THE RETURN

Chapter 4

Olivia! Oh my goodness you look amazing!" Kathleen explained as she pulled Olivia in for hug.

Olivia returned the hug to the best to her ability while still holding on to Noah's hand, "Thank you Kathleen. You do too." She pulled back from the hug to fully look at the woman in front of her, "Geez, you look just like your father." This was true. Although Kathleen had Kathy's famous blond hair, she definitely had her father's prominent nose and strong jawline.

Kathleen rolled her eyes slightly, "Yeah, yeah. Everyone tells me that. I'm just thankful I don't have his receding hairline yet." Both women laughed out loud. "When that happens, I might as well just give up hope."

Olivia laughed again. If she could have ever considered herself close to any of her ex-partner's children, it would have been the woman who was standing in front of her. When Elliot left it was not only difficult to deal with his abrupt absence, it was difficult to deal with his family's absence as well. To be cut out of each one of their lives had contributed to the heartbreak she experienced. His family was the closest thing she ever had for a family and to realize that they never saw her as part of it was depressing. "I think you may have a few more years to go before you have to worry about that."

Kathleen shrugged her shoulders, "Let's hope so." She looked down at Noah and smiled, "Who are you?"

Noah smiled back, "My name is Noah. Are you a friend of my mom?"

"I knew your mom a long time ago Noah. I haven't seen her in years." Kathleen replied as she kneeled down to Noah's eye level, much like her father had done. "How old are you Noah?"

"I'm six."

"Wow! You're practically grown already." She gave him a quick wink before standing back up.

Right when Olivia was about to say something, they heard a loud 'MOMMY' from behind her. When all three turned in the direction of the sound, Olivia's eyes once again met a familiar pair of blue eyes. On his shoulders was little girl who couldn't be more than three years old. He gave her a small smile, "Hey guys."

"ELLIOT!" Noah screamed. He urgently pulled his hand out of his mother's and ran to him, wrapping his arms around his legs.

Elliot laughed lightly and reached down with one hand to rub the back of the young boy's head. "Hey buddy. Happy Fourth of July." He glanced up at Olivia, who he noted looked absolutely stunning, "Happy Fourth Olivia."

Olivia nodded, "Happy Fourth."

"PAPA! MOMMY!" The little yelled from his shoulders.

Elliot raised his eyebrows slightly, "You're just like your mother, so bossy." The little girl stuck her tongue out at him as he lifted her off his shoulders to hand her to her mom. He stuck his tongue back out at her when Kathleen grabbed ahold of her.

"Dad, I've told you not to encourage that." Kathleen looked at Olivia, "He teaches her all the bad habits."

Elliot laughed and leaned down to scoop Noah up in his arms, "She has no proof of that."

Kathleen rolled her eyes, "Yeah like that wasn't proof enough."

Elliot shrugged his shoulders lightly and turned his attention to the boy in his arms. Noah was already telling him about what they had did that day and about what the true meaning of the Fourth of July was. "Mom said we're going to go to the big fireworks this year! Usually we watch them from the window at our apartment."

Olivia tried to breath through her nerves at the situation unfolding in front of her. Here she was trying to keep Elliot away from her son, however here they were in reality growing closer by each second together. She glanced back at Kathleen when the young girl in her arms started to fuss. "Hey you. My name is Olivia, what's yours?"