Chapter 11

Elliot pulled up the fancy Italian restaurant after they dropped Calvin off at Jason's apartment. Olivia had been strangely quiet since then and Elliot felt like asking her what was up but he'd been forced to keep his eyes on the road. Friday night near the dinner hour in the city was a busy time to be driving.

"Valet parking sir?" The man at the kiosk asked as he exited the vehicle.

"Yes," Elliot tossed him the keys before helping Olivia out of the car. Not that she needed help but he always opened the door for her.

"El, are you sure about this?" She asked as she exited the car.

"Why would I not be? This is a special occasion," he said, as they headed inside.

"How many favors did you have to call in?" Olivia gave him a look, knowing that a place like this took weeks, if not months, to get in.

"I called up in plenty of time," he smirked, knowing he'd done the right thing in selecting the restaurant. She had been right. He knew the owner after helping him sort out some messy business going on with his bartender, who had been lining his pockets, and messing up the sales of the restaurant. Fraud had been suspected when the company made less money than the year before but was showing an increase in customers. There was not claiming all the tips and then there was stealing from the register.

"All right Stabler but don't think I don't know when you're trying to pull the wool over my eyes," Benson shook her head and looked down at her dress, while they waited in line to talk to the maître d'. She hoped it was appropriate and as if Elliot was reading her mind he leaned in and whispered to her,

"You look fantastic." She smiled slightly and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Ah Detective Stabler, there you are," Anthony, the maître d', smiled.

"Hello Anthony. Table for two," he smiled back.

"I was right," Olivia chuckled. He rolled his eyes as Anthony walked them through the eating area to a secluded little table in the corner of the restaurant.

"Here we are. Shall I get you anything special to drink?" Anthony asked.

"Wine would be great," Elliot smiled.

"Water would be better," Olivia said which took Elliot aback slightly but perhaps she was afraid it would cost too much. After all, they were both on a budget.

"Both it is," Anthony smiled and scooted away. It wasn't long before the drinks arrived and then the waiter. He leaned over to Elliot and whispered something which Olivia grew immediately suspicious of but she said nothing.

"Elliot Stabler, you wonderful human being," a voice from behind Olivia said, as the waiter scurried away. She looked up and came face to face with a short Italian man who was very well groomed.

"Vincenzo, very good to see you. This is my girlfriend, Olivia Benson. Vincenzo owns the restaurant," he stood and shook hands with the man who turned to Olivia and gave her a hug.

"Very handsome couple," Vincenzo remarked.

"Thank you," Elliot smiled.

"Now you enjoy your evening and don't let me get in the way," the owner smiled and gave Elliot a wink. Again Olivia noticed but said nothing. Soon food that they had not even ordered arrived and Elliot chuckled.

"Let me guess, Vincenzo knew what we wanted," Olivia smiled as she stared at the plate of chicken parmigiana in front of her and the scrumptious looking plate of seafood alfredo in front of Elliot.

"I guess so. I hear that these are some of the best dishes they make," he smiled and they tucked into their food.

It wasn't long before they were both very full and there was plenty left to take home for leftovers. Olivia commented that Calvin would be jealous as she was sure that he had gotten pizza over at Jason's house. Elliot laughed and ever so casually changed the subject.

"I have something I'd like to ask you about, if that's ok?"

"You know that you can ask me anything," she smiled.

"Is everything ok? You've seem a bit distracted," he admitted.

"I am sorry. I have been distracted. There is a lot rolling around in my head. I'm sorry," Olivia hoped he wasn't upset, realizing she apologized twice and she was nervously twitching her leg under the table.

"Now I know something is up," Elliot said as the waiter promised to be right back with their leftovers and the check.

"To be perfectly honest, I…" she didn't finish her statement as Vincenzo arrived at the table.

"I hope you found everything to your liking this evening," he smiled.

"It was fantastic," Olivia smiled, grateful for the reprieve.

"Yes it was," Elliot smiled and stood from his seat. That's when Vincenzo handed him the black book in which the check would normally be. Olivia noticed it bulged slightly but she figured that it was just a special treat for them, as Vincenzo disappeared again. She wasn't entirely wrong but she was a little shocked when Elliot slipped the object out of book and laid the empty book on the table. That's when he got down on one knee.

"Liv, I know we've been through a lot and I know that there isn't another person in the whole world who I could have imagined being with. I probably don't say it enough but I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?" He asked, producing a small but beautiful gold ring with an oval diamond.

"Elliot, I…" her eyes started to well up which he was not expecting and suddenly felt awkward about the whole thing. Had he done something wrong?

"Yes," she finally said after what seemed like an eternity. He beamed as he slid the ring on her finger. Standing her pulled her into a hug and kissed her on the lips. It was one of those kisses famous for the rest of the world disappearing which was only broken by people in the restaurant clapping. At this Olivia blushed and looked at Elliot who was nothing but smiles.

"All right, off you two go. I'm sure you have plans for this evening," Vincenzo smirked.

"But…" Olivia started, knowing that neither she nor Elliot put any money on the table.

"Go and promise you'll be back," the owner smiled. They needed no more encouragement and quickly grabbed their coats and headed outside to the valet. He brought the car around and they hopped inside. The drive back to Olivia's apartment was spent with hands intertwined and smiles with stolen looks and quick kisses at red lights.

Finally inside her apartment, Elliot quickly popped his shoes off and shrugged off his coat before taking Olivia's coat, after she locked the door. He made a move to pull her close and she put her hands on his chest.

"What is it?" He asked.

"We need to talk," she said.

"Right now?" Elliot was confused. They were engaged. They should be having mind-blowing sex.

"Yes, right now," she had a slight smile and a look in her eyes that he wasn't familiar with. It was very odd and he grew concerned.

"Everything is ok, right?" He asked.

"More than ok if I'm right," Olivia said before pulling away and heading for the couch. Elliot said down next to her and she continued,

"You know how I was taking those antibiotics and the doctor told me they would mess up some things…" he nodded.

"I'm late," she told him.

"Late? For what?" He was not processing everything.

"Aunt Rosie never came for a visit," she said.

To Be Continued…