Cragen pulled a few bills from his wallet as well. "We bet that you would pussy out and that Olivia would have to be the one to tie you down. Not the other way around. So, now...we owe you money." Cragen explained, shaking his head and laughing.
"Take your girl out tonight." Fin said and Elliot nodded.
"You got it." He smiled pulling Olivia in for a kiss.
"Liv!" Kathleen called from the bathroom. "How do you want me to do your hair?"
Olivia walked in to find that Kathleen had set out every hair product and tool that she could find on the bathroom counter. Olivia had unpacked her last box the weekend before and had dissolved her apartment lease. She and Elliot were officially living together and while she couldn't have been happier, looking at all the hair products made her pretty sure that Elliot would not be thrilled about this. Good thing he was at Fin's getting ready.
"Kit Kat, I could not care less." Olivia said, plopping down on the stool in front of the mirror. "Just make it pretty. You're so good at that."
Kathleen smiled at her future step mother as she plugged in the curling iron. "You're going to look so beautiful today." She mused.
"So will you. The dresses that you girls picked out are perfect." Olivia sighed. "You think your father will show up?" She smirked.
"I think he's probably been camped outside the place since yesterday waiting for you. I've never seen him this excited."
Kathleen carefully arranged Olivia's hair into loose curls that framed her face. Once she was done, Olivia applied her make up and gathered her things.
"Shall we head out?" She asked Kathleen.
"Yep! Let me text Maureen and see where she is. She's supposed to meet us there."
Olivia and Kathleen got into the waiting town car and headed off towards The Hamptons. Elliot and Olivia had found the perfect house on the beach for a quiet, afternoon wedding and they were thankful that Spring had finally decided to come. As they drove, Olivia stared out the window, watching Manhattan fly by. She couldn't help but think of all the pain and suffering she had seen on those streets with Elliot. All that hurt, the crime, the destruction. They had and would continue to face it together, warriors for their cause. Every case had only served to bring them closer and in the end, their partnership had become the most important thing in either of their lives, besides the kids.
"You ready for this?" Kathleen asked, resting a hand on Olivia's arm and bringing her out of her reverie.
Olivia sighed and smiled. "Kathleen, I am more ready for this than I have ever been for anything."
She rested her head against the head rest and relaxed into the seat. She was ready.
Elliot couldn't help it. He was nervous and though he knew that Olivia would be there soon, he still paced around front hallway. He adjusted his cuff links, smoothed his shirt, straightened his tie, walked to the kitchen and back again, but nothing helped. He just wanted to see her.
"Stabler, calm down man. She'll be here." Fin chided.
"I know. I know. I just..." Elliot stuttered.
"Elliot. As much as I would love to tease you about being a lovesick teenager, you're actually starting to drive me crazy." Cragen said. He took Elliot's arm and dragged him into the kitchen.
"Here. Have a beer and calm the hell down." Cragen slid a bottle across the granite counter to Elliot. He popped it open and took a swig.
"Thanks." He said quietly.
The sound of gravel under car tires caught his attention.
"Uh uh. You stay here." Fin said, holding up his hand and walking to the front window. "She's here, Elliot. You can breathe now. She looks beautiful and she's not even in her dress yet."
Elliot visibly relaxed. Maureen came bursting in the front door with Lizzie, Dickie trailing behind her and Eli in her arms.
"We pulled up right behind Kat and Liv, Dad. She's here. Stop worrying." Maureen said, walking over and kissing her dad on the cheek.
"How did you..." Elliot started.
"Dad, I can tell. You look good, by the way." Maureen said, handing Eli to her father and disappearing up the stairs to get ready.
Kathleen helped Olivia carry her dress inside through the back door. As soon as they were up the stairs and in the master bedroom, Olivia hung the dress on the top of the window so that it wouldn't touch the ground.
She set about helping Maureen get Lizzie and Dickie in to their outfits. Once they were dressed, Maureen sent them downstairs to find Elliot. She and Kathleen disappeared to the bathroom to change into their dresses. They had picked pale pink, strapless, tea length dresses that looked perfect with their eyes and hair. Olivia could not have been more pleased with their choice. She sat on the bed, looking at her dress in it's protective covering. No one had seen it yet but her. She had gone by herself to pick out a dress and knew immediately when she tried this one on that it was the one she wanted to marry Elliot in. She could not wait for him to see her in it.
The bathroom door opened and the girls came out to show Olivia's their final looks. She was pretty sure they could wear paper bags and look beautiful but today with their hair and makeup done and in those dresses, they looked stunning.
"Girls! You look incredible!" Olivia gasped, pulling them in for hugs.
"Thanks, Liv!" Maureen replied, blushing slightly. "I'm glad you like the dresses."
"I love them and I love you. I'm so glad you're here."
"Where else would we be?" Kathleen asked, walking over to the window and picking up Olivia's gown.
"Your turn, Mom." Maureen said, walking over to the bed where Kathleen had gently laid the gown down.
Olivia slowly unzipped the bag with tears in her eyes and lifted the delicate light champagne colored, lace dress out of the bag. The dress was perfect for her. It was simple, classic, and elegant, made entirely of silk and lace with a low cut back and cap sleeves. She slid out of the robe she had changed into and stepped into the dress. The color made her olive skin glow and while it wasn't the traditional white, it was pale enough that it still looked like a wedding gown. There was a simple silk sash in a dusted gold color that tied around the waist. Kathleen secured the bow in the center of Olivia's lower back. The gown hugged her curves perfectly and she looked gorgeous.
"Wow." Kathleen muttered. "Dad may not recover from seeing you in this."
"You look amazing, Olivia." Maureen echoed.
"Thank you." Olivia replied, blushing.
Olivia pulled a pair of shoes and a small jewelry box out of her bag. She slipped into a pair of light gold pumps and then opened the first box. A delicate pearl bracelet sat inside and Kathleen picked it up and helped her put it on.
"This was my mothers." Olivia said. "I think it was her mother's too. It's the only piece of jewelry she really wore on a regular basis. I loved playing with it when I was little. It made me feel like a princess when she let me put it on."
"Here." Kathleen said, handing Olivia a second, smaller box. "Dad wanted us to make sure you got this before you walked down the aisle."
Olivia smiled and popped open the box. A gorgeous pair of pearl drop earrings sparkled inside. Olivia put her hand to her mouth in surprise.
"They're beautiful." She whispered, taking one of the earrings out and examining it in the light.
Maureen held out the other earring after she had secured the first one. Once her jewelry was on Kathleen took her by the hand and dragged her into the bathroom.
"C'mon, future Mrs. Stabler. We have 15 minutes to touch up your hair and make up."
Olivia giggled and allowed the girls to get to work.
Elliot stood under the trellis in the back yard. The weather was perfect; not too hot with a breeze coming in off the ocean and not a cloud in the sky. He could not have been more at peace standing in front of his friends and family, waiting for Olivia to walk down the aisle. There were only about thirty people there and most of them were Elliot's family. The other people were all members of the NYPD. Olivia had only wanted a few very close friends there and since she didn't have any family to speak of, Elliot's guests made up most of the invite list. She was more than fine with this though. She would have been happy getting married at the court house the day after he asked her, but the girls had been so excited about the wedding that they gave in.
A string quartet began playing at exactly 2 p.m. and all the guests took their seats. Maureen led the procession on Munch's arm, followed closely by Kathleen and Fin. Elliot beamed at his girls as they walked down the aisle with grace. Lizzie and Dickie came next carrying flowers and the rings. Olivia took a deep breath and tightened her grip on Cragen's arm. From her place inside the house she could see Elliot but he could not see her.
The music changed to a soft melody by Bach and everyone stood and looked expectantly towards the house. Olivia turned towards Don.
"Are you ready?" He asked.
She nodded and gripped his arm tighter as he led her into the sunlight. Olivia's bouquet of pale pink roses complimented her dress perfectly. Elliot could not take his eyes off her as she walked towards him and she couldn't look away from him.
Once they had reached the front, Olivia turned towards Cragen and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you." She whispered in his ear.
He pulled away to look at her with tears in his eyes and nodded. As he took his seat with the rest of the guests, Olivia handed her bouquet to Maureen and took Elliot's hands in hers.
The minister began to speak but Olivia and Elliot weren't paying attention. They were smiling at each other big, lovesick smiles.
"I love you." Elliot mouthed to Olivia who nodded her response.
"...and now it's time for the rings and the vows." The minister announced shaking Elliot and Olivia out of their daze.
Elliot took Olivia's wedding band from Dickie and then held her hand in his.
"Olivia, from the first moment I met you I knew you were special. Now I know that I cannot live without you. I promise to love, cherish, and protect you. I promise to respect you, comfort you, and support you. I promise to always be loyal to you and to our family. I love you, Olivia. Please accept this ring as a symbol of my vow to you on this day."
Elliot slipped the ring on Olivia's finger with tears in his eyes. She choked back a sob as their guests began cheering.
Olivia took Elliot's ring from Dickie's outstretched hand.
"Elliot, when I'm with you, everything falls into place. You're my light, my north star, my strength, and my rock. I promise to love, cherish, and protect you. I promise to respect you, comfort you, and support you. I promise to always be loyal to you and to our family. I love you, Elliot. Please accept this ring as a symbol of my love on this day."
She pushed the ring onto his finger and smiled as their guests cheered again.
"Do you, Elliot, take Olivia to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Elliot's smile was huge. "I do."
"And do you, Olivia, take Elliot to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
Olivia laughed joyfully. "I do!"
"Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. Elliot, you may kiss your bride."
The wedding guests stood and applauded loudly as Elliot wrapped an arm around Olivia's waist. He pulled her towards him and brought his lips to hers gently. Her arms wound around his neck as she deepened the kiss. He wrapped his other arm around her and dipped her, never taking his lips off hers. When they broke apart, Olivia held their joined hands triumphantly in the air in celebration. Elliot laughed and pulled her in for another kiss. They walked down the aisle arm in arm getting hand shakes and pats on the back on their way.
The wedding planner ushered everyone into one of the rooms of the house for cocktails while waiters set up the outside area for dinner.
Elliot pulled Olivia into a side room and quickly shut and locked the door behind them.
Olivia giggled as Elliot crowded her against the nearest wall, pushing his body into hers and exciting every nerve in her.
"Elliot, what on earth are you doing?" She asked, playfully.
"Mrs. Stabler, I'm simply making sure that our kiss worked back there. I may have to try it again just to be sure that we're really married."
"By all means..." She replied, snaking her hands around the back of his neck once more. Elliot brought his lips to her neck. He nipped and sucked the sensitive flesh, making her moan.
"You look unbelievable, Olivia." Elliot breathed into her ear before continuing his ministrations once more. "I can't wait to take this off of you later."
Olivia couldn't stand it anymore. In a few moments he had managed to arouse her to the point that she was more than willing to have their wedding night a little early and right there on the couch in the spare room.
She captured his lips fiercely and opened her mouth to allow him access. He quickly returned her enthusiasm and pressed his body further into hers. She gasped as his fingers brushed the outside of her breasts. Her hands drifted down to his belt but he stopped her as she began to unbuckle it.
"Wait, wait. Do we really want the first time we make love as husband and wife to be up against a wall?"
"Yep." Olivia asserted, continuing to try to unbuckle his belt.
Elliot laughed and took her hands in his. "Let's slow down. We've got all night." Elliot soothed.
"You're a mean one, Mr. Stabler." She smirked as she smoothed her dress and stood up straight.
Elliot laughed again and took her by the hand. "You really do look amazing, Olivia."
"Thank you." She mumbled shyly.
"C'mon, Mrs. Stabler. Let's go mingle."
Elliot pulled her out of the room and the walked hand in hand to join their guests.