Merry Christmas Darling

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: I've known them for 12 years, but they don't belong to me.

Author Notes: Some major E/O fluff for the season. Hope it makes your dreams come true.

Olivia turned off of Madison Avenue onto 47th and strolled down to Rockefeller Center. She wanted to see the tree and watch the skaters. All her shopping was done and she couldn't wait for the Department Party tomorrow. She and Elliot had been getting along so well lately. It was like the days when they first worked together. There was energy between them again. They finished each other's sentences, talked with their eyes and flirted mercilessly with each other again. She loved this Elliot. He was so much fun to work with. Even though what they did was really hard at times, he made it bearable. She knew a romantic relationship was never going to happen, but she had her friend back and that was enough. Well, it had to be enough. She didn't have a choice in that one.

It had been a hard year for her. First she lost Glady's baby and then she lost Calvin. She had planned a big Christmas with the little boy and had to take some things back to the store that she had already purchased for him. It hurt to think that the only gift she would have under the tree would be from Simon in Florida. Once he and his family moved, she found herself alone again on holidays. Oh suck it up Benson, you've lived this way most of your life. You should be used to it by now. She went back to thinking about Elliot and a smile reemerged on her face. She stood looking out at the skaters in front of the tree and knew she just had to get closer. It was getting dark and the lights looked even better in the darkening sky. It seemed like there were millions of them in every color. She stepped up and paid for a pair of skates. Quickly putting them on, she skated around the huge rink and came to a stop right under the tree. She leaned on the wall in front of the fountain and looked up at it with a huge smile on her face. It was mesmerizing. She never got tired of seeing it. Suddenly a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind.

"Penny for your thoughts, Benson."

She shivered when his breath hit her ear. She half turned in his arms to see a smiling Elliot looking down at her with bright blue eyes.

"El, what are you doing here?" She looked around for Kathy and the kids, but he seemed to be alone.

"Man, we are on the same wavelength all the times these days. I came to skate so I could get a look at the tree up close."

Olivia laughed. "Me too. Only I don't have the excuse of kids to bring." For a minute she turned sad. "I wanted to bring Calvin here so badly. Now I'll never get a chance."

"I'm sorry Liv, so sorry. It looks like both of us lost something this season."

"What are you talking about El?" He slipped his glove off and held up his left hand. It was empty, no ring. Olivia shook her head trying to clear her mind and start over. She blinked. "What?"

"I didn't want to tell you until it was final, but Kathy divorced me and is moving with her new man to Maryland. Can you believe it? I was so stupid Liv. Maureen had to tell me something was going on. I was clueless. It just never occurred to me that she would do something like that."

"She cheated on you? Oh, El, I'm sorry. What about the kids?"

"They all went up there to look at houses during the holidays. His folks live there so they are spending Christmas with them. I had them today for us to have our Christmas. That's why I took a personal day."

"I thought you were just doing last minute Christmas shopping like me. I had no idea, El. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know Liv. I guess I'm as bad as you are at admitting what's going on with me. It hit me today when I kissed them good-bye. I am really alone now. My kids are going to be 3 and ½ hours away. Well, the twins and Eli. Maureen and Kathleen are staying here and sharing an apartment, but I hardly see either of them as it is. So, I came here after Kathy picked them up because it always makes me happy. Then I looked up and saw this angel standing by the angel looking up at that tree and I thanked God that he gave me someone like you in my life. I am so glad to see you, Liv."

"Me too. I came here for the same reason. If I didn't know better I would swear Santa Claus was listening to me earlier."

"How so?"

"I asked for someone to spend the holidays with. Do you think we could do that, El?"

"I'd love to do that, Liv. How about we start with skating at Rockefeller Plaza?"

Olivia laughed. "What a great idea. You can always read my mind."

"Shall we?"

Elliot held out his hand and she shyly slipped hers into it. This was new. They didn't hold hands, but it felt right for the first time. They both realized it was really okay to touch and be touched by each other. They had always limited their contact in the past. She knew it had been a safe guard. They skated around the rink for over an hour talking and laughing together. Hand holding led to Elliot slipping his arm around her waist and pulling her closer as they skated in sink with each other. They discussed Fin and his new mystery woman, making guesses as to who they thought it was. They laughed at Munch and his holiday conspiracy theories. They had no idea how much time had passed until Liv heard her stomach rumble.

"Was that you?"

"Afraid so. I didn't eat lunch. I was shopping for tomorrow."

"Well, come on woman. I'm taking you out to dinner."

"You are?"

"Yeah, I am. Let's call this our first date, okay?"

"A date?"

"If that's okay with you."

"Um, yeah. I'd like that El. It just feels weird, you know?"

"Yeah, but nice weird don't you think?"

He steered her off the ice and down onto the bench she pointed to that had her shoes. He knelt down in front of her and began untying her skates for her. She shivered when he put his hand on her calf and slipped her foot out of a skate. When he did the second skate she thought her heart was going to burst with the joy that simple task gave her. He grinned when he saw her knee length boots. He'd recognize them anywhere. The woman loved her shoes and he loved watching her wear them. He looked up at her and smiled. His dimples were so cute. She wanted to put a kiss right into one of them. Get hold of yourself Benson.

"How about the Rock Center Café? There's a great view of the tree and I love the food."

Elliot had retrieved his shoes and was sitting down beside her taking his skates off and putting them on. It felt so intimate. Olivia just sat there soaking it up. It took her a second to realize he was talking to her.

"Liv?"

"Uh, yeah?"

"Where did you go just then? I said how about Rock Center Café?"

"I was just thinking. I love that place. It has a great view of the tree and the skaters."

"Yeah, like I said. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Better than okay."

Elliot stood up and held his hand out again. He hauled her up and then lifted the lapels of her coat and pulled the collar up around her ears. She smiled up at him as he smiled down at her.

"Can't let you get sick now can we?" He took her hand and held it to his chest for a second. "Let's go." He pulled her along through the crowd to the restaurant and after helping her off with her coat, he guided her to their table with his hand on the small of her back. That simple, intimate touch made her spirit soar. This was the best Christmas ever and Christmas Eve wasn't until tomorrow. Please, God, don't let me wake up if I am dreaming.

Elliot sat across from Liv and just took her in: Her scent, her hair, her gorgeous eyes. He couldn't take his own eyes off her. He had wanted the freedom to look at her like this for longer than he cared to admit. She sparkled. He honestly thought she sparkled.

"Let's save our gifts to each other and open them at your place after the party. Is that okay with you?"

"Absolutely okay with me." She smiled back at him and opened her menu.

Two hours later they finally left the restaurant, leaving a substantial tip for the waiter who had not complained at all when they monopolized his table all night. He wished them both a Merry Christmas and winked at Olivia. Were they that transparent? The walk back to her apartment was just as much fun as the rest of the evening. Elliot had her in tears most of the time with funny stories of his kids. He had slipped his arm around her shoulders holding her close to him as they walked side by side. A block before her apartment it started to snow. Could this night be anymore perfect? Elliot walked her up and stood at the door of her apartment shifting from one toe to the other. She smiled to herself. He always did that when he was thinking.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow Liv. I had a wonderful time tonight and I am so looking forward to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with you."

"Listen, why don't you pack a bag when you get home tonight with enough clothes for the weekend. We're both off for the rest of the weekend. Thank you seniority privileges. That will keep you from having to go back and forth to Queens. I mean, we did say we would spend the holiday together. Unless you'd rather not…" Her voiced trailed off as she suddenly got nervous.

"No, that's a great idea, Liv! I am so excited now. I was depressed thinking about rambling around that huge house alone. I wouldn't even have decorated if the kids hadn't been coming over today. Christmas suddenly got a whole lot better."

He smiled that huge grin he always gave her when he wanted something. She could feel her heart speeding up.

"I had a great time. Want me to pick you up and give you a ride in the morning? That way we could leave together after the party."

"Sure. That'd be great. I love the snow, but I wasn't looking forward to getting my pants all wet walking to work. Don't be late, okay?"

"Me? Late?"

"Yes, you late."

"Not when it means I get to see you first thing. Sweet dreams, Liv."

"You too, El."

He hesitated for a second and then surprised her by leaning in and giving her a sweet kiss on the lips. It was soft and tender and full of promise. He pulled back and gave her a soft smile.

"Wow. Glad I did that."

"Me too."

"Night, Liv."

"Night, El."

"I'll call you when I get home."

Her face lit up. "I'll wait up until you do."

"Okay, I had fun tonight."

"Me too…El?"

"Yeah?"

"You really need to go now. We do have to be up early."

"Right. I'm just afraid to have it end. I'm afraid I'll wake up in the morning and discover I was dreaming all along."

She smiled. "Best dream I've ever had."

He turned to go, but suddenly turned back around and pulled her in for one last kiss. This one left her breathless. He pulled back and released her reluctantly.

"Best first date ever. See you tomorrow."

And then he was gone down the hall whistling some Christmas Carol.

Liv, closed the door and slid down to the floor. She put her fingers to her lips and grinned. Wow! Just…wow!