Elliot stood facing the window, staring into the early morning darkness as he waited for his wife to wake. She had come out of surgery 45 minutes ago, the doctor updating him on her status. The room was quiet except for the monotonous beeping from the monitor and the occasional grunt from his daughter as she slept.
Olivia jolted upright, an unwelcome and familiar stabbing sensation exploding in her lower abdomen. It was the same pain she had felt when she had had the surgery for the ectopic pregnancy. "My baby. Where is she?" she asked frantically, ignoring the searing pain as she scanned the room for her daughter. The last thing she could remember was Elliot kissing her head as their daughter laid on her chest.
"She's alright. Just spending some time with her daddy," Elliot soothed as he turned around, cradling the infant in his arms. Liv let out an audible sigh of relief. She was swaddled tightly in a blanket, a beanie with a large bow atop her head. "She's right here." He took a seat next to his wife on the bed, passing the baby to her mother.
"Hey there beautiful," she mumbled, her eyes watering as she gazed upon her daughter, leaning into her husband whose left arm was now wrapped around them. "It's nice to finally hold you again." She stared at the little face, studying all of her features. "What happened, El? The last thing I remember is them placing her on my chest." Elliot stroked his wife's shoulder with his left hand, his right resting on the swaddled infant.
"A part of the placenta had implanted too deeply. It's called placenta increta." Elliot took a deep breath before continuing. He didn't like delivering bad news, but he had insisted with Dr. Lewis that he be the one to tell her. "It is a rare complication that can be associated with prior ectopic pregnancies. After she was delivered, only chunks of the placenta came out. That's why you passed out: from extreme blood loss. The only way to stop the hemorrhage was an emergency hysterectomy." The word hung in the air. Hysterectomy. She would never be able to have kids again. A tear rolled down her cheek. "That's ok." She softly kissed the little girl's forehead. "As long as she is safe and healthy. That's all that matters."
"She's perfect. 10 fingers. 10 toes. Two ears. Two beautiful blue eyes. Everything is perfect." Elliot gazed upon his wife as she focused on their daughter. His heart broke in two for her. She was so strong and selfless, putting her own desires aside for their daughter. He would too, but he knew deep down that it killed her hearing that she could not have kids again.
There was a soft knock on the door as Aly entered the room. "Hey there," she greeted in a whisper as to not wake the baby. "How are we doing?"
"Hanging in there," Olivia answered, still groggy from the anesthesia, but grinning from ear to ear now that she got to hold her baby girl.
"It will take a bit to fully come out of it. I know Elliot wanted to wait until you were awake to confirm your little one's name. Have we had time to discuss it?" Olivia glanced up at Elliot, her dark brown eyes meeting his navy blues.
"Eleanor Alexandra Stabler."
"That is a beautiful name," the nurse replied as she studied the proud parents. "I will go print Miss Eleanor another ID badge with her name on it." Aly returned a few minutes later with a tiny hospital ID bracelet of which she secured to Ellie's tiny ankle. "Her first piece of jewelry," Aly commented jokingly. "Do you two have any questions right now, or is there anything I can get you?"
"Just one thing. Can I nurse her, even after the anesthesia?" Olivia inquired.
"Of course! There is no need to pump and dump. If she wakes up and is hungry, you are more than welcome to nurse her. It can be awkward the first few times, but if you need any assistance, just hit the call light and we will be happy to guide you."
"Thank you." Liv returned her attention to her sleeping daughter. To her Eleanor.
The sun slowly rose, the beams of light illuminating the recovery room. Elliot and Olivia had remained cozied in the tight hospital bed, observing their perfect little girl. It was not long before the infant started to squirm, her strong cries filling the room.
"It's ok, Eleanor. I've got you," Olivia cooed. "I want to try nursing her," she stated, looking up at El.
"I'll unswaddle her if you want to lower your gown," he offered, picking up the little girl. He unwrapped the wriggly newborn, softly bouncing her as Olivia freed her chest from the baggy hospital drapes. He handed the hungry little human to her mother. Supporting the baby with one arm, Liv offered her nipple to Eleanor, encouraging her to open wide for a full latch. It took a few attempts, but the infant soon had a good hold of Olivia, settling down as she suckled away. It was a strange and unusual feeling; nothing like when Elliot would nip and suck her breasts. But it was different in a good way. Like it was meant to be; the bond between mother and daughter strengthening.
Elliot planted a kiss on his wife's head. "You make it look easy."
"I really have no idea what I'm doing," Olivia answered chuckling. "It just felt like the right thing to do."
"That's that maternal instinct kicking in." He smirked. His phone buzzed on the bedside table where it had been charging during the night. Elliot retrieved the device, pulling his readers out of his pocket to study the small screen, the effects of time taking a toll on his sight. "Two new messages. One from Casey wondering if she can come visit, and one from Maureen asking if she and the gang can come meet their new sister." He looked over the top of the lens. "It's up to you Liv. If you want visitors, I will tell them to come over. If you don't want them, that's fine. If you change your mind and want them to leave, I will see them out too. It's all up to you."
Olivia stroked Eleanor's cheek as she continued to suckle on her breast. "They can come visit. I don't know how much energy I'll have, but they are welcome to stop by."
Within the hour, there was a soft knock on the door. "I have a visitor here for you," Aly commented, poking her head into the room. "A Casey Novak."
"She can come in," Olivia stated as she situated herself in bed, Eleanor sleeping peacefully in her arms. The redhead rounded the corner, a huge grin painting her face.
"Hey guys!" Casey exclaimed at a whisper. She strode over to her friend's side, giving her a warm embrace. "Oh, Liv! She's beautiful!"
"Thank you," she replied, giving an exhausted but elated smile.
"Can I hold her?"
"Of course. Just wash your hands first please." Casey cleaned up before taking a seat on the edge of the bed, ready to meet the littlest Stabler.
"What's her name?" she asked as the infant was placed into her arms.
"Eleanor Alexandra Stabler."
"It's nice to meet you Eleanor. I'm your aunt Casey." She beamed at the little girl. "Damn you two make cute kids." Laughter filled the room.
"I'm just a little biased, but she is pretty perfect." Just then Elliot's ringtone alerted the room to an incoming call.
"I'm going to step into the hallway. I'll be right back," Elliot stated as he picked up his mobile device, seeing himself out. "Stabler."
"Hey Elliot. It's me. Maureen told me that Olivia had the baby. I wanted to call and say congratulations," Kathy spoke.
"Kathy. I'm surprised to hear from you but thank you. They're both doing well." There was a long pause. "The kids are coming over this morning to visit."
"I know. I know." Another pause. "I totally understand if you and Olivia say no, but I was wondering if I could just stop by for a minute when the kids come to visit." Her words hung in the air.
"I would have to ask Olivia," he replied, stunned. "I will let you know."
"Thank you, Elliot." The line clicked as she hung up. Elliot staggered back into the recovery room, still trying to process what had just happened.
"Is everything alright?" Olivia asked when she saw her husband.
"Uhh, yeah. That was Kathy. She wanted to know if she can come over with the kids. I- I- I told her I- would, uh, talk to you first," he stammered through the explanation, still trying to process his ex-wife's request. Liv contemplated what he had just said. She had no animosity towards the other woman. They had been friends before she and Elliot had divorced. And as far as she could tell, there were no harsh feelings for her.
"I'm okay with her stopping by, but you have the final say, El." She gave him an empathetic look.
"I will let her know she can come by with the kids."
"I'll stick around in case you need me to be the bad guy and see everyone out," Casey offered.
"Thanks Case, but I'm sure everything will be alright," Olivia calmed. Elliot returned to the hallway, dialing the most recent number.
"Hello?" Kathy answered.
"Kathy-" El started.
"I know I shouldn't have asked. I'm sorry for imposing-"
"Come over-" There was a pause.
"Are you sure?" she asked confused.
"Come over with the kids." A little later, Elliot got a text from Maureen stating that they were in the lobby. He went down to meet them and give them the run-down on how it was going to progress.
"Dad!" the girls exclaimed when they saw their father, running to his open arms for an embrace.
"Hey guys. How's it going?" he asked, grinning.
"How's the baby?" Lizzie asked inquisitively.
"She's good. She's good."
"What's her name?" Kathleen interjected.
"Wow you guys are rested. Meanwhile I've been up for over 24 hours," he joked, rubbing the back of his neck. "Her name is Eleanor Alexandra Stabler. Now listen. Only two of you at a time. Your mom will wait with you in the waiting room upstairs as you wait your turn." He looked to the twins for the next statement. "You will wash your hands before touching Eleanor, you hear? And if Olivia says she is done with visitors, she is done with visitors."
"We know dad. Mom gave us the same spiel on the way over," Dickie whined. Elliot met Kathy's gaze, exchanging a thankful smile.
"We've done this a time or two," she chuckled. "But seriously guys. Be respectful of Olivia and the baby and remember that there are other patients here too."
"We get it," Maureen sighed. "Can we meet her now? Please?"
"Alright. I guess you've waited long enough." Elliot led the party to the elevator to the maternity ward. "Maureen and Kathleen first," he instructed once in the waiting room. The two eldest girls followed their dad to Olivia's room. "Hey Liv. I have Maureen and Katie if you're ready."
"They can come in," she beamed, Eleanor fast asleep after having eaten again while her father was getting her siblings. The girls quickly entered the space, washing their hands before approaching Olivia.
"Oh Livvy! She's beautiful!" Maureen exclaimed when she saw her youngest sister.
"Can we hold her?" Katie asked.
"Take a seat on the couch, and your dad will hand her to you," Olivia instructed. The girls took turns holding Eleanor, each commenting on how cute she was and how happy they were to have another sister. Elliot went through the same procedure again with Lizzie and Dickie, this time more careful than he was with the older girls. Once they had had their fill, El returned the twins to the waiting room with their older sisters.
"Kathy?" Elliot asked, offering her the chance to meet his new daughter. The woman followed her former husband to the recovery room.
"Hey Olivia," she whispered as she entered the room. "I just wanted to stop by and say congratulations. I don't want to get in the way or stay too long." She set a gift bag on the bedside table. "I stopped at the store and got a few things I found helpful. There are witch hazel pads, some ice packs, my favorite brand of maternity underwear, and a couple other personal hygiene products that I wish someone would have given me when I had Maureen. You obviously don't have to use any of it, but I thought I would just offer."
"Thank you," Olivia smiled at the woman. "Do you want to hold her?"
"Can I?" Kathy asked, wanting confirmation before accepting the baby. "I don't want to intrude or impose."
"Take her." The woman washed her hands and then took a seat on the edge of the gurney. Liv handed her daughter to Kathy. She cradled the baby so cautiously; one would not know that she had had four of her own.
"Hello there Eleanor. I'm Kathy," she greeted the little one. Ellie squirmed momentarily before settling back down. "She's beautiful, you two. Congratulations. I'm really happy for you." She held the infant for a little longer before handing her back to her mother. "Thank you for letting me meet her."
"No problem. Thank you again for the supplies." Kathy turned and started heading for the door, but paused, spinning around to face the new mother again.
"If you ever need any help, you can call me. I know a thing or two about raising his stubborn daughters," Kathy smiled at Elliot. "But seriously, please do not hesitate to call. Even if you just need to take a bath, or need someone to do the dishes and laundry, or anything at all. It really does take a village to raise a baby, especially if their last name is Stabler." Olivia and Kathy held each other's smile, exchanging a look that only a mother would understand. Even though Elliot had been through this before, Olivia knew that Kathy may be the best resource on motherhood she had.