September 9th, 11:50 AM.
Olivia's phone pinged and she glanced at it as she sat beside El on the loveseat and their show was rapping up Cragen: case with Sarah Walsh is finally closed, the screen read.
Liv: What happened?
Cragen: Guy who drugged and raped her got a plea deal. He'll do between 10 and 15 years. Was her friends fiancé's best friend.
Liv: That's terrible. How's Sarah holding up?
Cragen: Not great she's blaming herself, taking that it was someone she trusted hard.
Liv: I can imagine. I would try and meet up with her but she hasn't responded to any of my texts this week.
Cragen: I can facilitate it for you.
Liv: Okay but only if you think she'll wanna see me this isn't about me.
Cragen: She may not think she wants to right now but she needs this. I'll get back with you his text read back and Olivia sighed and sagged further into Elliot's side.
"Something wrong baby?" El asked softly as he wrapped his arm around her side.
"They got Sarah Walsh's rapist."
"That's great."
"Yeah it is but apparently it was her friends fiancee's best friend."
Elliot nodded solemnly "the cases like that were always some of the hardest."
Olivia nodded "Cragen seems to think she needs to talk to me but I don't think she wants to."
"She still hasn't responded to your messages?"
"No but I can't say that I blame her Elliot she expected me to be on her case and I wasn't."
"She shouldn't be mad at you for that."
"She's got a lot going on in her head right now El all of her feelings are justified."
He nodded "I know they are. Are you gonna try and reach out to her again?"
"Don said he was gonna facilitate a meeting between us."
"That's good. You'll be able to get through to her in person I know you will."
"Maybe I mean I have nothing left to lose so."
Elliot smiled, nodded and kissed her temple as they kept watching tv while she waited for Cragen's text.
At ten minutes after 12 she got it Cragen: she'll be at central park by the water fountain at 1 o'clock, the screen read.
Liv: Okay I'll be there she sent as she then faced Elliot "the meetings set up."
"That's good when is it?"
"I have to be there at 1 o'clock."
Elliot nodded "do you want me to go with you? I can be ready in ten minutes if you do."
"You can come if you want to sure but you don't have to," she said with a soft smile.
Elliot nodded "maybe I'll stay here then? Give you the opportunity to..." he trailed off hoping he was reading her right.
She nodded and hugged him tightly "thank you El... Today just feels right and I feel ready."
He nodded "you don't ever have to thank me for that I want you to regain your independence back at the pace that you're comfortable with."
Olivia nodded and slightly smiled "I'm thinking I'll take the truck? I can pick Izzabella up from preschool after we're finished talking then I'll come straight home unless we need anything from the store?"
Elliot nodded "there is one thing I need I need a can of red sauce."
"Red sauce?"
Elliot nodded "I found a new chicken enchilada recipe this morning that I wanna try making and it calls for red sauce."
"Alright I'll get some. Do we need any tortillas?"
"Nah we've got plenty of those."
"Kay I'm gonna go get ready."
"Alright love you baby."
"Love you too El," she said as she gave him a peck on the lips, got dressed in a nice but casual outfit then left to go meet Sarah.
1:06 PM, central park.
Olivia sighed and parked the truck while frowning at it's clock I hope she hasn't left she thought to herself as she flung her purse over her shoulder, got out of the truck, locked it with the clicker then double checked her work before carefully putting the keys in her purse and heading towards the water fountain.
She scanned the area for a minute before hearing a voice "detective Benson..." Sarah said shocked to see her.
Olivia turned to face her "hi Sarah call me Olivia, I'm here as Olivia," she said with a soft smile.
She just nodded slightly and sighed "what do you want?"
"I'm here to talk to you I heard about what happened, how the case ended," she said softly.
"Like you care?"
"I do care more than you can possibly know sweetie."
Sarah sighed with tears in her eyes "I-I messaged you because you were the only person I trusted, t-the only person I felt comfortable telling and during the rape kit, during all of the questioning that night you never showed up."
She nodded "I know I didn't and I'm sorry, so sorry."
Sarah just nodded and Olivia took it as her cue to do what she had went there to do "I know this was hard I really do but he's gonna do 10 to 15 years he's not getting away with it."
Sarah just nodded and started walking as Liv stayed in step with her like I told your captain I guess that's better than nothing because I have zero faith in a jury."
Olivia just nodded "Sarah I'm so sorry you had to go through this."
"You mean again?"
Olivia nodded solemnly with a tear in her eye and Sarah continued speaking "I just... I couldn't believe it was him I don't know how much you were actually told about the case but Camren... H-He seemed like such a nice guy, like the last person that would ever do that to me."
Olivia nodded "I was told the gist..." she said as she sighed "some rapists you know... that's just their ammo they can be really charming and"-
"Obviously I have no radar at all," she said through a self deprecating chuckle.
"Hey listen to me this is not on you," Liv said adamantly.
"Yeah right..." she said as she then stopped walking and faced her "what am I supposed to do stay home for the rest of my life?"
God that's what I'm doing... I-It's what I've been doing cocooning myself in the house under Elliot every second of every day for the most part... I-I have to try harder, work at this harder get back to work... and I'm gonna start by helping her she told herself as she reached out for her arm gently "Sarah," she whispered while guiding her to a park bench "Camren is behind bars he can't hurt you or anyone else."
"Yeah well Michael's still out there.. Men are still out there."
"Not all men are bad sweetie there are good ones too you'll find one I have."
Sarah just nodded dismissively "my dad wants to get me a gun."
Olivia nodded gravely "I carry a gun when I'm on the job. I have a can of mace in my purse right now and I've been assaulted."
"Y-You have?"
Olivia nodded "once in 2007 then again this year that's why I couldn't work your case I-I'm on leave."
"M-My god..." Sarah whispered as Olivia continued to speak "and one of the hardest things for me is not beating myself up every day for getting myself into those situations."
"You said it wasn't my fault but it's yours?"
"No it's a feeling not a fact."
Sarah shook her head and glanced away from her "I've found it helps me to lean on the people I love and tell them how I'm feeling and what I need. My therapist also says it can help to change your daily routine you know if you take the bus then walk if you usually read then go to a movie do things that make you happy... Focus on the good in life and on the positive things then it can drown out some of the bad emotions and thought patterns," Liv said.
"And that helps you?" Sarah asked skeptically through tears.
"Most days it does yeah but it's a process," she blinked back a tear "I'm taking baby steps today's the first day I'm out on my own without my husband or someone I trust by my side but I've done it... I promise you things will get better sweetie..."
Sarah sighed "if you say so."
Olivia rubbed her back for a couple minutes then looked at the time on her phone "I have to go Sarah but do you need me to drive you anywhere?"
"I-I'm good but thank you."
"Are you sure? Your apartment is close to my daughters school I can drop you off there no problem."
Sarah nodded "I-I moved."
Liv nodded solemnly and stood from the bench to leave "you call me anytime if you need to talk okay? Anytime."
"I-I will. Thank you Olivia."
"No thanks necessary. You take care okay?"
"I-I'll try, a-and I'm sorry about what happened to you."
"Thank you sweetie," she said and after giving Sarah a final smile she got in the truck and headed off to pick Izzabella up from preschool.
2:45 PM.
"Honey we're home!" Liv said opening their front door with a smile.
"I saw," Elliot said pointing at the motion central notification on his phone with a smile "how'd it go?"
"About as well as it could have. Kiddo remember you need to give that to daddy," Liv said pointing at the can that Izzabella was holding.
"Ahhh yeah!" she said remembering as she ran over to Elliot "here you go daddy!" she said handing him the can of red sauce.
"Thank you baby," he said taking it with a smile as Olivia smiled "when I told her we were buying it for you to cook something new tonight she wanted to help so I told her she could do that."
Elliot nodded and smiled at them both softly then headed to the kitchen to put it away as Liv smiled at Izzabella "I'll be right back baby," she said discreetly taking the mace out of her purse.
"Okay mommy," she said with a smile and Olivia quickly took it back upstairs where it belonged.
"So how was your day at school kiddo?" Elliot asked with a smile once the three of them were cuddled up on the couch together, him in the middle.
"Really really good Mr. Jackie taught us a new song!"
"Yeah?"
"Mmhmm it was really silly."
"You wanna sing it for us?" Liv asked.
Izzabella nodded, stood from the couch then did the tooty ta and Olivia and Elliot watched with proud smiles.
4:40 PM.
"Mommy where's sissy?" Izzabella asked while playing with a cup of play-doh on the coffee table as Dr. Phyl was on the tv on low and Elliot was humming to himself in the kitchen while making dinner.
"She's at practice baby she probably won't be back until after your bedtime."
Izzabella just nodded "when's Mrs. Kathy coming back?"
"She's not."
"Why not?"
"Because she lives really really far away."
Izzabella frowned "but she said she wanted to be friends..."
Olivia sighed and nodded "I know sweetie."
"Can we go see her?"
"No we can't."
"Why not mommy?"
"Because she lives to far away."
Izzabella just nodded sadly and Olivia sighed "you want me to play with you?"
"Mmhmm," she said with a smile as just then Olivia's phone rang "one second baby," she said as she looked at it seeing it was 1pp "hello," she answered.
"Yes this is her."
"Okay..." she said with a nervous nod.
She listened for a minute as her eyes then widened in shock "are you serious? Y-You can't be serious..."
"Wow... I see umm okay thank you I'll keep that in mind."
She nodded a couple times "yes sir I will you too. Bye bye," she said and when she hung up she had a smile on her face "you look happy mommy," Izzabella said.
"I am baby. I'm really happy you wanna play now?"
"Mmhmm," she said and they started cutting shapes together with smiles.
5:36 PM.
"Dinners ready!" Elliot called from the kitchen as his tone was upbeat.
Olivia smiled as Izzabella stood right away with a smile and ran straight to the dining room table "lets wash our hands first kiddo," she said.
"Okay mommy!" she said as Liv helped her onto the counter and once her hands were washed thoroughly she helped her down "you want beans with your enchilada Liv?" El asked.
"Please," Liv said with a smile.
Elliot nodded and once Liv had Izzabella sat down at the table she fixed all their drinks "1pp called," she said.
"Yeah?"
Olivia nodded "I got the 48th highest score on my Sergeants exam."
"That's amazing baby. Amazing if my hands weren't covered in sauce right now I'd twirl you around and kiss you."
She smiled and nodded "the chief that called, William Dodds said I can start back whenever I want. I told him I'd keep that in mind."
"That's good honey, really good I hope this won't be terrible," he said pointing at the enchiladas.
"By the way they look and smell I don't think you have anything to worry about El," she said and after he smiled in relief he washed his hands then they moved to the table in sync.
They all ended up eating two a piece not really having room for dessert and Izzabella ended up running upstairs to play with her dollhouse as soon as her plate was cleared as Liv and El smiled "I guess it's more you and me time for us," he said fondly.
Olivia smiled and nodded "I think so until she gets bored anyway. I'm gonna put the dishes in."
"Kay," he said before heading to the living room with a smile.
6:58 PM.
The ending credits of the Big Bang Theory rolled as Liv and Elliot were breaking apart from a light make out session on the couch to breathe "Lizzie'll be home soon we... Have to stop," Liv said through a breath noticing the time.
Elliot nodded regretfully "if we had only started a little earlier..."
"Yeah I know but we were afraid Izzabella was gonna come back down."
Elliot nodded and kissed her lips a final time then her temple while moving to pull her into his side to cuddle her once again "the joys of parenthood huh?" he whispered.
"Mmhmmm but we wouldn't change it for the world."
"No we wouldn't," he said softly as he rubbed her hip "what do you wanna watch?"
"I was thinking we could try out that new talent show that's premiering tonight American Diva?"
"Sounds good to me. It won't top Idol though."
"I bet it will with the panel of judges I hear they're gonna have."
"It's not gonna be Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler and that other woman? Jennifer something?"
"No Steven and Jennifer left I heard Nikki Minaj is replacing one of them."
"Who's that?"
"She's a rapper El. The queen of it in fact."
"Ohh okay gotcha. What channel is American Diva on?"
"Three I think," she said as he nodded and turned it to it "the years with Simon Cowell were the best."
"No they weren't that man was an asshole..."
"Yeah maybe he was but he was honest."
"He was too honest. How many people's hearts do you think he broke on that television show over the years?"
"They new what they were signing up for. They new his reputation from the get go."
"Still El you can't possibly think that him telling someone that the only good thing about their audition was them stopping early is okay that's not the kind of man you are. What if that was Izzabella?"
"I'd wanna throttle him."
"Yeah you would and the girl he said that to was someones daughter. Put yourself in that man's shoes."
"I get what you're saying baby I really do but you can't deny that he's made stars."
"I'm not denying that I'm just saying he should have treated a lot of people better than he did," she said and with that their friendly debate ended and they focused their attention on the tv and Lizzie came in unnoticed.
7:22 PM.
"Oh wow..." Elliot whispered as he saw Izzabella's music teacher on the screen.
"Yeah she'll get a kick out of that. Pause it El, Izzabella!!" Liv yelled up the stairs.
"What's going on?" Lizzie asked from the dining room as she was eating an enchilada.
"Izzabella's music teacher is a vocal coach on this show we're watching American Diva and we wanna let her see him," Elliot explained.
"Wow that's really cool," Lizzie said as Izzabella ran down the stairs with one of her dolls "hey sissy!" she said with an excited smile seeing Lizzie.
"Hey," Lizzie said with a smile as Liv waved her over "baby come look."
Izzabella walked over while giving her a curious look as Elliot resumed the show and Jackie could be seen on the screen "Mr. Jackie..." Izzabella said with a shocked but excited expression.
"Yeah that's him. You wanna watch?"
"Mmhmm," she said eagerly and they were quiet while the girl he had coached auditioned.
After that Izzabella watched a bit more of the show enamored but when 8:15 came Olivia took her upstairs for her bath "did you put him on tv mommy?" she asked while Liv washed her hair.
"I didn't baby."
"Did daddy?"
Olivia smiled but shook her head "no the people that make the tv show did that they hired Mr. Jackie to be on there."
Izzabella nodded "will I be on there one day?"
"It's possible you never know."
She smiled a bit, nodded and yawned "will you read me a story mommy?"
"Of course as soon as we have you in your bed."
Izzabella smiled and nodded but fell asleep while Liv was carrying her down the hallway as she just smiled, kissed her head then tucked her into bed and headed back downstairs.
8:58 PM.
"How was the rest of it?" Liv asked.
"Was alright I think there'll be some talented kids on there."
"That's good. Izzabella asked me if I think she'll be on there one day."
"You never know it's possible."
"That's exactly what I said. You want a glass of tea?"
"Please? Hey the news is about to come on you want me to turn it?"
"No leave it."
"You sure baby?"
"Yeah I'm sure. I'll be right back El," she said as she gave him a reassuring smile then went into the kitchen "I hate essays," Lizzie grumbled when she saw her walk through.
"Yeah I did too when I was in high school. Do you need help with anything?"
She shook her head "no no I'm good I just need to remember not to procrastinate next time it's due on Wednesday and I just now started it tonight."
Olivia chuckled and nodded her head while fixing their drinks "you got it honest I'll tell you that."
"I did?"
Liv nodded "if you ask your dad he'll tell you some stories. Let us know if you need any help okay sweetie?"
"I will," Lizzie said with a slight smile and Liv nodded, smiled and went back to go sit with Elliot as he gently took his drink from her with a soft smile then rapped his arm around her "good evening and thank you for choosing channel three news at 9 I'm your news anchor Jeff Parker.
Citizens in Queens need to watch out as I regret to inform you that your serial purse snatcher has struck again, this time at the local food land. While we are relieved to here that the victim suffered no injuries the robber got away with her keys to her home and her wallet which contained over 300 dollars in cash. Queens robbery squad captain Carlos Thomson has this to say to the public."
"This guy has been at this for a while and now at his 100th robbery in six months is becoming more and more brazen. We're still no closer to identifying him than we were on day one and until we do every woman who carries a purse while alone and out and about here is at risk. I recommend that if you must wear a purse out and about that you do it with caution and that you stay vigilant of your surroundings and the people around you at all times. We are dedicated to stopping this criminal and we aren't giving up until we do."
"So he expects us to either not wear our purses or keep our guards up at all times? Some captain," Olivia muttered.
Elliot rubbed her hip gently "there's gotta be a hold back in there they've got to have gotten a description of the guy by now."
"I would hope so after six months if not they have no business in the robbery squad at all."
Elliot nodded agreeing then kissed her temple "Thank you Carlos, we'll continue to follow this story until the end.
In other news police precinct 12 is undergoing a major overhaul as multiple officers were arrested yesterday for crimes including rape, accessory to rape, coercion, intimidating a witness, falsifying records and taking kickbacks and bribes. Lieutenant Ed Tucker from IAB has this to say about the arrests."
"We've known that police precinct 12 has been dirty for a while but unfortunately it took us a while to build up a solid case. Thanks to a whistle blower whose name I can't disclose at this time, an undercover operation and the help of some fine detectives from Manhattan SVU we've managed to stop the corruption and book cooking that was going on at the 12th once and for all. I'll be personally keeping a close eye on the 12th's officers and commanding structures going forward and it's my promise to the public that with IAB under my command no police officer will ever find themselves above the letter of the law. Back to you Jeff."
"Of course he had to make the end about him. He's so damn self-righteous," El muttered.
"Yeah he is but hey if the 12th was corrupt I'm glad he took them down."
"So am I," he said as he took a few sips from his tea "you about ready for bed?"
"Yeah, yeah I am you know I don't know how SVU was involved but I'm glad I didn't have to be a part of it."
"Me too baby. You would have navigated it just fine though."
"Yeah maybe. I wonder who he got to go under for him? I mean the operation would have been really dangerous."
"Probably someone who had a lot to lose if they didn't."
"Sounds about right I'm sure he wouldn't have any qualms about playing dirty like that."
"Nope not to get the result he wanted."
She just chuckled and sighed "we're a couple Tucker haters aren't we?"
"Damn right we are I'll take that title with pride."
"Yeah I know you will El, I know you will and I hate to admit it but I will too," she said as after they watched the weather they headed up to bed.
9:41 PM.
"You know I've been thinking," Liv and El both said in unison as they were laying facing towards each other for pillow talk.
They both chuckled through smiles "you go first," El said.
"You sure?"
"Yeah baby go ahead mine's not all that important."
She nodded slightly "when I talked to Sarah today she said something that really stuck with me."
"Yeah?"
"Olivia nodded "you know she was raped twice, once by Michael Webmore and once by this guy Camren that she knew well and she said to me what am I supposed to do stay home for the rest of my life? And I asked myself," she sighed "I asked myself is that what I'm doing? Am I just doing what I know is safe staying happily in this bubble instead of pushing myself forward? Am I hindering my recovery by doing that?"
"I don't think you are baby no that girl is extremely traumatized and was probably speaking rashly," he said softly.
"Ohh I know she was but it's been four months el."
"There's no set timeframe on healing though Liv every victim of trauma is different."
She nodded deflated "so you don't think I'm ready?"
"That's not what I'm saying baby. Not at all I'm just saying that every victim has a different pace and it's not like you haven't made steps Liv you have you made several leaps today and I'm so proud of you for them."
She sighed "survivor. Please call me a survivor El."
"I'm sorry," he whispered softly as he nodded and began stroking her hair gently "you are a survivor Olivia, the bravest one I know."
She smiled slightly and rolled closer to him as he smiled and rapped his arm gently around her "you're gonna get there baby I promise you that hell I think you're pretty much ready already just please don't think that you've plateaued in your recovery because you haven't okay?"
She nodded slightly "okay but El I need something from you."
"I'll do anything you need Liv, anything."
She nodded "I-I need you to kind of nudge me a little if I get to where I'm not trying again because El you don't realize how easy it is for me to fall in to complacency here we're getting by and a big part of me would be happy to keep doing what I'm doing but my work isn't done and women still need my help."
He nodded "I hear you baby I really do but when do you think that you weren't trying?"
"A lot of the time although maybe it's more fair for me to say I didn't try as hard as I should have."
Elliot just frowned and she sighed "it shouldn't have taken me a month to hold a key El."
"Baby you're being to hard on yourself."
"Yeah maybe I am but Lewis can't take SVU away from me so please..."
Elliot nodded "I won't push you in to things Liv but I'll support you. I'll support you in whatever you need and we can make a plan together if that's what you want although now the only real obstacle you've gotta face are those handcuffs."
She nodded "they're just an object, nothing more nothing less maybe if I drill that into my head enough..." she sighed heavily.
"Is there anything I can do to make it easier? Anything at all?"
"I-I don't think so I-I think it's just something that I'm just gonna have to do like holding the key was."
He nodded "if you're not comfortable trying to cuff me maybe you could try it with Fin or Don. Would that be better?"
"I-I don't think so i mean I trust you the most. Maybe you could wear long sleeves though? That way maybe I won't worry so much about them hurting you? That irrational worry was a good bit of why I couldn't do it last time besides the obvious reason."
He nodded "I can do that," he whispered.
She nodded slightly "when do you want us to try it?"
"Whenever you feel ready and comfortable with it."
She nodded "I don't think there's ever gonna be a point where I'm 100% comfortable with it until I do it so how about we try for Wednesday when Izzabella's at preschool and see how it goes?"
Elliot nodded "that works baby," he said as he stifled a yawn.
She smiled at him softly seeing it "you ready to crash?"
"My body is and my brain isn't."
She chuckled a bit and nodded "well then lets talk quickly about what was on your mind then we can both go to sleep."
He nodded and fully yawned this time "I was just thinking we should have a get together here one night this week to celebrate the results of your Sergeants test."
She smiled "that's a really sweet idea El but it's not necessary."
"You got the 48th highest score out of 8000 test takers Liv I think it's more than necessary you deserve for that score to be celebrated."
She just nodded slightly "if you really want too"-
"I do."
"Then I guess we can," she said as she smiled fondly at him while finishing her sentence.
Elliot smiled, nodded and kissed her temple "I love you baby."
"Love you too El," she said as she pecked him on the lips then laid her head on his chest and they fell asleep together.
September 10th, 11:15 AM.
"Izzabella baby come on I need to get you ready," Olivia said as she put the last breakfast dish in the dish washer.
"But mommy I don't wanna go to preschool today..."
"You don't have it today we're going swimming but only if you come here and let me get you ready."
Izzabella ran into the kitchen and over to her "where's daddy?"
"Getting ready."
She nodded and ran to the stairs as Liv chuckled "slow down baby slow down the pool's not going anywhere."
Izzabella just continued at her same speed with a smile and once they were upstairs it didn't take Liv long at all to get her ready.
xxxxx
"Well Izzabella's just as excited as we figured she'd be," Olivia said as she shut the door to their bedroom.
"Good I'm glad," Elliot said as he sighed "I can't find my swimming trunks."
"Where was the last place you saw them?"
"In here I remember taking them off and putting them on the dirty clothes pile."
"They're probably in the laundry room El," Liv said while grabbing her bathing suit.
"Kay," he said dashing out to look and Olivia put her bathing suit on then sighed contemplating if she should take another huge step in her healing journey.
A few minutes later Olivia and Elliot met up again downstairs as they were both dressed "you're beautiful baby, so beautiful," he whispered softly noticing the step she had taken as she didn't have the cover on this time and some of her cleavage was showing along with a couple of her scars.
"T-Thank you," she said with a slightly nervous smile.
Elliot just smiled softly, pulled her close and kissed her temple, cheek then lips "you ready to go?"
"Yeah," she whispered after returning his kiss and after they called for Izzabella they made their way out to the truck.
1 PM, Queens public pool.
"Marko," Elliot called from the kiddy pool as since it was a school day the place wasn't that crowded.
"Polo," Liv and Izzabella said in unison as they ran on opposite sides of the small shallow pool.
"Marko," Elliot said again, purposely lagging behind Izzabella a little as he could catch her easily if he really wanted to but wanted to drag it out a little.
"Polo!" Izzabella said as she noticed he was closer and tried to run faster as Olivia got further away.
"Marko," Elliot said, letting Izzabella get further and going after Olivia at full speed.
"Polo!" they both said as Elliot almost grasped Liv's arm but she dove away with a smile.
Elliot chuckled and smiled Marko!" he said going back after Izzabella.
"Polo!" Izzabella said as she tried to run past him but he pulled her into his arms playfully "gotcha!" he said with a smile.
Izzabella giggled, smiled and laid her head on his shoulder "lets find mommy now hmm? You wanna help me catch her?" Elliot asked.
"Yeah!" she said with a bright smile and he nodded and shifted her into his left arm "ready say Marco with me," he whispered.
"Marko!" they shouted in unison and Olivia smiled brightly from the other end of the pool "polo!"
"Marko!" they said again as Elliot walked closer.
"Polo!" Liv said as once they got close she darted away and across the pool.
"I think mommies practicing her running skills," Elliot said as he smiled fondly, turned around and chased her "Marko!"
"Polo!" Olivia said again, continuing to run quickly.
"She's fast daddy," Izzabella said.
"Yeah she is," he whispered as he gained on her "Marko!"
With there being no further that Olivia could go forward she quickly turned around and tried to dart past him as he grasped her wrist with gentle fingers "gotcha baby," he said with a soft smile as he rubbed her wrist and pulled her into his side then kissed her temple.
Olivia smiled and leaned into him slightly out of breath "we got you mommy! We got you!" Izzabella cheered.
"Yes you did baby good job," Liv said and they ended up sharing a group hug "can we do it again?" Izzabella asked.
"Sure but this time I'm Marko," Liv said with a smile and they played another round.
Twenty minutes later found them in the big pool as Liv was holding Izzabella in her arms since her feet wouldn't touch the bottom "mommy lets push daddy underwater," she whispered as Elliot was a few feet away from them.
"No baby that's not nice," Liv said.
"But it'd be funny mommy and he's good at swimming."
"Yeah I know he is but if we catch him by surprise like that his head could hit the bottom and that would hurt him."
Izzabella just frowned deeply and Olivia nodded "why don't we have a water-gun fight instead?"
"Okay," she said with a bright smile and Liv nodded "if I give you to daddy while I go get them you have to promise me you won't do that to him."
She nodded "I promise mommy."
Liv nodded "good because we'll never come back here again if you break that promise."
"I-I promise mommy."
Liv nodded, smiled and kissed her head appeased "hey El!" Liv called.
"Yeah?" he asked floating over to them on his back with a smile.
"Will you take her for a minute? I'm getting out to get some water guns."
"Course!" he said with a smile as he pulled her into his arms then tossed her into the air before catching her again as Olivia got out with a smile.
Five minutes later they were having a water-gun fight as Liv and Izzabella ended up teaming up against Elliot and it only took him a couple minutes to call a truce with a smile "mommy I'm hungry," Izzabella said.
She nodded "lets get you your pbj sandwich then."
"Okay," Izzabella said and Olivia smiled and looked at Elliot "she's hungry so it must be around 2 o'clock."
"Must be. How late do you wanna stay today?"
"Maybe till three or so we haven't gotten in the lazy river yet."
"Sounds good to me," he said and they all got out with smiles.
After they all ate their lunch Olivia reapplied Izzabella's sunscreen and senior citizens were starting to crowd the pool "baby who do you wanna float beside? Me or daddy?" Liv asked as when some of the ladies waved she waved back.
"Daddy," she said with a smile and Liv nodded and grabbed one float while El grabbed two.
A few minutes and a couple float mishaps later found the three of them floating down the lazy river as Olivia and Elliot held hands over their floats and Izzabella held his free one "you guys are so adorable," one of the ladies said.
"Thanks," Liv said with a smile and the woman nodded "it looks like true love doesn't it Vivian?" her friend said beside her.
"It does Barbra I think they're soulmates."
"If they aren't then I don't think soulmates exist at all," she said and Liv and El just smiled at each other as they passed.
"What's a soulmate?" Izzabella asked.
"I think you're to young to understand the answer to that question baby," El said.
Izzabella frowned and after he and Liv shared a long look he smiled "me and mommy are soulmates."
"Is that good?"
"It's the best," they said together and the three of them played I Spy for a while while they floated in the river.
"Yo hey!" a teen boy said pointing at Olivia a few minutes later as he was getting into the water.
"Yes?" Liv asked as they continued to float.
"What happened to the top of your boob?"
Olivia paled and Elliot rubbed the top of her hand with his thumb while glaring at the boy "you don't speak to people that way young man," Vivian said before Elliot could.
"But it's got marks on it."
"Yeah and?" she asked and Elliot continued to glare "what's your name?"
"Why do you care your not my pops."
"What's, your name?!"
"D-Darius."
Elliot nodded "how old are you Darius?"
"Why do you care?"
"How, old, are, you.?"
"F-Fourteen."
Elliot nodded "you should be at school then instead of here asking my wife insensitive questions."
"Whats insensitive mean?"
"If you were at school then maybe you'd know the answer to that question."
"El," Liv warned and Darius sighed "I don't wanna go to school kids pick on me there cuz I don't write good."
"I'm really sorry to hear that they shouldn't do that... But you should apologize to Olivia the question you asked her was very rude."
Darius frowned "I was just curious cuz the marks are"-
"Don't finish that sentence," El said before he could say the word ugly.
Darius just sighed and hung his head "I-I'm sorry," he whispered.
"I-It's fine I hope this can be a life lesson for you I got the scars from being assaulted and they're a really hard topic for me."
Darius frowned heavily as Elliot was now holding her hand between both of his and rubbing it gently "I wanna ask something of you Darius," Liv said.
He nodded and she looked him in the eye "if you ever come across somebody that looks different in some way again I want you to think about today before you ask them personal questions about it okay? Because you never know what a question that seems innocent to you will bring up in their mind and they may not be as understanding as me it might really hurt their feelings."
He nodded "I'm really sorry you were hurt."
She nodded slightly and a single tear fell from her eye t-thank you Darius."
Darius nodded and stepped away as Vivian glanced at her tearfully "you're a really strong woman you know that?"
"I try to be."
Vivian nodded "if I'm being honest I recognized your face from the news I just chose not to say anything but you have to be a strong person to survive what you did I know that for a fact."
Olivia just nodded with misty eyes and Elliot nodded too "she's the strongest woman I know," he said as Izzabella looked to them impatiently "I spy something with my little eye that's... Pretty," she said and with that they resumed their previous positions and the I spy game with her.
3:32 PM, Stabler residence.
"It feels damn good in here," Elliot said while locking the front door with a smile.
"Yeah it does I think I got a little tan."
"Me too. Umm I texted Cragen earlier so he could help coordinate the get together we talked about last night and he texted me back while we were swimming."
Liv nodded "what'd he say?"
Elliot sighed "he said now's not the best time that they're covered in cases. I'm sorry Liv."
"It's okay El you know I said I don't have to have a party."
"I know you did but your accomplishments still deserve to be celebrated."
"Yeah well," she shrugged slightly "I'm gonna go upstairs and change."
"Kay, I'm sorry baby," he said again.
Olivia shook her head, walked over to him and stood on her tippy toes "it's," she pecked his lips "okay," she pecked them again "I promise," she pecked them a final time before stepping back.
Elliot smiled slightly reassured as he headed towards the couch "Izzabella baby come on lets get you out of these swim clothes," Liv said and the two of them went up there together.
xxxxx
"Mommy mommy can we jump on the trampoline?" Izzabella asked as they walked back downstairs in comfortable clothes.
"No not today baby maybe tomorrow okay?"
Izzabella just nodded glumly and Olivia grabbed the play-doh for her and opened a cup "you wanna play with this?"
"Mmhmm," she said and Olivia handed her the cup "Liv I... I need to talk to you," Elliot said gravely.
"Okay what's wrong?"
"Not here," he whispered as his expression was a mixture of grief and anger.
"Okay lets go to the office," she said as she then looked to Izzabella "me and daddy will be right back."
Izzabella nodded and once they were in there Olivia shut the door "what's wrong El?" she asked again as she reached out for his hand.
Elliot gently took it as he tried to keep his from shaking "I just talked to the head of PTO at Izzabella's school."
"Okay... What's wrong?"
"Apparently SVU found an egg vibrator in Jackie Walkers clap and play box today. Rita said they took him in for questioning but she doesn't know if he put it in there or if they're filing any charges against him."
"Who else would have done it El?" Liv asked alarmed.
"She said people are in and out of his classroom all day but I'm like you I don't know why anyone else would do that."
"Me either and SVU wouldn't have just checked the box for no reason someone had to have filed a complaint with them."
Elliot nodded as his face was pale "w-we have to talk to Izzabella a-and if I find out he touched her I'm gonna kill the bastard... I swear to god I'll kill him!"
Olivia rubbed the top of his hand with her thumb gently "I get how you're feeling Elliot I really do and I'd help hide the body but she's not showing any of the warning signs so lets just try and focus on that for now okay?"
Elliot took a few deep breaths then nodded slightly "y-you wanna talk to her alone?"
"No lets do it together," she said and a couple minutes later once he was a bit calmer they left the office.
"Izzabella? Baby can you come here?" Liv asked softly once they were on the couch as they had made space for her to sit between them.
She walked over and sat down with the cup of play-doh in her hand as she tried to hand a couple pieces to them "we'll play later baby but right now we need to ask you some questions," Liv said.
"A-Am I in trouble?"
"No your not I promise," Liv said and she nodded and leaned against Elliot as he smiled and wrapped his arm around her gently and rubbed her back "do you still like Mr. Jackie?" Liv asked.
"Mmhmm."
Olivia nodded "does he ever do or say anything that makes you feel funny or uncomfortable?"
"He makes me laugh a lot we sing silly songs."
Olivia nodded "just you and him?"
"Nnhnn we all sing them together."
Olivia nodded slightly relieved "does he still let you play in the clap and play box?"
"Sometimes I like to hit the sticks together."
"The sticks?"
"Mmhmm he calls them rhythm sticks."
Olivia nodded "you're doing great baby. Do you play with anything else in the clap and play box?"
"Mmhmm he calls it a tambourine, it sounds like the jingle bells."
"Wow that's really cool..." Liv said and Elliot nodded agreeing "baby does Mr. Jackie ever play any games with just you? Or take you away from the other kids?"
"Just once when I got hurt that one day we did a puzzle together before the big car with the siren came."
Elliot nodded "okay just a couple more questions honey. Have you ever found an egg in the clap and play box?"
Izzabella chuckled "no! You're silly daddy."
Elliot just nodded, chuckled and ruffled her hair gently "have you seen Mr. Jackie holding an egg at all? A plastic one maybe?" Liv asked.
"Nnhnn, can we play now?"
"Of course baby," Liv said and they spent the rest of the evening paying close attention to the press becoming very angry when they learned that he had been charged with two counts of sexual abuse of a minor.
9:56 PM.
"We can't send her tomorrow El. We can't," Liv whispered adamantly from their bed.
"I agree baby 100% you don't have to convince me," he said softly.
She sighed "it's just she's missed so much school already but for all we know they were covering this up he's taught there for years."
Elliot nodded "that's a possibility and her safety comes first. It always comes first plus it's not like this is Kindergarten this year is just easing her into being away from us that's all it is."
Olivia nodded and gave him a slight smile "how do you always know the perfect thing to say?"
"Because I've known you for fifteen years and because," he pecked her lips gently "soulmates know things."
"You really believe that?" she asked touched.
"Of course I do baby I couldn't love you more if I tried."
"Same," she whispered and they kissed again, this time dragging it out for a little longer before she laid her head on his chest and he wrapped his arm around her gently "night Liv," he said softly as he yawned.
"Night El. Hey you're warmer tonight than normal you okay?" she asked as she was feeling overheated from his proximity and that wasn't normal for her.
"Yeah I'm fine baby just tired and a little achy but I'm sure it's just from the running I did. You need the fan? Or I can move my arm if you're uncomfortable."
"No no I'm fine it's not that bad I can get you some aspirin if you need it though."
Elliot shook his head with a slight smile and fell asleep and Liv gave him a light kiss on the chest before falling asleep after him.
September 11th, 4:12 AM.
Elliot groaned lowly and massaged his temples through slight shivers as he could barely breathe, his throat was extremely sore and he had a splitting headache as when Olivia stirred in his arms pain shot through him "shhhhh easy baby," he rasped out as he pulled her closer and stroked her hair with trembling fingers.
Olivia's eyes opened and she noticed his trembling as she rose her head slightly and looked at his face seeing it was extremely pale "El oh my god a-are you okay?" she asked worriedly.
He coughed a couple times "mm... Hmm," he said between them.
Olivia shook her head and moved out of his space and to his side "here El sit up honey, lets sit you up I don't want you to choke," she said as she helped him raise up then patted his back gently and held their bedside garbage can in front of him.
Elliot coughed some phlegm into the can then dry heaved for a few minutes as Olivia frowned worriedly while rubbing his back "I-I'm gonna call you an ambulance El," she said.
"I don't need an... Ambulance baby," he said through a wheeze before coughing again.
"But El you look really sick and you're never sick."
"I-I've had the flu... Twice..."
"Yeah twice in twenty years... Fine I won't call an ambulance right now but I need you to tell me what hurts so I can try to help."
He nodded slightly as he had now completely caught his breath "m-my head feels like someone stomped on it, hit it with a tire iron then stomped on it again..."
Olivia grimaced and he just nodded slightly "every heartbeat and move I make hurts, m-my body hurts all over."
She nodded slightly with a sympathetic expression while easing off the bed "I-I'm gonna get you some aspirin and a glass of water how many do you want?"
"Five," he said.
"Y-You sure?"
"Mmhmm," he said adamantly and Olivia nodded and quickly left the bedroom.
She came back a few minutes later with a bottle of water, the thermometer, a bottle of NyQuil and the bottle of aspirin as when she heard him wheezing on the bed it took everything in her not to tear up "okay here El take these," she whispered as she handed him three aspirin.
Elliot frowned at them while counting them in his hand "I know you said five but El I read the label and you're only supposed to have two so please? If this hasn't helped you in an hour or so I'll give you the other two."
"Mkay," he mumbled as he swallowed them with water "okay now take a swig of this," she said handing him the bottle of NyQuil.
Elliot nodded and swallowed it with a grimace as Izzabella walked into their room with tears in her eyes "m-my head hurts..." she cried.
"Ohh no..." Elliot muttered and Olivia sighed "I'll call dr. More when he opens. Come here sweetie," she cooed to Izzabella.
Izzabella ran over to her and Olivia pulled her into her arms and stroked her hair gently "is it just your head that hurts?" she asked.
"Nnhnn I-I hurt everywhere..."
Olivia nodded slightly "sounds like you and daddy are sick with the same thing. Why don't you cuddle with him while I get you some medicine?"
"O-Okay," she whispered tearfully and Olivia smiled and laid her gently on the bed as once Elliot had her she left the bedroom.
xxxxx
"Y-Yeah since 2:30 and it won't stop mom I've never felt this bad in my life," Liv heard Lizzie saying as her present frown grew deeper.
"No I looked in the medicine cabinet earlier but there weren't any."
"I-I guess I can..." she said as Liv walked over then "I-I see Liv she must be sick too."
"O-Okay mom I will. I-I didn't know flu season started this early though."
After a minute she just nodded with a grimace "love you too mom," she said as she hung up the phone and sighed while shivering.
"You're sick too huh?" olivia asked through a sympathetic frown.
"Mmhmm I'm hurting all over, am really cold and have really bad chills mom thinks I have the new strand of flu."
Olivia nodded "it's possible honey Izzabella and your dad are both sick too. What were you looking for a little bit ago? I took some stuff upstairs earlier it may be up there."
"I-I was looking for Tylenol."
She nodded "we're out of the pills for that but we have aspirin I'll bring you a couple of those in a minute. Does your throat hurt too?"
"Y-Yeah," she whispered.
Olivia nodded "alright go lay back down sweetie and I'll be right back okay?"
"Okay," she said and once Lizzie was gone Liv grabbed the children's Tylenol and a medicine dropper then raced upstairs.
"Lizzie's sick too," Olivia whispered seeing Elliot still awake and stroking Izzabella's hair.
"Shit... You're probably gonna end up with this too baby I'm sorry," he whispered horsily.
"If I do I do I'm not worried about that right now. Izzabella open up sweetie," she said softly.
She opened her mouth a little and Olivia slid the dropper in and gave her the Tylenol "swallow," she said softly.
Izzabella swallowed it "did it hurt when you did that?"
"Mmhmm."
Olivia nodded and put some NyQuil in the dropper then repeated the process as Izzabella gagged this time "t-that's yucky..."
"I know baby but it'll help you I promise. I'll be right back," she said as she grabbed the NyQuil, aspirin, thermometer and a clean medicine cup then headed downstairs to give Lizzie the meds she needed.
A few minutes later found her back in bed with a sigh as Izzabella was sleeping and Elliot was on the edge of it "she okay?" he mumbled.
"She's about like you she took the aspirin and Nyquil and her temperature is 100.7."
Elliot nodded and gently moved some hair away from Izzabella's temple so Liv could check hers as it caused her to startle awake "shhhhhh," Elliot cooed.
Izzabella relaxed and Olivia gently checked it 101.2," she whispered.
Elliot nodded and yawned as she gently put it to his temple "101.5," she whispered.
He nodded slightly and fell asleep as Liv looked at the bedside clock, 5:01 AM it read and she sighed slightly I can get three more hours before I need to call Dr. More she decided and with that she cuddled her back into Elliot's free side keeping her head on a pillow as she fell into a light sleep.
8:23 AM.
"El I need you to wake up honey," Olivia whispered shaking his shoulder gently.
"Nnnhnnnn," he groaned as he shook his head several times and buried it further into the pillow.
"Honey I'm sorry but you have to all three of you have doctors appointments and I can't carry you out to the truck by myself."
"Nnhnnn don't carry me baby you'll hurt yourself," he mumbled deliriously.
"I'm not El that's why you have to wake up."
"Mkay," he mumbled as he sighed and stretched his arms through a cough "do you need the garbage can again?" Liv asked.
He shook his head just as Izzabella woke up crying "h-h-hurts..." she whaled.
"Shhhhhhhhhh," El cooed as her screaming was hurting his head worse but he'd never tell her that "I know baby I know I'm gonna take you, daddy and sissy to the doctor okay?" Liv whispered.
"No doctor! N-No doctor I-I don't like needles!"
"Baby he'll make you better. He'll make you all better okay I promise. Lets get you some more Tylenol okay? El do you need more aspirin?"
Elliot nodded "j-just give me the bottle I'll get them myself y-you worry about her," he said trying to talk over Izzabella's cries.
Olivia nodded handing him the bottle and once she had given Izzabella her medicine she pulled her into her arms, swayed with her gently and sang her a lullaby until she calmed down and fell back asleep.
Twenty minutes later they were all lumbering out to the truck as all but Olivia were wearing their pajamas "I'll sit in the back with Izzabella incase she wakes up," El said knowing he was in no state to drive.
"Thank you honey," Liv said as Lizzie got into the front seat sluggishly and leaned her seat back.
Elliot nodded through a yawn and climbed in and once Olivia had Izzabella buckled in she hopped in and quickly drove off.
9:21 AM.
"Lizzie I need you to wake up we're here sweetie," Liv whispered after she had finished parking as she reached over and rubbed her shoulder.
"H-Here where?" she asked groggily.
"Doctor More's office."
Lizzie nodded and continued to lounge there as Elliot was carefully unbuckling Izzabella and began to cough "I'll get her El," Liv said softly.
"You..." he coughed again "sure?"
"Yeah honey I'm sure. Come on unbuckle sweetie," she said looking at Lizzie and once she listened the four of them slowly made their way inside.
"Elliot! Hey!" Walter said cheerfully when he saw them walk in.
Elliot gave him a week wave and he frowned "you sick man? You never come here sick."
Elliot just nodded and Olivia sighed "all three of them are sick but he's got it worse they all have body aches and a sore throat but he's got a really bad cough too."
Walter nodded "sounds like you dodged a real bullet hmm?"
"For now," she said as Elliot looked up "I-I don't want her to catch this it's horrible."
"Yeah it looks like it. Feel better Elliot."
"Thank you Walter," he said as once Liv signed them all in they moved to an empty part of the waiting room to wait.
A few minutes later they were all called back and Elliot and Lizzie explained their symptoms to the nurses "how about this little one?" Judy asked looking at the sleeping Izzabella fondly.
"She told me that her body hurt everywhere at 4:30 then she woke up crying about an hour ago I think hers is like Lizzie's," Liv said.
Judy nodded "I'm gonna need to check her blood pressure and temperature," she said.
"Alright just prepare for tears," Liv warned.
Judy nodded "I worked at a pediatricians office before moving here so I know honey. Have you given her anything?"
"Just children's Tylenol for her pain and fever and NyQuil for her sore throat."
She nodded "alright," she said and Liv smiled slightly then and gently woke her up as Izzabella immediately started scanning her surroundings "hi my name's Judy. What's your name?" she asked.
"I-Izzabella."
Judy nodded "that's a very pretty name. Can I check your temperature?"
"Mmhmm," she said and the other nurse, Makayla looked over at them "I'm finished with these two."
Judy smiled at Izzabella while using the temporal scanner on her "take her to room four and him to the chest X-ray room."
She nodded and Elliot and Lizzie stood from the chairs they were in "be brave baby I'll see you soon," Elliot murmured.
"N-No d-daddy a-are you leaving?"
"You won't be able to see me but I'm not going far and..." he coughed "mommy's gonna stay with you the hole time."
"O-Okay," Izzabella whispered and he and Lizzie walked off as Judy wrote the number 100.8 down on her chart "I need to check your blood pressure now okay?" she said.
Izzabella just nodded and luckily she didn't tear up while she checked it "it's 123/85," she told Liv.
"T-That's normal right?"
"In these circumstances yes it is. You guys can go on to room four," she said with a smile and Liv nodded and carried her in there.
"W-Why are they X-raying dad's chest? Is he gonna be okay?" Lizzie asked once they were in the room.
"I think it's because of his cough honey and yeah he will be your dad..." she smiled slightly "your dad's the strongest man I know he's survived more than anyone should ever have to in their life and he'll get through this too."
Lizzie nodded hopefully as Elliot had quietly walked in mid speech "damn right I will a little coughs not..." he coughed and wheezed "gonna do me in I promise."
"G-Good," she whispered relieved as the nurses walked in "we need to do strep throat cultures and flu tests on the three of you doctors orders," Judy said.
They nodded as Judy walked over to Izzabella and Makayla went to Elliot "sweetheart I need you to open your mouth really wide for me okay?" Judy said.
"W-Why?"
"She needs to do a test on you that'll help the doctor no what's wrong. It'll only take a minute," Liv said.
Izzabella nodded slightly and opened her mouth as when Judy took the swab she gagged "that one's all done," she said with a slight smile as she grabbed a new test then walked over to Elliot "your turn."
Elliot needed no prompting and his test was done quickly as Makayla finished Lizzie's flu test then walked over to Izzabella and she frowned "I wanna go home mommy..." she whispered.
"I know baby we will soon I promise but they need you to do one more test."
She teared up a little and Makayla smiled at her "this test doesn't hurt I promise."
Izzabella just nodded and it didn't take her long to begin squirming in Liv's arms when the cutip went up her nose "I got it," Makayla said after a minute as Lizzie's gagging sound could be heard.
Olivia nodded and her and El both cringed when they heard it "can we go home now?" Izzabella asked.
"Not yet kiddo," Liv said and the nurses left the room silently as Izzabella just fell back asleep in her arms.
10:24 AM.
"All of your results are back," Dr. More said as he walked into the room with a slight sigh.
"By the look on your face I think you have bad news?" lizzie asked.
"Well I'm afraid it's not the best news all three of you have tested positive for Influenza A and Mr. Stabler you also have an upper respiratory infection."
"Shit," he muttered and Olivia frowned "the flu is bad enough w-will his body be able to handle both of these at the same time?"
"Well we caught it early so I believe so he'll just have to have a more aggressive treatment than the rest of you."
Olivia just nodded through a worried sigh "I'm gonna be fine baby I..." he coughed "promise t-tell me what I need to do doc."
"I'd like to give you a Decadron and Rocephin shot today to help your immune system get a jumpstart on fighting this, I'll also prescribe you a Z-pack to be taken as directed, an antibiotic and I want you to take breathing treatments twice a day for five days."
"W-We don't have a nebulizer machine where can I buy one? What kind should I buy I'll buy the best one," Liv said.
"I'll order him one through your pharmacy all you'll have to do is pick it up with your other prescriptions."
"O-Okay thank you," she said as Lizzie looked to him then "I have a show in three days will I be well enough to do my majorette routine?"
"I'm afraid not you'll most likely still be contagious then."
Lizzie just sighed heavily "the band director isn't gonna like this at all and neither will my professors."
"If you need a note I'm more than happy to have my receptionist write you one to take to your college or it can be faxed straight there from here."
"Could you have her fax it please?" Liv asked.
"Yes of course. Now to treat your flus I'm gonna write you all prescriptions for tamiflu and they are to be taken as directed on the bottles."
Olivia, Elliot and Lizzie nodded "will any of my meds clash doc? I've been prescribed a lot of meds," Elliot said.
"They shouldn't no but if you experience any strange symptoms or have questions call the office or if we're closed call either your local emergency room or the poison control center."
Elliot nodded "I can do that," he said and after they talked for a couple more minutes and Liv had all her questions answered he left the room.
Ten minutes later Judy walked in with the shot "whoa that's a big needle," Lizzie whispered.
"Ah that's nothin," Elliot said as Liv frowned "how can you say that?" she whispered in disbelief.
"Cuz no shot on the planet can ever be worse than the peanutbutter one," he said as he gave Judy access to his right hip.
"The peanutbutter one?" Lizzie enquired.
Elliot nodded "it wasn't really..." he coughed "peanutbutter that's just what people call it because it's so thick I had to get it when I was in the military."
"Did it hurt?"
"It did," he said expression neutral as Judy was giving him the mixed Rocephin and Decadron shot.
Lizzie just frowned and nodded "see? The strongest man I know," Liv whispered.
Lizzie nodded "he is taking it like a champ almost everyone I give it to pulls a face," Judy said.
"I bet I promise you I'd have tears in my eyes," Liv said.
"Maybe not," Judy said as Izzabella woke up again "h-h-hurts..." she cried.
"Shhhhh I know baby I know soon you'll feel all better though I promise," Liv cooed as Judy put the bandaid on Elliot's hip "you should wait fifteen minutes before leaving incase of an adverse reaction," she said.
Elliot nodded slightly "thank you ma'am," he said.
Judy nodded "feel better. All of you," she said as she then left the room "El are you alright if I go on ahead and take her to the car? I wouldn't but..." she stopped letting the crying speak for itself.
"Yeah yeah I wasn't planning on waiting the fifteen minutes anyway. Come on honey," he said pointing at Lizzie as she stood and they made their way out to the truck.
Once Olivia got everyone's meds she drove them straight home as she gave Izzabella her tamiflu which she gagged on vigorously, "this is the worst medicine ever," Izzabella critiqued and Liv just nodded sympathetically then set up El's breathing treatment.
While Elliot took it she went down to check on Lizzie then went back up to set up his pillows as he was coughing into a garbage can "me and... Lizzie can... Take care of ourselves you know..." he said softly through wheezes and coughs.
"By the sound of your voice and breathing I have to lovingly disagree," she said softly as she patted his back gently.
"You don't have to... Take care of me baby."
"I know I don't but I'm going to and you're not gonna fight me on it," she said as she kissed his temple.
He just nodded feebly and once he had caught his breath she gave him his tamiflu and z-pack "you have to take the Augmentin with food so I'll give it to you when you eat."
Elliot nodded slightly and she smiled "what do you wanna eat El? I'll make whatever you want."
"Any soup's fine baby."
Olivia nodded and went to pick up Izzabella "no leave her here," he said as he carefully laid down on her assembled pillows.
"You sure?"
"Mmhmmm," he mumbled as he pulled her close to him.
"Okay well if you guys need anything at all just yell for me or call me okay? I'll be up and down while I cook."
"Mkay," he said as he fell asleep and Liv headed downstairs to fix potato soup and make a very emportan phone call.
xxxxx
"Olivia," Kathleen said flatly as she answered the phone.
"Katie hi, How are you it's been a while..."
"I've been better," she said flatly.
Olivia just sighed slightly knowing that this was gonna be a more difficult call than she thought "I won't keep you long Kathleen I heard though that you were planning to fly out this weekend and watch Lizzie's routine so I wanted to give you an update on that."
"Okay," Kathleen said and Olivia nodded "she won't be performing this Saturday she's got the flu almost all of us have it."
"I'm sorry to hear that I hope you all feel better."
"Thank you," Liv said and Kathleen just sighed heavily "you should have stopped him Liv."
"Katie..." she whispered sadly.
"No Olivia don't Katie me! You're the only woman in this world that can get dad to do anything you want, literally anything you want and you let him destroy my life!"
"He didn't destroy your life he protected you from winding up in the clutches of a very dangerous man."
"That's not true he ruined my life!"
"He didn't you still have a lot of life left and you have the chance now to find a good man, a kind man."
"Brad was a kind man."
"But was he a good man?"
"He was to me. I need to go," she said as when she hung up Liv sighed and went back to cooking as once the food was through she spent the rest of the day trying to nurse the three of them back to health.