A Protector's Love [Benson and Carisi]

{Sixty-Four}

Three months, twelve weeks, eighty-four days, too many hours and minutes to count. Olivia knew three months was a long time, but without her support system, it seemed like an eternity. Dominick knew three months would be a long time to be away from his wife, but he definitely didn't expect it to go so fast. He knew Sawyer and Charlotte had kept him busy, work was on his mind a lot, and in the empty time family tried to keep his mind off his wife.

Two weeks after Olivia went upstate to Buffalo, Dominick broke, he was stressed and overwhelmed about everything going on. He struggled with the adjustment of being a 'single dad' and not sleeping beside his wife. Madalyn and Serena were quick to check on Dominick regularly and to help him when he'd let them.

"Momma comes home today, Soy, " Dominick spoke, sliding his son's pancakes across the counter to him.

"Really, Daddy?" Sawyer asked excitedly.

"Yeah, buddy. Are you excited?"

"I'm so excited!" Sawyer squealed, "I missed momma."

"I missed her too, Soy, I missed her too."

Charlotte babbled trying to get in on the conversation her dad and big brother were having. Dominick and Sawyer both chuckled at her before giving her some attention.

"Charlie, are you excited to see Momma too?" Sawyer asked as Dominick looked to the small girl in the sling on his chest.

A gurgle left Charlotte's lips and she clapped, "I think she's saying yes, Soy, " Dominick smiled.

"I think so too, Dad, but do you think she'll remember Momma? Charlie was just a little bitty baby when Momma went away."

"You're right squirt, but the bond between mother and child is strong. It might take a bit for Momma and Charlie to get reacquainted, but once they do, it'll be like nothing went wrong."

"Will it be the same between Momma and me? I'm scared that things have changed."

Dominick felt his heart drop into his stomach, "Soy, things between you and Momma haven't changed one bit. I also want you to know that you weren't the reason that Momma had to go away, and neither is Charlie. Momma's brain was sick and she had to get help, but now we're going to be a happy family again."

"I missed her, Daddy, " Sawyer whimpered.

"I know, bub, I did too."

××××

A few short hours passed before everyone who wanted to see Olivia was waiting impatiently in her parent's home in Queens. She had missed three months of everyone's lives, including her own, and she was anxious to be home with her family, husband, and kids.

"Are we almost there, Dad?" Olivia asked, Robert as they pulled into her childhood neighborhood.

"You silly girl, " Robert shook his head, "you know exactly where we are and no I will not speed to get you home faster."

"I'm just so excited to see Dom and my kids, it's not even funny how much I need them."

"I know, baby girl, and they missed you just as much. That boy of yours, the grown one, practically went crazy without you, " Robert sighed.

"I went crazy without him and getting any sleep, forget about it. I have slept like shit for the last three months, " Olivia yawned, as her childhood home came into view, "Who's all here to see me?" Olivia questioned, looking over to her dad.

"Who's not, that should be the question. Your mom, obviously. Your husband and kids; Elliot, Kathy, and Maureen; Robbie and Alison; Lola and Margaret; and any of your friends you could think of, " Robert smiled, pulling into his parking spot.