Elliot called Olivia in the morning leaving a voicemail to see if he could take out Noah for supper and a movie on Friday. Today was Tuesday so he was hoping it would be enough notice that she would say yes.
It had been just under two years since Kathy's death. Elliot and Olivia's relationship had been complicated. Honestly, they had always been complicated. Once a month on the weekend Elliot met Olivia and Noah for breakfast. They would catch up on things they had been up to. Their relationship was not what it had been before. But it was comfortable even if it wasn't as close as he would like.
Don was right. Elliot had to try. At worst Elliot would find that too much time had passed for them to be anything more than casual friends. At best, maybe they could be close again. Either way, at least something would happen.
"Hello," Elliot answered on the third ring. He almost didn't hear it. He had just got home and put the phone on the kitchen counter when he went to change into a pair of grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt.
"Elliot" Olivia responded.
"Hey. How has your day been?" Elliot asked, trying to make some small talk.
"Fine. I don't have time to talk. Busy day at work. What would you like to do with Noah?" Olivia replied sounding very tired.
"Friday I like to take him for pizza and a movie. I'm thinking about four to five hours. Would that be ok?" Elliot asked.
"He would love that. I work the night shift on Friday. Could you pick him up at five from boy scouts and keep him until ten-thirty when I will get home? That will save me a night paying for a sitter. " Olivia asked.
"Yes, that would be perfect. Thank you for letting me take him for the night." Elliot answered excitedly.
"I will text you the address to pick him up on Friday. Noah will have his key so if you get done early you can come to the apartment. Thanks for asking. Bye." Olivia hung up before Elliot had a chance to say goodbye.
Friday came quicker than Elliot imagined. He was excited to spend time with Noah tonight. As he pulled up to the boy scout leader's house Elliot saw Noah outside playing with two other boys. He smiled and waved as Noah ran to the car followed by the boy scout leader.
"Hey, I'm here to pick up Noah. Olivia said she told you that I was coming. Elliot Stabler." Elliot shook the man's hand as Noah got in the passenger seat of the car.
"Are you excited for tonight? It's just us tonight." Elliot asked as he put Noah's backpack in the back seat.
"Yes," Noah screamed.
"Great." Elliot laughed. "Let's go eat first. What is your favorite kind of pizza?"
"I like cheese and pepperoni the most," Noah said as he put on his seat belt.
"I love that too," Elliot said as he started the car and drove away.
"Cool. What movie will we see?" Noah asked.
"I was thinking of Star Wars. The movie is at the theatre tonight. Have you ever seen it?" Elliot asked.
"No. Mom doesn't like stuff like that." Noah said as he looked out the window.
"Every boy has to see Star Wars. The movie is about the battle of good vs evil, family, loyalty, and trust." Elliot said as he looked at Noah.
"Cool," Noah said and smiled at Elliot.
"We are here and I'm hungry. " Elliot said as he pulled into the parking lot.
"Can we play a game?" Noah asked as they walked into Jake's pizzeria.
"Of course. Today is your day." Elliot quickly placed the order for two large pepperoni pizzas and two root beers. Elliot and Noah played three games of foosball while waiting for their food.
"Why did you get two pizzas?' Noah asked curiously.
"Your mom and I used to come here all the time when we were partners. She would make me pick it up on my way to work. Or we stop here for lunch or dinner. This is her favorite pizza. I got the second one so we can heat it for her to eat when she gets home." Elliot quickly grabbed a piece of pizza.
"Mom will love that. She hates to cook." Noah laughed at Elliot making a funny face.
An hour later Noah and Elliot had left the pizzeria and were on their way to the movie theatre. Elliot had the pizza in an ice cooler in his trunk along with three extra bottles of root beer.
"Now tonight is one of the most important decisions you will have to ever make. Are you a Jedi or a Sith?" Elliot asked as he winked at Noah.
"I will wait to see the movie before deciding," Noah said as they walked into the theatre.
"Good. It is important to make your own decisions. I will let you know what I am after the movie. Now should we have popcorn or candy?" Elliot asked as he and Noah walked up to the concessions stand.
"Popcorn, please. Can we get Reese's Pieces for mom?" Noah asked as he grabbed his bottle of water.
"Sure. Can I please have two bags of popcorn, two bottles of water, and one box of Reese's Pieces?" Elliot quickly paid the employee and they headed to their seats.