Endless

21 Days Before

21 DAYS BEFORE

She won't pick up her damn phone, or answer any of my text messages. It's been hours since she ran away from the park and i have no idea where she is, and the worst is all i can think about. Especially because of this case we are working, all i can hope is she comes home soon or that she is with Marcus. Even though i don't know the guy i think he loves her.

I stare at the clock above the television as i collapse on the couch. Elliot walks towards me and brings me yet another cup coffee to keep me awake, until i know she is safe.

"She's okay Liv," he comforts.

I sigh in frustration, "you don't know that. How's Eli holding up." I look over into his blue eyes as he rubs his hand down his face.

"He will be okay, I told him it wasn't his fault and i explained that she's been through a lot and that it was a flash back. He didn't quite believe me. He says he will feel better once he knows she is home and safe."

"Me and him both." I place the cup of coffee on the table and lean forward with my head in my hands.

My mind just racing and all i can see is a case file sitting on my desk with Peyton's autopsy photo inside.

* * *

I stand outside Liv's apartment willing myself to go inside. I turn the knob and push open the door, to see Liv and Elliot in the living room. Liv pulls her head from her hands and looks up at me. I can see her insides break at the sight of me. I half expect her to get up and wrap me in her arms and tell me everything is going to be alright and that she understands. They way she has done so many times since i've been with her; but instead she just gets up, picks up her coffee cup from the table, places it in the sink and moves into her bedroom; closing her door behind with not even a word.

"I'm sorry," i breathe out after her. I move past Elliot without looking at him, towards my bedroom.

"No Peyton." I turn to look at him and he shakes his head at me.

"Oh i'm sorry, Dad," i say sacrastically, "i don't think i have to listen to you."

He doesn't get angry or lash out he just stares at me, "Please go talk to your mother." he says softly as he moves to sit on the couch.

"She's not m-"

"Don't lie to yourself P, please she was so scared and she's so hurt, that you felt the best thing to do was to run, rather than talk to her." He softly states after cutting me off.

"It's not her responsiblity," i begin to cry again, "I'm not her responsiblity."

"She loves you as if you were hers. Just please humor an old man like me, and talk to her."

I move towards her door and slowly push it open. I hear her sobs before i see her, she is curled up around my pillow, which she obviously took from my bed. She is on the left side turned away from me, i can see her shoulders shaking from her crying. I move towards her bed and climb on to it. I lay down on the right side and stare at the celing just listening to her cry. I breathe out slowly as her sobs break my down piece by piece. I can't believe i hurt her this much, I forget sometimes how much she actually cares. The tears slowly flow down my cheeks and i can feel all the cracks appearing in my damaged heart.

I roll over and lay as close to her as i possibly can. I bury my face in her neck and wrap my hands tightly around her, holding on for dear life. Her arms come down and cling to mine. I whisper softly into her ear, "I'm sorry, Liv i didn't mean to hurt you." She brings my hand up to her mouth and kisses it, i can feel her tears wet my hand. She doesn't say anything, but after a short while i hear her breathing even out and her grip loosen. I fall asleep in that moment wrapped around the only woman who has even come close to being my mother.