Por Siempre Y Para Siempre: A Sequel to Take Your Time

Ch. 11 - What's the Gameplan Here?

CW: RAPE, ABUSE, DOMESTIC TERRORISM

With the leader in custody without bail, Peter and Rafael start cracking down on their case. They have interrogated all of the members of the cult they could track down. Some of the mothers were hesitant in having their children even speak with the police let alone testify, and it took a lot of time to get every man in the "family" to talk, but eventually, all of them agreed to testify in court. Aubrey and her nine-year-old son, Jonathan were the first ones who agreed to it.

Olivia sits at her desk as she watches CPS social workers mill around the precinct, each with a different child in tow. She sighs to herself and feels guilty that she is the reason these children are being ripped away from their mothers. Amanda and Carisi pass by and notice her glum expression and drop their discussion of the trial to go into her office and ask what's wrong.

"Hey, Liv," Amanda's soft voice shatters Olivia's thoughts, "everything okay?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah," she assures the detectives, "everything's fine. I just can't stop thinking about how terrified all these children must be." She decides to be honest with her friends about how she's feeling.

"I understand, Lieu," Carisi responds sympathetically, "but you can't beat yourself up for it. They'll be placed into good homes, and it should only be temporary. Until their mothers can get the help they need and get back on their feet."

"I guess," the lieutenant nods, "but you don't know that they'll be put into good, healthy homes. We have investigated plenty of awful and abusive foster homes. I just wish I could guarantee that they'd be safe and comfortable."

"Liv, you've done so much for them already," Amanda adds in, "the next steps are to make sure their mom's get back on the right track." Olivia sighs and nods in agreement. She checks her phone and notices the time, it's already 6:30 pm.

"Oh, I have to run," she says a bit frazzled, "I just noticed what time it was and I have to pick up dinner on the way. Sorry guys. I'll see you tomorrow morning, don't stay too late." The detectives move out of her way so she can leave her office and they follow after her.

"Have a good night, Liv," Carisi says, his tone still serious.

Once she leaves the precinct, she makes her way home and stops by the Thai place on her way to grab dinner. She walks down the hallway to her door and as she gets closer, she can already hear her son's laughter from the other side of the door. Olivia opens the door and is immediately greeted by Noah running toward her and hugging her legs. She pats his head before giving it a kiss.

"Hi, sweet boy!" She exclaims, "I am so happy to see you. How was your day?"

"It was good!" The boy looks up and flashes a big smile at his mom, "Lucy and I met up with Jackson and his nanny at the park, and Jackson and I played pirates with some other kids! We found the treasure it was so fun!"

"Oh, is that so?" She asks, "I bet you're rich now." She gives him a smile before she takes off her jacket and shoes. She moves to the living room to give her husband a kiss on the cheek to say hello. The family sits down to eat their food and discuss their plans for the next day.

As Rafael and Olivia are cleaning up, she lets out a deep sigh. Rafael turns around to see a concerned look on his wife's face.

"Nena, what's wrong?" He asks her, worried about the shift in her mood.

"I can't stop thinking about all of those children without homes," she answers without looking up from the plate she is drying.

"I know it's hard," Rafael says putting the last of the silverware away, "but what can we do? We can't take all of them in."