Title: A Complicated State of Happiness
Author: ZombieJazz
Fandom: Law & Order: SVU
Disclaimer: I don't own them. Law and Order SVU and its characters belong to Dick Wolf. The characters of Will (and his family) and Noah have been created and developed for the sake of this AU series.
Summary: With her son now two, Olivia moves into a new condo where she has a friendly but geeky neighbour. She continues to navigate being a single mom and her work - while now also trying to find her place in a new neighbourhood and figure out what she thinks of and wants from this Will guy.
Author's Notes: This AU series is for SVU fans and readers who want Olivia to have something that resembles a more normal life outside of work and a family of her own - hopefully somewhat realistically within the canon of SVU. Her relationship with Elliot is that of partner and protective older brother and colleague. It won't devolve from that - they aren't ever going to get together in this series. If you're an E/O shipper, you likely won't enjoy these stories. The timeline is a little loose and since most of the stories ultimately takes place outside of the work environment, there aren't too many references to cases from the show. But this series would generally be starting in about Season 10/11 of the show. Please let me know what you think and if you distribute elsewhere.
"Will, what are you doing?" his dad called after him, as he trotted down the porch's steps, heading for where he'd left the stroller.
Will glanced back at his father. "Just grabbing Noah's diaper bag for Olivia," he said, pointing and finishing his little walk to snag the bulking thing.
Ted watched him came back up onto the porch with it. "I meant, what are you doing with that woman, son?"
Will looked at him – a bit of insult painting across his face. He shrugged. "Nothing. We're friends."
Ted examined him. "Son, you haven't grieved properly …"
"It was seven years ago, Dad," he spat. "How long am I supposed to grieve?"
"Don't raise your voice at me," Ted said back sternly but then let out a small sigh. "Will, I just don't think you're ready for … this …"
Will snorted. "For what, Dad? For having a woman over to the house for dinner? You might be right there. It's sure not playing out exactly how I thought it would. You guys all seem so focused on giving your usual running commentary of my life, you're being pretty fucking rude to Olivia and Noah."
Ted poked at his chest. "You won't use that language in this house, either, son."
Will rolled his eyes. What was good enough for Tom was never good enough for him.
Ted sighed hard at him and then met his eyes. "Will, you just seem like you're still mourning."
Will crossed his arms. "So what? Part of me is likely always going to be mourning, Dad. Aren't you still mourning?"
Ted shook his head. "It's different, son."
Will rolled his eyes again. "I've told you guys repeatedly – I'm dating again. I'm done with … whatever. Living in a closet because it makes you feel better about how I'm grieving. It's my grief. My life, Dad. I'll deal with both the way I want to."
Ted examined him some more. "You've never brought anyone over to the house before."
Will tossed up his crossed arms. "Because I'm dating. It's nothing serious. I'm not going to bring some random woman that I'm going to go on a few dates with over here."
"But you brought Olivia," Ted stated flatly.
"Because I'm not dating Olivia," Will spat. "She's my neighbour."
"Will, you don't screw around with single mothers," Ted said so sternly that his body nearly shook with it. "You'll both get hurt. That little boy will get hurt."
Will glared at his father. "I am not 'screwing around' with Olivia. She is my neighbour. A friend. She doesn't have family. I thought that maybe getting to spend part of the holiday weekend with a family might be nice for her."
Will went and grabbed the screen door and yanked it open. "I was wrong, though," he spat back at Ted. "You guys have been so welcoming – she'd rather be at home alone. I'm taking her back over to the ferry after she gets Noah changed."