Chapter 12

I OWN NOTHING.

Ciara lay in bed that night reflecting on the day's event. She really was a very lucky girl. She often thought about her life back in Ireland. When she had first arrived in New York with Liz and Don she really didn't know what to expect. She wasn't sure if she was ready for such a change, but now, she was truly happy for the first time and ages.

She also realised that her seventeenth birthday was fast approaching and she was slightly worried. She knew that Olivia and Liz were planning a surprise party for her and she was worried about who they would invite. She still hadn't confided in anybody about having a hard time. Today was the first time she had told them that anything had happened at school, and that was only because she had been caught out. She hadn't made any friends besides Zack and dint want Liz or Olivia inviting loads of people who weren't her friends and probably wouldn't show up anyway. She was afraid that people would laugh at her.

She looked at her phone; it was almost three in the morning. She wasn't too worried about sleep though because she didn't have school in the morning. She sent Zack s quick text to see if he was asleep but after waiting for a few minutes for a reply she realised he was probably asleep. Her head was full of thoughts and she couldn't fall asleep. The house seemed silent so she decided to go and get a glass of water.

As she tip-toed down the hall leading towards the kitchen she heard music playing. She was surprised to hear the music playing but even more surprised to find that Don and Liz were still up. They weren't exactly spring chickens anymore and were usually in bed by eleven. As she got closer to the door she grew a little apprehensive. She didn't know what to expect and she didn't want to intrude if anything was happening.

She ever so discretely popped her head around almost cried at the sight in front of her. It was the cutest thing she had seen in her whole life, almost like something from a Nicholas Sparks movie.

There in front of her eyes was Liz and Don dancing to Bruce Springsteen's Glory Days. The moves in sync and sang as though they were teenagers again. Ciara didn't allow her presence to be known, this was their moment.

She knew that Don and Liz had gone through somewhat of a rough patch recently and she was happy that they had figured everything out. Don was the glue of the whole SVU squad, the glue of the family and it broke her heart to have seen him so vulnerable and broken. She knew that he and Liz were perfect for each other. They were like the cutesy couple everyone wanted to grow up to be. The couple that people envied. The couple that could show everyone around them what love really was.

Her heart stood still as Don, in a fluid like movement, scooped Liz's delicate frame into his arms and spun her around. The unexpected movement generated a hearty laugh to spill from Liz's lips, followed by a series of girlish giggles. Ciara herself let out a giggle the quickly slapped her hand across her mouth. She didn't want to ruin this perfect moment.

As the song changes, turning to a slow tempo song, Don gently placed Liz on the ground directly in front of him. As Liz regained her balance Don delicately positioned his hands at the bottom of her back and held her close. It was such a simple action, but yet so intimate.

For the first time in a while Don was able to feel Liz's body flush against his. He noticed that she had lost weight and knew that it was his fault. She had been too busy worrying about him, trying to fix him that she had neglected herself.

In many ways Liz reminded him of Olivia. She too was the ever independent, fearless, strong woman who hated to appear weak. It was these qualities paired with her passion in what she did and her personality that made Don fall in love with her.

Swaying to the music, just holding each other ; it was so simple. Ciara watched on in admiration of the pair. Her new parents, who had changed her life for the better were the best role models she could ever have. She had never seen an example of love like this before, but she would never forget this.

Yet again the song ended and another one soon began. This time Ciara knew the song but was surprised when Don and Liz both began to sing along.

"Our love runs deep like a Chevy
If you fall I'll fall with you baby
Cause that's the way we like to do it
that's the way we like" They both began in tune.

This time Ciara couldn't contain her laughter. As her loud laughter filled the air Don and Liz too began to laugh, a little out of surprise but mostly from embarrassment. That didn't stop them however they both continued with their singing.

"No matter how far we go, I want the whole world to know
I want you bad, and I won't have it any other way
No matter what the people say,
I know that we'll never break
Cause our love was made, made in the USA
Made in the USA, yeah"

Ciara had laughed so hard that the tears had started to roll down her cheek. As she gasped for air to regain her compose she choked out a few words.

"How do you two know that song?"

"Well Ciara, when you play it almost every hour of the day, sing it on the way to school and in the shower we sort of had to just get used to it" Explained Don. Ciara hadn't thought about it like that but Don was right, she loved that song.

"It's a pretty good song though" , defended Ciara with a smile.

OK guys sorry for taking so long to update.

I own NOTHING.

Please review x