Author's Notes: I wish I could write as fast as I come up with more ideas for this story but unfortunately that is not the case. This chapter just kept growing and growing and growing too. I finally decided to split it in half so that I could go ahead and post an update. The second half is coming along so hopefully it will be up soon too.

Disclaimer: I wish I owned Law & Order: SVU but that role is still held by Dick Wolf. I own nothing but the crazy idea for the story and all grammar errors.


Elliot Stabler Residence

Queens, New York

Saturday, September 20


"Eli, are you ready yet? Olivia and Noah are going to be here any second," Elliot shouted towards Eli's room as he put on his jacket.

"All set Dad," Eli said as he came running into the living room with his jacket and hat on and his little backpack. "Do you think Livvy will remember me? Do you think Noah will want to play?" He said in a rush.

"Eli, of course Liv remembers you," Elliot replied as he bent over to zip up his son's jacket. El squatted down in front of Eli before continuing, "And remember Noah is still a baby so he can't walk on his own yet so I need your help watching out for him today. There are going to be a lot of people at the fair and lots of things to see so we all need to stick together and have fun."

With all the seriousness that a six year old could muster, he said, "Ok, Dad."

In the next instance, the doorbell alerted the duo that Olivia and Noah had arrived. "That would be them." Elliot stood and walked over to the door and opened it up to find Olivia and Noah bundled up against the slight chill in the air this morning. They both looked adorable in their jackets and matching caps.

"Good morning. Come on in." Elliot managed to usher them into the house without ravishing Liv first. El didn't think that was the best way for Eli to learn about the new development in his father's life so he was forced to push his desires to the back of his mind for now.

"Morning, El." Olivia looked down to see Eli semi-hiding behind his father. "Wow! Eli, you have gotten so big since the last time I saw you."

"You remember me," Eli asked shyly.

Olivia bent down to Eli's level and said, "Of course I do. There is no way I could have forgotten about you. Eli, I want you to meet someone. This is Noah."

"Hi, Noah."

While Noah still hadn't mastered the art of conversation, he gave a giant smile and babbled happily to Eli.

"He likes me," Eli said in awe.

"Of course he does sweetie. Do you think you can help me show him a good time today?"

"Sure, Livvy"

"Thanks, Eli."

"Eli, why don't you go climb in the SUV while we grab the car seat out of Liv's car and install it into the truck?"

"OK," Eli said excitedly and ran out of the house.

Olivia stood and turned towards Elliot and stated, "El, we can drive my car today."

"I know but either way we have to move a child seat and since the SUV has more room I figured we could take mine," Elliot replied as he tried to stop his shaking hands from dragging her to him.

"Or is it you just need to drive, mister control freak?" Olivia said with a shake of her beautiful head.

"Never!" Elliot shouted.

Liv turned to move towards the door with Noah but El stopped her before she could reach the door. She looked up into Elliot's face to see what prompted him to stop her.

"But first I need this..." Elliot said as he lowered his head and gently brushed his lips over Liv's before swooping back in for a longer, deeper intoxicating kiss. Olivia would never admit it but she was so thankful El initiated the kiss. She was dying to kiss him but didn't want to start anything in front of Eli. In perfect synchronization, they pulled back from each other before they both lost the will to do so.

"Good Morning." El said as he gazed lovely into the Liv's beautiful brown eyes.

"It is now," she replied.

"Sorry I wanted to kiss you when you first walked in but I didn't know how Eli would take it and there was no way I would survive any longer if I didn't kiss you now," El said as he laid his forehead against Liv's.

"Don't worry. We'll take things slow around Eli and the other kids."

"Thank you," El replied as he moved his head to kiss Noah gently on the forehead. He was thankful the little guy hadn't interrupted the kiss like last night. "I don't think the others will have a problem based on how much they keep harassing me about talking to you."

"Oh really," a very intrigued Olivia responded.

"Yeah. I'll tell you everything later but I think we better get going before Eli tries to drive himself over to the museum."

"Yeah, you are probably right. Let's go." When Olivia turned this time to head back outside, Elliot guided her out the door with his hand at the small of her back.


After a brief drive, the would-be family made it to the museum and the county fair which was in progress on the estate. Eli was bouncing in his seat with his barely contained excitement at getting to spend all day with his dad. While his dad had been away, his sisters and brother had made sure he knew exactly who his father was. They showed him pictures and videos and told endless stories of his father. While his family made sure he remembered, they couldn't take away the jealousy Eli felt towards his friends who had fathers living with them. Eli wanted his dad living with him too.

Eli had been nervous when his mother had told him that his father was finally coming home. He hoped that his dad would remember him. All his fears where laid to rest when he looked into the face of his father and saw tears of joy streaking down his face. He ran quickly to his father who swooped him up in his arms and hugged him tight. In those first few hours of his father's return, Eli was constantly at his father's side. When it was decided he would stay with his father, Eli had been sad about leaving his mom but he was having a great time with this dad and his brother and sisters who were all here in the city and he knew his mom was only a Skype call away.

Elliot quickly paid for the tickets and found a spot to park the SUV in before the six year old could bounce completely out of the car. Once parked, Noah was loaded into the stroller with Liv pushing him towards the entrance and Eli was walking quickly beside the stroller with his hand securely held by his father's stronger one.

While there were carnival rides available, Elliot steered the group towards a tour of the various fields at the museum. The rides may have been exciting but the tour would allow Eli to burn off some energy and it provided a learning opportunity on farming techniques and different vegetables...maybe the tour could even convince the young boy to eat more veggies in the future.

Their tour guide was a young college student who made the tour fun for the kids by letting them play while they learned. Eli found himself learning about planting techniques by playing in the dirt and helping to plant new seedlings. The grown-ups were wondering how much dirt was going to be tracked home but neither would want it any other way since there was so much joy written on Eli's face. "Dad, come help."

Elliot turned to Liv and asked, "Do you two want to come too?"

"I don't think so," she chuckled. "You go. I'll stay here with Noah."

Elliot walked over to his son and said, "Alright, Eli, show me what to do."

Eli carefully showed Elliot how to plant the small plants and then prompted his father to plant the next one. Olivia captured several pictures of the Stabler men getting dirty while planting their veggies. They both had the same look of concentration while they worked which made it obvious they were father and son. She could spend all day watching them interact but she would rather have fun with them instead. "Come on, Noah. Let's go play in the dirt too."

With Noah in her arms, Olivia walked over to the boys and knelt down next to them. "I thought you two could use a hand," and with those words Olivia and Noah dug a small whole and placed one of the plants into it.

"How did you know how to do that, Livvy?" Eli asked.

"By watching you show your father. You did a great job teaching him." Eli didn't say anything but a look of pride at her words was unmistakable on Eli's face.

"Ok everyone once you plant the small plants. Please move into the barn where we will conclude the tour and you will be able to clean up," the young tour guide said.

"What do you think, Eli? Does everything look good? Should we see what other fun we can get into?" Elliot asked.

"Yep. Everything looks good. Let's go."

"All right. You heard the boss, Liv, let's get a move on," Elliot said with a smirk due to the behavior of his son and also the smudge of dirt on Liv's cheek which made her look like she was in her teens. Hopefully he could snap a picture before she noticed the dirt.


The day had turned warm in New York which allowed for jackets and hats to be shed. Little boys and girls had been cleaned up after the planting exercise but not before pictures had been taken for blackmail material later. Eli had convinced his dad to allow him to adopt a worm for their non-existent compost pile. The adoption was actually made possible by Liv who didn't shy away from playing with Eli as he tried to pick out the perfect worm to take home. The worm along with some dirt were safely placed in a container that was now safely tucked away in the stroller. Elliot couldn't help but think about where that worm was going to turn up in his house but there was no way he could say no to Eli and Liv when they asked if they could take one home.

The small group was now wondering through the different stables with goats, sheep and various other farm animals. Even with the difference in age between Eli and Noah they had already begun to establish a bond. Noah watched everything Eli did and let the adults known on several occasions he wanted to join in and pet the different animals too.

Unfortunately the baby had worn himself out and was currently enjoying a nap in his stroller. With one child resting, Elliot and Olivia were currently strolling after the more energetic and mobile Eli. Elliot was pushing the stroller with one hand while the other was securely wrapped around Liv's smaller hand. Neither adult was able to stop the constant need to touch each other. It ranged from a slight caress of Liv's hand down El's arm to intertwined fingers and hands. They both needed to reassure each other that this was actually happening and each of them was enjoying being together with their children without the constant pressure from work.

"Livvy, you have got to see this!" Eli cried.

Elliot smirked and said, "Go. Your biggest fan is calling. I've got Noah."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Now go see what Eli has to show you."

Elliot loved watching Liv interact with his son. The shyness at the house had worn off almost immediately and now Eli was enamored with Liv because she loved playing in the dirt and she helped convince his dad to let him take home the worm. In Eli's little mind, Liv was perfect. For El, Liv and this day had been perfect too. Eli didn't seem to be having any problems with his dad holding Livvy's hand throughout the day and he even took to holding her other hand too. Monkey see. Monkey do he guessed. Elliot wasn't going to push for more right now but it gave him hope that Eli would accept the new relationship. He planned to sit Eli down this week and have a little man to man talk to him about Liv. While he wanted a relationship with Liv and he planned to have it, he wanted to make sure his youngest was comfortable with the changes in his father's life and to assure him that no one would take his place.

Liv seemed to be comfortable with the new level of intimacy as well. He had caught her several times watching him with Noah with so much love in her eyes. While Noah may not be his, he cared greatly for the little boy. It was easy to see how Liv fell in love with him right away.

Eli ran back over to Elliot and said, "Dad, you have to come and see Jethro and Dexter!"

"Who are Jethro and Dexter?" Elliot asked. He racked his brain but he couldn't remember Eli ever talking about any friends with those names.

"They look like baby cows but they are actually full grown. You've got to see them. They are right by where Livvy is standing."

With a smile on his face, Elliot said "Let's go then," as he took his son hand and pushed Noah with the other.


"So what should we do next you two?" Elliot asked the duo standing in front of him.

"Can we do the maze next dad? Please!" Eli begged.

"That sounds like a great idea Eli," Olivia said.

"Alright then. How about we make it a little bit of a competition?" Elliot replied with a twinkle in his eyes.

"What do you mean?" Eli asked.

"Well I was thinking we could make it a game where it's the Stablers versus the Bensons."

"Hmmm...I think the odds are stacked in your favor, El," Olivia said.

"Are you scared you might lose, Benson?" Elliot taunted. He knew his comment would push Liv to accept the challenge.

"No, but I do want to know what Noah and I are going to get when we beat you two," Liv replied.

"How about the loser buys ice cream?" Elliot said. Eli had been hinting at getting ice cream all day so it was a pretty safe bet.

"You are on!" Olivia shouted.

"Awesome! We are so going to win, Dad!"

Elliot laughed at the enthusiasm from Liv and Eli. Noah had no clue what was going on but he was shrieking with laughter too. It seemed like everyone was on board for this challenge. "Ok. We'll take the entrance on the left and you two take the one on the right. And since as you mentioned we have a slight advantage, we'll give you a 60 second head start."

"Oh how nice of you. Let's do this Noah," and with those words Liv took off with Noah down the entrance of the maze.

"All right, Eli. We got this! As soon as I tell you to, run as fast as you can. Remember always go to your right when we come to a dead end."

"Ok, Dad." Eli said as he got ready to run for all he was worth.

"You ready"

"Yep."

"All right...Go!"

Eli and Elliot took off down their entrance to the maze in the hopes they could make it out the other side before Olivia and Noah did. Elliot was trying hard not to laugh as Eli ran as fast as his little legs would carry him. El was loving every minute of today. The only thing that could make today better would be if the rest of his children were here. Hopefully everyone could get together soon even though he knew the older children would interrogate both Liv and himself about their relationship.

"Come on, Eli. We have to be close." Elliot shouted.

Meanwhile Olivia was pushing Noah in the stroller trying desperately to find the exit to the maze. She could hear Noah laughing and babbling in the stroller. It was almost like he was telling her to run faster so that they would win. The only reason she wanted to win was because Elliot had given her the head start. He should have known better than to taunt her.

"Noah, we are going to beat those boys and the ice cream is going to taste amazing!"

Both groups rounded the last corner and popped out of the maze at the same time.

"No way! It's a tie! Now who is going to buy the ice cream?" Eli yelled.

Both Olivia and Elliot laughed at the antics of the little boy. "Don't worry Eli. I'll buy the ice cream since we had the head start. I don't know about you but I worked up an appetite running through the maze so let's head over there now."

"Sweet!"

As Eli ran slightly ahead, Elliot took over pushing Noah with Olivia close by his side.

"You know you don't have to buy."

"I know but you paid for our way into the museum so it's the least I can do."

"Hmmm...In that case I'll let you buy." Elliot said while laughing.

"You know. I don't think I've ever seen you smile so much before. It looks good on you."

"I'm pretty sure I can say the same thing for you too, Benson. I think it may have something to do with the company you are keeping." Elliot responded as he bumped her shoulder with his own.

"I think you are right. I need to spend more time with Eli and Noah," Liv joked.

"Hey now!"

"And you." She whispered into his ear which sent a chill down his spine. If that move didn't wake Elliot up then the hand that found its way into the back pocket of El's jeans sure did.

Elliot stood a little taller as Liv's hand caressed his back side. "Now I like the sound of that. I must admit that spending time with the three of you has been the best time I've had in a long time. I definitely think we need to do this more often."

"I would have to agree." She replied as she laid her head on his shoulder.

As they continue to walk behind Eli, El used his left hand to wrap around Liv's waist to ensure she wasn't going anywhere. He would gladly do anything as long as she was by his side and if he had his way about it she always would be.


After a long enjoyable day, the group was on a hayride around the grounds of the museum. It was a perfect way to wind down before getting into the car and heading home. The day had been filled with lots of laughter and love. Olivia sat across from Elliot and Eli watching their interactions. It was clear how much they loved each other. Eli hung on every word Elliot said and it was very clear that many of Eli's mannerisms were a result of how Elliot carried himself.

Olivia wondered if Elliot truly wanted to be a part of Noah's life. He had already missed so much of Eli's short life. He would naturally want to spend as much time with him to reconnect so he may not want to waste time on someone new. Plus his children were all getting older. Eli had been an accident...almost 14 years after the twins. Noah being six years younger than Eli would be another big gap. While he said he wanted a life with her, she couldn't quiet the fears that he wished Noah wasn't in the picture.

"Honey, you have a beautiful family," an elderly lady sitting next to Olivia said.

"Oh a...," Olivia stuttered.

"Sweetie, you don't need to say anything. He looks at you and this little boy like you look at those two. I can see all the love you have for each other so don't worry about him loving one son more than the other," the older woman continued.

"How did you...," Olivia still could not find the right words to respond to the woman.

"I see both of you in this little one but only him in the young child next to him. Someone else may have given him that son but that doesn't mean he doesn't love you and this baby just as much. Trust him when he says he loves you. The truth is clearly written in his eyes."

"I don't...," Liv wanted to correct the woman about Noah but she still couldn't remember how to string words together to form a sentence.

Undeterred by Liv's broken sentences, she continued, "I can understand your doubts. I had the same ones with my Bobby but he was the best thing that ever happened to me. It took us a long time to finally get on the same page so my suggestion to you is to talk to one another. Don't be afraid to fight just make sure you are fighting for each other."

Olivia was so engrossed with what this perfect stranger was telling her that she didn't realize the hayride had come to a stop and Elliot and Eli were standing up to get off the ride.

"Liv, you coming," Elliot asked. He had seen the two women talking but hadn't been able to hear what the woman had said to Liv.

"Yeah," Olivia says absently as she nods at the lovely woman and said, "Thank you."

Olivia stood up with Noah in her arms and took Eli's hand in hers. She helped him down from the ride as Elliot took care of the stroller.

As Elliot came to a stop next to Liv, he asked, "Is everything ok?"

The words of the lady were swirling through Liv's mind as she responded, "Of course. I was just talking with the nice woman next to me. She thought we made a cute family." She watched Elliot closely to see how he would respond to her comment.

At Liv's words, a soft smile spread across Elliot's face. "I would have to agree with her." With those words, the group made their way towards the SVU which would take them back to Elliot's house and a discussion that the two adults may not be entirely ready for.