I did have a plan for this book, but I ended up forgetting the plan. Typical me. I have another plan though. I'm going to try to write until the end of the plan, so many chapters today.

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In the days after Liv and Elliot found out they were pregnant, both were smiling excessively. Cragen had kept an eye on them for a long time in a small attempt to keep Elliot's marriage alive, however it was still fizzing away to nothing. He could see that Elliot was spending a little too much time with Liv. Something had changed in the short time that Liv had gotten sick. She was missing mornings at times, going to the bathroom more, and even started to gain a little weight. 

While Cragen still thought Liv looked beautiful, he could tell that she was gaining a lot of weight. He'd never actually say that to her though. However, soon, he'd have to make a note of it in her jacket that she's still sick unless she told him something. He's never had children, but he could tell when a woman was pregnant. 

Today was the day that he decided to ask Liv and Elliot about what was going on. It had been two more months since Liv's original 'sickness' and enough was enough. She and Elliot kept on giving useless excuses. He'd fight for them if they'd let him, but he had to know what was going on. The truth. 

"Elliot, Liv," he called when he saw them enter after talking with a victim about missing statements from her.

They both looked confused as they walked into Cragen's office. Closing the door behind them, Cragen sighed as he walked around to his chair to sit. He motioned for them to sit down on the couch. "Guys, I'm a reasonable man, right?" 

Elliot and Liv looked at each other then nodded to Cragen. "I'm not a bad boss. I'll fight for you two until my last breath, even when you all make me want to pull my hair out."

Elliot cleared his throat and swallowed a chuckle. Cragen glared at Elliot. "Shut it Stabler," he smirked with narrowed eyes. "The point is, I've noticed things between you two have gotten, friendlier. Liv, you've been 'under the weather' for around three months. Also, don't shoot me, but you've gained a little weight Liv. I'm not stupid, I've been around Elliot and his wife when they were pregnant with the twins and Eli. How far along are you?" 

Liv gasped and crossed her arms, however kept her mouth shut. Elliot sighed and looked at Liv. They spoke silently with looks while Cragen impatiently tapped his finger to his desk. Rolling her eyes, Liv shrugged. "I'm pregnant," Liv comfirmed shortly. "20 weeks tomorrow."

Cragen nodded thoughtfully. "Does anyone else know?" Cragen was looking directly at Elliot. He was asking if Kathy knew. 

He looked at his hands, embarrassed. "No, not a soul," he whispered to himself mostly. 

Liv rubbed Elliot's back gently. "I wanted to keep it between us until we knew what to say or do." 

"And do you two know what you're going to do or say?" Cragen asked, finger on his chin. 

"No, not at all." Elliot shook his head, leaning on his thighs heavily. "Every night I go home to Kathy and lay in bed trying to come up with a good way to start a conversation without fighting. Every single time it becomes a giant fight in my head, though and I don't want Eli to be around fighting like the older four were."

Cragen pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Well, you have until the baby is born to figure it out." 

Liv and Elliot looked at Cragen with very confused and concerned looks. He smiled and snickered at them. "I'll tell IAB and request desk duty in another month or so unless the doctor tells me you need it earlier. I'm happy for you two, just get on the same page with the world and Kathy." 

"Actually, the doctor's appointment is at noon. They were able to squeeze me in at their lunch. Can we go?" Liv asked. 

Cragen waved them off. "Yeah sure." 

They took that as a leave and rushed out of the office. As soon as the door was closed, Cragen put his head in his heads and groaned. They were going to be the death of him. He was thankful that today was a relatively slow and steady day. Nothing bad to complain about. Fin and Munch were out canvasing in relations to Liv and Elliot's case while they went to the doctor. 

He expected them back by the afternoon, but not in thirty minutes. He blinked at them, surprised as they walked into his office. "Well?"

Liv dropped a paper on his desk. "Doctor Greyson said by seven months I should be on desk duty. The first day of my ninth month I should go on maternity leave." She rolled her eyes at the thought of not working. "Then can come back after a month on desk duty then normal after two or three more months depending on how the birth goes."

Elliot was leaning against the closed door with a smile. Cragen saw and narrowed his eyes at him. Elliot shrugged and frowned mockingly. "Get out there and do some good. Elliot, protect her," Cragen looked serious at him. He nodded back, frowning seriously as he let Liv out and followed her.