Chapter 26

Fin frowned down at his phone and looked at John, "Somethin's up with Liv." He began to text her back and stopped when another text came in, "She told Stabler about Sealview." He sighed, "Knew she was gonna do it, guess this means he didn't take it well."

"He didn't start yellin' in the squad did he?" John's face was a study in concern and irritation. Fin knew his partner, and the irritation would be at the possibility of Stabler blowing up at Olivia. John was almost as protective of Liv as he was these days.

"She didn't say but we got a deal that if he does she calls me, she don't text," Fin explained. That was something they'd worked out the weekend after their honeymoon. Liv and he had a serious conversation, with him really pushing to be there when she talked to Elliot and Liv just as firm that he shouldn't be. The compromise was that if he wasn't there and Elliot had a fit that Liv would call him so he could at least be of some support. His other condition was that Don Cragen had to be around when Liv talked to Stabler. The captain was the only person capable of reining Stabler in when he was on a rant.

"Well if he's pissed and not yelling, chances are he's looking for us, or should I say you," John reasoned.

"Yeah," Fin sighed. "Can't believe we're actually namin' one of our kids for the son of a bitch," He smirked at his partner, "Don't worry, we're gettin' you in there too."

"I'm flattered but I don't think naming your daughter John will help her in school," Munch chuckled.

"Nah, our daughter is gonna be Odilia Johanna," Fin told him as they got in the car. "Our son is Abiola Elliot, though the way that moron is acting I'm thinking Don or George would be better."

"So back to the precinct I take it," John pulled out his notebook and checked their list. "We don't have anyone else in this area anyway, may as well break for lunch, hit the squad and see how your wife is doing."

Fin couldn't help the grin that spread across his face at those words, "Yeah." He chuckled and shook his head as he drove. "I look like an idiot right now don't I?"

"You look happy," Munch shrugged next to him. "I kinda envy you."

"Thought you had somethin' going with Alex," Fin gave his partner a quick look. "You two were all cozy at the wedding."

"We like hanging out but I think we're doing good as friends. Neither one of us is willing to rock the boat. At my age, I'll be happy with friends I can count on, I'm too old to be starting the dating game over again," John shook his head. "It's cool man. Don't worry about it."

Fin shook his head, he knew better than to push when John got like this. The man had some serious issues with intimacy at least when it came to women. He could count on one hand the number of ladies he'd seen John with over the years. His partner was a good guy and Alex was great but maybe if neither of them were sure they were better off as friends, at least until they were sure. "I was just glad you two seemed to be having a good time. Neither one of you bein' the most social of types," He told his partner. "Liv was worried Alex would spend the whole time talking shop or fending off guys hitting on her."

To his relief that seemed to lighten John's mood and he began to talk about Alex and George and their debates on movie stars. "Consensus seems to be that Pitt is better than Clooney but they like his grittier roles," John was chuckling. "They even got Cragen in on the debate."

Fin rolled his eyes, "You got two cops, a shrink and a DA and you wonder how you got drawn into the debate?"

"Yeah that wasn't much of a mystery," Munch shook his head. "Hey lets stop at Bella Maries and pick up lunch."

"Sounds good," Fin nodded. "Liv'll be hungry by the time we get back."

"I still can't believe the only part of her that's growing is her stomach," His partner sounded amazed. "The way she can eat..."

Fin grinned as he made the turn towards the restaurant, "I won't mention you nearly compared my wife to a grassfire." He told his partner, "You just text her and the cap'n that we're bringing in food."

Fin had just finished distributing everyone's lunch, leaving Olivia for last. She gave him a slightly shaky smile as he put her lunch on her desk. "Babygirl, you all right?"

"Yeah," She sighed and patted the chair by her desk, "So you wanna have lunch with your wife?"

"Yeah," Fin couldn't help grinning. "Wanna have lunch with your husband?"

"Always," Olivia's smile was just as happy as his. Fin grabbed his lunch and sat in the complainant chair. "How's it going chasing down the possible suspects?"

"Slowly as always," Fin grimaced. "But we kinda figured that on this one," He watched his woman as she pulled out a list.

"Narrowed down the list for the afternoon," She handed it to him. "Cross checked against the victim."

"This is great," Fin turned and handed it to John for his partner to look over, "So are you going to tell me how it went with Elliot?"

"Yeah," Liv sighed and Fin listened as she began to tell him about the conversation, Stabler's reactions and his exit afterwards. "I tried to be as objective as I could, but really...its so personal Fin. And his reaction always makes it more so. We're... I mean you and I, we're married now, kids on the way, and he still comes out with..."

"With the bullshit line that I'm usin' you," Fin took her hand and wrapped her fingers in his. "You know he's just blowin' off steam."

"I know," Liv nodded. "It just hurts is all," She rubbed her thumb over his wedding ring and fingers.

Fin wanted nothing more than to beat the hell out of Stabler for upsetting her. Liv had finally told him what he'd wanted to know, given him the information he'd been hounding her about hiding and his reaction was to get pissed at her and her new husband. "Good cop," He muttered, "Fuckin' lousy human being."

"Yeah," Liv nodded. "I know."

"Finish your lunch, I'll let the captain know what's going on," Fin kissed her forehead. "Love you Babygirl," He murmured against her skin.

"Love you too Odafin Tutuola," Her sotto voice was like a balm as he forced himself to pull away.

Cragen had been both pleased and annoyed that Olivia had finally told Stabler what was going on. He'd been glad that Liv had gotten the whole thing off her chest and Elliot no longer had any excuse to rail at his female detective about secrecy but Stabler's reaction had pissed the captain off.

Fin shook his head as he walked down to the vending machines, he'd thought Stabler was if not coming around, at least learning to deal with the idea that Liv was married to him. Mentally counting out his change he was unprepared for what felt like a battering ram hitting his chest and knocking him against the brick of the hallway wall. "What the f-" He groaned.

"Lousy fuckin' cop, you can't take my kids," The battering ram was lifting him up and Fin managed to get a hand up and block the next blow. Before he needed to do anything else, the battering ram, who turned out to be one of the most redneck looking mother fuckers he'd ever seen, right down to the beard, plaid shirt, wife beater and grimy jeans, was pulled off of him by Stabler of all people.

"Calm down, you crazy son of a bitch," Elliot had an arm around the man's neck. "Fin, you all right?"

"I'll live," Fin shook his head, aware of Cragen, Munch and Olivia all in the hallway with other detectives. "Don't let that maniac near her Elliot," He shook his head as Liv would have come to check on him before the lunatic was cuffed. "Stay there Olivia, just... stay out of his range."

He could see the effort it took, she was gripping the doorjamb as if that would hold her in place but she nodded, one hand protectively over her belly. Finally the lunatic redneck was cuffed and hauled off to holding and nothing could have held Olivia back, "Babe, you all right?" Her hand went to his head.

"Goin' by the symptoms I've got a concussion," He hated to admit it but he'd promised himself he'd never lie to her. "I'd better see a doctor. My skull's hard but I think the brick is harder."

"Just by a hair," Elliot's voice was quiet. "Cap'n said Olivia should take you to the hospital. We'll get your statement once you're cleared for duty again."

"Goin' by past concussions, that's about three days barrin' complications," Fin groaned. "Thanks by the way, for the assist."

"Hey, I may not like you, but you belong to Olivia now," Stabler sounded a bit irritated. "Not gonna let some jackass take you away from her."

Olivia's laugh was strained and a bit shaky but Fin knew she was also genuinely amused, "Geez Elliot, leave it to you."

"Yeah well, I'm slow and stubborn, but I eventually get where I'm goin', just like the damn tortoise," Elliot shrugged and his strong arm came around Fin's waist. "C'mon, I'll help you down to the car. Liv's got enough weight on her with the twins."

"Lemme grab my purse, I'll meet you at the elevator," Liv's soft lips pressed to his cheek before she hurried back to her desk. Fin did his best to keep his gorge from rising as Stabler helped him down the hall.

"So this where you tell me again that if I hurt her you'll kill me?" Fin muttered wishing his eyes were more clear as he looked at Elliot.

"Nah," Elliot shrugged. "This is where I say that if you hurt her I'll hold you down while she does it." Fin must have had a surprised look on his face because Stabler gave him a dry half smile, "I told you, I'm slow, but I get there. She's a grown woman. She doesn't need me to poke her nose into her marriage unless she asks for help."

Olivia came into the elevator with Fin's coat and her own over her arm along with her purse, "All right, babe just keep taking slow deep breaths." She slipped her free hand into his and Fin focused on the feeling of her fingers on his skin.

The hospital was the joyful place he recalled from his multiple visits before this one but thankfully there weren't any complications from the concussion. He'd be back at work in three days and provided he didn't do anything stupid he wouldn't be a bother to Liv at home.

Olivia was almost hovering but at least she wasn't doing that mental retreat thing he'd seen her pull on past lovers. Fin sighed as he sank down onto the couch, "Babygirl, c'mere an' gimme some sugar." He cajoled as she brought a glass of water and put it on the side table.

"Thought I told you not to scare me like that again," Olivia let herself be pulled down onto the couch and into his lap.

"Aw baby," Fin wrapped his arms around her and let himself just feel her hair under his cheek, warm soft body against him. "Didn't mean to, just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"I just..." Liv was taking those deep breaths of hers and he could almost feel her struggling to control herself.

"Hey I was a little worried myself," Fin reminded her. "You don't gotta feel bad about bein' upset. And you don't get to try an' pull away from me Babygirl." He kissed her hard on the mouth even though the abrupt movement made his head ache. "You rant an' you scream an' you cry if you want but those deep breaths and your body goin' stiff when I'm holdin' you... I know that that means Livia."

"Yeah?" Her voice was a little defensive which he took to mean he wasn't wrong. "What's it mean?"

"It means you're mentally gearin' up to cut me off, close down all that worry an' fear," Fin kissed her cheek and neck, letting his mouth remind her of everything they felt for each other. "An' you can't get rid of that without gettin' rid of the sweet. You're my wife Liv. I'm your husband. An' we promised each other to take the good with the bad. Don't just..." He groaned as his head throbbed.

"Geez babe that's not what I'm doing," Olivia's lips pressed to his neck. "Maybe my first instinct has always been to pull away... but I learned with you... that won't do me any good. If I pull away you just come right along with me. I'm just trying to calm down Fin. Me getting the shakes won't do the twins any good."

"Sorry Babygirl," Fin groaned. "Guess I just was figurin' this'd be one time too many me gettin' hurt."

"It's all right babe," Liv's lips were gentle and sweet on his neck and jaw. "Yeah I'm scared to death. The idea of you... what would I do without you babe?"

"I'm just as scared of the thought a losin' you," Fin admitted. "Love that we're havin' babies...but the thought a you goin' through labor. Man that terrifies me."

"Well I guess we've both got a lot to deal with," Liv rubbed her cheek against his skin and Fin sighed. She felt so damn good, heavy and sweet in his arms, her belly swollen and pressed against him so they could both feel the twins moving inside her.

"Yeah," He kissed her forehead and relaxed into the couch. "I'm just worried about when the twins are here, how we're gonna deal with everything."

"Well Mrs. Carmodey promised to teach me about mixed hair," Liv giggled tiredly. "And Alejandro and Kenneth are arguing about who gets to watch the kids when we go back to work."

"Wanted to ask, do you want me to take the same three months off as you? Or take three after you so the kids are always with one of us for six months?"

"Hmm...two by myself, one with you, two with you by yourself," Olivia suggested. "Babe I'm kinda heavy these days, your legs all right?"

"Yeah," Fin wouldn't give up holding her even if his legs fell off. "Yeah I just wanna hold you. Felt like a battering ram hit me. And when Elliot pulled the guy off, saw you...was so damn worried you'd get hit comin' to help me."

"I know, that's why I stayed where I was," She soothed him. "I don't want anything to happen to Oda and Abe either."

"How're you feelin' other than worried," Fin let his hands wander up and down her arms and back. "You hungry? Wanna nap? Can set an alarm so we wake up in an hour or so, you can ask me alla those stupid questions the doctors say to ask."

"Yeah lets lie down," Olivia agreed. "I need to feel you against me, skin to skin."

"We wake up in a few hours, lets get some a that lotion, I'll rub your back," Fin gave her a smile he knew was lopsided with discomfort. He hoped she'd take it in the spirit it was meant.

Wrapped around her in their bed later, the scent of her silky skin in his nostrils he couldn't think of anywhere he'd rather be at the moment, concussion or not.

"I'm going to kill him," Olivia was seething. Her partner was regarding her with barely concealed amusement and she was ready to hit something. "Honestly, I'm fine. I can still work. I'm seven months pregnant, not the walking wounded."

"He's just worried," Elliot told her with a shrug as he drove towards Harlem. "I'm the same way when Kathy's pregnant. The bigger she'd get the more I'd freak out."

"And presumably she'd smack you around to knock some sense into you," Liv scowled. "My husband has the captain backing him up. Telling me to go home and catch a nap for the rest of the afternoon. I'm going to kill both of them."

Elliot was just shaking his head, "You know acting like this isn't exactly disproving the 'needs a nap' theory they've got going."

"Elliot, I'm seven months pregnant, I'm armed and I'm pissed. Do you really want to add fuel to the flames?" Olivia glared at him.

"Shutting up now," Stabler was as good as his word, keeping silent until he dropped her off in front of her building. "See you tomorrow Liv."

"Yeah," Liv frowned down at her phone. "Let me know if there's anything I can do from here all right? I doubt I'll be able to really nap."

"Well give it a shot, maybe you won't gun down Fin when he walks in the door tonight," Elliot chuckled. "But I'll text you if I need the help."

Olivia nodded and waved as she walked into her building texting Fin as she entered the elevator, that she was headed up to the apartment. She could feel the evil smirk on her lips as she added that she was planning on making him cook dinner that evening since he thought she was so damn tired.

The text she got back was a smiley face and a promise to rub her back when he got in if he could pick up take out on the way home. Liv sighed and texted back that he had a deal before she unlocked the apartment.

The hallway was dark, the lights in the decorative alcove had been switched off. Liv frowned as she turned it back on looking down the hall at the dim main space. She'd been certain she'd left a few curtains open. She and Fin didn't always get home during daylight hours but it happened more often than not these days.

She put a hand in her purse and onto her gun as she walked slowly towards the living room, something wasn't quite right. Before she could tense up too much, the lights flicked on and a group of people shouted, "Surprise!"

Olivia eased her hand off her gun and shut her purse before leaning against the wall and staring at Kathy, Alex, and Melinda, along with what seemed like every female officer she knew, "Are you three out of your minds?" She was half laughing and half scared to death.

"I'm just glad you didn't shoot us," Kathy teased. "Go on and put up your gun and badge. I'll text Fin to let him know we all made it through the initial shock."

"Now I really am going to kill him," Liv muttered as she moved back to the hallway and to the lockbox she and Fin kept in the alcove cabinet.

"Don't say that," Alex laughed at her. "He knew he was taking his life in his hands trying to get you here. He's been texting all of us saying that if he had to sleep on the couch tonight he was holding us responsible."

Olivia shook her head, "You really are insane."

"Go on and put on something comfortable," Kathy shooed her into the bedroom. "We've got fruit and sorbet, veggie trays and Fin said you've been craving turkey and avocado like its endangered so we've a couple of deli trays and fresh avocado."

"And we got cake, like you had at your wedding," Alex called after her. "I think I have a new addiction."

Liv laughed and pulled on her jeans and favorite top, a creamy red and brown knit that Fin loved on her. Whenever she wore it his hands always gravitated towards her arms and belly, as if he couldn't help stroking her skin. Rubbing lotion into her feet was more difficult with her belly but she managed it, and pulled on a pair of the moccasin slippers her husband had given her before emerging from the bedroom. "So I take it everyone has seen the apartment," She asked dryly before taking the chair Kathy pointed her towards. "You all approve?"

"Its gorgeous," Kathy smiled. "You and Fin have really managed to blend your styles. But I can tell what is from his apartment and what was from yours."

"Who can't," One of the uniforms laughed. "Everything that's brown was in a guy's place, and everything in color was in hers."

"It does seem to be a failing of the male of the species," Alex chuckled. "They tend to go for neutrals."

"John's place actually has a lot of color," Liv shrugged. "But he's been alone for so long since his last divorce I think he's just comfortable with what he likes. And he's never been one to go for easy, not in anything."

"So whose bed was it before it got put in the master," Melinda teased. "Yours or his?"

"Fin's," Olivia laughed. "We bought new bedding, so we wouldn't have brown everywhere, and we put my bed in the guest room." She pointed at the gorgeous polished wood dining room table, "That was Fin's too. My place didn't have room for a table that size." Liv blinked as she realized the table was piled high with gifts. "What did you lunatics do?"

"We talked Fin into registering you at a baby shop or two," Kathy grinned and there was a round of laughter through the room. "I may have coached him on things you'd need, not just for when the twins are born but when they're at a year or six months."

"Kathy, you threw my bridal shower," Olivia reminded her. "You didn't have to do this."

"You're family Liv, I wanted to do this," Kathy pointed at her. "So we're going to eat, play silly games, come up with crazy names for the twins, listen to the actual names and then you're going to open presents. The guys'll be along probably right around the time we're done."

"It was great that Fin said we could use the apartment for this," Melinda chuckled. "But he might have said that just so that he wouldn't have to haul everything home."

"He is pragmatic," Liv nodded. She remembered when he'd told her she needed to get her head together how rattled she'd been, and how he'd told her the PTSD would get better because it had for him. He'd known she wouldn't believe him if he hadn't told her the truth, the practical truth that it would take time, but it would get better. He'd been gentle with her, but firm and no way was he going to let her drive her career into the ground by not getting her head on straight.

"You look like you're thinking of something other than his pragmatism," Alex teased gently.

"Actually, I was remembering...he told me something...I wouldn't have believed it from anyone else, but I knew he'd tell me the truth. He wouldn't sugar coat it, but because he'd been through something similar...I knew I could believe him," Olivia explained quietly. "There's a reason he was my best friend long before we started dating."

"When did that start by the way," Melinda grinned at Liv. "I know you were seeing him before you got pregnant, but by how much?"

"We'd been dating three months by then," Liv grinned as Kathy began to pass out plates of food, hers had fresh avocado slices and turkey along with a healthy serving of vegetables and fruit.

"Elliot really was clueless," Kathy laughed. "He'd come home muttering about you being different, and later about you dating someone but he had no idea who."

"And John figured it out in less than a week," Olivia shook her head. "He's my partner, and I love him like a brother, but sometimes Kathy your husband is really obtuse."

"I know," Kathy groaned humorously. "Believe me I know."

Author's Note: So what do we think? I hope you all like it. Not a lot of explanation here really since I don't think this chapter needs much.

I thought it would be nice to see Elliot grow up a bit. That's been a long time coming.