Trigger Warning: This briefly references what Olivia went through with William Lewis
Prompt 41: The first time Eli picks out a gift for Olivia
My Gift to You
~oOo~
Eli scrunched up his face in frustration. He had long lost count of how many times he tried wrapped the gift laid out in front of him as he sat on the floor in his bedroom. The shape was big and awkward, jagged on too many sides. He was still unsure that he even wanted to give it to Olivia in front of his whole family. It shouldn't be THAT big of a deal, but he admittedly had a lot of trouble over the years accepting her place in his family's life, in his father's life.
The closer they got to Christmas this year, the third without his mother, the more his siblings steered clear of him. He felt like an ass in retrospect. Eli knew it was probably time to stop being such a child. His moping and general despondency where Olivia was concerned was more understandable that first Christmas after his mom died.
~oOo~
Christmas 2021
He sulked in the chair farthest from the kitchen as he watched his family welcome HER into their home. She brought her son who was quickly charming the pants off everyone while his dad stared at HER like a lovesick puppy.
His dad tore his eyes away from Olivia long enough to beckon him over with a wave of the hand. Eli rolled his eyes and reluctantly got up to join everyone.
"This is Noah, Olivia's son. He's going to help with cookies in a bit, but maybe you could show him a couple games on the Switch while we get set up?" His dad phrased it like a question, but there was no asking, just telling. Eli looked from his father down to the little kid fully intending to express his exasperation, but the kid was looking up at him with a huge toothy smile and was clearly very excited. Despite feeling like the two of them were intruding on his family's holiday, Eli didn't have the heart to be a jerk to the little guy.
"Hi Eli! I'm Noah." He stuck out his hand for a handshake. His sisters gushed over how cute and polite he was, and his father threw a look Olivia's way, one full of pride. Eli reluctantly accepted the handshake and showed Noah around the place.
It was easy enough entertaining the kid. With each new game of Mario Kart, Noah's face lit up brighter than the last. While they battled in Grand Prix, Noah told him about the play he just saw with his mom, dance practice, and the indoor soccer game he was going to play in right after New Year's. The kid did everything and loved to talk about it. Memories of talking his own parents' ears off while they spent family nights together flashed through Eli's mind. He missed it. Desperately.
Eli showed his face for the cookie decorating before going back to his spot in the chair. Dickie and Lizzie helped Grandma Bernie with making new batches of icing while the rest made a second batch of cookie dough. He mostly watched his dad. He wasn't really helping to make anything, big surprise, he was instead watching Olivia and Noah work the dough with Kathleen and Mo. Eli recognized the mischievous look in his father's eye and knew what was coming. Food fight.
There was a sudden flurry of flour floating around the kitchen island as his dad sifted flour over Kathleen's head. Kathleen was quick to retaliate hitting her father with a handful before rubbing some in Noah's hair. It looked like the slow falling misty snow that trickled down when it got just cold enough in the city.
He watched his dad dip his hands in the flour pile on the counter before he swiped his fingers across Olivia's face. Her eyes widened in surprise, but she got him back almost immediately with a handful of flour down his henley. His father grabbed her by the wrists and while the silly went on around them, the two of them just stared at each other.
Eli could feel the raging red creep from his chest up to his forehead. Holiday food fights were their family tradition, not Olivia's and not Noah's. This whole night was bullshit.
His father finally let Olivia go when her son came from behind to hug her hips with flour covered arms. Eli rolled his eyes when Lizzie started taking pictures. This really was too much. Couldn't they all see how out of place the two of them were?
When the night finally wound down his siblings left with bags full of gifts and leftovers. Grandma Bernie had wandered off to bed at some point, and Noah was passed out curled up on the couch. The kid had eaten way too many cookies and crashed quickly after dinner. Eli pretended to be asleep in the chair, listening to the little bit of chatter between Olivia and his father as they cleaned up. It wasn't until they finished that he could clearly hear everything they were saying.
"Thank you for having us over. Noah had the time of his life."
"I'm glad you decided to come… I know things have been…" His father let the sentence die off.
"Yeah…" she confirmed like she knew exactly what he meant. Eli could hear the weight of the single word. Breathy, shaky, maybe even a little sad. He didn't know much about their past, just that they had one as partners and maybe friends.
"There's so much— I missed so much. I want to know everything, Liv. If you're willing to share, I can take it."
"I want to tell you… I'm just not sure where we even start."
"We'll take it slow Liv. I want to know everything. Your pain, your joy…"
Eli couldn't see them from his vantage point, but it was silent, non-moving in the room. He strained just a bit trying to remain quiet and unseen. He inched up in the chair just enough to see Olivia remove his father's hand from her face.
"El— Not here, not now."
"Sorry— I just want you to know— "
"I know."
Eli lowered himself back down. He was confused. They weren't saying much but they seemed to understand each other. Kathleen told him they were like that.
His mom had been gone less than a year and his dad was clearly trying to get Olivia into bed. He'd already kissed the woman that called the hit on his mom, something he learned during that farce of a mistrial. Now this.
"Do you guys want to stay?"
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Maybe not. At least let me carry him to the car?"
"Thank you, El… and thank you again for tonight."
Eli had been so angry that night and for the months that followed. He remembered at one point he googled how long you should wait to date after your spouse died. The most ridiculous "rule" said to wait 1 year for every year you were married. Eli knew that was unrealistic, he didn't want his dad alone forever. Everything else he read just said the widow should start dating when they feel ready. But what about everyone else left behind? What about when they were ready?
Eli shook his head. He realized how silly googling that was now. He looked down at the mess he had created, ripped wrapping paper, and tangled tape littering the floor. He decided to start all over. Again. The paper shouldn't matter, but for some reason, it felt like it did. He wanted nothing about it to fall short, to taint what he was trying to say.
~oOo~
Christmas 2022
He knew she was coming again for Christmas. The only reason she hadn't shown up for Thanksgiving was because she got called in on a big case, so big it was on the national news that night. Grandma Bernie had loudly pointed out that his dad's girlfriend was on TV. That was a thing now. It was still weird hearing that word. Girlfriend. Partner. But not in the way they used to be partners…
His dad had pulled him aside a few months prior to break the news. It was the least surprising thing he could have told him. She'd been around a lot, her son too, and his father didn't come home some nights. THAT was something he didn't ever want to think about.
Eli simply shrugged and tried to act as if he didn't care. Not just about the dating, but that he didn't care about Olivia. She meant nothing to him.
So, when Kathleen asked him on two separate occasions about getting something for Olivia, he declined and the second time he outright blew up at her. She left it alone after that. He did buy Noah a gift, a Switch game to go with the system Olivia had given him for his birthday. As much as he didn't want Olivia around trying to play house with his dad, he did really like Noah. The kid was so smart and despite their age difference, they liked a lot of the same things.
When Noah opened the gift, his face lit up and he gave Eli the biggest hug he'd ever gotten. It was kind of nice not being the youngest one in the room. No one said anything about his not getting anything for Olivia, but he knew his dad was disappointed. He watched as she opened gifts from all his siblings; a five-show ticket bundle for the ballet from Dickie, a Wonder Woman bobble head and custom engraved pen from Lizzie, a fancy spa package from Mo, and an engraved guardian angel crystal figurine from Kathleen which made everyone teary-eyed when she explained why she picked it. Everyone except him. He, once again, sulked.
He gets it. She helped his family at some point in the distant past. A past he wasn't a part of and a past that meant nothing to him. It seemed to be why they were all seemingly fine with how fast his dad moved on with Olivia. They seemed to think she made him better somehow, but he didn't see it that way.
While Eli didn't get anything for her, she did for him. Two primo tickets for the sold-out Real Madrid vs Barcelona match at Meadowlands in April. Inside he was screaming, jumping up and down, but he was stoic on the outside. His dad tried to get him tickets, but they sold out so fast. It wasn't an everyday occurrence that two of the best clubs in the world, from the other side of the globe, came to play in the US. Tickets were hot.
"Liv… how?" his dad asked the question Eli wouldn't dare ask aloud for fear of sounding too excited, too grateful. It was petty.
"I know a guy." She smiled cryptically, accepting the peck on the cheek from his father.
"Thanks." Eli offered up only a tight smile. It was the most he could give. He saw disappointment in his father's eyes again, but not in Olivia's. She simply offered a 'you're welcome' and a small smile of her own.
The game had been one of the best days of his life. It turned out the tickets were not only great seats but part of a VIP package. He got to meet the players before the game and got an amazing, signed merch package afterward. All of it was framed in his room now.
He noticed she never made a big deal of anything she did. Incredible tickets and once-in-a-lifetime experience with the team? No big deal. She never tried to pressure him to embrace her place in their lives now, she just continued to do the little things and the big things.
Late that summer his dad's unit was working a massive case involving several different units. He was working so much it almost felt like when he was undercover again. There one second and gone the next.
~oOo~
August 2023
"Dad, you said you'd come." He paced in the kitchen alone, his grandmother and Olivia just outside on the terrace.
"That was before…"
"Yeah, yeah."
"I'm sorry bud, listen I have to run, but I'll make it up to you. Love you, call you tomorrow."
Eli said nothing. He was angry, a familiar feeling over the last year. Now he had to show up at school tomorrow and tell his teacher that his dad bailed on the career fair. This whole week they were having parents in public service come in to talk about their careers during free period. Each week had different themes and he knew his dad would be a hit. As corny as he found his own father, his friends thought his dad was cool. He was the most tenured and had the coolest job; NYPD Sergeant with experience with SVU, International Liaison work, and Organized Crime. It was kind of badass.
Eli quietly went to his room, trying to avoid detection by the two women outside. His grandmother and Olivia were having tea, something they'd been doing more since his father started working these abnormally long hours. Grandma Bernie liked her assisted living apartment, something that surprised all of them. Her stories about fights at the shuffleboard and the dating sagas of the elderly amused her. To his grandmother, it was an acceptable balance of independence and oversight. She still came by plenty. Kathleen normally came with her, but recently Olivia had been swinging by to pick her up. Sometimes they'd have tea on the terrace and sometimes Olivia would simply drop her off to spend the afternoon with Eli.
A few minutes after he shut his bedroom door, a soft knock sounded.
"It's open…" he muttered from his bed, face buried in his pillows.
Olivia appeared in the now open doorway, a neutral expression on her face. She always approached him like a wild animal. Or maybe like a wounded animal.
"I'm fine."
She let out a chortled laugh before stepping fully into his room and closing the door. "I've said that a time or two over the years, I almost never mean it."
Eli was silent for a beat, trying not to cry. "He PROMISED."
Olivia sighed before pulling the chair from his desk over by the bed. "I won't give you the speech about the important work he's doing. But he would be there if he could."
"That's what he said."
"It's true, but I know it doesn't make this any better."
"I'm going to look like an idiot. I was— I was proud to have him there."
"You should be. He's done some amazing things over the last three decades."
"I know…"
"Listen, I know it's not even close to having your dad there, and maybe this is the last thing you'd want… but if you need a last-minute pinch hitter, I'd be willing to work your dad's station at the career fair."
Eli sat up in the bed to look at her for the first time since she sat down.
"You'd do that?"
"Sure. I don't have the exciting international experience, but I've been with SVU for almost 25 years, dabbled in Computer Crimes, went undercover for a while in an ecoterrorist group, and have worked way too many joint task forces with your infuriating father over at OCCB." She smiled gently trying to break the tension.
"It's tomorrow though, kinda short notice."
"I can make it work."
Eli considered the offer. He didn't really want to accept but he also didn't want to be the reason for an empty booth when everyone else's parents would show up.
"Okay." He agreed, hoping this wouldn't be a disaster.
"Okay…"
~oOo~
That had been the first time he really saw Olivia in her element. He had been nervous that SVU, sex crimes, would be taboo or something. It wasn't until he saw how so many of the girls and some of the guys gravitated to her, that certain things started to fall into place.
Kathleen had always said Olivia had a way of making you feel like everything you feel is completely valid. She tried to explain several times what Olivia had done for her when everyone first realized Kathleen was struggling with something more than adolescent rebellion. But it still never clicked for him. Not until he saw her talking to his classmates that day. Even kids who hated cops and ribbed him for his dad's job were hypnotized by Olivia.
"Captain Benson, I have a friend who was riding the bus. This creep stuck his hand up her skirt and was touching her all nasty. He hopped off before anybody could stop him. She didn't say nothing, but she's been kinda messed up ever since."
"She's not messed up, honey, she's traumatized. When we experience trauma, it can manifest in a lot of different ways. I would encourage your friend to seek help. If she doesn't know how to do that, she can reach out to me to talk. No pressure, completely confidential."
"She didn't say nothing to the cops. Too scared."
"I don't have to be a cop for her. If she just wants to talk, if she needs help finding the right resources to get help, if she decides she wants to report or even if she doesn't… I'll help her however she feels comfortable."
He listened as she chatted away with the group surrounding her. He was kind of impressed she put things together so quickly. She had a few framed front-page stories displayed, pamphlets, business cards of her own, and some from SVU detectives from several different precincts. Detectives she mentioned that she knew.
He heard his dad say once that victims would be much better served if all detectives were like Olivia. Eli rolled his eyes at the time, but maybe he was right. When she said she really knew those detectives whose names graced the cards, he knew it must mean they actually cared.
"Miss, I just googled you. Did you really get kidnapped?" Another student shouted out.
Eli's eyes tore away from his phone at the question. Kidnapped? His dad never said anything. He saw a moment of surprise pass over her features before she smiled grimly, nothing resembling joy played across her lips.
"I did. My unit was going after this sexual sadist, serial rapist, murderer… He was one of the worst we had ever seen. He fixated on me, and I would be lying to you if I said it wasn't scary. It was undoubtedly the worst thing I've ever gone through." She said it so honestly that it felt like someone kicked him in the gut, all the air expelled from his body. How was it even possible she was standing there just saying it like that.
"Article says you kicked his ass in the end."
She started to explain something about facing trauma, but Eli could no longer focus enough to make sense of what anyone was saying. He was half tempted to try Googling her to see if he could find any details, but the words 'sadist' and 'rapist' kept knocking around loudly in his head.
It wasn't until the principal came over the intercom for an announcement that he came back to earth. Everyone was winding down around them, Olivia still handing out cards when his teammate Jimmy threw out his own question.
"So, you and Mr. Stabler being cops, Eli can't get away with anything, can he?"
~oOo~
Olivia offered him a ride home. Normally he'd decline unwilling to spend time with her by choice. But he had questions.
"What you said— what you said about the kidnapping. Does my dad know?"
"He does. We talked about it."
"How bad were you hurt? What did he do?"
She paused glancing at him, obviously trying to decide how much to tell him. "I um— Eli are you sure you want to know?"
"Yeah…" He wasn't sure, but he thought asking her would be better than poking around news articles.
They stopped at a stoplight, the car's eco setting shut off the engine making it extra quiet. She took in a slow, measured breath before answering his question.
"He burned me… cigarettes, heated keys, and hangers. He cut me, hit me, drugged me, deprived me of water only giving me vodka. He made me watch him do things to other people, sick things…" She rattled off, each thing before and after uglier and uglier.
"Did—" He was terrified to ask, terrified of the answer, and worried he was asking too much. "Did he— "
"Almost," she said saving him from having to say it aloud. "But I fought back before he could. He didn't get the chance."
Eli let out a breath and nodded his head. He couldn't even imagine. His dad had been somewhat transparent with him about his time at SVU. Eli always thought it was a way to scare him into abiding by stranger danger, but now he thought maybe his dad was trying to make sure Eli knew of the pervasiveness of evil in the world.
He felt a little short of breath and words were failing to find him. He felt like he should say something, but nothing felt adequate.
"Thanks for coming today." It was all he could muster.
~oOo~
He finally got it that day. Finally, he started to see what Kathleen and his other siblings could already see. Olivia was a fighter, not just for herself but for everyone else. Especially for everyone else. He remembered when she ran out of business cards halfway through the fair and then resorted to giving out her email and work phone on students' notebooks and iPhones. He wondered at the time when she'd have time to talk to everyone. He asked her once weeks later and she said not everyone reached out, but of those that did she connected them with a resource that would provide thoughtful care. Those who were scared to talk to someone else, reached out to only her until they were comfortable enough to decide on how to handle things. He'd been so worried it would be lame having her there, but it turned out better than he could have imagined. Maybe she wasn't so bad.
He lined up the paper on another side of the gift taping it before he messed it up. He thought about all the ways he saw happiness creeping back into his dad and even his siblings. So much of it had to do with Olivia and Noah. Just after Thanksgiving, he remembered stumbling onto a ring his dad had tucked away in his t-shirt drawer. Eli had only been digging around to find a black shirt for the blackout at the big basketball game against their conference rivals. He considered shoving it back without another thought but instead popped it open to find a tasteful silver band. The inscription read "4015 P4L 6313."
His stomach had dropped and for days it really threw him. He wasn't upset or even sad, but there was this aching feeling that radiated out from his chest. The only real partner his father had was his mother, the ring would mean a new beginning for his dad, for all of them. He wasn't sure how to feel until he stumbled into a conversation he probably never should have heard.
~oOo~
Early December 2023
"He's still not comfortable Elliot."
"He'll be fine, he'll get over it." His father seemed dismissive, which pissed Eli off for just a moment until she countered.
"I don't want him to get over it, I want him to want us here. I don't want to move in, or even keep these keys if he doesn't want that."
"Liv, he'll be okay."
"I want to believe that, but I love him, so I need him to be okay with me before we move into his home. I'm just— It's been over a year. I'm not sure that will ever happen."
"Olivia, I LOVE you." His dad sounded sad, desperate almost.
"I love you too, that has to be enough for you."
He watched from his spot at the end of the hall as his dad brushed Olivia's hair back tucking it behind her ear.
"You're more than enough."
Eli looked away when his father moved in to kiss her. He knew they were talking about him, that much was clear. And suddenly… everything was just okay. A peaceful calm fell over him and he just knew this is what was supposed to happen. It wouldn't change how much he loved his mother, nor how important she would always be in their lives. But hearing those words from Olivia, that she loved him, that she'd put off something she and his dad wanted just to make sure he was okay… it made him feel for her. He couldn't name it. He cared for her, cared what happened to her. All he knew is that there was now one more person walking this earth, two counting Noah, that loved him. He thought that would make his mom really happy. He quietly went back to his room, the Monster he originally went to grab from the fridge, forgotten. A mission was forming to find the perfect way to show Olivia he was done trying to shut her out from his family.
~oOo~
Eli sat in his room now as the noise outside of his bedroom started to fill the apartment. He could hear his brother and grandma first, followed shortly after by his sisters. Olivia wouldn't be by for a little while since something came up at work. She was juggling the role of Captain and Chief until she could hire her replacement. One of few female chiefs in the ranks now and the only female to ever preside over SVU. It was actually pretty cool.
He looked down at the gift he'd worked on for the last few weeks. At first, he chose it because it was affordable. His dad or siblings would have given him money to buy Liv a gift if he'd asked, but he really wanted it to come from him. Only him. As the days went on the whole thing meant more and more to him. He hid it under his bed as he made progress, the nervousness starting to creep in as Christmas came quickly. This felt important.
Satisfied that it wasn't going to be any more perfect than it was, he taped the bonus gift to the back of the frame and finished taping up the rest of the wrapping paper. The tag was simple. To Olivia, From Eli.
He joined his family, casually putting the gift under the tree before joining the chaos in the kitchen.
They were in the midst of a raucous round of Apples to Apples when Liv and Noah came in. Noah got his fill of hugs and kisses before he grabbed Eli's arm to squeeze in video games before dinner. Just before crossing the threshold to his room, Eli cast a glance back to see his father hug Liv warmly, placing a kiss on her temple.
He beat the pants off Noah in Mario Kart before letting the younger boy beat him a couple times right before dinner. He loved Noah. In a way that was beyond how you love a friend, he loved him like a real brother.
It was a loud and chaotic dinner, but as Eli looked around, he couldn't help the smile from creeping across his lips. He caught his dad's eye and felt the wind knock out of him. He looked so happy. The light had slowly come back to his eyes that first year after his mom's death, but as he and Liv grew together it only brightened. And now seeing the shine and life in his father, he couldn't help but be grateful he had his dad back. Really back.
Gifts at a Stabler Christmas had always been wild, but with Grandma Bernie and the Bensons added to the mix the last few years, it was even more so. Noah played Santa with his dad doling out gifts to everyone. To minimize the insanity, they always went around opening gifts one at a time. He saw Olivia throw his dad a look when she saw one of the gifts in her pile was from Eli, his dad simply shrugged.
Round by round they opened gifts taking a moment to appreciate what was given and to give thanks back. Eli loved this part. It always took a while, but he savored that they slowed down for a little while.
By chance, Olivia was the one to open the last gift and she had saved his for last as he thought she might. He had never given her a gift before. All his siblings did for her birthdays, Mother's Day, to celebrate her promotion, but he never made the gesture.
Everyone was chatting amongst themselves as Olivia pulled the paper off the gift carefully. Just as he wanted to make sure the wrapping was perfect, she was careful not to tear it, keeping it whole as if she knew that what it held was precious. He knew the moment she saw it, her eyes glazing over immediately.
In her hands was a beautiful large wooden frame with space for 9 photos: one space for a large photo in the middle and 8 smaller ones around it. Most of the spaces had already been filled by him.
There was a photo of Olivia and his dad smiling at each other unaware of the camera. Another of Olivia and Noah with flour all over themselves laughing after the impromptu baking fight two Christmases ago. Then there was one with each of his siblings. Olivia and Dickie at his wedding. Maureen and Olivia holding her twins right after they were born. Lizzie and Olivia with their hair spun up in towels and wearing clay masks during one of their monthly spa trips. Another space held a photo of Kathleen hugging Liv tightly from behind as she was laughing at something in the distance.
His favorite was a picture his dad snapped of his grandmother and Olivia sitting together on the terrace. He had taken it from inside the apartment. The two women had been completely oblivious, the joy and laughter they shared in the moment was so pure it really came to life in the picture.
"Eli…" it came out as a quiet shaky sigh, her words caught in her throat. She shook her head once, as she took it in, something he noticed she did when emotional. It was clear if she tried to speak another word, she wouldn't be able to finish. His dad had already come around the back of the couch to see it, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder as he glanced up to look at his son. Eli would never be able to explain the way his dad looked at him, but he'd remember it forever.
"I um— I couldn't figure out what to get you," Eli said fidgeting with the cuffs of his shirt. "I was at the mall with Jeremy and I saw the frame— the number of pictures was perfect… Mo, Katie, and Lizzie put EVERYTHING on the cloud so picking the pictures took forever." He explained all this as his brothers and sisters gathered behind the couch to see what had Olivia and their father so stunned.
"The color photos were nice, but I thought the black and white looked nice, so I played around with the filters. I think they all came out pretty good." He was rambling now, but he was afraid to let the silence come.
"Better than good, bud," his father affirmed, his eyes red and glistening.
"I left two spots empty. When I was going through the pictures, I couldn't find one of you and me. Even the group photos with everyone, dad's birthday and one from your promotion party… I wasn't smiling. I was even rolling my eyes in one." He winced with shame. But Olivia let out a breathy laugh relieving some of the emotion that made the room feel heavy for him.
"This is my gift to you, but I can finally admit you've been the gift to us," he said looking back and forth between his father and his siblings. "After mom died everything was just so hard. Everyone changed, everything changed, but it was like you steadied the ship or something."
His father wiped at his eyes before settling his free hand on Olivia's shoulder grounding himself and maybe even her.
"So, I thought since everyone is here today, we could take a new group— a new family photo," he stuttered to correct, "and… I— I could get my picture with you."
The room was absolutely silent. Mo, Katie, and Lizzie were wiping at their eyes and Olivia had a death grip on his father's hand. He couldn't remember the last time this group had been so quiet. Even Noah, who may not have understood the significance of this moment, was silent.
Eventually, Olivia got up, handing the frame to his father. She didn't say anything, just crossed the room and pulled him into a crushing hug. It was the first time she felt confident enough to embrace him and the first time he ever would have allowed it. Her warm hands rubbed his back lovingly and for a moment he was lost in the absolute comfort she offered. He had more to say, but he couldn't say it in front of everyone. It had been hard enough to admit that last part.
Still tied up in her embrace he asked if they could talk outside. She nodded still not sure she could form words. She grabbed their jackets and flipped on the outdoor heater while Eli grabbed the frame from his father.
After accepting a quick hug from his dad, he met her outside mumbling a 'thanks' as she traded him his jacket for the frame.
"The gift is beautiful Eli. Thank you. It means— it means a lot."
"I'm sorry Olivia. I've been a jerk—" His voice trembled, and tears were gathering at the corners of his eyes. He knew this would happen and he was suddenly even more grateful his family was inside.
"You lost your mother, Eli. This… your father and I together, it can't be easy."
Eli conceded that with a nod. It was true. He most likely would have been a jerk to any woman, but the immediate closeness he saw between her and his father had been jarring.
"It still wasn't cool. You and Noah have been nothing but nice to me." He paused gathering his composure. "I— I know my dad asked you to move in."
To say she was shocked would be an understatement. She shifted uncomfortably, clearly unsure of where he was going with this.
"I— I heard you guys a few weeks ago. Dad wanted you to move in and you said you wouldn't because I wasn't happy. You said what you and my dad had would have to be enough and I realized I was being selfish."
"Eli— "
"I was." He smiled reassuringly. "My dad lost mom too, he grieved. He was still here for me more often than not and when he couldn't be… you were."
She reached out, placing a firm hand on his shoulder, making him look into her eyes. "I'll always be here for you Eli, no matter what happens with me and your dad. I was the first person to hold you when you came into this world, so you're stuck with me."
"I know that now. I've been thinking about the last two years and how many times you were here for me. It was never a surprise when you were just quietly THERE… You make my dad happy Olivia. Noah makes my dad happy."
"We love you, and your dad."
"Will you maybe re-think the whole moving in thing then?" he asked reaching out to remove the small gift he had taped to the back of the frame. A set of keys to their apartment. He dropped them into her hand. "My dad is happy now, but he'd be beside himself if you did." Eli smiled. Genuinely smiled.
She placed the frame gently on one of the chairs and hugged him again. Quicker this time, but when she pulled back, she kissed his forehead tenderly, her hands softly running through his thick hair. The touch was so delicate and protective like she'd never let anything hurt or break him. A mother's touch.
Eli would miss his mom forever. Not a day would go by that he wouldn't think of her, wishing she were here. Her smile, her smell, the way she always knew the right thing to say. His mother had always been the caretaker, the heart of their family. She would want his dad to be happy, protected, and cared for and she'd want that for her kids too. She would always be mom.
But the comfort and love he felt in this moment was important too. Liv would never replace his mother, nor would she try. He suspected she would love him forever and no differently than Noah. She already did. And he loved her. He'd tell her that one day soon. But for now, they had new family photos to take, photos he knew would be the first of many for years to come.