Okay so this one is pretty short, but I wanted to get something up for you guys. This weekend has been crazy so I haven't had as much time to work on my writing. The next one will be a lot longer. I promise.

Thanks again for your reviews. You all are amazing.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of Law and Order SVU or its characters. The story was written simply for fun and not for profit. They belong to Dick Wolf.

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Chapter Twenty Five

Six Weeks Later

Olivia tried as hard as she could to stop it, but she just couldn't seem to calm her leg that was bouncing nervously underneath her desk. She didn't understand why she was so nervous.

"Liv. Calm down. You know he is going to say yes."

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even realize Elliot had come into the squad room. She should have known he would come today. He was recovering well from his surgery, and the doctors told him that after another two weeks of physical therapy he could return to work full time. They were getting married in five.

"Easy for you to say El. What if he doesn't? Of course he wont. This is stupid. Maybe I shouldn't even ask him. I mean.."

Elliot's hand cupping her cheek stopped her ramblings, and for a split second she felt calm again. That was until she heard him call out to her from his office.

"Olivia, you wanted to see me?"

Jumping slightly in her chair because of her nerves she looked towards him and began to stand up. Anyone with eyes could tell that she was obviously very nervous.

"Ah..yeah Cap."

"Come on in. I have a few minutes now."

She looked over to Elliot and stared into his eyes for no other reason than she needed to. If anything could give her the strength to do this alone it was the look in his eyes, and she knew it. He didn't say a word to her, he knew what she needed and just smiled and nodded towards his door. Every part of her wanted him to be there, but this was something she needed to do on her own. Returning his gestures she turned and made her way into Cragen's office. Gently closing the door behind her.

"Whats up Olivia?"

Taking in a deep breathe and trying her best to calm her nerves she sat down into the chair. Clasping her hands together and rubbing them nervously in her lap as she did. To most people this conversation would be no big deal, but to Olivia it was everything.

"I uh, I was wondering if I could talk to about something."

"What's on your mind?"

"Well...it's just...ya see...I wanted to....I...."

As hard as she tried her nerves were getting the best of her and she couldn't seem to form the right words. Taking note of her abnormal demeanour Cragen got up from where he was sitting behind his desk and took a seat in the chair next to her. He placed his hand on her shoulder for comfort as he spoke softly to her.

"Olivia, is everything okay?"

Shifting in her seat she turned to look at him, a tender smile coming across her face.

"Yeah...yeah. Everything is great."

Cragen let out a breath she didn't notice he was holding and sat back in the chair. A part of her heart swelled up with hope at his obviously concern for her. Somehow though, that only made it harder.

"Elliot and I. We...we are getting married in five weeks ya know? And...And I ...."

Before she could finish he once again leaned forward and placed his hand over hers that were still clasped together in her lap.

"Olivia, it is perfectly normal to feel nervous about it. Cold feet happens to the best of us. When Marge and I were getting married..."

"No. No, that isn't it at all Don. I can't wait to marry Elliot."

"Oh, sorry."

She couldn't help but smile even wider. It was a little bit funny to her. Before everything happened between her and Elliot she never got the chance to see the sensitive sides of the two most important men in her life. Always coming off as big brooding men who were strong as oxes, never showing emotions. Or perhaps, she just never let herself see their concern and love for her until now.

"You see, I was just wondering. I mean....you have always been there for me...the...the closest thing that I've ever had to a father, and I will understand if you say no, but ..I.. I was hoping that maybe you would walk me down the aisle when I get married...if you...if you could give me away."

She didn't even realize her eyes were closed until she opened them to see Cragen smiling up at her, a single tear running down his cheek. She saw something in him at that moment that she never had before. It wasn't love....it was pride.

Cragen got up from the chair he was sitting in and squatted down in front of her. He placed both of his hands around hers and looked into her eyes smiling from ear to ear.

"Olivia it would mean the world to me, to have the honor of walking you down the aisle, and giving you away. Over the past, what, almost twelve years now, I have seen you grow into an amazing, not only detective, but woman. I may be your Captain in this squad room, but I would be lying if I said that I didn't see you as more of a daughter to me. Unfortunately, Marge and I we...we never got the chance to have children of our own, and over these past twelves years you have helped fill that void that was left in my heart. Seeing you and Elliot get married is going to be one of the proudest moments of my life."

With water filled eyes Olivia got up from her spot in the chair and watched as Cragen made his way back around to the other side of his desk. The two of them shared this moment together with not words, there was no need for them, but rather their smiles, and eyes, said everything both of them needed to say. Both of them too proud, or perhaps to afraid, to show anymore emotion with the rest of the squad so close by. He looked up at her once more and she nodded to him, the smile never leaving her face as she turned around to walk out the door.

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Later that night Elliot and Olivia were laying in bed, wrapped in each others arms, just enjoying the feel of being together. Olivia's mind was switched to high speed as a million thoughts ran through her brain. She couldn't believe how lucky she was in her life. She was marrying her best friend, his kids were happy with it, his ex-wife was okay with it, Cragen had agreed to walk her down the aisle, and she couldn't be any happier with where she was in her life. As all of these thoughts filled her mind she felt a tear fall down her face, and moved her hand up to wipe it away.

"What's wrong Liv?"

Olivia turned herself around to look him in the eyes. She placed her hand onto his cheek and laid her forehead ever so gently against his. When she spoke it was barely a whisper against his lips.

"I am waiting to wake up. Waiting for this dream to end. Never Elliot. Never did I think I would be so lucky. Never did I think I would have a family."

Another tear made its way out of her eye and dropped down to his nose. He slowly leaned forward and gave her a feather light kiss bringing his hand up to brush her hair behind her ear.

"It isn't a dream angel." He kissed her again. "It isn't a dream."

Closing her eyes with her head still gently placed against his she took in a slow deep breath.

"I have a family."

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TBC

Next chapter is a lot longer I promise. It has also been my favorite to write.

Coming up next...the wedding.

PLEASE review. Hearing what you all have to say keeps me motivated to keep going. You have no idea how much it helps to know that other people are enjoying this.

NOTE: If you get the chance, check out my other story "Shattered". I would really love to get some more feedback on that one. :cD