Yearning
By: Liv-x-Case-Benson & dcmasters
Ch. 12: Attention-Seeker
A week later the babies were a lot stronger and though they encouraged her, Casey had refused to leave their side for anything longer than a toilet break or a quick bite to eat. She wasn't even sure how she found so much to discuss with them, but she did and absolutely loved it.
Olivia sat in a chair beside her. "They're beautiful, just like you."
Casey smiled, leaning over to kiss her. "Where did you come from?"
Olivia smiled, kissing her. "I just finished up a short interview. I figured, since they're still here, unfortunately, I could work a little overtime to increase my leave days. How are you?"
"I'm fine. They said I can hold them in a little while."
"Really? Case, that's wonderful! But you look so tired, baby. When have you slept?"
"I had an hour or so about two."
"Stand up, let me sit where you are and you and sit across my lap and I'll rock you to sleep. I'll keep an eye on them."
Casey looked a little hesitant, but slowly moved and was soon in a light sleep in Olivia's arms.
Olivia held her tightly, rocking her. "Shh, just sleep."
"What if... they ne-need me?" she asked before finally falling into a deep sleep.
"We're both right here. It's ok," Olivia whispered.
Casey slept soundly for two hours before stirring
Olivia smiled, kissing her. "Hi sleepyhead."
"Hi. Are they ok?"
Olivia nodded. "They're all asleep now."
Casey smiled, nuzzling Olivia's neck. "Do you have to go back in today?"
Olivia shook her head. "No, until they're out I'm in only as needed. After they're out, I start my leave with my beautiful fiancée."
"I love you," Casey smiled, kissing her gently.
"I love you too," the detective said.
"Right, shall we get someone out for a cuddle then?" the nurse asked, entering the room.
Olivia smiled. "Um, sure. Any of them?"
"Yes, any."
She looked to Casey. "You pick."
"Scarlett?"
Olivia nodded. "Okay. We'd like Scarlett."
The nurse smiled, untangling the wires, instructing Casey to hold her top open as she placed the small baby inside, which Casey quickly cradled close.
Olivia held Casey gently. "Hi baby girl. You're so sweet."
Scarlett nuzzled Casey as she stroked her cheek. "I think I'm in love."
Olivia smiled. "Really? I'm in loves times four," she said, stroking Scarlett's cheek, kissing Casey's.
"This seems so much more real now."
Olivia nodded. "They're so...tiny. But so beautiful."
"I just want to take them home."
"Me too, baby. But if we can hold them, that means they're getting better, stronger."
Casey nodded, her eyes still firmly fixed on Scarlett.
Olivia smiled, rocking them slowly.
Casey relaxed properly for the first time since they were born, her head against Olivia's shoulder
Holding tightly, she kissed Casey's head.
"This is magical."
"It's amazing. Can we hold someone else?" Olivia asked the nurse.
The nurse nodded, swapping Scarlett for Sapphire.
"Hi sweetie," Olivia said, stroking her cheek.
This time, the baby nuzzled Olivia's finger. "Mama's favorite already huh?"
Olivia laughed. "Was Saph the kicker?"
"No, Scarlett. Saph was always doing back flips. Or that's what it felt like anyway."
"Our little gymnast," Olivia said with a smile.
"Yes, she is," Casey smiled, "She looks a bit like you."
"The face, a little darker hair..."
"Definitely yours," Casey smiled.
"Yes she is. Ours."
"Our family," Casey whispered.
"All five of us."
"Still seems funny saying that."
"Yes it does," Olivia said.
"Can we hold Mason?"
The nurse nodded, exchanging the babies.
"Hey, little man..." Casey grinned.
Olivia smiled. "Hey."
Mason hid his face against Casey's chest. "Playing hide and seek already, huh?"
"Maybe he's still sleepy. They've had a tough week, Mommy. We all have."
"I know. If you're staying, can I have a quick shower in soon?"
"Actually, I could use one too."
"We could swap? Someone needs to stay with them."
"The nurse could," Olivia looked back, "couldn't you?"
"It's what I'm here to do," the nurse smiled warmly as Casey looked hesitant.
Olivia smiled. "Come on, Case. We'll be right back."
Casey nodded. "Ten minutes."
Olivia smiled, walking into the bathroom in her room that was a few doors away. Locking the door, the detective quickly stripped.
Casey slowly removed her clothes, conscious of how she looked.
Olivia hugged her tightly. "You're still beautiful to me," she said, kissing her.
"Come on then. Quick shower."
Olivia nodded, walking over to the shower, pulling Casey with her, turning the water on.
Casey closed her eyes, letting the hot water run down her neck as she relaxed somewhat.
Grabbing the washcloth, Olivia lathered it up, gently washing Casey.
Casey allowed Olivia to wash her, her anxieties easing. "Am I doing ok? At this mom thing?" she asked softly.
Olivia smiled. "You're amazing at it. They love you so much!"
"I wouldn't have wanted this with anyone else."
Olivia smiled, kissing her gently. "Me either. I love you."
"I love you too," Casey smiled, turning the water off, stepping from the shower, pulling Liv with her. She quickly dressed in some fresh clothes and waited for Olivia.
Olivia quickly followed suit, holding her close. "Next time, can we stay a bit longer? I mean, when the kids are home, who knows when we'll have time to just be together?"
"Sorry, I just worry when I'm not there."
Olivia nodded. "Don't be sorry, sweetie. I understand. Let's get back."
Casey nodded, taking Olivia's hand as they walked from the shower. "What's going on?" she asked, seeing a medical team around Mason.
Olivia pulled her out of the room. "What's happened? We were gone ten minutes!"
"His vitals dropped about thirty seconds after you left."
"What does that mean? What are they doing?" Olivia asked, holding Casey tightly.
"We don't know why. We're trying to stabilize him."
"Let me go in. Try something. Please," Casey begged, her cheeks fresh with tears.
Olivia held her tightly. "Casey, I want to be in there too, but the doctors and nurses need space and we'd just be in the way. They know what they're doing, ok?"
"Please, just one minute?" Casey pleaded to the nurse.
Olivia shook her head. "Casey, he knows we love him. We don't want to get in the way do we? I'm scared too, but they have a job to do."
"And so do I, I'm his mom," Casey replied, pulling away and entering the room anyway slowly approaching as one of the doctors moved out of her way. She reached a hand through the tiny whole, stroking his cheek. "Mommy's back now. Hmm? It's ok," she whispered softly as he stabilized.
Olivia quickly followed, staring at her in amazement. "I guess he...just wants his Mommy. I'm sorry I doubted you, Case."
"He's just a bit fussy when I leave," Casey replied as the doctor took Olivia to one side.
"I have never seen that happen before."
Olivia smiled. "Well, he's a Mommy's boy. Can we hold him?"
"Sure if it settles him that much."
Olivia nodded. walking back over to Casey, pulling a rocking chair with her and sitting down. "Sit with me. We'll hold hm."
Casey smiled, picking him up gently before sitting in Olivia's lap. She tucked him into her top so he was against her chest and rested her head in Olivia's shoulder.
Olivia smiled. "Are you ok now, baby boy? Hm?"
He nuzzled Casey's chest the same way he had done earlier then hid his face as Sapphire began a soft cry.
Olivia looked toward her. "Can we hold two?"
"Why don't you hold her? You haven't held them yet. "
Olivia nodded. "But can I hold the three of you?"
"Once you've had a proper cuddle, Mama."
Olivia smiled, hugging them both.
Casey kissed her cheek gently before standing whispering to Mason as they walked around. Casey nodded, not really listening as she carried on her one-sided conversation with Mason. Sapphire looked up at Olivia wide eyed.
Olivia smiled, rocking her gently. "You just didn't want your brother to get all the attention, did you?" she asked, kissing her head.
Sapphire immediately settled, her eyes beginning to close.
"You're so sweet! Yes you are."
Sapphire gurgled a little, suckling Olivia's little finger as she went to sleep.
Olivia smiled, wider. "They're all amazing."
"Yes, they are," Casey smiled as Olivia's phone vibrated in her pocket.
Olivia pulled out her phone, checking her messages.
'Need you for interview. 5 yo girl. Afraid of men. Sorry. El'
Olivia stood, lying Sapphire in her bed. "I need to go for an interview."
Casey nodded, kissing Olivia's cheek. "Go home and get some rest after. We'll be ok here. Kathy said she might visit later, and Liz."
Olivia hugged them gently, kissing Mason's cheek. "I'm not going to be able to sleep knowing you guys are here. I'll come back."
"Ok. We love you," Casey smiled.
Olivia smiled, kissing Casey quickly. "My phone will be on in case."
Casey nodded, placing Mason back down, checking on Scarlett as Olivia left.
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