Disclaimer: SVU and all of its characters were created by and are the property of Dick Wolf. I make no profit with this story, which is my own original work.

Even though it had been after midnight when they'd both fallen asleep, making it technically Christmas Day, Elliot was the first to open his eyes the next morning. When he'd first realized that it was Olivia nestled in his arms, and that he was in her bed, he'd thought that he was somehow still dreaming. But reality eventually settled in and memories from the night before came back full force. She'd asked him to spend the night with her, had wanted them to wake up together. After the kisses they'd shared, she wasn't running – instead, she was holding on and coming closer. It made his soul sing and filled his heart with hope. With the promise of a New Year only a week away, Elliot's mind swam with possibilities of what a future with Olivia could be like.

Since he couldn't see the clock on the opposite bedside table, Elliot had no clue what the actual time was. Not that he was in any hurry, but he knew that he wanted to prepare breakfast for Olivia again today, and that eventually, he'd need to get started on making their dinner. Right now, though, he was in no rush to get out of bed at all. As far as he was concerned, he could lay here and hold this woman in his arms forever.

At that moment, Olivia whimpered softly in her sleep and shifted ever so slightly, and Elliot froze. He didn't even breathe as she readjusted her position, but didn't wake. When she was settled again, he softly raked his fingers through her hair, soothing her back into a deeper slumber. Gradually, Elliot dozed off again himself, and when he awoke for the second time, it was Olivia who was watching him sleep. When their eyes met, she gave him a warm smile and reached up with her hand to stroke the stubble on his cheek.

"You stayed."

"Of course."

They leaned in at the same time, and their lips met in a soft kiss. There were no complaints about morning breath or one or the other needing to brush their teeth. While this may have been the first time they'd actually woken up together after having shared the same bed, it wasn't the first time they'd seen one another first thing in the morning. Overnights and naps in the cribs had long ago made them accustomed to seeing what the other looked like when disheveled from sleep. But this was somehow different. It felt more intimate somehow, and carried a deeper meaning. Even though they had both remained clothed the entire night, it felt as though their connection was now deeper than ever before.

Upon seeing the way that Olivia's eyes were shining, Elliot was determined to enhance that in every way possible. He'd already given her a Christmas Eve that he hoped she would never forget, now it was time to make her Christmas Day memorable.

"So, what did you want to do first Liv? Shall I make us some breakfast so we can eat, or did you want to unwrap presents?"

"Neither."

Olivia gave her answer with an impish grin, so Elliot knew for a fact that she wasn't upset about anything. He, on the other hand, was extremely puzzled. He patiently waited for her to explain, knowing she wouldn't leave him grasping at straws for long.

"What I want to do first is take a shower."

For several heart stopping moments, Elliot forgot to breathe. The blood in his body began rapidly pooling south as he quickly shifted his hips away and mentally tried to regain control. It hadn't been a conscious reaction on his part, his anatomy had just taken on a life of its own as soon as Olivia's words had reached his ears. He'd known her meaning behind them, and didn't want her thinking he was making any assumptions for anything she wasn't ready for.

"Relax, El. You're overthinking this."

Just as he was trying to formulate the words to apologize, it was Olivia who came to his rescue. Her simple understanding of the situation put him completely at ease. Without making a big deal of things, she simply explained that her stitches were already becoming itchy as they began to heal, and that by showering daily and washing the site with an antibacterial soap, it provided a great amount of relief. There was no room for any guilt on Elliot's part in her tone, and for the first time since Olivia had been hurt, he found himself simply accepting what she'd said at face value. Today was Christmas, after all. There were happier things to focus on.

"All right then. How about while you are in the shower, I make us some breakfast, then we can sit by the tree and you can unwrap your gifts?"

"That sounds perfect."

When Olivia emerged from her shower, she was met with the most incredible smells coming from her kitchen. Her brain went into overdrive as she tried to decipher them all. She hadn't even attempted to warn Elliot not to make a big deal over breakfast this morning, as she'd known it was pointless.

Even though Olivia knew they were keeping the atmosphere casual today, she still wanted to dress up a little. Since it was Christmas, she tried to pick the most festive thing she owned. In this case, she paired dark wash jeans with a red cashmere tunic length sweater. After applying just the barest hint of makeup – a soft smudge of eyeliner and a single coat of tinted lip gloss – she padded out to the kitchen barefoot, curious to see what Elliot had been up to in her absence.

Upon hearing her approach, Elliot looked up and smiled. Still clad in his pajamas, he was standing near the coffee pot, leaning back against the counter with one leg crossed over the other and his arms folded across his chest. A steaming mug sat on the laminate surface near his hip.

"There you are. I didn't want to pour your coffee until I was sure you were ready to come out and join me, because I was afraid it would get cold. Did you want some?"

"Coffee would be great, thanks. It smells wonderful. So does whatever else you are making for breakfast."

Elliot poured Olivia a cup of coffee, then proceeded to fix it just the way he knew she liked it. Carrying it over to her, he placed the mug in her outstretched hand, a smirk on his face.

"Nice try, Liv, but I'm not about to give away my secrets. You'll just have to wait until everything is ready. However, that won't be for at least another twenty minutes. If you give me your word that I can trust you not to peek, I think I'm going to grab a shower myself and get ready for the day."

Laughing, Olivia nodded. She set her mug down on the table next to her and wrapped her arms around Elliot's waist. She wasn't about to let him get away that easily.

"I promise, but you have to know a comment like that is going to cost you."

"Is that so? And just what is the price for my transgression?"

Olivia couldn't believe they were flirting so openly with each other in this way. Or that she was actually going to ask Elliot Stabler to kiss her. Not more than twenty four hours ago, events like this would have seemed like a dream. In many ways, it still seemed like she was dreaming – only she knew for a fact that she wasn't, because she'd woken up in Elliot's arms. Staying focused on the present, she went ahead with her 'demand'.

"A kiss."

Elliot's facial expression changed as he pretended to seriously consider her proposal. Then his smile broadened into a grin as he brought his forehead closer to connect with hers.

"You drive a hard bargain, Detective Benson, but I do believe you have yourself a deal."

Olivia was unable to retort to his comment or argue any further because Elliot's mouth slanted over hers in a kiss that quickly became all consuming. For several moments, they both forgot where they were, and just became lost in each other. It was only when Olivia began to sway slightly on her feet and tremble in the circle of Elliot's arms that he loosened his hold. Picking up her coffee, he guided her over to the couch in the living room, and helped her sit. With one final kiss, he excused himself and said he'd be back as soon as possible.

Cupping both hands around her mug, Olivia inhaled deeply before taking a sip of the fragrant brew. As the flavor washed over her taste buds, she quickly realized that this was not the same coffee that she usually bought and prepared every morning. Whatever blend this was, it was different somehow, and she needed to find out what the name of the brand was, because she wanted to drink it every day.

She was still sitting quietly drinking her coffee when Elliot returned. Fresh from his shower, he had also taken the time to shave off the light growth of stubble on his cheeks and chin. Much like Olivia, he'd opted to dress in jeans. To accompany them, he'd decided to wear the bluish gray cable knit sweater that she'd given him for Christmas the year before. It matched the shade of his eyes perfectly, and though she had never admitted her reasons, that was precisely why she had bought it for him in the first place.

"More coffee, Liv? Our breakfast is almost ready to come out of the oven, but it will need to cool a bit first."

"I think I'll wait, then drink another cup while we eat."

Nodding, Elliot carried her mug with him as he left the room. Back out in the kitchen, he pulled the breakfast casserole – another Christmas tradition – from the oven and set it on the stove top to cool. Then, he set the timer again, this time for ten minutes, which would allow the dish plenty of time to cool, but still be hot enough to eat. As much as he wanted to go into the living room and sit on the couch with Olivia and pull her into his arms, he was determined to make this breakfast perfect, and there was still some work to do.

First things first, he took the leftover cut up fruit from the day before out of the refrigerator and set it on the table. It was no secret that Olivia enjoyed fruit in the mornings, and as much as this meal was going to be an indulgence, he still wanted her to have what she loved most. Then, he plated one of the pumpkin muffins – half for each of them - that they had made during their baking session yesterday. Truth be told, he would have liked to have seen her eat a whole one, but he didn't want to push his luck. Last but not least, he poured two glasses of orange juice, then refilled their coffee. By the time he had finished with all of these tasks, the timer was going off, signaling that it was time for breakfast.

Elliot hadn't even needed to call for Olivia, she had just magically appeared. It was as if she had somehow intuited that he was ready for her. Again, her eyes were wide with awe as she took in the food laden table, and he could only wonder what her reaction would be like later today when he made them a Christmas feast. Meanwhile, Olivia tried to find words to convey what she was feeling.

"El...this is, this is -"

He stepped closer, placing his palms on either side of her face, and silencing her with a soft kiss.

"This is a typical Stabler family Christmas morning breakfast. Granted, we usually make cinnamon rolls instead of having pumpkin muffins, but I had a feeling that if I made one more baked good, no matter how small the amount, you'd forbid me from ever going near your oven again."

Olivia couldn't help but laugh at his comment. He did have a point though. She was relieved to hear that he had at least halved the traditional recipe, making it a more suitable amount for two people. Taking her seat, she even acquiesced to Elliot filling her plate for her, even though normally she'd prefer to serve herself. With her curiosity winning out, Olivia found herself inquiring about what exactly she'd been given to eat.

"That is a Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole. It has shredded potatoes, crumbled sausage, cheese, and eggs."

"It looks delicious."

Gathering a small amount on her fork, Olivia took a bite. It hadn't escaped her notice that Elliot was waiting for her to go first before beginning to eat himself. As all the different flavors hit her at once, she looked at him with surprise.

"Good, isn't it?"

"It's amazing! I can see why this is a holiday favorite."

As they continued to eat their breakfast together, they talked quietly. Some of the conversation was about the meal itself, as Olivia remarked about how the addition of certain vegetables might enhance the casserole. She suggested onions and peppers, or even spinach and tomato. Before either of them realized it, they were having a complete brainstorming session.

"Tell you what, Olivia. I won't wait until Christmas next year. The next lazy Sunday we have off together, I'll make this again, and we'll try some of your ideas."

Olivia reached for her juice to take a drink, hoping the shaking in her hand wasn't visible. For as much as she was comfortable with her present relationship status with Elliot, it still felt very surreal to hear him talk about 'them' in reference to the future. She supposed it would take some adjustment on both their parts, even though in some ways the transition had been almost seamless.

Now that she had finished with her casserole, Olivia moved on to the half of a pumpkin muffin that Elliot had plated for her. Though she'd sampled some cookies the night before, she'd not yet tasted these. With its sweetened cream cheese filling, and flaky streusel top, it was more confection than quick bread, and once again Olivia was amazed at the fact that she'd had a hand in creating something that tasted this good.

With the last bite of the muffin gone, Olivia drained the remainder of the coffee in her mug. Over breakfast, Elliot had revealed his secret – the brew was another holiday tradition – more specifically, a Christmas blend. It was only sold from the beginning of November to the end of December, and he typically only drank it one week out of the year – from the time between Christmas leading up until the New Year. Olivia understood even more then what made the coffee so special, and she was touched that he had shared it with her.

Now that they were done eating, Elliot cleared away the plates and put away what little remained of the casserole. There was just enough left that they could eat for breakfast again tomorrow. Crossing back to the table, he held his hand out to Olivia with the palm facing up.

"So, Liv, what do you say we go and see if Santa came to visit? Do you think you've been a good girl this year?"

Though his words had been perfectly innocent, Olivia felt a blush stain her cheeks. Her mind had completely taken a sharp turn into decidedly less than PG rated territory, and she needed to calm down. The implications behind that comment were better saved for thinking about at another time.

As though he'd read her mind, Elliot too, felt the heat creep up the back of his neck as his ears flushed a bright shade of pink. That wasn't counting the other areas of his body blood was rushing to. Mentally willing himself to remain calm and in control, he tried to think about icicles and blizzards and freezing cold showers in an attempt to cool down his inner temperature. Before he had a chance to explain, Olivia was coming to his rescue yet again.

"Actually, El, at the rate we're going, I wouldn't be surprised if we both ended up with coal in our stockings."

Now, Elliot couldn't hide his grin. Olivia really had been paying attention during everything they had watched yesterday. She'd not only made a wisecrack at both of their expenses, but one that was holiday referenced to boot.

Each of them went to the tree, retrieving their presents for the other. Unlike previous years, when they'd always pretended to have a set spending limit and guidelines for their purchases, it seemed that this year all the rules had flown out the window. Maybe it was because they'd felt inhibited by rules for far too long, and though neither had spoken about it, they had both felt the walls crumbling down over the months since Olivia's return from Oregon.

Sitting side by side on the couch, they piled the presents on the coffee table. The music that had been softly filtering through the apartment all morning continued to play in the background, and for the first time since she'd woken up, Olivia found herself getting nervous.

"Who should go first?"

Picking up the bulkiest of the packages sitting in front of him, Elliot carefully set it in Olivia's lap. Though this was certainly the most extravagant purchase he'd made for his partner this year, it was hardly the most intimate. There was something even more special that he was saving for last. Still, her reaction to the pea coat would certainly set the tone as to how she would respond to the other gifts.

"I think you should go first, Liv, and I want you to open this. Merry Christmas."

The gift was so beautifully wrapped, that Olivia almost didn't want to open it. It certainly wasn't the first wrapped present she'd ever gotten in her adult life, she'd had one every Christmas from Elliot for as long as she'd known him. However, this year it seemed so much more special, and she wanted to savor the moment for as long as possible.

Slipping one nail underneath the tape, Olivia tried as best as she could to unwrap the gift without ripping the paper. It was a painstaking process, and she was certain that she was driving Elliot nuts, but she just couldn't help herself. Finally, she had uncovered the wrapping and reached the box underneath. Removing the lid, she carefully peeled back the tissue paper, wondering just what could be inside. Her eyes fell upon the most gorgeous coat she had ever seen in her life.

"El."

His name left her mouth in a breathy exhale, and her hands trembled as they clutched the collar of the coat to lift it up out of the box and hold it up in its full form in front of her. The rest of the words she wanted to say seemed lodged in her throat - how there was no way she could accept something this expensive from him, that she knew he had a family support. But one look in Elliot's eyes, and that made all of her doubts and hesitations evaporate. Clearly this had not been an impulse purchase. A great deal of thought and planning had gone into it, and that made her love it all the more. Standing up, Olivia slipped her arms into the sleeves and wrapped the pea coat around herself. The length hit her just above the knees, and it fit perfectly. It was as though it had been tailored specifically for her.

"Thank you, El. It's beautiful, and I love it."

"You're welcome."

Now, it was Olivia's turn to present Elliot with something. Gnawing on her lower lip, she agonized over which of the three packages to give him first. There was one really special gift among them, and she did want to save it for last – not that giving presents was a contest. Deciding that what she wanted most in that moment was to make Elliot smile, she reached for the bulkiest of the boxes, and passed it to him.

"Here you go."

There was no mistaking Olivia's impish grin as Elliot accepted the wrapped gift. Just what could she be up to? Not willing to let the moment pass by without making a comment, he spoke the first thought on his mind.

"This isn't going to explode a bunch of confetti and glitter into my face now, is it? Should I phone the bomb squad and have them investigate this? Maybe I should take it down to CSU and get it X-rayed first."

Olivia shot him a withering look, her exasperation obvious. It didn't last for long though, because it was apparent that she was trying not to laugh.

"Just open it, Elliot."

With a grin, Elliot tore into the package, obviously not having the same reservations that Olivia had had about wanting to preserve the wrapping paper. When he got to the box underneath, he lifted the lid and cast aside the tissue paper. Shoving his hands inside, his was met with an assortment of soft cotton and fleece. Confused, he looked to the woman by his side for an explanation. She had bought him clothes? Ones bearing the NYPD logo, no less?

"Those are more than just a present. I've owed them to you for some time, though you may not have noticed. Over the years, I've pilfered your sweats and tees from your locker at work more times than I can even remember. My intent was always to borrow then return them, but they always ended up as part of my own wardrobe."

For several moments, Elliot sat stunned. It had been Olivia who had been responsible for his missing NYPD gear all this time? All these years, he'd always thought it was Kathy who had been throwing his things away, because she resented his career and the time the job had taken him away from his family. Then he remembered the day before when they had been baking, and the tee shirt that Olivia had been wearing that he'd recognized as his own. Just how many more of his tees – and sweats – did she have in her dresser drawers?

"You know, Benson, theft is a very serious crime."

With a mischievous look, Olivia arched an eyebrow and smirked.

"Is that so? Are you going to arrest me?"

"Hmm...well, you did replace the stolen goods, so I suppose I can overlook it – under one condition."

Curious now just what his stipulation would be, Olivia asked him to name it.

"Now that we're going to be spending even more time together, I expect to see you wearing my clothes more often."

"I believe that can be arranged."

After their playful conversation, Elliot turned back to the gifts on the coffee table. The next present he had for Olivia was no less thoughtful, but certainly didn't have the possibility to induce panic as the first – or even the last. In fact, this second gift wouldn't even be that much of a surprise. If anything, it only served to speak to his predictability. But there was something to be said for the familiar, and even though his mind and heart had led him in other directions this year, he just couldn't bring himself to break tradition entirely.

Olivia unwrapped the second gift that Elliot had passed her, this time having a pretty good guess as to what lay inside. Her theories hadn't lessened her anticipation at all, though.

Sure enough, when she got to the box inside the pretty paper and had the top lid off, she as met with the aroma of gourmet chocolate. Just as he'd always done, Elliot had bought her a supply of her favorite milk and dark chocolates. Even though she was still stuffed from breakfast, Olivia couldn't resist popping one in her mouth and letting it melt slowly on her tongue. A small moan of pleasure escaped at the flavor – it had been almost a year since she'd had confections of this quality.

"Can I have a taste?"

Elliot's voice was a throaty rumble, and it sent shivers down Olivia's spine. She handed the box out to him so he could sample one of the chocolates, but instead of reaching in and taking one for himself, he took it from her hands and set it to the side. Pulling her closer, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, his tongue teasing the seam of her lips, seeking entrance. With a whimper, Olivia conceded to his unspoken request, their mouths melding and fusing together.

When they parted, equally out of breath and shaken, part of Elliot wanted to say he was sorry. He'd never meant to get so carried away. One look in Olivia's eyes and he knew that apologies wouldn't be necessary. While there was still an unspoken agreement between them not to rush things – after all, they'd only shared their first kiss the night before – he also knew that she wouldn't judge him for showing his affection in a physical way.

"So...what did you think?"

For a moment, Elliot was at a loss as he tried to decipher the meaning behind Olivia's questions. What did he think about what? Was she actually asking him to grade their kiss? Then, reality dawned on him. He'd asked her if he could taste the chocolate. That's what she had been referring to. Following another soft peck on her lips, he made his proclamation.

"Delicious."

Trying to regain her composure, Olivia reached for the second of three packages in front of her on the coffee table. Much like the chocolate had come as no surprise to her, she surmised that Elliot would be expecting this next gift to some degree.

Sure enough, when Elliot unwrapped his next box to find a deluxe shaving kit, complete with cologne, he couldn't hold back his grin. Ever since he'd separated from Kathy and accidentally broken one of the bottles he'd kept in his locker in a fit of anger, Olivia had been the one to buy him one of his rare indulgences. Every Christmas and birthday, he would receive a gift box with everything he needed to shave in style. The first time he'd tried to refuse, arguing that the expense was too extravagant, but she wouldn't hear of it. She'd simply debated him right back. He can remember to this day standing there in the cribs after work as Olivia had told him she never wanted the familiar scent that she associated with him to change. If that meant that she was the one who helped out with that, then so be it. Just because he was stretched a little thinner these days financially, didn't mean that he didn't deserve to be pampered a little, too.

"Thanks Liv. This is perfect. My supplies were running a little low."

"You're welcome, El. Don't forget, you still have one more gift to open."

Elliot held up a hand, stopping her train of thought.

"Another gift? Liv, what happened to the limit we set for each other?"

Olivia raised an eyebrow, smirking at the man sitting next to her.

"Pot or kettle?"

"Excuse me?"

With a sweep of her hand, Olivia indicated the coffee table in front of them, clearly holding two still wrapped presents.

"I apparently wasn't the only one who broke the rules this year. So, I was wondering, which one did you want to be – the pot or the kettle?"

Quiet for several moments, Elliot appeared lost in thought. Then he scratched his chin before breaking out into a huge grin.

"Well, we've never been that good when it comes to following the rules. Why start now?"

His laughter was contagious, and simultaneously, they exchanged the final gifts they had for one another. This time, Olivia told Elliot she wanted him to go first. His first instinct was to protest, but then he saw the look in her eyes, and he couldn't argue. Accepting the small package she laid in his hands, he began to unwrap it, wondering just what else she could have bought for him. When he lifted the lid on the box, he couldn't believe his eyes.

He was staring down at a watch unlike anything he'd ever seen before – certainly more extravagant than anything he'd ever owned. His initials were etched into the display face – which boasted both the time and the date. There was no question that this had been a handcrafted item. Turning it over in his palm, Elliot saw that there was an inscription on the back. As he read the words, he felt himself being overcome with emotion.

"To my partner for life – any hour of any day, I can always count on you to have my back. Let this serve as a reminder that I'm always here for you too."

Above and below the sentimental message, Olivia had had their badge numbers inscribed, a constant reminder that they would be synonymous together for a long time to come. The gesture also made him smile for a completely different reason, as it seemed that great minds really did think alike, but she wouldn't fully understand until she opened his final gift to her.

"It's perfect, Olivia. I've never owned a finer watch. I'll wear it proudly."

To prove his words, Elliot immediately took off the bargain brand box store watch he'd been wearing ever since his last good watch had been ruined more than six months before. He fastened the band to his wrist, noting that the time and day had already been perfectly set.

"Okay, Liv, last but certainly not least, you have one final gift to open."

He placed the last package in her palm, and held his breath. He'd bought this present before they'd taken the steps forward that they had the night before, so it had been more of a gamble a few weeks ago than it was today, but in this moment, he was still anxious as to what her reaction would be. He supposed one way or another, he'd always meant to confess his true feelings for her on Christmas.

Olivia had picked up on Elliot's body language, and the nervousness was contagious. Her hands were shaking again as she gently tore of the gold foil wrapping paper, revealing a black velvet box underneath. Her eyes sought out his for a moment before she flipped open the hinge to reveal the contents, and she wasn't sure if she was seeking permission or answers – or maybe both. When he gave her an encouraging nod, she used her thumbs to gently pry the lid open. What she saw laying there was beyond anything she would have ever expected.

It was a gold pendant, designed to look like a miniature replica of her badge. As she carefully lifted it closer to inspect it further, the inscription stood out, and Olivia felt her heart flutter in her chest. On one side was clearly engraved the numbers 4015 while the other bore a 6313. Elliot had had their badge numbers immortalized together, just as she had done.

"It's exquisite. I love it. Will you help me put it on?"

Olivia shifted slightly, turning on the couch so her back was to Elliot. She passed him the necklace, and held her hair out of the way so he could fasten the clasp. When it was on, the chain was just long enough so that it hung just below her ever – present "Fearlessness" charm that she always wore. Running her fingers over the new trinket, Olivia realized that now she had not just one, but two talismans to protect her.

Wrapping her arms around Elliot, she allowed a few tears to slip down her cheeks as she thanked him. In turn, he held her tightly, showing his own gratitude. When they parted, he swiped at her cheek with his thumb and gave her a smile.

"So, I have to do some preparations for dinner later, but after I make some headway, what do you say we get out of here for a bit?"

More confused than ever, Olivia's brow furrowed.

"El, it's Christmas day, where could we possibly go?"

"I'm going to take you ice skating at Rockefeller Center."

A/N: Since I won't be posting the next chapter of this until the 26th, I would like to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for reading. Also, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and joyous Holiday. There are still 2 more chapters of this story to come - the second part of EO's Christmas day together that I'll be posting on the 26th, and an epilogue that will go up on New Years Eve.