Sorry for the wait. I was on Vaca. One more left!
Later that night Olivia awoke when the car came to its final stop. She looked around, slightly confused, especially when she realized they were nowhere near her apartment.
"I'm so tired, I didn't think we would make it to yours so I thought mine would do for tonight."
"As long as there's a bed and a pillow, I'm all for it."
Elliot opened her door for her and she waited while he removed Kayla from her car seat and took her baby bag with him. They linked hands and headed up stairs together, both equally exhausted. Much to her relief Kathy had not been present at the basketball game, but that did not mean the tension was nonexistent. Both Dickie and Lizzie had ignored her and Kayla the entire day. Their lack of interest in their sister had bothered her, but Elliot was having a good time. It was the first time she saw him smile like that in a long time, so she wasn't going to ruin what had been an otherwise good day with her insecurities. They arrived at his apartment and he opened the door to let her in. He closed and locked the door behind him.
"Where's Kayla going to sleep?"
"You mean she can't sleep in the bed between us?"
"Not if she wants to live. You'll roll over and crush her," Olivia teased.
"Ha ha ha. So funny. I roll over on your arm one time. "
"I thought I'd never be able to shoot a gun again," she continued as she followed him to a nearby bedroom. She froze in the doorway as she watched Elliot lay her down in a crib. "What is all this?" Elliot placed the baby bag on top of the changing table in the corner and then left the room, closing the door behind him. "Elliot?"
"It's a room for her to stay in when she's here."
"You say that like it's something normal. Were you ever going to tell me?"
"Look, I wasn't getting anywhere in our relationship. I was going to be in my daughter's life no matter what." When he saw her eyes glisen with fresh tears he pulled her close. "I was never creating a life without you. I was just making sure she had a place in mine."
"I know. It's just…Hard to see."
He covered her lips with his, "You will always have a place in my life too."
She grinned at him. "That's good to know."
Olivia stood over the crib and watched her baby girl sleep. So much chaos, turmoil, and pain surrounded her, and yet here she slept peacefully without a care in the world. Olivia was grateful for that. At this age she didn't know her brother and sisters didn't like her. That her parents had a shaky relationship. That she came from a tainted bloodline. One thing she hoped she knew was how much she was loved by her parents. As messed up as everything was right now she hoped Kayla knew how much she and Elliot loved her, and how hard she was prepared to fight to make sure she was happy and safe.
She felt hands slip around her and she leaned against his hard chest. His lips tickled the base of her neck and she grinned. "What are you doing up?" Elliot mumbled against her neck.
She moaned softly. "Just checking on her."
"And?"
"She's fine."
"Good. Now come back to bed."
"In a minute."
He left her alone for a moment and she took this time to tuck Kayla in just a bit tighter and kissed her goodnight. She emerged from the room to find Elliot waiting for her. She immediately fell into his arms and allowed him to hold her.
"What's going on?" he asked her.
"Nothing. Just thinking."
"About?"
"Everything." When he didn't say anything she took his silent cue to elaborate. "Everything is so messed up right now, and I'm mad at myself for bringing her into all this. It was never supposed to be this way. I always wanted better for her, and worst of all I forgot her. I'm her mother and she's the best thing I've ever done in my life and I couldn't even remember that."
"It's not your fault."
"But-"
He squeezed her to get her attention. "It's not your fault. You're not the first to go through something like this and you won't be the last. You're an amazing mother, and I couldn't have asked for a better mother for her." He stepped back and gazed into her eyes, highlighted by the moonlight, and kissed her sensually. His hands moved over her body and untied the silky green robe she left there ages ago, but he never had it in him to return. He slid the silk off her body to reveal bare olive toned skin. He smiled at her and she smiled back, happy to know she'd done something right.
A big thank you for reading. :D