"Let me cook you guys dinner tonight," Elliot said, once they were all in the car after picking Olivia up from court.
"Can we have spaghetti?" Calvin asked.
"Again? Didn't you just have spaghetti a couple days ago Kiddo?" Elliot asked laughing. He saw Calvin shrug his shoulders in the rear view mirror. "What do you say, Liv?" he asked, turning his attention to Olivia.
"That sounds really nice, El. Thank you," Olivia replied, smiling.
"I have some steaks in the fridge I could cook up. Calvin, are you sure you want spaghetti and not a steak Buddy?" Elliot asked.
"Um, I don't know," Calvin said.
"I'll tell you what, how about you and I grill the steaks together?"
"I don't know how," Calvin told Elliot.
"That's ok, I'll teach you. Every guy should know how to grill," Elliot smiled at him.
"Can I light the fire?" Calvin asked, raising his eyebrows.
Elliot laughed, "It's a gas grill, but I'll let you push the button to light it if you want."
"Ok," Calvin said, then turned his head to look out the window again.
Elliot looked over at Olivia and saw her smiling. He couldn't help but notice how natural this felt to him, Olivia easily could have been his wife and Calvin their son. He wanted so badly to give Olivia a family. The one thing she didn't have but so desperately wanted. He had an overwhelming urge to reach over and grab her hand off her lap, but he was afraid that might ruin everything. His hand moved from his leg over on top of Olivia's hand. He picked her hand up and laid it in the arm rest between them, then rested his hand on top of hers. His brain kept telling him to stop, but his movements were pure instinct and he went with it.
Olivia looked at him with widened eyes. Shivers danced up and down her spine. She wasn't sure what Elliot was doing, she wondered what he was thinking. Fear rose in her stomach. She loved Elliot, he was her best friend. She didn't want to mess that up. She couldn't lose Elliot, she would be devastated. Who says I am going to lose him she asked herself. His hand covering hers felt so right. She glanced back at Calvin, sitting behind Elliot looking out the window. She rolled her hand under Elliot's until their palms met and meshed her fingers with his. She could feel her heart rate speeding up. What am I doing she thought. What about Calvin? Our jobs? What about...
"We're here," Elliot announced, interrupting Olivia's thoughts. He squeezed her hand before letting go and exiting the car. Neither of them looked at each other as they entered the house.
"Let's get you a different shirt Calvin," Elliot said. Calvin was still wearing Elliot's dress shirt and Elliot thought a T-shirt would be more comfortable. "I'll grab one of Dickie's," he said, motioning for Calvin to follow him.
"But, what if, I mean, what about Dickie?" Calvin asked, a little worried. "What if he gets mad?"
"Dickie won't mind. I promise," Elliot told him. He dug around in Dickie's dresser and found a shirt. He tossed it to Calvin before joining Olivia in the kitchen. Elliot couldn't help but feel like he was in high school again. His thoughts were racing. Olivia hadn't pulled away when he held her hand. He wasn't sure what to say to her now though. He hoped Calvin hurried back out to ease the awkward moment.
"Do you want me to make some mashed potatoes?" Olivia asked.
"I don't have any potatoes," Elliot told her, a little embarrassed. "I have some mac and cheese," he smiled at her.
"Ok," Olivia said. "Calvin will like that."
"I always keep some on hand for when the kids are here," Elliot told her. He handed Olivia the macaroni and cheese and set a pan on the stove for her to use. When Calvin came out he showed him how to prep the steaks. He helped Calvin grill the steaks while Olivia cooked the macaroni and cheese. They all sat down and ate dinner together. After dinner they decided to watch a movie. Calvin didn't have to go to school the following day so even though it was getting late Olivia let him stay up. They let Calvin pick the movie, he decided on August Rush. Towards the middle of the movie Calvin fell asleep.
"He's asleep," Olivia whispered to Elliot.
"I know," Elliot whispered back, staring deep into her eyes. Olivia's heart started palpating. She wanted to look away but couldn't break eye contact with him. Elliot leaned in towards Olivia slightly. When she didn't back away from him he leaned in further until he was only inches away. "I want to kiss you Olivia," he whispered. Olivia hesitated before tilting her head to the side slightly and slowly closing her eyes. Elliot closed the distance between them. He held the back of her head as they kissed. He pulled away and looked at her for a moment, trying to figure out if she would let him go further. He leaned back in and kissed her again, prodding her mouth to open for him this time. Olivia obliged and granted him access; Elliot slipped his tongue in and began exploring her mouth.
When they parted for air, Olivia put her hand on Elliot's chest and gently pushed him back. "What are we doing?" she asked him, still whispering.
"I don't know," Elliot whispered back at her, smiling almost from ear to ear. He reached his hand up and gently stroked her cheek.
Olivia took his hand and held it in hers and began playing with his fingers. Her body was screaming yes but her mind was still unsure. She wasn't even sure what to say to Elliot. "What about Calvin? What about our jobs?" she asked.
"Well," Elliot started, "nobody at the precinct needs to know. And Calvin, somehow I just think he'll be ok," he told her before leaning in to kiss her again.
"Not here Elliot," she whispered as she pushed him away again. She looked over at Calvin, curled up in the recliner. Elliot followed her eyes. He got up and carried Calvin into Dickie's room and laid him down on Dickie's bed. He tucked him in before leaving the room and gently closing the door behind him. Olivia was waiting for him outside the door.
"Come on," Elliot grabbed her hand and led her back to his bedroom. As soon as he closed the door Olivia wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. He felt her hands moving up his abs and chest to the buttons on his shirt. He held her hands, preventing her from undoing his buttons.
"Liv, are you sure you want to do this," he asked, giving her a chance to change her mind. Olivia didn't answer him with words; she just leaned in and kissed him again. Elliot let go of Olivia's hands and she started working at his buttons again.
"Liv, wake up, we're gonna be late," Elliot said, rubbing her back.
"What time is it?" she mumbled.
"It's 7:30. We should have enough time to run by your place so you can get ready," Elliot told her.
"Where's Calvin?"
"Watching TV," Elliot said. "He already had a shower and breakfast; he just needs a change of clothes."
"Wow," Olivia said. "You're good at this."
"I've had some practice," Elliot told her, smiling. "Now come on, it's your turn to get up," he said patting her butt. He kissed her forehead, her nose, and then her lips before pulling the covers off of her.
Elliot drove Olivia and Calvin to their apartment. He watched TV with Calvin while Olivia showered and dressed. When Olivia was ready they all headed down to the precinct together.