Prompt #9: Olivia and Bernie bake Christmas cookies together
Christmas just ain't Christmas (Without Homemade Cookies)
~oOo~
"You don't know how to make cookies?" Bernie sounded just shy of absolutely scandalized.
Olivia winced. "I tried a few times when Noah was younger, but my last attempt would have killed anyone that ate it. I was very lucky that I realized that before taste testing."
She had stopped by on her lunch break to check in on Bernie for Kathleen. The poor girl had been working overtime trying to manage both her younger brother and her grandmother while her father played with mobsters and their wives. They were trading stories about Eli and Noah when Olivia had mentioned that Noah was petitioning for homemade cookies for Santa this year.
"I'm sure it wasn't that bad."
"Oh, no, it really was. I'd rather not think about it." She still had nightmares about it to be honest.
"Tell you what, I've got a foolproof recipe," Bernie said. "Anyone can make it, even Elliot. Come over this weekend and we'll make some. Eli has soccer practice on Saturday afternoon."
"And Noah has dance practice." Olivia hesitated. "You're sure it wouldn't be much trouble?"
"Not at all. Don't worry about bringing anything," she said, anticipating Olivia's next question. "I have all the ingredients already. I'll see you on Saturday."
Olivia was half hoping that something would come up, but she found herself in the Stabler household once again on Saturday afternoon. Bernie was a very patient teacher and it seemed her recipe really was that easy.
"Now we just have to let the dough chill for a bit," Bernie said, as she stuck the mixing bowl into the fridge. "It makes them taste better and they don't spread as much when you bake them."
"Thanks again for doing this, Bernie. Noah is going to be thrilled. Can I make you some tea while we wait?"
"That would be wonderful, dear. The teabags are in that cabinet there," she said, pointing. "Elliot can't make a decent cup to save his life and Eli wouldn't be caught dead with the stuff."
She watched as Olivia moved around the kitchen, looking right at home despite only having been there a few times.
"You know," she said, as Olivia poured them both cups, "my son is an idiot."
"Because he can't make tea?" Olivia asked, as she handed a cup to Bernie and took a sip of her own.
"Because he let you go."
Olivia sputtered.
"Oh dear," Bernie laughed. "Probably should have timed that better, but you know it's true."
"Bernie," Olivia started, but she had no idea what to say.
"He's a well-meaning idiot for what it's worth. Don't get me wrong, I love my grandchildren, but he and Kathy should have called it quits long ago and we both know it. He gets so focused on what he thinks he should do that he doesn't actually think about what would make him happy." She reached out for Olivia's hands. "That's you, Olivia. I think he makes you happy too when he's not driving you crazy. I know that you need him to prove it, but just remember that for me while he figures it out for himself."
"I figured that out a while ago," a voice said from the doorway.
"The prodigal son returns," Bernie said, moving to hug Elliot as Olivia discreetly tried to wipe a tear away. "You got rid of those ridiculous clothes."
"Yeah, I'm home for good, Mama." His eyes never left Olivia.
Bernie looked between the two. "That's my cue to exit then."
As Bernie left the room, Olivia looked everywhere but at Elliot.
"You going to ignore me forever?" he asked.
"It seemed to work pretty well for you."
"I deserve that," he said as he took Bernie's seat at the table. "She's right though, you do make me happy."
"You've got a funny way of showing it," Olivia scoffed.
"Well, I did come home like you asked. I know I'm probably well into my thousandth chance with you and I know the words 'I'm sorry" have probably lost all meaning coming from me, but I'm going to ask for one more chance to prove that I'm sorry. I've missed you, Liv."
"I've been right here," she said, blinking back tears.
"I know," he said, his eyes welling up too, "and if you'll let me, I'll be right beside you from now on. Anything you want, so long as I get to be in your life."
"Just kiss her already!" Bernie called from down the hallway. The tension broke immediately and they both laughed.
"Can I?" he said with a smirk.
She flushed. "How about a hug for now?"
"That's not a no," he said, gathering her into his arms.
"No," she said, burying her smile in his shoulder, "It's a not yet."
