Disclaimer: SVU and all of its characters were created by and are the property of Dick Wolf. I make no profit with this story, which is my own original work.

By the time Olivia returned from her dialysis on Tuesday morning, her mind was solely focused on getting her daily bed bath. While she hadn't been expecting it, when Elliot had spoken to the realtor yesterday, and the woman had understood more of the situation, she had carved out time today to give them a virtual tour of the brownstone they were interested in. Even though Olivia knew she didn't have to be dressed in her finest, she at least wanted to look as presentable as possible. It was why she'd asked her partner to bring in some of her makeup – not that she was that obsessive over her outward appearance, but Olivia knew her poor health had taken its toll on her complexion. At the very least, she wanted to be able to apply a hint of color to her cheeks, so she wouldn't look so pale on camera. She needed for the realtor to believe that if the sale was made, she would indeed be living in that residence for some time to come.

It just so happened, that Olivia's favorite aide was on shift today, and as soon as JT realized she was back in her room, they were ready with the necessary items. Rushing through the routine with more haste than she usually used, Olivia was finished in record time. She still didn't trust her own abilities when it came to styling her hair – her hands shaking a bit too much for her own liking. But Elliot had proven himself on more than one occasion how capable he was at a braid, and Olivia had become more comfortable with asking her partner for help, especially now that their relationship was evolving into something more.

Elliot arrived not long after JT had come to collect the used towels from Olivia's bed bath. Upon seeing his partner, his smile brightened even more as it always did, and Elliot stepped closer to the bed to drop a kiss to the crown of Olivia's head by way of greeting.

"Morning, Liv. I brought what you asked for. The realtor sent me a message about an hour ago to confirm, she'll contact us with a video link we can see on your computer later this afternoon."

"Sounds great. I thought if you didn't mind, maybe we could go for a walk in the hall before then, and perhaps you might also be willing to help me with my hair. I know I'm not going to win any fashion awards, but I'd like to at least look more like myself, since we will be on camera."

"I can do that."

Before they could get started on any of the plans Olivia had in mind, however, Dr. Campbell stepped into the room. It appeared that the doctors – or at the very least, her cardiologist – had started making rounds earlier than usual today. Rather than feeling annoyed, Olivia was grateful for this development, as it decreased the chances of being interrupted later on during their video tour of the brownstone.

Since her cardiac function had been improving and wasn't being monitored as closely, the visits with Dr. Campbell weren't as long as they had been in the beginning. Mostly, the doctor was now explaining the process for the aftercare that would take place upon Olivia's eventual discharge from the hospital. While the damage to her heart had been significant, the fact that she was getting some exercise by walking the halls was a huge bonus in her favor. It was still yet to be determined if additional cardiac rehabilitation would be necessary, or if merely having frequent checkups on an outpatient basis would be enough. As for the beta blocker, that would be a part of Olivia's regimen for the foreseeable future, but in the scheme of things, swallowing a small pill twice a day wasn't any inconvenience at all.

After Dr. Campbell had left, Olivia had Elliot had barely had any time to regroup when Dr. Abrhams was there to pay a visit as well. Since the previous day's encounter with the nephrologist had gone so beautifully, Olivia could only hope that today's interaction would be just as good.

"Good morning Olivia, Elliot. I'm happy to report that the improvement of your creatinine numbers is even better than yesterday. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but if this trend continues, and combined with multiple consecutive days of dialysis, we may be able to look into the possibility of switching you to an outpatient program as early as the end of next week."

It wasn't exactly what she wanted to hear – given the choice, Olivia would prefer to go home today – but she supposed the same could be said for every patient here at the hospital. But all hope was not lost, and for the first time since she had been admitted, an end was potentially in sight. Nothing was definitive, and that was okay, so long as she had something to hold on to. Almost afraid to ask her next question, to worried of having her bubble burst after being given something to look forward to, Olivia glanced first to Elliot before looking back at her doctor.

"Was there something you wanted to ask me, Olivia? I can assure you, there is nothing I haven't heard before. There are no wrong questions."

"I hope this doesn't make me sound greedy, because I'm so grateful for everything you've done. But I've found as my appetite continues to improve and I've started becoming a bit more active, I'm also getting thirstier. I promise I've been sticking to the restrictions set in place of only thirty-two ounces of fluid a day, but it's getting more difficult to maintain."

Dr. Abrhams considered what had been said carefully before giving a response.

"I can understand that, and I thank you for telling me. While I don't think you need to be as strict as you were when you first started, I'm hesitant to loosen the limitations completely. What I can do is put a note in your chart to increase your allowance to forty-eight ounces a day. Obviously that doesn't mean you have to consume that much, but it will permit you to have up to two additional cups of liquid if you so choose."

"That would be great, thank you. I can assure you, I won't abuse it."

Once they were on their own again, Olivia allowed herself to be embraced by Elliot, and welcomed the way his lips brushed her temple. One by one, they kept celebrating the small victories, and it was so much better knowing that both the good and the bad were being weathered with someone she loved by her side. Now that the nerve wracking part of doctors' rounds were out of the way, Olivia could allow herself to focus on the part of the day that she was truly looking forward to – something that would hopefully lead to a fresh start in more ways than one. First things first, however, she wanted to burn off some of her nervous energy by taking a few laps around the hall.

While she didn't want to push herself, Olivia found that she had made it farther today than any previous walk in the hall. There was no doubt she was getting not only steadier on her feet, but stronger as well. Despite all the improvements, she was still afraid of doing too much, too soon, and remained determined to pace herself. After adequately stretching her legs, Olivia and Elliot returned to her room, where instead of heading back to the bed, the brunette opted for the comfortable chair where she had spent much of the previous day. After his partner had been situated, Elliot headed to grab Olivia's hairbrush, returning mere moments later.

"What shall it be today, Liv? A ponytail? Another braid perhaps?"

"Another braid, I think. While they aren't as bad as they were when I first got here, I'm still dealing with some mild headaches. I have a feeling a ponytail will be a bit too tight than what I'm looking for."

"You've got it. Remember, just tell me if I pull too hard or hurt you in any way."

Elliot always issued that warning, and not once had Olivia ever needed to caution him to be more careful. His gentleness with her knew no bounds, and that didn't surprise her in the least. Relishing the sensation of her partner's hands threading softly through her hair, Olivia couldn't help but feel the same twinge of disappointment she always did when her braid was completed far too soon for her liking.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. I'd offer to help you with your makeup, but somehow I think my talents in that area would not be appreciated."

Laughing, Olivia had to agree, but also made a valid point – there was something Elliot could help her with after all. Even though she was more mobile than she had been previously, she was infinitely more comfortable remaining seated, so she would need his assistance with holding a mirror so she could apply her own cosmetics. As always, Elliot was more than happy to do whatever he could, and situated himself perfectly into position.

A hint of tinted moisturizer to bring some color to her skin, followed by a light wisp of bronzer dusted across her cheekbones and temples to give her complexion a healthy glow, and Olivia's look was complete. As a final touch, she applied a light coat of gloss, relieved that the chapped lips she had been dealing with seemed to not be as severe.

"I'd ask you how I look, but I think you're probably biased in your opinion."

"That may be so, but I'm still going to tell you that you're beautiful. You're just going to have to believe me."

Olivia smiled.

"It's a good thing you're very convincing."

"That's what they tell me."

Something about Olivia's expression changed suddenly, and Elliot was instantly alert and concerned. As though intuiting what his partner's internal distress was about, Elliot was immediately trying to reassure the woman sitting in front of him.

"What is it? Second thoughts? We can cancel the tour, Liv. We don't have to do this today."

"No, I want to. I just had a flash of – I don't know what the right word would be. I guess maybe that this seems somehow like a dream? As though this isn't even real?"

Leaning forward and enveloping his partner in an embrace, Elliot touched his lips to her temple, mindful not to mess up her newly styled hair or makeup.

"I know what you mean. It seems surreal to me, too. Only in my wildest dreams – one of the really, really, good ones – have I ever imagined the two of us looking for a place to live together, but now, it's really happening. I can't help but wonder what I finally did right to be so damn lucky."

Turning her head to brush a returning kiss against Elliot's cheek, Olivia whispered in his ear.

"You never gave up on me, that's what. Even when I was giving up on myself."

Holding the woman in his arms even closer, Elliot fought against the wave of emotion that was threatening to consume him. He wasn't ashamed of his tears, but knew they would be contagious, and the last thing he wanted was to make Olivia cry right now.

"I'll always have your back. But you can't be too hard on yourself, either. What happened wasn't your fault. I just need you to remember that."

"I'll try."

Since both were in need of a distraction, it was Elliot who suggested they occupy their time by either watching something or playing a game of cards. Not having the mental concentration to be able to focus on any particular program, Olivia elected for cards. The games she and Elliot could choose from ranged from easy to complex depending upon her level of focus, and sometimes a little healthy competition was exactly what she needed to keep her spirits up.

Given that the need for today was to keep things basic, the partners had opted for what should have been a simple game of Go Fish. However, with both Olivia and Elliot each determined to win, things were bound to get interesting.

In the end, it was Olivia who claimed victory, and not a moment too soon, as the deck of cards had just been cleared away in time for the lunch trays to be delivered. Elliot quickly excused himself to go and grab something for himself to eat, with the promise to return as soon as possible. The excitement between them was growing, as following the afternoon meal, there wouldn't be long to wait until it was time for their virtual tour of what could potentially be their new future home.

After a lunch consisting of a turkey burger and a side salad, along with some angel food cake for dessert, Olivia was about as ready as she could be under the circumstances. If someone would have asked her what she had eaten just a short time ago, she wouldn't have been able to tell them, though it would have been easy to guess based upon the frequent repetition with her menu. Not for the first time, she longed for the day when she would be free from the confines of the hospital, if only to have more choices beyond what limitations the industrial kitchen here could provide.

Once Elliot had cleared away the empty trays and trash from their meals, he helped her to the bathroom one last time before their meeting with the realtor was scheduled to begin. While she was in front of a mirror, Olivia took advantage of the opportunity to make sure she looked presentable, and even touched up her lip gloss. She still didn't consider herself to be camera ready by any means, but at least she didn't look as sickly as she had as little as a few days ago. Not only had color returned to her complexion on its own, but with the help of the cosmetics she had used, she actually appeared to look human.

Relieved that all of her doctor's rounds had been completed already, and thus, the odds of any interruptions during the video call would be minimal, Olivia made her way back out to sit by Elliot. By now, he had arranged the laptop so they would both be able to see the screen, and even made sure to have a few hard candies on stand by for his partner should she get a dry mouth from all the talking.

"You've really thought of everything, haven't you, El?"

"I try."

Not long after Olivia had gotten settled, then the email link had been sent to establish a connection. She was unsure of exactly what to expect, considering the only personal experience she'd had concerning real estate was with the landlords she had rented from. Even then, typically she'd never had much to worry about, especially in recent years, because once they saw her badge, none of them even attempted to think about scamming her. Being a cop did have its advantages. But renting an apartment and owning a property were two entirely different situations. While Olivia knew she wasn't having second thoughts in terms of moving in with Elliot, the idea of such a major life milestone was somewhat daunting.

Thankfully, there wasn't much time to focus on her anxieties, as the link soon established and a woman's face appeared on the screen. She was younger than Olivia had been expecting, but that didn't make her any less capable. From the looks of things, she was standing outside the residence they would be viewing, and Olivia was excited to get an even closer image rather than just the still photographs they had looked at previously.

As though just remembering that she wasn't only a passive participant, Olivia pulled herself back to the present when she heard greetings and pleasantries being exchanged. She inserted herself into the conversation just as Elliot gestured to her by way of introduction, grateful as always to have a partner who always had her back.

"Hello. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us like this. I realize it's an unusual circumstance. But the home is lovely, and we didn't know when else we'd have an opportunity to view it."

"You're most welcome. I'm actually trying to do this more often. I believe that virtual tours could be the wave of the future, especially for people who are trying to move from another location entirely. Why not have the option available to allow them to view their potential new home just as anyone else would be able to?"

It definitely made sense, and Olivia was all the more grateful. Before she could say anything else, the realtor suggested they get started. Turning the camera in her hand to give a breathtaking view of the exterior of the brownstone, she began reciting a detailed synopsis on the history of the home. Any question that Olivia or Elliot could possibly think to ask was answered, such as the year it had been built, how many owners there had been, and even what the most recent updates and repairs were.

Even though they had seen a few photographs already – it was part of what had sparked their interest in the place to begin with – Olivia hadn't wanted to get her hopes up too much. But, as the realtor unlocked the front door and stepped into the foyer, she could see that it hadn't just been an amazing filter on the camera that had captured their attention.

So far, they were only on the first level, and already, Olivia was in love. Thankfully, her job as a Detective gave her an excellent poker face, so she was able to keep her emotions tightly bottled up, but out of view of the camera, Olivia clung tightly to Elliot's hand. The way he was holding fast in return told her he was experiencing the same feelings she was.

The living room was quite spacious, with lots of windows to allow for plenty of natural light. It was a mostly open floor plan, and flowed naturally from sitting area to dining room to kitchen, with an area off to the side designated as a utility room. Having relied on a community laundry room for her entire life, the idea of having a private washer and dryer only steps away would be a luxury for Olivia, one that she was immensely looking forward to.

Speaking of the kitchen, that particular room had recently been remodeled with brand new stainless steel appliances and cabinet fixtures. Even though she was anything but a gourmet chef, Olivia could envision herself coming home from work with Elliot and preparing a meal together side by side as they unwound from their day.

Pulling herself out of her daydream, Olivia forced herself to remain focused as the realtor ascended to the second level to show them the master suite and some of the other bedrooms. There was still another level to go after this, but unless she saw something that seriously swayed her opinion in the opposite direction, Olivia was almost ready to make her decision. She knew it wouldn't be an instantaneous process, but for the first time in her life, she felt like she had actually found a place to call home.

As luck would have it, the third floor of the brownstone had been just as beautiful as the other two. Then came a feature that wasn't mentioned in the listing description – or if it had been, neither Olivia nor Elliot had been paying attention. The residence also featured a basement of sorts, and while it wasn't furnished, it contained an adequate space for storage as well as the furnace and hot water heater.

Not wanting to make any decisions in the spur of the moment, Elliot and Olivia informed the realtor that they needed some time to discuss before coming to the conclusion as to whether or not they wanted to put in a bid. The woman understood completely, and told them to take as much time as they needed, considering that no one else had shown interest in some time. She also promised to make them a priority, and listed the current owner's willingness to consider a reduction in price if a fair offer was made.

Once the video connection was terminated, Olivia turned to face her partner. She didn't know what to say, and it was apparent from Elliot's expression that he didn't, either. Both of their faces spoke of the awe they were each feeling, and Olivia couldn't help but wonder if what she had just experienced had somehow all been a dream. Apparently, her hesitation was obvious to the man sitting next to her, because he was quick to offer reassurance.

"It was real, Liv, I promise. But if I'm interpreting your reaction correctly, I'm going to guess that you're just as in love with that place as I am."

"You'd be right about that. I couldn't help but think that I've never really had a home before, and now I might have my first real chance."

Elliot reached out and placed his hand on the back of Olivia's neck, squeezing gently. He understood her need for a home, a place to belong, more than anyone. He'd thought he could have had that with Kathy, but it turned out that they hadn't known one another as well as they thought they did. Marriage had taught them they were better off not sharing the same living space. Pushing that nagging thought out of his mind for the time being, Elliot directed his attention to the woman beside him.

"Did you want me to call the realtor back now, let her know we're interested and want to put in a bid?"

Olivia couldn't hide her smile.

"Let's at least wait until tomorrow. We don't want to seem desperate – even if we are. Plus, there are the finances to discuss. You already pay support for your kids and help Kathy maintain the house in Queens. I'm not going to let you contribute more than your fair share."

"Liv-"

Holding up one hand, Olivia effectively silenced her partner before he could utter another word.

"I know, El. I know it's in your nature to want to take care of others and be a provider. It's one of the many things I love about you. But you are also aware of just how independent I am, and I know you respect that. I'm going to want the evolution of our relationship to be as much an extension of our partnership as possible. That means being allowed to contribute with everything."

"Of course. I didn't mean to offend you."

Resting her palm on Elliot's face, Olivia brushed her thumb over his cheekbone softly.

"You haven't. You're probably the only person who never could. I was just stating facts. Plus, I've not talked about it much, but I've got a decent size nest egg that I've been sitting on for quite some time. I may only make a lowly detective's salary - just like you - but when my mother passed, she left me a substantial inheritance. It's been building interest all these years, and I think it's time I put it to good use."

Elliot didn't know what to say to that. If anything, he was happy for his partner, and a bit reassured to know that what they were embarking on was an investment that would benefit both of them.

"I'm not going to argue with you. I know better than that. Also, you brought up another valid point about waiting before diving headfirst into a decision."

Arching an eyebrow, Olivia didn't even need an explanation. She knew exactly what Elliot was about to say. The only question was whether she wanted to laugh, or smack her partner upside the head.

"You haven't told Kathy yet that we've discussed moving in together, have you? Which means your kids don't know either. I think it might be something you would want to mention – preferably before we put in a down payment, don't you?"

Properly chastised, Elliot's skin flushed. It wasn't that he had purposely neglected to share that particular information, but rather that his attention had been so solely focused on Olivia's health and well being, that he hadn't thought of anything else. He knew better than to voice that idea out loud, though, because the last thing he wanted was for his partner to blame herself.

"I'll call Kathy tonight, I promise."

Olivia opened her mouth to respond, and Elliot, already anticipating what was about to be said, cut her off immediately.

"I'm going to call to ask her to meet up for coffee or lunch so we can talk in person. I know this isn't the kind of conversation to have over the phone. But I appreciate you looking out for me."

"Always."

It was on the tip of Olivia's tongue to suggest that Elliot take time away from the hospital to take care of his personal business now, but selfishly she couldn't bring herself to send him away just yet. While everything about the experience of the virtual tour had been positive, the prospect of an upcoming major life change was starting to sink in to her brain, and the last thing she wanted right now was to be alone. Just like before, she wasn't having doubts, but rather feeling slightly overwhelmed. There were other thoughts, too, but none she wanted to put voice to just yet – not until they had more definitive answers as to whether or not the brownstone would be theirs. For the time being, Olivia was just grateful to be in the company of someone who cared for her so much, and knew that would be enough for now.

Several hours later, Olivia was waiting in her room for Elliot to return. Dinner trays were due to be brought around shortly, and her partner had stepped out to get himself something to eat, too. That wasn't the only thing he was doing, either. Following a reminder from Olivia herself, Elliot was also taking some time to phone Kathy and set up a meeting, so as to not intentionally ambush his ex wife with the news of the latest developments that had been taking place in his life.

Grateful for a few moments to herself, if only to be allowed to process the thoughts running rampant in her head, Olivia resisted the urge to pinch her arm. It had taken several reminders throughout the day for her to continue to be convinced that their tour of the brownstone had indeed been real, no matter how much Elliot had reassured her of that fact. Clinging to the hope of having a home to belong to didn't seem so far fetched anymore, and neither did the idea that she would eventually be discharged from the hospital. With the dawning of each new day, more and more hope was granted.

The tell-tale rumble of the meal carts out in the hall pulled Olivia back to the present, and she pulled the tray table over to situate it by the chair that she'd spent most of the day in. It was so much better than spending all her time in bed, even if it wasn't as comfortable as the furniture she was accustomed to. Expecting a dietary aide to walk through the door to her room at any moment, Olivia was surprised when the next person she saw was none other than her partner instead.

"El. I didn't expect to see you back so soon."

"I made it to the cafeteria before the dinner rush, so there wasn't anyone else in line. As luck would have it, I was also able to get in touch with Kathy, and we're meeting tomorrow morning for breakfast. She has an appointment in the city anyway, so it all works out perfectly."

Relieved that things had worked out, even though she still had a mild feeling of anxiety as to how the conversation the following day would go, Olivia couldn't hold back her smile.

"I'm glad to hear it."

Elliot was just getting settled with his own dinner when Olivia's was delivered. Having needed a break from all the repetition she'd endured with food lately, she had tried to free herself from the monotony by opting for baked chicken instead of grilled. It wasn't that drastic of a change, but enough of a switch to the flavor profile to help. For her side, Olivia had opted for a baked potato – a surprise that dietary had even sent it up, as they were a cautionary item, but she only planned to eat half of it anyway. It wasn't that Olivia's appetite was suffering, if anything it was better than it had been in months. However, she was weary of hospital food, and no longer made any attempt to conceal her displeasure. It wasn't even as though she could supplement her choices with takeout, although at least the snacks that were provided allowed for more leeway than the meals themselves.

If not for Elliot, Olivia didn't know if she'd make it through eating here at the hospital. His company had become essential. Olivia was also well aware of the lengths her partner went to in order to make certain his meals weren't too tempting. So often they mirrored her own. Likewise, the more they talked about their future together and the potential of living together in the brownstone becoming a reality, the more Elliot had promised to find recipes that would honor Olivia's renal diet but not be a bore.

After dinner was finished, Olivia convinced Elliot to join her for another walk in the hall. While she was still traveling short distances, she was getting out several times a day, and the exercise was helping her rebuild her strength.

Once she got back to her room, even though she wasn't yet ready for bed, Olivia had to acknowledge that she was a bit tired. She had spent most of the day – save for the four hours in dialysis – sitting upright, and it was starting to catch up to her. Though she hated to admit it, her limitations still existed, and she didn't want to push herself too much, too soon.

"Hey, El? Would you mind if I relaxed in bed while we watch something? I'm not ready for you to go anywhere just yet, but I'm starting to feel a bit weary."

"Of course not. If you're in the mood to share, I'm sure we can work something out. But, if you'd rather have the bed to yourself and stretch out a bit, I understand completely."

God, she loved this man. Now that she could finally admit that out loud, Olivia took Elliot's hand in her own and and placed a kiss on his knuckles.

"I'd like that. I even think that my attention span is strong enough to manage an actual movie tonight."

"Sounds good to me. Did you have anything in mind? I promise not to complain, no matter what you choose."

It was a tempting offer, and Olivia knew that Elliot meant it. But despite her increased brain power, she still didn't have the mental capacity for anything drastic. That meant that torturing her partner with a foreign film with subtitles would have to wait for another time. Instead, she opted for something that would appeal to both of their interests, also in need of a lighter subject to keep her spirits up.

As it always happened, the movie was over far too quickly for Olivia's liking. With the rolling of the credits, it also brought about the impending end of visiting hours. For reasons she couldn't explain, it was harder to say goodbye tonight than any other previous time Elliot had left. But Olivia tried as hard as she could to conceal her distress, not wanting to make it any more difficult on her partner. It had been a good idea in theory, but ultimately no use. Of course, Elliot was able to read her easily, and as always, put her needs above his own.

"I know, Liv. I don't want to leave either. I'd offer to cancel breakfast with Kathy in the morning to get back to you sooner, but I have a feeling if I did that, you'd really kick my ass."

"You're damn right. But there is something you can do for me."

There was no hesitation on Elliot's part whatsoever.

"Name it."

"Bring me something in tomorrow? I don't even care if it's something as simple as a bagel. I know you'll have to check with the nurses first, and that's okay. But the bagels from the kitchen here kind of suck, and I could really use a good one."

Pressing a kiss to his partner's forehead, Elliot made his promise.

"You've got it. Get a good night's sleep tonight, and remember to call me if you need anything."

Olivia tried not to feel lonely after Elliot had left, but it was more difficult tonight for some reason than any other night previous. It was one of the reasons she hated that visiting hours ended so early, although she would never deny her partner his own need for rest. As it was, he was practically living at the hospital with her. On the plus side of things, the fact that the was feeling better allowed her more freedom to partake in activities other than just sleep. Even if she wasn't always in the mood to watch television or read, there was the coloring book that Fin had brought, and Olivia couldn't deny the simple enjoyment that she got from filling in the pages.

The last thing Olivia had been expecting at that hour was a phone call, especially so soon after Elliot had left. The instant she'd heard her phone ring, her first instinct had been to glance around the room, certain that it was her partner calling to inform her that he'd left something behind. Instead, it was another image entirely on her screen, from someone whom she had only recently got back in touch with. Rushing to connect the video call, Olivia felt the same flutter in her heart as she always did when she saw the younger boy's face.

"Calvin."

"Hey Olivia. I hope I'm not disturbing you. Grandma said if I wanted to talk to you, I better call now before it gets any later. I know you need your rest."

Touched, Olivia was also aware that she could never deny anyone anything – especially the individual she was currently talking to.

"You're not bothering me, sweet boy. Like I've said, you can call me at any time. Were you just wanting to talk, or is there something else going on?"

"Actually, I was hoping you could help me with something with my homework. I'm working on a group project for my social studies class about the three branches of government, and my part is the judicial branch."

It was the little things like this that Olivia had missed the most, and knowing she could have it again meant the world to her. Something that would seem so trivial to an outsider, such as helping Calvin with a homework project, meant the world to her. While she wasn't sure how well her brain would function, she was going to do everything in her power to ensure he got an excellent grade.

"I'll be happy to help. I'm sure you know I can't talk about specific cases that I've worked on, but I can definitely tell you about my experience with the courts from a personal perspective."

"That would be great."

Olivia spent the next hour detailing as much as she could about the judicial system – with Calvin furiously taking notes the entire time. When she was done, he thanked her repeatedly, his face beaming brightly with a smile that went from ear to ear.

"Is it all right if I ask you something else, Olivia?"

"Of course."

If the first question about being asked to help with homework had been a surprise, the next query would definitely throw Olivia for a loop. Even though the possibility had been mentioned before, she still hadn't been willing to consider it becoming a reality, to afraid to cling to a hope that might not ever come true.

"My grandparents will be bringing me to the city soon, because the place where my dad is at is having a family visiting day and he's asked to see me. I'm still not sure I want to go, but I think it would also be rude not to. Plus Grandma said if I chance my mind after this time, I don't ever have to go back."

Still a bit confused, Olivia waited for the boy to finish his explanation and ask his question.

"What I was wondering is, would it be all right if we stopped to visit you while we were there? I'd understand if you didn't have a place for me to stay just yet, or even if you're still in the hospital, but I'd really like to see you."

"You know I would absolutely love that, Calvin. I'll tell you what. I'll call your grandmother tomorrow and figure out more of the details, and we can work something out, okay?"

"That would be great! Thanks, Olivia!"

A voice in the background – that Olivia recognized as belonging to Virginia – called to Calvin then, and reluctantly, the boy had to end the call. As always, it was bittersweet saying goodbye, but the conversation had been yet another bright spot in a very good day. When she hung up, Olivia couldn't help the thrilling feeling that had consumed her. As she began to settle in for the night and get ready for bed herself, it was with a smile on her face and looking forward to the following morning. Olivia couldn't wait to tell Elliot about what had happened, and she could only hope that his breakfast with Kathy would go smoothly. Maybe after learning how that went, she'd be able to make the ultimate leap and put in a bid on what would become her future home with her partner.