Chapter Seven

Liv took Aaliyah to school and arrived at the precinct not too long after dropping the girl off. The day was busy with a case involving a young woman and her college professor who was trading sex for good grades.

It was getting late and Liv checked her watch every few minutes.

"Liv, I know you have plans tonight, go. I got this," Rollins said.

"Thanks, Rollins," she said, packing her things.

"I heard you're going to Eli's work. Does he know you're showing up?"

"I'm not sure. Elliot made the plans."

"Have fun," Amanda said with a wink.

Olivia picked up Noah from Lucy's and they made their way to the restaurant.

"So Noah," Liv started after getting Noah into the car. "How about we go out for dinner."

"Again?" Noah asked.

"Sure. We're going to meet some friends there."

"Who?"

"My friend Elliot is going to meet us there. And his foster daughter Aaliyah is going to be there too."

"Sure."

They arrived at the restaurant at 6:30 pm and Elliot and Aaliyah already had a table for them.

"Noah, this is my friend Elliot. Elliot, this is my son Noah."

"Hi," Noah said.

"It's nice to meet you," Elliot said.

"You too."

"And this is Aaliyah," Elliot introduced the little girl. Elliot waved over to Eli, gesturing that he comes over. Eli seemed embarrassed but still came over. "Eli, this is Noah. Noah this is my son Eli."

"Hey," Eli said nervously.

"Hi," Noah replied.

"How's the job going?" Liv asked.

"Good. I really have to get back to work," Eli said, gesturing to the dirty tables around them.

Eli left them and started cleaning the tables.

"Hey look! It's Eli's family! And look, it looks like Eli got himself a new mommy!" One of the other busboys joked. Eli became bright red from embarrassment and dropped a few plates that shattered on the floor.

"She's not my new mom," Eli mumbled under his breath, picking up the broken pieces. The other busboys laughed at him.

"They're not being very nice to Eli," Noah mentioned.

"Hey look it's that Stabler kid again," another busboy said as Eli came out of the kitchen. "Break anything else?" he added.

Eli, clearly upset, walked out of the restaurant. Elliot started to get up from the table, but Liv intervened and said she'll handle it.

Liv walked outside and saw Eli sitting on the curb of the street.

"Hey," she said, sitting down next to him.

"I just don't understand."

"Understand what?"

"They call me the kid with the dead mom." Liv wasn't sure how to respond. "And not only that, my dad brings you here, now they're asking me if you're my new 'mommy'. No offense." Eli paused for a moment. "It's just not fair you know? Like one minute I'm in Italy and the next thing I know, my mom's dead and I'm back in New York."

"I know change is hard Eli, but—"

"What would you know about change? Your life is perfect compared to mine."

"Well, actually, I do know how much your dad's told you about me, but he actually left me for 10 years and didn't say anything to me. That was probably one of the biggest changes in my life. And I'm not and will not ever replace your mom. But I want you to know if there's anything you ever need, just know that I'm here for you. I was the first person to hold you and I will be the last if you allow me to. And don't worry about those other boys, they just know you as we do."

Liv had this way about her, that made Eli feel a lot better. He and Liv made their way back inside. Eli went back to work and Liv rejoined Elliot and the others at the table.

"Everything ok?" Elliot asked.

"It will be."

Olivia and Noah left after dinner but Elliot stayed until Eli was done working. Aaliyah had fallen asleep in the backseat of the car.

"Dad?" Eli asked as they pulled out on the street.

"Yeah?" Elliot looked over at Eli.

"Um, you know how you said one day you and mom would tell the story how I was born? Like the real story?" Elliot nodded his head. "Well, I'm ready. I want to know the whole story."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I don't think I'll ever be ready, but I feel like I should know. And now that mom's gone, I just feel like I should know the whole thing, besides the fact that mom almost died."

"Alright, well… I was supposed to bring your mom to the doctor, but of course, I chose a case over her. Olivia was kind enough to take her for me. But on their way, they got hit by a car. Liv was fine, but your mom was pinned in. We're not sure if was due to the accident, but her water broke. Liv was there to help her and the EMTs. She rode in the ambulance with her as well and was actually the first one to hold you—"

"Wait, why am I just hearing about this now? I thought mom said you were."

"Well, she didn't tell the truth. Liv was the first one. And that's basically the story."

They sat in silence for a while until Eli broke it again.

"Dad, I'd be ok with you dating Olivia."

"Yeah me too! Aaliyah said from the back seat. Elliot swerved the car from the surprise of hearing Aaliyah speak. He thought she was asleep.

Elliot laughed. "You know, you two could stop talking before something bad happens."

"Invite them to Christmas," Aaliyah added.

Elliot laughed at the thought.

"Yeah dad, why not invite them? I mean it would just be Olivia and Noah. If you invite them over, she can spend time with us and our family. It would be so much fun."

"Alright, I'll think about it."