Title: Essence Vitae

Disclaimer: We do not own Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Dick Wolf and NBC-USA do. Denver Broncos is owned by Pat Bowlen, Kansas City Chiefs is owned by the Hunt Family, Jacksonville Jaguars is owned by Wayne Weaver, and Tennessee Vikings is owned by Bud Adams.

Author's Note: Coffee shop mentioned in this story is Brick City Coffee Company located in Newark, NJ.

Genre: Romance/Family

Rating: T

Chapter 4: Their New Lives

Previously

However, six weeks later Alex began to exhibit symptoms that would change the course of their relationship.

As she began experiencing the symptoms such as constantly needing to use the bathroom, cramping, and getting hungry constantly, she at first wrote it off as everyday pressures of work and how she tried to please her dad.

However, when Shaylah began noticing the changes in her work force partner and roommate, she had a whole different thought on what might be going on. She decided to check out books for confirmation. She was right.

Later that night when the two were enjoying a rare night off, Shaylah decided it was time.

"Hey Lexy remember those symptoms you were exhibiting?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, I don't think it is that bug floating around..."

"Ok? Shay, spit it out already"

"When was your last cycle?"

"Oh shit..."

"I'm stocked up on pregnancy tests."

Alex nodded and went off to the bathroom.

After three positive tests Alex was stunned…she was pregnant! What was she going to tell Bobby? More over what was she going to tell her dad?

Roommate instinct kicked in once more.

"Lexy I think you should schedule an appointment with your gynecologist and to confirm the home pregnancy test results. Then you'll have solid proof when you tell them."

"You're a major lifesaver you know that Shay?"

"Darn right I am," replied Shaylah.

-x-

Following a few days of contemplation and a solid confirmation, Alex knew what she needed to say to her beau and her dad.

Alex called Bobby after getting home from her shift knowing that it would be the best time to get a hold of him as he and his teammates would have gotten back from playing against Denver.

"Hello?"

"Hey sweetheart it is me."

"Hey Lexy honey I missed you."

"Awww I missed you too. How was the game against Denver?"

"Well we almost lost to them but managed to beat them in the final seconds."

"That is great news! Listen, I need to talk to you. Don't worry it's no bad news"

Bobby let out a sigh of relief he thought that she wanted to end the relationship.

"So when can you meet me?"

"How about at Brick City Coffee Company in half and hour?"

"Okay see you then handsome," said Alex in a low sexy voice.

Whilst Bobby got ready he checked the ring he had purchased while away. He wasn't sure what caused him to get the ring, he knew it wasn't on impulse; his was about to find out.

A half an hour later when he got there, Alex was already waiting for him. As he got closer he noticed that she was not drinking coffee like she usually did which was odd; she usually needed coffee to wake up.

After a brief hug and kiss, she was ready to tell Bobby the news.

"Something happened Bobby..."

Bobby's raised his eyebrow waiting for what Alex to continue.

"Remember our special night six weeks ago?"

How could he forget? It was one of the best nights of his life. He nodded.

"I'm pregnant," said Alex giving it to him straight.

At first he went blank. Then it hit him; he was about to become a father. Now he knows why he bought that ring.

Bobby jumped up and gave her a big hug and Alex knew it was a good sign.

"Oh Lexy this is so exciting! We are going to start a family and…"

"…we need to tell my dad before he finds out through the Brass rumor mill," began Alex then added, "Because if he has to find out that way it won't be pleasant for either of us."

So they made plans to have dinner with her father.

-x-

Following dinner the trio went to the living room and John asked, "Lexy, Bobby, what brings you here tonight?"

Alex looked at Bobby and then said, "Well dad there is something Bobby and I need to tell you."

Wanting to just get to the point, Alex uttered, "Dad I'm pregnant."

Before John could even open his mouth and say anything, Bobby spoke up, "Sir I take full responsibility for getting your daughter pregnant. So I am asking for your permission to marry her and make it right."

John contemplated what he was told.

"Well Bobby I appreciated your sincerity. You have not only my permission but my blessing."

Alex couldn't fully process her father's words much less Bobby's.

Smiling, Bobby turned to Alex. He slid down on one knee causing Alex to gasp.

"Lexy my darling," said Bobby as he began his impromptu proposal.

"I loved you from the moment I saw you that one time at the bar. I couldn't get myself to come over and introduce myself and thought it was a lost chance but when Coach introduced us, I knew I have been given a second chance. Alexandra Madison Eames I would be honored if you would become my wife, will you marry me?"

Alex was in complete shock. She couldn't find her voice until she saw the ring: a 3 Three Stone Round Diamond set in 14K Yellow Gold.

She then uttered, "Yes, Robert Owen Goren! I will definitely marry you!"

After having John witness the wedding proposal, he arranged to have them married a week later by a Justice of Peace (who was also a lifelong friend of John's) witnessed by John, Rory, and Shaylah.

-x-

All was going well for the happily married couple. They got a place of their own that was a subway ride away from the stadium. Alex also got all the baby stuff and clothing her mother had made from when she was a baby which were later stored after Alex outgrew them. The one thing she was drawn to was the cute girly baby booty. Somehow she could tell she was carrying a girl, a girl whom without a doubt will not only be able to wrap her finger around her daddy but her granddaddy as well.

Sometime later, Bobby and his teammates were in Kansas City playing the Chiefs and Alex was at the precinct doing desk duty work (she had been doing desk duty since her CO found out the news and took precautions, to be safe). She had been experiencing abdominal pains, bleeding at times and other times moderate, as well as dull lower back pain, pelvic cramp, but wrote it off as stress and lack of sleep.

Whilst she was at her desk filling out papers, she felt movements in her stomach. Then after total calm intense cramps kicked in. She could barely stand up from the excruciating pain. By the time she was finally able to stand up straight she collapsed just as Shaylah was coming in with her temporary partner.

"Alex!" Shaylah screamed as she ran towards her. By the time she reached she could tell Alex was unconscious and blood was appearing.

"Somebody call for a bus! We need to get Alex to a hospital quickly!"

As one of the detectives placed the call, Shaylah's temporary partner, Iain Cooper rushed over, gently picked up Alex and the two went outside to wait for the bus.

When the bus arrived and had Alex on the stretcher, Shaylah went with her to the hospital. During the ride the EMTs asked her for indications and she informed them on what she's seen Alex go through. The EMTs then gave a grim preliminary diagnosis of a miscarriage.

Shaylah gasped.

When they reached Manhattan General the nurses made Shaylah wait in the drab waiting room.

Unable to sit still, she decided to call Alex's dad.

John was just on his way to go see his daughter to offer her to go get some lunch when he got the call.

He was about to walk past his secretary Joan Teo, when she flagged him down.

"Sir you have a phone call from your daughter's partner, Officer Gline."

"Uncle John?"

"Yes Shay?"

Shaylah trying to hold back her tears but her emotions got the best of her.

"I am here at Manhattan General ER," said Shaylah choking back on her tears.

"What happened? Is it Lexy?" asked John alarmed.

"Yes, um Lexy might have lost the baby. That is according to the preliminary diagnosis giving by the EMTs on the way here, and…"

"Okay I am on my way," said John in panic mode.

As soon as he hung up the phone he turned to his secretary and said, "Joan please cancel all of my appointments for this afternoon and I will give you a call tomorrow to let you know if I need to cancel tomorrow's appointments let them know it is a family emergency."

"Yes sir," said Joan.

Just as he got there he noticed the doctor was coming out saying, "Who's here for Alexandra Goren?"

"We are," said both Shaylah and John at the same time.

"I am Alexandra's father, Deputy Commissioner," John added, "and this is Officer Shaylah Gline, her work partner what's wrong with her?"

Dr. Jameyson O'Nell grimaced "Well sir I hate to say but your daughter has miscarried her child. Her ob-gyn is performing the D&C procedure as I speak. Once that is done she will be ready to be discharged. I do recommend her to take a few days off to get some rest... and support. If there are any questions please feel free to let me know. Mrs. Goren will be in room 617."

Both John and Shaylah both stood there devastated.

After the doctor left, John turned to Shaylah, "Why don't you go be with Alex I will try to get a hold of Bobby and have come home on the first possible flight. At times like this I know that he will be the only one who can get through to her."

Shaylah concurred and went towards the room.

John went the nurses' station to borrow a phone.

He shook his head and called the Jacksonville hotel, where the team would be staying at while they played the Jaguars, and left a message with the concierge to have the coach call back asap.

Meanwhile the team was coming off the plane at Jacksonville in an upbeat mood as they came off an easy win in Kansas City. Now all they needed was to beat the Jaguars to clinch a play off spot.

Everyone was in a buoyant mood, except for Bobby; he had a gut feeling that something bad had happened.

A short bus ride later, the entire team arrived at the hotel that they stayed at time and again.

No sooner had Coach checked in while the players lounged, did he get the message.

"Excuse, Coach McCroy?" asked one of the young receptionists.

"Yes?"

"I have an urgent message from a Mr. John Eames, a little over two hours ago. He needs you to call him back right away," said the worker giving him a phone.

Hearing the worker's tone he knew something was wrong. He took the phone and called.

"Hello Rory?" asked John after getting the phone from the nurse.

"John I got your message, what's going on?"

John bit his lip.

"She lost the baby, Rory."

"Oh my word, Bobby has almost nonstop being talking about the impending bundle. He's going to be distressed when he hears this. I can't even imagine how Lexy feels."

"I know I need you to…"

"…get Bobby on the first flight back to New York. Consider it done. Please give my love to Lexy, okay?"

"Certainly."

As soon as Rory hung up the phone he sighed.

Bobby, in the meantime, was socializing with the guys about the upcoming game. It felt like this would be an easy win.

"Bobby can I speak to you alone for a minute?"

"Sure Coach," said Bobby after he fists bumped with one of the guys.

Rory led Bobby to a private part of the lobby.

"Um Bobby I got a message from John earlier and I don't know how to tell you this, uh, Lexy lost the baby two hours ago"

As expected Bobby was at a loss for the words and Rory added, "Take the time you need off to be with her, this will be a trying time for the both of you. Don't worry I will make sure the back up know all the plays for this game and for our Tennessee game."

"Yes sir," said Bobby.

Bobby and Rory then made their way back to the crowd.

"Guys I need to take Bobby to the airport, why don't you guys go ahead find your rooms and relax a bit. I will explain when I get back."

With a look of worry on their faces the guys agreed as they got their room keys and headed upstairs.

The next hour was a blur for Bobby it seemed like suddenly he was in the gate area waiting for his flight. He had also given his father-in-law a call and found out that him and Shaylah had already taken Alex back to his and Alex's place.

-x-

After nearly five hours on the plane and an uneventful flight, he made his way out of the airport and saw that John had sent his chauffeur along to pick him up.

Within a half an hour, he was at their place. When he went in he saw both John and Shaylah sitting on the couch. John was the first to notice Bobby.

"Son we are glad you make it home as soon as possible."

"I wouldn't have any other way. How is Lexy?"

"Not good," began Shaylah, "ever since we brought her home she has been curled up in a fetal position going between crying on and off holding the baby booty. She won't eat or drink or even get out of bed. Nothing we tried could sooth her."

Bobby nodded and said, "Thanks for taking care of her."

He then headed for their room.

Right before John and Shaylah got up and headed towards the door John said, "Call us if you need anything, son."

Once the door closed, he continued his walk their bedroom. The sight he saw after opening the door, tugged at his heart strings.

Lexy was there curled up and sobbing quietly. He noticed that she was tightly holding on to the pink baby booty.

"Lexy baby?" asked Bobby as he lightly approached the bed.

When she heard Bobby's voice negativity ran rampant through her mind.

What am I going to say to him? Will he leave me because I lost our baby? What if...?

However, all the negatives left her the moment she felt his arms around her bring her into a loving embrace

"It's okay baby just let it all out. I am here for you."

That's just what she did, she practically bawled her eyes out.

"I am so sorry Bobby I lost our little girl," said Alex between heart-wrenching sobs.

"It's okay darling, all…"

"No! It's not okay! I know that you have been wanting to start a family, I messed up big time."

"No you did not Lexy. Look at me," began Bobby in a firm voice and lifted Alex's chin so they were eye to eye and added, "All that matters now is your well being and I am going to do everything I can to help you feel better. And when you're ready we can try again. Baby I love you, we are in this together."

Alex looked into Bobby's soulful brown orbs and realized that he would be there for her no matter what. With that she cried herself to sleep while in the warmth of her adoring husband's arms.

True to his words he was there for her every step of the way. They were even appreciative for five dozen tulips (one for each of the player on the team and six member coaching staff) that were sent to them.

After Alex was cleared to travel he took her on their delayed honeymoon to Jacksonville to let go and have fun and show her the sights he had seen before (when the team was in town to play the other team).

Indeed that first tragedy bonded them for life.

A/N 2: Hey readers thanks for reading chapter 4 (and the longest chapter) of "Essence Vitae". We hope you had fun reading our Partial/Total AU stories! We might have more coming in the near future!

A/N 3: Reviews are appreciated!