Chapter 13
Olivia swung open her front door and walked a little into the apartment. Elliot was right behind her. Visiting hours at the hospital had ended and they'd been forced to go home. He hadn't said much on the way back to her place and Olivia didn't want to press. She knew that there was nothing she could say that he hadn't heard before and as the girlfriend, she could only stick her nose into family business so far.
"We should get something to eat. I think the last thing I had to eat was that stale donut the nurses offered me," she said, kicking off her shoes, taking off her jacket, and making sure the front door is locked.
"You're probably right," he muttered as he too kicked off his shoes and pulled off his jacket. Surprised he wasn't fighting her; she pulled out her phone, and called up the pizza place down the street. Inwardly she chuckled when the boy recognized her voice, called her by name, and promised to be there within thirty minutes.
"It's coming. Meantime, you want a beer?" Olivia asked.
"Yes, I do," Elliot nodded before collapsing onto the couch.
"Coming right up," she said. Heading for the fridge, she opened it, and went for the six-pack on the back of the appliance's shelf. Cracking them open, she headed for the sofa, and handed him one before taking a swig of her own. Then she joined him on the couch after setting down her beer on a coaster on the coffee table. Elliot slammed down the beer she'd handed him only moments before and set the empty down on the coffee table.
"You won't find the answers at the bottom of the bottle. Believe me," Olivia told him, putting her head on his shoulder. He heaved a sigh, knowing what she meant and wrapped an arm around her back.
"No but I'm hoping for some of the pain to subside," Elliot frowned, as his head came to rest on hers.
"Let me help you. Let me in El. We're more than just on the job partners. We're in this for the long haul. I love you and I love your kids," she said, her hand sat on his thigh.
"There is just so much running through my head right now. I love you and I promise I will let you in, I just need to wrap my own brain around it," his admission surprised her. Normally his tough exterior was matched by his tough interior. Elliot was used to burying things until he exploded. Olivia had noticed slight changes in his behavior as their full partnership began to evolve but this was his biggest step forward.
She moved her head from his shoulder and looked into his eyes. She could see the storm brewing in them. In that moment, the rest of the world fell away and she pressed her lips to his. He pulled her close, deepening the kiss. What started as an innocent kiss soon moved into roving hands and they lost track of time until the doorbell interrupted them. Olivia chuckled and got up off the couch and went to the door.
"Hi Miss Olivia," the pizza delivery boy smiled.
"They got you answering the phones and making the deliveries?" The detective asked. The teenager standing in front of her was most definitely the voice she'd often heard over the phone.
"End of my shift, told them I'd make your delivery. Mom and I live above the parlor so it's not like I can't drop your money off," he smiled broadly.
"Well it is much appreciated," Olivia gave him enough money for a decent tip and he thanked profusely before leaving.
"So he has a crush on you," Elliot chuckled as he brought over paper plates from the cupboard.
"Well I'm already taken. I'll let him down easy next time," she smirked as she set the pizza box down on the table. Elliot kissed her temple before they settled in with their dinner on the sofa.
To Be Continued…