A/N once again, apologies for the delay but I blame all the fandom girlies I have been attached at the hip to these last two weeks in the big apple.

also, twoshy1013, you leave the best reviews. I always look forward to them. Thank you a ton! (:

Weeks have passed since that horrid dinner and follow up with Giselle. She sleeps more peacefully each day. There is solace that follows the distress she felt when she learned about the affair.

How, one might ask?

Olivia got the answer she felt was right all along. She wasn't crazy. Her husband had an affair with his secretary.

There would be no more gas lighting or second guessing. She was right and now she felt she could close the last chapter of this divorce.

Elliot makes that part so much easier.

The holiday season is in full swing and they're both insanely busy. Her hours at the hospital leave her working more twelve hour shifts than she had anticipated. Elliot finds himself investigating too many cases of children going missing, and college parties gone wrong. They're both thankful for Bernie's helpfulness.

But when they do see one another they make the most of it.

Sleep being one of them.

It's something she gets to catch up on more than ever. He insists on still waking up early on his day off and making the girls breakfast so she can sleep in. There was no world where she thought she would ever say no to that.

So she slept in this Sunday morning, or at least tried to until the crack of the door opening woke her the slightest. She doesn't even have to open her eyes to know that it's him. His presence can be felt from far away and that's how she knows she's done for. She's got it bad for him, her friend from college told her when they caught up on the phone the other day.

"Good morning," she felt his hands on her then. He knelt beside the bed and rubbed his hand along her back as she faced him. It feels good to just simply be loved. He wakes her gently as much as he can, always turning off his alarm fast so that he gets her up.

"Morning," she croaked and a lazy smile grew when his lips kissed her forehead.

"I came to tell you about the insane snow we are getting before the girls barged in here to wake you," he almost said too soon. Katie and Ophelia tumbled through the door and climbed onto the bed to jump on her.

"It's snowing!" Ophelia straddled her little body around her mother, forcing her to turn onto her back. "Mommy, it's snowing!" She repeated again to make sure she heard her.

"I heard," Olivia pulled her close to snuggle her and Katie too, who had laid next to her. She kissed the top of both their unruly curls and took a moment to take this in.

Elliot stood at the side of the bed and watched, she knew was taking it all in too.

"Should we go play outside for a little bit?" Their eyes light up at her words. They nod in tandem and hurry to go get their coats and boots.

"I'll go help them- give you some time to get ready," he kissed her forehead and ran after Katie and Ophelia, giving her a moment to wake up while the day finally began.

The flurries have turned into thickened blankets piled onto the ground, making the perfect hills for sledding at the park. Familiar faces from school and the neighborhood are here too. The girls wear their matching snowsuits Olivia had just gotten them last week. She can't help snapping a few photos for keepsake.

They watch the girls nearby as they take turns with the other children sledding down the small hill. Olivia is bundled up in one of her favorite coats lined with fur on the inside, and one of Elliots beanies she's not sure she will ever give him back. The girls laughs carry through the breeze and she can't imagine ever living without it.

"I got you a coffee," Elliot comes up beside her with a warm cup of caffeine. It's her exact coffee order that he memorized barely a week after meeting her.

"Thank you," she sipped and was grateful for the added warmth. Forty-one years in this city and each winter never got easier.

"You're welcome," he brushed his lips against her temple, warming that spot for just a second. "How perfect is this?"

"Almost too good to be true," she sighed. "They're going to knock out so fast when we get home," at their age naps were rare but she would take them when she could get one out of them. She's positive today is one of those days.

"Good. That means we'll have some alone time," he smirks as he eyes her.

"Elliot…"

"I meant…we can start planning Christmas and make a list of gifts for the girls," he chortled and she pushed at his shoulder. "Get your mind out of the gutter, Ms. Benson," he gently pushed back at her with his shoulder.

"Oh shut up," she rolled her eyes. "Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Ophelia made sure to make her gift list for me a few weeks ago," she shook her head in disbelief for what feels like the hundredth time. Her daughter definitely did not get her smarts from her, she thinks.

"I think the girls were conspiring together because I seemed to have gotten a list too," they both laughed and looked on at them both climbing onto the sled to go down the hill.

"What are we going to do with them?" she looks up with her chin resting on his delt.

"Pray like hell we get through the teenage years."

Ah yes, she thinks. This is only the beginning.

….

She feels the sexiest she has in a long time. At least like this because Elliot does a good job of that when she's under him. He came with her to the mall to find this dress, waiting patiently outside of each dressing room until she found the perfect one.

The long black dress is made of crushed velvet with long sleeves and a scoop neck that shows just the right amount of cleavage. Her hair is pinned into the perfect level of messy and perfection; showing off her earrings covered in crystals that dangle from her ears. Elliot had gifted her the diamond pendant she wore around her neck. He claimed it was an early Christmas present, but she knows he saw her eyeing it in the store.

He's so goddamn observant.

"You look so pretty mommy," Ophelia wrapped her arms around Olivia's legs as she stood in the mirror. "Just like a princess," she scooped her up, careful of her dress and hugged her tight.

"Thank you honey," she kissed her cheeks and placed her back on her feet. "Are you excited to see your daddy this weekend?" She manages to get the words out despite the disgust she still feels for David. In spite of what happened last month, she still owes Ophelia as much normalcy as possible. The longer her daughter has no clue about the shit relationship between her parents, the better.

"Mmhm," she climbed onto the ottoman at the end of the bed. "Gigi says I get to help paint baby brother's room," Olivia is almost confident she feels her heart drop just a little. They were having a boy, exactly what David wanted to have next. There's been the minimum amount of communication between them. Most news she heard from Ophelia now, including this.

"Wow," she bent down so she was eye to eye with her. "You must be so excited to be getting a little brother!" Her voice is a little shaken but she's doing good.

"Sometimes, but I really like havin' Katie too," she admits.

"You're gonna love him so much and be the best big sister," she placed her hands on top of her tiny lap. "Opie.." she starts. "Are you okay with daddy having a baby that's not mommy's too?" She realized big changes have been happening for both of them lately. Both of her parents were moving on and happy, but the most important question: was Ophelia happy?

"Gigi is daddy's girlfriend and Elliot is yours," she stated.

"Right."

"Sometimes two people love each other lots and grow a baby, or they get married," sometimes her daughter surprises her in moments like these. She doesn't know where the hell she learned that at.

"And you're happy with that?"

"Mommy, you love Elliot and daddy loves Giselle. I love everyone," she pulled her in for another hug and held her tight. It was as clear of an answer she would get from her five year old.

"Too tight!" She said like many times before and giggled when Olivia finally pulled away.

"I love you so much, you know that?" Olivia smooches those cheeks of hers a million times.

"I love you mommy!" She laughs as she speaks and it will never get old to Olivia.

"Can I ask you one more question?" She grabbed onto her hands and cupped them in hers.

"Are you okay with having Christmas with Katie, Elliot, and grandma Bernie?" Her eyes lit up and she vigorously shook her head yes. It made Olivia chuckle and she pulled her in for another hug, she just couldn't help it. She doesn't know how far in life she would have gotten without this little one.

"Okay," she kissed her forehead. "You will be with daddy for Christmas Eve and back here on Christmas morning. That sound good?"

"So good!" She shrieked.

"That's probably your daddy," a knock at the door broke up their hugging fest.

"You're dressed up," David stated as soon as she swung the door open. She had forgotten for a moment she already had her gown on.

"Charity gala for Manhattan Special Victims," she bit down on her lower lip to hide the shit eating grin from growing on her face. Elliots precinct had organized the whole thing. He would be speaking tonight and she would be the lucky woman going as his date.

"Hmph," he nods and steps forward into her apartment. "Well, I hope the funding goal is met tonight," he tried to be decent at least. It's kind of the right thing to do when your mistress confessed about the affair.

"Thank you," they waited quietly until Ophelia's footsteps ran down the hallway and into his arms.

"Hi baby girl," he lifted her to give her a hug and placed her back on the ground. "You ready to go?" He pulled her hat down lower on her head and zipped her coat the rest of the way up.

"Mmhm," she nodded.

"Alright, go give your mother a kiss goodbye," Olivia crouched down low and cupped both sides of her face to kiss her.

"I love you, Opie. I will see you in two sleeps," she held up her index and middle finger.

"I love you," she wrapped her arms around Olivia's neck before going off to leave with her father.

The apartment was quiet again but not for long. Elliot had used his newly printed key to open the front door.

"Liv?" He hollered for her and saw she was in the kitchen pouring a glass of red. "Wow," was all he could muster up the strength to say when he got a good look at her.

"Hi," she smirked over her glass as she sipped. He was dressed even sharper than usual. He's in a classic black tuxedo with a crisp white button up and black bowtie. She can tell he shaved this morning and got a fresh haircut some time today too.

She can't believe this man was all hers.

"You are incredibly sexy in that dress and your hair," he's got his hands settled on her hips already. His hands slid down to fill his palms with her ass and bring her hips flush against his. His lips nip and suckle at her neck that's easily accessible like this. It makes the most guttural sound leave her mouth. The perfume she wears is all intoxicating. It's different from what she usually wears. This one is warmer, with hints of vanilla and musk.

"El," she warned him not to leave a mark. His kisses became lighter as he trailed up to her jawline and finally found her lips. She had already applied her lipstick but he didn't care tonight. Olivia had made herself completely irresistible. He swears to God if he wasn't the speaker for tonight, he would risk being late to have his way with her right now.

His hands release her back side and gently wrap around both sides of her neck, his thumbs run gently over her jawline. Her head instinctively tilted back, the few inches difference in their height made it easy for him to get a better taste of her. His tongue dipped into her mouth and he felt her fingers toy with the buckle to his belt. She was resisting just as much.

"We should go," he says between kisses and forces himself to pull his lips away. "We're no good in a room alone together," he pecked the corner of her mouth and let go of his hold on her. Instead moves back to wrapping his arms around her waist.

"It's not everyday that I get to see you dressed like you just walked off of a James Bond set," the corners of her mouth tug up into a smile. She thinks maybe he is blushing just the slightest bit. It feels good to put the attention on him for once. He always reminded her she was beautiful.

"Well thank you, Liv," she reached to wipe the lipstick from his lips with her thumb. "We should get going," he looked down at her bare feet. "Let me help you."

She went to grab the strappy heels and sat down on her sofa. He kneeled on one knee and grabbed a hold of one foot, buckling them on the perfect size around her ankle and kissing right there. He did the same with the other foot and helped her stand.

He called a car for them and helped her into her wool trench coat before they entered the night as Captain Stabler and his beautiful girlfriend, Olivia Benson.

She has not needed to go to an event with her significant other in years. It makes her body cringe at the thought that her last time at one of these was with David. Olivia had since donated all of those gowns, the memories attached to them had been too much. Some good and the others bad. The free drinks offered had sometimes brought out the worst in them both.

Elliot understood why it was so important for her to find the perfect dress, and just how much it meant to have him there with her. It was the beginning of a new phase in her life, one she had hoped would never come to an end.

"I can see why Elliot is so obsessed with you. You're gorgeous," a stunning redhead in a navy gown approached her while she waited for Elliot to come back from the bar.

"Thank you," Olivia appreciated the compliment but her face couldn't hide the confusion.

"I'm sorry. I don't think we've met yet. I'm Casey Novak, ADA for Special Victims," she held her hand out and shook with a gentle firmness. "Elliot and I have worked together for years. He's told me so much about you," she can't help the stupid grin that grows on her face.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Olivia Benson."

"I know," she quips and that makes them both chuckle a bit. "That man is crazy about you. I'm surprised he was willing to share you with the world tonight."

"Yeah well," she bites gently on her bottom lip just thinking about that statement. The thought of him sharing the love he has for her with the people closest to him makes her almost cry. "He's pretty great," she looked over Casey's shoulder at him chatting with what she assumes is another colleague.

"What kind of work do you do?"

"I am a SA nurse examiner. So, I guess I work pretty close with you guys here."

"I bet we have crossed paths before and didn't even know it."

"I'm sure we have."

"Well, I know we just met but I'm going to shoot my shot with you just like Elliot and ask if you would like to get drinks sometime? I have been desperate for some girl time, and working in a male dominated field can be…"

"Trust me, I understand," she gave her shoulder a squeeze. " Let's get together sometime soon," she pulled out her phone so Casey could add in her number. "It was lovely meeting you, Casey," she pulled her in for a hug and that same gut feeling she had months ago about Elliot tugs at her again. The last year or so has caused a lot of loss for her. The friends that her and David shared made it painfully obvious who's side they were taking in the divorce when the calls became less frequent, to absolute radio silence.

"You too, Olivia," she pulled back to give her a genuine smile and went on to converse with a few others across the room.

Looks like she would be leaving with a lot more than achy feet this evening. A new friend seemed to be in the works too.

….

They're drunk and her feet hurt.

He carried her bridal style over the threshold to her apartment, barely struggling to carry her weight. She laughs her ass off as he dumps her on the couch. His body cages her in when he climbs on top of her. He kissed her sloppily and used one hand to hold himself up, while the other tugged the skirt of her dress up. She helped him get it around her hips and felt his settle between her thighs. The tent growing in his pants grinded into the lace fabric of her panties. She moaned into his mouth as her body jolted at the contact.

It's been a long night of lingering touches and quick kisses on the dance floor. It was easier to resist before the drinks had settled in. She can't remember them ever doing this. Screwing responsibility, coming home a lot tipsy and a little drunk, ready to fuck on whatever sturdy surface was available.

He bit gently on her bottom lip and soothed it with another kiss. Her hips writhe beneath him, desperate to have him anywhere to satisfy the ache in her belly. He trailed down her neck, over her body that was still covered in the crushed velvet. His mouth is finally where she needs him, where he's dreamed of being all night. He kissed her sex that's covered in lace and her thighs open up more for him.

His finger hooked into the thin material and pulled them down her legs. She's bare to him now, glistening from her need for him all night.

"You wet like this for me all goddamn night?" He sinks one finger into her easily, watching her bite down on her lip. Her hands grip onto her breasts, squeezing for any relief.

"I couldn't stop thinking about you fucking me," she admits. His throat goes dry and his dick feels like it's going to split his slacks right open. "How it feels when I'm so full of you," she says breathlessly when he sinks a second finger into her. Her hands grip onto the sheets as her body arches into him.

"What do you want, Olivia?" His face hovers a few inches from her own. A smirk plays across his face, enjoying the desperation in her eyes, in the way her hips lift up each time his fingers sink into her. His thumb gently circled her clit, making her whine the slightest.

"I want- oh," she gasped when he applied more pressure to her sensitive bundle. "..you to bend me over this couch and have your way with me," she chuckled just a little, the liquor getting to her head. She can't believe she just said that out loud. But she's awfully glad she did.

Each time, sex between them has been a test of boundaries. Seeing what one another liked, what position felt the best to her, where she liked to be kissed.

Tonight he would always remember exactly what she was thinking about the entire time they were out.

It's negligent, the way their clothes are nearly torn off one another. Her zipper she's sure will need to be fixed and a few buttons pop off his shirt, making it no good. He's helped pick a few pins from her hair, making her front bangs fall around her face. Her body is positioned very thoughtfully over the couch. The way she had envisioned it hours ago.

Her arms crossed over a pillow with her head resting across her forearms. With her knees spread and back perfectly arched, Olivia just knew she would be able to feel him so much deeper from this angle. She's not a stranger to being fucked like this, but she knows with Elliot it will be absolutely mind blowing.

"You're perfect," his hand came up to smack her ass cheek and she gasped at the contact. The skin there is reddened the slightest now. His hand kneaded and squeezed the soft flesh.

Her core clinched together in anticipation of him being inside of her. Her fingers gripped onto the pillow tighter when she felt the sweet sweet intrusion of him. Elliot held onto his dick as he filled her inch by inch, until he saw himself disappear inside of her. She moaned a few cuss words in a string of sentences with his name, when he pulled back and filled her again.

It's incredible- feeling him this deep at this angle and the best part is, her hips only have to do part of the work. She's in heaven and Elliot is in absolute nirvana the way he gripped her hips tightly. She knows he will kiss the bruises he will leave later.

"So fucking good-" she moaned when the pressure in her belly began to burn. He reads her mind, and feels the changes in her body as he fucks her viciously. "Don't ever stop," she whined when his hand reached around her waist. His middle finger circles her clit. The added pressure there makes her go wild. The neighbors be damned, everyone would get the chance to hear exactly what her boyfriend does to her.

"You're so close baby," he pulled her hips up a little bit higher and it hit the perfect spot inside of her. She cried at the new angle and it made him thrust faster. "I can feel you- so tight," she's like a vice around his dick, her arousals slick and dropping down her inner thighs.

Her body felt the same shock to her system that always comes when he's deep inside her like this. Her belly warms and her skin tingles with goosebumps. Everything around her becomes blurry, her hips fall back into him, the orgasm she had been craving all night soars through her.

Elliot stops while he is still inside her, feeling her come around his dick and folding his body over her back. His lips kiss along her shoulder as she rides out the last few shockwaves. He can feel her body heaving beneath him, trying to catch her breath.

"Fuck you," she laughs and wiped at the sweat on her forehead.

"You already did," he bites back and pulls out of her, taking a seat on the couch, his erection bobbing against his stomach.

"Shut up," Olivia managed to crawl her body over to him and straddle his thighs. She lifted her hips and grabbed a hold of him to fill herself with him all over again. Her sex is still sensitive to just moments before and she thinks she might come again. Both his hands hold the weight of her breasts, bringing them to his mouth. His tongue suckled one while his fingers pinch lightly at the other.

His hips start to set a rhythm again for them, driving into her more gently this time. He savors these last few minutes he's got left in him, abandoning her breasts and kissing her lips. His tongue invades her mouth that tastes like the Cabernet she had earlier. She's closer, her chest pressed against his and her hips meet each time he inches into her.

"You gonna come again?" He says between kisses and a smirk plays on his face. If she weren't so exhausted already she would have enough nerve to slap him for his cockiness.

She one ups him and cups her own breast with her hand before trailing down her body until she's got her fingers on her clit. His eyes follow the trail her hands make and he fucks into her roughly again. It's too goddamn much.

His hips rise to slam into her and he releases himself into her, triggering another orgasm for her. Her body collapsed against him, her forehead fell against his shoulder as he pumped the last few remnants of himself inside her. Her hips writhe lazily and his hands hold them close to him.

Her breath hits against his neck and he thinks she might have fallen asleep. He can't help but chuckle and the vibration of his body makes her eyes flutter back open. "I would say something but I'm too damn tired. I just want you to know that," she muttered and gently gasped when he pulled himself out of her.

"Good to know I wore you out," before she can make a good comeback he lifts her with him from the couch, carrying her back to her bedroom. He laid her on the bed and pulled the comforter back to tuck her in. He knows she's exhausted because she let him.

"I'm gonna wake you in a few minutes to go use the bathroom," she heard those last few words before she passed out. He easily combats the roughness of himself tonight by taking good care of her after.

She's loving this new chapter of her life so far.

….

2 weeks later…

The television that's mounted in the corner of his room plays cheerful Christmas music, stuck on the home screen of Home Alone. She's just on the edge of the bed then she remembers the girls were nestled between her and Elliot.

It's Christmas morning.

It's almost too perfect. The light flurry of snow outside, along with the music and Christmas lights that the girls had insisted on plugging up and stringing on the curtain rod. She's in absolute heaven and instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop, Olivia decides to take this moment in. Accepting that this may just be the first of many holidays together.

"Merry Christmas," Elliot turned towards her on the other side of the bed.

"Merry Christmas," she wishes she could kiss him but she will leave that for later under the mistletoe.

"They're so tired," he lightly brushed a few stray curls from Katie's face.

"Maybe keeping them up a few hours past bedtime was a good thing."

They made sugar cookies last night, decorating them with icing and sprinkles, and attempted to build a gingerbread house, but failed terribly. It hadn't mattered to the girls though since they got to munch on candies. The best part of last night though? Changing into their Christmas pajamas and snuggling up right here in bed together. Olivia had even got Elliot to wear the ridiculous Grinch covered pants she bought him.

"I say, we go get a head start on breakfast," it was tradition she started with Ophelia for their first Christmas alone together. It was Santa Claus pancakes she made with bananas as the beard, strawberries for his hat, and blueberries for the eyes, and whipped cream for some added touch. She tried her hardest to make the holiday just as special as they were before. Whether she remembered them or not, it was the photos and memories Olivia cared about. Something for them to look back on for happiness despite it being the biggest change happening in their lives.

"If we move slowly I don't think they will notice we even left," he slowly moves Katie off of him and she does the same with Ophelia. They make a break for it and leave the door cracked.

He waits until they've made it into the kitchen to pull her to the double doors of the terrace. That's exactly where the mistletoe hung above. His arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her close. He loves when she's barefoot, it makes her have to look up at him- giving him the perfect angle to kiss her. She's beautiful with her hair messy all over her head and her bare face glowing. She smiled up at him and caressed both sides of his face. Her finger tips grazed his cropped hair while her thumbs ran along his cheeks.

"I love you, Olivia, so much and it scares me. I don't think I have loved another woman since…" his teeth tug on his bottom lip, his throat starts to feel tight. "The way we trust one another is extraordinary," he breathes out. "The way you love Katie and care for my mother- I don't have great enough words to describe how much that means to me. The last five years have been so hard," he felt her thumb swipe across his cheek, not realizing he had let a tear escape.

"Oh El," she choked out and couldn't help but stand the slightest on her toes and kiss him already. "I love you too," she pulled back with misty eyes herself. "Thank you for being so patient with me these last four months," another quick kiss to his lips. "Everyday you show me just how much you love me- love all of us," she pulled him to embrace him. Her arms moved to wrap around his middle with her face buried into his chest. She felt his own arms around her shoulders and felt good to just be held.

"Merry Christmas," he says again into her hair.

"Merry Christmas."

"I think we have a few guests," a few giggles are heard from around the corner. "Girls?" Elliot called for them and only pulled halfway off of Olivia, still holding her close next to him.

"You were kissing Elliot," Ophelia laughs.

"I was, because I love him," she kissed him on the cheek and it made the girls giggle again. "Come here so I can kiss you both too," they ran over and jumped into both their arms. Each of them with a kiddo on their hip, they huddled closer to form a group hug so Olivia could kiss both girls good morning.

"Merry Christmas!" Katie grabbed both of Olivia's cheeks and kissed her nose. It made her heart nearly burst into a million pieces.

….

Breakfast had been practically inhaled, both of the girls finding fun in eating away at Santa's face (despite how morbid that may have sounded). The living room is a blissful mess with shreds of wrapping paper strewn about. Katie had gotten the small playhouse she wanted that could fit right outside on the terrace. Elliot was already getting the pieces organized so he could start building it for her. It was much too cold out to put it out there yet, but he figured they could squeeze it into her room for now until spring.

Olivia searched high and low for two weeks for the specific American girl doll Ophelia wanted. It cost an arm and a leg but after the year they have had, her daughter deserved it. She thinks it is safe to say that both of the girls got exactly what they wanted and much more. They both shopped and worked together getting them fun stocking stuffers and plenty of toys to last them the next ten years. It felt good to spoil them this holiday.

Her and Elliot had agreed to no gifts this year, and she definitely was not expecting anything from him after he bought her the diamond pendant necklace a few weeks ago. It was an easy agreement to stick to until she had thought of the perfect gift that would be good for the both of them.

"We said no gifts," Elliot scolded her. They sat back on the sofa while the girls already got a head start on playing with their new toys.

"I know. I just wanted to do a little something special," she handed over an envelope with his name scribbled in cursive on the front. "Open it," she pushed.

When he tore open the envelope and when he opened the card inside a slip of paper fell into his lap. "Liv…" he barely whispered when he got a hold of it and got a chance to read it.

Four boarding passes to the Florida keys.

That also cost her an arm and a leg.

"I can't accept this- we can't accept this from you," he tried shoving the papers back into her lap but she was not having it.

"No, Elliot we are all going for New Years," her hand grasped a hold of his and crossed their fingers around one another. "I want to ring in the new year with you- with all of us together," she leaned in to kiss him sweetly on the lips. "I found us a beach house for a few days. I read it has a great view of the fireworks show they do at midnight," she looked over at Katie and Ophelia. "The girls are gonna love it," she's grinning like an idiot now while wearing Christmas pajamas in the middle of her boyfriend's apartment. There's nothing she wants more than to start this new year with the people that have gotten through the last half of this year, and many more.

"God, I love you," he accepted the defeat. His hand that rested along the back of the sofa cradled the back of her head, bringing her close enough for him to kiss. "Thank you Olivia," he kissed her again. "I might have gotten you something too," he abandoned her on the couch to grab the tiniest gift bag she hadn't even noticed was still under the tree. "Here," he handed it over and she shook her much like he had.

"I guess I can't get on you for doing the very same thing I did," she opened the bag and found a small blue Tiffany's box inside. The color of the box already had her ready to decline the gift. "Elliot," her hand covered her mouth when she saw the two small diamonds sparkle back at her. A pair of matching studs to go with the pendant necklace.

"I love them," she took each one and put them in her ears, dressing up the Christmas pajamas she wore. "Thank you," she placed a chaste kiss on his lips. It's perfect. It's doubtful she will ever wear them or the necklace anytime that's not a special occasion, but she appreciates them even more for that reason. A piece of his love for her will be with her during the most meaningful moments of her life.

"Grandma Bernie!" The girls were quick on their feet when they heard the key turn, and saw her enter the apartment. She stood with bags upon bags of gifts hanging on her arms in the small hallway to the front door. They ran to wrap their arms around her waist, the gifts long forgotten.

Olivia hates to be dramatic but she is not sure she will ever get over the bond Bernie and Ophelia have now.

"My girls! Hi!" She coated their faces in kisses. "Merry Christmas!" She handed them each a gift bag and carried the rest into the living room behind them.

"Hi mama," Elliot stood to greet his mother with a hug and a kiss to her cheek.

"Merry Christmas you two," Bernie pulled Olivia in for a hug.

"Merry Christmas," Olivia held onto her a little tighter and Bernie did the same. There is not a word great enough to express how insanely grateful she was to have her in their lives now.

"You didn't need to get the girls anymore gifts," Elliot shook his head at her.

"No, it is our first Christmas all together," and in a very Bernie fashion she shooed them away to go help the girls with their new gifts.

"She like this every holiday?" Olivia stood at his side and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest.

"Since the Christmas Kathy had been pregnant with Katie," he laughed the slightest and she felt his thumb rubbing against her shoulder. "If we ever were to have another one, you'll see for yourself."

It's something about that statement alone that makes her stomach do a few butterflies. There's only been four months shared between them, but so much has grown between them in that time. She would be lying if she said that it hadn't crossed her mind. Another marriage terrified her and she's sure his love being pregnant was just as much. Yet, she's willing to give it all another go if it means finally getting their happy ending.

"You'd want that right? One more?" The way he says it makes it sound like the most mundane statement while they stand in the middle of his living room.

"I would like that a lot," she smirks up at him and bites her tongue to not ruin the moment. Her issues with infertility aren't a secret.

"We're gonna be fine," he read her mind and reassured her with a kiss to the top of her head. "Nothing wrong with a little practice though," he added and it makes her nudge him with her elbow.

"I think we've had enough practice to start a football team," she threw back and laughed lightly.

"Touché," he stole one more kiss from her and went to help his mother with the girls.

She took her seat back on the couch and nursed her glass of wine, watching him help open one of the new craft kits Bernie got them. They were insistent that they make bracelets for everyone right now.

This is the first of many Christmas'. She just knows it and as much as her mind wants to make a run for it out of old habits, her heart is what keeps her feet planted right here.

Olivia makes a mental reminder to mark the calendar that hangs in the kitchen. The girls will look forward to Xing out the next few days as they countdown to vacation. They'll cook s'mores in the fire pit and bundle up to protect themselves from the chill of the evening. All four of them will squeeze into a double chaise, watching the fireworks show as the new year begins.

We are moving locations next chapter for a bit. Elliot and Olivia ring in the new year on the beach with their girls next time we see them!

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