Before long it was the week of summer break. Liv had managed to take the whole summer off and they would be spending the summer at Grandma Bea's. She had given Noah and Eli the choice of either splitting time between the beach house and Manhattan or staying at Bea's. Both Noah and Eli were active in their extra curricular so she left the decision with them. Both boys wanted to be at the beach all summer long. Noah and Eli both had chosen a week long camp they wanted to participate in during the summer. Noah would be attending a dance camp and Eli would be attending a soccer camp. Elliot was able to take a a three weeks off which he had decided to take in increments throughout the summer and come to the beach house on weekends. Liv would be on call if required. They all knew that she would more than likely be doing a lot of paperwork when everyone was asleep. The rest of the Stabler kids were going to dribble in and out throughout the summer.

Elliot and Liv were in a better place than where they were after the ring incident, however the ring had not yet made its way back to her finger.

They had however decided to look for a place to move into together to accommodate both growing boys as they spent most of their time at Liv's. It felt homier to both Stabler's than their own apartment. Elliot had long since given up his lease and moved what little furniture he had is storage. Liv noted that Eli was an extremely good sport for not minding the room sharing with Noah so she made it her mission to find their new home during the summer.

"Hi Baby, I'm going to be late tonight." Elliot said tiredly as Olivia answered,

"That's okay. You guys are in the middle of a huge case right now."

"I don't know if I can make it to the beach house this weekend."

"Elliot, we have all summer. It's okay." She said understanding,

"I know but I wanted to be there with you guys. Especially on the first weekend. I don't want this to set the tone of our summer."

"You're overthinking El. Just do what you can."

"I miss you," he said softly. They had been ships passing in the last couple of weeks due to both their workloads.

"I miss you too. Look, if you can't make it to the beach house this weekend, I can come back to the city for a night or two to be with you. Leen will be with us during the first week anyway."

"I would really like that Liv."

"Of course. You should get back to work so you can get done quicker. I am just about to head home now. The boys want to cook dinner tonight and I'm taking them shopping for supplies."

"What are they cooking?" He asked,

"Tacos of course," Elliot laughed,

"Sounds about right."

Olivia drove the boys to the mall to pick up a few things for summer before picking up ingredients. Both Noah and Eli required new summer clothes, whilst Noah was happy with whatever she picked out, she knew it would be different for a teenage boy. By the time Elliot had come home dinner had been had and the boys were both asleep. Elliot found Olivia in the living room surrounded by their afternoon of shopping.

"Both Eli and Noah have outgrown their summer clothes," she answered his unasked question as he kissed her hello.

"You keep feeding them, they keep growing." He teased making her chuckle,

"Thank you for taking Eli. He hates shopping with me."

"That's because you hate shopping."

"I really do."

"I am well aware. I picked you up a couple of things too. Your board shorts are a little worse for wear. I am sure you've had them since we were partners," she commented with an eye roll.

"And you would again be correct. Thank you."

"We have dinner in the oven for you in case you didn't get a change to eat."

"Thank you, I am a little hungry."

"Go, take a shower. I'll get your dinner ready."

"I can do it Liv, you've been working all day and still shopped with the boys."

"I'm officially done with work. It's okay. If we're not going to be together this weekend, let me look after you. Go, shower. I'm going to put these in the wash so the boys can pack it in their bags tomorrow before we leave. We can hang while you eat." Elliot placed his hand on her neck as he sat beside her on the couch with his body turned to her, his head resting on the back of the couch. Olivia leaned towards him and kissed him, immediately Elliot drew her into his arms and deepened their kiss.

"How about we throw these clothes in the wash and you shower with me?" Olivia tilted her head to the side,

"I thought you were exhausted,"

"Never too exhausted for that. I could be on my death bed and if spending any time with you was on offer, I would get up."

"Good to know." She replied smiling pressing her lips to his cheek.

"Head on up, I'll be right behind you." Elliot kissed her once more before nodding and doing as he was told.

After their shower and multiple rounds of love making Elliot's stomach growled angrily making them both laugh.

"Come on Stabler, let me feed you. The washing should be finished and ready to go into the dryer anyway." Reluctantly he released her from his arms and watched as she put her clothes on,

"What? Why do you look at me like you've never seen me naked, like you're in awe or something?" She asked amused,

"Because I am in awe daily that you are here with me, like this. That I get to love you." He answered truthfully. Olivia rolled her eyes,

"You're getting soft Stabler,"

"Funny, that's not what you said earlier."

"You're disgusting," she said laughing as she headed out the door, he followed closely wrapping his arms around her and together they walked to the laundry room.

Elliot told Olivia about their case as he ate. She listened and provided insight. He enjoyed talking through cases with her because she always provided great perspective. There was also a part of him that missed working cases with her. She felt exactly the same.

"You should invite the team to 4th of July this year. It will be good for Bell's wife to interact with your team as her wife is with you more than her. I mean we've had them over regularly but I think it might be good if she got to know the rest of your team."

"That's a good idea. I'll run it past Ayanna. Is Rafa coming for the 4th?" He asked,

"He's going to try. He has a high profile case at the moment and he's not sure he can get away."

"Is he still seeing Anna?" He asked,

"Yes. He really likes her. I did mention he should bring her when he finally makes it for the summer. She seems lovely, we have spoken over FaceTime."

"Does she pass the BFF test?"

"As long as he's happy I'm happy. If she loves him for who he is, brings out the best in him she has my vote. I'm not that hard to win over. Rafa's the brother I have always wanted Simon to be. From the moment we met he pushed me to be the best version of myself and did not accept anything less. He was fiercely protective but had so much grace about how I navigated my life whether he agreed with it or not. He always just stood by me. Held my hand. Cheered me on. He deserves all the happiness the world has to offer." Elliott placed a hand on her cheek,

"You've always been that friend, especially to me."

"And you were that it mine, well except you kept wanting to beat up anyone I was dating." She pointed out grinning.

"Well that probably should have been our first clue."

Olivia woke the boys early the next morning so they could have breakfast with Elliot knowing that if he wasn't coming for the weekend, it would be another week before they got to see him depending on his caseload. Elliot enjoyed his time with the boys before he had to leave to go back to work. He hugged them goodbye before sending them off to clean the kitchen, taking Liv's hand in his before grabbing his gear. Olivia picked up her house keys and told the boys she was going to walk Elliot out.

"Let me know when you're leaving," Olivia nodded,

"And we will let you know as soon as we arrive. It's not that long of a drive El, we'll be okay."

"I know, I just don't like the idea of you guys going alone,"

"El, even if you were coming this weekend you would have had to come later and in your own car anyway," she reasoned wrapping her arms around his neck as he leaned against his car. Elliot hugged her closely to him burying his face into her shoulder as she drew circles on the back of his head with her fingers.

"I'll see you in a few days Baby," she murmured soothingly in his ear,

"I love you,"

"I know El. I love you too. Stay safe. I'll call you when we're leaving." Olivia assured him before opening the door and gently pushing him in knowing he would stall for as long as he could.

Elliot had insisted on packing up the car to save Liv from doing it before he left for work so all that was left was the boys personal back packs when it was time to go. Olivia knew that Elliot had given the boys strict instructions to unpack the car for her upon arriving at Grandma Bea's. Chivalry was alive and well in Stabler and she appreciated that.

As predicted, Elliot was working throughout the weekend their case was not looking to close any time soon. Olivia could hear the exhaustion in his voice each time they spoke and felt for him. By Wednesday of the following week he was desperate to see his family. He knew the boys were having a blast and Liv was finally relaxing. He just wanted to be with them.

"Leen, are you okay to hang with the boys tonight and tomorrow?" Olivia asked as they sat side by side on the deck watching the boys boogie board,

"Sure, you heading back to the city for work?"

"No, I thought I would check in on your Dad. He's sounding a little worse for wear. He's exhausted and he misses being with you guys here."

"And you," Kathleen added making her chuckle,

"And me. I figure I might go in and see him. He's not sure if he can come home this weekend either if they don't catch a breath soon and I just wanted to check in on him. I might also look at a couple of properties before heading back. Eli needs his own room."

"Of course Liv, I'll hang with the boys. You should definitely go. You know how he gets when he's away from you for too long. Totally take your time." Olivia laughed placing a hand over Kathleen's before getting up.

Olivia waited for peak hour to pass before driving back to the city. She knew that Elliot was barely going home, if at all and opted to stay on the couch in his office rather than going back to their empty apartment. She also knew that he was sending Bell home to be with her young family. It was just about 7 when she walked into the OC warehouse office carrying dinner knowing they were all working around the clock. After being back in each other's lives for almost two years Olivia was no stranger to the office or his team whom she doted on like her own. Especially Jet,

"Thanks Mama Bear," Jet said gratefully as Olivia placed an incredibly large take out coffee from her favourite coffee place as she placed the bags filled with food on their communal table.

"Old man in?" She asked returning Jet's hug. Jet nodded.

"Never leaves. Want us to wait?"

"No, I might take his food with me and drag him to the roof." Jet nodded tiredly grabbing the takeaway box with her name on it before heading back to her desk.

"Hey handsome," she said leaning against his office door watching him pore through files. Elliot looked up surprised. Whilst they had discussed her coming, they never settled on the day. He booked into a grin and was on is feet immediately.

"Hi Baby," she greeted as he drew her into his arms.

"Hi Sweetheart, I'm so happy to see you."

"Baby, when was the last time you went home?" She asked running the back of her hand against his stubbled cheek,

"Not since you guys left,"

"El, that was a week ago." Elliot shrugged,

"You're going home tonight." She said not giving him a choice, he nodded.

"I brought you dinner, let's go eat up on the roof. Get you some fresh air. Is Ayanna here?"

"She's coming back in a couple of hours. I sent her home to see her wife and kid."

Elliot and Olivia spent an hour up on the roof eating and catching up. She was telling him about the boys and what they have been doing with their time since they had been at the beach house. He loved hearing that they were enjoying themselves and looked forward to joining them. By the time they returned Ayanna was back. Olivia caught up with Ayanna for a few minutes before leaving Elliot to brief her on what she missed whilst she was gone.

"Go home Stabler. I don't want to see you here until tomorrow."

"Sarge," he began to protest.

"I'll be here. You haven't been home for a week. Liv came home for you. Go home, be with her." Elliot looked over to where Liv was sitting at Jet's desk,

"Thanks."

"You should really ask her to marry you already. What are you waiting for?" Bell teased as she saw his longing gaze at her.

"Ah, yeah." He said rubbing his face with his hands.

"That woman deserves to be swept off her feet in a grand gesture proposal Stabler. She's one in a million."

"Yes she is," he agreed.

"Thanks Sarge. I'm going to head home now. Call me if you need me to come in, but if it's okay with you I am going to head off."

"Go, don't come back until lunch time." Elliot grabbed his bag and coat.

"Liv, you good to go?" He asked as she looked up and nodded. She placed a hand on Jet's shoulder and dropped a kiss on her head as she stood to her feet.

"You should try sleeping an hour or two kid." Jet looked adoringly up at Olivia,

"Yes Mama Bear."

Elliot draped an arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple and they bid everyone goodnight. He appreciated how she loved on his team. Knowing that outside their own family, they were his family too. Whilst he knew she understood that from her own experience, it was also an innate characteristic of hers. She was a nurturer. He knew that Jet looked up to her. That she thrived in her maternal touch having lost her mother at such a young age.

As they lay in bed that night Elliot showed him the places she found that would work for their family.

"This one is between our offices, it's a secure building, four bedrooms. The boys can have a room each and the spare room can be our office and guest room for the other kids when they stay over."

"Looks good. I have the morning off so I can go with you."

"Great,"

"Can I take you out for breakfast?" He asked nuzzling her neck,

"That would be nice."

Olivia headed back to the beach the following afternoon. She and Elliot were able to look at a couple of places and really liked one of them, enough to put an offer in. They caught a break just as she was driving him back to his office.

"Call me when you get there okay?" She nodded as he kissed her goodbye.

"I will. Good luck with the lead. Be safe."

"Love you,"

"I love you too Elliot."

As he walked back into the OC office he called Kathleen to run a couple of thoughts her way, who enthusiastically agreed with the ideas he was sharing. It didn't take long for Olivia to get back to the beach house and found Liz had joined the party.

"Hi Liz," Olivia greeted happily,

"Liv," Liz said standing to her feet to greet Olivia with a hug,

"When did you get in?"

"Late last night. I was going to wait until morning but changed my mind and wanted to wake up here."

"Well we're so happy to see you. Your Dad caught a lead so hopefully he can come home for the weekend to see you guys."

"He's going through some serious FOMO," Kathleen pointed out.

"He is. He misses you all. He hates that you're all here and he's not. Where are the boys?" She asked. Kathleen pointed to the ocean,

"Where else?"

"Those two are going to be so dark by the time summer ends." Olivia stated, dialling Elliot's number and passing her phone to Liz,

"I'm going to go in and change. Surprise your Dad,"

"Hi Baby, you home?"

"I am but I assume I'm not the Baby you were referring to just now," Olivia laughed as she heard Liz's response.

"Hey Liz, you're there too?"

"Yeah Dad, what are the chances we'll be seeing you this weekend?"

"Pretty good, the case just broke so we're going to finish all the paperwork and I will head right on over there."

"It'll be good to see you Daddy,"

"You too Sweets. Liv around?"

"She's gone to get changed, I'll tell her to call you when she's back."

"Great thanks honey. Hey Leen, I'll see you both tomorrow. I might not get out of here until late so don't wait up."

"Hey Dad, be safe." Leen called out,

"I will. Love you both."

Liv went straight into the ocean as soon as she came out to say hi to the boys and was immediately roped into boogie boarding with them. The three of them had made a pact that they would take surfing lessons together and Olivia had already organised for an instructor teach them in the coming days. She was exhausted by the time she joined the girls back on the deck whilst the boys went in to get some snacks.

"Those two are going to eat you out of your home Liv, they never stop eating." Kathleen pointed out,

"They're both growing like weeds. With all of the energy they burn i'd rather they eat than be picky eaters."

"I feel like they're both a feet taller than the last time I saw them and that wasn't that long ago."

"Well Eli already towers over me and Noah is catching up. I'd really like for both of them to stop growing."

"Liv, thanks for taking care of Eli, and for making sure he has all he needs." Kathleen said solemnly.

"You never have to thank me for that. Eli, all of you kids, you know I would do anything for you guys. That's never wavered. Whether or not your Dad and I ended up here, I wouldn't do anything differently when it comes to you guys." Liz placed a hand over Liv's,

"That means more to us than you think it does. We love and care about you more than you give yourself the opportunity to believe. I know we didn't show you that very well when we were younger, but Liv you gotta know we love you. We've always loved you." Olivia's eyes filled with tears,

"And I love you guys, very much." She replied squeezing Liz's hand in hers whilst taking Leen's with her other.

"Mom, can we bake brownies?" Noah asked as he came out munching on an apple to join them.

"Sure Baby. What did you guys feel like for dinner?" She asked as Noah came to sit with her on her chair.

"Liv, can we do the Eggplant Parmigiana tonight?" Eli suggested,

"Sure kiddo,"

Elliot had finished up earlier than he had anticipated. He knew in part it was because Ayanna wanted him home with his family. He had covered her to be with her wife and kid because his were away, and she wanted him to be able to see his kids. She knew that his older kids had joined Olivia and the boys at their beach house. He had walked in on all the noise of 4, including Noah of his kids bickering and laughing as they helped Olivia put dinner together.

"Daddy," Kathleen exclaimed jumping off the stool to hug him hello, immediately followed by Liz, Eli and Noah.

"You're home early?" Olivia observed with a smile,

"Yeah Bell literally shoved me in my car the moment we got the confession. Hi Baby," he replied dropping a kiss on her cheek.

"Welcome home, we have another half hour before dinner is ready so if you wanted to freshen up and get out of your work gear you have time." She said running her hand from his shoulder to his lower back.

"I might take you up on that," Olivia nodded,

"The rest of you, lightening round of Spot it." She suggested as they all agreed. Elliot watched them unable to wipe the grin on his face. He was home. Here is where he always wanted to be, wherever they were.