Chapter Six
By the time Olivia dropped Noah off at daycare and made her way to the 1-6, the precinct was buzzing. After talking to her co-workers, she instructed Fin and Rollins to chase leads on the Vivian Alvarez gang rape case, while Carisi was to finish up paperwork for a child molestation case they'd recently closed.
They'd caught one new case before lunch, but it was given to Homicide shortly after they started investigating. Olivia ate a sandwich before the phone rang with another case – a newborn baby dumped in the East River. Olivia rode in the ambulance while Carisi canvassed the scene.
Baby Doe was eventually moved to the Medical Examiner's office and Olivia returned to the precinct. Pulling her desk chair out and sitting down, she checked the time on her phone. The glowing screen told her it was 4:56, and she still had to meet the ME to see if she'd determined Baby Doe's cause of death. She sighed and sent a message to Elliot saying that she'd be late.
Olivia: Caught a case. Want to make it 7?
Elliot: I understand. Should I get food so we don't have to worry about cooking?
She paused for a moment before replying; pondering how wonderful Elliot had been since they'd reunited.
Olivia: That would be great. Noah's not too picky but he doesn't like Chinese.
Elliot: I'll get Italian then. See you at 7.
EOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEO
An hour and fifteen minutes later, she knew that the newborn had been asphyxiated before being dumped near the Manhattan Bridge. She updated her squad before relieving them for the time being; until Monday morning or until they caught a case. After picking her son up from daycare, they made their way to their apartment and walked in the door a little before 7:00.
Noah looked at her when he was done removing his tennis shoes. "Mom, is Elliot still coming?"
Olivia put her purse down and looked at the analog clock that resided on the kitchen wall. It read 6:55. "Yep. He should be here soon. I'm going to change out of my work clothes, I'll be right back," she informed him before kissing the top of his head. Noah nodded and she walked to her bedroom.
She emerged shortly wearing black leggings and a cream-colored v-neck. She had taken her shoes off and clipped her medium-length hair back.
As expected, Elliot knocked on the door after Olivia was finished getting dressed. She checked the peephole just to be sure, and then allowed him in.
"Hey, El," she greeted him, resisting the urge to kiss his cheek because Noah was standing near her.
"Hi Liv," he said, before kneeling down to Noah's height.
"Hey Noah, how's it going?"
"Hello Elliot. I'm good. I'm glad you brought food because I'm hungry. Can we eat now?"
Elliot chuckled. "Sure bud. I hope you like spaghetti."
Noah nodded. "Yes I do."
"Come on in," offered Olivia, opening the door wider.
Elliot put the food he'd brought on the table as Olivia gathered silverware. She set the table and walked over to the refrigerator. "What do you boys want to drink? We've got milk, juice, water…"
"Milk please," called Noah from his seat at the table.
Elliot opened the last package of bread sticks and glanced to where his former partner was standing. He couldn't help but think how beautiful she looked, even in her casual clothing. "Water sounds great. But I'll get it. You sit down, Liv."
She gave him a small grin and took a seat next across from Noah at the table for four. "Well, I can't argue with that. The glasses are in the cabinet above the toaster,"
"Okay, Liv. What do you want to drink?" he asked her.
She thought for a second. "I'll have water also, thanks."
"No problem."
He returned to the table, carrying a glass in each hand and one between his stomach and forearm. "Milk for the little man and water for the old people," he joked as he set the drinks on the table, summoning a laugh from 'the little man'.
He took a seat next to Noah and they passed the boxes of food around. Elliot and Olivia both chose spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread while Noah opted for straight spaghetti.
Elliot tore off a chuck of his bread. "So, Noah, I hear you're quite the soccer star."
Noah paused mid-bite to smile at him, bits of marinara sauce already smeared on his cheeks. "Yeah, I like soccer. Mom said that Eli is really good at soccer too. Do you think he'd like to play with me?"
The man with ocean blue eyes returned his grin. "I'm sure he'd love that. Maybe the old man could join in too?"
His self-deprecating question made Noah giggle. "Sure, old man."
The former partners joined the boy's laughter upon hearing his wit. Once the giggles subsided, Noah continued the conversation.
"Did you and my mom work together?"
Elliot nodded. "Yes we did. We captured lots of bad guys."
Noah looked fascinated. "Like Superman and Wonder Woman?"
Elliot glanced at Olivia, silently asking if she'd read Noah the comic in which the two beloved superheroes lock lips. It was her turn to nod.
"Yes, like Superman and Wonder Woman," Elliot concluded.
Noah shook his head in understanding, then returned to his pasta. He had either forgotten about Superman and Wonder Woman smooching, or didn't care to ask. Both adults breathed a sigh of relief.
EOEOEOEOEOEOEOEOEO
It was 8:00 by the time the trio had finished eating, nearly time for Noah to sleep. All of them had full stomachs and full hearts, especially Olivia. Seeing the two men closest to her interact made her feel warm and happy.
"Alright Noah, time to shower" said Olivia reluctantly, not wanting their dinner to end. "You go get started and I'll be there to turn the water on in a few minutes."
"Mom, do I have to? I want to keep talking to Elliot," whined Noah.
"You can see him again soon. You need your sleep for your big game tomorrow," she reasoned, giving him a small smile. "Say goodnight."
Elliot had risen from his chair, and Noah barely came up to his waist. The boy looked up at his face before speaking. "Goodnight, Elliot."
Elliot barely had time to get out a "See you later," before Noah hugged him. He tentatively returned the embrace.
Noah let go first, telling him goodbye again before leaving to get his pajamas for his shower. Noah's absence left Elliot and Olivia alone in her kitchen.
Elliot spoke first. "And then there were two."
She placed her hands on her hips. "Yes there were. Great counting, Elliot," she teased.
"Thank you. Do you want me to clean up before I leave?"
"You can clean up, but nobody's making you leave," she flirted. "I'm going to start Noah's shower then I'll help you with the dishes. Sound good?"
"Sounds great. I'll get them started," he told her, turning around to gather the dishes.
"El?"
The sound of his name rolling from her lips made him spin around, so that he was once again facing her.
"Yeah Liv?"
Without speaking another word, she closed the distance between him and kissed him. Their lips meshed gently at first, and his hands settled on her hips as hers scratched the back of his neck. Elliot ran his tongue along the seam of her lips, and she was not about to deny him entrance. Their tongued gently touched and explored as they continued kissing.
A few minutes later, Olivia pulled back, remembering that Noah was waiting.
"Mmm, is that so?" he questioned flirtatiously.
She smiled at him. "I'll be right back."
EOEOEOEOEOEOEOEO
Five minutes later, Olivia had returned from the bathroom and Elliot was nearly finished washing the dishes, save for the silverware. She joined him at the sink and began drying the clean cups and plates.
"You know, I've never done the dishes with another person before," she informed him, toweling off a plate.
"Really? Wow. I must be a lucky man, having the pleasure of doing dishes with Olivia Benson," he half-joked.
"I'm sure it must look fantastic, with my messy hair and casual clothing," she remarked sarcastically.
He scrubbed and rinsed the last dirty knife before helping her dry. "I know you're kidding, but you shouldn't be. You do look fantastic."
"Thanks, El. I like doing dishes with you."
Once Noah was showered and sleeping, Olivia strolled into the living room to find Elliot on one side of her couch, feet on her coffee table and shoes long gone. Two glasses of scotch sat on the table.
"I hope you don't mind, but I found your liquor cabinet. I figured you wouldn't mind something stronger than water," he explained.
She took a seat in the middle of the couch, deciding that the opposite end was too far away. "Well, you figured right. It's been a long week," admitted Olivia, picking up one of the glasses.
"You wanna talk about it?"
"Not really. It's just… the child victims are always the worst." She took a sip of the amber liquid before continuing. "Even now that I have Noah to come home to, it's so fucking hard to witness. You'd think it would get easier after almost twenty years, but it doesn't."
"I get it, Liv. You know I do. I would ask if you're ready to retire, but I have a feeling the answer is no."
"You're right. I was getting there, and then Lewis came and reminded me why I do the job. And if I would have retired, that would mean he won," she confessed.
"Liv, you are by far the strongest person I know," he said, leaning toward her on the couch. He gently touched the tip of her nose. "Also the most beautiful."
She scooted toward him and returned her glass to the table. Once she was settled, their sides were flush and her head was on his shoulder.
He began running his fingers through her coffee-colored hair and she was lulled to sleep within minutes, breathing softly on him.
He roused her after ten minutes of observing her in her most peaceful state. She slowly opened her eyes and sat up, pulling down her v-neck when she noticed that her midriff had been exposed.
"Shit, I fell asleep on you. Sorry," she apologized. He shifted in his spot at the couch, stretching his core.
"Don't be," Elliot replied calmly.
"Like I said, it's been a long week. Thank you so much for bringing dinner. I owe you one," she told him as she rose from her seat, stretching as he had seconds earlier.
He stood and wrapped his arms around her waist. She tucked her head into his shoulder. "You don't owe me anything. I love seeing you happy."
His comment both surprised her and inspired her to place her lips on his neck, moving them softly along the column of it. He groaned softly and rubbed her lower back, encouraging her. Their ministrations continued until he gently tapped her cheek to get her attention.
"That feels good, Liv, but we shouldn't do this now," he reasoned, reluctantly pulling away. Her cheeks were a little flushed and her hair a little messy, and he was one hundred percent positive that she was the most magnificent creature on this planet.
She scowled at him jokingly.
"You're no fun," she started, returning her hands to his chest, "but you're right. Are you doing anything tomorrow?" she asked.
"I have to pick up Eli from his soccer game, so I'll probably go and watch. Does Noah play tomorrow?"
"Yep. His game is at nine thirty. When is Eli's?"
"Ten thirty. Would you or Noah mind if I came to watch Noah's game?" he questioned.
Olivia nodded.
"I'm sure he'd love that. See you then?"
"See you then," he confirmed. "Goodnight Liv."
"Night, El," she responded, leaning in for a kiss and grabbing his hand. It was short and sweet as he pressed her lips to hers. "Text me when you get home," she added once they pulled away.
"I will," he promised her as he squeezed her hand.
She watched him until he had shut the door, then looked at the door once it was closed, pondering how easily she could get used to nights like this one.