Happy New Year to Elliot and Olivia!
It's one day before New Year's Eve.
She had imagined their 8am flight being more chaotic with two five year olds, but it had gone as perfectly as it could. Everything had gone to plan. Elliot had been in full dad mode, double checking that they packed everything before calling for a taxi to take them to LaGuardia. They arrived with more than enough time to stop for coffee and bagels before boarding their flight. She thinks barely 30 minutes had passed before both had fallen asleep. It made her miss traveling with Ophelia when she was smaller and could snuggle her in her lap while she slept.
It was nearly 11 by the time they had settled into their beach house rental, and the girls were eager to get out to the beach. Elliot rallied and took them out to play with the sand buckets the owners had left for their little ones to play with. Olivia had made up the excuse of being exhausted to hang back for a little bit. Exhausted, she was but the main reason had been far from that.
She sat on the edge of the bathtub staring at the timer on her phone while the plastic stick sat across the room on the sink. It felt a little silly- taking the test, but she couldn't help but pick one up when they stopped at the convenience store. Maybe it was all in her head but her period had been a few days late, she felt fatigued more than usual, and her appetite had gone a little sour.
From experience she knows a few days is nothing compared to the two weeks she had missed when she found out she was pregnant with Ophelia. Yet, there's a part of her that's clinging onto the hope that her gut hadn't let her down just yet.
beep beep beep
The alarm startled her from her sinking thoughts and suddenly her hands were shaky and a little too moist for her liking. She managed to get her body moved over to the sink and with closed eyes she picked up the test that could change their future forever.
Negative
The single pink line she's seen so many times before stares back at her. Her breath shudders when she exhales deeply, her throat tightens as the urge to cry threatens her. It's all too much. The emotions that whirled around her in that two minute span have left her with a want she didn't have the two minutes beforehand.
A baby was their future, not their now, and she was more than happy with that. It's been less than half a year together, it would be insane to be trying for anything other than a healthy relationship now. Yet, the thought of a tiny little being that looked like half her and half him didn't sound too bad. It would be a little too soon into their relationship, but like everything else they would have figured it out together.
"Hey Liv, the girls-"
"Jesus Christ Elliot! Have you ever heard of knocking?" She nearly jumped out of her skin when he swung the door open. Her heart beats a hundred times a minute and she's quick to wipe her face free of the tears that had spilled over.
"I'm sorry, we've hardly knocked before. I didn't think to start now all of a sudden," he stood in the doorway in navy swim trunks with sand glued to his skin. He's already sun kissed from his short time out there. "What's going on?" He eyed the distress on her face and her hand she had been hiding behind her back.
"I just need a minute," she exhaled.
"Liv, what's wrong?" He stepped forward and reached for her arm that was hidden behind her back. His eyes flew to the test he was just as familiar with and took a look at the results flashing back at him. Her head turned away, unable to look at him. She's beginning to feel embarrassed at how emotional this has gotten her.
"Oh," he barely whispered and immediately pulled her into him. Her arms wrapped around his middle as her face buried into the space between his shoulder and neck. She let the tears come this time and cried against his warm skin. One hand of his cradled the back of her head while the other held her close to him.
"It's negative so," she lifted her head to look up at his blues that were almost just as sad as her own eyes.
"Did you want it to be positive?" He asked softly, gently brushing her hair away from her face. His hand rested against her jawline, his thumb swept her tears away.
"I don't know," she shook her head before resting her forehead against his chest. "A baby was the last thing on my mind," her neck bends again to make eye contact with him.
"And now?" He pushed for a little more. They have always been able to open up to one another, he didn't want to stop now.
"And now, that little surprise didn't sound so bad," her shoulders shrugged. Her dampened lashes are heavy and keep her eyes fluttering to stay open. "I just spent the last few minutes imagining how fun it would be to have a baby in the house; how happy it would have made the girls and you," she confesses.
"I'm sorry baby," he pulled her close again until his arms wrapped around her entire torso. His chin rested atop her head and she took in his warmth. "I get the excitement- I really do," he squeezed her tighter for a moment. "Hey, whenever it happens for us I will be over the moon but for now I want you to know I'm more than happy. I'm in awe of what we've got going here. Wouldn't change it for nothing," his hands slide against her cheeks until his fingertips bury into her scalp. It makes her have to look up at him and it pained him to see her so upset over the one thing he can't fix right away for her.
"I love you," she sighed into his kiss and finally felt her body fill with relief. He's right, their time will come and for now she will indulge in the greatness they have now just like him.
"I love you too," he reassured her and tugged on her hand to bring her out to the beach to see the beautiful view of their girls and the water.
….
It's been a lazy 24 hours.
It was no secret that raising a kid in the city was not easy. It's over crowded, the smells are something you never get used to, and with her job she sees the horrors of it close up every single day. It's getting scarier out there and she can't believe she's made it this far raising another human who is solely dependent on her for its survival. So today she took victory in that and finally exhaled that breath she had been holding since the moment she held Ophelia in her arms.
It's beautiful out here in the Keys. She trusted the review from a coworker and photos online, that this place was worth the penny she paid. Their beach house was gorgeous with creams and white galore; staying on theme with nautical decor here and there throughout. The windows were large and they kept them open most of the day, including the double French doors of the deck that led to the beach.
She watches the girls with a close eye as they trek from the edge of the water to grab buckets to make their sandcastles. Their bucket hats and sunglasses make her melt at the cuteness and she's definitely become that mom snapping pictures every minute.
She sat on one of the loungers in the sand under a huge umbrella that protected her from the sun. It's been at least a year or so since she was last in any kind of swimsuit, and she feels all around sexy in the bikini Elliot had picked out for her. It surprised her when he came home with a small pink shopping bag. He handed it to her and she almost screamed at the two pieces that fell out when she dumped its contents.
The fabric was silver with sparkles embedded into it. His reasoning for the insane choice was, it was perfect for the new year. She protested against it until he begged her to try it on for him. It fit perfectly and she has to admit his reaction alone sold her on the idea.
"I knew you would look incredible out here," Elliot came back from making them new drinks. He wore a pair of black five inch inseam trunks that made it hard to keep her own eyes off him.
"Says the man with the muscles of a twenty year old," she accepted his concoction. "Mm, what is this?"
"Watermelon margarita," he held his cup out and cheered her. "I made a watermelon punch for the girls when it's time for lunch," he settled on the lounge next to her.
"I can't get over how you think of everything," and she really couldn't. Maybe she was giving him too much credit, but she didn't really care. Elliot was an amazing father to Katie, and treated Ophelia the same exact way. He respected the boundary in knowing he was in no way her biological father, but acted with the intention of being her stepfather. That part made her insanely mad for him.
"Just want them to feel a part of the party this weekend," he looks over at her and can't manage to tear his eyes away. Olivia always meant more to him than just a girlfriend but he has to admit he's starting to see more and more of his wife everyday when he looks at her.
"What?" she turned her neck to look at him over her shades.
"Nothing I'm just…saying a prayer now that this time next year you'll be ," the words send a shiver down her back and she can't help the grin that spreads over her face.
" ," she repeats the words herself, seeing how good they feel coming out of her mouth. "I think I would like that very much," she turned her body to its side, suddenly intrigued. "Would you really want that with me? Next year?" Her question makes a chuckle rumble deep within him like it was the silliest question in the world.
"Hell, I want it right now," he reached over to grab a hold of her hand that rested on her hip. His fingers tangled with her loosely. His confession takes her breath away. This man is obsessed with her in the best way possible and to this day it can all be too much. Everyday she has to pinch herself- remind her that this is all real.
"You do?"
"I do," he confirms. "You think you will be ready by the fall? Would you say yes?"
"Is that even a question?" she smirks, both of them knowing the answer to that question. It doesn't terrify her to think about it, to consider it. She wants it too badly. Fully believing that when you know, you know.
"I guess not," he laughs a bit and looks on at their girls dumping sand into the molds. It's all surreal. They're discussing marriage as if they're making dinner plans while watching their daughters play on the beach of Key West.
"One promise though?" her eyebrow raises. "We'll keep it small? I did the big wedding and look where that got me," her shoulders shrugged.
"Small and intimate. I like that."
And so it's set.
….
They pulled out all the stops to make today special. It's New Years Eve and the entire grounds for this trip. Five months and two seasons down with each other that have somehow felt like a lifetime already. She wanted in on all of it. The family vacations, birthday traditions, the marriage, all of it with Elliot. Ringing in this new year meant more to her than counting down until the ball dropped and kissing as soon as the clock hit midnight. This new year was special to her. She felt alive for the first time in what felt like years. With her daughter thriving and Elliot showing her everyday just how much she deserved to be loved.
Fun charcuterie boards lay half eaten on the coffee table; along with drink concoctions made for the girls and sweet treats Olivia threw together. It's safe to say that Pinterest has become her best friend lately. The girls had insisted they stay up until midnight like the grown ups and she has to give them credit for at least trying.
She laid a huge blanket over them both as they slept on opposite ends of the couch. A kiss to each forehead before she went to meet Elliot on the deck. The evening air is chilly and she's grateful for the fire he's got started out here. He looks like America's classic dad in gray joggers with a matching sweatshirt. Olivia loves him most like this- well second to when he's in a three piece suit with his badge clipped to his side.
The small portable radio is playing with live updates on the chaos happening in Times Square. They have just a few minutes until midnight and he's fully prepared with a bottle of champagne and grapes. He insisted they do the tradition of eating 12 when the clock struck. It's supposed to bring luck, he says.
Elliot stood at the railing looking out at the ocean. You could see just a hint of the waves coming in due to the backyard lights of the other houses and the casting of light from the moon. She snuck up behind him to wrap her arms around his middle and press her cheek against his back. His body expanded and drew back in as he released a deep breath of contentment to have her on him. He's warm and smells like musk and a hint of smoke from sitting out by the fire. She's barefoot again and happy he's towering over her right now.
"Everything okay?" She asks when his silence continues as he looks out.
"I'm just taking it all in," he says. "My mama used to take us all out to the beach when we were kids. It's one of the few times the whole family was happy, even my father," he confesses. She comforts him by pulling him closer and placing a kiss on his shoulder.
"You never talk about your father," she poked a little realizing they have been so open about both sides of their lives, but she's only ever gotten a name from him.
"Yeah well," she felt his body vibrate as a bitter chuckle escaped him. "He liked to throw mama around and a few of us too. Not much to talk about," she felt her blood go cold when the words left his mouth.
"Elliot," she tugged on his sweatshirt for him to turn around to face her. He's slow to look her in the eyes- sadness fills them and she hates she even brought it up. "I'm so sorry. I didn't-"
"No no, don't do that," he stops her gently. "I'm fine baby," he reassures her with the smallest of smiles and holds both sides of her face between his hands. His thumbs trace her smile lines and he placed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. "He's been gone a long time. I'm at peace with a lot," her fingers gripped onto his shirt.
"You're an incredible dad," she choked out. Her eyes are misty and so are his. She thought about how a few days ago she was convinced she was pregnant. And how happy it made her to think she was carrying Elliot's baby. She could tell his mind had gone to the same place. If Olivia Benson had been over the moon at just the thought of him being the father of her baby- maybe he wasn't too bad after all.
He thanked her with a kiss on the forehead and pulled her in for a full fledged hug. It felt just as good to hold her as it did for her to be held by him.
"I love you," he mumbled into her hair.
"I love you too," she pulled back to take a look at him. "Now," she wiped both her eyes to shoo away the wetness. "Let's get this champagne popped," she broke away to grab the bottle and started shaking it.
"Oh you're an insane woman," he backed away until he was back at the railing. She charged towards him as she worked the cork. A devious grin grew on her face.
"It wouldn't be a proper ringing of the new year without this," she popped the cork and champagne flew everywhere. His face was soaked and a bit flew up and wet her hair. She's laughing so incredibly hard from just pure joy. She watched him wipe his face with the sleeve of his sweatshirt, laughing along with her.
"I can't believe you did that!"
"I didn't expect so much to fly out," she's still giggling and struggling to grab the flutes he brought out.
The radio announced there's just one minute until the countdown to 2011. She's hurrying to fill them and he grabbed the bowl with exactly 24 grapes in it. It's chaos for just a moment until the ten second countdown begins.
10, 9, 8
They're shouting the numbers together. All be damned the neighbors or their sleeping girls inside.
4, 3, 2, 1
Happy New Year!
Cheered from the radio and the fireworks lit up the sky at the exact moment the clock strikes 12. It's almost like she's in the number one romance film when he pulls her in to kiss her lips that have been sweetened by the champagne. He floods her cheeks, her lips, her jawline with kisses. Her eyes are closed and she takes it all in.
"Happy New Year baby," he looks into her eyes that are glossed over once again. "We have to eat twelve grapes each. It'll bring us good luck this year," he grabbed the bowl and held it out. They both ate a few before stuffing their mouths full. It makes her chuckle, both of them struggling to get them all eaten. His cheeks are full and he's grinning from ear to ear. She's working overtime to seal this moment in her brain forever.
"Last one," he held his grape up to hers and they cheered. "To love and happiness," he looks directly into her eyes and she melts. His words weigh heavy because God do they both deserve it.
"To love and happiness," she repeats and pops the last one in her mouth. He smooched her lips quickly and grabbed her waist to pull her in front of him. They watched the rest of the fireworks that went on for a few more minutes. He's holding her tight with his arms wrapped around her middle and his chin tucked into the space between her shoulder and neck. He places a few kisses there every now and then, her hands draw small circles against his. She's never felt more loved and as they watch the last round light up the sky one more time, she closes her eyes and takes it all in. This is the beginning of something good.
…
Waking up beach side was dreamy enough, but having Elliot's head between her legs this early morning was an added bonus. It started with kisses from her neck and across every part of her until he had reached the thin fabric that covered her sex. Her thighs widened as his shoulders fit comfortably between them. He tugged the black lace down until her feet were able to flick them away. She was left in only an extra large t-shirt of his, just the way he liked her.
He hooked each of her legs over his shoulders and got comfortable. His plan was to make her come just like this this morning. He watched her hands grip onto the sheets in anticipation, his breath skating against her. His lips place a kiss against her sensitive folds and it makes her hips buck up in hunger for more from him.
He grins at her need for him and drags his tongue through her slippery sex, tasting the beginnings of her come. It makes her writhe beneath him and he pulls her hips closer to him, burying the tip of his nose into her. He licks, sucks, and kisses; eating up every bit of her. Earning the oh so familiar curses of his name from her lips.
"Oh my fuck-" she screams and quickly covers her own mouth to keep from waking the kids. Olivia feels every inch of her body heat up, every nerve ending flickering with fire as he works her. He barely comes up for air, keeping up the momentum.
"You feel…" she breathes out. "…so good," her chest racks from heavy breathing.
"Mm," he hums when he gives her a break and pulls away. Both her legs fell from his shoulders when he moved to crawl up her body and kiss her lips, the taste of her heavy on his own. "I'm going to make you come," he says between sloppy smacks. "But you have to be quiet," he replaces his lips with his index, motioning for her to suck. She complied with a quick pop of her lips around him before he tugs away and sinks that same finger into her.
The sudden intrusion surprises her in the best way, soothes that ache just enough that she had been suffering from. He watches her face contort from pleasure as he hovers above her, resting on his forearm. Her mouth drops open but no sound escapes. Struggling to keep her promise.
"More," she manages. He pulls out of her to run more of her slickness through her folds before sinking two fingers into her this time. Her thighs open wider for him and the action makes his dick grow like a goddamn weed. He wants to be inside her, fill her up, spill into her but this morning he wanted it to be about her.
"You're so pretty when you beg," he croaked when his thumb circled her clit finally. Her body moved wildly, meeting his hand for every thrust into her. "I wanna taste you when you come," he stopped for just a moment. Quick to move back to his ministrations from earlier and get his mouth back on her.
His fingers pick back up, the perfect mixture of roughness when he plunges into her and soft when he curls them against her g spot. The combination pools the heat into her belly and the tightness he feels around his fingers tells him everything he needs to know. Her fingers grip onto the sheets, pulling at them. Her hips press forward with urgency, his nose buried into her, his fingers somehow falling deeper. She's swearing a mixture of his name and curses and her body shakes from the blackout of the pressure he won't let up. He is in heaven when the taste of her floods his senses.
Finally, he pulls back and sits on his knees to look at the results of his work. Her eyes are still closed shut and her chest heaves as she catches her breath, her skin flushed with a sheen of sweat. His teeth tug on his bottom lip when he smirks down, happy with what he sees. Her legs splay lazily open and he has to take a deep breath to control himself from sinking into her right now. They're running short on time this morning and he is certain he could finish before the girls are up- but Olivia deserved better than that.
He leans on his forearms to hover over her, his body nestled between her thighs and kisses her lips that are swollen from biting on them. Her hands come up to hold his face between, pouring her appreciation into each kiss, tasting exactly what he does to her on his lips. It's unholy that spell that he has on her.
"Let me," a kiss. "Take care of you," another kiss. She uses one hand to slide into the waistband of his pants in an attempt to inch them down. He's tempted- good God he's tempted and he lets her.
"Time," his voice groans when he feels her wrap around his dick that's sensitive and on the edge of bursting.
"We have it," she breathed. Stroking him firmly, watching his face contort above her. She tugged on his shoulder to bring him in for another kiss. Her teeth tugged gently at his lower lip, soothing with her tongue as he moaned into her mouth. Her hand had felt way too good around his dick and he thinks if he doesn't get into her soon, he'll make a mess in this bed.
Just as he broke away to kick his pants off the doorknob jiggled and anxious tugging on it.
You've got to be fucking kidding me
"Please tell me that's not-"
"Mommy?" Ophelia shouted from the other side of the door. "Mommy, we're up, can we go to the beach?"
"Jesus christ," Elliot's head hung and he sighed as he moved off of Olivia, pulling his pants up in disappointment. She's up and out of bed quickly, straightening out her big tee and using the clip at her bedside to get herself decent. A few years of marriage with a baby you learn quickly.
"You get that under control and I'll wrangle them down for some breakfast," she's full on smirking when her eyes make contact with the tent in his pants. Damn her for getting her shit together so well. Meanwhile he's over here racking his mind to think about anything else besides getting relief.
"And while they eat, I don't see why I can't come back up and help you out with that," she winks and slides out the door. Behind it he hears the girls cheering when Olivia suggests they make chocolate pancakes this morning with the groceries they had picked up a few days ago.
He laughs at her offer and goes to turn on a cold shower for himself.
It's New Year's Day and somehow between the spontaneous fooling around with his love and interruption from their kiddos is exactly where he wants to be.
Next we get a call from Giselle...
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