You and I [A Bensler Fanfiction]

Five

Olivia was busy pulling on her favorite jumpsuit when Keith walked into her bedroom without knocking. He had insisted on watching the boys tonight, even if her mother had offered earlier. Olivia knew that the only reason he asked to watch them was because he wanted to know why she was going out after work.

"Keith!" Olivia yelled, as she quickly stumbled into the bathroom.

"Hey, I've seen you without clothes on before! Seeing you in your bra and panties isn't a huge deal," He sighed, yet he was smiling. He was proud of what he did.

"Okay, but you lost that privilege the moment we filed for a divorce. Just like you can't call me babe anymore," Olivia sighed. She finished getting dressed before walking into her bedroom. Keith was sitting on her bed, and looked her over slowly.

"Where are you going tonight?" Keith questioned.

"It's none of your business."

"Okay, but I'm babysitting our kids because you have something more important to do," Keith huffed.

Olivia slipped on a pair of boots before turning to her ex-husband.

"It isn't babysitting when they are your children. You usually only do mornings, and I always do nights and the days you are too busy to come over. So one night of watching Jackson and Landon while I'm doing something for myself should be a big deal. Okay?" Olivia huffed.

Keith held his hands up again, before leaning back against the pillows on Olivia's bed.

"Okay, it's fine. But be home by nine. I have work in the morning," He grumbled.

"I do too, buddy. I'll be home when I'm done, okay? Enjoy your time," Olivia huffed with a roll of her eyes.

///

Olivia arrived at the bistro at seven on the dot. Standing outside was Elliot, and he was looking at his phone. She wasn't sure if it was because he wanted to be somewhere else, or maybe he thought she was going to ditch him.

"Hey, Elliot," Olivia spoke, as after she parked her car and walked towards him. 

"Hey, Liv," Elliot smiled. He stepped towards Olivia and kissed her cheek softly. He let his lips linger on Olivia's cheek for a few moments before hesitantly leaning back. Olivia's face was red, and she had to look away to keep her composure.

"Uh, do you want to go in?" Olivia asked.

"Sure. Right this way," Elliot smiled.

Elliot had made a reservation so they could go in and be seated right away. Elliot was a gentleman and pulled out Olivia's chair for her, which was something Olivia hadn't had done for her in years.

"I'm so glad you contacted me. I was worried that we would never end up talking to each other again... That maybe I scared you away," Elliot admitted softly, as a server came to take their order.

Each ordered a glass of wine before Olivia spoke.

"My mother tricked me into messaging you back. I told her I'm certain you are married with a house full of kids."

"Not married, and I only have one kid," Elliot spoke. Olivia's eyes went wide. Her mother had actually been right.

"W-what?"

"I'm divorced and have been for two years. Christine didn't want more kids, and we kept fighting about it. So we got a divorce," Elliot replied.

"El, I'm so sorry. Uh, your child... What is their name?" Olivia asked, her voice quaking.

"Avery Josephine. She's eight," Elliot smiled.

"So that was who you were talking to this morning?"

"Yes, it was." Elliot chuckled. The server came and brought them their wine. Elliot sat and thought about what to ask Olivia.

"Are you married?" He blurted out.

"No, I'm not married," Olivia breathed. Her anger for Keith came back to her, but she tried to calm down and not take her anger out on Elliot.

"No one snatched you up? Olivia, you are such an amazing woman. Someone is out there for you," Elliot spoke passionately.

"I was married until March of this year. He is kinda a dick, and one reason why my life isn't that great right now," Olivia whispered. She reached for her glass, but got Elliot's hand instead.

He locked eyes with her and gave her a gentle smile.

"Is there anything good in your life, Olivia?"

"Two fantastic things... Jackson and Landon. Jackson is five and Landon is three... even if I hate my ex-husband, I don't hate the fact that I got two amazing little boys from that marriage."

"Do you have a picture of them?"

"I have more than a picture. They steal my phone all the time," Olivia beamed.

///

Two glasses of wine in, they both had relaxed. Elliot talked about work and all the places he had been stationed. Olivia talked about work and her mother, but left out the part about Keith cheated on her. They had shared pictures of their kids, and Elliot was already planning on asking Olivia to come out to Virginia to meet Avery.

"So what led to your divorce?" Elliot asked. Olivia sighed softly as she glanced down at her plate.

"It doesn't really matter-"

"Liv, no matter what happened, I won't judge you. So c'mon. Spill the beans," Elliot grinned. Olivia let out a shaky smile before looking up at Elliot.

"I had this friend named Janet. We met in college, and she is even the godmother to Jackson and Landon. Around Thanksgiving of last year, I was out of town with my mother and the boys. When we got home earlier than expected, I found Janet and Keith screwing each other in my bed. I guess it had been happening longer than I knew. I decided that I was done because he had been a good husband when I was pregnant and when the boys were little. But once they were older, he turned into a jerk and clearly he was a cheater too," Olivia rambled. Her cheeks were red once again, and she hated to let her emotions be so transparent.

"You don't need to be embarrassed, Liv. I like the idea that you trust me enough to tell me exactly what happened. That you aren't hiding anything from me. In regards to Keith, he isn't worth your time or energy. He's just a dick and always will be one," Elliot spoke. Olivia let out a laugh and nodded.

"He really is one."