☀️She's Extraordinary ☀️

Merry Christmas!

Manhattan, NY (Dec. 23rd) (Elliot's Perspective)
"Playing watchdog is always fun." Olivia exclaimed sarcastically while coming back in the car with coffee.
"Do you not like staking out with me, babe?"
"Of course, I enjoy staking out with you." She kissed me.
"Ugh, morning breath."
"Whatever." She rolled her eyes.
"Have you talked to the kids?"
"Noah and Leia. They called me. They seem to be doing alright. At least, as alright you can be knowing that your parents won't be home for Christmas."
"Elliot..." She paused.
"We'll make it home."
"Olivia I love you, but you and I both know that we can't promise that. The kids shouldn't have to be so used to being let down by the both of us."
"They're not always let down by the both of us."
"But they have been one time too many."
"But isn't it good? For them to see us working?" I sighed.
"Liv, do you remember, I especially remember you telling me this story, Noah was 8, and Bella had just turned 7. You didn't come in time for Christmas. They were both inconsolable. Crying the whole Christmas Day. Is that really normal? I mean, we can't have another kid and have it be like that for them too."
"Elliot-"
"Don't Elliot me."
"No seriously, look."
*******************
Southampton, NY (1:25 PM) (Kathleen's Perspective)
"Your friends are going to love this Bella. Did I go too all out?" I asked.
"No!" Leia said before munching a caramel chocolate pretzel.
"No, they'll love it."
"Leia..." She giggled, swiped another, and ran upstairs. Bella played with her shirt quietly.
"Bella, are you sure everything's okay?" I asked my little sister. She nodded.
"Everything's okay. I can't wait for them to come. When are Chrissy and Ella coming?"
"Soon, Leia can't wait."
"And where's Noah?"
"He's at GameCity with his friends."
"Well, you sure have everyone distracted." Bella said.
"What?"
"Nothing." She went upstairs quietly. I don't trust that she's fully okay.
*************************
Our Family Room (Bella's Perspective)
"I want the tea."
"What tea?" Paisley said with a giggle.
"You know what we mean."
"There is no tea, I swear. You guys are always asking me for tea, what about you?!"
"Hannah, you've got anything?" She tapped her chin.
"I'll only say it if Paisley promises to tell us something...."
"Okay, I will."
"Knox and I broke up."
"You did?!"
"When?!"
"A couple of weeks ago." Does this have something to do with the baby? Why didn't she tell me? This isn't like her.
"Why did you guys break up? You guys looked happy. I don't know if I believe in true love anymore."
"There's still Bella and Jake."
"Well, that's true. You and Jake are good, right?"
"Yeah...just a few stumbles here and there. But back to Hannah..."
"But back to Bella..." I looked her in the eye and she gave me a look that said, I'll tell you in a sec.
"What do you mean stumbles."
"Just not communicating well, you know. Caused a lot of arguments."
"You guys okay now?"
"Yeah, we're much better!"
"Then I can believe in love!" Paisley exclaimed.
"You're ridiculous."
"Ooo, wait, how much do you text Matt."
"Umm... every day practically all day."
"Jeez, you guys have a lot to talk about."
"So do we." Paisley pointed out. I still wonder what went on with Knox and Hannah and why she felt the need to hide it from me...
"Pais, can you grab my phone? I think I left it upstairs."
"Sure! Brb!"
"When were you gonna tell me?" I asked her.
"You were upset with Jake and stuff so I didn't wanna work you up."
"I wouldn't get worked up." I told her.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I don't wanna burden you or anything." That's a line I've heard before. One that I've said myself...a lot of times.
"Plus, you also seem a bit unhappy now. That's why I suggested this hangout." I sat closer to my best friend.
"Hannie. I can put aside my feelings, you know. I don't want you to feel like you have to be afraid to tell me things. We're best friends." She nodded.
"Call me later and I'll explain."
"What was your phone doing in the kitchen?!" Paisley threw it for me.
"It's from when Kathleen and I slaved to make these snacks."
"Let's choose the next movie guys."
"Mean Girls."
"Nah."
"You literally reject all of my ideas." I said.
"I wanna watch the Originals!"
"Yesss!"I rolled my eyes playfully.
"Alright then!" I guess it really is obvious how sad I am sometimes. I used to be way better about hiding my feelings. I should get back to that. And, I need to pay more attention to Hannah's feelings too.
******************
Christmas Eve (Saturday) (Leia's Perspective)
"Leia, it's after 1 in the morning." Kathleen said to me.
"What are you doing up?" I sniffled.
"What's wrong? Did you have a bad dream?" Kathleen told me to get on her bed.
"I miss Mommy and Daddy. I want them to come home. They said they'd be home for Christmas and Christmas Eve. I wish they didn't have to work all of
the time. It makes me mad and sad." I told her.
"I want them to be like normal parents. Not have to
go undercover and not have to hide and move out and miss holidays. You don't even get it."
"Yes, I do. Dad was a detective when I was younger too. You guys have it a bit lucky."
"Why?"
"He didn't make it for all of my birthdays."
"That's sad." I told her.
"I know. You have every right to be angry about them working so much."
"Will they ever stop, Kathy?"
"One day, pumpkin. One day."
*****************
Our Backyard (Noah's Perspective)
Today's a bummer but I've gotta be there for my siblings.
"We're gonna make a snowman?" Leia asked.
"Yeah. The snow's perfect for it."
"Okay, I gotta put my earmuffs on... I'm ready!" Bella fixed them a bit and kissed her.
"What is it gonna look like?" She asked.
"However you want it to be." Bella told her.
"I want it to look like Olaf."
"Okay, so we're gonna need some rocks-"
"And a carrot."
"Lei, how about you help me make the first layer while Bella looks?"
"Yeah!"
"Where do you want it to be?"
"In near all of the window doors so Mommy and Daddy could see them!"
"Good spot!" We started packing the snow together. Lei looked so happy.
"Now we gotta roll it. Come on!"
"We did it, No-No."
"It looks perfect."
"Noah?"
"Yeah?"
"Mommy and Daddy are gonna love it, right No-No?"
"They are, come on let's make the second layer!" She giggled and went to go find a spot with good snow.
"I got the stuff. You guys finished the first one already?"
"Yeah, come help us Bell." We kept working on the snowman and seeing my sister smile made me smile.
^^^^^^^^^
"That snowman looks so good." Kathleen told us.
"Where's Leia?" We found her asleep on the couch with Ryan.
"You guys tired her out." The doorbell rang and she went to go get it quietly.
"Who's that?" Bella asked me. I shrugged my shoulders. I hope that's Mom or Dad. Bella and Leia miss them. I do too.
"Thanks for coming, Maureen. Where's Dickie?"
"Still in Seattle." We both looked at each other.
"I know you guys' Mom and Dad aren't here, but that doesn't mean that the show won't go on. We have dinner to make! Everyone's helping."
"Where's Leia?" Taylor asked.
"She's sleeping honey, let's let her rest." Bella rolled her eyes and went upstairs.
"Bella, I hope you're going up there intending to come back down and help."
"I'm not."
***************
My "Room" (Bella's Perspective)
"Merry Christmas!" Jake said over the phone. I couldn't help but laugh. It was 6 PM on Christmas Eve over here, but it's Christmas Day in Italy.
"Merry Christmas, bae."
"Look at all the lights outside."
"Woah. I wish I could be there with you. Italy looks so pretty." I said while resting my head on my pillow. My bedroom door then opened and Kathleen was standing there.
"I have to go help Kathleen now. I wish you a very Merry Christmas. I hope you get everything you wished for...and if you don't you've got my present waiting for you."
"Same to you. I can't wait to see you. Call me back,"
"I shall." I kissed the phone and hung up. I sighed.
"Everything okay, Bell?"
"No, Christmas is about family, and Mom and Dad aren't even gonna be here. This is the last Christmas before..."
"Before the little bean comes."
"Yeah, and I kinda just want to enjoy that, I guess."
"Are you unhappy about it?"
"I'm not unhappy I love Leia, and I would love my new sibling. Things just won't be the same anymore."
"Why do you say that?"
"After Mom brought Leia home I was pushed to the side a bit because she was the baby. She said everything would be the same, that she'd still love me the same, but that wasn't quite true. I'm just worried that when they come...I won't get any attention at all. I'm the middle kid. Noah and Leia get that attention easily. I got attention in....not so good ways sometimes."
"And you think I don't get it? I was always getting in trouble with Dad after the twins came around, and when Eli was coming....hated it. I went to the precinct to chew him out." I chuckled.
"Did they ever treat you the same again?"
"Not exactly the same, but our relationship got so much better."
"How? What should I do?"
"I told them how I feel, and I think you should too. You're the kind of person that holds everything in until they explode which isn't good. You told me that you're working on that. So, tell them. If it helps I could be there?" I nodded in agreement.
"I could try..."
"Try?"
"But what if they get angry? Like last time?"
"They won't if I'm around, trust me."
****************
644 West 110th Street (Olivia's Perspective)
"Okay. One the count of 3. 1....2....3...." CSU, SVU, and OC bust through the doors of the seemingly abandoned house.
"Put your hands up where we can see them!" I yelled.
"Drop everything and put your hands up!"
"Now!"
"This is an unlawful search. We have done nothing wrong."
"Well then if that's the case, this should all be solved quickly. Turn around and put your hands up. Against the wall."
"Over my dead body."
"Don't make this any more difficult for yourself."
"Captain Benson! Detective Stabler!"
"Don't make me have to do it for you." I said. Suddenly, I was pierced in the arm with some sharp object. I stepped back.
"Liv! Are you okay?!"
"I'm fine Elliot. Go ahead. Stop worrying about me." It looks deep.
"Captain Benson, are you sure you don't need a bus?"
"I'm fine, just arrest that prick." I stumbled over to the next room.
"Down here." I made it to the basement, clutching my arm.
"Oh...my...god."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Mercy Hospital
"Hey, did you get any information out of the girls?" Fin asked.
"Yes, their john, Enrico, was the guy that put you in this hospital bed." I chuckled.
"You good?"
"Yeah, just a couple of stitches. I'm gonna get out of this bed and talk to a few of those girls myself." I looked up at the clock. It was 2 AM. It's Christmas Day.
"It's Christmas." He said.
"If you want to go home to the kids, I get it."
"No, duty calls. They'll get it." I walked over to one of the other beds and started interviewing.
"Do you mind if I ask you your name?"
"Celeste." All of these girls seemed to be young adults.
"Nice to meet you, Celeste. H-How long have you been there? Can you tell me?" She didn't reply, instead, she clutched her legs and buried her head.
"I could come back if you want. We don't have to about anything you're not ready to talk about." She nodded her head.
"My name's Olivia by the way. I'll be back." I told her. I went to go stand over by the nurse's station. My head was still hurting from earlier.
"How's it going?" Elliot asked.
"I haven't gotten much. You?"
"Most of the girls have been there since they were teens. Trafficked from as far as Colombia."
"This is horrible."
"I know." A commercial was playing on the hospital tv. There was a family surrounded by the Christmas tree in matching pajamas, opening presents together.
"Earth to Liv?"
*******************
Christmas Morning (8 AM) (Bella's Perspective)
I stretched and realized that Leia and Noah were next to me. There was something on the floor... Leia woke up seconds later.
"Morning, BB. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Leia." I zoned in on what was on the ground. Hershey kisses. There were three separate trails and 3 bags. I remember when Mommy used to do this with Noah and me.
"Bella, there's chocolate on the ground!"
"I know, let's go. Noah, get up!" We collected the candy and followed the trail, which lead up to the Christmas tree."
"Merry Christmas, guys!"
"Merry Christmas!"
"Christmas!" Taylor shouted. Apparently, Maureen's husband and Tyler come over at some point. So they were here too.
"I don't know what you guys do. Do you guys do presents first or eat?"
"Presents." We said together.
"Okay, so presents it is." I looked for one with my name.
"I wonder what this is!" I shook it slightly before opening it. My jaw dropped.
"A new record player! My other broke because of someone..." I looked at my dogs.
"But now I have a new one!" I smiled. My siblings looked pretty happy too.
"FIFA!!"
"You did not need another game!" Leia said.
"What did you get, Lei?" Her present sat in her lap.
"I don't wanna open it until Mommy and Daddy get home." She said sadly.
"They'd want you to open the presents, Lei." Noah said.
"Okay.." She opened it slowly.
"I got an American Girl doll set! It's the camping one! Look Maia, we're gonna go camping!" We kept opening our presents. I got clothes, gift cards, some candy, and other small things in my stocking. There were three more presents under the tree.
"These are your big presents."
***************
The Christmas Tree (Leia's Perspective)
I got some really good presents! I got stuff for my doll, books, and new Polly Pocket toys!
"Big present?"
"Yeah, go ahead and open it, guys." I feel a little bad opening presents without Mommy and Daddy.
"There is a god!"
"Noah, you're so freaking dramatic. You're gonna scare Tyler." Noah opened his present...
"Girls open up your gifts."
"Taylor, wanna help me open?"
"Yeah!" Taylor and Bella opened the second gift.
"Hold on Bella, let me get my phone out."
"It's kind of heavy."
"Open the box, Bell."
"There's a shirt and some paper...."
"What does it say?"