By the time she got home, she was on the verge of a breakdown.

Elliot was asleep in their bed asleep, huddled on the furthest edge of the bed from her side.

Her lip quivered when she saw him. She took a deep breath and locked up her gun before going Into the bathroom to shower.

When she emerged, wrapped in her towel, she looked at him and could tell by his breathing that he was awake.

She couldn't stop the tears that flooded her eyes nor the sob that escaped her throat.

He got up slowly when he heard her and went to his drawer, pulling out her favorite T-shirt of his and a pair of his boxers.

He went over to her and gently pulled her towel free, helping her get dressed before sitting her on the bed.

He grabbed her brush from her nightstand and sat behind her, gently brushing out her wet hair and towel drying it for for a few minutes.

When he was done, he set the brush down and silently helped her get situated into a comfortable position, before climbing into bed and wrapping his arms around her protectively.

Her tears hadn't stopped. In fact, the gentleness of his actions and demeanor made her cry harder.

In the 10 year he'd been gone, the harsh version of Elliot Stabler had gone too.

Now he was kind. Gentle. Understanding.

And she was just a bitch- especially tonight.

She melted into him, eventually getting control of her crying and finally managed to speak.

"D-do you st-still l-love me…" she asked, just above a whisper.

He squeezed her tighter and pressed a kiss to her head. "It would take an act of God for me to not love you Olivia."

She started to sniffle again but he rubbed her back soothingly. "Try and sleep. Both of our ringers are on and they'll call if they need us."

She nodded and sniffled again. "Y-you'll still b-be here when I wake up." She asked.

"Layin' right here, Captain."

She breathed out a soft laugh and kissed his chest before drifting off.

When she woke the next morning, she was cold, which was because she was no longer hugging Elliot.

She felt tears rush to her eyes until she glanced over to find a note and flowers laying next to her.

"Got called in. Katie is bringing the boys to school.

No update for the SVU squad. Try and sleep some more, if you can. Breakfast in the oven.

I love you, Olivia.

Semper Fi,

El

P.S. I've had a ring since the day after our first night together at your apartment. You and our kids are my world and I've been waiting for the perfect moment when we're all together."

She was crying again. Fucking hormones.

She rolled on her back to check her phone. 8:30. She could sleep for another 36 hours if she was given the chance.

She shot him a quick text, wincing at the ones from then night before.

L: I'm an asshole. I love you, Elliot.

E: No you're not. You're a survivor who can do things by herself, partly thanks to me leaving for the longest time. That's a hard change to make. I love you more. See you tonight?

L: It's a date.

She was walking off the elevator around 10am when her phone rang.

Fin.

She looked up and laughed. "Listen I rested, I ate you, don't have to…" she trailed off seeing the look on his face.

"Fin…"

"Cap can you come here a second and sit."

Olivia took several deep breathes, her eyes darting between all of the members of her squad.

She knew. The looks on their face said it all.

Elliot.

"No you can tell me what happened to him right now," she was barely able to whisper.

Fin held up his hands. "He's fine. I mean he'll be ok… but he's at Mercy.."

The words got muffled and she only caught bits and pieces.

3 shots.

Blood loss.

Surgery

He'll be ok.

She was rushing back to the elevator when Amanda caught up.

"Let me drive you." She snatched her keys because she could respond.

When they got to the hospital, a uniform was waiting for them.

"Captain, right this way." He brought them up to the waiting area.

"H-hi I'm looking for Elliot Stabler." She asked the nurse

"Are you a family member?" She countered.

Liv nodded furiously. "His wife" she said with no hesitation.

She nodded. "Mr. Stabler is in the OR you'll need to wait here.."

Liv took some breathes trying to steady herself and Amanda forced her to sit.

"Liv he's going to be ok…do you want me to call one of the kids?" Her friend asked her.

She shook her head furiously. "Not until I know he's ok."

She nodded and they waited.

Liv's mind was reeling.

What is she lost him? She'd just gotten him back. And she was such a prick the night before. And he'd just adopted her son. And his kids had just lost their mom. And Ben. What if Ben never got to know his dad?

Her eyes welled up and she started to hyperventilate.

Amanda quickly grabbed onto her. "Olivia listen to me. You need to relax. Take deep breathes. If not for you then for the baby."

Liv nodded trying to do what she was told and grasping her stomach.

"B-Ben…" she stuttered.

Liv watched as Amanda's panicked face softened and she smiled. "It's a boy?"

Liv's muscles relaxed and she nodded. "Benjamin Don Stabler," she whispered.

Amanda gave her a longer hug and Liv sunk into her, starting to calm down more.

It was another hour before they got word that Elliot was out of surgery and starting to wake up.

"Captain, he's going to be sore, but he's going to be fine," the Doctor nodded. She'd known this man for years from cases and she let out a breath.

"Thank you." She whispered.

"He's going to be waking up soon… why don't you call the kids and then you can see him once we have him settled in his room."

Liv nodded and called Maureen.

"Hey!" She exclaimed. "Everything ok? You never call in the middle of the work day?"

Liv took a deep breath. "Hi honey… Dad is fine. But he was shot. He just got out of surgery. I'm at Mercy and about to go see him. Can you tell the big kids and have someone get Eli and Noh? I'll talk to them after school."

Maureen's breath hitched and she nodded. "Why does he always have to be the damn hero." She muttered. She was so like Kathy.

Liv couldn't help but laugh. "Cause he's Elliot Stabler. And that's what we love the most about him." She whispered.

Both women were quiet for a moment before Liv spoke again. "You ok, baby?"

Maureen's voice broke. "Y-yeah… just scary."

"I know… but he's ok. And we can give him an earful when he wakes up."

Mo laughed. "Sounds good. Text me updates? Love you Liv."

"Love you too honey," she said before hanging up and slipping her phone into her pocket.

They had to wait a few more minutes before Liv finally walked in to the hospital room where Elliot was just waking up.

Everything was foggy and his chest and arms were killing him. His eyes were closed as he came to, hearing the monitors and taking in the overwhelming smell of "clean" that was notorious in hospitals.

He felt a small and soft hand slip into his, and he slowly opened his eyes.

"The last time you were semi conscious in a hospital bed, Kathy was pregnant with Eli." She said gently with a smile.

He breathed out a laugh and winced.

"I'm nothing if not consistent." He whispered and she smiled.

She sat on the edge of the bed and his good arm snaked around her waist, holding her belly. She leaned in to cup his cheek and carefully gave him a kiss.

"I thought I was going to lose you, Sergeant." She whispered against his lips.

"Never." He said softly. "Not permanently at least."

She sat back and he groaned as the meds started to wear off.

"Kids know?" He asked, his voice croaky and dry.

She got up and handed him his cup of water from the table, helping him sip.

"I called Mo. She said you need to stop being the hero," she sighed. "Someone's gonna get the boys and I'll go home and tell them."

"She's right…" he trailed off.

Liv looked at him, shocked. "Oh? That's something you don't hear every day from Elliot Stabler."

He shrugged. "I was laying there and all I could think of was not the kids losing another parent. Noah losing his dad he finally got. Never meeting Ben…."

She squeezed his hand. "Why don't you get some sleep and we'll talk about this when you're home."

He nodded and closed his eyes and falling asleep immediately.

When he next woke, it was to all of his kids chattering in the room.

"Can't he retire??" He heard Maureen say before Lizzie piped up.

"He has more than enough years and could do something private and stay home with Benny."

"Guys that's a decision your dad has to make. I can't make it for him. He would never do that to me." He heard Liv sigh.

"Yeah but you're a captain and also not as dumb as he is." Kathleen groaned.

El finally slowly opened his eyes. "I can hear you." He said softly.

"Good! Maybe you'll listen for once in your life." Dickie said from behind the girls, a little frustrated. Maureen shot him a look and he sat down.

Noah and Eli were sat nervously on either side of Liv on the couch, leaning into her slightly.

El glanced between all of his kids and sighed. "Guys I love you but can we talk about this when I get home?"

Maureen nodded. "Yes. We'll have a family meeting on Sunday at dinner." she said, leaving no room for him to argue.

He looked at his two youngest. He could tell they'd both been crying and was upset that they'd even come and seen him this way.

Liv read his mind. "Baby they wanted to see you… please don't start." She warned.

He nodded and held out his free arm to them.

Eli went over and hugged him but Noah stayed with Liv.

"Noh come here…." he looked down trying to hide his tears. He got up and Dickie helped him up into the bed. He cuddled against Elliot and sniffed.

"Bud I'm here. I'm here ok. I'm ok." He nodded staying quiet.

"Dad are you ever going to wake up?" Dickie asked. "Look at your sons. They're a mess!"

Lizzie looked at him. "Dickie. Stop. Save it for Sunday."

"No! I'm not going to stop. He needs to hear this now while he's vulnerable and he can see what his shit does to his kids."

He stood up looking at Noah and Eli. "Guys go down to the cafeteria please."

"No." Eli said firmly. "Whatever you have to say you can say in front of both of us." He said pointing to his little brother who'd slid off the bed and returned to his side.

Liv took a deep breathe. "Dickie can we have this conversation calmly" she pleaded.

He nodded slowly and looked back at his dad.

"Dad you can't keep doing this. And if you're gonna keep doing this you have to stop taking such stupid risks to catch the perp!"

Lizzie put her hand in his arm to calm him down and he shrugged her off.

"You were barely home when we were little and when you were, you were hurt. You've done right by Eli for the last 15 years, so you need to keep doing that. And now you have Noah and Benny coming? Come on dad! Wake up!"

El closed his eyes and Noah leaned his face into Eli's side, starting to cry again. He hugged him and looked at Dickie.

"Look at your sons, dad. Look at them."

Elliot slowly turned his head and teared up again before shaking his head.

"No dad don't shake your head. Look at them. Look at Olivia!" Dickie said, his voice raised a bit.

Maureen stepped in front of Dickie looking back at him. "You're done. Sit. Now."

He looked down, embarrassed and nodded. Mo sat on the side of the bed.

"Daddy… what Dickie is trying to say, is that you're in your late 50s. You're finally with your soulmate and having another baby. This pregnancy is already high risk and Liv doesn't need you running after two perps without back up. You could have died."

El looked down, the tears starting to fall. She sighed and squeezed his hand.

"Daddy we all love you… please do what's right by Eli and Noah and Ben. Either get your head on straight and do your job safely or retire. They don't deserve that."

He was silent and the tears fell. "I-I'm sorry" was all he managed to whisper out before Mo leaned into hug him and the rest of the family followed suit.

Noah was the most upset. The others were used to seeing their dad hurt from his stupidity, but Noah… he was a different story. Dickie lifted him up again and he hugged on to El.

"Dad I thought I'd never see you again." He sniffled into his chest.

"I'm here son… I'm here."

They were right. He needed to get it together and make things right for his kids, big and small, and his Liv.

His eyes scanned all of them before finally meeting hers.

She looked like hell, and even so, was gorgeous. He opened his free hand to her and she slowly went over, taking it.

He squeezed it. "Still my partner for life?" He asked her softly.

She rolled her eyes and smiled small. "It would take an act of God Elliot," she said before she leaned him to kiss him.