetti." Cruz asked from the table.

"Next time Joe. I did bring Kelly's Mini Me for inspection."

Gabi came over. "Can I have him?""

Go for it." She said putting the carrier on the floor.

Liv is in the midst of giving Sylvie the chicken Spaghetti recipe when they firetrucks horn blares. They go to the man doors and see Kelly sitting with Klaire in his lap. He's laughing his ass off and pointing at Klaire as Hadley covers her ears.

Liv opens the door and it blares again. "You letting her push buttons is what fucked up my Bluetooth."

"What's all that racket?" Liv recognizes that voice. As it had belonged to someone who tormented her all through high school. Her blood runs cold and her guts twist.

"Kelly is playing with his daughter who is the inquisitive type." Mouch says.

"You alright Liv? You look pale honey." Herrmann asked. Watching as Pridgen's eyes land on her.

"Limp Legs Livvy? No way! I figured you'd married into the Duggar family or something? Since being a sexless prude works for them." He quips and clearly no one finds it funny as evidenced by their shocked silence.

"I wasn't a sexless prude. I just didn't want to fuck "Trick Tiny Dick Prigden." .Gabi chokes on a laugh. "I had standards and I know that comes as shock to you but I will let you in on a little secret. You always thought you were doing me some favor by trying to get in my pants…because who'd wanna screw "Die a virgin crippled up Grayne," Right? But I was never that desperate… and once upon a time you might have been a nice person Pat. I'll never be able to see that because to me you will always be the asshole who threw bugs on me in gym just to hear me scream and told fifth period class I was a lesbian and I had a thing with Erin when I turned you down. I wasn't married to a Duggar." She gives him a mirthless smile.

"I am however married to Kelly and if you keep pushing me it won't matter if you do this job to sooth your ego or if it's because you love it. Kelly will see you ruined to point you'll be the fucking probie washing windows with a goddamn toothbrush. I am the one thing Kelly values more than this so I'd be careful." The fire in her eyes warns everyone but Pridgen off.

He nods. "I always thought Kelly was more of a fully operational type man. I guess everyone has their kinks. Did you ever get Ethan to even blink in your direction or are you still his best kept secret."

Tears sting her eyes but don't fall. "Student elevator saw a lot of action didn't it. The things he told me…well I guess it makes sense I'd wanna a piece seems you had certain talents. I'll tell him you say hi."

She wiped the tears dripping down her cheeks. "At least I can say none of my talents were wasted on you. Tell Ethan he can go fuck himself." She grits out.

She turned to roll out the door and ran head on into Kelly. "Who did this?"

"No one I'm fine…hormones I'm gonna get some air. "She moved back to let them in then rolled out the door.

'Yeah…I'm not buying it." he hands Klaire to Brett. "Hadley go with Herrmann to see Pouch and I'll be right back. Unless someone wants to just fess up now."

The room is silent. "Right, ok then."

-/-/-/-

She sits with back to the truck. "You look good on my truck."

She gives him a watered down smile. "Doubt it, but thanks."

"Who pushed your buttons and don't tell nothing set you off because I know the difference between your hurt cry and that one gum commercial that gets you. What happened?" He asked shoving his hands in his pockets and ducking his head to catch her red rimmed eyes.

There are parts of my past I'm not proud of…Trick just reminded me I can't out run Limp Legs Livvy." She said with a sniffle.

He mouths to himself. "Limp Legs Livvy!" and in a louder tone. "I'm going to knock every one of his teeth down his throat." He said tensely.

She shook her head. "Sadly I earned the reputation Prigden remembers me for. In tenth grade there was this boy Ethan Biggs. He was popular and funny, He was nice to me and I liked him. So when we started fooling around I thought we were something we weren't, I was young and dumb and sure he was cool with the occasional BJ in the student elevator what he wasn't cool with was me thinking I was his girlfriend. I got fed up with being a secret and broke it off. Then he told his friends all the things we'd done and they assumed they'd get a turn." She sighed avoiding Kelly's eyes.

"Prigden was one of those friends and he tore me down when I turned him down. I was desperate to be loved and seen by a man I wasn't related too that… I did and accepted less than I disserved and I'm still paying it a dozen years later because everyone remembers limp-"

"Don't call yourself that." He demanded.

"Anyway they remember I might not screw ya but I'll blow ya in the student elevators and pine after the men who toss me aside. And that is why I cried. Because from the moment I heard his voice I was that desperate lonely girl again."

She finally looked up at him. "And could you not say anything to anyone? If my Mom knew she'd be ashamed of me so just think whatever you want about me just don't say anything."

He laughs he can't help it. "Think whatever I want? I've slept with half of Chicago and you think I'm going to judge for a couple blow jobs? You were a kid Liv!"

"Still I'm ashamed."

"You shouldn't be you were trying to figure yourself out and wanting to be loved is human. You had the good sense to turn that asshole down."

"He was an awful human being." She commiserates as he leans on the fire truck next to her. The picture of ease and comfort.

"He still is." Kelly agreed.

"He threw dead bugs on me just to hear me scream when they got caught in my hair. I used to wear it the way you like all the time until then."

"So he's responsible for the ponytails then. I'm going to punch through his skull extra hard just for that. Just for pony tails. God I hate them."

The vehemence in his words startles a laugh out of Liv. "Seriously, you're going with ponytail hatred out of this entire conversation?"

He looked at her for a second before replying. "Anything else and I will kill him I will."

"You can't and we both know it."

"I want to."

"I know but you can't take every ghost from my past to task. I let people treat me the way they did and I let him get to me. This is my stuff Kelly and I need you to promise me you won't do whatever it is that's in your head alright?"

"Fine, I promise not to decapitate him by shutting his smug face in the squad truck door repeatedly." He promised halfheartedly.

"Baby…"

"Hm."

"You should stop watching Daredevil." She advised laughing to herself.

"Fine I'll just hit him the face with a backboard." He bargains.

"And…sons of anarchy."

"Can I set his mattress on fire I'll put it out I promise… after he pisses the bed."

"Kelly!" Liv snorted as she rolled with laughter.

"What? He threw bugs in your hair. Dead ones, he deserves at the very least to pee the bed."

-/-/-

"Well she's laughing that's progress. I mean not that we care but you might not die Prigden." Hermann says.

"He basically called her a whore and made her cry. He still gon' die." Cruz replied.

"She has five brothers, a husband and a Voight I'm not really sure what Hank Voight does but if you're a believer Pat you should pray because it's gonna be painful that much I do know." Mouch confided.

Herrmann watched them again as he held Hadley who seemed to sense something not right about Prigden and clung closely to Christopher her arms looped around his neck her head on his shoulder.

"My Libby Kay?"

"Here they come…disperse!" Hermann said.

When Liv rolled through the doors both girls ran right to her. "I didn't go anywhere girls?" Hadley ignored her statement and climbed up into her lap. She sat facing Liv and grabbed her face. "You kay? Not cry…I tell Mommy…no cry Libby its kay." Hadley said in concern stroking her face.

"I'm fine baby. Perfect even who said I cried?"

She pointed to Cruz. She scowled at Prigden. "Not nice!"

"I agree…not nice can you share some lap space? Klaire is about to freak out. You took her spot and her Mama." Kelly said looking down at them. As Liv made room to carry both girls.

"My Sissy Keely!"

"I know that." He smiled at her.

He looked to Pridgen. "Liv ordered Malnati's for everyone. We'll be in my quarters enjoy."

-/-/-

After holding Aaron all through lunch and seeing them off he heads for Pridgen's office.

"I'll make you a deal? Never look at my wife again, never speak to her and I won't knock your head clean off the second you longer work over me. Second call her that name again…"

"Oh you mean Limp Legs Livvy dislikes her nickname?" Pridgen needles him further.

Kelly works to keep hold of his temper. "One more time and all bets are off." He said through gritted teeth.

"Is that a threat?"

Kelly shrugged. "Just the truth."

-/-/-

Liv keeps quiet about her depression and it's pretty easy to hide with her husband working twenty four hour shifts and her family popping in less and less with busy school days and work days.

When Liv goes back to work no one is the wiser.

-/-/-/-

Liv is on her way to assist Carver in a surgery. She is taking Aaron back to the daycare when she catches sight of the squad truck outside the main ER. Thinking he's there to visit her she sets off to find him and explain why she'll be home late.

She finds him standing off in a hallway talking to the pretty black nurse who'd given her odd looks anytime she was around.

He's smiling and laughing his way through an old story. Liv feels like crying or throwing up. Her body can't decide. She rolls forward. "I'm clearly interrupting but-"

"No you aren't. Hey baby, this is April. Rice mentioned her." He said leaning down to kiss her cheek.

She thinks briefly of the man she met last time she'd dropped Kelly off. Rice seemed very cocky Liv wasn't sure she could trust him. Especially with the way Kelly had clammed up at the mention of April Sexton.

"I thought you were here to see me. Oh well…I'm going to be home late Carver's resident is sick he needs a pair of hands he trusts. We're mapping a brain and placing stem cells in a cerebral palsy patient. I'll be home when I get there I guess. Mila and Madden will be watching the kids but please fix Klaire's lunch yourself. She has breakfast in the fridge already. April it was nice meeting you. I'll let you get back to flirting with my husband." She knows she's being snippy but she really can't help it when their body language and tones had changed at her presence. It is working her way under her skin.

That ugly fear of hers that Kelly will change his mind one day is flashing in neon in the back of her mind.

"Liv…" Kelly's hurried tone to cover his ass pisses her off even more.

"It's not even like that. We're just friends. He was here to remind me of that after I turned him down for drinks."

"Oh how nice of him." She snarls horomones and rage filling her up.

"Doc Sev, Dr. Collins sent me to get you. He's ready for scrub in." Her intern comes over completely unaware of any tension.

"Got it." She took Aaron from the wrap around her chest. Then she handed him to Kelly. "Take your son back to day care. Mom will deliver the kids to you at end of shift. She turned away without kissing him goodbye. "Don't do anything stupid like getting crushed or fucking your ex without telling me so much as screw off." She smiled at him razor sharp over her shoulder. "See you at home." She rolled away and was gone.

Kelly stands there dumbfounded. "She's typically very nice. I've tested her trust a lot recently."

"Why I am not surprised. Here give me him. You go fix that. The last thing I need is a doctor I respect hating me. The entire hospital will know. OR three do not go past the scrub room. Don't get caught you will get her fired." April says and he hands over Aaron.

-/-/-

He quickly finds her scrub room and barrels in "Liv it's not at all what that looks like to you."

Her head whips around but she keeps scrubbing. "What in fuck are doing here Kelly? Leave!"

"No, not until you hear me out."

"Don't move from that spot! Don't touch anything." She ordered looking at him sternly.

"Baby we're just friends or we were and she did a lot for me."

She laughed towel off the excess water. "Oh I'm sure she did."

"Oh my god… you're jealous. "He says grinning to himself and he instantly knows it's a bad move as she glares at him.

"I'm not jealous Kelly it's more than that. You know I thought you cheating on me would absolutely kill me I was wrong, I could take you fucking someone else a hell of a lot better than watching you look at her like that."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

She hiccups holding back tears. She addresses the window into the operating room instead of Kelly himself. "That makes it so much worse and I can't even cry about it because I'll have to strip and rescrub. Since you aren't even aware of what you do or did or whatever let me enlighten you."

"Baby." He said softly as if she'd hurt him.

Her eyes whip to his. "Don't …don't you even! Do you know why I was able to brush off your past? Because I thought to myself there was no one way you looked at any of them the way you look at me. Because the way you looked at me? It made me feel like I was all you ever saw, like the world fucking stopped for you the second I showed up. It felt that way every single time you looked at me until today. You look a smile I thought was reserved for me and gave it to her, so no I'm not jealous. You just broke my heart because she means something to you and you didn't have the balls to tell me. I have got to work. Get out of my OR." She said dry eyed though it had been a battle to stay that way.

"Liv if you would just let me explain. It's not like that."

"You asked her out and she's pretty, and smart, and perfectly your type. You asked her out. You're married and you still did it."She shouts.

"I was going to take you with me for fuck's sake!" He shouts back.

"Then why not tell me? Hey Liv I would really like to reconnect with my friend. That would have worked fine. But no you had to lie, and sneak, and flirt."

"Because…Because I don't know Liv. We have history a lot of it I don't like thinking about and if she was going to shoot me down I didn't want it to be in front of you."

"Why?" her chin kicked up.

"Because your opinion of me matters." He says lowly and tears threaten again.

"Yeah…well…shit! Fuck I can't cry." She looked away from him.

"Livvy!

"Be right there Carve."

"Do you know how insecure I feel right now? How fat and ugly I feel? That didn't help. I need you to shove me through the door I can't touch my wheels. Don't touch me. I mean you can't…I'm sterile just the chair." She ties her mask.

He puts his hands on the wheels. "Can I kiss you?"

"Nope. Even if I wanted you too you can't. Cross contamination."

"I really, really, want too very badly." He said seriously.

"Hang on to the thought til I get home. Shove me through the door. Faster this is done faster I get home."

-/-/-/-

In total the surgery takes sixteen hours twelve of them been added on after her full twenty four. She barely makes it home still conscious. She falls asleep on the front porch as she's unlocking the door.

"Why're you locking the door baby?" Kelly asked as he opened the door and then noticed she was dead asleep. "Baby…" he waved his hand in front of her face. She barely blinks. "Baby you alright?"

"Let me sleep." She whines.

"Come inside."

"Fine here…right here is nice."

He picked her up out of the chair and carried her inside. He undresses her once he has her in bed. He changes out the Foley bag and lets her sleep.

When she wakes he is sitting next to her watching Clifford the Big Red Dog with Klaire.

"You changed my pee bag. "She said with a dopey grin and yawn

He shrugged. "It needed it. Glad you're awake zombie Liv is freaky and not the fun kind."

"I'm sorry." She mumbled.

"For what? I was the one who fucked up."

"I wasn't very nice to her." She retorted.

"I'm going to kiss you now."

"I might have bad breath."

"Don't care..." He sat Klaire on the floor then loomed over her. "Hey you…" he leaned into kiss her softly at first then he nipped at her lips to part them. She was suddenly very glad she chewed gum to stave off hunger during surgery as the kiss turns into a seriously dirty affair.

She kissed back and was rewarded with a sound eerily similar to a moan from deep on his chest. The kiss continues to spin out. She breaks it regretfully. "We need to breathe before hypoxia sets in."

"Not stopping. He said reaching down and angling her hips to grind against her. "I want you. Right now."

His tone makes her blush "Klaire is in the room and I have a Foley in."

"Klaire has been obsessed with dragging her baby doll around the house by its hair all day and she went to make her rounds, secondly I don't care about the Foley." He muttered pressing kisses into her neck.

"You will if it leaks."

"Lube…"

"Gross Kelly." She shoves at him laughingly. "Desperate much babe."

He caught her eyes. "Look at me. You are not fat, I love that your curves are a bit softer. I got something to grab on to now. You couldn't be ugly if you tried Liv. Somehow I let you think otherwise. I'm going to fix it so that you know no matter who the fuck I'm looking at no one even comes anywhere close to you in my mind. That I'd rather leave you horse from screaming and unable to move rather than fuck anyone else."

"Condoms…we need condoms." She said hastily his words having left her flushed and equally desperate.

"Right… We haven't used them since like the third time we screwed."

"The Noxzema jar on the back of the toilet. I leave them for Rainey." She popped on the butt as he got up.

When he comes back she's asleep again. "Damn Rainey for moving the condoms.

-/-/-

It's rare for Liv to feel uncomfortable in a bar that had become something of a safe haven. If they got drunk at molly's, if she had a knock down drag out fight with Kelly in the middle of it no matter what Liv knew their friends had her back.

This attempt to make things right with April has her feeling edgy and out of place and she's so tired all wants to do is sleep. Maybe drinking will help.

"Looks like you could use this Doc." Gabi said. She handed her a shot of top shelf tequila.

She knocked it back. "Do I look alright?"

"You look hot. Like revenge hotness. What'd Severide do now?"

"He wants me to be her friend."

"Who's friend?" Gabi asked eyebrows hiking up.

"April fucking Sexton." She made a sour face. "We're just friends…" She muttered in mocking tone. "Friends do not eye fuck."

"Incoming…laugh and smile." Gabi said through an equally fake smile.

"Sorry baby I didn't mean to ditch you. April could find parking." Kelly leaned in to kiss her. She turned on the barstool and gave April her most genuine of fake smiles.

She really wants to suggest the woman park her car in the Hell mouth. Instead she says, "Hello." Like she's sweet as pie.

"How'd you get up on the stool?" Kelly asked.

"Herrmann helped me our booth got taken by college kids and that one table is sticky."

"Be right back…" And Kelly set off to free their booth.

"Babe…Kelly don't! They look like they're on a date!" She whisper shouts to no avail.

"Typical. The world is my oyster Kelly Severide." April said.

Liv shrugged. "He tries to make my life easier is all. You don't know love until someone bully's a handicap parking space for you." She said tossing back the second shot Gabi brought her.

-"How did he bully someone for you? Someone also disabled?"

Liv shrugged a shoulder. "He's no longer allowed at the Home Depot by our house."

"Really? He got banned?"

Liv laughed. "He'll tell you it's my fault because I wanted to paint Aaron's room but nope…all him. Gab can I get a Guinness? What would you like? Oh and Kelly's usual no car bombs though."

He returned and threw her over his shoulder. "Kelly!" She squeaked.

"What? Follow me April."

"I'm not wearing a bra! Are you trying to make me flash people?"

"Not people, just me." He quipped.

"She's facing the wrong way then dumb ass." April pointed out and despite herself Liv laughed.

He plunked her down in the booth. You ruined my hair and that kid in the cubs cap totally wants a date."

"You just look like you did that sexy hair flip thing you do." He said as she sat up and he slid in beside her.

Gabi brings their drinks and as Kelly and April reminisce Liv feels left out. She shoots Erin a text. "I think I'm third wheel on my husband's date. Help! Molly's ASAP!

"On it bringing some sexy back up." is the expedient reply.

When Erin walks in with a well-dressed black man Liv's jaw almost drops. "No fucking way." Liv murmurs.

"What Baby?" Kelly asked.

"Ronan!" She somewhat drunkenly shouts.

-/-/-

Kelly follows Liv's gaze to where it's stuck on the man behind Erin. The man is taller than Kelly bald and sporting a beard. He's alright looking Kelly supposes. April whistles lowly. "Who is that?"

When the man's eyes lock on Olivia he lights up. He makes his way to their table and slides in next to April without invitation. He leans over to kiss Liv's cheek. "Hey love, long time no see."

Erin stands beside Kelly smiling smugly to herself.

"Ronan King." He offers his hand to April.

He reaches across the table and takes a swig of Liv's beer. "Ugh you still have shit taste in beer my love."

"Says the wino." Liv retorts picking her beer bottle back up. Kelly is steadily getting angry as the guy stares intently at her mouth as she drinks.

"Who are you?" Kelly asked ignoring the scrape of Erin pulling up a chair.

"How would you term us Livvy? Longtime loves?"

"Of the very distant past. The very distant past." She turned to Kelly. "Oh I'm sorry Kell this is Ronan King. He works for a nonprofit in Europe. I hadn't known he was stateside."

"How distant is very?" Kelly asked trying to sound curious instead of jealous having this turned on him isn't fun.

"First love kind of distant." Erin says and Liv shoots daggers at her that could set Erin's hair on fire.

Ronan gives her a slow burning grin that makes Kelly's fist want to clench in anticipation of slugging the dude. "Stop trying to kill Erin with your eyes Darling she only speaks the truth. We met at University. I'd noticed her in Poly Sci but had never spoken to her until I bought the last peanut butter granola bar out of the vending machine. She looked ready to cry so I bargained the snack for a coffee date and the rest as they say is history. We were together three years."

"Four. I had started medical school and you were already at that pro bono law firm in New York working as an errand boy." Liv corrects almost automatically.

"I'm going to get a beer that doesn't taste like horse piss." He said getting up.

"You simply have poor taste." Liv teased.

"Not entirely my love after all I shagged you. Not too long ago actually."

Liv rolled her eyes. It might be true but she feels no need to relive it. "Can we not please? I'd rather not recount some of my post Carver mistakes in present company."

She texts Erin under the table. "What did you do? I thought you meant to bring Halstead!"

-/-/-

They're all recounting stories from college and or high school. She is pleasantly buzzed and leaning on Kelly well into her third beer.

"Oh! Wait you remember that time we pub crawled for St. Patrick's Day?" Ronan says to Erin.

"And Liv almost got a DUI for driving her electric chair drunk."

"I was buzzed those roads were shit!" She defends herself.

"I carried you home babe. You were more than buzzed."

They talk for a while as a group and Kelly keeps his anger in check. "When are you coming back to London Livvy? My parents moved back. Mum always asks what happened to you. The best thing I ever fell into."

"I am a doctor and a wife and mother Ro; I can't just go to London or Amsterdam on a whim anymore." She looks oddly sad and Kelly can't figure out why. "Let me out Baby? Beer hit me." He stands and helps her transfer as she is a bit drunk than she realizes.

"Whoa, leather pants… someone means business." Erin said eyeing Liv's navy blue leather pants and pink backless top.

"I always said pink was your color love." Ronan adds. "And the back is that for me or him?"

Liv plops into her chair with suddenly angry eyes flashing at them all. "For me. I wanted to feel good for me because I just had a baby. If someone noticed great if not well it wouldn't be the first time someone missed what was right in front of them when it came to me. I fade away right?" She said cocking her head at Ronan speculatively.

"You're wrong."

"Am I?"

"Fade from my memory is the one thing you were incapable of doing Olivia. As for him? He's dumb as a bloody post. He let me flirt with you all night." He said gesturing to Kelly.

She shrugs. She knows the emotional crash and burn is bearing down on her but she can't stop it. Not now. "Doesn't matter, as much as I loved you Ronan and I did truly love you because you were the first person it didn't matter too. Even with all of that there is a reason you stay in my past. I want to be put first. He does that most days and if he has go down memory lane with the dime store me? Even if he has to screw that shit to figure out she ain't me? I know who I am and what want and it's not going on forced dates with women I don't like." She snapped moving to roll out of the bar.

"Liv!" Kelly admonishes.

"I'm going home Kelly, stay chat her up. Have a grand time making up for whatever shitty thing you did to her. Maybe then you'll quit shoving her down my goddamn throat. She is not nor will she ever be Shay. You said it yourself you can't be straight and just be friends. You sat here the entire night knowing Erin trapped you and didn't say damn thing. I guess you just don't care what I do. So I am going home to my babies." She said tears leaking down her face. She really has no clue why she's crying.

"I lived with her." He shouts at her.

"Oh fucking fantastic." She laughed dryly.

"I was sixteen and homeless. Benny left and my mother went off the deep end. Is that what you wanted to know?"

"I don't know what I wanted. I really want her to stop fucking looking at you like that!"

"Like what!"

"Like she's just lying in wait to take what's mine!" She shrieks at him.

"Livvy…" Erin said gently.

"Could you not? I asked you here to keep me from doing this! You know I hate this! I hate it but it always happens!" There is so much empathy in Erin's eyes it makes her want to break down even further.

What happens?" Kelly asked.

"Something better shows up." She said giving a resigned smile.

Kelly laughs. "Stop laughing at me please."

"We have been through horrible fire, you forgetting who I was, losing our baby, getting her back, losing Shay, almost losing Aaron, almost losing you a third goddamn time and you think I'm waiting to leave? You're insane! Beautiful and smart and god do I love you but shit your nuts!"

"Why would I leave you Livvy please explain it to me because every time someone expect me to be the old me I prove them wrong but you still think I'll leave? I don't understand Baby, I just I don't I can't. I'd be hurt by it if I didn't know it came from real fear."

"OH it couldn't possibly be that she's adopted and disabled like something out of "Yours, Mine, and Ours." April retorts and Erin is lunging at her before anyone can react Ronan barely pulls her back.

"You don't not get to weigh in on Liv's abandonment issues because unlike you Resting Bitch Face Barbie not everyone is fucking Cosby!" Erin snarls.

"Or I'm sure your confidence takes a hit when the smartest man in the whole hospital tosses you aside like trash." April continues.

She rolled "I'm going home. Escort your dime a dozen trying too hard to pretend like it hasn't been her entire life's goal to fuck you had to have peaked in high school friend back to her car." She stopped and turned back. "Oh and it is as good as you imagine. If he touches you? Not that he will but if he does I'll ruin you to every hospital in every fucking department in three states. Upside you'll get to keep him. I don't do third chances or tainted things." She throws every barb she has at her and leaves her mouth agape.

She can hear Gabi's low. "God damn girl…" Behind her.

"Always did like this side of you love. Walk you to your car?" Ronan asked.

It's the final little four letter word that pushes Kelly off the ledge. No one gets to call Liv by terms of endearment like that. "Call her love or your love or darling or anything but Olivia one more time and I'll shove a haligan so far up your upper crust snotty English ass that I'll be able to break window with the tip of your nose."

"My boobs hurt, I'm hungry and I still have to pee. Would you please call me a cab Gabi?" She leaves the boys to their pissing contest and rolls to the bar.

"Don't ruin Kelly's crush, you're better than that." Herrmann advised. "Sides Holmby will piss him off more if you're seeking revenge." He gave her a glass of water. "Drink that Cindy says it makes the pump and dumps go faster."

"She's not my crush!" Kelly defends himself walking up.

"Not admitting what we can all see makes it worse just be honest. You think she's pretty and if you weren't married you'd old school Kelly her in a heartbeat. You are married though so you won't and no it is not smart be her friend because it makes your wife uncomfortable."

"Thank you Christopher." Liv said.

"Eh, beautiful wife who puts up with your shit should win every time." He answered with a crooked grin.

"I'm fucking freezing in this top. Give me your jacket please?" she asked Kelly who was standing tensely beside her watching Ronan walk April out. "I promise not to check your pockets for cigars." She offered.

He strips out of and puts it on her shoulders. "Be back." He said before leaving sprinting after April.

"He likes her Erin!" She said tears stinging her eyes.

"He loves you though, he does Liv he really loves you."

"After all that he still chases her down. I just want to cry. I feel so…not myself. Maybe he is over me and doesn't want to admit to himself because it means breaking up our family."

"No Livvy he'd never wanna lose you." Erin said wrapping her friend in a tight hug. "Ronan was a bad idea, I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

-/-/-

"Are you going to talk to me? If not I can stare at the ceiling because I won't sleep." Kelly said.

Liv rolled over to face him. "I'm sorry for everything, Ronan, my attitude toward April. Erin all of it I'm sorry but it's like I told you. I feel ugly, and fat, and I'm so fucking sad Kelly I'm so sad and I don't know why."

"How long have you been sad Livvy?" He said quietly.

"Since after having Aaron." She admits in a whisper.

"Could you have post-partum?"

"I don't know…I don't want to be crazy like my Mom Kelly." Tears blurred her eyes yet again.

"Come…" she wiggled away. "Uh no, come here." He drew her to him. "The hormones dropped out on you. You'll just have to take some meds until it levels back out. You aren't crazy baby." He said threading his fingers through her hair.

"I'm going to ruin Aaron. All kinds of mental and emotional issues occur in children whose mothers have severe PPD."

"Baby…"

"I want to be the lovey mom I used to be and I'm just so tired Kelly." He hugged her to him tightly. "And I'm going to lose you because I'm insecure and don't want to have sex and you think she's pretty and she's probably nice and isn't nuts like me."

He kissed on the top of her head. "I'm sorry Livvy…It's gonna be alright… It'll be fine baby. You are not nuts I'm sorry I said that. You're very passionate and I love it. You aren't crazy."

"I feel crazy…"

"I know but you're not."

"Will you help me? I didn't want anyone to know. Mommy would have made me go to the therapist and I don't like him."

"Of course I'll help you. We'll pick a different treatment Herrmann told me this might happen. He told me to get you to try group therapy and doing things for you. No one else."

"I still want you…logically I'm still very attracted to you I just physically don't want to have sex." She confessed.

"We'll figure it out Livvy. You should've said something sooner."

"I thought it'd go away. I didn't even tell Erin."

"Thank you for tellin' me babe."

-/-

When he pulled up with April he caught sight of Liv sitting near the entrance with Aaron in the carrier in her lap as she holds tightly to an excited Klaire bouncing like a neon green marshmallow itching to be free of her.

"Come on man, your wife doesn't like me and your kids are here."

"I know, she knows I invited you. I understand some stuff I didn't before. We've had a hard year. Especially for how much has happened for the amount of time it all has happened in. Look, I'd love to be your friend April but in order for that to happen it has to be open and honest. Whatever it is Liv sees between us it can never and will never happen. You're my past…" he waves to Liv. "That's my whole world."

He undoes his seatbelt. "You can sit here and decide but I've got to go catch someone before she wriggles free and shoots across the lot after me."

He hears April get out beside him. When he's a safe catchable distance from Klaire. Liv lets her go with a smile on her face as Klaire takes off for him as she does every day. He has to stop mid strike to squat down and catch her. "Hi Daddy!"

"Hi Klairey!" He kisses her cheek and little neck.

"Your face!" she leans away. Scowling at his days' worth of stubble.

"My face! Your face!" he puts Klaire down and she clings to his leg.

He bends to kiss Liv hello. "What?" she asked feeling his stare.

"You look beautiful." She wore a thermal and her Molly's top and jeans. Her hair is messily braided down one shoulder and she wore her glasses and minimal make up.

He kissed her. "You're buttering me up Kell."

"Never! You know I love the glasses. How was the thing?"

"I didn't go in…come with me next time?"

"Next time I'm there." He kisses her again and picks up Aaron's carrier. "Holy…" he stops himself from cursing as Klaire the parrot pats his leg. "He's heavy."

April snickers behind him. "What he is! And Klaire she's like a miniature person now. I have no clue how Liv carries them."

"I put Klaire on one of those baby leashes and hope for the best. New start?" She offers April her hand. "I'm Olivia."

"April."

"Baby can I just take him out and carry him?" He asks trying to get out of holding the carrier so he can avoid the unmanly stroller.

"No, it's cold."

"It's not cold inside its temperature controlled."

She just looks at him. "Fine wife you win. He stays in his packaging."

"Thank you."

"She's right… the going from cold to warm and back again is what causes colds and he is awful tiny."

"Fine gang up on me see if I care. I'll still have my babies on my side."

"Daddy…Plowers."

He looks down at Klaire. "No Flowers…Faaa…there's an F sound."

"Plowers!"

-/-

"I am not sure it is wise to set our daughter free in here Kelly." Liv said looking around one of Chicago's prettiest in door gardens.

"Let her live a little. I highly doubt she's the first little girl to trample some flowers." He returns.

"Plowers Daddy!" she screams as Liv takes off her coat.

"Scream be free my child!" Liv said letting her down from her lap.

She takes off yelling like a banshee. She stops. "My mama…" She says waiting for Liv.

He walks beside April but his eyes keep going to Liv who is a few paces ahead of them with Klaire. She's sitting on the ground smelling tulips with Klaire.

"Why do you keep looking at her so hard?"

"She has a bit of the baby blues. I wanted to make her smile. It's nice to achieve my goal." He said with a smile.

"Wait for Mama! And don't touch anything pokey." Liv shouts as Klaire shoots off again and she gets back in her chair.

"Klaire Katherine Eliza!" Kelly called out sharply. The girl stopped and waited for Liv to get to her side.

"You with perfectly accurate "Dad Voice" is so very creepy."

"Yeah well, my wife has challenges the average woman doesn't. We have to parent as a unit and I'm okay at it I guess." He paused. "Listen I'd like to see your parents. Thank them that summer at your house was a real true turning point for me." He said as they stopped next to some type of bamboo plant.

"Them letting you stay that was me…I said I have this really great friend and he has nowhere to go and then I think maybe I've got a true friend in this guy. Something real and then senior year he acts like I don't even exist like was he ashamed to be friend or whatever…"

"I was ashamed of me. My name, what my dad had done. The woman he slept with was a teacher there and he did it in their bed and let my mom walk on them. I felt like everyone knew and then my Mom asked me… before she checked herself in…. She asked me how long I had known and if I was helping him. So no April it wasn't you it was my stuff. And I'm sorry."

"Sometimes when I look at you I still see that guy and I might for a while."

"I'm not that guy. That guy would have never have fallen in love with that girl." He points to Liv. "That guy would have never seen her value or yours but I'm not that guy. I'm this guy and this guy loves that girl he worked so very hard to be worthy of and he means it when he apologizes. I'm sorry April I mean that."

"Kelly I need you to be my legs. She's headed for the cacti plants." Liv calls out.

"Oh Shit!" He hands off Aaron to April and chases after Klaire. He caught her and put her on his shoulders. Chanting "I win, I win, I win, and Klaire lost…Pfft." As he picked through destroyed pants.

"Did he really just…"

"Gloat? After saving his baby from Cactus needle doom? Yeah that's the man I married." Liv said.

"Pull his hair! Klaire pull!" April adds in.

"Only the gray ones." Kelly tells her.

"I still think it makes you look hot."

"You're only saying that because you have all that sexy red hair that will be dyed when you're gray and no one will know but me and the trash man."

"There is a swing around the corner I'm gonna go test it out with my number one girl. You good with him April?" He tells the very likely hope they can play nice.

"Yeah were good…" The were good...y watch him walk away. "I never expected him to be…"

"What? Whole, Loving, a good man." Liv looks up at her.

"Married, Settled, Happy, when I heard who he'd lost…"

"No. You don't get to do that. You don't get pick up a piece of the heaviest thing I have ever carried my entire family through. We're only here by the grace of God and the skin of our goddamn teeth. You don't get to pretend you know how broken he was. He wants to be your friend. I have no clue why but he does. So, I'll let you because I have no reason to fear you. You however should have a healthy fear and respect of me. I am the woman who tamed Severide I've done the impossible. I have never been loved by anyone the way Kelly loves me. He chooses me every day and yes he is a reckless hothead but he leads with his heart and I will never willingly give that up. I'll fight tooth and nail to keep him. I know exactly who Kelly is and you know what I let my man be himself and that means letting him be your friend. I know him I don't know you. Betray me and I can and will tear you down." She took the carrier from her

She considered the matter settled and moved on "You mentioned Carver Collins? His mind is a beautiful sexy thing. In the sack? He is woefully unsatisfying. Just ya know girl to girl."

Kelly walks back toward them carrying Klaire. "Okay so Mama," He started.

"I don't like where this is headed."

"We got a little bit too hyped. I think a certain someone needs an extra Dig dose."

"Is she diaphoretic?" Liv asked. She sat Aaron on the ground and drew her scope and a syringe of digoxin from her kit.

"No, sweating yet… just a gut feeling. I wanted to catch it before got to shock territory."

"Keep her quiet I've got to count her heartbeat by ear. April can you get a pulse for me."

"Pulse is fine…"

Olivia held up a finger for silence and counted to herself. "Kelly it's only about 30 over her normal rhythm how did you catch that?" Liv asked.

"She almost died on me. I made sure to know what to look for."

Olivia drew up the dose. "Here the honor is yours babe."

"Gee thanks." He said dryly.

"She takes it better for you."

"Oh fine… Ok Klaire make the face Daddy makes…Mirror game ready?" Kelly scowls, She scowls, he sticks out his tongue she does the same. He smiles and she smiles bigger he makes a shocked face she follows suit and he shoots the meds in. "Uh no, Ma'am I see you thinking it. Ladies do not spit on their daddies swallow the yucky lifesaving med now please." He said.

"How did you…" April asked in surprise

"My wife detects whining and pouty face. My super power is I am good at bending one tiny girl to my will. Klaire has an Ebstein's anomaly and small patent foremen ovale. Along with Chemically corrected WPW."

"Oh my God. You just used doctor speak." Liv said shocked.

"Turn ya on?"

"A little in sick way yes."

"I have heard you say it enough times it stuck. Come on lets go take Klaire to see the kissing trees."

"Wait! Why do you ask me to speak regular Kelly friendly English?"

"Because I still zone out at about the ninth word and just stare and nod but I'm making progress on like our 6th date you were explaining something and I got only maybe three words."

"Oooh reasons April should fear me and go…" Liv teased.

"Eleven siblings it's like a secret society. Uh her brother Owen could kill you and hide your body in a construction site. Her best friend has a gun and can run in heels. Livvy can actually kill you and make it look like an accident she detailed her plain once I totally believe her. Owen is evil and Vivi she's mean." He reports.

"These sound like reasons you fear her." April quipped.

"I do. She's smarter than me."

"Aww, baby you're smart. You could totally be a pyro."

"Thanks I think." He said letting Klaire down in front of two tress so close their bark was touching or kissing depending on your view of things.

"I promise to make sure if anyone other than me tries to kill you I'll give you an advance warning. I'll play that acoustic version of creep that makes you uncomfortable."

"Do your conversations always go like this?" April said laughing.

"Oh not always sometimes it devolves into sex talk or she'll give me a theoretical danger to get her out of. Her disability makes my choices limited and makes me get creative keeps my skill up. Then there's normal stuff books movies TV shows. We still disagree on if Joe Carroll on The Following will actually die."

"No."

"Yes."

"Music! You forgot music honey."

"Oh Yeah Liv's a snob."

"He likes Taylor Swift." Liv tattles.

"Still think he's hot April?"

"Hey now! Klaire loves it, it calms her I use all the tools at disposal."

Liv's phone rings and she dashes off to a work emergency Leaving Kelly alone with April at the kissing tree.

The only girl he kisses is Klaire.

-/-/=

When April pulls up to the converted brick warehouse home she is nervous but parks behind Kelly and goes to the side door as he'd said. It's loud even from out here. She hears laughter and shrieking children. People shouting and maybe music or a TV. Kelly must be in heaven. He loves making a raucous.

He had invited her to help prove he had changed.

She knocks and is greeted by a young black man. She had been expecting white people. "Is this the Grayne Residence?"

"It is you must be April, Kelly said you'd be coming I'm Langston. Livvy's brother. Come in! Kelly you're girl on the DL is here."

"Screw you Lang." Liv said sweetly.

"Too soon for jokes?"

She just looks at him. "I'm sorry…"

"It's whatever… April go over to the blonde for your assignment. Around here we have to pitch in I hope that's ok. There are too many people not too." Liv said. She then looked to Kelly. "Help your guest." He leaned down and kissed Liv.

"Got it. Hey April I'm typically given salads and baby watch."

"Why're you given salads and babies?" she said with a scowl.

"You can't fuck up bagged lettuce and babies like me and I like them. Actually most of the babies are mine. Josh is three now."

"Come with me you can toss salad with me." He reached down ruffling Klaire's dark hair when she attaches herself to his leg. "Hey Klairey girl."

"I did not fall asleep! I dosed off when he left! Tell her Kelly!" He hears Liv call out across the room.

"Tell who what?"

"Vivi I didn't fall asleep during sex."

"Technically all that we had was some foreplay then she sent me for a condom I didn't really wanna use and then she fell asleep in the five minutes I was gone."

"It was not my fault Rainey moved the condom hidey hole. Oh Rain that reminds me is Pin Cushion coming to dinner Liam invited his new girlfriend who at first I swore was a boy! Liv said standing at her usual spot aided by the chair as she worked on her pie filling.

""Wait how sure are you it's a girl?" Owen asked coming in. "Hey I'm Owen and I hate Kelly on principal but if you move in on my sisters man I'll have her best friend shoot you because I trust no one. Nice to meet you."

There's a beat of silence. "What I said what all of you were thinking! At least I was honest. Kelly likes you and our sister loves him and she trusts him so we'll accept you and welcome you because she does until you mess it up. I don't like Kelly because I'm never going to like anyone any of my little sisters choose it's just fact but I'm upfront about it.

"I can respect that."

"Good because her best friend will shoot you." Owen said with a half grin.

Kelly watches Liv hide a smile behind her hand. He winked at her. "Yeah how sure are with this one's a girl?" Kelly said retracking the conversation.

"Well I said He was hot and Liam corrected my pronoun usage. Apparently Syd is gender fluid."

"And that is?" Cole asked. He said dipping into the pie filling only to Liv swat his hand away.

"I think it's when one person identifies with neither gender completely."

"Wait! I'm confused. So like it varies day to day what she identifies as? Lang asked.

Liv shrugged. "I guess so. If we're confused imagine how Liam feels."

"I'm still stuck on how you thought she was hot." Kelly horned in.

"She is in a tatted up androgyny sort of way. So many tattoos the little ones are going to think she's a living coloring book."

"So…are threesomes out?"

Liv died laughing but her father looking seriously at him says. "She's my daughter."

"Right sorry."

Liv goes back to her chocolate silk pie and Kelly sneaks Klaire baby carrots as he makes the salad. "Smaller pieces Babe." Liv said without looking up.

"How did you even know?"

"I'm the mom and fed her cake frosting from the jar last week. I'm just glad that's healthy but anyway smaller. Rainey back to Pin Cushion is he coming?"

"Yes I wanna know if Pin Cushion actually looks like the baby of Marilyn Manson and Dave Navarro."

"Daddy!" Klaire says.

"Yes Babe?" He asks tipping her chin up when he notices she's not chewing the carrot. She spits the half chewed carrot in the palm cupping her chin.

"Yucky." She says with a scrunched face.

"Not a fan of carrots then?"

"Yuck Daddy."

"Yeah I got that." He deadpanned.

He goes over to the sink beside Liv and washes his hands he whispers something to her lowly and drops a kiss on her shoulder. He scoops up his little follower and brings her back over toward April.

He proceeds to fix the salad with one hand and the baby planted on his hip. It's odd how comfortable Kelly is here. How well he fits and how obviously he loves everyone even Owen who he seems to have a semi friendly rivalry with. He's happy.

"I'm not bringing him you all will call him Pin Cushion to his face."

"Only because we can't remember his name darling."

"Ha! Match point to Mom." Lang said.

They sit down to dinner.

"So any interesting cases Ollie?" Cole asked as he passed the mashed potatoes.

"Yes actually, they've been short staffed in the main ER so I took a shift. I reattached a penis."

The table is silent for half a beat. "I have questions." Grady said.

"I might have the answers." Liv said handing Kelly a bowl of corn to spoon on the Klaire's highchair tray as she was sitting beside him this week. Demanding his attention every two seconds.

"Why did he have his thing out where someone could cut it off and how did you reattach it? Like did you just sew it on? Can he still pee? Was there tons of blood? "Grady rattles off.

"Yes because that's what every man here is concerned about can he still pee?" Lang muttered.

"Well honestly he stuck it somewhere it wasn't supposed to be so…" Olivia said,

"How do you get that mad though like what makes a woman go oh yeah I think I'll cut off my man's junk?" Rainey added in.

Just then Liam walks in with a girl with short cropped hair on the sides that is long on the top and swept back accentuating the sharp angles of her pretty face.

She gives a wide warm smile when Hadley reaches out to trace her hand down one of the woman's completely sleeved arms. "Pretty." Hadley murmurs.

"Thanks sweets."

"Everyone this is Sydney. Syd, this is everyone plus some chick I don't know. The lady admiring your body art is my baby sister one of them anyway her name is Hadley. She also answers to trouble…"

"I not trouble Lee-um." Hadley says mulishly.

"What'd we miss?" Liam asked before leaning down to kiss Liv's cheek. "Unless you are suddenly polyamorous I need deets on Bambi eyes over there." He whispered in her ear.

"Nothing much your Dad asked the interesting cases question instead of the just standard how was your day sweetheart and now we're discussing penis removal and the motivation behind doing so." Kelly said.

"Not the gender reassignment kind of motivation I assume."

"Nope just your standard you screwed my sister and now you shall pay by literally forfeiting your manhood kind." Liv said picking up her drumstick. "Which, I sort of get honestly."

"You get it?" Kelly said leaning away from Liv skeptically eyeing his wife.

"Oh are you going to do the bashful puppy who doesn't know he's attractive thing again?" She asked and Vivi burst out laughing.

"Do what?"

"You do this thing when I catch some girl or one of your many exes staring at you longingly. You act like you don't notice or have any clue what you've done to garner attention. You do it so I won't be mad and I'll find you charming. Which it would be if you weren't fully aware and downright cocky you can be about your looks."

"I don't do that!"

She laughed at him out rightly. "Yes, you do. Shall I provide examples?"

"Say no dude just agree with her." Grady said.

"All I'm saying is I understand the anger that might be needed for such an act for example if you are used to women looking at your man like he's a giant very perverted candy store the second he looks back at someone who is not you in a similar manner you get very stabby urges."

"You'd never cut it off. I've lived with you." Vivi points out.

"Never say never ViviAnne. I did pro and con the idea of stabbing him the eye with my pen light for looking at certain women like they were Christmas trees decorated with naked women."

"You did not!" She just looked at Kelly. "Oh you did, I'm not sure if I should be terrified or turned in."

"I wanna hear the list." Owen said leaning up over the table.

"Pros: He'd have one less eye took look with, I'd feel better at least for a little bit, and pirates are sexy."

Kelly laughed. "The last pro is cute."

"What were the cons that saved my eyes just out of curiosity?"

"I like your eyes they're pretty when you are not looking at me like I speak Hindi or I'm crazy. Aaron has your eyes I'd feel guilty every time I looked at him and I wasn't sure you could be a one eyed firemen, glass eyes freak me out and I really like my penlight."

Kelly is laughing so hard he's leaning on her as he dips down to kiss her temple. "God I love you, so much. Is Fear of glass eyes even a thing?"

"Hold on I'm googling." Vivi calls out.

"There is something wrong with you!" April said. She continued when no one said anything. "She just said she gave serious consideration to harming you and you're laughing."

"It's not real marriage until you wonder if you could fit him down the garbage disposal after you have repeatedly told him to pick up his dirty underwear. They're fine sweetie. Besides the whole you thing is over or wouldn't be here." Mara said with a knowing smile.

"To be fair though you look at that English dude like he's a naked Christmas tree so we're even. "Kelly points out.

"Ronan is Jewish he'd be a naked Hanukkah bush." Liv quipped in return and Kelly choked on another laugh.

"Dodged a bullet there baby. You could never be kosher."

"Touché…So, Syd as you can see we're very open and slightly twisted and yes there are a ton of us but you'll get used to it. I'm Olivia, Liam's oldest sister. Welcome to the brood. This is Kelly my husband. He's just glad to not be the newest initiate any longer."

"Can I put my change in totem pole status on your Facebook Liv?"

"What like I'm still married to Liv and since I refused to be normal and get my own page I've hijacked hers to report a major life change I am no longer on the bottom of the Grayne family totem though sadly I still maintain the top notch of Owen's personal hit list?" She said sinking back into to his embrace.

"Pretty much. Gotta have life goals."

April muffled her own laughter at that. "So enough with the motivations I need to know the gory surgical stuff I wasn't there! Oh and is the new guy from plastics a d-bag."

"See that's the thing, it was so damn precise. The divisional lines between the corpus caverenousum and …."

"That's it baby I'm tapping out." Kelly muttered. "I mean it's nice to see the two of you getting along and being all smart and doctor like but I'm done I've reached the limit."

"But I even used a big word you like those." She pouted.

"Yes but I have that particular big word in or on my own body."

"You have most of the big words I use you just don't know it. "

"Don't ruin big words for me that am mean." He said kissing her.

They go with subject change easily enough and soon April is trying to keep up with four different conversations all over lapping as Klaire is passed around the table eating off everyone's plates because Kelly had decided to let her out of high chair baby hell.

"HI! "She said brightly when passed into April's lap. She reached with dirty hands for the curls framing April's face.

"She likes things that shine and long hair I can take her if you want." Liv offered.

"She's fine, Hi sweet baby girl." She said looking down into her upturned chubby baby face. Her dark eyes carefully inspecting April.

They finish eating the disband to do dishes or play games and watch TV. She had lost Kelly at some point and was looking at the pictures going along the wall banking on the stairs.

There's one of Liv and Kelly on what is obviously their wedding day they stand and sit respectively with huge smile on their faces showing off their wedding bands. What she can't figure out is the display of baby clothes behind them.

Then there is one of the whole group. Kelly has Klaire on his shoulders and Liv very pregnant stands with the aide of the chair arms wrapped around Kelly as they smile widely very clearly their own little family despite the huge crowd.

Kelly comes down the stairs. "Sorry I had to change Aaron's diaper. Liv is down for the count doing double duty at both ER's is killing her."

"Walk me out?"

"Sure let me just." He walked down the stairs and tossed the baby monitor to one of the identical twins who were also Liv's sisters at least she thought they were introductions were complex. "Mila, listen for Aaron under no circumstances are you to wake him. He's in your parent's room. Livvy is sleeping don't wake her either.

They walk to the kitchen entrance and find Rainey on the phone in a little alcove. "Is that him?" Hey Pin Cushion! Can't wait to meet you!" Kelly hollers and the girl cuts her deep blue eyes at him mouthing "Asshole." And flipping him the bird as Kelly laughs pulling on his coat.

-/-/-

They stand at her car. "Your family, they're nice people. Very scarily open but nice."

"I got lucky when I found Liv. When I rescued her I mean. She's so quick witted she takes shit off no one. I was nervous meeting them I don't do families well and despite that they were welcoming anyway. I think Liv's dad finally trusts me. They have become my family not just Liv's and I wanted to show you I've changed and just want to tell your parents thank you. They're part of the reason I do what I do. They're part of what gave me Liv, Klaire, and Aaron. I'm different. I' m happy and I have a home that isn't… my home is not a place it's a person. It's all those crazy people."

They hear a knob turn. "Where Daddy go? Him Bye Byes?" A little head pops out the door.

"I'm right here Klaire. I'm not bye bye."

She steps out. "No Stay its cold baby. Where are your shoes?"

"Off." Klaire says as though it's a stupid question.

"Yeah I got that part."

He walked over and picked her up and zipped her up in his jacket with him.

April is smiling at him oddly. "Come by for dinner next day off Mom still makes Chili Pie the way you like. Bring Liv, and the babies Daddy will get a kick out of them.

"Bye Kelly. Thanks for the dinner."

"Bye April." He watches her get in the car and pulls away. Klaire waves too.

"Sweet girl, ready to go in?"

"Canny!" she said rifling through his pockets for candy.

"You cannot have gum. Mommy will kill me!"

"Mama seeps."

"Mama will still find out bug." He said as they reached the door. "In we go Klairey girl. Daddy needs an N-A-P-."

She huffed and sighed. "Kay… Daddy girl."

"Not exactly but I'll go with it for now." He said kissing her forehead as they entered the kitchen.

AN: I own nothing but Liv, Klaire, Baby Aaron, Syd, Ronan, and the Grayne's . Along with my sections of plot. The "Maggie Seaver " mentioned in previous chapters is April IMDB's early intel was wrong. If you liked it please review this was the longest chapter to date and it kinda kicked my ass. Ronan May or may not be back tell me if you'd like a visual poster!-MM