Olivia turned out the light, snuggling down under her covers. She had almost fallen asleep when she heard a timid knock at her bedroom door.
"Come in," she said.
After a few minutes, Caroline appeared by her bedside.
"Are you okay, baby?"
"Care Bears can't sweep." The little girl thrust two of her Care Bears (Bedtime Bear and Good Luck Bear) at her mother. "See?"
Olivia smiled slightly. "Would the Care Bears like to come up and sleep with Mommy in the big bed?"
Caroline nodded eagerly.
Olivia pulled back the covers and the little girl climbed up, tossing the Care Bears at her mother.
"Mommy?" came Andrew's voice at the door.
Olivia sighed. "Come on, honey. There's room for you, too."
##########################################
"Hi, Ewiot!" Andrew waved, seeing Elliot approach.
Olivia turned around and cursed as she locked the door. The last thing she had ever wanted was for Elliot to see her in a bathing suit.
Elliot grinned. Andrew wore a blue bathing suit, and little floaties were attached to his arms. Caroline, nestled in her mother's arms, was in pink, with floaties. But Olivia…she was absolutely gorgeous. She wore a one piece black bathing suit, with a sarong slung around her hips.
"Let me get that," he said, grabbing the swimming bag that was about to fall off her shoulder.
"Thanks," she said quickly.
"So, where are you guys off to?"
"Swimming class," Olivia replied.
"Wanna come?" Andrew asked, tugging Elliot's hand.
Elliot looked up at Olivia.
"He doesn't have a swimsuit, honey," Olivia murmured.
"My apartment's not far," Elliot replied. "Have you got time?"
"HEAPS!" Andrew cried, holding his arms out wide.
Elliot glanced at Olivia again. She nodded.
"You better come in our car," she said. "We've got the car seats."
########################
"HI ,AMY!!!" Andrew cried, racing over to the side of the pool.
"Andrew, what have I told you about running around the pool?" Olivia scolded.
Andrew turned around sheepishly. "Sorry, Mommy."
"Amy, this is Elliot," Olivia introduced.
Amy waved hello. "Which of the kids are you taking today?"
"Uh…" Elliot looked to Olivia for help.
"ME!" Andrew said, attaching himself to Elliot's leg.
"I guess it's Andrew then," Elliot smiled, taking the little boy's hand.
########################################
The twins were playing happily in the toddler pool for "free time", which gave Elliot an opportunity to watch Olivia doing laps in the pool.
Her body moved fluidly through the water, up and down, up and down. His eyes just watched her, taking in her beautiful body and her determination as she drove through the water.
"Why are you watching me?" she finally asked, coming to a stop beside him.
Elliot froze. He had been so off in his daydream land that he hadn't notice her swim up beside him. "No reason."
He thought he saw the faint glimmer of a smile in her face, but she quickly hid it.
"Want to race?" he suggested.
She grinned at him. "Sure you can handle it, Stabler?"
He smiled at her. "Eat my water, Benson."
####################################
He had, eventually, lost to her, but had been more than happy to. After giving the twins a quick rub down with the big fluffy towels, they were on their way home again. And thanks to Andrew, Elliot had managed to wangle a dinner invitation.
"Let's get all this chlorine out," Olivia said, scooping up Caroline when she got home. "So we can go faster, I'll take Caroline in with me, okay?"
Elliot nodded. "We'll go in the kitchen so we don't drip all over the carpet."
The two boys went into the kitchen.
"Can I have duice?"
Elliot nodded. "Sure, buddy." He opened the fridge. "Apple or orange?"
"Ape'," Andrew replied, climbing onto a seat, his towel around him.
Elliot poured the apple drink and handed it to the little boy. "There you go. You like swimming?"
Andrew nodded.
Elliot wondered if what he was about to ask was going to get him in trouble. "So, Andrew, does your mom go out at night anytime?"
"Nope."
"She doesn't huh?"
"Mauween does. Mommy doesn't. I'm best man."
Elliot grinned. "I'll bet. What does your mom like to eat for dinner?"
"'Ghetti," Andrew nodded. "It surps."
Elliot chuckled. "Yeah, I'm sure it does. Hey, shall we ask your mom if we can cook dinner for her and your sister tonight?"
"'Kay!" Andrew said, jumping up in delight, spilling the rest of his juice. He looked up at Elliot, sheepishly. "Oops."
"No problem," Elliot replied, getting the paper towels. "We'll have it fixed before they get out."
######################################
After helping Caroline dress, Olivia changed into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt, and then toweled her hair dry. Taking her little girl's hand, they walked into the kitchen, where she was stunned to find Elliot cooking.
"Making 'ghetti Mommy!" Andrew cried, dancing around Elliot.
When he realized Olivia was in the room, Elliot looked up, his eyes locking with hers. He couldn't get over how gorgeous she looked. She wore light gray sweats and a blue NYPD t-shirt. Her hair, back to its shoulder length style he remembered from when he first met her, framed her face.
"I can see that," she finally said, her eyes turning back to her son. Olivia looked back up at Elliot. "You didn't have to do that."
"It's okay. I was glad to."
"Okay, little man, your turn for the shower."
"But…"
Olivia raised an eyebrow. "Before you catch a cold. Come on."
"Hey Caroline, want to take over for your brother?" Elliot asked the little girl.
Caroline looked uncertainly at Elliot, then at Olivia, and finally back at Elliot.
"'Kay," she finally said.
The two parents stared at each other in shock. Olivia finally smiled softly at him, and took Andrew's hand, leading him into the bathroom.
#####################################
Once again, Elliot had been conned into tucking the kids in bed, by Andrew's pleadings. He pulled the door to Andrew's room closed, and walked out into the living room.
"He go to sleep okay?" Olivia asked, clearing the table.
Elliot nodded. "Yeah. He was tuckered out after swimming."
Olivia chuckled. "Wait till you see him after kiddy gym. I practically have to carry them to the car. You'll see tomorrow when…" She paused, realizing what she had just said.
Elliot shrugged and smiled, trying to help her out of an awkward situation. "Hey, it's okay. I don't have to come."
"Andrew will be upset if you don't come," Olivia said, smiling awkwardly. "I want you to come."
"Would you miss me if I wasn't there?"
Olivia tried to backpedal. "The kids would be upset. It'd make me upset to see them upset."
Elliot smirked and walked a bit closer. "You mean you wouldn't be upset if they weren't upset?"
Olivia narrowed her eyes. "This is getting confusing."
"I missed you, Liv."
"Don't start this again, please."
"Start what?"
"I thought we'd discussed this."
"I must have missed the memo then, because this is certainly not over."Olivia turned to look at him. "I don't know what you want from me, Elliot! You're spending time with your kids! What more do you want?"
He wrestled with his conscience. He knew that she still felt something for him. He just knew it. So, he did the next logical thing. He took a step closer and sealed his lips to hers.
She felt like he was leaving a trail of fire across her lips. Her body melded against his, knowing in her head this was a bad idea, but her body just didn't want to cooperate.
"I missed you, Liv. I missed you so much," he murmured, pressing kisses to her face. His lips covered hers again, deepening it in a second.
Olivia wanted him, she did. She hadn't stopped wanting him since that night, and god knows, she hadn't been with anyone since. But it wasn't going to happen. Not like this. She couldn't get hurt again.
"No," she said, pushing him away. "I'm sorry."
Elliot looked at her, confusion in his eyes. "I thought you wanted this."
She placed a hand on his chest, desperate to keep contact to a minimum. "I do. You don't have any idea how much I do. But I can't forget what happened between us. I'm sorry. I just…I need time. Please give me time."
"Two years wasn't enough?"
"I haven't seen you in two years!" She reined in her emotions. "Just please, give me time. Get to know your kids. Spend time with us. I'm just not ready for this. Not yet."
Elliot nodded, resigned. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."
Olivia nodded back, mustering up a small smile. "I'll see you tomorrow."
#######################################
Andrew and Caroline raced into the gym, to where all the other kids were. They were certainly a contrast to their parent's exhaustion.
Olivia had not slept a wink last night, and she was paying for it this morning. Luckily, she knew the twins would be exhausted after Kiddy Gym, so she might be able to get a few moments sleep.
Elliot also hadn't slept last night, likely for the same reason as Olivia.
"Mommy! YOOK!" Caroline cried out, doing a tumble roll.
Olivia grinned. "That's great, honey!" She pointed to the teacher, encouraging her daughter to pay attention.
"They're so great," Elliot said, watching the twins play with the other kids and the teacher.
"They're perfect," Olivia said simply, her eyes on them.
Elliot glanced sideways at her. He looked back at the twins and smiled.