This is the sequel to 'You're My Best Friend.' Hope you enjoy. Please R&R. It motivates me to write more.
Thank you all so much for all your comments and reviews. It makes my day.
The lines between most of the sentences toward the second half indicate scene switing. But I'm sure you knew that.
Italics are thoughts.
I don't own these characters I just love the show.
Elliot waited in a chair outside of the operating room for news on Olivia.
"How is she, Elliot?" Cragenasked, arriving shortly after she went in.
"I'm still waiting to hear." He paused for a moment to continue thinking. "I should've been there. How could I let this happen?"
"This isn't your fault. Don't blame yourself. You let her do her job because she's a great cop. That's all. She handled herself very well for being in that situation. There is nothing you can do but be there for her now. If you thought about all the what-ifs, you would go crazy. Just think of how you can protect her and make her happy now, not what you should've done."
"Yeah, I guess you're right, Cap."
They both sat in silence thinking about the events that had just happened. Elliot knew his captain was right, but he couldn't help thinking part of this was his fault. He felt so guilty for not being there for her, to help and protect her. He started to feel the helplessness that he had earlier that day when they had no leads and all he could do was sleep. Sleep? How can I sleep when my Livia is out there with God knows who doing God knows what to her. He had thought. His thoughts and sleep were disturbed by the doctor with news on his patient.
"How is she, doc? Can I see her now?"
"She did great. We pulled the bullet from her calf muscle. She'll be able to walk, but she may be limping for a few days. I suggest keeping the fieldwork low until she fully recovers. It should only be a few weeks. I'd like to keep her overnight for observation. She's a strong woman, a fighter for sure."
"And the baby?"
"It's doing great." He smiled.
"Thank you, Doctor."
"My pleasure. You can see her now." He said to Don.
"Me? Elliot should go first…"
"She requested to see the captain first." He said walking away. Cragen shrugged and knocked on Olivia's door before following her instruction to enter.
"Hey, how you holding up, Benson?"
"I'm great, considering. Doctor says I'll recover in a few weeks."
"That was some tough shit you went through." He said smiling as he sat in the chair beside her bed.
She laughed a little, "My father was behind it. Baxter did it for him because he wanted revenge, also, but my father was the ringleader." Cragen frowned before apologizing. "It's ok. I had always wanted to know who he was, but not like that. I always thought he would strike again. I would look at guys were collared that were his age and wondered if it was him. I would look closely to find any features I might know. I just figured I'd be arresting him rather than him kidnapping me, you know?" Some tears fell down her face and she looked toward the ceiling to try to stop herself from crying.
Don didn't know what to say. "We'll get him, Olivia. You will cuff him and we'll put him away. I promise you that."
"Thank you." She smiled when she finally looked back at him. "I have a favor to ask. That's why I wanted to see you before Elliot."
"Sure, anything."
"As much as you're my boss, you've been great to me, like… like the father I never had. Until today" she laughed, "But I was wondering if you would walk me down the aisle when Elliot and I get married."
This time Cragen's eyes were wet with tears. He was so touched that she thought of him that way since he never really had a family himself. "I'd be honored to."
Elliot paced back and forth in front of the room waiting for his turn to see Olivia. When Cragen walked out, his head shot up. "Your turn, Stabler." Elliot smiled and walked in.
He went straight in for a kiss. "How you doing? Can I get you anything?"
"No, I'm fine. I'm so glad to see you."
"I have something for you." Elliot took Olivia's hand and slipped her ring back onto her finger.
"You found it. You found me." She whispered.
"I always will." He whispered back as he kissed her on the forehead.
Olivia woke late into the night sweating in her hospital bed. She had such a real dream about her father; so real that it scared her. She felt him next to her, but when she woke up was relieved to see that it was Elliot. She turned her head to face him, watching his as he slept. She'd wished that he could be right next to her so that she could fall asleep to the rhythm of his breathing. This bed is big enough, we don't need that much room, she thought. "Elliot. Elliot." She whispered shaking him a little.
"You ok? What can I get you?" he asked half asleep.
"Will you come sleep next to me? I want you next to me."
Without hesitation he crawled right beside her, pulling her head to his chest. "Are you ok?" he asked with closed eyes.
"I had a bad dream. He was here next to me."
Elliot looked down into her eyes. "He can't hurt you anymore, Liv. I'm here." He pulled her even closer, and she melted against him and immediately they both fell asleep listening to each other's hearts.
When the nurse walked in early the following morning, she noticed how adorable they had looked. She ran to get another nurse on duty, "Hey, Kathy… you gotta come see this! It's the most precious thing."
When the two women walked into the room, Kathy's heart caught in her throat. She remembered when she and Elliot slept, they had never been that close to each other in all those years. She found herself a little jealous. Not because they never had that, but because she didn't have that now. She also felt a little angry for not letting them be together sooner. They were obviously made for each other.
SVU Squadroom, four months later
Olivia and Elliot were wrapping up the cases and paper work for the day. Cragen had tried to give them lighter cases since the wedding was only two days away, and the planning for that was insane. There were guest lists to be finalized, reservations to triple check on, clothes to be picked up from the tailor's, and flowers to order. Today was going to be their last day into work for the next ten days.
"Would you kids go home already? I don't want to see either of your mugs in here for the next ten days. Is that understood?" Cragen yelled at them from his office. Although he was joking around, he was partially serious.
"All right, already. We're going." Elliot said grabbing his coat. Olivia headed for Cragen's office.
"Can I talk to you a sec?"
"Sure." He held the door open for her and closed it behind her as she turned to face him.
"You know, I never thanked you for what you did with my case."
"You don't have to thank me, I made you a promise."
"I know. But it means a lot to me. I feel much safer having my wedding knowing he's going to be behind bars for a long time."
"Don't just thank me. I'm not the one who found all the rapes and he'd gotten away with all those years. You know that you're husband did that. And Casey made sure he was put away for good."
"I know. But what you did was great. Thanks again. See you Saturday." She said, kissing him on the cheek and walking out to meet Elliot.
Saturday rolled around sooner then they'd thought it would. Olivia hadn't seen Elliot since the night before and was staying at Casey's apartment.
"Olivia, what time do you want to go and get ready?" Casey shouted to her from the living room.
Olivia poked her head out of the bathroom. "As soon as I get dressed. I'll be out in a minute." Even though she took a relaxing bath, she was still nervous about this evening. "What time is it, Case?"
"One. We're cutting it close. What time do you have to meet Elliot?"
"Meet him? I don't have to meet him anywhere."
"I mean, at the end of the aisle. What time does it start again?"
"Casey, you're my maiden of honor, and you don't know what time the wedding starts? That scares me a little. And it starts at five."
"Just try and hurry up, Liv?"
The two headed out ten minutes later and met Alex at a restaurant for a quick lunch before heading to the salon for hair and makeup. They made it to the church by four to get dressed in a spare room. Casey and Alex wore matching strapless black dresses that went a little below the knee. They had beautiful white embroidered flowers on the bottom and thick white ribbons that tied around their waists. Each had their hair done up in a summer 'do.
Olivia stepped in front of a three-way mirror they had set up in the changing room to examine herself in her gown.
Elliot stepped out in front of John and Fin when he finished putting on his black tuxedo. "How do I look, guys?" They had somewhat matching tuxes to Elliot.
"You look great, Liv." Alex said in awe.
"Beautiful." Casey added.
"You guys don't look half bad yourselves," Elliot answered Munch and Fin's responses.
Olivia was wearing a white gown with thin straps. It flowed into a small train with little buttons down the back, stopping at her lower back. There was a small hook on the train to hook it to one of the buttons for the reception. The top had beautiful beads and pearls that covered it, and as it went down the dress, there were less and less designs. It flowed so beautifully and she was glowing. Her hair swept her shoulders and was pulled back slightly on the sides with pretty jeweled pins and topped with her veil that hung in back instead of in front of her face. "I can't wait to see Elliot." She smiled.
At that exact same moment Elliot smiled, "I can't wait to see Olivia." Elliot walked out of the room and to the front of the church with John and Fin. They waited for the girls to arrive.
Captain Cragen knocked on the door to Olivia's dressing room, and walked inside when he heard the ok. He stood looking at Olivia. "You look great, Liv."
"Thank You, Cap." She was all smiles. In fact, despite her nervousness, she had been smiling all day long. "Are Elizabeth and Dickie ready? She asked Maureen. She wanted to make the kids feel like they were apart of the wedding. Liz was the flower girl and Dickie was the ring bearer. Maureen and Kathleen weren't in the wedding, but each of them helped quite a bit with everything, so they still had a place. Maureen's biggest job was to find a good DJ for the reception, and Kathleen was to take pictures at the reception.
"Olivia, I'm ready." Liz's voice said over the people talking. "I have the flower petals you gave me." She held them up to show her.
"And I have the rings, Livia." Dickie said.
"Great! You guys are doing great. Thank you."
"Are those really all the petals from what my dad gave you?" Maureen asked in disbelief.
"Romantic, huh?" Olivia replied, excitedly.
"Ok, it's time." Casey said walking back into the room. Everyone got into their places in the back of the church. Dickie escorted Liz down the aisle as she dropped petals in front of her. Maureen and Kathleen walked after them, but sat in the front row on their father's side rather than standing near Olivia. Next was Alex, then Casey taking their places on the stage.
Then the music began. Olivia's stomach did flips when she heard the first notes of the song. She linked her arm through Don's and they walked into view of everyone who was standing for her. Her eyes immediately locked Elliot's. Even from the other end of the aisle she could see how blue they were.
Elliot watched his daughters walk down they aisle followed by Alex and Casey. He took a deep breath as Munch patted his shoulder. When he heard the notes to the wedding song begin, everyone stood up, waiting to his Olivia. My Olivia, he thought. His eyes found hers before anything else. He looked her over and noticed she was glowing. It wasn't from the light coming from behind her, either. As his eyes slowly slid down her body, they stopped at the slight bump of her belly. The dress had been altered a bit, he was sure, even though she hadn't gotten that big.
The first thing she noticed besides Elliot's eyes was the look on his face when he saw her. She had never seen him look at her that way before. He came close that night at Casey's after they had gotten into the fight about the baby. She was almost positive she saw water in his eyes. As much as she wanted to acknowledge the guests that were there, she couldn't take her eyes off of Elliot. It took everything for her to wait until the end of the ceremony to kiss him.
And neither of them could stop smiling at each other.
Don gave Olivia away to Elliot and took his seat in the front row on Olivia's side, where the father would sit. Olivia took Elliot's hand and followed him to where they were to stand, in front of the minister. The couple said the traditional 'I do' vows before saying their own.
"Elliot Stabler, From the first day we became partners, seven years ago, I've liked you. It was only when I discovered that you liked me back did I begin to let myself love you. You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, and I never have, nor will I ever, love and trust anyone as much I as do you. I promise to be there for you, for always, no matter what life brings us. Even if it's another baby." They smiled at each other. The guests gave a collective awe, but only Elliot, Olivia and Casey knew the real meaning to that statement. She placed a ring on Elliot's finger.
"My Livia Benson. From the moment you walked into the station on your first day of work, I haven't been able to stop thinking of you. And even though I didn't think anything would ever happen with us then, I still wouldn't let Munch make a move." They all smiled and laughed. "You've always been there for me and have been the greatest friend to me. I couldn't have asked Cragen for a better partner. And I couldn't have asked God for a better best friend and wife." He stopped reading the card he had prepared and looked into her eyes. "Please know that I will always be there for you, no matter what, for always. And know that any decisions that you make," he put his hands on her belly and slowly moved them to rest on her hips, "I will always be there to back you up. I love you." Then he placed a wedding ring on Olivia's finger.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Elliot gave her a heart melting half smile before stepping in closer. He placed a hand gently under her chin to bring her mouth to his and kissed her. It was by far the most passionate, wonderful kiss she had ever received. He kept it light since there were so many people watching. When they pulled back, they looked into each other's eyes and each mouthed, 'I love you' before turning and facing their guests to walk down the aisle.
((Wow, ok seven pages! That's crazy! I hoped you enjoyed. Please R&R. And keep an eye out for the epilogue coming soon. :) Thank you!))
