An even shorter chapter today, sorry! Will make it up to you soon. Thanks again for all the wonderful feedback, and welcome new readers as well! You're all the best.

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37. Grounded

As soon as Olivia rounded the first corner, she stopped and leaned against the wall. She was trembling inside and her hands were shaking. Her right hand was actually burning from that slap. She looked around and spotted a restroom. She ducked into the ladies, and let out a deep sigh. She had actually hit Kathy! She'd kept her cool at first, knowing she had the upper hand. But when Kathy mentioned Noah, she'd lost it after all. Olivia understood what fighting for your family was, now more than ever before. But she didn't agree with how Kathy had fought her fight. Their marriage had started because of a pregnancy and despite all their good intentions, the words Olivia had just spoken to Kathy were true: you can't make someone love you, not even when the other person is willing to try.

They'd had a good run. But Kathy should have accepted that it was over and not try to trick Elliot into a fake happy marriage, just because he happened not to remember what their life had been like.

She hadn't been able to get Kathy to admit it yet, but her gut feeling told her that Kathy had known Elliot was in love with her. There was no way around that now anyway. Elliot was very clear about it and she was certain he would be just as open with Kathy as he had been with her.

Olivia rinsed her hands with cold water until her right hand didn't tingle so much anymore. She smiled, wondering how much Kathy's cheek would be burning and looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't look upset and she realized that despite the emotions running high during her confrontation with Kathy, a part of her was beginning to find peace. And that peace was growing. Elliot was right. He didn't know much but he did know he loved her. Maybe it really was all they needed to know. She was certain of her love for him, and for the first time in her life, that love didn't confuse her or throw her off her axis. In stead, it grounded her. They had found each other again, and not even a severe case of amnesia and years of absence had been able to wipe out their connection. It didn't matter how much or how little Elliot would remember in the end. It didn't matter that they had been apart for four years. Like Elliot had said, she was his home, like he was her home.

In the past, she might have felt guilty for slapping Kathy. Now, she didn't. She wasn't worried about Kathy reporting her. It would be the worst move the woman could make under the circumstances, and she'd know that. Olivia knew that Kathy wasn't an evil person, and Kathy knew she wasn't evil either. But they had both lashed out at each other. Maybe it had been necessary for both of them. At least they knew where they stood now with the other person and that in itself, was liberating.

Grounded.

It was a completely new feeling and there was a bounce in Olivia's step when she returned to Elliot's room. Kathleen had pulled up the smaller chair and was sitting with Elliot and Noah. Noah was still asleep and Elliot almost.

"Hey," Kathleen said softly. "How'd it go?"

"I've been waiting for you to come back," Elliot added equally softly.

"You need to rest, Elliot," Olivia said, taking his left hand between hers.

"Did you really think I could sleep with you and Kathy out there, talking or fighting or ... You seem okay though. Where is Kathy?"

"Don't know," Olivia said with a shrug. "I'm sure she'll be back soon. You just relax while I wait for the doctor to tell us when you're getting out of here."

Elliot studied her face for a few moments and seemed content that she was really alright. He closed his eyes and smiled.

"Proud of you Liv," he mumbled and Olivia glanced at Kathleen.

Elliot's middle daughter just stared at her father, who appeared to be drifting off to sleep at last, and Olivia noticed a sheen of tears in her eyes.

"Are you alright, Kathleen?" she whispered.

Kathleen nodded and forced a smile, but her chin was trembling a little.

"All I ever wanted was for my daddy to be happy," she whispered back. "Thank you, Olivia."

Kathleen reached over her father's chest and Olivia grabbed her hand, squeezing it.

"I'll do whatever it takes," Olivia said softly, almost whispering.

"You're already doing it," Kathleen whispered back, smiling.

They were silent for a few moments and then Kathleen asked her,

"What did you say to mom?"

Olivia looked away for a moment. How could she summarize her discussion with Kathleen's mother?

"We ... were very honest with each other," she settled on.

"Oh ... and?"

"I slapped her."

"Uh oh."

"Yeah. I'm not sorry though. She insulted me and my son."

Kathleen bit her lower lip and nodded.

"I ... I don't blame you Olivia, believe me. But I think I should go and find her."

Olivia nodded too, and smiled reassuringly at the blonde.

"I understand."

Once Kathleen had vacated the smaller chair, Olivia rounded the bed to sit on Elliot's right side, where Noah was still sleeping. She watched her boy and smiled. The boy and the man. The two people who were her entire world. So fragile yet so powerful. She truly felt grounded, giving and receiving love from these two people. Love was the most important thing there is and could be found in many shapes and sizes. When she looked at the two shapes, of very different sizes, in the hospital bed, she couldn't be anything but grateful that she had been given love in these two shapes and sizes. She would always fight for these two people, like she knew they would fight for her. She smiled as tears welled up in her eyes, and whispered,

"And that is all I need to know."

...

To be continued.