A/N: I'm back to finish this mini-fic. I hope this last part makes up for the heartbreak of the first two chapters. Enjoy!
"Stabler," His heart skipped a beat. Was she calling to tell him she decided to come home? "Livia?" He questioned when she didn't answer.
"Umm...I…" She suddenly couldn't find the words. She wanted to come home, but she couldn't seem to tell him that.
"Are you okay? Did something happen? What's wrong?"
"I'm okay. I don't even know why I called."
"Did I leave something there?"
"No, I don't think so. I just-I was looking at the tree, and the next thing I knew the phone was in my hand," He chuckled.
"Are you getting old on me, Benson?"
"Maybe, I just miss you already," His smile dropped.
Then come home was what he wanted to say, but he didn't. He knew he couldn't push her.
"I miss you too, sweetheart. I'll call you as soon as I get home. I love you."
"I love you. Drive safe."
After hanging up, she stood in the middle of the living room looking at the picture on her lockscreen. It was of them at Rockefeller center the Christmas before Sealview happened. She was leaning against his chest, and his arms were wrapped around her waist. Their foreheads were together and he'd just pulled her in for a loving kiss in front of the tree. Tears pricked her vision. Their relationship hadn't been without complications, but this picture was a reminder of a simpler time. A time before trauma, before loss, grief, and heartache. She missed it so damn much.
She missed him so damn much.
It had been less than an hour since he left, but she felt cold without his arms around her.
She craved his voice, his touch, every aspect of his presence. She had no idea how she'd made it without him these last four years. She just knew she was done.
She couldn't take it anymore.
She was glad she hadn't told him her decision, though. She wanted to surprise him. After all the grief she'd put him through, it was the least she could do. Christmas was in two days, so she knew she wouldn't be able to get a moving truck before then. Still, she could pack what would fit in her car and drive to Elliot's apartment. They could come get the rest of her stuff later.
After she cleaned up she went to get her luggage and the packing boxes from her closet. She spent the next three hours packing as much as she thought would fit. The ornaments were wrapped carefully in bubble wrap and placed in the box with the other decorations.
When he called to let her know he'd made it home safe she tried not to let her voice give away her news. She promised him she'd let him know as soon as she came to a decision and told him she'd send a Christmas present. He, of course, told her she didn't have to do that. The short time they were able to spend together was worth more than any money could buy. Besides, he hadn't gotten her anything, so it didn't seem fair for her to spend money on him when he couldn't reciprocate.
He asked her if she had thought anymore about what they discussed this morning, but she told him she needed a couple more days to decide. She would call him on Christmas and try to give him a more definite answer. He accepted that, not wanting to make her feel pressured. Before they ended the call, he told her he loved her, and that if the nightmares came back tonight she could call him. It didn't matter what time it was. Now that she was back in his life he was going to do whatever he could to help her heal even if it had to be from a distance.
On Christmas eve, she drove into town and went to a gift shop. Even though his present would technically be her it had been awhile since she had spent money on him. She picked out something simple, a blue beanie. When he had been there the other day she noticed as a result of being a few years older he had less hair on his scalp, and she wanted him to be warm. Plus, she had always loved the color blue on him. It matched his eyes.
On Christmas morning, he texted her and told her they'd have to wait and talk tonight. The squad got a lead on their case, and he would likely not be home until after dinnertime. She responded, telling him that would be fine, then continued loading boxes into her car.
By lunchtime, she was back in the city she hadn't called home in four years. She swallowed a lump in her throat as she was suddenly overcome with emotion. She had missed this place. Despite the painful memories that had caused her to leave and still haunted her all these years later, she had missed it.
She drove by the precinct and considered surprising Elliot there, but she wasn't sure she was ready to see everyone else yet. Surprising him at his apartment like she had originally planned would be easier.
She was glad he still had the same apartment because she still had her old key to it. She hadn't considered the fact that he might have gotten the locks changed. If he had she'd have to rethink how to surprise him.
As she waited for the elevator she was thankful no one else was in the lobby. She knew people who had known her would have a lot of questions she wasn't yet ready to answer. She made it to Elliot's door and put the key in the lock. When she stepped inside she was struck by the fact that even after the way she left, the apartment seemed to welcome her back with open arms. It was a small, cozy space, and everything about it screamed 'Elliot'. It made her feel so safe, and she knew that feeling would grow when the man who owned it returned from work. She noticed her favorite hoodie of his was draped over the couch, and she slipped it on. Tears sprung to her eyes as she inhaled his scent that she had missed so much.
She was home.
Physically anyway. She knew she wouldn't feel complete until Elliot walked in the door, but this was a good start.
Now all she had to do was wait.
X
He sighed as he pulled into the parking spot at his apartment building. The case kept getting more complicated and was weighing heavily on him emotionally as cases involving kids usually did. He just wanted to go inside, grab a beer from the fridge, and call Olivia. Even if she had decided to stay at the cabin, hearing her voice would make his day a little less shitty.
He loved her so damn much.
He smiled sadly when he glanced at his phone and saw the picture of her that had been on his lockscreen for as long as he could remember. He rubbed his eyes and got out of the car. Once he made it inside and up to his floor he thought he heard sounds coming from inside his apartment. There was no sign of forced entry, so he considered that perhaps he had forgotten to turn the TV off when he left for work this morning, or one of his kids had come over.
The sight he was met with when he opened the door caused a lump to form in his throat.
"Merry Christmas, El," Her own eyes were teary as she smiled at him. Your present should be there by evening on Christmas. That's what she had told him on my phone. Did she mean...
"Olivia?" It seemed too good to be true.
"I came home," Unable to form words he cupped her cheek in his hand and kissed her sweetly as their tears of joy mixed together.
"Are you...are you really...for good?" He choked out.
"For good."
"Oh my love," My Liv. He wrapped her tightly in his arms, enveloping her in a protective embrace like he was her bubble wrap, and she was his precious decoration he would proudly place on his Christmas tree. She returned the embrace, holding him as tightly as he held her. Never again would he have to be the lonely branch.
Never again would she be the ornament tossed in a box with no care. She was home. With someone who loved her despite her dents and cracks, and wear and tear, and tarnish, and dust. Someone who loved her despite the faults in her manufacturing, despite her belief that she was undeserving. It wouldn't always be easy, but tonight she could release a breath she had been holding for four years.
She was home.
They were home.
At last.
X
Two Years Later
She smiled as she felt his arms wrap around her from behind, and leaned against his chest as she mixed the ingredients for the pie she was making. It had taken time for her to feel comfortable being held like this again after Sealview, but he always made sure to approach her from the side, so she could see him in her peripheral vision, and know it was him. He kissed her neck softly and inhaled her scent.
"Something smells good," His breath against her ear made her shiver, and she giggled.
The giggle turned into a moan when he nibbled on her ear lobe and sucked on a spot behind her ear. She felt something stirring low in her belly and wiggled against him.
"Down boy. They're gonna be here any minute," If someone had told her just a few years ago that she would be cooking Christmas dinner for ten people: her and Elliot, his kids, his mother, and the significant others of his two oldest daughters, she would have told them they were crazy.
He chuckled and moved away from her, reaching for a gingerbread cookie instead. She swatted his hand away.
"No! You can wait and eat dessert after dinner like everyone else," She laughed when he pouted, and gave him a peck on the lips. He could be such a child sometimes, but she loved him for it. "Why don't you go make yourself useful, and set the table while I put this in the oven? No sneaking bites!" She teased. He gave her a sexy growl and nipped her jawline.
"El!"
"I'm sorry. If I can't taste your delicious food yet can I taste your delicious lips?" She laughed out loud.
"You did not just say that. Fine, one kiss. Try anything else, and I will knee you in the balls."
"Yes ma'am," He kissed her deeply and slowly, but with passion. They moaned as their tongues explored, and her panties began to feel wet and tight against her skin. Damn him. Before either of them had a chance to pull away the door opened.
"Ewwwww!"
"On Jesus's birthday? Really you two?" They rolled their eyes at the reactions from Elliot's offspring.
"You're one to talk, Richard," Elliot was interrupted by his mother's voice floating into the room.
"Well I think it's sweet. Maybe I'll get a new grandbaby."
"Mom," He warned and wrapped an arm around Olivia's shoulders.
Since the miscarriage, kids were a sensitive topic for her, and he didn't want her to be upset on Christmas even if the comment wasn't ill intentioned.
"Oh, I'm sorry dear."
"It's alright," Olivia smiled warmly. "Merry Christmas."
X
"Thank you for the food, Mrs. Stabler. It was delicious," Kathleen's boyfriend Dylan complimented after they were done eating.
"You're welcome, and there's no need to be formal. Call me, Olivia."
"I'm good with Mr. Stabler," Olivia rolled her eyes at Elliot's smugness. When it came to the people dating his girls he seemed to enjoy being intimidating.
"El, be nice," She warned. Kathleen gave her a thankful glance.
"Listen to your wife, dad."
Your wife.
Mrs. Stabler.
That would never fail to make her heart swell. She still couldn't believe after everything they had been through that they had made it here. She wouldn't trade her family for the world. She smiled at Elliot knowing he was thinking the same thing.
Little did he know, next Christmas their family would be even bigger.
X
After dessert was eaten and presents were opened, the family sat down to watch Christmas Vacation together. Then, as everyone got up to leave, they were each given a bag of Olivia's cookies and some other leftovers.
Once their guests had left, the newly married couple collapsed on the couch wrapped in each other's arms. Olivia found herself captivated by the way her wedding ring seemed to shine under the light.
"What are you thinking about Mrs. Stabler?" Elliot's voice spoke softly in her ear, and she snuggled deeper into him as he kissed her head.
"How happy I am that I came home. I don't even want to think about how different things would be right now if I hadn't," He grinned against her temple.
"The day you came home was one of the best days of my life. I think the only thing that topped it was our wedding day. I don't think I've ever gotten a better present."
"I love you," She lifted her head to pull him into a kiss.
"I love you more. Merry Christmas, baby," She smiled and wormed her way out of his embrace.
"That reminds me. I have one more present for you. I wanted to give you this one out of the public eye," His blood immediately rushed south, and she rolled her eyes at the look on his face. "Not lingerie."
"What a shame," He teased as she handed him a rectangular box. She bit her lip, awaiting his reaction when he opened it.
He stared at the pregnancy test in silence for a couple of minutes before looking back at her. The plus sign nearly made him tear up, and he wondered when he had become such a softie.
"Are you serious?" She nodded.
"I'm pregnant, El. We're having a baby," Instead of responding with words he kissed her hard, pouring as much love as he could into it. "Merry Christmas, daddy."
"Merry Christmas, mommy."
Like Serena's ornaments, they had been given a second chance at having their own family. It was a Christmas miracle neither of them knew what they did to deserve.
Olivia looked at the tree. The same one that had been with her in the cabin with the lonely branch and the angel that had gotten its shine back.
"Thank you," She whispered.
Her eyes settled on the ornament they had gotten in memory of the baby they never got to meet. It was a star that was placed at the top of the tree. Even though the ornaments couldn't reply to her she could've sworn there was a twinkle in the angel's eye that hadn't been there before.
She too, felt like she had a shine that wasn't present during the four years she was away. The cabin had never been her home. This was. Wrapped in her husband's arms with their hands over her belly, protecting the soon-to-be addition to their family.
And for the holidays, there was no place like home.
A/N: Done! I hope everyone had a good holiday season. I know this year has been tough and Christmas wasn't the same this year, but hopefully next year will be better. Thanks for reading! I've got two weeks left of break and am hoping to update When Her Partner Comes Home and Father of Mine before classes start again.
Thanks to my beta FragileVixenFic!