AN: I've been busy lately with a brand new fandom that's just AMAZING, so this story has gotten away from me a little bit, I will admit. I have been totally focused on the pairing that I feel I betrayed EO somewhat... nail biter, but don't hate me! Hope you guys like this final chapter. :)

He realized that today was Thanksgiving.

Although he and Olivia were now officially what would be deemed a couple and it was unspoken between them that they would share Thanksgiving together, he felt compelled to ask her to celebrate the holiday with him.

His heart swelled at this notion, knowing how much it meant to her to finally be a part of something. Because albeit they were just two detectives in Manhattan Special Victims Unit, just beginning to explore an irrevocable attraction and deep passion for one another they had unconsciously shared all along, complicated with scars and flaws galore, but it felt only natural to be here like this. They found solace within each other and safety combined with their new found ability to trust.

He had told her all these years that flesh and blood was not what made a family; he wanted to convey to her that what made a family was love. She needed desperately to understand that they were a family. She needed to understand that they fit together in perfect harmony even with mistakes, imperfections, flaws, complications. She needed to understand that he loved her.

He could not resist the grin that graced his face when he opened his front door and his eyes landed on her. She was dressed casually but she was always at her most beautiful when she was simplistic and herself. Olivia carried with her a certain air and glow which only ameliorated her beauty and he gently eased her toward him, wrapping her in an embrace that gave her the impression that he never wanted to let go. He kicked the door shut with his foot and pulled away slightly, pressing a soft kiss against her lips.

"Happy Thanksgiving."

"I hear you are ready to get stuffed and I have to say that I will be glad to accompany you," Olivia said playfully as she gripped his lapels with her fingertips. "But first we have to make a little detour."

"And where might that be?"

He should have known that Olivia would want to visit his shrink on the day that was primarily affiliated with giving thanks for what you have been given. Because what they were thankful for this year was something they never would have discovered without the assistance of a devious doctor.

"What a pleasant surprise to see you this lovely fall afternoon," Taylor said in a cheery tone when he witnessed his unexpected guests on the front porch outside of his house. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

They exchanged a meaningful look and Olivia intertwined her fingers with his, squeezing them slightly. Elliot felt like he was back in high school, his insides turning upside down with glee like a schoolboy and he returned the gesture with equal fervor. Taylor murmured an approval at the two of them, a triumphant smile playing on his lips. It was a nice addition to Thanksgiving to see the stars align so perfectly.

"I wanted to say thank you to you personally," Olivia acknowledged, her brown eyes dancing with what looked like, although he could not be entirely sure, the onset of tears. "For everything you have done."

Taylor gave them a reassuring smile when Elliot nodded in agreement and he evaluated them for what he was sure would be the very last time. "I appreciate the kind words, but I must blazon to you that what you both have was only achieved by your own means. I have faith that you would found each other eventually, but sometimes all it takes is a little push in the correct direction."

Taylor winked at them and capered slightly when he realized that there was something missing. A rather important something. "Wait here for one moment. There is something I have been meaning to give you."

When he returned, he brought with him a paper and what Elliot distinguished as his own police badge and service revolver. Taylor retrieved a pen from his shirt pocket and embellished the paper with his signature, handing the items over to his now former client. "Congratulations, Detective Stabler. You have been officially reinstated."

Elliot accepted the objects and suddenly pulled Taylor in for an unwarranted hug, letting him know he was thankful not only to have the job he loved back but also the woman he loved.

"Thank you."

Taylor patted Elliot on the back awkwardly, phased by the contact but he smiled warmly still. "You are very welcome, Detective Stabler."

She was hovering over the counter, slicing the assorted white and dark meats, wings and drumsticks and the vegetables surrounding the bird off of their half eaten turkey with a large knife. He encircled his arms around her waist from behind, inhaling the delectable scent that was purely Olivia. He rested his chin on her shoulder to relish in the moment, his lips peppered kisses across her neck and his finger hooked on her chin to turn her face toward him, her mouth meeting his in the most affectionate kiss he could muster. He wanted her to know she meant something to him.

She meant everything.

"I have something for you."

The panic began to rise to the surface as she saw him reach deep into his jeans pocket and pull out something that she could not recognize at first, a lopsided grin stretched from ear to ear on his face. It was the wishbone from the turkey; traditionally meant to be tugged apart to win the larger piece in the hopes the wish might actually come true.

She chuckled with relief and amusement and poised her fingers readily in the air. "Which side do you want?"

He shook his head vigorously and pulled the wishbone teasingly back towards his chest, twiddling it between his thumbs as he surveyed it. "I want us to save this as a memory of our first Thanksgiving together. Call me sentimental, but we are not breaking this because I don't need a silly tradition to give me what I want. I have everything I wished for right here."

She let him press his body against hers into the counter and he melded his lips with hers. She sighed in contentment and as she pulled away, he could see her studying him carefully with bright eyes, assessing in her mind what she wanted to say. Her voice grounded out with her words, raw honesty and genuine emotion lilting her words.

"I love you."

He sat still while enveloped in her embrace, stunned at her admission for a few moments. He managed to choke out a response, still incapable of coherent thought at hearing words he never thought possible. "I have never heard you say that to anyone."

She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, instantly worried she had said too much, rushed into her confession and that Elliot would soon be obligated to leave faster than he had come. He was slack jawed and wide eyed and her heart sunk, thinking that it was not a mutual feeling. She bowed her head in what was almost shame; admitting to love would always end in hurt for her. "I have never had anyone to say it to."

His index finger turned her chin up so that he could have his penetrating blue eyes meet her equally stunning brown eyes and he stroked a thumb across her cheek, whispering breathily against her flesh, his words for once not catching in his throat. "I love you too."

Elliot leaned in to kiss her and she pressed her lips to his without hesitation, immensely grateful and thankful for this present moment. They lived in the world of gray, with crime and evil surrounding them everywhere they turned but they were gracious and humbled even so. There were no guarantees in a life like this, but he was no fool when it came to taking chances when something was worth fighting for. Taylor had been right about everything. They wanted each other, needed each other and loved each other.

They were good for each other.