A/N:
spacekitten2700 – all will be revealed in time. Bernie and Olivia aren't instantly going to be friends, but what happens in the future? I guess you'll have to wait and see.
Heart Story – I'm glad you're liking the drama between Olivia and Bernie, whilst it's not ideal, I think it adds a new layer to this story and don't worry there will be more of that to come. We've got to remember, Elliot hasn't been in a relationship with anyone since Kathy walked out, so Bernie is protective and with everything that has happened in this story so far, these two were never going to be instantly friends.
Suansil4 - I have some plans for Thanksgiving and future events, don't worry.

33. Setting Things Right

A week later, Elliot was on the plane heading home, heading back to New York. He'd told Elizabeth, Richard and his mother that he would be home tomorrow. However, he had been able to move a few things around in his schedule and made a quicker getaway time than he'd thought he would. This meant that he would be back in New York a day early and with time to spare before getting the children from school. He could pick up the twins this afternoon, and more importantly, see Olivia today rather than waiting till tomorrow. Elliot and Olivia had spoken numerous times since the Halloween incident and both had agreed they were ok, Elliot still felt like there was something else between them, something that was hanging in the air between them. He just needed to see her, clear the air and show her that regardless of what his mother may think or say, he wants to be with her and he loves that his children feel the same way.

Elliot couldn't help but feel relief to be going home again, he had actually hated travelling this time around. He hadn't felt this way in a while, as usually he could hardly wait to get away from home for a bit. However, this time around his feelings against travel were from a combination of the drama that his mother had created whilst he was gone and being away form everyone that he cared about. Especially being away from Olivia. There was so much going on right now in terms of their case against Dani, that Elliot found it hard to only be hearing about it over the phone, rather than in person. He wanted to be there when she got more news or there were any developments. That was going to change though, as he was going to be home and he wasn't leaving again anytime soon – at least, not till all of this had been sorted out. To her credit, Olivia had managed to keep him very well updated on how everything was going in terms of their case against Dani. Elliot had also been checking in with Ashley often whilst he'd been away. Ashley had told him that a couple more of those yellow envelopes had turned up for him whilst he'd been away, but she'd just passed them on to the police, as he had told her to do.

Elliot had made the decision to send all future yellow envelopes that he received to Detective Amaro, after discussing it in detail with Olivia. Whilst he had already thrown one envelope out and would be unable to get that back, there would still be sufficient evidence collected with the others. If these envelopes were really coming from Dani, then something needed to be done and things needed to be investigated as to how she was doing it inside prison. However, if she was doing it with an accomplice, then that would be another matter which would add to the case.
Whilst Elliot had been away on business, he'd heard very little about the case from Detective Amaro, despite asking to be kept in the loop and Olivia didn't really want to talk about it more than necessary. So, Elliot was feeling a little in the dark with it all and looking forward to being back in New York where he could follow everything up himself. Elliot was determined to get everything over with already, so he could focus solely on building this future together with Olivia. He didn't want any more interruptions or problems with this.


Olivia on the other hand, didn't know if things were every going to get better for her. It seemed that just as she managed to work her way through one mess, something else happened. She had been in constant contact with Detective Amaro these past few weeks and things were seemingly progressing with her case against Dani. But things had also started to surface in terms of her ex Brian – which Olivia had been dreading. She hated the thought that everything which had happened, could result in her losing custody of Chloe. Whilst her lawyer was pretty confident that wouldn't happen, Olivia really wasn't feeling too confident. She wasn't even confident in her lawyer, neither was Alex. Alex had really wanted to help her best friend with this case, especially considering she was a lawyer and she knew her way around the family courtroom. But she simply couldn't as it would be a conflict of interest and likely affect the case itself, as Alex was Chloe's godmother and the case with Brian involved Chloe directly.

Olivia hadn't actually mentioned the new case to Elliot yet, she didn't want him worrying or rushing home from his trip because of her. She had a feeling that he would do that if she told him about this custody battle and how much she was struggling emotionally with it right now. Olivia wouldn't let Elliot leave a business trip and return him for her when he didn't have to. She was glad he was going to be back soon though as she had really missed him in the time that he'd been gone. It was a weird feeling ot be missing someone like this, for Olivia but it clearly showed how much Elliot meant to her and how complete she felt with him around. Olivia had also noticed that Elizabeth was starting to miss Elliot again since he'd been gone. Elizabeth had been a bit sad at school since Halloween and Olivia knew it had to be related to Elliot being away. 2 weeks can seem like forever for a little girl.


Elliot was a man on a mission, he was on the mission to set everything right with people he cared about, and to put his mother in her place. He wanted his mother to know that she had really crossed a line with him, in doing what she did. He was a respectable man and usually he wouldn't be so determined to put his mother in her place like this, as he respected her and the fact she was his mother. But with everything which had happened in the past month or so, and what he had started with Olivia, he wasn't going to let his mother continue to try ruin it. Olivia was someone that Elliot felt protective of, especially after everything that was happening with Dani, and he would protect her and what they had till the very end.
Elliot had spoken with Olivia the day after Halloween and she'd thanked him for his messages and his calls. She apologised for not returning them but she'd explained to him that she was going through some things after the events of the day and Elliot understood. He as glad that Olivia had told him she knew what his mother had said wasn't true, at least not to him. He was glad that despite how hurt she may have been feeling and the events did change things between them for a little bit, Olivia still felt comfortable enough to tell him that she was going through things, and wasn't avoiding him. However, he could also sense that there was something new that Olivia wasn't telling him and it had felt that way since Halloween. Elliot was just glad that now he was back in New York, they would be able to talk again and clear everything up. He never remembered the early stages of his relationship with Kathy being like this, but then again, that was a whole different situation.

Elliot couldn't quite believe that he and Olivia had been in a relationship for just over a month now. Even though he'd been away for 2 weeks and they were keeping things secret about them, everything still felt so right. He was so looking forward to seeing Olivia again and was hoping he could find some time to just be alone with her now he was back. They really needed it.


Elliot was already at the café and had placed the orders for his mother and himself, by the time his mother arrived. She walked over and Elliot stood to greet her as he was rightly required to do so. He would be polite but keep the cold shoulder with her.
"Welcome home my boy, how was the trip?" Bernie asked, starting the conversation.
"It was good, long but good. However, I'm grateful that I have no plans to go anywhere else now till after New Years" Elliot explained. His schedule was completely free of trips outside of New York now, he had no major trips on the cards till the new year and he really intended to keep it that way. The New Year wasn't that far off now, but still, the longer he could stay home the better.
"That's at least 2 months away? Surely you're going to be needed at the building site for the new hotel or somewhere else before then?" Bernie tried to clarify and Elliot just shook his head.
"Nope, and I think after everything that happened whilst I was gone this time, I'm needed here more mother" Elliot replied.
"I don't know what you're talking about, nothing happened, we were fine. The only slight hiccup was when your daughter decided she was going to put on a show when she didn't get her own way on Halloween" Bernie replied, Elliot couldn't believe she was going to blame all of this on Elizabeth.
"and you were rude to her teacher" Elliot added.
"I was not rude, I was protective, there is a difference darling"
"Some would disagree with that. Mother, I want you to know that there is no one I would trust more to look after Elizabeth and Richard than Olivia and I do not appreciate you confronting her the way that you did. I especially do not like that you blamed the hotel incident on her. She didn't have anythgin to do with it" Elliot warned, he could feel his temper rising over this all but was trying to keep it all in check as they were in public.

"Olivia? You know her by her first name then? She's not just 'Miss Benson'?" Bernie remarked nad Elliot realised his slip of the tongue. Bernie was quick to pick that up and he had to think quickly.
"Yes mother, as Olivia and I had been in frequent contact about Elizabeth and her learning, I found it better to be in communication by first name rather than simply referring to her as 'Miss Benson' all the time" Elliot justified.
"You do realise that she put your children in danger that day? They could have been seriously hurt"
"No they weren't, and you want to know why? Because Olivia protected them. She was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time but she put the children above herself, as she always does and made sure they were not hurt. Olivia had been in the hotel lobby, as she was returning home with the twins and this psycho, who I used to have working for me, attacked her out of jealousy. If you really watched the video you would have seen that" Elliot answered.
"I did watch the video, I also know about that horrible aftermath to the attack that you had with the twins, not sleeping and wetting the bed isn't common for their age. I strongly doubt you would want a woman who was part of the cause for that, around your children"
"Mother, there is just so much about that situation you don't know and you don't know about the situation leading up to it either. However, I will not stand for you attacking Olivia like you did on Halloween. You were incredibly out of line and if you think I'm going to be taking my daughter out of Olivia's class or that school or trying to get her fired, you have another thing coming. You may feel that it is necessary or you may not want your grandchildren around her, which I don't understand why, but they're my children and I want them to spend as much time with her as they wish. So if you try anything, to hurt Olivia, or speak badly about her to the children or anyone - I won't speak to you again" Elliot warned and Bernie had to admit, she'd not seen this side of her son before and she knew he was very serious in his threat.

"I've never seen you get this protective of any of their other teachers? You barely even knew the name of their kindergarten teacher. So why is this one different?" Bernie asked, changing the topic slightly.
"Olivia has done a lot for Elizabeth, she's really helped her improve and develop this sense that she can do it. That is something that for a long time Elizabeth didn't have, and Olivia has helped me see that I need to be around for my children, I need to be the father they deserve" Elliot explained, Bernie could see this fond side of Elliot when he mentioned Olivia, she couldn't help but wonder if there was something more going on. She hoped not, with everything she'd uncovered recently.
"I just don't think that she's the kind of role model you want around Elizabeth with everything she's been through at such a young age. That teacher has a past-" Bernie started to explain.
"How do you know about her past? How do you even know so much about her when you've barely spoken or spent time with her?" Elliot interrupted.
"I have my sources..."
"Mother"
"No, all I'm saying is, that I would have though you would be more concerned over your children and who they spend their time with. Yet, you seem to have a blind spot when it comes to this woman
"Olivia, is one of the only people that Elizabeth completely trusts and I can't be more grateful for that as I think she needs good female role models, considering her mother isn't around. So again, if you do anything to try and jeopardise that, or hurt Olivia in anyway - I won't stand for it and I mean that mother" Elliot warned once more. He didn't know what his mother actually knew about Olivia or what she was tryign to get at but he wouldn't tolerate these actions, especially if she came after Olivia in any way.


Elizabeth scanned the playground, holding tightly to this picture that she'd made her for grandmother as a thank you card. Miss Benson had helped her when she was feeling a little sad about her dad still being away. Miss Benson had got her think about all the things that her Nanny does for her and the fun times they have. Mrs Stabler was a pretty special woman, and despite what Olivia may personally think about her or things she's said. Olivia could tell that Elizabeth was glad to have her grandmother around, when her dad is away. The minute Elizabeth found her grandmother though, she squealed in delight and took off running without even saying goodbye. Olivia cautiously watched the little girl, as she always did and smiled softly when she saw who Elizabeth had spotted next to her grandmother. He's home Olivia thought before turning her attention to the last remaining students and a parent who was coming to talk to her.


"Daddy!" Elizabeth called out as she ran, full speed in the direction of her father, who was already kneeling down to catch her.
"Hi Princess" Elliot greeted as he engulfed Elizabeth in his arms, pressing a soft kiss to her head.
"You said, you are not home till tomorrow?" Elizabeth queried as she hugged her father close.
"He wanted to surprise us!" Richard exclaimed as he stood next to Elliot and Elizabeth, equally excited over the fact that Elliot was home.
"I like surprises" Elizabeth remarked and they made their movements to leave but Elizabeth froze in her spot.
"I didn't say goodbye to Miss Benson" Elizabeth gasped and turned to check if her teacher was still there.
"Oh that's alright honey, I'm sure she's seen you leave and you'll see her again tomorrow" Bernie tried to calm the little girl and continue leaving.
"But nanny, Miss Benson always says it's nice to say goodbye when you leave and hello or good morning when you arrive. She says it's so she knows we're safe" Elizabeth tried to argue back with her grandmother in a typical matter-of-fact way. Elliot just stood by and watched the argument, he didn't mind if Elizabeth wanted to go and say goodbye, it would give him a chance to go over to Olivia. He knew she'd already seen him, as he knew how closely she watched her students leave in the afternoon.

"Well look, I think she's a little busy right now and you can just say an extra goodbye and hello tomorrow to make up for it" Bernie tried to bargain with the girl as she could see the teacher was talking with other parents right now.
"But I want to say goodbye now" Elizabeth argued.
"Lizzie, please don't do this now" Bernie tried to plead with the girl but Elliot could see Elizabeth wasn't having any of it. Elliot just shrugged when his mother looked at him, he wasn't getting involved with this right now as he had no issue with her daughter going back to say goodbye.
"Nanny..."
"Honey, if we go now, I was thinking we could go play at the park before heading home, play on the playground for a bit?" Bernie tried to bargain with Elizabeth, to get them to leave. Elliot honestly didn't understand why his mother was so against Elizabeth going back to say goodbye.
"Can we go to the cake place again too?" Elizabeth asked, clearly knowing how to make a bargain in what she wanted.
"Ooo yes, please nanny, can we?" Richard chimed in, cake was always the winner.
"We can, if we leave right now as we still need to get home and get your homework finished later, for tomorrow" Bernie agreed and the children just nodded before the group moved in the direction of the car. Elliot took one final glance back to see Olivia watching them. He could see her smile softly at him and he smiled back. He was so glad to be home again, and he would make sure to see Olivia soon.


A/N: So there we have it, another chapter over – what did you think? Elliot really put his foot down with his mother in terms of Olivia, clearly showing how strongly he feels about her, could this be signs he's fallen in love with her? I have now mapped out exactly where this story is going, and how many chapters it will have left (don't worry, it's not ending just yet, as there is still so much to cover). But I've also starting floating an idea, on a sequel as there are a few things, raised in this story which won't be all tied up by the end. So my question is; whilst this story still has 10+ chapters to go, would you be interested in a sequel?

Let me know your thoughts on this chapter in the reviews, I love reading them all and they help with my motivation when I hit a block with this story. Of course, if you would prefer to send me a PM, my inbox is always open - I read those too. I am glad you are all loving this story and I aim to have another chapter out soon. In these uncertain times we're all facing, I hope you stay home (if you can), stay healthy and stay safe.
Until next time ;)