When Partners Lie ~A Bensler FanFic~ [Edited]

Chapter 10 [Edited]

Elliot's POV

"Liv was pregnant?" Kathy asked when she came into the nursery, where I was rocking Eli back to sleep. I swallowed hard.

"Yeah. She didn't know till after the accident." I replied quietly, and she frowned.

"Why didn't you tell me? I could have talked to her about it." She spoke, and I shifted and laid Eli down before walking her out of the room.

"Kath, she needs to grieve, that's why I didn't tell you," I spoke.

"Who's baby was it?" She asked, and I felt my hands start to shake.

"I don't know." I lied, my voice shaking just as much as my hands.

"El, you know?" She asked.

"I am." I breathed.

"You are what?" Kathy questioned.

"The baby Liv lost, it was mine."

***

"Elliot?" Liv spoke as she opened her apartment door. I looked at her and frowned.

"Kathy kicked me out," I replied and her eyes went wide.

"How did she find out?" She squeaked.

"She asked who the father of the baby was, and I tried to lie about it, but she knew that I was, so I told her," I replied, and she wrapped her arms around my shoulders and hugged me.

"I'm sorry, El." She whispered.

I stayed with Olivia for a few weeks before there was a court hearing, discussing the custody of the kids. Liv was still home, one more week until she could go back.

"Liv, can you come to tie this," I grumbled as I stood in front of the mirror, attempting to tie my tie.

"What changed?" She giggled as she came in, and started to tie it.

"My nerves." I sighed and she gave me a gentle smile.

"Don't worry, you'll get some custody of them." She spoke and then pecked my lips softly, calming me for the moment.

"But what if she decides that I can't have them unless I jump through hoops for her?" I questioned.

"If one of those hoops is leaving me, then we will fight her on that." She spoke stubbornly. God do I love her.

***

I sat in the courtroom, as I listened to the kids speak about both of us. The judge listened, but not as intently as Kathy and I were.

"Kathleen, which parent would you pick to live with?" My lawyer asked, and Kathleen gave me a smile.

"My Dad. I know that we fight, but he has more time for us, and when he does spend time with us, Eli isn't with us." She spoke, and I let my breath go for a moment.

"Thanks, Kathleen." My lawyer spoke, and Kathleen left, and Dickie walked in. 

Maureen, Kathleen, and Lizzie all said they would rather live with me, since Kathy was only focusing on Eli, and not even giving them attention.

"Richard, what is your relationship with your mother?" My lawyer asked.

"It's okay. We don't really talk a lot though." Dickie replied, and the judge perked up a bit.

"Why don't you talk?" He asked.

"Because ever since Eli was born, we don't matter anymore."

I looked over at Kathy and she had tears in her eyes.

"Who do you want to be with?"

"My Dad."

***

After a meeting with the judge, I was given custody of the kids, other than Eli, but I got visitation with him, and Kathy got the kids every other weekend and on holidays I decided.

I drove home with the kids, and when I arrived, Liv had left a note and was gone.

El,

 I went home so the kids wouldn't come home to the reason why their parents broke up here. So I love you and will call you later. 

~Liv

I put the note in my pocket and helped the kids put some of their stuff in the two guest rooms that they were sharing and then I ordered a few pizzas and left the kids in front of the TV and went and dialed Liv's number.

"Hello?" She yawned, and I chuckled.

"Benson, it's 4 in the afternoon, how are you tired?" I laughed, and she yawned again.

"I actually went shopping today. Bought some stuff to make your apartment more kid-friendly. Like sheets that weren't blue for the girls, and some games." She spoke and I smiled softly.

"Well, aren't you acting like a mother," I spoke, and I could hear her stop breathing, she was trying not to cry.

"Babe, I'm sorry. I'm just glad that my kids have you as a woman in the life to help take care of them." I breathed.

"It's fine. Um, I'm going back to my place. Order some food for the kids, and either tomorrow morning or late tonight I'll bring over the other stuff." She choked.

"Okay. I love you." I breathed.

"Love you too." She replied quietly, and after I hung up, I turned around and saw Lizzie in the doorway.

"Hey Liz, what's up?" I asked, and she furrowed her brow.

"Dad, are you with Liv?" She questioned, and I swallowed hard.

"Liz, you heard that?" I questioned and she nodded, her blonde hair moving with her head.

"Yes. So is she the reason why you and Mom broke up?" She asked.

"Liz, don't hate Liv. It wasn't her fault." I breathed, and I was shocked when Lizzie ran and attacked me with a hug.

"I'm glad it's Liv and not some random person." She smiled.

***

I was watching TV late that night, nursing a beer when I heard my door unlock and open.

"Liv?" I asked, and I stood and smiled at my girlfriend.

"Hey. Um, I brought what I bought today." She replied, and I nodded and walked over and grabbed the bags before sitting them down on the small table that was used for eating, something foreign to Liv, and then walked over and grabbed her hips.

"Thanks for that." I breathed as I kissed her lips softly.

"For what?" She breathed, as I held her close.

"For not hating me. For buying that stuff for the kids. For being my best friend and the love of my life." I spoke, and she nuzzled her head into my neck and stayed silent for a while.

"Elliot, when I'm ready again, can we try again?" She asked.

"Try what?" I replied.

"A real relationship, not just this. I mean officially date, attempt to not get pregnant again. I want to be with you for real."

"Well, we can try, but I can't promise anything. And for the relationship thing, Olivia, will you really be my girlfriend?" I asked, and she laughed.

"Of course. I'd love to." She breathed, and we kissed a few times before I led her to my bedroom where she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.