Please review!
Elliot laughed watching his daughter dance in the kitchen as Olivia made dinner. Summer had her Barbie doll on a motorcycle. "You're a fine piece of real estate and I'm gonna getcha some land." Summer sang as the radio played 'I'm Gonna Getcha Good' by Shania Twain. Elliot chuckled from behind her and watched as she continued to sing. "Oh yeah, so don't try to run honey. Love can be fun. There's no need to be alone when you find that someone." Bending down, he lifted Summer up and kissed her stomach. "Daddy!" She squealed.
"Hey there my mini Shania Twain!" Elliot grinned. He sat her on the counter and kissed her forehead. "Pretty soon, you are going to be singing as good as Shania herself." Summer laughed with Olivia. "What's Momma making?"
"Well, Dickie and Summer both wanted mac and cheese. So, we are having that and chicken." Olivia grinned. She opened one of the cabinets and moved out of the wall. "This little guy won't leave the cupboard until he wins his gameboy game." She chuckled.
Dickie had a pot on his head. His eyes were glued to his gameboy as his fingers worked the buttons to his advantage. "Yes!" He chanted as he turned the gameboy in his hands, as if it would help him. "Go, go, go, go!"
Elliot smiled. "Where's Kendle?" Olivia opened the cupboard next to it to show Kendle tucked into a kettle with his blanket. Elliot laughed. "How long have they been in there?"
"Almost a hour." Olivia smirked. She chuckled taking out the kettle and lifting Kendle out of it. "I'm going to go put him in bed. He's had a long day with Grandma. Can you watch dinner?"
"Sure, I can." Elliot said and put Summer down. He walked over to the stove as Olivia went out to the living room.
"Bee!" Summer called softly. She crouched down next to Beethoven and patted his head. "Hey buddy." Beethoven licked her hand and then her face. She chuckled and stood up. "C'mon Bee." He stood up and followed her into the living room.
Elliot smiled lightly at them and squatted in front of Dickie. "What are you playing?"
"Street racing." Dickie grinned and glanced at Elliot. "I've only crashed six times."
"Only?" Elliot asked laughing. He took the pot off of his head. "Why don't you come out? It looks like supper is almost done."
Dickie climbed out of the cupboard. "Why is Kendle going to sleep? It's his birthday." He turned off his gameboy and looked up at Elliot.
"Well, Kendle is only two. He had a really big day today and he didn't get his nap in. So, he's too tired to stay up like he usually does." Elliot explained. He ruffled Dickie's hair. "You were the same way when you were his age."
"Really?!" Dickie asked loudly. "I was that small?"
Elliot laughed. "Yes, you were. You were even smaller before that." He chuckled when Dickie gave him a confused look. "Sometime I will show you pictures. You should have seen your grand-" He stopped mid sentence.
"Grandma?" Dickie asked furrowing his eyebrows.
"Uh, no." Elliot paused. "Why don't you and Summer go wash up for dinner?" He watched as Dickie nodded and hurried out of the room. Slowly, he stood up and leaned against the counter.
Olivia walked in a moment later and sensed that Elliot's mood had changed. "El, is something wrong?" He turned to her with a lost look in his eyes. "What is it?"
"Uh,...I just thought of my dad with Dickie when he was born." Elliot said shaking his head. "It's nothing."
"It's not nothing." Olivia breathed walking over to him and hugging him from behind. "He's your father. It's okay to think of him."
"I know." Elliot sighed and turned in her arms. He kissed her forehead. The next day, he groaned when he felt himself being woken up. "Liv?"
"El, c'mon. I want to do something for you." Olivia said softly as she rubbed his back. Elliot stood up and saw that she laid some clothes out for him. "Get changed and then we'll go."
"Where we going?" Elliot asked picking up the sweat pants.
Olivia paused. "You'll find out."
Elliot got dressed and went downstairs to find Olivia by the door. Bernie was playing with the kids in the living room. He followed Olivia out to the car and got in. She started the car and drove. Although this was new to him, he was still comfortable. He started to wonder where they were going when they passed houses that were framiliar. He knew where they were when she pulled into the cemetary. "Liv, why are we here?"
Olivia turned off the car and pulled the key out of the ignition. "You need closure with your dad." She saw that Elliot was about to refuse. "El, I know that this is hard for you. It was hard for me to come to terms with my mom. But,...sooner or later...you're going to forgive him. The longer you wait, the more you're going to regret it."
"I..." Elliot started, but stopped when he knew he was fighting a losing battle. He put his hand on the door handle. "Did you want to come see him?"
"I'll come in a few minutes. Why don't you go see your dad for a while?" Olivia said with a sad smile. She rubbed his hand before he got out of the car.
Elliot closed the door behind him and walked over to his father's grave. The gravestone sat in its place. Husband of Bernie, Father of Scott, Joe Jr., Jordan, Elliot, Rebecca, and Sarah. "Hey Dad." He breathed studying the stone. "You're probably wondering what I'm doing here. I'm not quite sure why I'm here. Olivia thinks I need closure with you. You know me; I do whatever Olivia wants me to do because I want to make her happy." He paused. "You are probably wondering how the kids are doing. Dickie is going to be six next month. He's growing up fast. Olivia doesn't like it, but at the same time she does. She doesn't know what to think anymore about him. I guess I should tell you about Kendle. He's our youngest son. He just turned two today. I can't believe it. I remember bringing him home from the hospital. He's a quiet baby. Summer...what can I say. A few months after you were killed Summer was taken from us. Mike, from high school, took her from our cart at a grocery store. We found her the next day. Sometimes I wonder if you ever felt the fear and depression that I felt when Summer was taken. She's growing up too. She'll be four this year. Scott and Beth had a baby. I'm guessing Scott told you about her when he was here a couple months ago." He paused and looked back at the car to find Olivia looking at him. "Sometimes I wish you were here to see us. Olivia and I, that is. Our family, everything. I wish I knew if you were proud. I hope you are because I couldn't be happier."
Please review! I know it's been awhile. I had to work eleven hours today and eleven hours yesterday. I just got out of school on Friday and then had to work until eight. I love you guys!
