Chapter 4

Elliot was sitting in another room in the house with all of the young kids. He loved kids, but it was always hard for him to see his own as much as he wanted to. There was a small kids table set up, and some how Elliot actually managed to balance in the little plastic chair.

He was making pictures with the twins and three other younger ones. They were all so adorable. So beautiful. They had their whole futures ahead of them. He looked into the eyes of every child at that table, he imagined what they would grow to become. Doctors? Vets? Scientists, police, artists, writers, musicians, politicians, farmers, social workers, teachers, explorers; the list went on and on! Their futures were so bright.

He was interrupted when the three younger kids ran off. The twins remained a few minutes, but soon booked it as well. Elliot gathered the pictures around the table. He shuffled through them. As much as he wanted to just bathe in the simplicity, he couldn't help but look for signs of troubles from home or school.

"Find anything?" Olivia asked knowing exactly what he was doing. Elliot turned around to see her leaning in the door way with her arms crossed over her chest. He smiled, "I don't see anything, but please, take a look for yourself."

Olivia sat in one of the tiny chairs too and Elliot passed her one picture at a time.

"The Stabler family seems to have some artistic talent," Olivia smiled up at him from the colorings.

"Oh no, those genes are from Kathy's side. Believe me," Elliot grinned. The ambiances of the room soon became awkward though. Whenever things are unsaid, that needed to be said, it becomes awkward.

Olivia set down the drawings, "Elliot, I'm sorry that I came in. I-I know that Kathy is not happy with me, and I don't blame her- but Dylan-"

"You don't have to explain. Kathy's ok with you being here because she knows Dylan, and his ways. But I am glad you're here."

Olivia nodded, "I'm glad too…. You know Dylan is pretty tiresome. He's very, what's the word…"

"Annoying?" Elliot smiled.

"You said it. He seems like he has a way with women though, doesn't he?"

"Yeah. He's known for his one nighters. I'm actually surprised they haven't all ganged up on him by now," both Olivia and Elliot let out a little chuckle.

"Is everything he says bull?" Olivia asked lowering her head. Elliot frowned. He placed his hand on her knee gently, "what's up with you lately?"

Olivia looked up with watery eyes, "I can't talk about it-" she got up and headed toward the door but Elliot was quicker. He stood in front of her before she ran out.

Olivia hid her eyes in her hands, and he slowly pulled her into his arms. He'd only done that once before, he remembered why now. Olivia extended her arms around him but continued to sob, and he let her. He kept his hand on the back of her head, the other around her waist, and he let her cry all she needed.

Finally when her breathing became smoother she pulled away from him a little, "I got your shoulder wet."

Elliot smiled. He moved his hand from behind her head to her cheek. It was simple for him to remove her tears with his thumb.

"What's all this about?" he asked quietly. Olivia placed one of her hands on his cheek, and lifted her head and looked him directly in the eyes. Elliot remembered exactly why he'd only held her in his arms once before, but he couldn't help it.

Olivia tilted her head just a bit, and like a button was pressed, they both leaned in. Elliot's lips formed around hers, and her eyes faded to a close. The kiss was slow. Like everything had gone into slow motion. He periodically pulled away then pressed his lips onto hers again. She pulled her body closer to him so she could feel his chest against hers, her heart against his. Nothing had been so earnest.

Finally Olivia pulled her lips off of his slowly, both their lips hovered next to each other. Olivia let out a needed smile. Elliot did the same.

XXXXXXXXXXX

"Olivia! There you are! I've been searching for you!" Dylan slid his arm around her waist as she came into the living room, "I want to introduce you to some more people!"

Olivia looked back at Elliot with wide eyes, Elliot smiled. Olivia put up with a lot, but he'd get her away from Dylan in a few minutes if she needed the help. Elliot walked into the dinning room to begin cleaning up; he wanted Kathy to enjoy the night as much as possible.

But he stopped gathering dishes when he spotted one of the young girls sitting in the corner alone. Elliot slid down the wall to a sitting position next to her.

"What's wrong?" Elliot asked sincerely.

"The boys won't let me play with them," the girl pouted.

"What did you want to play?"

"I dunno."

"Hmm," Elliot thought, "Soccer? Chess? Charades?"

"Yeah!"

"Yeah, what?" He smiled widely.

"Ch'rades!"

"Charades it is!" He picked up the girl and ran through the dinning room. As he galloped into the living room he announced to everyone that a big game of charades was about to commence.

The family, and Olivia, split into three teams. The game was massive, but fun! Olivia was on the same team as Maureen, Kathleen, Dylan, and one other couple. Kathy was with her parents and two other couples. And Elliot was with the twins, and three other couples.

It was a big game.

They'd played a few rounds when Kathy asked; "who wants to go next?"

Dylan went up, of course, he picked a paper, read it, then grinned. He put the paper in his pocket, Kathy turned a timer over and he began. Olivia and her team were shouting all sorts of things. Bridges, buildings, cities, books; just everything!

Finally Maureen was getting close, and just in the knick of time she guessed the right answer; "the leaning tower of Pisa!" Everyone on the team high-fived each other, "how did you guess that?" Olivia was baffled because Dylan was not good at charades.

The next group was Kathy's. Her sister went up. That team was the smartest by far. Her sister barely did a gesture and they guessed it right away.

Then it was Elliot's team. The twins decided to go together and make one up on their own. Everyone watched with smiles.

Dickie began by bowing and Lizzy curtsied, then they started the acting. Elliot's team guessed dozens of things until finally one of the aunts guessed Elliot. Then, by happenstance, the aunt's husband guessed Olivia. Elliot smiled and Olivia let out a laugh, as everyone else did. The twin's interpretations of them weren't all that bad. If it had ended there it would have been great!

But then, Lizzie turned to Dickie and kissed him on the cheek. Dickie wrapped his arms around his sister and they fell over in laughter. Everyone let out streams of laughter. But Olivia turned to Elliot with a deep frown, and Elliot stared back the same. Olivia looked over at Kathy who mouthed the words 'get out' to her.

Olivia looked away with a deep breath. She put on a fake laugh as she got up and tickled the giggling twins.

"I had a really good time, but I got to go you guys," Olivia smiled as she touched the tips of their noses. She was practically out when Dylan intervened.

"You don't need to go yet, Olivia. I'll put the kids to sleep and we adults will relax. How does that sound?" He asked everyone, making it impossible for her to object again, and of course everyone desperately agreed.

She tried to protest without being disrespectful, "that's really sweet, but I really should be going. It's late and I have work tomorrow-"

"Nonsense. Jeremy make sure she doesn't leave," He told his other cousin as he led the kids to the bedrooms. Olivia took in a deep breath as she watched Kathy disappear into the kitchen. She shook her head.

"It's ok, don't worry about her. I'll talk to her later," Elliot said quietly but Olivia shook her head, "She doesn't deserve this."

TBC