52. Timeless

"Good morning Sarah," Elliot said and Olivia knew that he was grinning proudly. The cocky bastard.

"Good morning, Mr Stabler," Sarah said, and Olivia knew her daugher was smirking without looking at her.

She felt mortified but when Elliot came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, she couldn't suppress a smile. She could sense his pride, not only of getting into her bed but also of her, and it was a little contagious. She finally looked at her daughter, who was watching them with a broad smile.

"Isn't this a lovely picture," Sarah sighed. "I'm happy for you mom."

She gave her mother a hug, forcing Elliot to let go of Olivia for the moment and Olivia closed her eyes. She didn't want her daughter to feel uncomfortable but she had to admit she felt awkward herself. Sarah had been just a little girl the last time she'd had a boyfriend so she hadn't really seen her mother with a man before, and most definitely not like this, coming out of her bedroom flustered and in a robe, with said man in tow.

"I'm happy for me, too," Elliot rumbled behind her and Sarah giggled.

She turned to Elliot and then gave him a modest hug too.

"I'm happy for you too, Mr Stabler. My mom is quite a catch."

Olivia shook her head, seeing her daughter interact so freely with Elliot, but couldn't stop smiling. She was glad that Sarah wasn't freaking out over the idea of her mother having sex. The young woman handed Elliot's shirt to him with a smirk and giggled again when Elliot pretended to be shocked, putting a hand over his heart. Olivia saw that he'd grabbed one of her oversized shirts and appreciated how his muscles strained against the tight fabric. It wasn't an oversized shirt when he wore it …

Olivia ran a hand through her hair and looked at her daughter again, wondering why she was here so early in the morning. Just when she thought the embarrassing moment had passed, her daughter suddenly heaved a sigh and threw her hands in the air, being her typical dramatic self.

"So now I am the only one in this family who is not getting laid! I'm pathetic!"

Sarah saw her mother and Elliot exchange a look and wondered if she'd said too much. She knew her mom was embarrassed to be caught with a man but she was genuinely happy for her and she really was the only one not having sex now. And despite what had happened to her recently, she was still hoping to find the right guy to be her first. But he would have to be a sweet guy, just like her brother. And like this Mr. Stabler. She would just have to wait a little longer, she'd decided. Boys her own age were either immature or total jerks. Usually both, she thought with a grim smile.

"So, what brings you over in the middle of the week," her mother inquired, and she could tell that her mother was getting over her initial shock of being caught. Elliot had disappeared into the bedroom again with his shirt and would no doubt soon reappear fully dressed.

"It's my dress," Sarah told her mother, holding up her paper shopping bag. "I want to wear it to aunt Melinda's party. Would you wash it for me?"

"Of course," Olivia said and Sarah handed the bag to her. "I'm glad you're coming, Sarah."

Sarah smiled.

"Me too. I'm going to have to get out there eventually. And you guys will all be there with me. He's coming too, right?"

Sarah nodded in the direction of her mother's bedroom and Olivia nodded, pursing her lips.

"It's cool mom," she reassured her mother. "I'm glad you have someone. You deserve it."

"Thank you baby," her mother said, and she could tell the older woman was a little emotional.

Sarah could imagine it had taken some courage for her mother to go for a relationship this late in life. She was still a very beautiful woman, but it had to be different at their age.

"Who's up for some breakfast?" Mr. Stabler asked as he came back into the room, interrupting her thoughts.

"I could eat again," she replied.

"I'm starving actually," Olivia admitted, and Sarah grinned at her, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Oh stop it!" her mother muttered, giving her a gentle punch in the arm. "I'm going to get dressed now."

Mr. Stabler watched her leave and Sarah thought it was lovely to see the man appreciate her mother so much. It was true love and in the end, that was what she wanted too.

Elliot thought Olivia had never looked more stunning than tonight, wearing a deep brown gown that spilled all the way down to her ankles. It accentuated her curves just right and made her look classy. They were all dressed up and ready to go to Melinda Warner's party. Sarah and Noah were anxious to meet aunt Melinda's new boyfriend and Elliot had to admit he was getting curious too. He'd always had a special love-annoyance relationship with Melinda and hadn't seen her in ages.

"Is Barba going to be there too?" Noah asked his mother.

"Of course he is. He never misses a party," Olivia said with a wide smile.

He loved her smile and she smiled much more often now than he remembered. He knew it wasn't just because of him, but he liked to think he had at least something to do with it. She had overcome her initial embarrassment, and after both Noah and Catherine had congratulated them warmly that they were now officially 'together', she had relaxed into the new family dynamic.

Her kids would never call him dad and he was fine with that. Olivia would always be Liv to his kids as well. They had all grown so much and although he still wished he hadn't wasted so much time before finding Olivia again, he knew that the time was right for them now. And the best part was, he was spending most nights at her place now. He suspected that Noah and Catherine were taking advantage of that particular development in their own way but it was fine with him. He couldn't have wished for a better grandson-in-law and he trusted Noah not to hurt his little Cathy.

"Everyone ready to go?" Sarah asked.

The young woman looked radiant in her colorful dress and with her long dark locks pinned up loosely. Noah and Catherine both stood next to her and each looped an arm through one of Sarah's.

"We are," they both said and he felt Olivia's arm wrap around his waist.

He looked at her as she was looking at the children, a little teary-eyed. They all looked out for each other, and Olivia was clearly moved. She had done an amazing job raising her children on her own. He put his arm around her shoulders and they all walked out of Olivia's apartment together.

Laughter filled the room, which was already buzzing with people, when Melinda and Elliot saw each other for the first time in many years. Olivia stood back and enjoyed their playful banter. After they had gone back and forth a few times, Melinda introduced the man standing next to her.

"Everyone, this is my dear friend John Thompson. John, this is my dear friend Olivia, whom I have told you about. Her children, Sarah and Noah. Her partner, Elliot and his granddaughter. Catherine, isn't it?"

Catherine nodded, smiling, and shook hands with the elderly couple.

"Very pleased to meet you and happy birthday," she said politely.

After all the necessary pleasantries had been exchanged and gifts had been handed over, Noah dashed off, dragging Catherine along with him, because he had spotted Rafael Barba and his Kayla. He wanted to introduce Catherine to his old friend and mentor. Elliot and John had struck up a conversation about basketball, although John assured him that to his knowledge, he wasn't related to the well-known coach by the same name. Olivia stayed close to her daughter, who was excited to be at the party but a little jittery at the same time.

"Let's see who else are here, shall we?" she asked her daughter while offering her arm.

Sarah smiled warmly at her and looped her arm through hers.

They toured the room together, greeting familiar and less familiar faces. Ruben Morales was there with his husband. They had two adopted daughters who were living their own lives by now. Ruben was thrilled to see Olivia again and couldn't believe he was looking at the same Sarah he'd seen last when she was only nine years old. He was even more surprised when he spotted Elliot and Sarah giggled.

"Yeah. That's mom's new beau. Lucky guy."

"Oh no," Rubed said solemnly. "Elliot is the lucky one. I can't believe you took him back, girl!"

Olivia smiled and shrugged.

"Why stay alone out of some sense of wounded pride when you can be happy together?"

"Wise words, my friend. Wise words," Ruben agreed.

They continued their tour of the room until they ran into Peter, Melinda's youngest grandson.

"Peter, look at you!" Olivia said, giving him a hug.

The young man grinned and straightened up so he seemed even taller. He looked at Sarah then and asked Olivia,

"And who is this? Your younger sister?"

Sarah rolled her eyes. Of all the cheesy lines … But when Peter laughed, she couldn't stop staring at him. There was something joyous about him that was completely disarming.

"I'm just kidding you," he admitted rather superfluously. "I'm Peter."

"Sarah."

They shook hands and Sarah saw her mother retreat in the corner of her eye. She turned towards her but Olivia mouthed at her that she'd be right there. Sarah nodded and took a deep breath. She could do this. She wasn't alone here. Peter wasn't some stranger. Her mom was friends with his grandma. Peter offered to get her a drink and find some more young people, and she followed him to the drinks tables.

"They're getting along nicely, aren't they?" Melinda asked Olivia, pointing her wine glass at the group of young people on the modest dance floor. Catherine, Sarah, Noah and Peter were dancing with several other people of different ages, and were laughing having fun.

"Yeah. Looks like it. I think Sarah likes Peter."

Melinda nodded.

"I'm sure he likes her too. I've never seen him dance before."

"Well, he's got the moves," Elliot chimed in from behind Olivia.

He had moved behind her and Olivia leaned her back against his chest. Melinda gave her a warm smile and Olivia grinned back at her.

"Speaking of which," Melinda said, turning towards her own man. "John, you promised me a dance tonight."

John muttered something about the song being too upbeat for his old bones, and Melinda strode straight to the DJ who was playing CD's for them. And sure enough, after the upbeat song ended, a slower song started and the dynamic on the small dance floor changed. Olivia kept an eye on Sarah. Peter smiled at her daughter and then made a little bow. Catherine and Noah were already in each others' arms and swaying to the music but Peter hadn't touched Sarah with a single finger yet. Sarah smiled up at the tall young man then, and held out her hand. He took it and kissed it before pulling her closer to him. Holding her hand, he put his other hand on her waist and Sarah placed her free hand on his shoulder. It was like a scene from an old movie but Olivia knew that this was the exact approach her daughter needed right now. Peter was completely respectful of her.

She felt Elliot's arms wrap around her from behind and she tilted her head when he kissed her neck softly.

"You wanna dance too, baby?"

"Hmmm. I'd love to."

They saw Barba dancing with his Kayla and John turned out to be quite the slow dancer, whirling his new love around like a professional ballroom dancer. When Elliot and Olivia passed Sarah and Peter again, they were dancing closer than before and Sarah's eyes were shining like they used to before the incident with Dave. Olivia knew that her trauma wouldn't melt away overnight, but she did know that experiences like this would definitely help her heal and start to trust people again. Sarah wouldn't take as long as she had to trust again. She had her whole life ahead of her.

Olivia looked up at her own dance partner, who was now her partner in a completely new way. She had finally started to trust again as well. She had lived an entire life without Elliot, and it had been a good life for the most part. Getting him back after all felt like coming full circle. They had never forgotten each other and never stopped loving each other. And now they were old enough to let go of the past and enjoy the time they were given together. They didn't know how much time they had left, and so they had decided to live life to the fullest from now on. Without looking back. Without regrets. With each other and with their families. They were living proof that true love is truly Timeless.

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Only an epilogue left after this chapter! Maybe two … Please review.