Fooling Ourselves

Chapter 15: Thanksgiving

A/N: Well, I'm back from vacation and what should I find in my inbox but a PM from someone I used to think was my friend accusing me of giving their AIM screen name out to people and trash talking them all over the place. I'm hurt and outraged about that because I would never violate someone's privacy like that. I was all in a good mood too and this PM pretty much ruined it. I'm not sure when I can update again after this because I think I've had it with the internet for a while. Love to all you loyal readers who haven't been out to hurt me.

After a week in the hospital, Olivia was being released. Elliot showed up at the hospital with Zack and Rose "Ready to go?" he asked.

She looked at him like he was from Mars "Do you even have to ask? I've been ready to leave this place since the moment I woke up."

Elliot laughed "Good to hear," he smiled "Are you alright to carry him?" he asked as Olivia took Zack out of his arms.

"Perfectly fine," she assured him "He's not heavy lifting you know," she looked at her son "No your not," she grinned before turning back to Elliot "Besides, I think someone else could really use your attention right now."

Elliot looked down at his feet where Rose was standing. She looked very tired "Daddy, up?" she asked.

"Sure thing Angel," he bent and scooped her up in his arms "You tired?" he asked, kissing her forehead.

"Sweepy," Rose covered her eyes with her hands "Too bwight, too woud."

"Poor thing," Olivia observed "This place is just too much for someone her age. You couldn't have gotten one of the kids to watch her?"

"Kathleen had a late class," he shrugged "Lizzie and Dickie had a party to go to and Maureen had a date. Believe me, I tried to find someone," they reached the car and he unlocked the doors. He and Olivia strapped Zack and Rose into their respective car seats before getting in the front and driving off.

It was quiet in the car for a few minutes; Zack and Rose had both drifted off practically at the same moment the engine had started. Finally, Elliot spoke. He cleared his throat "Thanksgiving is coming up this week," he began.

"Oh," Olivia exclaimed "I completely forgot," she laughed "I'm gonna make a great parent, not being able to remember when the major holidays are."

Elliot chuckled and placed a hand on her knee "Don't sweat it, that's what I'm here for."

She smirked "Good to know."

"Anyway," Elliot continued "Simon invited me and the kids to his place."

Olivia smiled "That's great."

"I just wanted to make sure it was okay with you before I said yes," Elliot finished.

Olivia smiled lovingly at him "Of course it is," she patted his leg reassuringly "As long as Simon can handle all of us. Last year it was crowded with just his family, me and Dean," her gaze dropped briefly at the mention of his name but she pushed the sadness back.

"You okay?" Elliot asked.

"Yeah," she said softly, managing a smile.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Tankgiving! Tanksgiving!" Olivia opened her eyes to see Rose excitedly jumping on the bed "Wake up Livvie! Tanksgiving!"

Olivia sat up and pulled the little girl into a hug, tickling her "Good morning Rosy," she kissed the little girl.

"Morning!" Rose squealed in delight before jumping off the bed and running through the apartment, her cry of 'Tanksgiving!' echoing through the hall.

Olivia stood up and walked to the crib. She reached down and rubbed her son's back gently; he had rolled over onto his stomach some time during the night "Time to get up Zacky," she lifted him into her arms "We're gonna go see Cousin Charlie today."

She rummaged through the bag on the floor and pulled out clothes for Zack and got him dressed. She pulled on her own clothes and them picked him up and walked out to the living room.

Elliot had just pulled himself into a sitting position on the couch; though Olivia had unofficially moved in with Elliot and his family, they weren't sharing a bed yet. Olivia came and sat down beside him "Good morning," she smiled warmly, leaning in and giving a quick kiss.

"Did you sleep okay?" Elliot asked, kissing her back.

Olivia nodded but didn't say anything. Since she'd gotten out of the hospital, she'd been having nightmares. She'd had them last night as well but she didn't want to trouble Elliot with them today. It was Thanksgiving and in spite of what she had lost, she had a lot to be thankful for.

Zack reached out to Elliot and practically tumbled out of Olivia's arms "Whoa," Elliot caught the little boy "You are an adventurous one," he observed.

"That's gonna be a problem when he starts walking," Olivia said with a small smile.

"Baby!" Rose had appeared and clambered up between Olivia and Elliot. She put her tiny hand on Zack's shoulder and leaned in, giving him a kiss on his forehead "Morning Zacky," she said warmly "Tanksgiving day."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Happy Thanksgiving," Simon greeted them all at the door. He wrapped Olivia in a tight hug "How're you feeling?" he asked quietly.

"Better," Olivia answered honestly, turning to Lucy "How are you doing?"

Lucy grinned. She had only told Olivia her big news so far. She waited until Simon was out of earshot before whispering "We're doing fantastic."

"When are you gonna tell him?" Olivia asked conspiratorially.

"After dinner," Lucy smiled widely.

"He's gonna be so happy," Olivia saw Elliot coming and dropped the subject. She turned to Elliot "Are the kids oaky?"

He nodded "Charlie's following Dickie around like he's mini me and Zack and Rose are in the playpen."

"Where are the girls?" Olivia enquired.

"They're in the kitchen," Elliot answered.

Lucy smiled "I could use the help," she turned and retreated to the kitchen.

Olivia walked with Elliot into the living room where Simon sat watching Rose and Zack. She sat down beside her brother and Elliot sat down beside her on the couch.

"He's getting so big," Simon observed of Zack.

Olivia nodded and was about to respond when the silence was broken by the shrill ringing of Elliot's cell phone. He gave Simon an apologetic look before answering "Stabler," after a brief conversation he flipped the phone closed and stood up "I'm sorry," his shoulders fell "Warner needs to see me at the morgue," he bent down and kissed Olivia "I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise."

Olivia kissed him back with a longing sigh "Do you have to?" she asked pleadingly "It's Thanksgiving."

"She said it was urgent," Elliot replied regretfully, bending over the play pen and giving both Zack and Rose each a kiss goodbye.

"Tanksgiving Daddy," Rose pouted, clinging to his arm.

"I know sweetie," he said sadly "I'll be back before you know it." He stood up and went to say goodbye to the rest of his children.

"Wonder what's up," Simon mused.

"A detective's work is never done," Olivia replied, allowing her eyes to drift closed for only the briefest of moments "I hope what ever it is won't take long," but Olivia knew better. If it was urgent, it was more than likely to keep Elliot away for the rest of the day and possibly long into the night. Little did any of them know that Elliot's absence was exactly what someone was waiting for.

A/N: I know this is a really bad place to leave it when I said that I can't update for a while because I'm upset about this PM thing but just chalk it up to the anger in my blood. Love ya all, please don't hate me for this.