Semper Fi

Oops...he did it again

"Is that really what the issue is Olivia? I mean really? If you weren't pregnant and he proposed, would you still be bothered?"

Olivia hesitated and they both knew the answer. This was Vintage Olivia.

"Everything is going so well Melinda. I don't want to rock the boat. I know what it's like to be Elliot's partner, to be his friend and to be his girlfriend. Being his wife I just...I don't know. I remember him and Kathy being more unhappy than not."

"But you said yourself Elliot was different then. I think the job had a lot to do with his marriage deteriorating and Olivia let's face it, you were too. I know we all want to tiptoe around that but the truth is Elliot's marriage didn't have a chance once you came along," she said being frank with her.

"I know all of this Melinda, he and I have had this conversation and I believe him. I believe all the reasons why his marriage didn't work and why it's different between the two of us so why is this so damn hard for me?" she asked pacing back and forth frustrated with herself.

"I think some of it is hormones and some of it is just you. You haven't seen a lot of successful relationships or been a part of one so you don't know what a healthy and happy marriage looks like. You have no point of reference and that's what scares you. You think you can't do this."

"I will screw this up Mel, I know I will. I always do. I already have. He's not even answering my calls," Olivia said in tears.

"It's called a fight Olivia. You should be used to those. You guys had them all the time. I know because I was there."

"It's different now though," she said sniffling.

"Well yes and no."

"What do you mean?" she asked confused.

"You think you haven't been part of a successful relationship before or seen one but you kinda have. You and Elliot already have one for sixteen years. That's longer than most people have.

"You call that successful? I didn't see the man for four years."

"No you didn't see him but he was there and you were there for him just in a different way. You took a break for very viable reasons, but you came back and are stronger than ever. We all see it. You are his lifeline and he is yours. So he's not answering your calls right now? So what? That man isn't going anywhere. If you never tell him yes and never marry him, he will still be right there."

"You think so?" Olivia asked trying to regain her composure.

Melinda handed her a tissue, "Yes."

Her cell phone started to vibrate in her pocket and she jumped up hopeful that it was Elliot.

"Is it him?" Melinda asked.

"No, it's Judge Linden....Benson."

"Hi Judge....yeah I have some time now. I'll be right there."

"Everything ok?"

"I don't know. She wants to talk about Elliot's adoption petition," she said taking a deep sigh. "I swear I can't have anything else go wrong today."

"Call me when you leave, let me know how things go ok?" she asked concerned.

XXXXX

"Sergeant Benson, good to see you. Or should I say Lieutenant. I heard the good news. Congratulations," the judge said standing up to greet Olivia as she entered.

"Thanks," she said nervously.

"I'm sure you are wondering why I called you down here," she said taking her seat and motioning for Olivia to sit down as well.