Some of you asked for a sequel to 'Taken Sick', so here it is!

By the time baby Olivia and baby Lily had been cleaned up and moved to the private room Alex had insisted on paying for, it was after midnight. Alex was exhausted, and could only wonder at how Olivia felt. Exhilarated, she decided; she smiled at the look of awe on Olivia's face as she held their slumbering daughter.

Olivia looked up at Alex, and could see her lover was trying not to cry. "She's here," she whispered, stroking the baby's head tenderly.

Alex nodded. "And she's perfect."

Olivia smiled. "Of course she's perfect. She's your daughter."

Lily made a small gurgling sound, nuzzling further into her mother.

"You should both sleep," the midwife said. "But first this young lady should have a feed, if you can manage. You're planning to nurse her yourself, is that right?"

"I'd like to try," Olivia said.

The midwife smiled. "Let's get you started then." Efficiently, she unbuttoned Olivia's clean nightshirt, and positioned the baby at her breast. Primal instinct kicked in, and baby Lily's questing mouth searched out the nipple. "Like this," the midwife said, carefully lifting Olivia's breast to optimize the angle to the baby's mouth. "If you get the angle right, she should latch on... just like that!" she smiled. She saw the look of wonder on Alex's face. "You can maybe help, Alex; new mothers can find it hard to get this just right. Do you see how this makes it easier for Lily?"

Alex nodded, awestruck; her daughter was seemingly still asleep, but she was still suckling contentedly. "Liv?" Alex said quietly.

Olivia smiled and nodded. "It's really happening," she said.

"Does it hurt?" Alex wanted to know.

Olivia grinned. "Yeah," she admitted, wryly. "It does a little. I'm sure I'll get used to it."

"It'll get better," the midwife told her. "You just need to watch out for cracked nipples."

Alex winced at the mention, making the midwife chortle.

"Here," she delved into her bag and passed over a tube of ointment. "Take this. You can get more at any pharmacy. Rub it on after each feed. And remember, Olivia, the breast pump is your friend! You need to give yourself a little break from time to time, give your poor boobs a chance to recover. You can freeze the breast milk for up to a month. There should be full instructions with the pump, but if you have any questions at all, call. I'm going to give you some privacy now, but press the call button if you need anything. That goes for you too, blondie," she grinned at Alex. She had been assisting at births for over 20 years, and she could just tell that the blonde beauty was going to be a loving and attentive parent; she would take care of her girlfriend too, that much was clear.

Alex grinned back. "We never thanked you," her voice cracked.

"You don't have to thank me. It's a privilege," the midwife smiled and left.

Alex perched on the side of Olivia's bed, her gaze fixed on their child, tears blurring her vision. She looked up at Olivia, who was equally emotional. "We have a family," Alex whispered. "We're going to take such good care of you, Lily," she stroked her downy hair. "We're going to have a wonderful life together, all of us. And you," she kissed Olivia very softly and tenderly. "You amaze me."

"We did it," Olivia said. "We really did."

"You did all the hard work."

"I couldn't have done it without you," Olivia was sincere. "Hey, baby, want to switch sides?" she said, as Lily slipped off her breast. She lifted the baby, and switched her to the other side. She frowned. "Lex?"

"You just need to...," Alex lifted her breast carefully, and cupped the back of the baby's head, trying to imitate what the midwife had done. She grinned as Lily immediately latched on. "There, that should do it."

"You always did have a great way with my boobs," Olivia started to laugh, but was overtaken by a huge yawn.

"You need to sleep," Alex said. "As soon as this one is done, you should try."

Olivia nodded. "You too," she said sleepily. "You should go home."

Alex shook her head firmly. "I'm on the couch tonight," she gestured to the small couch by the wall.

"It's okay, Alex, you don't need to do that; I can always call a nurse if I need help."

"I wouldn't sleep at home, Liv, not knowing you two are here. I want to be near you. I need to be near you."

Olivia smiled. "We did it," she said once more. Baby Lily unlatched, making small, contented noises.

"Can I burp her?" Alex asked.

"Of course. You can change her diaper too, if..." Olivia grinned as she felt a rumbling in her daughter.

Alex smiled as she lifted the baby carefully, putting her over her shoulder. "Your mommy's letting me have all the fun this evening," she smiled.

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Sarah knocked quietly on the door at 8am the following morning.

"Come in!" Alex called cheerfully.

Sarah entered the room, and smiled at the idyllic scene before her. Her aunt – who had become more of a mom to her than her own mother had ever been – was perched on the side of the bed, looking lovingly at her daughter who was nestled at the breast of her girlfriend.

"You have a good night?" Sarah asked, tentatively.

Olivia laughed. "Whoever coined the phrase 'sleeping like a baby' has a twisted sense of humor," she said. "But it was fine. It was great, in fact. Our little girl is here."

"We just need to train her to sleep for more than two hours at a stretch," Alex grinned, yawning.

"She's beautiful," Sarah was sincere. "Truly. I haven't seen many babies, but from what I can recall, most of them are kinda... squished," she laughed. "Lily is just... beautiful," she stroked her soft cheek. "How are you feeling?" she asked Olivia.

"Better than I've ever felt," Olivia replied.

Alex laughed.

"Okay, so I'm kinda sore, and more tired than I ever knew I could be. But I feel great. Hey, we should phone Graham and Carla!" she remembered suddenly.

"I did, last night," Alex said. "While they were moving you. They're ecstatic. That reminds me, I promised I'd text a photo today," she fumbled for her phone.

"You should be in it too," Sarah said, taking her phone from her. "The three of you," she took a few shots. She looked at the pictures on the phone. "Lily's first photos," she smiled.

"You too, now," Alex insisted. "If we hold the phone out like this...," she grinned as she reached her long arm out. "That should get us all. There. Perfect," she pronounced. "I'm sending them all."

"And to Elliot, and the rest of the guys," Olivia said. "And Melinda and Rosie. And Rebecca."

"These pictures are gonna go viral at this rate," Alex couldn't stop smiling.

"When are they letting you out?" Sarah asked.

"As soon as the doctor has visited," Olivia replied. "Should be in the next hour or so."

"Have you had breakfast?" Sarah asked.

"We have," Alex said. "You?"

"Yes, before I left. I'll go get us some coffees. You're allowed coffee now, right, Olivia?"

Olivia grinned happily. "Oh God, yes. My first coffee for nine months. I can't wait."

"I'll be a while," Sarah told them. "If this is your first in all this time, I'm going to the coffee shop across the street, your first coffee has got to be a good one!"

Olivia smiled.

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As they approached the door to the apartment, with Alex proudly bearing the carrier that held their daughter, they spotted the pink balloons on the door. "When did you get time to do that?" Olivia asked Sarah, laughing.

Sarah looked confused. "It wasn't me," she said. "I think we may have visitors."

She opened the door tentatively, and saw a small group of smiling people. Right by the door, little Gracie was hopping from foot to foot with anticipation. Melinda sat on the couch, with Rosie next to her, holding their other daughter Katie on her knee. Elliot, Fin and Munch stood to one side, trying – and failing – not to look too excited.

Olivia bent down and hugged Gracie. "Mommy said I'm not to make any noise," Gracie said in a whisper. "In case we wake the baby. And we're only staying for two minutes."

Olivia smiled. "She's awake, Gracie. You wanna meet her? Her mommy's got her," she nodded toward Alex, who was scooping the tiny child out of her travel seat.

"If you sit down, you can hold her if you want," Alex said.

Gracie's face split into a wide grin. She sat excitedly on the couch, and Alex placed Lily in her lap. Gracie held her very carefully. "Ma showed me what to do when Katie was born," Gracie's voice was so quiet Olivia couldn't help but smile. This was the first time her goddaughter had ever been quiet and calm in her presence.

Olivia and Alex accepted hugs of congratulations from all those present. Olivia's eyes filled with tears when Elliot's strong arms enveloped her. "You did it, partner," he said, sounding choked.

"We did," Olivia took Alex's hand.

"Wait until you see what Munch chose as a gift," Fin grimaced.

John Munch almost blushed. "They say kids like primary colors," he said. "And this was … well, he's kinda cute," he reached behind the couch, bringing out an enormous multi-colored soft toy dinosaur.

Alex burst out laughing. "He's perfect," she grinned.

"Right," Rosie declared. "We're leaving."

"You don't have to go," Olivia protested.

Rosie grinned. "Oh yes we do. You're exhausted. Both of you. And it's not going to get any easier for some time. She's beautiful, but she was always going to be a stunner, with you two as her parents."

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"You moved the chair!" Olivia smiled, as she went into the nursery, and saw Alex's favorite leather chair by the crib, with warm blankets beside it.

Alex nodded. "I thought it might make it easier for you, in the night, when you're nursing."

"It's wonderful," Olivia kissed her softly. "How are you holding up, Alexandra?"

"Me?" Alex sounded startled. "I'm great, Olivia. I'm truly ecstatic. And I'm so proud of you."

"I think somebody's getting hungry," Sarah called from the other room. "Shall I bring her in there?"

"Please," Olivia smiled, as she sat down in the leather chair. She started to unbutton her shirt. "Stay?" she asked Alex, as Sarah passed her the baby. "You seem to have the magic touch. I swear I can't get the hang of this without you."

"I'm just happy for any excuse to handle your boobs," Alex grinned. "Wow!" she exclaimed as Olivia opened her shirt. "These beauties aren't getting any smaller, are they?"

"Don't get used to it," Olivia said drily. "As soon as Lily loses interest in the milk bar, they'll go back down again. Thank God," she grimaced. "I feel like I'm toting a couple of watermelons!"

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"So," Alex smiled later that afternoon, after she had finally persuaded Olivia to take a nap at the same time that Lily slept. "Orchestra tonight, huh?" she grinned, knowing that her niece had developed a strong crush on one of the cello players.

Sarah blushed. "She might not be there," she said. "She's a firefighter, so she works shifts. I'm assuming that's what you were referring to?" she smiled.

"Me?" Alex feigned innocence. "I was just looking forward to hearing you practice."

Sarah snorted. "Yeah, that's right, auntie," she knew Alex hated being called that. "I won't be practicing here for a while anyway. Don't want to wake anyone up. You should sleep too, Alex, you looked shattered."

"I am," Alex admitted. "It's just suddenly hit me. We're responsible for a whole new person now. Olivia was amazing. I always knew she was strong, but she was incredible. She didn't complain, not once."

"She told me she couldn't have done it without you," Sarah was sincere. "Why don't you go join her for a while? I'll fill you in on my romantic encounters later. Or lack thereof..." she grinned, ruefully.

"You should just ask her," Alex said bluntly. "What's the worst that could happen? Ask her on a date."

Sarah smiled. "You know, maybe I'll do just that!"

"Atta girl!" Alex grinned. "And Sarah? For God's sake, undo another button on your shirt. You have great boobs. You gotta display the merchandise a little!"

Sarah spluttered, nearly spilling her tea. "Alex!" she protested. "You can't say things like that!"

"Why not?" Alex was still smiling. "If Olivia hadn't worn those tight t-shirts, we might not be here now. God she looked hot in that squad room," she said dreamily.

"No!" Sarah declared, blushing furiously. "We are not having this conversation. La la la la," she put her fingers in her ears.

"It's true what they say, youth really is wasted on the young!" Alex winked, as she headed for the bedroom.

Olivia lay on her side, her eyes fixed on the bassinet in the corner of the room, where baby Lily was going to sleep for the next two weeks.

"You not asleep?" Alex whispered, as she kicked off her jeans.

"Can't stop looking at her," Olivia lifted the quilt to welcome Alex in. "Our baby girl." She lifted one hand and cupped Alex's face before kissing her softly. "You're so beautiful. And she looks just like you."

"I think her hair's gonna be darker than mine," Alex said.

"She's got your eyes," Olivia said. She stroked her face and kissed her again. "The kindest eyes I've ever seen."

"I love you so much," Alex's voice cracked. She pulled Olivia to her and held her gently, her heart filling with joy as Olivia burrowed in to her. "Sleep now, Liv. I've got you. I'm going to take care of you both."

"Love you," Olivia was almost asleep.

Alex dropped a kiss on the top of her head. She had never known it was possible to be this happy.