Chapter 8

They really enjoyed the day without Kathy and the kids. First they went to the beach and later they rented some bikes and rode around for a while. They behaved like teens again and enjoyed it highly.

Not having to hold back and hide their feelings was amazing. It felt so right for Liv. It was just them being together. No matter who saw them or who else was involved in this. Today they were just two people who enjoyed being together, not thinking about anything else. They just lived in the moment.

They didn't know when the others were coming back so they decided to get ready for dinner and maybe the others would join them later. Liv didn't say anything but she hoped that the others won't come back for dinner. She would enjoy being with El without being observed by his almost ex wife.

She realized today, that being with El made her feel free and happy. She didn't feel like this for a long time and having to hide their relationship sucked. She just wanted to spend time with him without being careful, that nobody finds out.

It will be even harder back in New York. They won't be able to go out for dinner or to take a walk in the park, holding hands. There are too many people who could see them. Damn it! Can a relationship like this even work?

"Are you okay?" Elliot asked with a worried look on his face.

Shit, she didn't even realize that he came out of the bathroom. "Yeah, I am fine. I was just in thoughts."

She tried to smile but she knew he wouldn't believe her.

"What's wrong?" he said with this cute tilt of his head. How can someone like him, a detective, a strong, masculine man be so damn cute?

"I really am fine. Just thinking about everything. It sucks that it won't be easy for us. I hate that we have to hide it. I wanna spend more days like today with you. Be free and happy."

She could see the guilt in his eyes and hated herself for putting it on him again.

"El, none of this is your fault. You make me happy, you really do. It's just difficult but that doesn't mean that it isn't good. Stop worrying about me. I can handle it."

She kissed his cheek and disappeared into the bathroom.

He knew she could handle it. Of course she could. She was one of the strongest women he knew but that doesn't mean that he didn't want it to be easier for her. He wanted her to be happy and he knew that talking to Kathy was important for both of them. But he wasn't sure if it would help make her feel better. It could get worse afterwards.

Liv knew that Kathy and the others could be back for dinner but she still wanted to wear her new dress.

Kathy would hate it for sure because it was a bit revealing but Liv liked it and she knew she won't have the chance to wear it anytime soon again.

It was a peach colored long neckholder dress with a slit and cutouts on the side of her stomach. El gave her some space to get dressed and when he reentered the room he almost forgot to breathe.

"Wow! You look amazing. Breathtakingly beautiful." Olivia blushed and smiled. "Thank you."

At the dining table Elliot had only eyes for Olivia, so he didn't see his family approaching them. But Liv did. She watched the entrance the whole time, to check if Kathy was coming.

"El, your family is here. Behave." she said. He turned towards them and for less than a second he had a disappointed look on his face that only Liv noticed and it made her smile inwardly.

"Hey girls! How was your day?" he asked. "Cool." was all Lola said. She looked really tired and exhausted.

"Well, cool." Elliot said laughing.

"Where's Kurt?" he asked next.

"Kurt had to take an important call, he will be here in a few minutes." Kathy said.

Sarah was sitting down next to Olivia.

"You look amazing." she said admiringly. "Thank you, sweetie." Olivia said quietly. She didn't want to draw Kathy's attention. Elliot noticed it and tried to catch Kathy's attention.

"How was your day? Lola seems pretty exhausted." he said nicely. Kathy smiled at him genuinely.

"It was really great, thank you. And I would be surprised if she wasn't, she ran around all the time. She wanted to help get the horses cleaned, haltered and saddled. Then she went horseback riding and after that she helped again. And they had foals. She was allowed to feed and brush them. And and and.. I am sure she will be happy to tell you everything tomorrow. But it really was nice to see her this happy." She smiled at him again.

Liv could see them exchange glances. She hasn't seen them like this in a very long time. No fighting just peace and loving glances between them and their child.

There was this unpleasant feeling again, like she was intruding this family. Was there really no chance of them being a happy family again? Together?

Damn it. She wasn't like this normally. She was confident and strong. She knew what she wanted and fought for it. Why was she acting all different with him? She could lose way too much if this didn't work out. She would lose everything.

Her partner, her best friend- the only person she really trusted. Fuck! How could she put this at risk? He had a family and if there was even the slightest chance of them getting back together she should step back. But it was too late, wasn't it? She has already slept with her best friend.

"Liv, are you alright?" Sarah asked worriedly.

Get your shit together Olivia, she thought to herself.

"Yes, I am. I was just in thoughts."

She knew that Sarah wouldn't believe her. This girl was way too smart to buy her cheap excuse.

Sarah leaned closer and whispered in Olivia's ear, "Don't worry. They act like this often but this doesn't mean anything. If mom had a great day with us, especially with Lola then she gets soft and sweet and seeing us happy makes them connect, because that's something both of them want- happy kids. But they don't work as a couple. I am their kid and I can tell you that their divorce was the best decision they ever made." She smiled at Olivia reassuringly.

"I am not worried. I just.. " but she was interrupted by Sarah.

"You don't have to act like that in front of me. It's been a while since he was this happy. And it's because of you. You make him happy. Happier than we kids, not to mention mom, ever could."

She saw Olivia's face and knew that she wanted to object.

"Don't worry. That's more than okay. I love to see him happy and relaxed. You make all of us happy, okay maybe not mom but the rest of the family." she said with a smile. Olivia didn't know what to say. She tried to blink back tears.

"I don't know what to say. I mean denying anything isn't an option because you are way too smart for that and lying to you wouldn't feel right. But I need to thank you. Your words were just… Thank you, sweetie. I am really glad I got to know you better. You are such a beautiful girl- inside and out."

A single tear she couldn't hold back rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away immediately but it was already too late. Elliot has noticed the tear. He looked at her worriedly and like he was about to ask what's wrong.

"Damn! Not now dad." she heard Sarah say almost inaudible, which made her smile. God, she really liked this girl, she was way too clever for her age.

Olivia wanted to touch Elliot's hand so badly, to tell him she was fine but she knew this wasn't an option in front of everyone, so she touched his leg softly with hers. She could see him relax a bit but he still looked confused and worried. Gladly he realized that this wasn't the time or place to be, the overly caring boyfriend.

He wanted to know what made her cry so badly but he would have to wait until later, when they were alone. It was really hard for him to look away, but he turned his attention back to Kathy. Who looked at them warily. She saw the tear on Olivia's face too and also noticed El's reaction, she couldn't really construe it, but it really unsettled her.

Luckily Lola said that she was hungry and diffused the situation.

Kathy got up to go to the buffet with Lola and Liv used the time to get herself back together. She excused herself and went to the toilet. El looked at her confused again, he was really worried but she brushed his shoulder slightly while walking by to show him again that she really was fine and that he shouldn't worry.

When she came back she saw that Kathy was sitting on the chair next to El, the chair where Olivia has been sitting a few minutes ago. She saw Sarah's face and knew that the girl was sorry and annoyed with her mom. Kathy didn't get up although she saw Liv coming back, so Olivia sat down on the chair between the girls.

If Kathy wanted to start a fight with her again, and this time over a fucking chair, then Liv wasn't interested. She would lie next to El the whole night, so she didn't mind not sitting next to him during dinner. She could feel El's eyes on her. He wanted to see how she felt about Kathy's bitchiness.

If you have a secret relationship it's really good if you have it with a person who you can communicate with non- verbal. He relaxed after she "told" him that she didn't care and they both shared a small smile.

Kurt approached their table and he looked really stressed.

"Everything alright?" Liv asked. He looked at her and forced a smile.

"Not really. Kathy, I have to fly back to New York. They need me at the hospital. I am so sorry!" Kathy looked at him confused. "What? Like, right now?" He looked at her guiltily.

"Yes, the plane leaves in 3 hours. I am really sorry. You can stay here with the girls, I don't wanna ruin your holiday too."

"No, I am coming with you, if it's okay for the others?"

"I don't have a problem with it." Sarah said. "Today was nice and I mean there are only a few days left."

Lola mumbled something like, "You can go mum, I am not a baby."

Liv had to fight the urge to laugh so bad, but luckily she could hold it back.

"Elliot, what about you?" Kathy asked. He looked at her confused.

"Of course I am okay with it. I planned this trip without you."

Kathy looked at him angrily but also a little bit amused. She knew he just wanted to repay her for the way she had acted and she knew she deserved it but she couldn't change the way she felt about Olivia.

That's why she said, "Well, now you have a spare room you can use. You two don't have to sleep in the same bed anymore! I'll tell the chambermaid to make the room ready."

Before anyone could say anything else, Kurt said goodbye to El and the kids. At last he hugged Liv.

"It was really nice to meet you, although it was a little bit uncomfortable at times." he said smiling.

"Thank you. I really enjoyed meeting you too." she said smiling too.

Kathy didn't look like she wanted to say anything to her, so Liv looked at her and said, "Goodbye Kathy. Have a safe flight home."

Kathy looked at her like she insulted her. "Bye." was all she was able to say before she turned around and walked off. Kurt looked at Liv apologetically again before he followed Kathy.