Disclaimer: Not my characters, just my stories.

A/N: Decided I'd start the holiday writings early and give you a taste of my holiday cheer.

It had been two years since Calvin Arliss was snatched out of the arms of Olivia Benson. He cried himself to sleep almost every night still grieving the loss of the one person who gave a damn about him. It was the time of year whenhe thought of her the most and cried for her the hardest. His life wasn't at all bad. He was thankful for his grandparents in Vermont and thankful that they wanted him to be a part of their family, but Olivia was his family too. How could she be left alone during the holidays?

"Calvin, sweetie, are you done writing your Christmas list?" asked his grandmother.

Calvin wiped away the tear that fell to his cheek as he responded, "No grandma."

The old lady hollered back up the steps, "Well hurry, sweetie. I want to make sure Santa gets you everything on that list, you hear?"

A grin spread across his face. Calvin loved his grandmother; she always seemed to know exactly what he desiredin his time of need. He had talked to her about Olivia from time to time and she seemed to understand what he was going through. His grandfather on the other hand, was totally different. He made it abundantly clear that he wanted nothing to do with that cop lady. According to him, she was the reason their family has split and his son was in jail.

Calvin jumped into bed and left his Christmas list on his desk. He was getting rather sleepy and his eyes couldn't take any more of his horrible chicken scratch. He quickly drifted off to sleep as his mind became clouded with thoughts of Olivia.

Later that night, Mrs. James, Calvin's grandmother, entered his room to check on him. Her heart warmed at the sight of her grandson asleep. She loved that boy and it broke her heart to know what his mother had put him through. Walking over to his desk, the wiser lady was about to put away her grandson's notebook when she noticed the Christmas list sitting beside it. Curiosity getting the better of her, she picked up the paper and read it. There was only one thing on the list, the one thing she knew he had wanted since he left New York.

Back in New York, Olivia and the gang were getting ready for the holidays with everyone signing up for what dish they would bring to the Christmas precinct party. Sitting at their desks, they were joined by their M.E. Melinda Warner and their ADA Casey Novak. They were discussing this year's activities and who would be hosting the Christmas exchange party.

Casey was the first to speak. "Well I think it's my turn to host the Christmas exchange party."

Olivia looked at her friend and laughed, "Yeah it is, you have switched with people twice already."

The gang laughed and Casey flung a pen in Olivia's direction missing her completely. This was the time of the year where they all came together to share a special day that was dear to their hearts. It had become a quick tradition when Olivia entered the squad and become a part of the SVU family.

Elliot chimed in, breaking the laughter, "So are we still drawing from the Secret Santa hat or are we just gonna pick people this time?"

"We pull from the hat you dimwit," Munch replied retrieving the hat from his desk.

Munch was always in charge of the hat and making sure everyone had a secret Santa. This year he decorated it with Cragen's face on it and passed around the hat that contained all their names. Elliot pulled first, then Casey and so on. Munch was last to draw from the hat, then everyone put their names back into the hat for secrecy. Elliot to Melinda, Fin to Elliot, Munch to Casey, Casey to Olivia, Melinda to Munch, and Olivia to Fin. Everyone went back to work as they thought of their secret Santa gifts to get for their friends.

Vermont was always beautiful and held a sentimental feeling this time of the year. Chestnuts roasting and coffee brewing made this particular state quite a memorable one.

Sitting comfortably in her rocking chair, Phyllis, Calvin's grandmother was contemplating on giving Calvin what was on his wish list. He was such a good boy despite the setback they had at first, but he was trying. She wanted to make her grandson more than happy this year. It had been two years since he had seen her and what harm would it do thought Mrs. James? She quickly rose and found her stationary that her son had given her several years ago. She sat at her kitchen table, and began writing.

Dear Detective Benson,

Olivia sat at her desk, looking over all her files to make sure they were all completed. The last file she opened contained info on a teenage boy whose father molested him from the time he was 8 until he was 15 years could feel her heart break as her thoughts drifted to Calvin. Whenever she received a case about children, her first thought was of Calvin. She missed him tremendously. For once she had someone in her life who actually wanted to be there. Feeling her emotions playing on her heart strings, Olivia closed the file and threw it on the other side of the desk. This action didn't go unnoticed by her partner.

"Hey, what is it?" asked Elliot.

Olivia shook her head and looked back down at her files. She didn't want to discuss it, not with him anyway. He had seen her at her worst and she never wanted him to see her like that again.

Elliot pressed on, "Olivia what is it? What were you thinking about?"

Olivia rolled her eyes, aggravated at herself forletting them water, "I was thinking about Calvin, you happy now?" Olivia threw her chair back and sped to the bathroom before allowing the tears to flow freely down her face.

Elliot looked from Fin then to Munch as he tried to register what had just happened. She had never acted like that and it definitely threw them for a loop.

Thirty minutes passed and Olivia was still in the bathroom. Elliot and the gang were getting worried. Elliot rose from his desk and headed for the women's restroom when the mail carrier walked in.

"Is there an Olivia Benson here?" He asked.

Elliot turned toward him, "I'm her partner, what is it?"

"Looks like a letter. Here you can take it for her," he said as he handed Elliot an envelope and continued calling out the names of other detectives.

Elliot took it and headed for the restrooms. He thought about barging in but quickly dismissed that notion, realizing the bathroom would be full of cops with 32's. Elliot gently knocked on the restroom door and asked was Detective Benson inside. When he received no answer, he knew it was clear to walk in.

Opening the door slowly, Elliot found Olivia sitting in a stall with the door opened. "A letter came for you; I thought you should have it." Elliot handed it to her and turned to leave.

"Don't go," Olivia felt herself beg. "Who is it from?"

Elliot shook his head, "I don't know. The mailman dropped it off and I brought it to you."

Olivia sniffled as she turned the envelope over and read the address. "Phyllis James from Vermont." Quickly tearing open the envelope, Olivia unfolded the letter and began reading.

Dear Detective Benson,

Hello, I'm Phyllis James, Calvin's grandmother. I know it's been two years since you last saw Calvin and that's partly our fault. Every year around this time Calvin becomes sad and we talk about how he thinks you're doing and if you've adopted another child. I know this is against my husband's wishes, there was only one thing on Calvin's list this year and I decided to make his wish come true. I know you didn't do anything to deserve the way Vivian treated you and I apologize for her actions. I know Calvin was well taken care of with you and I want him to know that I'm willing to try to make him somewhat happy while he lives with us. I know this is short notice, but I was wondering if you could come and spend Christmas with him. I know he'll be overjoyed to see you this holiday.

Sincerely,

Phyllis.

Olivia sobbed as she pressed the letter to her heart. This was truly a dream come true.

Elliot gently raised her chin as he wiped away her lingering tears. Pulling her into a hug, he began rubbing small circles on her back. He too had a tear run down his cheek and into her hair as he soothed her. He noticed something lying on the ground and bent down to pick it up.

"Liv…they are serious. She even bought you a plane ticket," Elliot told her as he held up the ticket stub.

Olivia ripped it from his grip and gasped. She couldn't believe it. His grandmother was serious about her coming and on such short notice as well. The date on the ticket read Dec. 24, 2011 which meant she only had 24 hours to pack.

Looking at her partner, Olivia was seriously contemplating going. "Elliot, should I do this?"

"Yes Olivia. He was your heart. You need to take this opportunity to remind him of that."

Elliot helped Olivia up and pulled her out of the stall. He was going to make her get on that plane…whether she wanted to or not.

Eight forty-five a.m. on 24th of December came quickly as Olivia rose from her slumber. She sat up quickly, hopped out of bed, and headed for a much needed shower. Thirty minutes later, Olivia was out and rummaging through her closet to find an outfit to wear on the plane. She heard Elliot hollering from the foyer as she told him she was in her room.

"You all set?" Elliot asked as he picked up the two packed bags by the door.

"Yeah Elliot, I'm going in this beige towel." Olivia said sarcastically.

Elliot smirked and walked over to her. "I could help you with taking that off if you would like."

Olivia smirked then laughed as she pushed Elliot away and told him to go load the car. She quickly got dressed and met him downstairs then they headed for the airport.

Nine hours later, Olivia arrived in Hartford, Vermont. She gathered her luggage and looked for the wiser lady who was supposed to pick her up. Walking around for forty minutes, Olivia finally spotted a well groomed, well fit older woman standing with a sign that had her name written on it. Olivia smiled as she approached the woman.

"Hello Mrs. James, I'm Olivia. Nice to meet you, "Olivia said holding out her hand.

Mrs. James pushed her hand away and gathered her in a hug. "Thank you so much for coming. You don't know how much this is going to mean to Calvin."

Slightly surprised, it took a minute before Olivia responded. She returned the grandmother's hug as she smiled at the warm welcomed she inside her said that this was going to be a great Christmas.

They arrived at the house a little later. Making sure no one was home; Mrs. James welcomed Olivia to her home and took the bags that the detective was carrying. Olivia followed as she admired the older woman's home. She hoped to have a home similar to this one day. Her thoughts were quickly broken when she heard Mrs. James calling her name.

"Umm, ma'am?" Olivia asked.

"This is where you'll be staying. I hope you don't mind, this use to be our son's room." Mrs. James commented as she led her downstairs to the fully furnished basement.

"Wow. This is a whole section by itself." Olivia commented.

"Well, my son hated sharing space, sowe gave him the basement and fully furnished it; that way he didn't have to deal with his little brother."

"Well it's lovely. I'm very thankful for this."

Mrs. James smiled, "Well are you hungry? Can I get you anything to eat?"

"No ma'am, I'm fine. I'll just stay down here and relax. I'm really tired."

Mrs. James smiled. She was taking a liking to Olivia and she saw why Calvin had done the same. Saying goodnight, Mrs. James waved as she headed back upstairs. This was going to be a great Christmas for her grandson, she just knew it.

Christmas morning came bright and early as Calvin rushed down the stairs towards his gifts. He was happy that they had gotten a numerous amounts of gifts, but he still wasn't completely satisfied. The one gift, the only gift, which he had asked for wasn't here. Calvin heard his grandparents coming down the stairs. Turning around he smiled, "Merry Christmas guys."

Smiling at their grandson, Phyllis and Thomas walked hand and hand down the steps towards the Christmas tree. They had gotten everything they thought he wanted, at least Thomas did. They wanted him to be happy, excited, and full of joy.

Phyllis on the other hand, knew that she was going to burst his little heart wide open. Although she hadn't told her husband about the detective, she knew he would approve once he saw the way Calvin's face lit up. She smiled at Calvin and told him to start opening his presents while she went to retrieve an unexpected gift. Heading down the steps of the basement, she found Olivia brushing her hair up into a ponytail.

"We all set?" asked Olivia lookingin her hand held mirror.

"We are set. He'sopening his presents now and I want to make sure you aren't seen."

Setting the brush down, Olivia turned and walked back upstairs with Phyllis. They turned the corner quickly as Calvin was on his second to last gift. He had thanked his grandfather tremendously, but he knew something was up with his grandmother.

"Grandma, where are you?"Calvin hollered. "I'm almost done."

"I'm coming. Give me a few minutes."

He sighed as finished unwrapping his gifts. Finally, Calvin was done; he and his grandfather started picking up the trash from the gifts.

"Sweetie I'm coming.I have one more gift for you," Phyllis hollered back.

"What is it?" Calvin asked from the kitchen.

"You'll have to come in the living room to see."

Calvin looked up at his grandfather who looked as confused as he was. What in the world was grandmother up to Calvin asked himself. He slowly walked back into the living room trying to figure out what else she could have for him. As he entered the living room, his heart raced and his mouth dropped. He couldn't believe it. There stood the one gift he had asked for.

"Olivia!" Calvin yelled at the top of his lungs.

Tears began to roll down his face rapidly as he lunged forward, into her arms. He couldn't believe she was here, in his home, with him on Christmas. He didn't know what to say or how to feel. His emotions were everywhere and he couldn't make a coherent thought.

"You? What in the-how did you? Wow!" Calvin said as he squeezed her tighter.

Olivia grinned as her eyes began to glisten. She was trying her best to keep her tears at bay, but it was definitely hard to do. Rubbing her hands through his hair, she kissed the top of his head, "Merry Christmas, Calvin."

Calvin pressed his face deeper into her abdomen as he continued to cry. He had never beenmore overjoyed and enthralled in his entire life. Finally releasing his grip around her waist, Calvin looked up into her beautiful brown orbs, "Merry Christmas to you too, Olivia."

First story and I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what you think!