Olivia didn't sleep much that night. Reliving the evening in her head and thinking about the step they were about to take in the morning, she couldn't really sleep. When her alarm went off, she sighed, knowing the day would feel long after only a couple hours of sleep. But the adrenaline kicked in pretty fast, as she thought about seeing Elliot later.

Getting dressed, she thought about how Elliot had been putting efforts into their friendship. He was really trying to find that balance they talked about and she was starting to believe that he was there to work on it and stay. That's mostly why she felt good about this morning. Elliot had earned back some of her trust. She was ready to trust him with her son. She was ready for them to meet.

That put a smile on her face. She went to wake her son up. Getting back in the kitchen, she heard the ding of her cell.

I'll be at your place in about 5 minutes. I've stopped for coffee for the road, I hope that's okay.

Olivia smiled. He was right on time. Taking another breath, she decided to make an extra wall crumble. Guessing he was back on the road, she pressed the call button.

"Good morning." He answered, his voice made her smile even more.

"Good morning. I got your message, coffee will be great."

"Good! I'm just about to park. Is this still okay?" he gave her an out.

"Actually that's why I called."

Elliot felt his gut twist nervously. Maybe she changed her mind.

"Yeah?"

He waited for her, sensing that she was hesitating. He put the car in park.

"Liv, it's okay if you-"

"You still like Coco Puffs, right?"

That took him by surprised.

"Yeah, sure. Why?"

She sounded nervous when she replied.

"Noah and I would love it if you'd join us for breakfast. If you want."

He was speechless for a moment.

"I would love that."

He heard her take a shaky breath.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. If you're sure about it."

"I am. Come on up, I'll open for you."

With that he hopped out of the car, took the coffees and walked into her building.

He was about to meet her son. Have breakfast with the Bensons. Be able to see Olivia as a mom, up close. He was so grateful for this opportunity, he didn't even have the time to be nervous about it. But when he stood at her door, he took a deep breath. Nervousness was creeping up on him. He didn't have long to control it because Olivia opened the door.

"Hey." She smiled. She was already dressed in work clothes and her apartment smelled like toasts.

"Hi." Was all he could reply.

He entered in the hall, handed her the coffees and proceeded to take his coat off. He looked past her to see that the table was set for breakfast. He looked around for her son, apprehensively. Olivia noticed his energy.

"He's getting dressed." She offered as an explanation.

Elliot nodded and took another deep breath. Olivia smiled.

"It's just a kid, Stabler. Relax." She teased.

He laughed, caught in his emotions. But even though she teased him, she looked as nervous as him.

"It's not just a kid, he's your kid." He said, telling her this was really important to him.

She smiled in response.

"Woah! Coco Puffs for breakfast! Is it my birthday yet?" the little boy exclaimed at the table.

The adults didn't register he had walked out of his room.

"Well, it's Friday, and we're having a guess, so I figured we could have Coco Puffs."

"Cooool!"

"Hey Noah, come here."

The boy went to his mother, jumping in excitement. He then looked up at the stranger beside her.

"I want you to meet my friend Elliot. Elliot, this is my son Noah." Olivia offered the presentations.

Elliot bent his knees to be at Noah's level.

"Hi, Noah. It's very nice to meet you."

Noah looked at him and extended his right hand.

"Nice to meet you too."

Elliot took his hand and shook it. Olivia felt so proud of her little boy, and so happy to finally let her partner meet her son.

"Are you going to have Coco Puffs with us?"

"I guess I am, if that's okay with you?"

"Yeah! They're the best." The child exclaimed, retuning to the table.

Elliot got back up and smiled. Olivia proceeded to walk to the table as well, setting down the coffees.

"I made toasts as well, if you're not really into cereals."

"That's fine, Liv." He followed her. They all sat at the table and started to make their bowls.

"So my mom tells me you used to work together?" Noah started talking, cereals in his mouth.

"Noah, finish your mouthful before speaking please."

Elliot smiled. Such a motherly response.

"Yes we did. We were partners, catching bad guys together."

"Cool!"

They all took another crunching mouthful.

"And your mom told me you were into dance? What's that like?"

Olivia spaced out of the conversation, enjoying this special moment between Elliot and her son. This felt right, all three of them having breakfast at home. She was so glad Elliot was back in her life, and that he was putting the effort to be there for her, to care for her. It had been so long since she had that. And if she was honest with herself, she never let anyone care for her the way Elliot had during their partnership. And it wasn't even romantic, then. It was just to have him beside her, always. To trust that he'd do anything for her, without even her needing to ask. She wanted to get that back, even though she was scared out of her mind that he'd hurt her again…

"Mom!"

She was startled when her son called for her.

"What?"

"Did you hear us?"

"I'm afraid I was in my head, sorry honey, what did you say?"

Noah rolled his eyes as if this wasn't the first time this happened.

"Elliot said that when he ate Coco Puffs with his kids, he let them put chocolate milk instead of regular milk! Can we try, pleaaaaaase?"

Great, how was she going to get out of this one. Olivia turned to Elliot, who had a sorry-not-so-sorry look on his face.

"He was asking about my kids…I just blurted out a memory." He shrugged.

Olivia didn't look convinced at his explanation.

"Not today, honey, maybe for a REALLY special occasion, what do you think?"

"Oh but pleaaaaase mommy it sounds so gooooood."

Elliot chuckled but quickly stopped when Liv sent him a glare. He had to try to get out of his own mess.

"Tell you what buddy, next time we have breakfast together, I'll ask your mom if I can bring a small chocolate milk carton with our coffees. Would that be okay?"

"I guess…" Noah accepted, defeatedly, and continued eating his cereals.

Olivia spoke quietly.

"That's a plan for me not to invite you again, you know that right?" she teased Elliot.

"We'll work something out." He teased back, grinning at her.

They finished eating and Olivia sent Noah to pick his things for school as they cleaned the table.

"Thanks, Liv. This means a lot." Elliot cornered her in the kitchen.

She was at the sink and he was blocking her exit by standing near the refrigerator. She leaned back on the counter.

"It means a lot to me too." She admitted. "I'm glad you came up."

"Me too."

They stared at each other for a full minute before getting interrupted.

"I'm ready!"

"Great, now let's get you to school!" Elliot exclaimed back and followed the little man to the door.

Olivia stayed back enjoying the scene. She felt the boundaries of their friendship expand a little. Friends drove each other's kids to school…right?


The car ride was simple, light. Olivia imagined this was how Elliot was with his kids when they were Noah's age. Conversational, engaging, happy. She was really happy, too. This was starting to feel way more than friendship and it scared her a little.

They dropped Noah to school, Olivia giving him a big kiss outside of the car while Elliot waited. Then they were back on the road to her work. Elliot pulled over in front of the precinct. Just like last night, he put the car in park but didn't kill the engine.

Olivia didn't move right away.

"Thanks for driving up around this morning, El."

"My pleasure. Thank you again for everything. This morning…it was a big step, and I can't thank you enough for letting me into your life like that." His eyes were piercing, she couldn't look away. "I know I don't deserve it and that it scares you. But I want you to know that I'm here to stay, Liv, and I'm not running away from this. Whatever this is."

Whatever this is. He too had felt something shift in their friendship. He didn't want to label it, he was just grateful for it. And she felt the same. Once again speaking without words, they savoured this steppingstone moment between them.

Taking a deep breath, Olivia undid her seatbelt and went for the door.

"Have a good day, El." She said with a smile.

"Have a good day."

I could get used to this, Olivia thought. This felt good. It felt easy. It felt right. It didn't feel like a simple friendship, but they both accepted it. Now they would just need to find a new definition, for this thing between them.

Hope you liked it! Please review!

musical-Aven

January 2022