A/N: Thank you for all your lovely reviews,
Leeniliz – Welcome :) I'm amazed you read the whole first book and have caught up with us in this one now. Glad to hear you are loving it and believe me when I say there is MUCH more to come.
Cecilia Benitez – I am completely with you on amazed at how calm Elliot is staying but he is very focused on his children and he has Olivia in his corner, supporting him and keeping his head on right.
DaisyNoura – Liv is strong but will it be enough? I guess you'll have to wait and see!

I'm sorry for the delay between chapters, where I live is currently in lockdown still but I am going to school and teaching every day to the kids who have to be there as they can't be at home, so when I get home, I have no energy to write/edit. However, I have school holidays in a couple of weeks so hopefully, even if we're still in lockdown then I'll have more time to write for you all :)

8. Time with You

The time spent all together at the natural history museum was nice and everyone had a good time looking through all the different exhibits and then going out for lunch together. However, Elliot couldn't hide the fact that he was glad to be leaving, as 6pm rolled around. Today had felt like Kathy was trying too hard to have everything feeling like the perfect family. Kathy was really trying to make today like it had been in the past, where there were no issues, they were a happy family out enjoying a Saturday. But that wasn't the case, there was so much more baggage within the family now and it couldn't just be blown 'under the carpet' like Kathy seemed to want to make it.
Elliot could see right through the kids attempts to make it seem like they were having a good time. He could see they were also struggling to believe that this woman was going to stay and she wasn't going to leave them again. Elizabeth stayed close by Elliot all day, though he had seen her try talking and getting along with Kathy, he had even seen her laughing at one stage. Elliot liked to think there was progress being made between those two and their relationship was mending again.

Kathy followed Elliot upstairs to his bedroom, when he started to put his things together in a bag, to take with him tonight. Elliot had been involved with everyone perfectly today and he had gone along with the scheme to try and make everything be alright. But he still had plans tonight and Kathy had absolutely no right and no say to try and change them or know where he was going.
"So, you're going out all night?" Kathy asked as she watched Elliot from the doorway. Elliot sighed and turned to her before talking.
"Yes, that is why you and mom are here for the night, staying over with the twins" Elliot explained, he wasn't in the mood and he wasn't going to handle any complaints or arguments over his actions today.
"I don't need to be baby sat by your mother whilst I babysit our kids, Elliot" Kathy argued.
"You do when they aren't completely comfortable with you and I know that they are with my mother" Elliot defended his choices and actions.
"But I'm their mother" Kathy argued.
"I know, you are the same mother that walked out of their lives without so much as a goodbye, when they were almost 4 and has only just now returned and it appears, only to stop me from adopting another child. The twins are just over 8 years old now. You have been gone a long time and that has made a big hole in our kid's hearts, they aren't going to instantly trust you again. I won't leave them unless they are comfortable and despite the issues that I might have with my mother, I know they feel comfortable and safe with her" Elliot explained, before walking into the ensuite to grab his toiletries bag. He already had a few things over at Olvia's but he couldn't remember exactly what they were, so he wanted to make sure he had everything to take with him.
"I know how long I was gone, I know how much time passed and I can see it every time I watch the kids just existing. I walked out and missed out on so much with them, but I'm back now. I'm back and I'm not going anywhere, I want to fix my relationship with the kids and I want to fix us"

"There is no us to fix, I've moved on and we are getting a divorce. Now, I won't stop you from seeing the kids as you have every right to be in their lives. But I wont have you trying to have a say on what I do or who I spend time with. You need to understand that and IF you have an issue with it then you can talk to my lawyer"
"Oh, I know exactly where you're going, you're going to sleep with that mistress that I know you have on the side. You're going to get your needs dealt with and play happy families with her whilst abandoning your kids and your responsibilities" Kathy remarked.
"I AM NOT ABANDONING THEM! I WILL NOT have you claim such lies and I have made sure they know exactly where I'll be and how to contact me if they need me. Now, excuse me, I have to go" Elliot yelled before walking past Kathy and back downstairs with his overnight bag in hand. He was fuming about everything Kathy had just said. He was angry over the way that Kathy was taunting him about his behaviour and he was angry over the way that she claimed Olivia was his mistress, when she wasn't. He also would never abandon his kids, both twins knew exactly how to get in touch with him if needed and they knew that Bertie had Olivia's number as well as his. So, if the twins wanted him then all they had to do was talk to Bertie. Elliot was struggling to keep his anger in check right now. He really wanted to hit something but he knew there was nothing he could here. He just had to keep breathing and get out of here as soon as he could.

Something told Olivia that Elliot would need a beer when he arrived, so she'd made sure to stop on the way home from the park to get some especially for him. She was glad he'd texted to let her know when he was on his way over, as she could use that to estimate when to get the beer out the fridge to give to him. She wasn't exactly sure what would have happened today to want one but from her gut feeling, she knew that he would need some alcohol and some extra tlc from her tonight. On the other hand, Elliot could just have had a big day with his kids and ex-wife and mother, which would have been stressful. Olivia wouldn't hide the fact she wanted to know more about how today went after running into everyone at the museum but she wouldn't pressure Elliot about it. She would surely hear more about today from Elizabeth on Monday. Tonight, was more about them, spending time together alone as a couple. Chloe had already eaten her dinner, but it wasn't quite bedtime for her, so since Olivia knew how much Elliot would enjoy putting the little girl to bed, she let her stay up for him tonight.

The minute Elliot had knocked on her door, after checking it was him, she opened the door and let Chloe out to him first. Chloe had been so excited to properly see Elliot now, as she had been restricted in the pram earlier, when she saw him at the museum. The minute she ran towards Elliot up the hallway to the door and Elliot scooped her up in arms, hugging her close. Olivia loved watching the two of them interact and she could see how Elliot was invested in hearing everything Chloe was telling him. Olivia just stood to the side, to let Elliot in and took his bag from him, to place in her room, letting Elliot be completely invested in Chloe. By the time she emerged again, Elliot and Chloe were sitting on the couch, with Chloe showing Elliot the new toy she'd got today. It was a soft toy penguin and Elliot was giving it funny voices, causing Chloe to shriek with laughter. Olivia didn't want to interrupt their moment, so she quietly grabbed a beer for Elliot out of the fridge, opened it and took it over to him. Elliot thanked her as the penguin and Olivia just smiled before heading back to the kitchen to finish their dinner preparation. It was almost Chloe's bedtime but Olivia wanted to get dinner for her and Elliot into the oven before putting the little girl to bed.

"Chloe, it's almost time for bed ok? You have 10 more minutes and then it's bed time" Olivia warned Chloe.
"Daddy 'ed stoy?" Chloe asked, looking at Elliot who just nodded. Olivia knew that Elliot would never refuse an offer like that.
"I would love to sweetheart. In fact, Chloe, why don't we go get the right story out now and make sure you've brushed your teeth?" Elliot encouraged as Chloe climbed off the couch ready to go.
"C'mon Daddy" Chloe called as she grabbed Elliot's hand and he got off the couch.
"I just need to talk to mommy for a moment. You go in and grab your book that you want me to read tonight" Elliot encouraged and Chloe ran off to her room. Elliot hadn't greeted Olivia properly yet and he needed to fix that.

"You are amazing, knowing exactly what I need without a word. But I couldn't put our daughter down without properly saying hello" Elliot remarked as he walked over to the kitchen bench, placing his drink down and walking over to Olivia/ Olivia loved the way that he was referring to Chloe as 'our daughter' already.
"Hello" Olivia smiled but Elliot just shook his head before making sure nothing in her hand was going to break, and pulling her in for a proper kiss. He had been wanting to kiss her since he saw her at the museum and he was going to take every opportunity now.
"That is how you say hello. Now, I'll put Chloe to bed tonight" Elliot remarked as he pulled back from her and Olivia just smiled. Elliot definitely had a way to make her weak at the knees.
"I'll be in with her milk in a moment" Olivia encouraged Elliot, who just smiled and made his way to Chloe's room.

Kathy's return had made Elliot even more appreciative towards what he had found with Olivia. Olivia was an incredible woman, she was the type of woman who genuinely cared about and for everyone around her. Despite the delusion that his mother seemed to be under, about Olivia only wanting to be with him for his wealth, Elliot knew that wasn't the case. Elliot knew that Olivia couldn't care less about money in terms of a relationship. In fact, he was sure that Olivia would love him just as much as she already did, if he didn't have the wealth that he did, if he was just a regular guy she met on the street.
Olivia had previously told him that she wasn't in love with him because of the money or the fame he had, she was in love with him because of the type of man that he was and the change he'd brought to her life. But in time Elliot had known Olivia, she had made such large changes in his life as well, she made him want to be the best man he could, the man she deserved to be with. Olivia had made him see the errors in some of his actions, without even bringing them up, and she inspired him to be better, to become the best version of himself that he could be. As they sat on the couch, watching a movie after dinner, Elliot wasn't really watching the movie, he was so lost in thought about Olivia.

"What are you thinking about?" Olivia asked, speaking up and running her hand over Elliot's chest affectionately, she had known he was lost in thought by the way his hand was playing with her hair.
"You, and how truly lucky I feel to have found what we have" Elliot replied before pressing a soft kiss against Olivia's forehead.
"It's definitely something pretty special, but are you ok?" Olivia asked, wondering if Elliot was thinking that deeply now, whether there was something else going on from today.
"Kathy's return has brought up a lot of stuff for me recently and it's brought me to realise how much being with you has just made me happier than I ever used to be. I've come to realise how much you have made me change for the better" Elliot explained. Olivia didn't know what had caused Elliot to go really romantic and sentimental about them tonight but she wasn't hating it.
"Well, you've definitely made some pretty big impacts to my life too. Most of all, you've given Chloe something I wasn't sure whether she'd ever have – you've given her a dad" Olivia smiled as she leant up and pressed her lips to Elliot's.
"Best job in the world. I just wish it was official already and the whole world could know. But that won't happen till I get this divorce done" Elliot remarked, changing the mood. Olivia could tell that this divorce and the battle ahead played on Elliot's mind a lot.

"It'll be finalised when it's supposed to be and then we'll file the paperwork again and you will officially be Chloe's father" Olivia encouraged.
"Then I can make true on that promise I made you" Elliot replied as he pulled Olivia's hand up towards them and rubbed his thumb over her promise ring.
"We've got plenty of time baby, I'm not going anywhere and whatever comes at us in the future, we can get through it together" Olivia replied as she caressed his face with her spare hand. Olivia could tell everything with his ex was sending Elliot through the ringer right now and she really wasn't planning on abandoning him anytime soon. She would make sure to be here for him every step of the way.
"Well, actually, there is one place I'd like to go but I don't want to go alone" Olivia teased after a moment, leaning in and kissing Elliot. She felt Elliot return the kiss and could tell that whatever she started now, he'd follow. Olivia stood up from the couch, lips never leaving Elliots, pulling him up with her and directing him towards the bedroom. They had a night alone tonight and right now, there was nothing she wanted more than for him to make love to her and that is exactly what happened. Olivia made sure to scare any thought of Kathy from Elliot's mind, instead having him focusing on her and only her.

A/N: Sometimes all this couple needs is each other and even though they have a few hurdles in the adoption, Elliot is still Chloe's father. Up Next: There are going to be waves in the water, it won't be calm for much longer...
But what that means? Well, you'll have to wait till the next chapter, leave me a review on what you thought of this chapter.
Until Next Time ;)