Lovers

For the next few weeks, Elliot and Olivia became accustomed to their new relationship. While this brought many luxuries that they had previously not been able to engage in, there were also slight drawbacks. One such occasion, was informing Elliot's children, who were currently in the supervised care of their mother.

Flashback Begin

"Hey guys," Elliot said, as the door was opened by his children, eagerly waiting to have a weekend with their father.

Each child was gently hugged and kissed by Elliot, and there was an excited clamoring as each was trying to get out the door the fastest. However, Kathleen, who was first out the door stopped when she reached the car.

Standing beside the car, Olivia stood nervously, obviously waiting for the children to come.

"Hi Kathleen," she said uncertainly, as the young woman glared at her.

"What's she doing here?" she asked.

"We were planning to spend the weekend together, with you," Elliot said, but before he could continue Olivia interrupted.

"I won't come unless you want me to. I don't want to impose," Olivia said, as she took in the glances and accusing looks that were being hurled at her.

No one replied to Olivia's statement, and she took their silence as a sign that she was not welcome.

"I might see you later," she said to Elliot, reaching up and kissing him gently. With that, she quickly jumped in her car and sped off.

Elliot looked after her, and he was sure he saw a tear roll down her cheek. "Was that really necessary?"

None of the children, answered the question, but Kathleen said, "It's our weekend with you, and I don't think she should intrude."

"Kathleen, when you live with you mother, does she have a boyfriend?" Kathleen nodded, "And do you make him feel unwelcome?"

Kathleen shook her head, and Elliot continued, "Then why must you do that to Olivia?"

"But she split Mum and you up. She should pay for what she did."

Elliot gasped, "Where did you get that idea? Olivia had nothing to do with your mother and me."

"Mum said she was responsible and then you tried again, and it seemed to be working and then out of nowhere you split up again and you're with Olivia."

"Listen to me carefully, all of you. Olivia has nothing to do with Kathy and me. Our marriage faded away due to nothing but faults from ourselves, not anyone else. As for my being with Olivia, it only happened recently, and I would like nothing to jeopardize that. Your mother can date other people, without you making a fuss, so why can't I?"

The children looked slightly lost. It occurred to Elliot that none of his children had actually thought about the consequences of their actions thoroughly.

A small voice suddenly spoke, "Can we go see 'Livia."

Elliot looked around for the voice, and saw Lizzie looking sad, and very apologetic. She had always been the closest with Olivia after Maureen, who wasn't present. He nodded, and the three children piled into the car.

As they arrived at Olivia's apartment, Kathleen looked around at the building.

"Why does she live here?" she asked, "The apartment's are tiny."

"Well," Elliot stated, "She's not home much, and she doesn't share it with anyone. I think it's the first apartment that she ever owned."

"What?" she asked astonished, "Why would she never move?"

"You might want to ask her that yourself. In the meantime, why don't you apologize to Liv."

He knocked on the door, and they all waited a moment or two before it was opened. Olivia looked as though she had been either cleaning or throwing. Her face was red, and she was wearing the most disgusting combination of clothing that Elliot had ever seen.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, as she took in the sight of the three apologetic children and their father, "I thought you were going camping this weekend?"

Before Elliot could respond, Kathleen spoke, "Liv, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel unwelcome or anything, I was just shocked. Dad made me realize that I was being selfish and not treating him and mum the same. I guess it's time I let go of their marriage." She added as an afterthought.

Olivia stood aside, and allowed the children and Elliot to pass through and enter her apartment.

"Thank you, Kathleen, but there is no reason to apologize. I understand that you might not want your father and I in a relationship."

"But," Kathleen started, "But, I was ho - "

Olivia cut her off, "Don't worry. Would you like something to drink?" she asked everyone. As they all nodded in affirmation, Elliot reached down, and caressed Olivia's lips lightly, "Thank you," he said quietly.

Flashback End

After that afternoon, the children and Olivia grew closer, and the couple's relationship seemed cemented. They had yet to inform the Captain, but it seemed that he approved of the relationship, under the principle, of "What I don't see, I don't know."

As long as they kept their relationship in the office purely platonic, the Captain wouldn't have anything to say about the fact that they arrived together, left together and were occasionally late.

Approximately eight months after they had been dating, Elliot went to Munch for help for the first time.

"John," he asked, and Munch looked up from his work. Seeing it was Elliot, and that he was wearing the same confused look on his face that he seemed to have permanently at the beginning of the catastrophe, Munch groaned.

"I need your help."

"What?" he asked, trying to keep the annoyed tone out of his voice. He thought they were past the 'I'm lost' stage.

"I need a ring."

"Huh?" Munch was flabbergasted. "Huh?" he repeated.

"I need a ring. I'm going to propose," Elliot said proudly.

"What do you need my help for?" Munch asked.

"Well, you've been married four times. I figured you'd know more about spotting the right ring than I would."

Munch nodded, and they headed out to one of the most expensive ring stores in New York.

Two weeks later, Elliot took Olivia out to one of the most romantic restaurants in New York. At the end of the dinner, in which they discussed everything and nothing, Elliot began to get nervous.

"Are you alright?" Olivia asked, as she reached across the table and held his hands.

Elliot nodded, though his palms were sweating.

"Olivia, I have something very important to ask you. You know that I love you, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You mean more to me than anything or anyone, and I don't think I could live without you." He paused, taking in a breath and opening the little black box in his hand, "Liv, will you marry me?"

"Yes," she said softly.

(That's it. I'm not writing anything else. Sorry if the end was a little quick, but I'm trying to finish my stories. This story is completed – finally!)