So, how did it go with Olivia last night?' Simon broached the subject carefully over their sandwiches. He'd noticed that Peter seemed calmer today, like he'd finally made peace with himself and laid his demons to rest.

'Well, better than I could have hoped for.'

'Did you…?'

'What?'

'Tell her, about your stepdad?'

'I wasn't going too, but after she told me she loved me, I…'

'Back the truck up a minute, she told you what?'

'She told me she loved me and Her dad knows about us"

"How Simon asks

'Her dad set her up with that Brian character again and she didn't want to go. But then they both said Olivia had to give up her job, and Olivia decided she'd had enough. But then she inadvertently dropped me into the conversation and he snapped. When he said she wasn't allowed to see me again she snapped and walked out. She hasn't seen or spoken to him since'

'And why didn't you think to tell me about any of this?'

'Because you're nosey at the best of times'

'Fair point I suppose… so when did those three words make an appearance from her?

'She told me everything and I thought it was my fault, but then she told me how she'd had a hole in her heart and it had started to heal since she'd met me, and I text her back with the words first'

'Wait, you mean, you told her you loved her first?'

'I didn't mean to, it just slipped out. I'd sent it before I realised. I thought I'd blown it but last night Olivia told me she loved me as well. So then I decided to tell her.'

'About your step dad and what he did to you?'

'Yes, I thought when I told her she would see me for what most people do, but she didn't. Well she said she didn't.'

'You told her everything?'

'Yes, I wanted to. She is the first person who has pushed down the walls I put up between myself and the outside world. The first person, who has tried, wouldn't let me push them away. I know I have you Simon, but we've been best friends for 15 years- you knew me before all of this happened. I pushed everyone away but since meeting her… I don't know, I've changed somehow, on the inside, I can feel it… does that sound silly?'

'Not at all, and you're right. You are changing- for the better. It shows on the outside as well'

'What?'

'Peter, today you seem so much more calm… but I can see the smile on your face and the pain behind your eyes is gone. Sharing your history isn't a bad thing Peter, I know you- you're afraid to let people in because you think they'll leave you. But if anything it's the exact opposite Peter- Olivia is still here yes?'

'Yes'

'And she probably loves you all the more for it'

'She said she does'

'And you believe her?'

'Yes'

The rest of Peter's work day passed by as quick as it had ever done. He loved his job, but now he was finally beginning to see that there was a life beyond the four walls. As Peter unlocked his desk and picked up his phone, he saw he had a text from Olivia.

HEY HANDSOME. I AM OUTISDE, READY WHEN YOU ARE? XXX

HEY YOURSELF, JUST FINISHED. I WILL BE TEN MINUTES, WAIT INSIDE, YOU'LL CATCH THE DEATH OF COLD OUTSIDE XXX

IS THIS HOW IT'S GOING TO BE, YOU ORDERING ME AROUND ;) XXX

MAYBE XXX

ARE YOU OKAY? XXX

I'M FINE OLIVIA, I'LL BE DOWN IN SOON I PROMISE, SEE YOU SOON. XXX

NOT IF I SEE YOU FIRST XXX

!!! GOOD JOB I LOVE YOU OLIVIA BENSON XXX

'Drink Peter?' Simon's voice interrupted his exchange with Olivia, but Simon saw the huge smile on his best friends face told him he was in the middle of something and he raised his eyebrows mockingly.

'Sorry, got plans. Olivia's outside. Maybe tomorrow?'

'Sure , no worries. Have fun tonight. You deserve more than most to be happy'

'Thanks for everything Simon. You're an amazing friend'

'I have my moments I suppose'

As soon as Peter left the lift, he spied Olivia, leaning against the wall just inside the door to the law firm. Their eyes met and both of their faces lit up like a christmas tree. Peter waved and he walked over as fast as he could.

'Hey! Sorry to keep you waiting'

'You didn't. Good day?'

'Was okay, better now you're here'

'Aww, stop that, you'll make me blush'

'Its true. Your day been okay?'

'Paperwork mainly. Listen, feel free to say no…'

'To what?'

'Fin and Sonny are coming round to Amanda's tomorrow night- pizza night and they asked me to go. They said I should bring you, I wondered if you fancied it…'

'Meeting you're friends?'

'It's a bad idea isn't it?'

'No… it's just I'd feel a bit left out.'

'I thought of that, maybe Simon would like to come along too? he's already met Fin and made quite the impression on him if I'm being honest'

'Really?'

'I mentioned him, and he said" that that they could become good friends".

'Well, in that case I'd love to…'

'You sure, I don't want you to feel pressured into anything?'

'I'm not. I'd love to come and meet your friends. And I'll bring Simon along as well. Him and Fin have been good friends to us- maybe its time we repaid the favour'

Are you sure your friends are okay with me coming along?'

'Yes. It was their idea, they are desperate to meet my boyfriend'

'Boyfriend, is that what I am?'

'Oh god… did I say that out loud?'

'Yes'

'If its too soon…'

'Nonsense, it's not too soon at all. So, I'm your boyfriend am I?'

'If you want to be…'

'Of course I want to be. I want that more than anything Olivia'

'Good, because I want it very much as well'

Olivia held out her hand curiously, wondering if Peter would take it. Peter's face searched Olivia's for a minute, before he spied Olivia's hand in front of his. Taking it, he squeezed it and breathed out easily.

'Shall we?'

'Where are we going?'

'Candelit dinner for two, sound nice?'

'Oh Peter, you didn't have to'

'I know, but I wanted to. Want to treat my girlfriend'

'I just want to spend as much time with my girlfriend as possible- she knows that right?'

'She does'

'Can I ask you a question?'

'You can ask me anything…'

'Does Simon have pineapple on his pizzas too, or is that just you who commits a crime?'

Peter's mouth broke into a grin and he laughed, Olivia falling even more love with him- if that was possible.

'That's for me to know, pineapple isn't a crime you know'

'Oh it is Peter believe me… tomorrow you will find out how much'

'Just how much trouble am I going to be in?'

Olivia grinned and whispered in Peter's ear

'That's for me to know'

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