Chapter Five:
"Livvie," Bella asked, once again sitting in Olivia's lap, "Can we stay with you?"
"I don't know sweetie. I need to call my boss. I'll be back soon, okay?"
"No!" came the emphatic cry of both children, "Don't leave!" Josh said quietly.
"Okay." Olivia replied quietly before pressing 1 on her speed dial.
"Stabler." Came the reply after a few rings.
"El, it's Liv."
"Where the hell are you? Cragen's temper's through the roof."
"I'm with Bella and Josh. And before you say anything. They haven't eaten for three days, and they're dehydrated and malnourished. I'm with them and they've now eaten. Get Cragen to come here with the photo arrays, please?"
"Fine, but if he blows up again, it's your fault, not mine."
"Thanks." She said, before disconnecting the call.
She turned to the children sitting in her lap.
"When my friend Don comes, can you tell me what you remember of men that hurt you?"
Both children nodded, and began talking about lighter subject material, until Don arrived.
"Olivia, outside now!"
Olivia nodded, and stood up, walking to the door, but before she could get there, two bodies had attached themselves firmly to her legs, disabling her ability to walk.
"Bella, Josh. I'll be right outside. I'll be back in a minute." She said trying to pry the hands off her.
"No! Don't leave us!" the children cried, tears beginning to stream down their small faces.
Olivia looked at Don for help, and he bent down to the children's level. "How about you guys go and play over there, and I talk to Olivia here?"
The children nodded, and reluctantly let go of Olivia.
"Don, Mandy called me. She said they haven't eaten, drunk or slept for three days. They just kept asking for me."
"Can you show them these photo's and see if they can identify someone?"
Olivia nodded before speaking again, "Don, I want to adopt them."
"Olivia, are you sure? You've never taken care of a child before, and you're at work most of the time. Are you sure you can do this?"
"Yes! I can love them, and provide for them. And they're already attached to me. And anyway, it's not like I've got no-one to support me. I've got you guys."
Don nodded and said quietly, "I'll get Casey to start the paperwork."
Olivia thanked him quietly before taking the photo arrays from him and proceeding toward the children, who immediately climbed on her lap, the moment she sat down.
"Can you see the bad men in these photo's? Olivia asked, having seated the children comfortably on her lap. After some prodding, the children identified 4 people.
"Livvie, can we stay with you?" Bella asked.
"I don't know. I have to do some things before I can answer that. But I promise that the next time I come, I can tell you."
"Do you want us to live with you, 'Livia?" Josh asked, looking anxiously up to her face.
"Of course I do, silly!" she said, tickling the two children. Both children laughed, and the topic was dropped.
After about an hour of playing with the two children, Olivia reluctantly decided to leave. The two children clung to her, but with Mandy's help, she managed to leave, the children crying for her return.
When she returned back to the squadroom, Don motioned her into his office, where Casey was waiting for her.
"I pulled some strings. You sign these and the kids are yours." Casey spoke, showing her the papers.
"Thanks Casey." Olivia said signing the papers, "When can I take them?"
"Now." She stated, and watched Olivia's expression light up.
Olivia rushed out of the office, and grabbed Elliot by the shoulders.
"Come on," she said excitedly.
"Where are we going?" he asked her as he put on his coat and headed out the door.
"To ACS. I got the kids."
"Congratulations," he said, giving her a tight hug. Olivia returned the hug tightly and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.
"Let's go!" she said walking away. When she realized Elliot was no longer next to her, she looked back and laughed. He was still standing where she had kissed him, with a shocked expression on his face.
"Come on, slow coach" she teased and dragged him along.
When they arrived at ACS, Mandy showed them to the children's room. As soon as the door opened, and the children recognized Olivia, two bodies were firmly pressed against her.
"Can we live with you, Livvie? Can we?" Bella asked.
"Yes, honey."
Both children squealed with excitement, and Olivia picked the children up and headed toward the car. They settled back, both talking about what they were going to do. Elliot went unnoticed in the excitement.
"We're here." Elliot said, as they pulled up to Olivia's apartment complex.
They all piled out of the car and walked up the stairs to the second floor, pausing at the door to the apartment while Olivia opened it. The moment she did, both children rushed inside, and gasped at the sight.
Olivia's apartment was very simple but it was tidy and this was new for the children. It had a comfortable feel about it, and both children immediately felt safe here.
"Come on. We got to get you ready for bed."
"Where we sleeping, Livvie?" Josh asked, looking around.
"You're sleeping in my bedroom, and I'm sleeping out here."
Both children nodded and followed Olivia to her room. After they were settled and tucked in bed, Olivia quickly kissed both children's forehead before closing the door and walking over to the couch, where Elliot was seated. She knew from the expression on his face, she would be facing the consequences of the kiss earlier than she had anticipated.