A Protector's Love [Benson and Carisi]

{Seventy}

"You okay? Where'd you go just now?"

"I'm okay, and I was just thinking about how thankful I am that you and Dad are healthy and are around to watch my kids grow up, " Olivia sniffled, wiping a tear that started a path down her cheek.

"Oh sweetie, " Serena smiled, placing a kiss on her daughter's forehead, "we're so grateful for that too."

The morning went by smoothly as did lunch and thanks to Robert; Sawyer and Charlotte were both tuckered out from their morning in the sun, so they went down like angels at naptime. Olivia had finally gotten into a comfortable position in her queen-sized childhood bed when her cell phone began ringing with Bella's number on her screen.

"Bella?" Olivia questioned, answering the phone.

"Hey, Livvie, " Bella's voice shook, "uh, where are you?"

"Bella, what's wrong?" Olivia questioned, feeling the pit tighten in her stomach.

"Olivia, where are you?" Bella spoke, trying to be more assertive in her tone.

"I'm at my parent's house in Queens, Bella, now tell me what's wrong."

"We're on our way, just stay put."

Olivia couldn't get in another word before her sister-in-law hung up, but it didn't take long for a pouring of messages to flood her phone. Everyone asking if she was okay and telling her that they were there for her. It didn't take long for Olivia to make her way back to the living room.

"Put on the news, " Olivia spoke to her father who was channel surfing.

"Yes ma'am, " Robert spoke with a chuckle.

The news was live broadcasting from the courthouse, and Olivia felt her stomach drop.

"Turn it up, " Olivia spoke, moving to lower herself on the couch.

The news was quiet until a well-known broadcaster appeared on the screen, "we have word of an active shooter in the Manhattan District Courthouse."

Olivia felt her mouth go dry and felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach. Robert quickly silenced the television and got up to sit beside his daughter.

"I'm sure everything's okay, honey, " Robert spoke, trying to calm her daughter before she panicked.

Olivia tried to soak in her father's words, but it wasn't working, she could feel her blood pressure rising as a result of the panic setting in.

"Olivia, " Madalyn called, moving towards the living room.

"We're in here, " Robert spoke, knowing his daughter's mother-in-law must've heard from Dominick.

"I was hoping you hadn't turned on the news, " Madalyn sighed, "are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay, " Olivia snapped in a whimper, "my husband--the father of my children--my best friend is in that courthouse."

Olivia's breath became shaky as she tried not to cry. Her stomach was already knotted up and her chest felt like a weight had been set on top of it. The room was silent, no one could reassure her that Dominick was okay because no one knew. The news was flashing silently, as Olivia with the help of Madalyn and her father tried to avoid having a full-blown panic attack. The silent room filled with the sound of a ringing phone. Madalyn moved from the room, onto the back deck, to answer the call she didn't want.

"Mom, " Dominick's shaky voice whispered.

"What's happening? Are you okay?"

"I want you to tell Olivia and the kids that I love them, please, " Dominick struggled to speak, "and know that I love you and my sisters."