A/N: A shout out to SVUSHIPPER4EVER! Thanks so much. Some EO coming your way. ;)

Chapter 31

Elliot's friend, Steve Winthrop, came with his crew to fix the roof, at a discounted price. They were secure for the winter and used that time to get estimates for the work that needed to be done to the kitchen, bathrooms, and basement. Projects were prioritized and then came the trouble about the money. While Steve had discounted the roof, it still only left five thousand for repairs that were definitely going to take more than that.

The squad had been over to the house multiple times to hang out and to help out with the projects they could handle by themselves. Assured that the lead in the current wall paint could just be painted over the kids' rooms were painted first and the carpets were ripped out and replaced followed by Elliot's and Olivia's room. That's right, the cat was out of the bag. Although most of the squad had suspected something was going on, despite the two's attempt at being discrete. They did work with other detectives after all.

"Hey El, should we just change our names?" Olivia asked as she scooped up the pile of mail off the counter in the kitchen and headed toward him. They had changed their addresses and now they had been getting twice the junk mail that they had been getting individually, despite the fact that they'd only been living in the house for about six months.

"I don't think that'll work. We moved and they still found us. Besides I think we need to focus more on trying to pick a new color for the living room. Not sure I can stand this weird orange for much longer," he told her from his spot in the middle of the living room, where he stood staring at the color swatches and the walls. The two had had the movers place the furniture from their apartments that was worth saving in the house. Needless to say, the brown couch from Olivia's place went with the orange but sometimes it was just harmful to the eyes, especially with Elliot's tan recliner.

There was a knock on the door and Olivia looked at Elliot. He shrugged. The two of them cautiously approached the front door and Elliot looked out the peep hole. There was a smirk on his face, and he went and opened the door.

"Mr. Peterson, come on in. What brings you by?" Elliot asked.

"Well I know it's a little late, but I figured I'd be neighborly and stop on by to officially welcome you to the neighborhood," Vernon smiled.

"That's very nice of you. How are you doing?" Olivia asked as they moved toward the kitchen.

"Doing fine. Now, I'm not one to pry but how goes the renovations?" he wondered.

"Well the roof is the only thing we've managed to handle. We got some estimates to turn this place around but it's going to take some time," Elliot admitted.

"The joys of owning a home, I'm afraid. It's good to see the kids enjoying the space. I'm sure they have their own ideas," Vernon smiled.

"Oh, they do. We're going to let them do what they want to their bedrooms. This house is bigger than the apartment, but they still have to share, well Lizzie and Kathleen do," Elliot said.

"Definitely better than the floor, which I remind of all the time. You want something to drink?" Olivia offered.

"I'm fine, I appreciate the offer though. I don't want to take up any more of your time, but I do need to borrow Elliot for a moment," Vernon said.

"Of course. I suppose I should figure out what we're eating for dinner," Olivia smiled and headed for the fridge while Elliot pulled Mr. Peterson into the dining room.

"What is it sir?" he asked.

"When are you going to make an honest woman of her?" Vernon gave him a look. Elliot was surprised at his neighbor's question.

"Don't wait son. You never know what can happen. One morning, you'll wake up and she'll be gone. Trust me," Mr. Peterson said.

"We don't have the money for a wedding right now. I want her to have the wedding of her dreams. Not just a day down at the courthouse," Elliot explained.

"I understand. You want to give her the world and she deserves it but maybe what she wants is something simple. But you're not going to know if you don't ask," at that moment, Vernon went into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He handed it to Elliot.

"Sir, I…"

"It was my mother's ring. It should have gone to Rose but after her mom's death, our relationship fell apart. I want you two to have it. Just like this old house, this ring needs to mean something good to someone again. My mom and dad were married for over sixty years. No reason it can't be worn for another sixty years," Vernon didn't let him finish.

"This is very kind of you sir," Elliot said.

"You deserve it. You helped Mary. You helped me. I just need you to promise me two things," the elder man said.

"Anything. What do you need?" Elliot wanted to know.

"Call me if you want help working on the house and give me Kenny's phone number," Vernon said.

"Sure on the first one but why do you want Kenny's number?" Elliot was confused.

"Because Molly won't ask for it," Vernon smirked. Elliot eyes went wide.

"She's like a daughter to me and I don't want to see her moping around that house of hers. That house, much like this one, is haunted by old ghosts. It needs new happiness. I've seen how she is around him. She forgets that I watched her grow up. I know when she's being shy and afraid. Afraid to open herself up, afraid to get hurt. Kenny doesn't strike me at the hurting type. I'm not expecting them to get married or anything, I just want her to have a shot at love. To have someone remind her what love is," Vernon told him. Elliot nodded. Molly had been through a lot; he and Liv had seen it in her file. He wasn't entirely surprised by the elderly man's crusade. His wife had been taken away from him. His daughter and he didn't talk. Then his life was in danger. A lot to deal with and think about. Wanting to just leave his mark on the world before he left it, Vernon was trying to take care of everyone else.

"Join us for dinner," Elliot said, it was the least he could do.

"It's your night without the kids. I'll swing by tomorrow," Vernon winked and with that was out the front door. Elliot made sure it closed behind him, stuffing the box in his pocket.

"What was that all about?" Olivia asked.

"Nothing. I invited him to dinner tomorrow with the kids," he said.

"Good. I feel bad that he eats alone," she said.

"Well he does have Hugo," Elliot pointed out.

"That is good. So I called the pizza guy. He'll be here in twenty," Olivia told him.

"Nothing worth making?" Elliot raised an eyebrow.

"We were going to go shopping yesterday and then we ended up at the courthouse so…" she trailed off. Tucker had caught the officers involved with poisoning Officer Lewandowski and busted up their ring. Turns out five officers were handing out tickets to people and then telling them if they paid the officer who pulled them over, they'd erase the ticket from the system, so their insurance company wouldn't find out. It was a good side hustle and it was easy to use someone else's password to do it. Both Olivia and Elliot had been called to testify the previous day against the group.

"Ok pizza it is," Elliot smiled. After dinner was done and the leftovers put away, the two headed up to their bedroom. They both wanted what they had to last forever and with Vernon's help, they would.

The End

Thanks for reading. I hope to start a new series next week so be on the lookout. ;)