A/N: Hey y'all! I'm back with my first one-shot for OC. This one is based on Elliot telling Olivia she would've loved his apartment in Rome, and my interpretation of the title of Thursday's episode title: The Stuff Dreams are Made Of. Enjoy!

His arms were wrapped around her waist and he placed light kisses on her shoulder as they swayed in the evening breeze. The kids weren't home which meant they could have a romantic dinner with no interruptions. They were out on the terrace and the view was beautiful, but his focus was on the brunette beauty in his arms. He still couldn't believe all that had changed between them. When he left SVU she had gone with him. Both of them decided that the emotional toll the cases had on them was too much. They had done that job long enough and it was time for a fresh start. A few, late-night conversations led to them coming to terms with their feelings for each other. Once his divorce had finalized and they could finally be together, Elliot was offered a job that would send him overseas.

He told them the only way he would take it was if Olivia went with him. She was the one thing he could never leave behind. When he asked her though, he never expected her to say yes, but she told him she'd always wanted to see Europe and that maybe that was the fresh start they both needed. His soulmate, who was a city girl at heart, agreed to move four thousand two hundred and seventy-nine miles away from Manhattan. It wasn't easy leaving his four of his children, but there would be chances to visit. He hoped this move would give both he and Olivia the peace they could never get in the hustle and bustle of the big apple.

She glowed in the moonlight.

Her hair was much longer now and she smiled more than she had when they worked together. She was so much more relaxed and so was he. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen and when she was truly happy, she simply radiated beauty. He loved seeing her happy. He lived for it, for her.

He loved her. So much.

He smiled and gave her a long kiss. She returned his smile as his goatee tickled her chin. He pulled away from her slowly and stepped away to pour the wine.

He handed her a glass and clinked hers with his own. They sat down at the table and took a sip.

He took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

"I love you, Olivia," He didn't know if it was that the stress of working SVU wasn't weighing on him anymore or if it was from finally getting to be with this woman the way he'd always wanted, but his voice was softer these days.

"I love you too, El."

They ate in comfortable silence, soaking in the presence of the one they loved most in the world as the stars twinkled above them.

He liked the stars, but they didn't hold a candle to her. She was his Heaven.

He would gladly walk by her side for eternity.

X

He woke with a resounding jolt and felt the springs shudder beneath him, reminding him of where he really was. He hadn't realized he'd fallen asleep, he didn't think it was capable after so many nights of nightmares. He figured his body must have just had enough. The last thing he remembered was calling Olivia to talk about Kathy's case. She didn't answer so he left a voicemail. He didn't hold it against her. It was three in the morning and she had a son to take care of. She'd call him back when she could.

He couldn't explain why he'd had the dream he'd had that night. It was peaceful, it was a dream of a life he'd longed for during his ten-year absence. She'd been the subject of many dreams throughout the years, but why tonight?

He rubbed his temples as pieces of the day slowly came back to him, and that's when it hit. He'd said the words.

"Elliot, tell us what you need."

"I love you."

It was the one thing he'd always been certain of. The one thing that kept him going even when he was drowning, his love for her. At that moment, his focus was on no one but her. He locked eyes with her and said the only thing he could think of, the truth.

God, he'd missed her.

She meant the world to him and he should've told her that years ago, but he was done living in regret. He was done waiting until it was too late. The guilt had eaten away at him for too long. He knew they still had a long way to go before they'd be what they were in his dream, but he was willing to do whatever it took to earn her trust back again. To earn her love.

He didn't deserve her. No one did. He wanted to be the best man he could for her. She was right, he needed to get help. As much as he hated to admit it. He would try. It wouldn't be easy, but he had to try for her. For his kids.

He picked up his phone again and re-dialed her number. He got her voicemail again and as he listened was reminded of why the mere sound of her voice would've made him stay all those years ago.

"Hey, Liv. You don't have to respond to this, but I wanted you to know that I meant it. I meant what I said earlier. It was real and it was for you. You don't have to say it back, I get it, but I needed you to know. I know you were just trying to help and I...I wanna try. I wanna get better, for you. I love you. Sweet dreams."

A/N: I know that was super short, but I hope you liked it! Thanks for reading :)