So sorry it's taken me forever and a day. I just moved states and I'm still trying to get used to things here. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN LAW AND ORDER:SVU OR ITS CHARACTERS
Amanda4Meloni:
Go on Liv, fall in love - y'know y'want to! :-D (Elliot went to Bayside High School. After the marines, he joined the police academy. When he was in uniform he took night classes at Queens Community College(?) and got his degree - fairly sure it was QCC, why do I know this stuff, should I get a life?) :-)
~We all know Liv wants to fall in love, but she's so stubborn lol. I actually think Elliot went to a Catholic private school much like his children. I have another story in which I put him at Bayside High School, so maybe that's where you're getting it from, but I could be wrong. I do believe he went to Queens Community College, but for the purpose of this story, he didn't! Haha.
Riley stood outside the door of the room her brother and Olivia were sharing. She wanted to know but she knew if Elliot was asleep he would get pretty angry, although she didn't want to just barge in. "Dude, just go in."
Riley looked to her left and saw her twin brother. "I'm not going to just go in there. What if they were doing, things, in there," she said, trying not to imagine her brother and her newest friend having sex.
Cole let out a laugh. "You share a wall with them. If they were doing something, you would know," he said with a smirk, before he walked away and joined the rest of the family in the living room.
Riley watched her brother walk away. "You're switching rooms with me," she called out, before grabbing the door knob. She quickly opened the door, happy to see that they were both still soundly asleep. She walked quietly over to her brother's sleeping form, even more relieved to see they were both clothed, and smiled. Elliot laid on his back with one hand curled under his pillow, the other around Olivia, who was sleeping soundly on his chest. Part of her wanted to let them continue to sleep, after all they looked so peaceful, but she knew how impatient her family was, and there was no way her mother would let them start without everyone. "Elliot," she whispered, as she placed her hand on her brother's shoulder and gently shook him.
His eyes fluttered open, blinking a few times as they adjusted to the light coming in through the blinds. "Riley? What's up?" he asked, as he tried to figure out why his sister was coming to wake him up so early. He tried to sit up but quickly stopped when he felt pressure on his chest. He looked down and became shocked when he saw Olivia soundly asleep on him.
"It's Christmas," Riley began, but was quickly interrupted by her brother.
"I got it," Elliot replied, not needing her to continue to know how overly happy their mother got during Christmas.
Riley nodded. "You have five minutes or I'm sending Joey in, and you know how loud he is." With that, she walked out of the room and closed the door.
Elliot looked down at Olivia once more and smiled again. He didn't quite remember how she ended up on his chest, but at the moment he didn't really care. This felt natural, and he hated to wake her up, but he knew the family was out there waiting for them. He gently placed his free hand on Olivia's face, and brushed the hair away from her eyes, before gently calling out her name. "Olivia. Liv," he said, as he gently caressed her face. He watched as she began to stir in her sleep, her eyes fluttering open.
"Elliot?" she whispered. Her eyes opened and blinked a few times, before she scanned the room. Once she realized where she was, she breathed a sigh of relief. She placed her hand on Elliot's chest, smiling to herself, as she remembered how she had ended up sleeping in the position the two were currently in. She had woken up in the middle of the night freezing and instead of stealing all of the blankets, she simply snuggled up to Elliot. "Elliot," Olivia said when she felt his hand on her shoulder. She turned and looked up into his eyes, before offering him a smile. "Morning."
Elliot smiled down at the women in his arms. "Good morning." He let his fingers twirl gently in her hair, smiling at the thought that he could possibly be waking up to this again. "Merry Christmas."
Olivia sat up. "It's Christmas," she said, as she stretched her arms above her head. In all of her years of existence she had never had a good Christmas, or even one that didn't involve cleaning up after her drunk mother.
Elliot watched as she continued to stretch before he let out another smile. He quickly reached into the nightstand and pulled out a small box. "Merry Christmas," he said as he handed her the small object.
Olivia looked at the man in front of him, her eyes growing wide. "Elliot, I didn't get you anything."
"It's okay Liv," he said with a smile.
Olivia took the box from Elliot's hand and opened it slowly, gasping when she saw what her present was. "Elliot," she began, looking up to meet his eyes, "How did you know?"
Elliot continued to smile, as he shrugged. "When you told me what you wanted to do with your life, this word stood out." Olivia handed the piece of jewelry to him, silently asking him to clasp it around her neck. He did so, before he continued to talk. "It's nothing big, but I knew you would appreciate it."
Olivia stood and looked into the mirror, admiring the gift he had given her. It was a simple necklace, but the small tag with the word 'fearlessness' imprinted on it, is what really caught her attention. She had told him during Halloween that she wanted to go into Special Victims and help inspire people who had been hurt to be fearless, unafraid to put their attackers away; she couldn't believe that he had remembered. "I love it," she said, turning to him, rewarding him with a huge smile. Elliot smiled in return, stood from the bed and let out a yawn, before he began to stretch his back. "So, how did you sleep?" she asked, hoping he had a decent night's sleep.
Elliot looked at the brunette and smiled. "My neck and back are very thankful," he replied as he dropped his arms. "Now, it's Christmas morning with the Stablers, so we have to get going." Olivia nodded, before walking to the door, meeting Elliot there. "After you," he said, as he opened the door.
"Such a gentleman," Olivia said with a chuckle, as she stepped out of the room, Elliot following.
The two walked down the hall into the living room, where every Stabler was waiting for them. "Merry Christmas," Bernie said enthusiastically, as she wrapped her arms around her son in a loving embrace.
"Merry Christmas Ma," Elliot responded, hugging his mother back.
Bernie released Elliot and hugged Olivia, who surprised herself by hugging the older lady back. "Merry Christmas Olivia," she said with a giant smile. "How are you feeling? You need anything?"
Olivia smiled at her baby's grandmother. This woman genuinely cared for her, and she had only known her for a few days. "Merry Christmas, and no I'm fine, thank you."
Bernie nodded, before she walked over to where her husband sat. Olivia watched as Joe grabbed a gift from under the decorated tree, before he turned to his youngest daughter and handed her the wrapped package.
It was an hour filled with laughs, smiles, and love. Olivia loved being a part of this family tradition and she couldn't help but feel like she belonged. She wanted her baby to have a family, someone to make silly traditions with, people who would be there for him or her. She never had that kind of family, but she was going to make damn sure her child did.
Elliot sat on the couch in-between Liam and Olivia. His arm was resting along her back as she leaned into him, and he wondered if she was just as comfortable with him, as he was with her. "We have one more present," Bernie announced, as she took the box out Joe's hand and walked over to Olivia. "Here you go Dear, just a little something from the family."
Olivia stared up at the woman, shocked. They had invited her into their home, made her feel welcome, and now they had bought her a gift. "I didn't get you anything," Olivia said quietly, knowing she should have brought something while in town with the girls.
Bernie shook her head. "Oh, you just take care of my little grandson or granddaughter, that'll be the greatest gift you can give me."
Olivia smiled, before she accepted the wrapped box. "Thank you." She quickly opened it and was surprised to see a blanket, neatly sewn together.
"I made that for Elliot when I found out I was pregnant with him," Bernie said, a smile on her face. "Go on, there's more."
Olivia grabbed another item from inside the box and pulled it out, surprised to see a leather jacket. "Bernie, I can't-"
"You know you love it Liv," Maura said with a smile, "It's not a big deal, really."
Olivia, not knowing what to say, smiled, and tried to hide the tears. Elliot's family was showing her more love than her own mother ever did, so it was safe to say she was a little emotional. Olivia grabbed the last item and pulled it out, laughing when she saw the pregnancy book. "That one is actually for Elliot," Joey said from behind the couch, which caused Olivia to laugh again, and Elliot to glare at his brother.
"Thank you everyone," Olivia said, as she stood and hugged each of Elliot's family members, including his father. Elliot watched from the couch, wanting nothing more than to hold her. He knew she never had a picture perfect family, but he wanted to make sure she knew she was cared for. He only hoped she would give him the chance to prove it.
"So, Stabler snow ball fight anyone?" Liam asked, as he and Joey headed to the door to put on their jackets.
Elliot watched as Cole, Riley, Maura all nodded in agreement, before he turned to Olivia. He didn't need to say anything for Olivia to know what he wanted to ask. "That sounds like fun," she said with a smile, before getting up off the couch and joining the other Stablers at the door.
Joey, who was ready in his coat and a pair of gloves, grabbed the door handle and opened the door. However, before he could step outside, Bernie came rushing into the room. "Before you even think about going out there, I want you guys to eat something."
Everyone looked at each other and sighed as Joey closed the door. They knew their mother would complain and be angry if they didn't eat, so they figured the snow could wait an hour.
After a nice brunch filled with pancakes, eggs, and by request of all the Stabler boys, lots of bacon, everyone sat at the table talking about what they were going to do after the holidays. The twins would return home with Bernie and Joe and continue school and work. Joey was going to go back to Brooklyn and continue coaching basketball, while Maura went back to Brooklyn as well and continued teaching her elementary school kids. "So what about you Liam?" Joey asked his younger brother. Out of all the Stabler children, Liam was always the one no one really knew about. He had to base his life around the Marines, so if wanted to do something, he had to get permission first.
Liam took a drink from the coffee mug in front of him, before clearing his throat. "My leave ends on the third so after New Years I have to head back to base. As for after that, I have no clue." Liam looked up at Elliot who was at the counter stirring something in a coffee mug. "What about you Elliot?"
Elliot walked back to the table, a coffee mug in each hand. "Here you go," he said as he placed a cup of tea in front of Olivia, before sitting next to her with his own cup of coffee. Olivia gave him a grateful smile before taking a sip of the warm drink. "Well, finish school and find a better job now that I have a baby on the way," he replied as he grabbed Olivia's hand.
Liam smiled when he noticed the goofy grin on his brother's face. "What about you Olivia?
Olivia took another drink of her tea. "Well," she began, as she set her cup down in front of her. "I'm going to continue school, and work, and start getting things ready for the baby. Who knows what'll happen, you know?" She said, as she looked at Elliot and gave him a small smile.
Joey watched as Olivia smiled at his brother and couldn't help but feel happy for him. Kathy had put him through hell and he knew Elliot deserved to be happy; he knew Olivia could make him truly happy. "So, who's ready to go outside?"
Liam, Cole, and Riley quickly jumped out of their seats, before rushing to the door. "You coming?" Maura asked Elliot, as she stood and grabbed Liam's empty coffee mug from the table.
"Well be out in a minute," Elliot said, as he watched Maura place the cups in the sink, before joining her siblings near the door. When everyone had gone outside, he turned to Olivia and raised and eyebrow. "You sure you want to go out?"
Olivia took another sip of tea and smiled. "Just because I'm pregnant Elliot, doesn't mean I can't go out and play. Or are you scared I'll beat your butt?" she said with a wink.
Elliot shook his head, as he stood and grabbed his now empty cup. "Oh I can handle you. Just watch out for Liam, he used to be the pitcher for his baseball team." He took Olivia's empty cup and placed the two mugs in the sink, before the two made their way to the front door. Without a word he grabbed her boots and knelt down so that he could put them on for her. Once those were on, he grabbed a pair of gloves and put them on her hands.
Next came a scarf, which Elliot gently wrapped around her neck, watching her smile the entire time. "You know, I can get myself ready."
Elliot shrugged. "I know, but you're also stubborn and I don't want my son or daughter getting cold," he said with a wink, before grabbing a beanie and placing it on her head, pulling it over her eyes. The two laughed, and Olivia pushed Elliot gently, before she grabbed her own coat and put it on. Elliot quickly put on all his gear, before he turned to Olivia. "You ready?"
When Olivia nodded, Elliot opened the door and the two walked out into the snow, watching as Cole, Liam, and Joey, and even their father threw snowballs at each other. The two walked over to where Bernie, Maura and Riley stood talking, before Bernie began talking to Elliot, leaving Olivia to begin making snowballs for her own personal attack. "She's a great girl," Bernie said with a smile, hoping her son would get the hint.
"I know Ma," Elliot said, as he watched his younger brother jump on top of Liam, before the two fell into the snow laughing.
"Speaking of Olivia, where is she?" Riley asked, scanning the yard for Olivia.
Elliot turned to look for her, when all of a sudden a snowball hit him smack in the chest. Before he could a word out another snowball hit him in the face. "What the hell?" He shook his head, trying to get rid of the snow. When he was done he looked up, only to find Olivia a few feet away laughing. "Oh so that's how you wanna play?" he said, as a smirk formed on his face. He quickly stooped down and grabbed a handful of snow, before packing it together forming the perfect snowball. Without warning he took off after Olivia, who had run once she saw Elliot pick up snow.
Bernie watched as Elliot chased Olivia, the both of them laughing. She watched as Liam blindsided Elliot, hitting him in the back with a snowball, before he turned around and threw his own at him. She watched as Olivia jumped over the small fort Joey and Cole had made, hiding with them, before the three pelted both Liam and Elliot with snow, and she watched as her husband came up from behind the three and started to throw pre made snowballs at their backs. It was moments like this she was glad to have the family she did. She had raised her children in a home where they could be happy. She knew she wasn't the best mother, nor was Joe the best father, but she tried, and that was all she could ask for. She watched as Olivia jumped on top of Elliot, as Cole hit him in the chest with snow, and she knew that these two would eventually become a family.
Elliot, after finally getting Olivia off of him, ran towards Liam but was caught off guard when his foot hit a hidden patch of ice. His foot slipped and before he knew it he was going down, but not before he grabbed the closest person and brought them down with him. Elliot laid on the snow as Olivia laid on his chest, his arms wrapped around her waist. Elliot stared into Olivia's beautiful eyes, and he wanted nothing more than to kiss her, but he didn't want to scare her off.
"You just had to bring me down with you huh?" Olivia asked with a smirk, as she made no attempt to move.
Elliot shrugged. "Honestly, you're just shielding me from my brother."
Before Olivia could turn around, Joey came up from behind her and dumped snow onto her back, some of it falling in her jacket and down her bare back. She quickly jumped up and glared at Joey, who quickly ran in the other direction. He knew when a woman was angry, and based on the conversations he had had with Elliot earlier this week, he could tell Olivia would be extremely pissed off if he so much as tried to come near her. She wiggled her body, until the snow fell out of her shirt and onto the floor. "I'm out," she said as she raised her arms and surrendered. She walked over to where Bernie and Maura stood, before turning around and watching the boys, and Riley, continue to play around in the snow.
"You not going to play anymore?" Elliot asked, as he began to walk back towards Olivia. The look on her face told her something was wrong, but he knew she didn't want to worry everyone else.
Olivia shook her head, before placing one hand over her mouth. She quietly pointed to her stomach, knowing Elliot was smart enough to understand what she was saying. Elliot walked up to her and placed his hand on her back, before gently rubbing it. "You want to go inside?" he whispered, trying to ignore the looks from his mother and sister.
Olivia shook her head, before dropping her hand from her mouth. "I'm okay," she responded, before taking a deep breath.
"Don't worry Hun, the morning sickness will be over soon," Bernie said, as she offered the young woman a smile.
Olivia nodded. "I'm never going to let you hear the end of this," she said to her stomach. "You either," she said, as she pointed a finger at Elliot.
Elliot raised an eyebrow. "And that's my cue to leave," he said, before taking a step backwards. He turned around and ran towards Joey, jumping on him and pulling him down into the snow with him. Olivia watched as the father of her baby played with his family and it was in that moment she knew exactly what she wanted. She wanted her baby to have a family just like Elliot's and if that meant she had to give Elliot a chance at a relationship, then so be it.
Okay, like I said, sorry about the long time to update. I hope you all liked it!
Since I'm still getting situated here it might be a little longer til I get another update up, but I will promise to get it up within the next few weeks. I'll be out of town in the next 2 weeks so I decided to put it up before I had to leave. Anyway, tell me what you think please. The reviews really help me decide who is actually reading this story :)