Disclaimer: As you all know, these characters aren't mine. They belong to Dick Wolf and NBC.
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Day 14: Providence26: Couple's therapy based around their propensity to make massive life altering decisions without the other's input (Africa, Noah, etc.)
Universe: Season 16
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"We can't keep going like this, Olivia. Something has to give." She shakes her head and your stomach sinks. "Either we try couple's counselling or I'm leaving."
Her words hit you like a punch to the chest, knocking the air from your body. The baby in your arms gurgles happily, his little fist wrapping around your necklace.
"So the decision is yours, Liv."
She's standing by the door, her hand resting on the doorknob, and you know – you know – she doesn't want to leave, she doesn't want to end this fucked up thing you two have – (you've loved so many people and they've all left you; if she disappeared again, you would break) – but you can't make the words pass your lips.
She watches you, hoping for any sign that you are going to stop her, but you wait too long and she's done. She's giving up on you.
She makes it halfway down the hallway before you come to your senses and chase after her. You yell her name and she turns around. And if this was a movie, you'd be outside and it would be raining and you'd know all the right things to say to get her to fall back into your arms.
But you've never been that lucky.
And so it takes a lot of begging, a lot of pleading, and a lot of promises to get her to stay, and you still aren't completely sure you want to go to couple's therapy but you're willing to try for her.
A week later, as you're leaving the first appointment with the therapist, she's settling Noah into his carrier and the sun is shining and you smile because, really, this is all you've ever wanted.
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