June 9th, 7:45 PM.
"Here baby open this," Elliot said to Izzabella with a smile as he handed her a wrapped gift.
"It's for me?" she asked shocked.
"Sure is kiddo I told you you had more birthday presents. This one's from grandpa Don."
Izzabella smiled brightly and began unwrapping the box "wow..." she said in awe as it was a remote controlled airplane.
"That is cool sweetie who knows how it even works though!" Olivia said as she smiled and took a picture.
"You've never seen one of them before?" El asked.
Olivia shook her head and he nodded sadly then looked at Izzabella "we'll figure it out next time we see grandma Bernie she has more space there. He got you something else too."
She smiled brightly and nodded as he handed her a small bag with tissue paper and she quickly pulled a card out "lets read what's inside hmm?" he asked.
Izzabella nodded and he took the card gently from her and opened it "turning one or two is cool. Turning three though is super, super, super cool. Have a super cool third birthday... from your favorite grandpa, grandpa Don," he read as she continued to smile brightly "that's not it either," he whispered.
"What?" Olivia said shocked as he nodded and showed her the one hundred dollar bill which was inside the card "i-it's to much..." she whispered.
"I know," he whispered back as Izzabella saw it in his hand "what's that daddy?"
"That's money sweetheart we'll have to put it in your piggy bank until you find something you wanna buy with it."
She nodded and smiled brightly "can I buy a cupcake with it?"
Elliot nodded "you could probably buy 50 cupcakes with it. You should call grandpa Don and tell him thank you later."
"Okay," she said with a bright smile as he handed her another wrapped box "this one's from uncle Fin."
She nodded happily and quickly unwrapped it to find a Barbie learning laptop for kids inside "that's so cool... It kinda looks like yours daddy!" she said pointing at the computer that was on the other side of the living room.
Elliot nodded "it sure does except this computer is one for kids your age."
She smiled big and nodded excitedly "can I play with it now?"
Both Liv and El chuckled "you still have some more stuff to open and mommy's taking pictures," Liv said as she nodded and smiled "this is from ms. Amanda. She was here today," Elliot said handing her the bag.
Izzabella nodded and took the pajama's out with a smile "this one's from Mr. Nick," he said as it was a small gift bag with ten dollars inside.
"Is that money too?" Izzabella asked holding the bill in her hand.
"It is can I see it? I'll put it in your piggy bank."
Izzabella nodded, looked closely at it then handed it to him "daddy? Why does this money look different than the other money?"
He smiled "because not all money is worth the same thing."
She nodded slightly "why not?"
"Because some things cost more than others."
She nodded "can I buy cupcakes with this money?" she asked pointing at the ten dollar bill which was still in his hand.
"Mmhmm you could buy 5 of them. Your not spending all of your money on cupcakes though."
"Why not?"
"Because I said so. You ready to open something else?"
Izzabella nodded and he smiled and grabbed an envelope "this is from uncle Munch," he said handing it to her.
She took it with a smile and opened it "what are these?" she asked confused as she handed the 3 small papers which were inside it to him.
Elliot looked at them "they're movie tickets baby," he said with a smile as he showed one to Olivia.
"Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs. She'll love that when's it showing?"
"The 15th, there's a problem though," he said sighing.
"What is it?" she asked as she then saw there were only three tickets "ohh," she said softly as she nodded a couple times "you, Izzabella and Lizzie can go I'll just stay here."
Elliot shook his head "that ticket is meant for you you know it is we'll figure something out."
She sighed "but Lizzie... We can't exclude her."
"She may not even wanna go Liv it's a kids movie," he said just grasping at straws now.
"Elliot," she whispered through a sigh as just then Lizzie came out from her room "dad? I just talked to Samantha my best friend from high school before I moved. I told her I'm in town and she wants to hang out with me on Saturday is that okay?"
"Of course baby," Elliot said with a smile as he did his best to hide his sigh of relief "thanks dad. Would it be alright if I sit on the deck for a little while? I feel like it's to nice outside to sit in the house."
"Of course just lock the door on your way out and take your key."
She nodded with a smile and went outside as Izzabella was racing a couple small toy cars on the floor "baby you've got two more things to open," Elliot said.
Izzabella nodded her head as Elliot handed her a box "this is from us," he said with a smile.
She nodded with a smile and opened it eagerly "that's so cool!" she said as it was Play-doh with the little cutters.
"I'm really glad you like it sweetie," Olivia said as that was the gift she had picked out.
Izzabella smiled "I love it! Can I play with it?"
"Soon baby one more present this one's from us too," Elliot said as he moved and dragged over a huge wrapped box.
"Woah..." Izzabella whispered in awe of it "lets open it shall we?" El asked.
"Is it really for me?"
Elliot smiled "sure is kiddo," he said as once she opened it she looked at what was inside of it in amazed wonder "w-what's this?"
Elliot smiled "it's called a slip and slide baby we think you'll really enjoy it water sprays on it and you get to run across it outside."
She smiled brightly "can I try it now?"
Elliot shook his head slightly "it's gonna be your bedtime soon why don't you try out your Play-doh now and I'll set up the slip and slide tomorrow?"
"Okay," she said with a bright smile as Elliot smiled and set her up with it then plopped down onto the couch beside Liv.
"How's your head feeling El?" she asked softly.
"Okay how about your ribs? Are they any better?"
Olivia nodded with a smile "she was so cute opening all those presents..."
"She sure was the young years are my favorite they're always so grateful for what everyone gives them."
Olivia nodded "I want it to stay that way at least to a point as she grows up."
Elliot nodded "I really think it will. Hey I'm gonna do my checks now since Lizzie's outside I don't like how uneasy she gets."
"Alright," she said with a slight nod "I feel like one of us should talk to her about it. Explain why you do it."
He nodded "I agree I was just afraid to broach the subject."
"Why?" Liv asked surprised.
"Cuz I know talking about what happened is hard for you and I didn't wanna just talk to her about it behind your back."
Olivia nodded as she leaned into him slightly, touched by his thoughtfulness "I-I want her to know El. Not all the details but she's said a couple things to me and I think her knowing he broke in will clear some things up for her."
Elliot nodded "should we talk to her about it together then? Or should one of us do it on our own?"
Olivia sighed "I think you should make that choice El i don't wanna overstep any boundaries or tell her anything you don't want her to know."
Elliot pulled her a little closer to him and began rubbing her back "she's 19 baby she can know whatever you're comfortable with her knowing and as far as I'm concerned she's yours just as much as she's mine and Kathy's so overstepping boundaries isn't ever something you need to worry about with any of the kids okay?"
"Okay," she said as she sat there in silent thought for a couple minutes while he continued to rub her back "I think we should do it together," she finally said.
Elliot nodded, kissed her temple then slowly rose from the couch "I'll be back in a few minutes baby."
Olivia nodded "you know you don't have to keep doing it right?"
He sighed slightly "my rational mind does but it makes me feel better."
She nodded accepting the answer "maybe you could tell Dr. Lindstrom about your need to do it next time we see him?"
"I plan on it I don't like how much I feel like I need to."
"I'm sure it'll pass over time," she said softly as he gave her a hopeful nod then headed upstairs and grabbed his gun.
Sweetie can you come inside? Me and dad wanna talk to you Olivia texted to Lizzie.
Lizzie: thumbs-up emoji she sent as a little while later Izzabella had been tucked in by both of her parents and the 3 of them had a seat, ate bowls of ice cream and how Lewis managed to take Olivia was explained.
"I-I'm so sorry Liv... I-I think I understand it now," she whispered once they had finished talking.
"You don't need to apologize honey really you don't and we didn't tell you this to upset you"-
"I-I know," she whispered as she then looked to Elliot "I-I'm sorry I thought you had gone crazy daddy."
"You did huh? I didn't know that part," he said lightheartedly as his expression then grew serious "it's alright baby with out the right context if I had been in your shoes I would have thought I was crazy too."
"Really?" she asked surprised.
"Mmhmm I think I would have called and sent myself to the luny bin," he said chuckling as he grabbed her and Liv's bowls.
Lizzie and Liv both chuckled slightly as Liv shot him a reassuring look "you're not crazy," her eyes communicated as he returned the look with a nod then put their bowls in the dishwasher.
"Would it be alright if I go FaceTime Samantha some more? We've missed so much of each others lives in the last couple years," Lizzie said wistfully.
"Of course honey stay on with her as long as you want we have nothing we're doing tomorrow all I ask is that you guys are quiet so Izzabella doesn't wake up upstairs."
"Thank you dad we will be I promise."
Elliot smiled, walked over to her and kissed her head "night honey."
"Night dad," she said as she then headed to her room and Liv and El didn't wait very long before heading to bed themselves.
xxxxx
The next few days went by easily as Liv, El, Izzabella and Lizzie settled into a bit of a routine. They ate all their meals together like a small family, Lizzie spent a lot of time catching up with old friends, Izzabella spent a lot of time playing on either her swing, trampoline or waterslide and Liv and El spent a lot of time out there watching her as quite often El joined in with her and Liv took pictures waiting for the day that her cast would be off and ribs would be healed so she could join in too.
The painting of their bedroom was coming along slowly too but after El's fall Olivia managed to convince him to slow down a little. Her nightmares were becoming less frequent, he was starting to feel a little less on guard and calmness radiated around them.
Even when they approached the date of the preliminary hearing everyone was eerily calm. Olivia bravely testified to what had been done to her and what she had seen done to Ryan with Elliot in the front row projecting nothing but calm and unwavering support, Lewis wasn't there and the judge was quick to approve jury selections to take place in a few months once all the media coverage died down.
Now Elliot found himself lying in bed with Liv at 7 AM on June 13th stroking her hair gently wondering where it had all gone wrong.
When they had gotten home after the hearing everything felt great, it had been like nothing out of the ordinary happened that day they ate a nice dinner outside, planned for the squad to come over and eat dinner with them tomorrow, they'd even planned to watch Zara and take everyone to the pool again but Liv had just now fallen asleep again after her 6th nightmare and Elliot was about ready to text Nick and tell him that they couldn't watch Zara today when his phone pinged we're outside, she's asleep the screen read.
Elliot sighed softly to himself. He was going on about an hours sleep but felt weirdly energized Be down in a minute he sent as he slowly and gently eased her head off his chest and onto a pillow while continuing the stroking motion of his hand on her hair.
Olivia stayed in her light sleep as he sighed in relief then eased up a minute later and dashed out wanting to be back as quick as he could in case she started to have another one "morning Amaro," he whispered once he had opened the door.
"Morning Elliot thanks for agreeing to keep her today it'll save me a trip since we'll be here tonight anyway."
He sighed heavily "no worries lay her down there I have to get back upstairs," he said as he pointed at the couch.
"What's going on man is Izzabella sick?"
Elliot shook his head and Amaro nodded "is Liv sick?"
He shook his head again and Amaro frowned "something with your plumbing? Did something break?"
Elliot sighed and gave him a frustrated hurried look "okay okay I'll quit asking questions now have a good day."
"You too, here," he said handing him a key to their house "you can use this to get in and out in the mornings from now on."
"Thanks man, thanks really," he said as he hung in the doorway slightly shocked.
Elliot nodded "your welcome, we want everyone in our inner circle to have one," he said as he nodded again then turned to face the stairs.
"Elliot you seem on edge what's wrong?"
"I'm fine, have a good day at work we might not swim today."
Amaro sighed slightly "alright man I'm gonna try and be here by 6."
"Okay, listen we might cancel the cookout too if we do I'll let you guys know."
"Okay talk to you later," he said as he left with a worried frown and Elliot quickly relocked the door, attached the chain then headed back upstairs.
"Lewis no, no no no no..." Olivia cried in her sleep for the seventh time as Elliot's heart dropped in his chest.
"Liv? Liv wake up baby," Elliot said tenderly as he climbed back on to the guest bed.
"No no no don't hurt him... D-Don't hurt them i-I'll do anything... a-anything... E-Elliot no!" she cried as she then jolted awake, rose up quickly and franticly looked around, a look of terror in her eyes.
"I'm here baby, I'm right here beside you I'm safe and so are you," he whispered softly.
Olivia's stance and facial expression didn't change as she didn't here him "baby I'm here, right here I don't wanna scare you by touching you but I'm right here, right here."
Olivia heard his voice as she scooted closer to it then reopened her eyes "Elliot," she whispered relieved.
Elliot picked then as a good time to start stroking her hair "I'm right here baby everything's okay."
"I-It wasn't just you in that dream," she whispered after a couple minutes.
"Who else was there?" he asked tenderly as he held her gently against his side.
"I-Izzabella, somehow she was in the beach house too h-he tried to kill both of you guys. Y-You dived on top of her to save her from the bullet a-and it killed you I-I woke up right after that."
"Baby I'm so sorry, so so sorry we're all safe, I promise you we're all safe."
She nodded several times and held on to him tightly for a few minutes as eventually she pulled away "you're fine baby you didn't have to move you weren't hurting me."
She nodded and kissed his cheek tiredly "I-I'm gonna go downstairs so you can get some undisturbed sleep El this is getting ridiculous."
"You don't have to do that baby I'm not even that tired."
"That's a lie Elliot and you know it I've woken you up seven times."
Elliot kissed her temple gently "6 actually I was already up this time."
"That doesn't make me feel any better," she whispered sadly.
"I know I'm sorry," he said as she sighed and shook her head "this isn't your fault it's really not I think pretending that nothing happened finally caught up with me."
Elliot nodded slightly "yesterday did sort of feel to good to be true I was just so grateful that you were handling it as good as you were that I didn't question it."
She sighed sadly "I-I was fine yesterday El I-I really was, I mean it was hard answering all those questions but I had you and once we were back here I had the kids s-so I focused on them playing and our plans for today and that worked until I was in the bed."
"Why didn't you talk to me honey?" he asked softly.
She sighed "i-it's almost been a month now i-i wanna move past it."
He nodded sadly and was now rubbing her back too "you know healings not linear baby you're gonna take steps forward and backwards all the time for a long time I just need you to know weather you talk to me or not I'm here and will always be here for you."
"I-I know El I've never doubted that."
"Good," he said relieved as he frowned when she pulled away and kissed him "I love you El get some rest," she said softly as she stood up.
"I love you too baby, so so much but I don't want you to go downstairs just because of me if you need space that's different but don't feel like you need to for me."
Olivia nodded slightly and climbed back on to the bed "I-I'm gonna make all this up to you El I promise," she said guiltily.
"I'm not doing this for that I'm doing it cuz I love you that's it."
Olivia nodded slightly, kissed him then sighed and laid her head on her pillow as Elliot cuddled up beside her and stroked the side of her head and hair until she was back asleep.
A few minutes later he grabbed his phone and scrolled through the contacts while keeping his other hand right there in her hair as when he found the name Leonard Mccutcheon he dialed the number and let it ring.
"Yeah," the man answered on the 4th ring.
"Hey Leonard I know it's been a while since we spoke but I need a favor."
"What kind of favor could you possibly need from me I thought you retired."
Elliot sighed slightly "have you seen the news?" he asked quietly.
"Nah you know I don't watch that shit. Why you whispering?"
"Long story. You still work at Rikers right?"
"Yeah I'll work there till I'm old and grey."
Elliot nodded "good I need you to make sure that William Lewis has a really hard time."
"Ah that dirtbag. He's gonna be in the infirmary for at least another week or so don't know why he's there but I know he's a whimp and somebody worked him over good."
"He's there because he kidnapped and tortured my wife," Elliot whispered as Liv started to grow slightly restless "shhhh," he soothed as he stroked her hair.
"Aw you finally got your nuptials and I wasn't invited? Come on Elliot..."
"I'm sorry I really am it's just we wanted it to be small and everything that happened with Jenna made me lose touch with a lot of people."
"It's fine man I get it I know I'm a little rough and tumble. Is she alright though? I've always thought she was a sweet woman."
"She is she's the strongest woman I know. I'd be lying though if I didn't say he hurt her and it's gonna be a process so like I said I really need him to suffer in there."
"You know I'd do anything if it was to help that woman she's an angel on earth. Hey are you still taking flowers to Jenna's grave? I drove past it the other day and didn't see any."
Elliot sighed "I-I haven't had a chance this year... Our baby's been sick and this happened and..."
"I'll do it for you man what kind do you usually get?"
"Just an assortment," he whispered gratefully.
"Alright. Look I've gotta go my shift starts in ten minutes but I'll put him in a pod with some folks who hate sadistic pricks and see what happens. How would you feel about going out for a drink sometime?"
"I'd like that maybe in a couple months or so when things are less fresh?"
"That sounds great. Do me a favor though don't be a stranger anymore Elliot I've only met little Izzabella twice and even with you retired you're still good to talk to."
"I'll try not to I promise I've missed our chats too. Have a good shift man," he said as the call then ended and he fell into a light sleep happy that Lewis would get a little taste of pain behind bars.
10 AM.
"Daddy, daddy we're hungry," Izzabella whispered shaking his shoulder slightly.
"Lizzie awake?" he asked softly.
Izzabella nodded slightly "have her grab you guys a couple pop tarts baby."
She frowned a bit "but I want waffles."
"I'll fix em for you tomorrow baby," he mumbled.
She nodded slightly "are you sick daddy?"
Elliot shook his head "didn't sleep good last night."
She nodded slightly then went downstairs as Elliot sighed slightly once she was gone and was unable to fall back asleep so he just laid there beside Liv with his fingers woven into her hair and hoped beyond hope that she wouldn't have any more nightmares.
11:05 AM.
Olivia began to stretch slightly as she slowly began entering wakefulness "hey baby," Elliot whispered softly as he gave her a couple gentle kisses on the temple.
"Hey El how you feeling?"
"I'm okay you?"
She sighed "same I feel like I need a big caramel mocha just to get going though."
He nodded "I feel you baby. How about I make us both one and some breakfast?"
Olivia nodded slightly "El I'm sorry about last night I really am you know that's not me."
"Don't apologize you can't help what you dream baby this is on Lewis not you."
She nodded "I-I think I'm gonna start that dream diary today, write them all out like you did before a-and I think I need to talk to Lindstrom again soon."
Elliot nodded his head "I think we have an extra notebook around here somewhere. I'll call and make the appointment too do you want it to be us together or just you?"
"C-Can it be us together? At least for most of it?"
"Of course whatever you need," he said softly.
Olivia smiled and nodded gratefully "I'm gonna go wash my face and stuff," she said.
Elliot nodded "take your time baby I'll just be downstairs. What do you want for breakfast?"
"Anything's fine," she said with a slight smile as he nodded his head then walked down.
"Daddy!!!!" Izzabella said with a bright smile as she leaped into his arms "can we go play outside now?"
Elliot chuckled slightly as he caught her, gave her a hug and a couple fatherly kisses then put her down with a smile "not right now baby me and mommy just woke up and we've gotta eat. Why don't you and Zara take this time to play together with some of your new toys?"
"Okay!" she said as she ran off with a smile and Elliot put some french toast on then dialed Lindstrom's office number with his phone on speaker on the counter while he made caramel mochas.
"Office of doctor Peater Lindstrom this is Patricia," he heard after four rings as Zara was fixing herself a cup of grape juice unnoticed.
"Yes hi my name is Elliot Stabler I need to make an appointment for me and my wife please."
"Okay full name and date of births starting with yours."
Elliot gave her the proper information while turning on the blender "I'm sorry I can't hear you over all the noise," Patricia said.
Elliot sighed and shouted the information louder as she quickly put it into the computer "does your wife know about and consent to this appointment?"
"Yes it was her idea!" he called over the blender as once the drinks were mixed thoroughly he turned it off.
"Alright can you tell me a little about what's going on?"
Elliot sighed as he poured the drinks "she had seven nightmares last night and is feeling guilty and overwhelmed she told me she needs to talk to Lindstrom."
"I see. So it'll just be her then?"
"No she's more comfortable with joint sessions," he said as he then saw Zara standing there with her glass of grape juice in her hand listening "go in there," he demanded in a firm emotionless voice as he pointed to the living room with his pointer finger.
Zara quickly scurried off having been caught "alright is your wife a danger to herself or others right now?" Patricia asked.
Elliot checked the french toast then grabbed his phone off the counter and put it to his ear "no no not at all she just needs to talk."
"Okay I'll put you both down, we have tomorrow afternoon at 3 open does that work for you?"
"Yes it does," he said as she nodded "I do need to inform you that for it to be a joint session you'll have to talk too."
"I understand," he said as he saw Liv, smiled at her and handed her her mocha.
"Okay great we'll see you tomorrow then," she said hanging up "the french toast's almost ready," Elliot said.
She nodded "it smells amazing. When are we going in?"
"Tomorrow at 3. I reconnected with Leonard."
She smiled "that's great El although I hope it's not for the reason I'm thinking?"
Elliot sighed and Olivia just nodded "as long as it doesn't come back on you..." she whispered.
"It won't Leonard is really good at making that kind of thing look like an accident."
She nodded slightly "he's not gonna kill him is he? I want him to face his day in court."
"No baby," he said softly and Olivia nodded relieved "I love you El."
"Love you to honey," he said as his facial expression then hardened a little and he stepped into the living room "Zara come here please," he said.
Zara stood nervously and he lead her to their small home office "sit down," he said as he shut the door then sat across from her.
"What's going on?" Lizzie asked Olivia from outside the door.
"I'm not sure sweetie she must have done something wrong," she said and Lizzie frowned "are you gonna go in there?"
Olivia shook her head "he's handling whatever it is why don't we go back into the kitchen?"
"Okay," Lizzie said as they walked off "Zara honey we need to have a little chat about something called privacy," Elliot said.
Zara nodded slightly and he sighed "you know how your house is your house?"
"Yeah," she said nervously.
Elliot nodded "well this house is mine and Olivia's house and sometimes things happen here in this house that aren't meant to be shared with anyone else."
She nodded slightly "daddy says I can tell him everything though."
Elliot nodded "that's the truth. You can tell him everything that involves you somehow but my phone calls and mine and Liv's private talks don't involve you do they?"
She shook her head slightly and Elliot nodded "how would you feel if I told people about or listened to your private talks?"
"I-I don't know," she said as a few tears fell from her eyes.
Elliot sighed slightly and softened his features a little "you would feel upset sweetheart all kids have secrets think about your friends. How would you feel if your friend told your biggest secret? Or if someone else listened to you talking to your friend and told other people what you said?"
"I-I'd feel sad," she whispered.
Elliot nodded slightly "so the phone call you heard in the kitchen earlier? I need you to keep it to yourself because it was a private talk and I need you to stop listening to private talks okay? It isn't nice."
She nodded her head slightly "h-how do I know when something is a private talk?"
"Any talk with out you in it is a private talk at my house."
Zara nodded her head slightly "I-I didn't mean to hear the first private talk I-I was worried about Liv though afterwords that's why I told daddy about it I wanted to know if she was okay."
Elliot nodded "I understand sweetheart but if you ever accidentally here more talks and have questions I want you to ask me okay."
She nodded slightly "o-okay, c-can I go play now?"
"Do you promise not to listen to any more private talks?"
Zara nodded her head quickly several times and Elliot nodded and shook her hand gently "go on then," he said softly as she quickly scurried out "you okay sweetie?" Lizzie asked.
"Mmhmm, will you play barbies with us?"
"Sure," she said with a smile as she watched her dad come out of the office "everything okay El?" Liv asked as she ate her french toast.
Elliot nodded with a smile as she returned it "I put your plate on the table," she said.
"Thanks baby you didn't have to though really I would have gotten it."
"I know but it feels good doing small things for you too," she said as they kissed then ate in a comfortable silence.
3:15 PM.
"Lizzie will you go out and grab the mail please?" Elliot asked as he was giving Liv a back massage, she was catching up on recorded Days of Our Lives and he had just seen the mail carrier stop by.
"Sure," she said with a smile as she stood to go get it "when did this one air El?" Liv asked.
"November 19th, 2012," he said quickly checking then resuming his massaging.
"Wow I am behind aren't I..." she said shocked.
Elliot just smiled and nodded "once you went back to work you didn't really have time for this anymore."
She nodded slightly "I know one thing when I do work again I'm not letting my hours get out of hand like before I still wanna help people somehow but you guys have to be my number one priority."
"Even when you did work those hours we still were baby you always found time for us."
"Not as much as I should've though."
"That just made the time you spent with us even more precious," he said softly as just then the door opened and once Lizzie locked everything back she handed him the mail.
"Thanks baby," he said as he took it with his free hand and glanced through it "we got something from Maureen," he told Liv.
Olivia smiled and nodded as Elliot opened the envelope finding a card inside and began to read it.
You're the best dad a girl can ask for because you always know what to do and what to say. You make me smile when I need it, laugh when I need it, listen to reason when I need it and most importantly you always listen when I need it weather it takes seconds, minutes or hours. Those on top of many more things are what make you the best dad. Happy father's day, love Maureen.
PS: I know it's early but if anyone deserves an early fathers day present it's you. Also check the envelope thoroughly before throwing it away winking face.
A few tears streamed down Elliot's cheek as he showed Liv the card "that's so sweet..." she whispered.
He nodded several times and swiped away his tears "it's okay to cry El it touched your heart."
He nodded slightly "s-she wrote the words herself god that means so much to me, so much."
Olivia nodded "I know it does," she said as she handed him the envelope to inspect like the card said as in the back he found a wadded up piece of paper and chuckled "Maureen wouldn't be Maureen without adding a little humor."
Olivia chuckled slightly "why don't you unwind it?" she suggested thinking she saw something on it.
Elliot nodded and carefully straightened it out as he teared up again when he realized it was a fifty dollar bill "that's to much..." he whispered.
Olivia nodded but smiled "she loves you and wants you to feel loved and appreciated."
He nodded slightly "I love her too. I-I have to go call her," he said as he stood and grabbed his phone.
Olivia just smiled, rose and kissed him on the cheek before he walked off knowing he wanted to talk to Maureen in private "why was Mr. Elliot crying?" Zara asked once he was gone.
Olivia smiled "because he was given a really thoughtful gift they were good tears, Lizzie Izzabella come here," she whispered.
The two girls walked over "sit right here," she said pointing at where Elliot had been sitting "we need to think of something really special that we can do for him on Sunday."
Izzabella smiled brightly "will it be better than what he got today?"
Olivia shrugged "we aren't trying to compete to see who can give him the best gift that's not why we do this it's to show him in our own ways from our hearts that we love him and appreciate everything he does for us, specifically that you guys appreciate and love that he's your dad."
Izzabella smiled and nodded attentively "what's his favorite breakfast Liv? We could make that for him and surprise him with it," Lizzie said.
Olivia smiled "I know he likes grits and fried hash browns. We'll have to buy grits though I don't think we have any."
"What if we tried to make him homemade grits?"
Olivia smiled "we can do that do you know how to make them?"
Lizzie shook her head "all I know how to cook is pop tarts and toasterstrudels mom and Jim wouldn't let me cook anything else."
Olivia nodded "that's okay, I'm not the best cook myself while I'm off work I'm gonna get your dad to teach me the tricks of the trade but for now I'll look for a good recipe online and get my doctor to take off my cast early so we can do it together."
Lizzie nodded with a smile as Izzabella took that chance to lean into Liv's ear "can I tell you a secret?"
"Sure sweetie," she said with a smile and Izzabella nodded "daddy told me that chocolate gravy is his favorite breakfast dessert."
Olivia smiled and nodded "then we'll make sausage biscuits, grits, hash browns and chocolate gravy."
"That sounds amazing Liv I don't think dad'll have words when he wakes up."
Olivia smiled and nodded "probably not. You guys should make him fathers day cards too. It doesn't have to be anything over the top but he'll love the thought of it."
Lizzie sighed "I feel like buying him something is better I'm not super good at saying the right things on paper."
Olivia nodded "it's your choice sweetie I'm not gonna sway you but I promise you he'll like a card that you make him more than a five dollar gift from a store."
Lizzie nodded "if I can think of the right words to say I'll do that," she said as Izzabella looked to Olivia "will you help me draw him a picture mommy?"
"Of course baby. How about we do it together when my cast is off?"
"Okay," she said with a smile as they then moved from the love seat and resumed playing with Zara.
5:05 PM.
"Sorry I took so long Liv it turns out it was a good thing I called her when I did she needed some advice." Elliot said as he took his seat beside her seeing she was watching another episode of Days.
"Don't ever apologize for that El she's your daughter I'm just glad you guys are that close. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah her and Carl are just going through another rough patch."
Olivia nodded sadly "I hope one day they get to the place where me and you are."
"Me too baby but you know how much work that takes remember how much we used to fight?"
She nodded "mmhmm but we always had amazing makeup sex."
"That we did," he whispered with a soft smile "where are the kids?"
"Lizzie took them outside to jump on the trampoline they were getting bored."
Elliot nodded his head "do you still want the squad to come over tonight? Somebody'll probably text in a few minutes."
Olivia sighed "can they come tomorrow? I don't wanna let anybody down but I feel a little to tired to entertain people tonight."
"Of course baby," he said softly and she nodded gratefully "I should probably tell you we have doctors appointments tomorrow."
"Oh?" he asked.
She nodded "I made myself one to get my cast off my wrist hasn't hurt at all the last couple days and when I made the appointment they said you were due your physical so I scheduled our appointments for the same time."
"Alright baby what time do we need to be there?"
"1 o'clock," she said.
Elliot nodded "that should work out fine," he said as he pulled her close and rubbed her back.
She nodded slightly as her heart was beating a bit faster than normal and he felt it and moved his hand from her back to her hair "what's wrong baby?" he whispered tenderly.
She sighed heavily "I-I opened our cable bill..."
"Okay?" he asked softly.
She sighed again "y-you're about to be really pissed off," she said as she sat up slightly "an x rated movie called Raping In Sin City was ordered and watched here on May 22nd. They charged us 32 dollars for it and with inflation on top of that the bill's 185 dollars."
"That fucking prick. That fucking lowlife no good sadistic prick," he said as he sighed heavily, gently pulled her back to him and stroked her hair.
She nodded slightly "it's disgusting, absolutely disgusting I-I can call the cable company, explain what happened maybe they'll wave the charge."
Elliot shook his head slightly "I don't want you to worry about it baby I'll handle it and if I can't then we'll just pay it."
Olivia opened her mouth to say something but before she could Elliot's phone pinged Fin: we still coming tonight? the screen read.
Elliot kissed her temple and continued to stroke her hair as he used his free hand to text Tonight's not the best night tomorrow?
Fin: Tomorrow's good whatcha cookin?
El: Nothing have appointments somebody will have to bring something.
Fin: Okay. Amaro just clocked out he and Rollins will be there for Zara shortly.
El: Thumbs-up emoji he sent as he then put his phone down "how does a frozen pizza sound for dinner?"
"That sounds great El. Are you sure you don't want me to call Spectrum about the movie?"
"I'm sure baby I don't want you to stress on it it's not your fault he ordered it."
Olivia nodded her head slightly and a couple minutes later he sighed "I better get up and put the pizza in," he whispered.
She nodded slightly and he stroked her hair a couple more times before standing up "you're okay right?"
"Y-Yeah I'm fine El," she said and he nodded slightly and did his quick work in the kitchen.
6:20 PM.
Everyone had just finished their pizza and they were now munching on Oreo cookies when the doorbell rang "come in!" Elliot called knowing who it was having seen the car.
Amaro unlocked the door with his key and he and Rollins walked into the house "looks yummy," she said commenting on the cookies.
"Mmhmm," Izzabella said happily with her mouth full as the adults chuckled slightly "can you guys watch Zara again tomorrow?" Nick asked.
"We have appointments tomorrow sorry," El said and he nodded "everything okay?"
"Yeah," he said simply and Amaro just nodded "Liv did you decide about our lunch on Saturday?" Rollins asked.
Olivia nodded "I can't go I'm sorry I have plans."
"Ahh whatcha gonna be doing?"
She smiled "we're taking Izzabella to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs two it's Munch's birthday gift."
"Gotcha that sounds fun what time does it start?"
"We're gonna get there at around 6:30 to get good seats the movie starts at 7. She loves the pajamas you got her by the way."
"I'm glad to hear that. If the movie doesn't start till 7 I don't see why we can't have lunch though..."
"Please don't pressure her," Elliot said as Rollins just sighed slightly "you about ready to go Zara?" Nick asked.
"Yeah," she said with a smile as she ate one more cookie then made her rounds hugging people "we'll see you tomorrow night at dinner sweetheart," Elliot said when she finally got around to him.
"Okay Mr. Elliot, have a good day tomorrow."
"You too sweetie," he said as the four of them left and the Stabler's headed back into the living room "I love you Liv so much baby but I can't handle another one of those tonight," he said as he cringed and pointed at the tv which was still playing Days of Our Lives.
Olivia smiled "I understand I'm shocked you tolerated it for as long as you did how about we watch Storage Wars now?" she suggested knowing it was his favorite.
Elliot smiled and kissed her lips "I love you baby."
"I love you to El," she said as she turned it to the Storage Wars marathon and they chilled for the rest of the evening.
A/n: Made up the name for the X rated movie I don't watch that stuff and didn't wanna research it. For what it's worth though considering the person who watched it I think the name is appropriate. Until next chapter everyone.