A/N: A letter we deserved. Also, maybe we can get to 100 reviews before I post 23 :)
Liv,
My last letter sucked, and frankly if I tried to say all of this in our vows tomorrow we would be there until sunset.
To start, the best thing I could say is I'm so lucky.
I'm so lucky that by chance, Cragen stuck me with a rookie detective all those years ago.
I'm so lucky that, after like 17 failed partners, you stuck around.
I'm so lucky that you put up with me, and continue to do so.
I'm so lucky that I fell in love with you after 1 day of being your partner, and by some miracle you felt the same way.
I'm so lucky that, in my darkest times, you were there for me. That we developed a bond with each other that no one could break.
I'm so lucky that you called me a million times after Jenna… because if you hadn't I would have drank myself to death at O'Malleys.
I'm so lucky you let us be together that night, cause without that we wouldn't have our beautiful baby girl.
I'm so lucky that you let me in, not just to her life, but Noah's too.
I'm so fucking lucky that after Kath died, you were there. For me and for my kids.
I'm so lucky you said yes to me. I'm so lucky that you keep saying yes to me. And I'll never take that or you for granted.
Olivia Margaret, my world revolves around you. I know I can be an ass sometimes, but you ground me. You pull me back and show me what's important. You forgive me. And you love me in spite of my faults. You're my rock. My best friend. My partner.
But enough of me, let's talk about the one thing that made me love you more than I ever thought possible— our kids.
Our kids are unbelievable, all of them, and it's all thanks to the mother and role model you are and have always been.
From the moment you met mine, you've been there. Every game, every recital, every birthday- even when I was an ass and left.
You were there when Dickie and Kathleen had their issues, never giving up on them or me. All those years later, you still are here with no question, not giving up.
Dickie has changed so much since you've been there to guide him. Eli, too. Both have become empathetic and kind, taking after you and looking to you for guidance.
The girls have had you as their role model their whole life- strong, independent... total badass. And in the last year and a half I've watched you become their best friend and cement yourself as the mother figure I think you always were to them.
And Noh and Em… god damn you did a great job with them. I feel like I'm skating on the coattails of your success with them at every game, recital, and parent teacher conference.
Of all the roles I've had the honor of witnessing you crush, mom is by far my favorite.
So much so, that I'm praying to God every night that I get to be a new dad at 55 just so I can watch you work your magic from birth.
You amaze me every day, and I feel like the luckiest son of a bitch that you chose me to come home to every night.
I promise to spend the rest of my life making you feel special and loved and cared for.
I promise to always make you coffee first and get up with the kids on Saturday's.
I promise to listen to all your problems and let you vent without trying to give advice.
I promise to be whatever to you need me to be, whenever you need me to be it.
Forever.
It's always been you and I. It'll always be you and I.
I love you, Olivia. I'll see you at the alter.
Semper Fi,
El
It was 5am the day of their wedding and tears streamed down her face as she concluded his letter.
She texted him a picture with a simple caption. "Way better than your first letter. I love you, El, and I want you so bad right now."
He was in his hotel room dressed and sitting and drinking his coffee. He smiled at her text and checked the time before responding.
"I'll see you in an hour and then in all hours. I love you, Liv."
"I love you, El."
He stood at the top of a jut off on a mountain by the resort, facing the water.
He wore a simple white button up with khaki shorts and sandals.
The coordinator from the hotel was bringing Liv and serving as their witness. He heard a golf cart drive up behind them and the pastor that stood in front of him gave him a grin.
When he felt a small hand on his shoulder, he turned around and tears sprang to his eyes.
The sun was just rising, the orange and pink glow causing her olive skin to absolutely shine. She was wearing a simple white dress, was make up free, and her hair was softly curled the way he loved it.
She smiled up at him and let out a giggle, resting her hands on his waist. "We're getting married," she grinned and he smiled huge letting a few tears roll.
"Yes we are… and you look stunning."
"Thank you," she whispered with a grin as they moved to face each other.
"You guys ready?" The pastor asked as they held hands and the coordinator adorned them with ceremonial leis.
"You both have asked to not do vows… and just skip the 'the good part,'" he teased, quoting Elliot, "so that's what we'll do."
"Olivia, do you take Elliot to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?" He asked with a smile, looking at her.
"I do," she said with a small squeal of excitement. He nodded and looked at Elliot.
"Elliot, do you take Olivia to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"Hell yes I do," he said immediately, causing them both to laugh.
"Rings?" The pastor asked and he nodded pulling them out.
His was silver- different from what he wore for so long with Kathy, and her's matched his, but was thinner and more feminine.
They slipped the rings in each other's fingers and he moved closer to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. Her's went around his neck and they leaned their foreheads against each other, grinning.
"By the power vested in me from the state of Hawaii, I gladly pronounce you man and wife- Elliot you may kiss your bride."
Tears streaked down their faces and he leaned in, kissing her slowly and passionately, pulling her flush to him.
"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Stabler," the pastor said smiling and El laughed. "Benson-Stabler," he corrected.
Liv shook her head and kissed him again. "No he was right…" she whispered, causing his eyes to well up again. "Benson for work of course but… Stabler in life," she said against his lips. "I love you," she whispered.
"I love you, Mrs. Stabler."
The pastor and coordinator left, leaving them up on the cleared path with a golf cart to easily get back. They snapped a few selfies, holding up their newly adorned ring fingers, to send to the kids.
E: The Stablers!
K: Benson-Stablers ;) Congrats guys!!!!
O: Nope- just Stabler :)
Eli: Yeahhhhhh mom's a Stabler!!
He sent back a photo of him and the littles grinning huge.
E: Awww… I miss you guys!
O: Same- so much!!
K: Omg I love it!!!
L: Why am I crying??? Congrats you two! Liv you look stunning.
M: Seriously! Love you both so much- congrats!!
Sarah sent a video of Dickie with his head rested on her growing baby bump. He was laughing through his tears. "I'm just so happy… why am I so emotional," he said and Sarah could be heard laughing in the background.
S: Congratulations from us and your little granddaughter:) We love you!!
El and Liv looked at each other, both breaking into tears. They FaceTimed the group chat and, thankfully, everyone picked up immediately.
"IT'S A GIRL?!" They both exclaimed through their tears and Sarah and Dickie laughed, nodding.
"Just found out," Dickie said smiling huge. "Big day for the Stabler clan."
"Oh god I'm so excited, baby when we get home we're going shopping okay??" Liv said causing everyone to laugh.
"Sounds good Liv… thank you so much," Sarah grinned.
Emma jumped in front of Eli's camera and grinned. "Mommy you look so pretty and Daddy you're so handsome… I wish I was there!!!"
"We'll celebrate when we get home, baby girl," El said smiling.
"Call us later we love you," Noah said, rushing them off the phone for some unknown reason. Katie and Liz laughed nervously and shook their heads. "Byyyyye!" They hung up and Liv and El looked at Mo and Dickie who were left on the screen.
"Do I want to know?" Liv asked laughed and they shook their heads, smiling. "Bye guys!!!"
They hung up and Liv couldn't stop laughing and crying. She hugged El's waist tightly and he rubbed her back.
"How did we get this lucky?" She asked him and he shrugged. "I wish I knew… now c'mon Mrs. Stabler," he said dragging her by the hand and laughing. "Let's go celebrate."
They'd fucked like it was their profession as the sun rose over the quiet island. It was 8am and they were drifting off to sleep when his phone alarm went off.
"Shot," he whispered getting up and she pouted at the loss of contact.
She sat up on the edge of the bed, watching as he got everything ready. He kneeled between her legs, administering it before capping the needle and looking up at her.
He was preparing to whisper all of the sweet and encouraging things to her, but she smiled small and put her fingers on his lips.
"It's going to work out how it's supposed to… everything with us does, huh?" She whispered and he nodded, lifting himself from the ground and laying her back on the bed, climbing over her and slipping in between her spread legs with ease.
"I love you, Liv…" he whispered and slowly began to pump. She kissed him back, lazily, and wrapped her arms around his neck while he moved within her.
She was slick from several previous orgasms, both his and hers, but despite the number of times he'd been in her that morning, it still always felt like the first.
As they jumped over the edge of pleasure together, she had a feeling- a sixth sense, that with her new husband, it'd always be that way.