Chapter 27
~Morning of the Wedding ~
It was just now approaching 6am and both were just getting up out of bed. One more awake then the other. It wasn't that she wasn't looking forward to her wedding. It was like everything hitting at once. And while it was just like last night, she had to push it behind her if she wanted to go through with the wedding. It would be the only thing that would stop her from making it down the aisle.
"You are going to marry me today, aren't you." Asked Elliot.
"Yes, Stabler. Now quit asking me every second." Said Olivia.
"Just making sure." Said Elliot.
"No kidding. Now get lost before neither of us make it to the church on time." Said Olivia.
"Alright already. I'm going. Besides if I don't then there's going to be six other women pushing me out that door." Smiled Elliot.
"And they won't be as friendly either. So get." Said Olivia.
Finally giving in, he was soon out the door. Only, as predicted, for all six of the ladies, standing in her living room.
"What were the six of you doing? Standing in the hall until he fled the scene?" joked Olivia.
"Someone is feeling a lot better than she was last night." Joked Casey.
"That's because the groom was here. I wonder why she would be in a better mood." Laughed Alex.
"You called him, that's why." Smiled Olivia.
"I don't exactly hear you complaining, now do I? Geeze, you two must have gone at it all night for you to be in this good of a mood." Said Alex.
"Hey, watch it, Cabot. The girls don't need to know any of that." Corrected Olivia.
"Like they didn't know what the two of you do when their not around." Laughed Casey.
Maureen, Kathleen and Lizzie smiled and tried not to laugh even more than Alex and Casey were. But Casey was right, the three of them knew about it. And to be frank, it didn't really bother any of them. If it meant that their father was happy, then so were they. They just didn't need it announced every time.
"We already knew. But thanks, Casey." Laughed Kathleen. That sent a blush to her face.
"Your blushing, Liv." Smiled Alex.
"We don't have all day to sit here and talk about our sex lives." Smiled Casey.
"And to think this would be her wedding? Can't wait to see if and when her wedding happens." Said Alex.
"Can we get a move on it already?" said Kathleen.
"Anxious are we?" smiled Alex.
Truth be told, anxious was the right word to what she was exactly feeling. Nervous maybe the word. But when it was all said and done, she would be married. Married to her best friend. Married to the one person that always had and always will hold her heart.
All seven women left the apartment and got into the rented limo and were on their way to church.
"Where did Melinda and Casey run off to? I thought they were changing into their dresses? It doesn't take that long." Said Alex.
"We are, Cabot. I don't see you in your dress yet. Even the girls are in their dresses before you." Smiled Melinda.
"Like I'm going to forget to get in my dress." Said Alex.
"Son of a bitch." Screamed Olivia.
"What? What's wrong." Said Melinda.
"Stupid zipper is stuck. I knew there was a reason for not wearing white." Yelled a frustrated Olivia.
"That's not the reason you refuse to wear white." Said Alex, fidgeting with the zipper in attempts to get the zipper unstuck.
"Quite being a smartass and just get the damn thing unstuck." Said Olivia.
"Gee, now you decide to be assertive. God, one night with a certain detective and its like you're another whole person." Cracked Casey.
"You done?" snapped Olivia.
"Yeah, I'm done. I didn't mean anything by it." Said Casey.
"If you're done then how come the zipper is still sucked? God almighty, Novak." Said Olivia.
Casey backed off, only to let Kathleen take another shot at the stubborn zipper. This time, having a slightly more effective approach to the situation.
Kathleen found a pin in one of the draws and gently slid the needle to exactly where the zipper had gotten caught on the fabric. The zipper slid up the dress gracefully.
"You can't yank, pull and tug on it when it's caught on the fabric. You're just asking for a bigger rip or tear in the dress. And this isn't the best dress for that to happen to. Not today of days anyway." Smiled Kathleen.
"Well, don't I just feel useless." Said Casey.
"That's because you are, Novak." Said Alex.
Finally in her dress, any and all tension that had once been present now began to fade away. Lizzie had snuck out a few seconds before to check on her brothers.
Dickie was laughing at his father while Eli continued to bounce and run around the church. Only adding more laughter than what was needed.
"I don't know who's more nervous. Dad or Eli." Laughed Lizzie.
"My bets on dad. Eli is just being himself and has nothing else to do. He's only two. What do you expect a two year old to do?" said Dickie.
"Man, if I knew this is what it would take for you to unravel, then we should have made this happen sooner." Laughed Fin.
"I'm fine, thank you. Lizzie? I thought you were with Liv and your sisters?" said Elliot.
"I was. But I snuck out while Kathleen worked on fixing Olivia's dress." Said Lizzie.
What a way to start the day. That was all it would take for today to go down hill in a matter of minutes.
"What happened?" asked Elliot.
"Liv went to put her dress on and the zipper got stuck. Casey kept tugging and pulling on it, only aggravating Liv even more and then Alex felt she had to take a stab at it. Not helping any more than Casey had. So Kathleen took a pin out of the drawer and got it unstuck. Without and tears, wholes or anything else on it." Said Lizzie.
"I'm surprised she hasn't killed Casey OR Alex yet." Laughed Fin.
"That's because her gun is not on her." Replied John.
"Who in their right mind would have their gun on them on their wedding day?" asked Fin.
"Obviously John." Laughed Elliot.
"And yet he managed to get married four times." Laughed Fin.
"Your point, please? Stabler is on wife #2." Said John.
He really didn't mean any harm by it. Nor had he meant it the way that it sounded.
"Lizzie, are you heading back to Liv?" asked Elliot.
"Yeah. I was planning on it. Did you need something, Dad?" asked Lizzie.
"Actually, I do. I need you to give Liv something for me." Said Elliot, handing Lizzie a long, rectangular velvet box.
"Now what did you do, dad?" smiled Lizzie.
"I didn't do anything. Thank you for your confidence, Lizzie." Said Elliot.
Lizzie took the box from her father, and headed for the back room where she had been moments ago.
"Livvy, dad asked me to give this to you." Said Lizzie, handing her the velvet box.
"Now what did your father do now?" laughed Olivia, slowly opening the box.
Once opened, with one look at what was in it, brought tears once again to her eyes.
Inside the box, laid a long, simple, silver heart pendent.
"Stop crying, Benson. You'll ruin your makeup." Laughed Alex. Olivia took the pendent out the box and handed it to Maureen to put on.
"Don't forget the card." Added Lizzie.
The card simply read:
Liv,
I love you and you will always have my heart
Love,
Elliot
"Ahhhh." Came all six women in unison.
"Kathleen, go into that drawer and pull out the small box." Said Olivia.
"For dad, I take it." Said Kathleen.
"Yes. Would you mind taking it to him for me?" asked Olivia.
Kathleen smiled and walked out of the room and in the direction of her father.
"Dad, Liv asked me to give you this." Smiled Kathleen, handing the box to her father.
Taking the box from his daughter, and just as she had done, opened the box slowly to find a pair of silver cuff links with the initials EOS on them.
With a card that simply said:
El,
Now you can always have a piece of me always on your sleeves
Love
Liv
He quickly replaced his plain cuff links with his new ones. Kathleen returned to group.
"He already has them on, doesn't he?" smiled Olivia.
"You expected him not to?" laughed Kathleen.
But before she could get another word in, there was a knock at the door.
"It's open." Answered Olivia.
The door creaked open and in walked Don Cragen.
"You look incredible, Liv." Smiled Don.
"Thank you. Is something wrong?" asked Olivia.
"Liv, we're going to start lining up outside." Said Maureen.
"No. Nothing is wrong. I came to see if you were ready to get this show on the road." Said Don.
Was she ever. Sure, she was nervous, anxious and scared but just knowing that in a matter of minutes, she would walking down that aisle to the one person she could ever imagine spending the rest of her life with. And today, that was coming true.
The girls all had bouquets of Pink; Red and Orange roses while Olivia's bouquet consisted of deep red roses with a dusting of silver threw out the bouquet.
"Here you go Liv." Said Maureen, handing her the bouquet.
The music started and one by one the line processed down the aisle. Melinda, followed by Casey, with Alex behind her. Then Lizzie, followed by Kathleen and then finally Maureen. After the girls reached their spots, March of the Bride began to play. Seeing her walk down that aisle, brought tears to his eyes. And on the arm of someone they both considered more than just another boss. God, she looked amazing. She hever looked more beautiful than she did at that moment. In his eyes, she would always be beautiful to him.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join these two in holy matrimony. Who gives this woman away?" began the priest.
"I do" smiled Cragen, giving her to Elliot.
When it came to the vows, neither had a dry eye.
"Olivia and Elliot have chosen to write their own vows. So when your ready, Olivia." Said the priest. Originally, she argued that they didn't write their vows. But the more he argued and the more she started thinking about it, the more she liked the idea. Here went anything.
"Elliot, you're not just any other man that I've been with. You're my best friend. You never did let me forget that you were the longest relationship with any man and I'm rather glad that it was you. I have always loved you, even when in times I shouldn't have. And I will always love you. Until the day die. I promise you, today, and in front of all our friends and family, that there will be no one else in my life. I promise you all and everything I can." Cried Olivia.
"Olivia, do you take Elliot to be your lawfully wedded husband? In sickness and in health. For richer or for poor. Till death do you part?" asked the priest.
Still crying, she smiled, and looked directly into those ocean blue eyes that she never tired of seeing.
"I do." Said Olivia, taking the gold band from Eli, who stood there smiling.
"Olivia, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed." said the priest. Sliding the gold band on, she repeated those same words.
"With this ring, I thee wed." said Olivia.
Now it was his turn.
"Elliot." Smiled the priest.
"Olivia, I knew from the minute you first stepped foot in door at the 1-6, that you weren't just another partner to work with. You were someone much more than that. And you still are. Having you in my life has changed me for the better. I promise to love you for all the rest of my days. I promise you there isn't and won't be anyone else/ you always have had all of me. Ever since day one." Said Elliot.
"Elliot, do you take Olivia. To be your lawfully wedded wife? In sickness and in health. For richer or for poor. Till death do you part?" asked the priest.
"I do." Smiled Elliot.
"Elliot, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed." said the priest. Elliot took the ring and gently slid it on her finger, whiling repeating those words..
"With this ring, I thee wed." said Elliot.
"Then by the power vested in me, by the state of New York, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. Elliot, you may kiss your bride." Said the priest.
He didn't need to be told twice.
"It is my pleasure to present to this congregation for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Elliot and Olivia Stabler." Smiled the priest.
The once dead as a mouse congregation, were all now up on their feet, whistling, clapping and cheering as both exited the church.
"I love you, Liv."said Elliot.
"No, really Sherlock. I hadn't noticed." Laughed Liv.
~ Reception Hall ~
"Whose bright idea was it t walk into Garth Brook's 'Ain't goin down to the sun comes up'? smiled Maureen.
"Dad and Dickie's" laughed Lizzie.
The head table sat up against the wall in the center of the room. The cake stood on a table on the center of the dance floor. A four tier cake with a quilted effect running throughout. With roses on the sides and top tier along with the initials on the top tier.
"You shove any cake in my face, Stabler and you'll be spending the first night of you're married life on the floor outside of the room." Smiled Olivia. She knew better that even bluffing, he would still do it. No matter what she said otherwise.
"Would I do such a thing? Asked Elliot, do just that.
And to get back at him, she literally took a good size of cake and smeared it all over his face.
"You chose the wrong person to do that to. Anymore surprises up that sleeve of yours?" smiled Olivia.
"Other than you? Oh, you meant tonight?" smiled Elliot.
"Who said you were getting anything tonight? Right now the only thing you get is a place on the floor." Smiled Olivia. Again, with the bluffing. But it just seemed to get him even more riled and excited at the same time.
"That won't last very long. Even if you weren't bluffing." Laughed Elliot.
"Who said I was bluffing? You're so sure of yourself. Don't be surprised when I do mean it and you're the one on the floor later." Said Olivia.
"I know I won't be the only one of the floor then." Smirked Elliot.
Dinner was spent in somewhat quite. But then again, with alcohol involved and at dinner none the less, things would change once the dancing began.
"We all know what time it is. So if I could have the happy couple on the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife," said the DJ.
"You sure you know how to dance, Stabler?" laughed Olivia, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I think I'm quite capable of dancing with my wife, thank you." Said Elliot, wrapping his own arms around her waist.
It still felt foreign to her. To be married. Let alone to him. She just always had presumed that she wouldn't get to that point in her life. And yet, she was still proven wrong.
"And who was it that picked' I'll Be' for our first dance?" smiled Elliot.
"Hey, watch it. It's not my fault your eldest daughter had it playing that night." Smiled Olivia.
"I'm not complaining one bit. Besides it just means that I get to hold you in my arms like this." Said Elliot.
"This isn't the only time you'll get to hold me in your arms like this." Smiled Olivia.
"Even better." Said Elliot.
'Remind me again why I'm wearing white, let alone in a dress." Said Olivia.
"Because you look absolutely incredible." Said Elliot.
Both kept at the playful banter. All the while trying no to get lost in the other's eyes. For some reason, her eyes shown even brighter then they normally did. Not that they normally didn't. Just the same with his own ocean blue eyes.
"Flattery will you get you everywhere." Said Olivia.
"Then maybe I should going then." Said Elliot.
Dickie got up from his seat and walked out onto the dance floor and tapped his father on his shoulder.
"Can I cut in?" asked Dickie.
Elliot just smiled, allowing his son to step in and dance with his stepmom.
"I didn't know ALL the Stabler men knew how to dance?" smiled Olivia.
"Unfortunately for us we do. Even Eli." Smiled Dickie.
"Why don't you dance with your daughters?" said Olivia.
"Which one? There's three of them remember?" laughed Elliot.
"What about all three of them then?" said Olivia.
"For right now there's only three. Watch it go up to four." Laughed Dickie.
Olivia looked at Dickie with wide eyes while Elliot just kept smiling even more than before.
"Your father ain't that lucky." Smiled Olivia.
"Not if dad has anything to say about it." Smiled Dickie.
"Then we'll have to have your old man fixed." Smiled Olivia.
"No we won't. Besides you never said anything about NOT having anymore children." Said Elliot.
"But I want another brother." Smiled Dickie. Course he did. There was no surprise there at all. Just as she wasn't at all surprised that Elliot wanted more children.
"And let me guess. You want another daughter?" smiled Olivia.
"You don't hear me objecting, now do you?" said Elliot.
"Exactly. Now we know what you had in mind for later." Smiled Olivia
"Practice makes perfect." Said Elliot.
"When it comes to you, you don't need the practice. No wonder why you're already at five." Said Olivia.
"It just means it won't take forever for another one to be added to the family." Laughed Dickie.
"God, he has you're personality and down right to the t. Sorry, Dickie, I know you hate hearing but you're exactly like you're father." Laughed Olivia.
"Don't remind me." Smiled Dickie.
"Watch it." Said Elliot.
"Or what? You'll send me to my room and ground me? Isn't that kind of hard when you won't be around for the next week?" smiled Dickie.
"Very funny smartass." Answered Elliot.