It was almost six o'clock and the house was filled with the smells of lasagna and fresh-baked garlic bread. The Stabler household was in Brooklyn Heights. Elliot had lived in Queens with Kathy while they were still together, but when she had sent him the divorce papers he knew he needed to find another place. Samantha used to live in a small apartment in midtown Manhattan, and Elliot lived with her for a while once they were engaged. They began house hunting soon after and found a perfect house in Brooklyn: two bedrooms, bathroom, and decent-sized kitchen (which Samantha was excited about).
The table was set, the wine was poured, and the candles were lit: perfect. A nice cozy dinner for Elliot to come home to. The lock on the front door clicked and the door opened. Samantha heard Elliot hang his keys up on the hook in the front hall and listened as his black work shoes shuffled down the hall.
"Something smells good," he said, coming into the dining room. He kissed his wife hello and leaned over the dish of lasagna that was set on the table. He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes.
"Well I promised your favorite," she said, putting the bread into a basket and setting it on the table. She smiled as she sat down. It was so good to have Elliot home for dinner. He hadn't been around much lately, and it had been hard on Samantha. She began to understand how Kathy must have felt during the marriage, but she decided she wasn't going to let it affect her like it had affected Kathy. Instead, Samantha kept herself busy to keep her mind off the loneliness. She found the quiet of the empty house helped her concentrate on her writing. Their small living room had been strewn with papers, books, and pens over the past few days. But tonight Elliot was hers. He would be home and she wouldn't have to go to bed alone. She missed his strong arms around her as she drifted off to sleep and couldn't help but smile at the thought that he would be keeping her safe that night.
Elliot sighed as he sat down opposite her. He loosened his tie before taking a sip of his wine.
"It's been a long few days," he said heavily, serving himself some lasagna. "This case… I haven't been this stressed in a while." He took a large bite of his dinner and closed her eyes.
Samantha smiled lightly. Her earlier interest in the case had dissolved with the details that Elliot had so willingly given her. A man on the loose raping and murdering innocent women was not something that peaked her interest. Instead she concentrated on her food.
"You okay?" Elliot asked, his voice full of concern. "You seem quiet tonight."
"Oh, I'm fine hon," she said. She didn't meet Elliot's eyes. "Just tired." He reached across the table and took her small hand in his larger one. She looked up at him, and he smiled, his eyes locking with hers. He seemed to know exactly what she was thinking.
"Don't worry sweetheart," he said, squeezing her hand. She smiled and opened her mouth to speak just as Elliot's cell phone rang. He grimaced and pulled his hand away. Samantha hurriedly picked up her fork and continued eating, listening to Elliot talk.
"It's Olivia," he said before flipping it open. "Stabler. Yeah. Damn, I'll be there in ten." He hung up and grabbed Samantha's hand again.
"You have to go," she said. Usually when Olivia called Elliot would be grabbing his keys and his long jacket before rushing out the door with a quick "I love you". It was hard not to feel jealous. Olivia and Elliot were not only partners but had a close friendship, and he was protective of her. Samantha liked Olivia, of course. It was hard not to. She was pretty, smart, funny… which was all the more reason to be invidious.
"Please don't be upset," he said.
"I'm not," she insisted, forcing a smile. This was the reason that his marriage with Kathy hadn't survived, and Samantha loved Elliot more than anyone she had met before. She would be damned if anything ruined their relationship. "If you get done early enough, invite Olivia over for some food. I made far too much for the two of us." Elliot smiled and kissed her good-bye.
"I love you," he said, running his hand through her dark wavy hair.
"I love you too," she replied. Elliot rushed out of the dining room and she jumped slightly as he slammed the door behind him. Samantha leaned back in her chair and sighed. Another night alone.