June 14th, 6:45 PM.
"I'm so sorry I'm late my pie burned and I had to make a new one..." Rollins said through a stressed out sigh when Fin let her and Franny into Liv and El's home.
"It's alright Amanda the steaks aren't done yet and neither are the potatoes. Why'd you bring the dog?"
"She didn't wanna be by herself. Did you girl? No," she cooed.
Fin chuckled and smiled "you love that dog don't you Amanda?"
She nodded "she's my life."
Fin nodded "just don't let her piss on anything you see how clean this place is."
"She won't do that she's a good girl right Franny?" She then tousled her fir a bit "yes you are."
Fin just smiled slightly "where's everyone else?" Amanda asked.
"Munch is fixing the potatoes everybody else is out on the deck."
She nodded "why are you in here by yourself?"
"I was giving Munch a hand before you got here."
Rollins nodded with a smile, sat her pie down then walked off "hey your dog!" Fin called but she didn't hear him and he sighed and lead Franny by the leash to an arm chair "up, stay," he said as he then went back to the kitchen to help Munch.
xxxxx
I believe in love, I believe in babies, I believe in mom and dad, and I believe in you, Rollins heard in the distance as she smiled to herself the deck must be that way she thought as she followed the sound of the music.
Well I don't believe that heaven waits, for only those who congregate, I like to think of god as love, he's down below, he's up above, he's watching people everywhere, he knows who does and doesn't care, and I'm an ordinary man, sometimes I wonder who I am but I believe in love, the song continued to play as she stepped onto the deck and smiled when she saw Olivia and Elliot slow dancing.
"I believe in music, I believe in magic and I believe in you," she heard Elliot softly singing and she decided to take a quick picture of them "Nick come dance with me!" she called then.
"Coming! I'm glad you finally made it!" he called as Elliot's head whipped around instinctively.
"It's just Nick and Amanda El lets keep dancing," Olivia whispered.
Elliot nodded, kissed her temple then relaxed again as he then gently twirled her and started swaying with her again and she smiled a carefree smile and Nick and Amanda danced beside them.
When that song ended you're so beautiful by Joe Cocker began to play and they slow danced to it too "don't climb up the slide girls that's what the ladder's for!" Cragen called as he was grilling and on kid duty.
"Sorry grandpa Don!" Izzabella called and he just gave her a soft smile "I'm gonna go check on Fin and Munch's progress," Olivia said once the song ended.
Elliot nodded and gave her a gentle kiss before sitting down as she went in through the back "how's it going in here guys?" she asked with a smile.
"Great the potatoes are almost done!" Munch said as Franny was barking in the living room.
"That's good. Umm is that what I think it is?"
"Yeah it's Franny Rollins didn't wanna leave her by herself at home," Fin said.
"Well she can't be in there Elliot worked his ass off freshening this house up I'm not about to have it smelling like dog hair," she said as she quickly walked off "she better not have pissed in the floor," she grumbled as she went.
"Uh ohh... she's pissed," Munch said as he finished making the last baked potato.
"Yeah she is," Fin said as he saw her spray the living room with air freshener "come on girl," she cooed as she took her out, leading them through as little of the house as possible.
"Whatcha got there Liv!" Elliot called curiously seeing she had a hold of something but not being able to make out what it was.
"Rollins's dog!" she called and Elliot frowned "it was in the house?!"
"Yeah," she said as they walked onto the deck "where?" he asked.
"The living room," she said and he sighed heavily "Rollins!" she called.
"Hey Liv!" she said with a smile as she walked over.
"Hey Amanda. Here's your dog we umm don't really allow pets in the house," she said as she handed her her leash.
"Ohh, umm did she do something in there? Chew something up? If she did I'll clean it up or replace it."
"No no she didn't we just can't stand the hair or the smell."
"Oh okay I'm sorry. Is there anywhere I can put her?"
You brought her you keep up with her Elliot thought to himself as he sighed "I guess she could stay in the basement. That or you'll just have to keep her close to you, make sure she doesn't get near the food or run off," he said.
"I'll watch her," she said as she stepped away from them "was I to harsh? Should I have just let the dog stay in there?" Olivia asked worried she was straining her and Rollins's tentative friendship.
"No baby you weren't we both have the same view on dogs being in doors and at our home people have to respect that."
Olivia nodded relieved and sat down in the chair beside him as his phone rang Kathy, the screen read and he declined the call "steak's ready!" Cragen called.
Elliot nodded as he saw Fin and Munch come out with the potatoes and desserts "dinners ready!" he called loudly to the kids.
Izzabella and Zara ran over and Lizzie put her phone down as Elliot's phone rang again god leave me alone Kathy he thought to himself as he declined the call again "what do you want me to put on your plate Liv?" he asked with a smile.
"A little of everything please," she said and he nodded with a smile and got up to fix it.
"This food is amazing guys," Olivia said a few minutes later as everyone was eating at the outdoor picnic table.
"Thanks Liv I'm really glad you're enjoying it," Cragen said as Franny attempted to climb on to the table and steal some food for herself.
"I really am! Munch I was talking to you too," she said as she then noticed the dog, sighed and frowned.
"Why thanks Liv I'll remember that next time you insult my coffee," he said teasingly while Elliot tried to shoe Franny away from the table.
Olivia chuckled "maybe you should try some of it for yourself then you'll see where we're coming from," she said as Franny kept trying and finally made it on to the table top.
"Get down from there and away from that!" Elliot said gruffly as she was licking the side of his and Olivia's plates and they were doing their best to cover them "bad girl Franny comere girl," Rollins cooed.
Franny didn't listen to Amanda as she kept sniffing the different plates and trying to lick them as Liv ended up pulling hers into her lap "now that's disgusting," she whispered to El as her phone rang.
"I know baby," he whispered as Izzabella smiled "she can eat off my plate daddy you always say it's good to share."
"No baby, no she can't animals have germs that you don't need," he whispered as Rollins continued trying to coax her off the table "hello," Olivia said answering her phone with out looking at it.
"It's about time that one of you answers! This is Kathy Smith I need to speak with Elliot please it's really important."
"Are the kids okay?" she asked worriedly right away.
"Yeah they're fine I just need to talk to Elliot and he isn't answering my calls."
"I'm sorry about that we have company right now that's probably why," she said as Elliot frowned "that Kathy?" he asked.
"Well I need to talk to him about something regarding Lizzie and it can't wait," Kathy said and Olivia nodded "one second," she said as she then looked to Elliot "it is she says it's about Lizzie."
Elliot nodded, gently took the phone then stood to walk away from the table as Lizzie looked to him nervously having overheard "I don't wanna go back to Florida yet dad."
"You don't have to baby not until you're ready," he said as he then stepped away from the table "what is it Kathy?" he asked as everyone else went back to chatting and Rollins thankfully had Franny contained.
"What has Lizzie been doing since she's gotten to Queens?"
"Vacationing from the hustle and bustle of college life. Why do you ask?"
"Because I just got our phone bill which she's on and she exceeded her data limit by 30 gigabytes."
Elliot sighed "I'm sorry Kath how much extra is it? I'll mail you a check."
"70 dollars but the money isn't what the problem is me and Jim don't allow her to go online very often."
And you said I was to strict back in 01 he thought to himself as he sighed heavily "she's 19 Kathy not 13."
"Still he doesn't like it when she does that."
"He doesn't like it. There's the issue right there Kathy we're her parents not him!"
"I doubt you'd say that about Olivia."
"I would if she tried to control her like this! It's ridiculous what Jim's doing and you wanna know the hard truth Kathy? Lizzie would have probably been more willing to spend the summer with you if he just backed off."
Kathy sighed heavily "he has good intensions Elliot he really cares for her a lot."
"Well he does a shitty job of showing it. Lizzie always responded better to a more gentle approach to parenting you know that."
"She listens to him just fine at home! Actually none of this stuff even came up about her maybe being unhappy until we let her fly to New York to help you two out after William Lewis. Tell me Elliot what are you getting out of this arrangement? Free babysitting service maybe?"
"She helps out a little yes but she's eager to do it we never force her. She wants a little independence and responsibility Kathy she craves it."
"She's not ready for that yet Elliot she's still a little girl."
"She's 19 years old Kathy! 19 years old!" he shouted and the yard grew eerily quiet "last week she was afraid to take food out of our friends pantry! She let Izzabella eat 7 donuts because she didn't know any better!"
"Yet you still let her watch her! You just proved my point Elliot she's still a little girl!"
"SHE's NOT A LITTLE GIRL! Maybe in our hearts she is but in reality she isn't and she doesn't have the life skills to survive in the real world!"
"Elliot"-
"No Kathy! It's our responsibility as parents to be there for them and give them the skills that they need to survive in the world! What the hell has gotten into you this was never an issue with Maureen or Kathleen."
"I-I..."-
Elliot just shook his head "I have to go we have guests here I'll mail you a check," he said as he hung up and walked over to the table "guys I'm sorry you all had to hear that," he said as he handed Olivia her phone back.
The adults shook their heads in dismissal as Lizzie's face was white "are you alright honey?" he asked softly.
"Y-Yeah," she whispered unconvincingly.
Elliot didn't believe what she said for a second as his worry grew more when he saw the disapproving frown on Olivia's face "what is it Liv?" he whispered.
"That outburst you just made? She heard every word you said," she whispered to only where he could hear her and he nodded slightly "Lizzie lets talk sweetheart, come with me," he whispered as he still hadn't calmed down completely yet but was doing his best not to show it.
"El you need to hit the punching bag first. I'll keep the flies off your food," Olivia said.
Elliot gave her a grateful look, nodded and walked off "now I get it. Now I get how it works," Rollins whispered.
"He gets angry easy but Liv tempers it if he didn't have her god I don't even wanna think about what would happen," Fin said.
"He'd probably be like a grenade with no pin, Liv is his pin," Munch said and most everybody chuckled "I-I think I'm just gonna go to bed I don't feel well," Lizzie whispered.
"Are you sure honey? It's really early and detective Rollins brought apple pie which I know is your favorite," Olivia said softly.
"Y-Yeah," she whispered as she stood from the table and threw her drink and plate away "I-I love you Liv," she whispered.
"I love you too sweetie do you want me to come with you? Do you need to talk?"
She shook her head slightly "i-it's okay," she said as she let Izzabella hug her goodnight "it was nice to meet you guys," she said to Liv's squad as she tried to smile small.
"Nice to meet you too sweetie. Sleep well," Munch said as when she was gone Rollins frowned "she's not sick," she said quietly.
"No she's not," Fin said as Olivia just nodded with a heavy sigh "why is she so sad?" Izzabella finally asked.
"It's complicated sweetie," she said as Amaro looked up "where do you guys keep a punching bag anyway?"
"Our basement. Hey do you have the 24th off? Me and El are going out that night."
"No sorry," he said shaking his head as Munch smiled "I do though I'd love to keep her."
"For some reason I feel like that's a terrible idea..." Olivia said.
"Maybe it is but you wanna go out don't you?"
"I do... Listen I'll talk to El and let you know okay Jon? And thank you for offering really."
"Come on make one decision without his input you can do it," he said sipping on his beer.
"Jon..." she whispered through a sigh and he smiled "come on Liv please you can do it I want some one on one time with my niece. I promise you we won't burn the house down."
"I don't... I don't know," she whispered and he took another sip of beer "say, yes! Say, yes! Say, yes!" Fin and Rollins chanted while Amaro chuckled amused and Cragen kept a neutral expression.
"Guys... I can't leave El out of this decision I'm fine with it but I have to make sure he is too she's his daughter too," she said as just then he walked over "what's going on here?" he asked curiously as he was smiling.
"Say, yes! Say, yes! Say, yes!" Amanda, Fin and Munch chanted and she looked to him "Munch wants to watch Izzabella when we go on our anniversary date."
"I thought Amaro was gonna do that?" he said as they both ignored the chanting going on around them.
"He's on call," she said and he sighed and nodded "he's all we've got?"
"He's the only one who offered. He seems really excited El."
He nodded to her then looked to their chanting coworkers "okay okay!" he called over them.
"Really?" Munch asked excitedly.
"Yes but absolutely no conspiracy theories or scary tales you got that?"
"Loud and clear," he said with a smile "have you guys got anything stronger than beer here?" Rollins asked.
"No sorry," Elliot said and she just nodded "where's Lizzie?" he asked Liv.
"She went to bed said she wasn't feeling well."
Elliot frowned heavily "I'm gonna take the rest of my food in then and try to talk to her. You guys keep enjoying yourselves though."
Olivia nodded and gave him a quick kiss then walked over to Cragen while Fin and Munch served desserts "I heard about what you said to me while I was in the ICU and I want you to know that it means a lot to me," she whispered.
Cragen nodded and smiled slightly "it was all true," he said sincerely as he gently hugged her.
Olivia nodded and returned the hug tightly indicating that she felt the same way "I love you," she whispered after a couple minutes.
"I love you too Olivia. Do you want pie or cake?"
"Cake please," she said still tearful as she then sighed "dammit I want this cast off."
"It'll be off soon," he said with a smile as he stepped away and proceeded to cut them each a generous piece of cake.
8:15 PM.
Elliot threw his paper plate in the trash after quickly scarfing the rest of his food down I have to go check on Lizzie now he decided as he went to her room and quietly knocked.
There was no response and he eased the door open and tiptoed inside finding her asleep with no covers on her and dried tears on her cheeks "Lizzie? Lizzie baby we should talk," he said softly as he eased on to the edge of the bed.
"I'm fine daddy," she whispered half asleep as she sighed and rolled over.
"You're not and I can't let you spend the hole night upset. Baby I'm so sorry you heard what I said..." he said emotionally as he rubbed her back.
She nodded slightly "I-I'm trying really hard to learn I-I thought I was doing better."
"You are honey you're learning a little every day I mean that," he said as he then sighed a little "it wasn't you I was criticizing it was your mom, Jim and even myself a little if I'm being completely honest."
Lizzie nodded with a puzzled look as he looked her in the eye and continued rubbing her back "Lizzie as parents it's our responsibility to make sure that when it's time that our kids are ready to go out into the world. It's like..." he thought on his words for a minute "a butterfly in it's cocoon or a baby bird in it's nest eventually they grow up, develop wings and fly on their own. we didn't give you the proper tools to do that and that's our fault not yours."
"I-I wanna learn everything daddy I really do."
"Me and Liv are gonna teach you," he said with a soft smile.
Lizzie smiled slightly but it soon morphed into a frown "I hate it when people fight daddy, I hate it so much and I swear it's all I've heard here lately."
"I'm sorry baby," he whispered softly as he sighed "believe it or not I hate fighting too."
"You do?" she asked shocked.
He nodded "I do but as much as I hate it I hate being pushed around more that's why I fight with people sometimes."
"That's where we're totally different daddy I rather let people bully me than fight with them."
He nodded "I understand that and sometimes arguing isn't the answer but you're gonna have to learn how to stand up for yourself in this world baby."
"But then people will be angry with me I rather just do what everybody wants than have anybody angry with me."
"Honey if the person loves or cares for you at all they'll respect you standing up for yourself and saying what you want every once and a while. You don't wanna upset people I get that but you have feelings too please remember that."
She nodded slightly "I'll try daddy," she whispered.
He nodded with a slight smile "you can practice it some while you're here I want you to practice it somewhere that you feel comfortable."
She nodded then her expression grew worried and thoughtful "what if I push it to far?"
"You probably will every once and a while but that's how we learn baby is by making mistakes if we don't make mistakes in life then we don't learn from them."
Lizzie nodded slightly and yawned "it's still okay that I go to Samantha's tomorrow right?"
"Yes of course do you need me to take you or is she gonna be picking you up?"
"Can you take me? She doesn't know where you live."
"Of course," he said with a smile as he glanced at his watch then stood from the bed "do you wanna come back out with me? Have a slice of pie? I'm pretty sure Liv saved you a piece."
"Sure. Can I ask you a question daddy?" she asked cautiously.
"You can ask me anything sweetheart," he said as he sat back down.
"Do you think that maybe one day you, mom, Liv and Jim will ever get along?"
He sighed "I don't know sweetheart things have happened over the years that are just... Hard to get passed? For everybody? But I'll tell you what I do know."
She nodded and faced him and he gently placed his hand on top of hers "no matter what happens between us or how much we fight we'll all always love you."
She nodded slightly "all of you will?"
"I'd like to think so yes, I can say for certainty that me, Liv and your mom will."
She nodded slightly "I don't know if Jim loves me or just likes telling me what to do."
Elliot nodded thoughtfully "your mom thinks he loves you."
"What do you think?"
Elliot sighed thoughtfully "I've never really met him baby I saw him in the courtroom with your mom but that's it so it'd be unfair of me to answer that question."
Lizzie nodded her head slightly and stood on shaky legs "I know this has been an emotional conversation are you okay?" he asked as he gently held onto her elbow to keep her steady.
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine daddy can we go eat apple pie now?"
"Of course," he said with a gentle smile as she washed her face then walked with him outside "so tell me. What do you want for breakfast tomorrow?" he asked as they approached the deck.
"I'm good with anything," she said with a smile.
"No baby I want you to pick remember what we just talked about? That it's okay to want things?"
She nodded slightly and thought for a minute "I really like breakfast pizza..."
Elliot nodded "is that what you want for breakfast then?"
She smiled a bit and nodded "please?"
Elliot smiled and nodded his head "that's what I'll fix," he said as he then scanned their surroundings seeing Rollins and Amaro dancing on the deck, Fin and Munch chatting animatedly, Zara and Izzabella jumping together on the trampoline and Liv and Cragen playing cards together while keeping their eyes on them as he allowed himself to smile and fully relax for the first time in almost a month as he and Lizzie sat down and ate their pie together.
Once they finished their slices he grabbed both plates "I'm gonna go check on everyone else, see if anyone needs anything," he told Lizzie with a soft smile "do you need anything?"
She shook her head with a smile and he nodded, threw the plates away then walked over to Liv "hey baby do you need anything? Dessert or something to drink?"
"I'll fold," she told Cragen as she then heard Elliot and turned around to face him "no I'm good El thank you though is Lizzie okay?"
He nodded "I think so I'm glad we talked."
Olivia nodded and scooted over a little "you can join us if you want El he's just beating me at poker," she said in a chuckle.
He chuckled and smiled "I might in a minute," he said as he gave her a quick peck on the lips then headed towards the trampoline "hey girls you guys having fun?" he asked cheerfully.
"Yeah!" Zara said with a bright smile as Izzabella nodded her head several times excitedly "will you bounce us daddy? Please?"
"Of course baby," he said with a smile as he climbed on then took his shoes off and tossed them lightly down to the ground "why'd you do that Mr. Elliot?" Zara asked curiously.
"Because it'd hurt you if I accidentally stepped on one of you while jumping then I'd feel terrible."
"Even if it was an accident?"
Elliot nodded "even if it was an accident while you're here it's my job to keep you safe sweetheart. You guys ready?" he asked as he smiled when he saw Fin, Munch and Nick join the poker game.
"Yeah!" they said with excited smiles as he nodded, stood up and began to lightly jump "higher Mr. Elliot higher!" Zara chanted.
Elliot smiled and jumped a little higher as Zara smiled, laid down on the edge by the zipped up net and enjoyed the sensation.
"Daddy! Look daddy look!" Izzabella said a couple minutes later as she pointed at Zara who was lightly sleeping.
"I see that..." he said as he slowed his jumping then eventually stopped "it is a bit late," he said after glancing at his watch and seeing it was 9:10 PM "I should probably get the two of you to bed."
Izzabella frowned but Elliot held firm "it's time baby it's late go ahead and climb down," he said opening the net as once she was off it he put his shoes back on then gently cradled Zara in his arms.
Zara stirred slightly as he stroked her hair just as he would his daughters and she fell right back to sleep "Nick I'm taking her upstairs she's exhausted," he whispered as he passed.
"Thanks Elliot," he said as he slightly smiled "it shouldn't be long till I'm ready to go."
"Take your time she'll be just fine upstairs," he said as he went inside with Izzabella behind him "w-where am I?" Zara whispered a couple minutes later as she woke up again.
"You're in mine and Liv's big bedroom you wanna know something cool?" he asked as he carried her into the large half painted room.
She nodded groggily and he smiled "you're the first person to ever sleep in this bed," he whispered as he laid her down gently then tucked her in.
Zara yawned and smiled up at him "next time I see you I want you to tell me how comfortable it is," he whispered.
She nodded slightly and he smiled "good night sweetheart, if you feel anybody moving you again tonight don't worry it'll only be your daddy."
Zara nodded slightly and fell back asleep "come on baby," he whispered to Izzabella as they tiptoed out and he helped her wind down for bed.
11:45 PM.
"Alright I fold I've lost enough money for the night," Elliot said as they had all moved to the living room because of the nighttime chill and were quietly playing poker.
"You've only lost 5 dollars," Rollins said.
"5 dollars is enough for me," he said as Liv smiled "I'm gonna fold too guys unless we wanna start betting on something besides money."
"Hmmmm," Munch said deep in thought as Cragen yawned "your designated driver is getting quite tired so Fin, Munch if you're still riding with me we should probably go."
"Ah come on cap the night is still young," Munch said.
"It is but you're forgetting I'm 66 years old," he said as Franny barked loudly from the basement.
"And I'm 62," he said but grumbled and stood up all the same and they said their goodbyes and left "come on spill I know you guys have something stronger to drink here," Rollins said.
"They do have one bottle of red wine here I saw it," Lizzie said with an innocent smile and Elliot sighed "thanks girl us girls stick together," Rollins said smiling.
Lizzie just smiled and Elliot smiled too "just because it's here doesn't mean it's being drank tonight it's Liv's," he said as he sighed when Franny barked again "please go tend to your dog the kids are asleep upstairs."
"She'll be quieter if you let her come up here she's lonely down there."
Elliot sighed as before he could say anything Amaro ended his quiet conversation with Liv and turned to face him "with it being almost midnight would it be alright if me and Zara just crash here? I don't wanna be out driving with her this late at night."
"Nick I thought you were gonna drive me and Franny home? I've had a half a dozen beers I can't drive."
He sighed "I'm sorry Amanda I really would it's just I lost track of time and you know how many creeps are out at night plus it's cold and she might wake up."
"It's fine Nick I get it I'd be the same way," she said as Liv and El finished having a quiet conversation "Amaro you can stay with your daughter upstairs, Rollins you can take the couch but no funny business," Olivia said.
"Funny business? Really Olivia?" she said chuckling at the wording.
Olivia nodded seriously "I mean it guys no funny business," she said as Elliot nodded agreeing.
"We'll behave," Amaro said as Olivia nodded "thank you, Rollins we'll probably leave around noon or so tomorrow give or take depending on when we all wake up," she said as they had decided to go on a quick shopping trip earlier in the evening.
She nodded "sounds good. Listen guys I always sleep with my dog so..."
Olivia and Elliot had another whispered conversation "I'll go get the rug," he said as he stood from the couch and headed out to his shop.
A few minutes later he came back in and spread it out over the floor and in front of the couch as it had clearly seen better days "she can sleep on this I've been meaning to put it on the garbage pile for a while so if she uses the restroom on it it won't matter."
"Okay..." she said as she stared at the torn up rug in bewilderment "what happened to this rug daddy?" Lizzie asked.
"The rumba tore it up it was the one and only time I used it."
Olivia chuckled "I remember I came home and there were white thready strands everywhere."
He nodded "mmhmm and Izzabella kept trying to collect them she thought it was a game."
Olivia nodded and smiled as Amaro and Lizzie chuckled "you wanna play more poker Nick?" Rollins asked.
"Sure," he said as Lizzie yawned "I'm tired for real this time I think I'm gonna go to bed."
Olivia and Elliot nodded their heads "goodnight sweetie sleep well," liv said.
"You too Liv. I love you guys."
"Love you too honey," they said as once she was gone Elliot stood "I'm gonna do my checks then I'm going to bed too."
"Checks?" Rollins asked.
Elliot nodded and Olivia smiled "just enjoy your poker game you won't even notice."
"Okay..." she said as her and Amaro began another game and Liv watched them play as a couple minutes later they began to hear doors quietly close.
"Is he checking to see if the kids are asleep?" Rollins asked.
"Yeah," Olivia lied and a few minutes later he walked back downstairs, gun behind his back "the upstairs is clear," he told her.
Olivia nodded her head and distracted Rollins and Amaro while he checked the hall closet and he finished off with Lizzie's room and closet "everything's clear," he whispered through a sigh of relief like he did every night as he kissed Liv's temple.
Olivia nodded and he went and locked the gun back up "I'm heading to bed too guys. The basements unlocked Amanda so you can bring your dog up when you're ready to go to sleep."
"Okay, night Liv," she said with a slight smile.
"Night Rollins," she said as she locked the front and back doors, secured the chains then checked them three times "they're good Liv," Amaro whispered coming up behind her.
She startled slightly at his presence and he frowned "sorry I scared you I didn't mean to."
"I-It's fine I'm heading upstairs."
He nodded "can you show me where Zara is? So I'll know for later?"
She nodded her head and lead him up there "she's in the third room to your right," she said as she pointed.
Amaro nodded "thanks Liv. Goodnight."
"Night," she said as she headed into the guest room her and El were using and took her rightful spot on his chest and sighed in relief.
Elliot silently wrapped his arm around her gently as he felt her heart racing "what's wrong baby?" he whispered softly.
"Just tired it's been a good but long evening."
He nodded and kissed her temple "that doesn't explain why the most beautiful woman in the world's heart is racing right now,- he whispered in her ear.
She nodded and focused on her deep breaths "just got startled by accident downstairs I'm better now."
He nodded slightly "what happened baby?"
"I was locking up and Amaro came up behind me. It's okay El he already feels bad enough as it is."
Elliot nodded slightly and wrapped his arm around her a little tighter "you're safe," he whispered.
"I know," she said as she smiled slightly "love you El."
"Love you too baby," he said and they kissed then fell asleep, both to tired for pillow talk.
June 15th, 10:05 AM.
"Ahhhh yes Nick! Harder harder mmmmm..." Elliot heard as he sighed slightly you've gotta be kidding me he thought to himself as he was walking downstairs.
The two of them continued to get louder and more vocal as he ended up clearing his throat loudly "I thought Liv said no funny business."
"Sorry... Sorry just please," Amaro waved at the stairs franticly with one hand while fondling Rollins's nipple with his other one.
Elliot quickly walked back up the stairs preying Lizzie wouldn't hear and walked into the bedroom as Liv was getting ready to go downstairs "morning beautiful you shouldn't go down there," he said.
"Why not?" she asked puzzled.
"Cuz Amaro and Rollins are..."
"Ohh..." she said as she sighed a little "I guess if we think on the bright side it gives us a few more minutes to cuddle."
Elliot smiled "I like the way you think," he said as they both climbed into the bed and cuddled with their sides against one another.
"I-I hope I'll be ready for sex again soon to El you know I want to right?" she asked after a couple minutes.
He nodded "I know baby, I do too but there's no hurry," he said as he kissed her gently.
She returned his kiss "maybe we can try for our date night."
Elliot nodded "whatever you're comfortable with baby," he said as she nodded with a smile then made room for Izzabella on the bed when she saw her come in "morning mommy, morning daddy I heard funny sounds."
Olivia and Elliot both frowned "just ignore those sounds, did you sleep well?"
"Yeah. What were the sounds?"
"Just sounds, you wanna play I spy?" Elliot asked.
"Yeah," she said with a bright smile and they played several rounds.
At around 10:30 the three of them finally decided they'd make their way downstairs as they met up with Zara in the hall "good morning," she said with a slight smile.
"Morning sweetheart," Elliot said and she slightly smiled at him "where's daddy?"
"Downstairs. How do you like breakfast pizza?"
"It's really good, the bed you let me sleep en last night is the most comfortable bed in the world. Thank you Mr. Elliot."
"You're very welcome," he said as they then made it to the steps "if you two aren't decent get decent we're coming down!" he called.
"We're decent!" Rollins said and Elliot and Olivia sighed in relief as they all walked down.
"Eww is that poop poop?" Izzabella asked as her face scrunched up in disgust and she pointed at the rug which had dog feces on it.
"It is baby don't get near it," Olivia said as she motioned her and Zara to the loveseat "baby can I use a pair of your crime scene gloves?" El asked.
"Of course," she said nodding and Rollins sighed "it's not as bad as you guys think it is trust me."
Olivia said nothing and Elliot shook his head at her in disbelief as he used his gloved hands to pick the rug up off the floor "shit," he cursed when a small bit fell off and landed on the floor.
"It's okay," Rollins said again but Elliot was already gone and she just cuddled Franny close to her on the couch "I'm gonna turn the oven on to preheat, Nick can you start the coffee?" Liv asked.
"Sure," Amaro said and a minute later Elliot was back as he carefully cleaned the smidgen of poop off the floor, threw the gloves away then began mopping the whole floor.
"Oh daddy you're gonna tire yourself out," Lizzie said as she walked out of her room dressed and ready for the day.
"Nah I'm good my energy tanks all full," he said as he smiled at her and continued mopping "you ready to see your friend?"
"Yeah we're gonna swim in her pool and she bought us tickets to see a movie tonight. She asked me to stay the night but I told her I wasn't sure if I could."
"It's totally up to you honey if you want to it's fine if not that's fine too we can pick you up when the movie's over we'll be in the theatre district too."
Lizzie nodded "can I think about it and let you know?"
"Of course," he said with a smile as he moved on to the other side of the room "hey El! Were you gonna fix it homemade or throw one in the oven?" Liv called from the kitchen.
"I was just gonna throw it in! It's labeled Fiesta it's in the freezer in the white box! It's got sausage and cheese on it!"
"Okay!" she called as her and Amaro found it after a minute "these are mini pizza's El!"
"That's okay just throw..." he quickly counted heads "7 of them in there!"
Olivia and Amaro went about doing that "we have 3 left after this!"
Elliot nodded "we'll buy more!" he said as he went over where the feces had been a final time then put the mop away , put in a new senssie and joined Liv and Amaro in the kitchen.
By 11:30 breakfast was ready and everyone was eating "here you go baby," Elliot whispered as he handed Liv her antibiotic half way through her meal.
"Thanks," she said as she swallowed it down "thank god this is the last day," she said.
"I couldn't agree more I'm looking forward to throwing that bottle in the trash."
"Me too. At least if I ever have to take them again I'll be able to open the bottle myself."
"True. You know I didn't mind though..."
"I know I'm just saying," she said and Amanda looked to her "so that was why you didn't take your pain pills with you? Because you couldn't open the bottle?"
Olivia nodded her head "you should have said something Liv."
"I don't like appearing weak in front of people Amanda."
"Me either but still," she said as Elliot then looked to Lizzie "you wanna try some coffee?"
Lizzie glanced at him surprised and he just smiled "coffee is a right of passage for young adults and you sweetheart are a young adult."
She nodded slightly "okay sure I'll taste it..." she said as she ended up liking it and everyone finished their breakfasts.
12:15 PM.
"I'm gonna stop by Walmart and get a new cheap bathing suit cover so I can swim in public and let her pick one store we should be two or two and a half hours tops," Olivia said as they had retreated upstairs so she could get ready.
Elliot nodded and gently held her hair up while he clasped the neckless she had chosen to where in place "I'm gonna clean the couch, drop Lizzie off at Samantha's then take some stuff to the land field in the Bronx."
She nodded her head "do you want us to try and meet you somewhere?"
"Why don't we just play it by ear as the afternoon goes? You know how traffic in and out of the boroughs is."
"That works for me. El is there anything in particular that you want for our anniversary?"
"You don't have to get me anything baby just knowing that you love me is all that matters."
She sighed a little "that doesn't help me out any I wanna get you something that you'll like."
"I'll like anything you get baby I promise I want you to surprise me."
She nodded "o-okay I can do that," she said as she turned to face him "I love you El."
"I love you too, you look beautiful baby."
"Thank you," she said as they exchanged a quick kiss then she headed downstairs so her and Rollins could leave.