A/N: Here's chapter 17! Wow, I think I'm only a few chapters away from the end. :( Hope you enjoy!

It had been nearly two years since Stan had died. Olivia and Mason had celebrated their fourteenth birthdays and would celebrate their fifteenth in a few weeks. The first birthday after their father had died was tough. It felt strange not getting a card that said 'Happy Birthday, Love Dad' on it. They'd been so used to the same birthday message. Stan had written the same thing on their birthday cards since they could remember.

Karen had been going to AA meetings for nearly two years now as well. Olivia and Mason were proud of how she'd been doing. They would still occasional find the odd gin bottle lying hidden somewhere, but for the most part, Karen had managed to drink little alcohol. She was drinking nowhere near as much alcohol as she had been before Olivia and Mason had got her help. Karen hadn't told any of her friends about her little drinking problem. She didn't want them to know. Olivia and Mason did their best to make sure nobody found out. They didn't even tell Elliot. It's not that they didn't trust him, but there are just some things you don't tell even your closest friend in the whole world.

The first anniversary of Stan's death had been difficult as well. Karen had taken Olivia and Mason out of town for the few days surrounding the anniversary to try to take their minds off of it a little. It hadn't really worked. Olivia and Mason had spent most of their time comforting Karen and making sure she stayed away from all alcoholic substances. They feared that she might mess up and get drunk because she was feeling so upset. In all honesty, Stan's death had affected Karen more than it did Mason and Olivia. The kids could tell that Karen still loved Stan.

'I wish she wouldn't have feelings for him still. Especially after all he did. Look at her. It's killing her.' Mason said sympathetically to Olivia. She could do nothing but nod in agreement. It was hurting Karen so much. She did still love her deceased ex-husband.

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Everybody was dreading the two-year anniversary. They hoped it would be easier than the year before. One good thing was that Olivia and Mason could both speak openly about their father's death without bursting into tears.

'Do you know what you guys are doing this year?' Elliot asked Olivia in regard to their plans for the anniversary.

'I'm not sure. We'll probably go out of town for a few days again. Depends what Karen feels like doing. She might want to stay in the city this year.' Olivia answered.

'How are you coping?' Elliot asked seriously.

'I'm doing okay. It's just a little weird that it's been two years already, you know?' Olivia answered truthfully.

'What about Mason?'

'Same really. He's probably handling the whole thing the best out of anyone.' Mason hadn't been feeling great so he had decided not to go out with Olivia and Elliot that day.

'What about Karen? How's she doing?'

'Don't even go there. She's been getting really upset lately. Crying a lot. I don't think she's eating or sleeping right. She was a bit like this last year as well. I think she just gets a bit stressed out.' A few seconds later, Olivia concluded her explanation. 'I think she still loves him.'

'Wow. Even after all this time?' Elliot wasn't totally surprised by this.

'Yeah. I might seem awful, but I really wish she didn't. She's only hurting herself by still loving him. He treated her like crap and yet she still loves him. I don't understand her sometimes.'

'She'll get over him eventually. It's probably just going to take a while.' Elliot tried to reassure Olivia, who was obviously worried.

'Yeah, I know. I just don't want it to be a really long time though. For her sake.'

'You know I'm always here if you need a blether or anything. Just pick up the phone.' Elliot reminded Olivia.

'Yeah. I know. By the way, Karen asked me to go to Uncle Will's office to pick up some papers or something like that. Do you mind if we go just now while I remember?' Olivia had suddenly remembered what Karen had asked her to do while she was out.

'Yeah, let's go.'

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Olivia and Elliot walked for half an hour to get to Will's office. Oddly, they both knew their way round the Doucette and Stein building like the back of their hands.

'I hope to God that Will knows what papers Karen's talking about because I don't have a clue!' Olivia joked as they made their way out of the elevator and towards the door of Will's office.

'Yeah, me too! Otherwise, you're screwed!' Elliot laughed. They'd been laughing and joking all the up to Will's office. They could hardly contain their laughter.

'Here goes!' Olivia asked as she knocked on the door while she entered. Her laughter was snatched away when she saw who was sitting at the desk with Will.

'Oh…my…God!' Elliot was also shocked.

'Dad?'

A/N: There's chapter 17. I know this chapter's a bit short. Sorry! Enjoy!