I know, it has been a while since I have updated this story, but I had severe writers block for this story and life just became super busy. You will be happy to know that I finally figured out how I wanted this story to end and have finished it. So, without further ado here is the next installment, enjoy and do not forget to leave a review.
Chapter 8- Home
Olivia intertwined their fingers, "I know it may not sound logical to bring a child into the equation, but I think we can do this together. We can finally be a family." Olivia says looking at Trevor, hoping he will agree with her.
Trevor leaned against the table in the conference room as he stared at Olivia and mulled over their options. He did agree with Olivia that to bring a child into the mix was not ideal and could complicate things. What would happen if a year from now after he bonded with Noah, Olivia decided to leave again and take Noah with her. Yet his heart was screaming at him to finally bring Olivia home for good. "You're right, it wouldn't be ideal to do this." Trevor began to say. He reached out to grab Olivia's hand pulling her closer to him when he saw the disappointment in her eyes. "But I've waited five years to finally bring you home and now that I can, I'm going to." Trevor stood straight up as he looked down at Olivia, "If I agree to do this, you come home today, and we will see your therapist if he allows it for couples therapy." Trevor added.
Olivia licked her lips as she took in Trevor's words and nodded. "Ok, I'll come home." A smile formed on Olivia's face as she saw the corner of Trevor's lips curl up into a smile.
Before Trevor could respond there was a knock at the door before Pippa popped her head into the room. "Hey sorry to interrupt, but Judge Linden is back in court and is waiting for you two." Pippa said before popping her head back out and closing the door.
Trevor turned his attention back to Olivia, "Ok, let's do this." Trevor said as he grasped one of Olivia's hands and started towards the door before stopping in his tracks and looking back at Olivia. "Liv, I don't want any secrets between us."
Olivia nodded, "No secrets, promise." Olivia said firmly.
Trevor smiled before he led them back to Judge Linden's courtroom. "Sorry your honor." Trevor said apologetically.
Judge Linden waved off the apology, "No need for an apology counselor." Linden said as she watched Langan drop the Sergeant's hand. Yes, she had a good feeling about this placement. Linden looked over at Olivia. "Sergeant I hate to put you on the spot, but have you made a decision?"
Olivia nodded, "Yes your honor, but, um, it just won't be me fostering with the view of adopting Noah." Olivia took a deep breath, glancing over at Trevor before continuing. "My… my husband and I will be fostering Noah." Olivia had to hold back a chuckle at the shocked looks on Judge Linden and Pippa's faces.
"Sorry, I didn't realize you two were married, dating maybe, but not married." Judge Linden said after recovering from her shock. "Counselor do you have any objections with this new arrangement?" Linden asked looking over at Pippa.
Pippa shook her head, "No your honor."
Judge Linden nodded, "Good, then Noah Porter will be placed in the custody of Trevor Langan and Sergeant Benson or is it Langan?" Linden questioned.
Olivia smiled, "It'll be Langan your honor." Olivia said shocking Trevor.
"Congrats you two, hopefully within a year if no other relatives come forward, Noah Porter will be Noah Langan." Linden said with a big smile on her face.
"Thank you, your honor," Olivia said excitingly as she turned to Trevor, "I can't believe this is really happening." Olivia said wiping a tear away from her cheeks.
Trevor was about to say something when both Ms. Jackson and Judge Linden approached them. "Sorry to interrupt, but Ms. Jackson can you give us a minute please." Linden asked receiving a nod from her. "Can I speak with the two of you in my chambers please?" Judge Linden asked Olivia and Trevor before walking towards her chambers with them right behind her. Linden opened her door holding it open for them before closing it. "Have a seat," Linden said as she took a seat behind her desk. Linden took a minute to observe the couple before her. "How long have you two been married?"
Trevor and Olivia nervously looked at each other before facing the judge. "Well, we've been married for almost fourteen years but the last four and half years we've been separated." Trevor explained.
Judge Linden leaned back in her chair slightly confused, "When did you reconcile?" She questioned.
Olivia closed her eyes briefly as she saw her second chance at being a mother slip through her fingers. She was beginning to think that she wasn't meant to be a mother. "We, um reconciled yesterday." Olivia finally replied preparing herself for what was to come next.
Judge Linden pursed her lips, "And you two," Linden started off saying looking between the two, "believe that bringing a child in a relationship that is…being mended is a good idea." Linden stated, "What caused the separation in the first place?" Linden inquired.
Trevor reached over and grabbed Olivia's hand giving it a comforting squeeze. Neither knew that Linden was watching their every move. "Back in twenty-ten we were expecting our first child when…" Trevor cleared his throat, "when our son d… passed away before he was born." Trevor swallowed the lump of emotions and gave Olivia a sad smile when he felt her squeeze his hand in return.
"I couldn't get over the lost of our son Mason." Olivia said stepping in. "We were trying to get pregnant for years and we finally did, but…. I guess it was not meant to be. Mason looked just like Trevor and my heart just broke every time I look at Trevor." Olivia looked over at Trevor and smiled, "but now I'm ready to come home and be with my husband." Olivia said more so to Trevor.
"And I'm ready to finally have my wife home and move forward." Trevor said returning her smile.
Judge Linden couldn't help but smile too, "I'm sorry for your lost. Losing a child is difficult to heal from." Linden stated, "I have to say that for a split second I was going to change my mind about Noah. But maybe he is meant to be with the two of you." Linden paused as she tapped a finger on her desk as she tried to gather her thoughts. "I am going to take a leap of faith with you two because my gut is telling me this is the right thing to do. However, "Linden said firmly sitting straight up, "I will require the two of you to attend couples therapy."
Olivia and Trevor nodded in agreement, "We have already discussed that." Trevor said.
Judge Linden nodded, "Good. I will be checking in on you two to see how everything is going, along with the additional check-ups with Ms. Jackson." Linden clasped her hands together, "I believe that's all." Linden said before standing up and opening her door to invite Ms. Jackson in. "Ms. Jackson will take you to the ACS facility to pickup Noah. Once again congrats." Linden said smiling.
"Thank you so much Judge, I… we really appreciate it very much." Olivia said gratefully, glad that the Judge was going to give them a chance.
Trevor, Olivia, and Ms. Jackson arrived at the ACS facility and Ms. Jackson turned to face them, "You guys can wait here, and I'll go get Noah for you." Ms. Jackson said before disappearing up the stairs.
"Do you think you can take the weekend off?" Trevor asked staring down at Olivia.
Olivia nodded, "I'm sure I can, and probably get more time off to get Noah situated at home." Olivia said, "And what about you?"
"Yup, I'm sure my partner wouldn't mind taking over my cases for now." Trevor said as he saw Ms. Jackson making her way back down the stairs with Noah in her arms.
Ms. Jackson handed Noah to Olivia and handed Trevor a diaper bag while another worker set a carseat down next to him. "There are diapers, formula, and some clothes that should get you through today and tomorrow." Ms. Jackson said as a young gentleman walked over and handed Trevor a pack-n-play. "Noah can sleep in the pack-n-play tonight until you guys can get something else. Any questions?" Ms. Jackson asked the couple.
Trevor shook his head, "No, I think we are good, thanks."
Ms. Jackson nodded, "Good, well then you guys are all set, you have a good day and I'll be seeing you three in about two weeks." Ms. Jackson said before walking off.
Trevor looked over at Olivia who was slightly rocking Noah as he drifted off to sleep. Setting a gentle hand on her arm, Trevor leaned forward kissing the top of her head. "Let's go home."
Olivia nodded, "Ok, but first I need to stop by my apartment to grab some things first."
Trevor had completely forgotten that she will need to stop there first. "Ok," Trevor said as he reached for the carseat and the pack-n-play, picking them up.
"Let me carry something." Olivia said wanting to be helpful.
Trevor shook his head, "Nope, you are already carrying the most important thing, Noah."
Trevor and Olivia got Noah situated in Trevor's car before heading off towards Olivia's place to grab the things she needed. As they made their way to Trevor's place, well their place, Olivia's cell phone was blowing up with text messages from Nick. After hearing her cell ding again Trevor glanced over at Olivia who was staring out the window completely ignoring her phone. "Nick texting you?" Trevor asked receiving a nod from Olivia. "Maybe you should call him and explain everything to him." Trevor suggested. He knew Olivia have been worried about talking to Nick ever since she found out that he knew about the two of them being married and all.
Olivia sighed, "I will, but I want to get home and get Noah situated first before calling him." Olivia said as her phone started to ring. Olivia was about to throw a fit thinking it was Nick when she saw Dr. Lindstrom name on her screen. "Hello… yes thanks for calling back, I was wondering if you do couples therapy?... for Trevor and me…. yes, we are back together and wanted it to stay that way. Plus, a judge would like for us to give it a try too… Great tomorrow at 2pm…" Olivia glanced at Trevor to see him nodding his approval. "That sounds good, thank you so much… ok, we'll see you tomorrow, bye." Olivia said before hanging up.
"Sounds like he agreed to it." Trevor said as he turned down their street.
Olivia nodded, "Yup, he mentioned that he normally do not do couples therapy but he will see us tomorrow and if he feels that we should see someone else then he knows someone who he could recommend for us." Olivia was hoping that Dr. Lindstrom would be able to see them continuously since he already knew why they split and her entire past as well.
"You really like this guy don't you." Trevor stated matter-of-factly.
Olivia bopped her head, "He is good at his job, he got me through Lewis, helped me work through my feelings and grief with regards to Mason's death. He was the one that was trying to convince me to talk to you, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. But he did help me to see that my heart still belonged to you and that I would not be able to fully move forward unless we talked." Olivia let out a nervous chuckle, "Me being stubborn and scared I just kept putting it off. So he is excited that we are back together but is intrigued to know why a judge would be involve."
"Maybe it is a good thing Ellie's case came across my desk then, because it's forcing us to talk and it brought us back together again." Trevor said as he pulled into their driveway. "Welcome home, the both of you." Trevor said with a big smile on his face as he looked at Olivia and back at the carseat that housed Noah.
Olivia returned his smile, "Glad to finally be back." Olivia said grabbing his hand squeezing it before they both got out. Olivia grabbed Noah as Trevor grabbed the two bags and the pack-n-play.
As they walked into the house Olivia's phone began to ring, this time it was Nick. Olivia sighed in frustration, "Liv, just answer it and talk to him. If not, he will keep calling and texting you. I'll take Noah and go call the office to let them know that I'll be taking some time off." Trevor said taking Noah from Olivia leaving no room for an argument.
Olivia watched as Trevor departed into his office with Noah closing his door. Olivia looked down at her phone as it began to ring again. Moving to sit on the couch Olivia tapped her screen to answer it, "Yes Nick."
"Liv, I have been texting you all day and you haven't answered any of them. I went up to the precinct to see if you were there and Manda said you left this morning." Nick said ranting.
"Nick, I have been in court for much of the day. I just got in, like not even five minutes ago." Olivia said half telling the truth. She was in court but when Nick started to text her, she had already left the courthouse. "So, what is so important that you needed to talk to me?" Olivia already had an idea what he wanted but she was not going to give it up that easily.
"I wanted to know why you never told me about being married and about your son. We are supposed to be partners and I feel like I hardly know you."
Olivia could hear the hurt more than anger in his voice. She must admit that Nick has been more open about himself to her than she has. "Nick… I should have told you, but I just did not want to explain everything. It was a door I just was not ready to open yet." Olivia paused trying to gather her thoughts, "I also was not ready to open up my life to anyone, because the last time I did, I got hurt." Olivia added.
"You do realize that I'm not your old partner right. I'm just not going to leave you hanging." Nick refuted.
"I do realize that, but I also do not like getting burned twice." Olivia sense that this conversation was going to end badly.
"You got burned twice with Cassidy," Nick threw back at her, knowing that it was a low blow but really didn't care either, he was mad and hurt that his partner refused to open up to him.
Olivia had to bite her tongue, "Wow… first I did not get burned twice by Brian, we had a one-night stand fifteen years ago, that's it. Plus, the last time I recall almost a year after you got here you left me hanging by switching partners on me without giving me a heads up." Olivia took a deep breath trying to reign in her emotions. "Look Nick I'm a private person, I don't discuss my personal life with people. That is how I have always been. Even with my old partner, there were a lot of things that I kept from him. Some of the things he did find out was because he stumbled across it, just like you did." Olivia added.
"Liv, I get that you are a private person, but I feel that you being married, should be something that I should have known about." Nick said a little calmer.
"Nick, Trevor was my estrange husband who I wasn't speaking to at the moment, hence, I never thought to mention it, plus it's not something I'm proud of." Olivia admitted.
"Wait, did you say was, like you were estranged but are back together?" Nick questioned.
Olivia kicked herself for the slip up. "Yes, we are trying to work things out."
"I'm happy for you Liv, really I am, from what I've heard and saw in the pictures, Langan really made you happy, you deserve that." Nick said softly.
Even though Nick could not see her, Olivia smiled at his statement, "Thanks Nick, he does make me happy."
"Yeah, no problem, well I should let you go; I really hope things work out with you two."
"Me too Nick, talk to you later." Olivia said ending the phone call.
"I'm assuming things are good now between you two," Trevor said as he sat down next to Olivia with Noah and a bottle in his hand.
"For now," Olivia said making Trevor laugh as she took Noah and the bottle from Trevor and began to feed him.
Trevor smiled as he watched the scene before him, his wife feeding their child. Noah was not legally theirs yet, but hopefully within a year he will be permanently part of their little family. Trevor was snapped out of his thoughts by Olivia's laugh.
"See Noah daddy was daydreaming," Olivia said laughing again. "You were really out of it. I have been talking to you for a couple of minutes now." Olivia said as she adjusted Noah, "You want to burp him?" Olivia offered.
Trevor nodded as he took Noah from Olivia, "Come on little man, did you enjoy your afternoon snack." Trevor said in a baby voice as he began lightly patting Noah's back and watching him suck on his little fist. "I was thinking about setting up his pack-n-play in our room tonight."
"Sounds good to me." Olivia said as she completely relaxed into the couch. "Question," Olivia began gaining Trevor's attention. "Who's going to watch Noah while we're seeing Dr. Lindstrom tomorrow afternoon? I do not think it will be a good idea to take this little guy with us." Olivia said cooing the last part as she tickled the bottom of Noah's little feet causing him to giggle.
"I was thinking about that and thought we could ask my sister." Trevor suggested.
"She has been itching to find out if we're back together or not. When she finds out about Noah she just might faint." Olivia said making Trevor laugh which resulted in Noah giggling. "Yeah your auntie Veronica is so silly." Olivia said in a baby voice.
Trevor pulled out his cell phone and tapped on his sister's name, putting it on speaker.
"Finally, you call!" His sister said exasperatedly into the phone, "I've been waiting for you to text or call me back for hours now."
Trevor shook his head as he laughed, "Well it's good to hear from you too Veronica."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, so tell me what happen between you and Olivia?"
Trevor had to hold his phone out away from Noah who was trying to put it in his mouth. He was grateful when Olivia took Noah into her arms trying to distract him. "Sadly, it looks like it won't work out between us." Trevor said smiling as he winked at Olivia. He was going to have fun with Veronica before telling her the good news.
"Seriously, is there anything I can do, like talk to Olivia or anything to change yours or Olivia's mind. I was really hoping you two would work it out." Veronica said heartbroken.
Olivia shook her head as she heard the sadness and disappointment in Veronica's voice as Trevor was trying his hardest not to laugh out loud. "Veronica, do not listen to your brother, I'm back." Olivia interjected wanting to put her out of her misery. Olivia could not help but laugh when she heard Veronica scream through the phone.
"Olivia!" Veronica said excitedly. "I miss you so much and Trevor I am going to make you pay for that. I am so thrilled that you two finally came to your senses."
"Yeah, me too, but we wanted to ask you a favor," Olivia said.
"Ok, shoot."
"How about you come over tonight for dinner and we can discuss it further." Trevor decided it would be better to have this conversation face to face and she can meet Noah at the same time.
"Okay, what time do you want me to come by?"
Trevor looked at the time, "Let's do 7pm, I'll order something from our favorite Italian restaurant."
"Sounds good, can't wait to see you Olivia. See you guys in a couple of hours. Love you both."
"We love you too Veronica and don't tell mom, I want her to hear it from me first." Trevor begged. The last thing he wanted was an angry phone call from his mother.
"Oh boy," Veronica said nervously.
Trevor closed his eyes as he sighed, "Veronica, what did you do?" Trevor asked nervously.
"Well since I didn't hear from you, I thought maybe you talked to mom. So, I sort of mentioned that you and Olivia had dinner together last night. Sorry." Veronica said apologetically
"It's fine, I'll call her tomorrow if I don't hear from her today. Just do not mention nothing else. Maybe we can have her over for dinner this weekend." Trevor said more so to Olivia who nodded in agreement. "Well, I'll see you tonight, bye." Trevor said before hanging up.
Trevor sat back looking at Noah who was half asleep in Olivia's arms. "I'm surprise mom haven't called yet. Yet again she's probably waiting for me to call her."
Olivia laid her head on Trevor's chest, "I think she's trying to give you space, not wanting to pressure you. But I bet you she's probably checking her phone every five minutes though."
"That is probably true." Trevor said as he kissed the top of Olivia's head. "Maybe we should go and lay him down." Trevor said as he reached over and rubbed Noah's back.
"Can we wait a couple more minutes, I want to enjoy us like this for a little while longer." Olivia requested not wanting to move.
Trevor nodded, "That is not a problem, but not too long. Veronica will be here in two hours." Trevor said as he wrapped an arm around Olivia, pulling her closer to him. Glad to have her home.
TBC
Hope you enjoyed it. Up next a conversation with Veronica, and a session with Dr. Lindstrom. Don't forget to leave a review.