Disclaimer: I don't own SVU. Things would be quite different if I did.
A/N: Haven't updated in a while. I'M SORRY! Hopefully you like it. And keep in mind, it is an E/O story but what would a story be without a climax? Just keep with me and REVIEW! 3
Chapter Seven
Ding-dong
Olivia looked up from the sink where she was currently catching up on some unfinished dishes. She sighed and tossed the dish towel slung over her shoulder onto the counter. She gently touched Alexis's shoulder affectionately as she passed the table where her daughter was busy colouring a picture and continued towards the front door.
She tried to peek through the frosted glass to see who it was but she couldn't make out the dark figure so she gave up and opened the front door.
"Elliot," she said with surprise, her brows furrowed. Elliot smiled awkwardly. She had changed into more comfortable jeans and a grey long sleeve shirt with a tank top underneath and those familiar necklaces dangling from her neck. Her hair was in a loose French braid and she looked like she had just come from doing the dishes.
"Mommy!" Alexis interrupted. Olivia turned around to look at her daughter. "Brady's crying," she told her mother matter-of-factly. Olivia smiled.
"Thanks sweetie," she told her softly and looked over at Elliot. "You can come in if you'd like. I'll be right back," she told him and walked off to the other room where Brady remained and sure enough was crying up a little storm.
"Hey, hey," she said soothingly as she lifted the little baby boy out of the playpen in the family room. Brady instantly quieted down as he felt Olivia's warm arms around him and her massaging hand on his back. She kissed his soft baby hair and gently adjusted him on her hip, walking back into the foyer to find Elliot.
Elliot's eyes instantly lit up as he saw the baby resting on her hip.
"You have two kids?" he asked with surprise. She chuckled and shook her head.
"No, this is my nephew, Brayden," she told Elliot as she looked at little Brayden who was gurgling away. Elliot shoved his hands into his pockets.
"Simon's son?" he asked remembering Olivia's half brother Simon Marsden. She shook her head.
"No, he lives in New York. Brady is my sister-in-law's son." Elliot's face hardened slightly at his own stupidity. Of course she was married. There was no one someone as beautiful as Olivia could have remained single. He nodded slightly and before she could explain they were interrupted by a tall, attractive man with dark hair and bright blue eyes just like Alexis's.
"Daddy!" Alexis squealed as she latched onto the man's leg. Ben smiled lovingly at Alexis. He pulled her off his leg and tossed her into the air causing her to squeal even more.
"Daddy!" she yelped. Ben chuckled and placed her on his own hip and looked over at Olivia.
"Who's this?" he asked politely.
"This is Elliot Stabler, my partner," Olivia introduced Elliot. Ben's eyes lit up.
"Oh right! Olivia has told me so much about you," he said politely holding out his hand. "Ben Knightly." Elliot smiled painfully and shook Ben's hand.
"It's nice to meet you," he managed to force out. They stood there in a friendly stance for a few moments longer before Ben interrupted again.
"Hey, why don't you stay for supper? I'd love to get to know my wife's colleague from my own perspective," he said kindly. Elliot exhaled, carefully thinking about his response.
"You know what, I'm not really hungry and I should probably get back to my daughter," he replied. Olivia cocked her head to one side.
"Well, before you leave, what exactly did you come for?" she asked slightly concerned. Elliot nearly exploded inside. His cover was blown. There was no way he was going to get out of this one.
"You know what, dinner actually sounds great," Elliot replied after a mental breakdown within himself. Olivia looked at him fishily but brushed it aside after a few minutes. Elliot followed the small family into the dining room where Alexis's picture remained. She proudly picked it off the table and walked over to Elliot.
"I coloured this all by myself," she stated with pride. Elliot crouched down at her small five year old level and carefully looked at the picture. He smiled but couldn't help but notice the distinct similarities her young writing already had with his own writing. She batted her long dark eyelashes. "You can have it. Daddy's office is already full of my pictures," she shrugged. Elliot couldn't help but smile at her young level of intelligence.
"Well thank you. I will hang it up in my own office." Alexis smiled with glee then walked back to the table and sat in a chair that seemed to be designated as her own. Ben was already seated next to Olivia and baby Brady was seated in a high chair near Olivia so Elliot decided on the vacant seat next to Olivia.
The food had already been set out on the table along with cutlery and plates. Ben pulled out some wine for the three of them and poured Alexis some milk.
"Daddy, why can't I have some of the juice you're having?" she asked, hoping she would eventually be given some of the 'juice.' Ben chuckled.
"It's special juice Lex. Only for grownups," he told her. She crossed her arms across her chest and pouted.
"Everything's only for grownups," she pouted. Ben smiled and kissed her head.
"Trust me sweetie, you will grow up fast enough," he told her lovingly. Elliot watched and he couldn't help but notice the slight pang in his heart that it was not him that was telling Alexis this. How he longed to be a father to Olivia's beautiful daughter.
Dinner went nicely and Elliot found himself taking a liking to Ben. He was a very genuine, hardworking man and from what Elliot had seen, a fantastic father. He spoke with intelligence and seemed to have acquired a great understanding for humanity. He also had a knack for arguing. Not a surprise considering Elliot had recently learned that Ben was a lawyer. He was not nearly as fierce as the Olivia Elliot had known for years had been but he also did not allow people to walk over him and was quick to defend himself. He was definitely the type of man Elliot had always saw Olivia ending up with.
Just after dinner had ended, Elliot decided it was time to get back to Lizzie. Olivia walked him to the door as Ben tucked Alexis in and placed Brady in his playpen for a nap until Ben's sister arrived to take him home.
"Thanks for dinner," Elliot told her as they stood at the doorway. She smiled.
"Anytime. So what's the real reason you decided a house call was necessary?" she asked knowingly. Elliot chuckled at himself. There was no way escaping Olivia. He shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged like a school boy.
"I just wanted to, uh, apologize. For earlier. I didn't mean to come off so strong." She nodded and stared to the ground for a moment.
"It's fine. I know I owe you answers. I guess I'm just not ready to deal with them right now. Sooner rather than later, Elliot, I promise," she said genuinely. He nodded, knowing she was good for it and how could he ever truly be mad with that beautiful face he had missed so much over the years.
"Sure. Listen I better-" Elliot was cut off by the bright yellow light and noisy engine of a car pulling into the driveway. He noticed Olivia smile.
"I'm sorry, um, Lisa just pulled in. I'll see you tomorrow?" she clarifyied. He nodded.
"See ya Liv," he said in that familiar friendly mode he remembered. He smiled to himself as he walked down the steps towards the car and watch as Lisa greeted Olivia who now had a sleepy Bradyen all ready to go in his carrier. She handed him over to Lisa with such love and care, Elliot couldn't help but be filled with joy over the fact that Liv now had Lexi. She had wanted kids for so long and Elliot remembered all the cases that had involved children. She always had that longing gaze and now she finally had it. Elliot too remembered his own longing gaze, but not at the children, at her, at his partner. She was the only woman Elliot felt butterflies around but he never did have to courage to tell her truth and now he had lost it completely. All those chances he had meant nothing now because she had him. The lawyer husband, the big house, the beautiful child, she had it all. It truly was amazing how things could turn out.
He sighed to himself then drove off as she closed the front door behind her.
