Their Secret Family [A Bensler/EO Fan Fic]

Sixteen

For a month straight, Elliot stayed at Olivia's apartment. He spent his nights laying beside Olivia, his hand caressing her belly until she fell asleep. The kids would come to the apartment three days a week and eat dinner with Elliot and Olivia, and no one noticed Elliot was spending his nights in Olivia's bed instead of on the couch.

"Kids and Kathy..." Olivia spoke as she answered her apartment door. Elliot was folding the unused blankets on the couch when he heard his wife's name.

"She wouldn't let us leave without her tonight," Maureen frowned as she glanced back at her mother.

"T-That's okay... Uh, Elliot!" Olivia exclaimed as she turned around slowly and walked to where Elliot had froze. Elliot took a slow breath before tossing the blankets down and walking past Olivia to the front door.

"Elliot," Kathy spoke.

"Hey, Kath. What are you doing here?" Elliot questioned.

"We should probably talk, so can you come home and talk to me?" Kathy replied.

"I really don't want to," Elliot admitted, as Olivia tried to restrain from laughing. She and Elliot had something great going, so she didn't blame him for not wanting to leave.

"Elliot, I'm your wife and-"

"You threatened my best friend's life because you are angry that you can't control her life. Just because you don't think she's ready to be a mother doesn't mean it's true. We were barely adults when we had Maureen, so I think Olivia is a thousand times more prepared than we were," Elliot replied with a deep frown.

"Elliot-"

"Olivia doesn't want you around, especially since you have been nothing but a bitch since I told you of her wants. In the end, I won't go anywhere with you until you apologize to Olivia and plan to be a better person," Elliot spoke, as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Kathy sighed deeply as she ran a hand over her face. She was beyond angry at her husband and Olivia and didn't know if she'd ever not be angry.

"I'm sorry," Kathy lied through gritted teeth.

"Mom, don't lie," Maureen spoke. 

"I'm. Not. Lying!" Kathy yelled, before turning and stomping away from the apartment. Olivia sighed softly as she leaned against the wall and looked at Elliot and his kids.

"Elliot, go after her," Olivia breathed, even if she didn't want to.

"Olivia-"

"No, you all should go home with her. Take the pizza and talk through this entire mess. I know she'll probably hate me until she's old and loses most of her memory, but she'll always be your wife and their mom. So please, go," Olivia sighed.

Elliot looked at Olivia for a long moment before hesitantly nodding.

"Kids, leave a handful of pizza for Olivia and then take the boxes to the car. I'm going to grab my bag and join you at home in a bit," Elliot frowned.

///

Elliot didn't know why he left the comfort of Olivia's apartment, but he knew it had to happen. If he didn't, Kathy and Olivia would probably both be angry at him for one reason or another. 

After eating dinner with his family, Elliot went upstairs and showered before just staring at the bed he was supposed to share with his wife. 

"You aren't sleeping in here," Kathy spoke, as she walked into the room with a basket of laundry.

"You wanted me to come home to talk, but you won't let me sleep in our bed? I should've just stayed at Olivia's apartment," Elliot grumbled as he walked to the closet and pulled out a handful of dress shirts and some slacks.

"Where are you going?!" Kathy huffed, as she turned to face her husband.

"I'm going to stay with Olivia since she doesn't hate me and blame me for her own fucked up actions."

"No-"

"You should've gotten jail time, Kath! You got off easy and it didn't change a damn thing about you! Kathy, you are still the same bitter monster you were weeks ago," Elliot huffed.

Kathy raked her fingers through her hair before breathing slowly. She tried to calm herself down, but it took longer than anticipated. By the time she was relaxed, Elliot was downstairs tossing clothes into his car.

"Let's actually talk. Hell, we can have sex if that'll make you stay!" Kathy exclaimed once she ran out the front door. Elliot looked at her and shook his head.

"I'm never having sex with you again. If you think fucking me is going to change my mind, you are fucking delusional," Elliot huffed.

Kathy nodded as she reached Elliot's side and quickly pulled him close. She tried to kiss him, but kissed the palm of his hand instead. Elliot stepped out of her grasp as Kathy looked at him desperately.

"I don't wanna get a divorce, Elliot... I love you and want to stay married to you! Can we try therapy?"

"Therapy? So you can spin around all your actions until I'm the bad guy?!" Elliot laughed bitterly. Standing here and arguing with Kathy was wasting the time he wanted to be spending with Olivia. 

Kathy fought off tears as she dropped her head and took a shaky breath.

"Can we please try therapy? I will be honest about everything and I will work through all the things I'm dealing with and even apologize to Olivia. I don't want the kids to be shipped between houses because we got a divorce," Kathy begged as tears slipped down her cheeks.

Elliot looked at her for a long moment after realizing she was being honest.

"Kathy, we can do couples therapy and you will do solo therapy to fix the mess you are right now. You need to realize that I will remain a part of Olivia's life and will be there when the baby is born. You can't get me to stand down on those two things."