Prompt #37: Elliot finds the perfect gift for Olivia

Perfect Gift

•••

February 11, 2022

Detective Elliot Stabler was working on his paperwork and decided to text his good friend Odafin Tutuola asking him to meet him for lunch. A few minutes later, he got a text back and Fin told him he would meet him at their usual place in an hour. He continued to work on his paperwork and thought about his gift to Olivia when he left her and the SVU ten years ago and wondered what happened to it. It was a few days to Valentine's Day, and he wasn't looking forward to it being his first Valentine's Day without his wife, but he realized that Kathy Stabler would want him to move on with his life and be happy. He knew who the special person was who made him happy. That was Captain Olivia Benson. His friend at Organized Crime Unit Sergeant Bell told him to take a few days off to relax and get back after Valentine's Day knowing that day would be tough on him.

Elliot arrived at the bar and already saw Fin sitting at a table. He sat down across from Fin and they ordered their lunch when the waiter arrived.

Elliot said, "Fin, I haven't seen Olivia wear her Semper Fi badge anywhere. I gave her that badge the day I left the unit almost ten years ago."

Fin smiled and said, "Well, let me give you the short version, I will let Liv tell you the whole story. The short story is that Liv got kidnapped and she lost the badge and it's in evidence, but I can't tell you anything more about the case, it's Liv to tell you more about it. What was it about?"

Elliot smiled at his good friend and said, "Well, it was a Semper Fi badge that I got after Desert Storm while I was in the Marines. I was showing her that I was loyal to her despite leaving her that day and that I would return. But the circumstances weren't the way I wanted them to be upon my return. You know I was going to show up at her awards ceremony last year, Kathy told me that she knew I was still in love with Olivia."

"I knew it! You have been in love with Olivia for all those years; I have to tell Munch and Cragen because we had a pool for when you guys could get together. I think Cragen wins."

Elliot laughed about it, and said, "Wait a minute; you guys had a pool for me and Olivia getting together?"

Fin nodded. "When will you get her a gift and tell her your feelings? It's time and I know Noah wants his mom to be happy."

Elliot checked the date on his watch and said, "Monday it's Valentine's Day. Hmm… I would need to go to Quantico to get her a new badge. Can you distract her till then?"

Fin nodded. "I'll do that. And be safe, man."

•••

February 12, 2022

Elliot told Eli that he was going to Quantico for a meeting.

"Good luck, Dad, see you tomorrow," Eli said as he hugged his father.

His mother, Bernie, said, "Have a good trip, sweetheart. Lizzie is here to watch us."

He waved his hands, saying goodbye as he sat down in his car and started his trip to Quantico, Virginia.

Four hours later, after getting off the train, he rented a car and drove to his old marine base. There he met up with his old friend Derek Smith from their days in the Marines.

"Good to see you, Elliot. What are you doing here?"

Elliot proceeded to explain his plan to his good old friend. "Where can I get a new Semper Fi badge?"

Derek smiled and said. "Let's go get you two copies for saving me in Desert Storm—I figure it's time to pay you back on that favor."

Both of them walked around the base chatting about their days in the Marines and Elliot explaining about his days post-Marines and meeting Olivia Benson.

Two hours later, Derek and Elliot went to the registry at Quantico Base and Derek helped him with the process of the paperwork. Elliot ordered two badges and asked the person to give him the original one so he could give it to Olivia. Both waited for two more hours and the jeweler made the badge.

"Thanks, Lt. Stabler. I hope you're enjoying your day back at Quantico, see you at the retirement party for Lt. Smith this summer, the jeweler said."

He shook both guys' hands. "Derek, count me in for this summer and I'll bring my family and Olivia for the party."

•••

February 13, 2022

Elliot woke up in his bed after arriving home from Quantico, Virginia in the early morning. His son and one of his daughters, Lizzie, were eating breakfast in the kitchen.

Lizzie hugged her dad, and said, "Dad, how was your trip? Did you get the present for Liv yet?"

Elliot nodded, and said, "Yep. Now I have to plan for tomorrow because I'm going to tell her how I feel about her."

"It's hard for me, but I realize it's time for you to be happy, Dad. Mom would want you to move on with your life," Eli confessed.

"I know. But you will have a good time with Noah like you had at the Christmas party with him."

Looking at his children in front of him, an idea sparked in his mind. "Lizzie, Eli, how would you like to help me plan the evening tomorrow for Olivia?"

•••

The three of them went to a restaurant that they knew Olivia would. She mentioned it to Elliot during their days as partners. He made a reservation for them for tomorrow night and made some arrangements to have the restaurant close for them so they would be alone. After that, they went to the florist, and Elliot and Lizzie booked Olivia's favorite flowers to be delivered to her office at the precinct. Elliot wrote the note and he paid the bill.

After dinner they were sitting together, watching television on the sofa.

Eli noticed that his father was nervous about tomorrow's meeting with Olivia. "Dad, relax, it will go well. I think Olivia will like it. You just need to be yourself and tell her the truth. Like Mom told me before, just be honest about what you feel."

Elliot looked at his youngest son and said, "I know. And I know you miss your mother so much and I hope you realize Olivia can't replace your mom but she will help you if you ask her. She loves this family and she has been there for us before you were born."

Eli looked confused. "You mean when she was your partner, she helped you with my sisters and brother?"

Elliot looked at his son with a smile. "Yes, she did. Let me tell you some stories about it."

Both proceeded to talk about Olivia all evening till they went to bed.

•••

February 14, 2022

Olivia woke up early Monday morning and was already dreading that today was Valentine's Day. She knew she would be alone for yet another year. Checking her alarm clock, she noticed that it was almost time to get up for the day. She had to prepare lunch for her son Noah and take him to school and go to work.

Two hours later, she arrived at the precinct and saw Fin enjoying his Valentine's Day candy.

"Phoebe bought those for you?"

He nodded. "My grandson bought me another one. They both asked me to say Hi to you."

Olivia smiled back. "I'm going into my office, just let me know if anything from one of the cases comes up."

She walked into the office and saw two vases of her favorite flowers waiting for her on her desk. She opened her door again and asked, "Fin, did you see anyone go into my office earlier this morning?"

Fin looked up and said, "No, it was just a deliveryman and I told him just leave it at your desk."

She sighed. "Thanks."

She smelled the flowers for a few minutes and wondered who sent them to her. Searching around, she found a little note. Opening it, she read Hi Liv, Happy Valentine's Day. Meet me at Luigi's tonight at 5:30pm. Your friend, Elliot Stabler. P.S. Dress elegantly.

All day, she was nervously waiting for it to be time to go home. Leaving her office, she told Fin, "I'm heading out early, see you tomorrow," and headed to her condo.

When she arrived, she went straight to her bedroom and into her closet to search for the perfect dress for the evening. Once she found it, she went to get ready. A few minutes later, she heard Noah open the door.

"I'm home."

She hugged her son, and said, "You're going to spend the night with Lucy, is that all right?"

He nodded.

Noah saw her come out in her dress an hour later.

"You look beautiful, Mom. Have a good time."

Lucy, along with Noah, closed the door behind her.

•••

Olivia had never been to Luigi's but she knew it was expensive and hard to get a reservation for. She became nervous as she saw Elliot waiting at their table.

As she walked over, Elliot said, "You look beautiful in that dress." He pulled the chair out for Olivia to sit and she took her coat off before the waiter took their orders.

While they were waiting for their food, Olivia looked at Elliot.

"What made you decide you want to go on a date with me now? You didn't ask me a few days ago."

Elliot smiled. "I realize it's time for me to move forward with my life, and Kathy would want me to do just that." He got the gift box out of his pocket, put it on the table, and pushed it toward her. "Liv, here's your Valentine's Day present for you. I will explain everything after you open it."

She picked up the gift box and opened it. Inside was his original Semper Fi medal.

"How? I lost this badge in evidence on a case, how did you find out about it?"

Elliot just smiled. "I was still searching for a perfect gift for you but I called Fin a few days ago and asked him about what happened to your badge. He said you lost it during a case. He didn't tell me any specifics, but I know that it would be the best gift for you, Liv. That badge means I am not just loyal to you but I am deeply in love with you, Olivia Margaret Benson. I know we have a lot of things to work through but I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you."

Tears were rolling down Olivia's cheeks. "El, this is the most perfect gift ever. And I love you too. I know you are the one for me, Elliot Joseph Stabler."

He got out of his chair and walked over to her. He kissed her on the lips softly and she took her time kissing him back.

After the dinner and once he had paid the bill, Olivia said, "I think it's time for you to meet Noah again. This was the perfect Valentine's Day for me. I love you, Elliot Stabler."

"It is mine too," Elliot replied before he kissed her hard.

Hand in hand, they went ahead to go to her car.