Thanks so much for all the reviews on the last chapter (even the ones who didn't like it...at least I know you're reading.) I am really trying to work on getting more done and moving it forward as some suggested, but I am still not feeling great (I've never had so many doctor's appointments or been on so many meds in my life.) Funny how what should've been a simple sinus surgery a month ago has basically destroyed my health and is now taking it's toll on me emotionally as well. For those who believe in prayer, I could use some...thanks.
Here is the next chapter. Sorry it's not moving forward very quickly, but I don't feel like moving it forward quite yet. Hopefully you will like it anyway. Thanks for taking the time to read this in spite of my lack of updates. I appreciate everyone who is reading. Your reviews make me happy :) Enjoy!
March 20, 2015 5:30 AM
Elliot tried to roll over, forgetting he was on the couch, and stumbling as he caught himself before hitting the floor. He sat up, yawning and stretching before trying to curl up in a more comfortable position. Olivia had decided it would be better for them to sleep apart for a while and he agreed as a way of appeasing her. All the time she'd been in the hospital he'd looked forward to holding her in his arms while she slept, feeling the twins move as he let his hand rest on her stomach…but he had promised to take things slowly and he didn't want to ruin their relationship by rushing things if she wasn't ready for it. At least they had managed to coexist in the apartment for the last couple of days without incident. That felt like a step in the right direction.
He heard a thud in the kitchen, followed by a loud clanking of pans and sat up, looking toward the room and squinting in the dark. "Liv?" he called out and glanced at the clock flashing on the television. "What are you doing up at 5:30?"
She peeked her head across the bar into the living room, "I'm sorry…I didn't mean to wake you up. I'm kind of awkward trying to bend down to the bottom cabinet, with only one arm and my stomach in the way…"
Elliot stood up from the couch and walked into the kitchen, "What were you trying to get from the bottom cabinet at this hour?" he asked.
"A skillet…" she admitted. "I really want a cheese omelet. I woke up to go to the bathroom, and by the time I managed to get myself out of bed I was hungry and then I couldn't get my mind off of it…so I figured I'd make breakfast for us while you slept." She gave an embarrassed smile, "I guess my plan failed."
Elliot laughed, and knelt down to the cabinet pulling out the skillet and sitting it on the stove, "Here…" he leaned forward kissing her on the cheek. "You want me to make breakfast?" he asked, putting his hand on the swell of her stomach and smiling when he felt the babies kicking beneath his touch. "They are wide awake this morning," he laughed.
"They're starving…" she said seriously, pulling away when he tried to kiss her again. "I'll make breakfast. They won't let me go back to sleep anyway…so you can go back and lay down for a while."
"I think I'll take you up on that," he stretched his back and sighed, "That couch isn't the most comfortable spot, you know?"
Her face dropped and she nodded sadly, "I know…I'm sorry…" Before she could continue, Noah started crying and she closed her eyes and sighed.
"He probably heard us in here," Elliot said. "I'll go get him…"
"You wanted to go back to sleep…" Olivia reminded him.
"Well that's not gonna happen this morning, is it?" he forced a smile. "I'll get the baby, and you make breakfast…okay?"
She nodded and turned to the stove, "You can take a nap after breakfast," she called to him "I promise."
An hour later they were seated at the bar and Elliot took a bite of his omelet. "This is really good," he said seriously. "When did you learn to actually cook?"
"I've always known how to cook," Olivia smirked and took a bite of her own food. "I just never had a reason to do it." She picked up a ketchup bottle and squirted it all over her food and then took another bite.
"Ketchup?" Elliot rolled his eyes. "On an omelet…you can't even taste how good it is with that all over it." He took a bite of his own food and watched her eat.
"The babies like it," she insisted. She looked over at Noah who was sitting in his highchair eating dry cereal with his fingers. "Maybe I should've made eggs for Noah too. He should start eating meals with us…shouldn't he? He's old enough."
Elliot nodded, "He's growing up…he's really more a toddler than a baby now. When we move we should get him a bed instead of the crib."
"I'm in no condition to think about moving," Olivia felt herself tear up and she sniffled, "I miss him being a baby," she admitted. She brushed away her tears, "Damn hormones…" she sighed.
Elliot laughed, "Mommies always cry when their babies grow up…hormones or not." He stood up and kissed her on top of the head and grabbed one of Noah's plastic bowls and spoons, chopping up some of his own omelet in the bowl and sitting it in front of the little boy. Noah grabbed the spoon and took a bite, spilling half of it on his tray and giggling in delight. Elliot smiled, "He likes eggs," he looked at Olivia who was biting her bottom lip and rubbing her hand nervously over her stomach. "Hey…" he walked over to her, "Are you okay? What's the matter?"
"The stupid Braxton hicks again," she said, breathing heavily. "I swear they always take me off guard…"
Elliot rubbed her back and held her hand, "Try to breathe through it…" he said and she nodded, finally relaxing as the contraction subsided. "You okay, now?" he asked.
"Yeah," she nodded. "Thanks…"
"Why don't you go lay down for a while?" he suggested. "I'll help Noah finish breakfast and clean up the dishes."
"Are you sure?" she asked. "I told you that you could take a nap after breakfast. I'm okay…"
"And you need more sleep than I do," he reminded her. "Why don't you lay down and after I clean up I'll bring Noah in and we can watch a movie or something in bed?"
"Okay," she gave in, standing up from the bar stool and leaning into him. He wrapped her in his arms and held her close. "Thanks for taking care of us…" she whispered. "I'm glad you're here…"
"Me too…" he smiled, releasing her from his grasp and watching her walk toward the bedroom. Then he sat back down and watched Noah eat his eggs.
March 20, 2015 11:45 AM
"I should put him in his crib," Elliot said, smiling as Noah cuddled up next to his mother, fighting sleep. "He's tired, Liv…it's almost his naptime."
"The movie isn't over yet" she reminded him, turning back to the Disney cartoon that was on the screen.
"He isn't really watching it anyway," Elliot pointed out. "He's been jumping on the bed, playing with toys, climbing all over us," he laughed. "I don't think he really cares that it isn't over."
"I know…" Olivia admitted. "I just want him in here with me. All that time in the hospital…I missed him so much."
"I know you did," Elliot said gently. He looked at the little boy who was rubbing his eyes with his chubby fists. "He can sleep in here…if you feel up to it."
She nodded, "I feel fine," she insisted, sitting up a little. "Can you help me up?" she asked. "I can't wait until I can get my arm out of this sling for good. I hate not being able to push myself up…"
Elliot walked over to the other side of the bed, grabbing her good arm and pulling her up gently, "Where are you going?" he asked as Noah hopped up from where he was laying and started bouncing on the bed. Elliot grabbed him and picked him up, holding him close and the baby rested his head on his shoulder.
"I have to pee again," she sighed, running her hand over Noah's head. "I didn't mean to get him all hyped up."
"He's all right," Elliot insisted. "Are you okay though? You've been in there four times since we started the movie. That's a lot even for you."
"Yeah…the twins are just jumping on my bladder," she said, walking slowly to the door. "The Braxton hicks are getting them all worked up…" He watched her walk out of the room and sat back on the bed, rocking Noah until the baby was asleep. Olivia came back in and sighed, "Go ahead and put him in his crib," she gave in. "He'll sleep better there." Elliot carried the baby into the livingroom and put him in his own bed and then walked back to the bedroom and climbed in next to his wife.
"How are you feeling? Anymore contractions?" he asked, rubbing his hand over her stomach.
She shook her head, "Nah…not for about an hour now. I think things are settling down in there," she put her hand on top of his. "I know the doctor said they are normal, but they still worry me. I don't want anything to happen to these babies, El."
"I know," he said gently. "But they are perfectly fine…you know that." His cell phone rang and he reached to pick it up, answering it quickly, "Hello…" his face dropped as he listened intently to the person on the other end. "Yeah…no don't worry…I'll be there…I'm on my way…" He clicked off the phone and looked at Olivia, his face pale.
"What's wrong?" she asked. "Who was that?"
"It was Kathy…" he said running his hand along the back of his neck anxiously. "She's at the ER with Eli…he got sick at school and before she could even get home with him his fever spiked and he blacked out in the car."
"Oh my God…" Olivia gasped. "Is it the cancer?"
Elliot shook his head, "I don't know…maybe…or it could be something else. His immune system is still weak from all his past treatments so he catches other things easily…" He looked sadly at her, "I have to go…"
"I'll go with you," she offered, trying to get to her feet and failing.
"No…just stay here…" he insisted. "I'll be back later."
"But you shouldn't go alone…and I want to see him," she argued.
"I can't take you," Elliot sighed. "I need to focus on Eli, okay? I can't do that if you're there…someone will have to watch Noah and you've been having contractions off and on all day…Kathy will be pissed and I'll have to deal with her…I just need to focus on my son right now."
Olivia swallowed the lump in her throat, "Okay…" she nodded sadly.
"Liv…I didn't mean…" he started, noticing the sadness and shock on her face.
She shook her head, "Go…you need to hurry…" she said, finally managing to pull herself to her feet, just as Elliot rushed over to her side to try to help.
"I'll call you when I know something, okay?" he said, leaning forward and kissing her on the cheek. "Do you need me to find someone to come over here and stay with you and Noah? I can call Fin…"
She shook her head, "We'll be fine," she insisted. "Just go…" She followed him into the living room, carefully locking the door behind him and then walked over to Noah's crib and watched him sleep. Then she walked over and slowly lowered herself onto the sofa, wincing a little at the pain as her bad arm shifted in the attempt. She clicked on the TV and stared at a daytime talk show she'd watched nearly every day in the hospital, suddenly realizing it was the first time she'd been alone with her son since the shooting and she wondered if she was going to be able to do it. She clicked off the TV, hoping to keep Noah asleep a while longer and put a pillow behind her back as the familiar tightening of her Braxton hicks returned. "Not now…" she cringed, breathing through the pressure and rubbing her hand in circles over her stomach until they stopped. The babies started moving in response and she pushed carefully on her stomach, "You're all right in there…" she promised. "We're all just fine…" she sighed, leaning back and closing her eyes, praying she was right.
March 20, 2015 6:30PM
Elliot walked in the door and found Nick Amaro feeding Noah his dinner, his wife nowhere to be seen. "Where's Liv?" he asked, locking the door and dropping a take-out bag on the side table. "I brought her dinner."
"Look Noah…" Nick smiled as the baby took a bite. "Daddy's home…" he looked at Elliot and smiled, "Does he call you Daddy…or not? Liv never said…"
Elliot nodded, "Yeah…I mean I'd like him to…he hasn't said it yet…" he sighed. "What are you doing here anyway? Where is Olivia?"
"She's asleep," Nick said, picking the baby up from his highchair and handing him to Elliot while he cleaned up the mess. "She called me and asked if I'd watch Noah for a little bit because she wasn't feeling well, so I came over…"
"She's not feeling well? What's wrong with her?" Elliot asked nervously. "Is she sick?"
Nick shook his head, "No…she's just tired I think. She said she had contractions all morning, and then she was having a hard time with Noah by herself this afternoon…she only has one arm and that makes it hard to change him, hold him…she was exhausted by the time she called me. She doesn't like admitting she needs help."
"I called to tell her about Eli and she didn't say anything," Elliot sighed. "She told me she was fine." He put Noah in his playpen with some toys.
"When is Olivia ever fine if she says that?" Nick asked with a grin. "She's okay…really…she just didn't want to bother you when you were at the hospital with Eli. How is he doing?"
"He's okay right now," Elliot said. "They are keeping him while they finish up some tests, but they got his fever down. Right now they think it's an infection that got out of control because of his weak immune system, but the cancer could be back. They don't have all the results yet…"
"I'm sorry…" Nick said sincerely. "It's rough when your kids are sick…"
"Yeah," Elliot agreed. "Thanks for helping Liv today…she wanted to come with me, but I didn't think it was a good idea. I think I hurt her feelings when I said no…she's just so hormonal lately that I don't know how to talk to her half the time…"
"Been there…" Nick laughed. "Try working for her." He grabbed his jacket, "Do you need me to stick around?"
"No…go," Elliot motioned toward the door. "Thanks again."
"No problem," Nick reached down and picked up Noah, kissing him on the cheek, "Bye Buddy…" he grinned putting him back in the playpen before leaving.
Elliot walked into the bedroom, opening the door and smiling at the way Olivia was curled up on the bed, the t-shirt she was wearing pulled up leaving her bare skin exposed. He could see the beginnings of stretch marks on the lower part of her belly and he wondered if she'd noticed them. She'd probably freak out when she did and he wasn't looking forward to it. He sat on the edge of the bed, and carefully spread his fingers across the warmth of her skin, "Liv…wake up…" he whispered and she shifted but didn't open her eyes. "Liv…" he said again. "Honey…you need to wake up now…"
She opened her eyes and looked at him, squinting her eyes, "El…" she cleared her dry throat. "How's Eli?"
"He's feeling better," Elliot promised. "We should know more tomorrow."
She struggled to sit up and he reached out to help her, "Did they keep him?" she asked.
Elliot nodded, "Yeah, I told him we'd be there in the morning. If you feel up to it…"
"Of course," Olivia nodded. "I want to see him."
"I should've let you go today," Elliot admitted. "I'm sorry…I was just worried when Kathy called…"
Olivia shook her head, "No…it's okay…I understand…"
Elliot smiled, moving his hand from the swell of her stomach. "Are you hungry? I brought take out."
"Always…" Olivia laughed. "I'm a cow…" she pulled her shirt back down over her stomach and shook her head, "Nothing fits me anymore. You were right…I need maternity clothes. I don't know why I got so upset when you suggested it. I've been horrible the past few days, El. I'm sorry…"
"Come on," he helped her up from the bed and put his hand on her back as they walked into the living room. "We'll eat and then we can look online for new clothes you like."
She nodded, "And then maybe you can help me give Noah his bath," Olivia suggested. "I really struggled taking care of him by myself today."
"I'd love to," Elliot smiled, kissing her on the cheek, but she turned her head and kissed him long and hard on the lips instead. When she finally pulled away he laughed, "What was that for?" he asked.
She shrugged, "I think my sexual hormones are replacing the bitchy ones…" she bit her lip and grinned while Elliot sputtered a laugh, "I want you to sleep in the bedroom tonight," she said.
"We'll see…" he ran his fingers through her hair. "We can't do anything, Liv…you've been having contractions all day…it's not a good idea."
"I know," she nodded. "I wouldn't anyway, with Eli sick and everything. I just want to be close to you. I'm sorry I've been pushing you away." She looked down at the floor and sighed, "When you were gone, I realized how lucky I am to have you here and I'm sorry I haven't been a good wife. You deserve better…" she cried.
"Hey," he pulled her close and hugged her tight. "I love you. I don't want anyone else. You are the best, no matter what hormones are controlling you at the moment…the bitchy ones or the horny ones or these teary ones…okay?"
She sniffled and laughed, "Okay…I'm starving…" she said, wiping away her tears.
"Of course you are…" he rolled his eyes and laughed. "Come on…let's eat and then I want to call and check on Eli. I bet he'd love to talk to you and Noah too."
"Sounds like a good idea," Olivia agreed, taking his hand in hers and letting him lead her to the couch and help her sit down, putting a pillow behind her back. "I love you too, El," she said, "I don't regret asking you to marry me. I need you to know that."
"I do," he said, grabbing the take out bag and sitting next to her. "I don't regret it either."
More soon...