Chapter 1

Elliot has won a holiday for four people and wanted Liv to go with him and his kids.

"You should come with us. It's for free. Come on! You need a holiday as much as I do.", Elliot said.

"Thanks, that's really nice but I think the girls would love a holiday with their dad only. You all need some quality time together."

"We don't have to spend every minute together. You can do whatever you want. Please, I need another adult with me." he whined. She started to laugh.

"Well, that won't be me. Sarah hates me. If I would come along it would ruin her holiday and that's not what I want." He looked at her happily. She was confused by the sudden change of his mood.

"So, if I ask her and she is okay with it, you will come with us?" She shook her head grinning.

"Maybe. But don't push her. I really want her to be okay with it."

"A 'maybe' is better than all the 'No's', I got these last few days." She shook her head slightly while smiling at him. He took out his phone to call someone.

"Hey honey. I need to ask you something." Liv looked at him in disbelief.

She whispered, "You put pressure on her." He just smiled and mouthed a "It's fine."

"Okay, so I wanted to know if you would be okay with Olivia coming on the holiday with us?" Liv looked at him unbelievingly.

"No, of course not... Yeah, sure... Alright... Thank you! Love you." he said before hanging up. Liv looked at him angrily.

"You shouldn't have done it over the phone. I am sure she knew I was right next to you!" Liv said accusingly.

"Would you please relax, Olivia? She said, she doesn't mind!"

"What? But.."

"No more but's, you are coming with us!" he said smiling widely.

A few hours later Kathy entered the squad room with Lola, Elliot's youngest daughter.

"Olivia!", the girl shouted excitedly. She ran towards Olivia and hugged her tightly.

"Hey sweetie. How are you?" Liv asked with a smile.

"Great. We are going on a holiday. Did you know that?" Liv nodded. She loved how excited the young girl was.

"Actually," Elliot said, "Olivia is coming with us." Lola looked from him to Olivia and back.

"Oh my god, really? That's so cool!" she squealed with excitement.

Kathy stood next to them looking at Olivia like she was about to murder her.

Elliot got up and said, "Thanks for bringing her Kathy." She just looked at him furiously.

"We need to talk!" she hissed and tugged him out of the room.

Outside the squad room she couldn't hold back anymore.

"Did you even think about telling me that your "partner" is going to join you and OUR kids on your holiday?"

"She agreed a few minutes ago. I didn't even have the time to tell you and I didn't know that I needed your okay anyways. What's your problem?"

"What my problem is? First of all, I wanna know with whom my kids spend time with. And second of all, Sarah doesn't like her and I am sure she won't be happy if you tell her that O-livi-a is coming with you."

"Stop saying her name like that! And Sarah is okay with it. I have just talked to her. And seriously, you wanna tell me about not wanting to let everybody spend time with our kids! You introduced them to your new boyfriend without telling me and I didn't start a fight, although I didn't even know him back then!"

With that he turned around and walked back into the squad room.

"Are you ready honey? Let's go shopping!" he asked his daughter happily.

"Yes, I am! I really need a new bikini!" she said.

At this moment Elliot's phone started to ring. After about a minute he hung up.

"Honey, I am sorry. I can't go shopping with you. I have to go talk to our DA."

"But I need a new bikini! The old one doesn't fit anymore!" Lola whined.

"I am so sorry. Maybe we can go tomorrow?" he said trying to comfort her.

"I could go with her." Liv suggested. "I mean if both of you don't mind." she added.

"Oh my god! Yes, daddy! Can she go with me?"

"You really don't have to do this, Liv."

"I want to. A girls shopping trip sounds fun, right?" Lola nodded like crazy.

"Thank you!" he said thankfully.

About two hours later they were on their way to Liv's apartment. Elliot had texted her that he would need longer than they first thought, so Liv suggested to take Lola home with her.

"You have to promise me that this is our little secret, okay?" Liv said with a serious look on her face.

"I promise." Lola said smiling brightly, while taking another spoonful of ice cream.

"Good." Liv said smiling while enjoying her ice cream as well.

After eating ice cream they decided to play some games. They had a really great time but Lola started to get tired, so Liv suggested to go over to the sofa to watch some TV.

30 minutes later Lola was asleep.

Liv went to the kitchen and started to clean up. When she was finished she decided to start packing. She couldn't believe that she was going on a holiday the day after tomorrow. She couldn't even remember the last time she went on a holiday but she was looking forward to the sun, the beach and spending time with El and his kids. She never was on a holiday with kids before. She was sure it will be totally different but she knew she would like it.

Around 9pm Elliot came to pick up Lola.

"I am so sorry." he said looking exhausted.

"Don't worry. We had a great time. She fell asleep on the sofa, about an hour and a half ago." Elliot followed her and kneeled down in front of the sofa.

"Hey peanut, we need to go home now." He picked her up carefully and walked towards the door.

"Thank you again." he said to Olivia.

"You're welcome and I really had a great time" she said while handing him the bag with Lola's bikini.

"I hope you and Kathy are okay with the one we picked out but I made sure that everything was covered and she looks really cute in it." Elliot smiled at her.

"I am sure it'll be more than fine."

Liv smiled back at him. "Good night, El."

"Good night, Liv."

The next day wasn't really eventful. Elliot was at court most of the day and Liv had to do tons of paperwork to do. Elliot told her, he would pick her up tomorrow morning after picking up the kids from Kathy. She was really looking forward to get out of the city.

The next morning Liv was waiting in her apartment to be picked up when her phone started to ring. It was Elliot.

"Hey."

"Hey Liv. I am sorry but Kathy just told me she is coming with us on the holiday. I tried to talk to her but she doesn't… God, I don't even know how to explain it, because I don't get it myself. I am really sorry...

Please don't back out now. I swear to you, you don't have to spend too much time with her. She will stay at the same hotel, that's all. And her boyfriend will be there too."

What the actual fuck was happening? Could she really go on a holiday with the whole Stabler family? That didn't feel good at all. She kinda wanted to stay in New York.

"Liv? Are you still there?"
"Uh yes, but I think it's better if I stay here. Kathy and I .. well to say that she doesn't like me is an understatement, I.. well I just don't think it's a good idea."

"No, Liv please. I invited you to come with us, not her. She is the one who should stay at home but god, please don't back out now. Please?" he said begging. Liv started to smile, he could be so cute when he wanted something really bad.

"El, it was kinda weird before but now it's just ridiculous. Me on a holiday with your whole family, come on!"

"She is my ex- wife and the kids already said they want you there and I need you there, now more than ever." he said desperately. She knew he really didn't want to go there with his ex and her new boyfriend and she really was looking forward to the holiday.

"Although I know I will regret it, I am coming with you."

"Oh my god! Thank you! I don't want to go on a holiday with my ex wife and her new boyfriend alone." They both laughed.

"Well, going on a holiday with your ex wife and your partner who your ex wife hates, won't be easier." He snorted.

"God, please tell me it sounds worse than it really is." Liv laughed.

"I hope so but I am not really confident it will be better. Well, see you at the airport then."

"Wait, why? I thought I pick you up?"

"Seriously? You want me in a car with her? No, I swear, it's better if we meet there."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Okay. See you there. And thanks again. You're saving my holiday."

At the airport Olivia approached the others.

"Olivia! Can you believe it, we are really going on a holiday." Lola said while hugging her enthusiastically. Liv smiled at her.

"Pretty exciting, huh?" Lola stood in front of her, nodding like crazy.

"Hey Liv." El said looking pretty stressed out already. She shot him a "What's wrong?" look but he just shook his head lightly. Seemed like she wasn't the only one who didn't want Kathy with them, what a surprise.

"Hey Sarah." Liv said, smiling at her. Sarah just nodded in her direction. Okay, well she didn't expect much more from her, so that's fine.

"Hi Kathy." Liv said politely. Kathy shot her a look that said it all and a quiet "Hi." followed. Amazing. This holiday is starting off pretty great, Liv thought to herself.

On the plane, Kathy was seated far away from the others because she had booked the flight later.

Olivia knew she didn't like the interaction between her and Lola but the young girl was so sweet and she really didn't think she did anything wrong, by just talking to her.

"El, can I talk to you?" Kathy suddenly said. He looked at her annoyed.
"What is it?" he said, not making a move to get up, so she had to start talking in front of Olivia.

"I really want to sit with the kids. Lola is flying for the first time and well I just want to be close to the kids!" Elliot shook his head.

"Well, what do you want from me?" he said getting angrier and angrier with her.

"I want.. Can't Olivia switch seats with me? I mean she isn't even part.."

"Stop right there. She is more part of this holiday than you are. And I am pretty sure Lola will be more than fine." Kathy looked at him angrily.

"El, it's fine. I can switch seats. I don't mind."

"No, she should just go back to her seat!" Elliot said angrily. Liv touched his arm gently and told him with a look that it was fine and that he shouldn't start a fight because of this. If looks could kill, Olivia would be dead now. Kathy looked from her hand on El's arm to her face and back. So Liv removed her hand quickly and got up to move over to Kathy's seat. She took out her earphones and tried to relax. Damn it! This woman wouldn't make it easy for her.

Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and knew immediately it was Elliot's. She took out her earphones and turned to face him. He had this guilty and apologetical look on his face.

"I'm sorry." he said. She just smiled. She knew he was but it wasn't his fault. He didn't want Kathy here either.

"El, don't worry. I don't really care where I am sitting. If she needs to be near the girls then I am fine with it."

"You know damn well it isn't about the girls. She just doesn't want you near us. I just... Well I know I've said it before but I am really sorry. I really didn't plan this holiday like this. I wanted it to be fun and relaxing and now you have to deal with her."

"I swear to you I am fine. I can handle her." she said smiling reassuringly. "Sure it will be awkward but we won't be with her 24/7, so we just have to get through those uncomfortable moments. The rest will be nice." she squeezed his arm to reassure him that it was going to be okay. He looked at her thankfully and said, "I am so glad you are here, I couldn't do this on my own." She smiled and said, "You're welcome, partner."