"Nice hit, Noah!" Eli grinned as they watched the ball soar from the tee on the driving range.
"We need to get you into golf, boy," El said, coming up behind him and ruffling his hair.
"Seriously," Jake agreed, "maybe you should join the golf team."
"Only if you do," Noah said, pointing at him.
"Alright kiddos, let's go," El said, motioning them to the waiting carts.
El watched as everyone paired up together in what was clearly a pre-planned arrangement he'd been excluded from.
Dickie & his almost father-in-law, Jim.
Sarah's brothers.
Jake Sr. & Jacob.
Noah & Eli.
Beau & Carl.
Everyone laughed softly as Elliot looked over to Peter and sighed. "Alright. Come on, then," he nodded, climbing into his cart.
Hair and make up had arrived back at the house, and Anna Kate was absolutely bouncing.
"Cap I'm sooo esscited!" She sighed happily in her arms. "So esscited."
"Me too baby! And I think your mom is also," she winked at Sarah who was beaming.
"Yup!" She grinned. "And! I match wiff my JoJo."
"Eli is gonna cry like a little baby," Sarah said with a huge grin.
"Oh my god I know. It's been so hard to keep the secret!" Sam laughed, sipping her coffee.
"What did you tell him?" Sarah's mother Anna asked.
"Just that Luce and her mom are gonna have the baby babies the whole time, and that we'll drop Ted off at the end of the ceremony."
"So he hasn't even seen her little dress?" She asked with a grin.
"Nope!" Lizzie answered for her, coming out of the kitchen with her niece. "He's gonna sob."
"Ohhhh," Anna drawled, covering her heart. "I remember the first Jimmy saw Sarah in an over the top dress like that for a special occasion. Oh did he cry," she laughed, looking over at her daughter who was tearing up.
"El cried the first time he saw Emma dressed all up to," Liv added.
"When we did family dinner?" Emma asked, hugging her from behind.
"Yesss," Liv smiled.
"He was so blubbery," Mo teased.
"I wonder where Dickie and Eli get it from!" Anna laughed. "He's a good boy. You've raised an incredible son in the last few years since you all have been back together. He's become a different man."
"Ain't that the truth," Sarah chuckled. "I'm proud of him."
"He's grown a lot for sure… makes me so sad for him and who he was before," Liv said, setting Teddy down to play with AK when he squirmed.
"He invited her," Lizzie said with a small sigh.
"He told me," Liv nodded. "And made sure to clarify he would like me escort him down with daddy."
"Has she been warned?" Mo asked, anxiety suddenly overtaking her.
"Eli and I will handle it," Sam promised, nodding to the girls who were like her sisters.
"Thank you," Sarah said, reaching over to hold her hand.
"Sarah… oh my gosh, you're gonna be our sister for real," Kathleen gasped suddenly, bringing everyone back to the level of excitement they should be at.
Lizzie squeaked and leaned over to hug her tightly. Mo, Kathleen, and Emma stood to follow suit.
"You too!" Mo laughed, motioning Sam to join, who did with a shy smile.
"Sam will always be a Stabler girl," Sarah said when they sat back and everyone stopped laughing.
"Even if our brother doesn't remove his head from his ass," Liz deadpanned causing everyone to begin laughing again, including Sam.
"It's a joint head-in-ass situation," Sam smiled.
"I'm just saying… he'd better not get back with Harley," Liz grumbled.
"Elizabeth!" Liv scolded playfully as everyone screamed and directed joking insults in the direction of their sister.
"What! Am I wrong??" She cried, and Sam covered her now red face as she giggled.
"Caaaap," Anna Kate sang from behind them. "Teddy went poo poo."
"Mama I've got him," Liz said, standing before Liv could.
"Dad put you up to this?"
"Mhm…" she paused to puff her chest and pull out her best, deep voice. "Moms back has been killing her, can you just watch Teddy please?"
Everyone laughed and Liv waved her off, moving to the next seat for her turn at hair and make up.
"Oh boy… Eli just texted," Sam said, showing a selfie he took of everyone in their carts. "Look who El is with."
Mo leaned into look and laughed out loud. "Poor Peter!"
"He texted me," Liz explained with a shy smile. "So far so good."
"And you kept that to yourself??! Why!" Katie exclaimed.
Liv shot her two younger daughters a knowing look and Liz shrugged. "No reason."
El's foursome of him and his three son in laws were leaving the final hole in their carts when he finally looked at Peter.
"You've looked like you've been ready to throw up for all 18 holes. You're a renowned lawyer, but it seems like the question you've wanted to ask has stunned even you," he said, slightly smugly.
Peter exhaled a nervous laugh as the cart slowed and El motioned for a snickering Beau and Carl to go on without them.
"Don't let them fool you," El added, trying to hide his smile. "They were just as nervous."
Looking over to Elliot, he smiled small and nodded, his eyes flickering downward. "Uh… Elliot I…" he cleared his throat. "I know that I'm probably not the person you imagined your baby girl marrying but… uh… gosh. I couldn't be more in love with her. On her good days and her bad.. I just," he laughed a little. "I can't imagine life without her… truly. And I want to ask your permission for her hand in marriage, cause she's absolutely my person and I wanna spend my whole life making her happy."
"You're not the man I envisioned at all," Elliot admitted, cracking a smile when Peter's nervous eyes darted back to his. "You're better. You, Beau, Carl… better than I ever envisioned for my girls. And that makes me so grateful I don't get to be the ones who picked their significant others," he said laughing. "They are way smarter than me."
"I think women are smarter than us as a rule," Peter nodded with a smile.
"Exactly. And that's rule one of being a husband… there's more, of course, but it's truly trial by fire."
Peter's eyes widened and Elliot smiled.
"You absolutely have my permission."
The younger man exhaled a laughing sigh of relief and stuck his hand out to shake his now future father in law's.
"Thank you so much."
El grasped his hand tightly, shaking it. "Hurt her and I'll kill you."
"Yes sir," Peter said through a laugh.
"I'm not joking," El reminded him.
"Oh I know."
"Ladies? Can I come in?" Eli called from the front door.
"Hold on!" Came Liv's reply, making her son laugh.
"Holding."
"Okay you can come!" She called again after a moment.
Eli rounded the corner, stopping short and putting his hand over his chest when he saw Sarah.
"Oh my…"
She blushed and giggled. "Think he's gonna love it?"
"He might pass out," he smiled, making his way over to kiss her cheek. "You look stunning, Sar."
"Thank you," she smiled.
He turned next to all the girls, giving them hugs and kissing their cheeks. "You all look incredible," he smiled, hugging his mom a little tighter. "Where's Sam?"
"Daaaddddy," she called cutely from behind him.
He turned and gasped again, tears flying to his eyes.
"Jaime Olivia," he choked out, walking over and taking their baby girl from her.
She gigled softly, dressed in a little white dress with a peach sash and crown of greenery on her head.
"Oh man," he whispered, kissing her cheek. "Gonna break dad's heart huh?"
"Now you know how I feel," El said, coming in and covering his heart, too, before leaning in to kiss his granddaughter. "Hi beautiful girl," he cooed.
"Dickie decided Sar would want the babies here," Sam smiled small. "So we wanted to surprise you."
"Best surprise," he smiled, holding his little girl out in his arms in front of him to see her fully. "Oh man... you look just like your mommy," he whispered, pulling her back to kiss her cheek again.
Lucy poked her head out of the room where Sam and Joey came from.
"Someone is ready to come out," she smiled. Eli and El could see Anna Kate bouncing behind her.
"Let's see my girl," El smiled, dropping to his knee as the door opened the rest of the way and AK came running out in an outfit that matched Joey's, complete with freshly curled hair.
"Hi Papa!" She squealed, running into his arms.
"Oh my gosh... look at this beautiful girl!"
She giggled and leaned back, looking at her papa and uncle's tan, summer suits.
"You and E wook soooo hansome," she gasped, "yew matcht EJ an Teddy!"
"Noah and daddy, too," El smiled, "and your gramps and uncles."
"I wove it," she sighed happily, running out to see her mom, aunties, and grandmothers.
El went to get the boys from Lucy and Eli leaned down to kiss Sam several times. "Absolutely gorgeous. I love you."
She smiled up at him, blushing and pecking his lips. "I love you," she smiled.
"Alright baby girl," El said, holding his hand out to Anna Kate. "Let's go see daddy!"
AK gasped, bouncing off to grab her uncle's hand. Liv came over, her flowery, peach dress hugging her growing belly just right, and pecked his lips.
"Handsome," she whispered.
"Stunning," he countered, pecking her lips a few times.
"Alright. See you out there with our boy," she winked.
"Kathy, Paul," Eli called, making his way over to the nervous looking blonde and her confident boyfriend. "That's so much for coming," he said, reaching his hand out to shake Paul's hand.
"I'm so thankful we were invited," Kathy whispered, awkwardly reaching for a hug which he returned.
"Of course. Dickie working though this and it's incredibly important to Sarah, so he thought it'd be prudent for you to be here."
Sam came up behind him, twin on either hip, and smiled warmly. "Hi guys... thanks for coming."
"Honored to be here," Paul smiled, reaching out to gently tap EJ's chubby cheek.
"Can you guys say hi?" Eli asked, taking Joey and waving her little hand.
She laid against his chest, shyly, and Eli smiled proudly. "I was surprised by this little outfit. Cried," he chuckled and Kathy smiled small.
"Like your daddy."
"Just like his daddy," Sam confirmed with a smile. "Speaking of... Dickie wanted El and Liv to walk with him down the aisle. We just wanted to let you know that was happening."
Kathy's breath caught and she nodded slowly. "Gotcha... okay well... yeah, that makes sense. I'm glad for him... that he has that," she said with a tiny smile.
"Me too," Eli nodded, and Sam put a comforting hand on his back.
"You know, we were just talking earlier about how much he's grown... how proud of him we all are!" Sam said cheerfully.
"I mean the fact that he thought to plan this," Kathy said with a laugh of her own.
"Oh my god right?" Eli said, his guard suddenly down. "He told me and I was shocked."
"But he made it happen," Sam laughed, bouncing EJ lightly. "I mean... Liz and Emma made it happen," she teased, "but all his ideas!"
"Well it looks like it's going to be an absolutely beautiful day," she smiled small.
AK came running up to them, stopping between them and looking up. "E, Sammi...papa says he weady!"
Eli laughed, holding his hand out to her which she took with an excited squeal.
"That's our cue. See you at the reception," he smiled warmly, and Kathy nodded, giving a small wave before letting Paul lead them to their seats.
The ceremony began with an emotional Liv and El escorting their boy down the aisle of the old Catholic Church just down the road.
Dickie's water works started when he hugged them both tightly, whispering soft thank-you's and "love you's" in their ears.
Sarah's oldest brother Brandon escorted her mother down the aisle, followed by her younger brother, Noah, and then Eli.
The girls came next; Sarah's two best friends, Lizzie, and Sam, followed by Emma who walked down holding AK's hand and pulling a little wagon with Teddy and the twins.
Everyone oohed and awed, and El, Liv, and Emma got settled with the little ones in the front pew.
Elliot lifted Anna Kate so she could see down the aisle when the door opened to reveal Sarah and her father.
AK gasped and Liv dared to look back at her oldest boy.
His hand was over his mouth as his tears fell hard and fast. Her heart swelled with love and pride for him and the life he'd built with his soon to be wife and their two babies. Her concentration on him was broken only by El's soft touch to her arm.
"Thank you," he whispered in her ear.
She looked up briefly. "For?" She whispered back.
"Saving our son."
The ceremony was intimate and emotional, and the pair walked back up the aisle with their oldest baby girl skipping between them.
The entire crew retired to the tent they'd set up in the side yard for the reception after photos were complete and Lucy had collected the babies. After several hours of celebrating and drinking, a slow song came on to end the night.
The Stabler crew laughed at Dickie's song choice: Eli and Sam's song- Angels by Thomas Rhett.
Jake and Emma had just started dancing when Noah approached, tapping his buddy on the shoulder.
"Can I dance with my sister, please?"
Jake just grinned, stepping aside so Noah could take his place with a smiling Emma.
The newlyweds swayed together closely, and hands roaming lightly as they watched the younger pair's exchange before looking up to one another at the same time.
"Hi Mrs. Stabler," he whispered to he, making her grin.
"Hi Mr. Stabler," she countered, biting her lip. "I can't believe you did all this..."
"Its was my sisters," he teased.
"It was you... your heart I... Dickie I love you so, so much."
"I promise you that I love you so much more," he smiled, kissing her again. "My wife!"
She tossed her head back in a soft laugh before looking back up to him. "We're married!"
"We're married," he affirmed, unable to keep his lips away from her mouth. "And I can't wait to get you to our honeymoon house," he laughed.
"Oh I can feel it," she teased, discreetly rolling her hips. "I think we should try for baby number four tonight," she said with a shy smile and playfully innocent eyes."
"Oh?" He asked, taking a half step back to see her face fully.
"Yeah... I uh... yeah," she smiled a little bigger.
"Sarah Stabler," he grinned. "Don't mind if we do."
"I love that so much," she giggled, reaching up to kiss him. "Looks like we won't be the only couple trying," she mused, glancing over his shoulder to Eli and Sam.
Dickie looked too and then laughed. "This song is magic for them, I swear. We'll get them with it one day."
"You look so fucking beautiful tonight, Samaroo," Eli whispered, his lips on her temple.
"Thank you, baby," she smiled small, stepping closer and pressing their bodies flush.
"Sorry my siblings are match makers," he chuckled and she giggled pulling her head back to kiss him slowly.
"'S'fine."
"Good," he smiled, deepening his kiss a little.
"Everything working down there?" She poked playfully in reference to the drinks he'd had all night.
"For your? Always," he whispered through a smile before finding her lips again. "My Joey surprise was amazing," he added. "Thank you... god I love her."
"She's incredible... she's gonna break your heart."
"Oh yeah... her brother's too, I think."
"A true Stabler girl," she laughed and he smiled.
"You too..."
"Hmmm," she said, laying her head on his chest and melting into his embrace.
"Samantha Stabler," he whispered.
He felt her smile and squeeze him gently, and he took the small win for the moment.
Carl and Mo had escaped off to the beach to make out under the guise of checking on Livy, and Katie and Beau were seated with her feet propped up, watching the couples dance.
"I love how much your parents love one another," he said, his southern drawl stronger than usual thanks to the whiskey he'd been downing.
"It's how much you love me," she smiled, taking his hand and placing it on her swollen belly.
"No... it's not even close to how much I love you and baby girl."
Katie grinned, turning to look at him. "How did I get so lucky? I'm literally crazy and you're... you're just incredible."
"We're all a little crazy," he said, leaning over to kiss her. "And as it turns out? Stabler crazy is my favorite kind," he said, making her giggle against his lips.
"Can we go upstairs yet?" She whined playfully.
"Your dad looks like he's ready to pin your mom against the nearest surface, so hopefully soon," he cracked, making her laugh harder.
"El we are in public in front of all of our children!" Liv hissed through laughter.
"You look so fucking pretty today," he whined softly. "I wanna put another baby in you."
"No way!" She exclaimed, and he laughed, dropping he head to the shell of her ear.
"Could practice?" He asked seductively.
"Practice... I think we can do that," she winked.
"Our boy is married," he said, dropping one hand dangerously low on her ass.
"Our boy is married," she sighed happily, glancing over to where he and his new wife were now dancing and spinning.
"And our girl is next," he said, his eyes welling again.
Liv looked up with a big smile. "What?" She asked, beaming.
"So?" Liz finally asked Peter, anxious and now with courage from the liquor she'd been sipping.
"So what?" He countered playfully.
"Dad... you asked him right?"
Peter just grinned and dropped his head down to kiss her slowly. "Wouldn't you like to know."