Kathleen's visits to Olivia's apartment had become frequent, especially since she'd started babysitting Noah, hang out with him , as he often corrected her.. She felt comfortable there, almost like it was a second home, thanks to Olivia's warm, welcoming nature.
On a crisp fall evening, Kathleen decided it was the perfect time to visit her. They hadn't caught up in a while due to their busy schedules, and Kathleen felt a familiar excitement at the prospect of spending some time with her. As she approached the familiar building, the doorman greeted her with a nod and a smile, waving her through without hesitation—an unspoken acknowledgment of her status as almost family.
Climbing the stairs to Olivia's apartment, Kathleen rehearsed the updates she planned to share, from her recent job achievements to the mundane details of her daily life, eager to dive into the comforting, maternal advice Olivia always offered. But as she reached the door, a strange sound halted her steps.
It was a moan, unmistakable and full of intensity. Kathleen's first instinct was amusement— Go Liv , she thought with a smirk. However, the amusement quickly faded into a pang of sadness for her father. He missed his chance , she mused regretfully, knowing how complicated things had been between him and Olivia.
But then, a sharp exclamation cut through her thoughts—Olivia screamed out, " ELLIOT! " in a tone that was both shocking and revealing. Kathleen's eyes widened as she processed the implications. Her father? Here? Now? Her father and Olivia. The moaning was punctuated by laughter and breathless gasps.
Kathleen's eyes widened as the reality of what she was hearing sank in. Her initial shock gave way to a strange mix of emotions: first, happiness for her father, who had been alone for so long, and then embarrassment at eavesdropping on such an intimate moment.
The reality of the situation hit her like a wave, and a burst of laughter escaped her lips before she could contain it. She suddenly had a wildly amusing considered leaving quietly, but a mischievous thought crossed her mind. If they were going to act like teenagers, she might as well treat them like it.
Digging into her bag, Kathleen pulled out a condom. She always carried a few, a habit born out of a mix of responsible caution and her friends' playful insistence. With a grin plastered across her face, she knocked loudly on the door. The noises inside ceased abruptly, and after a moment that felt much longer than it probably was, the door swung open.
Olivia stood there, slightly flushed but as poised as ever, with Elliot peeking from behind her, looking every bit as mortified as he was surprised. Kathleen didn't give them a moment to speak. "Hey, Dad, I don't care how old you and Olivia are, remember to wrap it up!" she exclaimed, throwing the condom at him with a theatrical flourish. "Don't take any chances!"
Her words hung in the air, a playful reminder of her unapologetic openness about such matters. Kathleen winked at Olivia, whose initial shock gave way to an embarrassed smile, and then at her father, whose face had turned a remarkable shade of red.
Without waiting for their reaction, Kathleen turned on her heel and left, her laughter echoing down the hallway. She felt a mix of adrenaline and glee at her bold intervention. As she descended the stairs, she imagined the conversation that would unfold behind her—perhaps a mix of laughter and chiding, a moment of embarrassment followed by a recognition of the humor in the situation.
Elliot's eyes widened in horror, his face turning an even deeper shade of red. "Kathleen!"
Olivia muttered to Elliot, "We're not safe anywhere, are we?"
Kathleen's walk home was brisk, her mind replaying the scene. She felt a twinge of guilt for possibly embarrassing them but dismissed it quickly; her father and Olivia were adults, and a little teasing was part of how their family worked. If anything, she hoped her interruption would lighten the mood, making their relationship something they could openly acknowledge and laugh about, rather than tiptoe around.
By the time Kathleen reached her apartment, her phone was buzzing. A text message from her dad appeared on the screen: " Very funny, Katie. We need to talk. Dinner tomorrow? " Beneath his message, Olivia had sent a string of laughing emojis followed by a heart. Kathleen chuckled, typing a quick reply to confirm dinner, her heart swelling with affection and mischief.
The following evening, as they gathered around the dinner table, the air was filled with easy laughter and the clinking of glasses. The condom incident, now fondly referred to as "Katie's surprise," had opened a new chapter for the trio, one where Elliot and Olivia felt more comfortable discussing their evolving relationship openly.
Kathleen listened, a content smile playing on her lips as her father and Olivia shared stories of their day, intertwining tales of police work with plans for the future. It was clear they were more than partners; they deserved this, and she was glad they had the chance.