Elliot walked Olviai back to the new apartment that Olia had just rented after the funeral. He kept looking at her, wanting to make sure that she was okay. She confirmed his thoughts by grabbing his hand and holding it throughout the ride. It made Elliot feel on top of the world.
"You have no idea that within the last few weeks how many times I wanted to do that", Elliot said, breaking the silence.
"What?", Liv asked, smiling.
"Reach across the table or car or desk and hold your hand. Kathy and I didn't do this. She literally wouldn't even look at me while we were in the same room together at the house. I am surprised that she isn't fighting harder for the marriage to stick together.", Elliot said. Olivia sighed. Maybe this is what he really wanted. His family back. When he saw her sigh, and felt her slowly letting go of his hand, he gripped on tighter, pulled the car over and turned toward her.
"Liv, hear me when I say this. I love you. I know Kathy is in my life because of the kids, but she's not important for me anymore. You are, you are the most important thing that I have in my life besides my kids and I couldn't be happier. I was just commenting on what we were doing. This is not what it sounds like. I love you!", Elliot stated and then pulled her close and kissed her. What they didn't know is that just a few feet away, a man stood with a camera to take photos of them and took one of them kissing. He smiled and said to himself, "Gotcha now, Mr. Stabler. Wait till Kathy sees this, then she'll definitely know you cheated!", and ran off into the crowd of cars.
"Come on, let's get you inside. Wanna unpack before work?", El stated when the kiss broke.
"Nah, I'll do it later, let's just check out the place and then head in huh?", Liv stated, still a little scared.
"Liv, there's nothing to be afraid of. You've got me.", Elliot stated and she smiled. They did go see the apartment, ut left after Olivia changed and went back to the precinct.. Walking in, they saw a new detective there.
"Hey, where's Jeffries?", Liv asked. She had a miscommunication with her and wanted to patch things up.
"She couldn't handle the job and neither could Cassidy. Both left the unit and now we just have four. Munch you're going to be partnered with Odafin Tutuola. He's a cop from Narcotics. But he knows the streets so we'll be lucky to have him.", Cragen stated and Liv smiled. They introduced themselves and got to work.
While sitting down at her desk, clearing what was left from the previous week, Elliot sat down next to her and smiled. She smiled back and that's when the call came through that a young girl had been brutally killed. According to the rapist, who later was identified, the girl was a street walker and had to be saved for her sins. He was totally delusional and then fine the next minute. George Huang saw him and told them that he has schizophrenia, which causes him to go nuts when he gets too worked up. Fin helped a lot on this case and they all went to celebrate. Little did they know that at the bar, there would be a patron taking pictures, tailing Olivia and Elliot's love life. Every smile and wink was documented by this guy. He was hired by Kathy to take pictures and little did they know things were going to get a whole lot worse for this young ouple.
Back at Kathy's, she was just getting Dickie and Lizzie to bed when hr cellphone rang with a picture of Liv and El dancing to a song. She went ballistic. She screamed and then received another text from Elliot, telling her that he was on his way home. She would deal with this later, but right now she had kids to protect and that meant even protecting them from their father.
"Kathy, I'm home. I'm just coming to get a few things and then I'm going to stay at the cribs.", Elliot stated and went up to get some clothes. Little did he know that Kathy was really going to follow him. She left the kids at home with the older sisters and went to get in her car to follow him. Sure enough, he did go to the precinct, and she was relieved. Maybe this was just her imagination playing tricks on her, but she knew that something was going on between Elliot and Olivia. A few minutes later, Kathy was waiting downstairs when a package was delivered to their door. Elliot wondered what it was, and Kathy just smiled devilishly. She walked toward the table, where their was a petition for divorce and full custody and added this to the mix. She gave it to Elliot and then went upstairs to bed. Elliot looked at it before leaving the house and got really angry. He made a silent vow that he would contact to her tomorrow and left for the precinct. When he got there, he looked at the paper work again, and then saw that there was a custody arrangement for Dickie, Lizzie, Maureen and Kathleen and then he got angry. How could she take his kids. Then he saw the photo and got worried. She was going to take Olivia out, he knew that this was her plan. He caught sight of when the photo was taken and he was enraged. This was this week. He was angry but couldn't do anything now, but something was about to come and he was going to be ready.
The next morning, there was another package delivered to the precinct. This was for Captain Cragen. He smiled and called Olivia and Elliot into his office. When they came in, they were holding hands and Don smiled. He told them to sit down and then began. No one knew yet of Elliot's battle with his family, and Elliot was going to come clean today, hoping to get his squad's backing.
"Liv, I had these drawn up the day after the funeral. I knew how you felt about family. You wanted a family, so much. So, out of consideration of you, I had these papers drawn up. I hope that you agree that this was the best thing for you.", Don said and then handed Olivia then paperwork.
"Don….I….", Olivia said, before reading the document. "You want to adopt me?", Olivia continued with tears in her eyes.
"Like I said, I know how much you wanted a family, and now you've got one.", Don said, and smiled. Then Olivia said the one thing that truly brought tears to his eyes.
"I already see you as my father. I have ever since the beginning.", Olivia said. Don then got up and hugged her. She hugged Elliot then too and left the room.
"Elliot, I know that you two have feelings for each other and there's no doubt that you will work everything out, but I have to say this. If you hurt her, you'll answer to me directly and be totally out of here.", Don said seriously.
"Captain, you don't have to worry. I love Olivia and wouldn't do anything to hurt her. But there is something that you and the team can help me with. Can you call a team meeting?", Elliot asked and Don nodded. Then, he saw the team come in the office and Olivia moved close to him.
"Okay, Elliot wanted this meeting and so, Elliot what's up?", Don said.
"Well, first of all, Liv and I love each other and as soon as I am divorced, we will be together. I hope you all will be happy for us.", Elliot paused and saw that everyone was smiled. Liv was shocked that this came out now, but things couldn't be better and went over to him. He put one arm around her and wiped her tears.
"Is that it, detective?", Don said, knowing that with Elliot there was always more.
"No, Captain, that is not al. When I got home last night, about to pack my bags, Kathy served me with divorce papers and custody papers. The divorce papers were expected but the custody papers, something is up.", Elliot said, then took the photo from the jacket that held the documents.
"I found this photo along with the papers. She's been stalking me. It's more of a deal breaker because it involves Olivia. She thinks I'm cheating.", Elliot had turned white.
"Oh God, El, maybe we made a mistake. Maybe our love is forbidden.", Olivia stated and began to cry. Elliot walked over to her and hugged her. Then he kissed her forehead and said to her.
"No, Liv, this was no mistake. I have fallen in love with you. You make me feel special and Kathy never did that. We'll get through this. This is just a set back. But I will need your help, baby, to just be there for me when the hearing starts.", Elliot stated.
Olivia looked at Elliot and said to him, "You saved me, now I'll do whatever it takes to save you." They smiled and lightly kissed and then went back to work. Things were coming along and everything was going smoothly until they got a new case. There was a young husband found beaten and assaulted and his wife was the main target. Elliot took this case a little more personally because of his current situation. The case hit a little too close to home. During the case, Olivia could see how it affected Elliot and pulled him into the cribs.
"Hey, you okay?", Liv asked.
"Yea, this case is getting to me and the court date is slowly approaching and I'm getting nervous. I could lose my kids. I could lose you.", Elliot said, coming closer.
"El, you're never going to lose me. Remember, I'm going to be there for you no matter what. It's us now, and we are going to get through this.", Olivia reassured him. Then, Maureen and Kathleen burst through the door, with Dickie and Lizzie.
"Guys, what are you doing here, not that I am not happy to see you.", Elliot said.
"Mommy told us that you couldn't come home. She said that we had to come tell you goodbye.", Lizzie said and Elliot looked at his older daughters for an explanation.
"We're going to visit Grandma in the country. We're gonna be there for a while.", Maureen said, and hugged her father.
"What about the custody battle?", Liv asked Kathleen.
"Kathleen, tell daddy what Momma did.", Elliot stated and saw the girls look at each other. Kathleen cried and told her father that there was a chance that she was going to lose the battle so she was going to take them away.
"No, you're not leaving. We are staying here. No, you are my children too and I'm not letting you leave."
"Dad, what are you going to do?, Dickie stated and began to get upset. He didn't want any of his relatives. Instead, he ran to his friend, Olivia. Liv was shocked and Elliot called her over.
"Guys, let's go in the talking area and you will find out why Mom is doing this.", Elliot suggested and Liv nodded and walked with him. She dropped Dickie off and went to leave, but Elliot stopped her.
"Where are you going, Liv? I need you in here with me.", Elliot stated, looking right into her eyes.
"No, El, you need to be with your kids. They are going to hate me.", Liv said, and shrugged. But El dragged her in the room and sat down.
"Dad, what's Olivia doing in here?", Maureen stated.
"She's here because I want her here. Guys, Mom's divorcing me. She told me that there were irreconcilable differences. But it's truly because I've fallen in love. I love Olivia. It's the truth guys. Liv and I love each and we're going to be together. Mom and I have been together for so long and we've got so many differences. I don't know how to explain it, except to truly tell you everything. I am sorry.", El said, hoping his kids would understand.
"Dad, we uh, have something to tell you. Mom told us, but she told us her side. But this was her fault. She had told you two weeks ago that she was working late. But Dickie saw something on her phone from another Doctor. We confronted her but she never admitted it. She's been cheating Dad and we can prove it.", Maureen said.
"Yea, Dad, we're happy for you. This is what we always wanted. We love Olivia. We love you, so if you're happy, we're happy. Now, we don't wanna go to grandma's. We know Mom is going to poison us against you. That's why you have to fight. We'll all help.", Kathleen said.
"See, we're for you, El, and there's nothing you can do.", Olivia said and kissed him. The kids smiled and load every minute of their dad, loving Olivia. Then, they read the documents that eElliot had brought in and knew that the custody hearing was the next day and that's when Kathy had planned to take the children out of the city. This was going to be a battle that they would never forget.
The next day, Liv woke up at her new apartment. She found that even though that Elliot had the cribs to sleep in, he decided to sleep on the couch and it was wonderful to see him so at peace. She had given her spare bedroom to Elliot's kids, and knew that at any minute she would hear four pairs of footsteps in the hall. She leaned over kissed him awake, and Elliot responded to that kiss.
"Good morning, Liv. Sleep well?", Elliot asked. She nodded and then went to get breakfast ready for the kids. She called them down the hall and the kids came in No one realized that it was later than it actually was and as soon as Liv saw the time, which was eight thirty A.M., she dropped the orange juice on the table and the told the kids and Elliot that they were going to be late. The kids and Elliot had to be in court by nine A.M. Liv was getting ready when Elliot came in the room and realized that her frantic energy was because she was nervous.
"Look, I think if Kathy sees me there then she will know we are together and then she's gonna get the judge to persuade them her way and it's all because of me. Do you really think we can do this together?"
"Liv, I;m sure that we are going to be fine. I can tell you that things are going to be fine. If Kathy tries to get them to look her way, I know exactly how to handle it. Maureen told me exactly who was cheating with her and we can get the judge to see it our way. I promise. I'll win custody and then you can adopt the kids once we are truly together.", El reassured her and then went to get himself ready. The kids were getting ready and even though they had settled on Olivia going, she still wasn't sure. This was Olivia's feeling until Maureen and Kathleen came out of the room and saw her fighting with her emotions.
"Liv, are you okay?", Maureen asked.
"You girls know that I didn't mean to steal your father away from your mother, right?", Olivia asked.
"Liv, we know that this wasn't your fault. Mom cheated first and when Dad felt that you were the one, he finally came through with his feelings and showed you and us. I know you were meant for my dad, to show us a true family, and I agree. We couldn't stand the fighting and the yelling all the time. I never wanted to hear them fight and when they did, I couldn't stand it.", Kathleen said.
"Yea, Kathleen's right, Liv, we know how you feel. We didn't want to say this before in front of the little ones, however, we all love you. Even Grandma on my dad's side has heard about you, and simply told daddy that this was the one you were supposed to be with. If he would have waited, he would have met you and it would've been perfect. I love you Liv, and I look at you as my second mother.", Maureen stated and Olivia was in tears of joy.
"But what's your mother going to think whens she sees us together at court today? She thinks I am a hooker who preyed on your father. I don't want anyone thinking of me like that.". Olivia stated.
"Liv, she'll have to go through us, because like it or not, we're behind you. We'll be with you until the end.", Olivia smiled. Just then Elliot's phone rang and it was Kathy. She had told him that she was pregnant again and this time he was the father, and now had to come home. Kathy sneered and said that this was the way that she was hoping that this would get him to come home with the kids. But Elliot saw through this plot. He said he would wait until the results of the paternity test came in and then he would consider having joint custody of their child, and all of their children.
Walking into the court room, the group went to sit on the opposite side of where they saw Kathy sitting, and low and behold, they saw the man called "'Rick", sitting next to her. Kathy pursed her lips at Elliot, like she was going to be successful at this. In her mind, the court was going to review the evidence and say the idea in her favor. Then the judge entered and started the trial. When the information was presented about the case, each side got to present their story. Liv was sitting next to El, when Kathy was speaking and she took his hand.
"Your honor, I give the court my promise that I have protected my children and done everything for them. My ex-husband was never home because of his job, but he always managed to be there for his partner, Olivia. She only started a few weeks ago, and now he's in love with her. How can that be? However, I was willing to look past this, until I found my husband, Elliot Stabler, kissing his partner. Exhibit A - this is a photo of the two in the car kissing. This is more photos of them together.", Kathy said, smiling, obviously proud off herself.
"Wait, Mrs. Stabler, how were these photos obtained?", the judge asked.
" I hired someone to follow my husband because I was suspicious.", Kathy claimed.
"But, why? Why on earth did you not trust your husband enough?", the judge asked.
"She's a snake. I knew when Don Cragen, his boss, hired her she'd turn my husband against me. (then looking towards Olivia, she claimed.) You got that Olivia. These are my kids and that's my husband. I demand you let him come home, or else."", Kathy said and then lost it when Elliot held tighter onto Olivia. She grabbed a gun from one of the officers of the court and pointed the gun at Olivia. Olivia stood there shocked and that's when she heard a gunshot rang out.
Author's Note: Sorry again about the cliffie, just wanted to make sure you are were on your toes. As always read and review. Please review this story. I love hearing what your comments and suggestions are and I try to get these suggestions in. Read and Review. Thanks! EO forever!