Author's Note: Sorry for such a long wait. I had been updating this on my friend's site, and hardly had time to post anywhere else. Some of you found it there, and are caught up, but now her site is down, and this is currently the only place I can post. I promise to update more soon! Review first, and I'll post later!
Chapter 9: Growing Optimism
Detective Olivia Benson's
Apartment Building
March 24th, 5:50 AM
By the time a social worker from the newly named ACS came out to the hospital to situate things, it was four in the morning. The young man explained that Jonathan's parents might try to sue for custody. He was very reassuring, and Olivia could tell straightaway that he wanted only what was best for Dani.
" What if I want custody?" Liv asked abruptly, a few minutes later.
Both men looked up from the Dani's files, but it was Elliot's eyes that caught Olivia's attention. There was a mixture of surprise, faith, and something familiar, but unknown.
Brent, the social worker, thought for a second, " You mean adoption?" Before waiting for her answer, he reached into his worn file-case and pulled out a plain looking brochure. He handed it to Olivia without hesitation, and then went back to rummaging in his case. "That," he began, hastily looking through reams of paperwork, " is all the basic information on adoption, the FAQ's, requirements, personal stories and so on." Once again, he pulled out more paperwork. " This is information specific to your case. It might be of help to you."
Olivia skimmed the papers, trying to digest it all. " How much of a chance do I have?" She asked cautiously. She wasn't going to give up, what ever happened, but she wanted a heads up now, rather than later.
Brent stood, gathering up Dani's files and placing them in the case. " Honestly? A pretty good one. She doesn't exactly have father of the year, and her maternal grandparents have passed on…you're really all she has now."
Elliot stood up next to Brent, and the two men shook hands. " Thanks Brent, you don't know how much this means to us." Brent nodded, and turned to Olivia.
" You're going to be fine. You and Dani both." He shook her hand as well, firm and warm, like his personality.
Olivia smiled slightly, still processing it all. " Thank you."
Brent left without another word, and Elliot turned and walked the short distance to Olivia, who had moved to sit on the small end table in the small waiting area, her head cradled in her hands, her knees in her lap. Elliot bent down and placed one hand on her back, one on her cheek, lifting her face to look at him. Exhaustion and pain floated in her eyes, the mist refusing to clear. "What's wrong, Liv?"
Immediately after hearing Elliot's voice, tears began to form, despite his soothing tone. " I don't know. I guess I am just tired."
Without hesitation, Elliot stood up, pulling Olivia with him. She was thrown to his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her waist for support. His face was mere centimeters from hers, and he decided it was too much, so he erased the long distance with his lips, pressing them lovingly to hers, messaging the pain away. Olivia's eyes were wide open with shock, conflicting emotions and thoughts swirling in their depths. She quickly recovered, her eyes closing, and her mouth responding. She sighed quietly, the feeling of safety surrounding her like a cloak. She whimpered when Elliot broke the kiss, gently placing his forehead to hers, his eyes searching for her response. " We'll talk later, huh?"
Olivia smiled, touching his cheek softly. " Good idea." She rested her head against his heart, savoring the safe enclosure of his arms for a few more seconds. She sighed, knowing morally this was right, but professionally was a whole other issue.
" I have another one," Elliot whispered in her ear, " Let's go take Dani home."
Olivia smiled at the recent memory. She lay snuggled in her bed, cradling Dani's tiny body against hers. She was comforted by the knowledge of Elliot's sleeping form two rooms away. Her heart began to flip-flop at the memory of his lips pressed to hers, and she placed a finger to them as if to salvage the memory.
Sighing, she closed her eyes. Listening to the quiet sounds of Dani's breathing next to her, and the light sounds of the building. Sleep came quickly, and Olivia finally succumbed to unconsciousness. Her last thoughts were of Elliot, herself, Dani, and a brand new Condo.
Detective Olivia Benson's
Apartment Building
Wednesday, March 25, 12:38 PM
Reality came rushing back to Olivia as consciousness was revived, and she slowly opened her eyes. She remembered the traumatized little girl next to her, her sleeping form seemingly tranquil and peaceful. Olivia smiled, brushing the messy locks from Dani's forehead and kissed her head softly before carefully getting up from the bed. Glancing at the clock she saw that it was twelve thirty, and she quietly left the room, in search of Elliot. Admittedly, she was a little shy, having never had him over for a night before, and after what happened this morning, who knows what could happen?
With that in mind, she changed her destination, walking instead to the bathroom. She grabbed the door handle, twisting it open.
" Hey Liv." Elliot said non-chalantly from the porcelain toilet.
Olivia jumped in the doorway, giving him an embarrassed look before backing out of the bathroom and bursting into a fit of laughter. She stumbled her way into the kitchen, and began to prepare coffee and breakfast for the three of them, trying to calm herself down.
As she opened the cupboards, Olivia saw that she didn't have much in the way of "kid safe" foods. She settled on pancakes with honey and lemon, with scrambled eggs. Olivia took all the supplies out of their designated areas and put them on the counters. She started preparing to cook when she felt a warm hand on her waist, and heard Elliot's voice in her ear, " What's so funny, Detective?"
Olivia smiled, placing the spoon down and turning around. " Good morning, El." She looked at him and leaned into him, moving to kiss his lips, but in the heat of the joking moment, kissed his nose instead. " You're hilarious."
Elliot's eyes crinkled in amusement, " Am I now?" He nipped at her upper lip before kissing her fully. Olivia groaned, moving into his embrace until there wasn't a molecule of air between them. It was Elliot who stepped from the embrace this time, but he looked gentle and serene, his eyes filled with kindness. " Liv, I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but I think we should take this a little bit slower. For our sake as well as Dani's, agreed?"
Olivia smiled, her chin quivering. " Yeah, good idea." He said " for our sake". He included Dani! Millions of thoughts began rushing in her head. She smiled at Elliot, who knowingly smiled back, kissing her brow.
" No uncertainties. None of my feelings for you change, I just think we need to explore our feelings first." Elliot caressed her cheek, smiling softly.
Olivia nodded, not trusting herself completely to speak. She was ecstatic; she couldn't believe how happy she truly was at this moment!
"How about I finish making breakfast, and you go rise our sleepy girl, huh?" Elliot suggested.
Olivia raised a brow, " Can I trust you with the stove?" She laughed when Elliot tried to swat her with a towel. She dodged it nicely, walking back to her room, and went to wake Dani. She wanted the young girl to feel as comfortable as she could in the awkward position she was put in the middle of. Olivia smiled optimistically, keeping her thoughts positive; After all, we're a family now. All three of us.
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