Olivia shut the front door behind her, and leaned against it. Her legs kept her upright, but only barely. She was exhausted.
She shuffled down the entry hall, further into her silent apartment. Elliot must have gotten Noah asleep. The sound of her dryer starting alerted her to Elliot's location. She dropped her bag onto one of the kitchen barstools, and continued her trek towards the laundry room at the end of the hall.
Sure enough, Elliot was reaching into Noah's laundry basket and tossing his clothes into the washer. He hadn't noticed her standing there so she enjoyed watching this strangely domestic moment. Her 'normalitis' prevented her from ever considering this possibility, but instead of anxiety she was filled with warmth. This scene could be hers everyday, if she wanted it.
He must have felt her eyes on him because he suddenly turned. "Hey," he smiled warmly and dropped the laundry basket on top of the washer. He closed the distance between them in a couple steps, and he pulled her into a hug. He took a quick peek at his watch. "You made it home before eleven," he said, clearly pleased.
Barely. It was 10:50pm. She laid her head onto his chest and almost slumped against him. "I'm so damn tired," she admitted. "How's Noah?"
He sighed. "Could be better," he answered. She suspected there was more to it than that.
She pulled back from him to better see his face. "What does that mean exactly?"
"He's struggling with all this. He's worried about Colton, and terrified for Clem." He pulled her closer and left a lingering kiss on her forehead. "He's so much like you. You know that right. He bleeds empathy, and that's good, but as I'm sure you know, it takes an emotional toll."
"I wish I could take time off to be with him, but…" it was impossible. As much as she wanted to be home with Noah, she needed to get to the bottom of all of it.
"It's okay Liv. He understands." The thought should be comforting, but it still brought guilt. Her child shouldn't have to understand why his emotions are less important than a case. She hated that.
"What if I…" he suddenly stopped the thought, obviously thinking the better of it.
"No, what were you going to say?" She felt apprehension radiating off of him.
"Nothing. I mean. I have ten more days off. Ayanna wanted me to get some recoup time before diving into the next case. I planned on pushing into the office anyway. I don't really need that much time." Olivia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Elliot was never good at self-care, but if she was honest, she wasn't either.
He continued. "I could…" he hesitated and watched her expression carefully. "What if I stayed here with you and with Noah for a little while? Just until the case wraps up a little more, and you can take the time off to be with him. I mean I know that I'm not the same and he would prefer to have his mom, but I don't want him to be alone with this…"
Her heart felt like it grew twice in size at his offer. He watched her nervously, and she knew why. She was entirely too good at rejecting any offer he proposed. And this? He was basically asking to live with them for at least a week. It seemed like a lot, but what about Noah? If she took a step back and removed her discomfort from the equation, having Elliot here would be the best thing for Noah. He wouldn't be alone, and Elliot was working through the same things. She also knew he would be one hundred percent safe with Elliot there.
"I think," her voice was small and unsure. "That would be good. I think he needs someone here, and if I can't be here." She embraced the vulnerability she felt, "I'd want it to be you."
She felt his body relax in relief. He had obviously thought this over for a while, and was worried she wouldn't allow it. That ever present feeling of affection grew. She resented Elliot's overprotectiveness when it came to her, but now that it was extended to her son. It felt warm. It felt safe. She realized that Elliot had claimed Noah as one of his own, and Elliot fiercely protected the people he considered his.
His lips brushed her forehead as he spoke, "You should go to bed, Liv."
She wanted to go to bed. She did. But she also wanted this. "Only if you come with me," she breathed. She tilted her head up and lightly kissed his lips. She pulled back, but only a little, waiting for him to move. His breath warmed her lips while she waited for him to make a choice. In seconds his lips were on hers, soft and sweet. Just kissing him released the tension from her body and she melted into him. His hands followed the curves of her body before settling on her hips. He pulled her hips into his and his fingers dig into the skin of her lower back.
Soft and sweet was perfect. Amazing even. But she wanted more. She wanted to get lost in the one person she wanted for so long. Her tongue parted his lips, allowing her to suck his bottom lip between hers, while lightly grating her teeth over it. The instinctual moan from his chest made her smile. He wanted her as much as she wanted him.
He walked her back until her back firmly hit the wall. She could feel him pressed firmly against her, confirming his desire for her. His hands yanked her shirt up and his rough hands pressed into the soft skin of her stomach. She felt her heart pound faster, and her breathing picked up speed. She released his lips in favor of trailing her tongue the length of his jaw, savoring the scruffy feeling.
She gasped lightly when his hands worked up her shirt. His lips found their way to her neck sucking at the delicate skin. Her head rolled back as she allowed him access to her neck and chest. He unexpectedly pulled back, leaving her breathless, and she could see the fire in his stormy blue eyes. She saw the question there, and nodded. With that permission he slid his hands beneath her ass, lifting her into him. Her legs wrapped around his middle, and she nipped at his ear. "Don't make me drop you," he chuckled.
Her voice dropped to a low husky volume. "You won't." His hands pressed harder into her ass as he carried her to her room. He reached a hand back, assuring the door locked behind them before he dropped them both onto her bed.
Her hand cupped his cheek as they laid on their sides. She knew what she wanted to say. She wanted the words to leave her lips. She wanted him to know, but her tongue felt stuck. She let her thumb brush his cheek bone, and hoped her eyes could convey the words her mouth couldn't speak. She loved him. Body and soul.
He understood. She knew he did because his lips sealed over hers with tender meaning. She knew. He loved her too, and this. This was a culmination of years of love, pain and desire.
She pushed her hands against his shoulders rolling him on his back before straddling him, each knee on either side of his hips. She dropped down, kissing him deeply.
He reached for the hem of her shirt, hesitating, giving her the opportunity to say no. She pulled her mouth away from his. "I have scars." She admitted breathlessly.
"So do I," his eyes reassured her in a way no other sexual partner could. God, she loved him.
She kept her eyes on him as she helped him lift her shirt over her head. She sat back slightly, her ass grinding back into his pelvis. The cool room air sent a slight shiver through her now exposed body. She watched his face and his expression left her breathless.
He was in awe. He lifted his hand and let his fingers drag across her skin lightly, like she was made of glass. His calloused fingers trailed from her shoulder to her collar bone, continuing over the swell of her breast and along the lace lined edge of her ruby red bra. His fingers continued their exploration. Running softly down her chest and her soft belly. She closed her eyes, savoring the sensation of his hands all over her body.
In one swift motion he rolled her beneath him. His lips were on hers, fierce and passionate. "Jesus Liv." He muttered. "You're so goddamn perfect." His lips found the top of her breast and she yanked at the bottom of his shirt, suddenly needing him with less clothing. Once his shirt was tossed carelessly on the floor she started on the clasp of his belt. She popped the button of his jeans, and ran her hands the length of his toned thighs as she pushed his pants away.
His eyes were all fire and passion as he pulled her onto his bare chest, kissing frantically at her neck and chest. He deftly pulled at her bra clasp, letting it slip loosely from her shoulders. She untangled herself from the elastic and lace and breathed deeply as she allowed him to drink in the vision of her bare skinned and topless. He tugged her arms until her bare chest pressed deeply into the warmth of his chest. He brought both hands to her cheeks, framing her face before kissing her deeply and sensually. "Olivia," his voice came out with an insecurity uncharacteristic of his usual over confidence. She opened her eyes to find his perfect blue eyes on her warm brown ones. "I love you."
She dropped her face into the hollow of his neck, dropping a lingering kiss to his neck before kissing him with deep emotion. Maybe she couldn't get the words out, but she hoped he knew. She hoped he understood that he was everything to her, and she could never live without him again. She hoped that in this moment, tangled up with each other, he understood how much she loved him.
-000-
She wasn't sure how long they laid tangled together. Her skin stuck to his as she shifted a little in his arms. She knew she had fallen asleep not long after they careened towards perfect bliss. Her body was tired, and so was her soul. But here he was, warm and perfect. Loving her like she always wanted him to love her. For a moment, their dark reality abated, and it was just them.
She snuggled into his shoulder and closed her eyes. Just as she felt her mind settle there was a soft knock at the door, and the sound of her son's voice, "Mom?"
Elliot must have had some sixth sense when it came to children interupting sex because he was off of her and into the bathroom in a flash. She chuckled a little, and hoped he at least thought to grab his underwear before his flight to the bathroom, or he might find himself pretty cold and uncomfortable.
She slipped out from beneath the sheets, "Just a second Noah."
She quickly opened her drawers and threw on whatever t-shirt and leggings were readily available before opening the door. Noah knocked her off balance when his arms flew around her. She could feel him trembling. "What's wrong baby?" She soothed.
He shook his head. "I.. can I sleep in here with you?" It had been a couple years since he needed to sleep in her room. He had outgrown the habit when he was ten.
"Of course honey." She gave him a tight squeeze, and realized things might get a little awkward in the next minute.
He suddenly looked around. "Did Elliot go home?"
She wasn't entirely up for this conversation, but it wasn't like she could leave Elliot in the bathroom all night. "No, he's uh," her eyes flicked to the bathroom and back to Noah. "He's using the bathroom." She prayed to God he didn't have more questions tonight.
"Oh okay. Is he sleeping in here too? He's bigger, I can sleep on that cushion thingy." He pointed to the ottoman at the end of her bed.
Thank God her son had still maintained at least some of his innocence.
"Yeah that would be perfect. Are you okay if Elliot stays in here with us? If you're uncomfortable he can stay in your bed tonight." She wanted to offer him a less awkward option.
"No. I want him in here too." He shifted his weight uncomfortably before looking at the floor. "I had a stupid nightmare, and now I'm scared." He seemed a little embarrassed and frustrated. "I think…Elliot makes me feel safe, and I'd feel a lot safer if he stayed in the same room as us." That melted her heart a little. She kissed the top of his head. "Go grab some of your bedding and we can pull the ottoman on my side of the bed so you can sleep close."
He wrapped himself around her with another tight hug. "Thanks mom."
"You can always come to me for anything. You know that right?"
He gave her a small smile, "yeah I know."
Once he left to scrounge up his bedding, she quickly scooped Elliot's underwear off the floor. She noticed his bag from the other night and picked around until she found a pair of joggers.
She cracked open the bathroom door with a smile. "We have a scared kid out here." She handed him the clothes. Her heart warmed all over again as she repeated Noah's request. "He wants you to stay in here tonight too." She pecked his lips. "You make him feel safe."
"Oh." Elliot seemed genuinely surprised, but also pleased. "Okay. I'll change real quick." He pressed a lingering kiss to her lips. His hand brushed her cheek, and he stared at her with the same sense of wonder he had only hours before. "I love you," he reiterated.
She felt a warm blush flood her cheeks and she leaned in to kiss him once more. "I know."
This chapter took an unintended detour, but I love it. I can't believe I made it this many chapters without them having sex! You guys are great for hanging in here that long. Hoped you enjoyed this scene and are ready to dive back into Lucas, Abby, Clem, Colton, and Lucas' fake dad. It's gonna get a little rough...