His kids had insisted they throw Elliot a birthday dinner at his place, claiming that they needed to take advantage of any excuse to celebrate after the year they'd all had. It had been perfect. Olivia had sat next to him at the table and he couldn't help but brush his legs against hers every so often. Kathleen had come out holding a cake smothered in lit candles and placed it in front of Elliot while everyone joined in on singing Happy Birthday.

"Make a wish, Dad," Lizzie said as soon as the song was over.

Elliot reached under the table to find Olivia's hand and gave it a small squeeze. He leaned over the cake, maintaining eye contact with her the whole time as he gently blew at the flickering flames.

"Grandpa! You missed a few. Let me help!" exclaimed Elliot's youngest grandson.

The interjection broke the moment between Elliot and Olivia. He reluctantly let go of her hand and pulled his grandson onto his lap.

"Okay, buddy. Let's finish this together."

Slowly, one by one, the kids filtered out. Bernie excused herself to bed and it was just Olivia and Elliot.

"Hey, let's go out to the garden. The kids got me one of those electric fire pits. Might be nice to check out. It was a pain in the ass to set up, but worth it. They make the font on those instruction manuals so god damn small, I swear."

"Actually, I think we're just getting old and our eyesight sucks. Hence, your birthday present."

Olivia had gifted him own pair of reading glasses. He was constantly stealing hers off her face. He could never read the menu when they were out to dinner but he swore it was only because of the dim lighting.

"Yes, thanks for that. You know how to make a guy feel young."

Elliot had his hand on the small of her back as he lead her outside to the garden. She looked absolutely stunning tonight. She did everyday. But, he rarely got to see her like this. She had a navy blue satin dressed that hugged her curves in all the right places. There was a slit on the side up to her mid thigh and all Elliot could think about was running his hand up her exposed leg, right to the top of the opening. He took off his jacket and laid it down on top of the stone bench to shield her from the cold surface.

"Thank you," she murmured.

"Okay, so let's see how to get this thing turned on."

Elliot turned the knob on the propane tank and the blue flames began to dance across the stones, flickering slightly in the night's cool breeze. Elliot sat back down beside Olivia. He'd ached all night to be able to feel her warmth against him, barely satisfied with the small touches he'd been able to sneak in.

"Hopefully, that'll help keep us warm. If not, we can go back inside. Do you need more wine? I can refill—" Elliot rambled.

Olivia reached and put her hand on his thigh, interrupting his nervous stammering.

"This is perfect, El."

She nestled closer to him, leaning her head against his shoulder and allowing her weight to relax into him. Elliot wrapped his arm around her waist and settled it onto her hip while he nuzzled against her head. They stayed like that for awhile.

"What did you wish for?" Olivia asked, breaking the silence.

"Can't say. Then, it won't come true."

Olivia lifted her head and rolled her eyes at him.

"Since when do you follow the rules?"

"I'm trying to turn over a new leaf. Following the rules, staying out of trouble. Are you trying to tempt me, Captain?" he teased.

"Not in the slightest, Detective."

Elliot brought his hand to her face, his thumb gently stroking her jawline, then brushing against the corner of her lip. His eyes had been stuck staring at her lips, overcome with the desire to know how they'd feel against his. How she'd taste. He wanted her tongue between his lips. He wanted to know how it would move against his. He glanced up to her brown eyes that were gazing into his. He searched for a sign, for permission. Surely she would've turned her face away. Said she needed to head home. But she was still and steady.

She nodded her head in slightest, small movement. "El," she breathed out.

It was all he needed to hear. He brought his lips to hers, his hands cradling her face. Her lips were as soft as he'd imagined, warm and fiery against his. He could taste the sweet hints of the red wine she'd been sipping and it, mixed with her, was intoxicating. He ran the tip of his tongue against her bottom lip, gently probing. She opened her mouth to him, letting his tongue explore her mouth. Her hands were running along his chest over his dress shirt, feeling out every rippling muscle. Before he knew it, she was grabbing at his collar fervently trying to pull their bodies closer. He released his hands from her face and anchored them her hips. He smoothly pulled her onto his lap, her legs straddling his, all without breaking the kiss. He grabbed her hair, moving it out of the way to expose her neck. He pulled his lips away from hers but refused to let them leave her skin. Instead, he trailed kissed down her neck and across her collarbone, suckling her skin as he went. She whimpered at the gentle nips and Elliot groaned at the sound.

"Elliot, I can't go walking into the precinct on Monday with hickies on my neck," she chastised.

"Sorry," he said weakly, trying to regain control of his breathing.

"Don't be."

He helped her off his lap and back onto the bench.

"So, my wish came true."

"Your birthday wish was to kiss me?"

"Actually, to kiss a really sexy woman. But, yeah."

She gave Elliot's chest a gentle shove.

"Kidding," Elliot said before he pulled her in again.

This time, the kiss was sweet and slow. Nothing like the fiery rush they'd just experienced. It was the kind of kiss you have when you know there's more to come. Like they'd been kissing for years and would continue to.

"I should probably head home," Olivia said reluctantly.

"Okay, I'll walk you out."

"So, how did that rank?" he asked smugly.

"Excuse me?" She responded with a raised eyebrow.

"The kiss. How did it compare?"

"I'm not giving into your competitiveness."

"C'mon at least give me a ballpark? Top five? At least top ten?" Elliot implored.

"You'll just have to stick around to find out, Detective," she snarked.

"I plan on it. Kissing you. A lot. I'll be your top 100 kisses in no time."

"Is that a promise?"

"Yes. One I intend to keep."