Prompt #3: The Stabler kids take Olivia and Noah out, without Elliot knowing, to thank her for all that she has done for them over the years and to tell her that they know how their dad feels about her and that they all give their blessing for them to pursue a relationship. One of the kids texts Elliot to meet up with them, without telling him about Olivia and when he shows up they send them off on a date, offering to take Noah for the evening.

Take Me Out and Take Me Home (Forever and Ever)

~oOo~

Chapter 1

Bundled up in their heavy coats, Olivia and Noah walk to Times Square to meet Elliot and the Stabler kids. She hears Kathleen yelling her name, so she guides her son toward the group, who runs toward them and hugs them. Noah had already met Kathleen and Eli because he's been staying with them whenever she needs someone to watch Noah and give Lucy a break. She smiles at the image of how Kathleen and Eli welcome him and introduce him to the rest of the kids.

Olivia scans the crowd looking for Elliot and frowns when she realizes he isn't there.

Kathleen notices and walks over to her. "Olivia, I know you're wondering where my dad is, and I know I told you that he'd be here. He will be here soon, but we wanted to talk to you first if that's okay with you?" As soon as the brunette nods, she adds, "We talked about it. We feel like it's time for you two to be happy. My dad's in love with you and has been for years."

Olivia opens her mouth to protest.

Kathleen interrupts, "I know what you're going to say. You're about to deny it, but Dad is head over heels in love with you. I could see it in his eyes when he looked at you as you picked up your son. At first, I was upset, but I realize the love he has for you is different from what he felt for my mom. You two deserve it, but I need to know if you feel that way toward him."

Olivia looks at the rest of Stabler kids for their reactions. They don't look angry, they look anxious, almost eager to know what she will say. She looks down at her son and sees that he is absorbed in his phone. He must have gotten bored waiting. She looks back at the kids in front of her. Four pairs of blue eyes and a set of brown ones stare at her. She can't help but notice how well her own son fits with them. She takes a deep breath, they are waiting for her answer.

"Um, I don't know. I, um, I'd rather talk to your father."

Kathleen sneakily looks over at Dickie and quietly nods. He nods back, sending their dad a text.

Kathleen continues, "really, you and my Dad can date."

Olivia notices Eli shifting a little after Kathleen states the word 'date'.

She asks, "Eli, are you okay with me dating your father?"

Eli opens his mouth. Olivia is prepared for him to tell her no, but Eli smiles as he says, "When you do, just don't kiss and stuff in front of me. I still live with my dad."

The siblings laugh.

Eli continues, "But, I would be happy to see my dad happy again."

Olivia looks down at Noah to check for his opinion, pulling him away from his phone.

He looks up, and she asks him if he could understand what was happening.

Noah rolls his eyes and points, "Mom, Elliot looks at you totally weird. I didn't understand so I asked Eli, and he told me that Elliot has a major crush on you."

Then he went back to his phone.

Olivia is reeling in surprise. She assumed that her son hadn't noticed it. Apparently, she was wrong.

Eli checks to see if Noah isn't paying any attention to them before defending himself, embarrassed, "Well, I had to explain to him in a way that he'd understand. Crush is the closest thing I could come with that didn't involve, you know, all that complicated grown-up stuff. Again, please don't do any of that in front of me. That's my only condition."

Kathleen shakes her head at how funny Eli's words are, before cautiously prodding, "So, Olivia, um, are you okay with us taking Noah out to the Rockefeller ice skating rink? We'll get ice cream afterward, and then have a sleepover at Maureen's. So, you and my dad can go on a date, like, tonight?"

Olivia does not feel ready to discuss it with Elliot. There is so much to talk about… this missed decade and their feelings.

Before Olivia can tell them no, Kathleen continues, "Oh, I almost forgot, here's the envelope with the restaurant reservations. The four of us chipped in. It's all taken care of."

Olivia opens the envelope to see it's for Il Gattopardo. She stares at the name. It's an expensive place with three-course meals.

She looks up at them and wants to give it back as she says, "I, I can't accept this. Thank you, but no, thank you. You should get that refund."

Kathleen stops her. "No, no, just think of it as a Christmas gift from us all to you and Dad. So, will you go out with my dad?"

Before Olivia can answer, they look up to hear Elliot's booming voice as he walks toward them, "Okay, who is ready for a walk to the pizza place?! Dibs on…"

He pauses as he spots someone that he doesn't expect, "Uh, Liv? What are you doing here?"

Olivia feels her heart pounding as she watches him making his way toward her.

[Please make sure to read chapter 2 of the story.]