Hi all...just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the thoughts and prayer. I thought I might have some good news to share with you today...but unfortunately it doesn't look like this month is going to work out either. I'm not giving up though. This will happen!
Anyway, enough of my drama. Thanks for the fabulous reviews. I hope you enjoy the chapter. I apologize that it is so short. I'll try to do a longer one next time. Let me know your thoughts :)
June 24, 2015 8:30PM
"Olivia," Lizzie peeked around the door and whispered because she wasn't sure if her stepmother was awake or not. It seemed like lately all Olivia did was complain that she was stuck in bed and couldn't fall asleep, so the last thing she wanted to do was disturb her if she was finally sleeping, but when she opened the door she saw Olivia sitting up in bed reading a magazine.
Olivia smiled at her step-daughter, "Hey Liz, what do you need?" she asked, sitting her magazine on the nightstand.
"Dad's on the phone," Lizzie answered, walking over to the bed and handing her the phone. "He didn't want to call your cell in case you were asleep."
"I never sleep anymore," Olivia groaned, grabbing the phone eagerly. "El…" she said quickly. "Are you coming home?" she asked quickly. He was supposed to be gone for two weeks, but his case had drug on longer than expected and they'd just passed the seven week mark. She was beginning to worry he'd miss the birth of the twins, not to mention they hadn't found another place to live. "Elliot…" she said again, realizing he wasn't answering her. "Are you coming home?"
"I'm coming home, Liv…" and the tone of his voice let her know he was happy about it. "I can't wait."
She smiled, "When? I can't wait either…"
"How's tomorrow sound?" Elliot replied happily.
"What?" she asked. "Are you serious? El…why didn't you say anything before now?"
"I wanted to surprise you," he told her. "It's been so long…"
"Too long," she agreed. "I miss you."
"Me too," he said gently. "How are you feeling? I can't believe I haven't been there to take care of you."
"Liz and Lucy are doing a great job," she assured him. "And I'm feeling okay…"
"Really?" he asked with disbelief. "You feel okay…at 32 weeks with twins? I don't think I believe that."
"I feel…tired," she admitted. "And the heartburn is horrible and my back aches all the time and I can't sleep…" she sighed. "Is that what you wanted to hear?"
"You left out how much weight you've gained and how you can't see your feet," he laughed.
"That's not funny Elliot," she said sadly. "I'm so big…"
"Honey, I'm teasing…" he said gently. "I'll be home tomorrow and I'm going to make you as happy and comfortable as possible. I promise…"
"I'm never comfortable," she whined. "But I'll be happy seeing you."
"Me too," he agreed. "Maybe we can start looking at some new apartments or houses online too. I know your place is already cramped and when I bring my stuff it's going to be worse."
Olivia hated to admit that she hadn't even thought about Elliot's things coming with him and she sighed, "How much stuff do you have?"
"Clothes, some books, pictures of the kids, a few boxes of things," he answered. "I'm subletting my apartment for now, so I'm leaving the furniture and stuff for the new tenant." He knew she was worried and he wanted to put her mind at ease, "It'll be okay, Liv. I'll find someplace to put my stuff and it won't be a mess. Okay…we just need to find a new place fast."
"It'll be fine," Olivia agreed. "I just want to see you…" she felt herself start to tear up and quickly brushed the tears away. "I miss you so much…"
"Hey…don't cry," he said gently. "I'll be there tomorrow. Everything's okay…"
"I'm scared, El," she admitted. "I've been staying in bed, I swear…but the contractions are getting worse and I have them every day now…"
"Why didn't you say anything?" he asked nervously. "Honey…you have to tell me…"
"I didn't want you to worry…and I'm going to the doctor every week now…" she sobbed. "He says they're hanging in there…but you just never know…and I don't want to have them yet…"
"It's gonna be okay," he assured her, even though he wasn't sure it was the truth. The whole pregnancy had been like this…so many ups and downs…and a part of him had a hard time believing they'd get their happy ending. "When do you go back to the doctor?" he asked.
"Day after tomorrow…unless I have more than four contractions in an hour and then I have to go to the hospital…and that's only happened once. Lucy took me in, and they monitored me for a while and they stopped so they sent me home," she cried. "I'm just afraid."
"You had to go in because the contractions were so bad and you didn't tell me?" he asked frustrated. "Liv…"
"It was just the other day," she insisted. "I couldn't get ahold of you. You were undercover…and this is the first time you've called since then. Don't yell at me…"
"Okay…I'm sorry…" he calmed his voice. "I promise you…everything will be fine. Okay? If you need me I can be there tonight."
"No…" she sniffled. "I'm sorry…tomorrow's fine. I'll see you tomorrow." She forced herself to stop crying, exhaling sharply, "I need to go, El. I'm tired…I just want to try to sleep…"
"All right," he said softly. "Take care of yourself, Liv. I'll see you tomorrow. I love you, honey."
"I love you too," she whispered. "I can't wait for tomorrow…"
June 25, 2015 10:00AM
Elliot slipped his key in the lock and pushed open the door, smiling when he saw Noah sitting on the floor playing with his toys and Lizzie on the sofa watching television. "Did you miss me?" he asked, and they both looked up at him and Liz smiled, while Noah looked unsure of him.
"Dad," Liz jumped from the couch and hugged him. "I'm so glad you're home!"
"Is something wrong?" he asked, startled by the nervousness of her reaction. "What's going on?"
"Nothing…" she said more calmly. "I'm just worried about Olivia…she's so miserable. Was Mom that miserable when she was pregnant with me and Dickie? I mean I know its twins…but…"
Elliot nodded gently, "Olivia will be okay," he assured her. "She's having a rough go of it. The bed rest isn't helping."
"She'll be happy to see you…if she recognizes you behind that rat's nest," Liz gave a slight smirk looking at her father's rough exterior. He obviously hadn't done much grooming since his undercover assignment and his scraggily, graying beard made him look downright primitive. "You might want to clean yourself up a little first," she suggested. "She might go into labor if she sees you looking like that."
"What?" Elliot teased, stroking his beard and winking at his daughter. "You don't like it?" He laughed.
"It's different, I'll give you that," she joked, picking up the baby who had toddled over to her. "What do you think, Noah? Should Daddy clean up some…" The baby started to cry, looking at Elliot and Liz hugged him close, "It's okay…" she whispered, kissing his cheek.
"I'm sorry Buddy," Elliot stroked the boy's hair and leaned forward, kissing him, but Noah shrieked even louder when Elliot's scratchy beard touched his soft skin. "Okay…you win…" Elliot said. "I'll go shave…after I see Liv. Is she asleep?"
"She's not here," Liz said, thinking her father already knew.
"What do you mean she's not here?" he asked. "She's supposed to be in bed."
"She's at the doctor," Liz told him, putting Noah back on the floor with his toys. "She goes every Thursday."
"She told me her appointment was tomorrow," Elliot sighed, "How long ago did she leave?"
Liz looked at her watch, "Maybe ten minutes before you got here. It's not her fault she told you the wrong day. She gets so mixed up stuck in the apartment all the time."
"Well who took her to the appointment?" Elliot asked.
"Lucy…I said I'd stay with Noah," Liz answered.
"If I hurry I can probably make it to the appointment," Elliot said, hurrying toward the door. "I've missed so many of them…and I know she was pretty worried last night about labor. I want to be there."
"Okay," Liz followed him to the door, giving him a quick hug and kiss and laughing as his beard tickled her face. "When she sees you, she'll definitely be shocked." She chuckled.
"Very funny," Elliot rolled his eyes as he walked out the door.
June 25, 2015 10:40AM
Elliot walked down the long corridor to the waiting room of Olivia's OBGYN's office. He'd never actually been there before. He'd accompanied her to the reproductive endocrinologist's office a couple of times early in the pregnancy, but once she'd been released to her regular doctor he'd never been in town on her appointment dates. He found the office, and pushed open the door, looking at the women sitting in the waiting room and wondering if Olivia was already in her appointment. Then he saw her, sitting on the other side of the room, her eyes closed and her hand making gentle circles over the swell of her stomach. Lucy was sitting next to her, reading a magazine and neither of them noticed him approach. "Liv…" he said softly, smiling when she opened her eyes and a look of surprise crossed her face.
"Elliot…" she gasped. "What're you doing here?"
"Liz told me where you were," he sat down next to her, putting his hand carefully on her stomach. "You told me your appointment was tomorrow."
"Sorry…" she sighed. "I thought it was," she let her hand rest on his. "I can't believe you're home…"
"I can't either," he leaned forward, kissing her softly. "How are you feeling? You look good."
"I look like a blimp," she sighed, then she laughed looking at him. "But maybe I look good compared to you…what the hell is up with your new look?"
"Why is everyone giving me shit about this?" he asked. "I was undercover you know."
"Yeah…but I know you were home last night. You didn't have time to shave? Or is this maybe some midlife crisis you're going through…wanting to look like a cave man all of the sudden." She laughed.
"You're hilarious," he teased. "I was tired last night and I got up early this morning to get here. I'll shave when we get home…okay? I scared poor Noah half to death."
"Awww…really?" Olivia asked sadly. "Poor baby…" she reached out and ran her hand along his beard. "I'm sure he'll come around…but shaving is probably a good idea. I want to look at your handsome face…not this…whatever it is…"
"Olivia…" the nurse walked out and called her name and Olivia exhaled sharply, preparing to stand to her feet.
"Here," Elliot grabbed her arm and pulled her up, steadying her with his hand, "I've got you…are you okay?"
"Yeah," she nodded and gave a weak smile. "I've just missed you."
"Do you want me to go back and help Liz with Noah?" Lucy asked, standing to her feet. "Are you going to bring Olivia home?"
"That'd be great," Elliot answered. "Thanks so much…for all your help this past couple months."
"No problem," Lucy smiled, grabbing her things. "Good luck with the appointment."
Elliot followed closely behind as Olivia trailed behind the nurse. They stopped at the scale and Olivia cringed, "Do I have to?" she said with a slight chuckle as she stepped on the scale and watched the numbers rise.
"You want me to turn around?" Elliot laughed, thinking back to their first visit to the doctor.
"Nah," Olivia smirked. "You're my husband now…you're stuck with me no matter how much I weigh."
"You've lost two pounds," the nurse said with disapproval as she marked the information on her chart. "The doctor's not gonna be happy. Last week you were down one and two the week before. That's five pounds in three weeks."
"Why are you losing weight?" Elliot asked anxiously. "Are you eating?"
Olivia shook her head, "I'm not trying to lose weight…I don't know why this keeps happening. Last week the doctor said it might be because I'm having trouble eating much so he asked me to try nutrition shakes and I did. I thought for sure I'd gained something…" she ran her hand over her stomach. "How can I be losing weight? I'm huge."
"The babies are growing…and that's the important thing," the nurse assured her. "But we don't want you getting sick or malnourished. I'm sure the doctor will have some suggestions for you," she led them into a room and took Olivia's blood pressure and handed her a gown, "Put this on and he'll be in soon."
Olivia grabbed the gown, struggling to slip off her maternity jeans and breathing heavily.
"Do you want me to help you?" Elliot asked with concern. "I'm always willing to help you undress…" he teased.
She shook her head, pulling off her shirt and slipping the gown on, and Elliot couldn't help but think she looked like she might lose her balance and topple over, though he knew he was overreacting. "I don't need help undressing," she insisted. "I'm just struggling to move…to bend or reach things…" she put her hands on the sides of her belly and sighed, "El…be honest with me…do you think there is any way I am going to make it to term with these babies?" her eyes filled with tears. "I never expected to be this big…"
"Honestly…" he looked seriously at her. "I don't think you're that much bigger than you were when I left. You look a little fuller…but they don't seem to be popping out more than they were a month ago. I'm sure you feel a lot bigger…and maybe you weigh more…but the twins weigh more now too, right?"
"El, I feel like I'm going to burst…but somehow I've managed to lose five pounds…" she let out a few painful sighs, trying to climb onto the exam table and Elliot rushed to help her. She exhaled slowly, "The babies are smooshed. They can't move around like they used to, and it hurts when they do move. I'm so tired…" she closed her eyes, "But I want to keep them in as long as possible."
"I know that…" he squeezed her hand, and brushed her hair back from her face. "Honey…you're doing great…"
"I don't want to fail…" she sniffled, brushing away a stray tear. "I want my babies to be healthy…and I want the doctor to be able to get their cord blood for Eli…"
"Liv…listen to me…" he looked into her eyes and then rubbed his hand carefully over the white cotton gown pulled tight across the bulge of her stomach, "You are doing all you can…and you've been doing it alone…I should've been here to help. I should've been here to make sure we had food in the apartment you could eat and keep down so you didn't end up losing weight. I should've been here to make you comfortable and keep you happy. I should've been here for every appointment…but I wasn't. And maybe it wasn't exactly my fault because I had to finish my assignment…but you've done such an amazing job by yourself…and no matter what happens…I will not blame you if things aren't perfect. I could never blame you. We're going to have two beautiful baby boys, Liv…focus on that. Even if they're a little early…"
"I love you…" she said tearfully, putting her hand on his and leaning forward to kiss him. He pulled away from the kiss, a gentle smile on his face and she burst out laughing.
"What?" he asked with a confused grin.
"You have to shave," she laughed. "I can't deal with that beard anymore. It's gonna ruin the make-out session I'm planning for when we get home."
"Make-out session?" his eyes widened. "That's cute…Are we teenagers now?" he laughed. "I'm captain of the football team…you're my cheerleader girlfriend who got in trouble…"
Olivia rolled her eyes, "Maybe…we can pretend…" she smiled. "But only if you shave…I don't want to cut my lip on one of those unruly whiskers."
"You really think you're funny, huh?" Elliot said, leaning forward and kissing her on the neck, making her laugh as his whiskers tickled her.
"Stop it…" she laughed. "El…God…what are doing? Oh…my…"she moaned happily.
"I can't keep my hands off my hot wife…I that a problem?" he teased, nibbling her ear as she laughed.
Then they both heard the door open and the doctor stood there clearing his throat and they turned to look at him, and Elliot was sure Olivia's face turned three shades of red, "I'm sorry to interrupt…" the doctor said, with a slight smirk on his face. "I knocked…I don't think you heard me…"
"I'm so sorry…" Olivia said, embarrassed. "Uhm…this is my husband…"
"I figured," the doctor smiled, extending his hand while Elliot shook it. "Nice to meet you. Now what do you say we check on your little ones and then you two can…uh…get home and take care of…whatever…just remember you are on pelvic rest…"
Olivia ducked her head, too mortified to make eye contact, but Elliot couldn't keep from laughing. He liked this doctor already.
More soon...