A/N: I apologise for the lack of updates recently. For whatever reason, I really struggled to sit down and just edit this chapter. Though I won't delay any longer, please enjoy :)

32. Halloween

If Olivia was honest, Halloween had to be one of her favourite holidays. She loved the dressing up as something different every year and going from house to house up and down the streets in search of candy. She doesn't remember Halloweens before being adopted by Don, so Olivia simply knew they couldn't have been very good. Especially when nothing in foster care, was ever very good. But once she'd been adopted, the Halloweens were truly magical and there was just something extra special about Halloween in a small town. Olivia hadn't yet found that special feeling in New York around Halloween and Chloe wasn't really old enough to enjoy it. She wasn't even 2 yet and thus had really only had one other Halloween which was Olivia's first Halloween in New York, and they hadn't even gone trick or treating. This year would be different, Olivia already had the costumes planned out and they would go trick or treating when Olivia made it home from school. Chloe likely wouldn't completely understand it yet but Olivia was determined this would be the year they would start the tradition.

Olivia couldn't help to wonder what the Stabler twins were doing today though. Elliot was still away on business, he'd been gone for just over a week now and Olivia had seen his mother at the school drop off and pick up but hadn't really spoken to her. Olivia thought it was best just to keep her distance unless absolutely necessary to talk to her. Olivia was talking with Elliot almost every night though and providing him with updates on the children, so she didn't really have any need to talk to his mother right now. Elizabeth seemed to be coping well with the absence of her father at the moment but Elliot had told her that was probably due to the fact Olivia was there for her. He certainly wasn't going to be away as long as he had in the past anymore if he could help it. But that didn't change the fact Olivia still wondered what the plans were to celebrate Halloween in the Stabler household. Would their grandmother take them trick or treating? It was a dress up day at school, so she knew the twins would at least do that but she didn't know what else they may have planned.


Elliot sat at the table in the restaurant section of the hotel he was staying in, he had ordered a large breakfast this morning in preparation for a big day ahead. He had been anxiously checking his phone since he got up to see if there were any pictures of the twins all dressed up for Halloween. He knew how much the twins loved dressing up for occasions like this. Elliot had been with them when they went to the store to pick out their costumes for this year. Elizabeth was going as a teacher and Richard was going as Spiderman, neither costume was that much of a surprise to him this year. Especially considering who Elizabeth's favourite person was right now. But he wanted to see pictures, wanted to see what they looked like before they went to school as he knew it would be highly unlikely his mother would take a photo after school, nor would she taken them out for any kind of celebration of the day.

Ever since Elliot had been little, his mother was always against Halloween. This was part of the reason the hotel threw a huge celebration for families every year on Halloween. Elliot loved Halloween and so did his children, so the family celebration within the hotel was great. People even came to stay at the hotel especially over Halloween, just so they could go to the party. However, this year they weren't planning on holding the party and Elliot had hoped he would be able to take his kids trick or treating. But here he was, stuck in Toronto at a conference and presenting today, so he had to show up. At the very least, he hoped that if his mother didn't send him any photos of the twins, then maybe Olivia could get some. But he wasn't entirely sure how she could pull that off without raising concerns for professionalism or something.

Olivia: Happy Halloween xxx Olivia texted Elliot with a picture which made Elliot smile. She had sent him a picture of herself dressed up as Dorothy and Chloe was Toto the dog. Elliot found this really cute and could see how much thought Olivia would have had to put into this to make it work.
Elliot: Beautiful x Hope you two have a spook-tastic day, wish I was there Elliot quickly replied before saving the image to his phone. He really hoped that in years to come, they would all be able to spend Halloween together, dressing up as a family and going trick or treating. Halloween as a young child was quite magical when done right. Elliot never really experienced it himself and he hated missing the joy that his children had over this holiday.
Olivia: Next Halloween, I'm sure you will be here. How are the kids' costumes? I can't wait to see them at school Olivia responded.
Elliot: I don't know, I've not heard from my mother this morning or even seen any pictures but I've asked
Olivia: I'll try and get some of Elizabeth at least today and send it to you later, maybe Dickie too. Good luck with your presentation, I know you're going to kill it xxx Olivia quickly replied as Elliot finished breakfast and made his way back to his hotel room to get ready for the conference to start up again. Today he wasn't just attending it, but he was giving a presentation on starting up a major business and he felt a little nervous.

He'd told Olivia about it last night when he spoke to her before bed and she had provided good advice on presentations and comfort to him, though part of him had wished she was actually there with him at the time. He'd relax if he had her to look at the entire time, as he always felt he could easily talk to her. However, that wasn't possible for the time being and so he would just have to do his best.
Elliot: Thanks xx Elliot quickly replied one last time.


The class were busy discussing their plans for the evening and where they were all going to go trick or treating. Olivia was glad to hear so much excitement towards it all, but she had noticed Elizabeth seemed a little sad and withdrawn. Olivia had thought Elizabeth was adorable, with how she came to school dressed a teacher. Elizabeth had told her that the costume was based off herself. But Olivia hated the thought that Elizabeth was upset on such an exciting and fun holiday. Elizabeth had been so excited coming to school this morning and she shouldn't be sad now.
"Are you ok Elizabeth?" Olivia asked as she moved to sit closer to Elizabeth and work out what was going on with her right now.
"Mmhmm" Elizabeth replied, nodding but Olivia could tell this was clearly not the case.
"You don't want to come and join everyone else?" Olivia continued.
"I can't"
"What do you mean? Everyone can make a bag and I know you will do a lovely design" Olivia encouraged, she was very fond of the little girl's art skills.
"No, they are making a bag for candy…to go trick and treating…But nanny said me and Dickie aren't going, and there's no hotel party either" Elizabeth explained.
"You're not going trick or treating this year?" Olivia asked for clarification and Elizabeth shook her head. It was Halloween, no one should miss out on the fun of trick or treating like this. Olivia liked to think that if Elliot was here, the twins would go trick or treating. But maybe his mother is seriously against this holiday.
"Nanny said it's a bad holiday and that Halloween is silly. Daddy told her on the phone to let us get dressed up for school. Nanny did but Bertie helped me and Dickie get ready not nanny and Nanny said we have to take it all off when we get home and there would be no trick or treating" Elizabeth continued to explain.
"Well, do you want to know something? Maybe I'll talk to her, maybe I can change her mind" Olivia offered.
"How?"
"Well, maybe I can talk to her and see if I can help her out. If she doesn't want to go, maybe you and Dickie can come with me and Chloe? But for now, do you think you can give me a big smile and we'll take a picture of your costume for daddy?" Olivia asked and Elizabeth agreed. They quickly took a picture whilst the rest of the class were distracted and Olivia was going to send it to Elliot.
Olivia: Teacher in training – I swear I'm a good influence x Olivia quickly typed before sending the picture to Elliot. She didn't think she could get a picture quite like this of Richard, but at least she'd managed to get a photo for Elliot, of Elizabeth.

If Olivia was honest, she knew she might be showing a little favouritism to Elizabeth when compared to all her other students. But that may have to partly do with the fact that she knew about this particular little girl's background, she was involved with her father and had worked really hard to help boost Elizabeth's academic results. Olivia was the type of teacher who worked hard to support the academic learning of all her students. But when a student is particularly struggling or has a certain circumstance, Olivia goes above and beyond to provide more individual support, as was the situation with Elizabeth. She knew it would be professional now to give every child in her class a chance to have a photo taken by her. But seeing as the rest of the class were all properly entertained and Clara had them under control, she saw not point in offering this up.


Bernie was completely against Halloween. She believed that it was a celebration which glorified the dead and gave a reason for children to rot their teeth and not sleep in a week. She didn't partake in any kinds of celebrations on Halloween, she didn't allow her children to when they were growing up and now where she could, she wouldn't let her grandchildren do so either. Of course, that all depended on where exactly she was around Halloween every year as it was rarely ever the same place, along with what kind of a say she had. As Elliot was out of town on business, she was pretty comfortable in taking control over the twins today and making sure that even though it was Halloween, they stuck to their schedule. She had allowed them to be dressed up when they went to school today as they already had their costumes and Elliot had told her that she should allow them that. But Bernie didn't see why it mattered what they did after school, or why today should be any different to any other day. She didn't even see the excitement that the kids had around this day as she thought it was ridiculous. Bernie believed it was stupid for kids to partake in a holiday that worships something which shouldn't be worshipped, like dead people and horror. She didn't even understand why Elliot insisted on throwing big parties at the hotel every year for Halloween but was relieved that they wouldn't be doing that this year.

Bernie watched as the children were all dismissed from their classes, she took notice of all the different costumes that children had on, with disgust. Society really had screwed everything up with how much people clearly celebrated the wrong holiday. She just wanted to collect the twins and get out of here, she had so much else that they needed to do today. Richard came right over the minute he saw her but Elizabeth took a little longer. Bernie had tried to signal the girl down to get her to come over but Elizabeth didn't leave her teacher's side. When Elizabeth eventually did make her way over, it was with her teacher by her side. Bernie didn't know what was going on here but she couldn't help to wonder if something had happened if the teacher was coming. The main reason she ever saw any of the teachers as her children had been growing up, was when something had happened or there was concern.

"Nanny, this is Miss Benson" Elizabeth introduced her teacher.
"So you're the famous Miss Benson that I've heard so much about. Bernadette Stabler" Bernie introduced herself.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs Stabler, I've heard so much about you from Elizabeth and it's lovely to meet you" Olivia shook the woman's hand politely.
"Miss Benson said that Dickie and me could go trick or treat with her today, as you don't like Halloween and don't want do it" Elizabeth jumped in, explaining the whole reason that they were here.
"Oh, I really don't think that's necessary, Miss Benson is probably very busy and I know your dad wouldn't like you going with someone other than me"
"But he would like Mss Benson, he told you about Miss Benson looking after us before" Richard chimed into the conversation, aiding the teacher more than his grandmother. Bernie knew that she was going to have a hard time getting them out of this situation but she was going to try.

"I'm sure Miss Benson has had enough time around children today and really just wants to go home, come along now you too" Bernie commented sternly.
"Really, it's no problem. I can have them home by dinner time" Miss Benson continued to offer, Bernie didn't understand what this woman was trying to get at.
"You know where they live?" Bernie asked, now more interested in this woman rather than the discussion about this afternoon's activities.
"Well yes, when Mr Stabler was a little busy at work and couldn't get them from school, I made sure to get them home safely" the teacher explained.
"Except for the time, you weren't" Bernie remarked, funny how one woman could claim to get her grandchildren home safely, when she knew all about the attack and knew it was this same woman, who had been the victim and the reason for the attack.
"Excuse me?" Miss Benson clarified, unsure what Bernie was getting at right now.
"I've seen the video, I know that when you were with my grandchildren, they got attacked and put in danger….So, I don't think it's smart for me to leave two of the most important people to me and their father, in your care. Now if you'll excuse us, we've got things to do" Bernie tried to conclude the discussion.
"But nanny…you hate Halloween, and I don't want to go with you, I want to go with Miss Benson" Lizzie started to complain.
"Come on now Lizzie, you know that simply can't happen. But we must leave now as we have many things we need to do and we need to get you out of these horrible costumes. Have a good afternoon Miss Benson" Bernie remarked as they started to leave.
"You too. I'll see you tomorrow Lizzie" Olivia farewelled the trio but Elizabeth made sure to give her teacher a hug before leaving. Bernie simply couldn't believe the urge of this teacher, trying to take the children away from her for the afternoon. She would never put her grandchildren in her care other than at school where there were others as well, as she wouldn't let them get hurt again.


Olivia walked back into the classroom and found Clara sitting at a desk, marking the spelling books. The young woman looked up at Olivia as she entered the room and could tell something had happened, as the older woman looked defeated.
"Just when I think the events of the attack won't affect my career, it does" Olivia sighed.
"Something happened?" Clara clarified.
"You try and be helpful, make a suggestion and a grandmother questions whether kids are really safe in my care to begin with" Olivia continued.
"You know that they are, I know they are and I know that there are a lot of people who know there is very little you wouldn't do for those children. You can't let one person and their opinion get in the way"
"But…She has a lot of power in terms of pulling children out of the school, out of my class or ruining my career. It only takes one complaint or investigation" Olivia explained
"You know that she would have to go through the parents though and then the school. If we're talking now about the father being Mr Stabler, I highly doubt he would believe that his children are in danger when with you and I think you know that's true. You also know what happened is not your fault and you ended up in way more trouble then those kids did, because you protected them. So I really don't know what the issue is here. Now, why don't you go home, take Chloe out trick or treating, have a glass of wine and don't let one person ruin your Halloween" Clara stated and Olivia knew she was right.
"When did the table flip and you became the one providing advice, shouldn't that be me?" Olivia laughed as she grabbed her things together to leave. The only thing that Olivia didn't have an answer to regarding today, was whether she was going to tell Elliot what happened as it was his mother they would be talking about.


Elliot couldn't believe what his mother had done. He couldn't believe what he had heard from the lips of his daughter. He understood that she didn't like Halloween and she would try stop his children from enjoying the holiday. But he never thought she would reject someone else's offer to look after his children for the afternoon and to say that he would not feel safe with his kids in that person's care. Never mind the fact that his mother had said all of this to someone he cared so much about, she'd said it all to Olivia. Elizabeth had called him in tears once they had got home from school, with the help from Bertie to get the number right. Elliot's heart sank with hearing how upset his little girl was over not being able to go trick or treating. He never wanted his children to be upset, especially not when it was such a fun occasion and something that should be embraced as a child.

He had managed to try and console her, talking things through with the little girl before talking with Richard and then finishing with his mother. Bernie had been adamant that she was right in her decision as this was a holiday that he really should not be encouraging his children to celebrate but Elliot just didn't want to hear it. He wanted his children to be able to celebrate whatever they wanted to, he wanted them to live their lives the way that they wanted to. He hated that he was so far away from home right now and so many people that he loved and cared about were hurt in different ways today. He also hated that Olivia wasn't picking up his call, nor was she responding to his text messages. He hoped it was because she was already asleep or just not near her phone right now. He just hoped she knew that nothing his mother had said to her today, was true. He would have let the twins go with her in a heartbeat if he was there, he would have wanted to go with her too. She surely had to know that.


Olivia had seen the messages and she'd seen the missed calls from Elliot, she had missed them on purpose. She'd missed them because she knew that he was calling because he'd likely heard what had happened with his mother today. He was calling to make sure that she was alright or tell her nothing which his mother had said was true. Olivia knew this. She had known it and convinced herself of it last night when she was drinking wine and ranting to Alex over the phone. Alex had gone home at beginning of this week as she'd got to go back to work, but Alex and Olivia still spoke often. Alex had even told Olivia that she really needed to come back and visit soon, bringing Chloe with her and even Elliot. Olivia had responded with she would think about it. But last night Alex had re-iterated what Clara had mentioned and what Olivia knew that Elliot would tell her if she spoke with him. Nothing that his mother had said was true, Elliot trusted her and his kids more than anything. She knew she just had to get through the next few days and Elliot would be back again.

E: I know what my mother said to you. I also hope you know that I don't agree with any of it and there is no one I would trust with my children more than you. Thank you for offering to take them with you and Chloe. I hope that in the future, we can trick or treat all together (I'll even dress up if you're lucky ;P). I hope you're alright, I'll talk to you soon xxx Olivia read the last message Elliot had sent whilst she'd been asleep. She knew from this message alone he felt guilty about what had happened, and she would call him when she got the chance. She just hoped that she didn't have to deal with his mother again today or that there weren't any repercussion from yesterday's interaction.


A/N: Well you didn't think they were going to be best friends, did you? Did you really think that Elliot's mother was going to be all friendly to Olivia? I wonder how things will go, if she finds out about the relationship between Elliot and Olivia? What will happen when Elliot comes home? Guess we'll have to wait and see.
Next Chapter: Elliot returns from his business trip – what does that mean for everyone else?

Please leave me a review and let me know what you thought of this chapter and anything else you want to say. I have loved reading each and every one of them that you leave. Some of them have been so close to what I'm planning with this story, that it's almost like your reading my mind before the review. But I'm really glad that so many of you are enjoying this story.
Lastly, Happy Easter! Even though this situation might be a little different to anything we've experienced before, I still hope you can enjoy the holiday (and especially the chocolate) and know that there will be good times after this, we will get to see each other again when it's all over.
Until Next Time :)