Playing House

(Chapter One: Threatened)

"I said they want to take my kids away," he repeated unsure if Olivia was actually listening.

"I know, I heard you. I just wasn't sure how to respond. Elliot I'm so sorry. There has to be something you can do. You are a good father, why would they take them away from you?"

"It has been hard since Kathy died. It has been hard on us all. Me with work and trying to raise five kids alone. Maureen has taken a year off from school to come home and help out with the baby. Kathleen….she is uncontrollable and she has just gotten worse since she lost her mother. She is out late all of the time and I never know where she is anymore. She hangs around with a troubled group of kids and has been in arrested for shoplifting and drinking. I am afraid to think of all of the stupid things she may have done. The twins used to be honor students and now Dickie is so far behind in school he may not get to go on to the sixth grade. He is starting fights at school and bullying other kids. Elizabeth sits in her room and reads all of the time. She refuses to talk about her mother and wont even say her name. Sometimes I hear her crying at night. And poor little Eli is about to have his first birthday and will never know his mother."

"You have done an amazing job with them, Elliot. They are kids. And when kids hurt, they don't always know how to handle it."

"Well, Kathy's mother and sister don't think I am doing that great. They got a lawyer and are fighting for custody of the four younger kids."

"They would do that? Just take them away from you?"

"They think that I am working too much to be a good father. They said that I don't spend enough time with the kids and they would be better off living with Kathy's sister Kate and her husband Jim."

"As if it isn't enough of a tragedy they had to lose their mother, they want to take the kids away from their father too?"

"She has the means to do it, Liv. I am really in trouble here. Father or not, they can provide things for my kids that I can't even give them. Kate's husband is some fancy doctor. They have a big house in Long Island and a ton of money. The kids would be in a fancy private school with only the best teachers and they could each have their own room. They would never have to go without anything ever again."

"They would be without you! Those kids have already lost their mother, they don't need to lose their father, too! There has to be something that you can do?"

"Yeah, get a good lawyer and pray to God he can beat their guy in court. Casey introduced me to a friend of hers who fights custody battles all of the time, she says he is good. God, I hope she is right."

"El, Casey wouldn't have suggested him if he wasn't. She would do anything to help, we all would."

"I know Liv, I am just so scared. My kids are my life. I don't think that I could live without them. I know my kids would be loved. Jim and Kate would give them everything they ever wanted and needed. They have always wanted children, but Kate can't get pregnant. They have been on a list for years waiting to adopt a baby."

"I guess they decided that stealing your kids was easier," Olivia growled getting defensive.

"My kids deserve the best. And I know that if this did happen it would be good for them. Hell, it may even be better for them. It would be good for them to have two parents. And Kate has said I would still get visitations with them. I guess I am just selfish and don't want to give them up."

"You're not selfish, Elliot. You are a father who loves his children. And you should have the right to raise them."

"But their lawyer is good. He has never lost a case."

"So we find you one who is better. These are your children, Elliot. We cant give up."

"We?"

Olivia stared into his eyes and smiled as she placed her hand in his.

"El, you are my best friend and a damn good father. No one could ever love those kids as much as you do. Those are your kids and they need to be with you. And I will do anything I can to help make sure it works out that way."

"Thanks, Liv. But it may already be too late. We go to court next week. This entire thing is moving so fast. My lawyer says I have a good case, but so do they. He said it is pretty much going to come down to what the judge thinks. There isn't much else I can do."

"You can take the week off and spend it with your kids."

"I used up most of my benefit time when Eli got that double ear infection and Elizabeth had to have her tonsils out."

"Take some of mine. You need this. You and your kids need this. I pray that this fall through and Kate doesn't take the kids. But if she does, Elliot…..you are not an every other weekend and holidays? That just isn't enough. Your kids need you and you need them. So, go and be with them."

"Are you sure? I mean about giving up your time?"

"Of course. I have so much vacation and personal time built up right now that I am probably going to end up losing it anyway. It is best if you can put it to good use. I will talk to Cragen and see if he will approve me to give you a couple of weeks. I am sure he will understand."

"You're amazing, you know that?"

"I want to help, Elliot. Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot that I can do. At least this way…."

"This helps a lot, Liv. And if there is ever anything that I can do to repay the favor, don't hesitate to ask."

"You should go. Pick the kids up from school and spend the rest of the afternoon with them."

"What about all of this?" he asked pointing to the mound of paperwork on the desk in front of him.

"I will take care of that."