Wildfire

Prepared To Fight

Rebecca was a nice addition to the house in Elliot's eyes. Liv loved to have a little girl to dress up since she didn't have any yet. Richard was shocked when he came home from school the next day to find her there playing with Eli. While he didn't find it bad, he just felt it was weird to have a sister by someone other than his mother or Liv. 

"I know it's odd, but she's a Stabler," he said with a shrug. 

"Imagine what mom'll think," he said casually as he leaned against the back of the couch watching her build blocks. 

Elliot groaned just thinking about it. Liv had gone to work today, leaving Elliot home with all the kids, Easton, Rebecca, Eli. It was odd to be the stay at home parent, even part time. They didn't get any real time to be partners anymore. The squad had long since silently figured out that Elliot was the father, but never said anything. 

"Dad," Richard called. 

It was a Saturday and he should be home with Easton and Rebecca. Kathy had Eli for a whole week, giving Elliot and Liv some breathing room. Elliot looked up from his paperwork, matching Liv's pace as they both stood up with worry. "What's wrong?"

Richard had a double stroller with Rebecca in the front, enjoying the sights with a very Elliot grin, while Easton was in the back, looking like the perfect mix of Elliot and Liv with his grimace. Oh, the squad will talk now. Richard had a packet in his hand as he stopped by Liv's desk. She went to look at Easton who was still grimacing as if he had woken up from a very bad nap. 

Fin and Munch came over and welcomed Easton, but not before commenting on his face. "Uh, Liv, I don't know how to tell you this, but your son looks like Elliot," Munch teased lightly as he smiled at the boy. Liv scoffed and shoved him with her shoulder. "Like the whole squad doesn't already know that he's the father," she said softly. 

Fin grunted in agreement, looking at Rebecca. "Liv, I don't remember you giving birth to twins," he said with a raised eyebrow. 

"No, she's Rebecca, Elliot's daughter," Liv said without thinking. 

Cragen had come out to see what the commotion was about when Liv had said that. "Elliot's daughter?" He looked at Elliot, waiting for a response. 

With a heavy sigh, Elliot dove into an explanation. "Which brings up again," he turned back to Richard, "what's wrong?"

Richard gave his father the packet. "A lawyer dropped it by and said, 'you've been served'"

Elliot looked over the packet. It was a custody battle from Patty's parents. "Rebecca's grandparents are suing for custody," Elliot said. 

"Stabler!"

The group turned to the voice. It was an older voice, but still strong enough to yell loud enough to startle both babies. Cragen strolled to an older couple that looked angry beyond belief. "Hello, I'm Captain Cragen, how can I help you?"

The woman sniffed sharply and crossed her arms, gray hair swaying as she turned her head with a huff. Cragen looked to the ground, trying to keep cool as he turned to the gentleman. He was balding and looked stern. "We need to speak to Elliot Stabler," he said roughly. 

"Okay, but in the future please don't shout, my detectives are working tirelessly on cases and sometimes need sleep," he said as Elliot came forward. 

"Hi, I'm Elliot, how can I be of service?" Elliot knew that they were Patty's parents. From what he remembered of Patty, she was stern and looked a lot like her mother. 

"You can start by giving me back our granddaughter!"he said loudly. 

Rebecca and Easton started crying to the point where Cragen motioned for Richard to take them into his office. Liv wanted to go and back Elliot up at the same time. Munch patted her on the shoulder and went instead, leaving Liv very grateful. 

Elliot inhaled slowly. "Sir, I am right here. We can talk like gentlemen for Rebecca's sake, or we can immediately take this to court. I am willing to make arrangements with you for visits and holidays since it is your only grandchild, but if you continue to yell at me and cause your grandchild and her brother to cry, we will not be talking and you can see her in court."

Liv thought Elliot handled it fairly well considering his jaw was clenched so tight that she thought it would break. The man swallow an obviously rash retort and shrugged. "We were just surprised that you got Rebecca instead of us," he said after a while of silence. "We miss Patty."

Elliot went to console the grandparents as they started to cry. "I understand completely. I was shocked to find her on my doorstep. I didn't even know she existed. I don't want her to become strangers to you, so we can work out something where she sees you often. In fact, it would help a lot for me and my girlfriend if you would take her during the days so we could work. That way, my ex wife could watch our boys and we'd be able to work."

They smiled at the thought of getting to see her every day. Even better probably not having to worry about her at night. "That would be amazing. She is so much like Patty," the grandmother finally spoke up. 

Elliot nodded, understanding. They actually took Rebecca with them, giving their address and phone number to pick her up tonight. Every morning, Elliot or Liv would drive about 10 minutes away for Rebecca to go to her grandparents for the day. At around six or seven, one would go pick her up and take her home. Kathy, hopefully, would take Easton as well as Eli so Elliot and Liv could get back to work together. 

Elliot also promised that they would invite them over for birthdays of all the kids and holidays from now on. Just because they only were around for Rebecca, didn't mean that they couldn't be invited to Rebecca's siblings birthday's too. 

"El, that was very lucky," Liv said after the three left happily. 

"I know," Elliot said, putting the packet in a drawer to hopefully forget about.