Hi guys. I get that you all want longer chapters, but writing the story like this is much easier for me to keep up. You're getting at least three or four updates a week at the moment I think, so it is what it is! Some chapters may turn out to be longer because of the subject at hand. Just keep reading - or you can save up a few chapters and read them all in one go :))

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35. Promise

Olivia turned away from Elliot abruptly, huffing but finding no words to respond to his proximity as well as his suggestive remark. She was not going to peek under Elliot's gown in the presence of her son and his physical therapist! She heard Elliot chuckle but tried to ignore him while she walked up to Greg and Noah.

"He's ready to get back into bed," Olivia told Greg, who put Noah down on the ground.

"He's feeling better, isn't he?" Greg asked with a grin.

Olivia just rolled her eyes.

"I got you two t-shirts as well, if you want them," she announced without looking at Elliot, pulling the shirts out of the pile that was now on the armchair where Noah had dumped all their purchases.

"I'd like that," Elliot said. "Just let me ..."

"Of course," Olivia interrupted him. He'd need to be sitting in bed first.

She didn't turn back around until Elliot was settled and covered with a blanket. She had a feeling he was going to be ditching his hospital gown soon, and when she turned around she was faced with his half-bare chest and another shit-eating grin. She shook her head but couldn't help smiling. He was getting to her and he knew it.

"Help me with the t-shirt, Liv?" he asked her innocently, and Olivia had a mind to toss the shirt at him and walk out of the room.

Even Greg was shaking his head now, and Olivia decided just to ignore Elliot. She asked Greg,

"When do you think he'll be released from the hospital? It would be nice if he could be out before Christmas."

"I understand that, and I think that will be possible, Ms Benson," Greg said. "Once he's off his IV, I don't think there would be any medical reason to keep him here any longer. He will need a lot of care though, because he obviously won't be very mobile for a while yet."

Olivia got that. The accident had only been four nights ago. Elliot would be lucky to be out within the week.

"I'll ask his doctor to drop by and bring you up to speed," Greg offered and she thanked him while he walked out of the room.

"Bye Noah," Greg said, and Noah waved happily at him with his stuffed dinosaur.

Olivia looked at Elliot again. He had clearly stayed in shape, and the part of his chest that she could see, that wasn't bandaged up or covered by his blanket, made her palms sweaty. She took a deep breath and approached him, a white t-shirt in hand.

"You're sure you're up to more movement after your exercises?" she asked him.

He did look tired but he assured her he could manage putting on a shirt.

"I want to get back on my feet as soon as possible, and it will help to be somewhat decent," he told her.

"You're not getting out of bed on your own!" Olivia said, realizing that he would probably want to try getting to the bathroom by himself.

"Liv, I don't wanna call in some young nurse each time nature calls," Elliot sighed and she thought he actually looked adorable right now.

"You poor baby," she said with a grin.

Elliot sat up a little straighter and Olivia helped him put on the t-shirt. He winced a few times and she knew his ribs were still painful. The shirt was a tight fit and she marveled at how his biceps and shoulders seemed to bulge even more now that he was dressed. Elliot was very tired and Olivia knew she and Noah would have to leave soon. But Greg had promised he would send the doctor, so she was going to wait for the doctor before leaving for the day. She explained to Noah that Elliot had to take a nap, and her son made her heart flutter when he asked if he could nap with Elliot.

"Ewwie Ot find daddy," he reminded them both as Olivia lifted him onto the bed, and Olivia actually felt disappointment at Noah's statement.

She had tried to tell herself that Noah wouldn't have known what he was saying when he said 'you my daddy' to Elliot. Now that it seemed to be true, she had to admit that she had really wanted him to mean it. Elliot was looking at her and she forced a smile. But she saw a hint of disappointment in Elliot's eyes as well. He'd been thinking the same thing.

"Do you know what a daddy does?" Elliot asked Noah while they both got settled in bed to take their nap.

Elliot's big arm was wrapped loosely around the little boy, who was snuggling up to Elliot's right side.

"Amy daddy pway with Amy and hug Amy."

Olivia stroked Noah's cheek gently and she could tell he was relaxing. He didn't usually nap twice a day anymore, but this wasn't an ordinary day for him and it was getting late in the afternoon.

"And what about Amy's mommy?" Elliot asked, looking at Olivia.

"Amy mommy work."

"Your mommy works too, right?"

Noah nodded.

"Lucy pway with Noah but Lucy no daddy."

"Does Lucy play with the dinosaur puzzle with you, Noah?"

Noah nodded again, his eyes drifting shut. He placed his little hand on Elliot's chest and patted it.

"Ewwie too. Ewwie daddy?"

Olivia swallowed hard. Her baby had no idea how hard he was pulling at her heart strings. Elliot held Noah a little tighter and they could tell the boy was drifting off to sleep. Olivia's heart skipped a beat when she heard Elliot say softly,

"I'd love to be your daddy, little man."

...

Their eyes met and they had a brief wordless conversation that held so much promise for the future. Olivia's hand moved from her son's cheek to Elliot's cheek and she leaned over to kiss him softly on the lips. She couldn't wish for a better father for her son than Elliot. She knew he was tired but she also knew he knew perfectly well what he'd just said, even if Noah hadn't heard him. They kissed each other slowly, as if they were trying to tell each other something. His lips were soft and gentle and a warmth spread through Olivia's body that she had never felt before. She deepened the kiss and when Elliot moaned softly, a want shot through her body that startled her a little. She shouldn't be feeling like this while leaning over her son ...

Elliot released her lips and looked up at her, a question in his eyes.

"I'm sorry," Olivia whispered. "I'm ehm ..."

"Trying not to get carried away?"

"Yeah."

"Me too Liv," Elliot admitted, still whispering.

She kissed him once more, planning to stop before they'd both get too hot and bothered, when the door to Elliot's room suddenly swung open again. Olivia looked up and took a quick step back, away from the man in the hospital bed. It was a reflex. The timing was incredible, as if it had been scripted. Elliot turned his head slowly to see who his new visitor was. Olivia wasn't sure which one of the adults in the room was more shocked at this moment. She stared at the woman that stood frozen in the doorway of the hospital room, and who was staring back at her.

"Kathy ..."

...

Dun dun!