Saviors [A SVU and Bensler Fan Fic]

[Chapter Thirty-Seven]

The first thing Elliot and I invested in as a married couple was an apartment. We were renting it, but it was still a big deal. Elliot and I were going to be living on our own, and still attempting to go to school and planning on joining the police academy when we graduate in a year.

"I believe that neither of our families should be allowed to visit us here until we can actually get more furniture than just that bed," Elliot spoke, as we sat together on the mattress we had, but that was really all we had. We didn't even have a bed frame to put our mattress on. And the living room was a completely different story.

Completely bare, with not even a rug or a picture.

"At least we didn't have to buy appliances," I spoke, as I laid back and propped my head up with my arms.

"Yeah, that saved us some money. But we need more furniture, and we have to get more books soon." Elliot sighed, as he flopped back next to me. I looked at my husband and sighed deeply.

This whole married and on our own thing was harder than either of us had anticipated. We both had to work more to make sure we had enough more to pay rent and tuition. Then there was the fact we pretty much lived out of boxes and suitcases. Neither of us really knew what we were doing when it comes this all, but we both did find out that being an adult and adulting is harder than we could have ever thought.

But even if we weren't completely passing the test that comes with being a married couple, we were in love and happy to just be together. Everything else would fall into place if we worked just a little bit harder. Eventually, we'd have some time where we didn't have to worry.

[*]

"Okay, I'm so sorry that I'm late. I got caught up at work, and then I was listening to an audiobook in my truck to catch up on some reading." I spoke as I quickly walked into my father's office. He was working for the NYPD again, but he wasn't ready to be a commanding officer once again, he was ready to be my father again which was way better than being a commanding officer in my eyes.

"Olivia, how many times do I have to tell you that you don't have to have dinner with me every Wednesday night?" He laughed, as I sat the pizza box down on his desk.

"Once a week. When I come rushing in here with an excuse for being late." I smiled, as I sat down and rummaged through my purse so I could find a hair tie.

"Alright, so how is your husband? Is he going to starve tonight?" My father asked as he grabbed a few paper plates from the stack he hides in his desk so we can have these weekly dinners.

"No. He's eating dinner with his Mom. He was going to the mall and decided to call her up and ask her to eat with him." I spoke, as I opened the box and let out a sigh as the smell filled the room. I missed lunch again today because I was too busy with school and work that my hunger wasn't important enough to be thought of.

My father and I talked for a while as we almost ate a whole pizza with each other. But as the night went on I noticed him grow tired, so I packed up to leave.

"Dad, when was the last time you went to your doctor?" I questioned, as I grabbed one of the books I had brought out to prove a point to my father.

"What?" He asked, and I frowned.

"Dad, you lost weight, even if your appetite hasn't lacked." I sighed.

"I'm fine, kid. Don't worry. Just have a good night and make sure you invite Elliot next week. I want to discuss early applications."

"Dad-"

"No, Liv. Please just go home to your husband and stop worrying about me. I'm fine. I'll even go see my doctor soon just to prove to you that I'm fine." He huffed before he stood and walked around the desk towards me.

I nodded slowly, as my father drew me into a warm hug. I couldn't help but still worry. He has been an alcoholic longer than I've been alive, and I know what can come from extended alcohol abuse can do to someone's body.

"I love you, Dad. I'll call you on Sunday after church." I whispered, and he nodded.

"I will be waiting by the phone as usual. Don't listen to that audiobook while you drive home tonight, I don't want you to get distracted." He breathed before he held me away from his body and placed a soft kiss to my forehead.

[*]

I was distracted from my worries during the next month of classes because we had finals that hit myself like a bus. I passed them, but they weren't where I would usually like them. But with one year left, not even since Elliot and I had enough credits after only one semester, I could work harder on these new classes so I can do better and finish strong.

 But then the worrying came back in full force when I went to have dinner with my father after having to reschedule for a month straight. Elliot came with me for dinner tonight since we both had the night off of work.

"His door is closed," Elliot spoke, as we held hands and walked towards my father's office.

"I bet you that he forgot and is at home eating." I sighed, as I reached into my pocket to grab my cell phone, but instead one of his co-workers walked quickly down the hall yelling my name. I turned to look at him, confusion covering my expression.

"Yeah?" I questioned, and he tried to catch his breath as he approached me.

"Olivia, you are Don's daughter, right?" He asked, and I nodded.

"Yeah, one of them. Why?" I mused, and he frowned deeply as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

"He was just rushed to the hospital. He was getting sick and the EMT said it was probably the fact his liver is fai-" 

The man didn't even get a chance to finish his sentence, because I was dragging Elliot behind me as I tried to leave the building again.

I needed to be by his side, and so did Cynthia. Even if she didn't want to.

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