I Need Saving [A Bensler FanFic- Editing]

Chapter 20 [Edited]

No matter how hard I tried to fall asleep, I couldn't. I ended up in the bathroom, the shower running to block out my sobs.

"Liv?" Elliot asked as he knocked on the bathroom door. I wiped tears from my cheeks as I took a shaky breath.

"I-I'm about to shower... I'm sore tonight," I replied. It wasn't a lie, but wasn't the complete truth either.

"Babe, c'mon. I know you better than you think I do. Stop lying and open the door," Elliot replied.

Standing slowly, I wiped my face off with a tissue before opening the door. Elliot frowned deeply as he saw the redness of my eyes.

"I'm fine."

"Are you still worked up about my mother?" Elliot asked.

"Elliot, I don't want to talk more. I want to shower and try to sleep. Please," I begged, but he wasn't having any of it.

"It's not my mother, it's Kathy. Right?" Elliot asked.

"You seem to trust her more than me. You never told me about your mother being alive!"

"Olivia, Kathy only knows about my mother because I was with her for most of my adult life. Yet now, she's only the mother of my children. I don't have feelings for her, because I am madly in love with you. You are my best friend, and I know things are overwhelming... but I have no plans to cheat on you or leave you. You are my wife, and I can't see a future without you in it," Elliot breathed. Stepping forward, I hugged my husband tightly.

"I love you," I whimpered into his shoulder.

"I love you too, baby."

---

When we arrived at Kathy's, Eli was waiting outside for us. He gave his father a big hug, before leading us inside. Emily and Noah clung to me as Elliot spoke to the youngest three children with Kathy.

"Oh," Kathy spoke, her smile fading when she saw me and the kids.

"Hey, Kathy. Thanks for inviting us. Where's Ma?" Elliot replied, not noticing Kathy's expression.

"Maureen and Kathleen are getting her around. She'll be down soon," Kathy replied.

When Bernie came down, she stared at me and I grew anxious. We didn't know each other, which was insane since I was married to her son and pregnant with his daughter. After Bernie got tired of looking me over, she moved to Elliot while Maureen asked for help.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, after slowly climbing the stairs and joining her in her room.

"Are you okay?" Maureen asked, avoiding my question.

"I guess..." I trailed off slowly.

"Today will be awkward since my mom still loves my dad. She won't get him, and it's hard for her to realize that. Grandma is super nice, but it'll take time for her to accept dad has moved on," Maureen spoke, her hand grabbing mine.

"What if she doesn't like me?" I asked softly.

"All Grandma wants is for Dad to be happy. Also, she loves being a grandma... so having two, almost three more grandbabies will help," Maureen smiled.

I let out a slow breath and nodded slowly.

"Thanks, Mo. I appreciate this talk," I whispered.

"Of course. I love you and want things to go easier for you."

///

During lunch, Elliot and I sat together. We held hands but kept them under the table to avoid the eyes of Kathy and Bernie. I was listening quietly to the conversations and was shocked when Bernie said my name.

"Yes?"

"How long have you known Elliot?" Bernie asked.

"Oh geez, a very long time. I was fresh out of the academy when I started at his precinct," I said with a soft laugh.

"Do you make him happy?" She asked. It was a simple question, but one I was never sure I had the correct answer for.

"I hope so..." I trailed off as Bernie turned to her son.

"Does she?"

"Yes, Ma. She makes me incredibly happy," Elliot spoke, drawing our joined hands from under the table and kissing my knuckles.

"Welcome to the family, Olivia," Bernie smiled, her eyes brightening.

"Thank you, Mrs. Stabler," I replied politely.

"Call me Bernie," Bernie smiled again as Kathy's expression darkened and her jaw tightened.

///

After lunch, Elliot and I settled on the back porch with Bernie to discuss where she'd stay.

"Ma, do you want to stay with us?" Elliot asked.

"There is too much going on here. If I wouldn't be imposing, I'd love to stay with you," Bernie replied.

"You would never be an imposition, Bernie! I haven't gotten to know you, and I'd love to have the chance," I exclaimed.

"You will be tired, Olivia. Between taking care of me and the kids," Bernie spoke.

"I'm strong, Bernie. We want you to feel comfortable," I replied softly, grabbing her wrinkled hand.

"Thank you," Bernie replied softly.

"What makes things worse for you, Ma? We want to be prepared."

"Loud noises and bright lights. I get horrible headaches," Bernie frowned.

"We will try to get the kids to use their inside voices, but your medicine should help as well. Right?" Elliot replied.

"The medicine won't save me if that is what you are asking."

"You aren't going to die, Ma. You are too damn stubborn to leave me some peace and quiet," Elliot teased, as his mother stood. Leaning down, Bernie hugged Elliot tightly.

"My little carrot."