Chapter 14: Worried

Stabler Residence – Monday, April 24 – 8:30pm

Olivia and Elliot were sitting on the bed in Kaitlyn's room with their daughter in between them. Elliot was reading Goodnight Moon after Kaitlyn pleaded with her daddy to read it since it was her favorite book. As he read the last line, Kaitlyn began to rub her eyes and yawned.

"I think a little princess is getting tired," said Olivia, running her hands through her daughter's hair.

"Not me," interjected Kaitlyn.

Olivia and Elliot slid out of the bed and stood up to where they were in front of it. Elliot placed the book back onto the shelf along with the many other books that Kaitlyn loved.

"Here's Mr. Bear," Olivia handed her daughter her favorite bear and gently tucked in the covers. "Are you snug as a bug in a rug?"

"Yes!" answered Kaitlyn.

"Gimme a kiss," said Olivia, puckering up her lips

Kaitlyn planted a kiss on them and smiled at her mother.

"Night baby."

"Night Mama." Kaitlyn turned to her father, "Kiss Daddy?" She mimicked her mother's lip pucker.

"Good night, Katie bug," said Elliot, reaching over to plant a soft kiss on his daughter's puckered lips.

"Night Mommy and Daddy," Kaitlyn settled in the covers with Mr. Bear and began to fall asleep.

"I love you," said Olivia.

"Love you."

Olivia closed the door and went downstairs to find Elliot sitting on the couch. He looked lost in thought and was staring at all of the kids' pictures that were hanging on the wall.

"Hey, you okay?" Olivia walked towards the couch and touched his arm.

Elliot nodded, "Kathy called me at work the other day."

Olivia raised her eyebrows, "What did she say?"

"She wants to come here to see the kids while she's down here in a few more weeks. Kathleen isn't too sure about seeing her. The twins aren't sure about seeing her either, but then they change their minds and say that they do want to see their mother."

Olivia shrugged and ran her hand through her hair, "After all, she is their mother, but the kids are old enough to decide whether they want to see her or not. It's their choice."

"I told her to meet the kids somewhere else besides here," said Elliot. "I suggested at the park."

"What did she say about that?"

Elliot shrugged and looked at Olivia, "She seemed fine about it. I can't let her come here since she will cause too many problems and I don't want to fight with her in front of the kids. I also don't want to put you or Kaitlyn in between these problems. I just don't what to do, Olivia. They're my kids and I can't let them get hurt by Kathy again."

Olivia scooted up to the couch a little closer to reassure him, "El, you know what Kathy did to you and the kids. She wanted out so she cheated on you and ran off with someone else and left the kids behind. I don't understand why she wants to see them after three and a half years as much as you do, but maybe the kids should see her."

"I can't let them get hurt, Liv," he repeated. "I'll make damn sure that it won't happen again."

"I don't want them to either," said Olivia.

They both sat there for a while trying to figure out what to do in the coming weeks on planning for Kathy's return to New York. Whatever it would be, neither of them knew what the outcome would bring.

Queens SVU – Wednesday, May 3 – 1:45pm

"Do you have the file folder on the Powers case?" Sandoval asked Elliot from across his desk.

Elliot paused and looked through the stack of files on his desk. He pulled out a manila file folder and handed it to Mike.

"Thanks man," said Mike. As he went back to his paperwork, he looked at Elliot and could tell that something was bothering him. Kathy had been calling Elliot at the precinct twice this week so he figured it was that, but he decided not to ask Elliot and thought that when Elliot wanted to talk about it, he would.

"Stabler!" exclaimed Capt. Taylor. "My office."

Elliot turned around and saw his boss standing at the doorway of his office. He nodded and stood up from his desk and wondered what was going on as he walked into the office.

"Close the door and have a seat," said Taylor, quietly, when Elliot stepped in and did as he was told.

"I think you may already know what is going on," began Taylor. "This has been the second time this has happened in the last week with your ex-wife calling you at work."

"I'm sorry about this, Captain, but she's been a pain lately," replied Elliot. "There are a lot of personal issues between us right now. I'll talk to her about not calling me up here anymore."

"Well said. You're a good cop, Stabler, one of the best on the squad. I want to let you know that if you need to talk, my door is open," said Taylor, placing a reassuring hand on Elliot's shoulder.

"Thank you. I appreciate it." Elliot walked out of the office and went back to the desk to finish up on the paperwork.

TBC