Prompt #5: Elliot feels bad that Olivia never got her awards ceremony. He plans a get-together of all the people that are important to her.

The Award Ceremony One Deserves

~oOo~

Light snow was falling over New York City the week before Christmas. Olivia Benson looked out her window, watching the snow fall and sipping on her wine, home alone. Noah was at a sleepover at a friend's place for the weekend.

Alone in her thoughts, sipping her glass of Red, she is startled by the unexpected knock on her door. Putting down her wine glass on her nightstand, she opened the door. Sadly no one was at the door, but someone had stuck an envelope on it. She looked around the hallway but didn't see anyone, but she noticed that the envelope was addressed to her. And the writing was familiar. Her eyes widened and she muttered the name of the writer.

"Elliot."

Looking around again, hoping to find Elliot lurking somewhere, she was met with nothingness again. There was no sign of him. She had no choice but to grab the envelope and open it. Inside, she found an invitation which read:

Olivia Benson

You are cordially invited to

The Award Ceremony One Deserves

In Honor of Captain Olivia Benson

for her unfailing devotion and service to NYPD's Special Victims Unit.

As guests, share the gratitude we have for You. Your presence is required. Please dress formally.

9 pm tonight at Golden Terrace Banquet Hall

"What did you do, Stabler?"

Looking at her watch, Olivia realized she only had three hours to get ready for the ceremony that was waiting for her, organized by the one man she admired most, Elliot Stabler. She wondered what the man was thinking with this.

~oOo~

"How do you get the tie straight?" Elliot muttered in frustration, trying to make himself look presentable for the gala he has been preparing for all month. Now here he was, ready to show friends and family and New York what Olivia meant to him. But he was struggling to put on a simple tie. His daughter, Kathleen, heard her father's cries of frustration and popped into the bathroom.

"Need some help, dad?"

"Yeah, I can't seem to get my tie on straight."

"Happy to help." Kathleen turned him towards her and began to unravel and smooth his tie with a smile on her face. She was happy that her father decided to follow his heart.

Elliot couldn't understand her wide smirk. "What has you so happy?"

"You," she simply said. "I am happy for you. Since mom and everything— All we wish and want is for you to be happy. And now I get to help you get ready to tell Olivia how you feel. After all these years."

Elliot kissed his daughter on the forehead, telling her, "I am happy. You, your brothers and sisters, your mother, and Olivia. You make my life happy."

"I love you, dad."

"Love you, too."

Kathleen straightened his tie and kissed her father on the cheek. "Ready to tell the woman you love that you love her?" she chuckled.

Elliot looked at his own smile in the mirror.

"I am."

~oOo~

Three hours later, Olivia looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a gray-stained long-sleeved dress that was going to make her shine under the moonlight. She grabbed her coat to bundle herself up in and took a deep breath before walking out of her apartment, ready for whatever Elliot Stabler had planned for her.

Two hours had passed since Elliot left his apartment and he was now pacing back and forth in the foyer of Golden Terrace Banquet Hall, waiting for Olivia to arrive. It was already two minutes till 9 pm and he hoped she wouldn't be late for her own ceremony.

Olivia got out of her cab and was about to enter the hall when her eyes fell on Elliot. She stopped in her steps and watched him pacing, waiting for her in his stunning Armani suit. Her heart was racing. Yes, she had always admired Elliot, and despite him being married and being her partner for 12 years, she loved him. There were so many times she wanted to tell him that her heart belonged to him. No man could measure up or make her happy. Now she stood there, making a Christmas wish after all the years of waiting and loving Elliot from afar. She gasped, realizing that the life she had always dreamed of could become a reality now. A miracle come true.

Elliot was wearing down the floor from his constant pacing. He came to a stop when the hall doorbell chimed like a bell of Christmas hope. Elliot gazed at Olivia as she was taking off her coat. Her dress was dazzling like the moonlight. He stepped towards her, astonished at how beautiful she looked.

Olivia smiled as Elliot came to a halt in front of her. "I'm here, Elliot."

"You look radiant, Liv."

"You look not too shabby yourself, El," she said, the deep blush evident on her face. "Now can you tell what is going on here?"

Elliot reached out for her hand. "It's better if I show you. Come with me, Liv."

Olivia took his hand and he led her to the grand ballroom. Before they entered, he placed his other hand on top of hers. "You have been taken for granted. You need to know that many, including me, want you to know that you are admired and loved for all the good you have done."

Elliot placed a soft kiss on her forehead before he stepped away to open the ballroom door. Family and friends, colleagues, and everyone she holds dear stood before her and Elliot inside the room. For a moment she was lost for words. "Elliot, I don't know what to say." Olivia was flabbergasted at Elliot's grand gesture of this gathering of her friends and family.

Elliot leaned into the side of her head, edging close enough to be able to nibble on her ear as he whispered, "Say, yes then."

"Yes to what, Elliot?" Olivia giggled, overwhelmed by the spotlight Elliot put on her. Turning towards him, she was left stunned to see Elliot, in his Armani suit, down on one knee.

Taking both of her hands into his, he continued. "Say yes and marry me, Captain Olivia Benson. Be my partner for life, for better or worse. I will love you and I want our parallel universe to start now."

Tears of happiness were flowing down Olivia's cheeks. Clearing her throat, she kneeled down in front of him. Releasing her hands from his, she placed them on his face instead. "You are the man I deserve to be happy with. It has always been you, Elliot. And I love you. Always will. And that is why I am saying Yes. Yes, Elliot Stabler, I will marry you, for you are my universe."

Olivia pulled his face closer, pressing her lips against Elliot's, sealing their promises to start their new lives together with a Christmas kiss. A life where it will always be him and her.