"What time do you have to take the kids back to Kathy's?" Olivia asked as she drew circles on Elliot's bare chest with her finger. They had been up for awake for a little while but were still laying in bed cuddling. With the exception of Eli the kids were all still asleep after their late evening of bowling.
"Kathy gets upset if I don't have them home by dinner," Elliot answered. He ran his hands up and down Olivia's back as she rested her head on his chest. "I'm thinking about taking Dickie and Calvin to the gym this morning."
"That sounds like fun, maybe I'll take Eli and the girls window shopping."
"I can take Eli. He can play at the gym, he won't be much fun trying to window shop with," Elliot said smiling at her.
"I don't mind either way El."
"Maybe we can meet up somewhere for lunch. I'll call you when we're done at the gym."
"Daddy," Eli said from the doorway. "I'm hungry."
"Hungry?" Elliot teased. "I don't think we have any food left."
"What?" Eli asked, walking over beside the bed.
"Yah," Elliot said, lifting him onto the bed. "I think Dickie got really hungry last night and now the food is all gone."
"But what am I gonna eat?" Eli asked, getting really worried.
"I'm just kidding, Eli. We have lots of food," Elliot said smiling at him. "I'll be out in a minute to make you a bowl of cereal."
"Ok Daddy," Eli said. Elliot stood him up so he could hop off the bed. Eli started jumping on the bed between them instead.
"I guess it's time to get up," Olivia said laughing.
"Guess so," Elliot said smiling.
They got up, got dressed and got the kids up. After they ate breakfast Olivia took the girls window shopping and Elliot took the boys to the gym. Olivia picked up subs for lunch and they met in Central Park to eat. They played board games all afternoon until it was time for Elliot's kids to return to their mother's house.
"Liv, I'm going to try to talk to Kathy about the kids moving in with me," Elliot said while the kids were getting into the van. "If I'm not back soon, you might want to call in a search party," he said winking at her.
"See you when you get back," Olivia said, smiling at him. She gave him a kiss before he headed out to his van.
"Will you play guitar hero with me Olivia? Please?" Calvin asked.
"Sure Honey, you'll just have to show me how," Olivia told him.
"It's easy!" Calvin said. "You just push the button that's the same color as the one on the screen." He was almost jumping up and down out of excitement. Calvin hooked up the game and handed Olivia her guitar controller.
"Do you want to be bass or guitar?" he asked.
"Um, I don't know," Olivia said, completely confused. "What's the difference?"
"You can be the bass player, they only have four strings. I'll be the guitar player, they have six strings," Calvin said, talking really fast.
"Works for me," Olivia said, trying to keep up with Calvin. "You're really into this, aren't you?"
"Uh-huh, this game rocks," Calvin said as he flipped through the songs until he found one he liked. "I can't wait till I can learn to play the guitar for real," he paused. "Can I still take lessons?" he asked quietly.
"Of course Sweetheart," Olivia told him. "Hey, maybe Dickie can help you pick out a guitar."
"Really?" Calvin said. "I get my own guitar?"
"Of course," Olivia said. "How else are you going to practice?" she asked.
"Thank you Olivia!" Calvin said. He stopped playing the game and gave her a big hug. Olivia hadn't seen Calvin that happy in a long time. She was thrilled that he was doing better.
Olivia played guitar hero with Calvin until Elliot returned home from dropping the kids off.
"Hey, whatcha guys doing?" Elliot asked as he walked into the family room.
"Nothing much," Olivia said. "Calvin here is kicking my butt at this game."
Elliot laughed. "I've played a few times with Dickie. It's kind of tricky."
"What are you talking about? You used to play guitar," Olivia said, smiling at him.
"That was a long time ago, and believe it or not the video game is different than the real thing," Elliot told Olivia playfully.
"How are you?" Olivia asked. She didn't want to specifically ask him about his conversation with Kathy in front of Calvin but she knew Elliot would know what she meant.
"Great," Elliot said. Olivia could tell he was truly happy and figured their chat went well. "What do you guys want for dinner tonight?"
"You don't have to make us dinner El. We should probably be heading home," Olivia told him.
"No. Stay, please," Elliot pleaded.
"Are you sure El? We've been here all weekend."
"Yah, and it's been really great having you guys here. Please, stay another night. I insist."
Olivia looked over at Calvin who was totally engrossed in his video game. She shrugged her shoulders. "Why not?" she said, smiling at Elliot.
"Thanks," Elliot said, returning her smile. "Dinner, what would you guys like?"
"Spaghetti!" Calvin called out.
Elliot put his face in his hands laughing. "I'm going to take out stock in spaghetti," he teased, squeezing Calvin's shoulders.
"How about Chinese?" Olivia said, "I'm buying."
"Ok," Elliot said. "That sounds good. Calvin, do you want Chinese instead of spaghetti?"
"No, I don't like Chinese," Calvin said, making a face.
"Do you want me to stop and get you something else Honey?" Olivia asked.
"I think I just want spaghetti," Calvin said, turning his game off.
"I can make him some spaghetti, that's not a problem," Elliot said.
"Ok, I'll go pick up some Chinese," Olivia said.
They ate dinner while lounging in front of the TV. They relaxed at home all evening. At 9:00 Olivia sent Calvin.
"I don't want to go to bed Olivia," Calvin protested.
"You've got school tomorrow Babe. I want you to get a good nights rest," Olivia told him
"I don't want to go to school tomorrow," Calvin said softly.
"Why not?" Olivia asked.
Calvin shrugged his shoulders. "I can be homeschooled!" he said. "You won't even have to do anything, I'll teach myself."
"It doesn't work like that Calvin. I'm sorry but you have to go to school tomorrow. I know you're nervous and that's ok, just know that I'll be there for you if you need me. Everything will be ok." Olivia smiled at him as he stood to his feet. "Go put your pajamas on and I'll come tuck you in."
"Good night Calvin," Elliot said. "Love you Buddy."
"Good night Elliot."
Olivia went in and tucked Calvin in after he changed into his pajamas. "Sweet dreams Calvin," she said.
"Olivia," Calvin said. "I really like it here." He smiled up at her.
She kissed him on the forehead. "I'm glad," she said. "I love you."
Olivia made her way back to the living room to find Elliot had poured two glasses of wine. "What's the occasion?" she asked.
"Does there have to be an occasion for me to enjoy some wine with my best friend," Elliot asked. He leaned over and kissed Olivia then handed her a glass.
"What did Kathy say?"
"I'm getting my kids back," Elliot said smiling from ear to ear.
"Really?" Olivia asked, excited for him.
"Mm-hmm," Elliot hummed. He held his glass up, "To kids," he said.
"To kids," Olivia repeated as she clinked her glass against his.
"I'm really surprised," she said after she took a drink. "How did you get her to agree to that?"
"Well, she knows the kids are old enough that the court will let them make their own decision. She doesn't want them to resent her and this is what they want. We're trying not to let our problems rub off on the kids. We're going to reverse how it is now—the kids are going to live with me and visit her every other weekend."
"That's great Elliot! I'm really happy for you and the kids." Olivia laid back against Elliot's chest as they sipped their wine.
"Liv," Elliot said hesitantly. "I want to ask you something, just, promise me you won't freak out."
"What is it?" Olivia asked with a hint of concern in her voice.
Elliot hesitated, trying to work up the courage to ask her. He could feel her eyes burning a hole into the side of his head. "Move in with me," he finally babbled out. He could feel his face start to flush; it definitely wasn't the smoothest move he had ever made. His nerves had definitely taken over at that point.
Olivia sat speechless while trying to process what Elliot had just said. Her mouth was moving but no words were coming out. She had no idea how to respond to Elliot.
"Liv?" Elliot asked gently.
"Yah. I'm here. I'm just... wow, Elliot. I don't know what to say," she finally managed to spit out.
"Say yes," Elliot said, looking into her eyes.
"Slow down Romeo," she said putting her hands up. "This is a huge decision Elliot. It's not just you and me anymore. You're kids are coming to live with you again and I've got Calvin to think about. I need time to think."
"It would be good for the kids," Elliot started. "They got along great this weekend. Calvin would have stability, you wouldn't have to sleep on your couch anymore, my kids adore you. This weekend felt like the most natural thing in the world. It was so perfect. Besides... I, I love you Liv."
Everything Elliot said made sense to Olivia. She knew in a perfect world everything would work out but she also knew she didn't live in a perfect world. There was so much to lose if things went bad and that would be devastating to her. She reached over and grabbed Elliot's hand. "I love you too El," she said. She was surprised at how easily those three little words came out. "I just really need some time to think about this."
"Ok," Elliot said, squeezing her hand.
"I think I'm going to go soak in the tub," Olivia told Elliot.
"Are you ok?"
"Yah, I'm fine. Really Elliot. Everything's ok," she said. She kissed him before heading down the hall toward the bathroom.
Elliot flipped on the TV and began channel surfing. He stopped on ESPN. Not too long after Olivia had left to take a bath Calvin appeared.
"I thought you were in bed," Elliot said.
"Can't sleep," Calvin said, standing in front of Elliot.
Elliot patted the couch next to him and Calvin flopped down beside him.
"Nervous about starting a new school tomorrow?" Elliot asked.
"I don't know," Calvin said shrugging his shoulders.
"That's ok," Elliot said. "Everything's going to work out." He put his arm around Calvin and Calvin rested his head on Elliot's shoulder. Elliot rubbed his back while they watched SportsCenter.
After Olivia got out of the bathtub she made her way back into the family room. She found Elliot and Calvin cuddled up together sleeping on the couch. She smiled before taking the remote off Elliot's leg and turning the TV off. Elliot jumped when the TV went off.
"Liv," he said. Olivia smiled at him. Elliot looked down and saw Calvin sleeping on his chest. Calvin grumbled when Elliot picked him to carry him to his bed. He tucked Calvin in then took Olivia's hand and led her back to his bedroom.