Chapter 5

Olivia sat on the couch alone. Dylan came back a few minutes later, flirting with some woman who'd come with a family member that he'd some how missed before. He turned off some of the lights and put music on, like it was his house- like he owned the place.

Elliot carefully watched Olivia sitting by herself. He couldn't sit next to her, even from a distance he felt a pull. He wouldn't be able to hold himself back if he sat there. Not any more. There was so much tension, so much.

He continued to talk to the people that were around him, when he looked over at Olivia again he barely noticed as she disappeared into the hallway. He wanted so much to go after her, to hold her. But while he turned back he noticed Kathy's eyes on him like a hawk. He understood this was hard for her, it was hard for him, but he loved Olivia. He loved her so much, and Kathy knew that.

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Olivia opened Kathy and Maureen's door quietly. She wanted to check on the girls- she knew something was bothering them. She looked at the two with a smile, then a giggle, "it's ok, you girls can stop faking."

Kathleen opened one eye before announcing to Maureen that it was in fact Olivia. Both the girls sat up, Maureen turned on a light. Olivia slid onto the floor, she leaned against Kathleen's bed, as Kathleen cuddled next to her and Maureen leaned over her bed facing the two.

"How are you two doing?" Olivia asked letting her guard down. Maureen shrugged, "college isn't as great as I thought it would be." Olivia wrapped her arm around Kathleen and let her rest her head on against hers.

Olivia smiled remembering that same reaction when she was her age, "It gets better. What about you, Kathleen?"

Kathleen shrugged.

"Come on, spill it," Olivia smiled warmly, shaking the girl a little until she smiled as well.

She became serious again, "I don't want to live here any more," Kathleen took in a deep breath.

"Why not?" Olivia asked very concerned.

"Is it still the same?" Maureen asked, obviously feeling guilty about leaving Kathleen as the eldest in the house. Kathleen nodded.

"I wish they'd just break up. I don't want the twins to deal with this when they're older," Kathleen let a couple tears drip down her cheek. Olivia pulled Kathleen closer and tighter. She cried in her arms softly while Olivia held on tight.

"It'll be ok, Kathleen. I promise."

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"Where'd she go?" Kathy questioned while Elliot stared off in the distance at the many couples slowly dancing and Dylan flirting more then ever. Dylan didn't care about Olivia at all; he was just using her like he always did to women.

"Where'd she go?" Kathy repeated.

Elliot turned to her, "I think she went to check on the kids."

Kathy nodded. "Elliot, can we talk in the kitchen?"

Elliot slightly nodded, and followed her.

"Kathy, she only came because Dylan dragged her in. She knew you'd be upset."

Kathy seemed to understand, "Elliot… I need to know something."

"What?" Elliot asked curiously.

"Did you two ever… do anything while we were married?" Kathy asked, about to be in tears, "be honest, please."

Elliot thought for a moment, "I can't say I didn't think about it, because I did. But I wouldn't do that. Kathy, even though we weren't in love, that doesn't mean I didn't respect you. You've been my friend for many years. I wouldn't betray you like that."

Kathy nodded, "I can tell when you're fibbing Elliot…" she smiled happily, "Thank you…I hope Olivia realizes how lucky she is."

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Kathleen had fallen asleep to Olivia's nails softly going in circles across her back. Maureen wanted to know what was going on though. The two talked quietly.

"They're getting divorced, aren't they?" Maureen knew, there was no point in lying. Olivia nodded.

"It's already official. The papers are signed," Olivia looked at the sleeping Kathleen in her lap with sympathy, but mainly with relief.

Maureen shook her head with a smile, "I guess I have to thank you."

"What do you mean?" Olivia looked up with a frown.

"They would have never broken up if it wasn't for you-"

"I wouldn't say that…"

"It's true Olivia! You saved Kathleen and the twins from what I had to go through. I can't thank you enough… Mom wants to thank you too, but she can't. Mom and dad were never in love. But I've seen how you look at dad, and how he talks about you," Maureen smiled in a daze, "I hope to God I have that with someone one day."

Olivia let out a shaky sigh, "is it that obvious?"

"It's always been that obvious."

Olivia looked directly into Maureen's eyes, "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you were growing up."

Maureen shook her head, "don't be. You're not my mom… Plus I was more worried about Kathleen and the twins. Thanks to you though, I knew that when I left, my siblings had someone I never did. Someone who'd look after their best interests. That's more then I can ever thank you for."

"You know you can talk to me anytime, right?" Olivia told Maureen with hopeful eyes.

Maureen nodded, "I know."

"And… this stays between us for now, ok?"

"Of course," Maureen nodded; she knew this was a complete secret for the time.

"I guess I should be going-"

"Don't. Please," Maureen begged. Olivia smiled then leaned back against Kathleen's bed.

"Just for a little while longer," Maureen reassured her that she didn't have to stay too much longer.

TBC