Chapter 37: Sick day

(Narrator POV)

With time winding down in Olivia's pregnancy she is feeling more and more agitated. Working long hours and over exerting her body with being 8 months pregnant. Edgar tells her to slow down and take some days off but she just tells him to leave it alone or yells at him. Noah is even getting some of the residual of all the irritation from Olivia. Honestly Olivia was doing way too much.

Early in the morning Edgar was already out of bed with Noah Olivia could hear. She checked her phone for the time, 9:46. She debated on whether she would call in sick because she had a bad headache and felt sick to her stomach. Then her phone rang. "Hey chief."

"Hey where are you? You were supposed to be here 45 minutes ago."

"You know what Chief I'm sorry, I'm so sick and I overslept. I'll be in as soon as I can."

"Don't worry about Liv. I was just trying to make sure you were okay. If you're feeling sick I don't want you to come to work. Get your rest, you tell Edgar to take care of you."

"I can come-"

"No I only want you when you're 100%. You don't do me any good anything less. To take care Olivia."

"You too Chief." She got out of bed just to rush to the bathroom to puke.

"Woah, baby, you good?"

"Does it look like I'm good. I feel so sick, my body is aching, I have a bad headache, and my stomach hurts so bad. I felt fine when I woke up the first time. I feel absolutely miserable."

"Okay well let's get you back in bed." He lifted her to her feet and walked slowly back to bed. Edgar went back in the bathroom and grabbed the thermometer. Her temperature read at 102.3. He didn't know if he should worry and call the doctor; Eliza, since she was pregnant or to do what you would normally do to treat a fever. He went out the room and looked it up before calling. The common rule was if the temperature is 101 and up call your practitioner immediately. The practitioner advised he run a cold bath or shower for Olivia before bringing her in. Knowing that sometimes that's all it takes. "Liv, I'm gonna run you a cold shower okay?"

"Alright. Do you mind getting in with me. I just don't feel like I can hold myself up right now." The thought of a cold shower made Edgar cold but the of course he obliged. "You don't have to if you don't want to, but it might help me feel better."

"I'll get in with you. Come on, I got you." As soon as Olivia stood up she instantly became dizzy making her nauseous. She clasped her hand over her mouth Edgar knew right away, and grabbed the trash can.

"Is that it?"

"For right now at least. I can't take this."

"Yes you can. You'll be okay I promise." He help her get undressed and into the shower. Everyone move she made she payed for. Her body had never aches so much. The cold pellets of water hitting her skin felt amazing but for Edgar he was freezing, but he pushed through it for her. "Ready to get out?"

"Mhmm," stepping out the shower she groaned feeling achy. He dried her off quickly. "What do you want to put on?"

"Can I have your grey sweatpants and one of your tshirts?" Since Edgar was so tall his clothes were perfect for Olivia; comfortable and cozy. After that Edgar checked her temperature and it barely went down 102.1. They both thought the shower would've helped more. Edgar knew that he should take her but Olivia repeated my beg to stay. So for the next 20 minutes he laid right next to her being sure not to increase her body temp by being to close. He checked her temperature again it had gone back up to 102.3. Edgar called Olivia's physician and since they lived so close she just came over. The doctor gave Olivia a full check up and she only had a common fever. Only higher temperature because of the babies and hot flashes. She gave strict orders of no high levels of stress and lots of water for Olivia to get some relief.

A few moments later there was a knock at their front door. "Dad?" Edgar was surprised to see him. Even though he wasn't mad at his father the only time they had talked was after the engagement just to say congratulations. He just stared at him for a while. "Are you gonna let me in?"

"Uhh sure,"

"Where's your fiancé? Have you guys set a date for the wedding?"

"Yeah she wants a Christmas themed wedding so December 30th is what we decided on."

"How is she, and the kids?"

"She is not feeling to well today, Noah is great, and the twins are doing just fine. So you gonna tell me why you just popped up today?"

"Well, you're mom is out in the car-"

"No, not today. Olivia sick, and she needs to have this discussion with both of us."

"Son, please she really wants to talk to you. She misses you dearly Edgar."

"Well she should have thought about that before she disrespected Olivia the way that she did." He got up from the couch and went in the kitchen to get Olivia's tea.

"Edgar just give her a chance you said that you would listen if she came to you. She's here and wants to make things right." Ulrich moved to the island counter.

Olivia got up out of bed because she had be wait for her tea for ten minutes. "Ulrich?"

"Liv! How are you?"

"Awful." She said bluntly.

"Yea sorry he just told me you were sick. You look great." Olivia had on baggy clothes, messy hair, a blanket draped around her, and a trash can in hand.

"Yeah thanks." She groaned. "Where is my tea?"

"Sorry, right here."

"Thank you, nice to see you again Ulrich."

"Yeah you too- wait Olivia!" Olivia motioned her hand down telling him to bring his voice down because of her headache. "Sorry, I was wondering if you felt like,"

"Dad I said not today."

"What?"

"Liv, just- it's nothing go lay down, get some rest. I'll be back in there in a minute."

"No what is it?

"You can ask her but if she doesn't feel up to it that's it. No pressing."

"I won't, Dianne is here and she really wants to apologize for everything. But I understand if you don't feel well enough."

"Sure, give me a second to change."

"You look fine she doesn't care what you look like. She has changed I promise. Just give her a chance." Olivia nodded. Her and Edgar sat on the couch together while Olivia rested he head on Edgar's shoulder. Ulrich explained everything to Dianne and she was ready to finally get over herself, talk to her son and his family. "Hello, Edgar, Olivia."

"Mom." Edgar said with a slight attitude.

"I- uhh just want to apologize and say that I was completely wrong about you Olivia. You are so perfect for Edgar and I'm sorry for all the rude things I have called you, all of the inappropriate and disrespectful comments I have spoken. I don't expect you to forget what I have done to you and I don't expect you to forgive me but I just wanted to say I'm sorry. Edgar, I'm sorry for being such a horrible mother to you. I'm not saying that to victimize myself but because it's true. You are right I have tried to control your life and by trying to do that I made your life hell. I am so sorry that I was that way. I miss you Edgar, we used to talk everyday, I haven't had a talk in months and it's my fault. I just want to go back to how we were, and I want to have a relationship with my soon-to-be daughter in-law and Noah. I am truly sorry."

"I can't say anything for Edgar but I forgive you. I know that me coming into your sons life so instantly and being such a big part in a little bit of time can be difficult. I just want to put in the past and move forward. I forgive you for everything. Let's not talk about this ever again and just move forward."

"I will say I agree with most of what Olivia said but I don't think I will be able to forget. I will always remember but I forgive you. But Mom I swear, I swear... if you ever and I mean ever talk to her in such a way again I will never forgive you. You can forget calling me, trying to make things right. All of it! I want to move forward I love you through all of the things you've done. You're still my mom. But Olivia is still a part of me and forever will be. And I'm glad you understand that now. She is not here to replace you, in any kind of way. That's not what I want and that wants she wants. I want the most important women in my life to get along. And if you're willing to do that then I'm here for it." Dianne became emotional in the end, seeing how stupid she was being. Edgar got up to embrace her in a hug. "I missed you Mama."

"I missed you to honey-" Dianne stoped mid-sentence when she saw her husband fly to the island chair to grab Olivia's trash can. "Olivia are you okay? You didn't tell me she was this sick!" Edgar rushed over to her side. Olivia just kept her head down not wanting to show the tears in her eyes. She always gets teary-eyed when she throws up, she doesn't know why but it happens every time.

"I told you that she had a fever. I didn't know I had to go into detail."

Olivia shook her head to reset herself. "I'm okay." She whispered. "I'm okay I just need to get back in bed." Edgar helped her up and walked carefully behind her just in case she got dizzy and lost her footing. Got her settled in bed. Got her everything she needed. "You gonna be okay in here by yourself for a minute?"

"Yeah, hurry back though, please."

"I will." He sees that Noah had came down stairs from his room, now is sitting and talking with his parents. "Hey we were wondering since Olivia isn't feeling well, and you're gonna be preoccupied with her. We were wondering if we could take Noah out to have some fun?" Edgar knew his mother was trying to be better but he would have to check with Olivia first. "Let me ask Liv first."

"She said that it's fine, and to have fun."

"Oh and Edgar, congratulations on the engagement honey."

"Thank you Mom!" They left and Edgar immediately went to the bedroom only to see Olivia was sound asleep. He turned right around, finally got some peace and quiet. He could play his game, make some much needed calls, decided whether he should cancel practice tonight due to Olivia being so ill, watch some tv, just time to be alone. He starts to do's off at around 2:00. He wakes up at about 4:15 with Olivia cuddled up next to him. He picked up his phone, seeing some of the players texting him, asking if there would be practice today. And texts from his parents pictures with Noah getting snow cones.

He picked up Olivia and took her to the bedroom knowing that her back would be hurting when she woke up. Leaving for practice Edgar left her a note that said, "I'm out for practice. You need anything, just call me or my parents. They know you're by yourself and are close if you need them. Please call if something happens. Love you!"

1 hour later...

"Liv?"

"I'm on my way to the hospital. My water broke, and I'm having contractions too! I need you to meet me at Bellevue." She was crying he could tell, she was definitely crying hard too. "They are gonna be too early, Edgar."

"Don't think like that. I'm gonna come get you. I don't want you driving like that."

"I already left. Eliza picked me up."

"I'll be there!" If left out of the gym so fast, he only told coach chip in so many words why he was leaving. By the time he arrived Olivia was in her room with Eliza who had a day off but would deliver her baby boys. "Hey."

"Hey, you."

"You're so out of breath, and sweaty. I think I'm the one who is supposed to be out of breath and sweaty."

"I was in a rush and running in practice. How ya doing?"

"I'm great, the babies are doing fine. Did you tell your mom and dad. I'm sure Noah is so excited to meet them. I called La'Mai and Morgan already. They are probably more excited than me." She made a sad face.

"Why so sad?"

"Because I can never hold our babies to term I just feel like I'm failing them. Don't get me wrong I'm happy to finally meet them and so very happy that I'm finally having the here with us. But it's just too early."

"Twins have a tendency of coming early. They hardly ever make it to 9 months and they end up perfect. Just our boys."

"They don't have names either. We haven't even talked about names. We aren't prepared. The crib isn't set up, I don't have the diaper bag, I don't even have a bag for myself-"

"Hey, look at me you're stressing for nothing. Just focus on you right now. We'll handle those situations when they present themselves. But we do need to think about names. What do you think about Aaron?"

"Absolutely not. How about Edgar?"

"No, I would never want my child to suffer from this name. Oooh Karter, with a K?"

"I love that! Okay so Karter, should we do another K name or- shit!" Olivia squeezed Edgar's hand as an unexpected contraction pangs through her abdomen. He rubbed the underside of her belly as the contraction died off. "That was a stronger one. What's something that common but not really common?"

"Mhmm I don't know Oakley?"

"I do like that name it's just not what I had in mind. It's still on the table. Karter and Oakley, it could work."

"West? I like that name a lot. It's different, what do you think?"

"Westley, West for short. Karter and Westley! Awww that is so cute I love it! What do you think?"

"You love it, I love it! Man I cannot wait to meet them, it's been a long time coming with everything we've been through. They are our light at the end of the tunnel. You've been so strong, I love you so much!"

After a few hours Noah, Dianne, and Ulrich had been by to check on her. Noah sat on the bed with her for a while playing with his new toys. They had lost a month together before the babies were supposed to come. All she could hope is that Noah still understood that they loved him very much even with two new babies. Her contractions were getting closer together, stronger, and longer. While still fighting her fever and nausea. They had dimmed the lights, cut the tv off, so that Olivia could relax. Her headache had gotten increasingly worse along with her contractions.

"Honey, you wanna try to walk around a little bit? Or the yoga ball?" Edgar was trying to relieve some of her back pain. It sucked just watching her go through this.

"We can try both. I wanna go walk first though anything to speed this up. I just wanna get it over with because this headache is killing me." Eliza and Edgar helped her out of bed. She took Edgar's hand and they walked in the square. "I think I'm starting like Oakley and Westley better than Karter and Westley. Maybe when we meet them it will all click and we'll know. I just wish we had more time to prepare. This last two months were vital and we lost all that time. And what if Noah- ouch! Ow ow- stop ugh!" She squeezed and pressed hard against Edgar's hand while she tried her hardest not to scream out in pain. That was by far the worse that she's experienced. It lasted 1:28 seconds.

"Pain level?"

"8"

"Okay wanna make one more round then hit the yoga ball?"

"Can we just go back now, my headache is becoming unbearable."

"Of course."

Eliza brought in her yoga ball. It actually made Olivia the most relaxed she has been the entire labor process. Edgar sat on the bed while Olivia side faced him wrapping her arm around his, pressing her head on his chest and shoulder. An hour later Morgan and La'Mai had been in again with balloons and teddy bears. Eliza came back in to check how dilated she was. "How are you feeling Liv?"

"Sick, but other than that I'm just eager to meet my boys."

"I'm gonna check how dilated you are you okay?" She just nodded her head. "It looks like you are at 9 centimeters, we're gonna start prepping you for birth okay, if you need a little break just tell me. I know with a lot of movement that can make you dizzy." Olivia breathed through the nausea and she was getting ready to have her boys. Before Eliza left she check her dilation once more knowing that moving from the yoga ball to the bed could have caused her to dilate more. Turns out it did and she was ready to have two babies. "Okay on your next contraction I want you to push for ten seconds as hard as you can. The first push will probably be your hardest." She nodded, never letting go of Edgar's hand the contraction came quick and hard. "Push! A little harder Liv. Come one you got it... 8... 9... 10! Good that was good Liv. How ya doing?"

"I'm really dizzy because of my headache."

"Okay try to push through it. Let me know if it becomes to much or you feel like you're gonna pass out. Edgar watch her. You take care of her while I get them out."

"Here comes another one!"

"Okay push!" Olivia was pushing and pushing getting the baby's shoulders out now all she had to do was push a little and her body would handle the rest. Cries filled the room with the first baby the nurse came around to show Olivia her new baby boy. But the moment didn't last long, another contraction hit her like no other. "Ahhhhh, owwww! Shit help me." She pushed and squeezed Edgar's hand extremely tight. No more than two minutes later both of her babies were live and healthy. Olivia was holding her first born while Edgar had the other. They already had lots of hair and were huge for twins at 8 months both weighing in at 6.7 ounces. Who knows how big they would've been at term. Hold them for a minute or so Edgar and Olivia looked at each other.

"Karter!"

"Westley!" They said simultaneously. The laughed together. "I can't believe they are really here." Edgar was just in amaze. "You did amazing, babe. I mean really, how are you feeling now?"

"My body is aching more. My headache is down now that I have some medicine in my system, I still feel a little nauseous. Not nearly as bad as earlier. Eliza thinks it was because I was going into labor. I'm so tired though, can you take Karter?" Edgar placed Westley in a bassinet I take Karter from Liv.

"You want any visitors?" He asked as he placed a sleeping Karter in the bassinet as well.

"Is anyone here?"

"You're the Olivia Benson, of course everyone, literally everyone is here."

"Not too many people I say: your family and Noah." While Edgar was gone Olivia just sat and stared at her babies. She of course wanted a girl, but seeing them now... she couldn't be more happy. They are absolutely perfect. Karter, you could definitely tell that part of him is black. His skin tone was a nice Carmel tone almost like Edgar's but no quite. Westley, he was lighter. Almost like her but like he had a real nice tan. Not that there's anything wrong with that, she loved them no matter what. He might over time get darker right now he was about two shades lighter that Karter. He does or doesn't, he's still her baby.

"Knock knock!"

"Come in." She hoped she said it loud enough. "Noah!" She tried to sound as excited as she could but her energy is way below empty.

"Hi mommy!" He said in an excited whisper. He carefully made his way to the babies. "Is it them?" He stared.

"Yeah! What do you think?"

"They are chubby, but I like them. They are my little brother... thank you mommy!"

"You're welcome baby, do you want to hold one?"

"Uhhh, I'm too scared."

"I will hold him with you Noah. You don't have to be scared. Just be careful and gentle. Come up here with me." Noah got on the bed while the other people in the room waited to hold on of the babies. "So Noah, that's Karter and this one is Westley. But we're gonna call him west for short. Which on do you want to hold first?"

"West, how are we gonna tell them apart mommy?" Edgar hand West to her. While she was with Noah and Westley, Edgar gave Karter to his mom and Dad while Morgan, Kevin looked over shoulders. She put Noah's hands in place, and she gently took her hands away so he could do it by himself.

"Well even though Karter and West will look the same, they are gonna like different things, talk different, act different. So over time you'll know who is who. Westley yawned, the proceeded to open his eyes. You could tell that it shocked Noah. Quickly turned his head to his mom. "Mom! Look!

Hi West!"

Everyone came and met the babies. Olivia and Edgar chose La'Mai and Christian as the God parents. And Olivia finally got some much needed rest.