Chapter 6-Home

Olivia sways slowly side to side as she gives Jacob his bottle. She can't sit anymore. She needs to get up and stretch her legs. He's made strides in the passing weeks. He made it out of surgery without any issues and only had to have a small portion of his bowel resected. He recovered well after surgery and has since graduated to bottle feeds and had his NG tube removed. He was off the CPAP machine and now breathing on his own. He turns his head, indicating he's done feeding, and Olivia sighs. "I wish you would eat more," she says to her baby. It's amazing how much he's changed in such a short amount of time. His features are more distinguishable and he has his father's eyes. A feature she's not quite sure how she feels about. As she gazes at him, she can see that he also has Elliot's mouth, and ears, and chin. He is a miniature Elliot Stabler. The irony. She sighs again.

"I was hoping you were still here." Michael says as he crosses the NICU.

"Just giving Jake his last bottle. What are you still doing here?"

"I just came out of a ten-hour surgery."

"Oh wow. Everything go ok?"

"Yea, as well as could be expected. What's wrong?" Michael asks noticing the frown on her face.

"He's not eating enough."

"Olivia, we've talked about this. It's a marathon not-"

"-a sprint," Olivia finishes. "I know, but I just want to bring him home. We've been here for two months now."

"I know it can be frustrating, but he's doing really well."

A nurse approaches them and smiles. "All done?" she asks.

"Yea, but he only drank a couple ounces."

"That's ok. He's taking the bottle and that's what's important. Unfortunately, visiting hours are over. They actually ended a little while ago, but I wanted to give you a few extra minutes to finish his last feeding before you go."

"Thank you." Olivia kisses Jacob's forehead and passes him over to his nurse. "He hasn't burped yet."

"Ok. I'll make sure he does before I put him down."

"Thanks, Allyssa."

Olivia grabs her things and stares longingly at her son as she leaves the NICU. Two months and she still hates leaving him behind. Michael follows behind her and pauses outside the NICU doors. "You have time for a milkshake?"

Olivia smiles softly. "Michael, it's late. The cafeteria isn't even open now."

"Don't worry. I have the hook up. C'mon. One shake."

"Fine, but only because I'm starving."

"Great." He takes her hand in his and leads her to the elevator.

"How did you get them to keep the café open for you?"

"I have my ways."

"You charmed them didn't you?"

"It's what I do," he winks.

They ride the elevator down to the cafeteria and Michael motions for her sit while he heads to the ice cream section. He returns with a large brown paper bag.

"That's not a milkshake," Olivia states.

"Good observation, detective."

He sets the bag down and pulls out a wine colored table cloth and spreads it across the table. Fancy plastic plates follow along with silver plasticware. He sets up two long white candles and lights them then pulls two plastic flutes and a bottle of sparkling cider from the bag. "A bit of bubblé, mademoiselle?"

"Please," she grins and holds up her flute, amused and interested to see what else he has in the bag.

He fills their plastic glasses then returns to the bag and produces several boxes of Chinese food. "I didn't know what you liked so I got a little bit of everything. Now let's see, we have General Tso's, beef and broccoli, lo mein, steamed vegetables, crab Rangoon, egg rolls," he lists as he opens each box. "Vegetable fried rice, steamed rice, chicken wings, and scallion pancakes."

"Wow. This is way too much food."

"It's ok. I'll take whatever we don't eat up to the break room on the Peds floor. Shmooze the nurses."

Olivia shakes her head. "You don't stop do you?"

"Gotta be nice to the nurses. They can make your life hell."

"So what is all this?"

"You owe me a date, and I knew that you would never go out with me, which means I had to bring the date to you."

"Thank you. No one's ever… No one's ever done something like this for me before."

"I like you, Olivia. And these past few weeks we've spent talking have been great. I just wanted show you I'm serious, and I hope when you leave here you'll give me a real chance."

She smirks. "Yea, I think I can do that."

xXx

"Did McDreamy really make you a picnic dinner complete with candles and fake fancy silverware?"

Maureen sits in the rocking chair feeding Jacob. She rocks gently back and forth enjoying her time with her baby brother.

Across from her, Olivia stares at her in shock. "How did you know that?"

"So it's true?! Everybody's talking about it!" Olivia groans inwardly. The last thing she wanted was to become the topic of the hospital gossip mill.

"Tell me about it! Was it as romantic as it sounds?"

"It was…nice," she grins. "Maureen, you can't tell anyone about this."

Maureen mimes zipping her lips and throwing away the key. "Mums the word. Now spill."

"He's an old friend. We met about six years ago at a party for some mutual friends. We spent the whole evening talking and at the end he asked me out. We scheduled and rescheduled that one date several times before deciding it wasn't meant to be and going our separate ways."

"That's so sad. How come you had to keep rescheduling."

"Your dad and I were working on a really tough case. Some perv was kidnapping, rapping, and murdering little girls. It was all hands on deck for about three days straight."

"Oh I think I remember that. It was right around the twins' birthday right?"

"Yea. By the time the case ended he was back on rotation and just didn't have the time. He was a resident then."

"So, he waited all this time to have a date with you. That's just…" Maureen sighs dramatically. "I hate you."

Olivia laughs. "Is he done?" she motions to Jacob.

"Yea," Maureen hands Olivia the empty bottle and shifts the baby so she can burp him. "So, what's the outcome? Are you going to sit on his face?"

"Jesus, Maureen! What am I going to do with you?" Olivia laughs. "I don't know. He basically asked me to go steady-"

"Are you?!" Maureen asks anxiously.

"I don't know. Relationships…don't really work out for me. Your dad told me he was the longest relationship I ever had with a man and he's right. Seems like the only way I can make a relationship work with a man is by being platonic."

"Don't listen to him. Dad can be such a jerk sometimes. I'm convinced I'm single because of him. He intimidates every guy I bring around. I think next time I'm going to wait to introduce him on my wedding day." Olivia chuckles at the girl's antics. "But really Liv, you should give McDreamy a chance.

"I don't know Maur, I'm a mom now and right now I need to be focusing on that. Jacob needs me."

"Yea, but Liv, you're a woman too and you're gonna need to get laid pretty soon," she says seriously causing both women to laugh. "No one ever said you can't have both."

xXx

Olivia rushes through the entrance of the hospital. She's late. She thought she hit snooze on her alarm, but really she just turned the damn thing off and now she's ten minutes late for Jacob's feeding. She sees Elliot waiting in one of the lobby chairs and breezes past him. She doesn't have time for this. He's been calling her nonstop for the past two days and the last thing she wants to do right now is argue with Elliot Stabler.

"Olivia!" he calls when she walks past him. He stands and hurries after her, catching up to her after a few feet. He grabs her arm and she turns on him with eyes full of rage.

"What?!" she snaps.

"You told Maureen about the baby?"

"Yea, so?"

"So? You've been letting her hold him. Feed him."

"I don't see your point."

He pulls her closer to him and whispers to her through clenched teeth. "My point is, what if she finds out."

"I don't care if she finds out."

"What?"

"You know you have some nerve. Your son has been here fighting for his life for the past two months and you've been nowhere in sight."

"Olivia, we've talked about this."

"He had surgery and you didn't even send a text to see if he was ok."

"You didn't even tell me he was having surgery."

"I shouldn't have to tell you anything! You're his father. He's your son. You should be here for him!"

"I can't."

"Bullshit! Your daughter cares more about him than you do and she doesn't even know that he's her brother."

"So that's it. You're trying to get back at me by telling Maureen."

"I haven't told Maureen a thing. But you know what? I'm not going to help you hide your dirty little secret. If she finds out then that's your problem."

"Dad?"

Both look up to see their topic of discussion merely feet from them. "Maur!" Elliot exclaims.

"What are you doing here?"

"I stopped by to take my favorite oldest daughter to breakfast."

"Excuse me," Olivia says and heads on her way. "Hey Maureen."

"Hey! I'll stop by later."

"Alright(,) see you then," Olivia gives the girl a smile then heads on her way.

"Dad, I wish you would have called. I don't really have time for breakfast right now."

"Well then how about a coffee with your old man?"

"Coffee I can do. Starbucks?"

"I notice you only drink Starbucks when I'm buying."

Maureen laughs. "That's what dads are for."

xXx

Olivia heads into the NICU, still reeling from her encounter with Elliot. She spots Daniela by Jacob's station and she turns with Jacob in her arms. "Hi Mom!"

"I'm so sorry I'm late. He must be starving."

"Everything ok?" Daniela asks sensing something isn't quite right.

"Yea, I'm just a bit flustered."

"Well, Mr. Man here has been patiently waiting for you," she passes him easily into Olivia's awaiting arms and he stares up at her with his father's blue eyes.

"So, his doctors and I have been talking."

"What's wrong? Is he sick? He's been doing so well," Olivia sighs and kisses his forehead.

"Relax. He's doing great. We think he's ready to nurse."

"What?"

"He's been doing really well on the bottle lately and he doesn't need the extra calories we've been adding to his milk anymore. We think you should try nursing him."

"But I've never-he's never-are you sure?"

"Yup. Sit down." Daniela helps Olivia get into a comfortable position and schools her on the ins and outs of breastfeeding and helps her get Jacob to latch onto her nipple. "Look at that. He's a natural. I'm going to have the lactation specialist come up and talk to you and teach you some techniques since you're both new to this."

"Ok," Olivia answers absently. Her focus now completely enamored in her son.

"I'll leave you two alone."

xXx

A couple days later Olivia returns from her lunch with Michael. They'd gone to a small bistro around the corner and she had enjoyed walking with him in the warm summer air. She's spent so much time in the hospital she forgot what it was like to be outside.

"Hey," she smiles when she sees Daniela waiting for her.

"I have good news!"

"What?"

"You guys can go home."

"What?"

"Yup! He's feeding on his own. He's gained weight. He's recovered well from surgery. He's breathing fine on his own. He passed the car seat test when you were at lunch. He's ready!"

"But, I'm not ready. His car seat is at home. So is my car. His crib's not even up. Most of his room is in Amazon boxes."

"Relax. I've got it all covered."

"Everybody ready?"

Olivia turns to see Cragen with a car seat in hand. "What are you doing here? She looks back at Daniela. "How did you?"

"We met when he was here after Jacob's surgery. He gave me his card and said to call if there was anything you needed. I figured you'd need a ride today."

"The car is ready downstairs."

"How did you manage to get away?"

"Being the boss has its perks. Told Munch to hold down the fort."

"Thanks, Don."

"It's no problem."

Olivia carefully straps Jacob into his car seat and looks up to see Daniela approach her. "I packed up all your stuff while you were out. I knew you'd want to get out of here as soon as possible. I managed to snag you an extra bag with some more goodies inside. I also slipped you some more of those pacifiers he likes."

"Oh no, Daniela, you didn't have to. Really."

"I wanted to. I stole as many pacifiers as I could without it being too obvious. Some receiving blankets, some diapers, and other fun things. Should get you through the week. And if you have a pack and play you can have him sleep in that until you finish setting up his room."

"Thank you so much."

"It's no problem."

"No, I mean it Daniela. You've been…amazing. I don't think I would have been able to get through this without you." Olivia hugs her tightly and Daniela squeezes back.

"It was my pleasure. You take good care of this little one and don't forget he has an appointment next Wednesday with the GI specialist and a follow up next week with his pediatrician to see how his first week home went."

"I won't forget." Olivia picks up the bags and Cragen grabs Jacob's car seat. They all head slowly towards the door.

"And send us pictures and updates so we can put him on the wall."

"I will. Thank you."

xXx

Olivia looks down at the instructions and then the part she holds in her hand.

"So this….goes with that…no that." She pauses and flips the picture around then back again. "No, this, and I use…the little screw with the funny looking top. See. This isn't so bad." She looks up at Jacob, who sits contently in his bouncer, watching as she works on assembling his crib. "I should have this up in no time."

There's a knock on the door and Olivia pauses. "Who's that? Did you invite someone over?" Olivia asks the baby. She stands and lifts him from his bouncer before walking to the door. "I told Cragen no visitors tonight so it can be just us, so I know it can't be the guys..." She looks through the peephole. "What are you doing here?" Olivia asks as she opens the door to reveal Michael, a charming smile on his face.

"Why, hello to you too."

"How did you find my address?" Olivia asks stepping back to allow him in.

Michael walks in. "How soon we forget. Twice," he holds up two fingers for emphasis. "You canceled on me when I was already here."

Olivia chuckles. "And you remembered my exact address after all this time."

"Did I ever tell you I had a photographic memory? Comes in handy," he leans over and kisses her cheek.

"You know I moved, right?"

"I love the way you do that. Just let me dig my own grave. That some kind of cop trick?"

"Maybe."

"Fine, you got me. I stole it out of the hospital records."

"Isn't that a HIPPA violation?"

"You gonna tell?"

"Maybe. Depends on what you got in the bags," she nods towards the bags in his hands.

Michael walks through her apartment to the kitchen and deposits the bags on the counter, "Well if I know you, there is nothing in your fridge." He opens it for dramatic effect. "Look at that! Empty."

"I've basically been living in a hospital for the past three months. Sorry I haven't had a chance to go grocery shopping."

"I know. That's why I did it for you." He pulls items from the bag. "Milk, Capt'n Crunch, orange juice, bananas…" as he listed each item Olivia stared at him in wonderment. He'd listened and paid attention to everything she'd eaten over their time together. "I'm also going to make you dinner. Braised beef, parmesan mashed potatoes, and garlic green beans."

"I like the sound of that! C'mere."

He walks over to stand in front of her. "What?"

She leans up and kisses him chastely on the lips. "That."

"I like that," his whispers against her lips and kisses her again. He takes Jacob out of her arms. "So what have you two been up to?"

"Follow me," she says and takes his hand to lead him down the hall.

"What is this?!"

"It's a baby's room."

"No, it's not. It's a mess!" He looks around the room and the floors are covered in boxes from amazon, Walmart, and target. Shopping bags are lined against one wall and an unfinished crib against another. There are other boxes that, from the pictures on the outside, hold various baby paraphernalia. A stroller, a playpen, a swing.

"Again. Living in a hospital."

"Well, we're going to go fix dinner and leave you so you can turn this into a baby room, because right now…this is just sad." He picks up the bouncer and walks out of the room, talking in voice that could only be characterized as baby talk. "Your mama's got work to do. I'm going to teach you how to make a meal that will impress any woman." Olivia looks around the room and decides to continue where she left off.

xXx

Olivia swirls her beef in the remaining sauce left on her plate before placing it in her mouth. "Where did you learn to cook like this?"

Michael places the screwdriver in his mouth and admires his work. "Before I wanted to be a doctor, I wanted to be a chef. I trained for a year at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris." He shakes the changing table slash dresser and smiles once he's sure it's sturdy.

"Fantaisie."

"Oh. Tu parle Français?"

"Oui oui, et Espangnol et Italien."

"Sexy," he winks at her and smiles with pearly white teeth.

"Are you done yet? You've been working on that for almost an hour now, and it came mostly done."

"You can't rush perfection."

"Well, Mr. Perfect, in the time it took you to put that together I've finished the crib, swing, and I'm almost done with this playpen."

"Playpen doesn't count. All you did was take it out the box, and besides I made dinner. A very good dinner, if I recall you saying."

"Fine. I'll give you dinner. But you think you can help me put away his clothes?"

"Yea, just let me clean up the kitchen then I'll come back in and help you."

He picks up their plates then heads to the kitchen where he cleans up the remnants of their dinner. He made sure to make enough so that she'd have lunch for tomorrow and he packs it away in some Tupperware he bought and sticks it in her fridge. Once the kitchen is spotless, he heads back into the baby's room and is astonished at the difference. Furniture has been assembled and placed in its rightful place. He picks up the boxes and plastic and debris while she hangs clothes in the closet. He returns from the dumpster to see a nursery. The light grey crib sits against the dark blue accent wall covered in gold foil stars. A grey swivel glider chair sits in the corner by the window with its matching ottoman. The grey dresser with changing top sits against another wall. Dark blue and white bedding fill the crib, along with a husky beanie baby he recognizes from the hospital. Clothes have been hung in their rightful place. Shoes lined up on the shelf. A mobile of stars, clouds, and the moon hangs over the crib. It's simple, but it's nice. Fitting.

"It still needs some work, but it will do for now."

"Yea, you're right. Something's missing…"

"What?"

He walks over to the bouncer where Jacob sleeps and lifts him and places him in his mother's arms. "Put him in his bed."

Olivia walks over and gingerly lays him in his crib. His five pound body appearing smaller while surrounded by the vast space. Olivia smiles. He was finally home. In his room. In his bed. He was home. The lights go out then she feels Michael's arms wrap around her from behind. He kisses her shoulder, left bare by her sweater, then her temple and they gaze down at her son. She turns in his arms. "Thank you. So much. For everything."

"It was my pleasure."

"But it was so nice of you to cook dinner for me and help me out."

"I just wanted to spend time with you." She smiles. "You know, that kiss in the kitchen was our first kiss."

"Really?"

"Yea, and I don't know about you, but I kinda liked it. I think I'd like to try it again."

"Yea?" she whispers against his lips.

"Yea," he whispers back then kisses her gently. They trade soft tender kisses until she opens her mouth to him, allowing his tongue to slide in. He pulls her flush against his body and walks her backwards out of the room. "Liv," he mumbles in between kisses.

"Mmm," she moans against his lips.

"I don't know where your room is."

"Don't worry about it."

She kisses him harder, with more fervor, more urgency pulling him along down the hall. His hands slide beneath her sweater and singes her skin as he cups her breast. She pushes his shirt off his head, depositing it along the way. Her sweater follows. They reach her bedroom where she sits on her bed and pulls him on top of her. He falls between her thighs with a smile on his face. Clothes fly and hands roam and before she knows it, he's sheathed in a condom and buried deep inside her, and as he moves she wonders why they've never done this before. Why it's taken so long for them to get to this point when it's something so right.

As right as coming home.

xXx

Olivia wakes to the sounds of Jacob's coos and grunts coming through the baby monitor. Behind her Michael sleeps. His naked form pressed up against her body. His arms wrap around her waist and hold her close. She carefully moves them before slipping out of bed. She pulls on a robe and heads into the nursery where she picks up her son and sits with him in the glider chair. She exposes her breast and lets him latch on and take sustenance. She caresses the soft skin of cheek and stares into blue eyes.

"Welcome home Baby Boy."