The Secret Life of the ADA Novak

By: Liv-x-Case-Benson & dcmasters

Ch. 10: Addition

Casey woke as her alarm sounded with a groan. She had to be in court early, but she was tired, not sleeping as much now as her body ached in her eighth month of pregnancy. She pulled the covers over her head in an attempt to stop herself getting up.

Olivia walked in with toast for Casey. Setting the tray on the nightstand, she climbed back into bed and began to rub her girlfriend's back.

"What time did you get in?" Casey asked, relaxing at the touch of her hands.

Olivia yawned. "Five, but instead of sleeping, I used my time constructively and made breakfast for us."

"We're starving," Casey smiled, slowly sitting up, taking a piece of toast.

Olivia smiled, helping her sit up. "There is more, but I didn't know what you two would be able to keep down."

"I don't know why I'm still throwing up. Must just be hormonal," Casey sighed.

"Some women are sick for their entire pregnancy, Case."

"Didn't throw up once with Ben. Making up for it now though."

Olivia nodded. "Yeah, must be."

"Branch wants me to take maternity leave."

"Why don't you? You should."

"I've got cases to finish trying, and if I'm home, I'll brood and this place will become tidy."

"But if you're this sick, maybe it would be better," Olivia said.

"Are you saying you want to see housewife Casey as opposed to ADA Novak?"

"Well, it wouldn't have to be forever, but if it's for your health, I think you should."

"Fine, you win. I'll talk to him later."

Olivia sighed. "Casey, I'm not saying you have to do anything."

"But you're right. At least I can rest."

Olivia nodded. "I just want you two to be safe. After the beginning of this... I don't like taking chances."

"I know. I'd better find something that fits," Casey said, kissing Olivia gently. Getting out of bed slowly, the attorney slowly dressed, looking at her reflection in the mirror, hand running over her bump.

Olivia walked up behind her, resting her hand on her bump. "She'll be here soon."

Casey smiled. "Yes, she will. I can't wait for you to meet her."

Olivia smiled. "Do you want me to come with you being as you're so close?"

Casey shook her head. "I've got two cases that should be wrapped up in a few hours. Then I'll go see Branch. I could meet you at the precinct for lunch?"

The detective nodded. "Ok, but if anything feels off..."

"...I'll call you," Casey smiled, turning to kiss her, "I've got to go."

"Do you want me to drop Ben off at school?"

Casey nodded, stepping away from her to slip her jacket on. "Please. Olivia... what's your middle name?"

"Nicole. I'm surprised you haven't asked before."

"Me too. Especially during our baby name chats. I love you," Casey said, kissing Olivia quickly, then disappeared to work.

It had been a long, tiring morning. The chat with Branch had been fine and he'd granted her immediate leave as long as they could contact her regarding any queries related to the cases she was dealing with.

At 12:30, Casey entered the precinct, standing by the entrance watching Olivia for a long time.

Olivia turned around, walking back over. She smiled, wrapping her arms around Casey. "Hi."

Casey smiled, offering a gentle kiss pulling away to rest her head by Olivia's ear. "I think we're on."

"For lunch?"

"For our baby."

"What?! God! Since when? How do you feel?"

"Since the middle of court this morning. I feel fine. It'll be a while yet."

Olivia nodded. "Do we have time to go grab your bag by the bed?"

"Yes, plenty. I need to call my parents and ask them to have Ben."

Olivia nodded, leading her over to her chair, handing her phone to her. "Call," she said, getting Casey some water.

Casey spoke to her mother as she sipped her water. "Sorted. We going?"

Olivia helped her up. "Right now," she said, helping her out to her car.

They picked up her bag and drove to the hospital, arriving at maternity all within half an hour. Casey held Olivia's hand tightly as they were taken to a side room. "Can you help me change into this so they can come back and exam me?" she asked Olivia.

Olivia nodded, pulling the curtain. She took Casey's shoes off, then dress and bra before helping her stand and taking off her panties before helping her into the gown.

Casey captured Olivia's lips. "Calm down."

Olivia nodded, taking a calming breath. "Are you ok?" she asked.

"We're both good," Casey smiled, moving herself to lay on the bed, waiting.

The brunette helped her get situated, sitting on the edge, holding her hand.

The midwife returned to exam her, looking over at Olivia when she finished. "You're clearly doing a great job keeping her so calm when she's already 6cms."

Olivia raised a brow. "6? I didn't think she was that far along."

"I'd say you'll be seeing your baby very soon at this rate," the nurse replied.

Casey squeezed Olivia's hand, taking a deep breath, breathing out slowly.

Olivia took Casey's hand in both of hers, kissing it, before brushing some hair out of her eyes. "How are you doing?" she asked, sitting in the chair beside the bed.

"Trying to stay calm and focused. Thinking of you helps."

Olivia kissed her cheek. "It's going to be ok."

"I know, because you're here," Casey smiled.

Olivia wiped Casey's head with a damp cloth, kissing it. "You're doing great."

An hour later the labor had progressed further, Casey's contractions strong as she began panicking. "Make it stop!"

Olivia held her hand tightly, looking to the midwife. "What's going on?"

"The contractions Casey is experiencing are very strong, and labor is progressing quickly. I'd say you should be saying hello within the next half an hour. I'm just going to get a doctor on standby."

Olivia nodded, wiping Casey's brow again. "It's going to be ok."

"No it's not!" Casey said angrily, pushing Olivia's hand away.

Olivia held her hand. "Yes it will be. I'm here for you."

Casey gritted her teeth, squeezing Olivia's hand hard. "Where's the midwife? I need to push."

Olivia stood up. "Wait a second!" she said, running over to the door. "Sasha! Somebody! Help!"

Sasha quickly joined them with the doctor she'd been briefing. "What's wrong?"

Olivia returned to Casey's side. "She says she needs to push already," she said, holding her hand.

"Slow it down, Casey," Sasha replied. "The doctor needs to examine you."

"You push then!" she shouted.

Olivia wisely kept her mouth shut, just holding her hand.

If there was one thing Casey hated, it wasn't being in control of herself. "Casey, you're having trouble pushing because the baby has a large head. I'm going to need to make a small incision..." the doctor said before Casey cut her off.

"No!" she protested.

Olivia held her hands. "Casey, she needs to do this so the baby can meet us. Isn't that what you want?"

Casey shook her head. "I just want it to stop. I'm tired."

"Casey, you can't just stop. The baby will keep trying to come out. You're just helping her along. If you don't let her do this, you'll just have more trouble. Please? I'm right here. I'm not leaving."

Casey gave a small nod.

Olivia nodded, looking to the doctor. "Go ahead," she said, kissing her cheek.

Casey buried her head against Olivia's neck, her breathing rapid.

Olivia held her close. "It's ok, baby. I've got you. I'm not letting go. I saved you and I'm sure as hell never letting you go through this alone. I love you."

"All done. Let's have ourselves a baby," the doctor smiled, Casey distracted by Olivia's words.

Olivia sat up. "Listen to the doctor, Casey."

"On your next contraction I want you to push until I tell you to stop, and it's very important that you do stop, ok?"

Casey gave a nod, the next contraction coming quickly, screaming as she pushed, stopping when the doctor told her to.

Olivia kissed her hand, catching Casey as she fell against the bed. "You're doing great."

"Just one more push, Casey," the doctor smiled.

"Can't..." she replied trying to catch her breath.

"Of course you can. Can you see her yet?" Olivia asked the doctor.

"Yeah, full head of hair."

Olivia walked down to the foot of the bed, smiling when she walked back over. "Casey, she has dark hair!"

"Like her Mama," Casey managed, trying to focus her mind.

"Here, give me your hand," Olivia said, bringing her hand down between Casey's legs to feel the wet mat of hair. "She's almost here, honey. We're so close. We can do this."

Casey looked into Olivia's eyes, giving a determined nod.

"We're ready," Olivia said.

As another contraction came, the doctor instructed Casey to push once again. Casey squeezed Olivia's hand so hard it nearly broke as she screamed in pain until the large shoulders came out, quickly followed by the rest of the baby.

Olivia caught Casey as she collapsed in exhaustion as the little girl gave a loud, piercing, wail.

"Is s-she ok?" Casey asked, her body shaking uncontrollably.

Olivia looked to the doctor. "Are they both ok? She's shaking badly."

The doctor smiled, placing the baby gently on Casey's chest, beneath her gown. "It's normal after the sort of birth Casey had, a bit like an adrenaline rush. And your baby could not be more perfect, congratulations."

Olivia held the little girl to Casey's chest. "Thanks! How big is she?"

"Nine pounds, three ounces. Biggest we've had this week."

"Wow, no wonder she had trouble."

Casey seemed to have forgotten all the pain as she watched her baby settle against her. "Who's my big girl, huh?" she smiled, stroking her cheek.

Olivia smiled, kissing their cheeks. "My favorite girls."

Casey's eyes didn't stray from their daughter, completely besotted as she watched her closely, sitting up slightly when she attempted to suckle.

Olivia moved the child down to Casey's nipple so she could eat. She knew Casey was still exhausted.

"Sorry if I shouted at you. I can't really remember much," Casey said softly.

The detective smiled, kissing Casey's cheek. "It's ok."

"Take her," Casey said when she moved away from feeding.

Olivia took the baby girl, grabbing a blanket to burp her.

Casey watched her for a few minutes. "Suits you."

Olivia smiled. "I'm so proud of you, Case."

"Why?" she asked, sleepily.

"For this little girl. All you went through."

"She was worth every second."

Olivia nodded. "Can we lay with you?"

Casey smiled, shifting herself over carefully.

Olivia laid beside her, holding them close.

Casey's head quickly found Olivia's shoulder, stroking the baby's cheek. "What do you want to call her?"

"I've always liked Madison."

"Hey, Madison Olivia Novak-Benson," Casey smiled.

Olivia smiled. "Madison Olivia? Why my name?"

"Because she's your daughter too."

"How about Madison Liv Novak-Benson?"

"Whatever you want Mama." Casey sighed happily.

Olivia smiled. "Perfect."

Casey fell asleep, a smiled on her face as Madison's hand wrapped around one of her fingers as she looked up at Olivia, wide eyed.

Olivia kissed her forehead. "Hi little Madison, Hi..." she stroked her cheek.

Madison gurgled, slowly falling asleep.

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