AN: THANKS FOR READING.
D: LAW AND ORDER SVU AND ALL ITS CHARACTERS ARE NOT MINE.
CHAPTER 71 BERNIE'S
—Nice car.— I hear a voice from behind me. I feel my hands tighten on the wheel as I turn slowly to find out whose voice is it.
—Dickie.— The nickname rolls out my mouth as I recognize the young man standing next to my car. —Hi.—My voice trembles unable to hide my nerves.
—Hi, Liv.— He opens the car's door and I just stay inside paralyzed by the surprised. —Are you gettin out?— He says waiting for me to accept the hand he so kindly has offered.
—Thank you. I let go of the wheel and I try to find some kind of excuse not to do do, but my mind is blank. So I have no choice but to accept his hand. I move my legs and I feel the dress slide up the skin of my thigh. I stop and try to adjust it with my free hand. I turn in the seat to get off properly by putting both legs out of the car at the same time and, with his help, I stand.
—How are you Dickie?— I ask him, letting go of his hand to take off my sunglasses in order to take a better look of his face.
—Richard.— He corrects me. —Fine. What about you?—
—Fine.— I hesitate a bit before closing the car's door.
—Seriously, it's a very nice car. A classic.— He says, taking a look at it.
—Thanks. I bought it a few years ago.—
—It's great. Oh... let me help you with that.— he says leaning in the back seat taking my small suitcase.
—No. Leave it.— I stop him quickly.
—Ok.— He put it back on the sit with a sorry expression. —Sorry.—
—It's okay. Ahm... I didn't expect to see you here.— I say trying not to sound too nervous.
—I am spending a weekend with grandma.— He says. —What are YOU doing here?— He asks me the same question. He should have been the one asking it in the first place. It is actually more expected for him been here than me.
—I came... I have a few days off so...— I bite my lip trying to shut up. I feel so awkward. Normally I could lie more easily but, well, this is not normal.
—I'm glad to see you again.— He says showing a slight smile letting me know he've noticed my strugglehe and he doesn't need more explanation. His smile reminds me of his father so much.
—You look just like him.— I let the words out without thinking twice.
—Proudly.— But his energy doesn't change. The silence is present and I try to decide what to do. I don't know whether to close the hood of the car and follow him home or say goodbye and run back to Manhattan.
—Richard Stabler!— I hear a soft voice from inside the house which makes us both turn around. —Have you seen my...— a young woman comes out of the interior and stops her words as she stares at me. She focus her eyes and soon recognizes me.
—Olivia!?— She yells. I adjust my gaze to recognize the young woman, her long blonde hair plays in the air as she runs in my direction.
—Hi Lizie!—I say with surprise, recognizing young Elizabeth.
—It's been so long!—She hurries and as soon as she is close enough she embraces me with enthusiasm. I respond quickly. —How are you? What are you doing here?— She asks with a big smile not really waiting or my answers. —What a surprise! Did you know she was coming?— She turns to ask her twin brother.
—Nope, I just found her on this beautiful car.— I look at them carefully. —Isn't it awesome?— They really look so much alike, the beautiful blue of her eyes is identical to his.
—You and your fanatics for cars, Richard!— She doesn't encourage his brother. —Liv come inside. We're about to eat.—
—Thanks but I...—
—I'm not asking you. Come inside, please.— She takes my hand to pull me towards the house but I stop her.
—Let me just.— I walk towards the car to take my little hand bag and to close the hood. Dickie... Richard rushes to help me.
We walk to the entrance of the house and immediately the smell of food invades my lungs, which reminds me that I haven't gotten anything to eat during the road trip.
—Grandma! Guess who is here?!— I see young Elizabeth disappear behind a wall.
—Do you want something to drink?— Richard asks kindly.
—Water is fine, thank you.— He walks and disappears behind the same wall. I take a look around the place. The white wall is decorated with beautiful paintings, the windows are barely covered with lilac and white curtains that move with the ocean's breeze that flows from side to side of the room. I reach the wall where the kids have disappeared and I find a small room at the other side. At t the back of the room, right next to the large glass door, is an easel with one more unfinished painting. I look at a couple of photographs that are on a piece of furniture. I recognize Maureen and Kathleen in one of them, they were so small. I remember meeting them around that age. Couple little girls full of energy.
—Here.— Richard says appearing with a glass of water. I accept it and thank him.
—Olivia Benson!— I hear my full name and turn to see Bernie coming out of the kitchen taking off her apron.
—Hello.— I say smiling and approaching her until we meet. I feel her strength as she puts her arms around me, so I bend down a little and correspond. I hear her sigh as she separates from me and, without letting go of my shoulders she watches me cautiously with her smile still on her face.
—How are you?— She asks warmly.
—Fine.— I answer. —How are you, Bernie?— I ask giving a smile back to her.
—Fine fine... with enough energy to keep up with this two.— she says laughing. —Oh, Olivia, I'm glad you're here.— She shows me another warm smile which I reciprocate by nodding my head a little. I no longer feel nervous. There is something in her gaze that makes me feel... peaceful.
—Dickie, love, could you put a place at the table for Olivia please?— She asks her grandson, who just nods and disappears again.
—I don't want to bother Bernie.— I try.
—You don't. You will never be a bother my darling. You were an extremely important person to my son, and you will always be welcomed here.— I can't help the lump in my throat or the tears in my eyes, but I manage to keep them there.
—Thanks.— I take her hand, which is warm, more than mine. I was sure that my skin was not cold anymore from the exposure to the sun and the hot weather, but compared to hers... it seems to be cold.
—Ready.—I hear young Lizie say as she sticks her head out of a door that I hadn't noticed until now. —The food is ready granny.—
—Come on.— I notice her crystalline eyes the moment she carves them. I suppose she does not want the children to notice them, so I choose to do the same and control my feelings.
I follow her until we leave the inside of the house to where there is a round outdoor table with an umbrella and plates with food. The aroma makes my stomach roar again, and this time it does not go unnoticed.
—Someone is hungry. Sit down, you will love Grandma's hamburgers.— Richard says offering me one of the chairs.
—Thank you, I bet I will.—I say smiling and sitting on the chair. I adjust my dress avoiding it to stick to my body. When I look up I find the beautiful blue of the sea right in front of me. It feel like an eternity since I've been on the beach that the view takes my breath away. I feel the need to run to the water and dive in.
—I hope you do.—Bernie says taking her place next to me.
TO BE CONTINUED...
AN: STAY SAFE.
