Olivia settled into the first empty chair she found and caught her breath. When she saw that her meeting with McGrath was taking longer than expected, she had only one fear: arriving late. She had rushed to the metro at the end of her interview to try to arrive on time.

For nothing in the world, she would not have missed her son's show.

Sitting in her chair, she looked at the time. 7:20 p.m. The show only started in 10 minutes, she had time to check her emails and the texts received during her meeting with McGrath. Focused on her phone, she didn't pay attention to the other parents arriving in the room. It was a voice that made her look up.

"Is the place empty?"

She would have recognized this voice among thousands. Olivia looked up but was speechless. She didn't know what to say. Elliot stood in front of her. She hadn't heard from him for six months and here tonight, out of nowhere, he was in this Manhattan theater.

"Is the place empty, Liv?" Faced with Olivia's silence, Elliot saw fit to repeat.

"What… yes, of course"

She took off her purse that she had placed on the chair next to her to make way for her former teammate.

"What are you doing here ?" The question sounded more aggressive than she intended.

"Noah invited me. Didn't he tell you?" Elliott was surprised. When he received Noah's message saying he would like him to be there for his show, he honestly thought Olivia knew.

"No. He didn't tell me." His son was hiding from her. Liv didn't like it. "I thought you were still on a mission."

"I came home 36 hours ago. I wanted to send you a message but I only had time to report to Bell. And like Noah invited me, I knew we were going to see each other tonight."

"I'm glad you're here." This admission made Liv uncomfortable. She was working on her feelings and expressing her feelings but she was still embarrassed to do so. She had to continue the conversation to avoid a silence setting in. "Did your mission go well?"

Elliott didn't have time to respond before the lights in the room went out and the spotlights came on to illuminate the scene.

He leaned down to whisper in Olivia's ear, "We'll talk about it later."

The show lasted an hour. And every time Noah appeared on stage, Olivia felt such pride.

When the lights came back on, the room was filled with applause. Elliot looked at Olivia and saw a lot of emotion in her eyes when all the participants of the show were on the stage to greet the audience. She was so proud of her son and Elliot could see it.

When the young artists went backstage, the parents began to leave the room to find their offspring outside. Olivia and Elliot did the same.

"Noah is stunning," admitted Elliot

Liv could only agree: "He loves dancing. He's been doing it since he was little. When he is on stage, he is totally transformed. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that a few years ago I had to hold him so he could take his first steps."

"I understand you. I think the same thing every time I see my children."

Olivia's phone rang. It was Fin who was trying to contact her.

"Excuse me. I have to answer. Fin needs to give me an update on our investigation."

"Of course. I'll wait outside."

Elliot walked ahead of Olivia and joined the other parents who were waiting for the children to come out.

After a few minutes, he heard a small voice calling him. It was Noah rushing towards him.

"Elliot!"

"Hey buddy!" Elliot hugged Noah "You were great on stage tonight. I was impressed"

"Thanks ! I'm so glad you could come"

"Thank you for inviting me"

"Mom isn't with you?"

"She just got a call. She will arrive soon"

"Great !"

"Hey Noah" The child turned around to see his mother arriving.

"Mom ! So did you like it?"

"You were incredible on stage. The whole show was really good"

"I'm so glad you're both here."

"To celebrate this evening, can I invite you to eat a pancake?"

Noah turned to his mother. "Say yes mom! Please".

She couldn't refuse him anything: "Okay for a pancake. But we don't come home too late, okay?"

"Promise!" Noah and Elliot said together which caused an immediate smile on Olivia's face. How could she resist ?

The end of the evening went wonderfully. The three of them ate a pancake and Elliot walked Olivia and Noah past their house.

"Noah you say thank you to Elliot and you go up to the apartment please"

"Thank you Elliot"

"With pleasure, buddy"

"We will meet soon ?"

"Of course ! I promise"

"Bye"

"Bye"

"Do you have your keys?" asked his mother. "I'll be there soon" Seeing him walk away: "And don't forget to brush your teeth Noah"

"Yes mom"

The boy returned to the building. Olivia wanted to have a few moments alone with Elliot.

"Thank you for this evening, Elliot"

"Thank you for allowing me to stay with you"

"Noah loves you very much"

"Your son is awesome and I like getting to know him"

"We didn't have time to talk about your mission"

"It's finished"

"But you're not going to tell me more, are you?"

As soon as he arrived in the apartment, Noah rushed to the window overlooking the street. He wanted to watch his mother and Elliot. He saw them both talking.

Since the beginning of the evening, Elliot had noticed the necklace that Olivia was wearing. He approached her and took the jewel between his fingers. The contact of his skin against hers made Olivia shiver.

"You wear the necklace"

"Yes". She took a deep breath. "I'm trying to follow your advice"

This admission made him smile. "And it works ?"

"It will take a little time but I think I am on the right way"

"I am happy"

"And where are you?", she said, looking at the wedding ring that was still on Elliot's ring finger.

His eyes also landed on his wedding ring. "The same. It will take a little time but I think I'm on the right way."

"Good"

"I would be happy if the three of us could have this kind of evening again. If you OK with that"

"Yes, of course. Noah will be delighted"

"Perfect. We keep in touch"

She nodded in agreement.

"Good evening Liv" he said, taking her in his arms. She was surprised but tightened the hug. "Good night Elliot and thanks again for this evening".

He loosens his grip. "My pleasure. We'll keep in touch", he said as he walked away.

Olivia turned around and walked back into the building.

Perched at his window Noah had not missed anything of this exchange. He was happy because he hadn't seen his mother so smiling in a long time.

However, now that time was short, he had to rush to the bathroom to brush his teeth if he didn't want to be scolded by his mother.

When Olivia returned to the apartment, she found her son in the bathroom.

"Why didn't you tell me you were inviting Elliot", she asked.

"I wanted to surprise you. Doesn't it make you happy to see him?"

"Yes, of course"

"You were sad these last few days. I thought you'd be happy to see Elliot."

"Thank you, honey," she said, kissing the top of her son's head.

"Can we invite Elliot for our picnic in Central Park on Sunday?"

"Yes, if you want. I'll send him a message tomorrow. But now you get into your pajamas and go to bed. There is school tomorrow"

"Yes, captain!"