Yearning
By: Liv-x-Case-Benson & dcmasters
Ch. 11: Arrival
"I wish we didn't have to go out of state for this!" Olivia complained.
"I know, but it's only three hours away, and I doubt anything will happen. You said she hasn't even had Braxton hicks yet."
Olivia sighed, "I know El, I know, but still..."
"It'll be fine," Elliot smiled, placing a supportive hand on Olivia's shoulder as they arrived at their location. Just as he stepped from the car, Olivia's phone rang.
"Benson."
"Liv, it's me..." Casey said, "How's the case?"
"Well, I don't know, we just got here," she walked around, grabbing Elliot's arm to stop him from going inside. "Is something wrong?"
"They've got great timing..."
Olivia sighed. "Yeah...considering I'm three hours away. I want you to get to the hospital, ok?" she said, strapping herself back in the car. "I'll be there as soon as I can."
"I'm in Liz's car. She's going to stay with me until you get here."
"Okay, good. Just try to relax. I promise I'll be there in time and I'll stay on the phone as long as they'll let me."
"I'll call you back when we get to the hospital."
Olivia nodded. "I love you. I wish I was there now."
"We love you too."
Olivia sighed, hanging up. "I knew I should've stayed!"
"It's fine. I'll be back in a couple of minutes ok? "
Olivia nodded. "Just hurry."
Elliot returned five minutes later, getting into the car, pulling out into the road and waiting, even though the lights were green
Olivia let out a breath. "I hope we make it in time. Though, medically, I would think there may be a way to prolong it."
"Liv, I don't mean to worry you but babies tend to have a mind of their own..." he said as two patrol cars appeared in front and behind with sirens and light, "I asked for an escort to the border."
"Good, thank you. But first kids do tend to take the longest."
"I know," Elliot smiled, "try not to worry." They'd been on the road for 30 minutes when Olivia's phone beeped, the first time it had gone since Casey called. "Who is it?" Elliot asked.
Olivia looked at her phone. "It's from Casey."
'Waters broke five minutes ago. Will call soon. Liz.'
'Ok, thank you. We're heading there as fast as we can.'
Fifteen minutes later, Olivia's phone rang with a private number.
She answered quickly. "Hello?"
"Hi, it's Liz. I'm on the phone in Casey's room. I'll put you on speaker..." she paused, "Right... Hi..."
"Hey, Case? How are you doing?"
"We're fine..." Casey said as she took a deep breath, "you ok?"
"I'm ok. On the way back as we speak. Are they giving you much trouble?"
"No. Tough as old boots me..." she replied before a contraction hit and she cried out in pain.
"Shh, it's ok, honey. I'll be there soon."
"How soon?" she shouted.
"Elliot, how far are we?"
"At this speed, about an hour, hour and a half."
"About an hour and a half, Case."
"Not... good enough!" she shouted through gritted teeth.
"I'm sorry, baby. We're trying!"
As the contraction eased, Casey could think a little more clearly. "I know, sorry," she replied, "Liz, help me up."
Liz helped her sit straighter. "Better?"
"Casey, it's going to be ok. I'm still here," Olivia said.
As Casey went to speak, a midwife entered asking her to lay back. "Hi, Olivia. I'm Dani, Casey's midwife. I just need to do a quick exam. You can stay on the phone."
Olivia nodded. "All right."
A few seconds later, Casey hissed a little. "Ow."
"Case, you ok?"
"She's fine, Liv. They're just checking how dilated she is," Liz supplied.
"Ok. El, how far?"
"Forty minutes," he replied.
"I don't think we have forty minutes," Dani said as she finished the exam.
"Elliot, I may not have forty minutes..."
"I'll get you there don't worry," Elliot promised.
"Can't we slow it down?" Casey asked.
"Good question. Can't you give her anything? It's really important that I'm there," Olivia said.
"Afraid not, these babies aren't going to wait for anyone."
Olivia sighed. "How fast are they coming? Give me an estimate."
"I'd say she'd be pushing in about thirty."
"What?!" Casey panicked.
"Please say minutes. If he really pushes it, we'll make it."
"Yes, minutes. But it could be sooner."
The detective sighed. "Thirty minutes, estimated. Well, Casey's not one to really sit and wait either."
"I'll wait... I'll force myself not to push for as long as I can... promise..." Casey managed as another contraction came.
"Try, but if it hurts too much, baby, you don't have to. I...I don't want you to be in more pain than necessary."
"O...ok..." she breathed slowly, and twenty-five minutes later she was struggling to hold it together. The nurse had ended their call when she needed Casey to focus, which had resulted in slight hysteria at first.
Now though, Casey closed her eyes, squeezing Liz's hand hard as she had no choice, but to push.
Olivia rushed into the hospital and down the hall. "Delivery room is which way?" she asked a nurse.
"If you want Miss Novak's room, it's down that corridor, third on the left."
"Thanks!" she said, running to the room and into Casey. "Casey!"
"Liv!" she smiled, breathing heavy as pushed.
Olivia grabbed her other hand, quickly kicking off her shoes and sitting beside her, her arm behind her back, kissing her cheek. "It's ok now."
Casey squeezed Olivia's hand hard as she gave a final push.
"That's it, come on, I've got you. One...more..."
Casey pushed with everything she had, and seconds later the midwife was attending to their daughter. "Is she ok?"
Dani smiled. "Looks healthy, but a nurse will check her vitals and weigh her. Don't worry, ok?"
Olivia kissed Casey's head. "She's beautiful, just like Mommy," she said, smiling.
Casey smiled and nodded. "Will you sit behind me?"
Olivia nodded, doing as she asked before looking to Liz. "You can go wait if you want."
"I'll be right outside," Liz smiled, joining Elliot in the waiting room.
"Just us now yeah?" Casey asked.
Olivia smiled, holding her close. "Someone? The door so we can focus please?"
One of the other midwives closed to door as Casey rested back against Olivia. "I'm tired already."
Olivia nodded, wiping Casey's damp head and face with the cloth a midwife handed her. "But one's here, Case and she's just gorgeous!"
Casey nodded, the labor seeming to slow for several minutes before picking up pace again. Casey threw her head back against Olivia as she pushed again.
Olivia held her hand tightly, helping so she didn't hurt her head as well. "You're doing amazing."
Their second daughter was delivered moments later, instantly giving a cry.
Olivia smiled, kissing Casey gently. "Another little miracle," she said, wiping Casey's forehead. "We're almost done, baby."
"I can't, Liv... so tired..."
Olivia held her close. "Close your eyes for a second," she said. "What do you feel from me?"
Casey closed her eyes. "Strength."
"You're so strong, sweetie. I'm right here. You have my strength. We're in this together. Now we have one last thing to do right now. We can do this. I believe in you, in us. I love you so much."
Casey nodded. "I love you too," she whispered as a contraction hit her hard.
Olivia helped her sit up. "Now use it. Push!"
Casey's hands gripped Olivia's tighter than they had previously as she pushed.
Olivia held her up. "Come on, Casey! We're almost there. I know we can do this!"
Casey nodded, giving a final push, drawing everything she had from Olivia.
Olivia's fingers rubbed her hand. "Almost there!"
Seconds later, their son was born and Casey fell back against Olivia completely exhausted.
Olivia caught Casey, resting against the bed. "You did wonderful," she whispered by Casey's ear, "they're beautiful. I love you so much!" she said, kissing her.
Casey nodded, fighting to catch her breath.
Olivia wiped Casey's face again. "How big are they?"
"The first is 3lb 5oz, the second 3lb 7oz and the third 3lb 1oz."
"Small babies. Might've been why they came so fast."
"You can stay here with mom or you can come down to NICU with these three."
"Well, are they going to be ok? Should I be down there?" Olivia asked.
"It's always hard to say this ear..."
"Go," Casey insisted.
Olivia stood. "Are you sure?"
Casey nodded. "I'll be fine."
"Want me to send Liz back in?"
"Yeah, ok."
Olivia nodded, walking out. "Liz, Casey wants you back in there. I need to go down to NICU."
"Are they all ok?" Elliot asked.
"They're really small, not even 4lbs. They want me there just in case," she said.
"I'll go with you," Elliot smiled as Liz disappeared back in with Casey.
Olivia smiled, following the midwives with Elliot beside her. "Thank you," she said, linking his arm.
"They're gorgeous, Liv," he smiled as they suited up for NICU.
Olivia smiled. "That's what I said too. And the small size could be why they were so quick."
"The twins were the same," he said, stepping aside to hold to door open for Olivia.
She smiled. "Ever the gentleman," Olivia said, walking in.
Elliot smiled, standing back to watch Olivia interact with them, his smile widening.
"Excuse me?"
"Yes?"
"Did Casey name the triplets beforehand?"
"We did, yes. Why?"
"I was just curious is all," she said, walking over to watch them, smiling as Mason stared at her.
"That's Mason," Olivia smiled, "this is Scarlett... and this one is Sapphire."
Elliot smiled. "Beautiful."
Olivia nodded. "Let's just hope they don't have to stay too long."
"Well, Mason may have to stay longer than the girls because he's a lot smaller."
Olivia nodded. "That makes sense, but he's a boy, so he should catch up fast."
"With any luck. Congratulations again," she smiled, leaving the room.
Olivia sighed, sitting in the rocking chair in the middle of the three. "Why do I feel like I should be knitting booties?" she said with a laugh.
"Because you'll be a grandma before you know it," Elliot teased.
"You before me, El." she said.
Elliot smiled. "They're perfect."
"Yes, they are," she said waving at Scarlett who had her eyes on her. "I just wish I could hold them," she said with a sigh.
"Soon, Liv, and then you'll never want to let them go."
Olivia nodded. "No kidding. I've learned not to take anything for granted."
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