And in the beginning..There was you!!!

22

(Things were going great everyone was in a conversation and the kids were playing. Elliot and Olivia were in their own bubble while his kids picked on each other. It wasn't until his brother Randall's raised voice broke through.)

Randall: No mama, I'm tired of holding on to these big family secrets.

Bernie: Don't you dare.

Randall: What are your upset about how they will feel about what happened?

Joe Jr: Feel about what?

Elliot: Yeah, what's going on?

Bernie: Randall?

Randell: No, if we are going to be a family again then we need to raise the rug and sweep out all the trash.

(Maureen and Kathleen feel the tension brewing, so take the kids, and put them in a room. Olivia is sitting there lost and just doesn't know what to do in this situation. Elliot is looking between his mother and brother waiting for answers.)

Elliot: What family secrets?

Joe Jr: Yeah, I want to know too.

Randall: Oh please Joe, by the time you came along our old man was gone more than anything.

Joe Jr: So this about dad?

Elliot: Will you stop beating around the bush and tell me what the hell is going on?

Randall: You think you know what happened to Dad? What you were told wasn't the truth at all.

Elliot: What that he was abusive physically and emotionally. I know that's true, I was always on the receiving end of it because I was trying to protect everyone.

Randall: Yeah well, guess what? Nobody ratted Dad out I did. I knew the kind of man he was, I witnessed it firsthand. Dad was an evil man who deserved to go to prison. So yeah I was the one who called the police on him so he couldn't hurt anyone anymore.

(At this Elliot pushes his chair back so hard it tumbles over with a loud crash. His kids jump up to try and defuse the situation.)

Elliot: What the fuck is wrong with you? He was your father, how could you just rat him out like that?

Bernie: Stop it.

Joe Jr: Damn bro that's so wrong.

Kathleen: Ok can everyone please calm down?

Randall: Hey was doing everyone a favor.

(At this Elliot moves towards Randall and just as he gets close enough Randall hits him.)

Olivia: Shit.

Kathleen: Oh my god!

Lizzie: Daddy stop.

(Feeling rage Elliot hits him back and then again as they crash into tables and knock over glass. Dickie and Joe Jr move to break them up but nothing. Bernie is screaming for them to stop as his daughter watches with tears in their eyes. Eli is off in a corner as the scene plays out in front of him. Seeing enough, Olivia Finally goes over and grips Elliot's arm as she says his name.)

Olivia: Elliot stop. Come on let him go you two are scaring everyone.

Elliot: (shakes her off) No, he don't get to do this.

Olivia: (pulls him hard) I said enough.

Elliot: (mad as hell) Get off.

(Still enraged he turns and faces her getting in her face but she doesn't back down. Instead, she steps close to him placing a hand over his heart as she looks up at him. Lost in their own world, everyone else just stands there watching it play out.)

Olivia: El I need you to calm down for me ok.

Elliot: I was calm until he brought this bullshit up.

Randall: It's not bullshit it's the truth. Dad was a corrupt cop who stole and killed people. Dad was never shot in the line of duty, he offed himself like the coward he was.

(Hearing this, Elliot moves to hit him again but Olivia grabs him and holds on. Kathleen goes to touch her father's arm but he jerks away.)

Kathleen: No Dad.

Elliot: Stay out of this Kathleen.

Kathleen: No Dad, this is not the time or place.

Olivia: (touches his back) El let's just take a breather huh?

Elliot: No, I want to know why you ratted Dad out and then took off like a coward. And what's this about dad killing himself, that makes no sense.

Randall: Ask mom.

Elliot: Mama what's he's talking about? Is all what he saying true?

Bernie: (sigh) Yes dear. Your father wasn't a good person which you already know that. The things he was doing finally caught up to him after Randall called the police and told them everything. So before he could turn himself in, we found him in the garage with the engine running. I kicked your brother out because I was confused and no matter what he put us through he was still my husband and your father. He had no right to do what he did so he couldn't be home.

(Hearing this Elliot is numb trying to process it all but his mind is racing. Feeling the beat of his heart and his labored breathing Olivia turns him to her. Not paying the other any mind she takes her hands and cups his cheeks.)

Olivia: El I need you to breathe.

Elliot: I can't, I need to get out of here.

Olivia: (grips his shoulders) No, that's not the best idea.

Elliot: I can't be here right now Liv.

Olivia: OK, why don't we go outside hmm?

(He looks into her eyes and he knows he can't tell her no or she will arrest him. He looks over at his kids giving them a small smile.)

Elliot: (exhales) OK, I'm sorry guys.

Kathleen: It's okay, we just want you to calm down. We will clean up this mess, now go with Livia outside or she will arrest you.

Dickie: Yeah Dad, we got this go get some air.

Olivia: (hold his hand) Come on El.

(He follows her outside and over to the bench that's ducked off so no one can see them. They sit there for a minute before he pulls her into him burying his face in her neck. She rubs his back as she just lets him take time to collect himself.)