Olivia had her hands full of groceries when her phone started ringing. She never used a shopping cart because she only bought a handful of items at a time. She laid a few of her things on an open shelf and reached for her phone.
"Benson," she chimed.
"Hello Detective." Olivia was both shocked and worried when she heard Calvin's grandfather's voice on the other end of the phone.
"Is Calvin ok?" she quickly asked in a panic.
"I don't know," his grandfather confessed. "Honestly, I don't think so."
Olivia was relieved that at least he wasn't calling to say Calvin had been kidnapped again or something else along those lines. "What's going on?" she asked, confused about why he had called her.
"Calvin has been kicked out of school Detective," he started. "His grades are slipping, he's getting into fights, he's skipping school, he never comes out of his room, we can't even get him to talk to us. I feel like we're losing him."
"Have you gotten him in to see a counselor?" Olivia asked, still wondering the motive for the phone call.
"Counselors are expensive. We're on a fixed income and Calvin's medical insurance doesn't cover it."
Olivia could feel her blood pressure rising as anger took over her body. She couldn't believe Calvin hadn't been taken to a counselor. She did her best to keep her calm as she kept listening to what the man had to say.
"You're all he talks about Detective Benson. My wife and I were wondering if you would consider taking Calvin again."
Olivia's heart skipped a beat, or maybe it stopped beating altogether. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. Was her mind playing cruel tricks on her? Was this a bad joke? A mean game? Was she dreaming?
"What?" she finally managed to choke out.
"I know it's a lot to ask of you. Please don't feel like you have to do it. We just weren't sure if it was something you would be willing to do or not, or even if you would be interested."
Interested... Interested? Olivia thought, Of course I'm interested! She decided to make a bold move.
"Would this be a permanent situation?" she asked.
"It wouldn't have to be," the grandfather stated. "We would be willing to take him back any time for whatever reason."
"Kids need stability, Sir," Olivia pointed out respectfully. "It's not fair to Calvin to keep bouncing him around from home to home and city to city. I would be willing to take him on a more permanent basis," Olivia hinted, praying she hadn't screwed up her opportunity to get Calvin back.
Calvin's grandfather thought for a moment. "We could set this up on a permanent basis, as long as we would still get to see him."
"Of course," Olivia said. "I would never try to cut you out of his life. I just want Calvin to have a place that he knows is his home and he's not going to have to leave. That way he can relax and settle in and feel like he belongs somewhere."
"I agree," his grandfather said. "Can you wait until tomorrow to pick him up? Then we can have one more night with him, if we can get him to come out of his room."
"Tomorrow is fine," Olivia answered. "I'll see you then."
Olivia was so happy she wanted to run up and down the street screaming with joy. She quickly gathered her things off the shelf and paid for them. On her way home, in the back of the taxi she called Elliot.
"Hey Liv," he answered, after reading the caller ID.
"Elliot! Drop whatever you're doing and come over to my place. I'm making you dinner!"
"Uh-oh," Elliot teased. "What's the occasion?"
"I'll tell you when you get here! Just hurry, ok?"
"Ok," Elliot answered, "See you in a few minutes." Elliot flipped his phone closed wondering what Olivia was up to. He hadn't heard her that excited in a long time. He put his shoes on then headed over to her apartment.
"Elliot!" Olivia exclaimed just as excited as she was on the phone. She was waiting for Elliot in front of her apartment building.
Elliot looked at her and smiled, very curious about what was going on with her. "I thought you were making dinner," he said, "what are you doing out here?"
"Waiting for you," Olivia said, grinning from ear to ear.
"Ok, you're killing me. What's going on?" he asked.
"Calvin's grandfather called me while I was at the grocery store," she started as they walked to her apartment. "He asked me if I would take Calvin. I told him I would but that Calvin needed some stability. I told him they had to stop moving him around so much. They are going to give me custody of him Elliot!"
"That's great Liv!" Elliot said, joining her excitement. "When do you get him?"
"Tomorrow," Olivia said. "I'm making tacos, by the way. Is that ok?"
"Tacos are great. Can I help you cut up the tomatoes or anything?"
Olivia set out the vegetables for Elliot to start cutting, then began cooking the taco meat.
"Why are they giving Calvin up?" Elliot asked.
Olivia got a little more serious as she answered Elliot's question. "He's not doing well Elliot. He got kicked out of school for fighting, his grades are slipping, and I guess he won't leave his room."
"I see," Elliot said.
"They never took him to see a counselor El."
"Ahhh!" Elliot hummed, "that explains things."
"I know," Olivia said. "I can't believe it," she paused before continuing. "I have a lot of things to do, a lot of decisions to make. I have to get Calvin enrolled in school, find him a counselor, maybe get a bigger apartment with another bedroom. Maybe I'll sign him up for some clubs, you know, so he can make some friends, maybe sports or something. I can take him shopping and get him some nice things, and we can..."
"Whoa, whoa," Elliot stopped her. "I don't want to rain on your parade here but remember what he has been through Liv. This might not be how you've pictured it. Just take it slow. Ok?"
Olivia was slightly offended at Elliot's lack of enthusiasm. "I know," she said defensively.
"I know you know, Liv, and I am so happy for you and Calvin. I really am. You're gonna do great," he said, smiling at her.
"Thanks El," she said, letting her guard down once again.
"You know I'm here for you. Right?" he added.
"Yah, I do. Thank you."
Elliot and Olivia ate their tacos and then talked well into the night. Shortly after midnight Elliot headed home so Olivia could get some sleep before her big day.
Olivia pulled up in front of Calvin's house at 10:00 in the morning. Calvin was waiting out front for her with his backpack already packed. Olivia took him inside and visited with his grandparents for a short time before taking Calvin back to the city. Olivia helped Calvin unpack, then took him to the store. She let Calvin pick out some art supplies, a couple changes of clothes, and a few other things. On their way home from the store they stopped by Calvin's old school to get him enrolled. Later on in the afternoon, while Calvin was watching TV, Olivia called George Huang to recommend a psychologist for Calvin. Olivia knew how important it was and she wanted him to see the best. Huang made a call to one of his colleagues who agreed to work late and see Calvin the following Monday evening, after his other scheduled appointments.
That evening she took Calvin to Elliot's house. It was Elliot's weekend with his kids and he had invited Olivia and Calvin over to spend the evening with them. Elliot decided to grill hamburgers and hot dogs even though it was still a little chilly outside. After dinner Elliot and Olivia worked together to clean up the kitchen. Kathleen and Maureen disappeared into their room while the rest of the kids took turns playing video games. Calvin quickly became friends with Elliot's children. Both Elliot and Olivia were pleased to see them all getting along so well together.
For dessert Elliot and Olivia helped the kids roast marshmallows on the grill to make s'mores. The Stabler children loved s'mores. They were surprised to learn Calvin had never had one before. Calvin enjoyed the s'mores so much Olivia had to stop him before he got sick. When they were done eating they all sat down and played Pictionary together. After that it was getting pretty late so Olivia and Calvin headed home.
Calvin started school on Monday and Olivia returned to work. Olivia was relieved when the school day ended and she hadn't received a call from the principal. She took Calvin to his counseling appointment that evening. He was a bit reluctant but didn't put up much of a fight. It didn't hurt that Olivia promised him ice cream when he was done. Calvin seemed to be settling in quite well. He had a healthy appetite and was communicating openly with Olivia. That was already a step up from his behavior at his grandparents house but Olivia knew they weren't out of the woods yet.
Tuesday and Wednesday were equally as uneventful but on Thursday Olivia got the phone call she had feared would come. Calvin had gotten into a fight at school.