A/N: I know it's been a long time since I updated but I'm back. I had chapters written that I hadn't posted but my computer crashed. I know, it sucks huh? I lost all my chapters for all my stories. I had to start all over and that bummed me out, so now I've had to change the direction that I was going with my stories. I've gotten the motivation I needed to rewrite my chapters and get the story moving. Hope you are still interested and enjoy the update.

Stabler Residence

Brooklyn, New York

Friday, September 19th

8:30 p.m.

Olivia glances at the clock on her cell for the umpteenth time since getting the phone call from Elliot telling her to have dinner without him, promising to be home as soon as he could.

At times like these, she understood how Kathy must have felt over the years, having to tell their children that daddy wasn't going to make it home for dinner like he promised yet again.

Broken promises.

Like Kathy, she had begun to hate her husband's job, unhappy with the strain it put on family life but unlike Kathy, she understood and respected it...most of the time.

Given the nature of the job and the affect it was beginning to have on Caleb, Olivia had asked Elliot to refrain from making promises that could be broken at any given moment due to a case, but in typical Elliot form, he assures her that it's ok but she knows it isn't.

He doesn't see the look in their son's eyes when he cancels on him. He isn't there to wipe his tears away.

He isn't their to assure him that his daddy loves him. In some ways, he just isn't there…not any more.

Lost in thought, she unaware as Kathleen enters the room and joins her on the bed.

"I guess you get it now? What mom went through?" The young blonde asks, her voice even. Her tone wasn't bitter or accusatory, but more of an sympathetic one.

"I always sympathized with her, but I guess I never understood it until-" She stops short.

"Until you saw that look." She finishes for her stepmother.

"I know that look. We all had it on our faces every time he called to tell us he couldn't make it to a game or recital…" She pauses briefly, lost in memories.

"I remember in when I was in junior high. I got the leading role over Lauren Hayes in the school play and I was so psyched about it, mainly because I got to kiss her boyfriend Justin Gentry, but I didn't tell daddy that." They both laugh.

"Smart move. I can just see that vein popping out of his neck" They share another laugh before Olivia urges her to continue.

"So the night of my play, he had called mom to tell her he couldn't make it, but she didn't have the heart to tell me."

"I was so nervous. I kept looking out into the crowd at mom and the empty seat beside her. All night I kept watching the door, expecting him to walk through…" She fights back the tears forming in her eyes. She closes them quickly, hoping to gain control over her emotions.

"Those damn hormones." Kathleen thought inwardly. "Not now, baby…" Her hand moving instinctively to her stomach, not going unnoticed by Olivia.

"It hurts." She covers quickly, hoping to distract her actions with her words.

"And I hated you for so long after that, because I thought that you were the reason he didn't come. I accused him of sleeping with you, right in front of mom." She admits. Olivia opens her mouth to object.

"Katie, I want you to know that nothing ever happened between me and your father while-"

"Liv, I know." She answers softly, staring intently at the floor.

"I honestly believe that I am partly responsible for her believing that the two of you were having an affair. I encouraged that belief. I hated him for giving so much of himself to you and SVU." She sighs heavily.

"I know he never cheated on mom physically, but he did emotionally. He fell in love with you. Not that I could blame him. You are beautiful woman inside and out." She smiles wanly at her stepmother.

"Tonight, the look in yours and Caleb's eyes were familiar. In Caleb's there was hurt but in yours, I saw a hint of defeat…Don't give up on him, Liv…" She reaches over and grabs her stepmother's hand, gently squeezing it.

"Thank you, sweetie, for the encouraging words"

"No problem, glad to know that I could be there for you for a change" Olivia smiles at her stepdaughter lovingly.

"Not that I'm not enjoying your company but why are you in the house with your stepmother and little brother on a Friday night? Mo, Rick, and Liz practically ran out of here when I gave them the go ahead"

They both laugh, each remembering how relieved the other kids were when they found out that they didn't have to change their plans for the night.

"Seriously though, shouldn't you be out with Taylor and Cassie? Or better yet, your cute boyfriend, Tyler?"

"You know if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were crushing on my boyfriend Mama Liv" Kathleen teases.

"Who me?" Olivia responds, feigning innocence. "Now if I were about twenty years younger and Elliot-less, then you would probably have to watch out for me"

"I promise, you wouldn't want to deal with him! Tyler's out with his boys. Cassie and Taylor are at a party and I am so not in a party mood."

"Feeling under the weather?"

"What makes you ask that?"

"You barely ate dinner and I couldn't help but notice that you seemed to be giving your stomach a lot of extra attention" Her admission catches Kathleen off guard, but she quickly recovers.

"You know me too well. I have been feeling a little under the weather"

Arching an eyebrow, "Oh, really? How long?" Olivia inquires.

"A few days, but I'm sure it's nothing"

"What other symptoms are having?"

"Queasiness and mild nausea"

"You should get that checked out. I'll make you an appointment-"

"No!" She exclaims, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to get so excited, it's really not as serious as it sounds. I've just been stressed out about my AP classes. No biggie." She offers Olivia as small smile, to which Olivia doesn't quite buy.

"I'm fine. Trust me"

"I do" She responds, watching the young girl rise from the bed.

"Good night, Liv and remember what I said" She hugs her stepmother one last time before leaving the room.

As Olivia watches Kathleen's retreating form, an uneasy feeling washes over her. She can't help but feel like something's wrong. And why does she feel that what ever it is has the ability to maybe destroy their family?