A/N: Hey everyone! I hope you all like where this story is going. I'm excited for the journey that lies ahead for everyone's favorite duo. This chapter is pretty short, but Chapter 4 will be much longer. Reviews are much appreciated!
I don't own these characters, I'm only borrowing them for the purpose of this fic (:
Olivia's mind was racing as she walked back to her car with Noah. She tried her best to keep a calm exterior for Noah's sake, despite her inner turmoil. Once she had buckled Noah and gotten in the car, she forced herself to take a deep breath as she turned the key to ignite the engine. She could tell that Noah's thoughts were still on his soccer game, but she knew he would ask about Elliot sooner than later. She hoped it was later.
"I can't believe I scored a goal. It went right past the goalie's head!" exclaimed Noah. Olivia closed her eyes for a split second and thanked God that Noah had stayed focused on his game for so long.
"Yes it did Noah. You were amazing," she said upon opening her eyes. "Do you think you'll want to play next year?"
"Probably. It's fun. And the boys on my team are cool," he answered. Olivia quickly checked the rear view mirror to find him looking out the window, appearing to be deep in thought. She knew the questions would be coming soon.
"Good honey, I'm glad you like soccer. I didn't play on any teams as a kid, only goofing around with other neighborhood kids. Soccer was always my favorite," she told him, attempting to remain on the subject of soccer.
"That's cool Mom. Can I ask you something?" the boy said cautiously.
She knew what was coming. "Sure Noah, you can ask me anything."
"Why did Elliot make you cry? Was he mean to you?"
She chuckled at her son's logic. "No, Elliot wasn't mean to me. Those were happy tears. I haven't seen him in a very long time, so I was delighted to see him today. I've been wondering about what that moment would be like for many years," she admitted, keeping her eyes on the road.
"Why didn't you just call him?"
Damn Noah's intelligence.
She gave him credit, although she didn't want to acknowledge his inquiries at the moment.
"I did try to call him, but he didn't call me back. You know how I told you that Elliot worked with Mommy? Our jobs were tough. There are a lot of bad guys in New York City, and eventually Elliot didn't want to do the job anymore," she explained, choosing to leave out the part where Elliot shot a teenage girl. "He retired, and it made me very sad. I think it also made him sad, but seeing me would've made it worse for him. I had to respect that, even if it meant losing my best friend."
She had tried to break it down into words that would register with a five year old, but that was no easy task.
"He was your best friend? I thought you just worked with him," stated Noah, sounding confused.
"Yeah, he was my best friend. I would've done anything for him, and I know he would've done anything for me. That's why I had to let him go," Olivia explained sadly.
"Don't they say if you love something you should let it go? That's what Lucy told me once when I caught a butterfly. Did you love Elliot?"
The question was so innocent, coming from her son, but it nearly made Olivia drive off the road.
Once again, damn Noah's intelligence.
"Only as a friend." The words felt strange leaving her mouth. "He was married to a woman named Kathy, and they have five beautiful children," she concluded, hoping that her answer would satisfy Noah.
"He was married? So he's not anymore?"
"Nope. He and Kathy are divorced," she told him, trying to sound neutral.
"Oh. Okay. Why?"
She knew that Noah meant no harm, but she was getting really fucking sick of these questions.
"I'm not sure. I only know they're divorced because it was listed in the newspaper. They were still married the last time I saw him before today."
At least that answer was the truth, she thought to herself.
"If he wasn't married to Kathy when he was your best friend, would you have loved him-loved him? As more than a friend?"
Her mind was split between freaking out and wondering where the hell her son learned this stuff.
"Why do you ask that?" she questioned. It was times like these she was grateful for the solid poker face she had developed over many years of working for the NYPD.
"Grant is my best friend. I've never hugged him like that. People in movies who are in love with each other hug each like that," he stated simply.
She decided that Noah could handle her honesty.
"I think I used to love him as more than a friend, but I didn't let myself believe it. Then when he left, I knew that I couldn't love him anymore. Like I said, I needed to let him go." Despite her Class A poker face, she wasn't able to hide the sadness in her voice.
"That's sad Mommy. I hope we get to see him again. He's nice."
Her heart leapt upon hearing the words. She smiled at Noah in the rear view mirror.
"I'm sure we'll be seeing more of him."