A Protector's Love [Benson and Carisi]

{Sixty-Six}

"Stress causes missed periods, right?" Olivia questioned, a look of nervousness covering her face.

Serena took a deep breath and gave her daughter a calming smile, "it can, but I think we both have a better explanation for this situation."

Olivia felt herself heat up as the true realization sunk in, "do you really think I'm pregnant again?" Olivia whispered, not wanting anyone else to hear.

"I do, have you and Dom been active since you came home?"

"The night I came home, multiple times."

"Okay, well then I suggest you take a deep breath and just take a minute to let everything sink in, okay?" Serena spoke, gently rubbing her daughter's arm.

"Mom, I can't do this--" Olivia's voice cracked, "I have a two-year-old and a nine-month-old and I just went through the worst three months of my life."

"Take a deep breath before you make--" it was too late, Olivia's head was already back over the porcelain bowl.

Olivia dry heaved a few times before leaning back to try and catch her breath. Everyone knew the stress postpartum depression put on Olivia, but Serena hadn't prepared herself for how scared her daughter would be to have another baby. At this point, it seemed Olivia had already scared herself down a rabbit hole.

"Baby girl, easy love, " Serena spoke, caringly trying to calm her daughter, "we're not even completely sure that you're pregnant and if you all will be okay. Dominick is your rock and I know that he'll be by your side through this pregnancy just like he has been the last two. Your father and I are also here for you, to love and support you, and I know that doctor of yours will work with you and us to ensure that we steer clear of letting your postpartum depression reoccur. I promise you, Olivia Margaret Carisi, that everything is going to work itself out, okay?"

"Okay, " Olivia finally choked out once she calmed down, "I need to get home to eat dinner and get everyone off to bed. I'll see you tomorrow."

"You're going to be okay?"

"Yeah. Cover for me while I slip out, I don't need Lola, Dad, or Dylan to see me all worked up."

"Of course and your secret is safe with me, Livvie Belle, okay? Just promise me you won't wait too long to take a test or get it confirmed by your doctor."

"I promise, Mom, I love you."

Olivia and Serena both stood and hugged before heading downstairs. It was easy for Olivia to slip out of the house undetected, and she wasted no time making her way home to her husband and kids. She was aware of the messy running make-up that was covering her face, but she knew her kids wouldn't know what was happening and it would give her a chance to just blurt her feelings out to Dominick.

"Momma's home, " Olivia spoke shakily, as she entered the beautiful home that would be too small if they were to add another baby into the mix.

Sawyer quickly came barreling towards the front door as fast as his legs would take him. Olivia swung her little boy into her arms before moving to the kitchen where her husband was. Dominick had Charlie in her swing on the floor nearby, and it looked like Sawyer had been hard at work coloring at the kitchen counter.

"Hello beautiful, " Dominick charmed, turning to face his wife.

"Hey, " Olivia replied softly, as her husband's face filled with concern.

"What happened?" Dominick spoke, softening his voice.

"After the kids go to bed."

"Okay, " Dominick replied, placing a kiss on his wife's forehead."

××××

It was later that evening after both kids had been bathed and put to bed that Dominick had a chance to ask his wife about what had occurred this evening. They were both getting ready for bed and the day ahead of them tomorrow, she had asked him to join her in a bath before they got their much-needed sleep.

"What happened tonight while you were out?" Dominick asked, as his hand came to rest on his wife's abdomen.

"I went and picked up my dad and Robbie's tuxes and dropped by the house to drop them off. Lola was introducing mom, dad, and Robbie to her date and boyfriend, and of course, I got roped into meeting him as well. Uh, I got sick to my stomach and had to excuse myself. I went up to my old room, threw up, and long story short, I think I might be pregnant."

Everything was silent and the silence only made Olivia's nerves skyrocket, "really?" Dominick finally spoke, and Olivia could detect his excitement.

"Yes. I've missed periods and I'm starting to get nauseous. The whole idea is stressing me out, " Olivia spoke, feeling like she was going to cry for what would be the second time today.

"We'll figure it all out, my love. Have you taken a test yet?"

"Not yet, I have some under the sink from when we were trying for Charlotte. I'll take one in the morning, they're more accurate in the morning."

"Alrighty then, " Dominick sighed, kissing his wife's temple, "I want you to know that I love you and I'll always be here for you."

"Thank you, baby, and thank you for staying calm because had you panicked I'd be a mess right now."

"Oh Livia, I will never freak out on you for something that takes two."

Olivia and Dominick enjoyed their alone time together until the water ran cold. It wasn't long after they were both toweled off they were fast asleep. In the morning Olivia's brother would experience his last few hours as a bachelor, even if him and Allison had been together since high school. In the morning Lola would get to show Dylan off to more of her family and would get to show off Margaret as well. Lastly, in the morning Dominick and Olivia would find out if they'd be becoming a family of five.

××××

Morning came too quickly for Olivia's liking and she had woken before Dominick, so she was alone impatiently waiting for the results of the three pregnancy test she'd just taken. The sun was just beginning to come up and shine through the bathroom window as Olivia looked down to find all three tests read pregnant. Olivia felt two emotions, one of complete excitement and the other of fear.

"Dominick, "  Olivia squealed, straddling her husband's sheet clad hips.

"Hmm, " he grumbled, trying to wake himself up.

"I'm pregnant. The tests came back positive."

"No way, " Dominick smiled like a fool.

"Yes way, " Olivia spoke, feeling tears start paths down her cheeks.

"Hey, don't cry, my love. I promise you everything will be a-okay, " Dominick comforted gently.

"They're happy tears, I promise, " Olivia smiled tenderly.

"Good because I'm so excited, " Dominick smiled, leaning up and capturing his wife's lips.

"We have to keep it a secret though, " Olivia spoke sternly, "no beans are allowed to be spilled, do you understand Mr. Carisi?" Olivia questioned, squeezing her husband's cheeks in.

"Understood."

Elliot_Michael_