Chapter Ten

Christmas came around pretty quickly. Olivia was excited to not only spend Christmas with Elliot, but with his whole family. Noah was also excited to meet the rest of the Stablers.

Noah insisted on dressing himself for the event, putting on his nice gray pants and his red button-down, with the suspenders Rafael had given him a few years ago. Liv, on the other hand, wasn't sure what to wear but in the end, decided on a long teal skirt and a white sweater.

When they arrived at the Stabler's, Noah insisted he carries the presents inside while Liv knocked on the door.

"You guys! They're here!" Elliot said and made his way over to the door. "Hey guys," he said opening the door.

"Hi," Liv said, smiling up at him.

"Come in," Elliot said, opening the door wider.

"I got presents!" Noah said from behind the boxes he was holding.

"Dicki, Eli," Elliot called, gesturing to them to come help Noah with the presents.

Noah took his coat off and Elliot hung it in the coat closet. "Hey look! We're matching!" Noah said, realizing that he and Elliot were wearing similar outfits.

"So we are," Elliot said. Liv started taking her jacket off too. "Here, let me help you," Elliot said helping Liv.

"Olivia!" Kathleen said, hugging Liv. "Thanks for coming."

"Of course, thanks for having us!" Liv replied. "Noah, this is Kathleen," she introduced the woman to her son.

"Hi, Noah," Kathleen said.

"Hi!" Noah said with a shy voice.

"I'm Kieran!" a young boy yelled from the living room where he was playing with some blocks. He made his way over to Noah. "Come play with us!" He took Noah's hand and pulled him back over to the play area.

Olivia sat on the couch with Kathleen, watching Carl play with the kids. Elliot came over and handed Liv a glass of wine.

He put his arms around Liv's shoulder from behind and whispered, "You look good by the way."

Liv smiled and blushed as Elliot walked away. Kathleen tried not to stare at them, but side-eyed Liv either way.

"What was that?" she asked in confusion. She looked over at Dickie who also saw what just happened. Her brother just shrugged. Liv didn't answer and just ignored the question.

"Can I have some help in the kitchen?" Elliot asked.

"Coming," Liv said, getting up and making her way over to the kitchen.

She helped Elliot take the turkey out of the oven when Aaliyah ran up to her.

"Olivia!"

"Hi!" Liv said, picking up Aaliyah.

Kathleen was watching everything from the living room, leaned over to Dickie, and asked, "Are they, dating?"

"If Dad was dating Liv we'd know it," Dickie said. "Although maybe not…"

Dinner was plated and everyone was seated — Noah sat with Aaliyah, Seamus, and Kieran at the children's table. Eli was happy he could finally sit at the "grown-ups" table that year. Bernie said grace and everyone began to eat.

Happy chatter filled the room and plates were cleared quickly.

"When can we open presents now?" Seamus asked.

"Yeah!" the three other kids yelled.

"Well, if everyone's done, we can do it now," Elliot said.

Liv and Elliot cleared off the table while everyone else started opening their presents.

"Thanks for inviting us again," Liv said.

"Of course. It looks like Noah is having a fun time." They both looked over and saw Noah opening presents.

"Yeah, he's never had a Christmas experience with this many people. Usually, it's just me and him."

"You want to help make the whipped cream?" Elliot asked.

"Why not."

Elliot got the mixer out and Liv poured the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla into a bowl. Elliot started mixing and Liv turned around, watching the kids playing with their new toys. "When are you gonna open your presents?" Liv asked.

"We can do ours later. Here try this," Elliot said, sticking his finger in the bowl and Liv licked the whipped cream off it.

"It's pretty good," she said with a smile.

Elliot stuck his finger in the bowl again, only this time he wiped the cream on Liv's nose. She laughed in surprise and wiped it off.

Kathleen was still looking in their direction wondering what was going on between the two of them. When Elliot left for a moment, Kathleen walked over to Liv.

"What's going on between you and my dad?" the young woman asked.

"What? We're just friends."

"Seriously? You guys have been all flirty all night," she added.

Aaliyah walked over as well and pulled on Liv's skirt.

"Can I show you my new toys?" Aaliyah pulled her over to where everyone else was sitting and Liv took a seat on the couch.

Elliot walked over to Liv and whispered in her ear. "Now, can I show you something?"

Liv got up and followed Elliot into the hallway. He grabbed their coats from the closet and then held the door open for her.

"Where are they going?" Kathleen mouthed to Lizzie but her sister only shrugged in reply.

"Thanks for coming," Elliot said walking next to Olivia down the road.

"Of course, and thanks for the invite," she replied. "Where are we going?"

"Right here," Elliot said, stopping them in their tracks. They had made their way to a dock that looked over a small pond in his neighborhood. They stood looking over the water, the moonlight reflecting on the water.

Elliot looked over at Liv. "Hey so," he started. "I wasn't sure what to get you for Christmas—"

"Oh don't worry about it."

"No, look. I don't know what happened after I left. I do know it was something and whether or not you want to tell me is up to you. I just want you to know I'm here now," he explained. "So, uh, Aaliyah mentioned you got my note that I sent after I left. She also said that you no longer had the badge I gave you. Well uh, here," he said, handing her a small envelope.

Liv looked down at it started opening it up. Inside was something she hadn't seen since all those years ago. "El, I don't know what to say," she said with tears filling up in her eyes. "How did you get this?"

"Don't ask," Elliot said.

Liv went in and pulled him into a hug that he immediately reciprocated.

As they pulled apart, Elliot wasn't sure if it was the fact she felt safe with him again or if it was something else, but he kissed her. Liv was surprised, but once the shock wore off, she enjoyed it. And then he pulled back.

"I'm sorry," Elliot said.

"Don't be," Liv replied with a small smile.

They made their way back to the apartment, this time holding hands.

"I knew it!" Kathleen yelled as she saw them coming closer.

"What?" Dickie asked.

"They're holding hands! They've been all up in each other's space all night."

"I called it years ago!" Dickie added.

"Alright, alright, calm down," Elliot said. "Whatever happens between Liv and I is our business, not yours. But glad you guys approve of it."