Hope you all enjoy!
Dick Wolf owns everything
In Every World and Every Reality
"Wha.. what?" Olivia said completely in shock of what he just said.
He pulled her up smiling at her obvious disbelief in what she heard. His right hand moved from around her waist and slipped under her jaw as he cradled her face softly in his palm.
"I wanna marry you, Olivia." He said, his eyes shining like she'd never seen before.
She swallowed hard. Her heart was beating fast and she could feel all the blood in her body moving like a bullet train. She felt tingly and excited… nervous… it was a little unsettling.
Unsettling at just how ready she was for this.
Thinking about it now in this moment maybe she really did have… issues… with commitment or… something in the past. She came to realize some of it came from how she came to be on this earth. But as she got older, she found herself pushing away any viable option for her to try out marriage and babies because… it would have been settling.
She was in love with a man who couldn't commit to her in that way because he was already committed to someone else. Already had a marriage and babies. But he was committed to her in their partnership. When it was just them, walking the streets, sharing food, chasing a perp, sleeping in the cribs, on stakeouts… he was committed to her. She knew it… and so did he.
There was no room for anyone else in her life. So, she ran. She ran from commitment. She ran from boyfriends that wanted more from her. Not because she couldn't give them what they wanted, but because she didn't want to. Every relationship played against a stacked deck. Doomed to fail before it began.
And she had accepted that. If this was the only piece of him she could have, then that was what it was going to be.
But then he left.
And she shattered.
She tried to pick up the pieces. Put them back how they were, but they'd never fit the same. Not without him. And after quite some time, she took a deep breath in and jumped. Jumped back into the dating waters and tried. She really tried.
But still, even without him in her life, and at the time thinking he never would be again, she still came up short. With Cassidy it wasn't enough. It had never really been. With Haden the roles were reversed, and he ran from her. And then Ed. She had really been kidding herself with that. Looking back on it now, it was never going to work. She had felt… desperate. Forced to make it something because she knew no matter what, or who… it would be settling.
She was getting older, and Noah was too. That was her first mistake. Letting the possibility of being with Ed wormed its way into her mind then. Thinking just because she was getting older maybe that meant there was less availability for her… that she was a less than desired partner now. And then he had become an option. Just like that.
But it was crazy. She was crazy to think that. She felt the best about herself in these last months than she maybe ever had, and it really made her see how clouded her mind had been with Ed because now she had never felt more in tune with herself. More sexy, beautiful… and part of that was because of this man standing in front of her, staring at her like she was the only person in the world… like she was his world.
And she was. And he was hers.
My… how her life had changed.
She no longer felt afraid. She could finally commit to him, fully… all of her. There was no fear of rejection, no fear of consequences. And he wanted her. He wanted her with all her flaws and terrible baggage… scars and demons… and he wanted to commit to her. He… he wanted to marry her and stand by her side forever. Be her partner for life. And not just in their own little world, but in every world and every reality.
It was really so emotionally overwhelming she wasn't quite sure how to react to this. Knowing she was ready and would say yes was something totally different than in actuality.
A situation she never in a million years ever thought she'd be in. And before she knew it, words were coming out of her mouth.
"Are you serious?" she said, and already her eyes were starting to glisten with tears.
That huge Elliot Stabler smile broke across his face as he chuckled at her. My god she must have looked like a total idiot. The man who she has been in love with for what felt like forever, just asked her to marry him, and she had to ask if he was serious.
Jesus.
She swallowed and laughed a little at herself as his hands moved over her and pulled her in close, reassuring her he knew why she blurted that out. This was such a heightened moment for her, and for him, and but he already knew he was going to do this. Had bought the ring and spent time deciding when and how. He had time to let his heart and mind grip the idea of asking her.
And grip the knowledge that he already knew her answer.
He wasn't going to lie though, watching her be a little flummoxed with the surprise of it was incredibly adorable.
She was smiling, already starting to cry, and he could feel her skin vibrating. He brushed her hair out of her face and connected their souls with just a look.
"I've never been more serious about anything… ever." He said removing his hand from her and reaching into his front pocket. He knelt in front of her as he pulled out a small little black box.
Liv felt all the air in her lungs rush out.
He opened it and it was the most beautiful ring.
She gasped a little at just how much it was her. Simple and beautiful… set in an infinity symbol… their symbol.
"See mom, he's very serious…he even asked me how I'd feel about… I knew before we came that he was gonna ask you." Noah interjected excitedly. "So?" he asked impatiently waiting for her answer.
Liv turned to glance at her son and laughed through her tears at how anxious Noah was to hear her answer. It was so sweet of El to involve him.
She turned back to El who was also waiting for her answer. She could tell he already knew though. His eyes were sparkling with that blue love of his.
"Yes… of course yes." She said smiling through her tears.
El quickly took the ring and placed it on her finger as he stood to wrap her in his arms. She felt him breath out and choke back a soft sob as he swallowed her into his embrace. She almost couldn't believe this was happening.
But it was real. She could feel the cool metal on her skin and the circular shape of the ring he just placed on her finger. She could feel his heart beating against her chest, feel his lungs filling with air, and feel the heat of his warm embrace as his hands smoothed over her back. She could feel his breath on her skin and hear his soft laugh in her ear.
She was engaged.
Engaged to be married.
Engaged to Elliot Stabler.
He pulled back and quickly moved his hands to her face, pulling her in for a kiss. Their first kiss as a betrothed couple.
God, she wanted him.
As his lips seared hers, she wanted to take it deeper, but they were at their diner, and in front of her son. Now wasn't the time even though she wanted nothing more but to climb into the back of her car and let El bury himself in her.
So, with much reluctancy, she pulled back and looked at him. He was teary eyed, his face flushed, with that brilliant smile beaming at her.
"Hey you…" she squeaked out, still a little overwhelmed by this and put her forehead to his needing to feel their inherent connection ground her.
"Hey… fiancé…" he said.
If there was ever a time in her life where she might physically swoon, that was almost it.
The butterflies that swirled in her stomach at hearing those words come out of his mouth were now dancing through her veins and she felt her knees buckle.
Her smile grew as she remembered the first time he called her beautiful after their first night together. This had a pretty good ring to it too.
"Say it again…" she said, and her smiled widened. She could see it in his eyes, he remembered that conversation from that morning as well.
"Hey… fiancé…" he said again and kissed her cheek.
"Fiancé…" he said and kissed her other cheek, and she giggled at how precious this all was and if she had seen some other couple doing this, she might have gotten a cavity from how mushy and sweet it was, but it was happening to her and she wouldn't have changed a thing.
She could feel her arousal for him spreading throughout her each time that word left his lips. The deep seeded need for him was spreading through her, that had been heightened to a level she didn't even know existed since the moment she knew what it felt like to have him inside her. To feel the weight of him on top of her, surrounding her, loving her.
Then he grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips.
"My beautiful fiancé…" he said and kissed her ring. He was making her brain buzz and she was melting inside.
"Oh geez…" Noah said huffing and sitting back into the booth, clearly over how romantic they were being.
Both of them laughed and turned to him as he rolled his eyes at them, but then smiled.
Olivia took a deep breath and looked down at her hand. Just as she was about to suggest she call Fin and ask if he could hold down the fort at least until the morning because she needed to go home so her and El could worship each other like it was a high holy day, her phone rang.
She took a breath out and knew. She knew in her gut it would be Fin, and that the vic was probably ready to talk. She felt some of her excitement ease out of her like a tire with a small hole. Still keeping Elliot connected to her she reached into her pocket, saw it was Fin and answered.
"What's up Fin?" she said.
Elliot, not wanting to know that she would more than likely be returning to work instead of going home with him, pulled her closer to him and swayed a little with her while she talked with Fin.
He felt her slump a little into his arms, and that was his sign. She would have to head back to SVU and he would head back to an empty bed. But it was ok. He wasn't going home with nothing. He was going back to their home, a place they owned together as her fiancé.
Olivia Benson had said yes.
Olivia Benson was wearing the ring he carefully designed just for her.
Olivia Benson wanted him for the rest of her life… only him.
He smiled to himself as she continued her conversation with Fin, and just reveled in these thoughts that were now not just fantasy but reality.
"Ok Fin, I'll be there soon." She said, and then hung up.
She looked at El as she pocketed her phone and put her arms around him again. She pouted as her fingers smoothed over the nape of his neck.
Goddamn… does she even know what it does to him when she pouts like that he thought? He took breath as he continued to stare at her lips trying to calm himself down.
"Aw, I know baby, I don't want you to go either… but it's ok, they need you." El said chuckling at how adorable she was being. He knew she didn't want to go back to work, but he also knew she wouldn't leave a case with nothing but her best.
She pulled him into her, putting her lips to his ear that was facing away from their booth remembering her son was sitting there, and whispered, "But I need you…" and then lightly kissed his earlobe.
She felt him tremble at her words, and his grip tightened on her. But then he pulled back and took a deep breath in and let it out slow, eyeing Noah for a second before returning to her gaze.
"Later beautiful… I promise…" he said huskily, his own arousal now saturating his voice.
He saw the flicker of heat spark in her eyes. An acceptance of his promise.
Fuck he thought. He'd seen that look in her eyes before. He wanted to take her home and make her moan his name, make her beg for more. He wanted to taste her and make her come on his face before he buried himself in all things her and came deep inside her. He wanted it hard and fast to slake his animalistic need for her, so he could love her slowly later. Later after they were a sweaty incoherent mess. Later when he could rock himself slowly into her, feel every inch of her, and keep his mouth connected to her, unhurried and meaningful.
And that look in her eyes meant she wanted the same thing.
Her son's voice broke the silent communication that was happening between them.
"What's happening later?" Noah asked, clearly not hearing the first part of their conversation, only the latter.
Olivia turned to her son as he sat there picking at the plate in front of him and smiled.
"We're going to celebrate with everyone… later, but right now you need to get to bed, and I have to go back to work. Ok honey?"
"Yea… ok." Noah said placing the fork he had down.
"Go wash your hands ok honey, then put your coat on." Liv said as she watched him head to the bathroom and then she turned back to Elliot.
They swayed there for a few seconds, just smiling at each other.
"I can't wait to marry you…" Olivia said softly.
"Me neither…" El said smiling wide. He kissed her cheek, knowing if he kissed her lips, he wouldn't be able to stop kissing her. And if they kept going like this, she'd never make it back to work.
He sighed and let go of her to grab her coat as Noah came out of the bathroom. He helped her into it and then grabbed his jacket.
"So Fin get a break in the case?" he asked, always interested in her cases, feeling that old SVU detective in him creep back in.
"Yea, the vic is ready to talk, but she'll only talk to me." Liv said, her tone switching into work mode.
El nodded and smiled feeling his pride in her swell in his chest. She really does have a way with victims, making them feel safe. Safe enough to tell her their story in their time, regardless of the pressures from One PP to solve cases.
He could see her mind start to think about the details of the case and what the vic might possibly tell her.
"You'll get 'em Liv…" he said pausing, "…you will. I know it."
She nodded letting his reassurance rest on her shoulders. He opened the door for her and Noah and escorted her out with a hand on the small of her back. His fingers lingered there, rubbing little circles there through her jacket and already she missed his embrace.
Olivia hugged her son and made him promise again he'd go straight to bed when he got home, to which he crossed his heart to. Once Noah was in the car, El walked her to her car and opened the door for her.
Olivia turned before she got in and pulled him tight into her, closing her lips over his. Her hands gripped his jacket and then moved inside to find the hard chiseled lines of her fiancé's body. She had taken his breath and his mind reminding him of just how much she loved him.
As if he could ever forget.
She pulled back with a little suck on his bottom lip and he looked flushed and starry eyed. She smirked at her handy work noticing the flush spread down his neck and brought her eyes back to his.
"I love you El." She said sweetly.
He blinked and swallowed still trying to catch his breath and bring his mind back from the mush she had just turned it into and smiled.
"I love you too Liv." He said a little breathless.
He saw the spark in her eyes and her brow raised as she said, "And I can't wait to celebrate with you later…"
A small growl escaped him, and he unconsciously leaned himself into her moving his face closer to hers, all the while never breaking their eye contact.
"Me too baby… me too." He rasped as his nose grazed hers and then her cheek and moved to bring his lips to his spot right under her ear and lightly kissed her.
A soft high moan escaped her, and he felt her muscles tighten as her breathing came in short little bursts.
He pulled back and looked at her. She was glowing.
"See you later beautiful." He said tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Yes, you will sweets…" she said smirking and then she turned and got in her car.
Elliot stood there for a few seconds and watched his fiancé drive away.
