Disclaimer: Clearly, I don't own Law and Order: SVU.
Summary: Olivia and her husband of one year are having problems. Will unexpected news bring them together? Or will it push her into her partner's waiting arms?
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Elliot stirred in his sleep, the smell of bacon and eggs making him more alert. He got out of bed, wiping his eyes sleepily as he sauntered down the hallway.
He grinned slightly and shook his head when he saw her. She was at the stove, humming some tune...definitely more carefree than she'd been last night.
"Liv, what're you doing?" He asked her.
She turned, startled by his presence. "Oh. Good morning. I'm making breakfast, silly. What's it look like I'm doing?" she smiled at him.
He couldn't help but smile back. "I didn't mean literally…I meant what are you doing out of bed? It's still early. You need your rest," he walked over to her, resisting the urge to wrap his arms around her frame and pull her close.
"I'm fine, Elliot. Besides, I owe you," she said honestly, removing the last of the bacon from the skillet and turning the fire off.
"Olivia, you don't-" She shushed him, putting her hand up in protest. "Yes I do, El. You've always been there for me when no one else was. The least I can do is make you breakfast. Plus I woke up really craving some bacon," she admitted grinning.
"Ah ha! Your real motive is revealed," Elliot joked, crossing his arms. She rolled her eyes and fixed his plate and her own. "Thanks Liv…this looks great," he sat down at the kitchen table with her. "You're welcome. Hope you like it."
He stared at her pour some apple juice for herself and coffee for him. "So…judging your mood, I'd guess you're feeling better about some things?" he raised an eyebrow curiously.
"Yeah. Some being the operative word. I'm still not sure how I'm going to talk to Jacob. Every time I think of what he did…or almost did, I just wanna hit him upside the head," Olivia took a sip of her juice.
"I think I can relate to wanting to hit Jacob right about now," he told her, watching a grin form at the corners of her mouth.
"What do you think he'll say? About the baby I mean?" she sat her fork down, wanting to hear his response.
"I can't be sure, Liv. But I know that he'd be crazy to be anything but ecstatic. You're his wife. This amazingly strong-willed, intelligent, and beautiful woman. And you're having his baby. How could he not be thrilled?" Elliot shrugged, seeing her blush a little.
"I know this is getting old and redundant, but thank you. How do you always know what to say?" she wondered.
He grinned. "I definitely don't. I was just telling the truth," he replied, taking a bite of his toast. She blushed, taking another drink. "We've been talking too much about my life. I haven't even asked you how you were doing," she wondered, sitting her fork down momentarily.
He swallowed his food and shrugged. "I'm fine, Liv. The kids are doing good- Lizzie's getting excited about prom. Kathy told me they went searching for dresses the other day," he told her.
"That's good. Time really flies…Dickie and Lizzie are already juniors…pretty soon they'll be heading off to college," Olivia told him, wiping her mouth.
Elliot sighed, nodding in agreement. "Yeah. Time does move too fast. Sometimes I feel like I wasn't there enough when they were growing up," he admitted, watching her shake her head.
"Elliot, we're detectives. Our job requires a lot of your time. But I know you were always there for your kids when they needed you. Your children love and respect you El…you're a great father," Olivia said honestly, staring into his blue eyes.
"Thanks Liv," he smiled as the phone started to ring. He walked to the living room, picking it up off the receiver. "Hello?" he answered.
"Hey Jacob," Elliot turned around to face Olivia and walked towards her.
Olivia shook her head and signaled that she didn't want to talk right now. She still felt heated about everything. "Yeah…she's here, but she doesn't feel like talking to you right now," he said blatantly. "Hmm…alright. I'll tell her. Bye." Elliot sat the phone back down.
"So…what'd he say?" Olivia placed her plate in the sink and turned towards her partner.
"Just that he's sorry for everything that happened and he'll be at home waiting for you when you decide to come back," he crossed his arms over his chest.
She averted her gaze, as if she was contemplating something. "He sounded sincere…" Elliot shrugged, watching her sigh again.
"Maybe I should just talk to him…" Olivia trailed off, biting her lip."You're gonna have to talk to him eventually..." he reminded her as she nodded.
"You're right. Guess I should get dressed," she turned with a sigh, heading back to the bedroom. Elliot started washing dishes, all the while knowing he'd just pushed Olivia back her husband. Her cheating husband.
"So what are your plans for the rest of the day?" he placed the last plate in the drain as Olivia appeared behind him.
"Oh...nothing much. Kathy's supposed to be dropping the twins off. We might catch a movie later...that is if they want to spend time with me," Elliot chuckled.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you know...they're at that age. Dickie doesn't want me interfering with his player status and Lizzie doesn't want me embarrasing her in front of her friends. I'm not cool enough," Olivia laughed when he said cool the way Lizzie did.
"I see...well, I think you're cool," she replied smiling.
"Good to know someone still does," he grinned, grabbing her coat off the rack. "Thanks Elliot. For everything," he handed it to her, trying to ignore the electricity that coursed through his body when his hand brushed against hers.
"You know you don't have to thank me, but you're welcome anyway," he smirked, pulling her into a hug.
" I'll see you at work tomorrow, okay?" Olivia pulled away, slipping her coat on. "Okay. Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything," he opened the door for her.
She paused for a moment, immersing herself in the sincerity of his crystal blue eyes. If she knew anything in that moment, it was that she could always count on him for anything. Elliot was the only person who hadn't let her down.
"You know I won't."