"It is absolutely not ok, dad!" Lizzie yelled at her father.
Elliot dodged the pillow she tossed at his head and Dickie grabbed her arm to stop her from hurling another.
It'd been almost five months since Kathy died and about four since he found out about Emma and he and Liv started seeing each other. It was a very strict arrangement. Neither of their kids would know or be involved until Elliot told his about Emma.
He closed his eyes slipping to the memory of the fight from the previous night that drove him to this conversation.
She sat quietly with her arms folded. They just screwed each others brains out, and he'd ruined the moment afterwards by saying how he wish he could get to know Emma better.
"Baby... what did I do..." he sighed, wrapping his arms around her.
She shrugged him off and got up. "I'm just sick of your shit Elliot," she said after a few moments of putting her clothes on. "All you talk about is how you want to know my daughter..."
"Our daughter..." he cut her off and she whipped around.
"MY. Daughter. Elliot. My daughter. I get that your kids are struggling, so stop saying you wanna know her so bad if you're not going to take any action.
"Olivia that's not fucking fair."
She slapped him. Hard. "And you think the last 10 years of mine and my daughters life had been fair?!"
He held his cheek and looked at her. "You're all talk when you're sticking your cock between my legs and then you lose your balls the minute you leave here!!! I'm sick of it Elliot. It's been 4 months of this shit. Grow a pair or stop talking about it until you're ready to make a move. My heart can't take it."
She was mad. Mad, mad. He was shocked.
"Y-You're right... I'll talk to them Liv.."
She scoffed. "I'll believe it when I see it."
He'd finally grown a pair and it wasn't going well.
"Ok ok… relax… relax!" Dickie said to her with a raised voice.
Lizzie swatted at her twin and the two started arguing.
"ENOUGH." Maureen yelled, standing. "All of you. Sit. Now!"
They were all shocked and sat quietly. She eyed Kathleen suspiciously.
"Dad," she said, "start from the beginning and no one speak until he is done."
They all nodded and Elliot took a deep breath.
"Your mom and I separated. Liv and I started a relationship while mom and I were divorced. As soon as I told her mom was pregnant with Eli, Liv ended it and made me move back in. After Jenna… I was a mess and I went to Liv's and it just happened. I cheated on your mother. And now here we are."
They all were quiet before Eli spoke up. "You never knew about her?" He asked sighing and El shook his head. "Guys I swear I didn't. The only reason I found out is cause I met her at the park and the kids were there and… Jesus she looks just like Lizzie…"
Lizzie's head popped up and she bit her lip. "C-can I see…"
Elliot sighed and pulled up the photo, showing the kids.
"Holy shit…" Maureen said softly.
"She's like a weird mix between Liv and Liz what the hell…" Dickie added.
"She's cute…" Liz said and Eli agreed.
"Is the boy hers?" Eli asked and Elliot nodded. "He's adopted… he's 8."
Kathleen remained quiet until Mo finally turned to her. "You've been awfully quiet. I assume that's because you knew." Kathleen was the closest with Olivia and always had been.
She took a deep breath and looked between her father and siblings.
"I… I didn't know but… I suspected." She groaned as everyone started yelling at her.
"Guys what was I going to say! 'Oh hey I think dad boned Liv and I'm pretty sure they have a secret love child?!'"Kathleen exclaimed.
"Have you met her?" Dickie challenged and Kathleen made face.
"Are you kidding me Katie!?" Liz cried out and Mo spoke up again.
"Everyone reel it in. Now!"
They did as they were told and Kathleen signed.
"Grandma knows them cause she and Liv remained close after dad abandoned her," she said hanging on the word abandoned, "and I was there a few times so.. yeah I've met her and she's so sweet and so is Noah. So if you guys are choosing to be angry take it out on dad and Liv, not Emma."
They all went quiet and Mo spoke softly. "That's a cute name.." she muttered and Liz agreed.
Elliot had been sitting quietly the whole time and they looked at him finally.
"Dad what are you gonna do…" Eli asked softly.
He took a deep breath. "Liv said… if it's ok with you guys… I can get to know her as Elliot. But she gave clear instructions that you guys have to be ok with it and maybe want to meet her too… and then one day when you guys are comfortable with it we tell her the truth."
They all remained quiet and the girls stood up at once. "We have to talk to Liv." Maureen said to her sisters and then looked at the boys. "You guys coming?"
"Do we have a choice," Dickie muttered. The kids all left before Elliot could say anything.
He was in shock and sat still, feeling a panic attack coming on. He couldn't breathe and it took him about 20 minutes to get his bearings and relax.
The minute his vision cleared, he reached into his pocket to text Liv a warning.
Liv sat at her desk working on paperwork. She looked up for a moment and smiled small at her two kids who sat on her office couch working on homework.
Lucy had caught a bug so Amanda picked up the little Bensons and would be taking them for a mid-week sleepover so Liv could stay late and get caught up before the weekend.
She looked down when her phone buzzed, sighing at Elliot's name. They'd made up that morning but she was still hurting for her girl.
"Incoming." Was all the message said.
She raised a brow and looked up, just in time to see the 5 younger Stablers barge into the 1-6, led by Maureen.
She held her breath and the five marched into her office, stopping short when they saw the two littles.
Emma and Noah's eyes lit up. "Kathleen!!" They cried running to her.
She dipped down to hug them both. "Hi guys… it's been a while." She smiled small and they nodded. Emma looked up at the rest of the crew.
Kathleen smiled nervously.
"Em, Noh… these are my siblings…" she pointed at each of them and said their names.
Emma grinned. "It's nice to meet you guys! I'm Emma and this is my little brother Noah."
He waved standing behind his sister slightly.
Liv came around her desk to stand behind her littles and took a deep breath. "Guys… these are Elliot's kids…" she said slowly, looking down at them.
They nodded and Emma's face fell as she made the connection. She looked at Kathleen and went to give her another hug. "I'm so sorry about your mom…" she whispered and Kathleen teared up hugging the young girl.
"Thank you girly…" she said softly and she pulled back wiping her eyes, giving a sad smile.
"You guys too…" Emma said softly. "My mom told me all about you guys and your mom, and I got to meet you dad a lot recently… she says a lot of nice things about you all. I can tell she really loves you guys!"
"Yeah but she said it was complicated or something and that's why we can't have you guys over for dinner," Noah said chiming in. Emma smacked his arm lightly, giving him Elliot's signature squint.
"What!" He said frowning and looked at the boys. "Do big sisters ever get better?" He groaned and they laughed. "No.. they don't…" Eli said softly.
Liv knelt down in front of them. "I think it's time to go… Aunt Amanda is gonna take you guys for a sleepover… I'll call you tonight ok?" They nodded and hugged her tightly saying their goodbyes.
Emma grabbed her bag and hugged Kathleen again. "It was nice to meet you all!" She said cheerfully and Noah grinned behind her giving them all fist bumps. "Maybe things will not be complicated and you can come for dinner!" He called as Amanda ushered them out and shut the door.
Liv sighed and looked at the 5 kids.
"Hit me…" she said softly.
By the time Elliot got there, Liv was sitting on the couch with the three girls and the boys sat on the table in front of them.
It was obvious that words had been exchanged and tears had been shed. He stopped short at Fin's desk when he heard his old friend. "You're a fool Stabler. You're lucky Olivia has been talking kids off ledges for 23 years."
Elliot look a deep breath and looked at him before he continued. "If I wasn't positive that Dickie would do it, I'd smack the shit out of you. Good luck." He scoffed at him, returning to his work.
Elliot's eyes went wide and he rushed into her office, breathing hard. "Hi…" he said softly looking at all of them. "I was expecting a blood bath."
Dickie looked at his sisters before he stood, squaring up with his dad. "There would have been too… but you both had someone watching over you because that little girl was here when we arrived."
Elliot looked at his son and took a deep breath.
Dickies fist clenched and he shook his head. "You're a real asshole you know? If you didn't love Mom why did you come back home?"
"I did love her," he said softly. "I did but..." he groaned scrubbing his face. "I was seeing Olivia and I loved her too... I..."
"But you couldn't keep it in your pants so you banged mom the first chance you got and knocked up with Eli," he paused and looked back at him, "no offense."
Eli shrugged
"And then… because Olivia is a good fucking person, she made you go back to mom."
Elliot took a deep breath. "Yes… that is what happened."
"And then you went back and banged Olivia again and knocked her up… and then just left? Why dad?"
Elliot shook his head tearing up. "I… I told her I loved her and I did… and I knew if I stayed I would ask your mom for a divorce and it would break up our family."
Dickie scoffed. "So you intentionally hurt Liv? After everything she did for you and for us? For like 12 years???"
Elliot nodded slowly looking at the women on the couch. "Yes… yes that is everything that happened."
Dickie shook his head. "You really fucked up dad. Really bad. And if that little girl wasn't here when we got here I'd be beating the shit out of you right now," he scoffed.
Lizzie got up and stood putting her hand on her brothers arm. "Dick… relax…"
He nodded and continued. "I think she actually saved your face." He softened a bit looking at him and letting a slight smile crack. "She's awesome… and you're going to do right by her do you understand me, dad."
He nodded quickly. "O-okay."
Dickie turned and went back to sit next to his brother before his temper got the best of him.
"I… I can't tell if you guys are mad at me or not."
Maureen sighed. "That's because we don't know what we are, daddy…"
Liv stood up. "Do you guys need a minute..."
"Stay." Dickie commanded and Liv took a big breath and sat down slowly.
Mo stood up this time. "She's so sweet daddy… we love her already… but… you cheated on mom. And I know she was going to give her blessing to Liv and I know you guys were married in name only but…" she took a deep breath.
"I know honey… I'm… I'm so sorry… for everything you guys I.." his voice cracked and he started to lose it a little. "I just wanna do right by you guys… all of you guys… I'm so sorry. I can't say it enough."
"I think that the five of us need to talk alone together." Dickie said, looking at his siblings.
He got up and opened the interrogation room door. The siblings got up to follow and Dickie held up his hand. "No. They go in there. I don't trust them to not turn the mic on."
Liv looked at Elliot and they both took a deep breath, walking in and letting the door slam behind him.
She looked up at him and he sighed. He looked at the window, knowing they were watching, and let out a breath he'd been holding.
The tears were forming quickly in Liv's eyes and he shook his head, gently taking her hand and pulling her into him. "It's ok... it's ok baby..." He said as a few tears fell from his eyes, too.
"Y-you told them... you didn't tell me you were gonna..." she whispered, her lip quivering. "I didn't think you would..."
"Yes..." he said kissing the top of her head, "I... I'm going to do right by you and the kids."
The siblings watched from outside and Kathleen spoke first. "I mean… they are cute…"
Eli laughed a little. "This is the first time I've seen dad cry to someone I think…"
Mo sighed and watched them. Liv was shaking slightly in his arms and he was whispering words of encouragement as he gently rubbed the back of her head.
Dickie went and turned the speaker on and they listened.
Liv pulled away from him and began to pace.
"I shouldn't have told you.. I've ruined shit for them... fuck. I shouldn't have let you in that night. We were over. You were happy. I know better. I let you cheat on your wife with me." She scoffed putting her hands to her head. "I shouldn't have let you fuck me."
"Hey." Elliot said sternly. His heart was pounding and he felt the anger bubble in him. She ignored him shaking her head.
"Hey!" He said again and her head shot up and she stopped.
"I-I didn't mean that I..." she started but he cut her off.
"Yes you did. Don't you dare say that about our girl." He rushed to her and crowed her against the wall. She looked up at him, breathing heavily.
"She's a god damn blessing. It's not her fault. It's not even yours. It's mine. I'm the asshole and the shit father and the fuck up. Not you. But don't you dare say that shit about our baby girl. And that's who she is Olivia. OUR baby girl."
He was panting and she took a deep breath nodding, her lip quivering more. Her hands gently went to his hips, her fingers tucking in his belt loops. He slowly lowered his head to hers and they took a moment, calming down. "I'm s-sorry..." she said, just above a whisper.
Outside the kid's brows raised and they looked at each other. "I told you they were banging..." Eli said confidentiality and they all looked back at him. He shrugged. "I live with him, I would know."
Back in the interrogation room, El's hands fell from the wall on either side of her head to the nape of her neck and her lower back. "I'm sorry too... for everything. I want to make this right. For you. For her. For my kids. For Noah." He spoke softly and lowered his head slightly so their noses touched.
"Don't kiss me right now Stabler, I can promise you they're watching and have the speaker on," she whispered.
They both breathed out a chuckle and turned their head to the window and then back to each other at the same time.
"I don't care." He said frankly, leaning in to kiss her softly. Her mouth had a mind of its own and welcomed his kiss, returning it.
"Are we going to be okay?" He asked her softly and she took a deep breath.
"It's up to them..." she responded and he nodded.
"Please give me a chance... I'll beg them. I'll work with them. I'll do anything. For them and for you. Please let me make this right... Olivia, I love you..." he said and she bit her lip looking down.
"But if we're gonna do this... please Liv. She's our daughter. Please stop throwing that dig..."
She nodded. "I-I'm sorry... you're right... b-but I really want your kids approval."
"They'll come around," he whispered and she nodded staying quiet a moment. "They hate me but they love you... they'll come around..."
"They don't hate you. You're an idiot, but they know you chose them and their mom. And if you had the option to do it again, I know you wouldn't change your decision El..." she said, more confidently.
Outside, the girls were sniffling and Dickie sighed. Eli spoke again. "She's right… and I never have seen dad be so open with mom like that…" he trailed off and the older siblings nodded. "Plus… would be kinda nice to not be the baby anymore…" he said, thoughtfully.
"He's still a dick…" Lizzie said and they all agreed. "We can't let him off the hook…"
Katie's eyes lit up behind them. "I have an idea."
After several more minutes, Dickie rapped on the window and Mo rolled her eyes. "What? I've always wanted to do that."
Liv and Elliot came out slowly, his pinky gently linked around a few of her fingers.
"What's the verdict?" Liv asked gently and Mo looked back at her siblings.
"Are you two already together?"
They looked at each other and Elliot started to lie as Liv gave him a look. "We've been seeing each other for the last few months. Reconnecting and working on us. But he's not been around the kids in any meaningful capacity. Just as my friend here and there... and that's it."
Mo nodded. "And they both love him I assume."
Liv sighed looking down. "Obsessed. They ask why he can't hang out with them all of the time."
Dickie spoke up, moving next to Mo.
"It's not fair to punish Liv and Emma… or Noah for that matter. So we're fine with you getting to know the kids. And we want to get to know them too."
Elliot's whole body relaxed and Liv looked up at him.
"But…" Dickie continued, "You're coming to weekly therapy with us. All of us. And Liv we want you to join us every other week. If this is going to be a thing," he motioned at both of them, "then we need to be on the same page and forgive and understand."
Elliot was speechless and Liv nodded immediately. "We're there."
"And…" Mo said, stepping up. "We're having a family dinner on Friday night and you guys are telling the kids you're dating so it's not weird or confusing when we all hang out a bunch."
Liv inhaled and paused. "I… I mean I don't know guys what if it doesn't work…" she looked at Elliot, hesitantly.
Kathleen rolled her eyes. "If it doesn't work I'll kill you both myself."