Chapter 26
Ok so I wrote this via pen and notebook while I was on vacation for four days and it just kept going and going. It's long because I couldn't stop writing. I was also trying to incorporate ideas and events from my best friends wedding. Don't forget to hit that REVIEW button.
"When is daddy not crabby? I don't think either Daddy or Dickie know how to bowl. Neither of them can manage to knock more than five pins down." Smiled Lizzie.
"Shut up, Lizard Breathe. No one asked you for your opinion." Yelled Dickie.
"I knew there was a reason you guys shouldn't have gone bowling." Said Olivia.
~Week before Wedding~
"There's no way in hell your using that song anywhere, Stabler." Said Olivia.
"Do you really think that I would?" smiled Elliot.
"I know you, so yes you would." Replied Olivia.
"That's really not a fair presumption considering I know you just as well." Answered Elliot.
"Tough shit. Get over it. Did you decide on the flavor for the cake? Or are you just going to say, 'I don't care'?" asked Olivia.
"But I really don't care what flavor it is." Said Elliot.
"You're absolutely no help once so ever." Said Olivia.
"Not true. I've been useful in more ways then one, thank you." Corrected Elliot.
"If you are referring to sex, the yes, you are more useful. When it comes to making decisions, you're no use." Said Olivia.
"I thought you wanted red velvet?" said Elliot.
"And your suppose to help figure that out." Said Olivia.
One week to the wedding and the only decisions that both could agree on were songs, flowers, and the wedding party.
Dickie would serve as best man, John and Fin would serve as grossmen.
Picking a maid of honor on the other hand, was more of a task then anything. Rather than have to pick just one, and have to pick between Alex, Casey and Melinda. Maureen, Kathleen and Lizzie would serve as maids of honor.
Out of all three girls, Kathleen was the one that was rather surprised when Olivia had asked, including her.
So when they were all over at her apartment, trying to make final decisions. Kathleen sat with her sisters on the couch.
"But I…. are you sure you want me up there with you? I mean…. After all the shit I've cause you?" asked Kathleen.
"There is no one else that I would want standing up there with me, other than the three of you." Smiled Olivia.
Still rather surprised, Kathleen couldn't digest what she was hearing.
Eli would serve as ring bearer. (I know I haven't mentioned Eli a whole lot but I thought this was perfect.)
"Did you finally on a song to dance with your mom?" asked Olivia.
"Taken care of." Said Elliot.
"I'll believe you when I see it." Laughed Olivia. Not thirty seconds later, Olivia was in his lap, legs wrapped around his waist and arms around his neck.
~Rehearsal Dinner ~
"I didn't think your bony white ass dressed like that." Said Fin.
"Let alone anything outside of the color black." Laughed Olivia. And that was true. John was rarely seen outside of a black suit and shirt with maybe a color tie.
"Speech, Speech." Chanted Dickie.
"How about we skip the toasts and speeches altogether." Said Olivia.
"And miss all the fun? No way, baby girl." Smiled Fin.
"Whose going first?" asked John.
"You just volunteered yourself." Laughed Fin.
"This outta be good." Laughed Melinda.
"Hey. I'm glad you all have your doubts but I think I can manage to give a toast." Said John.
"So get to it already. You're not the only one to give a toast." Said Fin.
"I know I'm not the most forth coming of the group. But putting the bad-ass with the cocky, arrogant and hot tempered couldn't be more right. It's not a conspiracy theory either. There's not one person in this room, that doesn't agree with these two getting married. So here's to the bad-ass and hot tempered. Let the chemistry lesson continue." Said John.
"For once, he's not yakking about conspiracy theories." Laughed Melinda.
"Next." Said John.
"I can't believe any of that came from John Munch. But I can't agree more with what he just said." Said Fin.
"So try it." Laughed John.
"I didn't say I had nothing to say." Corrected Fin.
"Really?" asked John.
"Baby girl, you're always that bad ass with this group. And nothing has changed. No one else can do a better job at keeping Stabler in line." Smiled Fin.
"Hey! I object to that." Pouted Elliot.
"You can object to that all you want. You better move that roaming hand of yours before you regret it later." Smiled Olivia.
"Geeze, the two of your still can't keep your hands off each other, literally." Said Melinda.
"She's the only one my hands will be roaming." Smiled Elliot.
"Can we please get back to the toasts. And keep this pg 13. There are kids in the room." Smiled Fin.
"Next turn." Said Dickie.
"That would be me." Said Don.
"You don't have to do that, Cap." Said Olivia. Tears already on the verge of falling.
"Sit back down, Benson. I WANT to do this. Your pleading isn't going to stop me." Said a smiling Don.
Olivia sat back down.
"You walked into the precinct 12 years ago, changing all of our lives. Some for the better. The two of you are the best detectives this unit has ever seen." Started Don.
"And what are we? Chopped Liver?" complained John.
"Shut up, John." Said Casey.
Casey and Alex were the first two to drop everything when they announced their engagement. There was nothing that was going to stop them from the one event that everyone couldn't stop talking about.
"The two of you have always been more than just partners. The two of you have always danced around your feelings for each other. It's about time the two of you got your acts together. Olivia, your not just any other detective under my command, You're the daughter I never had. And Stabler, you've worked under my command for nearly eighteen years. You're a good detective and no one deserves Olivia more than you. So, son take good take care of her like the pearl that she is. I love you both. So here's to the rest of your lives." Said Don, raising his glass.
Never had anyone said such beautiful, touching and loving words to her. And it made her cry. Olivia stood up and hugged the one person she always saw as a father figured.
"Thank you vso much, Cap." Cried Olivia.
"No more of this Cap stuff. Only at work. Outside of work, it's just Don." Said Don.
"Thank you, Don." Said Olivia, hugging the older gentleman.
"Next." Came John.
But before anyone else got the chance to stand up, Dickie stood up.
Elliot knew more than well, that his children would want to say something. So he wasn't surprised when Dickie stood up.
"I know I haven't been the ideal kid. I know I've given you nothing but crap. But no one else has done anything like you have for us. I'm so happy you're the one I get for a step-mom. I love you, Livvy." Said Dickie, hugging his soon to be step-mom.
Once again, Olivia couldn't help but cry. She never expected any of the Stabler children to express such feelings about her.
"You're wrong about that, Dickie. You couldn't be more charming, caring and loving young man. And I'm the one that's lucky to have you as a step-son." Cried Olivia.
"You had your turn, Dickie. Let me have my turn." Smiled Lizzie.
Olivia glanced at a smiling Elliot.
"Are you sure these are your children? Am I marrying the same person?" cried Olivia.
Elliot just laughed.
"Last time I checked they were mine. Why are you so surprised that they love you." Smiled Elliot.
"Livvy, you're the reason that daddy has gotten himself killed yet. You were the one to convince mom to stay each time she wanted to leave. No one else would do something like that. I love you, Livvy." Smiled Lizzie, hugging the brunette.
"I love you too, sweetheart. There isn't anything that I wouldn't do for anyone of you." Cried Olivia.
Kathleen stood up next.
"Liv, like Dickie and Lizzy said earlier. I haven't been the nicest person to you. And I'm not to very proud of it. You saved me from going to jail when anyone else wouldn't have. I know you love daddy and that you love us just as much. I love you sooo much." Said Kathleen.
Maureen smiled. She knew it was her turn. She knew Olivia since she was twelve.
Maureen stood up next. And just like her brother and sisters before her, was wearing a huge smile.
"Liv, you have always been like a second mom to us. Even when we took out our frustrations and anger on you especially when dad wasn't around to talk to, you were still there. And you took on our problems as if they were your own. I love you." Smiled Maureen.
Thinking that everyone had their say, she sat back down in her own chair, attempting to get back to the meal only to be interrupted when Elliot decided to speak up.
"Elliot, what are you doing? Sit back down." Said Olivia.
Elliot just smiled and refused to sit back down.
"And miss out on all the fun? No, besides, I have to say this. Liv, you walking into the station house twelve years ago, you not only changed everyone's lives, but mine as well. And for the better might I add. You're not just my partner at work. But now in life. You're my best friend. I love you, so much Liv. There won't be a day that goes by that I won't. You're the best thing to happen to me and my kids. I can't wait to call you my wife." Said Elliot.
Now she was down right crying. Before he chose to sit back down, he clasped his arms around her kissed her madly. Breaking apart, with tears still in her eyes, she choked out the first words that came to mind.
"I walked into the 1-6 twelve years ago expecting to work with a middle-aged, cocky, arrogant detective. And while you maybe cocky, arrogant and hot tempered at times, it is a quality I like about you. Twelve years later, I never would have believed that it was possible to love someone as much as I love you. I never thought that it was even possible to have that life. The one that most only dream about. You have given me so much I never thought I would. " cried Olivia.
Now it was his turn to shed the water works.
"I can't wait to be able to call you my husband." Said Olivia, continuing to cry.
"I can't remember the last time I saw dad cry. Let alone in public." Said Maureen.
"I do. When mom and Olivia were in that car accident." Said Kathleen.
"Wouldn't you?" asked Dickie.
"With every good reason." Said Kathleen.
"Anyone else need to say something while I'm crying like a baby?" said Olivia.
Maureen, Kathleen, Lizzie and Dickie all smiled and shouted.
"We love you, mom." Shouted all four children.
Everyone else smiled, laughed and clapped.
Hour and a half later, everyone said their goodbyes.
Alex, Casey, and Melinda were going to spend the night to help Olivia with the morning festivites. Just as Fin, Munch, Dickie and Eli would be making a night of it as well.
"Come morning, you won't be known as Benson anymore." Smiled Alex.
"At work I will." Corrected Olivia.
"You may be known as Benson at work but outside of work, you'll be a Stabler." Smiled Casey.
"Don't remind me." Said Olivia. The way she said it, came across as if she was having second thoughts.
"You're not having second thoughts, are you, Liv?' asked Casey.
Alex caught her facial expression and could tell that she was. So she called Elliot, in hopes that it would help.
Ten minutes later and he was at her apartment door.
Alex, Casey and Melinda decided to let Olivia have the night to herself. All three praying to god that there would still be a wedding in the morning.
"What happened?" asked Elliot.
"I don't know. She was fine up until we started giving her a hard time about her last name changing." Said Alex.
"Thanks, Alex." Said Elliot. Alex left and he headed for her bedroom.
"Liv?" said Elliot.
"El? I thought you were hanging out with the guys tonight?" asked Olivia.
"I was but Alex called and said that you were upset. What's wrong, Liv?" asked Elliot.
She sat up and buried herself in his chest.
"I'm scared, El. No, I take it back. I'm beyond scared." Said Olivia.
"There's nothing to be scared of, Liv." Reassured Elliot.
"Then why am I questioning it all of a sudden?" asked Olivia.
"Talk to me then." Said Elliot.
"I don't want to screw this up. I don't want to fail. I don't want to disappointment and fail you." Said Olivia.
"Who said you were going to screw this up? You could never fail or disappointment me." Said Elliot.
"But I don't want this to end. Let alone like you and Kathy did." Cried Olivia.
"Liv, look at me. What happened with me and Kathy don't happen with you and me. I won't let it happen. You mean far too much to me for me to let it come to that." Said Elliot, wrapping his arms around her as if to never let her out of his sight.
"Really? You mean that?" said Olivia, looking up at him.
"Of course, I mean it. Why wouldn't I?" said Elliot.
"I'm sorry. I'm acting stupid." Said Olivia.
"Your not acting stupid. No one is saying you shouldn't be scared. I'm just as scared as you are. But that's not going to stop me from marrying my best friend tomorrow." Said Elliot, kissing the top of her head.
It was another one of his qualities that she loved about him. He always knew the right thing to say or to make her feel better.
"I should probably get going." Said Elliot.
"I guess so." Said Olivia.
"You going to be ok?" asked Elliot.
"Yeah. Go, have fun with the boys." Said Olivia. And she was.
"You sure? You are still going to marry me tomorrow?" asked Elliot.
"I'm sure. There's no one else I would plan on marrying tomorrow let alone marrying to begin with. Now go." Said Olivia.
"I will and always have loved you, Olivia. Nothing or no one will ever change that." Said Elliot.
"I know that. I'm sorry I got myself all worked up and Alex had to call you." Said Olivia.
"I'm not. Just like I'm not sorry that the guys will have to do without." Smiled Elliot.
"El, I can't ask you to give up your night with the guys just to stay with me." Said Olivia.
"You're not asking. I'm staying. There's even ice cream in the freezer. So why don't we pop a movie in and dig into some ice cream. Sound like an idea?" smiled Elliot.
"I just want to change first." Said Olivia.
Thirty seconds later and she walked back into the room, wearing an oversized t-shirt.
"You better be sharing that, ." joked Olivia.
"Would I keep ice cream away from you?" smirked Elliot.
"Loose the shirt, Stabler." Smiled Olivia.
"How does that involve ice cream?" smiled Elliot.
"Bring it with you to the bedroom and you'll find out." Smiled Olivia.
He didn't need to be told twice. By the time both of them reached the bedroom, Olivia had already taken the oversized t-shirt off, and he was down to just his boxers.
"Lose the boxers or they'll be cut off." Smiled Olivia, straddling him on the bed.
"Cut them then. I don't care." Said Elliot. But by the time she found a pair of scissors, he had already removed them.
"Well you just took all the fun out of that." Said Olivia.
"I'm not the one who has her knees pinned on each side of me. You plan on changing positions or are you staying put. Because I'm good either way." Smiled Elliot.
"You should be. Your hands are all over the place." Smiled Olivia.
But before it could go any further, Olivia had a plan of her own. And just like his, her hands had a mind of them own. Still straddled, her hands found their way down the front of him.
"Jesus, Liv. I'm already hard." Said Elliot.
"And the problem would be…"" smiled Olivia, licking her lips.
"Two can play that game, Benson." Smirked Elliot, turning her over so that he was now on top. And just like she had, he roamed up and down leaving no spot undiscovered.
"God, El. Don't stop." Moaned Olivia.
"I won't. God, Liv your so damn wet." Panted Elliot. And the pace was just getting started.
"Please, don't stop, El." Moaned Olivia.
He had no intention of stopping anytime soon. He was enjoying it just as much as she was.