One Night Stand

(Chapter Two: Sacrifice)

TWO MONTHS LATER….

"Hey," Elliot said as she sat down at the table in front of him.

"Hey," she said with a smile as she opened the menu and began to study the pictures. "So, what was it you wanted to talk about?"

"Liv, it's your birthday. I wanted to take my friend out for dinner on her birthday. What makes you think I brought you here to talk about anything in particular?"

"That is the only time you want to meet me for dinner."

"Not true, we eat together all of the time."

"Lunch. We have lunch. When was the last time we went out to dinner together?"

"It's been a while, yes."

"The first time you and Kathy separated. You needed someone to talk to about it and didn't want to eat alone. Not that I blame you, I'm just saying."

"Okay, you have made your point."

"So, there is something?" She asked looking at him.

"Yes. But this dinner is also about your birthday. Let's order."

They ordered their food and made small talk as the waiter brought them their drinks.

"So… what is going on, El? You're making me nervous. Are you alright?"

"Yes. I'm alright."

"Are the kids okay?"

"Kids are fine."

Olivia raised her eyes to look at him. "Kathy?"

Elliot shifted his eyes away from her. For some reason he didn't want to look into her eyes while he talked about his soon to be ex-wife.

"Kathy is alright."

"This is about her? El, what is going on? What, did you get the papers?"

"No." He looked back up at her. "Kathy and I have been talking and I think that we are going to…."

"You're going back to her?" Olivia knew she really had no right to feel disappointed, seeing as she and Elliot had no romantic relationship what so ever. But that didn't stop her heart from dropping when she saw him nod.

"We're gonna give it another shot."

"How many more shots are you going to give it, Elliot?"

He raised his eyes and just stared at her.

"I'm sorry. That was out of line. I just…" she exhaled heavily. "Every time you separate, you are heartbroken. Then she comes to you a few weeks later and talks you into coming back home for another try, only to tell you that she wants a divorce. She files the papers and now she wants to give it another shot? It just frustrated the hell out of me that she toys with your emotions like that. It isn't right, Elliot. She is just keeping you."

"I know."

"Then why are you letting her walk all over you like this again? Do you honestly believe that things have changed and it will work out this time?" She asked trying hard to be understanding and mask the fact that she would just like to bitch slap Kathy for continuously hurting her best friend.

"I think so. Yes."

"Good. I hope that you are right. If this is really what you want, I hope that it works out for you."

"Thank you, Liv."

She smiled and took a bite of her salad.

"I guess I am just a little confused. Two weeks ago you got a call from her attorney wanting to meet with you about arranging a custody agreement. And today the divorce is off? What makes this time so different?"

"About three months ago, I stopped by one night after work to check on the kids. We had this horrible case and I just needed to see my children. Kathy and I talked and I ended up spending the weekend at home with her and the kids. It was only a few days and then we were right back to fighting."

"On again, off again?"

Elliot stared into her eyes.

"Olivia, Kathy is pregnant."

She took a deep breath and a drink of her iced tea.

"So am I."

"What?"

"Yeah, umm, I found out yesterday. I honestly forgot all about my birthday until you just said it a while ago. I accepted your invitation to dinner to tell you that I am…uhh, going to have a baby."

"I'm sorry. You mean from us? That night?"

"Yes. We didn't use a condom, any of those times."

"But you said that you were on the pill."

"I am. I was. Until yesterday. Apparently we should have used a condom, too."

"Your about eight weeks, so the baby would be due around….July?"

"The second week of August."

"Right, because it is actually over nine months. Kathy is just over three months, In those few days back at home I managed to get her pregnant again. She is due July second."

She stared at him for a moment.

"El, I don't expect anything of you. And I don't even really want anything from you, money or anything. I just thought you had a right to know. I am not sure how you want to handle this, but I am having the baby. I have always wanted a baby and now I am pregnant. Be careful what you wish for, huh?"

She watched as he tried to wrap his mind around the fact that he was now fathering two children from two different women just over a month apart.

"Elliot, how ever you choose to approach this is okay with me. No one even has to know the baby is yours if you don't want them to. You can be the father or you can just be his or her…. I don't know, uncle or something. That's alright, too. I will understand."

"This is definitely not something I ever thought would happen."

"I guess it is a little awkward."

"I just got things ironed out with Kathy. I just started staying at home again. I want to do the right thing here, Olivia. But it doesn't seem to matter which way I turn I am wronging someone."

"Elliot, you are not wronging me. It isn't like we were ever together in the first place. We had a one night stand and that one night resulted in pregnancy. You didn't cheat on me or Kathy, for that matter, so there is nothing to feel guilty for. We agreed when we parted the next morning that this was a one time event. We both understood that."

"I just don't know what to do to make this right, Liv. Kathy is having my fifth child. But I am this baby's father too. What kind of father am I if I help keep this child's paternity a secret?"

"What do you think will happen if you tell Kathy about this baby?"

"I know what will happen."

"She will freak out and the reconciliation will be off?"

"And the divorce will be back on. To say the least."

"But you didn't cheat on her. The two of you were not together because she kicked you out."

"I know, but in her mind it is not going to matter."

"Okay, so lets assume you did tell her and things were off with the two of you. Then what?"

"I don't know. I would help out with this baby as much as I can and go back to seeing my other kids on weekends."

"Right. Elliot, we never had a relationship. And even if you and Kathy were not together, you and I would still not be in a relationship."

"I don't see your point."

"My point is that it is not worth you risking your time with your other kids to tell Kathy that this baby is yours. I am not going to keep you from seeing this baby, you know that. But she will jerk you around about seeing the other kids, especially the new baby. I think if you really want to give your relationship with her a fresh start and a real shot….then you can't tell her you are the father of my baby. At least until you are really sure of how things are going to work out between the two of you."

"That is shitty."

"It is. But that is how it has to be or she will try to fight you over the kids." Olivia stared at him for a moment. "You know I'm right."

"Yeah, I do." He exhaled and took a drink of scotch. "But I want to be a part of this pregnancy and this baby's life. This is my son or daughter. And if you ever need anything…."

Olivia smoothed her hands over her face and nodded her head.

"Liv, this baby is good news. I know things are crazy right now and this entire situation is a bit unconventional, but this is a wonderful thing. I'm excited."

"Really?"

"Of course. For me and for you. You are going to be a wonderful mother."

"You think so?"

"Yes. I do."

Olivia smiled and placed her hand against her stomach.

"I knew this pregnancy would probably complicate things for you. But I am so glad that you are happy about the baby."

"We'll work it out. It will all work out over time."

"But for now, I don't think that we should tell anyone that you are the baby's father."

"What are you going to tell them? It isn't like you were dating anyone."

"So, I will tell them the truth. I had a one night stand and I got pregnant. It is the truth."

"Congratulations, by the way. You are finally going to be a mommy. Hell of a birthday gift, huh?"

"The best gift I have ever received. And congratulations to you, too."

Elliot raised his rock glass in a toast. "To new life and good surprises. And to your birthday!"

Olivia smiled and raised her glass of tea to click it gently against his and then took a drink.

"So," she began, "we are both having babies."