I want to keep this story written completely from Olivia's point of view, so I hope you can all read between the lines and 'read' Elliot here … It's a challenge but I don't shy away from challenges! :) Writing short chapters for this one to keep it going. Enjoy!

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6. Trust

Olivia is making a very brave attempt at cooking a meal to 'celebrate' Elliot's arrival. He's made it crystal clear that he doesn't want to discuss the state of his marriage with her any further, and will focus on making a positive change in his life. She and her little pea are a perfect distraction for him and after a few days of encouragement, he has now finally left to get his things from the station and a few extra sets of clothes from Queens. They've discovered that plain pasta is one of the few foods that doesn't make Olivia feel sick instantly and she's trying her hand at the simplest recipe she could find for spaghetti and meatballs. The sauce will be just for Elliot while she'll only have the pasta, meatballs and a few pickles. The meal is just about ready when she hears Elliot's token knock on her door.

She walks over to open it, ready to tell him he can use his key from now on, but when she sees the haunted look in his eyes, the words die on her tongue.

"What's wrong?" she gasps, opening the door wide so he can come in with his luggage.

He's brought more than she had expected. Elliot just shakes his head and comes in, carrying one overnight bag over his shoulder, another bag in one hand, a suitcase in the other hand and two suit covers dangling off his arm.

"Did you bring everything at once?" Olivia inquires, a little surprised.

Elliot sighs and sets down the suitcase before draping the suit covers over it.

"She tossed everything outside in the front yard."

"Oh my."

Olivia stands closer to her partner and puts a hand on his arm.

"And she's poisoned the kids against me. And you."

She suddenly feels cold. Elliot's family life is imploding because of her pregnancy. None of this should have been about Elliot at all. Just about her, finally becoming a mother. She can't believe how easily people are just assuming her child must be Elliot's. It's infuriating and totally unfair. She cares deeply for Elliot but she's always made sure to keep him at arm's length, not wanting to fan any flames that might ignite between them. Elliot has been the same and this is the thanks he gets? It angers her and she has a mind to drive over to Queens right away and give Kathy a piece of her mind.

"I don't know what to say, El," she says. "I just wanna punch her."

That elicits a small chuckle from Elliot, but she can see he's hurting deeply.

"I can do without her Liv, but the kids …"

He shakes his head and Olivia doesn't remember ever seeing her partner so defeated.

"I know you don't want me to butt in but will you at least let me talk to Maureen?" Olivia asks.

Maureen has just turned nineteen and she expects that the young woman will listen to reason. She can see Elliot is torn and she decides that she will talk to Maureen, whether Elliot agrees or not. It's the least she can do. His kids shouldn't hate him for something he hasn't done.

She helps her new roommate haul his luggage into her bedroom, where she's cleared a section of her closet for him. She suggests they eat first before unpacking.

Elliot compliments her on the food but she can tell he's miles away. It looks like they will be supporting each other for a while and in a way, Olivia is glad she can do something for Elliot to thank him for all his help and support with her pregnancy. It's ironic that that same pregnancy is now driving a wedge between him and his family, however unfairly. She knows she won't be able to relax and enjoy Elliot's company until she's done everything she can to reunite him with his children.

…

She knows Elliot hasn't slept well this first night on her couch but he's putting up a brave front. He's discovered that Olivia likes yogurt when he puts slices of her beloved sour apples in it, so when she walks out of her bedroom, already dressed for the day, her breakfast is ready for her.

"Yogurt with apple and a touch of oatmeal, and fresh orange juice," Elliot tells her, setting a glass down next to her bowl. "A completely sour breakfast, just the way you like it."

"Thank you," she says quietly, sitting on one of the stools at the breakfast bar. "Did you get any sleep?"

"Did you hear me tossing and turning?" Elliot asks while buttering his toast. "I didn't mean to keep you awake."

"It's alright. I guess this will take some getting used to for both of us. But for what it's worth, I'm glad you're here."

Elliot smiles a real smile at her and the warmth in his eyes feels like a soft blanket draped around her shoulders.

"I'm glad to be here too," he tells her, and they stare into each others' eyes for just a little longer than is comfortable.

Olivia is the first to clear her throat and look down at her breakfast. She grabs her spoon and digs in, ignoring the weird thing her stomach is doing. It must be the idea of eating, she tells herself. Yes. That must be it. Elliot turns away from her as well to finish preparing his own breakfast. She notices he hasn't used any bacon and she's grateful. He knows she can't eat while smelling sausages or bacon.

When they head out for work half an hour later, they switch to professional mode effortlessly. Olivia hadn't really expected it to be a problem to start their day together and then go to work, but she hadn't been sure about Elliot's frame of mind. She knows he's worried about his children and he misses them. Kathy hadn't even let him come into the house to kiss them goodnight.

Olivia is planning to visit Maureen in college later today. Laying awake, she's had enough time to think about what she's going to tell the young woman. She regrets not keeping any of the pictures of Miguel on her phone now. She thinks it might help to show Maureen who the father of her baby is, but she'll just have to take her word for it for now. Elliot can't lose his kids because of his wife's insecurity and paranoia.

Thinking of Miguel, she wonders again if she should tell him about the baby or not. She doesn't want to burden him with it, and once he knows, he can never unknow it. On the other hand, what will she tell her child later on in life, when they start asking about their father? How will they feel if she admits that she's never bothered to tell him about them? Maybe Miguel will want nothing to do with the child, but doesn't he at least deserve the opportunity to decide for himself?

Part of her is afraid to tell him for a completely different reason. What if Miguel does want to be involved? What if he demands shared custody and forces her to ship her child out to Florida every other week? What kind of life will she be giving her child then?

She suppresses a frustrated sigh and glances up at her partner, who is working diligently on his files at his desk. He looks up too, as if he can feel her eyes on him and she offers him a small smile. Why have their lives suddenly become so complicated?

Olivia moves one hand underneath her desk and rubs her growing belly lovingly.

She doesn't regret this child. Complicated or not, she will never regret having this baby. It's hers and she loves it so much already. She knows Elliot doesn't blame her for his situation and that's worth a lot. She looks at her partner more attentively and smiles again when he winks at her. Kathy is a fool. She could have had it all. She could have all of this wonderful man. He's never done anything to betray her trust and yet she couldn't trust him.

Trust is a big thing. It's enormous. And she knows she's lacking trust when it comes to Miguel. She isn't ready to hand over the controls of a big part of her life to someone else. Not when she isn't sure if she can trust that person.

…

To be continued …