AN: THANKS FOR READING. SORRY FOR THE DELAY.

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

CHAPTER 77 I'M GLAD

I watch Lizzie's eyes shine as her delicate hand rests on my belly's skin. Her smile peeking out as she feels the small lump.

—How far along are you?— She asks with a whisper of voice. I can tell the curiosity in her tone.

—Three months and a couple of weeks.— I answer looking at her been so concentrated. It intrigues me to know what is going through her mind. Happiness is obvious but... she is a curious girl, surely the questions flutter trying to get out her mouth. Dick has remained a little more distant, as if trying to contain his feelings but he keeps smiling and mocking his sister. However, I can see his anxiety in the constant movement of his fingers.

—Do you want to feel?— I ask him giving him a warm smile.

—No, let Elizabeth have fun.— The young woman just gives him a withering look before turning her attention back to me.

—Have you felt it move already?— I think for a few seconds. That is something that hadn't crossed my mind. I've never felt it, not really.

—Ahm... No.— I answer as a memory comes to my mind. —I saw it move on the ultrasound but I didn't feel it.—

—It must be so tiny.— Her voice goes up a few tones when she says the last word.

—Yes, it is.— I remember Kyle's last explanations, without remembering the exact numbers. —A little tiny bean.— She lets out a little laugh and take her hand off my skin.

—Let me know if you feel it move in there.— She commands taking her distance.

Suddenly we were all sitting in the room talking more and more about Elliot, one of the talks that I would love to never end. There were so many things we could talk about that it really seemed like it would last an eternity. But, at some point, we stopped and Elizabeth took a DVD out and put it on the player for us to watch. Dick made some popcorn for everyone and we all settle in the living room in front of the TV.

Soon Bernie got bored of the movie and took her attention to her paints. I watch her painting near the window while paying vague attention to the film. Elizabeth was really entertained on the screen while every few minutes she moved her hand to touch my belly, give me a warm smile and get back to the screen. On the other hand, as soon as the popcorn were gone, Richard went out to the beach again.

I see the opportunity to talk with him alone, the doubt keeps spinning in my head. I really want to know more about the conversation he had with his father. I remember very little of what he told me the last time we saw each other at the station and I know that he had wanted to tell me something else before Samuel interrupted us. I hold Lizzie's hand and stand up trying not to bother her, she takes the remote control immediately pausing the movie.

—Oh, don't.— I tell her. —Continue. I'll take some sun.— I hope she doesn't mind.

—Okay, but the best part is coming.—

—The truth I got distracted in my thoughts.— I try to excuse myself. —I wasn't paying much attention.— The vampire teenage romance is not exactly the kind of movie I enjoy.

—Okay, no problem.— She lies down occupying all the space on the sofa, and plays her movie not really caring if no one else is watching.

I walk out of the house and get rid of my sandals so I can feel the sand on my feet. It is hotter than I thought so I walk quickly until I reach the shore where the water keeps the sand cold and I sigh in relief.

—Got bored of the vampires?— Dick says to me coming out of the sea.

—No... ahm... well.— A little bit. — I would like to talk with you.—

—Oh ... sure.— He takes his towel and walks to a couple of reclining chairs, he points one to me kindly. —Sit down.— he offers me.

—Thanks.— I walk over and sit in the chair while trying to find the words to begin.

—Dickie, I love her.— But he started talking.

—What?—

—Those were his words. His confession.— He explains. —We were arguing because, even after the divorce, Mom asked him to... to leave the job. For the hundred time. She wanted him to look for something more accessible. Of course, he wouldn't accept that.— He stops a little and breathes deeply. I hold myself to not ask anything and let him continue. —I approached him to try and... understand him. But he just got more upset. I remember asking him what was really stopping him.— Another big sight comes out from his chest. — He took it the wrong way and he started yelling at me endless things and I got mad as well and yelled if it all was because of you, his partner.— I feel my skin gettin cold as I can picture their confrontation. —I thought he would lose his control but he didn't. He remained silent and then I accept it. As letting the whole weight of the world of his shoulders, he said it. I remember his expression and each one of his words "I can't abandon her. I love her"— The young man takes his gaze towards the horizon without saying more. He knew what I wanted to ask him, and he answered it bluntly.

—Thank you.— I whisper before we both remain in silence. I focus on the feeling his words give me. It is similar to happiness.

—I am glad he told you.— Richard says before getting up and heads home. I decide to stay there, processing the information.

I feel the sun get into my pores and warm my skin. I stay concentrated in my calm breathing as I lower my hand to my big belly and I enjoy the sensation. But suddenly something changes in the environment. The heat is disappearing and a strange cold supplants it. Somehow I know someone's silhouette right in front of me covering the sun. But what makes me open my scared eyes is the cold hand that rests on my skin.

—Elliot?— My voice sounds shaky, when I recognize him in front of me with his gaze fixed down on my belly where our hands join. I try to recognize where I am, to my surprise I am still sitting in the same chair on the same beach. I pay attention to the rest, but the sound of the waves is the only thing I can hear. My gaze returns to our hands. —Elliot?— This time I do it with the intention of getting his attention, this is too real.

—Hello.— He finally says with a soft tone of voice that catches my attention, I look up hoping that soon he will do the same so I can be able to see his beautiful blue eyes. But a chill runs down my spine the moment he does and a strong scarlet red replaces the blue I expected to see.

—Liv.— His voice sounds strange again, something under his kindness is not real. He smiles showing his teeth which makes me get up quickly. It's a subconscious feeling that makes me want to run away from him. I take a couple of steps back without taking my eyes off him.

—Don't leave.— The tone in his voice changes, it's demanding and I can't ignore it.

—What's happening?— I try to speak but my voice doesn't stop sounding shaky and weak next to his.

—I came for you.— He says walking towards me cautiously. I manage to take a couple of steps further from him and I place my arms protectively around my belly. —I will not hurt you.— He says returning to the calm tone.

—This is not true.— I say starting to look for the different ways that I have to escape. I appreciate knowing self-defense but the terror that causes me to use that against him is enormous.

—Liv!— I hear Bernie's voice in the distance, it's my way out, I must run towards the house to protect myself.

TO BE CONTINUED...

AN: I REMEMBER WRITING THIS CHAPTER WITH A WINK TO MY CRAZY FIC NAMED ETERNITY. YES... VAMPIRE WAS A THING BACK THEN. LOL I SHOULD FINISH THAT STORY...