The warm sun shines brightly outside on the chilly, fall day. Elliot is helping to set steaming plates of eggs, bacon, and pancakes on the table his children are cheerfully gathered around chatting at. His mother walks out of the kitchen and joins them.
"We're so happy you're home, dad," Kathleen gushes.
Elliot smiles, but before he can respond he hears a soft knock at the door.
"I'll get it," Maureen yells. She jumps out of her seat and runs to the door. Elliot heads back to the kitchen to grab a pitcher of orange juice.
Olivia is standing outside, dressed in a warm coat and scarf.
"Liv," she announces, shocked. She was clearly expecting someone else.
Elliot lays the juice down on the table and goes over to greet her.
"Hey," she smiles. "I heard you were back in town." A hint of a smile touches her eyes.
Elliot blushes, looking back at his kids. "Guys, I'll be right back. Go ahead and start without me." He turns back to her. "Let's step outside." They walk out and he gently closes the door behind him. "How'd you know I was back?"
"Oh, a little birdie let me in on the secret. I wish I'd heard it from you," she says accusingly. She looked down at her hands awkwardly.
"I was gonna tell you. I just got back last night," he admitted.
She took a closer look at his face and put her hands up to his cheeks. "You shaved. You look so much better and happier." She smiled at his relaxed stance.
"Yeah, the beard belonged to Eddie. Elliot prefers to keep a clean shave," he admitted, smiling. "It's nice to be back." His smile widens at her realization.
"Wait, so does this mean you're home….for good?" Her face was beaming with joy but she was afraid to get her hopes up. She clearly failed at hiding her excitement, though.
"I'm home, baby," he announced.
Olivia threw her arms around him and gave him the biggest hug as he took in the fragrance of her hair. "You don't know how happy this makes me."
As she pulled away he took her hands in his. "Now that I'm home, do you think we can pick up where we left off? I mean, I'm tired of playing games, Liv. I love you. I need you in my life."
Olivia stood in front of him with a shocked look on her face. If the chill in the air hadn't made her shiver, she could've sworn she was dreaming.
"Please say something, Olivia." He couldn't stand not knowing what was going through her brain.
"Yes," she choked out. "I'd like that a lot, El," she agreed. "It's been so hard without you. Are you sure that you're ready, though? I mean with everything with Kathy…" she trailed off, worried he'd change his mind when he came to his senses.
"Liv, it's always been you. I mean don't get me wrong, I loved Kathy, but the moment I met you, I knew you were my soulmate," he assured her. "I mean it. I love you."
She leans in to kiss him softly on the lips. "I love you too, Elliot Stabler."
They kiss passionately for a few minutes before Elliot realizes she's still shivering. "Come in and join us for breakfast," he says as he takes her hand and heads towards the door.
"Hey, before we go in, I wanted to tell you…welcome home," she smiles and grips his hand lovingly.