Elliot pushed open the door to his apartment and held it open for Olivia to walk through with Eli. Eli had his head on her shoulder and was almost asleep. Elliot shut the door behind him quietly and took a few of the couch cushions off the couch. He made a makeshift bed for Eli on the floor of his bedroom and took him from Olivia's arms. Elliot kissed his forehead as he laid him gently down and turned out the light. Eli was asleep before Elliot left the room.
Olivia took a seat at the kitchen counter and put her head in her hands. Elliot came and stood beside her and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Poor Kathy..." Olivia mumbled, shaking her head and looking up at Elliot.
"Poor Kathy? Poor Maureen. What the hell is Kathy thinking?"
"She's not, Elliot. She's reacting. Think of her like one of our victims. She hasn't even begun to deal with how screwed up her life has become. She's just reacting to each problem as it comes her way."
"Yeah...still, though. If this has been going on for weeks, why didn't Maureen call me? It's not like I disappeared. I mean I tried to give Kathy space but I've seen my kids almost every day."
"She was scared, El. She doesn't know how to handle this situation anymore than you or I do. She's still a kid."
"We did the right thing, taking Eli. I'll deal with Kathy when she finds out."
"What if she doesn't care? What do we do then?"
"I don't know, Liv. I honestly don't know."
Elliot pulled her into his chest and held her tightly. "I love you, Olivia Benson." He whispered.
Olivia wrapped her arms around his waist. "I love you too, Stabler."
When Eli woke up a couple hours later and toddled out of the room, Olivia was busy in the kitchen making lunch and Elliot was sitting at the counter reading the paper.
Elliot scooped Eli up and set him in the high chair.
"You hungry, buddy?"
Eli nodded, rubbing his eyes. Olivia brought over a plate of macaroni and cheese and a ham sandwich for him and set it on his high chair tray. She passed Elliot his sandwich as well and then took a bite out of hers.
She leaned against the counter facing the Stabler boys and sighed. Everything about this felt right to her and yet absolutely everything was wrong.
Elliot glanced up at her. "What's up?"
"Hmm? Nothing." Olivia answered, stabbing a tomato from her salad with her fork. "Life's funny sometimes, that's all."
Elliot nodded, not sure what she meant but feeling similarly pensive.
"Elliot, can I ask you a question?" Olivia asked, breaking the heavy silence.
"Of course."
"What's the plan here? Are we both taking care of Eli? Are we rotating until Kathy comes to her senses or a judge steps in?..."
"I hadn't thought about it, I guess. What are you thinking?"
"I want what's best for Eli." Olivia answered without hesitation. "You're his father. He knows you better than he knows me, obviously, so he should probably stay here. With your work schedule though, I can't see how you're going to manage it. I will gladly take him on the days you are working. I can rearrange my schedule easily enough but I don't have the space in my apartment for a baby or crib or anything else he will need."
"So we don't move him. You come here when I'm working. I've got plenty of extra room. You can take one of the spare bedrooms if you're more comfortable there but you know that I would be perfectly happy with you in my bed." Elliot wagged an eyebrow at her playfully, causing her to smile and shake her head at him.
"For how long?"
"I wish I knew."
"Okay, then. Let's just take it one day at a time." Olivia sighed. "How is it that we just got back together and we're already raising a kid together?" Olivia asked, smiling.
"Things have never been normal with us, Liv." Elliot answered, pulling her close and kissing her forehead. "I'm so glad you're here with me. I don't know if I could do this without you."
They finished eating in comfortable silence. Elliot cleared the dishes while Olivia played with Eli in the living room.
"El, I need to head home. I have no clean clothes here. Do you boys want to come with me? We could swing by the baby store on our way back and get you a few essentials...you know, like a crib?"
"That's a fantastic idea and one that I would not have thought of until his bedtime. Thank God you're here." Elliot chuckled.
A hours later Olivia, Elliot and Eli walked into her apartment. Olivia went to her bedroom and changed clothes quickly. She emerged a few moments later and sat down on the couch next to Elliot who was watching Eli play on the floor with Olivia's drink coasters. Her apartment was not exactly kid friendly.
"Ready?" Elliot asked.
"Sure." Olivia answered, scooping Eli up.
"Where's your bag?" Elliot asked, looking around.
"Bag?" Olivia asked, perplexed.
"I thought you were packing a bag of clothes for the weekend..."
"Oh, I meant I needed to change out of the clothes that I've been wearing since yesterday. I didn't know you were planning on me staying again."
"Of course I was, I mean, only if you want to." Elliot stuttered.
"El, are you asking me to stay with you tonight because you need help with Eli?"
"Nope. I'm asking you to stay so I can have my wicked way with you after he's asleep." Elliot answered, grinning.
Olivia burst out laughing and hit him in the chest. He caught her hand and pulled her close, kissing her long and slow before she could stop him.
"'Kay." She whispered and then turned on her heels to return to the bedroom.
Olivia returned a few moments later with a gym bag slung over her shoulder. "C'mon, Elliot. Let's go baby shopping." She called over her shoulder as she headed for the front door.
Elliot smiled to himself at her enthusiasm. He picked up Eli and followed close behind her.
An hour later Olivia and Elliot were standing with glazed over expressions in front of the entrance to the fourth baby store. They had not yet succeeded in purchasing a crib for Eli but had managed to stock up on other essentials like clothes and diapers. Eli was asleep in the stroller they purchased at the first store and if she wasn't mistaken, Elliot looked like he could join him for a nap at any point.
"Last one, El." Olivia reassured, stifling a yawn herself.
"Yeah. Let's get it done." Elliot said, pushing the stroller and forging ahead into the lobby of Babies R Us.
They found a cherry wood crib that matched the rest of Elliot's furniture and also converted into a toddler bed. They had it loaded into Elliot's jeep in no time.
The drive back was quiet. Eli was fast asleep in the back while Olivia rested her head against the head rest staring at the city buildings as they passed.
Elliot reached over and brushed his fingers up and down Olivia's arm and then wiggled his fingers into hers. She turned and offered him a half-hearted smile.
"You're quiet." Elliot observed.
"Just tired." Olivia answered.
"We're almost home. Eli can sleep in the Pack n' Play while we set up his crib. I hope this doesn't take too long."
Olivia nodded in agreement and turned her head to look out the window again. It was starting to drizzle and Olivia suddenly itched to be outside, feeling the rain against her skin.
"Liv, you okay?" Elliot asked, concerned lacing his voice.
"Fine, El. Just not the way I ever imagined baby shopping. Sometimes I hate Kathy..."
Elliot chuckled and grasped Olivia's hand tighter.
"Hey." He whispered, bringing her hand up to his lips and placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles. "It'll happen. One day you'll have the family you've dreamed about."
Olivia nodded and squeezed Elliot's hand gently. They continued the drive in silence.
The sun was just beginning to set behind the Central Park trees as Elliot twisted the last screw into the crib. Olivia returned from the kitchen with a bottle of wine and two glasses so they could toast to finally finishing. They only had to start over twice before getting the crib assembled correctly and to Olivia that was a clear success.
"Thanks." Elliot groaned, taking a glass from Olivia. "Looks pretty good, huh?"
"It does, El. Eli will be thrilled." Olivia smiled, pouring herself a glass and settling on the floor next to Elliot.
Elliot wrapped his free arm around his love and sighed. "What time do you go into work tomorrow?"
"Ugh. If I have to sit in front of a computer all day for one more day, I may scream." Olivia giggled, tossing her head back onto Elliot's shoulder.
"Talk to Cragen tomorrow. File transfer papers. They haven't given me anyone yet so we still have space. Cragen has been a bear since you left. I think you kept his attitude in check."
"Well then, I had better sort him out then!" Olivia said, curling into Elliot's side. He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. Eli began to stir from his afternoon nap and Elliot stood up reluctantly untangling himself from Olivia.
"I ordered a pizza. It should be here soon." Olivia said, using Elliot's outstretched hand to pull herself up.
"Sounds perfect." Elliot said, pulling Olivia close. "Right now, everything in this moment is perfect because you're here. I really never thought I would have another chance with you. Thank you, Olivia, for giving us another chance."
"Like I had a choice." Olivia winked at Elliot and tossed a saucy grin over her shoulder as she made her way into the living room to tend to Eli, swaying her hips just a little bit more than needed for Elliot's obvious enjoyment.