A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Pls keep em coming!
The pair spent the rest of the day lounging together between the bedroom and the couch.
He was taking her from behind as she leaned on her dresser, staring at him in the mirror when their phones pinged.
They both groaned and he gave her ass a slap before grabbing the closest phone and holding it up.
"I can't fucking see without my glasses," he muttered as he pumped into her a little more slowly and he held it further away from him.
She started to laugh at him and he gave her ass another firm slap, reaching around to her clit and beginning to pump quickly again. Her laughter turned into a moan. "Fuck El!"
"Boys are on their way." He grunted.
"Better hurry up," she panted out, winking at him.
Dickie dropped off the boys 20 minutes later and Noah hurried off to shower while Eli went into the room they shared when they stayed over.
El was making pizza and Liv stood in the kitchen sipping her wine and watching him. They heard Eli come from his room, chatting on the phone with someone. "Hold on let me ask my mom and dad," he said, causing both heads fo whip towards him.
"Hey guys can I go to Tom's tonight?" He asked and both Liv and El were too shocked to respond. He raised a brow. "Earth to parents…"
They shook out of their daze and looked at each other before back at him. "Sure baby that's fine… I can drive you," Liv said cautiously.
"Thanks guys! Yeah Tom I'll be there my moms gonna drive me so I'll let you know when I'm on the way." He said, walking back into his room.
Liv slowly looked at Elliot who was staring back at her. "Should we say anything…" he asked with a brow raised.
"Uh… no I don't think so… just… let him do what he needs to do." She said softly with a hint of a smile.
He nodded smiling small and turning back to the food he was making.
The girls walked in just then, smiling and laughing and holding what seemed like a million shopping bags.
Liv laughed. "Wow you guys were busy today!"
Emma ran to her smiling. "Mom I have to show you everything!" She said hugging her. Elliot smiled at her and she shyly waved. "Hi Elliot."
He smiled at her but his eyes were sad. He pressed a kiss on her head. "Hi baby girl. Making your favorite pizza for dinner," he said smiling.
She tried to play it cool and nodded. "Nice."
The girls frowned, seeing the sadness in their dads eyes and the apprehension in their sister's. Lizzie pushed her just a bit. "Emmy show daddy the dress we got for the father daughter dance."
Em took a big breath and Elliot turned again. "Oh let me see," he said cheerfully.
She sighed softly trying to hide her smile. The look she was giving him mirrored the look he'd gotten from her mother 1,000 times before when he'd push her buttons at work. It made him grin and his heart swell.
She pulled out a beautiful blush pink dress and held it up to him. "Wow baby… that's gorgeous!!"
He smiled and went over to her, kneeling down to her level. "You'll have to help me pick out a tie and shirt that matches ok?" She smiled small and gave him a hug, holding on a little tighter. "Sounds good d… Elliot," she said. El kissed her cheek and stood back up.
She went back to showing the girls everything, all but ignoring Elliot.
The boys emerged from their room, Noah complaining softly. "Eli why do you have to gooo. Why can't Tom come here we can play Super Mario!!"
He laughed and ruffled his hair. "Bro it's for one night."
"I know but it's movie night…" he pouted and Eli got to his level.
"What if we do movie night just the two of us tomorrow?" He asked and Noah grinned nodding. "Can we watch Avengers??"
Eli laughed. "Anything you want bro."
Liv looked at him. "Ready?"
He nodded and said bye to his dad and sisters, heading out of the house with Liv.
"What are you guys getting into tonight?" She asked him as they drove and he laughed. "Video games that aren't age appropriate for a 9 year old."
She laughed. "You're a good big brother… and Tom's a good surrogate big brother for putting up with Noah." They both laughed.
She stopped outside his friends house and she smiled at him. "Remember dad has your location so no sneaking out and no sneaking anyone in. I don't need to listen to him tonight." She gave him a look and he laughed, leaning over to kiss her cheek.
"We'll be good I promise." He got out of the car and she rolled down the window.
"Love you!" She called and he smiled back at her. "Bye mom, love you too!"
Her eyes welled up and Tom looked at his friend. "Mom?" He asked and Eli shrugged. "All the kids are doing," he teased. "Plus… I mean she is my mom kinda."
When Liv got home, the girls had left and El and Noah were in helping Emma hang up her new clothes.
She laughed to herself at the sight. "I don't understand why you have to have so many clothes," Noah groaned, handing Emma another dress to hang.
"I think you officially have more clothes than mommy," El teased, causing them to giggle as Liv walked in.
"Hey now… I don't have that many clothes!" They all gave her a look and she laughed harder.
"Can we eat?" Noah asked and they laughed. "Yes now that moms home we can eat," Elliot said, scooping him up over his shoulder and bringing him to the kitchen.
Emma watched them with a tinge of jealousy and Liv cocked her head at her, sitting beside her on the bed.
"You know… you can still have a relationship with and love somebody even if you're upset with them," she said with a raised brow and half smile. Emma looked down and nodded. "Your daddy loves you... and I know you're upset, and you have every right to be, but you have to allow yourself to heal... and that starts by giving him a chance," she whispered. Emma nodded again, her lip quivering. "You don't give him a chance for him... you do it for you, baby." She finished, leaning in to kiss her cheek before heading to the kitchen.
She followed her mom out and sat at the table. They ate their dinner, chatting happily, and when they were finished, Liv looked at Noah. "Come on, you and me are on clean up and daddy and Emma get to pick a movie."
He nodded. "Okay mommy!" He jumped up and started to help. She watched Emma and Elliot disappear to the living room.
Elliot sat down and put his arm up on the couch, looking at her. Both kids usually curled up in the middle, between their parents.
She looked at him took a deep breath, sitting on the other side of the couch, away from him. He hid his disappointment and handed her the remote to pick a movie.
She scrolled through one of their millions of subscription services and he watched her out of the corner of his eye. He took a chance and decided to treat it like any other movie night. Standing up and grabbing her blanket, he laid it over it and tucked it in around her, dropping a kiss to her head.
He sat back on his side and waited for the other two to get back. "I think I wanna watch Onward," Emma said looking at him.
He nodded, "Sounds good, honey.. but isn't it sad?"
She shrugged. "It's about a dad who died but left a way for his kids to see him even though he was gone." She shot him a look and he pressed his lips together.
She was her mother's daughter- as subtle as a hand grenade.
Liv and Noah were walking out with popcorn as she made her comment and Liv sighed softly. Noah stood in front of the couch glancing nervously between Elliot and his sister.
The boy really was loyal to a fault, but was also obsessed with Elliot and the last 24 hours of officially having a dad were kinda the best.
He saw his internal struggle and nodded towards Emma. He frowned and climbed up beside his sister.
Emma groaned slightly. "Noah just sit next to him it's fine," she muttered. His lip quivered, feeling conflicted.
"Both of you," Liv said quickly, looking at the littles and putting on her Captain voice, "stop."
They looked at her a little shocked and she breathed out a sigh, softening. "It's been an overwhelming 24 hours and I understand that. But let's put it aside for a few hours to relax and watch a movie, together as the family we have become over the last year. Okay? Can we not forget that?"
All three nodded, a little taken aback and Noah climbed over her, curling up with Elliot who wrapped his arm around him.
"Emma picked Onward," he said to him and Noah nodded. Liv cuddled up on the other side between, between him and Emma, and the little girl laid back against her mom.
She could see the over thinking all over his face as he settled into the couch next to the youngest. She grabbed her phone from her pocket and texted him.
L: You ok?
He looked at it and then her, before typing a response.
E: Yeah.. long 24 like you said, but I'm sure even longer for her. Giving her as much time as she needs. Still hurts.
L: You're a good daddy.
He gave her a sad smile and she leaned over to kiss his cheek. "I love you," she whispered and he turned his face slightly, kissing her lips. "I love you too."
The movie was a sob-fest. They all cried at the end, the movie hitting Emma especially hard. When it was over and everyone had relaxed, El stood up. "Bedtime kiddos," he held her arms out to Noah who climbed up him like a baby monkey.
Emma frowned and got up storming to her room. El looked helplessly at Liv who put a hand up. "Put him down and then come see us." She said, leaving no room for questioning.
He nodded and got Noah to his room, kissing him goodnight. "Dad why is Emma so mad at you? I don't get it?" He asked yawning.
Elliot sighed. "Cause I hurt her and mom really bad by not being here."
Noah shrugged. "But you're here now and you're the best dad I ever had so…"
Elliot laughed softly. "Thanks buddy. We'll figure it out. I love you, son." He kissed his head again and left.
He walked into Emma's room hesitantly. His girls were laying in Emma's bed and Liv looked up at him. "Daddy, come here."
He nodded doing as he was told and gently laid on the other side of Emma. She was curled into Liv crying softly. He looked at her and she gave an encouraging nod.
He placed a strong hand on her small back. "Come here?" He asked her softly and she didn't hesitate, turning and curling into his chest. "D-daddy I'm s-sorry" she stuttered and he frowned hugging her tightly, tears stinging at his eyes.
He pulled her close. "Emmy you have nothing to be sorry for. This is a lot to take in. But like I said to you I'm not going anywhere. And punishing yourself by only calling me Elliot and pretending you don't wanna be around me…" he frowned shaking his head, "it's making you sad and you being sad hurts me worse than anything you could say to me."
She nodded gripping onto him more tightly letting her tears flow freely.
He just held her tightly rocking gently. He looked at Liv who just nodded at him again.
"Daddy I just don't want to lose you," she sniffled sitting up and looking at him.
"Never, Emma Bee. Never. I'm here."
She nodded but her lip quivered again so he pulled her close rubbing her back till she relaxed.
He finally spoke again, after glancing up at Liv. "Will you promise me something?" He whispered and she nodded looking up at him. "You promise you talk to me... tell me if I make you sad or upset or you're frustrated. I want to fix this and I want us to have a strong relationship, but I can't do that if I don't know what's going on."
She nodded tearfully and cuddled into him.
"I promise." She nodded into his chest. "Will you stay till I fall asleep?" She asked, looking up and he nodded.
"Not going anywhere." He whispered.
When he was finally was able to move out from her grip, he went back to her room, taking a deep breath when he saw her against their pillows, make up free, in her glasses and reading.
She smiled small when she saw him, putting her book down and crawling to the edge of the bed where he stood. She kneeled up, wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him softly.
"Elliot I was serious... you're a good daddy… you know that right?"
He nodded, looking down.
"Hey hey…" she whispered, tilting his chin up. "Hey… You are, Elliot."
His eyes got glassy and he nodded pressing a kiss to her nose.
"Listen." She said, sliding her hands down his chest and under his shirt. "I think you guys should spend some time together tomorrow. Just the two of you. And then tomorrow night, the five of us can talk about what kind of place we want to get," he nodded and kissed her.
"I think it'll be really good to find a place that's just ours to all start over. Sound good?"
He nodded and kissed her again. "Always so wise."
She laughed. "One of us has to be."
"Oh yeah??" He laughed looking at her and she nodded, smiling and leaning his head to hers.
"Yeah," she smiled against his lips.
"Baby… we're gonna be ok," she nodded kissing him.
His arms wrapped tightly around her and he buried his head in her shoulder. "I know we are baby…I know."
She frowned a bit, holding him close to her. She knew he was off, but couldn't pinpoint exactly what part of all of this was troubling him.
He pulled back and sighed softly. "I'm tired I uh... I'm gonna try and sleep."
She frowned a little, her hands were still on his abs under her shirt. He never denied her advances- ever. Rubbing his skin softly she nodded. "Okay... okay."
He nodded, scrubbing his face and stripping to his boxer briefs. A wave a relief washed over her upon seeing the beginnings of an erection in his underwear.
He laughed to himself when he caught her staring. "Baby... you're wearing your glasses you know I'm going to pop a boner. I'm just not going to be much fun right now."
She laughed a bit sadly and he climbed into bed, holding his arms out to her.
Removing her glasses and shutting out the light, she curled into the safety of his arms.
There was no sleep for the wicked that night.
Elliot laid in bed, replaying the past 11 years of his life.
10 not even knowing about his baby girl.
1 falling head over heels for the mini version of his Olivia.
He let out a quiet sigh and rolled his head to look at the clock beside him. 2am.
He rolled his head back to look up at the ceiling. Liv was on her side facing him. He gently wrapped his arm around her and rolled to face her, taking in every feature and freckle.
"I can hear you," she whispered and he chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to her nose.
"Sorry," he whispered back.
She opened her eyes and cuddled into his chest, pressing a kiss to it.
"El, it's going to be okay," she said into his chest and he nodded. "It's going to be okay," he repeated.
He felt him take a deep, stuttered breath and she pulled back looking up at him as a few tears fell. "Nothing... it's nothing..." he whispered.
They laid quietly for a little longer before he spoke again. "I just missed so much you know..." he let out a strangled breath he was holding. "I just don't. I don't think I can ever make it up to her and I know.." he cut her off, "I know just be there and stuff. But... what..." he stopped, trying to compose himself.
She remained quiet and let him try and work through what was happening in his head.
"It's hard enough with..." he took a deep breath, his chest tightening. He sat up and leaned over putting his head on his knees.
Liv sat up with him and put a hand on his arm. "El..." she said gently, "El we're a team. You're my guy... My partner for life... talk to me, baby."
He gripped her hand that was on his arm. "It's hard enough having daughters," he breathed out a chuckle and let some tears go with it, "how am I going to handle the teenage 'dad I hate you' years when I wasn't there when she was young. How is she gonna grow up without resentments and... and.." he trailed off, starting to hyperventilate.
She wrapped her arms around him tightly. "El... breathe."
He focused on the feeling of her, wrapped around him and slowly took deeper breaths.
As she held him, realization hit her. He hadn't dealt with this. He saw himself as a fuck up. He'd said it so many times and.. shit. She'd brushed it off, cause he was the bad guy.
He left them.
He had to make it up to her.
To their daughter.
They'd spent the first few months of their relationship fucking out 23 years of sexual tension and getting to re-know each other.
The next year had been about the kids. All of them. How they felt. If they were ok. If she was ok.
In that moment she felt terrible. He was so busy watching out for everyone, but no one was watching out for him. Her stomach dropped and her heart was in her throat.
She moved so she could sit between his legs. "Babe..." she whispered and he looked up at her.
"Do you even realize how amazing of a dad you are? How amazing for a partner you are?" She asked softly.
"You keep saying that but I don't feel like it," he whispered and she shook her head.
"Elliot you didn't know about her..." she began softly before he quietly cut her off.
"I should have." He looked up at her. "I should have Olivia. I shouldn't have left you. I should have answered your calls. I should have been there for you and saved you from that monster. I should have been there when Emma was born and adopted Noah with you. I..." she put two fingers on his lips to stop him.
"You should have, yes. But you weren't- and we can't change the past. We can only focus on the now. And the now, since you have been home and have known about our girl... El you've been there- for me and Noah and Emma," she whispered. "And you haven't left."
He squeezed his eyes, letting some tears fall. She brushed them aside with his thumb. "I'm sorry..." she said after a few. "I... I put this on you and didn't once take into account you. If you were ok... In here," she touched his forehead and then let her hand gently run down his chest to his heart, "or here."
He shook his head. "Liv no..." he started but she gently dug her nails into his chest. "I know you better than anyone else and I've ignored it. El, I'm sorry that you've been struggling by yourself." She whispered and he shook his head, leaning to press his lips to hers and then tilting his head to rest his forehead to hers.
"Our daughter is just going to be 11 this year, El. You've been in her life since 9 years old. It's not too late. She faltered and gave into your unconditional love 12 hours after she said she wasn't gonna call you dad," she whispered and they both chuckled softly.
"The only person who has resentments here is you. And they're against yourself. You can't keep beating yourself up."
He nodded and wrapped his arms tightly around her, letting it all out. She held him close and rubbed his bare back soothingly until the flow stopped.
They sat back at the same time and he cupped her face, pressing several chaste kisses to her lips. "You're right..."
She couldn't help herself. "I know," she whispered, giggling. He rolled his eyes laughing and kissed her again.
The pair laid back down, entwined in each other's arms and she pressed a kiss to his chest. "Keep doing what you're doing El... and please... lean on me. You're allowed."
He nodded and pressed a kiss to her head, giving a gentle squeeze. "I promise."