Prompt #35: The kids set up a date for an unsuspecting Elliot and Olivia.
Operation V-Day
•••
One cold February morning at breakfast, Bernie Stabler asked her son, Elliot, "So do you have any big plans with the lovely Olivia for Valentine's Day?"
"Nope," came the short reply.
Bernie huffed in exasperation. "Well, why on earth not?"
Elliot let out a snort. "Because, Mama, Liv and I aren't like that. She just wants to be friends. I screwed up any chance I had with her a long time ago."
"That's a bunch of bull and you know it, Son. Your face lights up like Time Square whenever she's in the room. And I've seen the way she looks at you. You two are meant to be together. You both deserve to be happy and I know she makes you happier than you've been in a long time," Bernie insisted.
Elliot sighed. That's exactly why I can't ask her out on Valentine's Day. Olivia and I are finally in a good place again. She forgave me for abandoning her and we've both been working through our issues. Besides going to counseling, we're finally talking to each other, really talking. Valentine's Day is a huge deal. I don't want to scare her off and mess up what we have."
Looking her son in the eye, Bernie softly replied, "Or maybe, just maybe it could be the start of something even better."
Kissing his mom on the cheek and squeezing his son's shoulder, Elliot said, "You need to let me do things my way, Mama. I gotta get to work. I'll see you two tonight." With that, Elliot headed out the door.
As soon as his father was gone, Eli turned to his grandmother and commented, "If we let him do things his way, it could be another twenty-three years before anything happens with those two."
"Well, we can't let that happen can we." Bernie smirked.
"I think I have an idea," Eli told her. Then the teen took out his phone and sent a text.
ELI: Can you meet me after school?
NOAH: I'll ask Lucy. Where?
ELI: Central Park. The Ramble.
NOAH: Ok. What's up?
ELI: Our parents are stubborn. It's time to take matters into our own hands. I'll call my siblings.
NOAH: Sure. I'll text ya after Lucy picks me up.
ELI: Sounds good. C ya.
NOAH: Bye.
All through that day at school, Noah thought about his mom and how he really wanted her to be happy. He had seen how she was with Elliot. He made her happy. Noah could see it in her eyes, especially since that Christmas party over a year ago. Last Valentine's Day Elliot had been working a really big case and trying to arrest that really bad guy that had killed Eli's mom. Noah knew that Elliot and his mom were just becoming friends again back then. But a few months ago, something had changed. Elliot started spending more time with them. Noah got to hang out with Eli a lot more. It was almost like they were becoming a family. Noah loved having his mom's squad as family but now it felt as if he had some older brothers and big sisters too.
Noah was so distracted trying to figure out some ideas for the special night during math class that he almost got in trouble.
"Noah Benson? Do you know the answer to Problem 2?" the teacher asked.
Noah jolted out of his thoughts and quickly looked at the whiteboard. Luckily for the young boy, he was pretty good at math. He quickly solved the problem in his head and told the teacher the answer.
He stifled a sigh of relief when he heard the woman say, "That's right."
That afternoon when Lucy arrived to walk him home, Noah pleaded with her to take him to the park. Lucy hesitated but reluctantly agreed to take him once the boy explained the reason. She really hoped she wouldn't get fired for her part in the devious plan.
Once the two of them arrived at the Ramble, Noah saw that Eli and the rest of the Stabler siblings were already there.
"Hey, Kid. You're just in time. Mo just bought hot chocolate for all of us. Lucy, there's one for you, too," Eli greeted.
"Thanks. That's so nice of you. Noah I'm going to go read on that bench over there. Come get me when you're ready."
"Ok, Lucy," Noah agreed.
Once the nanny was settled, Richard Stabler spoke up.
"Ok, so we have to have a plan that won't make either of our parents suspicious. They're both cops, so it won't be easy."
"Maybe we could find a place that's neutral. You know, not at or near either apartment," Kathleen suggested.
"Well, Uncle Fin could help us. He knows a lot of people. So does Aunt Phoebe. And my Uncle Sonny can cook really good Italian food."
"That would save money if he'd do it," Maureen agreed.
"I can ask," Noah told her.
"Could you text Fin now and ask if he knows a place?" requested Lizzie.
Noah nodded and sent the text, making sure the Sergeant knew not to say a word to Olivia.
Fin texted back within a few minutes and said he knew of a rooftop terrace that was for private gatherings. Phoebe's sister was the manager. They could get a discount.
"This is perfect, Noah. Thanks for thinking of it.
Noah shrugged. "I texted Uncle Sonny, too. Hopefully, he'll cook for us.
"Grandma can make dessert. She's an awesome baker!" Eli suggested.
"Great idea, Eli," Kathleen praised.
"So we'll keep in touch over the next few days and get things set in stone. Eli has soccer practice soon and I gotta get home to the boys," Maureen stated.
"I've got dance. Then homework. Ooh, Uncle Sonny just texted. He'll cook for us. He's already cooking for Aunt Amanda and he'll make extra."
"Perfect. Thanks, Noah," Dickie replied.
"So, really quick, how do we get our parents to the terrace without them suspecting?" Eli asked.
"Well, we can tell Dad that you and Grandma B want to go out as a family. I think he'll buy that. I could tell him I'm also coming with the boys. I'll be sitting for Mo and Carl."
"I can tell my mom that Uncle Fin helped me cause I want to do something special for her on Valentine's Day."
"Ok, so Operation V-Day is ready to launch," Dickie announced before exchanging high fives with the others. Then everyone dispersed.
Over the next few days, the group kept in touch and worked out the logistics of the plan. Elliot agreed to a family dinner and Olivia was touched at Noah's thoughtfulness.
"Where are we going?" she asked him curiously.
"It's a surprise. But you have to dress up for it. Uncle Fin set it up for me," Noah explained.
Before they knew it, the big night had arrived. Carisi had sent over the food with Lucy who helped set it up before her date.
That night, Noah and Olivia met in the living room, both dressed to the nines. Olivia was wearing a beautiful red dress that Noah hadn't seen her wear in a while. Noah was wearing a navy blue suit.
"Wow. You look handsome tonight, Little Man."
"Thanks. You look amazing, Mom. Here, I made this for you," Noah said as he handed his mom a homemade Valentine's card.
"Aww. Noah this is beautiful. Thank you."
"You're welcome," was the young boy's reply.
Olivia then handed her son a gift bag.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Sweet Boy." Noah thanked his mom and opened the bag. It held a box of his favorite candy and a stuffed gorilla that danced and sang 'Do You Love Me'. Noah laughed out loud.
"Thanks, Mom. I love you."
"I love you, too," Olivia replied, hugging Noah close. Then it was time to leave.
Noah and Olivia took a cab and Noah gave the address.
When they arrived, Olivia gasped. "Noah, this is beautiful. How did you pay for this, though?"
"Aunt Phoebe's sister got us in for a big discount. Uncle Fin helped," Noah informed his mom.
"Liv?" A voice suddenly called out. Olivia froze for moment before turning towards the voice. There stood her former partner looking as shocked as Olivia felt.
"What's going on here?" Elliot demanded.
"You weren't getting anywhere doing things your way, so we kids decided to take matters into our own hands," Eli answered.
"With a little help from Grandma B, Uncle Fin, Uncle Sonny, and Lucy. Oh, and I'm staying with Kathleen and the twins tonight. Lucy brought my bag earlier."
Olivia looked set to argue, but Noah stopped her. "You need a night off, Mom. Enjoy it."
"I told you I needed to do things my way. I didn't want this pressure on Liv," Elliot told his kids, clearly not happy with the arrangement.
"El, It's ok. I think it's sweet and beautiful. We should just enjoy it. The kids worked hard. I'm not uncomfortable as long as you aren't," Olivia told her friend.
"Well, take a seat and dinner will be served," Dickie ordered.
Elliot nervously sat and Olivia joined him. Dinner was a salad for the first course and Baked Ziti for the main course. There was water to drink and wine. For dessert, there was a decadent chocolate cake with raspberry filling. After serving, Dickie turned on the mood music before leaving the terrace. Before going out with the older Stabler kids and the twins, Eli and Noah walked up to their parents.
Noah gave his mom a big hug as he whispered, "Mom, you deserve to be happy. I want you to find happiness. Elliot really does love you. Just give him a chance."
At the same time, Eli hugged Elliot and murmured, "This is your big chance, Dad. We all love Olivia. Don't screw this up."
As the two boys left to catch up with the others, Olivia and Elliot looked at each other.
Olivia spoke first.
"Well, it appears our kids are smarter than we are."
Elliot nodded.
"Liv, as mad as I am that the kids disregarded my wishes, I never would have had the courage to say this if it weren't for them."
Taking a deep breath, the man continued.
"I love you, Olivia. I have for a very long time. There's no pressure if it's too soon for you. I'll wait for as long as it takes. I know I abandoned you and you were alone through so much pain. I can never make up for that, but I will keep trying as long as I live. I want to move our relationship to the next level, but only when you are ready."
When Elliot finally stopped talking, Olivia put a gentle hand on his face.
"I'm ready now. I love you, too, Elliot. I have for much longer than you know. I trust you again with my whole heart. You have my heart. I'm finally trusting you not to break it.
Elliot moved in closer. "Liv."
"El," Olivia breathed softly, just before their lips met.
Operation V-Day was a huge success. Mission accomplished.
