Playing House

(Chapter Twelve: Red Wine & Romance)

Elliot pulled the car over and parked it at the far end of an empty parking lot. It was dark now and the stars were all in place, shining like diamonds up above them.

"It was nice of Maureen to keep the kids and give us a little grown up time," Olivia said as she climbed out of the car and looked around them.

"It's always nice to get a little downtime," Elliot agreed.

"And they packed us a romantic picnic dinner," she said with a shy smile.

"Complete with a bottle of wine and a couple of paper cups."

Olivia laughed.

"If I didn't know any better I would say our kids were trying to hook us up. Of course they are all still under the impression that all of this is real and that we are really married."

Their eyes met and she stared at him for a moment before she turned away.

"Well, it is a beautiful evening with only a few clouds in the sky. We have to eat and I would hate to waste a good bottle of wine."

"It's peanut butter," Olivia said with a smile as she inspected one of the sandwiches. "This is so cute. There is a note."

Elliot laughed as Olivia held up a homemade envelope with a big heart drawn on it in red crayon.

"Daddy and Olivia," she read as a smiled spread slowly across her face, "thank you both so much for bringing our family back together. We love you both very much and hope you have a romantic evening together. Happy six month anniversary," Olivia read in a puzzled tone. "It has been six months already?"

"That went by fast."

"PS: Enjoy your romantic dinner under the moonlight. Hope you like peanut butter with strawberry jam. Love, Maureen, Kathleen, Dickie, Elizabeth and Eli. They are the sweetest kids ever."

"It is cute."

"So the kids got together and planned a romantic night picnic under the stars for our six month anniversary. And we completely forgot about it."

"Not completely," Elliot said pulling a small bouquet of white roses from the picnic basket. "Happy anniversary."

"Thank you," she said softly. "Now I feel bad. I'm the only one in the family who forgot our anniversary."

Elliot laughed and handed her a paper cup of cheep red wine.

"Technically, our anniversary isn't for another six months. This is just dinner from a basket under the stars."

Olivia smiled softly.

"I guess you're right," she said taking a sip.

"And if this was our real wedding anniversary, those roses would probably be divorce papers."

Elliot saw tears behind her eyes as her beautiful smile slowly faded.

"True," she said softly looking away from him.

"That is still the plan, right. One year in and we're out?"

"Yeah. That's probably what's best. If we end it too early the judge could catch on and if we carry on too long like this it is liable to cause the kids more harm than good. One year in and we're out."

"To 'D' day," he said raising his paper cup in a toast, "to your freedom."

Elliot tapped his cup against hers, then took a sip. Olivia tipped her cup and stared into it for a minute.

"If it's alright with you, I'd rather not talk about 'D' day tonight."

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's alright. It is just a little depressing, talking about divorce all of the time. Maybe we should just spend the next six months trying to make this arrangement more like a normal marriage. You know, enjoy the time we all have together, before it's all over."

"That makes sense."

She exhaled as she took a drink from her paper cup. "We should probably head back, it smells like rain."

"Smells like rain? It is beautiful out here. A little chilly, but look at that sky."

"Look at those clouds," she said pointing to the west as a blanket of dark clouds seemed to appear out of nowhere.

"It isn't going to rain. And you have not even tasted your dinner yet."

"I wouldn't want to disappoint the kids," Olivia said tearing the corner off her sandwich.

"I especially like how they cut it diagonally. Like you do when you make their sandwiches."

"It tastes better that way. And how do you know they got it from me? I'm sure Kathy cut their sandwiches for them."

Elliot was quiet for a moment and Olivia felt bad for bringing her up.

"Yeah, she cut them in half, but not diagonally."

"I shouldn't have brought her up."

"It's alright. It's nice, you know? Sometimes, to talk about her. The kids, they don't want to. It is still pretty hard on them. I guess it always will be."

"Do you still miss her?"

"I do. A part of me always will."

"Do you think you will ever love again?"

Elliot smiled as he stared into her eyes.

"I'd like to think so. To think that someday, I will find a woman that is good for me and my kids. Then and only then will I be able to consider spending the rest of my life with someone. And lets face it, most women aren't interested in a widower with five children."

"Five amazing children," she corrected him. "And most women don't know that they are missing. But do you think you will ever really love someone? I mean the way that you loved Kathy?"

"I don't know, Liv. Kathy and I were just kids when met. She was my first love."

"Your only love."

"Yeah, well, somewhere out there is a woman who will change that."

"Somewhere," she agreed. "You need a refill?" she asked topping off his paper cup.

"What about you? Do you think you will ever get married? I mean, really married."

"I don't know. If and that is a big if, I find the right guy….I wouldn't mind getting married someday and maybe having a couple kids."

"I think you would make a great wife and mother."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I mean, you are getting a lot of practice, now."

Olivia laughed.

"I never really thought of this as practice."

They talked about life and work and the kids and before they knew it more than two hours had passed and the wine bottle was empty. This was the first time Elliot had ever really felt a buzz from wine. This was the first time he had actually help to finish an entire bottle.

They laid back on the blanket to stare up at the night sky, but the stars had disappeared now. It was all one thick black blanket of clouds and thunder rumbled in the distance.

"I told you it was going to rain," Olivia laughed.

"It isn't going to rain," Elliot argued.

"If it isn't going to rain, then why is there thunder," she said as lightning spread out across the sky, miles away. "Lightning. It's gonna storm."

"That is miles away, Liv. If it hits us, it wont be for hours."

"You will argue about anything, won't you?"

"No, I won't."

Olivia smiled and giggled a bit as she turned her head to look over at him.

"Listen to us. After six months of faking it we sound like an old married couple."

"Yeah. Only we're younger….and hotter."

"Hotter?" she asked feeling just a bit woozy as she stared at him.

"Well, at least one of us is," Elliot said with a wink.

"Are you flirting with me, detective?" she laughed.

Elliot stared into her big brown eyes for a moment completely zoning out from the conversation. The truth was he wasn't really sure he had ever met a more beautiful woman in his entire life. But he could never tell her this.

How do you tell your best friend that you have been just a little bit in love with her for years? Even more, how do you tell her that you didn't even notice it until a month or so earlier when you ended up in bed together?

How do you tell her that since that night when you held her so tight in your arms, she is all you can think about? How do you tell your best friend that no woman you meet will ever have a shot in hell, because you always end up comparing them to her?

"El," Olivia said pulling him back to reality just as he realized he was about to kiss her.

Elliot blinked for a moment as she stared at him. As he sat there, looking like a fool and trying to think of something to say to save him from himself, the most amazing thing happened…. A loud crash of thunder boomed and lightning lit up she sky above them as a heavy rain began to pour.

Olivia screamed and jumped to her feet as she rushed to gather up the remains of their late night picnic. The icy rain fell so quickly it drenched them both in seconds. Elliot grabbed the blanket and she picked up the basket as they ran for Olivia's Jeep.

Elliot pushed the button on the remote to disarm the alarm and opened the passenger's side door for Olivia as she tossed the basket inside.

"Shit," she said looking down between her feet as she realized she had dropped her cell phone into a puddle.

As Elliot reached down to get it for her he noticed another problem.

"Shit is right," he said pointing out that the back tire on the vehicle was completely flat.

"Great," Olivia groaned as she slid into the seat and slammed the door shut.

Elliot ran around the car and climbed into the driver's seat tossing the blanket into the back. He put the key into the ignition and started up the car.

"El, what are you doing? The tire is flat."

"The tire is flat, but the engine still works. Aren't you cold?" he asked watching her tremble as her hair dripped rain water onto her shirt.

"I'm kind of freezing."

"Alright, then. It should start to warm up in a few minutes."

"My stupid phone is shot! It wont even power up!"

"Let me see that," he said taking it from her hand.

Olivia watched as Elliot took the back off the phone and laid it up on the dash.

"What does that do?"

"If we caught it in time it might help it dry out."

"We can use your's to call triple A."

"We could," he said looking down at his phone, "if it wasn't dead."

"What?"

"Eli likes to play with it. I thought it was better charged up than that. It wont come on either."

"So we're stuck here?"

"Looks that way. Unless you wanna walk in the rain to the nearest phone?"

Olivia looked out the window of the car as the thunder boomed and more lighting lit up the park.

"That isn't likely," she said pressing her forehead against the window. "I told you it was gonna rain."

"Hey, this isn't that bad," he said trying to cheer her up. "Help me look," he said opening the center consol and digging through papers and change.

"Look for what?"

"I should have a charger in here, somewhere."

Olivia opened the glove box and sifted through insurance documents and drive thru napkins.

"Tampons? You keep tampons in here?"

"You never know when you might need one."

"Oh," he said dropping it back where he found it and closing the consol. "Not in here. Maybe one of the kids took it out."

"Wait….here," she said pulling it from the glove box.

Elliot hooked the phone to the charger and laid it down to charge.

"It shouldn't take long to charge enough I can make at least one call."

They sat quietly and listened to the wild storm outside the car for a few minutes.

"I hope the kids aren't scared," she said watching the strong winds rip through the trees.

"It's almost midnight," he said looking down at his watch. "Eli and the twins are fast asleep by now and the older girls will be alright. They know what to do if the storm gets too bad. They are probably trying to reach us though."

Olivia exhaled and tipped her head back as the engine of her car made a choking sound and died.

"Now what?" she asked looking over at him.

"Liv, when was the last time you put gas in this thing?"

She rolled her eyes and fell back in her seat.

"I cannot believe this," she laughed in annoyance.

The car was quiet for few more minutes.

"It's starting to get cold again," Elliot noted.

"No gas, no heat."

"There's a blanket in the back."

"The blanket is wet too, Elliot."

"It isn't as wet as you are."

Olivia stared at him slightly annoyed, but couldn't help but laugh. Elliot watched as a smile slowly spread across her face and before long they were both laughing.

"I look like a wet dog!" she said looking in the mirror on the visor. "A sheep dog."

"No, a sheep dog has straighter, frizzy hair. Your's is more like…."

"A poodle?" she asked with a smile.

"Not quite," he laughed.

Elliot watched as her bottom lip quivered again.

"Olivia, get in the back and cover up with the blanket. You are so stubborn."

"I am not stub…." she stopped herself and smiled again.

"I rolled it up. Only part of it got wet."

"Alright, I am freezing," she said climbing between the seats and into the back. "We left the seats folded down," she said reaching between them to try and put them back into place. "It's stuck."

"Do you need some help?" Elliot asked climbing into the back with her.

"The thingie that you push to release them so you can fold them up…."

"The thingie? Is that what it is called? All this time I have called it a lever."

"Very funny," she said attempting to force it and smashing her finger. "Shit," she said shaking her hand and inspecting her fingertip.

"Are you okay?"

"I just smashed my finger. I'll be alright, it just hurt like hell."

"Is it bleeding? I found a small first aid kit when I was looking for the charger."

Elliot took her hand in his to inspect her finger.

"It's okay. It just hurts. This entire night it turning out to be a disaster."

Elliot raised her fingertip to his lips and gently kissed it.

"There," he said softly. "My kids swear that makes it better."

"Really?" she asked staring into his eyes.

Elliot's heart was pounding and he couldn't help but wonder if she was feeling the same way he did.

"Really," he answered.

Elliot gulped for breath and fought off the urge as hard as he could. Thinking about it now he wasn't quite sure who even made the first move, but seconds later they were kissing and it was incredible.

Without thinking he slipped his fingertips under the bottom of her tee shirt and moved them around to the small of her back. Elliot pulled her closer to him and turned them to lay down in the back of the Jeep. Next came a slow, but steamy make out session that progressed until he found himself fumbling to remove her bra.

Olivia smiled at his failed attempt and she reached behind her unhooking it and slipping it off. His heart was pounding and the only thing he wanted to see was the love in her eyes. They kissed and touched and quickly steamed up the windows. It was dark and the rain beat heavily against the outside of the Jeep.

Elliot gave in to every temptation he had every had when it came to Olivia. He traced his fingertips over the soft curves of her perfect body as he kissed the underside of her neck. Olivia must have really been enjoying his touch, because she closed her eyes and moaned softly.

He moved his hands under her wet tee shirt to touch her breasts. He needed them and gently massaged them as he stared into her eyes. Olivia untucked his shirt from his pants and unbuckled his belt. She paused for a moment and bit her bottom lip nervously as she unzipped them.

Elliot smiled, staring deep into her pretty brown eyes as if asking her permission as his fingers danced across the waist of her jeans. Olivia took a deep breath and exhaled. She blinked twice then kissed him tenderly. Elliot unbuttoned her jeans and Olivia raised up as he slid them from her body and tossed them across the car.

Elliot kissed her and combed his fingers through her damp tousled hair. She was so warm and smelled and tasted so good. His body ached for her and he couldn't remember the last time he needed anyone the way he needed her now. This was more than just a want for sex or an animal attraction. Between the two of them it was more of an understanding, an unspoken truth to all of the wonder that had surrounded them both for years.

As wrong as it seemed sometimes, it felt as if this were exactly where they were meant to be. Making to love to Olivia was like breathing, easy and carefree. It were as if their bodies were doing what they had been born to do. No planning out the details or trying too hard to please her.

Every move with her was extraordinary and the pleasure they brought each other was so intense. Elliot had never enjoyed making love to anyone as much as he did Olivia.

Even with Kathy, things weren't like this. When they were young, the sex was hot and they couldn't get enough of each other. Then the babies came and life got in the way. After a while making love with his wife had been reduced to mere sex and sex was more like a chore than anything. They were even on a schedule, once a week on Saturday nights after the kids were asleep. Nothing new or exciting. And in the last few months they were together, Kathy didn't even seem to enjoy it anymore. More like tolerated it and waited for it to be over. She barely looked at him when they were in bed together. So unlike the way Olivia stared lovingly into his eyes each time they made love.

Elliot moaned as he moved inside of her. Olivia moved her fingers gently up his back sending chills up his spine. Her kisses were so sweet and every tough and look she gave him seemed to beg for more.

He locked his fingers between hers as she moaned softly against his ear. Elliot smiled when he felt their gold wedding bands brush against each other. He raised their hands to touch the icy cold of the glass window of the SUV. Feeling the sting of the cold against his skin seemed to prove to him that this was infact real and not some incredible fantasy in the back of his mind.

She was real. He was real. And they were really here in the back of this car making love together. Elliot was making love to his wife.

He sat up to look down at her under him. Olivia blinked her eyes and pressed her lips together. Without the bra Elliot could see her hardened nipples under the damp tee shirt. He smiled mischievously and raised her to meet him.

Olivia laughed as her nose brushed against his. Elliot smiled at her, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and she was his….for now anyway. He traced his thumb over her jaw line and guided her mouth to his. Their kisses were so passionate, Elliot was sure no woman in his life had ever kissed him like this before.

Elliot smoothed his hands up her waist and under the tee shirt pulling it over her head and tossing it into the pile of clothing.

"That's better," he whispered.

At first she was a little shy, lowering her arms to cover her chest as she looked into his eyes. Elliot combed his fingers through the soft waves of her dark hair and kissed her again. Olivia lowered her arms allowing him to fully see her nude body for the first time that night.

"My God you are so beautiful," he whispered softly as he combed his fingers through her hair.

Elliot kissed his way down her body, feeling her tremble at his touch. She closed her eyes and tipped her head back as he entered her once more. They made love for what seemed like hours more. And when they had finished, they collapsed in each other's arms.

Elliot held her as they stared up and out the moon roof of the black SUV at the rain that surrounded them. He locked his fingers between hers and watched the shimmer of their gild rings against each other in the dark. They didn't speak for a while, neither of them was really sure what to say. Both knowing in that in some way this was wrong. Both knowing it felt so right.

Elliot gently kissed the top of her head.

"The kids are probably worried sick," she said softly and he listened for the regret in her voice.

He exhaled and tucked the damp blanket in around her body as he reached to the front of the car for his cell phone. Olivia watched as he turned his phone on and dialed the house number.

"Hey, honey. No, we're fine. Well, we got rained on and my phone was dead. We have a flat tire and we're stuck here in the car. I'm gonna call the auto club to bring us another tire and we should be home before too long. I love you too, baby."

Elliot hung up the phone and turned to look at Olivia. She had already sat up and began to put her clothes back on.

"I told Maureen not to worry."

"I heard," she said softly as she looked up at him.

"This was nice," Elliot said in an attempt to get her to talk about it.

"Yeah."

"I know you're against this…."

"You're not?" she asked.

"Olivia, we can't ignore the fact that we are incredible together. Or that this keeps happening between us."

"We have both been so lonely," she said combing her fingers through her hair.

"That's just it, Liv. I haven't felt lonely at all since you came along. Everything has been so great. I'm happy, the kids are happy. Are you happy?"

Olivia stared into his eyes and forced a scared smile.

"I'm happy."

"Don't be scared. We have always been here for each other. We have just kind of taken that to a new level."

"What are we gonna do now?" she asked. "Obviously saying it isn't going to happen again doesn't work."

"What if we didn't fight it anymore?"

"What are you saying?"

"Look, I care about you and I know you care about me. When we are together…." Elliot exhaled, "I think we are both getting something we need from this. Ideally, yes, I can see where it is wrong. Doesn't make that feeling go away."

"So what do we do?"

"What if we didn't fight it? What if we just kind of went along with it?"

"Keep sleeping together?"

"It beats being alone. I'm not saying we have to date or anything if you don't want to. I am just saying we get rid of all of the guilt and turn to each other when we need someone. It is part of human nature, that need to feel loved. And we can stay right here in denial and say we wont let it happen again, both of us knowing very well that is probably will. All I am saying is that I don't think we should have to feel guilty about it. It isn't like we are cheating or anything."

"You mean you think we should just have sex, when we want sex?"

"Well….yes."

"Like casual sex?"

"I didn't think of it that way, but I guess so. Yes."

"Between you and I?"

"Uhh huh."

"And what if someone finds out?"

"Liv, they all think we are actually married. Everyone is assuming we are having regular sex anyway."

"I guess I didn't think about it that way."

"This wouldn't be any different than if we went out and had a one night stand to fill some need that you had. Only it is safer and we know and trust each other. We care about each other and I would never hurt you."

"I'm not on anything, Elliot."

"So we'll buy some condoms. We'll keep them around incase we do decide to do something."

"Liv, it is obvious we are attracted to each other or this wouldn't keep happening. There isn't anything wrong with that. I just think that we need to be a little more practical about it. Honestly, well, legally you and I are married. So if I did decided to go out and hook up with someone, not only would everyone else think I am shit for cheating on you, but I couldn't help but feel like I was cheating as well. I'm not like that. But you and I are married, so legally…."

Olivia smiled at his attempt to justify the sexual relationship between them.

"Legally?"

"It's just sex," Elliot said. "And maybe it was a stupid idea. I'm sorry for bringing it up."

"Don't be."

He raised his head to look at her.

"You're kind of right," she said.

"I am?"

"Yes. It is probably going to happen again. And we can keep feeling this awkwardness every time and lying to ourselves saying it wont happen again….or we can be smart about it and take responsibility here. Be prepared if it should happen again. If I dated someone else or went home with another man, I would feel like I am cheating on you. I don't want that."

"Casual sex," Elliot said as he zipped up his pants. "I didn't know casual sex could be so hot."

Olivia laughed.

"Maybe that is because you never had casual sex with your wife?"

"I should call them about the tire. There is no telling how long it might take them to get out here to fix it."

"True."

"Then we can head home and crawl in bed. It has been a long and exhausting day."

Olivia smiled.

"What?" Elliot asked.

"Nothing," she said turning away.

"No, what is it?"

She turned back to him and bit her lip.

"I was just thinking maybe we could stop by the pharmacy on the way home."

Elliot stared at her for a minute and a smile spread across his face when he realized what she was trying to say.

"Really?"

"Well," she said clearing her throat, "we want to be prepared, right?"

"Definitely."

They both laughed as Elliot picked up the phone to call triple A.