Prompt #9: "Thanksgiving dinner is ruined!"


Thankful For You

~oOo~

To say she was excited for Thanksgiving this year was an understatement. She had looked forward to it for months. It not only would be her first big Family Thanksgiving, but it would also be her first since her and Elliot had gotten married.

She had a folder of saved desserts and side dish recipes she wanted to make; she wanted it to be perfect. It had to be perfect, she had waited her whole life for this.

She was supposed to be getting ready for a day of baking with Elliot's daughters and his mother. She wasn't supposed to get shot.

Elliot wasn't supposed to find out his wife got shot from overhearing a 10-13 radio call the day before Thanksgiving.

She stood with her arms at her side, already feeling the pain in her chest, abdomen, and her shoulder where the four bullets had struck her. The ones that had hit her chest and abdomen were stopped by her vest, the third and fourth bullet hit her left shoulder, tore through her shirt and blood seeped through.

"She's an NYPD Captain," Velasco reasoned as he held his gun out in front of him. "You're already looking at serious time just for what you've already done. Why don't you let her go, put the gun down."

The arm that was around her waist moved up and roughly pulled back on her hair, pulling her head back and causing her to cry out.

SVU was responding to a domestic violence call that Velasco and Olivia had thought they had under control until the husband realized his wife intended on leaving with their kids.

He had quickly shot first his wife and then Olivia four times. Fortunately, she was wearing her vest. The children were hustled out quickly by a uni.

He had quickly yanked Olivia to her feet and placed his gun at her temple. She could feel her hands starting to shake.

She wasn't supposed to be out on this call. It was supposed to be Velasco and the new detective Perkins. She was supposed to be on her way home to start preparing for the list of desserts she wanted to make for Thanksgiving.

"Arthur listen to him," she gasped out. "If you let me go this can still end better for you."

"Shut up," he roared, yanking her left arm back. "It's not going to end well for me. My whole family is gone."

"Arthur if you let me go…," she started.

"I said shut up!" He yanked her arm back even harder.

She felt the searing pain in her shoulder. She couldn't tell how badly she was hurt. She could feel her panic beginning to set in. Her heart pounded, and she could hear the blood rushing in her ears.

She squeezed her eyes shut and all she could think is how she had ruined her first Family Thanksgiving. She didn't have to go on this call, she could've stood behind in the safety of her office. She had to do something, she had to try and end this.

"Arthur, let her go. There's no way you're getting out of here. She needs medical attention," Velasco tried to reason. His gun held steady in front of him.

"I said shut up!" Arthur yelled dropping his arm that held the gun to her temple. She quickly pulled her head forward and slammed it back into his face.

He cried out when her head hit his nose. He stumbled back and she fell to her knees.

"Hands where I can see them!" Velasco yelled. "Cap, you ok?"

"No," she gasped out. "Thanksgiving dinner is ruined."

~oOo~

When he heard the radio call it was a complete accident. He was walking out of a bodega in Midtown that he'd ran into to buy a pack of gum. Two unis were leaned against the hood of their squad car drinking cups of coffee.

He nodded a hello at them and waved. As he walked past them, he heard the radio crackle to life.

"SVU Portable to Central. 10-13 10-13, my Captain has been shot. Suspect has been disarmed and detained. Need a bus to this location forthwith."

As he was hurrying to get in his car, his phone rang. He pulled his phone out and glanced at the number as he got in the car.

"Fin," he said, switching the call to Bluetooth in his car. "I heard the radio call, what do you know? How badly is she hurt?"

"Elliot, I'm just on scene now, she was shot four times," Fin said. "Her vest caught two, and the others in her shoulder.

"Fuck," Elliot cursed. His hands gripped the steering wheel. "What's the address?"

"I'm going to ride with her. You meet us at the hospital. It will be faster this way," Fin said. "I got her Elliot, she won't be out of my sight."

"Tell her I'm coming, Fin, please tell her I'm coming," Elliot said.

~oOo~

He sat in the waiting room chair with a heavy sigh.

His left hand was clasped tightly around her wedding and engagement ring. Ever since the nurse in the emergency room had given them to him before they whisked her away to get a CT scan and X-rays.

Despite knowing the gunshot didn't cause a lot of damage, he couldn't stop himself from worrying.

He wished he got to see her before they had taken her away. He had tried so hard to get here as fast as he could, Manhattan traffic still worked against him despite it having been 10:00 AM.

His son Dickie was a physician's assistant at the hospital and had been out twice to give updates. He had stood with her as long as he was allowed.

She had a badly bruised sternum and bruised ribs in addition to the gunshot to her shoulder. The anxiety he felt since he heard the radio call would only ease when he was able to see her.

While it appeared to only be a soft tissue injury the fact that she had been taken to surgery had his stomach in knots.

"Sergeant Stabler?" a voice to the left of him called.

He turned his head towards the voice. He saw a woman in scrubs and a scrub cap approaching him. He immediately got to his feet.

"I just wanted to let you know your wife is out of surgery. Everything went well. The two bullets that hit her chest and abdomen were stopped by the vest. The two in her shoulder, one was a through and through, the other lodged in her bicep. I removed that one and debrided the wound and washed it out with antibiotics. She mentioned more than once she wanted to go home and as long as everything looks good with her vitals that's not a problem with me."

Elliot sighed in relief. "Thank you, Dr. Barry, and everything else is, ok? Her sternum and ribs?" he asked, still squeezing his hand around her rings.

"Badly bruised, but I think we should just assume there's broken ribs because you never really know with the top ribs, there could be minuscule fractures. We could be talking about a very different outcome Sergeant if she hadn't been wearing that vest."

"I've been sitting here thanking God that she was. Can I see her?" he asked.

The doctor smiled at him. "I can only imagine how much you want to see her. She kept asking to see you and I promised her I would bring you to her as soon as I could. We have her in a private bay while she wakes up a little more. In a couple of hours, you can take her home."

"So, are there any prescriptions she'll need or anything else I should get?" Elliot asked.

"If you'll just walk with me, I'll take you to her and I can explain on the way." Dr. Barry said.

Elliot nodded and turned and walked with the doctor.

"The prescriptions can be filled here. I can arrange all of that for you. However, there is one concern I have," she said.

Elliot felt his anxiety and worry starting to bubble up again. "What's the concern?" he asked stopping and turning to look at Dr. Barry.

"I am worried about possible biceps tendon damage. We need to make sure that her arm and shoulder stay immobilized. She shouldn't work or do anything strenuous. I don't recommend holiday cooking or baking if that's in the plans. She needs to rest so she can recover. I know with Thanksgiving just days away that may be difficult. Usually, I don't release patients this early but something tells me that might be what's best for her recovery," Dr. Barry said reaching out and putting a hand on Elliot's arm.

"I will make sure she rests," he said with a nod. He knew how difficult that just might be but he is up for the challenge. As stubborn as Olivia was, she lets him take care of her.

"She's just up here on the left. Room 205. She probably will still be a little groggy from the anesthesia but that's to be expected. Any other questions I can answer for you?"

"Not right now," Elliot said shaking his head.

"Ok, I'm going to let you have some time alone with her. If there's anything else I can do her nurse will be able to get in contact with me." Dr. Barry smiled and turned around and walked down the hallway.

He quickly made his way to room 205 and opened the door. She was reclined and her head was back on a pillow.

Her eyes were closed but he could tell she wasn't sleeping peacefully.

Her left arm was in a sling, and he could see the heavy bandage on her shoulder and on her arm beneath the hospital gown.

Her right arm had an IV in the crook of the elbow. There was a blanket that came up to her waist.

He reached over and gently slid her rings back onto her ring finger on her left hand that was poking out of the sling.

He reached for her right hand and wrapped his hand around it. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

He didn't want to wake her, but he wanted her to know he was here.

"El?" she mumbled. Her eyes fluttered open. Her eyes looked around searching for his.

"I'm here, Baby," he said leaning down to kiss her again. "I'm right here with you."

"I need my rings back. They took them off," she said sleepily.

"They're already back on your finger. I just put them back. I was holding on to them for you," he said, brushing her hair back from her face.

She nodded. "Thanks," she whispered. Closing her eyes and leaning back against the pillow. "Mmmmm."

He held on to her hand and stroked her cheek with his other. "Are you in pain?" he asked. "I remember how much it hurt getting shot in my arm and shoulder."

She nodded, opening her eyes to look up at him. "I'm not sure what hurts worse. My shoulder or my chest."

"How bout we get your nurse in here to get you something for the pain?" he asked.

"Can I just go home? Can't you just take me home?" she asked.

The way she asked tugged at his heart. He could hear in her voice how much she didn't want to be here. "I was already talking to your doctor. She said she just wanted you to rest for a while then I could take you home. She said you needed to rest though, so that's what we're gonna make sure you do. So no pie-making tomorrow."

Her eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry," she said, looking down at the blanket.

"Why are you sorry?" he asked as he carefully sat on the bed next to her.

"I ruined Thanksgiving," she said tearfully.

"Oh, Liv. Please don't worry about that right now," he said, shaking his head. "I'm more concerned about you than Thanksgiving right now."

She shook her head. Tears starting to stream down her cheeks. "It's our first one though. It was so important to me. I've never had a big Family Thanksgiving and I was finally getting it," she said. "I know how much you love Thanksgiving and I just wanted it to be special."

Oh. Awareness floods him. "Thanksgiving will still be special, every day I get to spend with you is special." He leans forward and kisses her again. "Just lay back and relax for right now, ok?" He tucks her hair behind her ear. "In a few hours, I'll take you home."

She nods her head. "Ok," she whispered, closing her eyes.

He lifts her right hand up and brings it to his lips.

"El?" she asks.

"I don't have anything to wear home," she said.

"Don't worry. I have some stuff in my bag in the car we can put on you to get you home," he said, brushing his hand over her forehead and down her cheek.

The nurse had been in and given her pain medication and now she was resting. It has been almost an hour and a half.

He sat next to her holding on to her hand after he repeatedly reassured her that he was going to take her home and that he would be right beside her when she woke up.

He knew it wasn't that she didn't trust him, that it was more so her anxiety over being in the hospital.

He heard a tap on the door and his head swiveled around towards the glass sliding door.

He saw Fin standing there, holding what he immediately recognized as Olivia's purse.

He got up and gently removed his hand from hers.

He walked to the door, quietly opened it, stepped outside, and closed it behind him. "Sorry, just don't want to wake her. Doctor said if all is good she can go home in a few hours and she's really anxious about going home," Elliot said.

"No worries, I get it," Fin said. "Here's her bag, I put her gun and her badges in there. Did you know she keeps your old detective badge pinned behind hers? That really was something to see," he said, shaking his head with a smile.

Elliot grinned and looked down. He reaches for his hip and pulled his badge off to reveal her old detective's badge pinned behind his. "Ummmm yeah, that's a thing we do."

"You know Munch would tease you both mercilessly, right?" Fin replied with a laugh.

Elliot laughed. "You're probably right. Can you stay here with her for a few minutes? I gotta run to my car to get some clothes from my bag for her. Don't wanna leave her alone."

"Yeah, man. That's no problem. I don't mind sitting with her," Fin said.

"I'll only be 5 minutes," Elliot said.

"You can take 10 or 15 if you need to," Fin said with a laugh.

"I promised her I wouldn't leave her side. I don't want to be away too long," Elliot replied with a shrug.

"Take a few for yourself. I know you're probably wound so tightly from worrying about her. Grab yourself a cup of coffee, or one of those damn green juices you drink. I got this. Take 30," Fin said slapping him on the back.

Elliot nodded. He knew Fin would look out for her. "Thanks, Fin."

~oOo~

She slowly opened her eyes. Her throat felt so dry.

She turned her head to the side expecting to see Elliot. She blinked her eyes and was met with Fin's smiling face.

"Don't worry, he'll be back. I sent him to take a break. He's been next to you the whole time you've been in this room and he's wound so damn tightly he's gonna burst a damn vessel," Fin said shaking his head.

She laughed weakly. "Thanks, Fin. Damn it really sucks getting shot."

"How long you gone without that happening?" he asked.

"So, I get four all at once?" she replies.

"Well, you always seem to go above and beyond everyone else in every way Liv," he said with a laugh.

"How is Theresa doing?" she asked.

"She is out of surgery. Doing ok. Shot to lower right abdomen, missed everything major," he said with a shrug. "Also, that's all I'm telling you about that situation. I got it handled, you got hurt, you ain't working on this case further."

"You got it handled hmmm?" she said.

"Don't I always?" he asked with a big smirk.

"You do Fin. You always have things handled in your own way," she said with a smile.

"So, what's with this sad face then? This isn't pain, this is sadness I see," he asked.

"I just wish I didn't ruin Thanksgiving," she said with a sigh.

"Who said you ruined Thanksgiving? Tell me Elliot didn't say that, cus it sure doesn't sound like an Elliot thing to say," Fin said.

"No, he didn't say that. I said it. It's my first Family Thanksgiving, and the first since we've got married. Elliot loves Thanksgiving. Makes a big deal out of cooking the turkey it's really important to him and it's important to me because I've never had that and I had plans of things I wanted to do for him and everyone and now I can't," she said, looking down.

Her eyes filled with tears, and she quickly turned her head not wanting Fin to see her cry.

"Hey. Don't worry about hiding your emotions from me, alright? I know a little something about experiencing the firsts with someone. It ain't ruined, you'll still get to be home for Thanksgiving, and have a Family Thanksgiving," he said, reaching out and touching her arm.

"Ever since the first year I worked with Elliot, I've had this ridiculous fantasy of what a Family Thanksgivings would be like. He would tell me how painstakingly and specific he would cook his turkey and you could tell how proud he was." She shook her head as tears started to slip down her face.

She wiped at her tears with her right hand. "I wanted to make him a pie, I wanted to stand next to him and help him cook Thanksgiving dinner. Every time I was supposed to have Thanksgiving with my mom she would always go on a drinking binge or she would say I messed up and ruined things and made her drink. I used to dream about a big family dinner."

"So, you still get the Family Thanksgiving. You just can't be as mobile as you'd like but can I just point out one thing here? How would Elliot's Thanksgiving had gone if you hadn't been wearing your vest?" He shook his head. "That man was a wreck when he heard, Liv. He heard Velasco screaming over the radio that his captain was shot."

"I didn't know that," she said. She knew instantly how Elliot had reacted, how he felt, and probably what it did to him, the flashbacks he must've had.

"I don't know how he drove here, to be honest. When I met him he was so scared and on edge and that was after I had already told him you had been wearing your vest. He's gonna be clingy, and he's sure as hell is gonna hover and you gotta let him. Let him do what he feels he needs to do, Liv. I saw his face, I looked into his eyes." He shook his head. "Man was a damn mess."

~oOo~

He got off the elevator and walked down the hallway back toward Olivia's room. As much as he didn't want to stay away for long, Fin was right, it did clear his head some. He called Maureen and arranged for her to pick up Noah from school, and called to fill Kathleen and Lizzie in, and asked one of them to pick up Eli at the airport the next morning.

As much as he hated to admit it, he enjoyed the cup of coffee from the Starbucks across the street, and he had grabbed some things from his bag in his car for Olivia to wear on the drive home. Both the sweatpants and the hoodie would be very big on her, but it would be fine to get her out of the hospital, into his car, and home.

When he got closer to her room, he could see Fin lingering outside the door.

"Nurse is in there with her. Checking her bandages. They're getting ready to start discharging her, I think," Fin said pointing towards the door.

"Thanks, Fin," Elliot said with a smile.

"No problem. So, she has it in her head that she ruined Thanksgiving. She has some things planned she wanted to do for you, and she's upset she can't do them, said it reminded her of all the Thanksgivings her mother told her she ruined growing up," Fin said.

"She didn't ruin Thanksgiving. God, how can she think that? Just her being ok, not having been hurt worse makes this the best fucking Thanksgiving ever," Elliot said scratching at the back of his neck. "How can she think she ruined it?"

"You know how she is better than anyone, Elliot," he said, nodding towards the room.

"Yeah, but she didn't run anything. I'm gonna make sure she knows that," Elliot replied.

"This first Thanksgiving for you both is very important to her," Fin said. "She told me Thanksgiving basically sucked for her after her grandmother passed."

"I know it's important to her. She kept saying it was because Noah was so excited for it, but I had a feeling it was deeper than that," Elliot said.

"She finally has what's she always wanted Elliot. Every holiday is going to be important to her, but this one holds a special meaning for her."

~oOo~

"Ok, Olivia. I'm just going to give you a dose of pain medication through your IV before we talk it out. It should help with the ride home," the nurse said

She nodded. She'd normally refuse pain medication, she didn't like the dopey feeling, or letting her guard down.

Elliot being there was the only reason she agreed. She had refused when the nurse offered to help her get dressed.

She looked over to Elliot, not even having to ask. He got to his feet and stepped towards her. "I'll help her get changed."

"Just be careful of the sling, we don't want that arm dangling. It needs to be immobilized. I'm going to get all the discharge papers in order," she said as she walked towards the door.

"These will be very big on you, but they'll be fine to get you home," Elliot said.

She just nodded. She was sitting on the side of the bed, legs dangling off.

"No boots?" he asked looking around the room.

"Evidence," she said softly, looking down at her lap. She still can't help but feel down about Thanksgiving.

Elliot's left hand reached out to cup her cheek, his thumb caressing across her cheek. "Hey," he said. "Look at me."

She raised her eyes to look at him. She could see the worry and concern in his eyes. Her eyes filled with tears.

"Talk to me," he whispered. He brought his other hand up to the other side of her face.

She sighed. "I just hate that this happened today. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I was really looking forward to making Thanksgiving dinner with you, and I just had a lot planned that I wanted to do," she said.

He wiped the tears that started falling from her eyes with his thumbs. He leaned forward and kissed her. "It's not ridiculous, I know you were looking forward to it. I'm sorry this happened today," he said. He moved one of his hands to the back of her neck and gently pulled her towards him.

She laid her head again his shoulder, turning her face into his neck. Cooking meals together with Elliot had become one of her favorite things.

"I was so worried about you," he said. He nuzzled his face into the top of her head.

"I'm ok, El," she said.

"You're not ok, Olivia," he replied.

~oOo~

Elliot stood at the door to their bedroom and watched as she slept. He couldn't shake the feeling that he could've lost her today.

His hands shook, and he felt his anxiety starting to build again. He turned and walked out into the living room, shutting the door.

He started to pace back and forth. He took a few deep breaths. He walked by the stools at the kitchen counter and knocked Olivia's bag all over the floor.

He cursed as he bent to pick up the items that had spilled out. A manilla folder and the papers that had been inside it, were scattered across the floor.

He gathered all the papers up into a pile and opened the folder to place them back inside.

He looked down at the top page and saw a list written in her neat, precise handwriting.

Order flowers or centerpiece for table

Special present for Elliot to be delivered 11/23…maybe I went overboard

Making pies with Maureen and Lizzie 11/23

Gifts for everyone?

Special things for the kids? Maybe ask Amanda for some ideas…still a bit clueless when it comes to the creativity to make kids happy

Make sure everyone's favorite side dishes are made and ready

Charcuterie board or veggie tray?

Ask Elliot the traditions that are important to him, want to make sure this thanksgiving is amazing…want everyone to be happy

How do I even start?

Just really, really want to make it special

He shuffled through the rest of the papers to find recipes and more pages of ideas written on them.

He sighed. He put the papers back in the folder and put the folder back into her bag.

He walked to the couch and sat down. His anxiety from just a few minutes prior replaced with a strong feeling of love.

He understood a little better why she was so upset. She really had put a lot of thought and planning into Thanksgiving. She just wanted to experience it in a way she never had, as part of a loving family.

The day after Thanksgiving, every year they were partners, he had brought Thanksgiving leftovers in and shared with her.

He remembered the second year they were partnered in particular. She was on-call Thanksgiving day and had gotten called in on a pretty nasty case late at night.

One he had started working on with her as soon as he got in the next day.

"What's all that?" she asked, watching Elliot walk in with two insulated bags. He put them on his desk and grinned over at her.

"I bought us lunch, Benson," he said, folding his arms across his chest.

"What'd you bring?" she asked.

He reached into one of the bags and pulled out two sizable foil-wrapped packages.

"Turkey Sandwiches," he said, smiling at her.

"It looks humongous!" she exclaimed.

"I made them with love," he said, smirking at her.

She unwrapped the sandwich and looked up at him. "Elliot…wow," she said looking at the sandwich packed with turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

"I take my turkey-making very seriously. Let me know what you think," he said.

She took a bite and chewed. "Mmmmm. That's so good. I've never had a sandwich like this before."

"You never had a turkey sandwich with thanksgiving leftovers?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

She looked down at her feet. "Ummmm, no. We never really did Thanksgiving in my house after my grandmother died."

"I'm sorry. I didn't think about what I was saying before I said it," Elliot stammered.

"It's fine, really," she said with a smile. "Thanks for this sandwich, it's just what I needed."

He got up from the couch and walked back towards their bedroom. He was going to find a way to make her a part of preparing the meal on Thursday. If cooking it with him was that important to her, he would find a way for her to help without it being too strenuous.

~oOo~

"You need anything?" Elliot asked, sitting next to her on the side of the bed. He reached forward to look at the bandages on her arm like Dickie had showed him.

"I'm hungry but I don't know if I want to eat," she said with a sigh.

"I already have something I'm making for you. I thought you'd like some tomato soup and a grilled cheese. Figured it wasn't too heavy," he said.

She smiled. "Thank you, that sounds perfect," she said, rubbing at her sternum.

"You in pain?" he asked.

"Why does this hurt more than my shoulder?" she asked.

"Not a lot of cushioning right there. How's the bruising look?" he asked.

"I haven't looked yet, to be honest," she said. She pulled up her shirt revealing the angry-looking welts in the center of her chest. You could already see the bruising forming.

"Shit," he said lightly tracing his finger over the areas. Shaking his head. "I'm so glad you had your vest on."

"I'm ok," she said, looking into his eyes. "I'm ok now."

He reached forward and cupped her cheek as he leaned in to kiss her. "I wanted get to you as fast as I could, Fin told me to just go to the hospital. I got there first and god I was a wreck waiting." He shook his head.

She reached with her right hand and grabbed on to his hand tightly. "I know, I'm sorry. I know what that feels like. It's awful having to wait on the other side, not knowing. Your mind always thinks the worst," she said.

"I couldn't get myself to calm down completely. Even seeing you, sitting next to you didn't do it. Fin made me go for a walk and that helped. I got distracted making sure Noah and Eli were taken care of," he said.

"Oh no, did I make you miss picking him up?" she asked, eyes wide.

"No, you didn't. His flight comes in tomorrow, Kathleen is going to pick him up, and Noah is with Maureen," he said.

"Good," she said with a sigh. She closed her eyes and pressed her head back against the pillow. He saw her wince again.

"Ok, I'm going to get you a pain killer, then I'll be back in a few minutes with your soup."

She nodded. "Ok," she said softly. She opened her eyes and watched as he walked out of the room.

She felt her eyes fill with tears. He always took such good care of her. She had tried so hard to make Thanksgiving special. No matter what, it would be special, but she really wanted to show her family how much they all meant to her.

She wiped at her tears with her right hand, not wanting Elliot to catch her crying, even though she was sure he would be able to tell right away.

He was gone just a minute before he was back. Handing her a painkiller and holding onto a glass of water while she put the pill in her mouth.

He narrowed his eyes as he looked at her. "You good?" he asked, handing her the glass of water.

She took a sip and swallowed the pill and nodded. "Yeah, I'm ok," she said.

"I don't believe you, but I'll leave it alone for right now—only because I turned the soup back on to heat up." He reached for the glass of water and put it on the bedside table.

~oOo~

"How do you always know exactly what I need?" she asked with a lazy smile on her face.

"Not that I don't want to give myself credit, but in all the time I've known you, tomato soup and grilled cheese is your go-to on a bad day. Doesn't take a genius to figure it out!" he said with a shrug.

"But you always take it to the next level, making me homemade tomato soup," she said, smiling over at him.

She was leaning against him, her right side against his left. His left arm behind her back and wrapping around to rest on the left side of her rib cage.

"Why wouldn't I make you homemade soup? It's so much better than the can, better for you too. Too much sodium," he said with a grimace.

"Did Fin happen to say how Theresa was?" she asked.

"He told me he said all he was gonna say about your case. That he has it handled and that's the end of it. I know her wounds weren't serious, but I don't know more than that," he said.

"Hmmmm," she said, shaking her head. Her eyes were trained on the TV screen. They had recently started watching the X-Files. One night a rerun was on and she felt drawn in, watching the partnership between Mulder and Scully.

"So," Elliot said, pointing at the screen, "do you think she is more in love with him, or is he more in love with her?"

"I think the feelings are pretty much the same for them both. I mean I know how the series ultimately ends, I watched a few episodes here and there. Munch was always pretty obsessed and talked about it so much." She shook her head.

"The feelings are definitely the same, they love each other, but him? He's head over heels in love with her. The way he looks at her, the way he protects her," he said.

"She protects him too," she replies. "She sticks up for him and defends him."

"I don't understand how they can work on different sides of the office like that. I couldn't have had you that far away. I liked looking right up at you, I couldn't have worked any other way," he said.

He moved his head down slightly and kissed her temple.

She reached her right hand over to grasp his. "El?" she whispered.

"Yeah?" he replies.

"Will you be my Mulder?" she asked.

He grinned. "Sure, only if you be my Scully."

"Deal," she whispered. She snuggled her body in closer to his.

"Ok, can I just say if there was only one desk I would definitely give it to you." He shook his head. "Bet he doesn't even spring for the good coffee."

~oOo~

She never could sleep comfortably on her back, despite the pillows Elliot propped her up with so she wouldn't roll onto her shoulder, it just wasn't comfortable for her. She didn't know if it was the pain that woke her, or if she was just uncomfortable.

Elliot was laying on his side, his arm slung low on her abdomen. She could feel the weight of his arm, warm and heavy. Such a comforting feeling to her.

She moved her right hand up to rest on his.

"What's wrong? You ok? Need something?" he asked sleepily from next to her.

"Sorry, I woke you," she replied.

"Don't be sorry. What's wrong?" he asked, shifting his body and leaning on his elbow.

"Just cold," she said. "Also I can't get comfortable, this is so frustrating," she said. "I hate wearing this sling."

"You want me to try and help you get comfortable?" he asked.

"I don't think I'll sleep anymore," she said, shaking her head.

He reached down and pulled the blanket up higher. He slipped his arm under the blanket and wrapped it back around her, drawing her a little bit closer.

"I have an idea," he said close to her ear.

"Hmmmm?" she replied.

He moved his arm off her and shifted up in the bed. "Sit up for a minute," he said, reaching his hand out to help her.

She grabbed his hand and moved to a sitting position. He reached behind her and moved the pillows over to the center of the bed.

He leaned back against them and opened his legs and patted his chest with his hand. "Scoot back over here."

She nodded and slowly scooted back as he requested.

He gently wrapped his arm around her right side and pulled her back against his chest.

She turned slightly, sticking her left shoulder out, resting her cheek and right shoulder against his chest.

"Just try and relax," he said, resting his chin on her head.

"I don't think I will," she replied.

"Just try," he said. "No harm in trying. At the very least, I get to hold you, so just indulge me, yeah?"

She laughed. "Ok, I can do that."

"I have to tell you something," he said.

"What?" she asked.

"When I walked by the stool in the kitchen last night, I knocked your purse over. You had a folder init and the papers fell all over the place. I picked them up…." he started to say.

"You saw them," she said softly.

"Yes. I saw them. I just want you to know this will still be the best Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for this year and it's all because of you. I don't want you thinking you getting hurt takes away from that. We still can cook Thanksgiving dinner together, I will shoulder most of it, but we will still do it together. You didn't have to buy gifts for anyone though," he said.

"The one for you is the only really big one, and I couldn't keep it a secret until Christmas and you'll get so much use out of it. I'm kinda excited to give it to you. Everyone else I got something small for. I wanted to get a little something for everyone," she said, reaching for his right hand and twining their fingers together.

"So, you'll think I'll like it?" he asked.

"I know you will," she replied. "You want to open it now?"

"No. I want you to relax," he said, bringing his left hand to rest just under her arm in the sling. "This isn't hurting you is it?" he asked.

"No. It's not hurting," she said. She leaned her head into his chest and closed her eyes.

The steady beat of his heart in her ear was soothing and relaxing. She felt his lips press against her temple.

"Here, hold this and tuck it under your left arm," he said, handing her a pillow.

He shifted down in the bed slightly. "Let me know if I'm hurting you," he said softly.

"You're not." She tucked her face against his neck. "This is what I needed," she mumbled against his neck.

"What did you say?" he asked.

She pulled her face away slightly. "This is what I needed. I couldn't get comfortable because I needed you to hold me."

"Well that's good, because I really needed to hold you," he replied.

He feels her right hand slip underneath him and up to the back of his neck. He flinched when her fingers touched the back of his neck. "God your hand is cold!" he said.

She laughed. "Told you I was cold."

He pulled the blanket higher around them. "Try to sleep some more," he whispered.

~oOo~

A few hours later the sound of the bedroom door opening startled him awake.

He saw his mother walk into the room and she opened her mouth to speak.

He quickly glanced down and he saw that Olivia was still sound asleep, her face still pressed against his neck.

He brought his finger up to his lips and slightly shook his head.

His mother nodded her head and turns around and walked out of the room, quietly closing the door.

He pulled his phone from the bedside table and looked at the time. 8:37 AM.

It was a little after 4:00 AM when they were talking, so he was happy to see she'd gotten four more hours of sleep.

"You're so warm and cozy I don't want to move," she sleepily said.

"You don't have to move," he said. He carefully pulled her closer. "Maureen already dropped Noah off at school, Mama is in the kitchen with Katie, but we don't have to do anything."

"Hmmmmm," she hummed against his neck. "Unfortunately, my bladder wants to put an end to that."

He laughed. "Actually, mine too," he replied. "We'll do this the same way just in reverse."

He gently eased them both up in the bed until they were in a sitting position. Elliot swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood.

He reached his hand out to her. "Just go slow, I know your chest must hurt. Try scoot to the edge of the bed then lean on me."

She nodded and grabbed his hand, and slowly inched her self to the edge.

"Now lean into me," he said, letting go of her hand.

He crouched down and wrapped his arm around her waist. "Just put all your weight onto me."

She leaned heavily onto him and he slowly helped her to her feet.

"Sorry," she said. "It probably isn't easy lifting my dead weight."

He shook his head. "You do know I could lift you straight over my head and hold you there and not even break a sweat right?" he asked with a smirk.

She laughed. "Maybe when I'm not so broken you'll have to show me that."

"Consider it a promise," he said, his smirk turning to a full grin.

~oOo~

She sat on one of the stools at the kitchen island. She smiled as she watched Elliot and how excited he was showing Eli the fancy Italian espresso machine she bought him.

She definitely had gone overboard. Buying him the deluxe model version of the one she knew he wanted.

Of course, she got him all the accessories, as well as several pounds of his favorite espresso and coffee beans imported directly from Italy.

He insisted she let him make her a drink. When she requests a cappuccino, she watches the care and precision he took to make it.

Grinding the espresso fresh, measuring out the exact amount of espresso, filling the filter with it, and tamping it down.

She watched as he carefully steamed the milk, and brewed perfect shots of espresso.

Then he expertly poured the steamed milk, and foam over the shots of espresso. He gave it a light dusting of cinnamon and proudly placed it in front of her.

He grinned at her. "Goditi il tuo cappuccino amore mio."

She smiled at him. She could feel the blush starting in her cheeks. He knew what it did to her when he spoke Italian to her.

Usually, she played along, answering him in Italian, but the kitchen was full of his children, his mother, and Noah, Kieran, and Seamus were nearby too.

"You really are spoiling him, you know." Bernie said, pointing her finger at her and shaking her head.

Olivia grinned and sipped her cappuccino. "That's so good," she said, smiling at him. "After making me that perfect cappuccino he deserves to be spoiled."

He leaned forward and grasped her chin and kissed her. "As do you," he said with a grin.

"Ewwww, Dad." Eli groaned. "Do you have tobe so blatant?"

Elliot looked over at him. "As a matter of fact, I do," he said, smirking at Eli.

"Dad, can you make me a pumpkin spice latte?" Kathleen called out.

A look of disgust came over Elliot's face. "That request I respectfully refuse," he said, turning to look at her.

"Ehhhh that's fine. Yours probably wouldn't be as good as Starbucks anyway," she said with a shrug.

"Pumpkin doesn't belong in coffee," Elliot said, shaking his head.

"I have to agree with your Dad on this one," Olivia said, reaching out to touch his arm. "I can't stand pumpkin-flavored coffee. One of my detectives made it yesterday and I swear that's when my day started going downhill."

"Well not everyone can have good taste like I do," Kathleen said, holding her head up high.

"Maybe it's no taste at all," Eli said, smirking at his sister.

"Oh shut up you. You like your burgers well done," she said, throwing a dish towel in Eli's direction.

"That's a blatant disrespect of the burger!" Elliot said, shaking his head at Eli.

"Oh stop, you cry like a baby when someone eats sushi near you. Maybe I'll bring a big, giant platter of sushi to Thanksgiving dinner," Eli said hitting Elliot in the arm.

Elliot grimaced. "You can keep it away from the table," he said.

"I'm with Dad," Dickie chimed in. "Sushi doesn't belong on the Thanksgiving table."

She felt her bicep throb and she winced. She had been feeling pain for some time now but was enjoying the joking and bickering and just talking with everyone, and she didn't want to interrupt it.

"You ok? You in pain?" Elliot asked.

"A little," she said, nodding her head. "It's not horrible."

"You should take your pain medication now before it gets worse. You want to try and stay ahead of the pain," Dickie said, looking at her with a concerned expression.

"I'll get you one of them." Elliot said. "If you're admitting to pain, it's double what you're saying it is."

She sighed and looked over at Elliot. "Ok," she said, looking down at the countertop. She knew Elliot wouldn't let it go, he wouldn't let her ignore her pain, just like she wouldn't let him.

She couldn't help feeling some of the sadness slip back. She wanted to try and help Bernie, Katie, and Maureen make pies.

She was proud of her ability to make desserts and pastries. It was something she kept hidden from a lot of people, during her mandated leave after her ordeal with Lewis, she had taken an accelerated baking and pastry course at one of the culinary schools in Manhattan.

She was surprised how soothing it was and that she was actually pretty damn good at it. She really wanted to contribute her skills and craft to their Thanksgiving dinner.

"Girls," Bernie called. "We really have to get started; I want to be home in time to watch my stories."

"Ok, Grandma," Maureen said.

Elliot came up behind Olivia and rubbed his hand up her back and let it rest on her neck. "You ok?" he asked close to her ear so no one else would hear.

"Yeah, I'm ok," she said softly.

Elliot held out his hand, one of her painkillers in his palm. "You want some water?"

"No." She shook her head and reached for the pill in his hand and put it in her mouth before reaching again for her coffee mug. She brought it to her lips and sipped from it.

She winced again feeling the burning in her arm and shoulder.

"How bout I get you an ice pack and then I'll come lay down with you?" he asked kissing her temple.

"You don't have to do that. I'm sure you want to spend some time with Eli," she said.

"I do, but he has plans. He's going out," he said. "Carl is building legos with Noah, Kieran, and Seamus."

"I would love that, but I don't want to keep you from your family," she said, looking up at him.

"Liv, you are my family," he replied, cupping her cheek. "I know you're enjoying sitting out here, but get some rest now and we can make a few pies later. Just us. You tell me what to do and together we will contribute to Thanksgiving desserts, ok?"

She smiled. "Have you ever made a pie?" she asked.

"I used to help my grandmother," he said with a shrug.

"You really wanna make a pie with me?" she asked, her smile getting bigger.

"Yes, I do. This will be one of our new traditions. For every family holiday, we will make a dessert together. Tomorrow you can help me get the turkey started and start on the sides," he said, grinning down at her before leaning forward and kissing her.

"As much as I would love to do both, I'm not sure I'm going to be very useful in either," she said, a look of sadness on her face again.

"Hey, you will be perfectly useful. Together we can do it. I always worked best with you right here next to me," he said, running his thumb across her cheek.

"So, every holiday we make a dessert together," she said, looking at him.

He nodded. "Yes. Our new Holiday tradition," he said.

"The only other person I've made holiday desserts with was my grandmother. Noah likes to eat them but doesn't really like the cooking part," she said. "It will be nice to make holiday desserts with you."

"Elliot, Olivia I hate to break this up but we got things to do," Bernie insisted shaking her head with her hands on her hips.

"Mama we're going," Elliot said, shooting his mother an annoyed look.

"El, I'm all set with the ice," Olivia said.

"You sure?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'll use it later," she replied, shifting her body to slowly ease herself off the stool.

"Just wait." Elliot said, stepping back to her side. He slipped his arm around her waist.

"Just move slowly," he said as he helped her slip off the stool.

"Come on! The both of you! Out!" Bernie exclaimed pointing her hand towards their bedroom.

~oOo~

"Is this what we do now?" he asked.

"Hmmmm?" she replied.

Elliot was lounging against the headboard with his legs spread. She was reclined back against his chest, his armed wrapped around her.

"We criticize fictional law enforcement partnerships and compare them to ours." He gestured with his free hand at the TV.

Another episode of the X-Files was on.

"Does it count if this is the only partnership we've criticized? I feel like we've just pointed out how in love they both are with each other," she replied.

"They definitely are in love, that's for sure. I mean look how upset he is that she got abducted. He's wearing her cross and he's not even Catholic," he said.

She brings her right hand up and covers his hand that's resting on her abdomen. "He probably felt it was all he had left of her," she whispered. "It's why I keep your old badge with mine and you keep mine with yours."

"I didn't think about what I said. I'm sorry," he said.

"No, it's fine. He wants her near him by wearing the cross, like she's still walking next to him. I wore your medal like that, and your mini badge on my gun for that reason. To this day I still regret that Lewis got his hands on them and they're still sitting in an evidence box," she said.

"I can get you another medal," he whispered.

"If you got me another, I would wear it. Getting the one back he ripped off my neck and your badge that is on the butt of my old gun in that evidence box, would sort of be like taking back pieces of myself that he took. I know that sounds silly," she said.

He moved his hand on top of hers to grasp hers in his. He brought it to his lips and kissed it before placing them back on her abdomen.

"No. No, it's not silly," he said. "Not silly at all."

He had to figure out a way to get into that evidence box.

~oOo~

"I have to say man you sure can be cryptic," Fin said.

"I had to be. She was right next to me the whole time. I didn't know this was so important to her, that it meant so much. She's so emotional about having ruined Thanksgiving, and she specifically keeps saying Thanksgiving dinner. It just has me on edge because I just don't think she's hearing me when I say she didn't ruin Thanksgiving," Elliot said, shaking his head.

"Phoebe's cousin just so happened to be the one on shift in evidence today," Fin said as he reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope.

"Thank you, Fin," he said, tucking the envelope into his pocket.

They were out on the terrace under the guise of the cigar Fin had held between his teeth.

"You know, she's been borderline obsessive about your Thanksgiving being perfect," Fin said.

Elliot sighed. "I keep telling her it's going to be perfect because I get to spend it with her."

"I told you she mentioned her mother in the hospital yesterday. Maybe it's a deeper trauma from her childhood," Fin replied with a shrug.

"You could be right. I'm gonna find a way to ask her about it. I'm going to make pies with her later. Let her participate as much as she can from a seat at the counter. I'll do most of the work, but it will just be the two of us," Elliot said, as folded his arms across his chest and leaned back.

Fin nodded. "That's a good idea. Maybe talk about thanksgiving memories." Fin looked at his watch. "I gotta get going. Phoebe's waiting on me."

Elliot clapped him on the back. "Thank you, I owe you," he said with a grin.

"You still got that connection for Knicks tickets?" Fin asked with a smirk.

"I'll see what I can do," Elliot replied with a laugh.

~oOo~

"Want to help?" she asked, looking over at Noah.

He laughed and shook his head. "I like to eat pie, I'm not interested in making it. Besides I'm sleeping next door with Kieran and Seamus," Noah said.

"He's just too cool for us," Elliot said. "Is this how it's supposed to look?"

She peered into the mixer bowl. She reached in and poked and prodded the dough. "Yes. It looks perfect," she said with a smile.

"Mama made three pumpkin pies and three apple ones. Now we can make our own pumpkin or apple if you want or maybe something different," he said, looking over at her.

"How about we do chocolate cream and pecan? I planned on making a pecan pie for you anyway. I know it's your favorite," she said.

"That sounds great. Carl will like it too, he's not really a pumpkin fan.

"You ready for rolling out the dough?" he asked.

"Well, that's gonna be a you task. All I can give is moral support. It has to chill for a while first. Split it into two equal bunches and wrap it in plastic," she directed.

He pushed up the sleeves to his Henley and grinned at her.

He watched her eyes drop to look at his forearms. He always knew she liked his arms, from the very early days of their partnership.

"Yes, Cap'n," he said, smirking at her.

He started to divide the dough into two equal piles.

She grinned at looked down. "So not only do you talk Italian to me today, but you also pull the rank talk?" She shook her head. "I'm not in tip-top shape right now. You're putting all your moves on me, and I can't really respond the way I usually do."

He reached for the plastic wrap and started to rip off a piece of plastic wrap. "Just making sure you're paying attention."

Her eyes dropped to his arms again, then back up to his face. "Oh, I'm paying attention, trust me," she said with a smirk.

~oOo~

A few hours later, Elliot was just taking the pecan pie out of the oven.

He carefully placed it on top of the counter.

Olivia was seated at the counter and smiled over at him. Her smile was warm and contagious. He couldn't help breaking into a smile of his own.

"That looks perfect," she said. Her eyes then filled with tears.

"Baby, what's wrong?" he asked. Confused by the sudden change in emotion from happy to sad.

He walked around the counter and wrapped his arms around her.

She pressed her head against his neck. "We did that together. I haven't done holiday baking with anyone since my grandmother died. I always wanted this, and even though it's been a year almost, being a part of a real family, with you as my husband, I sometimes still can't believe it's actually true and it's not a dream," she said.

"It's real," he whispered. "That's why I keep telling you this will be the best Thanksgiving ever."

She pulls her head back to look at him. "That's what I wanted it to be. I wanted everyone to be happy," she said.

He reached up to wipe at the tears that were still flowing down her cheeks. "Everyone is happy, Liv. We're all going to be together. Things may not be the way you pictured, but even the best-planned holiday can have its kinks."

"I just wanted to be able to help with everything and contribute," she said, looking up at him.

His hands move back up to cup her face. His thumbs caressing over her cheek bones. "We made those pies together, didn't we? Tomorrow, after I make you whatever you want on that amazing espresso machine, you're going to help me get the turkey in the oven, then we will watch the parade with the boys. Once dinner is on the table, we will all eat together as a family and you will be sitting right next to me," he said.

"You can make full pots of coffee on it too," she said softly. "I got you the newer version of the one you wanted."

He leaned forward and kisses her. "I love it, but you know you didn't have to get that for me, right?"

She put her hand on his chest. "I got it for you because I knew how badly you wanted it, and I knew you'd have so much fun sharing it with everyone on Thanksgiving. You do so much for everyone, Elliot. You take care of all of us, you make sure we are happy. Someone needs to do the same for you."

He looked down at her feeling overcome with emotion. He could see the seriousness in her eyes. The warm brown of her eyes almost shining from her tears.

"Olivia, you do all of that for me and so much more. Every day I get to spend with you is special to me. I treasure each one."

He leaned forward again and kissed her. "Come on. Let's go get ready for bed. I know it's a bit early but let's go get into bed and we can talk for a little while longer."

He helped her off the stool and wrapped his arm around her as they walked towards their bedroom.

~oOo~

The next morning, she woke up alone in bed. She reached a hand over to Elliot's side of the bed and could feel it was still warm so she knows he hadn't been up very long.

She got up and slipped her feet carefully into her slippers. She stopped quickly in the bathroom before walking out to the kitchen to see Elliot standing in front of the coffee machine she'd given him the day before.

He was singing along to U2 as he poured coffee into two cups. He turned to see her leaning against the counter, watching him with a smile on his face.

"Good morning," he said with a grin.

"Good morning," she replied with a smile. "You're in a good mood."

"I'm in a great mood! I love Thanksgiving," he said, his smile getting bigger.

"I know you do," she replied, sitting on one of the stools at the counter. She leaned the elbow of her uninjured arm on the counter and rested her chin on her hand.

He placed one of the cups in front of her.

"Thanks," she said with a smile.

"We got a 30lb turkey to get in the oven!" he exclaimed pointing to the turkey he already had in the roasting pan.

"You already put it in the pan? You were supposed to wait for me," she said, shaking her head.

"Relax partner. All I did was the heavy lifting!" he said with a smirk.

She smiled at him and reached for her coffee cup. She brought the cup to her lips and sipped. "That's so good!" she said.

"Thanks to you," he said, coming up on her right side and wrapping his arm around her.

~oOo~

The table was set beautifully. The flowers she had ordered were a perfect accompaniment to the table the girls had set.

The family was all gathered around the table, all that was missing was Elliot.

She had no sooner thought it than he walked to the table carrying the turkey. He effortlessly set it down on the table before taking his place next to her.

He reached for her hand. "I always say every Thanksgiving is special, but this one is extra special. We have Liv and Noah here with us, and I am so very thankful for that. Everyone is here, happy and healthy, and I can honestly say there isn't anything in the world I want more than to be sitting here today with my family," he said with a big smile.

The table was packed with food and their family. It was loud, it was chaotic, and it was absolutely wonderful.

She thought getting hurt would ruin this day, ruin Thanksgiving dinner but she was wrong. She felt so happy sitting at this table, eating the food they all helped to prepare. Sitting next to Elliot, the love of her life, her husband, and their beautiful family.

She was all wrong with how she'd been thinking. It wasn't about what she couldn't get done, what she wasn't able to do. It was about spending time with the people that were most important to her, her family. After wanting it for so long, she finally had a family. Noah wouldn't experience anymore lonely holidays. Even if work happened to call her away, she had this big amazing, loving family that would make sure he was taken care of and loved.

She looked over at Elliot and saw his happiness. She got it now. Why he loved Thanksgiving so much. It wasn't about gifts despite her want and need to buy everyone here one. It was about being thankful and appreciating what you did have. Holding close the ones you love.

She always had quiet, lowkey Thanksgivings. After her grandmother passed away, there were a few dismal attempts at celebrating Thanksgiving. Then for years, she didn't even think about it, choosing instead to work and put it out of her mind.

She always made sure Elliot made it home for Thanksgiving, then the next day he would share as much of it with her as he could. After he left SVU, it wasn't until she had Noah that she put effort into celebrating it again.

This was the first loud, boisterous, utterly chaotic Thanksgiving and she loved it. She would never put work before this again. She would make damn sure she made it to every Family Thanksgiving from here on out. She wouldn't ever willingly miss this.

~oOo~

Later that night, she sat on the couch with Elliot. The leftovers were all put away, the dishes all washed. Noah was watching movies with Kieran and Seamus. There was a heated monopoly game going on in the attached unit that Elliot had extended to the apartment.

"Today was a good day," she said, leaning her head on his chest.

"I told you it would be," he said, putting his arm around her.

"I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted it to be the best Thanksgiving." She felt her eyes fill with tears and them start to drip down her cheeks.

"Hey," he said, pulling away from her. "It was absolutely perfect. I wouldn't change a thing about today. I wish you weren't hurt, but other than that it was the best Thanksgiving," he said.

"My mother would tell me that just by just existing, I ruined Thanksgiving for her. She would say how can she sit down to Thanksgiving dinner and be thankful knowing how I came into existence," she said softly.

"Baby, I am so sorry you had to experience that. No one deserves that, least of all you. You are the most loving person. You have the biggest heart, Olivia. Don't think you getting hurt ruined Thanksgiving. If you hadn't been wearing that vest that would've ruined my Thanksgiving," he said, his own eyes filling with tears.

"I was thinking about it all wrong. I get it now. I understand why you've always loved Thanksgiving so much," she said, smiling through her tears.

"I love it even more now that I get to spend my Thanksgivings with you," he said, brushing her hair out of her face. "I got a little something for you."

"You didn't have to get me anything, El," she said shaking her head.

"Yes, I did," he said nodding his head. "It didn't cost me much, but I am indebted to Fin now."

She laughed. "That can be dangerous."

"Well, it's worth it. Since you told me what this would mean to you, I had to make sure I got my hands on it," he said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the envelope.

He dumped the contents of the envelope into his hand and held it out to her.

She gasped when she saw what was in his hand. Her eyes filled with tears again. "How?"

"It's probably best we don't know how it happened. Just know I owe Fin, and probably will for the rest of my life," he said.

"Oh, Elliot," she said. She reached out and grasped the medal and his mini badge. "I can't believe you got them back for me."

"I had to get them back. When you told me yesterday how much you wanted them back so you could take back the pieces of yourself, I felt I had to. I called Fin and he said he would take care of it and he showed up here yesterday when you were sleeping and gave them to me," he said.

She turned towards him more. "This means the world to me. More than I could possibly say," she said.

"I will get you a new chain if you want to wear the medal on a chain again." He rubbed his hand across his forehead. "I am so thankful for you, Olivia. If having these things back, helped slay some demons for you, I wish I knew sooner. I would've done anything to have gotten them back for you," he said.

She was overcome by the emotions she was feeling. She held tightly to his medal and his badge. For so long, those items were all she had of him. The only pieces she had left of him.

She felt like pieces of herself that had been missing for 10 years finally fell back into place. "These were all I had left of you. They became the most important possessions to me. I remember being so angry that I didn't put them away, that me having them on me allowed Lewis to take them. I needed them though. I needed to have them on me to feel like you were with me. Having you here next to me is the best feeling in the world, and you giving these back to me, I feel whole again. Thank you," she said, leaning forward to kiss him.

"I am so thankful for that," he said, softly pulling her into his arms. "Most of all I'm thankful for you."


Note: The author of this SVU: Fall in Love story will be revealed in November