Kathy POV

I follow him through this door, up some stairs and out on the roof. Wow, you can see the whole city from here…

"So, what are we doing out here?"

"I wanted to share this with you. I come up here to think. Gives me perspective. Ya know. Looking down on the city. Seeing it as just lights and buildings, for once. It's really beautiful at night."

"I'm sure it is."

"When I get called in at two or three in the morning…and I've got some time before the sunrise…I come up here. To think, to pray. For the victim….I pray that God will give them…their families…peace….that Mary will grant them understanding."

Where's he going with this….

"And then, I think about you…the kids. Thank God you're all safe at home. And I also pray that we'd never have to be on the victim side…I don't think I could handle it."

"Not real sure I could either. I mean, I'm always scared on of you would end up at the hospital…"

"I know."

As I look down on the streets, I can understand the clarity up here, above it all…. "What else do you think about?"

"How lucky we are. Lucky we've got good kids. Lucky that they've got morals. Lucky I've got such a caring, loving wife, who I've put through a hell of a lot."

"And I'm lucky to have a loving, hard working husband who puts up with constant questioning."

"You wouldn't always be questioning if I could talk."

"Scary world down there. You're just doing what you can to protect us from it."

"Well, I promised you I would do that. I would take care of you, provide for you….and the kids. And I meant it."

Oh Elliot, I know. All I need to do is just lean close and he'll hold me. Just like this….which reminds me… "Hey, do you remember when we first were married, and you could only come home once a week…I hated being alone, an pregnant. And it seemed like the only thing that would stop me from feeling miserable, was you putting your arms around me."

"You know I wanted to be there more than anything."

"I know." Please don't make me cry…not now.

"You know what else Kath? I know that I haven't exactly given you the life you dreamed of. Didn't even give you the proposal you always thought you'd get either…."

"Don't be ridiculous Elliot. You've given me four beautiful children and a home….where is this all going to?"

"Still kickin' myself in the ass for starting us out backwards."

"Well, how would have you proposed…assuming of course you would have married me anyway."

"I really hate that attitude, you know. And I would have…but you know….if you don't wanna hear it…"

"Don't be such a child…I would love to hear it. Besides, you've been saving it up for nearly twenty years." He's either lost it finally…or is really up to something wonderful.

"Here goes….I may not be the smartest guy…or the richest. But I swear to you that I'll try to get you the best life possible with whatever I can make. And despite what you may think….I'm not scared of spending my life with you; it's spending it without you that really scares me."

"That's so beautiful…how could I have said no to that?"

"Ah, but wait there's more. But I got to get this right….only, you may have to help me up."

One knee and everything…why do I feel so stupid?

"Kath….you know how Mary is always seen surrounded in light….that the light was her radiance of purity, grace, and understanding…."

What the…Oh my God! That ring…

"Mary you aren't…but the same grace, purity and understand in part of you…I just wanted to help you shine a little more."

"I…it's…."

"Baby. I know I haven't always been a model husband and I've tried to be a good father. Somewhere along the way, I lost sight of what was important. Us. But…even now, even twenty years later…I look at you and realize…every day I fall deeper in love with you. A real goof like me doesn't deserve you…or have your love. But I thank God every day I'm blessed with it. But what I really need to know is….Kathy, will you marry me….again?"

"Absolutely!" Look at it! Oh, there's no way I'm not going to cry. Better ease off on those kisses…. "So, when….you did this today, you sneak."

"I thought I was the detective."

"And I'm a mother. It's my job to uncover sneaky plots."

"Yeah. I confess. I sent you shopping in order to buy this ring for you."

"Tiffany's huh….very nice. But Elliot, you didn't have to."

"Yes, I did. You deserve this…all of it."

"So…..might I ask, when do we plan on this renewal?"

"I was thinking…our anniversary. You, me…this kids, friends…a ceremony you deserve."

"Elliot Stabler, you big softie."

"What can I say. I'm a hopeless romantic. Let's go….home…have a little alone time before anyone gets home."

"Ha…alone time…kinda what got us started."

Wow, this ring….the renewal….just shows how much he really cares. I just can't believe this is real….any of it. But we're here, so it is. I just wonder how it'll play out