NOTE: I should have told you all that he is not married in this one. So now you know. Sorry for the confusion.
Another thing. I didn't have time to read this one over. So this might have a lot of mistakes.
By the next day the whole SVU department knew about Olivia's secrete admirer due to Elliot's account of the story. They were all ready to categorize him as a pervert. She really wasn't sure what to think until she got home that day. There at her door was a box, a considerably large box that was light enough for her to carry inside. She wasted no time. She opened this one immediately.
It was a rapped in decorative paper. She unwrapped it and found herself holding layers of white fabric. She opened it out and realized it was a wedding dress. She dropped it immediately. This guy wasn't joking. She picked up the phone and called Elliot. " Hey it's Olivia, you have to come see this."
He was there shortly after. She pointed at the box and told him to look inside. " The scary thing is that it's my size."
Elliot opened the box and saw the wedding dress. He twisted his face. " I never thought the day would come when I would be disgusted by a wedding dress."
" It's not really disgusting, it is a really nice dress but…"
" You don't know the guy."
" I got a card with instructions to meet him at a church tomorrow." She was trying her best to sound calm but she was really freaked out about this.
" So you're going?"
" Well I want to know who it is, see if he dangerous, or has a record."
He wanted to ask he if she was crazy but then he realized it was what anyone would have done. Besides if she didn't go that would piss the guy off. " You're not wearing the dress are you?"
She looked at him and rolled her eyes. " I'm curious not stupid."
****
They pulled up at the entrance to the church with everything in a box. Olivia and Elliot got out while Fin and Munch stayed in the car.
" Hey, I was just thinking, maybe he needs a best man."
" Ha ha," she said. Her nerves were on the edge and she didn't appreciate the humor.
The church was empty except for the priest at the front. They left the box on bench at the back of the church. At walked up the priest.
" Do you have any idea where the groom is?"
The priest laughed. " I'm beginning to wonder if there is a bride. He's in my office. It's to your right.
Olivia walked slowly to the room with the closed door. She looked back at Stabler.
He nodded.
She knocked on the door and pushed it open slowly. The first thing she noticed was the nurse. Then in a wheel chair was a man she couldn't help but think looked familiar.
He smiled. " Olivia, it's me Clayton."
She smiled. Even though she had no idea who it was.
" Why aren't you wearing the dress?"
She raised an eyebrow. " I can't marry you Clayton."
" Why?" he asked like his whole world had been chattered.
She walked in the room even though she knew better. She indicated for Stabler to wait outside.
" Because we don't know each other."
The nurse who was there broke into tears and went running out the door.
His eyes grew wide. " Don't you remember form high school, you were my only friend? We talked everyday."
She searched her memory for him. The only person she could think about was a boy who she helped in the ninth grade. He got beat up from some guys and she helped him get to the school nurse. He only stayed in the school for a year. It had to be him. " I remember you, it's just that it's been such a long time."
He smiled. " Yeah but I knew we were destined to meet again. Imagine my surprise when I saw you talking to my roommate in the hospital. I always knew you would end up helping people."
She smiled. So far he seemed harmless. " Yeah, I always wanted to be a cop. So what about you, where have been?"
" In the hospital mostly. I have a very rear illness. The doctor said I would die in a month. I figured it must have been faith, the only woman I ever loved came back into my life. It was like god was trying to tell me to make my move, don't waste anymore time."
Olivia nodded. She felt queasy inside. She didn't know what to tell him. She couldn't break his heart. He only had a month to live. But she definitely couldn't get involved with him. He was clearly delusional. She had to let him down easy. " I can't marry you Clayton, I'm seeing someone."
" Who?"
She said the first thing that came to her mind. " My partner. He's outside."
He swallowed hard. " Can I see him?"
He obviously didn't have a gun or anything. She went outside and briefed Stabler on what she told him.
" So he things we're dating?"
" Yeah, I only told him that because it seemed to make sense at the time. He's kind of fragile so go easy on him."
" Do you even know this guy?"
" Yeah from high school, I'll explain later."
Stabler walked in the room trying not to be too judgmental. " I'm Elliot?"
He nodded. " So you're a cop too?"
" Yeah, we work together, that's how we met?" He understood why Olivia felt sorry for him. He was pretty pitiful.
"Do you love her, cause if you don't you don't deserve her?"
" Yes I do love her."
" Do you look out for her, make sure she doesn't get hurt and things like that?"
" I guard her with my life."
Clayton nodded. " Okay you could go."
Stabler got up and left the room.
" Are you happy with him?" Clayton asked
" Yeah, very happy?"
A tear trickled down his face. " Well that's what I want for you, to be happy. It was stupid of me to think that after all these years you would till love me, I understand. I just wish that I hadn't been so bold as to ask you to marry me?"
" That's okay,"
He looked at his hands.
" I bought back the stuff you sent me. It's outside," she said softly.
He shook his head. " When I got it, I had you in mind, I can't take it back. Besides I want you to have it?"
" I can't keep it, you probably spent a lot of money on it?"
" Yes but I have a lot of money to spend in a month. You can see this as an early wedding present for you and—Elliot, if you guys get married."
" I…"
" Please take it, for me."
Olivia nodded.
************************************************************************
Olivia and Elliot walked back to the car with the Box.
" He didn't show up?" Fin asked.
" Yeah he showed up alright," Elliot said.
" So why do you still have the box?" Munch asked.
" Because it's our wedding present," Elliot said laughing.
" Congratulations, I didn't you two were dating much less getting married." Munch said in his dry sarcastic tone.
" She told him we were dating to let him down easy. The guy is harmless just has a bad crush."
" So that's it?"
" No I promised him I would come and see him in the hospital. His nurse said he doesn't get any visitors." Olivia felt sorry for him. It was the least she could do.