A/N: ok..so I may be the only writer on here who likes old-fashioned country . .but I heard the song "Something You Can't Buy" by the Statler Brothers, and it actually goes great with the theme of this story. Talking about how their dad coming home was a gift. So 1st chapter still says "Her Connection to Strength" but since this is kind of a Christmas fic too I changed the title to "Gifts You Can't Buy" because what could be a better present for Olivia than her Elliot coming home? 3 Anyway, there's my explanation. Here's the 3rd chapter.
He was 20 minutes into the plane ride before he processed that this was real. It had been 7 years, and he was finally going home. Not just home to New York, but home to his family, home to his partner, his Liv, the woman he loved more than anything. God had he missed her. He couldn't even pinpoint anything specific because he missed everything about her. She was perfect in his eyes, beautiful inside and out. Strong, compassionate..just incredible. He missed her voice, her laugh, her smile, the twinkle in her eyes. Heck he even missed her getting angry with him, the fiery passion that burned in her eyes when they fought. He would never admit it, but she had scared him a few times. In the end though, it just made him love her even more. He could feel tears prick in his eyes. Pull yourself together Stabler, you'll see her soon. Yeah, and once he did, he was never letting her go again. It was 3 years into being into the program that he finally told her he loved her. He and Kathy had finalized their divorce about a month before he went into WITSEC. It was mutual, they both cared about each other as friends, but knew their marriage wasn't working anymore. Their kids understood, they knew it was coming for years. He kicked himself for not telling Olivia he loved her then, before he had to go away. 3 years in, they told him it would be safe to make a phone call. He was nervous, wondered if Liv had been told where he was or if she thought he abandoned her. If she hated him. There was no way he could handle it if she hated him. Cragen was the one who contacted the program, telling them that it was urgent that they let her talk to him. She had been hurt bad and needed him. He knew they wouldn't let him go back yet, but thought a phone call would be good. That way she could at least hear his voice, and maybe that would hold her together. He had to talk quietly, in a private room that was monitored by officers, but they let her call him. It was the most heartbreaking phone call he had ever had. She told him about Lewis, and the knowledge that his worst nightmare had come true. That he wasn't there to protect her, still cut him deeper than anything else. He didn't think he would ever forget her sobs, as she told him what had happened to her, how much she wanted him there to save her, how much she missed him. He wanted nothing more than to reach through the phone and pull her into his arms, holding her close to comfort her. But he was on the other end of the country, and all he could do was listen. He would never forget how broken her voice sounded. They spent hours on the phone, both of them crying. He promised her then that he'd be home soon, that he would protect her and no one would hurt her again. They both knew that was easier said than done. There was a lull in the conversation, when he could tell she was exhausted from the trauma she had been through. That was when he told her he loved her, more than he could even explain. That he had always loved her, and always would, no matter what happened. She cried again, both out of happiness because she loved him too, and out of heartache because he was so far away from her.
He must have dozed off, dreaming about that day. because he looks out the window and sees a city in the distance, and an announcement confirms the sight:
We will now begin the final descent into New York City, please…
The announcer continues with some safety procedure stuff but he's not listening, he can feel the tears of joy form. He's almost home! Seeing the city after 7 years feels like a dream. He had always lived in New York, but he knew seeing the city again wasn't why he was crying. After 7 years, he would have the woman he loved in his arms again. He could hold her and tell her he loved her in person. He could help her raise Noah, give her the family she's always wanted. Of course, he wanted to see his kids again too, but he would wait until he was settled in to contact them. He wasn't even sure where exactly they were, what they had been told. It scared him and he knew he needed to start on solid ground. He would stay with Olivia if she let him. Course he knew if she let him, he'd stay with her forever. Or they'd get somewhere together, then once he was back on his feet he would get to know his kids again. He knew one thing for sure though, his Olivia had been through a lot without him in the past 7 years. He was never leaving her again. He would stay with her and love her. He would make sure she never felt undeserving of love again. He would be there for her because even though they didn't work together anymore, they were partners for better or worse. He just hoped his kids would be ok with everything too because he wanted Liv to have a family. With him, Noah, and his kids. Like she had always wanted like they had both always wanted to have together. He would help her heart heal as much as he could, and take care of her even when she fought his help. This was his life now. He was back in the city, but he wasn't home yet. She was his home because home is where the heart is.
He's in the city, but he won't be home till she's in his arms again.
Olivia Benson was his home.. because she will always be where his heart is.
A/N: A bit shorter since this is kind of a filler chapter, I thought it would be good to have a chapter from just Elliot's perspective. But, he's almost home! Thanks to all who are taking time to read and/or review! I really appreciate it.