AN: What's up everyone? I hope everyone that is "lucky" enough to be in school is enjoying it. I apologize for taking so long with this. I honestly had no clue how to go about it. I have the next few chapters done already, but this one was tough for me. It's short and I don't like that, but it's better than nothing. I hope you enjoy! I would appreciate some more of the fabulous feedback that I've been getting.

Check out my other stories too if you'd like. I'd really appreciate it. I plan on updating Reaching for Maternity sometime this week.

Disclaimer: I do not own Law and Order: SVU or the characters.

Olivia's Journal

I hate to admit it, but I'm glad that I brought this thing with me. Elliot was right, writing things down does help. I'll be damned if he finds out about this though. I waited until he fell asleep to write this. For once I can write about something other than nightmares and emotional breakdowns. I expected tonight to be one of the worst nights that I've ever had , but boy am I glad that I was wrong. Elliot pointed out that I haven't stopped smiling since my nerve wracking admission. I haven't smiled this much since before...Anyway, I just had to tell someone, even if it's just myself. I want to scream it from the roof tops. Elliot Stabler loves me! He's in love with me. It doesn't feel real. Writing it down makes it a little more real, but I know that I'll still question it when I wake up. Elliot loves me!

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Earlier that evening

"I love you, El".

The words had finally left her lips. She felt relieved and anxious at the same time. Her imagination ran wild for years, filling her head with impossible scenarios and outrageous fantasies of Elliot expressing his love for her. So what if she had said it first? It didn't matter as long as he felt the same way.

She couldn't keep her eyes from locking stares with his. He hadn't said a word and her heart was pounding in her chest. She hoped that he couldn't sense her panic.

"Liv" He whispered as if her name was a sacred prayer. His hands cupped her face and brought her impossibly close to him. Their lips gently touched at first, politely introducing the closeness. He wanted her to be comfortable and feel safe. He tried to fight the smile when she kissed him back, but harder than he had anticipated. She must have felt it anyway. She was the first to pull away.

"So does that mean what I think it means?" She asked with the brightest smile he had ever seen her wear.

"Olivia Benson, I love you more than life itself. I have been in love with you since they day we met. I love you so much".

Her thumb sweetly stroked his cheek, wiping away the few tears that had rolled down his cheeks. She was fighting her own. Elliot kissed her again, and again, and again. She giggled in between kisses, feeling as giddy as she did after her very first kiss so long ago.

"Say it again" She demanded. She bit her lip, desperately trying to keep herself in check. She knew that Elliot wouldn't judge her, but she really didn't want to act like a high school girl that had just been kissed by the senior quarterback.

"I love you, Liv".

"And I love you, El".

The buzz of the call box brought them out of their daze. Elliot got up to let the delivery guy in. Once they had their food, they sat and ate in silence. He would sneak occasional glances at her, but he knew she didn't mind. She had been doing the same thing. It was weird in a way. It felt like nothing was different, but the truth was that everything would be different. There would be no more hiding, no more concealing their feelings. He knew better than to expect a smooth road ahead of them, but at least he had her by his side.

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Olivia put her journal back in her bag before laying down next to Elliot. Her blanket only covered him from the waist down since he had pushed it down in his sleep. He had taken off his shirt once they finished their dinner. She hadn't even tried to hide the fact that she was checking him out, and of course he had called her out on it. They cuddled until he fell asleep.

She pulled on the blanket and covered herself up. She kissed Elliot softly on the cheek, being careful not to wake him.

"I love you" He said in a raspy voice, surprising her. He turned over and pulled her into his arms, just like he had every night.

"Get some sleep". She knew that he would say that.

"Sweet dreams" She wished to him. At least one of them should enjoy their sleep. As wonderful as the day was, she knew to expect a night filled of memories that she wished she could forget.

William Lewis would be in her head for a while, but Elliot Stabler would be there for life.

AN: I'm sorry but I had to bring Lewis in to this one a bit. It was just a reminder that things are still going to suck a bit. I personally liked the idea of having them say "I love you" a lot because let's be honest, if you were in their situation, you'd want to hear it too. Let me know what you think! Love y'all!