AN: Out of character Simon for this fic! Will try to update everyday.
Beth startled awake when she felt a pair of warm hands touch her arm. She visibly relaxed when she looked into the warm and comforting eyes of her second mom.
"Sorry, sweetheart. We're home now!" Olivia very gently helped the sleepy teenager out of the car and gave her a minute to wake up. Beth leaned into her for support, she was still in so much pain. Olivia could tell and frowned slightly, if she could wrap the child in cotton wool then she would. Her poor baby.
"We'll order in some pizza and get you a hot water bottle for your tummy. There's also something that I want to talk to you about, it's ok. You're not in trouble!" Olivia comforted the teenager, slowly helping her upstairs and muttering reassurances. Once they got to the living room, she gently sat Beth down and made quick work of giving her a hot water bottle and a blanket.
"Now then..." Olivia whispered, sitting beside Beth and allowing her to rest her head in her lap before continuing to speak, gently stroking her hair.
"I really think we need to call your dad and get him to come over. He needs to know, sweet girl. He's your dad after all, what do you think?" Olivia was calm and gentle the entire time which was soothing Beth's nerves. She didn't know what to do; on the one hand she really wanted her dad to know but she also had a really bad feeling in her gut.
"Will you be there? The whole time mama?" Beth whispered, her big brown eyes blinking up at Olivia owlishly. For a moment Olivia was transported back in time to that 8 year old girl who she first met and a lump formed in her throat.
"Always, sweetheart. Mama will always be there!" She soothed softly, hugging her tight. Beth sat herself up and hugged Olivia back just as tight, she felt calmer now she knew that she wouldn't be alone.
"Ok, I'll do it. Although you have to get him to agree first!" Beth said softly, there was still that part inside her that hoped he wouldn't come. She didn't know what to say to him, it was strange. He was essentially a stranger now. Olivia sensed how nervous Beth was, she stood up and smiled down at her, she was so proud that she was trying.
"Let me go and ring your dad, I'll be back soon. How about you watch some TV, I'll only be in the next room if you need me!" Olivia smiled, leaving the living room and going into her bedroom. Beth turned the TV on and put on some crime documentary, she was too nervous about potentially seeing her dad to pay any attention to it but, it was still nice to have something on.
Olivia dialled Simon's number, quietly pacing around the room. She was livid with her brother, she would never have thought that he would turn his back on his child in this way. He had really let Beth down and she was not having it.
"Hello?" She heard the groggy man at the end of the phone. Olivia rolled her eyes so far back that she swore she saw her spine, just great! He was hungover! On a Monday evening no less. She knew exactly what he was like when he was in this state but she was going to persevere, Beth needed her father.
"Simon, it's Liv. Something really bad has happened, it's Beth she's..." Olivia couldn't get another word out; she could hear Simon laughing... dismissing her almost. She was not happy in the slightest and she felt her blood boil! How dare he!
"What is so funny?" She hissed angrily, tapping her foot to try and regulate herself. She could hear his spluttering on the end of the phone, almost as though he was making some half assed attempt to stop.
"Come on Liv... you know when Beth says that something bad has happened it's something stupid like she's failed a test or something! It's not the end of the world... she's like her mother! A drama queen! She's fine, I'm sure!" Simon said dismissively and Olivia was getting more and more angry. She never would've thought that her once beloved little brother would turn into someone like this; an arrogant, pathetic loser who would turn his back on his own child!
"Your daughter needs you Simon, so I suggest you drink a lot of coffee and get your shit together! I'm sending a taxi over to you within the next couple of hours! If you're not in that taxi then I'll come and get you myself! I'm not playing around here!" Olivia growled, a small satisfied smile on her face when she heard him audibly gulp.
"Alright... alright I'll come! But only if it'll get you off my back..." He hung up the phone and Olivia grabbed her pillow and screamed into it, her brother was getting on her last nerve. Once she was feeling a bit calmer, she preordered the taxi and went back out into the living room.
"Your dad will be coming within the next couple of hours!" Olivia put on a smile and sat beside Beth who turned away so that she couldn't see her tears. Olivia knew the teenager too well and wrapped her arms around her and pulling her close, allowing Beth's back to press against her chest.
"Talk to me... tell me what's wrong!" She soothed, pressing a kiss to her temple and rocking her back and forth. Olivia grew more alarmed when Beth let out a harsh sob, she was really starting to regret inviting her wayward brother over.
"Who are we trying to kid mama? He doesn't love me! He doesn't care about me... he made that perfectly clear when he threw me out! I'm just a disappointment. A mistake he made when he was drunk... he said so! It's making my heart ache!" Beth sobbed noisily and turned herself so that she could hide within her second mom's embrace. She knew that she was safe here, she was always safe here.
"Believe me I'll be having words with him! I'm not having this... I won't let him treat you this way!" Olivia whispered, cradling Beth's head to her chest and whispering sweet nothings until she was calm.
"Come on sweet girl, let's order some dinner! If you're lucky I might even let your order extra garlic dough balls!" Olivia winked playfully and Beth giggled, she really didn't know what she would do without her.
After a few hours, Beth and Olivia laid sprawled out on the couch completely stuffed. Olivia had ordered far too much food; making sure that Beth was eating enough, she was far too thin for Olivia's liking! Hearing the sudden knock at the door, she got up and Beth clung to her arm completely panicked.
"It's ok..." Olivia soothed, gently stroking Beth's cheek and heading towards the door. She opened it and looked at Simon, a feeling of disgust washing over her. She hadn't seen him for about two years now and he looked completely different; there was no compassion in his eyes, he looked numb and not like the Simon who she once knew.
"Do you want some coffee Simon?" Olivia said shortly, beginning to fill the pot up.
"Yes please!" He grunted and Beth moved closer to Olivia, she already felt unsettled and her dad had only been in the apartment for a few minutes. She hoped if she didn't speak and just kept quiet that her dad would just ignore her. She knew that would be too good to be true.
"So spit it out, kid. What's so important that you've dragged me out here and got your Aunt in such a state?" Simon said coldly and Olivia turned on her heel, nearly whacking her brother with the pot of coffee. Beth chewed on her lip anxiously, tears filling her eyes.
"I... I..." she stuttered like an anxious child, beginning to bite her nails until Olivia gently stopped her and whispered soothing words to the teenage girl. Beth finally started speaking, gripping onto the kitchen table to support herself as she felt her legs beginning to give way.
"There was a party on Saturday night... I just... well I got attacked by some guys there!" Beth squeaked, looking down at the floor and willing her tears away, she hated being weak in front of this man. He didn't make her feel safe, he made her feel sick and horrible. Olivia placed the mugs of coffee on the table and gestured for her brother to sit down opposite, which he did. She sat down and pulled Beth onto her lap, wrapping her arms around her.
"So in other words you had sex with a few guys? Why are you telling me this?" Simon said coldly, causing Olivia's mouth to drop. She could feel Beth tense up completely and shut down, she slammed her coffee mug on the table angrily. What the hell was he playing at?!
"How dare you!" Olivia snarled, holding the young girl's head to her shoulder to block out what she was saying. Not that it mattered, Beth had shut down so much that she couldn't hear anyway.
"What the hell is wrong with you!! Your daughter was brutally assaulted by four men and you say that to her?! How could you? How could you speak to her like that!" Olivia growled, her mama bear was coming out and fast. Simon scoffed which was only making her angrier.
"Come on Liv, is that what she told you? She probably just regrets it! She's in college, it happens! Don't go ruining 4 boys lives just because she regrets it!" Simon said so nonchalantly that Olivia had enough; she was not subjecting that child to anymore of this.
"GET OUT!" Olivia growled, gently shifting Beth off of her knee and yanked her brother up by his shirt. The adrenaline coursing through her body was making her not see straight.
"You are just like our father! How could you!! After everything he did to my mother and to yours!! GET THE FUCK OUT!!" Olivia pushed him out before he could say anything else and bolted the door. She heaved slightly, she felt so sick. She soon pulled herself together hearing Beth's tears, she felt entirely responsible! She never should've suggested this.
"Mama!" Beth wept pitifully and fell into Olivia's arms. She caught her with ease and led her into the bedroom, she gathered her up into her arms and held her while she screamed and sobbed, grieving for the dad who'd abandoned her. Who had been so cruel to her when she had needed him the most.
"Mama's here... I'm so sorry sweet girl. I've got you... I've got ya!" She spoke soothingly and gripped her even tighter, all she wanted was to ease some of the pain. Beth could do nothing but cry, it hurt. It really hurt.
"Just take some deep breaths, I'm not leaving you! You're safe..." Olivia soothed, whispering sweet nothings until Beth was quiet and almost asleep.
"I love you so much!" Olivia whispered and stroked her cheek, allowing Beth to snuggle up more. That was how she stayed for the next few hours, her arms full of the grieving teenager. Hearing her phone buzz, she looked at it and saw Elliott's name flash on the screen.
"We've arrested the four of them! Will interview them tomorrow, If you want to watch the interviews then you're more than welcome too. I've cleared it with Cragen! Talk tomorrow. El x"
Relief filled Olivia's body. Finally they were getting somewhere and hopefully things would be a slam dunk with the video evidence. She knew deep down that it was all wishful thinking and they would be in for the fight of their lives.