I'm getting back into this story and I hope you'll like this flimsy little update. It's kind of a filler chapter, pointing to a few things that are still to come ...
...
35. Back to the Estate
"A penthouse on the Upper East side?"
"Is this guy for real?"
Munch and Fin are stunned. She has just shared the news with her coworkers that she and Gene will be moving in together soon. Both men are now looking at her partner to see what his reaction will be. Elliot winks at her and she smiles warmly at him.
"You knew this already," Fin deduces, but Elliot tells them he wasn't aware that they were looking at apartments.
"I did know it's serious though. And if that man has any sense, he'll do whatever it takes to make sure Olivia's happy."
Olivia's smile widens. She knows Elliot can be very protective of her, not trusting any man to give her the security she's looking for. But he knows this is different from any fling she's ever had. Elliot knows her better than anyone. Well, anyone but Gene. Her partner knows this is the real deal and she appreciates his support.
"We're telling his family this weekend," Olivia tells them. "So I'd really appreciate it if we didn't get any more cases!"
"Wouldn't we all," Munch said. "But alas, the criminal elements of society that we usually chase are rarely interested in our personal plans, unless they can get up close and personal themselves."
"So how does his family feel about you bein' a sex cop, Olivia?" Fin asks her. "I mean, they're loaded and you deal with the scum of the earth. What if someone tries to get back at you and wants cash?"
Olivia bites her lip and glances at her partner. She hasn't really looked at things from that angle before but it's a valid question. She knows in her heart that Gene would do or pay anything for her safety but there are more people to consider than just Gene.
"I'm sure they can afford some quality security," Elliot says. "They've probably been targeted before. One of the perks of being rich."
The others hum in agreement and Olivia tries to shake it off, too. She will ask Gene about it though. She doesn't want any surprises down the line that may make him regret choosing her. They work their cases diligently. They always have too many open rape cases but Olivia really hopes there won't be anything urgent coming up at the last minute. She hates having to cancel on Gene, but now it would also be on his family. Again. Making a good first impression has already failed miserably and she finds herself a little desperate for a proper second chance. She really wants this to work.
She gets more jittery as the afternoon goes by on Friday and they work hard to get their paperwork done before the weekend. Elliot has stepped out for a moment and when he comes back, he sets a cup of hot herbal tea on her desk. Her eyebrows shoot up and she looks up at her partner, who gives her a pat on the shoulder.
"No more caffeine for you, Liv, or you're gonna explode."
She sighs and leans back in her chair, then chuckles. Elliot sits down across from her - he does have coffee - and she appreciates him even more these days. Any romantic feelings she may have had for him, or a physical attraction she may have felt, have completely evaporated. Gene has done what no other man has been able to do and that's why she knows it's the real deal; it's why Elliot knows as well. He has sensed the change in her and he has changed along with her. They are more comfortable with each other than ever before and it moves her in a way. She loves two men now. One is her best friend and the other is the love of her life and they would both die for her if they had to. She has never felt safer and more loved.
When they finally get ready to go home, Olivia puts a hand on Elliot's arm. He turns towards her.
"What?" he asks her kindly.
She doesn't say anything but wraps her arms around him spontaneously. There is nothing beneath the surface anymore. It is a gesture of gratitude, appreciation and love, a hug between friends. Elliot returns the hug and she knows he understands. They've never done this before. It had never been safe. But it is now. Elliot is her best friend and her partner, but her heart belongs to Gene.
When they break apart, Elliot looks into her eyes and nods at her.
"Go. Get out of here before something pops up. Enjoy your weekend."
She nods as well.
"I will."
"I'm glad."
They've never needed a lot of words and with a last smile, she leaves. It means so much to her to have Elliot in their corner and she still feels happy and bubbly inside when she gets home.
…
It is hard to describe how relieved he is that Olivia is home, and that she will be going to the estate with him this time. Now that she's here, Gene feels like a weight is lifted from his shoulders. He hadn't realized how tense he'd been; how afraid he had been that her job would get in the way again. But she's here, walking into his open arms with a smile and he holds her for a few moments before kissing her softly.
"You wanna freshen up before we leave?" he asks her.
She grins.
"Do I need it?"
He kisses her again and nuzzles her nose.
"You know you're always perfect to me."
She rolls her eyes but the wide smile stays on her face.
"I'd like to take a quick shower. Alone," she adds sternly when his face lights up instantly, and he laughs.
"Pity."
She moves out of his embrace and he slaps her butt playfully when she walks off to take that shower. Gene sighs contently and looks around Olivia's small apartment to check that he's left everything tidy for her. He hopes she won't want to come back her very often anymore soon, but he understands that she wants to hold on to her own little space for a while longer. It feels like his space now, too. He feels at home here because it's her home. He feels at home with her.
Once she's ready to go, she loops her arm through his and they leave the apartment together. He always likes to go and see his parents, but he's overjoyed that Olivia will be with him this time. And this time, there will be no distractions and no troubles. They know what they want now and he doesn't plan on ever giving her a reason to leave him again.
...
Anne and Hank are very happy to see Olivia again and Gene hopes she will be able to relax soon. He's tried to assure her she hasn't made a bad first impression at all. It was him who messed it all up that first time and he will do everything in his power to make up for that colossal mistake. That she hadn't been able to join them last time had been because of her job, and nobody holds it against her that she takes her job seriously and wants to be there for victims of assault.
It's just the four of them for dinner but Anne tells them that there will be some additional guests arriving in the morning.
"Frank, Blake and Lindsey of course, and my sister is also coming with two of her grandchildren. She is watching them while their parents are away on business, and wanted to take them out of the city for a day."
Olivia nods and smiles, and Gene hopes she won't mind that there will be more new people for her to meet. Their family is rather large if you add up both his parents' sides but he wants Olivia to feel at ease.
"Don't worry, Olivia. There's room enough here to escape if the family gets too much for you," he jokes.
"But you will give us the chance to get to know her better, young man," Hank says sternly, but then he winks at Olivia and smiles.
"Absolutely sir," Olivia says quickly. "I want to get to know you better too, if only to see which traits Gene has inherited from who."
All three Butlers laugh at that and Gene sees Olivia finally relax. Conversation flows easily over dinner and Olivia asks very intelligent questions about the family business. Biochemistry isn't exactly her specialty but she is genuinely interested in what the company does and the scientific, agricultural and even industrial applications of their products. Gene can tell that his father is very pleased, and is enjoying explaining things to Olivia.
"So your youngest son is going to take over the family business?" Olivia asks over dessert.
"Yes. He seems to be the only one who's interested," Hank replies with a smirk and a pointed look in Gene's direction. "Gene here went into real estate as you know, and Frank just keeps busy being a board member on several charitable organizations. And he volunteers in those organizations in his spare time. But all three of them own shares of the company, just so you know."
Olivia smiles hesitantly at Hank. She isn't sure how to take that comment and just responds with a timid 'okay'.
Gene puts his hand on her thigh underneath the table and squeezes lightly before letting go and finishing his dessert. She'll have to ask him later why his father felt the need to tell her that all three brothers have a share in the family business.
They finish up and Anne suggests moving to the sun room, as she calls the indoor veranda, to have some coffee. They sit together in a comfortable coffee corner for quite a while and have a glass of wine as the evening progresses. Olivia has suppressed a yawn a few times already, only now feeling how tired she is after her long work week.
"I think my lady is getting tired," Gene remarks, and she smiles at him, grateful that he's noticed. His arm is behind her on the sofa and he wraps it around her shoulders now. "You want to call it a night?"
Olivia looks at Gene's parents, wondering if it would be impolite to just leave but they assure her it's alright.
"You are staying the whole weekend, aren't you?" Anne asks, just to be sure. "We'll chat again in the morning."
They say their goodnights and go upstairs to Gene's room. The last time she's been here feels like a lifetime ago and she stops at the foot of the bed.
Gene moves behind her and rests his chin on her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.
"Nobody's been here since you left, baby."
"I know," she whispers. "Please stop trying to apologize. Let's just make new memories and leave the past in the past."
Gene closes his eyes and kisses Olivia jaw.
"You're amazing."
Olivia turns around in his arms and smiles up at him.
"So are you. Now take me to bed."
She doesn't need to tell him twice.
...
To be continued