Give a Little Bit Chapter 8, a law and order: svu fanfic

"Its perfect, Mom," Lizzie insisted. "Its just perfect for you."

"Yeah, it really is. It falls on your hips like it was tailored just for you," Maureen gushed. "I wish I looked that hot in a dress."

"You do, Maur. I'm the one who's gotten fat."

"Kathleen, you are not fat," Olivia said over her shoulder. "You are beautiful. All three of you are. Now, I, on the other hand, have bigger hips than I've ever had in my life. I still haven't lost that last 5 pounds from having Allie."

"You were so freakin' skinny when you got pregnant that you don't need to." Lizzie stepped from the changing room and the four stood at the mirrors together. "Wow, we all look pretty good."

"I'd marry you if you were my type, lady," the man said as he adjusted the dress for Olivia. "Girl, this dress is working for you. We need to take teeny bit off the hem, but other than that, its just about right.Unless you plan on wearing heels?"

"Actually, I do want heels. Elliot loves me in heels."

"Than I won't touch it."

"Wow, must be destiny for you to marry Dad. Your first dress, and it fits perfectly, no alteration needed. You and Daddy'll be great together." Olivia smiled. "Why'd you wait until a week before the wedding to get the dress?"

"I don't know. But God, was it really that long?"

"Two months. Dad and Rick got their tuxedo's a week after the party. What is Allie going to wear?" Liv looked down at her baby, who sat very patiently in her car seat. She was very small for her age.

"Get her a white flower girl dress, and I'll sew on accents in these colors," Maureen offered.

"I was hoping she'd be walking by now. I mean, 14 months and only 19 pounds. I'm starting to worry."

"She's fine. She's active, squirmy most of the time, and very advanced in cognative developement. Hell, she does sign language." On that note, she signed for milk. "You would like your milk?" Maureen asked. She dug into the diaper bag for Allie's sippy cup and handed it to her. "See?"

"I take it school is going well."

"After Allie was born, I changed my major to Early Childhood. Its fascinating. So far, from what I can tell, she's right on track physically, and advanced cognatively. Don't worry. When she's ready to walk, she'll walk." Olivia sighed with relief. She silently wished her mother was alive to call upon for advice. While Serena hadn't been the best mom, she was still her mother.

"So, should we get them?"

"I like how they look on you guys. Its just...beautiful. Do they need to be altered?" Olivia asked the man helping them.

"Just a zipper moved on hers, and a little shorter on this one. Won't take but an hour for one of New York's Finest. Go change honey," he said. Olivia loved how the badge sometimes worked for her. This shop was broken in to a few years ago and they found three children in the back abandoned. The owner promised to give Oliv acomplete cooperation during the case, and full access to the full staff if she ever got married when the case was complete. "Get lunch, and they'll be ready."

SVU

Sooner than anticipated, the wedding day arrived. Don decided that a court room wasn't good enough for them to be married in; criminals were in there every day and the room reaked of the living trash they arrested daily. He offered to let them use his back yard. It was a beautiful yard with a rainbow of flowers lining the back fence, and rose bushes along the sides. His gardner took care of them with great pride. Work had provided them with an array of judges to preform the ceremony, but Elliot wants his priest. That had been particularly difficult for Olivia, as she wasn't Catholic, but it was the only thing he requested. Father James was very kind and she was glad he was there for Elliot.

Inside the house, people flutter about, getting Olivia and the girls ready. Casey fluffed the white dress, and handed her the bouquet of white roses. The girls were bride's maids. Lizzie wore a lilac dress, Kathleen was in the exact same dress, only it was a soft shade of sage green. Maureen wore a soft yellow version of the dress. Allie, who was sitting happily with Fin and Munch wore a beautifully frilly white dress that had ribbons and accent flowers in the three colors. Maureen had gotten the dress and found ribbon to match the three dresses and had sewen the flowers herself. She thought, sadly, that it was Kathy's talent that she was borrowing for her father's wedding.

Outside was calm. Everyone sat in the chairs that spread the lawn. There were mostly blue uniforms, with the occasional spouse, and Elliot's brother and sisters. They brought their families. Olivia hadn't met them yet, and was glad she finally would have the chance. It was a little funny to her to meet her in-laws-to-be AT the wedding. Elliot rubbed at his forehead.

"You alright, man?" Fin asked, grinning.

"I can't believe I drank that much last night. Jesus, Liv's gonna kill me for being hung over at the wedding." Munch jaughed lightly at the situation. "You were supposed to stop me, ass hole. Sorry Father," Elliot said, correcting himself.

"I'm heading in," Don said as he left them. "Good luck, Stabler."

When Don opened the side door of his home, he took a step back and gasped in awe. Olivia looked so beautiful. She looked like an angel. Over the last 8 years, she'd worked her way into his heart. Olivia went from smart-ass detective to daughter before his eyes. The dress was off the shoulder, and she looked like a cross between a princess and an angel.

"Livvie," he called genlty. "Its time." She smiled andstarted the walk to him. "You look absolutely perfect."

"Thanks, Dad," she whispered. He took her arm.

"Olivia, you're shaking. Are you all right?"

"Terrified. Thrilled. Excited. You name it, I'm feeling it." Don laughed and they stood in line. The girls went first and then, Canon in D started. The took a deep breath and walked to the door, and down the isle. People from both sides were taken aback by the bride. Elliot's brother, who stood next to Elliot, Fin, and Munch, whispered something to Elliot, who smiled and allowed tears to fill his eyes.

"Who gives this woman to this man?"

"I do," Don choked out, happily. He hugged her, and kissed her cheek. Elliot took her hand from Don's and they turned to Father James.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joy in the joining of two families. Olivia and Elliot have chosen their own vows today."

"Olivia, when I met you, I was living through motion, not through life. You were my friend, my partner, and you cared about me more than anny other person I'd ever met. You taught me what love really is. When I was alone, you were my friend. When I was lost, you gave me shelter. When I was scared, you calmed my fears. When I was sad, you taught me was true Joy is.

"I love you, Olivia. My life makes sense with you. The world is terrifying, but with you, I can brave the day. I promise you to love, honor, and obey you, and cherish every moment with you as if it were the only moment we had."

"Elliot, when we became partners, I was scared. I never had family, and only one or two friends that I could trust. You taught me to trust people again. This squad was the first family I had known. I was happy, I thought, being alone, going through the motions of life. But you knew better. You pulled me alone with you and the guys for dinner, drinks, coffee. You brought me into the group so I wasn't alone. You gave me my first family.

"You are my life, Elliot. You are my family. I swear to you to love, honor and cherish you from now until the day I die. You are my friend, my love, my soul. Every second with you is golden, and I promise to cherish it as though it were all we had together. I love you." Father John placed the rings on the Bible.

"The ring is a symbol of endless love. The ring has no end and no beginning; Love has no end and no beginning. Elliot, please take the ring and place it on Olivia's hand as a symbol of your endless love for her." Elliot silently took the ring and slipped it on her hand. "Repeat after me; With this ring, I Thee wed."

"With," he started, choking up. He cleared his throat. "This ring, I thee wed."

"Olivia, please take this ring, and place it on Elliot's hand as a symbol for your endless love. Repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."

"With this ring," she said, tears flowing finally. "I thee wed."

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." Elliot took her gently in his arms and kissed her. The tears he'd been holding flowed over as their lips met. The roar of cheers was loud enough to annoy the neighbors, but alas, the police were too ivolved to really care.

SVU

Maureen unlocked the door to her parent's apartment and let her siblings in; Liv and Elliot were on their way to their honeymoon suite in Florida for a glorious Kid-free week. They'd be back just in time for Kathleen to move in with Maureen and Lizzie and 'Rick' to start summer camp. Maureen switched the lights on and the kids went into their separate rooms to change.

"Come here, Monkey," Maureen said, lifting her baby sister from the stroller. Allie had been changed into her pajamas before they left so she could sleep in the car. Maureen put the sleeping baby into her crib and collapsed onto the couch.

"Quite a day," Kathleen said, joining the eldest Stabler.

"Yeah, really."

"Never seen dad so scared in his life...not since he had to talk to me about sex."

"I know; he hates those conversations. I was 15. I told him I had my period. He started talking about love, respect. He paniced and just froze up. Then he said, loud, 'Don't have sex until you're married!' Mom eventually just sent him out of the room and talked to me."

"I was 12."

"You were 12? Dad musta crapped himself!"

"Ashley, from my soccer team quite school because she was pregnant, and dad felt the need to as me if I was having sex. He tried using soccer and goal protecting as a metephor. Eventually, I just called him on it, told him I was a virgin, kicked the ball at him-" Maureen laughed loudly. "He just stared at me! Ball went right past him!" The girls laughed.

"Those were good times."

"Yeah, before mom went crazy." Maureen sighed and draped an arm around her little sister. "So, in a week I'll be done with community college, and of to Columbia with you. Kinda cool."

"Can you honestly believe that when Dad was my age, he was married with 2 kids?"

"Jesus, that a frightening thought. I'd die if I were married right now with a 4-year-old and a baby."

"I know they want another kid," Maureen offered. "I heard Dad talking to her about it the other night. They've been trying for a few months now."

"Before or after catching Lizzie with Michael."

"Both. They have his kids, her kid, and they want one more. 6 Mini-Stablers, they said."

"Its kinda cool. My little brother or sister could be just a few years older than my own kids." Maureen thought about that a while.

"Its kind of strange. Allie is going to be an Aunt before she's in grade school; not that I'm pregnant. I'm not, but if Liam asks me to marry him, we're going to have kids soon into the marriage." Kathleen grinned at her sister. "I'll tell them when he asks!"

"What are you going to do if you get pregnant first?"

"Never gonna happen."

"Why?"

"Because, I'm not an idiot. Look at Mom and Dad. They got married because Mom was pregnant with me, and Dad had to go into the Marines. I don't even remember seeing him until I was 3. When you were little, he worked SO much on the force. Everyone thought he wanted to move up in the ranks, or some crap about loving the work. Only thing on his mind was paying the bills so Mom could have a shot at nursing school. Finally, he makes Detective, and things were settling down for him; he was going to move up ONE more rank to be a desk jockey, and Mom got pregnant with the twins. He was only going to be in Special Victims for a couple of years while he got ready for the test."

"What happened?"

"He met Olivia."

SVU

"Liv?" he called into the dark. There was no reply and Elliot worried. "Olivia?"

"Shh," she said from the hall. He listened carefully as she padded through the apartment. There were noises that didn't match the hour; someone else was there. Kathleen and Maureen lived at school, Lizzie and Rick were at summer camp for the next 7 weeks. He silently rolled out of bed to follow his new wife. Elliot was blinded by the kitchen light flipping on. "Maureen!"

"I'm sorry. Did I wake you guys up?" she asked softly. Tears streaked her face.

"What's the matter, Honey?" Elliot asked, holding her close.

"Men are scum," she sobbed. "Can I talk to Mom about this, Daddy?" He nodded, handed her a tissue and left the women in the kitchen.

"I'll fix some hot chocolate." Maureen nodded silently and climbed into a bar stool at the breakfast bar that separated the kitchen from the dining room. "Did Wlliam break up with you?" Another nod confirmed.

"How'd you know about Liam?"

"Thin walls. You and Kathleen talk about him a lot." Maureen blushed. "Don't panic. I didn't listen to the good parts." Maureen went beet read. "Why'd he break it off? You were talking about marrying him."

"One problem; he's married."

"Men are scum."

"Dad's not scum."

"No, no he's not. I married him. I would know." Maureen rolled her eyes. "Suger in the chocolate?" Maureen shook her head, and Liv handed her a steamy mug of hot chocolate. The two got comfortable on the couch and Olivia waited. After a while, half way through the mug, Olivia gave in and started the conversation. "So, what happened?"

"I'm almost 24 years old. I graduate at the end of the summer semester, and have a great job lined up thanks to Daddy and friends of yours. I asked him if he was considering settling down." Maureen wiped her eyes. "He freaked and started yelling at me, asking if I was pregnant, because he didn't need another kid. We were just supposed to be having fun. I asked what the hell he was talking about, and he pulled out his wallet. He's 26, married with 3 kids; ages 5, 3, and 2. God I feel dirty." Olivia hugged Maureen close.

"I'm sorry that happened, baby. He sounded like such a nice guy."

"I thought he was. Want to know what really hurts?"

"What?"

"His wife was in 3 of my classes, and I didn't even know it until I saw the picture." Liv groaned. "Men are total scum, and the sex ain't all that great anyway. I may take after Kathleen-" Olivia pulled back and looked into Maureen's eyes. "Oh, crap."

"What about Kathleen?" Maureen thought on how to approach the subject. "Is Kathleen a lesbian?"

"Well, Mom, the good news is...you won't worry about her getting pregnant." Olivia groaned again and rubbed her forehead.

"Your father is going to have a heart attack."

"You're telling him?"

"I can't keep this from him!" Olivia said forcefully. "He's her father, and has every right to know!"

"She is going to freakin kill me."

"What do I have every right to know about?" Elliot asked from the hall way. He heard Olivia yell, and needed to investigate. "Olivia, baby, please don't hide things about our kids. Is Kathleen okay?"

"Dad! For Christ's Sake, you're in your boxers!"

"Go to your room, Maur. I need a minute with my wife." Maureen shuddered and went off towards the room she and Kathleen shared when they stayed over.

"Sit down," she asked of him. Elliot obeyed, knowing full well her temper was matched only by his own. "Kathleen is fine. She's not seeing anyone that I know of."

"Except...?"

"She's not going to be bringing home...any...men."

"Yeah?"

"Sh'es a lesbian." Elliot took a breath. "Talk to me."

"I knew when she was 16. Loved this show, about three beautiful witches...Charmed. She loved Charmed. I watched it with her a lot, y'know, spend time with my daughter. She kept trying to tell me, but I just didn't see it until she was 16, and we were watching the show. She was looking at them thinking the same thing I was thinking. I still get nervous when I see anything that has Alyssa Milano in it."

"Wow, and you didn't tell me?" Elliot took her hands and brought her close.

"She never said anything. It was just intuition. I wanted to wait for her to come to me with it. I mean, she dated a few boys, and I thought maybe it had been a phase, but I...I guess not."

"Are you still trying to process this, El?"

"I've been holding my breath for 5 years, waiting for the Gay Talk, hoping it wouldn't come. I think...I think I'm okay with this. I just...never want to see her making out." He shuddered involunterily. "Liv, I think I need a little time to really process this."

"Ok...how can I help?"

"You ever been with a woman?"

"Yeah."

"Really!" He asked, very shocked. "Who?"

"Oh, Honey, you wouldn't believe me if I told you," she said, winking at him.

SVU