Deep Running

Chapter Thirteen

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: They belong to me in my dreams only.

Author Notes: Elliot and Olivia share their relationship with all the Stabler children. Nick finds out he's going to be losing a partner.

The next week flew by for Olivia, but for Nick it was agony waiting to see his daughter. It meant so much to him that Maureen was willing to bring them for a visit. He noticed that Liv had been nervous around him all week and Thursday night after dinner she asked him to take a walk with her.

Elliot hugged her and said he'd see her the next morning so Nick knew something was up. They always spent every last minute with each other after training ended. As soon as they started walking the track he turned to her.

"Spill it Liv."

"What?"

"Whatever has had you tied up in knots all week, just spit it out."

"Can we sit?"

"Sure."

As they sat down on the bleachers Liv looked into Nick's sweet brown eyes. He knew her well. In the year they had been friends and partners her had learned her every mood much the way Elliot did, only he was actually better at reading her than El was at times. She didn't deserve such a great guy to work with.

"Somethin's been bothering you all week and I've just been waitin' for you to say it. Is the weekend off? It's okay if it is. You know that, right?"

"Oh Nick, of course the weekend is on. I just felt like I needed to tell you something before we tell the kids."

"Tell the kids what?"

"Nick, Elliot asked me to marry him and I said yes."

"Oh."

"Yeah. I'm planning to leave SVU and move down here after the wedding."

"You're retiring?"

"I have my twenty years in and I want a life that doesn't include all the death and abused children and horror. I want a life with Elliot. I love him very much."

"Yeah, I kind of knew this was coming. I didn't see him coming back to New York with you and it's a bit far to commute. I guess I knew what was coming. I just didn't want to think about it."

They sat quietly together for a bit before Nick spoke.

"I'm gonna miss you Liv. I've learned so much from you and you have such good instincts about things. It's gonna be hard to find another partner like you."

"Hey, I'll be by as much as I can. El's kids live in New York so we will come up often. I'd like to stay in your life Nick. We'd love to have you come and visit any time you get some down time. We can be your little oasis from the job. When Maria gets back we'd love to spend time with her too."

Nick smiled softly at her and bumped her knee with his.

"You're really doing this huh?"

"Yeah, I guess I am. I never thought I'd ever get married. It just wasn't something I thought would ever happen and for it to be the love of my life…I'm sort of on cloud nine right now."

"So, how did the big mug do it?"

"What? Propose? No way I am telling you that."

"I'll just have to get my friend Maureen to get it out of you."

"Nick, about Maureen…"

"Relax Olivia. She's a friend just like you are. I love my wife and I hope you know me well enough to know I would never jeopardize that."

"I do."

They stood to walk back and Nick pulled her into a hug. He was trying not to cry, but he really cared for this woman. He would miss her, but he was glad she was happy. He whispered into her hair.

"Congratulations Liv."

"Thanks for making it so easy to tell you."

"I want you to be happy Liv. Even though it was horrible in so many ways, this last year was one of the best of my life because of you and it's definitely time you had a life. So, Olivia Stabler, huh?"

"Maybe."

"You're tellin' me you wouldn't take your man's name?"

"Benson-Stabler."

Nick grinned.

"That's my girl. Let's go give Stabler a hard time. I'll pretend I said no way and you decided you could stay in the city during the week and come home on weekends."

"You are evil Amaro. I like it."

On Friday afternoon the three friends climbed into a jeep and headed out for Elliot's house. Maureen had already called to say they were there, so Nick could hardly wait to see his little girl. As they pulled up in the driveway he saw the entire Stabler clan playing croquet on the front lawn and Zara was right in the middle of it welding a croquet mallet that was as big as she was.

As soon as the car stopped, Nick was out of his seat and calling her name.

"Zara!"

"Daddy!"

She threw down the mallet and raced into his arms. He held her high up in the air and then smothered her with kisses, hugging her tightly.

"We's playin' croak it."

"You are? How does that work?"

"You hit the ball through the hoop de doops."

"I see."

"Want to play?"

"Not right now. I want to unpack and see Grandma, okay?"

"Okay Daddy."

He set her down and smiled as she ran over to pick up her mallet. Maureen waved at him and he returned the wave. He turned to his mother who was sitting on the porch and went to hug her as the entire Stabler clan attacked Liv.

Olivia was hardly out of her seat when an enthusiastic Kathleen grabbed her.

"Before you ask, I'm on my meds, I'm working full time and I have a boyfriend. I am so glad to see you Liv. It's been too long."

"Thanks Kat. That means a lot."

Next the twins grabbed her and she couldn't get over how grown up they both looked.

"Wow Richard! You are looking more like your dad every day."

"Is that a good thing?"

Liv winked at Elliot.

"A very good thing."

Lizzie looked up at Liv with tears in her eyes.

"I've missed you Liv."

"I missed you too Lizzie or should I call you Elizabeth now?"

"Actually I like Beth and Dickie wants to be called Rich now. Only I still get to call him Dickie."

"You are so beautiful Beth. I can't believe what a beautiful young lady you have become or what a handsome young man your brother has become."

Elliot had made his way around to the back and unloaded the bags before the attack group hit him next. After hugs and kisses were passed out, Rich stunned the couple.

"So are you guys an item or what? Inquiring young minds want to know."

"Would you be glad to hear we were seeing each other or angry?"

Maureen walked up at that moment and kissed her father.

"Sorry, Dad, I already sort of primed them. They know you're crazy about each other. Hey, Nick."

"Hey Maureen. Good to see you."

It was not lost on Kathleen that from the way her sister was looking at this guy, she had a crush on him. She had to admit he was really cute, but a little too old for her own taste. She did see the wedding ring on his finger and knew that her sister was only going to get hurt. They would have to have a talk.

"We think it's great Dad. Mom is happy and we want you to be happy. What better way to start a relationship than with someone who is already your best friend."

"That's very insightful of you Lizzie. How long have you been practicing that little speech?"

"Daddy, don't call me Lizzie. It's Beth."

"Oh right. Hey Dickie, help me carry these bags in will ya?"

The young man groaned and Elliot laughed.

"Gotcha Rich."

The entire group laughed and grabbed a bag to carry inside. Eli had joined the group now and was hugging Liv's leg. She reached down and swept him up to carry him inside.

The house came alive with so many young people and it occurred to Liv that she was having her very first family experience. She remembered the night she sat in the sedan and told Elliot she had been alone her whole life. Not any more.

Nick's mother sat and smiled at the antics of the young people. They made her feel very at ease and Nick was thankful for that.

The conversation at dinner was filled with laughter and teasing. Liv caught Elliot watching her from across the table. He was resting his chin in his hand and enjoying the amazing smile on her face.

"So, Dad, when are you going to make an honest woman out of Liv?"

Kathleen's question stunned Olivia and she had a silent conversation with El. They had planned to wait until Sunday, but now seemed to be as good a time as any.

"It's funny you should ask that Kat. I…uh…I actually asked her last weekend."

The room erupted in screams and Zara put her hands over her ears it was so loud. Both Elliot and Olivia were bombarded with hugs and kisses and handshakes. Liv started to tear up. She had never expected to be welcomed into this family so openly.

"I…I can't tell you all what this means to me."

"We love you Liv. You have always been there for us. You came to our games and you stepped in when Kathleen needed you, when Rich needed you and you helped save Mom and Eli. Heck, you put up with Dad all those years. Why wouldn't we love you? Dad obviously does. He's been miserable this last year without you. We could all see it. Life is too short. Be happy."

"Thanks Maureen. I can't think of a better family to be adopted into."

Beth stood up.

"Cake. This calls for cake."

The girls went to cut cake for everyone and the rest of them cleared the table. After dessert they played cards and talked while the little kids played with Duplo blocks on the floor.

Around nine o'clock Nick picked up Zara.

"Time for bed Sweet Pea. It's late."

Maureen quickly grabbed Eli and they went upstairs together. Liv and Elliot exchanged a look, but remained where they were. They had to trust Nick and El trusted his daughter. To do anything else would just make the situation uncomfortable. They had to allow the friendship even though they both knew Maureen wanted more.

Maureen smiled at Nick as they climbed the stairs.

"How was your last two weeks?"

"Actually really great. The training has been awesome and watching Liv and Elliot has been like a romantic comedy."

He chuckled at catching them kissing more than once.

"Do tell."

"Well, let's see. I caught them kissing in our room, in the closet in his classroom and in the gym behind the punching bag. They're really cute together. Two tough cops who act like teenagers."

"So Liv isn't going back with you, is she?"

"She will just come back long enough to give her notice, fill out her retirement paperwork and to clean out and pack her apartment. I have to find a new partner. It's going to be hard. I never met anyone like Liv."

"I hear that. She's so self-sacrificing. I don't know if I could do that given the life she had growing up. That kind of stuff usually makes someone mean, but she's so kind and loving."

"You should see her with the victims. It's amazing the way she can get them to open up. They all love her. I wish I was that good."

"You will be."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

The little ones had begged to share a room, so they got them ready for bed. Maureen and Nick grinned as they stood side by side on the step stool in the bathroom and brushed their teeth. Maureen sang the ABC song softly so they knew how long to keep brushing. As he watched her, his mind went to thoughts of her as a mother. She would be amazing.

They both chuckled as the two tapped their brushes out at the same time and drank and spit in perfect sync as well.

Maureen and Nick sat on one bed together with a child in each lap. They took turns reading a favorite book of Eli's called 'The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and The Big Hungry Bear'. The kids laughed at the antics of the mouse and the voice each of the adults made as the narrator.

As Maureen closed the book the two of them exchanged a look. It felt very intimate all of a sudden. Nick grabbed Zara and carried her over to her bed, tucking her in and kissing her.

"Wait!"

"What?"

Zara jumped out of bed and ran over to Eli giving him a big kiss. The little boy looked stunned, but then his lips spread into a huge smile.

"Night. night Eli."

"Night Zara."

The grown ups both tried to stifle a laugh as they went to turn down the lights and leave.

Once they were down the hall, they burst out laughing. As they came down the stairs everyone had moved to the living room.

"What's so funny?"

"Zara just gave your son his first kiss."

Everyone burst into laughter at Elliot's face.

"Relax. It was a totally innocent goodnight kiss."

Seems the Amaro Family had quit the effect on his family.

The rest of the night was filled with more games until people began to filter off. The girls all went together as they were sharing a room. Richard and Nick were sharing and Nick's mother had been given the only downstairs bedroom so she wouldn't have to climb the stairs.

Elliot and Liv turned off all the lights and checked to be sure Mrs. Amaro had everything she needed.

"You have a lovely family. Thanks for doing this for my Nick."

"It was our pleasure Mrs. Amaro. We love your son. You did a great job with him."

"Thank you. Good night."

Liv and Elliot wrapped their arms around each other's waists and climbed the stairs to his room. The kids had made it very clear during the evening that they had no problem with them sharing a bed.

Elliot and Liv undressed each other lovingly and slipped under the covers. They made love slowly and sweetly more than once and then fell asleep exhausted in each other's arms.

What a perfect weekend…