Olivia woke up early, she was so excited about the day ahead, her wedding day, she sat having a glass of juice. She couldn't believe that this day was here, she never dreamt in a million years that she would be marrying Elliot, she thought about the first time she knew she loved him, she also knew what it was that drew her to him. He never talked much about his life, but he showed every day with his actions how he felt about her. Even before the Gitano case solidified to her how he felt about her, she knew that one day they would be together, she didn't know why but they would be. She thought about their friends and how excited and supportive they were about the upcoming union. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a knock on the door, she got up and answered it to find Alex, Melinda and Casey there. They came in as Casey said,
"You nervous yet?"
Olivia laughed,
"I am nervous that this is a dream and I am going to wake up and none of this past year will have happened. I don't want to be the Bobby Ewing of New York.'
They laughed as Alex said,
"I saw Elliot's kids going to his room, they are so excited for you two."
Olivia nodded,
"They have really accepted this well, but it helps that Kathy moved on and got married first last year."
Melinda said,
"Even though you are not getting married in a church or in white we still want to help you keep some of the traditions, we are the 3 wise women, I have something borrowed for you."
And she handed Olivia her gold bracelet. Then Alex said,
"I have something blue."
She handed Olivia a baby blue backed Cameo.
And finally Casey said,
"I have something new."
And she handed Olivia a Burgundy garder belt. Causing Olivia to laugh and say,
"Oh El is going to love this."
The womens laughter was interrupted by a knock on the door, Casey answered it,
"Captain come on in."
Olivia looked at the man who was like a father to her, as he said,
"Just coming to see if you need anything."
She asked,
"Have you seen Elliot?"
He nodded,
"Yes and he has not run. His kids are with him right now and Eli is so excited that he is in there dancing around. Elizabeth is helping him practise his walk and he is adding a little flare to it. Are you nervous?"
Olivia blushed,
"A little but I am much more excited than anything else. I am really excited that you are walking me down the aisle. I feel like we have come full circle..."
Cragen said,
"It only took 14 years and 1 marriage and umpteen boyfriends..."
They all laughed as Cragen said,
"I will leave you to get ready and will be back in an hour to walk you down the aisle. I am going to have a soda with Fin and John."
Olivia hugged him and he left. As soon as the door closed, Alex said,
"Casey, Melinda and I were talking last night over dinner after shopping about when we realized you two had more than work feelings for each other. Melinda said from the day she met you two she sensed something. Casey said she knew something was different when it came to me coming out of witness protection she saw the bond between you two. And as for myself, I met you two early in your partnership, Elliot was married and you were dating other guys so I saw nothing then. But when I came out of witness protection and you guys were guarding me and I got to spend some time alone with Elliot, he was divorced he had lost his suits for the most part and just the way he talked about you and the way you two interacted I realized something had changed. But we are all curious as to when you knew?"
She blushed as Casey said,
"Come on you have to tell us, enquiring minds want to know."
Melinda added,
"Just gossip between friends."
She said smiling as she remembered,
"The first day I met him and found out we would be partners, I thought he was so cute and nice then I saw the ring and thought Thank God. Then in our first year together I had a one night stand with Brian Cassidy and Brian wanted more and I didn't. Elliot knew and I won't say what he said to me about it but it made me wonder if he was a one woman man. Years later I met his previous female partner, Jo Marlowe who he told me about just leaving out the part about her being female, and she left me wondering if the two of them had ever gotten together. I never asked but other cases came along and I knew he had never cheated on Kathy."
Casey asked,
"When did you know he felt the same way about you?"
Olivia thought about it and said,
"Every time he chased away a boyfriend, who in the end was not right for me. But I think I knew for sure after Kathy filed for divorce. You know he was never much into talking about his feelings and we know Huang took it personal when Elliot would not talk to him or would not show honest feelings with him. Elliot told me it was the Irish Catholic way, men needed to be strong and not show emotion. But Kathy called me because he would not sign the papers and told me that he needed to feel like he was on solid ground before he could move on, she wanted me to talk to him. I did and he signed them. Then Gitano happened, then I transferred out, then Oregon happened, Dani Beck happened and when I came back he was more angry than I ever remember. Not at me just at the situation. Then Pete Breslin happened and El hit rock bottom and ended up going to see Doc Hendrix. She helped him alot because afterwards he started opening up to me. But through it all he was never angry at me he was just scared he was going to lose me and my friendship and he told me he could not handle that."
Melinda asked,
"Did you know Munch started a dancing pool?"
Olivia shook her head, she loved Munch, and asked,
"What kind of pool?"
Alex,
"As to how many excuses Elliot will use to get out of dancing in front of everyone."
Olivia chuckled,
"Do want some insider information?"
Casey asked,
"Sure. I haven't placed a bet yet..."
She stopped her sentence when she realized they were all looking at her. When they saw her sheepish look they started to howl with laughter. Melinda said,
"Your look was priceless as if you were imagining tomorrow's headline, 'ADA pinched in gambling raid at police wedding in Courthouse'. "
They all laughed so hard they had tears running, Olivia said as she wiped her eyes,
"Good thing my make up isn't done yet."
Alex asked,
"What insider info?"
Olivia said,
"You all know I like to dance. Well I never knew whether or not Elliot could dance I never really thought about it. When we went to Hawaii, we went to a laua with Rita, George, Jeff and Sabrina and they do a traditional dance before we ate. They asked for volunteers and Elliot volunteered and pulled me up with him, and we danced. We went to a couple of dance bars on the island and I will tell you, the man can dance. When I mentioned it to his kids, the girls all said he taught them all how to dance and not just slow dances but he would hold dance lesson Saturdays. So he will be dancing tonight."
There was another knock on the door, Melinda answered it. Simon walked in, he saw Olivia's red eyes and looked worried, he asked,
"What happened? Are you okay?"
She nodded,
"Yes. We were laughing so hard we started to cry. I am good. I am really excited."
She hugged him and he returned it and let out a sigh of relief,
"I haven't seen Elliot yet. I stopped here first."
Casey, Alex and Melinda took this as their cue to leave. Olivia said,
"I am so glad you are here."
Simon said,
"We have come so far over the years and now today I get to be part of the biggest day of your life. I am so happy for you."
Olivia said,
"I am so thrilled you are here too. I am glad I found you, having my family here makes this day even more special."
Elliot was in his groom's room with his kids, Maureen and Kathleen were making sure his suit was right as Elizabeth made sure Richard and Eli's suits were ready. Richard was going to help Eli get dressed Elliot had already taught Richard how to tie a tie, mind you he hadn't worn a tie since his confirmation. Once the girls were satisfied that all was right with the suits, they hugged Elliot and said,
"Ok Dad we will let you get dressed, we are going to the bride's room to make sure that Olivia is all set and getting ready over there."
There was another knock on the door and Olivia walked over to open the door. It was her side of the wedding party, Maureen and Elizabeth her bridesmaids and Kathleen, who she had gotten close to as her maid of honour. Simon looked at the girls and gave them each a hug and said,
"I take this as my sign to get to the groom's room and get ready."
And he left.
As Elliot stripped out of his jeans and tshirt he pulled his tux pants on over his boxers just as their was a fast knock at the door and it opened. Elliot looked towards the door as he heard a whistle, he blushed as he zipped up his trousers. The whistler said,
"I am sorry I should have waited til you said ok. But I saw your kids leave and thought it was safe."
He watched as his bare chest was scanned up and down, he didn't even bother to grab for a shirt he grabbed his socks and sat down to put them on, as he did he said,
"Well Elizabeth, I, again, want to thank you for performing the ceremony."
She said as she watched him continue to dress, she had always found his anger and brooding sexy, she had not known him during his early years but Alex had told her that he was so much calmer when she had started, but since he retired and gone into therapy she REALLY liked him.
He knew that she liked him, he saw the way she looked at him and came to his defense on many occasions he had her to thank for him not losing everything when he and Casey got sued for $10million dollars each, amongst other times. He still remembered when Dale Starkey was after them all he showed up on her doorstep to make sure she was ok and she told him she was disappointed he was not there for a social call.
She said as she watched him stand up and put his shirt on,
"I am honoured to do it for you two. It seemed only fitting considering the journey I have witnessed you and Olivia have been on. I am just checking in to see if you changed your mind..."
The door opened and Elliot's brothers and mother walked in, his brother said,
"He had better not, I want to get my monies worth out of this tux."
Elliot gave his mom a hug. Bernie said to him as she straightened ,
"You always did look good in a tux. Now you haven't spoiled the day for Olivia by seeing her yet have you?"
He laughed as he tied his tie,
"My romantic daughters banned me from seeing her"
Richard said,
"Kathleen made me and Eli stay with Dad last night to make sure there was no hanky panky."
Bernie said,
"My Katie said hanky panky/"
Eli said,
"No. Grandma B she said..."
Richard said moving his brother to the bathroom,
"Come on Little E I'll help you with your tie."
Elliot and Bernie laughed, as Bernie said,
"They both have a lot of you in them."
Elliot smiled at his mom as he said,
"Yeah, they all do."
Bernie said,
"Elliot I have to say when you and Kathy divorced..."
Elliot shook his head, Bernie put her hand on his arm and stopped him,
"I never thought you would open yourself up enough to find love again. I am so glad you did and I am so glad to be here today to see this, I have always been proud of you and today just shows why."
Elliot hugged his mother, he didn't want to get emotional but his eyes got wet,
"Thanks mom. I am glad you are here too."
Bernie patted his back, and just nodded not saying a thing about his misty eyes.
There was a knock on the door, as Judge Donnelly said,
"It's time."
Elliot rubbed his hands and said,
"Okay. Richard, Eli - let's do this thing."
Cragen knocked on Olivia's door. She said,
"Come on in."
The Captain walked in and said,
"It's time. Are you ready?"
Kathleen zipped up the back of Olivia's dress as Maureen put the finishing touches on her hair. Elizabeth touched up her makeup as she said,
"Well ladies. How do I look?"
Maureen,
"Less nervous than Dad. He is trying to act all tough and macho. But we can see it."
Cragen laughed at the thought. Then he took Olivia's hand as she wrapped it around his arm and Alex came back in with Eli, to let her know they were ready. Olivia looked at him and said smiling,
"Well Master Stabler are you nervous?"
Eli shook his head,
"Not as nervous as Daddy."
Causing everyone to laugh adding to the fun of the day.
All eyes in the room were on Elliot as he walked down the aisle of the court room to the front of Judge Donnelly's court with Richard, Simon, and his brother David. Eli would come in ahead of Olivia.
As Elliot got to the front of the courtroom, Elizabeth Donnelly was standing there and showed him where to stand. As she did, she whispered,
"It's been a while since you have been in my courtroom, do you need a refresher as to where the closest exit is?"
His brother overheard and laughed causing Elliot to give him the evil eye causing him to laugh even harder. Maureen stuck her head in the door and nodded, and as the music started Fin and Munch headed to the doors to hold them open for the ladies. Maureen came down the aisle first, followed by Elizabeth and then Kathleen. The girls had taught Eli how to dance so he could at the reception but he decided to try it out early, as he came down the aisle he did the dance moves he had been shown, causing Elliot to laugh and high five him when he got to the front of the room. As soon as they were at the front the wedding march started and Cragen and Olivia came into view of the open doors. Olivia was wearing a very classic form fitting beige gown, she and Cragen walked down the aisle and everyone stood up. Once they got to the front Elliot shook Cragen's hand and as he handed Olivia's over to him. He looked her up and down and said,
"You look beautiful."
She said,
"You don't look so bad yourself."
Judge Donnelly cleared her throat as she caught their attention. She started,
We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite Olivia and Elliot in marriage. If there is anyone here who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, they must speak now or forever hold their peace.
She looked around the courtroom knowing full well no one would object.
As Cragen stood holding Olivia's hand, Donnelly asked, Who is it that brings this woman to this man?
Cragen said,
"I do."
And he handed Olivia to Elliot and turned to go sit down. Olivia and Elliot , I would ask that you both remember to treat yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourself often of what brought you together today. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty assail your marriage - as they do to every relationship at one time or another - focus on what still seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong. This way, when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment, you can remember that the sun is still there. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.
Elliot, do you take Olivia to be your Wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her forevermore?
Elliot looked at Olivia and said,
"I do."
Olivia, do you take Elliot to be your Husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him forevermore?
Olivia looked at Elliot and said,
"I do."
Donnelly said,
"Who has the rings?"
Eli stepped forward,
"I do."
He handed them to Elliot, who then handed them to the Judge. She handed Olivia's to Elliot saying,
"I understand this part is all you two."
They nodded. He took the ring and said as he took her hand,
I, Elliot, take thee, Olivia to be my Wife- To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow and I promise my love to you. With this ring, I take you as my wife, for as long as we both shall live"
Donnelly then handed Olivia her ring for Elliot and said as she took his hand, I, Olivia, take thee, Elliot, to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health , for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you. With this ring, I take you as my husband, for as long as we both shall live."
Donnelly then continued, Olivia and Elliot as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other. Just as two threads woven in opposite directions will form a most beautiful tapestry, so too can your two lives merged together make a beautiful marriage. To make your relationship work will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today. It will take trust , to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other. It will take dedication, to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both pledge today to share together. Olivia and Elliot, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the joining of your hands and the giving of these rings, I now declare you to be Husband and Wife.
Congratulations, you may kiss your bride. It is my privilege to present to you Mr. & Mrs. Elliot Stabler.
The ceremony was beautiful, elegant and simple, just what they wanted.
For the reception Sabrina wanted it to be her gift to them so she rented out a private room at one of Bobby Flay's restaurants for the night and Cragen, Fin and Munch, got the music for the party. George and Rita came to the wedding as Olivia and Elliot had gotten along so well with them, and in theory, they were the first friends they made as a couple in this new chapter of their lives they were starting.
The End
The End
The End
The End