I'm back at it. Finally. 

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Elizabeth went into labor the day she turned seven months exactly. She was scared that he wouldn't survive because he was so early, but Elliot and Olivia reassured her that babies are more strong than we give them credit for. EJ was born at six months and he's fine after all. She ended up being in labor for a full day with hardly any progress. 

She was furious by the time night came and Liv showed up with Kathleen and Maureen. Dickie chose to stay at home with the young boys. They'd come visit tomorrow morning. Elliot didn't leave her side that entire day. Cragen, Munch, and Fin came by with a big stuffed bear for the baby and a chocolate bar for Elizabeth when she was able to eat. She nearly threw it at them, but Elliot reminded her that they were just trying to be nice. 

At one minute to midnight, Eric Jackson Stabler was born. Thankfully so because if Elizabeth made it to morning with no baby Liv was sure she'd explode. He was fairly healthy in spite of his small weight at 4.4 pounds. They placed him in an incubator with all sorts of tubes to help him breathe until his lungs were fully developed. There was a small chance something could go wrong, but Elliot didn't mention that to Elizabeth. She was so in love with the boy. 

He had to admit, the baby was cute. He'd be just as tall as his grandpa, as well. He was measuring 20 inches long at 30 weeks. What little hair he had was dark and Elliot could tell he'd end up having his ears. Poor little guy. 

"Sleep, you've had a hard day," Elliot told Elizabeth. She opened her mouth to protest, but a yawn escaped her instead. 

She sighed and laid her head back to fall asleep. She was out within minutes. The nurses said that was normal for a hard delivery and they'd keep an eye on her. Her platelet count wasn't where they wanted it, but decided to simply watch her. Elliot and Liv watched Eric as he slept with all the needles and tubes going around him. It reminded them of EJ. 

"Reminds you of EJ, doesn't it?" Elliot asked as they held hands. 

Liv nodded, putting her hand on top of the glass. She wanted to hold him so bad, but they'd have to wait. Even Elizabeth wasn't able to hold her baby yet. She wanted Elizabeth to hold her baby first. "He'll make it," she muttered, more to herself. "He's a Stabler."

It turned out that Eric was stronger than any of them thought. He bounced back and started improving within the month. However, he'd be there until the nurses were sure he could breath well alone. He was still having slight hiccups in his breathing that made the doctors hesitant about letting him go. Elizabeth didn't mind keeping him at the hospital. She wanted him 100 percent. 

Her friends came by the hospital in turns with her to see him. Within the first week, she was holding her baby and breastfeeding him. They were very lucky to have had little to no complications during this labor. 

They were in the nursery room for Eric all enjoying some time with him before they had to go home for the night. He's a month old now and Elizabeth couldn't believe how much he'd grown in just a month. Elliot reached for a egg roll. "So, has Alvin came to see Eric yet?" he asked, trying to be casual. 

Elizabeth scoffed as she poked at her lo mein. "Hasn't even acknowledged me in school. Yes, he's trying to finish up applications for college, but I had his baby. He should at least see him."

"I grew up without a dad, look at me," Liv said with a flourish and a smile. Elizabeth laughed. "Plus, he's got Papa Stabler here to teach him the rights and wrongs. Not to mention a whole squad of Uncles to keep an eye on him too and Uncle Dickie, Uncle EJ, and Uncle Eli. He'll be fine."

"I know, but I feel sorry for Alvin. Eric's going to be a great boy, but Alvin's not going to be around to see Eric grow into an amazing man." Elizabeth looked over at Eric who twitched a foot in his sleep. She smiled at him with love in her eyes. 

Elliot was beyond proud of his daughter. While he wanted each of his kids to be better than he and their mother were when they were kids, sometimes fate intervened and said "this is the best thing for them". Dickie tossed his dinner in the trash and slapped his knees. "Well, I'd better get going. Sarah's coming to pick me up. We're going to her house to study for finals."

"Be careful and be back by curfew," Elliot called after him as he waved good bye to the young boys. 

Kathleen and Maureen looked at each other with half shocked half annoyed faces. "If we told you we were getting in a car with our boyfriends and going to their houses to 'study', you'd have a whole cow," Kathleen protested. 

Liv chuckled into her rice and orange chicken. Elliot gave her a glare. "I'm -- growing as a father," Elliot sputtered. 

Maureen scoffed. "Took you nearly 23 years," she complained. She looked at her watch and grunted. "I've gotta get. Early class tomorrow." She hurried out with the leftover's she had in her hand. Kathleen squealed. "Wait for me, Maureen! You gave me a ride!" Kathleen rushed after her after saying a quick bye to everyone. 

Elizabeth sat back and sighed. "I still can't believe I'm a mom."

"I have a hard time believing I'm a grandpa," Elliot agreed. "I'm not supposed to be a grandpa for another 20 years."

Liv and Elizabeth looked at each other, but said nothing. "What?" Elliot saw that look. "What was that look?" 

Elizabeth shook her head. "Nothing."

"Liv?"

Liv tried to avoid eye contact, but Elliot's blue eyes dug into her soul. She groaned. "Maureen didn't want you to know yet. So please pretend to be surprised. She's dating a guy. I've already done a background on him and he's really nice."

Elliot groaned at the thought of another grandchild. He loved Eric already, but he wasn't done having kids with Liv. He wanted a boy with Liv too. Elizabeth and Liv laughed at Elliot's overwhelmed face. "Just think, you got another girl on the way too, dad." He narrowed his eyes at his daughter. That just made her laugh harder. 

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I loved this chapter. Also love writing again.