Chapter 29: Valentine's Day!

(Narrator POV)

The following week was uneventful, except the fact that Olivia was running out of pants to wear. She definitely was showing. Like her first pregnancy she wasn't showing much. But now if she wore a tshirt or a tank top it was obvious. She almost looked too big to only be 8 or 9 weeks pregnant. Could it be multiples? Her stomach was start to protrude especially after she ate. But Edgar wouldn't have noticed, they barely talked to each other let alone seen each other. It wasn't like they didn't want to they just hadn't found time because Edgar was tired from work and Olivia was too tired or in pain from her back to go over his house. She still handy gone back to work yet though. Probably next week, just some light desk duty which she hated but she couldn't stay at home any longer. Until Friday. It was Valentines Day, Edgar already planned everything for that day. No matter what went in during the day nothing was gonna stop his plans tonight. Noah missed seeing him everyday. He talked about him everyday. In the morning on Valentine's Day Edgar FaceTimed Olivia. "Hey you!"

"Hey!"

"Happy Valentine's Day! I missed you all this week. I have something planned today, it's at 6:00 tonight just me and you."

"What is it?"

"I just wanna hang with my beautiful girlfriend tonight. Wear whatever makes you comfortable. It's just gonna be you and me.

"I'm excited to see you tonight! I really miss you."

"I miss you more!" He just looked at her and smiled. "Your hair got longer... I like it!"

"Really, I thought about cutting it again. I don't how I feel about it yet."

"Same here. Yeah my hair could go in a ponytail if I wanted. So I think it's time I get a haircut."

"Oh really, but you know... I think man buns are sexy."

"Mhmm I did wear one when I was around 28-ish."

"I've got to see that picture."

I'll show it to you later today. But you cut your hair or you don't... Either way you have my vote. Where's Noah?"

"Getting ready for school. You know he's gonna be mad at you right? He hasn't seen you or talked to you all week and now you're taking his mom out."

"Yeah but he'll get over it after I talk to him. Can I talk to him, I'm sure you still have things to do."

"Yeah, hey No, come here."

"Yes mommy." She turned the phone around he saw Edgar's face. He gasped, "Edgar!" Olivia gave the phone to Noah and told him to go eat some cereal. So she could get dressed.

"Hey Noah!" Noah went on and on about how much he missed him. "I've missed you too Noah. It's Valentine's Day do you have a valentine?" He knows that he's too young to have a girlfriend but a valentine is just something sweet for a special person. "Actually I do. In a way."

"Who is it?"

"Abby."

"Like Abby Garland, Abby?"

"Yes. Mommy took me to the store and I got her a teddy bear and some candy."

"Okay, did you ask Abby to be your valentine or is it a surprise?"

"A little bit of both, I asked her at school yesterday if she wanted to be my valentine. She said yes, But she doesn't know I got her the bear and candy."

"That's sweet of you. Well I gotta go do something's and get ready for work. Have a good day at school, love you and tell your mom I said love you too!"

"Okay I will, love you bye." The phone disconnected. He took the phone back to his mom. "You ready?" He nodded. "Okay well don't forget the gift, let's go!" On the way to school Noah wrote a letter to Abby, "Happy Valentine's Day, Abby. Have a great day!" With a heart at the bottom. They pulled up to the school, coincidentally at the same time as La'Mai and Abby. Both mothers saw their child exchange gifts with each other. At the end the hugged. They both took pictures of course. "They are adorable." Olivia said.

"I know. They are each other's best friend! Anyway how have you been?"

"I could be better but I've stopped complaining, it doesn't help. Any plans with your hubby for today?"

"Yeah were doing to dinner tonight, you?"

"But we're just going to house to 'hang'. We haven't seen each other all week. It's just gonna be a chill night."

"To hang? You know what that means... I not gonna spoil the surprise but I know what hang means."

"Trust me, we won't be doing that tonight."

"Sure. I gotta get going." She gave Liv a hug. "I'm glad you're doing better, I'll see you tomorrow." They got back in their cars. Olivia went home and started to clean up some more of the mess that was left in her house from two weeks ago. She did some here and there but it had to get done today. She was tired of looking at broken pictures and clothes everywhere.

Few hours later she decided to take a break because she started to have some heart burn and she felt nauseous. She calmed down a little then went out for a little while. She needed to get a little gift for Edgar. To go along with the other things she had. At a little shop around the block from her apartment she found this pillow that said it love you from my head TO-MA-TOES!" With two tomatoes on the front. She had to get it, it explained their relationship in a nutshell the loved each other very much and the both make stupid corny jokes. She text Edgar. "You on break?"

"Yeah what's up?"

"I'm gonna stop by for I little."

"Okay I'll be waiting." She went back to her apartment and packed up his gift. She stopped by to get some food and got him fettuccine if he wanted it. She made it to the firm, she was greeted by everyone. "Ms. Benson, Edgar is waiting for you in his office."

"Thank you and I tell you this every time I see you... you can call me Olivia." She went up the elevator to his office. "Hey!" He stood up gave her a long kiss "that was for all the days I missed this week. I'm glad I finally get to see you."

"Me too. I couldn't wait until tonight so I brought your gifts now." He open the first bag. It had three pictures of them that she had framed. Then in the next bag it had the pillow. He laughed at the corny joke. "And I love you from my head to-ma-toes." He proceeded to open the box in the bag. It was a key. "It's your own copy of my key to my apartment. I just thought you should have it."

"Thank you. I love all of it. The pillow is definitely my favorite."

"Mine too, and I brought you some food. I didn't know if you had anything or not."

"Yeah I was gonna go and get something to eat but thanks. Where's yours?" He opened the food and started eating. "I'm not hungry right now." He looked at her funny. "What?"

"This is like you favorite Italian and you passed on it. But you don't wanna eat, you don't have to eat." They talked more about some other things and it was getting close to 1:00 the end of Edgar's break, Olivia decided it was time to leave. They kissed and she left. She drove to the precinct to see everyone. They all had came and saw her at some point over her leave, so she wanted to pay them a visit for change. "Captain you're back!" One of the uniform officers said. The squad turned around to see who it was. "No I just wanted to stop by say hi to everyone. Happy Valentine's Day!"

"Thank you, you too!"

"Liv! How are you?" Amanda asked. "I'm doing better, I need to get back to work. I'll be back next week."

"We all know you're itching to come back but you gotta take care of yourself." Fin stated. "I know but I feel way better than I did last week, still lots of pain with activity so the horrid desk duty will be my friend come Monday. But I happy to see you all. Happy Valentine's Day." She handed them little box of chocolates. "Thanks Cap!

"You're welcome guys well, I don't wanna stay long. My back is starting to twinge so I'll see you guys next week or if you just wanna pop by my house anytime. Bye." Olivia let to Noah's school, she was awfully early so she just waited in the car pickup line until school was out. She was resting her eyes when some lady came banging on her window. "Can I help you?"

"You're a cop right? A man just carjacked my car... my babies are in there. Please help me!" The woman cried. Out of all the days Olivia drove her cop car it had to be today. "Great." She was not happy about this at all. "Which way did he go? What color car? Style?"

"He turned right, here. A red ford suv kind of like this just red."

"Get in the back left seat. I'm gonna get you kids back." She took off, flying down the street with her sirens on. "This is Captain Olivia benson I need all available units. I'm on a car chase, Red SUV ford. Off of 9th street by the school. Two children in the vehicle."

"Copy that." The carjacker made a sharp turn that caused lots of pain to her back. She winced in pain. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'll be fine." She diverted from the car chase. "What are you doing?"

"Just wait!" She went up two streets remember the kids in the car she didn't want the to get hurt. "Box him in, Now!" She hit the break just in time to stop him. The truck rammed into the side of Liv's truck. "Stay in here." She got out grabbed her gun. Other officers followed her lead. "Sir step out of the vehicle with your hands up!" He did just that. "Lay on the ground." She motioned her head toward another officer to cuff him. Once he was cuffed, Olivia could breathe. The mother of the two children got out the car and ran to them. Both kids we're crying one was a little baby around 6-9 months other one look around the age of two. Olivia went over to make sure they were all okay. "How are they?"

"They are scared but perfect. Not hurt at all, thank you!" The woman hugged her tightly cause Olivia to flinch breath in sharply. The lady moved back instantly "I'm sorry are you okay?"

"Oh yeah, I was shot a couple of weeks ago."

"Oh my gosh are they okay?" Olivia thought she heard her wrong. "Excuse me?"

"You're pregnant, right. So is everything okay with them?" How did she know? "Yes everything is just perfect. They are perfect. How did you know?"

"You're trying to hide it and it's not working. Really to anyone who pays attention, could tell. And I'm a psychic. Now you think I'm a wack job."

"No, I've always been curious of people who have psychic abilities. Well I'm gonna makes some phone calls, one of these officers will get you guys taken care of."

"Thank you, and Captain Benson? I think you should stop trying to hide such a beautiful thing. Everything is going to be fine." She was absolutely right but half of Olivia thought differently. She always looked at the glass half empty. She called Edgar, 'Hey Liv!'

"Hey! Are you busy?"

'No not really just going over some things for this case I got. You need something?'

"Yeah, I need you to pick me up from Noah's school. There was car chase and my squad car is probably finished. I'm gonna have an officer drive me to the school. I'll explain more later."

'Yeah I can come pick you up. You okay?'

"Yeah, I'm good."

'Okay, I'll be on my way, I'll be there in 20. Love you.'

"Love you too, bye." She got in the car with the uni and he drove her to the school. "I can wait outside if you want."

"Are you crazy it's freezing, and I'd probably lose my job if I let you stand outside, Captain." He emphasized captain. "It's honestly no big deal my boyfriend will be here any minute now. I'm just saying I would understand if you needed to leave."

"It's no biggy. I can wait until he gets here." They just sat in silence for five minutes when Edgar got there. "He's here. Thank you again." He saluted her as a goodbye. She hopped out the police car into Edgar's. "Yo, you alright? What happened?"

"Oh yeah, nobody got seriously injured. Everyone is fine. It was honestly kind of fun, my back hurts but it was the most thrilling thing I've done in what seems like forever. I was just sitting here a a woman came up to me frantic, told me someone carjacked her car and her kids were in the back seat. I chased him down, and here we are. I didn't stay to listen to the details. But the kids were so cute, she had a baby who was only like 7 months. One of the cutest babies I've seen. And her two year old, ugh, so adorable." All he could do was smile. The way Olivia talked about kids was cute. She didn't even know he knew... well he thinks he knows. "What?" She asked seeing his stupid grin. "Nothing just I think we'd have cuter babies. Your eyes, my hair. Your smile, we'd have the cutest babies ever!" Man, did he make it hard for her not to tell him. "We would have really cute babies." For the next twenty minutes or so they just chatted like best friends, until Noah came out. "I got him." Edgar offered. "But-" the door closed. Noah ran up to Edgar but the security person wouldn't let Noah go. "Sir who are you?"

"This is Edgar my mom's boyfriend!"

"Noah where's you're mom? I thought she said she was picking you up."

"Listen officer, Olivia is in the car. This has never happened before, I've picked him up a couple times. I'll go get her. Is that okay?"

"Yes but Noah stays here." He went back to the car. "The guy up there won't let me take Noah. I need you to come talk to him."

"I tried to tell you but you already got out."

"Okay, but I've picked him up before..."

"Yes because I authorized it before you picked him up. It's all just a safety precaution." They got things sorted out with pickup Olivia added Edgar on the list of people able to pick him up. Edgar dropped them off at Olivia's and went straight to work. "How was Valentine's Day at school?" She asked Noah as she started to to make them both a sandwich. "It was really fun. Abby and I got each other almost the exact same thing."

"I saw. It was so cute." Noah gave her a look. "Mom, don't make such a big deal out of it."

"What? I just think that it's cute that you guys are best friends." She gave him his sandwich. "And Amanda and Carisi are gonna babysit you tonight. And I'll see you tomorrow."

"I get to see Uncle Sonny? Yes!" She was surprised by his reaction. "I'll be sure to tell him that you're excited to see him."

They sat down on the sofa and watched some tv. One of of Noah's shows. After a while they were both asleep. Olivia was exhausted, today was probably the most energy she has exerted. And Noah always takes an after school nap on Fridays when he has no homework. Edgar texted Olivia that he was on his way, she didn't respond because she was asleep. So later when he arrived and knocked on the door no answer. He knocked once more, nothing. He didn't want to use his key yet. It still didn't feel right, he knocked one last time. Olivia woke up to the knocking, laid Noah down on the sofa gently so he wouldn't wake up. "Edgar? What are you doing here?" Her voice sounded like she was still asleep. "It's after 6:00, remember you were coming over?"

"It's 6 already? I didn't forget I just overslept. Come in, I still have to get Noah to Amanda. I just need a second." She hurriedly got Noah's overnight bag and hers as well. Put shoes on her feet then Noah's. "You want me to get the bags or Noah?"

"Can you carry Noah?"

"Yeah." Edgar drove to Amanda's apartment. It started to snow again on the there so when they got out the car Olivia threw a blanket over Noah that she brought with her. "Hey guys, come on in." Carisi answer the door. He took the bag from Olivia. "Hey 'Manda."

"Hey Liv, Edgar, he's asleep?"

"Yes, wiped out."

"So is Jessie, I just put her down. But Billie is wide awake." She gestured her hand over to Billie. "Oh Amanda can I pick her up?"

"Liv you don't have to asked, Edgar you can take Noah to my room. Down the hall third room on the left." Olivia picked up the baby. Edgar took Noah to the room told him the he and his mom were leaving and he's with Amanda. He walked back out to Olivia and them. "She is getting so big! How old is she?"

"She is a year old."

"Aww she's precious." Olivia just played with the baby, laughing, suddenly her hormones kicked. "Liv are you crying?" Amanda asked. Edgar and Carisi swiftly turned their necks. "No-yes." Everyone was so confused as to why she was crying. She was laughing and playing with Billie. "Okay..."

"You ready to go?"

"No I want to finish playing with Billie."

"You can take her if you like?" Amanda joked. "Trust me, I would if I could. Thank you again for taking him for the night."

"It's no big deal, I've never had a big interest in Valentine's Day, neither of us have. But next time I want to go out my kids will be knocking at your door."

"Bring them over anytime. My doors are always open. Bye guys!" Edgar waved and was out the door. He wanted to question her about why she started crying, seeing if she would tell him the truth. But decided against that. They listened to the radio on the way to the house, there was actually good music playing for once that Olivia and Edgar grooved to. Edgar pulled the car into the garage. "We gotta go in the front door."

"Okay."

"Close your eyes." Edgar opened the door. "Open."

"Oh wow!" There was a passage of roses and candles through the living room to the other side of the couch; where there were heart shaped balloons, more candles, two huge bouquets of red roses. "This is beautiful." Edgar had moved the coffee table behind the dining room table so that he could set up a blanket and pillows. The pillow front and center was the pillow Olivia got him today. "Happy Valentine's Day, baby!" He gave her kiss. "Happy Valentine's Day to you too."

"Sit tight I have to make sure I didn't burn the chicken." He pulled the chicken out of the oven, perfect. He plated the chicken, potatoes and asparagus. "Here you go."

"Thank you. What movie do you wanna watch?"

"I don't know I was gonna let you pick. It don't really matter to me."

"Okay I was looking at the proposal and blended."

"Blended? What's that? I've seen the proposal a million times."

"It's an Adam Sandler movie, about two families blending together. On a trip to Africa. It's funny I think you'd like it."

"Okay let's watch." The movie went on as Olivia kind of picked at her food. "What's wrong, you don't like it? I could get you something else."

"No, no, it's fine I just- you know what pause the movie. I'll be back." She ran the room took her hoodie and shirt off. "Close your eyes!"

"Why?"

"Just do it!"

"Fine. They are closed."

"Are you lying to me?"

"No why would I lie about that?" He laughed. She walked out of the room. "Okay open." She was cradling her her stomach. Edgar's eyes lit up. "I knew it! Let's go! Whoo!" He jumped up. "Edgar the candle! You're gonna mess around and set your house on fire. But I'm pregnant!"

"Yes! I know- well I thought I knew. I wasn't for sure but I kind of figured it out two weeks ago. How far along are you?"

"2 months and a week."

"That's it?"

"Right! I knew I didn't look 2 months. I'm huge. I feel like a bloated whale."

"Yeah you look closer to four months than two. But you're pregnant! Wow!"

"Yeah, if you knew why didn't ask me?"

"I figured you'd just tell me when you were ready to be happy about it. You couldn't keep it a secret forever. But now I know. What made you tell me today?" He kept going between her eyes and her bump. As they took their spots back on the floor. "Today I met a psychic. Yeah. She knew I was pregnant and told me I shouldn't try to hide such a beautiful thing. And that nothing was gonna happen. That was my biggest fear the main reason I didn't want to tell you. I thought I would miscarry again. I was gonna wait until after the first trimester in a few weeks just so I'm kind of out of that window of a miscarriage. And I don't know anything about the baby, I haven't heard the heart beat yet. I was gonna wait to tell you for all of that. But the food is great I just get really huge when I get full."

"Don't worry about those things. I know you have that thing in your head that makes everything so super complicated because things have always been super complicated. But when you're with me don't worry. We gonna have our baby or babies and they are gonna be healthy and perfect."

"I love you."

"I love you too." Olivia and Edgar finished watch the movie, Olivia scarfed down all of her food. Being pregnant makes her crazy hungry all the time. "Well I take it that you liked the food."

"Yes it was great. I eat everything now- well except for eggs. Those make me throw up every time. And I'm always hungry. And then when I eat my stomach gets twice as big!" She started crying and Edgar didn't know what to or what to say. Her hormones in her first pregnancy just made her tired all the time and cranky. "And I feel and look fat!"

"Honey, you look amazing. You're not fat you are just pregnant. You look beautiful."

"Really?" She calmed down. "Yes really. I know what's different about you. It's your glow. Everyone kept say how you are glowing and beautiful. So you look just fine."

"Okay!" She just switched emotions all of a sudden. Nothing could prepare Edgar for this emotional rollercoaster for the next seven months. "What have your symptoms been like?"

"I don't really ever have morning sickness or mood swings." Edgar made a face. "What?"

"Huh?"

"What did you make that face for?"

"I didn't make a face."

"Yes you did! You trying to say I have mood swings! You didn't even know I was pregnant until an hour ago!" She was getting mad for no reason in Edgar's mind. But he obviously didn't say that. "I- I didn't, umm I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I didn't mean to spaz like that."

"Okay don't cry. It's okay please don't cry." What the hell? Edgar thought. He was hella confused. "Okay hold on a second I'll be back. I'm gonna get you some tissue." He ran in his room called is mom. "Mom! Mom!"

'Edgar what's wrong?'

"Uhh what do- how do you- uhhh can you give the phone to dad?"

"Edgar what's taking so long?" The ordeal was hilariously scary for Edgar. "I'm almost done honey!"

'Son? Are you there?'

"Yes dad oh my- how do you deal with mood swings?"

"I don't have-"

"Not you dad, when mom was pregnant how did you deal with her mood swings?"

"Just agree. What ever she says agree. Even if it's wrong just agree."

"Okay thanks." He hung up grabbed tissues, "I'm back baby. Here you go. It's okay, it's okay. I didn't mean to make a face I'm sorry." He consoled her, calmed her tears. "You okay now?"

"Yes. Thank you. Where was I?"

"Uhhh," he snapped his fingers. "Oh you said you didn't have morning sickness or mood swings."

"Yeah, I just get really tired and I just feel like a slump all day. And these pregnancy hormones make me wanna have sex all the time. But I can't because of my stupid back."

"That's awful but as soon as you're better we can have all the sex you want."

"But then I'll be too tired and ugh forget I don't care. Can we just go to bed?" He looked at his watch it said 8:13. He thought it was pretty early to go to bed. "But it's only-" then his dads voice went off in his head 'just agree'. "I think it's a wonderful time to go to sleep. I have to blow out the candles first."

"Okay Can I have one of your shirts?"

"Sure it doesn't matter which one to me." He blew out all of the, put the dishes in the dishwasher and put the rose petals into a trash bag. By the time he finished all of his tasks Olivia was already asleep. He took this time to make a phone call. "Morgan, sup."

'Hey. Happy Valentine's Day. You and Liv do anything?'

"Yeah we had a small dinner at the house but that's it. Am I interrupting?"

'No, you Valentine's Day is a regular day to me. I don't ever do anything except live my normal everyday life. Why do you sound so panicked?' She laughed. "Umm, I think it's still a secret but Olivia is pregnant and I don't know what to do. I talked to dad about mood swings he told me to just agree. But I do not want to go through whatever just happened again so warn me of any and everything that could happen."

'Aww that's amazing she pregnant again. I think you're worrying too much. You know Olivia better than I do. But when it comes to food, just go get the food she wants. Don't argue just agree. She gonna be tired a lot so let her rest. Small cramps, they are normal but if they are too painful I suggest seeing a doctor. What else... oh she may start to get hot easily and with that comes irritation so just my advice to you is cool, calm, collected, and comfortable. You make sure she is all of those things and you're good to go. You're so flustered I can tell.' She laughed at him again.

"Okay cool, calm, collected, and comfortable. Okay okay thank you. You would understand why I'm panicked if you were here I mean her emotions changed so fast. One minute we happy then crying. Calm and then angry. She was all over the place. But she's asleep now."

'Her emotions are fighting with each other and that's very tiring. Just be there for her.'

"Okay, if that doesn't work I'm blaming you." They laughed. 'Whatever!' They talked for a little while longer just to catch up. Family was doing good. AJ made the school basketball team. Sasha is still a wild child. He checked in the room, Olivia was still asleep so he got on the Xbox and played for a little while. Olivia woke up after two hours. She was having some small cramps she didn't have a heating pad. "Hey Edgar, do you have a heating pad?"

"I don't think so." She groaned and went back into the bedroom. Edgar cut the game off. He got nervous he wasn't sure if this was gonna bring in another emotional rollercoaster. "What do you need a heating pad for?"

"I'm having cramps. They aren't bad just very uncomfortable. But forget it, they will eventually calm down." Ge started getting his keys, shoes and coat. "What are- where are you going?"

"You need a heating pad I'm gonna go one."

"It's okay don't worry about."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah just come to bed." He climbed in bed after taking his extra clothing off. Got in behind her. "What are you doing?"

"I'm gonna take to the babies. Here, lift your shirt." Edgar positioned himself, kissed he stomach. "You do know that the baby aren't causing my cramps. And I don't think the baby can hear you."

"Yes but I wanna talk to the baby. So shh. Hey little one or little ones. I'm so excited to be your daddy, ya know if you could do me a favor and be girl. I won't be mad if you're a boy but I if you're a girl great. And you're momma is so gorgeous she is the most amazing woman I know. I hope you grow up to be just like her. And your brother Noah is awesome. He doesn't know about you yet but I'm sure he would be more than excited to meet you. I love you so much."

"That was so cute." Oh my gosh she's crying again. "I can't stop crying."

"It's okay to cry. I know you don't like it but look at it this way, it's all symptoms of your pregnancy and it will all lead to such a beautiful little life. And I think we're having twins or just a big baby."

"We might. But that wouldn't be such a bad thing. I'm just gonna be gigantic though."

"You are not gonna be gigantic. Go to sleep."

"Yes I am." Edgar fakes snores, Olivia elbowed Edgar in the ribs. "Oof. No need to get violent." They ended Valentine's Day on a high note. They went to sleep after Olivia was calm again.