"Noah hurry up, we're gonna be late"
"I'm coming mom," came the preteen's reply
Olivia looked at her watch and signed, Noah's winter dance camp was starting that afternoon and the teacher had been very clear on arrival time. She turned to see her son lugging his holdall from his bedroom and pulling on his shoes.
"Come on then mister, let's go"
Liv grabbed her car keys from the hall table and the case file that sat next to them. It was a case they'd closed last week but the prep had links to one of the gangs that OC were investigating. Elliot had asked for the file and since it was on the way Liv had decided to drop it in on her way back from the camp. Elliot had been back from his UC gig for a few weeks, they'd had a few texts and one quick coffee - but not really managed a proper conversation.
On the way to camp Noah talked about his excitement for a whole 5 days of dancing and the recital they would do on the last day. Liv felt her emotion rise - she would miss her lovely son while he was away but she knew seeing the look on his face at the recital would be worth it all. When they got there (just in time thank goodness) she got him signed in and settled then said goodbye, managing to avoid any tears which would embarrass him no end.
Pulling in the Elliot's guest parking spot and grabbing the file she headed up to his front door. As she knocked she heard a bit of a commotion from inside. A few moments passed before Elliot opened the door, "Liv" he smiled, looking surprised but pleased to see her,
"I thought I'd drop off that file you needed" she held up the manila file in her hand,
"That's great, the…"
"ELlIOT" There came a shout from inside this apartment
"Mamma we talked about this," Elliot called back, turning to Olivia he explained, "Sorry Liv, Mamma is a bit confused today. Come on inside."
Liv followed Elliot through to his living room where Bernie was pulling on gloves and grabbing a scarf from the back of the sofa, Elliot walked up to her and said gently,
"Mamma, you need to stay inside, it's freezing out there."
"I told you she needs me, I have to go"
"Mamma you don't, Kathleen is fine - you talked to her earlier remember." Elliot grabbed one end of the scarf his mother held but she refused to let it go.
"No no no she needs my help,"
"She doesn't mamma, and it's freezing out there, you'll catch your death, stay inside please."
They continued their tug of war over the bright woollen scarf
"If you would let me put on my scarf I'd be warm enough, now I have to go." Bernie pleaded, she had a wild distressed look in her eyes and it broke Olivia's heart,
"Bernie" Liv said quietly
Both Elliot and his mother turned to look at her, Bernie looked confused initially but after a moment a look of recognition appeared in her eyes,
"Olivia" she smiled
"Yes it's me, I…"
Turning back to Elliot Bernie shouted triumphantly "she told me about Kathleen being in prison, she said I have to help her, Olivia tell him!" She looked to Olivia certain she had found an ally
Like a lightbulb illuminating in Olivia's brain she realised what Bernie was reliving, Elliot still looked incredibly confused, Olivia remembered she'd never told him about her trip to visit his mother all those years ago. She knew she'd have to tread carefully but Bernie was distressed and if she went out alone she could get hurt. Olivia bit her lip then responded, "you're right Bernie I did,"
Elliot spun to face her, that was not what he'd expected her to say, while Bernie's smile grew wider,
"I told you Elliot…." She began
"But" Olivia interrupted before Bernie rushed out the door, "do you remember, it was sunny, and warm back then." Bernie turned to looked at her and Olivia continued, "we were at the beach, and we went to that diner," she paused remembering the details of their discussion, "you showed me Elliot's baby pictures and I told you about Kathleen needing your help."
"That's right, you did" Bernie said slowly,
"I did, and we went to help her together - remember?"
"I helped?"
"You helped," Olivia confirmed, touching the older woman's arm gently, "you talked to Kathleen and you convinced her to do the right thing - she's doing so much better now."
"She is?" Bernie looked up at Olivia in wonderment
"She is" confirmed Olivia, "and you were the one who gave her the encouragement she needed, it's all down to you. So right now there's no need to go outside in to that cold weather."
Bernie looked down at her scarf and gloves, "I suppose not," she agreed shakily and removed her winter accessories, "Elliot I'm going to lie down, all this excitement has made me tired." With that she turned and headed down the corridor in to her bedroom.
Elliot has remained silent throughout the whole exchange but once his mother's door closed he looked at Liv in amazement, "Is that all true?"
"I'm afraid so" Olivia gave him a small smile,
"But why didn't you tell me?"
"Your mother asked me not to, well actually she demanded I didn't tell you,"
"Wow" Elliot looked flabbergasted, he looked up at her in wonderment, "Olivia I don't deserve you"
"You're right there" she grinned, "but then you did look adorable dressed as a carrot."
Recognition flooded Elliot's face, "I always wondered how you knew about the carrot get up" he laughed,
"Ah yes, your mother loved showing me those."
"Thank you," Elliot said sincerely
"You're welcome Elliot," Olivia smiled a little sadly, "you know I would have done anything for you and your family back then."
Elliot's smile faded, "I'm so sorry I left Liv"
Tears began to well up in Olivia's eyes and she turned away from Elliot, not wanting him to see her cry. She began to head for the door but then swallowed and, back still turned, managed to spit out "there's something she said then that has haunted me for the last 13 years."
Elliot came up behind her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder, "Tell me Liv, please" he whispered
Still not turning back to face her Olivia's voice was barely audible, "she told Kathleen 'if he hated you he'd just walk right out of your life.'"
Elliot's eyes widened, "Liv…. you can't think… you can't think that's why I left?"
She shrugged silently
"Liv please look at me," he begged, "Liv I know I never should have left like that, I am so so sorry. You don't have to forgive me, I don't expect it, but please, you have to know - it wasn't because I hated you — it was the opposite."
She slowly turned but kept her eyes to the floor, unable to look at Elliot's face,
"I'd fallen in love with you Olivia"
More tears began to stream down Liv's face, still she couldn't bring herself to move her gaze from her own two feet, "so why…?" She asked, too emotional to continue,
"I was stupid, I was a coward - I thought it was the best chance to save my marriage, my family - to allow you to move on and be with someone who could give you everything you deserved. I know it was stupid, I just couldn't deny my feeling for you any longer - I'd been managing to do it for years but after Jenna"
"Years?" She finally lifted her head a little
"Years" He confirmed quietly
"And now?" Her voice was barely a whisper
Lifting his thumb to her chin he gently tilted her head up so he could look in to her eyes, "Olivia I have loved you for 25 years, I am more in love with you now than I can could possibly put in to words. It's always been you Liv, even when it shouldn't have been."
Olivia felt like time had stopped, everything around her seem to freeze as she looked in to Elliot's deep, blue eyes. It felt like hours had passed before she found her voice, "me too"
Neither could be sure who had leaned in first but there they were lips millimetres apart. Elliot knew he had to let Olivia take the lead, after a beat she closed the tiny gap, pressing her lips to his. The kiss was gentle at first, each of them a little uncertain. Elliot pulled back but Olivia lifted her hands up to his head and guided his face back to hers. Feeling more confident she deepened the kiss this time, flicking her tongue over his lips until they parted allowing her to explore his mouth. When she heard his moan she felt a wetness gush in her underwear, almost without her realised it her hands began to explore his body, moving over his back and then round to his chest. Elliot slid a hand in to her hair pulling her head gently back to deepen the kiss even further, Olivia let out a groan and pulled him closer - she felt him hard against her core and rocked her hips against him. It felt incredible but she realised this was getting out of hand,
"Elliot stop" she gasped, trying to catch her breath
"Liv I'm so sorry, I crossed a line, I…."
Liv chuckled, "I think we both did. You didn't do anything wrong El, but I think we should stop before we get too carried away. And besides your mother is in the next room."
"Oh shit!" Elliot whipped his head around but luckily his mother's door remained closed and the room was empty, he looked back at Olivia and laughed - they were behaving like reckless, horny teenagers.
Liv laughed along with him and then lifted her hand to his face, "I didn't mean to imply that it wasn't good."
"Just good?" He winked
"Don't push it detective," She grinned at his cockiness
"So maybe we could plan a night to hang out soon - perhaps pick up where we lift off?" He asked biting his lip, his cocky demeanour fading completely as he anxiously awaited her answer,
"I'd like that," Liv replied, "Noah's away for a few days now - fancy take out at my place tomorrow?"
Elliot let out the breath he didn't realise he'd been holding, "Sounds perfect,"