A/N - We have reached the end of the road of this chapter! Thank you so much for joining me for this ride! It was a wild one. Working on a new story as we speak. Don't forget to drop a review for this one though! Thanks for EVERYTHING as always!
Olivia's first day of work after Elena's birth…
Pulling up in front of her house, Olivia parked the car in her usual spot beside Elliot's sedan. She stared up at the big blue house on the corner of the nicest street she'd seen in Queens. It had taken some convincing, but he'd finally gotten her to move to Queens. It was right on the edge of it to be fair, close enough to work and the city to make her feel comfortable. But the perfect location to raise their daughter, and his four other children.
Olivia Benson had a home, a beautiful daughter with big brown eyes like hers who already had her father wrapped around her finger. His four older children had embraced her, had embraced their new sister better than she could have imagined. She had a partner, a true partner, not a partner at work, but a partner in life and in love. This was her life, it was real and it was everything she ever could have wanted.
Taking a deep breath, she leaned against the steering wheel and stared up at the quiet house. It was dark out, but she could see one light on upstairs in the nursery. She could see Elliot walking back and forth in the room, little Ella as they often called her pressed against his chest. Her heart constricted in her chest as she watched him rock her. Today had been hard, very hard. Leaving her for the first time this morning had been terrifying.
Elliot, bless his heart, had taken the day off to prove to her that it would be okay. He'd started at his new job a few months back and it had been an adjustment for all of them. But it had been for the best, to ensure that they could stay together. Six months into her pregnancy, they had found a home, big enough for everyone in the family. And throughout the pregnancy, Elliot had doted on her like she knew he would. Though she tried to deny him, to prove that she was independent enough to do it all alone, he had been a savior. Especially when she'd been put on bed rest towards the end for her safety and Elena's.
And then on that late October morning, she'd gone into labor. And he was the calm one. The level headed partner, who guided her through every moment, the painful, scary and at times emotionally draining moments. Right until the Doctors had pressed their squirming, shouting, lively little girl into her chest. Watching him from the driveway, she remembered it like it was yesterday.
Olivai gasped, a cry leaving her lips as she fell back against Elliot's chest after the final push. Her body was on fire, she'd never felt anything like it and she was overwhelmed and exhausted. But Elliot held her close, pressing his lips to the back of her head, she felt tears dripping into her hair, "I am so fucking proud of you."
His voice was raw and ragged and she knew he felt exhausted in his own way too. Probably holding his breath until he knew they were both okay, "I-Is she okay?"
A nurse walked over, and pressed Elena into her arms for the first time, "She is perfect…"
Olivia's body shook as she held her to her chest, "Oh…oh my God."
From behind her, Elliot leaned in and kissed the side of her head, reaching out to touch Elena's fuzzy little head, "Hi baby…"
Holding her close, Olivia pressed her lips to the top of her head, "She's…she's real."
Elliot laughed and placed a protective hand on her back, "She's very real Olivia." Elena yawned, snuggled into her Mother's embrace and wrapped her tiny fingers tightly around her Mother's thumb, "She's strong and beautiful…just like her Mom."
Olivia bit her lip, and let her eyes look up at him, tears brimming, "I'm a Mom."
He smiled proudly and leaned in to kiss her, "You're a Mom."
Looking back down at their daughter, she beamed, "We have a daughter…"
"Elena Margaret Benson-Stabler." He sighed happily, "Welcome to the world little girl…you are so loved. Don't you ever doubt that…" He pressed his lips to Olivia's ear and whispered, "But just like your Mom does…if you ever doubt it I'll keep reminding you too."
Smiling down at the baby Olivia sighed, "We got a good one baby…"
Sighing happily, she climbed out of the car, not wanting to waste a second of time with the two most important people in her life. She walked quietly into the house, not wanting to disturb Elena in case she was beginning to settle down. She wasn't the easiest to get down, so as much as she wanted to see her daughter, she knew her husband was probably exhausted himself. Kicking off her shoes, she walked up the stairs and down the wall towards Elena's room.
Leaning against the doorframe, she saw Elliot walking towards the rocking chair. His back was to her and he had no idea she was even home yet. She wanted to savor this moment, loving watching the man she loved more than anything doting on their tiny daughter. To the world he was such a rough and tumble kinda guy. All muscles and stern looks, a cop through and through. He didn't let the outside world see what was underneath the rough exterior. But with her, he let all his walls down, let her see the sides of him that she knew he hadn't even really shown to Kathy. And with his children, all bets were off. Yes he could be strict, but his love for his five children knew no bounds.
Settling into the rocker, he sighed and leaned back, holding Elena out in front of him, she was so tiny in his large muscular arms. She had to bite her lip as she watched him cradle her head in his hands as he smiled down at her, "There you go…you're good baby. Daddy's got you." He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her little nose, "You're okay."
Elena yawned, her lips turning up into a little smile as she looked up at her Father. Olivia's heart was pounding in her chest as she watched the scene unfolding, "I think we did alright today huh? First day without Mommy…but you were good. And I didn't burn the house down or break you…so we survived." She stifled a laugh as she watched on, "Your Mom was so afraid that she wasn't going to be able to handle being a Mom but…she is a natural just like I knew she would be. She knows you inside and out, knows every sound you make, ever need you have at all times. She amazes me…just like she always has."
Tears welled in her eyes and she brushed them away, once again feeling her love for him growing by the second. She never thought it was possible to love him more but he always blew her away. Though their romantic relationship had started out in a way that neither of them had expected, somehow she knew they were always meant to end up here. In this place. Their home. With their daughter, everything had happened just as it should have. It may have seemed rushed, crazy to others but all that mattered was that the people under this roof were happy and felt loved.
"You know…I've been meaning to have a talk with you kid." He said with a sigh as he watched her, her bright brown eyes blinking up at him, "You're growing faster than I'd like. And we need to set some ground rules…"
Her heart skipped a beat at his words and somehow she knew what was coming next, "Your Mom likes to set rules…well so do I. So…" He adjusted her in his lap and smiled, "Rule number five, you let the world know who you are. Shout it from the rooftops that you are Elena Margaret Benson-Stabler, brave, strong, beautiful and you can be anything you want. You never doubt yourself. You stand tall like your Mom, show the world what you are made of. You be proud of who you are baby girl…because I am so proud of you and to be your Father."
The stress of the day seemed to melt away as she listened to him, watching him be so in tune with their daughter. This absolute miracle of life, proof of their love and partnership in every sense of the word. He was once again taking her rules and flipping them on her in ways she never could have anticipated.
"Rule number four…your sisters and your brother got embarrassed of me real young. So I'm gonna need you to humor your dear old Dad and be okay with hanging out with me in public. I'm gonna need you to let me hold your hand, carry you around, protect you and be incredibly overbearing as only I can as your Father. And I'm gonna need you to not roll your eyes or yell at me once you reach your teenage years." He paused, "Which I know will probably be impossible…but humor your old man okay? I'm not as tough as I appear. You'll break me in half in no time."
"Rule number three…" Elena's little hands reached for him, her fingers touching his cheek and he leaned into them, "You are never, ever and I mean ever under any circumstances allowed to date." Once again she had to try and stifle her laughter, "Because obviously you are going to take after your Mom which means the boys will be knocking down the door. And I'll be standing there with my gun making sure they know that I'm number one. That I'm watching their every move. If you have to date…you wait until I'm dead. Okay?"
Once again she had to stifle a laugh trying to picture Elliot running off any and all dates who would come to call on their daughter. She'd seen him with his three older daughters, she knew the hell that would come down on that poor teenage boy someday.
"Rule number two…" He narrowed his eyes at her as she wiggled in his arms, "I do background checks on all your friends and their families. You want to have a sleepover? You do it here…I don't trust anyone but me and your Momma. Any social events…happen under my roof. Sound like a plan?"
Elena just stared up at him, confused by his words and he laughed, leaning forward he sighed, "And most importantly rule number one…" He kissed her nose, "You never under any circumstance doubt how much I love you kid. How much your Mom loves you. You may have been a surprise…but you were the best surprise I ever could have asked for. I will do everything, and anything for you. And I'm gonna make sure you know that you never wonder if you are loved, never doubt it." He smiled and kissed her forehead once more, "I love you Elena…and I will always love you. Just like I will always love your Mom."
Elena cooed up at him again, her head turned towards the door and she squealed with delight when she saw her Mother. Elliot followed her gaze, a slow smile growing on his face, "How long have you been standing there?"
Pushing herself off the wall, she walked towards him and knelt down on the ground beside him, "Long enough…" Elena's little arms reached for her Mom and she smiled, "Come here baby…" Elliot slowly handed her off and smiled as Olivia leaned against the wall beside them, pressing the young girl to her chest, "Oh I missed you today." She sighed and closed her eyes as Elena snuggled into her chest, "So much…"
Elliot smiled, leaning back as he watched the scene in front of him, he would never tire of watching her with their daughter. She truly was a natural. He'd meant that. She had always been the most beautiful woman in the world to him. But seeing her with their daughter only intsenfiedy her beauty to him, "She missed you too…" Olivia looked up at him and he smiled, "But…she did good. We had a good day."
Elena curled into her Mother, sucking on her thumb as she held onto her Mom, "She got bigger…" Elliot laughed and she pouted, "I swear she did…I can see it. I told you not to let her grow."
Leaning forward, he moved off the rocking chair and settled in beside her on the floor, "And I told you I can't keep her from growing babe…"
Rocking her gently, she leaned against his side, "I love my job…it felt good to be back. But…"
"But you want to be with her too." He whispered and she nodded, "I know. It was hard with all of them…" She just stared down at their daughter, "You know that I told you if you want to leave…I'll support you."
She shook her head and looked up at him, "No. No…I'm not ready to walk away from my career." She sighed and pressed her lips to Elena's head, "So I guess I'll just have to savor every second I can with this little girl…" Reaching out, she touched his cheek and she whispered, "And her Dad too…"
Elliot smiled and leaned in to kiss her, "I could be okay with that…"
"Good." She kissed him again and then looked back at Elena, "Me too." The young girl's eyes started to close and she pressed her lips to the top of her head, "Nice rules by the way…" She laughed and whispered, "But I hate to break it to you…she's gonna break all of them. Just like we did."
"Rules were made to be broken." Elliot whispered "I'm glad we broke yours."
"Me too." She whispered, leaning into him as her own eyes closed, "Me too…"
Cape Cod, the weekend of Elena's second birthday…
They were staying at a different cottage in the same town they had stayed in before. Elliot, Elena and Olivia had come down today and Elliot's older children were meeting them here tomorrow. They were all coming to celebrate Ella's second birthday. Time had gone fast, faster than even Olivia could have anticipated. Their daughter was growing by the day, evolving into a headstrong, independent, funny, inquisitive little girl. She challenged her parents, pushed them to do better, be better and made their world a lot brighter.
Two years after her birth, Olivia still couldn't believe she was hers. Couldn't believe she was a Mother. Let alone a mother of a child she shared with Elliot Stabler. This life was the most wonderful life, and she treasured every moment she had with them. Elliot had gone to put Elena down and Olivia was standing in the bathroom, wanting to take advantage of their night before the rest of the kids came into town tomorrow.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she slid her hands up her side. She'd lost the baby weight, but she still bore stretch marks, marks that had at once made her feel self conscious. Marks that Elliot said only made her sexier, proof of what her body had done to create their daughter. Adjusting the black lingerie that hugged her curves in all the right ways, she couldn't help but think of that first day when she'd changed into a very similar ensemble…
"Okay. Now I'm ready."
He sat up slowly, 'Okay wha-" His breath caught in his throat and he was pretty sure he lost all ability to speak, "Holy shit…"
Standing in the doorway, she looked down at herself in one of her skimpiest sets of lingerie. A black lace bra and matching panties that barely covered her ass. Oh yeah. This was what she needed. She needed to feel sexy. She'd fixed her hair up a bit, added a little make up. Done all the things that made her feel sexual. Her hand slid down her flat stomach and she sighed, "You like?"
He was in pain. Physical pain at this point. His cock straining against his jeans, "Fucking. Christ. What the hell are you wearing?"
Her cheeks flushed and she shifted back and forth, her painted toes tapping against the floor, "So…you don't like it?"
"I-" He stood up quickly, "Jesus Christ. I'd have to be a moron not to-" He ran his hand over his face and groaned, "You…can't…fuck-"
She started to laugh again, because he was clearly flustered "Oh…so you like it too much?"
"I think I'm going into cardiac arrest to be honest." He took her hand and placed it against his chest, "Am I breathing? Am I alive?"
She laughed again and shoved him back, "Elliot…shut up."
"What?" He said his eyes still roaming her body, "Are you insane? What the hell is this?"
He reached out and tugged on the thin strap of her panties, she swatted his hand away, "It's lingerie! A girl's gotta feel sexy…it's my little guilty pleasure."
He groaned and let his hand move along the strap to her ass, "I'd never have guessed."
She shrugged and smiled, "All day long I've got to be professional. Have to hide my body. But when I want to have some fun…feel good about myself there is nothing better than lingerie. Hell…I'd wear this even if I didn't have a man around. It feels good to feel good."
And just like that day, it still felt good. Damn good. She felt powerful, beautiful, sexy, and she couldn't wait to get her hands on her man. As if on cue, the door opened and she heard him walking in, "Well she fought it…but she's out like a light."
Adjusting her hair she called out to him, "Think she'll sleep through the night?"
She heard him sigh as he kicked off his shoes, "I think so…she didn't get her nap in today on the train. So she'll more than likely sleep a long time…probably a good thing. Tomorrow will be a busy day celebrating her."
"Well that's good." She walked towards the door and leaned against the doorframe, "I was hoping not to be interrupted…"
Elliot was standing by the dresser, and he turned his head to look at her. His breath catching in his throat, his cock instantly beginning to react, "Damn…"
She smiled nervously, resting her head against the doorframe, her foot nervously twisting on the ground, "Hey…"
His eyes traveled up and down her body and he sighed, wanting to devour her immediately, just like always, "Olivia…"
Her fingers ran over her navel and she bit down hard on her lip, "You like?"
He growled low in his chest and walked towards her, pulling his t-shirt up and over his chest with one fell swoop. He tossed it to the ground and walked all the way up to her, reaching for her, "I'd have to be a moron to not…" He leaned in, pressing his lips to her as her arms wrapped around his neck, "I swear you get sexier and sexier…"
She leaned against him, his hands sliding down her back and settling on her ass, "Elliot…"
He moaned, biting down on the sensitive spot just below her ear, "Thank God I showed up at your doorstep that day…I wouldn't have wanted to miss this."
She laughed and pulled him back, her fingers tracing the side of his face, "No regrets?"
Shaking his head he leaned in to kiss her lips, his eyes wide open, "Not one Liv. Because if anything had been different…we wouldn't have our incredible daughter. And for that…I am thankful. For even the hard moments." He ran his fingers through her hair and smiled, "It was all worth it…"
Her fingers danced along the hard expanse of his chest, his skin was warm and smooth. The first time she'd seen him in her bedroom, even though she'd seen him shirtless many times, it had been different. So different. He was different. He made her feel things she'd never felt in her life. She'd laughed that day, and he'd been afraid it was because she didn't want him, but it was because she had been nervous, couldn't believe that this was even happening. And still today, almost three years later, and she still couldn't believe it.
She began to walk him backwards, her hands sliding down his chest before settling on the waistband of his sweatpants, "I'd have to agree."
Elliot sighed and leaned into her touch as her hands wrapped around him, "Liv…"
She bit her lip, staring up at him under heavy eyelids, "Sit…"
He raised an eyebrow and she gave him a challenging look before following down on the edge of the bed, "You in charge today Benson?"
Staring down at him, she smiled, proudly, seductively and she nodded, "Yep."
He reached out, his hands sliding up her thighs again, "Do I get a say at all?"
She cocked her head to the side, "Maybe…"
Leaning forward, he pressed his lips just below the underside of her breast, his nose rubbing against the lace material barely covering her, "We could want the same thing…"
She smiled and ran her fingers through his hair as he moved his lips across her body, "Okay…so tell me what you want Stabler?"
He bit down on her hip bone and whispered, "I want to taste you…"
Her head fell back and she moaned softly, "What a coincidence…I want to taste you." Pushing him back she smiled at him as he fell back on the bed with a huff, "And I'm going to do just that…"
His hands fell on either side of him as he watched her climb up on the bed, straddling him as she kissed him hard, "Olivia…"
Rocking her hips against him she felt his cock pressing against her panties, she knew he could feel she was already wet and ready for him. She couldn't help herself. One look at him and she was a goner. He turned her on in ways she'd never thought was possible. And she loved pleasing him. She loved hearing him moan, loved feeling how his body reacted to her, loved it when he let loose for her. Her lips started to move down across his neck, his chest and lower and lower still, "Liv…" He whispered again.
She smiled, biting down on his nipple, tugging slightly and he groaned, "My turn first…"
He took a deep breath, trying to focus on her but she had a way of getting him to forget where he was, lose his control. She was always a force to be reckoned with. But in bed, she unleashed something, showed him a side of her she never thought he'd be lucky enough to experience. Even now three years later, when he looked at her, felt her, touched her, tasted her, he was in awe and he knew he'd never have enough.
Lower and lower she moved, her legs straddling his left leg as she settled above his cock. He slid his leg between hers, wanting to make her feel just as good as she was making him feel. He smiled when she bit down hard on her lip, grinding her pussy into his leg, the lace of her panties causing just enough friction against her clit, "El…"
He smiled, reaching out, he rubbed her shoulder, "I offered…"
She laughed and reached out to wrap her hand around his cock again, stroking gently, "Such a gentleman…" She sighed and leaned forward, pressing her lips to the tip of him, "But…I don't want you to be a gentleman tonight." She licked him playfully, cocking her head to the side, "Okay?"
Chewing on his bottom lip he sucked in his breath as she wrapped her lips around him, "Okay."
She smiled around him, pulling him further into her mouth, moaning loudly as he filled her. She saw one hand gripping her shoulder, one gripping the sheets beside him. And she smiled, reaching out, she took his hand and placed it on top of her head. He chuckled low in his throat, but he took the hint, threading his fingers through her hair as he helped her bob her head up and down. His hips lifting as she fucked him with her mouth, "Fuck babe…" His mouth hung open as he watched her, still in awe that she would do this for him, "You're so fucking good to me…"
Her hand reached out, cradling his balls, squeezing gently as she worked him with her mouth. Pulling back, she took a breath as she stroked him quickly, "You like this?"
He beamed up at her, smiling widely, "You know I do…you know I fucking love when you go down on me. You're so fucking sexy Olivia…so fucking sexy."
She rocked against him again, her panties rising up pressing harder against her clit and she moaned around him once more, "Fuck El…"
He smiled and pulled her hair slightly, "And I know you like it too…you love having my cock in your mouth." She groaned again, the vibrations coursing through him, "You love teasing me don't you Olivia?" She bobbed her head up and down, smiling around him, "It makes you so wet…" She rocked her hips again and he growled, "So fucking wet…I can feel you right now."
She whimpered, knowing if she wanted too, she could come just like this against his leg. He was right, it turned her on beyond belief doing this. She loved getting off, but bringing him pleasure did things to her. She moved her head faster, and he moaned loudly, "Say it Olivia…tell me you like it."
She released him with a wet pop, taking a few deep breaths, "You know I do baby…you know I love it." She whimpered softly, her fingers teasing him gently, "I'm so wet…you make me so wet."
As much as he loved this, he needed her, desperately. He refused to get off now, because he was nowhere near being done with her. Before she could stop him. He reached out, pulling her up over his body and she gasped, he loved that he could still surprise her. He was kissing her, hard, and he knew she expected him to roll them over and take over. Instead his hands settled on her ass and squeezed, "Go up…"
She laughed looking down at him, "Elliot…" He started to pull her up, "What-"
He kissed her hard, and once again pushed her up as he shimmied down further, "You know what I want. I want to taste you."
She whimpered softly and rolled to the side as he tugged on the side of her panties, "El…"
He balled them up and tossed them to the side, "Want me to beg?"
She laughed and rolled over him again, "Aren't I supposed to beg for it?"
He smirked and nudged her up again, "You never have to beg for it baby. You want me, you can have me. Anytime, anywhere."
She smiled and knew better than to argue with him, not that she wanted to anyway. She'd been surprised the first time he'd eaten her out this way, but it was exciting and made her feel powerful. Reaching out for the headboard, she squeezed it gently as she pressed her knees on either side of his face and looked down at him, "You want me?"
His strong arms slid up under her thighs, pulling her closer, her pussy hovering just above his face. He could smell her, practically taste her already. He groaned, licking his lips, she was dripping onto him and he smiled, "Oh yeah Liv…I want you."
He felt her inhale sharply, her fingers digging into the headboard as he pressed his tongue across the length of her, "Fuck…"
He groaned, pulling her down more against his face, "Come on…" He groaned, "You know how I like it."
She smiled, and she knew. Oh she knew he loved when she rode his face like this, let her inhibitions go and allowed him to love her this way. She whimpered softly, grinding slowly against him, feeling his tongue pressing up into her pussy. He loved bringing her pleasure, just as she did for him. And she loved it even more that she was really the only woman he'd done this for. One of his hands held her firmly in place, the other slid up her body, "Elliot…fuck…"
He groaned, his mouth covered in her, just the way he liked it as she rocked against him. His nose bumped against her clit and she jumped slightly. He laughed, the vibrations shooting through her body. "You taste so fucking good…"
Her hand held his against her chest, squeezing hard, "Just-just like that…please baby. Please…"
He lapped her up, his tongue opening her wider to him sliding along her wet pussy, until he wrapped his lips around her clit, "Mmmm…"
She was panting, her belly quivering, feeling that release that only he seemed able to pull from her. With his thumb and index finger, he rolled her nipple between them, her head fell back and a long low moan fell from her lips, "Fuck!"
He chuckled again, pressing a kiss to her thigh, "Good thing I put the fan on high in Elena's room…"
She groaned, gripping the headboard, "Please Elliot…please…"
He knew she was close, and he couldn't wait to taste her. Pulling her flush against him again, he swirled his tongue around and around her clit, rocking her against his face. She could hear him fucking her with her, his tongueu teasing her wet pussy and she swore she could die here. Looking down at him, she whimpered as she watched him fuck her. And quickly it began to build. Her body shook against him and he quickly brought her over the edge.
"Oh my God!" She bit down hard on her lip, trying to hold in her scream, not wanting to wake up her daughter.
He continued to lick her slowly as her body convulsed around him. "That's it…"
Smiling, she let her body come down from its ultimate high, "Damn El…"
He pressed open mouth kisses against her thighs and massaged her lower back, "Feel good?"
She groaned and threw her leg off of him, leaning down she kissed him, loving that she could taste herself on him, "You're so fucking sexy…"
Wrapping his arms around her, he rolled them over so he was on top of her, spreading her legs wide open to him, "Fuck I need you."
Grabbing the back of his neck, she pulled him down and wrapped her legs around his waist, "Fuck me."
He growled, taking one of her hands and off of him and pinning it above her, pressing the tip of his cock against her still drenched pussy, "Tell me you want it. Tell me you want me…"
He threaded his fingers with hers above her head and she pressed her heels into his ass, wanting to feel him deep inside of her, "I want you. I want you so deep inside of me…fucking me. I want to feel you…please baby."
He thrust up, filling her, slamming all the way in until he hit her back walls, "Fuck…"
Her free hand clung to the back of his neck, digging her fingers into his skin, "Elliot…fuck…"
Holding his hand against her hip, his thumb pressed hard and he knew he'd leave a mark. She wrapped her legs even tighter around him and he breathed heavy, his chest rising and falling as he fucked her hard into the mattress, Leaning his head down, he latched his lips onto her neck, "Liv…"
She groaned, scraping her fingers down his neck, "So deep…Elliot…I love the way you fuck me."
He growled, pressing his lips to her breast, still covered by her bra, "I love you."
She sighed, pulling his face up towards hers, touching his cheek gently, "And I love you…"
Resting his forehead against hers, he squeezed hard on her hand, "You are mine. Only mine."
Arching her back, she pressed her chest against his, the lace of her bra scraping against his nipples, "Yes. I am yours Elliot…only yours."
He groaned, slamming into her a bead of sweat falling down from his neck to her chest. He watched it slide down between her breasts, and he sighed, "Tell me it's forever…"
She smiled widely, knowing how much he loved to hear this, to know that she wanted him and only him. "You are mine forever Elliot…I'm never letting you go again."
Leaning down, he kissed her hard, the sound of their bodies slapping against each other. She whimpered into his mouth, that tightening building in her body once more. He had no problem bringing her over the edge again and again, the best lover she'd ever had. And she knew, the only lover she'd ever had again. He was her forever. And she didn't want it any other way.
Her fingers dug firmly into his neck, "Don't stop. Elliot…don't fucking stop."
He felt her body tighten around him and he knew she was close, he was right behind her. Letting go of her hand, he touched the side of her face, her hand sliding up and under his arm, pulling him even closer, "Come for me."
She inhaled sharply, her body already beginning to shake, "Oh-oh my God. Fuck…"
Her body shook, convulsing around him as he still slammed into her. He grunted and groaned as she clamped down around him. Pulling him closer, she bit down hard on his sear, "Aw fuck…"
"Let go…" She whispered in his ear, her fingers stroking up and down his back to soothe him, "I want to feel it…"
He surged forward twice more, burying himself deep inside of her as he exploded. She whimpered again, holding him even closer as she felt him filling her, "Fuck Liv…"
She sighed happily and kissed across his neck, jaw and finally settled on his lips, "Mmm…God that never gets old."
He laughed and kissed her temple, "I love you Benson…"
She smiled and felt him roll them slightly so they lay face to face, "I know…"
He laughed and leaned forward to kiss her, "You're something…"
Sliding her leg between his she took a few deep breaths, feeling her body still reacting to him, "I love you too…"
He reached out to touch her cheek, "Are you happy Liv?"
Leaning towards him she traced the side of his face and whispered, "Happier than I ever thought possible…"
Her eyes drooped slightly and he smiled, settling her against his chest. He knew the beating of his heart soothed her to sleep. Pressing a kiss to the top of her head he sighed happily, "Good Liv…that's good."
She snuggled further into his embrace, and he ran his fingers through her hair, excited for tomorrow. Not just for his daughter's birthday, but for all the surprises he had in store for both his girls.
The following morning, Elena was up early, ready to start her birthday. Elliot had urged Olivia to sleep in, to take her time and he'd entertain their daughter as long as he could. As she finished in the bath, she could hear Elliot talking to their daughter, and her heart soared. As she got older, she became more precocious, asking a million questions. But he was always patient, answering as best he could, never making her feel worried or unsure. He indulged her, kept her safe, nurtured her, supported her, taught her about the world around her. And loved her fiercely and that only made Olivia love him more.
"Liv!" He called out, "Ella wants to go for a walk on the beach."
Pulling the plug from the bath she called back, "I'll meet you out there in a bit."
Climbing out of the tub, she wrapped herself in the large white towel and walked into the bedroom, humming to herself as she moved. She could see through the window as their precocious little daughter took off running on her little legs down the beach. Elliot was right behind her of course, never letting her get more than an arms length away. She fell forward, landing in the sand and he was there to pick her up but just like her Mother, she pushed him off, pulling herself up on her own. That independent stubborn streak strong in her. She saw the way he laughed as he followed after her and she couldn't wait to join them.
Pulling on a comfortable pair of leggings and one of her favorite sweaters, she quickly ran a brush through her hair, tied her hair back in a loose ponytail and slipped her feet into a comfortable pair of boots. As she walked onto the back porch, she held her hand up, hiding her eyes from the large sun in the sky. It was fall and still slightly warm, but a gentle breeze blew off the ocean.
Walking towards them slowly, she saw Elliot chasing after their daughter. The young girl shrieked as he played with her. She stood there, watching them, wanting to commit this to memory, not wanting to ever forget this. This life was too good, and she wanted to make sure it never ended. A rush of love filled her chest and she was so lost in thought, she didn't notice that Elliot had seen her, had whispered something to their daughter and slipped something into her little hands.
But when she heard her daughter calling to her, she snapped back into the present and started across the beach, ready to meet her daughter, "Momma!"
Smiling, Olivia knelt down in the sand beside her daughter, "Hi birthday girl…you having fun with Daddy?"
Elena held something in her little hands and she held something between them, "Open Momma."
Olivia frowned and looked down at her hands, "What do you have there baby?"
Immediately her eyes fell on the small black box in her daughter's hands and her heart skipped a beat. Her hands shook as she took it, the velvet running along her hands. Elena sat down in her Mother's lap and pointed at the box, "Open! Open!"
Olivia's hands shook as she slowly popped the top open and gasped when she saw what was inside. A beautiful diamond sparkling under the sunlight above, "Oh my God…"
"Pretty…" Elena whispered, reaching out to touch it, her little fingers trailing across the rough diamond.
Looking up, she saw Elliot standing a few feet away, a sheepish smile on his face, "Elliot…"
Slowly, he walked closer to her and knelt down beside the both of them, "Good job Ella…"
Olivia's hands shook as she looked up at the man she loved more than anything, "It's her birthday…not mine."
"I'd argue it's a present for both of you. Me too." He said with a smile, she just stared at him wide eyed, "A few years ago…you told me it wasn't the right time. Said we should wait…but you also said not now…but you told me you wanted it someday. And I'm hoping that maybe someday is now…"
Elena leaned against her Mother, and Olivia pressed her lips against the top of her head, "Elliot…"
Reaching his hand out he smiled and took the box from her, turning it towards her, "But before I ask…I have some rules."
A small laugh left her lips and she nodded, "Of course you do."
He held her hand, and kissed the back of it, "Rule number five…" He heard her inhale sharply as she waited for him to speak again, "As soon as this ring goes on your finger…we call everyone we know and tell them the news. I want everyone to know you're going to be my wife."
Elena squirmed in her Mother's arms and Olivia held on tight, still spell bound by this moment, "El…"
"Rule number four…" He kissed her fingertips and smiled, "Even after we get married, you still let me romance you. Take you out…spoil you. Bring you flowers…shower you with affection both at home and in public."
The waves crashed against the shore and she kept her eyes trained on him, not wanting to miss a second. Leaning closer, he continued, "Rule number three…as your husband, you let me take care of you. On the good days and the bad days. We remain a team…for better or worse. No matter what the world throws at us…you and me. Forever."
"You and me…" She whispered, still staring up at him as Elena sang to herself in her Mother's lap, not understanding what was going on.
"Rule number two…" He scooted even closer, "We never go to bed angry…we will fight. I know we will. But we fight just as hard to fix it…to stay together. To keep our family together."
Anxious for the last rule, and for him to finally ask, she whispered, "What's rule number one El?"
Pulling her hand close he whispered, "Rule number one…we say I love you. Everyday. We love only each other…no one else. You are mine and I am yours in every possible way." He kissed her hand again, "So…Can you agree to those rules Olivia?"
Without hesitating she whispered, "Yes."
Holding the ring out to her he asked the final question, "Will you marry me?"
Reaching out, she wrapped her fingers around the back of his neck, "Yes. Yes. Yes!"
He laughed against her lips as Elena sat between them, "Liv…"
She laughed through her tears and kissed him softly, "I love you."
Resting his forehead against hers he smiled, "And I love you…" Brushing her hair back he whispered, "Love is a wicked game…the best game. And I am so damn glad I get to play it with you…"
She laughed again and felt him slip the ring on her finger, she looked down at her hand and whispered, "We're getting married…"
Elliot watched her, so damn glad that they'd made it here, that they'd weathered the storm together, "We're getting married…"
Elena reached between her parents, "Momma?" Olivia and Elliot looked down at their daughter, a symbol of their love, their need and desire for one another, a perfect little miracle, "Momma crying…"
Olivia sighed and leaned down to kiss her little cheeks, "I'm happy baby…so happy."
Elena wrapped her arms around her Mother's neck and Elliot pulled both of them close. He fell back on the sand behind him, Olivia settling against him, he held Elena high up in the air, she squealed with delight, staring down at her parents. She was too young to understand the weight of this moment, but someday she'd know just how important it was for all of them. How her life had changed everything for them, given both her parents everything they'd ever wanted. Someday she'd know how much her parents loved one another, loved her with every fiber of their being. Someday she'd know how lucky she was, but today, today it was enough just to be here, safe and sound with the two most important people in her life, on this small beach. The very beach they'd first learned about her existence.
Turning her face towards him she smiled, "Thank you…"
Elena giggled, as Elliot ticked her, holding her against his side, "For what?"
Elena hopped down, running around her parents happily, "For not giving up on me…"
He smiled and reached out, brushing her hair back as his hand cradled around the back of her neck, "I'll never give up on you Liv…never. You're stuck with me now."
She beamed up at him, pressing her lips against his before he pulled back to chase after their daughter. She laughed rolling onto her side, pulling herself up in the sand, she stared down at the diamond ring glowing up at her, the sound of the waves and her daughter laughing. This was her life, her real life and it was sweeter than any life she ever could have imagined.
She'd finally learned that love is a game.
But love is a game that two can play and both can win.
