Two years later…

It was one of those lazy, deliciously perfect Sunday mornings in the summer. She had nowhere to be, no alarm clock to wake her, no responsibilities to worry about today. She was awake but hadn't opened her eyes yet. She had woken up to the sweet smell of the salt air waving off the ocean. The windows were all open, letting in the cool breeze. She shivered slightly because she was only covered in a thin white sheet. Last night of course she'd been hot, very hot, the room had been practically sizzling as her husband made love to her repeatedly just as he had promised.

She hummed low in her throat, letting her hand slide down her body over the sheet. Husband. That was a new one. But damn she loved it. Still, with her eyes closed, her thumb reached under her palm and toyed with the two rings on her ring finger. The engagement ring had barely been there a month before Elliot had whisked her away to a small little wedding ceremony with just their kids, her friends from SVU, Don, John as well as Bell and Jet. It had been intimate, right on the beach, specifically under the boardwalk where he'd kissed her for the first time, where he'd made love to her. If anyone suspected that, they didn't mention it and she was glad for it.

She'd been shocked, and a little afraid, but when he looked at her with those deep blue eyes of his, kissed her palm and promised he'd wait if she needed him too, she knew she didn't want to wait anymore. Elliot would have proposed the first day they started all of this, he'd practically begged her to marry her at least once a week afterward. But she had brushed it aside, not because she didn't love him, but because she wanted to respect their kids and the memory of his late wife. Even if what he had told her was true that first night, and she believed it was, she felt they needed to wait. And so he had…

But when they took their families to LBI again for July 4th, and he took her hand, snuck them away during the fireworks, and dropped down to one knee on the beach, the hope in his eyes was infectious. The love, the admiration he showed her, she couldn't say no. Not anymore. And so she'd said yes. And now, barely a month later, she lay beside him in the large canopy bed in the little cottage he had rented for them as a makeshift honeymoon until he could take her somewhere else. Not that she needed it, but he had insisted, somewhere romantic, fancy, somewhere away from all of this.

Little did he know, this right here was absolutely perfect. It was all she needed. All she ever needed.

With a soft sigh, she felt him shift beside her. His hand suddenly rested on her thigh under the sheet, rubbing gentle circles against her smooth skin. Biting softly on her lip, she knows the moment she opens her eyes she's going to fall even more in love with him. Damn this man…not just any man. Her man. Her husband. Dear God, Olivia Benson had a husband. And that man was Elliot Stabler…who would have thunk it!

Slowly, her eyes flutter open and she takes in the sight of him. He was sitting up in bed, his back against the large headboard. He didn't turn to look at her, but he had a little smile on his face as he held the little mug of coffee in his other hand. The New York Times was draped across his lap as he read the latest headlines. In this free moment, she takes him all in. The muscles, and lines of his chiseled body. He started growing the beard again about two weeks before he whisked her away for the wedding. She should have known there was a reason…

Between the beard, the glasses perched on his nose, and his hands continuing to caress her she feels like she's in heaven. And maybe…she is. Another little sigh escapes her lips, one that showed how content she was and the corner of his lips slowly turn up even more. "Morning…"

The way he says it sends another shiver down her spine. He's clearly been awake for a while, but he hadn't said a word yet, not wanting to disturb her. So his voice was laced with sleep, deep, husky, so sensual. Turning slowly, her legs rubbed together, trapping his hand between her thighs and he laughed. A little giggle escaped her lips, her nose scrunched up and she reached out to rest her hand on his forearm, "Morning."

Looking at her out of the corner of his eye, he asks, "Sleep well?"

She nods slowly, her fingers dancing along the tattoo on his arm, "Slept great. Better than I have…maybe ever."

"Good." He turns back to his paper, takes the last sip of his coffee, and places it down beside him, "Glad to hear it."

At first, she was surprised that he didn't put the paper away, slide further down into the bed and pull her up against him. And then…she realizes what his game is. And who is she to stop him? His large hand wiggled between her thighs despite the fact that she had practically locked his hand in place. Still, with his eyes on the paper in his lap, he inched closer to where she wanted and needed him most. After a few moments of this deliciously gentle teasing, her hips slide backward, resting her back on the mattress again. She can see the little smirk growing on his face, and she lets her legs fall open again, yawning, holding his arms up, and feigning innocence.

A little throaty laugh escaped his lips again but he has no plan of stopping. How could he? Her skin is warm, soft, and inviting. And after years, decades of dreaming about what it would be like to touch her this way, he finally can. She was his, fully his. In fact, she was his wife, his partner, his absolute everything. She always had been, but the rings on their fingers made it that much more permanent not to mention, that now the world knew he had righted all his wrongs.

He was just about to ask if she was enjoying herself when a throaty little moan escaped her lips and he gets his answer. His fingers are now rubbing her already wet pussy, slowly, sensually, sliding up and down the length of her, his thumb rolling around her clit with each upward motion. Her hand fell to his arm again, holding him in place when he hears her sigh again and he knows he's on the right track. "What did you want to do today?"

The casualness of his question makes her laugh as he continues to make love to her with his fingers, "What?"

Still, his eyes stayed on the paper, his hands moving a bit faster, making her back arch up off the mattress, "I asked what you wanted to do today?"

Her mouth fell open and she gasped, her cheeks flushing as his thumb pressed a little harder against the sensitive little nub between her legs, "Um…wh-whatever you want."

"Oh come on now." She watches him lick his forefinger, turning the page on the paper as he keeps going with his other movements, "Must be something you want to do."

The moment his index finger slipped inside of her, all coherent thought leaves her body, "Oh shit…"

Damn him for laughing again, but at the moment she is too happy to fight him on it. "Not sure what that means…"

Her body starts to move, rolling side to side as he works her up into a frenzy, "Personally…I'm quite happy with staying in this bed all day with my husband."

"Hmm…" The noise that he makes sends another jolt of electricity through her body and she starts panting now, urging him on, "Husband huh? Since when did you become a married woman Captain Benson?"

Laughing slightly, she lifts her left leg, planting her foot on the mattress. "Last night."

"Oh. So it's a new thing…" Elliot whispered, eyes still pretending to read the paper, "How do you feel the morning after?"

Olivia laughed and watched him through heavy eyelids, happier than she had ever felt in her life, "I feel like…the luckiest woman in the world."

He smiles so wide now that she can see those dimples on his face, "That's good to hear."

Turning her head, she pressed an open-mouth kiss to his forearm, her teeth grazing the smooth skin there, "Elliot…"

The way her voice cracks lets him know she's right there, right where he wants her. And it's time to put the paper aside. Clearing his throat, he tosses it to the ground, not caring what happens to it, it was an old issue anyway. He had more important things to worry about at the moment, like making sure his gorgeous wife gets off, preferably with his face between her legs. Taking his glasses off, he places them on the table beside them and asks "Yes, dear?"

She laughs again and wiggles her hips, so close to that sweet oblivion that only he could bring, "Please…"

Leaning to the side, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips and whispered, "No need to beg for it, babe."

He's never told her this, it's something he likes to keep to himself. But these moments, early in the morning, when her hair is wild, her cheeks flushed from sleep and arousal, her eyes still dark, a bit dilated, adjusting to the early morning light, no makeup, no clothes on, it's his favorite time of day. It is when she is most beautiful to him because it's just the two of them. This is the version of her that only he gets to see and he feels so fucking thankful for that, for the fact that she gave him a second chance. And as far as he is concerned, he'll make sure he gets a million more of these moments until he takes his last breath. In fact, if he could come up with the perfect way to die, it would be here in bed, in her arms, looking at her like this. He'll have to mention it to God next time he prays…

His fingers teased her a bit more and she was so sure she was going to get off. But in typical Elliot fashion, he has other plans. She pouts when he pulls his hand away and is about to protest when she realizes what his plan is and another jolt of desire and excitement rushes through her. He won't leave her hanging, he'll get her there, he always does. And as his body slithers down the bed, she recalls that moment two years ago under the boardwalk when they'd been bickering and she'd let the words escape her lips…

"First time I saw it I wondered what it would feel like between my legs…"

He can't always keep the facial hair for work, but whenever he can he grows it out or leaves a little stubble because he knows it drives her crazy. Everything about him drives her crazy, but this little kink of hers is something special and he's more than happy to oblige. Because quite frankly, there is nothing like feeling this woman come undone against his mouth, the sweet taste of her filling his mouth as she cries out for him, giving herself to him fully. As he licked his way down her body, lowering the sheet along with his hands, he knows he'll spend the rest of his life doing anything and everything to make her happy.

Above him, Olivia watches on in amazement, still not used to the fact that this man, the one she loved for so long is here in her bed, his face between her legs. And yet, it's true. He's here. They're married and life is damn good. She wants to close her eyes to slip away into this amazing moment, but he is still looking at her and she takes it as a challenge. The roughness of his beard scrapes along her skin and she trembles, lifting her hand she bites down on her lip, "El…"

Another throaty little laugh escapes his lips and he licks across her thigh, "I got you Liv. I got you."

And again she remembers that night under the boardwalk when he'd said the same thing as she fell apart. But she'd asked, questioned, how long would he be here? When would he leave her again? And that night, he'd promised to never leave again, and now, she knows he was telling the truth. Her hand falls to the top of his bald head and she whispers, "I know. You always do…"

Those words ignite something in him. Because he knows what they mean. It means she believes in him, that she trusts him. That despite everything, she's forgiven him and she will never let him go again. That's when he lets loose, unable to hold back. His hands slide under her thighs, gripping her hips as he pulls her flush against his mouth, devouring her. Yesterday, she surprised him with a bag of his favorite Italian blend of coffee and the taste still lingers on his lips. Now, with that and the taste of her, he is in complete heaven.

God, he's a lucky son of a bitch.

His tongue works her over, both slow and yet somehow fast at the same time. She doesn't know how he does it but she'll never question it because she loves every second. Her hands grip the sheets below her, watching him in awe like he is the most amazing man in the world. And in her eyes, he is. Before Elliot, she'd have been embarrassed for a lover to see her this way, no makeup, hair messed up, morning breath. She'd be even more embarrassed by how aroused she was. She can hear her wetness against his lips but she doesn't care because she knows he loves it. He loves turning her on, getting her all worked up, and quite frankly she loves it too.

She assumed there would be some awkwardness between them once they crossed those physical boundaries. After two decades of knowing each other, ten years apart, years of keeping each other at a distance, it amazed them both how easy it all felt. How natural it was to fall into bed together. And now, two years later, it felt just as wonderful as it had then. With a heavy sigh, she caressed the side of his face, "Elliot…"

She can feel him smile against her most sensitive spot, before lifting his face, nudging her with his nose, "Yeah?"

Tears prickle in her eyes, and she's so overcome with all the emotions of this moment, "I love you."

The corners of his lips turned up into a real, genuinely happy smile again and he reached for her hand. He kissed her palm, then turned it, kissing just above her rings, the rings that symbolized their commitment to each other. "I love you too."

And then he is back to work, determined to get her there like only he can. This time, her eyes close, her head leans back against the pillow and she gives in. The waves continue to crash against the shore right outside the window and she feels like she's on the same rhythm as the tide, rising and falling again and again until finally, finally the largest wave comes crashing into the shore and she explodes. She writhes against him, taking every bit of pleasure that he offers knowing he won't stop just yet. He'll tease, kiss, touch, lick every part of her he can until he gets her all wound up for round two.

And when he's ready, he begins to climb up over her, "Hi wife."

Her eyes are still closed but her arms wrap around his neck as he pulls her closer still, "Hi husband." When her eyes flutter open, she starts to drown in the blue of his eyes again, "Have I ever told you that absolutely love the feel of your beard between my legs?"

His large hands grip her hips, pulling her closer as he thrusts forward, filling her completely as he laughs, "You may have mentioned it a time or two."

Her hands caress the side of his face, holding him in place as he begins to make love to her for the second time this morning, "It's my favorite actually."

He sucks her thumb in between his lips and he knows she can feel her own wetness amongst the salt and pepper whiskers on his face, "I'm quite fond of it myself. Happy to start every morning that way if you'd like…"

She laughs as she arches into him, their bodies partaking in that delicate dance they've created together, "Is that an extension of your vows? I promise to start every morning with my face between your legs?"

He laughs again, this time ducking his face into the crook of her neck, "Better than any alarm clock I would think."

"Mmmm…" She grips him tighter, "I'd have to agree with you on that."

His open mouth latches onto her neck and he breathes her in, "I never want to leave this bed."

"We have three days…we don't have to if you don't want to." She pants against his ear, "Happy to stay right here…except for maybe…"

Lifting his head, he smiles at her, "Except for what?"

"Maybe a walk or two under the boardwalk?" She asked hopefully, a twinkle in her eyes knowing that he'd do anything she asks of him.

He takes the opportunity to roll them over, wanting to see her in all her glory. And as she settles above him, not missing a beat, rocking her curvy, gorgeous body against his, he responds, "I think that can be arranged…"

As she rides him, she thinks about how that first night, she'd been grateful that he couldn't see her body. That as he made love to her under the boardwalk, against the pier, her long white sundress had covered the scars that littered her body. But now, here in bed with him, their matching rings on their fingers, the promise of forever, she knows in his eyes, they only make her more beautiful, stronger, braver. He was somehow able to take something so awful, so traumatic, and something that made her feel shame, and turned it into a badge of honor, of her strength. He hadn't shied away from her, he'd kissed every inch, every scar, telling her over and over how beautiful she was, promising to never let another person lay their hands on her.

And she knows he won't. Had he been here back then, he probably would have killed William Lewis. And maybe, just maybe it was a good thing he wasn't. She wouldn't have wanted to lose him. Maybe, despite everything awful that had happened while they were apart, it was always meant to be that way. Maybe it was all a part of their journey to bring them right here, together. Either way, she wasn't going to look back. Instead, she was going to keep looking forward, planning their future together, loving him and only him just as she always had.

Their hands tangle together, and he smiles up at her as he moves her body against his. Sometimes they don't even need to talk, their bodies and their eyes did enough talking for them. That's what made them such great partners for all those years. They could read each other's minds, always anticipating what the other would do in life or death situations. In the interrogation room, they could feed off of each other without even making a plan beforehand. Sometimes it drove Cragen nuts, but sometimes she'd catch him smiling afterward, knowing they were the best team he had.

To some, they seemed like polar opposites. Seemed like they didn't make sense. But somehow, they did. It all worked. She calmed him, helped ease his rough exterior, bringing him back to reality when he was slowly slipping off the deep end. And he pushed her out of her comfort zone and challenged her while at the same time making her feel safe, loved, and wanted, the feelings she'd been longing for her whole life.

From below her, he watched her moving, falling deeper and deeper in love with her with every movement of her body. It was hard to believe he was lucky enough to be here, making love to the woman he had loved from afar for so long. Some days he was afraid to blink, fearing that it would all unravel or he'd realize it was just a fever dream. Someone had been looking out for him though, guiding him right back to where he belonged, right here in her arms.

He knows when she's falling over the edge again because she lets go of his hands, resting them on his chest for more leverage. Her movements speed up and his hands fall to her hips, squeezing gently, moving her against him knowing he'll come crashing down with her. Both of them are breathing heavily, eyes dark, need washing over them. She's so insanely beautiful, so much so that she will never understand how it makes him feel. She doesn't know that sometimes it brings him to his knees looking at her, saying a silent prayer to God, thanking him for creating someone so perfect. Even with her scars, both physical and emotional, she was just that, perfect.

He'd spent a long time wishing he could go back in time and murder William Lewis before he lay his hands on her. But, over time he'd realized he couldn't change it. So instead, he made sure to build her back up, piece by piece so that she never doubted herself again or his love and commitment to her. He'd never let her get hurt again, never let anyone touch or harm her. Even if it meant his own death.

Last night, as they vowed to love one another forever in front of their family and friends, he knew this was it. This was where he was always meant to be. And there is absolutely nothing he wouldn't do to make her smile. He watches as her head falls back, and he has to bite his lip to keep from closing his eyes, not wanting to miss a moment, "Olivia…"

She bounces against him a few more times, that pleasure building and building, "Yes…"

His hands squeezed her hip at the same time that she shatters around him, her body trembling and jumping slightly. He let her ride through the waves of it before pulling her down to him, capturing her mouth with his. He continues to thrust into her, feeling her walls clench down around him, her little whimpers urging him on until he too comes undone. She rests her forehead against his, their bodies now slick with sweat despite the cool breeze blowing through the window, "Damn…"

He laughs again and nods, kissing her once, twice, three times before rolling her to the side and gathering her in his arms, "Agreed."

Their legs tangle together in the sheets and he wraps her in his embrace, his fingers rubbing circles on her back again. Reaching to the side, he turns on the little radio that sits beside the bed as they lay there in silence, coming down from their high. And then, a new song begins to waft through the speakers and he feels her smile against his chest.

Oh, when the sun beats down and burns the tar up on the roof

And your shoes get so hot you wish your tired feet were fireproof

Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah

On a blanket with my baby is where I'll be

Slowly, he tilts her head up and whispers, "Hey…"

Her fingers curl around his neck, tears burning her eyes, "Hey…"

"I just want you to be happy…you know that right?"

The tips of her fingers dance along the back of his neck and she nods, "I know. And you…make me happy El. Happier than I thought I could be."

He sighs again, kisses her forehead, and begins to slip into a little morning nap. These kinds of lazy summer mornings are his favorite. He has nowhere to be, no responsibilities, no alarm clock, or anyone waiting for him. And finally, he can enjoy his wife, the love of his life. And as far as he is concerned, every day should start like this and it should end with a walk on the beach…under the boardwalk…

He smiles again, snuggles further into her embrace, and listens to the song and the steady soft breaths coming from his sleeping wife.

Life is good.


Yeah, under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah

On a blanket with my baby is where I'll be

The End.