A/N: Thank you for all the lovely reviews!
FayeVDM – Divorce takes a while to be processed and everything, even when the split is mutual. But it takes longer and is harder when there is a fight on their hands and not everyone is in agreement...Not to mention sometimes even when you've submitted the paperwork, it can take months before your finalised and occasionally there is a court appearance (I've never been divorced but I've seen people go through it).
Kassidygean – I have a feeling you're going to enjoy this chapter, especially with your prediction :)

Please, Enjoy :)

14. Chloe Benson

10th April, 6.32am

"Alright Olivia, one more big push and your beautiful baby girl will be out" The doctor encouraged as Olivia just cried out in the pain she was currently experiencing. She was both excited and terrified over what was happening. It was really happening now and she was about to become a mother.
"Come on sweetheart, one more big push and we'll see her" Don encouraged, holding Olivia's hand tightly, trying to be encouraging though not being able to imagine the pain she was experiencing.
"I can't, it hurts" Olivia cried.
"One more push Olivia and the pain will all be over, come on... in 3, 2, 1 and push!" The doctor stated and Olivia gave that last push her everything. She pushed as hard as she's ever pushed before and cried out in pain as she did so. She didn't think she could ever do this again.
"And she's out, relax" The doctor called out as Olivia stopped pushing, listening as the screams of a newborn filled the room. Olivia smiled at the cries as that was a good sign, her baby was breathing and letting the world know of her arrival.
"She's certainly got a good set of lungs on her" Don teased as he placed a kiss on Olivia's forehead, he was so proud of her right now.

"Alright Grandad, you want to do the honours?" The doctor offered the pair of scissors to Don, to cut the umbilical chord. He instantly accepted and took in the sight of his granddaughter for the first time, she was perfect. Once the chord was cut, the doctors weighed the little girl and measured her. Baby Benson, 7 pounds and 12 ounces, 19.5 inches. They then carried the baby girl over to Olivia and the moment they placed the baby in her arms, it was nothing like Olivia had ever experienced before. This was her little girl and Olivia could not love her more, even with just having met her.

"Do you have a name?" The midwife asked, filling out the forms of this little baby's birth as Olivia just took in the fact she had a daughter now and this bundle of joy was beautiful.
"Chloe, Chloe Serena Benson" Olivia replied, a first name that Olivia adored and a middle name in honour of Olivia's birth mother, this child's grandmother whom she would never meet.

Present Day

Olivia could remember the day she gave birth like it was yesterday, the pain and exhaustion she felt after bringing her little girl into the world, followed by months of sleep deprivation. But she wouldn't change any of it because she adored the daughter she had. The little woman that her daughter was becoming and all the amazing experiences they had left to experience together. Growing up in the foster system before she was adopted, Olivia knew what a bad mother was like and before Chloe was born, Olivia hoped she would be a good one. Whilst Olivia would never be completely sure, she knew as long as she gave it her all, there would never be a dull moment. She knew that as long as her daughter remained happy and healthy, then anything else was really just a bonus.

Chloe woke up earlier than usual this morning but that was to be expected on such a special day and all the excitement the little girl was feeling. She'd come running into Olivia's room the minute she was awake and flung herself onto her mother's bed. A special morning ritual for the pair where possible, snuggling up in Olivia's bed and Chloe chatting away about anything and everything she could think of with her mother. They were going to meet Elliot and the twins at the aquarium later as that was somewhere which Olivia knew that Chloe would love to go. The aquarium had water and animals which Chloe loved, but it was also somewhere they hadn't been in a while, so it was perfect. Olivia had discussed it with Elliot last night and he was completely on board with the whole idea. Then depending on timing, they would go out for a celebratory lunch all together before coming back to Olivia's for naptime. Olivia had invited the twins and Elliot around to her place later this afternoon to do cake and presents, which Elliot had agreed to but he would have to check in regarding the twins. 8 year old's only had so much patience for being around a toddler and Olivia would completely understand if they didn't want to come, she just had to make sure Chloe got naptime or she wasn't going to cope well with today.

Olivia and Chloe were snuggled up reading a book in bed, when Olivia's phone started to ring with Elliot's ring tone for a face time.
"Did you invite someone to call?" Olivia asked, looking over at Chloe with a raised eyebrow. Chloe just shook her head.
"Are you sure? Because, I think someone is calling you" Olivia continued.
"Is momma's phone" Chloe replied, looking at her mother like she was crazy.
"I know, but I think your daddy is calling. Shall we answer?" Olivia asked as Chloe nodded. They answered the call and Elliot's face popped up on the screen. Olivia had to admit, she was surprised he was already awake considering it wasn't even 7am yet and she doubted the twins would be up yet.
"Daddy!" Chloe squealed, excited that her father was on the other end of the call.
"Hi birthday girl! Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to Chloe, happy birthday to you...Hip hip hooray, hip hip hooray" Elliot sang as Chloe's face just lit up with delight.
"What do you say?" Olivia prompted Chloe when Elliot was finished who just looked between her parents, on the screen and next to her.
"Tank you" Chloe replied.
"Your welcome princess, now what are you and mommy up to?" Elliot asked, partially wishing that he was right there and snuggled up in bed with them both, not on the other end of the phone line.
"I in mommy's bed, she read me" Chloe explained as Olivia just smiled.
"Stories in mommy's bed, wow now that sounds like lots of fun and I really wish I was there" Elliot remarked.
"Is room for daddy...come on" Chloe snuggled in closer to Olivia, despite there being over half the bed already free, and patted the space next to her. Elliot couldn't help but smile at how adorable that was with Chloe not completely understanding how face time works, that he wasn't actually there right now or even in the house.
"Honey, daddy is at his house right now. We're going to see him later with Lizzie and Dickie" Olivia tried to explain.
"Oh" Chloe just frowned.

"You're up early" Olivia remarked.
"So are you" Elliot replied with a smirk on his face.
"Well yes, but I have a now 2 year old as an alarm clock. I know for a fact your twins don't wake you this early" Olivia reasoned with him.
"No that is true, but I wanted to wish that 2 year old a Happy Birthday and knew now was the perfect time as she was likely already awake"
"Well I know she certain appreciates seeing your face. You guys still good for the aquarium later?"
"Fishies!" Chloe interrupted, clearly demonstrating how excited she was.
"We'll be there, we agreed 11am right?" Elliot wanted to clarify.
"Yes, outside the main entrance" Olivia agreed.
"We'll be there. But I should let you two get back to your story and I'll see you later"
"Say bye daddy"
"Bye daddy" Chloe echoed as she waved at the phone screen.
"Bye birthday girl, I love you" Elliot replied
"Love you" Chloe echoed in response.
"Love you too Liv" Elliot called out before they disconnected the phone call. Olivia really appreciated the face time this morning and knew that Elliot had really been wishing he would be here with them this morning. But reality just wouldn't allow it. They would still get to spend most of the day together today which would make up for it though. Besides there would be future years where Olivia was sure that they would all be together to celebrate.
"Alright missy, how about we finish this book off and then go see if Grandpa's awake yet?" Olivia suggested as Chloe just nodded and snuggled back in with her, listening as her mother read the remainder of the story.

Breakfast time at the stabler household was an interesting experience lately, whilst Bernie had the decency only to come to breakfast or really attend the penthouse apartment when she was invited, Kathy would just show up whenever she felt like it. She treated it almost like she lived there and expected to be allowed to whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted which was simply not the case. Bernie had gone away for a couple of weeks, out to visit Edward and Maria as well as other family who were all coming together to celebrate Easter. Elliot hadn't decided if he was going to attend that yet or not, it was next weekend so there was still time to decide. Kathy had expressed an interest in attending to catch up with everyone and Elliot knew that the twins would want to go. But he didn't want to go if Olivia wasn't going to come with him. His future was with Olivia and he wanted his extended family to get to know her and for her to get to know them but he just wasn't sure how well received she would be or whether she'd even expect to go.

"Mommy!" Richard greeted Kathy as he spotted her entering the apartment whilst he came downstairs. Elliot was sitting on the couch and couldn't help but roll his eyes at Kathy's appearance right around breakfast time.
"There's my special boy! You look so handsome" Kathy remarked as she admired the boy's outfit.
"Thanks, we're going out with Daddy" Richard explained as he moved to grab his shoes.
"Not before breakfast, I hope? It's the most important meal of the day" Kathy reminded, always a big fan of making sure her kids ate properly.
"No, not before breakfast...Are you going to stay for breakfast?" Dickie asked.
"I was hoping to, and I'd been thinking about maybe that I could come with you all out today?" Kathy tried to ask through Dickie. Elliot just furrowed his eyebrows, he knew what she was trying to do. She was going to get her way by asking in front of the children and then making him look like the bad guy.
"Kathy..." Elliot warned.
"What? It's a family outing, I am part of the family and I deserve to come" Kathy tried to argue.
"No, it is an invite only event and you weren't included" Elliot refused.
"I'm sure that wherever you are going and whoever you are going with can make an exception"
"We're going to the aquarium with Livvy and Chloe for Chloe's birthday...I'm sure you can come, can't she daddy?" Richard asked and Elliot had to remind himself to take a deep breath for a moment, clearly Richard had forgotten the part about keeping where they were going and who they were going with a special secret.
"Dickie! You weren't supposed to tell!" Elizabeth argued with her brother as she joined the group.

"Why can't mom come too then? I don't think Livvy will mind" Dickie was determined to stand up for his mother in situations like this.
"Dickie, it's alright. I understand that I wasn't invited and so let's just have breakfast together, you guys can then go off to the aquarium and you can come and tell me all about it when you get back" Kathy explained, witnessing how much distress between the kids her attendance would create. Thus she made the adult decision to try and defuse any issues by stating she wasn't going to fight it anymore and she just wouldn't go.
"You're not staying here when we're not home" Elliot refused.
"I know that Elliot, Richard knows where I live in my hotel room, he can come and find me there" Kathy bit back. Elliot didn't like that she now knew where they were going and who they were going with. But that was a result of telling an 8 year old mommy's boy and then his mother turning up.

Kathy's appearance at breakfast and the distraction which that had caused, made Elliot and the twins 15 minutes late to the aquarium. He'd texted Olivia the moment they were leaving the apartment with his apology but she'd told him that they would wait for them, he could meet them at the café outside the aquarium instead. Lizzie was the first one to spot them, as per usual and ran up to where Chloe was sitting in the highchair.
"Happy birthday Chloe!" Lizzie greeted the little girl and hugged her close whilst Chloe squirmed a little. Richard followed suit right up to Chloe but didn't hug her, instead just started to play with her. Elliot made his way over to Olivia and greeted her with a quick kiss before greeting Don with a handshake.
"Sorry we're late" Elliot apologised once more as he stood next to Olivia.
"As I told you on the phone, it's perfectly fine. Is everything ok?" Olivia asked, concerned by the look in Elliot's eye that told her something was up.
"Later" Elliot dismissed her concern, now was not the time to get into the conversation but he would tell her about it later.

"Momma, we go fish now?" Chloe asked, disrupting the adults.
"Yes honey, but we got to get you in the stroller first" Olivia agreed, knowing that getting the young girl into the stroller might be a fight with everyone else around. She really didn't like the stroller much at the moment and was being very independent.
"No, I walk" Chloe refused.
"Chloe, I know that you want to talk like the big kids and I know you're excited because it's your birthday. But there are too many people at the moment honey for you to walk" Olivia tried to bargain with the little girl and hoping this wouldn't turn into a full meltdown.
"What about if Grandpa carries you? Is that better?" Don suggested, knowing that the stroller was the last place Chloe wanted to be right now but her mother was right and there were too many people around for her to walk safely. Chloe agreed to being held by Don instead of walking and twins took up place either side of her on the way to the entrance, engaged in conversation.
"Just so you know, it's my treat" Elliot remarked as they approached the counter and he made his way to buy the tickets for everyone. For today, she wouldn't fight his action, though she did really enjoy their banter about who was paying for what and she wasn't going to let him buy everything today.

The whole group enjoyed walking through the aquarium, looking at all different exhibits with fish from right around the world and of all different shapes, colours and sizes. Olivia really enjoyed getting a chance to talk and hang out with eh twins more as she didn't see them as often anymore. Elizabeth was quick to fill her in on everything about their new teacher and how much she wanted Olivia back as her teacher but there was simply no way that could happen. Richard on the other hand just spend time telling Olivia about his basketball team and the games they had played. He invited her to come and see one of his games soon and she told him that she'd see what she could do about that.

The group stood by the jellyfish tang and listened as Elizabeth tried to read out the information sign, with some assistance. Elliot looked around and noticed a familiar figure approaching the group through the crowd, excusing himself from the group for a moment. He wasn't going to let them ruin the day, ruin Chloe's birthday and the celebrations that they were enjoying all together, when this same person hadn't been invited.
"What are you doing here?" Elliot asked, as he approached, directing them away from the rest of the group.
"I am here because my children are here and I'm here to spend time with them" Kathy replied.
"No you're not. I know you knew this is where we'd be because of Dickie and who we are with but you are not going to intervene here when you're not welcome" Elliot tried to guide her away from the group and get her to leave.
"I really don't appreciate you refusing me to spend time with my children when I have a right to do that. I bought my own ticket in here and this is a public space, you and your slut do not own the place. I have just as much right to be here as anyone else" Kathy argued.
"You don't get to be near Olivia, not when you speak about her like that and you are the exact reason that she had to transfer schools, almost losing her job!" Elliot replied.
"You shouldn't be having an affair with a school teacher, it's bad for business. Now, are you really going to have an issue with me here or are you going to let me see my children. If you don't want me around you precious Olivia then simply let me get my children and we'll leave you alone" Kathy tried to bargain but Elliot wasn't going to fall for it. Lizzie and Dickie were perfectly happy at the aquarium right now and he didn't want to disturb that.
"But they are happy here, all I asked for is one day with them, without you and you are going to come in and ruin that?"
"I'm not leaving just because you ask me to, we're a family and you said this yourself, it's a 'family outing" Kathy remarked as she brushed past Elliot and made her way over to the group, who were now walking away from the jellyfish to look at other sea life.

"Mommy!" Richard yelled the moment he spotted Kathy, breaking free from the group and running straight up to her, stopping the group in their tracks. Elliot scanned Olivia's face and could see the confusion as to what was going on right now. He just walked over to her as Kath interacted with Dickie and Elizabeth stayed by Don's side with Chloe.
"I tried to get her to leave, I didn't invite her" Elliot explained to Olivia who just nodded.
"It's ok, the more the merrier. Just maybe, give a little distance" Olivia remarked as she pulled out of Elliot's grasp. Elliot could tell that Olivia wasn't really ok with Kathy being here but was putting on a happy face due to the fact they were in public and this was the twin's mother. Olivia and Elliot had been walking together most of the time they had been here, small touches here and there when they stopped and just enjoying their time out together. Olivia wasn't big on public displays of affection but the small touches and remarks were enough for her to handle. But now Kathy had appeared, Olivia refused any PDA and Elliot knew it was all down to Kathy and the fact Kathy made her uncomfortable.

"Mommy, this is Chloe! It's her birthday and this is Don, Chloe's grandpa" Richard continued to introduce Kathy around.
"Well, happy birthday Chloe" Kathy smiled as she approached Chloe but the girl just hid her face in Don's neck, a key sign that she was uncomfortable.
"Kathy, it's really nice to meet you but maybe just give us a little bit of space? Chloe isn't too good with people she doesn't know" Don tried to protect the little girl.
"Oh, but she has to know me, I almost became her stepmother" Kathy insisted, getting closer to Chloe once more who just clung to Don. Elliot wanted to hide, he could not believe what Kathy had just said.
"Excuse me?" Don asked, wanting to know what this woman was going on about.
"Oh, well you see, Elliot and I are married and so when he tried to adopt Chloe, I had to approve that as well. I didn't but if I had, I would be Chloe's step mother" Kathy continued to explain and Don just looked over to Olivia wanting an explanation. Elliot honestly hadn't thought things could get worse than Kathy appearing on the scene like this and he'd thought she would be on her best behaviour – but he was wrong.

To Be Continued...

A/N: Oh dear! What has Kathy just done? This can't end well, right?
Well, you'll find out next chapter.
Up Next: Chloe's Birthday continues...

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Until Next Time ;)