30

Olivia focused on making the day fun for her daughters, which was harder than expected. They would know something bad was happening if she spoiled them too much, so she gave them ice cream but didn't take them to buy toys or watch a movie.

"Mama, where's Elliot?" Rory asked, her voice shaking as she stood in her mother's doorway. It was after midnight and Olivia didn't know why her daughter wasn't sleeping anymore.

"Babe, you were sleeping when I checked on you a few hours ago. Why are you up?" Olivia replied.

"I know something bad happened, but Elliot is nice," Rory breathed as she padded across the carpet and to her mother's bed. Olivia offered her eldest her hand and helped her onto the bed.

"We got into a fight, and Elliot is taking time to cool off. He'll come home, but I don't know when."

"We just got a daddy who is nice..." Rory trailed off. Olivia swallowed hard as tears welled in her eyes.

"Elliot is still nice, sweetie. I've been struggling lately, and I'm assuming you've noticed. I had a physical with my doctor and she found a baby in my belly... Rory, I'm scared something will happen to the baby, and it's frustrating for Elliot because I have a hard time believing he can protect me," Olivia replied softly. She hated that her little girl had to find out this way, but she'd need her help with Macie until Elliot came back home.

"A baby?"

"Yeah, a baby. You were a toddler when I had Macie in my belly. You will have another baby brother or sister, but not a lot will change minus another kid in the house. I promise," Olivia spoke.

"If Elliot comes home tonight, can you send him to see me?" Rory asked.

"Why?" Olivia questioned.

"We need to talk," Rory replied softly. She leaned over and hugged her mother tightly before climbing off the bed and heading to her room.

///

Olivia slept for an hour after Rory left her room before giving up and heading downstairs. During the time she had slept, Elliot got home. He was making up the couch to sleep on, and didn't expect to see his wife sitting on the bottom stair watching him.

"You are sneaky, Mrs. Stabler," Elliot spoke softly.

"You as well. I didn't hear you get home," Olivia replied.

"I was here, but didn't come in until you turned off your lamp. I wanted you to fall asleep," Elliot frowned.

"Rory knows about the baby. I told her tonight when we talked."

"Is she excited?"

"She's confused, and I'm sure Macie will be as well. Rory asked for me to send you to her room when you got home. She said you two needed to talk," Olivia replied. Elliot nodded as he rubbed the back of his neck. He knew Rory was angry with him, which broke his heart. He broke down and yelled at Olivia in front of the girls, which was something he never wanted to do.

"It's really late, so I'll wake her up early and we can chat. Olivia, right now we need to talk," Elliot breathed.

"I can promise you Ford is watching us right now."

"I know, but I didn't plan on being mean. Liv, I'm sorry for yelling at you and touching you like that. I'm not a violent man, and you know that. Not only are you stressed, but so am I. In the last month, I found out my wife was married to another man and has two daughters, then we went to rescue her daughters and almost got into an accident when chased by Hugo, and then we came home and you have nightmares and tell me you're pregnant... I knew being with you would be different from a simple woman with only one life, but I love you more than anyone else I've been with before. I fell for you hard and hate myself for causing you harm..." Elliot spoke, his voice shaking as he opened up to his wife.

He truly meant the words he spoke, and he prays Olivia forgives him. The last thing he wanted was for his marriage to end just weeks after they got married. He wanted to raise Rory, Macie, and their unborn child with Olivia. 

"I knew you'd come home and apologize. Not some fake apology to get me to have sex with you, but a true apology. One you thought about completely... El, I love you so much and am so sorry my struggling is making things worse for you. I'll try harder to trust you, as long as you can be more understanding as well," Olivia replied, as she stood and walked to Elliot.

"Baby, I need to be with you. I will try my hardest to be your rock through these times," Elliot whispered, as his wife ran her hands over his hips and drew him close.

"You've been my rock since we met... Will you still love me when I'm not in fighting condition? I'm going to gain weight and waddle around," Olivia whispered. Elliot's lips curled into a smile as he eliminated all space between their bodies.

"Maybe I should grow a beer gut and we can bump bellies. I'm sure I could learn to waddle as well," Elliot grinned. Olivia laughed softly as Elliot rested his forehead against hers.

"I love you, El... We will make it through this. It'll just take some time," Olivia whispered.

"I love you too, Liv. Now... Can I sleep in our bed instead of on the couch? I found a few goldfish from Macie's snack time," Elliot asked.

"Of course. I'm feeling okay right now, but I can't promise I'll be okay when I wake up."