AN: Taking nothing from the crossover episode, I didn't choose not to write about it because I thought it wasn't good. But once Natalie from Chicago PD was found dead and the nutty doctor was arrested, it became mostly court centered. And the awesomeness of Olivia testifying with William Lewis cross examining her is a rarity that probably won't be coming around again anytime soon. So I decided to skip it for that reason. Still a great ep though. Let the story continue…
Olivia doesn't know how much Elliot's prayers had to do with it, but minus his asthma, Noah has made a full recovery. The pneumonia cleared up with the help of antibiotics and thank God he didn't have to endure a spinal tap.
Having instantly fallen in love with the little guy, nearly losing him twice now, had her out of her mind with worry. As many times as she's had to tell a parent that their child would never go home again, it's something she's never gotten used to. And while it was great to find out how many people would rally around her should such a tragedy occur, it's a fate she wouldn't wish on her worse enemy.
She finally got some rest last night after she was able to bring her son home and get him settled in. Noah seemed just as happy as his mom to be back in his own bed, back to their routine of bath, baby massage, story and sleep. Knowing how much better he's doing, Olivia managed to get a solid amount herself.
But as she hears his babbling, she knows it's time to get up. Then there's the fact that Elliot and Eli's going to be there in about an hour so they can all drive to church together for Noah's baby dedication ceremony.
Church.
There's a place she's never frequented. Yet if you're supposed to count your blessings, it's going to take a while because Olivia knows that hers are numerous. She survived William Lewis, she's supervising SVU, she has the child she's always longed for and a man that's as batshit crazy in love with her as she is with him.
But he has his faults.
Elliot can be jealous, petty and overprotective. Sometimes Olivia thinks he disagrees with her just because he likes seeing her all fired up. A toothpaste tube should not be squeezed from the middle. Half consumed bottles of beer are not still good the next day. And hearing him take a piss while she's in the shower is absolutely not sexy…ever.
Then there's the good stuff.
He cooks. That single fact alone is enough to ensure that she'll likely never kick him to the curb. When the mirror's all fogged up from showering after he leaves, Olivia finds sweet messages left for her by him. Elliot gives a fantastic massage, he's great with Noah and their sex life isn't exactly boring.
Even when they're both too exhausted to make love, he makes her feel like she's in high school again. He lays his head in her lap as they watch some cheesy movie, rubs her feet or sometimes they just find different ways to kiss. And Olivia unequivocally loves their naps so much that she wonders how and why she managed to take them without him all this time.
"Ma," says Noah jostling her from her musing.
"Yeah honey I know," she tells him. "I'm coming."
"Ma, ma, ma," he continues.
"Alright, alright," Olivia says, lifting him from his crib.
To save time she tosses his pamper and takes him into the shower with her praying he doesn't poop. Afterwards she gets him dried off and changed before she gets herself dressed and ready. Olivia feeds him oatmeal and peaches and grabs a bagel and some coffee before hearing a key in the door.
"Don't you guys like handsome," Olivia tells them.
Elliot approaches her in the kitchen while junior makes a beeline for Noah.
"You're looking pretty gorgeous yourself," he greets.
"Thank you."
He goes in for a kiss after watching her take a sip of coffee.
"And you taste good too."
"Eww, gross," says Eli.
Olivia just smiles, shaking her head at father and son.
"Trust me buddy," Elliot starts. "You won't think it's gross in a couple of years."
His son just looks at him like it's the weirdest thing he's ever heard. Then he shrugs his shoulders and continues to play with Noah, doing the sounds of a siren with his toy police car as the baby boy laughs in enjoyment.
Elliot notices Olivia staring at them with a happy grin adorning her face.
"They get along pretty well huh?"
"Yeah," she nods. "They do."
"It's a good thing then," he goes on, putting an arm around her waist. "Because they're gonna be in each other's lives for a long time."
She turns her focus on Elliot, giving him another kiss on the lips.
"I hope so," she says. "We should probably get going."
************************************* The In Betweens ***********************************
"Noah Porter," begins the pastor. "Now we celebrate you and we welcome you into our community," he adds, bringing the bowl of blessing water to the waiting group.
They are all gathered today just for him. Simmons, Amaro, Rollins and Fin all came to stand up for Noah on this special day. Olivia couldn't feel more honored to be in charge of such a caring and loyal group of people.
"All say," he commands. "You are a blessed gift and we give you our blessing."
After everyone repeats the pastor's words, Olivia has some of her own to bestow upon the little guy.
"Noah," she begins, dipping her finger into the water. "May the future bring love to your heart, joy to your mind and truth from those sweet lips," she concludes with a touch of the same digit to his mouth.
Elliot stands by proudly as Olivia goes through the ritual blessing. It doesn't matter to him that she's chosen a Unitarian church to have it done. He's just happy that she's seen how important a spiritual foundation is to a person in this world.
"That was beautiful," Elliot leans over to whisper.
Olivia smiles and the pastor says a few more words before the ceremony is concluded. As the small church clears out, Elliot goes to bring the car around. Fin is being entertained by Eli as they wait for him to return.
"Didn't know you were raised Unitarian," Simmons comments.
"I wasn't," she tells him. "I wasn't actually raised with particular religion," she informs him. "I just want Noah to have the spiritual base that I didn't."
"He's gonna need it," Amaro says.
"And so will the sergeant when he becomes a teenager," Rollins adds. "I know I gave my momma plenty of reasons to call on the Lord when I was growing up."
Together they laugh as they head towards the front doors of the church.
"Come on Noah you did great," Olivia tells him.
She calls over to Eli to tell him that they're leaving. Fin comes with and they all step out into the sunlight as Elliot pulls up.
"So that's still workin'?" Her second in command asks, gesturing towards his former coworker.
"It is," she answers gladly.
"Good," he says, kissing her on the cheek. "I'd hate to have to kick his ass."
Elliot watches the interaction as he steps out of the car to open the doors for Olivia and the boys.
"Should I be jealous?" He asks, reaching out with a smile as he shakes Fin's hand.
"Hell yes," he responds. "And shakin' in ya boots if you break my girl's heart," Fin adds.
Olivia just shakes her head as Eli climbs in and buckles up. She puts Noah into his car seat, adjusts it and gives him his toy giraffe to play with for the ride home.
"She could break my heart too ya know," he counters, opening the door for Olivia. "What are you gonna if that happens?" He asks, moving to the driver's side door.
She climbs in and powers down the window so that they can continue their conversation.
"Probably buy whatever her favorite shot of whiskey is to celebrate," Fin responds, with a conspiratory grin aimed at Olivia.
"That's cold Tuttuola," Elliot tells him as he starts the Volvo. "I see whose side you're on."
"You better know it Stabler," he adds. "Bye Liv, see you tomorrow."
"Bye Fin."
The boys are playing amicably in the backseat as they return to midtown when Elliot gets an idea.
"How does brunch sound?" He asks.
"I'm hungry," she answers. "So I'd say it sounds pretty good," she says, smartly.
The stop at Tamea's Place and Olivia indulges in a mimosa with her eggs benedict while Elliot eats a combination of foods she's sure isn't exactly heart healthy or cholesterol lowering. He's in great shape and it doesn't happen often so she isn't worried. She orders Noah a bowl of fruit while Eli begs to have a Belgian waffle every day of his life forever.
"We'll see," says Elliot, the answer for every parent who doesn't want to argue with their child.
Olivia simply laughs at the cookie cutter response.
"I can't wait until Noah starts talkin' well enough to make unreasonable requests," he says. "It's a moment I plan on thoroughly enjoying."
"I love you too," she tells him, taking a bite of her eggs.
After brunch they stroll through Gramercy Park enjoying the green foliage, rainbows of blossoming flowers and the budding trees. When they come across a small playground, Eli pushes Noah on a swing as the adults look on. They stay for about an hour before deciding it's time to go.
Once they manage to make it back to Olivia's place, both boys are sound asleep. Elliot carries Noah through the front door and places him in Olivia's bed. He removes his coat and shoes before covering him for a nap while Olivia does the same for Noah in his crib.
"I'm gonna change," she whispers, pulling out her drawers to look for more comfortable clothes.
"I'll go see how the Yankees are doin'."
Olivia enters the bathroom and swaps her pink dress and heels for yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt. In joining him in the living room, she finds that Elliot has ditched his shoes, jacket and tie.
His feet are on the coffee table, he has a beer in hand and he looks just as relaxed on her sofa as he does on his own. Unable to resist, she sneaks up behind him and plants on open mouth kissed to his neck.
"Did you have a good day?" Olivia asks as he threads his hand through her hair.
"Absolutely," he answers, turning to kiss her lips. "And getting better all the time."
She only meant to give him a quick peck, but Elliot of course holds on, sliding his tongue against hers, and suckling on her lip until she feels light headed. The day he stops being able to get her severely turned on with just a kiss, will truly be a sad one.
"Who's winning?" She asks, joining him on the sofa.
"I was until you pulled away," he responds with a knowing smirk.
"Our kids are sleeping in the next room babe," Olivia excuses as she places her feet in his lap. "And we both know you can't be quiet," she adds with a smirk.
If someone would've told her she'd be saying that to Elliot Stabler two years ago, she'd have called them crazy and told them to take their meds.
But here they are.
"Really," he says. "I'm the screamer?"
Olivia sees the dangerously mischievous look in his eyes and tries to refocus on the baseball game.
"I've seen that face before and that is not a personal challenge El," she tells him. "What are you gonna say if Eli wakes up and wants a drink of water?" She asks. "That we're just wrestling naked?"
"We don't have to be totally naked," he reasons. "You can just take your pants off and sit in my lap."
"Stop it with the sweet talk."
"Like you're always so romantic," he points out.
Olivia turns away again from the beating that the Yankees are giving the Tampa Bay Rays and eyes him.
"I'm more romantic than you are," she asserts with a raised eyebrow.
Elliot scoffs.
"Please," he says. "Minus the David incident, I've been more romantic than you from day one woman."
She doesn't doubt that he has been, but Olivia's definitely willing to have a bit more fun with him by not agreeing.
"I don't think so Stabler," she denies. "Remember that time-
"Don't even start," Elliot interrupts. "My birthday, your birthday, Valentine's day," he counts on his fingers. "And those are just the special occasions."
"What about our first time?"
"You stripped me in your kitchen on the way to the bedroom," he answers. "I'm not complaining but it wasn't exactly romantic."
"What about the wild card coupon I used?"
"Baby you let yourself in, asked if any of the kids were there and when I said no…do you remember what you said?" Elliot asks.
"Something romantic?" She asks with hope.
"If you consider 'take your pants off' romantic, then yeah," he tells her.
Olivia can't help but laugh and blush a bit at remembering the random day she decided to take an early lunch, knowing he was going to be home.
"Not the worse idea I've ever had," she offers. "And I'm pretty sure you were definitely more vocal than I was."
"First of all, let me make it clear that I am not complaining and that I'm 100% satisfied with our sex life," he begins. "But you gotta admit, I'm the romantic one in this relationship."
"We'll see."
"What's that mean?"
"You're the guy Elliot," she tells him. "As much as I believe in role equality in relationships, when it comes to romance, I think you're doing everything you should be doing and then some," she explains. "You were trying to court me."
"You think I've done all that because I was trying to get you?"
"Yeah," Olivia answers. "And it worked. But sooner or later, this honeymoon period as they call it, will be over."
"And you think I'm gonna stop being so sweet. Is that it?" He asks.
She nods yes without hesitation.
"Feel free to give me a little wake-up call when that happens," Elliot says. "But until then," he continues, rubbing her feet. "I did all that because I knew I was falling in love with you and wanted to make sure you knew it too."
That's just the kind of sweet talk that got her.
"It's why I still do the things I do," he insists. "Getting to see you naked in the process is just a sweet bonus."
"Okay."
"What's that now?"
"I said okay," she repeats. "You're more romantic than I am," she admits. "I just didn't think you were the kind of guy that would like getting flowers," she says, rubbing her foot against his thigh. "Or candlelit dinners or love messages on the bathroom mirror."
"Well I am dammit," he contends, making her laugh. "I want to be pampered and massaged and have home cooked meals waiting for me too," he adds in a feigned emotional voice. "I want to feel loved."
Olivia gets up and straddles his lap.
"I do love you baby," she says. "Very much."
Slowly she kisses each eye, then his cheeks, next his forehead, his nose then lastly his waiting lips.
"Do you really want all those things?" She asks after pulling away.
"Not all of them," he answers. "I'm more of a 'ring my doorbell and tell me take my pants off' kind of guy," Elliot tells her. "But I'm pretty sure you've already figure that out."
Olivia kisses him one last time before returning to her corner of the sofa.
"I have," she confirms. "But I can do better."
"That's all I'm askin'," he tells her. "You won't achieve Stabler levels of romance but I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever you come up with."
She gives him a little kick for the dig.
"Let's make a little wager then," Olivia suggests.
"And the terms are?"
"We take a week, making one romantic gesture a day," she begins. "And since neither of us is rich, each of them can be no more than the price of coffee."
"Five bucks Liv?"
"Yep," she answers. "You think you can handle it?"
"Absolutely," Elliot tells her. "What do I get if I win?"
"What do you want?" She asks with a raised eyebrow.
"I get a striptease to the song you hate most in the world," he responds. "Cherry Pie by Warrant."
Olivia once told him that some creep from high school used to have the song on repeat on his boom box. He'd turn it up as she walked by him, saying lecherous things and cat calling her and her friends.
"And if I win," she starts, trying to shake the memory from her head. "You have to take me to see Kinky Boots."
"Aw man, musical theater Liv?" Elliot asks. "You know how much I hate musicals."
"Yep," she says smirking. "So you wanna concede now or wait until next Sunday?"
"Wait," he says. "How are we gonna know who won?"
"I'm pretty sure it'll be obvious," Olivia answers. "So is it a deal?"
Elliot leisurely climbs over her, ensuring that every bit of his body touches her as does. He raises the oversized shirt, placing a warm open mouthed kiss against her abdomen before lowering it again. He kisses through the fabric as he ascends, touching his mouth to her breasts then her neck.
"I think," he says, biting her ear before soothing it with his tongue. "You have a deal sergeant."
************************************* The In Betweens ************************************
It's been awhile since she's been in contact with Bayard Ellis so it was a pleasant surprise when he called her up to get together for dinner. She thought it'd be something simple, just to say hello or to see how she's doing.
But he wanted a favor.
Though that's not what she told her squad. To them, they're simply vetting an old case. If her friend believes there was wrongdoing in how a case was handled by the police, incompetence by an attorney or a chance of judicial misconduct leading to the conviction of an innocent person, most likely there was.
No way does she want Derrick Thompson to be another Omar Pena, in prison for life for something he didn't do. Thompson's daughter Michelle recanted, saying her father didn't rape her when she was six years old. And both the assistant district attorney and the original investigating detective have argued against reopening the case.
Their resistance makes the situation smell all the worse and Olivia agrees to do what Bayard asks.
Her squad seems hesitant but they're willing to put in the work. They listen intently as she sits on the edge of Rollins' desk to discuss the players involved.
"So the lead detective was a guy named Ted McCormack and the ADA was O'Dwyer," Olivia begins. "None of whom I've met."
"Twenty years sergeant," Simmons begins. "What are the odds that McCormack is still on the job or this ADA is still around?"
"Good hopefully," she answers. "But there is somebody coming back in town, who was here when they built the place."
Olivia hops off Amanda's desk and heads into her office to make the call. An hour later her and Nick are meeting their beloved former captain at Chelsea piers.
After showing them pictures of his girlfriend Eileen's grandchildren, they get down to business. Cragen tells them that the detective on the case was lazy and wasn't exactly the type to cross all his T's and dot all his I's before closing a case. And, that he'd probably be harder to track down because the department bounced him around a lot.
However when Olivia brings up ADA Kenneth O'Dwyer, it sparks a memory in her old boss and he comes up with a way that he may be able to find out some information. After Amaro goes to get the car, she and Cragen chat.
"So," he begins. "You and Elliot huh?"
Olivia immediately grins and nods in the affirmative.
"I could take several guesses as to which of our mutual acquaintances ratted me out," she says with a smile. "But I'd only need one. Munch?"
"Give the lady a prize," he responds, with a short laugh. "We both know mum has never been the word with John Munch."
"True," Olivia agrees.
"I'm not surprised though," he tells her as they stop to look over the water.
"No?"
"Not really," Don reiterates. "Now Cassidy, that was a bit shocking," he reveals. "I'm glad he was there for you after what happened with Lewis but I didn't see long term there."
She confirms her agreement with a quiet smile.
"And you see long term with me and El?"
"You managed what twelve or thirteen years as partners?" he points out. "That's about a decade longer than anyone stays in SVU, let alone with the same person."
"Right again," Olivia says. "But it's only been a year Cap-
"Please," he tells her. "It's Don now."
"Force of habit," she excuses. "Don…we've only been together for about a year. It could still blow up in our faces."
He laughs at her candor.
"Olivia," he begins, facing her. "You and Elliot fought more than any two partners I've ever had under my command," he continues. "And you always found your way back in each other's good graces."
"That's not the same as-
"I hate to tell you this," Cragen interrupts. "But that's marriage Olivia. Having those types of knock down drag out fights but still realizing you're better together than you are apart."
"But we never-
"I know," he says, grinning. "I didn't think you had," he asserts. "But partnerships and marriages, minus the sex, aren't all that different."
They both know Amaro's waiting and more than likely getting very impatient. He has more than a few things in common with Elliot. So they start walking towards the brown sedan as they continue their conversation.
"The bottom line," the captain goes on. "Is whether or not you make each other happy?"
Olivia smiles as she gives him a side glance mid stride.
"And judging by the sheer joy written all over your face," he notices. "I'd say that you are."
"I am," she admits. "For the first time in my life, between El and Noah, I'm really truly happy."
"That's great Liv," Cragen says, giving her a hug as they part ways. "You deserve it."
On the way back to the station Olivia gets a text message. It's from Elliot.
Gift #1 is waiting 4 u
"Crap," she says aloud, garnering a strange look from Nick.
"What?" He asks. "Bad news about the case?"
"No," Olivia answers. "Just…something I forgot to do."
The day is quickly getting away from her and she has yet to think of a single thing under five bucks to surprise him with, not to mention she has her hands full with the Michelle Thompson case. If she doesn't keep up, Elliot's going to have her peeling off clothes to that God awful song.
And she cannot have that.
So she gets on her cell, looks up the John Coltrane classic he played when he first brought her back to the brownstone, and sends it as an Mp3 with a text reminding him of that reconnection. Minutes later he responds.
Good 1 but wait til u see yrs. ;o)
After getting back to the squad, Simmons pops up from his desk.
"Elliot was here sergeant," he informs her.
"Did he leave a message, anything?"
"No, not that I saw," he answers, then gets an expression of remembrance on his face. "Wait, he was carrying two cups of coffee and he only left with one."
Olivia smirks thinking how completely unromantic coffee is.
"Thanks," she says, making a beeline for her office.
After getting inside she closes the door behind herself, fully intending on calling her man and rubbing his face in how she's winning at the moment. But when she picks up the supposed cup of java, it's much lighter than she expected and doesn't feel or sound as if there's any liquid in it at all.
"What the hell?" She says, after rocking the cup back and forth in her hand.
Olivia hears a peculiar sound and takes the lid off. Inside she finds it loosely filled with folded colorful paper hearts of various sizes. Half say "Elliot & Olivia 4Ever" and the other half say "I Love U".
It's so high school, so sophomoric but sweet and of course romantic.
"Bastard," Olivia whispers to the four walls.
She immediately gets him on the phone, preparing to hear him gloat.
"I take it you got my gift?" He asks without his usually greeting of, 'Hey gorgeous'.
"Yes."
"So do you wanna give up now or should we continue?"
"That cockiness is not attractive my friend."
Olivia listens to the wonderful sound of his deep laugh on the other end of the line and tries not to concede defeat right then and there. But she has her pride dammit. And that's what's keeping her from doing so.
Still, finding a gift for $5 or less is proving harder than she imagined.
"That may be," he tells her. "But you're still gonna lose."
"We'll see," she says. "And by the way when I win, I no longer want you to take me to see a musical."
"No?"
"Nope," she confirms. "I want you to dance for me in the Village People's costume of my choosing."
Elliot laughs again at Olivia's new terms.
"Okay," he agrees. "Just make sure you have your fish net stockings ready."
"Goodbye Elliot."
"Tick Toc Liv."
The next day Cragen shows up, having found a letter from Michelle Thompson's teacher about her having recanted way back then. Unfortunately the judge deciding whether or not to reopen the case doesn't agree that it rises to the level of incompetence on the part of the spacey defense attorney.
Though if he'd met her he'd likely change his mind.
The squad catches a break when their former supervisor helps out again by managing to get in touch with the elusive Ted McCormack. Cragen and Amaro sit down with him and let him spill his guts about the case, just hoping he'll let slip some type of wrongdoing on his part so that they can get Derrick Thompson's case reopened.
He doesn't disappoint.
It turns out that Audrey Thompson, the ex-wife of the accused, and the former corner-cutting detective had an affair. They found that she was named in the McCormacks' divorce decree. Add proof of the lover's Florida vacation together and it's enough to get a retrial.
By Friday, in light of the new evidence the ADA Ken O'Dwyer, offers Derrick Thompson the opportunity to spare his daughter the trauma of having to testify in exchange for pleading guilty to the lesser felony of criminal sexual act in the 1st degree and getting time served.
Because he'll remain a convicted felon on record, have to allocute to victimizing his daughter in open court and go on the sex offender's registry. He continues to profess his innocence, refuses the deal and the trial is set to begin Monday.
Olivia and Elliot have matched each other gift for gift thus far. The first day it was her reminiscent jazz tweet to his cup of hearts. Tuesday she surprised him with a picnic lunch at his office. And when he questioned the cost, Olivia promised she'd made everything right out of her fridge without any extra expense.
"I guess you win this round," he told her as they sat in his office.
"Don't sound so happy about it."
Elliot reached for her hand, rubbing her fingers with his thumb.
"I love this," he told her. "And I've only lost the battle, not the war," he added.
Olivia laughs at his view of their wager.
"So we're at war?"
"Absolutely," he answered, before sipping his bottled water. "But it's the fun kind," he added with a wink.
"I liked your idea too," she told him. "It was incredibly sweet."
Elliot purchased a small dry erase board that attached to her fridge with magnets. She'd awakened to a message written on it that said,
Do you know how much I love you?
Yes No Maybe
"So what did you circle?" He asked.
Olivia leaned over and gave him a short kiss to the lips.
"What do you think?"
Elliot had commented on wanting a home cooked meal from her every now and again so she surprised him with breakfast in bed on Wednesday morning and called it another victory. But that night after putting Noah to bed, she returned to the living room to find John Legend's All of Me playing.
"If you think-
He held up one finger, telling her to wait. Then he turned out all the lights and what she hadn't noticed, was the fifty or so glow-in-the-dark stars he placed on her ceiling.
"Son of a bitch," she said.
"Come on," Elliot told her, gesturing for Olivia to walk into his arms. "Dance with me."
She'd done as he asked and they swayed with one another until they both realized incredibly long days had made them too tired to continue.
By Sunday they're tied three to three in the romance department. Whatever gesture each of them comes up with today will determine who has to do which humiliating act after losing. So if there was ever a time to pull out the big guns, this would be the day to do it.
Olivia felt so welcomed by the congregation of the Unitarian church and the pastor that she decided to attend services again. After years of not trying religion in any form, she was surprised to find that she now understands why people practice. Such an overwhelming sense of peace fills her after the sermon is concluded.
She and Noah spent last night and the night before in Brooklyn with Eli and Elliot. He told her he was happy she found a place to worship that she felt comfortable with as he got ready for mass. Olivia also noticed how especially "perky" he seemed. Which was peculiar in and of itself because the man has never been described as a morning person.
Saturday morning's massage brought what she assumed would be her second consecutive day of victory after surprising him Friday night with a bath surrounded by candles. Olivia was skeptical to try it at first but in seeing the look of utter relaxation wash over his face as he began to soak, she discovered that men enjoy such things just as well as women.
And then the night came.
Elliot talked her into going out and letting the twins wrangle the kids. They had dinner which he swore wasn't the romantic part and then talked her into going to some trendy bar in SoHo where they were having a karaoke night.
Olivia thought he was going to get up on stage and embarrass her with some horribly sang love song and try to call it his romantic gesture for the day. If he had, she could've called Saturday a win.
But that wasn't the case.
She watched as he whispered conspiratorially to the DJ. And instead of some 80's hair band's ballad starting, he cut off the music as Elliot pulled a folded piece of paper from the pocket inside his sport coat.
"I'd be the worst singer of the night and…maybe the history of the world so I'll skip that," he explained on stage to her and they rest of the crowd as they laugh. "So I'm gonna be doing something a little different," he added. "This is for you Liv."
The room was dead quiet as he began to read She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron. The poem speaks of his love for a raven haired woman and how her outer splendor is only unmatched by what she has in her heart.
Elliot concluded the reading to the sound of whistles and applause. But the only thing he cared about was that the love of his life had been moved to tears. Olivia stood to embrace him as he returned to their table.
It brought her one step closer to having to strip to that stupid song but in that moment, she couldn't bring herself to give a damn. Eli and Noah were already sleep when they got back to the brownstone. And the minute after the twins said goodnight and left, Olivia turned to Elliot.
"El," she began.
"Yeah?"
She smiled playfully before she responded.
"Take your pants off."
So perhaps he was perky this morning because of the workout they gave each other last night, she doesn't know. But Olivia believes she'll likely find out soon. And because today's the tie breaker, she'll need to come up with her own fabulous gesture.
Alex made her promise to drop Noah off for another play date today and maybe she has some helpful ideas for her friend.
"Hey stranger," greets Alex as she opens the door.
The counselor kisses her perspective god son on the cheek and reaches for him as Olivia parks his diaper bag on the sofa. She follows Alex into Gavin's play room and as the two little guys get reacquainted they sit and talk.
"So," she begins. "I'm gonna skip the small talk about how work is, the great weather we're having and my unbusy social calendar and-
"Get right to asking how things are going with Elliot?" Olivia interrupts with a knowing grin.
"I'm not the only one asking?"
The sergeant shakes her head in the negative.
"Apparently my personal life is of great interest to all my friends," she answers.
"Only because we care about you and like seeing you happy," Alex explains.
"How sweet."
"At the risk of sounding completely cheesy," the counselor starts, "Love is an accessory that you wear very well."
"That obvious huh?"
"You may as well be wearing a sign on your forehead," Alex tells her. "One that says 'I'm in love and p.s. the sex is good too'," she adds, making Olivia laugh.
It's not a sign that she can disagree with and hopefully she's not wearing it to work for perps to see. She needs her mask of stoicism to remain intact for the intimidation of scumbags.
"So how long can I expect this honeymoon period to last?"
"I don't know," Alex answers. "Even when I was pregnant, Ethan was still very sweet and romantic," she continues. "It's a bit less often because of our schedules and that precious little green-eyed minion over there but I can't say that it has."
"Good to know," Olivia tells her. "Speaking of romance, Elliot had the nerve to say that he's more romantic than I am."
"Is he?"
"Yes," she answers with an annoyed sigh. "But that doesn't mean I wanna let him believe it."
Alex laughs at her friend's denial.
"Men are supposed to be romantic," the blonde reasons. "They're programmed that way to woo us in order that the species may survive."
"My point exactly," Olivia agrees, smiling. "But there's a bet in place and I am not a good loser."
"Do I want to know what the terms are?"
"Not important," Live says, opting to leave out the embarrassing part. "Just know that if I don't come up with something good today, there will be suffering."
The over exaggeration has the prosecutor laughing again.
"Besides candlelit dinners and the occasional massage, Ethan's got me in the romance department too," Alex admits. "Sensual, thoughtful, funny…all those I can do," she continues. "But in my opinion it's easier to make a woman go 'aww' with a romantic gesture than it is to make a man."
"So what your saying is, you're gonna be absolutely no help to me whatsoever."
"Guilty."
Olivia shakes her head as she gets up to leave.
"I've gotta get going so I can meet Don Juan at my place," she tells her.
"Don't pretend you're not enjoying every minute," Alex says. "As surprised as I am that the cocky, pigheaded and often surly man you used to call your partner is capable of making you swoon, I can see how good being with him is for you."
"That I can't deny," she admits.
The two give one another a hug before Olivia heads off to meet the object of her affection.
Elliot surprises her by taking her to the old Bijou Theater she told him about from her childhood. She's shocked to find it still standing. Serena would take pleasure in knowing that it survived.
It's showing Murder on the Orient Express, one of her favorites.
"Does this count as the gift?" She asks as they wait in the concession line.
"Nope," he answers. "I just thought you'd enjoy seeing the movie on the big screen for a change."
"Oh, okay."
Elliot lets her choose their seats and she predictably chooses the very back row with a good view of the entry and emergency exit doors. Always the cop.
Though the lights are already dimmed, she can see that the place is empty for it to be a Sunday matinee. They're alone. Olivia guesses people just opt for the high definition, 3D, surround sound version of movies these days. But she likes the nostalgia of the burgundy velvet walls and gold filigree wall sconces, the permanent smell of buttered popcorn in the air and the vintage leather folded seats.
"Liv," Elliot begins as the film's music begins.
"Yeah?"
"I've uh…really enjoyed this last year together."
"Me too," she says, squeezing his hand.
"And I think we managed to bring all the positive aspects of our partnership, into this new relationship," he continues, his voice changing.
"You okay?"
"Fine," he answers. "I just…want you to know…that every day that I've spent with you has been better than any day I've had without you."
Oh shit.
"You have the power to calm my storm with just one look into those beautiful brown eyes," he goes on. "And that smile of yours, I never get tired of seeing it…it…it does me in every time."
He's going to…
"El?" Olivia tries, unable to speak.
"And since there's no possible way I could be happy without you," he adds. "I'd really-
Just then Elliot drops his box of Raisinets. When he gets down on the floor to pick them up he smiles his biggest smile and points his thumb at the screen. The audio has kept going but the movie has stopped and there's a message in its place.
Olivia Benson, Will You Marry Me?
"As I was saying," he says, positioning himself on one knee. "I'd love it if you'd give me the privilege of being your husband."
He has the little blue box from Tiffany's she spoke of months ago. Inside there's a beautiful solitaire diamond ring on a platinum band. He's made her cry for the second time in two days.
"I don't want you to answer now," Elliot tells her. "That's why it's on the necklace," he explains. "I know you said if I ever asked you wouldn't make me wait but I want you to take your time.
"El-
"I want you to really think about it," he asserts. "Then give me an answer."
Olivia nods her understanding.
"Apparently you'll do anything to win a bet Stabler," she teases, wrapping her arms around his neck as she begins kissing him.
After they stop to breath, Elliot pulls back to put the pretty chain around her neck. She lifts the ring and drops it down her shirt.
"I wanna keep it close to my heart."
He smiles at her reasoning, handing her a handkerchief to dry her tears. Elliot sits back with an arm around her.
"So when I'm I gonna get that strip show?" He asks, garnering a slap to his thigh. "Kidding," he tells her.
Elliot sends a text and the movie continues.
"You cheated," Olivia accuses. "I'm pretty sure all of this was well over the price of coffee, especially the ring."
"You got me," he admits. "But that look on your face just now was well worth it."
She kisses him again as the lights are turned down even lower while Murder on the Orient Express plays on.
There's no way Olivia can top his proposal. She may not be a good loser as she told Alex, but Elliot is the best winner ever.
*********************************** The In Betweens **************************************
When the trial comes around both the prosecution and the defense deploy their usual tactics. Bayard airs out Audrey Thompson's dirty laundry to taint her testimony from years ago and she's painted as an adulterer, a liar and an alcoholic. Ken puts Derrick on the stand and accuses him of a letter writing campaign to Michelle over the years as a means of convincing her to help him get out of jail.
A bigger hit comes as the ADA badgers the victim on the stand, causing her to blurt out that she doesn't remember what happened. Olivia sees the confused look on the young woman's face and begins to have her own questions. And the chat she has with her after her testimony only makes things worse.
Michelle Thompson doesn't recall whether or not her father raped her.
And as Olivia watches her embrace her father with a look of fear in her eyes and a tear on her face, she can't help but have one repeating thought. They'll never know if they set an innocent man free after 17 years, or if they let a guilty man out to prey upon the world.
But Michelle Thompson isn't a six year-old anymore. She has to decide, knowing what may have been done to her, whether or not to let her father back into her life. To have a relationship with him.
Olivia can only hope that they've done the right thing. She's learned she can't take these cases home with her. And between Bayard Ellis and Reverend Curtis, Michelle will get whatever help she needs either way. As for the sergeant, she has her own decision to make and it's a big one.
Does she want to be someone's' second wife? A stepmother to five kids? Change the name plate on her desk to Sgt. Stabler or Benson-Stabler or at all? Does she really want to commute from Brooklyn every day? Or let Noah call Elliot daddy some day?
Does she want to marry Elliot?
Well people it's crunch time for me. The premier is tomorrow and I have one more chapter to write in order to wrap this thing up. Pray for me because it's gonna be close!
Review people, let's go!