75. Christmas Reunion

It had been a wonderful Christmas morning. Noah was overjoyed with all the presents Santa had left for him under the tree. He'd been so excited all night long, that they ended up letting him sleep between them in the big bed, putting any nightly plans they might have had on hold once more. They found an extra present under the tree too, for Olivia. And no matter how hard Olivia tried, she couldn't get Elliot to divulge how it had gotten into the apartment. It was beautiful though and she couldn't refuse it.

"For as long as I've known you, you've always worn these big, chunky man watches," Elliot explained. "I feel you finally deserve something more charming on your wrist, just to accentuate how truly charming you are."

Olivia was very flattered but raised an eyebrow at his last comment, prompting Elliot to add immediately,

"Or how charming you can be. If you want to be."

Olivia grinned, deciding not to push any further. It was a sweet gesture and a sweet thought, and she had to admit she loved the watch. It really was very elegant but not too flashy, with a refined silver-colored case and a simple black leather band. It was perfect.

"Thank you Santa," Olivia said softly, and when Elliot pouted his lips, she stood up from where she had been sitting with Noah in front of the tree and the pile of presents, and gave him a sweet kiss on the lips.

"Thank you Santa," Noah repeated happily, and when he saw his mother sit down on the couch next to Elliot, he climbed in her lap with his newest dinosaur in one hand and an action figure from Ice Age in the other.

"See dino movie now?" he asked hopefully.

One of his presents was the DVD Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and naturally, Noah couldn't wait to see it.

"Honey, we haven't even had breakfast yet," Olivia objected, and they agreed that they would eat first and then Olivia would make them coffee and hot cocoa and then they'd put the movie in the DVD player.

They all watched the movie together, or at least the first part of it, because half way through, Olivia saw Elliot nodding off. He was trying to use less pain medication, but he was still tired of being in pain and of the medication he was still on. Noah was completely engrossed in the movie but thought the big momma dino was a little scary too, so he climbed on the couch to sit between them. Olivia smiled and wrapped her arm around him, letting him snuggle up to her so he could watch the big dino from the safest place on earth. She glanced at Elliot, wondering if he was comfortable, slouched in one corner of the couch with his cast resting on a stool. But he was asleep and that was always good.

After the movie, Olivia asked Noah to help her with preparations for their Christmas dinner and to bake cookies. They baked cookies together and sampled a few of course. It wasn't exactly a nutritious lunch but it was alright for once. Elliot woke up after a while and he made himself a sandwich while watching her and Noah work.

"If I can help in any way ..." he started, but before Olivia could object, Noah piped up.

"No Ewwie Ot. Noah cooking."

Noah was actually making a mess but he was happy as long as he thought he was helping. Stirring yet another batch of cookie dough kept him busy for a while, and Olivia turned to face Elliot, who was leaning against the kitchen counter.

"He staying up all afternoon?" Elliot asked her softly, wiggling his eyebrows when she squinted at him, wondering what he meant.

Olivia bit her lip when she realized he was hoping for some alone time with her, and glanced at Noah. His cheeks were beginning to turn red but she doubted he'd be able to sleep at all on Christmas day. He was high on sugar as it was, and she'd promised him they'd watch a Disney Christmas movie with Mickey Mouse that would be on TV later on. Olivia had finished making a salad for dinner and the chicken was marinating in the fridge. It was only 2.30 PM so it was too early to start cooking dinner already.

"I could try to persuade him to take a nap after this batch of cookies," she said softly, and when Elliot reached for her, she moved into his arms willingly.

"What if he doesn't fall asleep?" Elliot mumbled against her temple, and Olivia felt goosebumps break out in her neck and on her back.

"Why all the questions?" she asked him as innocently as she could manage, her lips brushing his cheek while she spoke.

Elliot groaned softly and Olivia tried unsuccessfully to suppress a smile.

"You know why," he growled just before catching her lower lip between his lips.

Olivia moaned softly and kissed him back, hoping Noah wouldn't break or spill something while her back was turned.

"I want you to see Greg first," she managed to say in between kisses and Elliot hung his head.

"My next checkup isn't for another four days Liv," he said and she could swear he was pouting a little.

"Okay, then this is all you're gonna get for another four days," Olivia said, trying to sound casual but unable to hide her amusement.

She kissed him again and Elliot decided to make the most of what he could get, deepening the kiss immediately. Olivia couldn't ignore the effect he was having on her body and moaned again, enjoying being in the arms of her friend, her partner and the love of her life. She didn't want this moment to end, but she knew it would have to. Noah's tiny voice piped up as if on cue, like he so often did.

"Mommy kiss Noah daddy."

They broke off the kiss and looked at the little boy with his hands still in the bowl of cookie dough. Elliot's eyes had gone a little wide and Olivia bit her lip. Noah had never mentioned a daddy again after that first time at the hospital and they hadn't wanted to put any pressure on him, but now he'd just said it so casually. He wasn't even looking at them anymore, he was just studying the dough coming out of his fist between his fingers as he squeezed it.

"What did you say, my sweet boy?" Olivia asked after a beat, turning away from Elliot and approaching her son at the breakfast bar.

"Mommy kiss Noah daddy," Noah repeated, completely unfazed.

Then, by way of clarification, he pointed his dough-filled finger at Elliot.

"Ewwie Ot Noah daddy?"

Olivia was at a loss for words, not sure what to tell her son right now. Elliot wobbled over to the breakfast bar as well and leaned on it with his elbows, bringing his face level with Noah's.

"You can call me daddy, little man."

"Okay daddy," Noah answered with a huge smile on his face and Olivia choked up instantly. "Mommies and daddies kiss."

"That's right," Elliot said, standing upright again and looking at her. "Mommies and daddies kiss."

Elliot planted a chaste kiss on her lips and Olivia was swooning. Daddy. Her son had just called Elliot daddy. For real. She couldn't stop grinning and quickly wiped her eyes before tears could show themselves. This was the best Christmas she'd ever had by far, despite Elliot's injuries. She was with the two people who meant the world to her, and they were all she needed.

And then the buzzer rang.

"Who could that be on Christmas day?" she wondered out loud.

"Jessie?" Noah asked hopefully, and Olivia smiled.

Noah suddenly had a whole bunch of people to choose from, who might drop by unexpectedly. She pushed the button of the intercom and asked,

"Yes, who is it?"

"Olivia, it's John. Can I come up?"

Olivia turned around and looked at Elliot.

"It's John!" she sighed happily.

She really missed her dear friend at work and outside of work and she quickly buzzed him up. She opened the door of the apartment to wait for him, and was surprised to hear multiple voices as apparently a group of people walked up the stairs to her floor. She gasped and put a hand over her mouth when she saw who were coming down the hallway. They had all come! John Munch, Fin Tutuola, Donald Cragen, George Huang and behind them, a slightly insecure look on her face, Alex Cabot. Olivia didn't know what to say and just stood there, her hand still over her mouth until John reached her and held out his arms.

Olivia hugged the older man and held him tight, trying to come to terms with the fact that everyone from their old squad was here.

Elliot came up behind her, using one crutch and was shocked to see everyone. He recognized most of them from their visits to the hospital, except the blonde. But seeing them all together seemed ... familiar. Olivia was hugging all of them one by one and Elliot locked eyes with Donald Cragen. He knew the man and he used him as an anchor while digesting the familiarity of this unexpected gathering. Cragen put a hand on his shoulder and asked him,

"How are you doing son?"

Just then, Noah popped up next to Elliot and clutched his right leg when he saw all the people with his mom in the hallway. His small voice was heard over all the adult chatter when he asked Elliot,

"Who that, daddy?"

...

Couldn't resist some more Noah cuteness, although he seems to get in the way sometimes - heheheh. And the whole squad is here! Review?