Chapter 12

00:19, 18 May 2017

I walked around in a fog after I lost my baby. Elliot and I slowly grew apart, and the only thing keeping me sane, while the only person, was Eli.

"Liv, can we go to Manhattan soon?" Eli asked, as we sat in the living room. Elliot was sitting next to me, but there was a full cushion between us.

"You have school, Eli. Maybe this summer." Elliot replied before I could, and I frowned.

"Elliot, we are going in two weeks." I replied, and he turned to stare at me.

"Eli has school, Liv." He said, coldly.

"Yes, but your eldest daughter is getting married, El." I hissed.

"No need to be a bit-" he started, and I stood quickly, and stormed off towards our bedroom. I slammed the door and flopped down on the bed as tears ran down my cheeks. Fuck him.

It only took him a few moments to come up, and he let out a tired sigh.

"Liv-" He started, and I shook my head.

"Fuck off, Elliot." I swore, and he groaned.

"Why are you being such a bitch?" He swore and I stared at him with anger in my eyes.

"Really? You treat me like shit. Never speak to me in front of Eli like that ever again." I spoke, and he struck me across my cheek. I gasped and I heard a loud noise, and Elliot stumble to the ground. I looked at Eli, and his expression was pure anger.

"Eli." I breathed, and he stood and walked over to me. He gently touched my cheek and frowned.

"Are you alright, Liv?" He asked, and Elliot stood up.

"Eli go to your fucking room! You are grounded!" He screamed.

"Stop being a jackass to Liv! If you really loved her, than why are you treating her like shit? You are lucky that she is in your life, and if she decides to come back from Manhattan!" Eli swore, before walking out of the room, leaving me and his father alone.

Elliot looked at me. Something sparked in his eyes, like he knew what had happened. What he had did.

"Liv I-" he started.

"No, don't apologize. I don't want to hear it right now. I'm going to stay in the guest bedroom."

"Liv, please." He plead.

"You hit me, Elliot. You did something you promised me that you would never do. You promised to not hurt me like Lewis did, or verbally abuse me, let alone hit my like my mother did. You promised me that you would be different. I hate you for not being different." I spoke, and he looked at me.

"I didn't mean to, I swear." he plead again, and I shook my head.

"Elliot, I'm sorry that I lost our child. I just don't know if I am meant to be here anymore. I think when we go back to Manhattan, I'm going to stay there for a bit. If Eli wants to stay with me, I'm not going to say no. Maybe we should stay in Manhattan, and when you figure out your life, and what you want, then you can find us there." I breathed.

Elliot stared at me with wide eyes.

"Are we breaking up?"

"It's a separation, El. It isn't permanent." I sighed.

+++

When we went back for Maureen's wedding, Eli did make the choice to stay with me. Elliot said he would fly between London and Manhattan, but at this point, I didn't know if our marriage would end in a divorce or in a reconciliation.

"Since I'm here, does that mean I have to move back in with my mother?" Eli asked, as we sat on the floor of our new but empty apartment, eating Chinese food from the containers.

"I discussed it with your mother, she said that you can stay with me, since your father had full custody." I breathed.

"So, I don't have to go with her and Sean?" He asked, surprisingly excited.

"Nope, me and you are gonna live together." I smiled.

"Alright, I think I can live with that." he laughed. I smiled and reached out and ruffled his hair.

"So tomorrow, we are going to pick out furniture." I replied, and he smiled.

"So whatever I want?" he asked, and I laughed.

"Pretty much, weirdo." i replied, and he smiled.

We laughed and ate, and then he went into his new bedroom and slept in a sleeping bag, while I sat in the living room, quietly reading. My phone rang, and I frowned as I looked at it, seeing Elliot's picture.

"Hello?"He questioned as I answered.

"Hey." I mumbled.

"How is Eli?" he asked, not wanting to even discuss how I'm doing.

"He is good. He's in bed." I replied.

"Alright, good. Um, does he even have a bed?" He asked, and I sighed.

"Nope! He is sleeping in a sleeping bag. We can't get anything until tomorrow." I replied.

"And you?" He asked, and I bit my lip.

"Okay, how are you?" I asked.

"I'm fine. One of my co-workers tried to set me up on a date." He sighed, and I frowned.

"Did you have fun?" I breathed.

"I didn't go." He mumbled, and I felt better.

"Oh." I replied.