A/N: After a journey that began in May of 2020, we have finally reached the end of the road for this story. I can't thank you enough for all of your amazing support throughout. It's always a bittersweet moment for me when I reach the end of a fic, but I promise there is more to come. Not just for Lighthouse, but I have plenty of other ideas in the works. I can't guarantee just when they will be written, but I'm far from finished! I hope you like this epilogue!

Disclaimer: SVU and all of its characters were created by and are the property of Dick Wolf. I make no profit with this story, which is my own original work.

One year later

Olivia stepped out of the shower, toweling herself off. She'd missed Elliot's company under the soothing spray this morning, but they'd been working separate cases this week – even though they still remained partners. He hadn't gotten in until after three in the morning, and needed as much sleep as he could get. As she studied her reflection in the mirror, Olivia caught sight of the now faded scar on her chest, the only physical reminder that remained of her line of duty injury all those months ago. In many ways, it seemed like the last three hundred and sixty five days had lasted for an eternity, albeit a wonderful one. On the other hand, it also seemed to Olivia that one day she had merely woken up and entire year had gone by in the blink of an eye.

Reaching for her hair dryer, Olivia switched it on to the lowest setting, hoping the noise didn't carry through the door to the bedroom and disturb Elliot. She wouldn't have used it at all, except she had somewhere important to be this morning, and she was already on the verge of running late.

As the warm air flowed through her chestnut tresses, Olivia's mind wandered. On impulse, she'd gotten her hair cut following a particularly difficult trial involving Fin's nephew that had impacted the entire squad, and resulted in her being suspended for two months. Olivia had to admit she missed the former length, and the way Elliot would run his fingers through it. It was finally starting to grow out, though, and, at this rate, would be reaching her shoulders again soon.

Once her hair was dry, Olivia turned her attention to getting dressed. She'd brought her clothes with her into the bathroom, another precaution at ensuring Elliot remained asleep. As she donned the professional attire she had chosen for the day – even though it was, in fact, a Saturday – Olivia didn't notice the door open behind her, or hear the sound of someone walking closer. It wasn't until a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist that she startled, relaxing when she felt Elliot's lips press against the side of her neck before hearing his voice murmur in her ear.

"You should have woken me, Liv. Did you really think I'd forgotten what day it was? I know how much today matters to you, and I'm not letting you do this alone."

Olivia wasn't surprised that he had remembered, nor was she offended at the prospect of Elliot accompanying her. If anything, she was concerned for his well being. He was operating on so little sleep, and she inadvertently fell back into one of her more familiar habits before they had become a couple – diminishing her own needs.

"El, you've barely slept. I know you must be exhausted. I'll be fine, It's not necess-"

Elliot silenced Olivia with a kiss, the most effective way he knew how of getting her to stop talking. When he pulled back to look in her eyes, he gave her a pointed stare to hear him out, and with a sigh, she nodded.

"Don't tell me it's not necessary. I know for a fact that you didn't sleep last night, either. You were too busy thinking about what was going to happen. As for me, I don't want you to worry. I can always nap when we get home."

"Only if I get to nap with you."

"You've got yourself a deal."

Elliot kissed Olivia again, then assured her he would be ready to leave in ten minutes time. For her part, Olivia promised that she would make some coffee to take with them. As she walked to the kitchen, a sense of calm washed over her, and Olivia realized that this is what she had been wanting to happen all along, but had been too afraid to ask for. Thank goodness Elliot was so skilled in reading her mind.

After starting the coffee to brew, Olivia walked over to the refrigerator and removed the lone piece of paper held there by a magnet. Her eyes scanned the page, even though she had long ago memorized the contents. It was hard to believe that the anticipated day was finally here. While not exactly a parole hearing, today would determine whether or not Andrew Parker could be released from the prison ward of the psychiatric hospital where he had spent the last fifteen months. Granted, house arrest and a lengthy probation still awaited him, but he could at long last be back at home with his family.

Because she had not only been one of the officers on scene that day, but was also considered a victim, Olivia had been notified of the impending release. They were giving her an opportunity to speak at the review hearing, and she figured most were assuming she would be against Andrew's discharge from the hospital. That couldn't be farther from the truth. If anything, Olivia was Andrew's biggest champion, and was planning to speak on his behalf. While they hadn't communicated on a regular basis, she'd kept in contact with the young man over the course of the past year, and she supported him returning to his normal life.

"Ready to go?"

For the second time that morning, Olivia was startled by Elliot's presence, and she silently admonished herself for not being more self aware. In the same breath, she corrected herself for her foolishness, knowing he wouldn't fault her for her distractions.

"Yeah, El."

Minutes later they were safely buckled into one of the two matching SUV's that were now in their garage, having traded in his Jeep and her car a few months earlier. It hadn't been intentional to get vehicles that could be virtual twins, but they had both ended up falling in love with the same make and model. The only difference between them had been their choice of color. That hadn't been the only change. The garage was part of the townhouse they had moved into at around the same time.

About six months after Olivia had moved into Elliot's apartment, they decided they needed more space. Keeping in mind the fact that they would need adequate space for his kids, plus still not quite having given up hope on the possibility of having one of their own someday, they had chosen a place to ensure enough room for everyone.

Olivia took a sip of her coffee as the streets slipped by, hoping to calm her restless mind. Her thoughts were bouncing all over the place this morning, somewhere between reflection and anticipation. She hadn't even realized her hand was shaking until she felt Elliot cover it with his own.

"It's going to be all right, Liv. No matter what."

Upon hearing the words, Olivia calmed instantly. He always knew the right things to say, and she believed him. Today was going to be a good day.

Elliot and Olivia were waiting in the conference room of the hospital with a few other people, some of whom they recognized and others they didn't. Andrew's wife was among the attendees, but his son Aaron was absent. That made perfect sense, as this wasn't the place for a young child, though from what Olivia understood, Andrew's son was a frequent visitor.

The door opened, and in walked Andrew Parker, respectably dressed in a suit and tie for the occasion. His gaze sought out his wife first, as though he were seeking the emotional support. When he spotted Olivia, his eyes widened almost imperceptibly, as though he were surprised by her presence, relaxing only when the brunette gave him a reassuring smile. Taking his place in front of the review board, he awaited his fate. Once everyone was seated, the moderator began to speak.

"If no one else is going to join us, we can begin. Andrew Parker, we are here today to determine whether or not you are able to be released from not only inpatient care, but your active incarceration involving your crimes. We will listen to testimony from your treatment team regarding your progress over the past fifteen months, as well as your behavior. You will also be given the opportunity to make a statement on your own behalf. Do you understand everything as I've explained it?"

Though his nerves were evident in his body language, Andrew's voice was clear and strong.

"Yes."

As the hearing commenced, a recap of the events that fateful day were read aloud. Neither Olivia nor Elliot needed the reminder, and they held hands as the memories washed over them. It seemed Andrew was dealing with his own difficulties in hearing it too, as he frequently bowed his head and his face flushed with shame.

The next person to speak was the head clinician overseeing Andrew's case at the hospital. They maintained that he had been an exemplary patient from day one, and always proactive in his own care. Not once had he refused to take medication, and he was a frequent participant during group sessions. For all intents and purposes, he was more than ready to transition to outpatient treatment.

When it was Olivia's turn, she found herself overcome by an unexpected wave of anxiety. She wasn't sure why, as she was certainly no stranger to giving testimony. More often than not though, she wasn't acting as an advocate for the person eligible for release. These were truly special circumstances.

"My name is Detective Olivia Benson, and I was one of the many officers on scene that day. Not only that, but I spent the most personal time with Andrew Parker, having bargained with him to let the children go in exchange for my staying with him. From my experience on the job, I could already tell that his intentions weren't to harm anyone other than himself, but it was still my responsibility to deescalate the situation as quickly as possible."

As Olivia began to narrate her version of events that day, she prepared herself for the questions that would ultimately follow. Unlike a traditional courtroom, the setting here was far more relaxed, and there would be no cross examination taking place. When she finished her tale, Olivia sat back and waited, half wishing that the same glass of water afforded to Andrew had been provided for her as well.

"Thank you, Detective Benson. You are here today to speak on behalf of Andrew Parker, even though you were in fact injured as a result of his actions that day, is that correct?"

"Yes."

A few more queries followed, none of which were intrusive, mainly just confirming the facts of what had already been illustrated in their reports. To Olivia, even though it was a day she would never forget, it seemed as though everything she was speaking about had occurred more than a lifetime ago. In many ways, it was. On the other hand, she knew that revisiting these memories couldn't be easy for anyone in this room. Not just for Andrew and his family, but for Elliot as well. Even so, it meant the world to her that she wasn't doing this alone.

At long last, it was Andrew's turn to address the small group of people in the room. Olivia and Elliot knew from experience that it was likely that the review board had already made their decision by now, and wouldn't be swayed one way or another. Still, it was good to see that the man had regained enough confidence to speak.

Once he was given permission, Andrew Parker stood, cleared his throat, and launched into a detailed explanation. Despite all the healing he'd gone through over the past year, it appeared that this additional confession was somehow cathartic for the man. With each sentence that fell from his lips, it was at though the weight on his shoulders grew even lighter.

"Before I begin, I want to make it known that I realize that no amount of apologies can atone for my actions. With that said, I am sincerely sorry. The only person I ever intended to harm that day was myself, and before I even realized what was happening, things had escalated beyond my control."

Even though he had already made a full allocution at his sentencing hearing when he'd pleaded guilty, Andrew still felt the need to explain.

Not that anything would ever justify his behavior, but now that he was thinking more clearly – and had been for quite some time – he was even more ashamed for the way he had acted. The fact that someone had gotten injured as a result of his behavior only made him feel more ill, and it was only through Detective Benson's understanding and forgiveness that he'd been able to reconcile the guilt he had felt since that day.

"I also want to publicly thank Detective Benson. I know she would argue that she was only doing her job that day, but in my opinion, she went above and beyond the call of duty. I realize now that she would likely have been able to overpower me at any time, and taken me into custody, but instead, she looked past the gun I was holding and saw the person I was inside."

Taking a few seconds to compose himself, Andrew continued.

"As much as I've healed in this place, there will forever be a part of me that will hate the fact that she was the one who got hurt that day. But I've been committed to not only my recovery, but accepting the consequences that I should pay. I would love to be home with my family again, but if the board decides that I must serve more time, I completely understand."

"Thank you, Mr. Parker."

Following an agonizing recess that had nearly everyone in the room on edge, the board reconvened thirty minutes later to bestow their decision. Olivia desperately wanted to take Elliot's hand again to ease her anxiety, but knew she had remain professional. Plus, she also knew if she was feeling uneasy, it was nothing compared to what Andrew was going through right now. After a momentary pause, the moderator spoke.

"Thank you for your patience, and we apologize for the delay. We wanted to be certain we had carefully reviewed all of the information available to us before making our decision."

There was a pause, then Andrew was asked to stand. With a glance over his shoulder at his wife, the man got to his feet and faced the group of people who would impart his fate.

"Andrew Parker, based upon all we have learned here today, it has been unanimously decided that you shall be released from this hospital within the next seventy-two hours."

The moderator went on to explain that per his original deal, Andrew would be transferred to house arrest and given an ankle monitor to wear for the next seven months. After that time period expired, he would be on probation for another three years, until he had served the full five years of his initial sentence.

"We won't prohibit you from earning an income during your house arrest, however it is strongly recommended that you find employment that will enable you to work from home. If it becomes necessary for you to leave your residence for any reason, you will need to clear it with your probation officer and work out an agreement."

"Yes, sir. I understand."

Everyone was dismissed shortly after, but Olivia hung back. Elliot gave her some time, knowing that she needed a minute to speak to Andrew privately. He respected that completely, and the last thing he wanted to do was interfere. His opinions on the other man had changed since that day, but there was still a small part of him that held resentment toward Andrew for his role in Olivia's injury.

After talking with his wife, and getting her promise that she would tell Aaron that daddy would be home soon, Andrew approached Olivia. The gratitude he felt was plain to see on his face.

"Detective Benson, thank you for coming today. I can't tell you what it means that you spoke on my behalf."

Olivia gave a warm and reassuring smile, and reached a hand out to rest on the other man's arm.

"You don't need to thank me, Andrew. I wouldn't have missed this for anything. I'm just glad to hear you're doing better. And please, call me Olivia."

"Olivia, I owe you so much. Not just for what you did that day, but for continuing to show me so much care and concern. There was a time when I would have believed I didn't deserve it, and truth be told I'm still struggling with that, but I've learned so much during my stay here."

"That's good, Andrew."

A couple orderlies came to stand nearby, and Andrew realized his time was up. He thanked Olivia again before letting himself be led back to his room, knowing that in just a few days, he would be home with his family. It had been a long road, and it wasn't exactly over yet – there was still house arrest and probation to complete, but he was well on his way to getting his life back.

A short time later, as she rode back home with Elliot, Olivia found herself feeling as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Through no fault of her own, she had spent the better part of the last year carrying some of Andrew's burden as her own. While Olivia hadn't let it consume her life, she hadn't been able to forget it, either. Now that Andrew was going to be reunited with his family – the strongest support system that he had – she could breathe easier.

Elliot left Olivia to her thoughts as he navigated through the city streets. Truth be told, his mind was occupied with thoughts of his own. He was wondering how he had managed to keep a secret from the beautiful woman sitting next to him for as long as he had, and equally surprised and impressed that she hadn't figured it out. Either way, come Monday morning Olivia would be in for the shock of her life. That's when they would pack up the car and head upstate for a return trip to the Adirondacks.

While Elliot had wanted to take Olivia back to WhiteFace lodge on the one year anniversary of their initial visit, things just hadn't worked out in their favor. But now that they both had some scheduled vacation days, it was long past time. He'd even made certain to request that they be given the same suite as they had before. If all went according to plan, this would be yet another trip they would never forget. Not to mention, if all went according to plan, it would bring about another monumental change in their lives, and all for the better.

Olivia stirred slightly, not exactly sure what had woken her. As she gradually came to awareness, she noticed that not only was she alone in the bed, but Elliot had apparently been missing for some time. Confused as to what he could be up to on what was supposed to be their first official day of vacation – they'd spent the previous day with the kids – she got up and went in search of him.

She didn't have to look for long, allowing the scent of coffee to lead her in the direction of the kitchen. There, Olivia found Elliot sitting at the table, already dressed for the day and reading the paper. To the casual observer, it would seem like he was just having a relaxing morning. Olivia, however, had known the man for years. He was purposely avoiding eye contact, and that meant he was up to something. That made it her mission to figure out exactly what he was hiding.

"Okay, Elliot. Spill."

Elliot gave her a confused look, and purposely played clueless. He knew the act of deception wouldn't get him far – he was, after all, dealing with an excellent detective – but he was going to try.

"Spill my coffee? But you hate when I make a mess. Good morning to you, too, by the way."

"Nice try, smartass. What are you up to? Don't tell me 'nothing', either, because I know you better than that. You're never dressed this early on a day off, unless we have the kids. Just what are you planning?"

Draining his coffee, Elliot set the empty cup back down and pushed his chair back from the table so he could stand. Crossing the few feet it took to get to where Olivia stood, he took her hands in his own.

"Do you trust me, Liv?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course I trust you! But it doesn't explain -"

Silencing her with a kiss, Elliot waited until Olivia stopped arguing so he could answer.

"I want you to go in the bedroom and get dressed. Pick something comfortable, we're going to be on the road for awhile."

Sputtering, Olivia still tried to search for answers.

"What? How? That doesn't explain anything!"

"Patience, Liv. Everything will be revealed in time. It's a surprise. One I hope you're going to love."

Gnawing on her lower lip, Olivia looked skeptical.

"El, you know how I feel about surprises."

"Humor me."

Knowing instinctively that Elliot would never do anything that she would hate, Olivia ultimately nodded her agreement. Pivoting on her heel, she headed back toward the bedroom to get ready, just as she'd been instructed. Her mind was swarming with at least a dozen more questions, but she held her tongue, determined to give in to the moment and let him win this round.

In twenty minutes time, they were on their way, headed toward a location known only to Elliot. Prior to leaving home, he had joked to Olivia about the possibility of making her wear a blindfold so she wouldn't be able to see where they were going, thus keeping his surprise intact until they reached their destination. The comment had earned him a glare that made him rethink the entire plan, so instead he'd simply suggested they make a stop at a nearby drive through before heading out of the city. Neither of them had had any breakfast, not to mention the fact that Olivia never did get any coffee. That wasn't even counting the second cup that Elliot was now in desperate need of.

Two hours later, Elliot was still at the wheel, Olivia sound asleep in the passenger seat. She'd nodded off shortly after they'd left the city, as she hadn't been fully awake when they'd started. Now, as they were approaching the town of Saratoga Springs, the very same place they'd stopped as a halfway point the first time they'd made this trip, Elliot felt a growing sense of nostalgia to do it again. Taking the designated exit, he soon found himself driving through the somewhat familiar streets until he was stopped in front of the deli that had nourished them previously. Not wanting to wake Olivia just yet, he slipped quietly from the car and into the shop to place an order.

Once he had driven through the nearby park and found the perfect place to rest – not the same idyllic spot as before, only because Olivia would guess his intentions too soon - Elliot turned off the engine and reached across the console. Running his hand lightly down the side of Olivia's face, he called to her softly.

"Hey, sleeping beauty. Time to wake up."

Olivia's eyelids fluttered slightly as she gradually came back to consciousness, and she tried to stretch, only to realize her movements were somewhat limited by the confines of the front seat. It was then she remembered that earlier that morning she'd agreed to Elliot's mysterious road trip, even though she had no clue whatsoever where they were headed. Blinking sleepily at him, she ignored the dryness in her mouth and managed to form a question, hoping she wouldn't sound like one of his kids when they were little.

"Are we there already?"

With a smile, Elliot kissed her once before answering.

"Not yet. But, I needed a break to stretch my legs, and even though you've been out like a light this whole time, I imagined you were a little road weary yourself. Not to mention, we only ever had a donut this morning. We need to eat something more substantial."

Olivia was poised to argue, but then her stomach rumbled expectantly, as though the mere idea of food was the greatest suggestion ever. She glanced at Elliot, waiting for his input, and while he didn't say anything out loud, he had arched his eyebrow and given her a knowing smirk.

"Shut up, Elliot."

"I didn't say anything!"

"You didn't have to."

While Elliot went to stake out a picnic table under a tree, Olivia's eagle eye spotted a nearby restroom, and with a nod of her her head, she indicated that she was headed in the direction. There was an unspoken understanding between them that Elliot would finish setting up their food, and when she returned, he would take his turn. Once they were both settled on the wooden benches across from one another, Olivia took in the lunch Elliot had selected. It was simple fare, and she supposed just enough to keep their hunger satisfied the remaining distance they had to travel – however long that may be. Taking a bite of her sandwich, Olivia studied Elliot's face, looking for any outward signs of fatigue, even though she knew from experience that he'd been awake more hours than this on many occasions.

"If you're getting too tired, El, I could always drive for awhile. That is, if you'd ever bother to tell me where it is that we're going."

Swallowing the mouthful of food so he wouldn't have to talk around it, Elliot took a drink of his soda before answering.

"Nice try, Liv. I'm still not going to tell you. I want this to remain a secret for as long as possible."

Whether it was the hypnotic motion of the car, her full stomach, or a combination of both, Olivia nodded off for a second time shortly after they got back on the interstate. Though he missed her company, Elliot couldn't have been more pleased. He hoped the time would pass by quickly, and that by the time she woke from her second nap, Olivia would be taking in the scenic mountain views of the Adirondacks.

The miles between Saratoga Springs and Lake Placid seemed to fly by, with Olivia slumbering peacefully in the passenger seat for all of them. As Elliot took the exit that would lead them to the lodge, he remembered that he wanted to stop for a few supplies first. As soon as he saw it, he pulled into the parking lot of the Green Goddess Natural Market and turned off the engine.

After waging a brief internal battle, he decided it would be better to wake Olivia now than wait until they'd reached Whiteface Lodge. Yes, she would undoubtedly guess where they were and why, but he didn't want her to be groggy and disoriented upon walking into the resort. Truth be told, he probably should have woken her long before this point, but he'd never had the heart to disturb her sleep.

Before Elliot even had a chance, Olivia woke on her own. Her first reaction was to apologize for having nodded off again, even though she knew it wasn't necessary. The second was to hope they were either at or close to their ultimate destination, because her ass was really starting to hurt. As she her eyes swept the scene in front of her, taking in her surroundings, it didn't take long for realization to dawn. Elliot watched as her eyes widened in surprise before she turned to him with an open mouthed expression. Though it was apparent she had a lot to say, it was proving difficult for her to find the words.

"El, are you serious? Tell me you didn't – how could I not have known? How did you manage all this?"

"We've been working hard, Liv, and we deserved a break. Not to mention, I made a promise to you that I would bring you back here. So, what do you say? Are you ready to get this vacation started?"

After picking up a few essential items, the duo were back in the car and on the road again for the short trek from the store to the lodge. Any sense of grogginess had evaporated from Olivia's consciousness, and she was intent on taking in all the sights and sounds around her. Much like her first visit to this magical place last year, it seemed as though all of her senses had come alive, and she didn't want to miss a single moment.

Check in had been a smooth process, with Elliot taking care of all of the details personally. Normally, Olivia would have protested his taking charge like that, but she had a gut feeling that the man she loved had one or two more surprises up his sleeve, and she didn't want them spoiled too soon. Instead, she waited patiently until Elliot came to get her with their keys. She didn't have to wait long. Once he approached, he informed her that the staff would be bringing their bags to their suite, and held out his hand.

"Are you ready for vacation to officially begin, Liv?"

"I guess so. This all seems so surreal. Part of me still feels like I'm dreaming."

Pressing his lips to hers in a brief kiss, Elliot revealed his intentions.

"I assure you, this isn't a dream. But I do plan on spending the next few days making your every wish come true."

Raising an eyebrow, Olivia gave him a knowing grin.

"Is that a promise?"

"It is."

Placing her fingers in his, Olivia allowed Elliot to help her to her feet.

"Then I guess you'd better show me where it is we're staying. I wouldn't want you to start something you're not able to finish right here in the lobby."

Elliot swallowed the groan that threatened to escape. They had only just arrived, and already she was tempting him. Then again, he had to admit to himself that the only thing Olivia needed to do in order to awaken his desires for her was to breathe. Either way, the sooner they locked themselves away in their personal oasis, the better. He had a lot of plans for tonight, and they were just getting started.

Olivia had been equally surprised and impressed that Elliot had managed to secure the exact same suite from their first visit to Whiteface Lodge, and her emotions had even caused a few tears to spring to her eyes. Once they were safely behind the locked doors of their room, he had revealed to her part of his plans – that he had every intention of recreating the memories from last year, as well as making plenty of new ones. He'd even splurged a second time and scheduled them for a couple's massage later in the week.

Being back in this magical place was wonderful, and it was better than either remembered. As they walked through their home for the next few days, so many recollections came flooding back. Not just of their previous adventures on the mountain trails and in the beautiful scenery this landscape had to offer, but of the unique intimacy they had found here, and the many times they had made love. Olivia felt her body come alive as the memories of her and Elliot's shared baths in the jetted tub and heard her breath hitch. The sound was audible not only to her own ears, but Elliot's as well, and there was no point in hiding it. Casting a glance to her right, she looked into Elliot's eyes. They were now several shades darker than their usual blue, which told her he was thinking the same things that she was.

Once the bags had been delivered, and the staff dismissed with a hearty tip, Elliot wasted no time in displaying the "Do Not Disturb" sign. Then he quickly crossed the room with short strides to wrap his arms around Olivia and claim her lips in a searing kiss. With their mouths fused together, and hands tugging at the interfering layers of clothing that separated them, the pair blindly made their way to the bedroom. There would be plenty of time later for more adventurous lovemaking. For now, they both wanted the comfort that only a mattress could offer.

Much as it had before, the days passed all too quickly, even though Elliot and Olivia had made another lifetime worth of memories during their stay. They'd also spent every night – and some afternoons, too – making love. Both were reluctant to head back to the city the following morning, but the time away had done them both good.

Currently, they were resting after their latest round of lovemaking, their limbs lazily entwined as they lay beneath the plush quilt. Elliot's fingers skimming circles on the bare skin of Olivia's lower back, and he could feel her soft exhales of breath against his chest. His mind was racing. Olivia didn't know it, but he had extra special plans for this, their final night at the lodge. He wanted everything to be perfect.

Elliot waited until he knew for certain that Olivia had dozed off, then carefully eased out from beneath her. Slipping into a pair of sweats, he padded out to the main room of the suite to finalize the details for their evening.

After a few phone calls, everything was set in motion. Instead of going down to the lodge restaurant for dinner, they would have the more intimate setting of dining privately on the balcony of their suite. Olivia didn't know it, but Elliot had arranged for some special lighting, which had been taken care of this morning while they were visiting High Falls Gorge.

An hour later, as much as he didn't want to, Elliot knew it was time to wake Olivia. With each passing minute, his anxiety had increased tenfold. As happy as they were together, he wasn't sure how Olivia was going to react to tonight, but he hoped he would make her as happy as she'd made him every day.

Walking into the bedroom, Elliot stood and watched Olivia sleep for just a few moments, taking in just how peaceful and content she looked. Then, he reached out his hand and softly stroked the side of her face until her long lashes fluttered against her cheeks. When Olivia ultimately opened her eyes to look at him, her warm brown irises were full of love, and Elliot felt that emotion deep in his soul.

"You know how much I hate to wake you, but I have one final surprise for tonight. You'll want to get dressed and come out to the balcony if you want to see what it is."

As she gradually became more coherent, and the words registered, Olivia couldn't help but arch an eyebrow at the man gazing down at her. With a wry grin, she questioned him.

"Really, El? We're leaving tomorrow morning, and you're telling me you've still got tricks up your sleeve? I'm guessing that you've not only planned our entire night, but already have in mind what it is I should wear?"

"Guilty as charged, Liv. Not to worry, there is a method to my madness, I promise. As for planning out our entire night, I believe we can allow some things to happen in their own time."

Sitting up and swinging her legs to the side of the bed, Olivia laughed softly as the covers fell away, revealing her nude from. As she stood, she purposely brushed her breasts against Elliot's bare chest, taking notice of his sharp intake of breath.

"Someone's feeling confident. However, before I make any promises, I need to see what you've planned first, Stabler."

Because he couldn't resist the temptation, Elliot kissed the woman standing in front of him. He was careful not to get too carried away, the one reminder in the back of his mind that there would be time later to kiss her to his heart's content without any interruptions. For now, though, he had to get ready himself and make a call to room service.

"Your clothes are hanging in the bathroom. We're not on any sort of schedule, so take as long as you need. I'll be getting ready in the other room, so I don't distract you. I know you have trouble keeping your hands to yourself."

Laughing, Olivia bit back a rejoinder. Instead, she raised her lips to his for another kiss, then turned to head into the bathroom to see just what Elliot had picked out for her to wear. When she saw the familiar navy blue dress with the sweetheart neckline that she had worn on their first date, she was overcome with emotion. It was no secret it was one of Elliot's favorites, as the article of clothing held fond memories for them both, and any chance he was able to suggest she wear it, it was the first dress that came to mind. Still, it caused Olivia's mind to spin at just what else awaited her this evening.

When Olivia was ready, she called out to Elliot. As anxious as she was to know just what he had planned for them, she didn't want to inadvertently ruin a surprise before he was ready.

"It's okay, Liv. I'm on the balcony. You can come out."

More curious than ever, Olivia headed in the direction of his voice. As she set foot on the balcony, she glanced around and felt as though her breath had been taken away.

Soft, muted lights had been strung up around the perimeter of the small area, casting the space in a romantic glow. Music, which she hadn't noticed before wafted through the open window from the main room, enhancing the atmosphere even further. Next to the table, elegantly set for an intimate meal for two, was a bucket of ice holding a bottle of champagne.

Then there was Elliot. He was standing only a few feet away, dressed just as Olivia had envisioned he would be. In his hand he held a single, long stemmed rose. As she stepped closer, he gave her a smile that made her feel warm all over. Olivia had a very good idea of what was going to happen next, and her heart was pounding in her chest.

"Olivia, after our stay here last time, I thought nothing in my life could ever be better. I was proven wrong. Being able to recreate that with you this past week has been beyond my wildest dreams. Having you beside me throughout this past year has been one of the best things to ever happen to me. I never want that to change."

Reaching into his breast pocket, Elliot pulled out a small velvet box.

Lowering himself until he was down on one knee, he opened the clamshell enclosure to reveal a delicate but tasteful diamond solitaire ring. With tears sparkling in her eyes, Olivia nodded for him to continue.

"Technically, I know we've done some of this backwards. Injury related or not, you were living with me before we were even technically a couple. We have a real home together now, but I want even more."

Picking the ring up between two fingers, Elliot held it out in her direction.

"I have no intentions of rushing you into anything you aren't ready for, but the next time we come back to this beautiful place, I want it to be with you as my wife. Olivia Benson, will you marry me?"

The tears that had been threatening finally spilled over, a single drop of saline trailing down Olivia's cheek. As she nodded her assent, she struggled to find her voice.

"Yes. A thousand times, yes."

Before getting to his feet, Elliot slipped the ring onto her finger. Much like everything else in their relationship, it was a perfect fit. Sweeping Olivia up in his arms, he spun her around, kissing her passionately.

"I'm going to make you so happy, Olivia. I promise."

"You already do."

After taking a few minutes for reality to sink in, the newly engaged couple sat down to dinner before it could get too cold. Elliot poured them each a glass of champagne. While he dished out the food, Olivia couldn't help but glance at her left hand. It didn't feel any heavier with its new accessory, but her heart felt so much fuller. All she knew for certain was that this was forever. Now, Elliot would always be her longest relationship with a man, and she couldn't be happier. For better or worse, he would always be her partner for life.