I apologize for the extremely long wait. I've had so much going on. But anyway, here's the latest chapter! Enjoy! Please feel free to read and review!
Location: SVU Squad Room.
"Hey guys!" Casey called as she entered the squad room.
She saw Elliot, Munch, and Fin at their desks hard at work. But there was no sign of Olivia or Cragen.
"Hey yourself," Elliot called back.
"Where's Cragen?" Casey inquired.
"In his office," Fin answered. "Chief of D's is in there with him."
"Uh-oh," Casey said. "What did you guys do now?"
"Your guess is as good ours," quipped Munch.
"What about Olivia?" Casey questioned. "Where is she?"
"Home," Elliot replied. "On bed rest. The stress of the Grady case was getting to her. She needs closure and she needs it soon. Please tell me the trial is over and the jury finally delivered the verdict."
"I know," Casey sympathized. "And I apologize. I had no idea this case would get so out of control. Or that it would last so long. I've tried cases that lasted as long as a few weeks. But two months is ridiculous! First, Buchanan kept trying to railroad me every chance he got. Then, Canada decided they wanted a piece of Grady too. So they tried to have him extradited."
"Please tell me Canada didn't get him," Fin said.
"Nope," Casey explained. "I convinced Canada to stop the extradition when I told them we were going for the maximum."
"And?" Elliot was growing impatient.
"And," Casey continued. "I'm here because the jury finally came back after deliberating nearly all day. Grady was found guilty on all counts. He's getting the death penalty."
"That's great news," called a voice from the other side of the room.
Standing outside the door to the Cragen's office was Chief of Detectives Muldrew. And next to him stood Cragen. Munch, Fin, and Elliot stood up from their desks and awaited the chief to speak. The three of them were anxious to find out why he was here. They were positive it was bad news.
"At ease guys," Cragen could sense the tension. "The chief is here to see you, Elliot."
"Are you going to tear me a new asshole?" said Elliot.
"On the contrary," Muldrew handed him two small white envelopes, one bearing Elliot's name and the other bearing Olivia's name. "I'm here to commend you."
"What are these?" Elliot carefully opened the envelope bearing his name.
"Invitations," Muldrew answered. "To the annual New York City Policeman's Ball next month. You and your partner, Detective Benson, are being honored this year. I have invitations for you two as well. Each one admits you and one guest."
Elliot remained speechless as Muldrew handed invitations to Munch and Fin.
"Thank you, Chief," Elliot finally spoke. "I'm flattered to be an honoree."
"You deserve it," said Muldrew. "You've shown amazing strength, courage, and dedication this year. You've suffered a tremendous loss for which you have my deepest sympathy. And Benson has been through a hellish ordeal. But you've both made a quite a remarkable recovery. You've exceeded my expectations. I hope you'll both be able to attend. Although I understand Benson is due to give birth soon."
Elliot nodded. "Eight more weeks to go. But we will do our best to attend the ball."
"Well, I have to go now," Mudrew looked around at everyone. "But I hope to see you all at the Policeman's Ball."
As Muldrew took his leave, Casey, Cragen, and the detectives began to chat among themselves.
"Captain, did you get an invite?" Munch asked.
"Yea, it's sitting on my desk," Cragen answered.
"So, we all going?" inquired Fin. "I know I am."
"I'm going," Cragen raised his hand.
"Me too," Munch chimed in. "No way am I passing up free food and liquor."
"I hear ya!" Fin agreed.
Cragen turned his attention to Casey.
"Hey, Casey," he called to her.
"Yea?" Casey responded.
"Seeing as we're allowed to bring a guest," Cragen began. "Would you like the honor of escorting an old man to the Policeman's Ball?"
"I'd love to!" Casey smiled. "Thanks!"
"Wow!" Fin quipped. "Captain's got himself a date before I did? Something ain't right here."
"Very funny," Cragen said, sarcastically.
"I'll probably end up going stag," Munch commented. "What about you, Elliot? Will you and Liv be going?"
"I don't know," Elliot shrugged. "It all depends if Liv gets off bed rest and if she's feeling up to it."
"Don't worry, man," Fin said. "I'm she she'll feel much better when she finds out Grady's getting the needle. I just hope she doesn't have the baby before then."
"Speaking of," Casey spoke up. "You still haven't told us yet. Is it a boy or a girl?"
"It's a girl," Elliot smiled proudly.
"Aw!" Casey exclaimed. "That's great! Have you two decided on a name?"
"Not yet," Elliot replied. "Liv's taking her time and choosing very carefully. She wants to find the perfect name."
"How about Johnna? Munch joked. "Or Johanna?"
Elliot rolled his eyes. "For the millionth time, Munch, we're not naming the baby after you."
"It was worth a shot," Munch chuckled, as he began to rummage through his desk. "But all kidding aside, we've got a pool going about the baby. You want in? You can place bets for the birth date, length, and weight."
He held up a marker and a chart he made containing names, bets, and guesses for Elliot and Olivia's baby's birth date, length, and weight.
"You are unbelievable," Elliot said, sarcastically.
"It's one of my more endearing qualities," Munch quipped. "So do you want in or not?"
"No, thanks," Elliot declined. "I have to get home to Liv."
"Suit yourself," Munch said. "Anyone else care to place a bet?"
"Hell, yea!" Casey nodded. "I definitely want in!"
"Count me in!" Fin pulled out his wallet.
"Me too!" Cragen chimed in.
Location: Benson/Stabler Residence.
"Hey you," Elliot found Olivia laying on the couch in the living room watching TV and cradling a very large baby bump. "You're supposed to be on bed rest, not couch rest."
"What difference does it make?" Olivia sat up. "I'm resting either way. Now come here and kiss me."
Olivia slid over so Elliot could join her on the couch. He sat down next to her and gently embraced her. He leaned forward and planted a soft, tender kiss on her lips.
"Mmmm," Olivia moaned softly. "That felt good. Kiss me again."
Elliot chuckled as he kissed her again.
"I missed you today," he told her. "The squad room isn't the same without you."
"I missed you too," Olivia intertwined her fingers in Elliot's, placing both of their hands on her baby bump as she laid in his arms. "How was work today?"
"It was good," Elliot replied.
"Did you make a break in the case?" Olivia asked.
"No," Elliot answered. "But both Casey and the Chief of D's stopped by."
"Really?" Olivia turned to face Elliot. "Why?"
Elliot told her about the invitations to the Policeman's Ball and that they were to be honored this year.
"Do you want to go?" Elliot inquired.
"I don't think so," Olivia shook her head. "I've been looking like a big fat elephant lately. My feet are swollen and I feel huge and bloated. And-"
"Stop that," Elliot interrupted her. "You're beautiful. And I really think you should go. It just might help put you relax and ease some of the stress you've been feeling. Could you promise me you'll think about at least?"
"Okay, okay," Olivia decided to change the subject. "So what did Casey want?"
Elliot cleared his throat. "To let us know the verdict came back on the Grady case."
"It did?" Olivia felt her heart begin to race. "Why didn't you call me sooner?"
"Because," Elliot explained. "I felt that you deserved to be told in person rather than hear it over the phone."
Olivia's heart began to beat faster. "Don't tell me they found him not guilty."
"Calm down, Liv," Elliot rubbed her shoulders. "Grady's not going anywhere. The jury found him guilty on all counts. He's getting the death penalty."
"Seriously?" Olivia couldn't believe her ears.
"Seriously," Elliot confirmed.
Olivia felt a tremendous weight being lifted of her shoulders. She felt like she could breathe a little easier. But at the same time, she still felt somewhat uneasy. Could really be over? Yes, the trial was finally done and over with, and Grady was getting the death penalty. But somehow, Olivia didn't feel as if it was truly over. Although, she did finally feel a sense of closure. Maybe she need more time to let it all sink in.
"Are you okay?" Elliot became concerned.
"I'm fine," Olivia nodded. "It's just...um..."
Her voice trailed off. She couldn't find the words to describe how she was feeling and what was going through her mind. But as always, Elliot seemed to able to read her thoughts.
"I understand," he kissed her forehead. "It's a lot to take in."
He noticed she was quieter than usual. So he thought he'd change the subject. Maybe if he could take her mind off that for a while, she would feel better.
"Listen," Elliot spoke gently. "Why don't we go up to the nursery for a little while? I still have to finish assembling the crib anyway. Want to keep me company?"
"Sure," Olivia replied quietly.
Together, they made their way upstairs to the nursery. The once white walls were painted a light lavender with a white trim. Along the top of the wall ran a border with pink flowers and lavender and pink butterflies. From both of the windows hung lavender and white plaid curtains with white ruffles at the ends. Under the corner window stood a dark cherry wood dresser that matched the unfinished dark cherry wood crib that stood beside it. On the other side of the crib sat a dark cherry wood rocking chair with a plush lavender cushion. And on the other side of the room next to the closet was a changing table fully stocked with diapers, baby wipes, lotion, powder, and many other things,
Elliot was tired of cutesy princess and pink rooms after raising three daughters, but Olivia still wanted the nursery to feel girly. So after going through countless websites and catalogs, they finally agreed on a lavender and pink butterfly theme. After getting Olivia settled in the rocking chair, Elliot grabbed a stool from the kitchen and continued to assemble the crib. He had assembled three of the four sides and was now working on assembling and attaching the mattress frame before attaching the fourth and final side. He paused a moment and glanced at Olivia, who was gently rocking back and forth in the rocking chair and rubbing her belly. She looked rather preoccupied. He noticed she'd been wearing that expression ever since he told her about the guilty verdict.
"Talk to me, Liv," Elliot put down his tools and turned to Olivia. "What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure," Olivia looked up at him. "I mean, I'm glad the jury found Grady guilty. It's a relief to know that the trial is finally over. But somehow it doesn't feel like this...whole mess is really over. I still have chunks of memory missing from what happened in Canada. What if I have a flashback while I'm changing the baby's diaper or giving her a bath or something like that? Not too mention I still have nightmares and night terrors from time to time. Do you know what I mean?"
"Yea, I do," Elliot understood exactly how she felt. "I still sometimes have nightmares about the explosion. And I wonder if I'm really ready for this baby. What if I become so overwhelmed that I snap and take it out on you or the baby or both of you?"
Olivia had been so wrapped up her own head lately that she'd almost forgotten that Elliot lost his family. She felt terrible about it. She stood up and put an arm around him.
"Oh, God, El," she apologized. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to imply-"
"It's alright," Elliot embraced her baby bump. "You've had a lot on your mind lately. And you may not have noticed, but you're doing much better. Your nightmares and night terrors are becoming less frequent. Just keep going to counseling and soon they'll stop all together."
"How about you?" Olivia questioned. "Are you still going to counseling?"
"Yep," Elliot nodded. "And my nightmares are also becoming less frequent."
"That's good," Olivia commented.
"You know what else helps me through?" Elliot looked up at her.
"What?" Olivia gazed into his sapphire blue eyes.
"You," he told her.
"Me?" she didn't understand.
"Yes, you," Elliot smiled. "You may not realize it, but you're much stronger than you think. You've come a long way, and everyday you get healthier and stronger. And your strength gives me strength."
"I'm only strong because I have you," Olivia lowered her head and kissed him sweetly.
"I have an idea," Elliot told her. "How about instead of individual counseling, we start going together? Maybe it just might help."
"I'd like that," Olivia smiled. "So are almost done with this thing? I want you to come to bed with me so I can spend the night laying in your arms."
"Almost," Elliot had just finished attaching the mattress frame. "Just have to put the mattress and bedding on. Then attach the final side."
"The bedding is in the closet," Olivia informed him. "I'll get them."
While Elliot put the mattress on the crib, Olivia went to the closet where she pulled out a bag containing lavender and pink butterfly bedding for the crib. Together, she and Elliot put the bedding on the mattress, starting with the skirt, then the fitted sheet, and lastly followed by a plush crib lining. When they finished, Elliot picked up the fourth and final side of the crib and attached it accordingly.
"And we are finished," Elliot said as he tested the front side of the crib, making sure it slid up and down properly. "What do you think? Did your man deliver or did your man deliver?"
"My man delivered!" Olivia grinned. "It's beautiful! But it's not finished yet."
"Huh?" Elliot was confused.
Olivia dug through the bag that held the bedding and pulled out one more thing. A mobile with pink and lavender butterflies. She handed it to Elliot who attached it to the crib.
"Now it's finished," Olivia said.
She and Elliot took a step back to admire the finished crib.
"I can't wait to watch her sleep in it," Olivia said with a dreamy expression.
"She'll sleep safe and sound in this," Elliot said, proudly. "I've built her a strong and solid crib."
As he tapped the side of the crib to show off his craftsmanship, two sides of the crib suddenly fell apart and collapsed to the ground.
"Oh, sure!" Olivia laughed. "Solid as a rock!"
"I can fix that," Elliot said, sheepishly.
He picked up the pieces and was about to reattach them, when he took notice of Olivia laughing. Instead he propped the pieces up against the wall.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Olivia stopped laughing.
"I haven't heard you laugh like that in months," Elliot gazed lovingly at her. "It's nice to see you enjoying yourself."
"I haven't had a good enough reason to laugh before," Olivia told him.
Elliot stood up. "You know what? I can fix this later. Let's go to bed."
Stay tuned! More exciting chapters to come soon! Please feel free to read and review!