Chapter 24
"Do I look like someone who would wear a giant white Cinderella like dress?" asked Olivia.
"I don't know. I kind of see you in something like that." Laughed John.
"In what part of that conspiracy theory head of yours?" asked Olivia.
Before John Munch could even open his mouth, Bernie was soon back.
"I thought you were going to wait to give it to her a little later?" whispered Maureen.
"I thought about it. But then again, I thought why not now? It's as a god time as ever." Smiled Bernie
"Find something else while out shopping, Mom?" asked Elliot.
"No. And this isn't for me. It's for Olivia." Said Bernie. Maureen, Kathleen and Lizzie couldn't help but grin from ear to toe. The three of them knew what their grandmother had in her hands. And so did Olivia.
Just the sight of the dress bag, was bringing tears to the detectives eyes. She didn't need to be told what was in the bag. She knew what it was. She knew it was the dress she had see earlier, tried on and fell in love with.
"Bernie, I…" cried Olivia.
"Before you say anymore. I wanted to do this. Because of you, I have my son back. The same sons who for the past, I don't know, say twelve years, has been anything but himself.
Not only that, but my grandchildren are once again a part my life. You have done more that you probably should have for this family. You brought this family together again. And I can't thank you nearly enough. So I wanted to get this for you. And don't sit there and tell me you don't deserve this dress or anything else because it's far from the truth." Smiled Bernie.
Never had someone gone out of their way for her, like Bernie had just done. No one had ever made her feel the way she did at the moment. Everything she did, had or would do for the Stabler family, she purely did out of love for them. All of them.
Meanwhile, Fin and John just smiled. Trying to hide any other smile or chuckle that was trying to escape them. They weren't the only ones with a big grin plastered on their face, he did too.
"At least it's white." Joked John. They all knew he was just teasing but somehow it wasn't that funny.
"What did you think I would wear to my own damn wedding, John? A tutu? Or something that I wear to work?" answered Olivia.
"I didn't mean it like that, Liv. I was just teasing." Said John.
"Don't worry, baby girl. I'll take care of the Munch over here." Said Fin.
It was an eerie silence for a moment or two. Dickie broke the silence.
"I want to go bowling. Can we later?" asked Dickie.
That probably wasn't a bad idea.
"You four and your dad can. I have an errand to take care of later anyway." Said Olivia.
"Do you have to do it tonight though? I want to see if any of us can't beat the old man here." Smiled Dickie. God, he sounded like he was nine again.
"Richard, stop acting like your nine years old again. If you don't like the answer you were given, then no one has to go anywhere later." Said Elliot.
Dickie sat back in the booth. He knew his father was right. He was acting like he was nine again. And being nine was enough the first time around.
"No wonder you're the pain in the ass in the family. Besides dad that is." Laughed Lizzie.
"Shut up, dog breath." Yelled Dickie.
"Real mature, Richard. You sure you are seventeen and not still nine?" continued Lizzie.
"If my ass where nine, then your sure as hell would be too." Snapped Dickie.
"Aren't you glad now that you get stuck with the four of us? Well five that is if you count Dad." Said Kathleen.
"At least you won't ever have a dull moment, baby girl." Smiled Fin.
"Look what family you're talking about there, Fin. Do you really think there wouldn't be a dull moment without any of them?" said Olivia.
"That depends." Laughed Fin.
"On what?" asked Olivia.
"Never mind." Said Fin.
"And just how much longer until your stuck with them permantely?" said John.
"She's not getting stuck with anyone, Munch. Then again, look at all who has or have been stuck with you." Said Elliot.
Kathleen was the one to quickly answer that question. Almost to the point that she was squealing.
"Three weeks! Or 21 days. But whose counting." Smiled Kathleen. ( I know that seems a little fast but I'm trying to wrap this story up without killing it completely)
"You are, obviously." Said Dickie.