A/N: I DO NOT OWN any part of the Law & Order franchise, or the rights to the song Not Myself Tonight by Christina Aguilera. Chapter 40! Shoutout to my reviewer, without whom I would not be on chapter 40 right now.
Not Myself Tonight
"You might want to wake up now before you end up spending the entire day in bed."
Jodi smiled as John's voice brought her back to reality. Back to the world. When she was asleep, she slept as though she was in a coma. So did John, which is why she worried about the kids waking up in the morning for milk. It was bound to happen. She didn't have problem with it, except the fact that she and John both slept like death. What if they were both asleep while their children wailed and their mother neglected to feed them? What kind of mother would she be then?
"Morning." she smiled, turning on her side. As predicted of a woman at five months along, all she did was sleep. And so she had just slept for 14 hours straight since they got in. She had actually fallen asleep while John attempted to have sex with her. Her! Jodi! Passing up sex! It was unheard of and shocking.
"Sorry about last night." she rubbed her eyes, trying to force herself into being awake. They were on vacation. In the most beautiful place in the world. The hell if she would let herself sleep the whole time!
"Well I will admit it was a bit of a bruise to my ego, not to mention the fact that you blueballed me, but I suppose I can strike up some sympathy seeing as how you're carrying my children."
Jodi grabbed a pillow before smacking him in the face with it and sitting up. She grunted, the simplist of tasks were getting harder and harder.
"Need help?" John asked.
"No I got it." Jodi waved him off before pushing herself off the bed and standing up.
"Whew." she breathed, resting a hand on her back before waddling to the bathroom. John watched her and couldn't help but chuckle. She had never been thin, but it was hilarious to see her at such a large size. And with her dancing history, she had always been light on her feet. She walked on her toes. Every move she made was like watching a beautiful animal.
Now she walked like she crapped her pants.
She was still sexy as hell. Still beautiful, but it made him laugh.
He heard the sounds of the water turn on in the shower and got out of the bed. She was going to be awhile. Another thing about Jodi. She loved the water. Loved being in it. She sometimes spent hours in the bathtub, in the hot tub, submerging herself. Playing with her hands and feet. She was like his little mermaid.
John opened the door to the bathroom and walked inside before pulling back the curtain.
"I'm going to run downstairs is that okay?" he asked.
"Yeah." Jodi nodded, lathering an immense amount of shampoo in her hair. The same scent she always wore. A mixture of fruits and cinnamon. Delicious.
John exited the bathroom before walking to his suitcase and pulling out a garment bag.
Inside was a dress he had Olivia (and a begrudged Casey) help him pick out for Jodi, to surprise her with. He didn't know a damn about fashion other than shoes, except that the dress cost him way too much and that Jodi better at least pretend she like it.
He set it across the bed before writing a short note and setting it on top, then getting up and leaving the room.
The hotel was absolutely luxurious. The Greecian sky above beautiful. It was a warm day, but a cool breeze blew through. No more than 60.
The people of Greece themselves were a thing of beauty. Olive skin. Long lashes. Black hair. John could see why Jodi had elected to come here. He found himself checking out some girls involuntarily, as though it was his first reaction.
He walked up to the front desk and waited for the receptionist to get off the phone.
"What can I help you with sir?" she smiled brightly and fakely. Another man walked up next to him, hands in pockets.
"I was wondering could you guys send up a couple more bottles of water, and some Gatorade if you have it. My wife is pregnant and I need to make sure she stays hydrated."
"Yes sir I can have that right up for you. What's your room number?"
"211."
"Okay, we'll have that right up then."
"You married to the redhead?"
John turned to the man next to him. He looked a little-no, a lotlike Derek Jeter only more handsome. He also had a British accent, which obviously didn't fit in here.
"Yeah." John replied.
"Saw her coming up the stairs yesterday and wondered who put that rock on the finger of a woman that beautiful. It's a crime man. The names Vincent, Vincent Hayfeild."
"John Munch."
"Yeah I'm a photographer which is why she caught my eye. What do you do?"
"I'm a cop. New York City Special Victims."
"Ah. Well, I need to be at a metting well...ten minutes ago actually so I'll give you my card. Give me a call. I would love to shoot your girl. She was a great face. How far along is she?"
"Five months, working on six."
"Wow. Well, when you call ask for Vincent, my assistant will handle everything."
"Alright, thanks."
As he walked away John looked down at the card. John Munch, married to a 19 year old New York City Ballet Model. He old man would have been proud.
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
It happened when Jodi threw back her head, rinsing the shampoo out of her hair. A movement inside of her. A movement that sent her to the shower floor.
She clutched her stomach, panting as the water ran down over her head.
A kick.
Kicking wasn't supposed to start for another few weeks, but regardless, she was so happy she was at a loss for words.
She reached up and grabbed a towel before staggering out of the tub and sitting up against the sink.
She heard John's voice faintly, and gripped the sink before yelling.
"John please come in here!" she screamed loudly.
A few seconds later he threw open the door to find her on the floor, sitting against the sink.
John ran over, taking her face in his hands and pushing her wet hair out of her face.
"What's wrong baby? What happened?" John asked, worry coloring his face.
Jodi took his hand before putting it on her stomach. John looked at her in confusion for a moment before jumping as he felt the movement inside of her. Right underneath his hand, he felt a radiating kick from one of his children.
"...They're kicking." Jodi looked up at him, her face swimming with tears. They both knew it was far too early. But still...it was a moment that they couldn't help but be nothing short of overjoyed.
John grabbed Jodi's face, kissing her before taking her into his arms, holding her tightly. Everything at that point really dawned on him. He was about to have three children. With the woman he was absolutely determined to spend the rest of his life with. And those three children were very alive.
"Okay, I'm going to call the doctor now." Jodi chuckled before making a move to stand up. John helped her, leaning back to turn off the water before helping her into the bedroom of their suite. The dress sat across the bed and Jodi quickened her pace a little, going as fast as she could at this state.
"What's this?" she asked, panting a little as she tried to catch her breath.
"Just a little something I got for you."
Jodi climbed onto the bed, making her way over and unzipping the bag before she gasped. Inside, wrapped in plastic and tissue paper, was the most beautiful black and white dress she had ever seen in her life. The bodice was black, and sparkling, and stopped underneath the bust while the bottom was a pure white, poufy and absolutely full of sheer fabric and netting.
She noticed the tag hanging off. Chanel. Her favorte designer ever. He had actually remembered something like that.
"John...this is beautiful!" Jodi exclaimed, jumping off the bed and hugging him.
"Woah." she breathed, sitting back down as the wind was absolutely knocked out of her. John sat beside her, kissing her forhead.
"I was hoping you would like it. Liv and Casey helped me pick it out."
For a moment silence hung in the air between them and John prayed she wouldn't get upset at the mention of casey, but she didn't.
"I love it. It's really beautiful John. Thankyou so much."
"Don't thank me, spoiling you is my job. Now, let's call that doctor."
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
"You know, I used to be a ballerina. It's the reason I was so glad when I found out Jodi was dancing."
Trevor chuckled before throwing his keys on the counter as he watched Elizabeth sway around the room, her hands in the air, looking like some kind of interpretive dancer on ecstasy.
She was drunk, and it was quite humorous. She had completely let all of her walls down, and acted as though she was on a different planet. ALTHOUGH Trevor usually found public intoxication repulsive, this was actually quite the opposite.
"I think you and I should. Have kids. Then I could have a redo from Jodi." she slurred, making her way up the stairs.
"Well, let's give that a little time first. You making it up there okay?"
"I can handle myself." she slid before stomping up the stairs.
Trevor chuckled before going to check the messages on his machine. It was when Alex Cabot's voice came through that his head whipped around and the smile was wiped from his face.
He and Alex didn't really keep in touch much, and although things were fine between them whenever she called it meant something was wrong.
"Hey Trevor, it's Alex. I need you and Lizzie to meet with me as soon as possible, it's urgent. Thanks."
Trevor was left standing by the machine, wordless. This couldn't possibly be good.
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
"Where's Munch been?" Elliot asked as he walked into the squad room, throwing his coat over his chair.
"In Greece, with Jodi. They left two days ago." Olivia replied before graciously accepting the huge cup of black coffee Elliot had picked up for her from Starbucks.
"Greece? Jesus. He's been doing better than all of us here I guess."
"You could say that. You seen Fin?"
"No, he's over in Jersey for a week on a job."
"Oh, well..so last night I just happened to be driving around when I saw something interesting." Elliot sat down in his chair and leaned back.
"Something like what?" Olivia looked up.
"This woman I know. Out with this guy who if I dare say really isn't her type. In fact, he's a criminal."
Olivia narrowed her eyes. The sly grin on his face and the sparkle in his eye. The way he got around perps.
"El stop playing games and cut to the chase."
"Okay, so you're banging Jodi's brother?"
"Excuse me?"
"You two certainly looked cozy last night."
"Elliot, we were going for a walk."
"Sure. When you two start talking?"
"We're not talking, we're not dating, he's just a friend."
"A friend who's in the Italian mafia."
"Was."
"Crim's a crim."
"How the hell can you even say that?" Olivia stood uo angrily. Several officers around them looked up, trying to find the source of the altercation.
"So what, Munch hooks up with a hot younger girl and you have to go after her brother?"
"Fuck you." Olivia spat before grabbing her stuff and walking away angrily. In all truth, last night she had discovered that Anthony was a great listener. After they had run out for dinner he listened to ever single thing she said. Every complaint. And never once did her judge, and always knew exactly what to say. He was like her human diary.
She couldn't believe the nerve of Elliot. Saying shit like that. She banged on Cragen's door before he opened.
"Something wrong Detective?" he asked, irritation showing on his face. After their case last night he had a run-in with a bottle of alcohol which Olivia was forced to chuck out the window.
"I need to get out of here. Elliot-"
"Nothing else need be said. A new case just opened up in Queens. Pregnant Fifteen year old claims her father is the father of her child as well."
"Thanks, you can tell me the rest over the phone I just need to get out of here. Thanks."
As she left she couldn't help but glance at Fin's desk, which once belonged to Monique Jefferies. She had to think of the fact that Elliot might possibly be right. What was she getting herself into?
