A/N: I hope you're enjoying the story. I'm not sure I'll be able to post next week, just so you know.
Chapter 28
Olivia sat in the diner down the block from her place, staring out the window, while not really seeing what was going by. She felt like she needed to get out of the apartment, even if it was only down the street. Of course she also had another appointment with Doctor Valentino. Despite her original concerns, speaking with the doctor had been helpful.
"Fancy meeting you here," a familiar voice caused Olivia to turn her head, only to find Kathleen Stabler along with her sister Maureen.
"Girls! It's good to see you," she smiled and indicated they should slide into the other side of the booth.
"Good to see you too. How are you?" Kathleen wanted to know.
"Ok. I have another appointment with the department shrink in a little while. What brings you to this neck of the woods? Don't say it's for the cheeseburgers either," Olivia said.
"Well I do love the cheeseburgers but we were on our way to see you when Maur spotted you from the street," the younger Stabler child explained.
"Me? Don't you two have actual lives? Shouldn't you be at school or work?" Olivia raised an eyebrow, concerned they were taking time out of what they should be doing for her.
"Pretty sure that we need to have this talk, without Dad around," Kathleen told her. It did not escape Olivia that Maureen had been silent.
"That sounds a little ominous. Is something wrong? You guys need something?" The older woman asked.
"We need to know your intentions," those were the first words that Maureen spoke.
"Intentions? Well hopefully get back to work soon. But you mean with regards to your Dad, don't you?" Olivia wondered.
"I already gave him my blessing," Kathleen said.
"He told me that. I just want to say, no matter what happens, I appreciate that," the detective told her.
"Are you in love with him?" Maureen wanted to know. Olivia wasn't sure how she should phrase it. Maureen was obviously not sure how much she liked everything that was going on. The detective was about to answer her when she got a text. Grabbing her phone, she looked at it.
"Speak of the devil," she murmured.
"Dad?" Kathleen wondered.
"Looks like he is going to back up Munch and Kenny. He wanted to wish me luck with my appointment," there was a smile on her face as she quickly thanked him and wished him luck, leaving out the fact that the girls were there.
"I think that smile says it all," Kathleen smirked.
"Look your Dad and I have a connection, one that I've never had with anyone else in my life. He and I have shared our work and that was all. I did all I could do to help you and the family. Make sure that I was there for you. I am sorry that it has come to this. I truly am," Olivia said.
"That didn't really answer my question," Maureen pointed out.
"No, but I felt it needed to be said. Also, my feelings really don't matter. What matters is you guys and how you're doing. If you don't like the idea of me and your Dad exploring what exists between us, then we just go back to what we've always been, partners. I'll not get between him and you or you and your mother. That has never been my intention," she told them.
"You would do that?" Maureen gave her look.
"I would," there was no hesitation there. Olivia was not about to drive a wedge between Elliot and his kids. Maureen smiled and nodded before saying,
"I would never ask you to do that."
"I know but I would give you that option, should you want it," Olivia smiled.
"I think that settles it. Now how about that cheeseburger?" Kathleen asked. This caused the three women to laugh as Olivia flagged down the waitress.
To Be Continued…