For the record, the cases I throw into this story, are made up. Also, they work on several cases at once, just like in real life. Having said that, on with the story!
...
23. Relief
"Hey."
"Hi Olive. How are you feeling?"
Miguel sounds a little concerned and Olivia can't help smiling. Elliot is watching her while listening to their conversation on speaker.
"I'm doing well. Everything is going as it should with me and the baby."
"Good. That's good," Miguel says. "I'm still getting used to the idea you know."
"I understand that. But you do know I'm not asking you for anything right?" she reminds him.
Olivia glances at Elliot, who has moved away from her and is picking up his last slice of pizza to eat it. Only seconds ago, he had seemed ready to give in to the pull that is growing between them but now he is keeping his distance, giving her space.
"I know and I appreciate it, Olive. Because … well, you know … I really don't need this in my life right now. I know that sounds horrible. It's my kid after all and … and I don't wanna just turn my back on him but ..."
Olivia can tell that Miguel isn't really done thinking about things but it's obvious, now that he's had a day to think about it, that he still has no plans to claim any rights to his child. Goosebumps form all over her body and she shivers involuntarily as it starts to sink in. It's really going to be okay. It's really going to be okay.
"It's alright, Miguel," she tells the stammering man at the other end of the line. She feels stronger now. More secure, and it gives her the focus to find the right words for Miguel. "I just wanted you to know so, if he decides to go and find his biological father one day, he won't come falling from the sky for you. That … that would feel like a lie to me. I mean, you would have missed each other's entire life without having a say in it. At least now, you have a choice."
"Yeah. I do."
They both pause and Olivia glances at Elliot again. He has finished his pizza and stands up to clean up.
"So what's next?" Olivia asks Miguel, her eyes following Elliot's every move while he walks to the kitchen.
"I talked to my cousin this morning," Miguel tells her. "Swore him to secrecy. I know he'll never tell Jamie or anyone else. My cousin helped me to clear my head and make up my mind."
"Alright. That's good," Olivia says, feeling a little tense at his words. What could he have decided?
"After thinking it all through, I wanna ask you something," Miguel continues.
"Okay. Shoot."
"Could you just keep me posted as to where you are? Like if you move, that I'll get your new address? I mean, I know I'm not gonna win any father of the year awards, but I'd like to know where the kid is, in case I wanna see him. Would that be okay with you?"
Olivia starts nodding even before she starts speaking. Gradually, a very happy feeling is starting to fill her up. All her fears of losing her baby or having him only part time are dissolving.
"Yes. Yes, of course. And I'll let you know once he's born. Of course I'll keep you updated on where we live, no problem at all," she says, speaking fast from sheer relief.
"Great. Thanks, Olive."
"Thank you too, Miguel."
"For what? Knocking you up?" Miguel replies, and she knows he must be grinning now.
She chuckles and wonders if her baby will have Miguel's dimples. He's going to be one handsome kid, she's sure of that.
"I guess that too," she replies, "but I meant that you're so accepting and that you're not trying to take the baby away from me."
"What?"
He sounds genuinely surprised.
"Seriously Olive?"
"Well …"
She hesitates, a little surprised at Miguel's sudden vehement reaction.
"I know I'm young Olive, but, well, call me old-fashioned if you want but I just feel a child should be with his mother. And I know you'll be a great mom to him. If I didn't think so, I think it would be different but I know you'll give him all the love and care he needs. You and your new boyfriend I guess. You think he'll make a good substitute dad?"
Olivia looks at Elliot, who is now looking at her too from the kitchen. Hadn't he just told her he would want to be a father figure to her son? But she can hardly call him her new boyfriend at this point, although she had let Miguel think that she had a new man in her life the day before.
"He's not …" Olivia starts, but then she sees a sly smile start to form on Elliot's face and she forgets what she was going to say.
"He's not?" Miguel responds, sounding a little shocked.
Elliot's smile widens and he leans on the breakfast bar, clearly amused and curious to hear what she'll say next.
"Ah yes, yes, of course he is," Olivia stammers and she feels her face flush. "It's just … it's still a little fresh."
"Aaah," Miguel says slowly. "I get it. You're still reeling him in. But the big question is, is he as handsome as I am?"
Olivia can't help but laugh at Miguel's cocky question but she doesn't know what to say. The banter with Miguel feels familiar but it's completely uncomfortable with Elliot in the room. Meanwhile, Elliot is still watching her and he is now also amused. Both men are having fun at her expense and it's a little annoying. Olivia huffs and Miguel proves to her once again that he has a very keen mind when he asks her,
"He's with you now, isn't he? Well, I understand that you can't say out loud that nobody's better looking than me Olive."
Miguel laughs out loud at his own joke and Olivia laughs too.
"I'm not going to comment on that if you don't mind," she tells her former lover dryly.
"Ah, why not? I'd like to know," Elliot suddenly pipes up as he walks up to her. "The name's Elliot, Miguel."
He's actually inserting himself in the conversation and posing as her new boyfriend? Olivia tries to give him her patented Benson glare but fails miserably when Miguel greets Elliot happily and Elliot sits back down next to her.
"Hey Elliot, good to hear from you. So you're gonna be looking out for Olive now?"
"Absolutely," Elliot says firmly, looking into Olivia's eyes. "For her and the baby."
"Thanks man. I know Olive's quite a catch but you're getting an instant kid, too."
"It's her child. That's all that matters to me," Elliot declares, never breaking eye contact with Olivia.
"This guy sounds like a keeper Olive," Miguel remarks.
Elliot is still looking into her eyes and she can't ignore the longing she sees underneath the surface of his smile. On top of that, his words move her.
"I am," Elliot declares and Olivia swallows before finally looking away.
She looks at her phone and tries to think of how to proceed. On the one hand, Elliot is making her nervous and Miguel is a welcome distraction, but on the other hand, she wants to end the call with Miguel amicably so she can finally relax.
"Alright … I guess that it's settled then," she begins a little hesitantly. "I'll text you our new address later."
"Yeah. Just one more thing," Miguel says. "When are you due to give birth?"
"April 19," Olivia tells him without hesitation. The date has been seared in her brain from the beginning.
"Okay. Thanks."
"Thank you, Miguel. For being so good about all of this."
"It's alright Olive. I can't blame you for keeping the baby, even if I wanted to. I don't wanna be that guy."
"I appreciate it."
"Just take care, okay? And keep me posted."
"I will. Bye."
"Bye."
Olivia lets out a long sigh after ending the call and leans back against the cushions of the couch. She cradles her baby bump with both hands and closes her eyes for a moment while she allows the relief she is feeling to fill her entire being. It's really going to be alright. A child should be with his mother, Miguel says. Even if he changes his mind and wants to see his son, he won't take him away from her.
"So," Elliot says next to her, and she opens her eyes slowly, turning her head without lifting it to look at him.
"So."
"It's still a little fresh?"
She can tell that he's trying not to grin, but one corner of his mouth tugs up anyway.
"I'd say frozen solid," she quips, surprising both of them a little with her comeback.
"Ouch," Elliot says dramatically, but then he relaxes too and smiles at her.
"Relieved?"
"Yeah," Olivia says with a tired but happy smile.
"I'm glad Liv. And you heard the man, right?"
She raises her eyebrows, wondering what Elliot is referring to.
"I'm a keeper," he clarifies with a grin.
"Yeah. About that."
Before she can continue, Elliot holds up both hands in mock surrender.
"I know Liv. I know what Casey said. But still."
"Frozen solid, El," Olivia repeats. "For now anyway."
Elliot watches her and she knows her last words were clearly meant to keep the door open, even if it's just a crack.
"El," she says, shaking her head slightly. "Let me recover from that phone call before we open a new can of worms?"
His face softens and he nods.
"Alright. You wanna watch some TV?"
"No."
She closes her eyes again, suddenly feeling very tired.
"I think I just want to sleep."
She hears Elliot move around, turn off the TV and then she feels his arm move behind her once more. She lifts her head and rests it against his arm once he is settled in next to her. He pulls her closer until her head rests on his shoulder and she breathes out contently, wrapping her arm around his waist. It's just for a few minutes before she goes to bed, she tells herself. She just needs a moment to digest everything Miguel has said. She listens to the sound of her own heartbeat - or is it Elliot's? - while she goes over both phone calls with the biological father of her baby once more. She shouldn't have worried about Miguel at all. It's just her nature to distrust anyone and everyone else, but her first instinct about Miguel is proving to be right once more. He's one of the good guys. She can tell her son that when he's old enough to know where he came from. That whatever was passed on to him from his father's side, is all good. Her own side is another matter but she doesn't want to worry about that now. Her breathing is starting to even out and she feels heavy. Elliot's arm tightens around her as if telling her to stay. And she does, falling into a deep, dreamless sleep against her partner's shoulder.
…
A/N: I know this is moving slowly but I'll update again soon. Meanwhile, reviews are life.