A/N: Part 5 of the "Starting Over" series. Please read Feelin' Good, Booty Call, This is Heaven, Next Steps first. :)
Enjoy and review!
"U up"
Liv smiled at the text from her soon to be husband.
Snapping a quick photo of her legs in the bath of the hotel she was staying at with the girls, she sent it to him with the caption:
L: Nope, dreaming of you.
He laughed and texted back.
E: I fucking miss you. I just want you to be in my damn arms. Why do the girls care so much about tradition.
O: Its just one night, my drama king
E: One night without you in my arms. One night without my cock tucked snugly inside of you.
O: D r a m a !
What would I do without your smart mouth
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
He laughed harder and FaceTimed her, grinning stupidly when she answered, still in her bath and giving a full frontal shot.
"Hi baby," he whispered and she smiled. "Hi…"
"You look beautiful," he said.
She laughed. "I'm in the bath."
"Mhm, and it's beautiful. And I wish I was there."
There was a loud knock on the bathroom door. "Liv hang up with him right now!!! Come on!" The girls all yelled.
She laughed. "Gotta go. See you at the alter."
Got my head spinning, no kidding,
I can't pin you down
"Love you more," he managed to shout before she hung up.
He collapsed back in his bed with a happy sigh and a boner.
After behaving for about 30 minutes, he lost his battle with his self control and snapped a photo of the outlined bulge in his sweats, sending it to her.
At the same time, she sent a selfie of her from her balcony with the city in the background.
He studied her face.
Her freckles, her lines.
Her strong jaw lines and all the amazing places where she'd filled out over the years.
Her eyes.
They were sparkling, and wished right then he could be face to face with her so that he could read them, like he always could.
What's going on in that beautiful mind
I'm on your magical mystery ride
He was jolted from his thoughts when she sent a bunch of laughing emojis and love reacted to his boner pic.
Taking his own selfie with the family photo that hung above their bed in the background, he typed a response.
E: I'm not as pretty as you. But that's because you are just so fucking gorgeous.
She sighed happily at his message and started to type a response before his next text sent her into a fit of laughter.
E: What are you thinking about? (Not trying to sext- unless you are.)
E: ;)
O: Thinking about how in less than 24 hours me and OUR son are going to be Benson-Stablers. I'm so happy I could fucking cry.
And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me,
but I'll be alright
His eyes flooded immediately at the thought and he FaceTimed her again.
She answered, giggling wildly and turning down her volume.
"I love you Benson. I love you, I love you, I love you. And I can't fucking wait to see you tomorrow. Put that ring on your finger and make you Olivia Benson-Stabler," he said, tears streaming down his face.
Her's began to fall too. "I'm so excited," she beamed huge. "And I love you even more, Elliot."
They stayed silently staring at one another for what seemed like a few minutes until Dickie busted into his room.
"Dad I have to take your phone," he started and then held his hand up in front of his face. "Jesus man put that thing away!"
El and Liv burst into laughter and he grabbed a pillow, covering the bulge in his pants.
Kathleen popped up on Liv's screen next. "Daddy I love you but I'm taking Liv's phone and Dickie's taking yours because you two can't be trusted. Say bye!"
They were still laughing and he blew her a kiss. "Bye baby."
"Bye my love... see you tomorrow," she grinned before the kids hung up for them and took their phones.
El fell back on his pillows, completely blissful and allowing his mind to wander across 24 years of expansive memories.
My head's under water
But I'm breathing fine
Seeing her for the first time.
Late nights that turned into early mornings.
Holidays and weekends.
Knock down drag out fights.
Making up over apology coffees and Chinese food.
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind
Inside jokes and interrogation team work.
Putting each other before the job, time after time.
Injuries and hospital stays.
"I'd give you a kidney."
"Not if I gave you one first."
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
The moment he admitted to himself that he loved her.
How from that moment on she consumed his every thought.
The jealousy that would bubble in his chest every time she had to come into work from a date.
He laughed at the joy that those calls always brought him, for multiple reasons.
How she supported him when he went home to Kathy.
Eli's miraculous birth.
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Tears formed in his eyes and he covered his face.
All the unanswered calls and texts.
10 years of silence after 12 of giving their all- secretly and with guilt.
The award.
Writing the letter.
The flight home.
Home.
Kathy dying.
Liv's support.
A second chance.
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
A second chance to give their all.
Freely.
Openly.
With no boundaries or guilt.
Mentally.
Emotionally.
Physically.
For the rest of their lives.
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
The boys were standing in his doorway, and he slowly sat up, wiping his eyes.
"Daddy... you okay..." Noah asked slowly.
El looked up at him, beginning to laugh and smile through his tears.
"More than you'll ever know my boy," he whispered, getting up and pulling the three of them into his arms."
"Then why you crying??" He asked with a laugh, looking up from where he was smushed in between them all.
Taking a step back, El cupped his small cheek and knelt down so they were at eye level. "Because. I'm just so happy. I have all I've ever wanted, and then some. And I can't express how much I love you and your momma."
He grinned and wrapped his arms tightly around his neck.
"I love you dad."
'Cause I give you all, all of me
"To Liv and Dad!"
Liv was beaming and looked at her soon to be step daughters.
Girls she'd loved and watched over since they were small.
Something she'd never quit doing- ever.
And you give me all, all of you
His breath caught in his throat when he saw her.
The breeze blew lightly on the cold December afternoon as they stood at the venue Fin and Phoebe had used.
His three boys stood beside him in descending order, clad in tuxes that matched his, with all four wearing smart wool coats and scarves.
How many times do I have to tell you
She walked slowly down the aisle, escorted by Captain Don Cragen, wearing a long sleeved and form fitting long white dress, topped with a white faux fur shall.
Their eyes met and the tears that formed at first glance began to fall.
El looked towards his girls, who were dressed in deep red dresses that matched Liv's style, with the same shall.
When Liv and Cragen made it to the alter, he gave her a sweet hug before handing her off to her very soon to be husband.
Cupping her cheeks, he carefully wiped her tears as they smiled and laughed, completely lost in one another.
Even when you're crying you're beautiful too
John Munch cleared his throat, and everyone laughed, looking towards him- save for the guests of honor who remained locked on one another.
"We're gathered here today to finally celebrate these two in holy matrimony. Because they're stubborn and obnoxiously themselves, they've chosen to forgo public vows, and instead have asked their friends to put together words of wisdom and advice before they say their "I Do's" and make this blessed event about their children. Shall I start?"
"If you must," El quipped back, still lost in Liv's eyes.
The space echoed with laughter as their family and friends began to share.
"Be there for each other- like you've always been." John smiled.
"Especially when life gets hard and beats you down- it's when you'll need one another the most." Cragen said, standing up.
The world is beating you down,
I'm around through every move
"Stabler- remember that I'll beat you down if you hurt our girl." Fin rose, crossing his arms in true big brother fashion.
"And I'll help," Alex Cabot said from the back with a smile. "El, remember- she fights back... hard."
Laughter erupted from the audience as Nick Amaro stood next. "Everyone's razing Stabler, so my advice comes from a place of past partnership and empathy for that guy," he smiled at El before looking at Liv, "he can be right too, sometimes. It's okay. You'll survive!"
Liv shot him a look through her laughter, and the pair turned, cuddling into one another as they continued to listen.
"Put your faith in God and then each other," Sonny said with a grin as Amanda stood beside him and wrapped an arm around his middle.
"You guys finally are where you were meant to be- call it divine intervention or dumb luck. Just remember to lean on each other."
You're my downfall, you're my muse
"Remember to be each other's inspirations to be better in your jobs and in your home," Rafa smiled with a nod. "And I second what Fin said earlier."
"For the love of God, talk to each other if you're having issues or feeling upset," Huang said, turning to the audience. "These two were always the worst about that- but the kids tell me they've improved," he finished as everyone laughed along with him.
Jet stood, and in an annoyed voice, groaned. "Stabler please remember that I have your work phone cloned and can see everything you send."
The three boys were absolutely cackling next to their father, giving Jet a thumbs up and air high- fives.
"Captain, make sure that Elliot doesn't spend all of his days are your precinct. You know he's gonna be even more distracted now that he's got a ring on his finger," Bell smiled.
My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues
Liv laughed and turned back to El as everyone took their seats. He was about to lean in for a kiss when John nudged him. "Not yet man, Jesus."
He looked back at the kids. "You all have something you wanna say?"
Mo cleared her throat and stepped forward. "You guys complete each other. I've never seen my dad so happy- none of us have. So on behalf of all of us... Liv, thank you. Thank you for being you. Thank you for sharing Noah. Thank you," she whispered, her voice cracking.
Stepping away from El, she hugged her oldest step daughter tightly. "I love you so much honey... this is the best day of my life. Thank you for supporting us and loving Noah," she whispered.
El felt his heart sing as he watched Liv move down the line of his children, speaking softly and gently to each and reminding them of her love.
I can't stop singing, it's ringing, in my head for you
After she rejoined him, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her head before backing up and kneeling in front of Noah.
The little boy was grinning huge and had tears in his eyes. "Today buddy... I'm not just making mom a Stabler... today I'm, if you'll let me, making you a Stabler too, son."
He barely got the words out of his mouth before the little boy flung himself into his dad's arms.
Dickie wiped his eyes as the girls and Liv sobbed as the photographer snapped a few photos. John and Dickie looked towards Eli who was fidgeting nervously.
My head's under water
But I'm breathing fine
The younger boy slowly approached Liv and she took his hand with a concerned look.
"I uh... I haven't talked to you guys about this but I uh. I talked to Trevor and he drew up uh... some papers," he said, his voice cracking at the emotion over taking Liv's face.
El and Noah looked up towards them and El sucked in a huge breath.
"I know you probably think I... I'm crazy or something cause I didn't talk to you guys but... it was last minute and it just feels uh right," he said as a tear escaped his eye.
Her hands went to his arms and his eyes met hers. "If you're crazy for asking me this then I'm out of my mind with how happy I am right now," she choked out as a grin spread across his face.
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind
"It would mean a lot to me if you'd adopt me and legally be my mother," he said, after several seconds of trying to compose himself.
Liv quickly pulled him into her arms as he started to cry and El exhaled, standing with Noah as the pair hugged one another.
The boys backed away and Trevor and Judge Linden came up as the four signed their papers and were cheered on by their family and friends.
El and Liv made eye contact when the boys finished writing, and as everyone clapped and hugged, El reached to hold her hand, giving it a squeeze and her a tearful grin.
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
"And now for vows?" John asked as the boys retook their spots.
El put his hands on her waist and stepped flush to her body.
Her cheeks were rosy from the cold and his hand that was facing the audience gingerly slid up to cup one.
"I love you, and I love you forever. That's it. That's the vow, I do," Liv whispered, just loud enough for him to hear.
Smiling against her nose, she blindly reached for his ring from John and slipped it on his finger.
Like a magnet, his hand reattached itself to her hip, and his thumb lightly grazed a memorized and scarred area below her dress.
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
"I love you. Forever and always. I promise to forever. I love you... and not just you but our kiddos. I do." He smiled as he moved his hands to slip her ring on hers.
"By the power vested in me by the overlords of New York City, I know pronounce you husband and wife. You ma-" he trailed off and threw his hands in the air as El leaned in mid sentence and the pair began kissing passionately.
The group cheered and whistled and they pulled back to lean their foreheads together.
"I love you Mrs. Stabler," he whispered.
Give your all to me
"I love you Mr. Stabler," she said with a grin as he began liaising her again.
I'll give my all to you
The pair posed for photos with their family and the kids individually before they headed inside to get warmed up and start the after party celebrations.
Liv started to walk behind them, but stopped and smiled when El held her hand to stop her and pull her back to him.
Their bodies went flush and his hand sneaked around the small of her back as they passionately kissed.
"We're married," he whispered and she grinned, looking up at him "we're married."
"I want you so bad right now," he said and she smirked, stepping back slightly and taking his hand.
"Why do you think I got a separate outfit for the reception and a room upstairs to change." She winked, leading him into the venue and up a back staircase.
Making quick work of getting her undressed once they got to the room, his lips never left her's as she backed them against the wall and hiked her leg around his waist.
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
There were no words, just heavy breathing between kisses and eye contact when they broke away.
They smiled simultaneously when their eyes began to tear at the same time as their orgasms approached.
"Need to feel you," she moaned and he nodded, increasing his speed until he exploded within her and she answered his orgasm with one of her own.
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all, all of you
After, he stood behind her in the mirror, zipping her white jumpsuit up and readjusting her shall.
Leaning back against him with a hum, she smiled. "One week in a cabin together," she said.
"Today is the last day you'll be dressed for a week," he growled into her ear as she giggled.
Give me all of you
They swayed slowly in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by their family and friends.
No inhibitions.
No guilt.
No fear.
Just them.
Fully. Wholly. Unapologetically them.
Both understanding that it wasn't going to always be this blissful, but that together they could and would conquer anything.
Cards on the table, we're both showing hearts
Risking it all, though it's hard
Lost in each other and the words being played through the speakers, El began to sing softly in her ear causing her to laugh as her tears fell.
"'Cause all of me, Loves all of you" he whisper-sang with John Legend.
His hands drifted over her hips and his thumb, like during the ceremony, found the raised scar tissue under her satin outfit.
"Love your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections."
She looked up at him and he kissed the tears that were falling from her eyes away.
Both laughed when they were hit and knocked sideways a bit by Noah Benson-Stabler, joining in their dance.
El look down at their son with a fatherly pride she'd never seen before, before looking back to her and mouthing a silent "thank you."
Give your all to me
Their eyes were still connected and their swaying continued as someone else joined their small circle, significantly more gently than his younger brother had.
Liv looked up at Eli who smiled and laid his head on her shoulder. El's breath caught as he watched them and he couldn't help but see her holding his new born son in the hospital so many years ago.
I'll give my all to you
They continued to sway as the rest of the song played out, and much like their engagement party, his older children and mother stood to the side, watching the new, official family.
"I love them," Kathleen sighed happily.
"Me too," Lizzie said, wiping her tears.
Mo's postpartum hormones were still raging as she rocked gently with the newest member of the Stabler clan. "They're just... so good," she choked out. "The best parents, best Papa and Gigi... it's perfect."
Dickie nodded, wiping his own tears that were falling hard and fast as his twin hugged him. "It's perfect. I just feel like we're completely. Finally."
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
"Not yet," Bernie said decisively. "I predict one more important addition will be joining us soon," she nodded, wagging her finger at her grandkids who were laughing.
"Laugh all you want. Remember. I'm the smartest woman alive and very rarely am I ever wrong."
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you
I give you all, all of me
And you give me all, all of you
End.
Stay on the look out for Part 6: New Additions.