Title: Stones in the Road
Series: Give a Little Bit
Author: Megan Faye
Rated: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own anything here.
A/N: Sequal Give a Little Bit This song just reminds me of a picture of Mariska Hargitay, and inspired this story.
"Case?" Don called into the bathroom. "Can I come in?"
"Sure." He slipped in and sat on the edge of the bathtub where Casey was soaking, surrounded by bubbles. "Hey, handsome."
"So, you take a bubble bath every morning?"
"No, just days that I deem important." Don smiled and planted a kiss on her forehead. "And changing Hannah's name is important. We're lucky that their allowing it so soon."
"How many strings?"
"Like I said when he took her in, a 300-thread count."
"And going up every day?" Casey laughed and nodded. Don loved this relaxed woman that he'dd come to see over the last two weeks. He knew from their first kiss he would marry her. "Casey," he said, bringing her green eyes to meet his bowns. "When would you like to get married?"
"Maybe this winter. I like the idea of snow falling outside, me in a white dress, you in your 'Captain Cragen' uniform, and Allie and Hannah as flower girls in light blue." Don sighed happily. "Unless you want to wear a tux-"
"I would rather the tux. I wear the uniform for brass. You, my lady, get the tux!"
"Aw, you look so cute in you Captain Cragen uniform."
"You say that like I'm a super hero." She laughed and flicked bubbles at him. "Listen, I have to get going. There's a case that Elliot called me in on. Sounds bad. I'll meet you guys at the adoptiong hearing. I hate when I have to go to the crime scene. Means its pretty ugly."
"I'm sure I'll read about it in my office later." Don nodded, with a serious look on his face.
"We can't talk about work at all, can we...?" She shook her head, bringing a smile to his face. "Good." He kissed her and headed out. "Love you," he said, smiling lightly in at her. She grinned and blushed as the door shut.
John chose to have his family present for this. Fin was front row, waiting with flowers for the girl. Elliot and Olivia were next to him with Allie and Eli on their laps, and Maureen, Lizzie and Dickie next to them. Don and Casey were next row back, happy to watch the precedings. Hannah looked at all of them and sighed happily. She was part of a big, happy, strange family. Olivia's sister, Kait, would be joining the party later.
"Hannah, do you understand everything we talked about?" the judge asked. Hannah nodded. "Can you tell me?"
"I understand that when John Munch signs the papers you just handed him, my name will be Hannah Grace Munch until I get married. I never have to see my father again, and he can stick it up his-"
"Hannah!" John squeaked.
"Nose." The group breathed a sigh of relief.
"Quite the pistol you are. I've known John a long time. You two are peas in a pod. I see here on your original birth certificate that tomorrow is your birthday."
"I'll be 10, Your Honor."
"Best gift in the world; a new family. Listen to me, Hannah Munch. These people have been through so much together, and they are the strongest group of people I've ever met. They are your family, and when you need anything at all, any one of these people will jump through hoops to help you." Hannah smiled and winked.
"I know. They already have."
"John Munch, please sign." John signed the papers, handed them to the judge, and turned to Hannah. "Hannah, its official. You are Miss Hannah Grace Munch, daughter of John Munch." John lifted the small girl up and hugged her as their friends and family cheered them on.
"Congratulations, John," Elliot said, passing him a cigar. "Its a girl."
"Who wants pizza?" John asked loudly. Hannah was first shout, followed closely by Allie, Olivia and Dickie.
Seasons pass and fall turned into a cold bitter winter. Olivia was happy to be back at work, but missed her days with Eli and Allie. Wedding invitations went out at Halloween for Don and Casey, followed by letters from Kathleen and Rose, who had officially moved to Seattle. Olivia's brother, Michael, moved his family to Texas where his aunt lived. He wanted to start over as the publicity of his biological father's trial had caused trouble with his new wife's family. Alyssa and her baby, Harrison, visited Olivia often. Jordan had decided that MaKensie needed a break from the huge group, as it was causing trouble at school for her. They limited visits to once a week instead of every afternoon with her older sisters, nieces and nephews. Every Sunday, one would host dinner where all the 'Bennet' children and their families would meet, bring a dish, and just relax, but it was happening less and less each month.
Basically, life was moving on for everyone and getting back to abnormal for everyone. It had been a crazy year for them; Olivia finding her siblings, Kathleen and Rose adopting Alexander, Munch and Hannah. They were exhausted from it all.
As the wedding day neared, Don noticed a change in Casey. She was radient, and lovely, always, but there was a difference there. She looked like she was in-love. It looked good on her. She was confidant; moreso now than ever, bringing her wins in court up. She was confidant without the arrogance of the opposing lawyers. It helped her cause.
Elliot and Olivia decided that the time for change had come, and they took their Leutinants exams. After they both passed, easily, they moved up to 9-6 desk jobs. Elliot was done in the field, and Olivia was not going to be outranked by Stabler, period. They loved the new positions, as they weren't called at 3 in the morning to investigate something anymore. Elliot made mention of going for Captain in a few years. Olivia would probably follow in suit and take over the Computer Crimes squad.
As Don sat at his desk, staring at the matching wedding bands that he and Casey had picked out, he pondered the last few years. Change was good, he figured. All it took was a little push, and it snowballed into 'Life as we know it,' which was good. If it hadn't been for Olivia getting pregnant, no one would be where they were today. He thanked God for the failure of the pill.
"Hey, Don," Liv said, knocking on his office door. "Can I come in?"
"Sure."
"You look lost in thought."
"I'm getting married tomorrow," he countered. "I have you and James to thank for all this."
"Is it your snow ball theory again?"
"I've ranted it before."
"Failure of my pill, yeah. We all know it."
"Olivia," he started. "Casey wants kids."
"And you don't?"
"I do, probably more than she does."
"That's wonderful. You're crazy, but that's wonderful."
"Anyway. I wanted to know what you thought first, since, legally and all, I'm your dad. I read somewhere you should talk to your older children before deciding to have any more-" Olivia laughed. "I'm just trying to do this right!"
"Is there anything about tomorrow that I can help with?"
"Keep an oxygen tank handy. I saw the price of her dress, and I have a feeling if it looks half as good as it costs, I may need a little help."
"I saw her in it- we've got medics on stand-by." Don grinned and looked down.
"I wasn't scared when I married Marge."
"No?"
"I was a little nervous, but I was young, and handsome. Look at Casey; she's gorgeous, young, brilliant, and marrying an old grandpa."
"She's so in-love with you. During the last fitting yesterday, she caught sight herself in the mirror, and burst into tears."
"Oh, thanks!" he said, worry filling his voice.
"No, Dad, she was excited, and thrilled. And she looks so beautiful. She loves you," Olivia said softly. "I have no doubt about that."
"So," Don started, attempting to change the subject. "I hear Elliot wants to go for Captain next year...?"
"Father of 6, money is pretty tight."
"And you?"
"I'm hoping for the promotion, too."
"Either of you want my job?" Olivia furrowed her brow in confussion. "If we have kids, I don't want Casey to give up her career. She's too good at it. I can retire early; I've been putting moeny away for it for decades. We agreed that I would stay home with out kid."
"Really? Wow. I never pictured you as a stay-at-home dad."
"Olivia, you are family to me," he started. " I've known you for damn near 11 years. I've been a dedicated cop for so long that I don't know how to do anything else. I have a bed in my office, a laundry service pick up that comes here instead of my house, and more un-clocked hours over the last 30 years than clocked hours.
"You know that innocent look in Eli's eyes when he first wakes up? That look that tells you the worst thing he's seen is his sister throwing a temper tantrum over a lost toy? I want to spend my time trying to regain that feeling. I want to spend my days forgetting everything I've seen and heard, and witnessed. I want to wake up to a baby crying for me to hold him, love him, and take care of him, not wake up to the sound of my own screams because I had to go investigate a crime so heinous that I have to take sleeping pills."
"I want to do that too, Don. But this place never leaves you. You'll never forget a single thing you saw here. I've been out of the unit a year and a half, and I still wake up in the middle of the night because of this place."
"Liv," he called as she stood to leave. "Does it get easier, at least?"
"I'll let you know."
Don stood nervously at the end of the isle in the circular room. It was a cirlce of windows, looking out into the park as snow drifted down. The glass building was warm, dispite the cold scenery. The 200 people who had come to the wedding we seated, waiting for the string quartet to start. Elliot, Fin and John were standing with him with the Bishop. He had gone with tuxedoes for Casey, rather than the dress uniforms that half the croud wore. Once she saw him in a tux in an old picture, she asked that he wear one. Casey thought he looked very nice in the tux.
Canon started, and Hannah walked first, dropping petals along the red carpet, Allie followed closely behind, copying the older girl. The bride's maids, lead by Olivia, the maitren of honor, were next; Liv, Casey's sister Leah, and her cousin Kaylin.
Everyone stood as Casey and her father endered the room. Elliot put a hand on Don's back to balance him. She looked like an angel. Her dress was stunning, and the diamond necklace and earings sparkled with the brilliant light from the chandelier. Don was glad to have help standing, because at the sight of her, he felt his knees weakening, and he felt dizzy. Casey Novak was marrying him. As Don watched, almost like an out-of-body experience, Casey's father handed her to Don.
"Dearly Beloved, we're gathered hear today, in the eyes of the Lord, to join these two people in Holy Matremony. Today, and from this day on, they wish for all they meet to recognise that they will love only each other, and no one shall come between them. Marriage isn't to be intered into lightly. After meeting with these two wonderful, strong, and very much in-love people, I know as Casey's pastor, that they are truly meant for one another.
"When God chooses a partner for us, there are many obsticals we must overcome; tests of Faith, fidelity, compassion. It is a test when a woman asks her husband-to-be for a wedding dress that costs more than his first house," he joked, eliciting a laugh from the croud. "It is a test when she is out with her friends and a young man sees her. She's happy, excited, and beautiful. Its a test to her if she will stray. Its a test when small fights days before the wedding are small, or much larger. The test is not who will overcome, it is how they will overcome these tests together.
"Don and Casey have overcome great obsticals together over the years, and stood strong together as friends, and then as they fell in-love and began dating. They have both been weakened, but together they knew they were stronger. They knew that their love could overcome even the greatest of challenges.
"Don, please take Casey's hand." Don took Casey's right hand in his. "Donald Cragen, do you take this woman to be your wife; to love her, honor her, and obey her in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"Casy Novak, do you take this man to be your husband; to love him, honor him, and obey him in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," she said, voice shaking.
"Don, you may place the ring on her hand as you say these words. 'Casey, I take you as my wife." Don took the ring from Elliot.
"Casey," he said softly, tears starting to fall from both of them. "I take you as my wife."
"Casey, you may place the ring on his hand as you say these words; "Don, I take you as my husband."
"Donny," she said, smiling. "I take you as my husband."
"By the power vested in me by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I pronounce you Husband and Wife. Don, you may kiss your bride," he said, grinning.
Don pulled Casey to him and kissed her deeply, as the 200+ people cheered for the newly-weds.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Don and Casey Cregan!" Bishop Reed said, with joy filling his voice.
"You look so beautiful," Don said, taking her hand as they sat at the head table. The waiters began serving food immediatly after in the next room over. This room, which was conneted to the circular room where the ceremony took place by a long glass hallway, was also just a room made of windows. No matter where you sat, there was a veiw of snow falling in the park, children playing, and other passers-by who were curious about the event going on in the building. "I love you," he whispered.
"Guess what?"
"What?"
"Love you too,"she said, giving his hand a little squeeze, as the plates of food were set in front of them. Because of the religous nature of the ceremony, they were to toast with sparkling cider. "And I love you in the tux!"
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Elliot said, standing. "As the best man, I'm obligated to say a few words-"
"No you aren't!" Don said, smiling. Elliot flipped through his note cards and tossed one out
"That was the part of my speech were I was going to tell you all how compassionate and kind Don is." The room chuckled. "I kid! He's a wonderful guy, Casey. But you already know that.
"Don is family to us, as much as you are, and have been for a long time, Casey. Family is a funny thing...They say you can't chose your family, but we've proved that wrong left and right here, haven't we? I mean, Don, you and Casey chose each other, I chose Olivia as my wife, and Allie as my daughter. Olivia chose my four kids as her children. John chose Hannah as much as Hannah chose John. Fin chose me and John as his brother. We ALL chose you as the father figure, Don. You took it a step farther and now my wife calls you Dad. You gave us strength by being strong, and patient. You kept us grounded when we were close- okay I was close- to going off half-cocked.
"We don't choose our parents. We choose who we call family. And Casey, I know you've been part of our family for years, but now its official; Welcome to the mad house we call Family." Elliot paused as people clapped. "And know this; alone we were all weak. Alone we were all terrified. Alone we were ignorant as to what love is. Together we are stronger than anything we've come against. Together we've faced our fears and come out stronger. And most importantly, together we have learned what Love and Family really is. You joined our family years ago, and now you married the man we look to as a father. And since you joined this family, know that you are not alone with us beside you, and you are not weak with us behind you, and you Are Loved, Casey Cragen." The room cheered, and Casey wiped the fresh tears that had welled in her eyes.
Well, I think that's it for this chapter. Sorry its short, its really just a continuation of chapter 6 that wasn't ready to post.