Olivia was passing through the house at the late hour, it was nearly eleven already. She spotted Dylan about to kiss another woman- thankful he hadn't pursued her any more. She was searching for Elliot, it was high time she sneaked out of the house, she just wanted to tell him what she was thankful for before she left.
"Olivia", a voice called, and she turned back into the kitchen. Kathy stood with the long blade to cut the turkey with in her hands. Olivia's eyebrows jolted up, then slowly calmed as she set the knife in the sink. Kathy wiped her hands on the towel and sat on a stool at the small counter lining the kitchen. Olivia followed her lead.
"Kathy I know-"
"No. No you don't know. What you think you know is that I'm not doing well right now, and that the kids are sad. That's what you know."
Olivia had been preparing for this roast, Kathy had things she needed to say and Olivia had no right to stop her. She listened to every word.
"What you don't know is all those nights I sat up, terrified that Elliot wouldn't come home. That's how it was in the beginning. And then you two. You two… You don't know how it feels to ask your husband what's wrong and he responds, 'its ok- Liv and I talked'."
Olivia bowed her head in shame.
"You'll never know what pain I went through, what troubles this family has."
Kathy was silent now. Olivia took the moment to speak, "I suppose I should be leaving."
Kathy nodded, "I suppose so."
Olivia got up off of the bar stool and made her way out of the kitchen, but Kathy called to her, "But before you go…"
Olivia turned around to face Kathy who now hardly stood further than a couple inches. Olivia was ready for Kathy, who stood tall and proud, to completely knock her out. She wanted Kathy to hit her, to just get all the emotion out and feel better.
Kathy titled her head slowly, "I want to thank you," she began to smile. Olivia was paralyzed. What was this? A trick?
"In all essence, you helped Elliot. You made him happy. That's what I want for him. I'll meet someone else, I know I will. And the kids have their whole lives. But Elliot. He needs someone like you. So thank you Olivia. You're always welcome in this house."
"If you don't mind me asking, why the change of heart?"
Kathy backed away from Olivia, she was done trying to scare her, "tonight I realized how much you two care about each other. Elliot and I were never like that. But you two, you'll have each other always." Kathy smiled warmly, "you two."
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As soon as Olivia got out of the kitchen she was able to breathe again- the situations today had been so weird. But it was even later now, and she was tired. She needed to find Elliot. She walked outside the front, and there he was waiting for her on a bench above the stairs. She sat beside him and he wrapped his arm around her immediately. She took in a deep breath and rested her head against his.
"Life couldn't possibly keep on like this, could it?" Olivia asked peering down from the house like it was their home.
"Only in secret," Elliot sighed. After a moment of silence, he pulled away from her and held her cheeks in his hands. He leaned in slowly, like it was their first time, second as a matter of fact, and they kissed just as lovingly as before. After a few moments there was a loud hoot and holler, the two looked up to see Kathleen, Maureen and the twins staring at them with wide eyes, laughing and smiling. Elliot turned to Olivia and shrugged his shoulders; he pulled her in for some more.
The End.