Saviors [A SVU and Bensler Fan Fic]

[Chapter Twenty-Three]

Friday was the day of my mother's funeral. We cleaned my grandmother's house, purchased dresses that were "more Catholic and appropriate" for the funeral as my grandma described it. Thursday night my father came back into town, and this time he brought Elliot with him. I didn't know he was going to bring my boyfriend, but I needed to see him so badly.

"Dad's here!" Cynthia exclaimed, as she quickly walked to the door and pulled her jacket on. He was bringing clothes and items for a longer stay, because he was going to stay here for awhile. He didn't like his mother in law at all, but he wanted to be in the place my mother grew up, be near where she was going to be buried. Eventually I wouldn't be surprised if he moves here.

I stood up from where I was cleaning up the game of chess Cynthia and I had just finished. I tucked the case away before walking to the front door. Cynthia was hugging my father next to the car, and I didn't even notice Elliot until he grabbed my waist and I turned to look at him.

"Elliot?!" I questioned quickly, before smashing my lips into his. He laughed as I pulled away and hugged him tightly.

"I'm glad that you miss me. Cause I missed you so much. And you never answered your cell!" He exclaimed, and I sighed as I stepped into the house and he followed me. I forced him to take his boots off because Grandma would kill him if he didn't, and then we walked over to the couch and sat down.

"We have no signal here, she doesn't have a phone nor cable. I've been playing chess, monopoly, and doing puzzles since I got here." I replied, and he sighed. 

"I'm sorry." He whispered, and I shrugged before leaning in to kiss him again, but my grandmother cleared her throat.

"Olivia, who is this boy?" She questioned, and I stood up as Elliot did too.

"Grandma, this is my boyfriend Elliot. His mom is Bernie Stabler. My mom's best friend." I smiled softly, and she nodded slowly as she looked my boyfriend over. She stepped forward and reached her hand out to him.

"Margot Nelson, but you can call me Mrs. Nelson." She spoke coldly, and I frowned.

"Grandma, can I talk to you real quick?" I asked, before grabbing her arm and tugging her as gently as I could to get her into the kitchen. I let the door swing shut before looking at her.

"That boy is not someone you should be involved with." She huffed, and I groaned.

"Grandma, I love him! I've known him since I was 13, we've been dating for two years. He's been my best friend since he moved to Manhattan. Please don't hate him." I replied, and she shook her head.

"You do not need to throw away your life just because of a boy! Your mother could've married any man but she picked your father. She could've had kids and a nice house and a life where she didn't have to work with parentless children to keep afloat!" She yelled, and I wanted to slap her so badly, but my mother would be so disappointed of me if I did that.

"My mother married my father because she loved him. You can't just marry a man because they have money and will support you. He supported her since they day they got married. And she has kids! She has Cynthia and me!" I yelled back.

"She could've experienced what having a child that is truly hers if she hadn't married Don!" She spat, and tears welled in my eyes.

"You said you loved us, but clearly I can tell that was just a stupid lie. Thanks a lot for nothing but having my mother, because if you didn't, she wouldn't have had me as her stupid, unwanted, not biological child." I hissed, before slamming open the kitchen door, to only have my father, sister, and boyfriend all staring at me in horror.

"I'm using my money from working at the grocery store to get a hotel room. Cynthia and Elliot, if you want to come please join me. You don't deserve to be hated on here." I huffed, before turning and walking towards the stairs so I could gather my stuff.

I can't get out of Albany and this damn house quick enough.

[*]

Bernie came the next morning and she helped me get ready for the funeral. As she helped me curl my hair, because my hands were shaking too badly to even attempt it, I couldn't help but closing my eyes and seeing my mother as she curled me hair when I was younger.

She would tell me about how she wish she had my hair, how brown would've suited her better than the weird blonde she had. But as she said that, I couldn't help but tell her that she is the most beautiful woman I know. That was the day of my adoption, the day I became a Cragen.

"Sweetie?" Bernie whispered, and I slowly opened my eyes and looked at her through the mirror.

"Yeah?" I whispered.

"She loved you more than words could ever in a million years, describe. She said that the moment she met you, she couldn't help but fall in love with you. How she knew that you were meant to be her daughter." Bernie spoke quietly, as tears poured down my cheeks.

Never once had she told me that, but now I know that I want to make sure every choice I make would make her proud. And I was hoping that she wasn't disappointed in my response to her mother about our family.

"Bernie, I think the loss of my mother is easier because I know that I still have a mother, well I've had two mothers for four years." I spoke, and she eyed me.

"What do you mean?" She questioned, and I stood and quickly wrapped my arms around her.

"You have always treated me like one of your own children. And knowing that when I finally marry your son in the future, it'll be official. But until then, I still know that I can always turn to you because I still feel like one of your kids I guess." I whispered.

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