Chapter 23

Ethel's surgery was successful, and Doctor Blackburn was pleased with how things went. The group stayed with Ethel until visiting hours were over and then they headed out. Calvin was riding with Olivia while Elliot and Clint went to get them some food. The plan was to meet back up at Elliot's apartment.

"I need to talk to you Calvin," Olivia said as she kept her eye on the road.

"What about?" He asked from the passenger seat. He was looking out the window, trying to see if he noticed anything familiar.

"About you and your grandparents," she told him.

"Grandma is going to be fine. I know it," his confidence was a front but neither one of them wanted to think about the alternative train of thought.

"She is but in order for that to happen, she wants you to be fine," Olivia said.

"What do you mean?" Calvin was confused and turned his head to look at her.

"You remember how I had some trouble a little while ago?" She wondered. Jenna's death had made the local news, but Calvin had not heard about it. One day, while they were talking on the phone, he seemed to sense something was wrong and she'd only explained that she was dealing with some things and seeing a doctor.

"When you were seeing that doctor?" He asked.

"Yes, back then. I've been talking with your grandparents and they think you should see someone too. Like I did," Olivia told him as they stopped at the red light.

"They think there is something wrong with me?" Calvin was concerned.

"No. They want to make sure that you talk about everything. This has been a lot to deal with lately and they're concerned for your well-being. Sometimes when bad things happen, you need someone to talk to," she explained.

"I can talk to you," he said, not seeing that as a problem.

"Yes, yes you can. You can always talk to me about anything but sometimes you need someone who hasn't been through it all. Someone who is on the outside looking in so you can get a different view on things," Olivia told him before stepping on the gas. They were almost to Elliot's apartment.

"Oh," his face fell, and he turned his gaze to his lap.

"There is no shame in speaking to someone about things. It really helped me, and I think it will really help you. Besides, as an added bonus, you get to stay here with me," the detective hoped that would cheer him up.

"I would? Don't Grandma and Grandpa need me?" Calvin was immediately concerned and looked back up at her.

"That's part of the reason I'm going back to Vermont with you. We're going to get some of your stuff and we're going to get your Grandma all settled into her new schedule and we're going to go to court," she said.

"Court?" Now he was really concerned.

"Yes. While you stay here with me, I need to be made your legal guardian. That way I can help make medical decisions, add you to my insurance, and get you set up at school," Olivia told him as she pulled the car in front of Elliot's building. She turned off the ignition and then turned in her seat to look at him.

"This is in case something bad happens to Grandma isn't it?" He was a smart kid. She took his hands in hers and gave them a squeeze.

"In a way yes, but the real reason is that you always have someone to fall back on. Whether you're here with me or you're back in Vermont with your grandparents, you'll have family. You will never be alone Calvin. This is a way to make sure that you aren't," Olivia held her breath, unsure how he was going to take this. More to pile on his shoulders but he deserved the honesty. Calvin seemed to be processing it all.

"So, I would still get to see Grandma and Grandpa, right?" He wanted to know.

"Of course. I have a lot of vacation saved up. We can go on long weekends for visits and you can call them. We'll get you your own cell phone," she promised. More nodding on Calvin's part.

"It's a lot, I know, but all three of us only want what is best for you. We want to take care of you, and this is the best way we know how," Olivia said. Calvin pulled his hands away from her and then held out his arms. Olivia pulled him as much as she could into her arms.

"I love you," he told her.

"I love you too, so so much" she said. They pulled apart and Calvin had a small smile on his face.

"You want to go upstairs? Elliot and your Grandpa just pulled up a few cars back," Olivia let him know.

"Yeah, I'm getting hungry. Where am I sleeping tonight?" Calvin suddenly realized that they'd discussed everything but that.

"Elliot has graciously agreed to have you and your Grandpa sleep at his place. He has two bedrooms so you guys can share his spare room," she explained.

"I thought he was married and had a house in Queens. Why are we here?" He was confused.

"He's getting a divorce, so he had to get an apartment of his own. I forgot to mention it with everything else going on," Olivia admitted as she saw Elliot and Clint coming up to the car; Elliot was carrying a couple of pizzas while Clint had a couple of bags with soft drinks in them.

"I'll have to tell him I'm sorry to hear it," Calvin said.

"He'd appreciate it. Come on, let's go," Olivia smiled. They climbed out of the car and Calvin offered to carry the drinks. Clint handed them over before taking the pizza from Elliot. The detective opened the front door and then tossed Olivia the car keys so she could get their suitcases from the car. Elliot held the door open for Calvin and Clint telling them to head to the elevator and he'd be right back.

Joining Olivia out at the car, the two quickly grabbed the two small suitcases and headed back for the front door. A few minutes later, everyone was in the elevator. The ride was in comfortable silence and they exited on the third floor. Elliot reached his door and quickly unlocked it, letting everyone inside.

They ate dinner and chatted; everyone realizing how hungry they were for real food. The hospital food hadn't been too bad, but it wasn't authentic New York food. After dinner, Clint asked if he could take a shower and Elliot showed him the bathroom. Olivia took Calvin down the hall to the first door on the right. When they entered the spare room, she headed for the closet and pulled out the air mattress, which would be Calvin's for the next couple of nights on the floor. Clint would get the bed.

"I'll be ready to sleep in a real bed soon," the young teenager admitted as they inflated the mattress.

"Well, when you are all settled at my place, you'll have my bed. I'm working on getting us a new place so we both can have real beds," she promised.

"All that trouble for me?" Calvin felt bad as he went for a spare pillow in the closet.

"I've been outgrowing that apartment anyway. I need new furniture too so this will be a perfect chance for an upgrade," Olivia winked at him.

"All good in here?" Elliot poked his head into the room.

"Should be. Thanks so much Elliot," Calvin said.

"Of course, kiddo," the detective smiled as he moved into the room.

"Can I watch some TV?" the young teenager asked.

"Yeah. The remote is on the arm of the couch. I need to borrow Olivia anyway," Elliot smiled.

"Thanks," Calvin left the room and headed back into the living room.

"So, how'd it go?" Elliot wanted to know, pulling her into his arms.

"As well as could be expected. It's a lot to absorb but he's a tough kid," she said, putting her arms around his neck.

"Yeah, he is. I wish I could go with you to Vermont," he admitted.

"And I wish I could be there for you in court but we're going to have to do some things on our own for a bit," Olivia frowned.

"Well, you help me figure out what Kathy is after and I can take it from there," Elliot said.

"I didn't want to say anything earlier, but I have some ideas, none of them particularly good," she admitted.

"My lawyer e-mailed me a list of her demands. Maybe that'll help," he told her.

"Best place to start," Olivia nodded. They separated and headed back out into the living room. Elliot grabbed his laptop and headed for the kitchen table. Clint was coming down the hall, feeling a little better after his shower.

"You got the game on Calvin?" His Grandpa asked.

"Yeah. Rangers aren't doing so well," Calvin frowned.

"That's cause we aren't watching together," Clint chuckled before sitting down in the recliner. Elliot smiled as his laptop finished booting up. He quickly got into his e-mail and saved the list into a PDF.

"What have we got?" Olivia asked, sitting next to him.

"I'm confused," he said. His partner gave him a look and turned the laptop so she could see the list.

"She wants to sell the house? Do you think the kids know?" Olivia wondered. Elliot whipped out his cell phone from his pocket and texted Kathleen if she had a few minutes. When she responded that she was already on her way over to his apartment, he was surprised. He told her that Calvin, Clint, and Olivia were over, just so she knew.

"Kathleen is five minutes out," Elliot told Olivia.

"She was just coming over? She say why?" She was as surprised as her partner had been.

"No, but I'm guessing she found something out that she didn't want to talk over the phone about it," he shrugged. They both looked at the rest of the list – it included full custody of Eli, selling the house (splitting the profits), divvying up the furniture and other items in the house, and Kathy wanted the car.

"El, you notice what is missing off this list," Olivia said.

"Where are Dick and Liz going to live if the house is gone? I mean they haven't graduated high school yet," he said. That was a concern, but his partner was about to point out the bigger item when the buzzer rang. Elliot got up, went to the wall near the front door, and poked the button.

"Dad, it's me," it was Kathleen.

"Come on up," he buzzed her into the front door and then unlocked the front door of the apartment. Olivia was trying to figure out the wording to tell her partner what she was trying to say when Kathleen came into the apartment. She locked the door before shrugging off her jacket and purse.

"Calvin, Clint, this is my daughter, Kathleen," Elliot made a quick introduction.

"Nice to meet you," Calvin left his spot on the couch and walked up to her with a smile.

"Nice to meet you," the blonde woman smiled.

"It's nice to meet you," Clint said, approaching her, finally able to get out of the comfy recliner.

"Nice to meet you. You guys don't mind if I steal my Dad for a bit, do you?" Kathleen asked.

"No, go for it. He's seen enough of us today," Clint winked and the two headed back to the hockey game. Kathleen turned to her Dad and Olivia, pulling a folded piece of paper out of her pocket.

"The list?" She indicated by pointing her chin up, "Mom gave me a copy in case there was something in the house I wanted. Mo got a copy too."

"Yes, the list. Did you know she wants to sell the house?" Elliot wanted to know.

"The house is a house. It hasn't really been a home for a while," his daughter didn't seem all that busted up about it. Of course, she had her own apartment with a couple of roommates and Maureen had her own place too.

"You noticed it too, didn't you?" Olivia asked.

"The fact that she's not asking for child support for Eli? Oh yeah and I think I know why," Kathleen said. The look on Elliot's face said it all – he couldn't believe it.

To Be Continued…