AN: THANKS FOR READING.
D: LAW AND ORDER SVU AND ALL ITS CHARACTERS ARE NOT MINE
CHAPTER 72 SHARING
Bernie's hamburgers are delicious, so much that I have eaten two and a half. If Alexandra were here I'm sure she would scold me, but the truth is I don't regret it at all. They were delicious and I feel satisfied. I remember that delicious Christmas turkey I once ate, and if it was indeed cooked by her, I can say I love Bernie's food.
—And? Didn't i tell you? Delicious!— Richard says finishing his last bite.
—Yes, they are in fact delicious, thank you very much.— I say giving Bernie a smile.
—What can I say. I have always liked to cook. Its a gift.— She says smiling as she stands up and takes the dishes. I hurry up to help her.
—No, sit back down please.— She tells me but I ignore her. I take the dishes I can on the table and I follow her to the kitchen.
—Olivia, I said sit down.— Bernie scolds me when she notices that I ignored her instruction.
—Sorry.— I say but keep on with my task.
—Elliot was right. You really are stubborn.— She says in the middle of a small laugh. Even though the burn in my chest tries to appear, the warm smile on her face manages to extinguish it.
—Hey!— Lizzie enters the kitchen with some dishes. —We are going to take a swim. Wanna join?— She asks as she places the dishes inside the sink.
—Sure.— I answer quick because I do want to dive into the sea, but then I remembered a certain situation. —Oh... well I can't.—
—Why?— Lizzie asks as the smile on her face vanishes.
—I didn't bring a bathing suit.— There was a reason for me not doing that. It does not exactly fit into the loose clothing section.
—Who comes to the beach without a bathing suit?— She complains with a grimace of annoyance.
—I forgot it.—
—You don't have to make a drama out of it, Elizabeth.— Richard appears on the kitchen. —They sell swimming suits here.—
—That's true. We have to go buy you one.— They have found the perfect solution.
—No we don't have to. I'm really full right now. Maybe later.— I say putting one of my hands on my abdomen and withdrawing it immediately as I feel my little bump.
—We'll go. What do you prefer, a bikini or a complete one?— Richard insists with proposing solutions. I know it's not a good idea to wear a bathing suit, much less a bikini.
—Ahm, it's not necessary. I don't have to swim.— I try to take them out of it. I listen to Bernie's low laugh from the sink where she is already washing the dishes.
—Liv, you're on the beach. We're going to buy you a swimsuit, and if you want, you can use it, if not, then you don't. Ok?— Elizabeth negotiates, and I really can't say no. The twins high five in an accomplice. —Let's go.— And they are already walking towards the exist.
—Richard!— I stop them and as they come back to the kitchen I throw him the key of my car. —Drive safe.— He catches them with agility and a huge smile appears on his face.
—Really?— I nod.
—Oh no.— Lizzie complains when she notices the keys. He just laughs and pushes her towards the exit.
—Make yourself comfortable please.— Bernie asks me drying her hands and walking me towards one of the sofas in the living room. I choose a good place to sit and she sits near.
—How are things at work?— Bernie asks not as if it were to bring up a topic of conversation, but more that she really wants to know the answer.
—Well, different.— I'm not lying to her, it's strange but I don't feel the need to lie to her like I do with people lately.
—I can imagine. So many years working with him, the change must not be easy.— It amuses me how she speaks so easily about Elliot
—It's not easy, not even a bit.— and I can't help my voice breaking instantly.
—You know, just this morning the children and I were talking about you.— The doubt invades me, why would I be the topic of their conversation?
—About what? My stubbornness?— Somehow, my sarcastic humor has come back little by little.
—How fortunate you were to have spent so much time with him.— I suppose that on my face a look of doubt has been drawn.
—This job demands a lot of time and being colleagues.— I tell her as trying to justify something.
—I know. I lived with a cop my whole life, dear.— She says with a bittersweet smile. —But for Elliot you were more than a colleague, sweetheart. You were his best friend.— She explains. —The little that he shared with me about you, those were his exact words "she is my best friend".— The tears accumulate in my eyes when I hear her say that. Her words are provoking a feeling that is not burning in my chest, but I don't know how to explain it, it's more comforting.
—He was my best friend too.— I say, unable to hold my tears. Bernie kindly offers me a tissue which I take and immediately wipe my tears off. —I'm sorry.— I apologize.
—Don't. It's okay.—
—Your son... he was the most important person I have ever had.— Although I've tried, the crying has already made its presence and I cannot stop it.
—When a person leaves, what hurts the most is the absence.— I just nod my head agreeing with her. —I've felt Elliot's absence long before his death, and I guess I am used to it. Everyone heals in their own way.— Bernie is talking with so calm it actually impresses me. — Look at the children, they have gone through this in a very different way than we imagined. Richard started working recently, Lizzie got a college scholarship, Kathleen will graduate soon, and Maureen moved close to her mother. Each one was affected in a different way ... but here we are still ... more united than ever.—
—I'm really glad to hear it, they are a beautiful family.— A faint smile is drawn on her face before sighing.
—I want to ask you a favor, Liv.— She says with a little doubt.
—Whatever you need.— I express immediately.
—Tell me everything you remember about my son. I want to have the opportunity to know him more.— I am impressed that she asks me just what I came here looking for. It is as if she had the part of Elliot that I lack and I have the one that she lacks.
—Everything? I could spend days talking.— I express to her grieving the amount of things that we really live.
—Do tell. Everything you can remember, how was he when he was not upset? What did he like to eat? His favorite drink... those things.—
—Of course.— I don't know if I will be able to put all that in words without braking dow. —Will you tell me everything you remember. Like the carrot costume story?— A huge smile illuminates her face filling a light in her eyes. If she, as the mother that lost her child, has the strength to do so. I have to at least try.
—You remember.— She says excitedly. —I think it's a good deal. I'll get the albums and we'll wait for the children.— She says, getting up from her seat.
TO BE CONTINUED...
AN: THANKS. STAY SAFE.
