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Elliot was at the office one night late and Fin comes over. “Yo, Stabler.”
“Hey, Fin. Liv ok?”
“Yeah. Baby girl is good. I have tickets to the Jets game against the Patriots, not this weekend but the following. I can’t go and I was wondering if you would like to take them.”
“That would be great. Thanks. Eli hasn’t been to a football game here yet.”
“You’ve been back how long and you haven’t taken him yet?”
“You know how it is… try to plan something and the plans blow up. Pun not intended.”
“I got you. I get it.”
“Are they physical tickets or electronic?”
“Electronic. I’ll send them to your email.”
“Thanks. How many do you have?”
“Four.”
“That works. Now I just need to figure out the other two.”
“Didn’t you take Noah a while back?”
“Yeah. Been a while.”
“He’ll have fun.”
“He sure will. Thanks again Fin.”
“You got it. Just do me a favor.”
“Name it.”
“Don’t leave Liv without telling her again.”
“Not planning on going anywhere.”
“Good.”
Elliot hangs up shortly after Fin and texts Liv.
To Liv: Hey beautiful. Does Noah have plans next weekend?
To El: Hey yourself. He doesn’t for once. Why?
To Liv: Fin gave me tickets to the Jets game since he couldn’t go and thought since Noah hasn’t been in a couple years, that I’d take him.
To El: He’d love that. He talked about that game you took him to forever.
To Liv: *laughs* good. I’m glad he had fun. You wanna come with us?
To El: Me and football? Hahahaha You’re so funny. You go enjoy it with the boys. Who are you taking?
To Liv: Eli and I’m thinking Richard.
To El: They will have fun. What time’s the game?
To Liv: I know it’s not the night game. But not sure other than that.
To El: Ok. Just let me know and I’ll have him ready.
To Liv: I will. Are you coming over tonight?
To El: Why? Noah’s home.
To Liv: So? Bring him…he can play video games with Eli. Besides that…I need my Livvie fix.
To El: Your Livvie fix? What are you? Five?
To Liv: If you’re gonna be that way…
To El: I’m just teasing. But seriously…
To Liv: Yes seriously.. I miss you..and I just need…
To El: Got it. We’ll be over as soon as we can.
To Liv: Thank you. Liv…
To El: Yeah?
To Liv: Just be careful.
To El: I will.
She heads home and swings by to get Noah.
“Noah…I’m home sweet boy.”
“Hi, Mom! You’re home early today.”
“Yeah. I was caught up on things for once and decided to come home. But on the way over, I got a text from someone.”
“Work?”
“No. Elliot. Uncle Fin had tickets to a game and gave them to Elliot. He asked if you wanted to go.”
“Oh…I hope you said yes. That was fun a couple years ago when we went.”
“I did. He’ll come pick you up.”
“I can’t wait.”
“We are going to go over there tonight. He thought you and Eli could play whatever video game you’re into these days.”
“Are we spending the night?”
“Probably. Go pack a bag just in case.”
“Ok.” He runs to his room and packs a bag.
Olivia shakes her head and smiles as she walks to her bedroom to pack a bag with her work clothes and comfy clothes just in case.
The next week goes by fast and Elliot is knocking on the apartment door at ten thirty to get Noah.
“Noah! Elliot’s here.”
He comes out of his room dressed for the game. “Same team?”
“No…it’s the other team. The Jets.”
“Oh…what are their colors? Am I dressed ok?”
“Yes. You’re just fine.”
Noah runs to grab his jacket, hat, and a pair of gloves. Elliot smiles at Liv and holds his arms open for her. She smiles and walks over to him and wraps her arms tight around him. He kisses the top of her head and holds her close.
“What’s this for?”
“Can’t a girl hug her…what are we? Partners? A couple?”
“Best friends, too. Yes.”
She tips her head up and kisses his cheek.
“So are you ready to try this?”
“Yeah. But if it doesn’t work and we...”
“Stop right there. We will always be friends.”
“Ok.” She hugs him tight and pecks his lips. “You boys go have fun. I’ll meet you for a late supper after the game.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Noah comes back in. “I’m ready.”
“Let’s go. Eli and Rich are down in the car waiting on us.”
“Bye, Mom! Enjoy your day.”
“Thanks, baby. I’ll probably be at the office catching up on paperwork.”
“Oh…nothing fun then.”
“It’s gotta get done though.”
“Yeah. We’ll call after the game.”
“Text me pictures. I can’t wait to hear about it.”
Noah nods. “I will.” He hugs her and they head out.
~oOo~
They get to the stadium after a bit. Noah grabs Elliot’s hand.
“This ok? I don’t want to get separated.”
“That is just fine. Whatever you need to do to make you comfortable.”
They head to the pro shop and look around. “Wow.”
“Yeah. A lot of goodies to look at.”
Noah nods. “That’s an understatement.”
They head up to their seats and Noah stands up on his seat. “I think I’ll be able to see just fine.”
Elliot smiles. “If not, let me know and I’ll pick you up.”
The captains meet at midfield for the coin toss. The ref looks at both teams. “New England, you’re the visitors. Call it.”
“Tails.”
The ref nods. “The call is tails. And it’s heads. New York, you’ve won the toss.”
The Jets want the ball first and New England’s kicker kicks it back to the end zone. The Jets start on the twenty-five-yard line and Noah looks over at Elliot.
“What’s up, Noah?”
“I can’t really see. Can you…”
Elliot picks him up and holds him tight. He grabs his phone snaps a picture and sends it to Liv. The game goes on and the Jets barely squeak out the win.
“What did you think Eli?”
“It was fun. You said another team plays here?”
“Yeah. The Giants. We should go to that one too.”
“Yeah. I’ll look at their schedule and our schedules and see what we can do.”
Elliot’s phone rings as they get to the car. “Stabler.”
“Benson.”
“Hey. You hungry?”
“Starved. Are you on your way?”
“Yeah. We just got to the car. Where do you want to meet?”
“What sounds good to you boys?”
“Liv wants to know what sounds good for supper.”
“Pizza?”
“Chinese?”
“Burgers.”
Elliot laughs. “I’m good for any of those.”
Liv laughs. “Okay. How about pizza?”
“Pizza it is. What place?”
“The usual.”
“Ok. We’ll head that way. How long will it take you to get there?”
“Oh, it’ll be a bit. I’ve got to get things organized for tomorrow.”
“Just be careful.”
“I will. You guys be careful. How’d the game go?”
“The Jets won but just barely. It was a squeaker.”
“I’m glad. Am I on speaker?”
“Yeah. My phone connected to the car as soon as I turned it on.”
“Eli, did you have fun?”
“I did. It was different but Dad said we’d all go to the Giants game soon.”
“You guys will have fun.”
Elliot smiles. “We’re stuck in traffic leaving the stadium. It’ll be a bit. I can call when we finally get moving if you want.”
“Yes. Please.”
He smiles and nods. “Okay. You be careful.”
“I will. You guys too. Love you, Noah.”
“Love you too Mama.”
Eli smiles at Noah. “Did you have fun?”
“Yes, I did. It’s always fun.”
Noah smiles and sits back.
After a while, they head over the bridge back into New York. Elliot calls Liv.
"Benson.”
“Hey. We are finally back in the city. You headed out?”
“Yeah. I am walking to the car now.”
“Ok. Meet you at the usual place?”
“Sounds good. Be careful.”
“We will. See you soon.”
He hangs up and they get to the pizza parlor. Liv gets there at the same time and as soon as Noah unbuckles and takes off towards Liv.
“Mom! It was so fun!”
“I’m glad you had fun.” She hugs him tight. “Did you tell Elliot thank you?”
Elliot nods. “Several times.”
“Good.” He goes over to Liv and kisses her cheek. “Thanks for letting him go.”
“Anytime. Now, let’s go feed these growing boys.” She kisses his cheek.