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"It looks great in here," Olivia emerged from her bedroom, hours later, surprised to see the apartment decorated for Noah's party. "You've been busy."

Maureen nodded as she stepped down from the chair she was standing on, hanging crepe paper streamers. "I wanted to make sure everything looked right for his first birthday," she smiled. "I'm glad you like it."

"Where's Noah?" Olivia asked, looking around the room and not seeing her son anywhere.

"He's asleep," Maureen answered. "It was time for his afternoon nap."

"What?" Olivia's eyes widened and she looked at the clock noticing it was after 1:00. "I've been asleep that long? I missed most of his birthday," she sat down sadly.

Maureen sat next to her, "Hey…you're sick. It happens. Noah had a great morning and I know when he wakes up he will be happy to spend the rest of his birthday with you," her voice was comforting. "Are you feeling better?"

Olivia nodded, "Yeah, I think so," she exhaled slowly. "I just feel so tired. I don't think I've ever had a flu bug wear me out this much. No wonder poor Kate was so miserable."

Maureen looked hurt at the mention of her daughter, "I really miss Kate," she said sadly. "I don't know why her dad insisted on having her this weekend. He never wants to see her." She looked seriously at Olivia, "You are really lucky you don't have to share Noah with anyone. I swear…there is nothing worse than sharing your kid with someone you hate."

"I'm sorry honey," Olivia reached out and hugged her. "I wish you didn't have to go through this."

"You know…even when I was younger and Mom and Dad had problems, I always knew they didn't hate each other," Maureen explained. "Dad loved us, even when he didn't live with us. I think Kate is going to grow up knowing I hate her father."

"Your dad is a good guy," Olivia reminded her. "Kate's dad isn't…at least he wasn't to you. All you can do is be the best mother you can to her, and try not to put him down in front of her. She'll be okay."

"I hope so," Maureen sighed. "Olivia…would you mind if I didn't stay for Noah's party?" she asked. "A friend asked me out to dinner, and I really could use a night out while Kate is away."

"Of course you should go with your friend," Olivia insisted. "You probably wouldn't have much fun here anyway. Just a bunch of people from work." She sighed miserably, "If I don't feel better before long, I doubt there will even be a dinner."

Maureen stood up and headed toward the door. "I'm going to the bakery to pick up Noah's cake and I'll stop and get ice cream too. I know you don't feel like going out. And maybe you could just order pizza or something for the party. I doubt anyone would care."

"That's really sweet of you," Olivia said, leaning back on the couch. She didn't feel like going out and was grateful Maureen was there to help. "And the pizza isn't a bad idea." She waited for Maureen to leave and then she forced herself to get up off the couch and check on her napping son. He was sound asleep and she stood in awe of him. She couldn't believe he was already a year old. She'd only had him for five months, but she could barely remember the time before he came into her life. She saw his new toy police car sitting on the dresser and couldn't help but smile thinking of how much he'd loved playing with it that morning. Elliot was great with kids and he knew what to buy for her son that would make his birthday extra special.

She walked back to the living room, swallowing her pride and picked up the phone, dialing Elliot's number and pausing when she heard him answer, "Hello?"

"Elliot," she said slowly. "It's Liv." She paused for a moment, thinking he would say something but he didn't. "I wanted to thank you for Noah's present."

"Did he like it?" he asked.

"Oh yeah…he loved it," she smiled, and her voice lightened in a way that let Elliot know she wasn't angry with him. "He pushed those buttons all morning."

He laughed, "Is that your way of telling me you didn't like the present?"

"No," Olivia chuckled. "Maybe if I felt better I'd have liked it a little better, but I love it as long as it makes Noah happy."

"Are you sick?" Elliot asked with concern. "That flu finally caught up with you too?"

"Yeah…but I think I'll be fine," Olivia insisted.

"I was lucky I guess," Elliot added. "I never caught it." He stopped and then spoke gently, "Let me know if you need anything," he offered.

"Thanks…but I really am okay," she sighed, thinking of how sweet he was being to her. "El," she continued. "Do you want to come to Noah's party tonight? It's just going to be me and Noah, and a few people from work. I thought maybe…"

"I don't think so," Elliot answered a little too quickly. As much as he'd like to see her, he didn't feel like he was ready to see anyone else from the NYPD. He'd left that life behind pretty abruptly and he wasn't ready to face it again…not yet. It had taken all of his strength to explain to her why he'd left and he didn't think he could go through the questions others would ask him.

"Oh…" Olivia tried not to sound surprised by his response. "Okay then. I'll just…well I have to go…"

"Liv," he began. "Let me explain…"

"There's nothing to explain," she said sadly. "Bye, Elliot." She hung up the phone and curled up on the couch, suddenly feeling much worse than she did before. She had put herself out there, had taken the first step toward trying to mend their relationship, and he had made it clear he wanted no part of that. She'd been right when she'd accused him of not wanting a relationship with her because she had a child now, and he couldn't deny it. As much as it hurt, she knew it was better to know the truth so she could move on.