A second parallel universe

Chapter Five

A knock on her office door echoed through the room.
"Come in" She called and the door opened, revealing Elliot on the other side.
"I bought dinner" He smiled, holding up a bag of Chinese food from Liv's favourite place.
"You are amazing" She smiled, pushing her files aside so that he could lay out the food. As Elliot emptied the bag silently, Liv couldn't help but watch and wonder "Are you doing this because of earlier?"
"Of course I am" Liv caught his wrist, forcing his eyes to meet hers.
"I'm okay El, promise" He nodded as Fin appeared in the doorway, his eyes instantly going to their hands.
"Night Liv"
"Night Fin" Liv smiled as she dropped her hand from El's. Fin disappeared and the pair turned back to their food "Did you get dumplings?"
"Would I be your partner if I didn't?"
"No"
"Then it's good that I did" He smiled as they dug into their food, falling into comfortable silence for a few minutes as they ate "So who took care of you whilst I was gone?"
"A few people. Don, Munch, Amanda, Amaro and of course Fin. I was well taken care of, there was no shortage of love"
"What about romantic love? You mentioned Ed, it wasn't Tucker was it?" A sad look crossed Liv's face "I'm sorry, we don't-"
"No, I think I want to talk about him. He...we fell in love" She smiled "Ed was good to me, he helped me through some things and I loved him for it. He even proposed" She admitted.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing at first because I was shocked but I knew that I didn't want to trap him in my life, my issues. He deserved better than that, and he did in someone else. He married her but he'd been dying since we got together. He had three months to live, six at the most and he didn't want to be a burden so he took his own life" Liv couldn't stop the tear from escaping her eye "He was a good man"
"I'm glad you had love" Liv wiped away her tear.
"There was also Brian-" El groaned loudly, earning a loud laugh from Liv "Say what you want El but Brian is a good man and he was good to me too"
"Don't say he proposed too" He groaned again.
"He didn't but he did ask me to have his children, which obviously didn't work out"
"I'm sorry"
"Don't be. I was meant to be Noah's mom, maybe I only have enough love for one child" She suggested with a shrug.
"Maybe. Both of you deserve all the love in the world"
"So do you" She assured him.
"Even though I wanted out of my marriage?"
"Even then. You were so young El and you changed so much, but you stayed because of love and the kids, you're still honourable and loveable to me" He smiled.
"Only you could see the good in me" Liv leaned forward and grasped his hand again.
"Because it's there, because I've seen it"
"Liv" Elliot took her hand in both of his, his thumbs running over the skin "God, why is this so hard?"
"Elliot, I want to. I want a lot of things. I want what you wanted in my kitchen-"
"Liv, I know this is hard but I'll wait as long as it takes for both of us to be ready"
"Why does it have to take so damn long?" She bit, earning a laugh in response.
"Eat your food, I don't want you passing out on me again" She smiled, slipping her hand from his so she could finish eating, he did the same.
"I care about you, a lot, El"
"I care about you a lot too, Liv"
The pair ate in Liv's office before El offered her a ride home which she gladly accepted. When he climbed out of the car and followed her to the elevator Liv didn't stop him. The elevator stopped on Liv's floor and they both climbed out and headed to Liv's door.
"Chloe is inside with Noah, he should be asleep though, his brother tired him out"
"I'm glad that he enjoys it" Liv nodded.
"Thanks for today, for just being great in general"
"I'm just trying to be what you deserve"
"Believe me El, you already are" She smiled up at him before she leant in and hugged him tightly. As Liv pulled away again she couldn't stop her eyes from landing on his lips.
"Liv" She met his eyes, unable to put into words what she wanted.
"El" It came out breathless and suddenly a door was opening and the pair were pulling away from one another.
"Oh Olivia dear, I thought I heard voices out here"
"Yes Mrs Sawyer, it's just me" Liv smiled but El could see the annoyance beneath it.
"And who's your friend? She never brings home men you know, married to her job and that little boy of hers of course-"
"Goodnight Mrs Sawyer" Liv cut her off with another charming smile.
"Yes of course. Goodnight dear" She smiled at them both before she disappeared back inside of her apartment.
"Sorry about that" Liv offered a shy smile.
"It's okay. Third times the charm" He teased with a small smile.
"Yeah, maybe next time we'll get lucky" She agreed.
"Maybe partner"
"I'll see you around El, maybe we'll catch a joint case again soon"
"I'll hope and pray for it" He smiled.
"See you around"
"See you around" He repeated, watching as she disappeared behind her front door before he moved towards the elevator,  muttering to himself "Third time lucky"