A Protector's Love [Benson and Carisi]

{Thirty-Four}

Ten weeks. The countdown was on and the expectant parents couldn't be more excited. Dominick and Olivia had gotten settled into their new apartment and had finished Sawyer's nursery. The light blue room was themed around the outdoors and adventure. After their baby shower, Dominick had surprised Olivia with a handmade carving of their son's name to hang over his changing table, which to say the least, she absolutely loved. As time ticked on Dominick and Olivia were getting more anxious to meet their little boy.

"Are you ready for your appointment, babe?" Dominick asked making his way into their bedroom.

"I am."

Olivia's short reply came without facial expression or follow up which made Dominick a tad bit nervous. The drive to the hospital was silent and nerve-racking for Dom, but he kept his cool.

"How are you, baby?" He questioned as they made their way to the wing they needed to be in.

"My hips and back are killing me, " she whimpered laying her head against Dom's chest on the elevator, "and I'm scared she's going to put me on bed rest."

"Baby, " Dom sighed wrapping an arm around his wife's shoulders, "look at me, if she puts you on bed rest it's for your safety and Sawyer's and we'll figure it out, we always do."

Olivia felt the firm kiss be placed to her forehead before her son kicked forcefully into her ribs. Taking Dominick's hand she braced herself to catch her breath.

"Ribs?" Dominick questioned as the elevator doors opened.

"Mmhm."

It took about fifteen minutes for Olivia to be called back after checking in. The uncomfortable waiting room chairs didn't help relieve any of her achiness, in fact, they only made it worse.

"Olivia, how are we feeling today?" Doctor Smith asked gently as she sat on her stool.

"Good, " Olivia sighed trying to hide the pain.

"You've been my patient for a while now, Olivia, I can read you like a book. What's going on?"

"Nothing, " Olivia spoke really fearing bed rest.

Dominick squeezed his wife's hand and leaned in, "it's okay baby, just tell her the truth, " he whispered and Olivia took a deep breath.

"My back and hips have been achy for about two and a half weeks now, and in the last few days it's gotten a bit worse, " Olivia spoke her brown eyes brimming with tears.

"Okay, and that's completely normal, especially where you have such a small frame. Let's take some measurements of the little guy, and we'll see what our options are, " Doctor Smith spoke moving to the ultrasound machine.

Olivia and Dominick once again got to hear Sawyer's heartbeat and see their little guy squirm around under the camera.

"Okay, little boy here is looking to be a little bigger than average for where you are in your pregnancy. I'm estimating him to be about seventeen inches long and approximately he should be weighing in around three-and-a-half pounds, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's bigger."

"What does that mean for me?" Olivia asked fearing bed rest was close.

"Right now I think our best course of action is going to be to have you slow down, and if you can do this on your own without being stubborn I won't make it doctor-ordered bed rest. Do you have a fitness tracker?"

"I have a Fitbit but it hasn't been used in months, " Olivia sighed.

"Okay. I want you to charge it up and start wearing it for me. Keep track of your steps, your sleep, and I'm recommending some exercise that's low impact, like swimming, this will help ease the pressure in your back and hips. We'll check back in two weeks and see how everything is going, okay?"

"Sounds good, thank you, " Olivia sighed with relief.

××××

Over the next week, Olivia took it easy mostly just wandering around the house. She frequented naps and laundry as she continued to grow and await the arrival of Sawyer. Dominick had been sure to check on his wife throughout the day from work and keep a close eye on how she was feeling. Olivia didn't appreciate the coddling but knew it was for the best, so she let it slide. It was Friday night after Dominick got home from work that Olivia noticed something didn't feel right.

"Hey, babe, " Dominick spoke after changing out of his suit and into some sweatpants and a lacrosse tee.

"Yeah?" Olivia spoke even and calmly.

"What do you think about take-out tonight? Maybe Chinese or pizza, something simple?"

"Sound good, " Olivia spoke checking her Fitbit.

"Everything okay?" Dominick questioned laying a hand between his wife's shoulder blades.

"Yeah, I think I'm going to sit and relax for a bit. I think I just pushed a little too far today. I'm good though, I promise, " Olivia spoke leaning up for a kiss.

Sitting she felt her hips ease up with the pain and felt Sawyer kick against her belly. As Dominick searched for their take-out menus Olivia felt her stomach tighten and her breathing hitched. Tears immediately brimmed her eyes as she felt fear course through her veins.

"Dominick, " Olivia whimpered in a panicked tone.

"Yeah, babe?"

Dominick quickly moved to his wife's side as he watched as her face became overwhelmed in fear.

"I think I just had a contraction, " she panted trying to stay calm.

"Okay, uh, " he took a deep breath and put on a calm facade, "I'm going to call Doctor Smith first and we'll get her opinion before we call anyone else, okay?"

"Okay, " Olivia whimpered with a tight grip on Dominick's hand.

Doctor Smith told them to come in and that she'd see them immediately upon their arrival. Dominick sent out a short group text to their family updating them on the situation at hand. They got safely to the hospital, but Olivia was a nervous wreck the whole way, her belly had tensed twice since they left the apartment and a total of four times.

"Alright, can you explain the pain for me, Olivia? Was it more of just a tensing all across your belly or pain starting in your lower back and moving forward?"

"It was like a tensing all across my belly, nothing in my back, " Olivia spoke practically shaking in her own skin.

"Okay, so that's good news, I think you experienced a few braxton hicks contractions, which are nothing to be worried about. Your body is starting to prepare for labor and that's totally normal at this stage in your pregnancy, but it's not a sign of labor starting, okay. I want you to keep an eye out for a few things though, and Dominick you can help with this, " Dominick nodded as his wife sighed with relief, "keep an eye out for pain starting in your back that moves forward into your belly, watch for consistency, and fluids. If you get any of these or a combination of these, call and come in, " Doctor Smith spoke assuring her first-timers everything was okay.

"Alright, thank you so much, " Dominick spoke rubbing his wife's back.

"Olivia, I'm going to move your appointments up to every week, we usually try to hold off on this until week thirty-five, but I have a feeling your little one may make an early entrance. Continue to take it easy, okay, and I'll see you back next week, okay?"

"Thank you, Doctor Smith, we appreciate it, " Olivia spoke with a tired smile.

"You're very welcome. I want to check your blood pressure once more before I send you on your way, " Doctor Smith spoke grabbing the cuff.

Olivia's bp had dropped back to a level Doctor Smith was comfortable with. The couple left the hospital and got back to their car before Dominick updated their family once more about the situation. They had received a pouring of messages from concerned and excited family members who were all relieved that Sawyer was staying put a while longer. Not only was their family relieve but so were the soon to be parents.

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