Bernie was snapping pictures of them as they came inside. Elliot placed the car seat down and walked over and gave Bernie a kiss on the cheek. "Hi Mama, here why don't you hold her for a while?" Liv said smiling as she took Ella out of her car seat. "I'd love that Dearie." Bernie said as she sat down in the rocking chair and Liv placed Ella in her arms. "She's looking more and more like Elliot except for that hair!" she said looking at her newest granddaughter.
The kids started trying to tell Elliot things he had missed while he was gone. They started getting louder and louder until they were practically yelling trying to be heard. "Everyone quiet down" Liv's voice was heard above the kids. There was a chorus of "Sorry's and Sorry Mom". "Why don't we all sit down and you can take turns telling Dad things he missed?" Liv suggested. The kids all nodded in agreement and rushed to find seats. "Livvy, this sweet baby is going to be able to sleep through anything!" Bernie exclaimed as Elliot and Olivia laughed. They smiled as they looked at Ella, asleep and content tucked in her grandmother's arms.
Everyone found a seat - Olivia and Elliot sat beside each other on the sofa with Noah and Eli on their laps. Lizzie tucked herself into Liv's other side. Maureen and Kathleen squeezed onto one of the recliners while Dickie sat on the other. "Ok, Dickie why don't you go first? We'll start with one thing each for now." Liv said. "Okay, Mom." he said. They've come so far Elliot thought to himself watching the exchange. Dickie had taken the longest to warm up to Liv. "I started playing football, Grandpa Don usually takes me to and from practice. I really like it. I think it makes Mom a little nervous but she's always cheering the loudest!" Dickie said with a huge grin. "That's great Dickie! I can't wait to see you play. Why…." Elliot said as he was cut off by Liv. "Don retired after the explosion and said he would be more than willing to come help me and Bernie homeschool the kids the rest of the school year. That's why he usually takes Dickie to and from football. I just had to have them close to me for a while and Don knew it." she explained as El reached over and squeezed her hand. "I think that was the right choice Liv" he said quietly. "How about you, Maureen?" he asked looking at their oldest. "I started a Bible club that meets once a week. We started in Psalms. It's really been helping me with everything that's happened the past 3 months." she said with a small smile. "Oh honey, I'm so proud of you!" he said reaching over to squeeze her knee. "Mom told me you've been a great help to her" he added. "Noah, why don't you show Daddy your latest trick?" Liv prompted the toddler who was sitting on Elliot's lap. Noah grinned at her. "Mama" he said pointing at her. "Mo, 'Leen, Ickie, Izzie, Weli," he said pointing at each of his siblings. He slid off of Elliot's lap and toddled to the rocking chair. "Granma" he said tapping Bernie's knee. "Wella" he said pointing at Ella. "Dada" he said running back to Elliot. "Good job bud!" El said picking him back up and tossing him in the air which made Noah giggle. Liv had tears running down her face at this exchange. "I never thought he'd get to know you." she said as Elliot put his arm around her and pulled her closer. "We're working on pronunciation." Olivia said as she reached over to tickle Noah. "Can I go next?" Kathleen asked from her spot next to Maureen. "Of course, sweetie." Elliot said. "Well I started going to drama club and I really enjoyed it. Last week there were auditions for the school play, this year it's Cinderella. I decided to tryout and I just found out this morning that I got the lead!" she exclaimed as she jumped up. "Oh Katie! That's wonderful!" Liv said reaching to pull their second oldest into a hug. "I never would've thought you would enjoy acting and drama, Katie." El said shooting her a wink. She always had been the dramatic one in the family. She laughed. "What about you, Eli?" Elliot asked. "I'm 3!" Eli exclaimed holding up three fingers from his spot on Olivia's lap. "Tell Daddy how high you can count, buddy." Liv said to Eli. "I can count to ten. One, two, three, five, six, seven, nine, ten!" Eli said beaming with pride. His older siblings all laughed at their little brothers attempt at counting. "High five, Eli! You did a good job!" El said as he held up his hand for Eli to smack. "What do you want to tell Dad about, Lizzie?" Liv asked as she dropped a kiss to the top over her head. "Umm….. I-I don't know." Lizzie said softly as she curled herself further into Liv's side. Liv made a mental note to call Lizzie's therapist first thing in the morning to make an extra appointment. Liv had an idea, she leaned down and whispered into Lizzie's ear. Lizzie's face broke into a smile.
"I joined cheerleading and I get to cheer at Dickies football games. Sometimes I'm the flyer. I like that." she said smiling. "That's good Lizzie!" Elliot said. "El, I also have some pretty exciting news." Liv said. "What is it?" he asked with a puzzled expression. "You know I said Cap. retired and has been helping with the kids?" he nodded his head as she continued. "Well guess who the new captain is…" she didn't finish her sentence before Elliot connected the dots. "I'm so proud of you, Livia! I always knew you would be captain of SVU one day." he said as he kissed her.
"Don should be here in a few minutes, El." Liv said looking out the window at the kids playing in the yard. They decided not to tell Don that Elliot was back and just surprise him. "What do you think his reaction will be?" Elliot asked as he wrapped his arms around her from behind her and rested his chin on her shoulder watching their kids. "Hmm… I'm not sure" she hummed content being wrapped in his arms. "I think we should make sure he's sitting before he sees you though…." she said thoughtfully. "I'll go change Ella's diaper with Mama and we'll wait for your cue." Elliot said as Don's car pulled in the driveway.