AN: THANKS FOR READING AND REVIEWING. MY MIND HAS BEEN WONDERING AROUND A SHORT STORY. ONE OR TWO SHOTS BUT I REALLY WANT TO FINISH UPDATING THIS ONE. SO I AM TRYING TO HURRY.

D: LAW AND ORDER SVU AND ALL ITS CHARACTERS ARE NOT MINE.

CHAPTER 76 HE DID

I froze, did she just ask what I think? Well, not exactly the typical question. No stupid answer planned in advance will take me out of this. Maybe if I don't answer she won't push. Yeah sure Olivia. What can I do, lie to her? Her words sounded more like a statement than a question.

—Ahm...— I try to pronounce a word but nothing comes out of my mouth.

—Think twice before lying to me.— She says with her usual calm tone. I can't understand how she can be so calm?

—I... ahm... I wasn't gonna lie to you.— I state, barely stammering. I feel her warm hand on mine as a sign of trust.

—Is it true? Is it Elliot's son?— Her voice breaks a little and she waits patiently for my answer. So there is no way out. I do not plan to lie. As I once thought there is no going back. Think what they think, this will not change... and I do not want it to change. I take a deep breath and sigh before nodding my head and holding onto her hand.

—Yes, it's Elliot's.— I say aloud feeling the need to affirm my answer. I can see how her eyes fill with tears almost instantly and a smile illuminates her face. She mover over to hug me. I just reciprocate without knowing what else to do. I didn't know what reaction to expect, but this... exceeds my expectations.

—I'm so happy.— She says between tears, which makes mine make an appearance. —I knew it.— She expresses, starting to release her arms from my body. She know? How? That is impossible, there is no way that she could have found out about this. So I think those words have another meaning and something tells me it has to do with the twins previous secrecy chat.

—But Bernie, he and I didn't... we never... he never was...— I try to elaborate but I can't figure out how to explain it.

—I know. Liv, I know.— However she gives me a relief to understanding without much explanation. It turns out that this woman is a know-it-all. —My son was not like his father. He would never cheat. He grew up in the hell his father's infidelities and excesses caused.—

—This was not planned.— I say without knowing how to explain it really. Neither that he came to my apartment that night, nor we making love, nor a pregnancy, and much less... his absence was in my plans.

—I'm glad it happened. I'm glad he finally accepted his feelings and took the decision to tell you.— I think my face expresses the doubt that invades me, because she immediately tries to explain. —Come sit down.—She offers walking to the living room. I make an effort to feel my feet on the ground and move behind her.

—He came visit.— Bernie sits on the couch and pulls my hand to sit next to her. —He was very upset. I still can picture him on the armchair.— She points to the armchair in front of us. —He was very elegant. He told me he was supposed to be on a funeral.— My mind goes back, I remember Sonya's funeral and how I was looking for Elliot but he never appeared. Now I know where he had gotten into. —He never visited me unless he was in trouble. But, I recognized the concern in his eyes. This was not about a family trouble. I asked him but he did not want to tell me. He was here for my advice but, when it comes to feeling, he wouldn't open up easily.—

—I know.— I agree.

— So I took my time, as always, gave him a tea, start little talk. It has been a while since we did that actually.— Her tears are still present on her eyes. — He wonder around non important topics until he finally told me what happened with the lawyer.—

—Sonya.— I say her name to clarify who I was talking about.

—That one. Terrible thing hat happened to her.— I nod trying not to picture her blood on my hands. — But I knew it wasn't about her so... I asked for you and the fear was evident in his eyes.— Her voice breaks. I take her hand not able to imagine the pain that this may cause her. — He didn't need to tell me. I knew what he felt for you. I knew that man from head to toe even though I didn't see him often.—

—Bernie...— I try to make her stop not wanting to put her in the pain the memories can give her. But she shakes her head and puts up her hand to let me know she doesn't need to stop.

—I told him not to waste his time. Maybe this was life giving him a second chance to be happy.— Her tears fall down her cheeks and she squeezes my hand tightly. —I remember his watery eyes. I thought he would go away as he always did whenever I managed to touch something on him, but he didn't. He hugged me...— Her voice keeps braking but she is not stopping. Her beautiful blue eyes are so warm on me. —Thanked me and told me "I love you, Mom."—She stretches a little to reach a tissue and wipe away her tears —That's the last thing he said to me.— She started crying so I approached her to hug her but she rejected me continuing with her story. —I wondered if he ever followed my advice. If he would finally put his priorities in order. And few days later I found out that...—

—I am sorry.— I say preventing her from saying the words out loud.

—When I saw you at his funeral, I saw your pain...— I perfectly remember her gaze on me that hazy day. The mere memory makes the burning in my chest return with force. Now I'm the one who needs a tissue so I take it and try to hold back my tears. I feel like she lets go of my hand bringing hers to my belly.

—Now I know he did listen to me.— It is incredible to see a smile on her face. My hand rests on hers trying to correspond in the best possible way. All those who have found out about this pregnancy have reacted really happy. But the look that she has now is different from others. It not only gives me happiness but also fills me with hope.

—Are you serious?— Dick's voice catches my attention and I turn to meet him at the door. His all wet hair drops on his face while his gaze is fixed on our hands... on my belly.

—Liv, is it my dad's?— He asks almost trembling. I don't know how long he's been there, but I don't feel the need to hide it anymore so I nod and bite my lip trying to control the wave of feelings that is attacking me at this moment. Happiness? Nervousness? Fear? Hope? I don't know.

—Elizabeth!— He yells running towards the backyard door. —He did it! He told her!— He keeps his running over the sand until he reaches her sister in a hug.

—Did they know?— I ask, turning back to see Bernie. She separates her hand from me and combs her hair a little.

—Yes. Apparently, Elliot told Dickie a while ago. We didn't know how to ask you. Until I saw you on the beach this morning. I just knew it.— She said pointing to my belly. —It was as if the wind told me.— I stare at the twins fluttering in the sea. Lizzie turns towards the house and starts running with that bright smile of hers.

"I am with you." I remember her voice as a whisper in the air.

TO BE CONTINUED...

AN: THANKS FOR READING AND REVIEWING. STAY SAFE.