Disclaimer: Not mine, just my story!

December had arrived and Olivia couldn't be more excited. She loved this time of the year because it reminded her of just how much she loved her SVU family. She had come to the 1-6 December 7th, 1999 and was welcomed with open arms. She would never forget the day she first arrived. It was a mad house, but all the detectives were so sweet and kind to her. Her partner in particular was definitely a catch. He had five beautiful children and a loving wife whose lives seemed so perfect. Her other two co-workers were so expressive and lovable that they made the unit feel like a dysfunctional family. Twelve years had passed and although they had changed, they were a family to her.

"Baby girl, what you over there day dreaming about?" Ask Fin, her loving and protective co-worker.

She had come to love this man. He was everything she wanted in a brother. He watched her back, he stayed by her, and he didn't let anyone get to her. The bond that she had formed with him was amazing.

"Nothing Fin," Olivia chuckled as she went and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Elliot rose from the couch and grabbed the bottle of Bacardi Rum from the kitchen counter. He began pouring everyone shots as they sat around the warm fireplace.

Elliot smiled as he watched Olivia laughing it up with Melinda, Casey, and Alex. He could never get enough of her beautiful smile and that laughter of hers.

Grabbing the bottle from his hands, Munch nudged him a bit. "Stop staring at her and tell her how you feel."

"Yeah man, you two have been at this for twelve years now. She knows you are divorce so there is nothing holding you back," Fin added.

Elliot shook his head. "And what exactly would I say to her? Hey Liv, I've been meaning to tell you for the past twelve years that I have been madly in love with you…not gonna work."

Fin filled his glass then he took a shot, "Well yeah dumb ass. How do you think Melinda and I finally got together? I told her how I felt and surprisingly she felt the same. What could it hurt?"

Munch patted Elliot on the shoulder and smiled, "What's the worst thing she could say, I don't love you?"

Elliot chuckled. Munch was a fool at times but that definitely could be the alternative to his direct approach. She had to have some feelings for me after all these years Elliot thought.

On the other side of the room, the same conversation was being had by the girls. Olivia couldn't even hear herself think from the entire racket her friends were making.

"Let it go guys, he may be single, but I don't even know how he feels," Olivia told them for the fifth time that night.

Melinda folded her arms, "How do you expect to find out if you don't ask him? He needs to know Liv."

Casey chimed in, "I'm sure he already knows, he just wants you to confirm it by telling him that he is the man for you."

Olivia took a sip of her rum and shot Alex a pleading look. To her dismay, Alex had a cocked eyebrow ensuring Olivia that she was on the other ship.

"Ok, ok! I tell him and if it's not meant to be it isn't meant to be," Olivia told them.

"Hey guys, they are talking hard smack about us, it's time we show them who they're dealing with," Lake choked out as his rum slid down the wrong pipe.

The guys laughed as he tried to gain back his composure. He couldn't help himself, he wasn't a great drinker but he loved the liquor.

"What did I tell you about heavy drinking," said his wife. Lake looked up and smiled. He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry Case; it just went down the wrong pipe is all. I'm fine." Lake assured her.

Slowly, the women began gathering around the men. They had been separated most of the night. They women had cooked and were cleaning the kitchen and they had finally pulled the guys away from the big screen long enough to toast the holidays.

Elliot decided that there was no better time like the present. He needed her to know that he was no longer afraid to admit his feelings for her. To his surprise, Olivia pulled him away from the group and in the hallway of his apartment.

"Can I talk to you," Olivia asked as she traced the rim of her glass.

Elliot tilted his head, "Sure, everything ok?"

Olivia smiled. Elliot was always looking out for her. Deep down she had fallen in love with him over the past twelve years, but she wasn't a home wrecker. She could live with loving him from a distance as long as he remained her partner.

"I'm fine El. I just-Elliot we've been friends for a long time now and I know we haven't always had the greatest friendship-"Olivia stopped midsentence as she felt his index finger against her lips.

"Liv you are amazing. These past twelve years have been amazing because of you," Elliot gulped. Stepping closer, he looked her dead in the eyes, "You are an incredible woman Olivia and I want you to know that I love you."

Olivia's face went from worried to excitement. She couldn't believe it. He had finally said it to her. All those nights she sat and wondered if he ever felt the same way she did. She had her evidence, he had told her.

"I have loved you since the day we met. There was always something special about you, but I kept my feelings to myself because you were married and-"

Elliot kissed her as he cupped her face. "You don't have to worry about that now. I'm a free man."

A burst of yells and hollers rung out from the opening at the hallway. Their friends were cheering them on as they all smiled and laughed. They knew it was way over due for these detectives to let down their guards. Every single friend; Casey, Lake, Melinda, Fin, Munch, and Alex had been there; seen the looks, the stares, the glances, the inevitable love that surged through these two decorated officers. Their friends gathered around as they hollered in unison Merry Christmas with a piece of mistletoe dangling from their hands!

Twelve years had passed and Olivia still found her friends to be the greatest family of all. Yes they had all changed. Melinda and Fin were now a couple, Lake and Casey were about to start a family, Munch and Alex were preparing for their big day, and the last of the bunch had finally come to their senses and thrown caution to the wind. Love did conquer everything and it finally conquered Elliot and Olivia.

This is the end of my Christmas SVU Series! Hope you guys enjoyed it!