June 8th, 5:15 PM.
"So what does everyone think about grilled cheese sandwiches with chips?" Elliot asked with a smile as the power had been back on for a little over 2 hours and he had just finished fixing the banister rail.
"Sounds great El can I help with anything at all?" Liv called from the couch as she was watching the Lion King with the kids.
"No I've got it baby thanks for asking though."
"Are you sure? I've just sat here all afternoon while you worked."
"You've kept the kiddos entertained on a rainy day Liv that's work enough I promise."
"Alright if your sure..." she said as Lizzie just smiled "sitting still just kills you doesn't it Liv? How are you gonna survive vacation?"
Olivia sighed "it does... But it's not vacation I'm having trouble surviving I'm loving not working it's letting your dad do absolutely everything that kills me."
Lizzie frowned "how come? Do you even know how often mom would beg him to help her out with household chores and stuff like that when they were married?"
Olivia shook her head "we don't really talk about that stuff all that much sweetie."
Lizzie nodded "she asked him for help all the time but he never had the time, was always at work helping people."
Olivia nodded "my job's super busy too that's why I wish I could help him some while I'm not working."
She nodded "when will you be able to use both arms again?"
Liv sighed "it's supposed to be around the end of the month but I'm gonna try to talk my doctor into taking the cast off early."
Lizzie nodded "I hope you get to," she said as she then went back to watching the movie.
"Dinner's ready!" Elliot called around 20 minutes later and Izzabella looked to Liv "mommy I wanna eat in here," she said wanting to keep watching the movie.
Olivia shook her head "we always eat in there as a family and we aren't changing that now," she said firmly.
"Please? Just this once?"
Olivia sighed then glanced into the dining room as when she saw Elliot had already set the table she shook her head and paused the tv "daddy's already set everything out and we aren't gonna ask him to move it. We can finish the movie after dinner."
"Okay," Izzabella said nodding and they all headed into the dining room to eat.
"Liv you want potato chips right?" Elliot asked seeing her.
"Please," she said as she took the bag he handed her with a grateful smile and everyone began to eat.
"This tea is really good Mr. Elliot," Zara said with a smile.
"Thanks sweetheart I'll have to tell your dad what I used in it so he can make it for you sometime."
"Didn't you just use sugar though?" Lizzie asked.
Elliot shook his head "I used stevia it's healthier."
Lizzie frowned slightly and he just smiled "you can't frown when you thought it was sugar to begin with."
She nodded and gave him a little smile "you got us dad," she said.
Elliot just smiled, chuckled and resumed eating as he sighed when his phone rang "you need to get that?" Liv asked.
Elliot glanced at the caller ID then shook his head and hit decline as Liv just nodded with a slight smile assuming it was a spam call.
A minute later Lizzie's phone rang "it's mom," she said after glancing at it.
Olivia nodded and Elliot sighed "hello?" Lizzie answered.
"I assume Kathy called you first? You could have answered El," Olivia whispered.
Elliot sighed "I know but I was gonna call her back after dinner."
"Ahh," she said nodding with a smile as Zara looked over to them "you guys are nicer to each other than my mom and dad are."
Elliot nodded "do they argue a lot?"
Zara nodded "mmhmm mommy hit daddy once."
Elliot frowned "that wasn't very nice," he said sadly.
She nodded agreeing "have you guys ever hit each other?"
Elliot shook his head "no never," he said.
Zara nodded with a smile as Lizzie ended her call with Kathy "why did your mommy hit your daddy?" Izzabella asked.
"I donno," Zara said as Izzabella just shrugged "everything okay sweetie?" Liv asked Lizzie.
Lizzie nodded "she just wanted to make sure we were safe after the storm."
Olivia nodded with a smile as everyone then finished the rest of their food in silence and Liv stole El's last barbecue chip so he stole her last potato chip "kiddos do you want a zebra cake, nutty buddy bar or fun dip pack for dessert?"
"Nutty buddy!" they both said excitedly as he nodded and grabbed them one each while Lizzie got her own dessert.
"I'll have something later El," Liv told him before he could offer her anything as she was glancing at the freezer.
Elliot just smiled and gave her a knowing nod "shall we go finish the movie?" he asked.
Izzabella and Zara nodded eagerly and ran in there with smiles as a few minutes later the movie was resumed.
8:40 PM
"Liv?" Elliot whispered while stroking her hair out of habit as they were cuddled up together on the love seat and Beauty and the Beast was wrapping up.
"Hmm?" she asked as she looked up at him with sleepy eyes, his caresses having almost put her to sleep.
"There's something I've been meaning to tell you all day but haven't gotten around to it until now," he said as as at that exact moment her phone began to ring.
Olivia nodded hitting decline on her phone since she didn't know the number and was more concerned with what El wanted to talk about "is everything okay?"
"Yeah," he said with a smile and kissed her temple "do you need to take that? It can wait."
She shook her head "I didn't recognize the number what's up?"
He sighed "Rollins called this morning at about 3 o'clock, apologized for what happened last night she thinks you hate her Liv."
Olivia frowned and shook her head "hate is a really strong word."
Elliot nodded in agreement "I'll admit I don't trust her or even like her a whole lot but I don't hate her," she said.
Elliot nodded "I didn't figure you did. I just told her I'd let you know what she said and I thought you should know how she feels."
She nodded her head and sighed "I'll talk to her at some point," she said as her phone rang again.
Elliot nodded his head with a slight smile and Liv answered this time since it was Amaro "hello?" she said.
"Hey Liv it's me. I wanted to let you know we found the missing boy," he said tiredly.
"I'm really glad to hear that. Is the father in custody?"
"No he ended up committing suicide by cop Carisi and a bunch of swat guys shot him."
Olivia nodded and sighed heavily "the boy's safe though be grateful for small favors."
"You're right he's safe but he's also really traumatized, we're just lucky the guy decided to put him down before running in front of the swat team gun raised."
Olivia just nodded and sighed heavily again "seems like the perp got exactly what he was aiming for. If he didn't use the boy as a shield though I don't get why he would have taken him at all?"
"My theory is that was his intent but he chickened out last second and grew a conscience."
"Maybe he knew it would end that way and wanted to see him again one more time?" Elliot whispered.
"That's possible," she said into the phone as she then leaned to whisper in El's ear "I didn't even think of that possibility, it'd make perfect since though it was really risky to kidnap him in broad daylight."
Elliot nodded in agreement and Liv was quiet "did I miss something?" Amaro asked.
"No El was just giving me his theory."
"Ahh," he said chuckling slightly "before I go would it be alright if I pick Zara up in the morning? It's already around her bedtime and you guys live almost 45 minutes away from me and"-
Olivia glanced at El who nodded "yeah that's fine Amaro do you wanna tell her goodnight before you go?"
"Sure, hey Liv Tucker asked if he could have Elliot's phone number said he tried to call you and see how you're doing but you didn't answer."
That's who the mystery number was, I'm glad I didn't answer she thought to herself as she shook her head "Absolutely not those two are pretty much enemies I don't want to hear from him unless it's about a professional matter just tell him I'm doing fine and that I appreciate his concern."
"Are you sure Liv? He didn't seem to have bad intensions."
"I'm positive, let me get Zara for you their movie is over," she said as once Zara had the phone Elliot smiled "do I wanna know what that was all about?" he whispered.
Olivia shook her head "probably not but I'll tell you anyway Ed Tucker wanted your phone number."
"What's he accusing me of now oversleeping?" he asked teasingly.
Olivia chuckled at the joke "Amaro says he wanted to see how I was doing. I didn't answer my phone so he was hoping I'd talk to him on yours."
Elliot nodded and sighed slightly "if that's all he wants I suppose it's okay he did sorta support you on the news."
Olivia smiled slightly and gave him a quick kiss "that's sweet of you really El but I meant what I said to Amaro I appreciate his concern but I don't trust him and he doesn't need your phone number."
Elliot nodded with a small smile as he completely understood after everything they had been put through by him over the years "I think the girls can pass on baths tonight don't you think?" he asked.
Olivia nodded "definitely they aren't the least bit dirty."
He nodded and smiled "how would you feel about us reading them their bedtime story together then hopping in the jacuzzi? The bedroom's clean, bathroom too and I put the first cote of paint on the walls earlier."
Olivia nodded shocked "y-you didn't have to do all that today El..." she whispered.
"I didn't baby I just painted today I took care of the cleaning night before last. I don't wanna rush you into anything at all I just know you've gotta miss it."
She sighed "I do... I-I really do El I'm just... It's just..."
Elliot stroked her hair soothingly "it's just what baby?"
She sighed "I-I don't know how I'll react when I go in there and we have to walk through there to get into the jacuzzi and I don't wanna take the chance of ruining a good evening."
"You wouldn't ruin anything love," he whispered as he then kissed her temple "tell you what we can just use the guest bath for now."
"Only if you're sure if you wanna use the jacuzzi I don't wanna stop you I can try to fight any triggers I might get or bathe by myself."
Elliot nodded "I'm sure baby I don't want you to have to do that we're gonna do everything at your pace."
Olivia nodded gratefully then sighed slightly as she couldn't get the fact that Rollin's thought she hated her out of her head "here's your phone!" Zara said handing it to her with a bright smile.
"Thanks sweetheart, I think it's about time for you two kiddos to head upstairs," she said with a smile.
Zara nodded as Izzabella walked over and stood by Elliot as usual "we're skipping baths tonight since you didn't get dirty today," he said as she nodded "sweetie what bedtime story does your dad usually read to you?" Olivia asked Zara.
She smiled "usually he reads Charlotte's Webb or the Dog and the Elephant."
Olivia nodded "I think I read the Dog and the Elephant to Izzabella once," El said as she nodded and they headed upstairs.
20 minutes later the story had been read and the girls were sleeping soundly "did you wanna have ice cream before or after our bath?" he asked once they had tiptoed out.
"After so it doesn't sour," she said and he nodded with a slight smile and set up their bath.
"You look like something's on your mind honey is everything alright?" he asked softly once she was reclining against his chest in the water.
She nodded and gave him a small smile but he didn't buy it "talk to me," he whispered.
"But we were having such a good evening..." she said through a heavy sigh as all she wanted was a drama free night with her husband like old times.
"We still are," he said tenderly and she sighed slightly "am I being to hard on Rollins?" she asked deciding she'd give in and talk to him about it for a couple minutes.
Elliot sighed slightly as his face grew thoughtful "I don't know baby," he whispered.
She frowned slightly "what do you mean you don't know? You've got to have an opinion one way or the other?"
He sighed slightly "I think I'm the wrong person to be getting advice from about this I've only met her a couple times maybe ask Fin since he's friends with all of us?"
Olivia nodded "I might do that but I want your perspective?"
Elliot sighed slightly and nodded "I'll give you my honest opinion but you can't get angry with me."
Olivia nodded and he sighed and took a deep breath "I think you're both at fault in your own ways for the way things have ended up between you."
Olivia took a breath, nodded and turned to face him and he rubbed her arm gently knowing how much she hated criticism "her for not listening to you and you for harboring to much of a grudge against her."
Olivia sighed "what was I supposed to do El accept the completely untrue things she was saying about you?"
He shook his head "of course not but it might have helped a little if you had tried to see things through her eyes."
"But Elliot there was nothing to see. No signs of abuse she had no reason to suspect you."
Elliot nodded as he continued to rub her arm "you talked to Rollins on the phone while you were in the ICU do you remember that?"
Olivia shook her head slightly and Elliot nodded "I heard part of the conversation and apparently there were some times that she wanted you to eat with her after work or shop with her and you always refused."
Olivia nodded "of course I did because we live 45 minutes away from the station and usually I was exhausted and just wanted to come home to you guys, hug Izzabella tight then cuddle into your arms and let you make me forget the horrible case we had closed that day."
Elliot nodded "I get it you know I do but she thought, thinks maybe that I just didn't want you hanging out with anyone else."
Olivia sighed heavily "m-maybe... maybe I should have let her meet you guys m-maybe keeping my personal and professional lives separate was my mistake I-I just thought it was the right thing to do."
Elliot nodded "I get that baby I really do but every decision no matter how well intentioned they are has consequences. She thinks I'm an abuser because to her my temper, the way I look and you never taking her up on any of her offers made her feel that way without all of the proper context. It's a classic case of judge the book by it's cover syndrome."
Olivia's eyes welled with tears "b-but I told her you were a good man. I told her that and told her that until I was blue in the face p-plus she never even knew what you looked like until you went to the precinct the day L-Lewis broke in."
He nodded "I know I know and that's where she should have listened to you, really listened to you," he soothed as he frowned seeing her tears "I-I wasn't trying to make you cry sweetheart I-I'm sorry," he whispered.
"I-It's okay," she whispered as he just stroked her hair "you just do whatever you feel is best baby it'll be alright."
"I-I still want your advice Elliot you've said this much don't stop on me now."
"B-But I made you cry and like you said earlier we were having a great carefree evening."
She nodded slightly "I-I was crying because it was hard for me to hear that you think my actions played a part in this I-I need to know how to fix it now."
"Ohh baby..." he whispered sadly as he whacked himself lightly on the head then shook it slightly "I-I wasn't trying to blame you for this."
Olivia nodded slightly "I-I needed to hear it p-please just tell me how to fix it? I-I can't have her thinking I hate her b-but I can't be friends with someone who thinks you're that way i-it's not right."
Elliot grabbed the shampoo and began making a lather so he could wash her hair "first things first you need to know if you wanna be friends with her you can be friends with her no matter what she thinks about me we both know the truth and that's all that really matters."
Olivia shook her head "y-you wouldn't though if you were in my shoes I know that."
He sighed and nodded "you're right I wouldn't I couldn't."
Olivia nodded "then I won't it isn't morally right and I can't go against my conscience El."
He nodded slightly, sighed then began to gently wash her hair "then just tell her you don't hate her but that you can't be friends."
She nodded slightly "o-okay but do you think there's a way I can make her see who you really are? You've always been really good at being able to make people see things I've always admired that about you and if I can get her to see the truth and respect your place in my life then we can be friends."
Elliot nodded "you could always try showing her one of our photo albums we were doing stuff together in a lot of those photos and we were care free in them."
She nodded "t-true but would you be okay with her seeing those? It's a family album."
Elliot nodded "your squad is pretty much your family Liv so of course."
She nodded slightly "o-okay I'll try it. Thank you for the advice El."
"Anytime baby I just hope it works," he whispered as he finished putting the shampoo in her hair then started to rinse it.
"Me too," she said as she sighed a little and began to relax "do you think I should invite her over here?"
"You can if you want to sure, I'd take her out for lunch though."
"I-I can't drive yet though and I don't wanna waste our limited money on cabs."
"I don't mind driving you baby I can drive you and wait for you or pick you up when you guys are done."
"Are you sure you wouldn't mind? I don't know how long it'll take us."
"I'm positive," he said with a smile as she nodded, smiled and let the conversation end there and he conditioned her hair with them in a comfortable silence.
A little while later they were out of the tub and dressed in pajama's "do you still want that ice cream?" he asked with a smile after sighing contentedly.
Olivia smiled and nodded as El did the same and they went downstairs "are you guys okay? You were up there for a long time," Lizzie said.
Elliot nodded "yeah we're fine baby we just like taking long baths together sometimes, would you like some ice cream? Me and Liv are having some."
Lizzie nodded with a smile and Elliot walked off to make their bowls Hi Amanda, I've talked to El and I think it would be good if me and you met up somewhere at some point and talked. I can't drive right now but he said he'll drive me wherever we decide to go. Olivia texted as she then put her phone down , took a sip of tea and waited for El with a smile.
"Chocolate chip ice cream with caramel, hersheys syrup and three cherries," Elliot said with a smile handing her her bowl.
"Thanks El," she said with a smile as her mouth watered and she began to eat.
"Your welcome baby," he said as he handed Lizzie hers then began eating his mint chocolate chip "how do you eat it with that much on it Liv?" Lizzie asked.
Olivia chuckled "I donno sweetie I don't do it often I just craved it tonight."
She nodded with a smile "how did he know how many cherries you like?"
Elliot smiled "because I've seen her make herself bowls a bunch of times. You learn to pay attention to those things."
Lizzie nodded and chuckled with a smile "hey at least I'm not eating it with bananas and maple syrup in it anymore," Liv said.
"Eww why did you eat it like that?"
"It was my pregnancy craving," she said and Elliot smiled "that wasn't even her weirdest one."
"What was it?" she asked eagerly and he smiled "I'd have to say when she dipped nutty buddy bars in orange juice," he said and Olivia blushed embarrassed.
"That sounds so nasty... What even made you try it?"
"I really don't know to be honest with you it just sort of happened."
Lizzie just nodded and chuckled "what did mom crave when she was pregnant with me?" she asked looking at Elliot.
He sighed "bacon egg and cheese biscuits she ate them every day."
She nodded "what about sweet stuff?"
He chuckled "she always ate a tun of those watermelon candy canes. She ate them every pregnancy," he said as he then saw Liv had finished her ice cream and gently took the bowl from her before she had a chance to stand.
"I would have taken it El," she said as he just smiled, gave her a peck on the lips then walked off.
"Have you played slotomania today?" Lizzie asked.
Olivia shook her head "I only play it every now and then sweetie it's just a hobby for me."
She nodded "there are just some cards I need I was hoping you could send them to me?"
Olivia nodded "I don't plan on playing tonight but next time I do I'll send you some."
Lizzie nodded with a smile as she saw Elliot walking down the stairs "do you play slotomania dad?"
Elliot shook his head "I don't I never did get into it," he said as he opened the hall closet and aimed his gun inside it quickly.
Lizzie just nodded slightly and grew quiet and a minute later he closed it back up, checked to make sure the chains were securely in place on both doors then took his gun back upstairs.
"I think I'm about to head to bed Liv," Lizzie said.
Olivia nodded "alright sweetie sleep well, come here a second?"
Lizzie walked over to her and Liv looked her in the eyes "I know him doing that makes you feel a little wary but it's his way of protecting us we're completely safe."
She sighed "I-I know we are there's nobody else here that's why I don't get why he does it it just makes him look crazy."
"It's complicated sweetie, really complicated I fell asleep the other night before I could get his permission to explain it to you but I haven't forgotten and I promise I'm gonna ask him soon."
Lizzie nodded slightly as Elliot came back downstairs and sat down beside Liv with a smile "you about ready for bed baby?"
She gave her phone a quick glance then nodded her head "everything okay?" he asked softly.
"Yeah," she said with a smile as she grabbed her phone and stood from the couch "night Lizzie," she said.
"Night Liv, night daddy."
"Goodnight baby," he said with a smile as the two of them made their way upstairs.
June 9th, 10:15 AM.
"That was great El thank you," Olivia said with a smile as she finished her breakfast in bed which consisted of french toast, bacon and eggs.
"Your welcome," he said as he smiled and gave her a kiss "what's the special occasion?" she asked.
"Nothing I just woke up early and felt like it," he said as she nodded and smiled "the kids up yet?"
Elliot nodded "what do you think woke me up?" he asked affectionately.
Olivia just smiled knowingly as he wrapped his arm around her "I haven't heard from Amaro yet."
"That's strange," she said as she grabbed her phone off the end table "nothing from him but I have something from Rollins."
Elliot nodded "did you call her last night?"
She shook her head "texted her that way we can respond to each other at our convenience," she said as she then opened the message and read it.
Rollins, 8:36 AM: Sorry Liv I just now saw this was catching up on sleep been working and on call for several days straight. I'd love to meet with you, can pick you up if you like and drop Zara off with Nick on our way, it read as she looked to him "she's offering to pick me up and drop Zara off."
Elliot nodded "that explains why we haven't heard from him Rollins probably told him she texted. Whatever you wanna do is fine baby."
She nodded "I think I'll take her up on her offer it'll save on gas and you won't have to wait for us."
Elliot nodded with a slight smile and her thumb began flying no problem sounds great what time works for you? she sent.
Rollins: How does 1 sound?
Liv: Sounds great. Don't have the money for an expensive lunch how does a picnic lunch sound?
Rollins: I don't mind paying...
Liv: I can't ask that of you.
Rollins: Your not asking I'm offering smiling face emoji.
Liv: I really think eating in the park would be better Amanda I have something I wanna show you maybe next time if today goes well?
Rollins: Okay see you at 1. Wear something cool it's hot out.
Liv: thumbs up emoji she sent as she then sighed a little and moved off the bed "I-I need to go look for something nice to wear."
Elliot nodded, stood too and rubbed her shoulder "what time is she coming?"
"1 o'clock," she said and he nodded "it's alright baby you have plenty of time," he whispered as his soothing voice calmed her nerves and they made their way downstairs for a little while.
12:30 PM.
"It moves so fast..." Izzabella said, expression full of awe as she watched Zara's remote controlled car that she was driving around in the living room.
"It sure does," Lizzie said with a smile as she sighed when the doorbell rang as she knew the person was early "whose there!" she called.
"Amanda Rollins!" she called and Lizzie nodded, stood and unlocked the door "dad said you were coming at 1?"
Rollins nodded "I figured being a little early wouldn't hurt," she said shrugging as she walked inside.
Lizzie nodded "Liv's just getting ready," she said.
"Oh okay is your dad here?"
She nodded "he's helping her get ready."
Rollins nodded "may I sit down and wait for them?"
"Sure. Dad Ms. Rollins is here!" Lizzie called up the stairs.
"Okay!" Elliot called down as Liv sighed "shit she's really early."
"It's okay honey we were almost done anyway. You look beautiful by the way."
"Thanks El, do you promise the needle marks don't show?" she asked as she had applied makeup to them and they were in the guest bathroom.
He nodded "I promise you look perfect."
She nodded "so my burns don't show either?"
He shook his head "I can't see them through the fabric baby," he said patiently.
She sighed and nodded relieved as they had tried several shirts over a half hour before getting that result "you ready to head down?" he asked softly.
Olivia nodded "as ready as I'll ever be," she whispered.
Elliot nodded and kissed her "you look beautiful Liv," he said again and she finally believed him and smiled as she returned the kiss then they headed downstairs.
"You look nice Liv," Rollins said with a smile when she saw her.
"Thank you you do as well," she said as she then went and found the photo album while Elliot fixed her sandwich.
"Did you bring a cooler?" Elliot asked.
"Yeah it's in my car," she said as he nodded and gave her the sandwich to put in there.
Rollins took it from him with a smile as Liv came back with the album "what's that?" Rollins asked.
Olivia smiled "it's a photo album, Zara are you about ready to go sweetie?"
"Yeah," she said with a smile and her and Izzabella said there goodbyes "I'll text you when we're through?" Liv said as she hugged Elliot.
"Sounds good honey, don't rush either I want you to have a good day and we'll just be here," he said as he hugged her back and kissed her temple.
She nodded "I'll try El," she said as she grabbed her phone and wallet "do we need anything from the store while I'm out?"
"Just some soy milk if you guys happen to end up close to the Walmart?"
She nodded "we'll stop by there."
He nodded "thanks baby," he said as he frowned when he saw her take Zara's bag with her bad arm "I'll carry it out to the car," he said gently taking it.
Olivia nodded and the four of them walked outside "I put your house key in your wallet baby. I plan on being here I just felt like weather you use it or not you should know where it is."
She nodded "thank you El, I love you."
"Love you too," he said as he opened Rollins's passenger door for her with a smile then put Zara's bag in the back with her "you ladies have a good afternoon, call me if you need me Liv," he said cheerfully.
She smiled "I will," she said as Rollins smiled a little "she's in good hands."
"I know she is I just had to say it," he said as he gave Liv a final peck on the lips then Rollins quickly drove off.
xxxxx
"So what do you wanna talk about Liv?" Rollins asked once they had dropped Zara off as Zara had talked their ears off so much they hadn't had any chance to talk yet at all themselves.
Olivia sighed "I just want us to come to some sort of understanding Amanda I feel like this has all gotten out of hand."
She nodded "I want that too. I already told you why I feel the way I feel though I told you that while you were in the hospital and you said we can't be friends."
Olivia sighed "I don't remember most of my time there but that doesn't surprise me. It really hurt me that you didn't believe me then I felt like we were maybe gonna turn a corner when you met him but then you told Cragen and the whole squad that you thought he had bipolar disorder."
Rollins nodded "I said it because I believed it's true. I still believe it's true and don't I have a right to have my own opinion?"
She sighed "of course you do but that doesn't mean you broadcast it out to everyone. You told everyone Amanda and you had only known him for 24 hours."
"Yeah and in those 24 hours I saw him in about every mood imaginable."
Olivia nodded and sighed "okay before you dig the hole you're in any deeper how about we eat our lunch and I show you the photo album that I wanted to show you?"
Rollins nodded her head "fair enough," she said as she turned the radio up slightly and Olivia gave her a small smile as she drove to the park.
"Was your sandwich good?" Rollins asked a little while later as they had eaten in a comfortable silence on a bench beside the parks water fountain.
Olivia nodded with a smile "yeah yours?"
"It was okay probably should have eaten ham instead of turkey."
Olivia chuckled "me, El and Izzabella go on picnics quite a bit and I always eat peanutbutter and jelly."
Rollins nodded "Izzabella is adorable does she like the outfit I bought her?"
"She hasn't opened it yet we've had Zara and we didn't think it was fair for her to open all that stuff when Zara didn't have anything there."
Rollins nodded understanding "I really hope she'll like it I guessed on what size to buy."
"I'm sure she will," she said as she sipped on her tea "how's the new detective working out?"
She sighed slightly "he's doing fine seems like a nice guy just asks a tun of questions."
Olivia chuckled "I bet him and Munch get along great then."
She nodded "most definitely, he's bonding with Barba too I think he wants to be a DA someday."
Olivia nodded her head as her phone pinged and she grabbed it and looked at it: Lizzie, 2:12 PM: daddy taking a power nap, as there was a picture attached of him asleep with paint all over his shirt.
Liv: Looks like he needed the rest she sent while chuckling as Rollins glanced over "what's up?"
Liv showed her the picture with a smile "looks like he had a fight with the paint and it won," Rollins commented.
Olivia smiled "I think so he's in such a hurry to paint our bedroom I've been trying to tell him he can slow down."
She sighed "men never listen. It's gonna be a nightmare getting it out of his shirt."
"I'll just buy him a new one," Olivia said as she pushed the photo album towards her "I want you to see the pictures that are in here."
Rollins nodded slightly "okay," she said as she took it and began to look at them slowly while Liv texted Lizzie a bit more.
"Why did you want me to see all these?" she asked once she was done looking through them as there were some of Liv while she was pregnant, some with her and El with the older kids and a lot of pictures of them on their honeymoon as in almost every photo Elliot had his arm around her and they were smiling fondly while doing something together.
"Because they show you how happy I've been with him through the years. Amanda these are private family photos and me, you and Elliot are the only people who have seen them... I-I just really needed you to see that he isn't who you think he is and these photos prove that."
Rollins sighed "they prove that he has a sweet side they don't prove that it's like that all the time."
Olivia groaned heavily "what do I need to do to convince you? For the love of god please tell me."
Rollins nodded "tell me how you really got that black eye you came into work with a couple months ago."
"Izzabella was swinging, she didn't see me and she accidentally hit me with it," she said her teeth gritted.
"She's only three though Liv don't you see how illogical that sounds? And I doubt she's strong enough to be able to swing that high besides wouldn't have Elliot been standing right there?"
"He was grilling chicken 30 feet away. He ran over to me as soon as it happened, god he was the one that bandaged my cheek he insisted on it."
"How do I know your not just protecting him?"
Olivia sighed "you can't know for sure and I don't have video of it so I can't prove it but use your common sense Amanda I'm an SVU detective... Fin is friends with him and so are don and Munch... Do you really think they would all be friends with him if they thought he hurt me?"
Amanda sighed, thought for a minute then slightly shook her head as Liv nodded "can you try and let it go then? Give him a clean slate? I don't expect you to be his number one fan but if you want me to be more than just a colleague to you then you're gonna have to respect his place in my life and not spread rumors about him anymore."
Rollins nodded slightly "I-I want to be friends with you so I'll try I promise."
Olivia nodded and sighed relieved "thank you," she said as she stood and threw their trash away "I need to get to Walmart and head home."
"It's only a couple minutes after 3 can't we take a walk around first?"
Olivia debated on it for a minute then finally sighed and nodded "I guess so," she said.
Rollins nodded with a bright smile and stood as they began to walk and it didn't take them to awful long to start talking girl talk.
3:55 PM.
"This has been fun Amanda really but my ribs are starting to hurt, I have to go to Walmart and it's gonna take us 45 minutes to make it back to Queens," Olivia said.
Amanda nodded "alright alright I understand Liv you have pain pills don't you?"
She nodded "yeah at home."
Rollins frowned "why didn't you bring one with you?"
"Because I didn't plan on walking this much," she said and Amanda just nodded "how about I drive you straight home then?"
Olivia sighed "I have to go to Walmart."
Amanda frowned "what do you need from Walmart? If you're in pain can't it wait?"
"I've gotta find soy milk and it could but I told El I'd go."
"If he's the good man you say he is then I think he'll understand."
Olivia just nodded "okay okay," she said as she sighed in relief when they made it to the car leaving the park now, she texted to Elliot once in her seat.
El: Alright baby. Izzabella begged and begged until I finally caved and took her to the park in Queens. Will leave now though.
Liv: If she's having fun you don't have to do that. I can just have Rollins drive me there.
El: You sure?
Liv: Yeah. Do you still need me to run by Walmart?
El: Nah don't it's hot out don't want the milk to ruin.
Liv: thumbs-up emoji as she then looked to Rollins "I need you to drive me to Queens public park."
"But I thought you were in pain?"
She sighed "I am."
Rollins nodded "then I should drive you home."
She shook her head "they're at Queens public park I'll be fine."
Rollins just sighed heavily and nodded her head "alright," she said as she turned her radio on and they rode in relative silence.
"That's a rough song there," Liv commented as Rollins parked and darkness by Eminem played rather loudly.
Rollins shrugged "Eminem's always been one of my favorite singers."
Olivia nodded "I like some of his songs, never heard that one before though."
Rollins nodded "I like it you should watch the music video."
Olivia shook her head "I think I'll pass I have enough images like that in my head I don't need another," she said as she smiled when she saw Elliot approaching the car.
"Suit yourself," Rollins said with a slight smile as she then glanced at her hesitantly "y-you did have an okay time today right?"
Olivia smiled "I did Amanda I'll pay for the hiking later but it was worth it."
Rollins nodded relieved "so you don't hate me anymore?"
Olivia gave her a small smile "I never hated you Amanda and I'm sorry I made you feel that way I was just hurt," she whispered.
She nodded slightly "I understand. You wanna have lunch again next Saturday? A proper one?"
"We'll see," Olivia said as she unbuckled her seatbelt and grabbed her stuff "I'll be in touch."
Amanda nodded "let me know if Izzabella's outfit doesn't fit and I'll exchange it for one that does."
Olivia nodded "I will," she said as she got out of the car and Elliot smiled at her then gently looped her arm through his while holding his phone to his ear with his other hand "that's none of your business," he roared into the receiver.
How Am I supposed to do this? How am I supposed to give him a clean slate when he's literally in two moods at once right now? Rollins wondered in her head as she just gave Liv a sad smile "I hope you feel better! Talk to you soon!" she called as she then drove off as Olivia waved then let Elliot silently lead her to the bench he had been sitting on while he continued fighting with the person on the phone.
"I'm sorry about that baby did you have a good time?" Elliot asked a couple minutes later when the call ended.
"It's okay, I did what's wrong?"
He sighed "do you remember the nightmare you had yesterday morning when the power was out?"
"Yeah," she said as he nodded "it turns out Zara was awake while we were talking about it and we didn't know it. She told Nick all the details and he was asking me questions about your therapy."
Olivia frowned and sighed heavily "that's why I was giving him an ear full how we handle your nightmares is none of his business."
Olivia nodded "I agree with that. I'm sorry Zara heard it though."
Elliot nodded "me too but it's not your fault."
She nodded "I know it isn't," she said as she leaned closer to him and noticed a knot on his head "what happened to your head El?"
He sighed "I just dinged it a little I'm alright."
Olivia frowned and looked in to his eyes wanting more explanation as he sighed again "I was painting the bedroom ceiling while arguing with Kathleen, my foot slipped and I fell off the ladder and hit my head on the side of it. I'm fine though I promise it barely hurts anymore."
Olivia nodded slightly "I-I would have come straight home if I knew."
Elliot nodded "I know you would have baby that's why I wouldn't let Lizzie tell you."
She sighed, nodded and hugged him tightly "I-I should have known you weren't napping on the couch for no reason I-I just thought you were catching up on your sleep."
"She told you that huh? She shouldn't have bothered you."
Olivia smiled "she sent me a picture actually and it didn't bother me at all."
Elliot just nodded, sighed and rubbed her back "maybe we should get Lizzie to drive you to Med Plus? Make sure you don't have a concussion?"
Elliot chuckled and kissed her temple "I'm fine baby," he whispered as she nodded and they watched Lizzie and Izzabella play for a little while then headed home.