AN: THANKS FOR READING. SOMEONE ASKED ME WHERE I UPLOADED THIS STORY IN SPANISH. THE SITE I FIRST PUBLISHED THIS STORY NO LONGER EXISTS, IT WAS A BLOG. BUT, I WOULD GLADLY UPDATE IT HERE IN SPANISH.

NA: Gracias por leer. Alguien me preguntó en dónde subí esta historia en español. La página en donde publiqué la historia por primera vez ya no existe, era un blog. Pero, con gusto puedo subirla en español aquí mismo. Si quieren háganmelo saber.

D: Law and order SVU and all its characters are not mine.

CHAPTER 73 REFRESHING

I look at the sea through the large window while sitting on the sofa. I try to immerse myself in the amount of memories I have of Elliot. I realize that I really know many things about him that, somehow, I had taken for granted. Everyday stuff I was used to share with him. I guess, Bernie's words are true. I am really lucky.

Well, the simple fact of having met him makes me feel like the luckiest person in the world. And all the time we share, every second, minute, hour, day and night that we spent together, I wouldn't change any of it. I had the chance to meet a side of him that maybe no one else did. Not even his children or his mother. And they know that part of him that I've missed.

—We're back!— I hear Lizzie's sweet voice entering the house. —We brought you two swimsuits, Liv.— She announces as she sits on the opposite sofa and takes out of the bags a red bikini that looks really small, and another purple, two-piece swimsuit which, luckily, has a long top and shorts. —Choose the one you want.— She says throwing both of them at me. I manage to catch both of them on the air.

—Your car is incredible, Liv!— young Richard says joining us in the living room. Lizzie shakes her head and rolls her eyes at him with a smile on her face. I turn to see the boy and notice the small suitcase he is carrying.

—That's mine.— I say pointing to my luggage.

—I know ... you are not staying in a hotel.— He says leaving it on the floor. I give him a look ready to complain but Bernie stops me.

—Of course not, this is your house.— She appears from the kitchen with a jug fool of lemonade and some glasses.

—But I don't want to bother you.— Anyways I try.

—Don't be rude and accept the invitation.— Lizzie scolds me with an angry tone in her voice.

—Okay, but...— she gives me an annoyed look so I choose to stop talking.

—I'll leave the keys here for you.— Richard says, putting them in one of the side pockets of my small suitcase.

—So, which one will you wear?— Elizabeth asks. I throw the tiny red bikini aside choosing the one that will cover the upper part of my body, although I don't really plan to wear any, the fabric will still stick to my body.

—This is one is fine. Thank you.— I say with a smile. —Let me know how much it was.—

—Nope. Let's go swimming!— She runs excitedly to the door but Bernie stops her.

—Wait. Don't you prefer to have a lemonade and talk with us?—

—I like that idea.— I second her trying to avoid having to put on the swimsuit. And I am really interested in talking with them more. That's why I'm here after all.

—Me too.— Richard says. —Wait, I'll get the photo album.—Lizzie looks at me and smiles understanding what the talking would be about. I am surprised by how good they take it.

Night has caught up with us, the sun has set and the moonlight is already streaming through the window, while we continue to sit comfortably in the living room telling each other a thousand anecdotes and stories. Some fun, others a little more serious, and the sad ones. Anyways, I feel a positive energy in the environment. I feel him here with us.

—...and then I put the ball down and, out of nowhere, he asked me if I had a boyfriend!— Elizabeth shares another childhood anecdote. —His expression made me laugh because he really was having a struggle to find the words to ask me. I was in the fourth grade for god's sake!— Her hands move frequently making gestures and combing her hair from time to time. A couple of tears come out of her eyes but nevertheless her huge smile is present, in fact we are all in the same mixed mood. Unable to avoid the tears but happy to remember good times.

—Yeah Elliot never had the tact to ask things.— Bernie says laughing. —Ever.—

—He was confident enough to hold a gun, or chase a perv but... whenever it comes to the girls... he melted.— Richard says laughing with his sister.

— I know.— The words come out of my mouth without fear. —He usually talked about how worried he was because his girls were growing up so fast. They were about to date. And, by the time, Kathleen was barely 12 years old.—

—Well, he was always very protective with the women in his life.— Bernie continues. —He would always stand for me with his father. And, somehow, he managed to have three daughters.—

—Poor little me.— Richard expresses. —Surrounded by women.— We all started to laugh, it was a perfect moment, in which the burning in my chest never made an appearance.

The environment is hot around me. I move trying to remove the cloth that covers me. I slowly open my eyes trying to get used to the light and look at the thin curtains through which the sun's rays filter. I inspect the place and soon remember where I am. The little room they offered me to sleep in. I sit on the bed and stretch my arms letting out a big yawn. I rub my eyes and reach up to my hair lifting it up so I can cool off a bit while I kick the sheet off. Even though I have only put on the "I 3 NY " t-shirt to sleep the weather is unbearable.

—Oh god.— I say listening to my hoarse voice. I feel a little discomfort so I decide to lower my feet from the bed hoping that the cool floor helps. I stretch a little to open the curtains and I am impressed to face the sea. It is so beautiful. The sun is still low so I look for my watch in the bureau and take it to check the time. 6:13. Early.

If I remember correctly, we have gone to sleep until 4 in the morning and even so I am awake early. Apparently the heat did not let me sleep anymore. I don't think anyone will be awake. I relax listening to the noise of the waves and then a good idea comes to me.

I get up and look for my little suitcase to take the swimsuit. I hurry to put it on, it does not fit very tight but I know that as soon as it gets wet it will be different. I take my towel and I tiptoe to the exit making sure not to be seen.

Once outside I feel the rays of the sun against my skin mixed with a fresh breeze. Which I love. I walk barefoot through the warm sand directly towards the sea. I look for a good place to leave my towel and then I approach the water. The cool waves crash against my legs while I go deeper and deeper. When I feel ready I decide to dive closing my eyes tightly and holding my breath, it is a delicious relief to feel the cold water against my skin after the terrible heat that had waken me up. I swim out and, as I still manage to feel the firm sand under my feet, I stand up and take my hands to my belly. I touch it gently, letting the last image of my baby be the only thing that occupies my mind.

TO BE CONTINUED...

AN: stay safe.