Last chapter! Enjoy

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A few days later, Elliot was watching TV with the volume low while Olivia slept, resting and stressed after her first physio session. Her phone rang and Elliot reached for it before it would wake her up.

He glanced at the caller ID, recognizing the name of Noah's school, and answered it before the noise could wake her. "Hello?"

"Hi, this is Cheryl Banks with Lincoln Elementary School. I need to speak with Olivia Benson, please."

"She's asleep right now," Elliot responded quietly. "Is everything okay?"

There was a shuffling of paper. "Then can I speak with Elliot Stabler? This is urgent."

Mildly surprised that she'd listed him as Noah's next contact, Elliot brushed that aside and frowned in concern. "What's wrong? Is he sick?"

"I need someone to come pick up Noah. He was involved in an altercation with another student and he has been suspended."

"Is he hurt?"

"Other than a few minor scrapes, he is fine."

Relieved, Elliot quietly slipped off the bed. "I'll be there in a few minutes." He wrote a quick note for Olivia in case she were to wake up, and left her phone where she could easily reach it before he left the apartment.

He knew the way to Noah's school and arrived several minutes later. Once they buzzed him into the building, he located the office, where he found Noah waiting with his backpack. "Noah?"

Spotting Elliot, Noah ran into his arms. "Elliot!"

Elliot hugged him, checking him over for injuries and relieved when he didn't see any. "You okay?"

"I got into a fight with Ronnie," he explained tearfully, gripping Elliot's waist. "He… he said some mean stuff about Mom!"

At that, Elliot scowled, but he couldn't help feeling proud as he hugged Noah tighter. "Well... he sounds like a jerk."

"Mr. Stabler?" A tall blond woman approached them. "I'm Cheryl, the person who called you."

He nodded, looking up from Noah. "How long is Noah suspended?"

"For two days. We don't condone-"

"Yeah, yeah, you don't condone violence. I'll have his mom call tomorrow," Elliot said tersely as he helped Noah gather his things. Then he led the boy out of the office.

Noah quietly followed Elliot out to his car. Once he was buckled in, he lifted his chin defiantly. "I'm not sorry."

Elliot couldn't contain an amused smile. "I don't blame you."

"Do you think Mom's gonna be mad?"

Elliot thought that over for a moment. "Well, she's pretty tired today, so she might be worried, but I don't think she'll be that mad."

He nodded but his eyes grew teary. "Okay..."

Elliot glanced back in the mirror at him as he started the car. "Why don't we grab some lunch on the way home?" he suggested.

Noah sniffled and wiped at his eyes. "Yeah..."

"Anything you want," he urged.

That got the boy to smile. "Anything?"

"Yep. You name it."

"Can we go get pizza and ice cream?"

"You've got it." Elliot nodded and easily found a good pizza place, one he used to take his kids to when they were young. He parked and led the way inside. Noah picked the table and they sat down together. Elliot let him order the pizza he wanted and a soda.

After they ordered, Noah peered over at Elliot. "I never got in a fight before," he murmured.

"Both of my sons did," Elliot supplied, remembering well how secretly proud he'd been of them. "It's not always the best choice, but you also shouldn't let people think they can get by with picking on you."

"Mom says violence is not an answer," he replied, sipping his soda. "But I didn't start it. He did. He called my mom a cripple and that's a terrible word!"

Elliot frowned. "Sounds like he was trying to get under your skin. He should've minded his own business."

"That's what I said! But he wouldn't stop so I punched him in his stupid nose."

Barely holding back a smirk, Elliot nodded. "It's always better not to hit first. Trust me, having a bad temper can get you in trouble. But I get it. That kid shouldn't have said that to you. You were just standing up for yourself."

Relieved, Noah relaxed a little as their server brought them their pizzas. Comfortable quiet fell between them as they ate. After they finished eating and Noah helped himself to a serving of ice cream, they ordered a takeout order to take home to Olivia, and Elliot drove Noah back to the apartment, quietly letting him in.

Noah removed his shoes and put them away. "I'm gonna go read," he told Elliot before going to his room.

"Okay. I think your mom's still asleep, but she she should be awake soon. I'm gonna go check on her."

"Kay. I'll be quiet."

"Alright." Elliot gave his hair an affectionate tousle, then made his way to the bedroom to check on Olivia. She was just starting to wake up and stirred when his hand brushed against her cheek.

"El...?" she yawned.

"Hey," he greeted, leaning over to kiss her forehead. "How are you feeling?"

She gladly leaned into the little gesture. "Sore," she murmured groggily.

"Do you need me to get you anything?"

"No." She yawned and carefully sat up. "Is Noah home yet? He's going to be hungry."

Elliot hesitated briefly, but after a moment he nodded. "Yeah, he just got home. I need to talk to you about that."

"Why?" She urged him to sit down beside her. "Is he okay?"

Elliot sat down by her hip and rested his hand on top of hers. "The school called a little while ago. Noah got in a fight," he began, quickly continuing when her eyes widened. "He's not hurt, just a little upset."

"A fight?" Olivia echoed, stunned. "Noah… he's… that's not like him at all."

Elliot comfortingly rubbed her arm. "Some kid was giving him a hard time. Noah said he told the kid to stop, but he didn't."

"That's no reason to get into a fight..."

"They suspended him for two days. I didn't want to stay there arguing with the principal, so I just got him out of there."

"I'll call the school. That's ridiculous," she managed, shaking her head.

Elliot nodded. "He was pretty upset. I don't think the school did anything about the other kid since Noah hit him."

"Oh, I'll handle that." She huffed but let Elliot gently squeeze her arm.

"Alright. We brought you home some lunch if you're hungry."

She sighed and nodded. "Okay. Help me up?"

Elliot helped her up and into her wheelchair. Once she was settled, they went into the kitchen, where Elliot opened the takeout box and fixed her a plate.

"Is he in his room?" she asked.

He nodded. "Yeah. He's in there reading."

"Good."

"Do you need anything else?"

Olivia shook her head. "I'm fine right now."

"Alright."

"What did you say to Noah?"

"I took him out for lunch and ice cream," he admitted. "I told him fighting isn't always the answer, but not to let someone get by with being cruel."

She sighed softly. "I can't let him get away with everything..."

He nudged a chair closer to her and sat down. "I know I should've brought him home right away, but he was pretty upset when I picked him up. He'd calmed down by the time we got home."

"I'll talk to him later." She rested her hand on top of his and brushed her thumb against his. "All of this… I know it's hard on him."

Elliot nodded and laced his fingers with hers. "He's coped pretty well, though."

"Yeah..." she met his eyes and smiled softly. "Because of you."

"He's a good kid. I'm glad I've gotten to know him." He rested his hand on her back, pulling her a little closer to himself.

"So am I." She leaned over a bit and let him hold her for a while. "I know I haven't been the easiest to deal with lately..."

"Liv, you've been through a lot."

"I know, but it's not an excuse."

"How do you feel now?"

"I feel okay. Still sore from physio." She sighed. "I'm not sure I want to continue it."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm not going to regain use of my legs. I don't see much of a point in continuing. All they can do is show me how to get in and out of my chair, and I can do that at home."

He smoothed his hand over her hair. "If that's what you want." He moved his hands to her shoulders and started rubbing.

She sighed and leaned into him, closing her eyes. "I just want to walk again," she whispered.

"I know..." Guilt tugged at his features as he reminded himself that she'd taken bullets meant for him. "I love you."

The words made her relax. "I love you too, El."

"Do you want to go to the couch? You'll be more comfortable."

"If you'll stay with me." Her hand tightened on his.

"I will," he assured her. They made their way to the living room and he helped her onto the couch. Once they were both settled, he placed his hands on her shoulders and resumed massaging.

Olivia sighed and melted into his hands, letting him relax her. "That's so good..."

He continued the massage, gently digging his fingers into her sore shoulders and upper back. After a while, he leaned back, pulling her close. "Did that help?"

"Mm hmm." She nearly purred as she melted into his arms. "Thanks..."

Elliot leaned his head against hers, making both of them comfortable. "Are you tired?"

"No, I'm fine." She focused on his hands moving slowly over her back. "God, this feels good."

"Good..." He continued the gentle motions.

After a while, she sighed and met his eyes. "El… I was thinking..."

"About what?"

Her fingers began stroking his arm. "We haven't really talked about it… but what if you move in permanently?"

Elliot nodded, his hand still rubbing soothing circles on her back. "I'd like that."

She relaxed into him. "The spare room.. .we could set it up for Eli."

That suggestion made him smile. "That's a good idea. Noah even asked me the other day if I'd be staying here."

She squeezed his hand tightly. "It's not just me... and I think about this all the time. You'll be a big part of his life."

"I want that," he agreed, meaning every word of it. In the weeks since he had all but moved in, he'd grown to enjoy the time he spent with Noah, even if he would always regret not being there to see Olivia become a mother.

"Please be sure," she whispered, squeezing his fingers.

"I'm sure," he promised.

The moment was interrupted when Noah came into the room. He saw his mom and grinned. "Hi, Mom."

Olivia sat up and held her arms out. "Come here, Noah."

Noah approached her, leaning into her and returning her hug. "Are you mad about my fight?" he murmured.

"I'm disappointed," she clarified, hugging her son.

"Oh..." He laid his head on her shoulder.

"Mm hmm. But Elliot told me he spoke to you."

He nodded against her. "Yeah."

"Then I trust what he told you." She rubbed his back. "But I don't want you to fight again."

"Okay..." Noah nodded again. "I just wish Ronnie got in trouble, too. But I promise I won't fight again."

"I'm going to talk to your school about that," she assured him quickly. "I promise."

"Okay. I love you."

"I love you too, baby." She glanced at Elliot and smiled. "And I want to talk to you about something."

"What is it?"

"How would you feel about Elliot living with us?"

Noah's eyes widened. "Forever?"

"Yes, forever. And Eli." Her smile widened as she looked back to Elliot.

"It's just like we talked about the other night." Elliot grinned when Noah threw his arms around him. He gladly returned the hug. Olivia watched them, tearing up a bit as she patted Noah's back.

They released and Elliot draped his arm around her again. "I can start moving the rest of my stuff in this week."

"I can help!" Noah said enthusiastically.

"That would be great," Elliot agreed.

The boy beamed and hugged Elliot again before getting down from the couch and rushing to his room.

Olivia chuckled and leaned into Elliot again. "I think you made him very happy."

"He's not the only one." Pleased, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. She sighed and melted into the kiss, closing her eyes contentedly.

For the first time in weeks, she felt that everything would be okay.

That Christmas, their apartment was packed with their family and friends. All of Elliot's children were there, as well as Fin, Rollins, and Carisi. Rollins' daughters were playing with Noah while Carisi and Fin argued playfully in the kitchen.

Maureen came to her dad and kissed his cheek, carrying a gift bag in her hand. "Hi, Daddy. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," Elliot greeted, hugging his oldest.

"I have presents for Noah, but this one is for you and Liv." Her eyes sparkled as she said that.

"Thank you. I'll find Liv and we can open it."

She nodded eagerly and stepped back so he could go find Olivia.

He found her in the kitchen with Fin and Carisi. When she smiled at him, he leaned over and greeted her with a quick kiss.

She smiled into the kiss and stroked his cheek. "Hi."

"Hi." After a few seconds, he pulled back and squeezed her hand tightly. "Everyone's here now. Maureen has a present that she wants us to open together."

"Oh?" She grabbed the wheels of her chair. "Let's go see what it is."

Elliot released her hand, and together they went back to where Maureen was waiting.

Maureen smiled and waited for them to get settled on the couch. Then she handed the package to her dad. "Open it."

Chuckling, Elliot opened the gift bag, digging through the tissue paper.

Eventually he pulled out two matching ball caps and Maureen beamed. "You and Liv used to wear those. I found them in one of your boxes."

Elliot immediately recognized them as the caps they'd worn over twenty years ago and he handed one to Olivia, then turned the other over to look at the front.

Across the front was embroidered, #1 grandparent. His smile widened and he grinned goofily at his oldest daughter. "Maureen..."

Olivia took one of the ball caps, her eyes filling with tears. "Oh..."

Maureen placed a hand on her belly. "Eighteen weeks," she murmured, giving her dad a soft smile.

He set the cap down and hugged her, still grinning. "Wow..."

She returned the hug and buried her face in his neck. "I wish Mom was here," she whispered. "But... I think she would want me to include Liv."

He nodded, his expression softening. "She would."

Nodding, she let him go and sat down beside Olivia. Their eyes met and both women let out teary laughs.

Maureen smiled. "I'm really glad you'll be a part of my baby's life."

"Of course, sweetheart." She held her arms out and hugged Maureen tightly.

Maureen returned the hug, and the three of them talked for a while before Maureen got up to talk to her siblings. Still grinning, Elliot scooted closer to Olivia. "That was a nice surprise."

"It really was," she murmured, cradling the ball cap.

He pulled her close, lightly brushing his lips against hers. She gladly sank into the kiss, but they were startled apart when Carisi yelled in the kitchen.

"You mean it, Amanda? I'm gonna be a..."

Rollins nodded cautiously, yelping when Carisi scooped her up and spun her around. "Sonny!"

Elliot chuckled, his hand still cupping Olivia's cheek. "Guess we're not the only ones who got a surprise."

"I guess not," Olivia laughed, smiling at her husband. "I love you, El."

"I love you, too." His hand found hers and he squeezed. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." They kissed again, only stopping when a crash and the sound of children laughing came from Noah's room.

Olivia rested her head against Elliot's shoulder, laughing at the gleeful chaos.

She finally had her family.

Hope everyone enjoyed this! We might have a little mini sequel in the works if I can ever get it out of my drafts. Stay tuned, and as always, reviews are appreciated!