25

Elliot woke up to Olivia and the girls making breakfast just feet from the air mattress. Maci and Rory talked a mile a minute as they helped Olivia mix pancake batter and scramble eggs.

"You three are up early," Elliot yawned as he slowly stood up. His body ached from the last few days.

"These two were starving, so I kind of had to feed them," Olivia smiled softly. Elliot loved the way his wife's face lit up when she smiled. Her smiles rarely met her eyes, and Elliot just now realized this. 

"When did they get up?" Elliot asked, drawing his wife close. Olivia kissed his lips softly before leaning back and looking at the clock behind Elliot.

"Around five... We should've kept them up most of the day because they would've slept in," Olivia sighed.

"Go climb back into bed, I can watch them," Elliot spoke, but Olivia quickly shook her head.

"I've missed over a year of their lives, and if I go to jail, I'll need to savor these moments," Olivia whispered. 

"You won't go to jail," Elliot whispered back.

"I'm scared, El. Hugo might get out before I do," Olivia frowned.

"What about Daddy?" Maci asked, her head tilting to the side.

"Nothing, pumpkin. Let's get back to making breakfast."

///

Elliot got to know Olivia's girls throughout the day. He knew it would take years to know everything about the little girls Olivia risked everything for, but he was willing to put in the work. He was angry with Olivia when they grabbed the girls and tried to get back to safety, but he understood now. Maci and Rory meant the world to Olivia, and she had to get them back before they were gone forever.

"We need a bigger place," Elliot spoke, as Olivia came out into the living room after putting the girls down. Agent Ford had told the couple to stay put and not leave the house, so Olivia spent her day washing the clothes the girls wore when they grabbed them and trying to keep them occupied without toys.

"It's not that simple, El. We can't just get a new place... Hugo still has employees he could send after us, so a new house would need to be set up like this one. Cameras would need to be everywhere and it would need to be in a safe neighborhood that Ford could still monitor us," Olivia sighed as she sank onto the edge of the couch. She was exhausted and so scared.

"I'm sure they'd be willing to do that. We can buy the house, and they could set up the system-"

"Elliot, I love you... But we might not need a bigger house. Ford called while I was bathing the girls and it wasn't looking good. Everyone is pissed off that I took matters into my own hands," Olivia interrupted.

"You did so much in only twelve hours compared to the fourteen months they had to close the case. They are angry you did more than them, and now they need to put out little fires."

Olivia nodded slowly, but wasn't confident. She kept reminding herself that even if she spent years in jail, at least her daughters would be safe with Elliot. 

"C'mere, Liv. We need to get some sleep since those girls are balls of energy," Elliot spoke, reaching out to Olivia.

"I'm sorry, El," Olivia whispered.

"You can't keep apologizing for everything, Liv. I was angry, but I'm not anymore. Get that cute butt of yours down here and go to bed."

///

It was a week before they got any news. Olivia and Elliot were on lockdown in the house with the girls, so Olivia was thankful to walk outside and get some fresh air when Ford called her outside.

"How are you holding up?" Ford asked. Olivia took a slow breath as she felt the warmth of the sun on her face.

"I'm exhausted but happy. Elliot and the girls get along so well, but my chest feels heavy all the time. I hear the girls giggling and get scared it'll be the last time I hear them laugh in person," Olivia sighed, her eyes opening slowly.

"We convinced a judge that you helped us close this case. That we used you for bait and that is how we got Hugo. They didn't believe us at first, but we kept going and any charges against you will be dropped. You will hear those girls laugh until they are teenagers and hate your guts for being uncool," Ford smiled.

Olivia stared at him in shock before letting out a sob and quickly clinging to Ford. He didn't hug her back for a long moment, but eventually looped his arms around her and gave her a tight squeeze.

"You are no longer under lockdown in this house, so please go get those girls some toys so you have some downtime," Ford chuckled awkwardly as he shoved Olivia away. She smiled at him, her fingers wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"Thank you so much, Agent Ford. Am I still in the program or can I finally start telling people about my real self?" Olivia asked.

"You are still in the program until further notice. We will be relocating your family into a bigger home soon, especially since we don't want one of Hugo's buddies to find you. Keep watching your back, but things will get easier soon," Ford smiled. He squeezed Olivia's shoulder before walking away.

Olivia took a few minutes to calm down before heading back inside. Maci was sitting on Elliot's lap, his arms wrapped around her body and Rory was sitting beside them with her head resting against Elliot's arm.

"You okay?" Elliot asked as he looked at his wife. The girls quietly turned their eyes to their mother.

"You three are stuck with me for a very long time. I won't be going to jail, and we will be getting a bigger house soon," Olivia smiled.