July 15th, 2002
16th precinct
it's been 4 months since Olivia and Kevin split in that time they had established a routine. Mackie spent every other weekend and every Wednesday night with her dad and Olivia had cut down her hours so that she was able to be home by 5pm every night and had so how managed to convince her captain to let her have every other weekend off. Olivia had also begun dating, it wasn't the fact that she was dating that shocked everyone, it was who she was dating that nobody couldn't seem to understand. Olivia Benson was dating her best friend, partner, co-worker, Elliot Stabler.
Everyone saw the obvious chemistry between the two but nobody ever expected them to act on it. Although everyone knew about the relationship it was still kept a secret from IAB and 1PP, Cragen made it clear that they are not to find out about it or everyone would lose their job. Elliot spent most his time with Olivia and Mackie, who he loved like his own. In the last few weeks Elliot had started staying there more. Olivia wanted to ask him to just move but she wasn't sure he was ready for that.
Just tell him it would be easier if he moved some stuff in so he didn't have to keep going back to his apartment every night, that's a subtle hint. Olivia thought while sitting at her desk looking over at him while he was reading a file.
But maybe he doesn't want the responsibility of a 7 year old
Maybe he doesn't like kids.
STOP! He loves Mackie.
Just ask him.
Olivia sat and played mind games with herself until she heard Elliot calling her name.
"Liv … Olivia … come on baby let's head home" Elliot said holding out her coat.
She smiled up at him.
"Where did you go just then?" he asked, noticing she was in her own little world.
"Just thinking, come on let's get out of here"
The couple left the office and got in the car and started to drive off.
"I just gotta run by my apartment and grab some clothes"
This is it Olivia, now or never
"You know you could just bring some stuff and keep it there. That way you don't always have to go back to your apartment."
Elliot smiled. Hoping this was the invitation he was waiting for.
"yeah, that's a smart idea" he agreed grabbing her hand
"It's kind of a waste of money, you paying rent somewhere when you are never there"
"What are you saying Liv?" He turned to look at her while being stopped at the red light
"You could just move in with us. Mackie loves when you're there"
"Just Mackie? Huh?" he winked
"Well I don't mind it all that much either" She leaned over and pecked his cheek while they continued their way to the apartment.
December 18th, 2002
Benson-Stabler apartment
Liv, I love you more than life. I can't imagine not coming home to you every night. I can't imagine not waking up next to you every day, I love you're horrible cooking, and the way you take up the entire bed, I love when you wake me up at 4am because you get cold and just want to cuddle, I love that way you poke your tongue between your lips when you are thinking really hard, I love the passion you have for your job, I love watching you in mommy mode, you are the greatest mother in the world and I want you to be the mother of my children one and I want you to be my wife because I just can't imagine ever asking anybody else, so Olivia Benson, will you marry me?" Elliot finished off by opening a black box with a ring inside of it. He was kneeled on the ground in front of the couch where Olivia with tears in her eyes and Mackie on her lap just smiling up at her mom.
"yes." It was a tearful, whisper, but it was a yes nonetheless. Elliot put the ring on Olivia's finger and Olivia pulled his lips to hers, keeping it rated G due to her 7 year old daughter sitting on her lap in between them.
Elliot pulled away and got back down on 1 knee and pulled out another box. Olivia was confused and unsure about what was happening now. She gave her new fiancé a look but he just smiled back before turning to Mackie.
"Mackenzie Olivia Benson-Conners, you are 1 of my 2 favorite people in this world and without you I wouldn't up to date on the relationship of Ken and Barbie, I would lack much knowledge the Lizzie McGuire world, and of course I wouldn't get to spend my nights reading 'Good Night Moon' to my favorite little girl," he paused opening the 2nd box that held a silver necklace with the word 'Fearless' engraved, identical to the one Elliot had gotten Olivia for her birthday that Mackie adored so much but a smaller less expensive version. He took a breath before he continued "So Mack, will you be my step-daughter?"
The 7 year olds dropped when she saw she had a necklace just like mommy's. She jumped off her mother's lap and ran into Elliot's arms.
"Thank you Ellie!" Mackie yelled with her arms wrapped tightly around Elliot's neck.
Olivia's eyes began watering again. Elliot was perfect, completely perfect. She pulled her daughter back into her arms and motioned for Elliot to join them on the couch.
"Look Mama" Mackie exclaimed pointing to her newest present that she was already proudly wearing. "We match."
"We sure do baby" Olivia showered her daughter's cheek with kisses which Mackie giggled at. Elliot joined in to help out Mackie's giggle fest and began tickling the child. During which Olivia just watched Elliot with Mackie adoringly, wondering if things could possibly get any better.
December 24th, 2002
Benson-Stabler apartment
"Why do we have to do this again" Elliot whined attempting to make his tie look presentable.
It was Christmas eve, Olivia was have this SVU gang over as well as her ex-husband and his new girlfriend, Jessica. Keeping true to her word, Olivia was making sure Mackie had her mom and dad with her when she woke up on Christmas morning, making Elliot less than happy about his fiancé's ex-husband spending the night.
"It's for Mackie, El" Olivia said gently taking his hands and removing them from his neck area so she could fix his tie.
"She's lucky I love her" Elliot grumbled making Olivia giggle.
"You guys got along the entire time Kev and I were married what's the issue now?" Olivia pushed herself into Elliot's arms, he took the hint and held her for a moment before answering.
"Because now your mine, my fiancé, my soon to be wife, not his. So you could say I may be a little jealous" Elliot said marking his territory on Olivia's neck.
"mmm El, not now. People are going to be here any second" Olivia said trying to control her breathing.
"What are you doing" Mackie asked standing in the doorway of her Mother's room wearing a green dress with a white ribbon wrapped around her middle, white tights, black ballet flats, and her hair in spiral curls with a green bow, sporting her best for the Christmas eve party.
The couple jumped not realizing they were being watched.
"Ellie why were you smelling my mommy's neck?" the curious girl asked not understanding why Elliot's face would be buried in her mother's neck unless he was smelling her, which also made no sense to her.
"I like her perfume" Elliot smoothly answered back.
"You look so pretty baby" Olivia said quickly changing the subject with her hands held out ready to be claimed by her daughters tiny body.
"You look pretty to Mommy" Mackie stated kissing her mother's cheek while wrapping her hands around her neck.
Mackie noticing Elliot's Elmo tie for the first time, squealed remembering when she gave that to him for his birthday last month. Mackie begged Elliot to wear that tie to work everyday, however, being a detective, often in court or dealing the child molesters, he wasn't always able to obey her request.
"Ellie! That's my tie!" Mackie said full of pure excitement
"It sure is, it's my favorite tie in the whole world" He said taking the girl
Just then the doorbell rang.
"I bet that's my daddy!" Mackie yelled jumping out of Elliot's arms running for the door
"Mackenzie Olivia don't you dare open that door" Olivia yelled "Can you go get that so I can finish get ready, please" Olivia asked not giving him time to answer before kissing him soundly and passionately on the lips.
When their lips parted she took a breath before speaking "That's so you know that the only thing I will be thinking about during this party is when it's over, crawling into bed into your arms." Olivia spoke softly hoping that would make his jealously levels tone down.
Elliot kissed her forehead and walked out of the room.
A few hours in the SVU gang was saying goodbye, Elliot was showing Jessica to the room her and Kevin would be staying in for the night while Olivia and Kevin put their daughter to bed.
"Alright angel, Santa's coming tonight so you better get to sleep fast" Olivia said brushing the hair out of her daughters face.
"okay, night mama" Mackie said pulling her mother in for a hug and kiss. "night dad" she said reaching in for the same gesture from her father
"Goodnight baby" Kevin said, the parents got up and headed for the door
"Mom, can you asked Ellie to come read me my book please" Olivia saw Kevin tense up immediately. He didn't like the idea of someone coming in and replacing him in his daughters life.
"Sure thing baby" Olivia said pulling Kevin out of the room.
Once out of the room Olivia turned to Kevin
"You know he would never try and take your place. It's just their thing. Even I'm not allowed to read the book to her.
"I know, it's just, I thought not being with her every day, it would just get easier but it's not and instead some other guy is raising my daughter and as much as I like Elliot I can't help but have a little anger toward this situation Liv" Kevin ran a hand down his face and took a deep breath.
"Kev" she paused pulling her hands into his "she loves you, she is daddy's little girl, always has been, always will be. You are the most important person in her life. I can promise you that and nobody is trying to take your place. He loves her as if she was his own but he would never do that and you know it"
"I know, I know" he paused "you better go get him, Mackie doesn't like to be kept waiting" he joked
"that she doesn't" Olivia laughed
"Night Liv, see ya tomorrow" Kevin said heading into the room he was staying in.
"Night Kev"