A/N: So it was brought to my attention when I originally posted this chapter that there was major technical errors. Sorry about that guys hopefully i will be second time lucky. Please review as I want to know what you all think, thanks.
"Livy?" Liv's hand went to the top of Maria's head as the girl stirred a little. "Are you awake?"
"I'm awake. Did you sleep well?" She asked, stretching out her legs a little so her muscles wouldn't cramp.
"Mhm. You're so comfy." Maria slurredand just to prove her point, snuggled further into Olivia's bossom.
Olivia chuckled and wrapped her arms tighter around her daughter. "What would you like to do today?" Shee new Elliot had gone to talk to Georgebut that didn't mean she and Maria couldn't do anything fun whilst he was out.
"Can we see Grandpa?" Maria lifted her head briefly so she could see Olivia's face.
"I'm not sure about thst, Honey. He might be busy at work." Liv replied and pouted at the sad expression that covered Maria's face. "I could call him and see if it's ok to go by after lunch?" She suggested, wanting to do anything in her power to make Maria happy.
"Ok. Where's Elliot?" Maria asked lifting her head off of Olivia's chest and realising he was no where to be seen. She could have sworn he was there after she had woken up from her nightmare the night before.
"He's gone to see a friend. He's going to come back for lunch." Liv replied as she ran her fingers through the little girls soft brown hair.
"Can we watch a movies until he gets here?" the five year old asked eying up the Disney DVDs that were stacked up by the TV set.
"Sure. Go pick one and I will do breakfast. What would you like?"
Maria put on her 'thinking' face and let out a 'hmmmmm' before responding with: "Can I please have fruit loops and orange juice?"
"You bet you can, Honey but you're going to have to eat it at the coffee table. I don't want the sofa getting all mucky." Olivia replied before heading off towards the kitchen area.
...
Breakfast was consumed in front of the TV and now they were halfway through 'Finding Nemo'. Maria was laying her head on her arms that were rested on the coffee table and every now and then Olivia would look up and see that the little girls arm was getting closer and closer to the half filled plastic cup that contained the orange juice from breakfast.
"Maria, come sit up here by me otherwise that cup is going to get toppled over." Liv called out.
"But Livy, I'm comfy here. Maria whined out, not moving from her position.
"Really? That doesn't look very comfy." Olivia replied only to be ignored by the child. She shook her head and returned her attention back to her phone as she was in the middle of sending a text to Don to let him know that they were planning a visit to the station after lunch.
She had just received a reply back from him saying 'ok' when she heard a small crash and a little looked up to see her foster child looking at the cup of juice that had been knocked over, the liquid dripping off the side of the coffee table.
"Maria!" Olivia exclaimed, jumping up quickly to find something to wipe the table down with.
Maria jumped and burst into tears. "I'm sorry! Please...please don't hurt me!" She exclaimed as she lifted her arms to shield her face.
Olivia froze, stunned at the child's words and crouched down in front of the little girl, her heart breaking when she noticed a small flinch from the girl. "Maria, Baby, I'm sorry for yelling but I did say not to get too close to the cup. I asked you to come and sit on the couch but you chose to ignore me."
Maria put her arms down but refused to look Liv in the eye. Olivia sighed softly and hooked her finger under the five year olds chin in order to lift her head so she was looking at her. "Maria, I know you're sorry but I think you need to spend a little time in the corner for a time out, ok?"
The little girl closed her eyes and two little tears trailed down her cheeks. She didn't mean to make Livy mad, she just felt comfortable at the table and she was still really sleepy. She just wished her nightmares would go away because then she wouldn't be so tired everyday.
"Come on, Honey." Olivia guided the young girl to the corner designated for time outs before setting the timer on her watch and going off to the kitchen to find cleaning supplies, hoping her cream coloured rug wouldn't be stained from the spilage.
The next five minutes were painful for both Liv and Maria. Olivia could feel tiny little cracks forming in her heart every time she heard a little sniffle or sob come from her little girl and sighed in relief when it was over.
The detective slowly approached Maria and turned her around so they were face to face, thanking god when she didn't flinch from her touch. At least she knew she hadn't scarred the girl for life.
"Maria, do you know what you did wrong and why I had to put you in time out?" Liv asked softly.
Maria softly nodded and whimpered out: "I was a bad girl."
Sighing sadly, Olivia rubbed the girls arms up and down comfortingly and shook her head. "No, Baby, you're not a bad girl. You're a very good girl. However, when I ask you to do something, I expect you to listen. If I ask you to do, or not do, somether there is a reason for it. I asked you to sit by me because I saw that you were getting closer and closer to the cup. If you had listened, you woulddn't of had to go in time out. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?" Olivia felt like she was lecturing but she supposed she should get used to it now that she was a parent.
"Ok. I'm sorry I didn't listen, Livy. I will next time."
"Come here, Honey. All is forgiven. Liv whispered as she pulled the girl into a soft embrace and stood up with Maria in her arms. The little girl swiped at her eyes and let out a small yawn as Olivia rubbed her back and placed a motherly kiss on her cheek. "Are you sleepy, Baby?" She asked as she walked over to the couch. Maria nodded and buried herself into her foster mother.
Olivia walked down the hall towards Maria's room. Once inside, she pulled back the comforter and laid the girl down in the middle of the bed before covering her up and tucking her in. By the time she had done this, Maria was already fast asleep. Liv smiled and moved a piece of the dark hair out of the little girls face and placed a loving kiss on her forehead. "Sleep tight, Princess. Mommy loves you." She whispered softly.
She knew it was soon but she already referred to herself as 'Mommy' even if Maria didn't. Her only hope was that one day, whether that be soon or in the distant future, her baby will finally call her that magic word she had waited most of her adult life to be directed at her.
...
It wasn't until about 1pm when Elliot arrived back at the apartmen with groceries for lunch. "Hey Liv, so I thought pasta salad would be good for lunch. What do you think?" He asked as he placed the bags on the kitchen counter.
"Sounds perfect." She replied as she met him in the kitchen to help him unpack the supplies.
They shared a soft kiss as a proper greeting but to Elliot, something didn't feel right. He frowned and cupped her chin in order to gain eye contact. "What's wrong? You seem upset." He asked as he caressed her cheek.
Liv crossed her arms across her chest defensively and sighed. "I had to put Maria in a time out earlier this morning. I felt like such a bitch."
"What happened?" El enquired, not believing that his kind hearted partner would have been overly tough on the child.
Olivia explained, in detail, what had happened and once she was done Elliot had a look of confusion across his face. "You did the right thing, Liv. If you let her get away with disobeying you now, she will think she can do so for the rest of her life. In the long run it will only make it harder for the both of you."
"You didn't see her, El. She was terrified when I yelled a little bit. She flinched and held her arms up thinking I was going to beat her. It broke my heart. When I asked her why she thought I put her in the corner she said, and I quote: 'I was a bad girl'. I don't know if I can do this. She's just so broken." Olivia sniffed and wiped at her eyes to stop the unshed tears from falling and Elliot pulled her into a comforting embrace.
"Of course you can do this, Babe. This morning proves that. Your punishmen was fair and you explained why she had to be punished. Liv, you have to remember, all that girl has ever known is pain, fear and abandonment. If you give up now, she will be back to square one again. She's improved so much since she's been with you and you've only had her a few days. You're going to make such an impact on that girls life. The kid adores you and, hey, you aren't alone. I'm in this for the long haul and will be here to support any decisions you make."
Olivia looked up at hime and smiled appreciatively before leaning up and kissing him lovingly on the lips. "Thanks, El."
"Any time." He winked. "Where is Maria by the way?"
"After the whole punishment fiasco, she exhausted herself from all the crying so i put her down for a nap. I'll go wake her while you make a start on lunch."
"Oh before you go, I spoke to Huang and he said he can fit Maria in at around three thirty at the precinct." El called after his girlfriend who thanked him before going off to wake her sleeping child.