A/N Surprise! Happy Valentine's Day!

February 11, 3:33 p.m.

Elliot walked into Sunshine Preschool, eager to see his four year old twins after a particularly gruesome case.

"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" Dickie and Lizzie called in unison as they ran to their father and wrapped their arms around his legs.

Elliot placed a hand on each of their heads. "How are my favorite twins?"

"Good," Dickie responded.

"Where's Mommy?" Lizzie asked, peering around Elliot to look for the woman in question.

"She took Maureen and Kathleen shopping after school." The twins pouted and looked up at their father with eyes filled with sorrow and disappointment. "We'll have dinner with her later," Elliot told them in an effort to soothe their sadness.

"Why didn't Mommy take us shopping?" Lizzie lamented.

"Yeah, didn't she want us too?" Dickie added.

Elliot knelt down and pulled his youngest children into a hug. "Of course she did, but I wanted to spend some time with just you two. I thought we could go for ice-cream before dinner, but don't tell Mommy."

"Yay!"

"Are you ready to go?"

The twins nodded and grabbed Elliot's hands, pulling him to his feet and leading him away from the classroom.

February 11, 4:02 p.m.

Elliot sat between Lizzie and Dickie, doing his best to make sure they didn't drip chocolate ice-cream down the front of their shirts. He was wiping Lizzie's face with a napkin when she suddenly put her spoon down and turned her whole body to face him. "Daddy," she started.

"Yes Lizzie."

"Why doesn't Mommy live with us?"

Elliot put the napkin on the table and studied Lizzie carefully, "What brought that up?"

Lizzie shrugged, "All my friends live with their mommy AND their daddy. I only live with my daddy."

"Yeah, we want to live with Mommy too," Dickie chimed in from Elliot's other side.

"Well, guys, your mommy and I aren't married," Elliot explained carefully.

"Why not?" asked Dickie.

"Don't you love her?" Lizzie questioned.

"I love your mommy very much. She's my best friend." He looked back and forth between the two children, "Can you two keep a secret?"

The twins nodded slowly. Elliot leaned toward Lizzie and whispered in her ear, causing her to gasp loudly, and then he did the same to Dickie, eliciting a similar response.

"Really, Daddy?" Lizzie asked.

"Yep, and I'm going to need some help."

"We'll help. Won't we Lizzie?" Dickie informed his father while bouncing excitedly in his seat. Lizzie bobbed her head up and down rapidly.

"Good. Now finish your ice-cream."

February 11, 4:14 p.m.

"Grr, I don't like this one either. Liv! Help!" Maureen called from inside a fitting room.

"Not again," Kathleen huffed from where she was hanging upside down on a chair outside the fitting room.

Olivia knocked on the door of the fitting room, "Maureen, honey, let me in." She looked over her shoulder, "Hush Kathleen, we already found your dress, now it's your sister's turn. Please sit on that chair correctly."

Maureen opened the door to let Olivia into the fitting room just as Kathleen sighed heavily and swung her legs to the floor, sitting up as she had been instructed. Olivia smiled at Kathleen before entering the fitting room. She studied the dress Maureen wore. "You're right Mo, that dress is too pink, too frilly, and too…not you."

"I know. Help Liv! I can't wear jeans to the Valentine's Day dance. I need to find a dress."

"We will find you a dress. I promise you won't have to wear jeans. Try this," Olivia suggested as she handed Maureen the dress she'd brought into the fitting room.

Maureen examined the red dress with its flared skirt, fitted bodice, and lace cap sleeves. She gently touched the sparkly silver embellishments separating the bodice and skirt. "Liv, it's gorgeous."

"Try in on Mo." Olivia left the fitting room and sat down next to Kathleen. She leaned over to Kathleen and whispered, "This is the one."

"I hope so," Kathleen muttered under her breath.

Maureen opened the fitting room door and slowly stepped out. "What do you think?"

"It's really pretty Maureen," Kathleen said with a smile.

"It's beautiful, honey. Do you like it?"

Maureen nodded, "I love it." She twirled around in front of the mirror.

Olivia smiled softly as she watched the thirteen year old twirl the exact same way eight year old Kathleen had earlier that afternoon when she had found the perfect pink 'twirly' dress for her class party.

"Can we go get our pretzels now?" Kathleen asked impatiently, interrupting Olivia's thoughts.

"Hmmm, oh, yes. As soon as your sister changes and we pay for the dresses."

"Maureen, hurry up!" Kathleen urged her older sister.

Maureen stopped her twirling to smile at Olivia and stick her tongue out at her sister before rushing back to the fitting room to change. When Maureen had finished changing, Olivia led the girls to the cashier and paid for their dresses. As they left the store, Kathleen quietly slipped her hand into Olivia's and began swinging their joined hands back and forth as they walked toward the food court.

"Livia," Kathleen sing-songed.

"Yes."

"What are you doing for Valentine's Day?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure. Why do you ask?"

"Well, Mo has her dance and I have my class party. You should do something fun too," Kathleen explained.

"She's going out with Dad, doofus," Maureen snapped.

"I'm not a doofus!" Kathleen shrieked.

"Hey! Stop. Maureen, don't call your sister names. Kathleen, there's no need to scream. As for my Valentine's Day plans, I don't know if I'm going out with your dad. He hasn't asked."

"You always go out with Dad on Valentine's Day," Maureen pointed out. "He probably doesn't think he needs to ask."

"Maybe," Olivia replied uncertainly.

"You should just get married already. You're together all the time anyway."

"Yeah!" Kathleen agreed, "Then you could be our mommy for real."

"She has a point. You already do everything for us that a mom is supposed to do and the twins even call you Mommy. You and Dad just need to make it official."

Olivia stopped walking and pulled both girls around to face her. "You guys know I love you and your brother and sister, right?"

"We know," Kathleen answered.

"We love you too Liv," Maureen told her.

"I'll always be there for all of you, even if your father and I never get married."

Maureen raised one eyebrow, "You and Dad have been dating since Kathy left. That's more than three years. There's no way we're the only ones who think you should get married already."

"Don't you love Daddy?" Kathleen asked with a pout.

"Of course I love your daddy. He's my best friend," Olivia assured the girls. "Now should we get those pretzels so I can get you two home for dinner?"

"Yes!" Kathleen cried as she started dragging Olivia toward the food court again.

February 11, 5:26 p.m.

Elliot and the twins sat at the kitchen table discussing their shared secret when Kathleen burst through the door with Olivia and Maureen trailing behind her at a more sedate pace. Dickie and Lizzie scrambled to gather the drawings they were working on before rushing off to hide everything under their beds. Elliot headed toward the front door to greet the rest of his family.

"Daddy!" Kathleen called to him as she flung herself at his legs. Elliot caught her and swung her onto his hip.

"Hi Princess. Did you have fun shopping?"

"Mhmm," Kathleen nodded. "Except Maureen took for-ev-er."

"She did huh?" Elliot asked as he pulled the teenager into a hug and leaned over her to kiss Olivia on the cheek. "Did you both get new dresses though?"

Maureen and Kathleen launched into detailed explanations regarding their new dresses, talking over each other and at speeds faster than Elliot had believed were humanly possible. Olivia laughed at Elliot's dazed expression, "Girls, why don't you just show your father the dresses."

Elliot set Kathleen back on her feet while mouthing "Thank you," to Olivia.

"Look Dad, aren't they great?" Maureen asked as she and Kathleen held up their new dresses.

Elliot looked both dresses over carefully before nodding his approval. "They're perfect."

The girls smiled at their father's approval. "C'mon Kathleen, we should put them away." Maureen and Kathleen ran up the stairs to their bedrooms.

Elliot wrapped his arms around Olivia's waist and pulled her against his chest. "Hi beautiful."

"Hello handsome. How was your afternoon?"

"Good," he murmured against her lips, kissing her. "The twins," he kissed her lips again, "were upset," he kissed the corner of her mouth, "that they didn't," he pressed three quick kisses along her jaw, "get to go," he kissed the sensitive spot behind her ear and her head fell to the side, "shopping with you," he kissed down her neck to her collarbone and began to suck hungrily. Olivia moaned loudly as Elliot slipped his hands up the back of her shirt.

"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" The twins came barreling into the room and wriggled their way between Elliot and Olivia.

Olivia pulled away from Elliot and dropped to her knees to pull the twins into a big hug. "Hi babies. I missed you this afternoon. Did you have fun with Daddy?"

Dickie and Lizzie smiled mischievously.

"What did you do with Daddy?"

"It's a secret," Lizzie whispered.

"Oh," Olivia lifted her gaze to Elliot and raised an eyebrow, silently asking him for an explanation.

Elliot cleared his throat nervously, "So, uh, Liv, um, do you want to stay for dinner?"

Olivia's brow furrowed in confusion. "Yeah, I guess."

February 12, 7:11 a.m.

Elliot started to clear the table and put the breakfast dishes in the sink while all four of his children put on their shoes and coats. "So does everyone understand the plan?"

There was a chorus of yeses.

"Then let's get everyone to school."

February 12, 11:28 a.m.

"C'mon Alex, it's just for a few hours. I'll owe you big time." Elliot whispered into the phone.

Olivia walked up behind Elliot, "Hey El." She touched his shoulder.

Elliot jumped and spun around. "Gotta go. Bye." He hung up the phone. "Hey babe."

"You okay, El?"

"Yeah, sure, why wouldn't I be?"

Olivia just stared at him. "Yeah. Okay. Whatever. I just wanted to know if you needed me to pick up any or all of the kids today."

"Nope, I got it covered."

"All four?"

"Yes."

"But usually I…you know what? Nevermind." Olivia turned around and walked back to her desk.

February 12, 4:13 p.m.

"Hey Dad, what time is Liv meeting us at the house?"

"I don't know Maureen. She said she would call when she was leaving work."

"Oh. Do you have any idea what we're supposed to be looking for?"

"Of course I do. One Valentine's Day gift to Liv from all of us."

"So that's a no. Basically, we're all just wandering aimlessly around this store."

"It's a jewelry store. We have to be able to find something."

"Something that you, two four year olds, an eight year old, and a thirteen year old, all agree is the right thing."

"Yes. Now take your brother and look over there," Elliot motioned to the other side of the store. "Kathleen, Lizzie, you're with me."

"C'mon Dickie," Maureen said, reaching for her brother's hand, "let's look over there."

February 12, 4:36 p.m.

"Sir, may I help you find something?" an annoyingly perky store clerk asked Elliot.

"I hope so," Elliot replied, sounding exasperated.

"We're looking for a Valentine's day gift for my mommy," Lizzie supplied cheerfully.

Elliot looked down at his youngest daughter before leaning across the display case to quietly discuss the matter with the store clerk.

"Ah, I think I have just the thing. Please follow me."

"Maureen, Dickie," Elliot called for his other children, "come here please."

All five Stablers followed the store clerk over to another display case. The store clerk pulled out only one piece of jewelry, "What do you think of this?"

The children oohed and awed. Elliot simply smiled and said, "It's perfect."

February 12, 5:22 p.m.

Elliot and the kids were getting out of the car as Olivia pulled up. Maureen quickly took Olivia's gift from her father and headed inside to hide it. The other children rushed to Olivia's car door, begging for hugs as soon as she stepped out of the vehicle.

February 12, 6:08 p.m.

Everyone was gathered around the kitchen table, eating dinner and discussing their days.

"Mommy?"

"Yes Dickie."

"Me and Lizzie want to make cookies to take to school on Valentine's Day."

"Lizzie and I," Olivia corrected gently.

"Lizzie and I want to make cookies to take to school on Valentine's Day."

"Would you like some help?"

"Yes. Mommy, would you help us? Please."

"I would love to help you. If it's okay with your daddy, I could pick you up from school tomorrow and we could make cookies then."

Lizzie turned to Elliot, "Please Daddy," she begged.

Elliot chuckled, "It's okay with me."

February 12, 10:19 p.m.

Elliot and Olivia were sitting on the living room couch. He had his hand on her thigh and she was resting her head on his shoulder. She yawned. "I guess I should get going," she murmured.

Elliot kissed the top of her head, "I wish you didn't have to leave."

"We agreed I wouldn't stay the night when the kids were here."

"We'll have to send them to Cragen's for a weekend sometime soon…and maybe talk about changing that rule."

Olivia chuckled and stood up to stretch. She headed for the door with Elliot following close behind her. She put on her shoes and coat. Elliot pulled her into a hug and kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you too, El."

"See you tomorrow, babe."

She found her keys and walked out the front door.

February 13, 5:39 p.m.

Olivia was wiping off the kitchen counter when she felt Elliot wrap his arms around her and pull her against him. She dropped the wet cloth on the counter and placed her hands on top of his, "Hey baby.

"Hi sweetheart," Elliot murmured against her neck.

"Where are the girls?"

"Upstairs. They snuck right by you."

Olivia laughed, "I guess they did."

"Daddy, look at our cookies," Lizzie demanded from behind Elliot and Olivia.

Elliot and Olivia turned around to see Dickie and Lizzie seated at the kitchen table, surrounded by dozens of heart shaped cookies with pink and red frosting. Each child was holding up one sprinkle laden cookie and grinning widely.

"They look too good to eat," Elliot told them.

"The twins and I worked all afternoon. Didn't we kiddos?"

The twins eagerly nodded their heads in response to Olivia's question.

"Well, all three of you did an amazing job. Are you about ready for dinner?"

"Yes Daddy. We're all done now," Dickie informed his father.

"Well you better go wash your hands then," Olivia told them as she began to pack the cookies in plastic containers, so the twins could take them to school in the morning.

The twins raced toward the bathroom, leaving Elliot and Olivia alone in the kitchen.

"So Liv."

"So El." Olivia snapped the last lid into place and turned to look at Elliot.

"While I was out with Mo and Katie, Mo told me that you didn't know if you had plans for Valentine's Day because I hadn't asked."

"It's not a big deal, El. It's just another day."

Elliot walked up to her, placed his hands on her hips, and rested his forehead against hers, "It is a big deal. I did make plans for us, but I never asked if you wanted to spend Valentine's Day with me. Liv, baby, will you go out with me tomorrow night?"

Olivia chuckled and wrapped her arms around Elliot's neck, "Of course I will. I love you." Olivia pressed her lips to Elliot's.

"I love you too."

Olivia kissed him again before pulling back to ask, "Who did you get to babysit on Valentine's Day?"

"Alex. I owe her big time."

Olivia burst out laughing, "Set the table."

February 14, 5:48 p.m.

Olivia entered the Stabler house wearing a sexy red dress with a black shawl draped over her shoulders and dangerously high, strappy black heels. As soon as the door closed, she was greeted by the sound of all four children running toward her.

"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" called Dickie and Lizzie.

Olivia dropped to her knees to catch the three smallest children in a hug. She kissed each of their cheeks before standing up to give Maureen a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Happy Valentine's Day. How was school?"

"The party was so fun," Kathleen spoke first. "I got to wear my new dress."

"You look very pretty." Olivia took one of Kathleen's hands and spun her in a circle, causing Kathleen to giggle uncontrollably while the pink dress fanned out around her.

Olivia turned her attention to Dickie and Lizzie, "Did your friends like the cookies you made?"

"Yep!" replied Dickie.

"There aren't any left," Lizzie answered.

"Wow! You guys sure ate a lot of cookies."

Olivia looked at Maureen next, "You are clearly ready of the dance. You look beautiful. Excited?"

"Definitely! Are you sure you don't mind dropping me off before your date?"

"Of course not. We'll take you to your dance as soon as Alex gets here."

Lizzie grabbed Olivia's hand and proceeded to drag her toward the living room, "She's already here Mommy."

"I can see that," Olivia said as they entered the living room and approached Alex. "Hey Alex."

"Hi Olivia."

"Thank you for babysitting. Elliot and I really appreciate a night out."

"You deserve it."

"We'll get out of here as soon as Elliot's ready." She turned to look at the children, "Where is your father?"

"I'm right here," Elliot said as he entered the living room.

Olivia turned around and swallowed hard as she looked at Elliot standing across the room in his black suit and red tie, holding a dozen red roses. Elliot crossed the living room to stand in front of Olivia, "Honey, you look beautiful," he said as he kissed her cheek and handed her the roses.

Olivia passed the roses to Alex and straightened Elliot's tie, "Thank you, El. You look very handsome."

"Are you ready?"

"Yes. Maureen, are you ready to leave?"

"Yep. I'll grab my coat."

Elliot and Olivia gave hugs and kisses to the three remaining children and met Maureen at the front door.

February 14, 6:31 p.m.

Elliot parked the car in front of the middle school, got out, and walked around the vehicle to open Maureen's door. After shutting the door behind her, he pulled her into a quick hug. "You remember the plan?"

"Yes, Dad. For the millionth time, I remember the plan."

"Okay, good. Alex will be here to pick you up in two hours. Please don't make her look for you."

"I won't. I'll be waiting by the front door, so I can see her."

"Good. I'll see you later."

"Bye," Maureen called over her shoulder as she walked toward the school.

"Hey, Mo."

Maureen stopped walking and turned around.

"Thanks for all your help this week."

Maureen smiled at her father, "No problem."

Elliot watched her until she was inside the school and then returned to the car. Olivia looked at him and asked, "Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't it be?"

"You two were out there talking for a while."

"Everything's fine."

"You and the kids have all been acting really weird all week," she said as she settled back into her seat.

Elliot smirked.

February 14, 7:37 p.m.

Alex stood up from the kitchen table, "Okay, please put you dishes in the sink."

Kathleen, Dickie, and Lizzie gathered their dishes and placed them in the sink. "I'll wash the dishes. You guys go get your drawings, and…" She stopped when all three children took off running before she had finished speaking. "Kathleen!"

Kathleen ran back into the kitchen, "Yeah?"

"Please grab Maureen's drawing."

"Sure," Kathleen yelled as she ran off again.

Alex chuckled to herself and turned to the sink to wash the dinner dishes. Within minutes she heard the children racing down the stairs and into the kitchen. Dickie approached her, "Alex, we got the drawings."

Alex dried her hands and followed Dickie to the kitchen table. "Kathleen, did Maureen finish her drawing?"

Kathleen held up Maureen's drawing, "Yep."

"Good. What about the rest of you?"

"Not yet," Kathleen answered for the group.

"Alright, you finish up while I do the rest of the dishes."

February 14, 8:07 p.m.

Alex put away the last dinner plate. "Is everyone done?"

Dickie put the cap back on his marker, "Uh huh."

"Okay, let's clean up and go get Maureen. Kathleen, please put the markers away before we leave."

February 14, 8:29 p.m.

Alex parked in front of the middle school. Maureen was at the front door as she had promised and ran to the car when she saw Alex arrive.

"Did you have fun?"

"I did. Thanks for picking me up, Alex."

"You're welcome."

February 14, 8:52 p.m.

As soon as the car was stopped, the children jumped out and raced to the front door. Alex followed behind.

"Shoes and coats away. Maureen and Kathleen, make sure the living room is picked up. Lizzie and Dickie," Alex held a hand out to each of the twins, "we need to get you changed."

February 14, 9:23 p.m.

Alex led Dickie, wearing a miniature version of his father's suit, and Lizzie, wearing a miniature version of Kathleen's pink 'twirly' dress, into the living room. "It looks great in here. Good job girls. Do you all have your drawings?"

All four children held up their drawings, "Good. Your parents will be home any minute, so I need to get ready to go."

Alex gathered her belongings and then waited by the back door, ready to leave as soon as she heard Elliot and Olivia open the front door.

February 14, 9:32 p.m.

Elliot parked next to Alex's car. He got out and went around to open Olivia's door. Elliot offered Olivia his hand and helped her out of the car. They walked hand in hand to the front door. As they reached the front door, Elliot stopped, "Happy Valentine's Day, baby."

Olivia smiled at him, "Happy Valentine's Day."

Elliot opened the front door. As Olivia stepped inside she could hear the faint sound of Martina McBride's Marry Me coming from the living room. She felt Elliot step behind her, "Elliot, what's going on?"

Elliot didn't respond. He placed a hand on her lower back and led her into the living room. As they entered the living room Olivia could see the children. Each child was holding up a poster they had decorated and each poster featured a different word. Together the posters read "Will you marry us?" Olivia turned to Elliot in shock, "Elliot?"

Elliot had dropped to one knee beside her, "Olivia, you are my partner, my best friend, the love of my life. For years you have been there for my kids and for me whenever we have needed you. We can't live without you and we don't want to. We want to make it official. So, Olivia Benson, will you please marry us?" He pulled out the ring box Maureen had given to him earlier that evening, opened it, and held it up to Olivia.

Olivia looked stunned. She glanced from Elliot to the kids to the ring to Elliot again. Finally, she nodded, "Yes, oh god, yes. I'll marry you. All five of you."

Elliot slipped the ring on her finger before standing up and pulling her into a deep kiss.

The kids dropped their posters and crowded around their parents in a group hug. Elliot and Olivia accepted hugs and kisses from their children. Maureen hugged Olivia, "Congratulations, Mom. I told you Kathleen and I weren't the only ones who thought you and Dad should get married."

Olivia laughed, "Yes, you did."

"Now you can live with us," exclaimed Lizzie.

Olivia laughed harder.

Elliot looked at his fiancée, "So, was this a good Valentine's Day surprise?"

Olivia smiled at him, "This was the best Valentine's Day surprise."

A/N I would like to get back to this story, but I'll need more requests. Much love, Kate