The Long Goodbye

Epilogue

Zebraboymom

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Author Notes: Let's take a walk down the road. I'd of course want to have them come back for the end of the show if other detectives replaced them. I think if they do that then the end of it could be Cragen retiring. For me that would be the perfect ending to my favorite show, if the writers would just satisfy us all once and for all, for crying out loud.

Liv stood eating a slice of cake. It was heaven and just what she was craving right now. She watched as Cragen stepped up on the stage and accepted his awards and Munch began to roast him. People were chuckling and smiling. Elliot stood behind her with his arms wrapped around her. His hands rested lovingly on her swollen belly and his chin rested on her shoulder. She would turn periodically to shove a bite of cake in his mouth.

Cragen watched the two of them from his place on the stage. He smiled to himself. All the years they worked together he wondered if they would end up together. Their relationship had always fascinated him and complicated his job to no end. It had also been a source of tremendous satisfaction. Their work with him had been the best part of his career and they held the best conviction record of any SVU in New York. It made him proud to leave a department that had so distinguished itself. He thought about how far they had come.

Elliot had taken Liv's spot at the academy and had turned out to be an amazing teacher. He had a natural ability that he didn't know he had. All the rookies looked up to him. It was exciting to see officers coming out of the academy with such insight into the job and what it took to deal with the victims and the type of perpetrators in sexually based crimes. Who better than someone who had experienced it first hand for over fifteen years?

Liv was taking over Cragen's job as head of the unit when she got back from maternity leave. In the meantime Munch would be serving in that position and would be taking her place as second in command when she returned. Liv wanted to keep a regular routine and be home when her kids got out of school. Don had never had a family to go home to so he kept the long hours and it had taken its toll on him. He had a long talk with Olivia before she took the job and gave her the reasons why she shouldn't do that. It was important for her and Elliot to both come home at the end of the day and be a family. This was their chance to experience normalcy and he wanted it for them. They had earned it and then some. He had bad dreams sometimes about the cases that had been so difficult for them over the years. They had suffered so much together. Now they would get to be happy. They were done sacrificing their personal lives if he had anything to say about it.

He smiled and laughed as Munch told every bad groaner joke about cops and bosses in the book. It was okay. He was going to have a life now too. It had been a long time coming. He was so glad to see all his team working where they fit best. He couldn't have picked a better mentor for Cranz and Baxter. They had become the new Elliot and Olivia and they were doing just great. They were beginning to rack up their own impressive arrest record in their two years since Liv and Elliot had left. One thing though, he couldn't get over how much Cranz looked like Jennifer Love Hewitt. It was downright scary. I mean, who would want her as a detective anyway? As Munch finished, Don stepped up and gave his farewell speech. When he was finished there wasn't a dry eye in the house. He sniffled a little himself and stepped down from the platform to make his way over to his "kids". They were all grown up now.

Munch and Fin walked over to join Liv and Elliot.

"Hey Liv, didn't they ever tell you not to feed the animals?"

Elliot threw him a good-natured dirty look.

"I miss you Munch and I've only been on leave a week."

"I miss you too Liv and I actually miss you, Stabler. The squad room just isn't as entertaining without you."

"Baby Girl, it is going to be really hard to call you Captain once you're a Momma. I just can't picture it: you and Stabler all domestic and everything. I still can't believe you married the dude."

"Yeah, well, I had to make an honest woman of her."

"Seriously you two. I'm so happy for you guys. I can't wait to be called Uncle Fin. There's just one thing Liv. Why'd you have to go and take six months leave? I mean, Munch? The day he becomes Captain, I retire for real."

"Get used to it Fin. When you have those late night cases, Munch will be in charge."

Cragen joined the group. There were hugs and backslaps all around.

"Congratulations Don."

"Thanks Elliot. I'm actually looking forward to retirement. It has its perks. Liz Donnelly just asked me out to dinner. She said she never did before because it wouldn't be professional."

Munch rolled his eyes.

"And so it starts."

"So, Liv, you started your maternity leave? The baby's due any day now, right?"

"Yep. I'm a couple days past my due date, so the doctor is thinking of inducing me on Monday."

"Elliot you're like a little baby making machine. What is it with you?"

Elliot hugged Liv to him and kissed her temple.

"Hey, I just give the missus what she wants."

"Well, it makes me happy to see her happy and you've really done that."

Liv's eyes started to get misty.

"Now, that you're retired, fancy playing Grandpa to this little one?"

"I'd be honored Olivia and I'm a great babysitter."

"We'll hold you to that one. No way are we leaving this one with Munch. I don't want a little conspiracy theorist growing up in my house."

Baxter and Cranz joined the gang as the circle grew.

"Hey, Captain, you look like you're about ready to pop."

"Cranz elbowed him in the gut.

"Thanks Baxter. Say, isn't you're eval coming up soon?"

"Uh, did I mention how radiant you look?"

"Nice recovery. I know it will be hard to get anything done with Munch in charge, but try will ya?"

"No problem. If we have questions we'll just go to Fin."

Everybody started laughing. That is until Liv grabbed her stomach. She looked down and then back up at Elliot with a smile and a grimace.

"El?"

"Yeah, Babe?"

"My water just broke."

There was instant action on the team. Elliot tossed Fin the keys to his car. He and Don got on either side of Liv and started leading her out of the bar. Cranz and Baxter parted the crowd and Munch followed behind asking her if she had any contractions yet and how far apart they were.

Seven hours later Liv gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. He had her hair color and Elliot's eyes and dimples. She smiled down at him as he latched on for his first meal. Elliot sat on the bed facing her and ran his hand gently over his little head. Little Donny was the cutest baby on the planet as far as he could see. Exhausted after his birth experience he faded fast and was asleep before long. The new parents looked into each other's eyes.

"You did so good Liv. You were amazing."

He leaned in for a soft lingering kiss.

"Want to make another one soon?"

"You're kidding, right?"

"I'm just saying, we aren't getting any younger and I still want a beautiful girl with your hair and eyes and personality."

"You really want another one? I…I thought you'd want to stop after you gave me one of my own. I love you so much, but I'm going to need a little time before I want to face delivery again."

"Hey nine months is plenty of time to get prepared."

Liv rolled her eyes.

"Let's just enjoy this one for a few minutes okay?"

He cupped her face in his big strong hands and kissed her again. It was deep and satisfying and made him want her so much.

"How long do we have to wait to make love again?"

"Elliot!"

"What?"

She gave him a loving smile then.

"I can't wait either."

His lips were on her again and she could feel every emotion he was experiencing through that kiss. It left her a little light headed, but very happy.

Fin poked his head in the door and caught the two lovers in the middle of their make out session.

"Hey you two, that's what got you into this situation in the first place."

Elliot reluctantly pulled back and waved their waiting friends in for a first look.

"Oh, Liv, he's beautiful."

Cranz had never really thought about kids, but watching these two look at each other and their newborn made her think about it for the first time. The rest of their friends were speechless. Don finally asked what his name was.

"Donald Fin Jonathan Stabler. I know it's long, but we couldn't leave anyone out. We plan on calling him Donny."

The baby's eyes fluttered open at the mention of his name. Liv looked up shocked.

"You don't think he knows his name already, do you?"

Everybody burst out laughing.

"Hello little future Detective Stabler. Welcome to the world buddy. Welcome to the world."

Author's Notes: I will dearly miss these characters. I have spent twelve years rooting for them. In my mind they will always be together as a couple and they will always have Munch, Fin and Cragen in their lives. They went through so much together as detectives and as people and I will miss them. Let's all keep them alive in fanficdom, shall we?