May 21st, 2013, 6:25 AM.

"Mommy! Mommy! Daddy! Daddy!" Izzabella shouted with a smile as she jumped up and down on their bed energetically as they both groaned, rubbed their eyes and looked over at her "looks like somebody's feeling much better!" Elliot said with a bright smile despite the fact that he had just woken up.

"Yeah daddy yeah i do! I'm healed!" I wish he thought to himself as she jumped into Olivia's arms, "I really missed you mommy! So much! Can we all spend the day together mommy? Please'? "Honey i really wish we could... but there's a really bad guy out there that I'm trying to catch. "Do you think you'll catch him today?

"I really hope so honey she said as she kissed her head but Izzabella still pouted. "You still up to going to the precinct today El?" Liv whispered. He nodded "yeah a promise is a promise besides no matter what day i do it my nerves'll be the same" he said as he looked to izzabella "you hungry for some breakfast? We can have waffles then we're gonna go see where mommy works."

"Cool!", she said with a smile as she jumped down and headed downstairs to the living room as Liv and El quickly got dressed and followed behind her.

"Can i watch curious George daddy? Please'''?" "It's not on yet honey but it'll be on in ten minutes, I'll turn it on for you then" he told her as he started making the waffles and Olivia worked on fixing them some bowls of fruit.

"You know El once this case winds down i think i should take some vacation days" , Liv said. "Oh? Not that i'm against it or complaining at all, he kissed her quickly "but does this have something to do with the talk we had last night?"

She nodded "yeah it's that but It's also about some things that Izzabella has said here lately, I don't feel like I'm spending enough time with her or with you. I felt so relaxed and carefree last night when we finally made time for each other and honestly I shouldn't have to have a mental breakdown for us to get time together."

Elliot frowned "hey Liv if you ever wanna do something all you've gotta do is tell me and we'll figure it out I don't work anymore, hell I don't have much of a schedule anymore all I have to do during the day is make sure Izzabella eats and some days we go to get

groceries... so I mean it I don't care what time you get in if you need me, or even want me just wake me and you'll have me."

She nodded "I know El I know, that came out wrong' anyway it's just last night showed me that I need to do more for myself. I have a family now and

I feel bad too leaving you with the brunt of everything. I mean I'm Izzabella's mom too and I should be helping take care of her when she's sick."

Elliot frowned slightly "I knew what i was signing up for honey, if at any point I've given you the impression that I think you work to much or aren't helping me enough I'm sorry."

She shook her head vigorously "El that's not it at all... This has nothing to do with anything you've done or said and every thing to do with me, and an epiphany I had last night. Please, please just let me do this, I need to if not for anything else I need to for me" she said as she wiped at her eyes a bit.

"Oh honey... comere" Elliot said softly as he hugged her close to him "sweetheart I support you in whatever you need to do... I always have and always will as long as this is what you want to do and you don't feel pressured" she cut him off with a kiss "I don't, i promise this is entirely my decision Elliot."

He nodded with a bright smile "then we'll be thrilled to have you here he said softly as he finally showed his excitement at the fact that she'd be taking some time off and kissed her passionately.

A minute later the kiss ended "after we find out about what happens with Lewis I'll put in my request to take some time off with Cragen, if luck's on my side today will be my last day working for a little while."

He nodded and smiled "sounds good honey" he said as he took the waffles out of the waffle maker and put the appropriate amounts of syrup on them.

"Breakfasts ready sweetie!" Elliot called to izzabella who came running into the kitchen and plopped down in a chair "can I have chocolate milk daddy? Please?" He nodded "sure pumpkin he said as he opened the fridge to find that they were out "shit!" he cursed quietly "sorry kiddo we're out, you'll have to have juice today, we can go to the grocery store and buy you some more on our way home."

She slightly frowned but nodded her head "ok daddy" she said as they then ate their breakfast and after she watched an episode of curious George they loaded up into their car and headed to the precinct

As Elliot drove he absentmindedly tapped the steering wheel with his fingers as Liv put a comforting hand on his shoulder "you can do this El. I know its been a while and it's gonna be hard... But your not alone, I'm right here with you and our daughter is here with you." He nodded , reached over and gently squeezed her hand "thank you for being with me while i do this, there's no way i'd have the courage to go in and do this with out you."

"Why are you scared daddy?" Izzabella piped up from the back seat.

"It's a really long story sweetie, one that right now your to young to understand but when your older we'll explain it to you i promise" he said as she nodded her head satisfied with that answer as Elliot parked the car in a parking space and they got out, holding hands as they walked inside.