Apartment of Captain Olivia Benson- September 4th, 2021:
It's an abnormally cool September evening as I lay on my couch, my head in my former partner (Current boyfriends) lap as he run his hands through my hair as we watch a movie with both of our sons. "El?" I say in a whisper as he looks down at me, a soft smile on his face as he hums in response. "Will you go with me to the Captain's Ball?" I ask softly, in order to not disturb the boys, who have already shushed the both of us. I watch his smile widen as he leans down to press a kiss to my lips before saying "Of course I will baby. I was wondering if you were going honestly" in a whisper. I smile as I reach up to cup his cheek and say "I honestly wasn't going unless you were back from your assignment." "Liv..." he whispers softly, as he presses his forehead to mine. I smile softly as I hear that tone creep into his voice, the same one he used the night he kissed me in an abandoned warehouse after promising to come home to me and the boys. The same tone he uses in quiet moments in cases we work together, the same tone he uses in therapy; the same tone he uses long after the boys are asleep as he puts on Sinatra's greatest hits and spins me around the living room of my apartment as if it's a grand ballroom. "Are you sure Livia?" he asks, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips, before pulling back to look into my eyes. I nod my head, feeling tears well up in my eyes as I say "I'm sure El, there's no one else I want by my side." I smile as I hear his whispered "Ok" before he takes my hand in his, squeezing it before turning back to the movie, his other arm curled around the boys' shoulders. I settle myself back in his lap, wrapping my free arm around his waist and feel a smile spread across my face as I fade off to sleep, dreaming of being twirled around the dance floor by the love of my life.
NYPD Captain's Ball- September 14th, 2021:
I feel the butterflies in my stomach make their appearance as we pull up in front of the hotel. The butterflies in my stomach flutter even more as my heart begins to race, as Elliot throws the Denali in park, jumps out of the vehicle with a smile, and crosses over to open my door, holding his hand out for me as he does so. I can't help the smile that breaks out as I take his hand and climb out of the vehicle, a soft "Thank you" coming from my lips as he turns to close the door and locks everything up. When he turns back to me, it's with a broad smile as he crooks his elbow out for me to wrap my arms through, before he covers my arms with his free hand as we begin to walk towards the door. "You ready for this?" he asks softly and I know Hes not asking if I'm ready for the crowd, but if I'm ready to publicly tell all of the NYPD that we're together. I Smile as I find his hand and tangle our fingers together, squeezing them gently before saying "It's time El. It's not like they don't know we belong to each other anyway" with a slight laugh as we join the line to get in. I hear his deep chuckle ring out from beside me, and when I turn to look at him, he leans in to steal a kiss, whispering "Mine" against my lips.
When I look up, I see Brian Cassidy and his date looking back at us and laugh before saying "And your mine Stabler." As we wait to get in, I take in his attire- a black Italian made suit and a dark blue dress shirt, unbuttoned at the collar- and smile as I look down at my dress- a floor length Dark blue silk dress, with a slit up the left side that stops mid-thigh- and think back to hours before as his 3 girls helped me get ready for the night. Their laughter, the singing and joking as Lizzie curled my hair and Kathleen did my make up as Maureen kept Noah occupied. "You look absolutely beautiful" He murmurs, as he turns his head to press a kiss against the side of my head. I feel myself blush as I say "I can't keep my eyes off of you El" as I lean my head on his shoulder. "I feel the same way Liv. I can't believe I'm here with you. I feel like the luckiest son of a bitch alive" he murmurs against the side of my head as we walk through the door.
Once we're at our table, he leans over and presses a kiss to my cheek and says "I'll go get us drinks, you just stay here and look beautiful." I feel a blush creep up again as he turns and walks away, and I can't help the smile that spreads over my face as I watch him walk over to the bar. I snap out of my daze by a waving hand and spot the person it belongs to with a wide smile. "Didn't think I'd see you here Olivia" the tall brunette says with a wide smile, pushing her hair behind her ear as she speaks. "Senator Beck... I Mean Castle, how nice to see you" I say, standing up to greet her. "So Formal you are Captain" she says as she and I embrace. "It's been too long Kate" I say as we separate before we sit down. I watch a giant smile spread across her face and I groan as she says "I'd say so. So... who was that VERY gorgeous man Liv? That surely can't be Elliot Stabler?" with a knowing laugh. My blush from earlier deepens as I nod my head in response, barely containing a giggle as I say "Bex... you know too much." "It's my job to know Liv" she says as she reaches over and places a hand on my arm before continuing "Happiness looks good on you Olivia and I've known for years how you've felt. So has Rick. We just want you to be happy." "I'm very happy Kate. We're taking things slow. He's still figuring what life is now and its... fun and inspiring to watch" I say, finally capturing his gaze, feeling my cheeks heat even more as a slow smirk spreads across his face.
When I see who he got stopped by at the bar, I say "well, he was bound to seek Elliot out at some point", causing Kate to turn and upon spotting the two men, says "I hope Hes not bothering him with questions. Hes been wanting to talk to him for a while." I smile as I see Elliot reach out and shake hands with the man and tears pool in my eyes as I hear the both of them laugh, before saying "Elliots not much of a talker but I'm sure he'll answer any question he has." Kate smiles as the two men turn towards the table and says "Never thought we'd have this all those years ago, did we Liv?" I chuckle and say "Youve got a good one Kate, and I remember telling you that many a time" smiling as I turn to face her. I watch her smile widen as she says "So do you Liv, and I'm glad that I can say I told you so Now." As the guys approach the table, Kate and I take our seats. El reaches the table first, a wide smile on his face as he says "Senator Castle... It's good to see you" as he takes the seat beside me, putting both of our glasses of wine onto the table, before resting his right hand over my left and wrapping his arm around my shoulder, his thumb drawing circles on my shoulder. "Detective... It's good to see you under different circumstances" Kate replies, a giant smile on her face as Rick sits down, wrapping his arm around her shoulders as he does do. "Captain Benson, it's so nice to see you again" he says, as he pulls Kate close, and turns to press a kiss to the side of her head.
"Likewise, Rick" I say, leaning my head on El's shoulder and turning my left palm up in order for El to lace our fingers together. I look up at El and smile as he looks down, gently squeezing our joined hands before pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Elliot tells me that you guys were partners for 13 years. I think the closure rate you guys had spoke volumes about your partnership, but I also know how partnerships are like a marriage and how sometimes... They can develop into that" Rick says, a curious tone in his voice as I watch Kate glare at him slightly. "We were. But even I think that we fooled no one. El was so much more than my partner. He was my best friend and my pillar. He was the first man I trusted completely with my heart" I Say, feeling him swallow hard as he squeezes our joined hands. Kate smiles as she and Rick turn and look at each other and when she turns back to us, she says "Must be something about partners." "I'll drink to that" Elliot says softly, raising his wine glass before taking a sip.
As the first strains of Sinatra's "I've Got you (Under My Skin) begins to play, Elliot jumps up out of his seat and pulls me out of mine to the dance floor, causing a loud- laugh filled- "El!" to be pulled out of me. "Dance with me Liv" he murmurs as he begins to twirl me all over the dance floor. "You don't have to show me off El" I murmur as he pulls me close, burying my head against his neck. "I Know, but Livia, I Love you and I wanna show you off. Want everyone to know that your mine" he whispers, wrapping his arm around my waist tighter and pulling me even closer. "Thank you for asking me to come with you." I life my head up from his shoulder and wrap my arms around his neck, feeling his other arm come around my waist, and say "I Love you too El and I'm glad that you're here with me" as I pull him into a deep, passionate kiss- right there in the middle of the dance floor. When we break the kiss, the entire crowd begins clapping and cheering, a loud cheer of "FINALLY!"- that suspiciously sounds like Fin- causing us both to chuckle as he presses his forehead to mine. "Sounds like we've got the entire departments approval" he whispers as he reaches up to push back a fallen piece of hair back behind my ear. "It does," I reply, sliding my hands down to his chest "But their opinions don't matter as much, as long as I have you." "You'll always have me. If you fall, I'll always catch you Livia" He replies, reaching up to cup my cheek as he presses another gentle kiss to my lips, as the band begins to play again.