Summary: Christmas with the Stablers. Cider, dinner, gifts, and a little mistletoe.

AN: These are the earrings that I describe. Even though my ears aren't pierced, I just thought they were so pretty.

jewelry/earrings/elsa-peretti-pearls-by-the-yard-graduated-earrings-GRP09888/

Up next: Elliot has trouble at a crime scene. Who does he seek out for comfort?

Olivia looks in the mirror as she applies the last bit of her make up. She can't help but think how different she feels today, getting ready to crash Stabler Christmas, compared to how she felt on Thanksgiving. Instead of tense nerves and anxious energy, a calm excitement comes over her. She knows that Elliot's family is okay with her and Noah being a part of these family events. In fact, Maureen, Kathleen, and Liz added her to a group chat to discuss food preparations and gift ideas for the kids and men. And Noah really enjoys spending time with the Stabler clan. All in all, she feels very comfortable getting ready to leave her apartment with a small tote with presents and several bottles of wine already loaded into her car. Thank you, Elliot.

Elliot loaded her car for her before he left that morning. He only stayed long enough this morning to cook eggs and bacon with Noah while Olivia picked up the wrapping paper and boxes from Noah's presents, and to sit down and eat. Then he had to go so he could help his mom and Kathleen get his apartment ready for the afternoon festivities (and likely take a nap).

She and Noah were supposed to be joining the festivities between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m. Early dinner is scheduled to be served by 4:00 p.m. (which would probably be more like 4:45-5:00 p.m.), and then everyone is exchanging gifts. With so many kids and significant others, and now grandkids, they all drew names, so they didn't force themselves into bankruptcy trying to buy gifts for everyone. Olivia and Noah had missed out on the drawing, so she picked up small presents for the twins, Eli, and Bernie. Elliot promised her that Noah would have a gift to open as well.

Not only can she sense the difference in her feelings between the holidays, but she also can tell that her own feelings about Elliot, his family, and their dynamic are changing. After finally clueing Elliot in about her brush with death and her survival, and her recent session with Dr. Lindstrom, she's decided that she's not going to wait anymore. She's going to enjoy the holiday celebrations.

Then next week, she's going to invite Elliot for coffee and let him know—she's ready to date. She feels fluttering in her stomach at the thought.

Smiling, she grabs her purse and heads to the living to find her winter coat.

"Noah! Grab your coat! Let's go!"

They get to Elliot's a little after 2:30 p.m. and the place is already packed. Everyone apparently decided that they needed to show up at noon and many of them had started drinking then too. Elliot greeted her at the door and took the tote from her hand.

She barely had time to place her and Noah's coats on the guest bed before the women rush her into the kitchen to fix her up with a drink. They made hot spiked cider and eggnog and opened a couple bottles of wine.

Once Olivia's said Hello to and hugged each of the Stabler daughters, Sarah, and Bernie, and accepted a very full glass of red wine, she finally gets a chance to take in the place from her spot near the table.

Like Thanksgiving, the boys are spread out in the living room and the women are in the kitchen. As much as she hates the implicit sexism that comes along with holiday preparations, she also likes that Noah has the opportunity to surround himself with boys and men of all ages. Olivia also appreciates the opportunity for a little girl—woman—talk that she will inevitably get in the kitchen. As well as the proximity to the wine. She'll take the losses with the wins.

Paying more attention to the space than the people now, she sees the huge tree in the corner that's overloaded with decorations, most of which look to be handmade. She makes a note to take a peek to see if some of them are from the older children's elementary school days. She looks at a row of stockings hanging over a newly installed electric fireplace that she assumes that Elliot puts in storage in the warmer months. She notices quickly that there are two extra stockings—one for her and one for Noah. They stand out because they look very new (and cheap, if she's being honest) compared to the kids' hand-knitted stockings but it makes her heart swell just the same. Finally, Olivia notices that there are a couple branches of mistletoe hung under doorways and even one strung from a ceiling fan.

"I'm sorry I didn't have time to make your stockings, my dear," Bernie apologizes as she steps up next to Olivia, catching her off guard in her thoughts.

"Oh, that's okay," she answers, turning to look at Elliot's mother, who is dressed in her best ugly Christmas sweater, with baubles and all, and holding a near empty mug shaped like a Christmas tree. "I didn't even know we would have stockings, so those are perfect."

"Between us girls," Bernie starts, leaning in conspiratorially and Olivia does the same to hear Bernie's whisper, "Elliot panicked this morning after Kathleen pulled those out and ran out to get you two stockings."

"He didn't!"

"Yes, he did. But I promise next year you and Noah will have stockings that match the rest of the crew. I didn't have time to knit you ones this year. Elliot only told us you were coming last week and I'm afraid my hands don't work as fast as they once did."

Touched by the thought, Olivia presses a hand over her heart. "You don't have to do that Bernie."

"Of course I don't," Bernie says frankly, as if she's never done a thing in her entire life that she didn't absolutely want to do. "I want to. I have a feeling that you and Noah will be sticking around for a while," she adds with a wink before she heads back toward the eggnog.

Olivia continues to look around the apartment as Elliot joins her, a hot mug of cider in his hands.

She gives him a good once over, taking in his cheery demeanor and appreciating the way his new sweater sits on his chest. "You wore the sweater."

Elliot looks down and rubs a hand over the soft fabric covering his torso. "I promised Noah I would. I noticed he's in his blue one, too."

Olivia nods. "I noticed that the twins are also in light blue sweaters and Eli's in a navy-blue quarter zip. You didn't happen to have anything to do with that, did you?"

"Me? Nah," Elliot scoffs with joking denial as he sips his cider. "Everyone just decided that they wanted to wear blue sweaters today."

"Is that so?" she asks coyly, biting her bottom lip as she meets his eyes.

"Yup," Elliot nods, taking a sip of his cider to hide his grin. "And if Dickie was my size, he would have also decided to wear a blue sweater."

Olivia laughs, "You are ridiculous." But then she sees that Dickie is the only guy not wearing a blue sweater. His is gray, but he does have a light blue Oxford button-down underneath it, his collar barely visible at his neck.

"Maybe, or maybe I just wanted Noah to feel like he is a part of all of this," Elliot says sincerely, waving a hand around the apartment.

Smiling, Olivia leans her head onto Elliot's shoulder, testing out a new boundary, physical closeness and contact. "Thank you, El."

He wraps an arm around her low back, his hand resting on her hip, holding her to him in the moment. "You're welcome, Liv."

She's only there for a moment, only a minute soaking his heat and muscle, before being called into the kitchen by Maureen, no doubt wanting to hear all about Noah's school and dance. With a quick grin, Elliot nods her towards the kitchen, and he returns to the living room.

About half an hour later Olivia's in the kitchen, pulling out serving dishes for dinner when she hears Noah calling her name and then Elliot's name. She hands the bowl to Kathleen, who's smiling for no reason, and heads towards Noah's voice, which sounds like it's coming from the guest room.

She sees Elliot heading that way too, her confusion also reflected on his face. Noah has had a good time so far. She's not heard any bickering between the kids or any complaints from him, and he knows that he can pull out his iPad anytime he wants today, so she's at a loss for why he'd be calling her. But Elliot just shrugs and walks beside her to the guest room.

Approaching the room, they see Noah sitting on the bed smiling, his bright blue eyes twinkling, and his legs swinging and kicking the side of the mattress. He holds up his hands and says "Stop," just as they both take a step through the doorway. They listen to him, waiting to hear why he's called them to the room. But he just points up towards the ceiling and their eyes follow his finger.

Hanging inches above their heads is a green sprig of mistletoe with a small red bow.

Olivia is suddenly aware of her proximity to Elliot. She can feel his body heat through his sweater, and his palm on her low back is almost too hot. She refuses to look at him, not right now, not when there is this unwritten expectation that they are going to kiss.

Not that she hasn't thought about it. Because she has. She's thought about it a lot. She wondered how soft his lips are and what he'd taste like. Right now, he'd taste like apples and cinnamon and clove. She tried to decide if he's a subtle kisser, mainly lips and hot breath, or if he's one who would devour her with his teeth and tongue if given the chance. But she's not going to get her answers right now. Not in this doorway; not in front of her kid; and not because they got tricked into standing underneath a stupid twig.

She gulps and looks back to Noah, her eyes wide and questioning. The wine buzz she was working on gone in a flash as bewilderment sets in.

Noah's eyes are huge and he's grinning so broad that it's barely contained on his face. For a moment she feels sad that she's going to disappoint him. He clearly thought he was in on a fun and harmless holiday joke.

"Noah–"

"Nuh uh mom," he shakes his head, his curls flipping to and fro. "It's a Christmas tradition."

Elliot turns towards her, pulling her attention from her son to him. "Liv, I didn't–" he starts, determined to assure her that he wasn't in on this. That he didn't hang this mistletoe here. That he didn't tell Noah to call them into this room. That he wasn't trying to use the small plant to lay one on her. Not after promising her that he'd wait until she was ready.

"I know. I just uh…" She rubs her hand over her face, trying to hide the flush in her cheeks and get her thoughts organized.

He can tell she's trying to figure out what to do. She didn't expect to be caught under the mistletoe with him. In fact, he's watched her expertly avoid three spots in his home for the last hour. He knows that they are making progress (and he hopes that she isn't completely disgusted by the thought of kissing him), but there is a vast difference between a first, experimental kiss between friends trying to become something more and a first kiss as a result of a Christmas gag perpetrated by your young son. Neither of them wants the latter to be the cause of their first physical interaction in this new relationship.

Elliot cups her bicep, squeezing it reassuringly before he looks back at Noah. "Noah, will you excuse us for a moment?" His question is asked evenly. He doesn't want to upset the boy. He doesn't think Noah's in trouble, and he doesn't want to ruin the rest of their evening. They just need a moment to talk privately, to clear the air between them.

"But—" Noah starts to argue and points to the hanging plant once more, not quite ready to give up.

"Noah, Elliot asked you to step out of the room," Olivia says calmly, but it's clear that she and Elliot are not going to abide by the rules of mistletoe, and they expect him to leave the room now.

Huffing, Noah hops down from the bed and walks between Elliot and Olivia.

Kathleen is waiting in the hall, hoping to catch a glimpse of the much-awaited kiss. She can tell Noah's frustrated that their scheme didn't work out and a little fearful that he's upset his mom and Elliot. She grabs his shoulders as he walks past, whispering, "Hey, it's okay."

Elliot and Olivia take a step into the room and close the door.

He starts, desperate to make sure that this moment hasn't disrupted Christmas or their progress, "Olivia, I swear I didn't put this here. I didn't even realize Kathleen had put mistletoe up until Mama told me…about five minutes after you had already arrived."

"Okay," she nods, a little flustered but she believes him. Hanging mistletoe is absolutely something that Kathleen would do and something that Bernie would get a kick out of rather than telling her granddaughter to take it down.

Already eager to put this awkward moment behind them and get on with the evening, Elliot begs, "Let's just go back out there. I promise it's not a big deal."

But she's still lost in thought, confused at how Noah became part of this gag, or what he thought would happen once he tricked her and Elliot to stand in the doorway. "I don't know what Noah expected."

"Us to kiss, clearly," Elliot jokes, but Olivia just shakes her head, not quite ready to laugh about this yet. "Liv, he's a kid. He probably saw it in a movie and thought it would be funny."

"Yea, maybe," she agrees softly, thinking about Noah's grinning face when he called them into the room and pointed up. Did he really expect…or want us to kiss? Obviously Noah has thought, at least fleetingly in a way that a child does, about her and Elliot together and she needs to understand what those thoughts were. "I think I need to talk to him."

"Maybe wait until tomorrow? I just think it was him having fun, most likely egged on by Kathleen. She's been, uh, pestering me about us lately," Elliot adds nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. He doesn't really want to get into those conversations now, but he also doesn't want Noah to get in trouble for something that Kathleen started.

Letting the subject drop so they could leave the room, the rest of the family had to realize that they were missing by now, Olivia nods, "You are probably right. I'm so sorry."

"You're sorry? My kid is the one who hung up mistletoe," Elliot chuckles.

"And mine called us in here to stand under it," she counters, finally smiling a bit trying to see the humor in the whole thing.

"We will ground them both then," he says with a solemn nod as he opens the door and gestures for her to leave the room ahead of him, placing his hand on the small of her back as they return to the living room.

Olivia heads back to the kitchen and expects Elliot to rejoin the men in the living room, but he follows her into the kitchen and gestures at Kathleen to follow him.

"What the hell were you thinking?" He asks in an angry whisper as soon as his front door shuts.

"I'm so sorry!" Kathleen starts pleading and explaining right away. "Noah and I were talking about you and Olivia. He asked if you two were dating and…and…"

"And what? You just thought you'd help us along like we are characters in a goddamn television show?"

"I thought it was sweet. Maybe she'd kiss you or you'd kiss her cheek."

"You've thought this through then? You just know how it'd all work?"

"You want to kiss her. We all know it! I just thought you needed a little push, the opportunity."

"Damnit Kathleen! Olivia's not ready for us to date, okay? But no, you think you know better than we do. So, you convince her son—we will talk about that later—into plotting a trap for us. She's so freaked!" He might be exaggerating some now. He wasn't actually sure if Olivia was completely freaked out, or if she was upset, or if she was just so caught off guard that she froze. All he knows is that she looked embarrassed, confused, and mildly panicked all rolled into one. He wonders whether if he caught her alone under mistletoe, without an audience and prompting, she'd let him kiss her, at least on the cheek.

"I'm so sorry—" Kathleen tries to apologize again.

Elliot plows ahead though, letting his frustration with Kathleen's interference get the best of him. "She asked me to wait. She asked for more time, and we are making progress. And you might have fucked that all up with your little stunt!"

"Dad!" She shouts to get his attention, well beyond caring if the rest of the family hears her, before lowering her voice to continue. "I'll go in and apologize to her right now. I'll tell her that you had no idea, and that Noah was only taking my directions. I didn't think this would be such a big deal."

Kathleen just thought that her dad and Olivia were just on the edge, too afraid to make the first move. She had no idea that they'd been talking about this and taking steps towards dating, and that it was Olivia who'd asked for a little more time.

Through his gritted teeth and flaring nostrils, he takes deep breaths, counting from one to ten and then back to one to regain his composure. He realizes that Kathleen is on the verge of tears. He knows, deep down, that she was just trying to help. That she just wanted to give them a little push because she knows that he wants to be with Olivia.

After dropping Noah off at home a few weeks ago she'd asked him question after question about his time with Noah and friendship with Olivia, trying to gain insight into whether they were more than friends yet. Elliot was pretty tight lipped on that ride, admitting only that Olivia wanted him to get to know Noah. He hadn't told her about his failed ask out attempt or other conversations that he and Olivia had had about their feelings, past or present, and mutual desire to eventually be in a relationship. But Elliot knew that Kathleen could read between the lines, and he wasn't the best at keeping his emotions under wraps, not between his flushed cheeks and grin he couldn't hide.

Once he's calmed down Elliot tugs Kathleen into his arms. He holds her tight and says softly against her temple, "I know you are sorry. And I've already talked to Olivia. It's fine and we are good." He pulls back from the hug, wipes an errant tear from her cheek and rubs up and down her arms. "Just from now on, don't try to intervene. Believe it or not, your old man has game, okay?"

Kathleen chuckles through a sniffle, "Sure you do dad. Do all the ladies tell you that right before they ask for your credit card number?"

"Christ Kathleen!" Elliot chides her with a grin and a laugh, appreciative of her morbid sense of humor in this moment to take the heat out of their exchange. "Dinner and gifts are next, so go clean up so your brothers don't try to beat me up for making their favorite sister cry."

"Psh! The favorite is Liz, you know that," Kathleen teases as follows her dad back inside and sneaks into the bathroom.

A few minutes later Bernie announces that it's dinner time and instructs the kids to go wash their hands.

Kathleen pulls Olivia aside to a corner of the living room to apologize while Elliot, Dickie, and Carl carry the food to the table.

"Olivia, I just wanted—"

"Kathleen, it's alright," Olivia interrupts, trying to stop the awkward conversation about potentially kissing Elliot before it starts. Her mind is still reeling over the whole thing. She wants to know what Noah is thinking and, for a short-lived moment she regrets not kissing Elliot. Also, she needs to eat something before her wine buzz completely returns, taking over her inhibitions and causing her to tug Elliot back under the mistletoe. "It's already forgotten, okay?"

From her dad's reaction and admission that Olivia was freaked out, she knows that it is probably not alright or forgotten, so Kathleen continues, "At least let me apologize for including Noah in my high jinks."

"Apology accepted." Olivia says quickly, looking back at the table, seeing everyone standing behind their chosen chairs. Anxiety about seating arrangements quickly takes hold and she's desperate to get out of the conversation and to the table.

"But I didn't…"

Olivia shakes her head and takes a couple steps back from Kathleen and towards the table. "Dinner is ready, let's not keep people waiting. It's no big deal and I'm not mad, okay?"

"Yea, sure," Kathleen agrees and follows Olivia to the table, utterly puzzled by the whole conversation.

Olivia again chooses to sit towards the middle of the table, this time between Bernie and Maureen, rather than risk taking what would be Kathy's spot. She might be contemplating dating Elliot, and all the benefits that may come with that, but she wants to make sure that it never appears as if she's trying to replace the kids' mother.

She tries to calm her nerves and think of anything else other than the awkward exchange under the mistletoe and her recent conversation with Kathleen. She knows that she was rude. Kathleen just wanted to apologize, but Olivia needed more distance from the events, and more information from Noah, before she could talk to Kathleen about it all calmly. I'll text her or take her for a drink soon to apologize.

Sipping from her water glass and Olivia tries to be present in the moment. It's something that Dr. Lindstrom is always pushing for her—just be present. Don't let anxieties of the past or the future ruin a good moment. Try not to be so distracted by regrets and what if's that preclude you from taking in and enjoying the present, he'd tell her.

So, she focuses.

Looking down the table she sees the food. There's turkey and ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, and glazed carrots that are making the rounds alongside the wine and dinner rolls. She can hear classic Christmas music playing softly in the background and the kids, even grumpy Eli, are laughing at the second table where all the boys are wearing blue. Somehow cinnamon and allspice can be detected in the air, woven in with the scents of dinner. Her glass is cool in her hand, which helps to calm her.

Then she looks to the head of the table and sees Elliot watching her, smiling happily, his blue eyes radiant as they meet hers. That sweater does look so good on him.

Pushing all other thoughts from her mind, she focuses on filling her plate and enjoying dinner and conversation.

A few minutes later she pauses before taking a bite of mashed potatoes, realizing that this is what her and Noah's future Christmases could look like if she really takes her chance. I should have just kissed him under the damn mistletoe.

Unlike Thanksgiving, once dinner was over everyone crowded into the living room. The three young boys shout excitedly about finally being able to open presents (Noah is excited about his second stocking) as they sit on the rug and Carl and Dickie drag over chairs from the kitchen, so everyone has a spot.

Elliot gently guides Olivia to the small loveseat and sits, waiting for her to sit next to him. Once she does, their thighs touching, he asks Maureen to take charge and explain the rules of the gift exchange. They are simple, but necessary so the twins don't immediately rip open their presents and start playing.

They start with the youngest who has to find their present under the tree, return to their seat, and announce who it's from before they are allowed to open it.

The twins quickly rush from their spot on the rug to the tree, digging for their gifts. It doesn't take them long for them to find their presents and return to the rug, though a couple of bags were knocked over as Maureen grits her teeth.

Kieran and Seamus read the name tag, revealing that their gifts are from Eli, and then they urgently unwrap two Nerf guns and an extra packet of 100 Nerf darts each.

"Thanks asshole," Carl whispers to Eli with a soft elbow to the ribs.

Chuckling, Eli tells him, "You're welcome."

"Your turn Noah," Elliot says over Eli and Carl's bickering, nodding towards the tree. Noah's eyes light up in surprise and he dashes to the tree and searches for the box with his name. He rejoins the twins on the rug and announces that the gift is from Elliot before he tears into it.

The box contains a set of kids' bright red boxing gloves and a pair of boxing shoes so he can step into the ring the next time he goes to the gym. He shouts a quick, "Thanks Elliot!" as he's trying to secure the gloves to his hand.

"You're welcome. Now it's Eli's turn."

Present time continues, moving fairly quickly as each of the older kids easily find their gift and thank the responsible person once it's revealed. Only mild joking and teasing happens as most of the gifts were genuine rather than sibling pranks. Though, Kathleen did whisper that one of the candles she got for Dickie's new apartment is a prank candle that starts off as vanilla and then slowly fades into a much stinkier, fart smell.

"Alright, only Grandma, Elliot, and Olivia have gifts left," Maureen announces and asks the boys to deliver the remaining presents.

"You first, you're younger," Elliot tells Olivia after Noah hands her a small gift.

Not having actually discussed their own gift exchange protocol, Olivia didn't expect a gift from Elliot. She hoped that he didn't run around town this afternoon trying to find her something last minute after opening her gift to him. "I didn't expect to get a present."

Elliot crooks his head, "Why? You got me one."

She doesn't have an answer. Instead, she just unwraps the little box in her hands, expecting it to be a small gas-station trinket he bought just hours ago when he ran out for their stockings. But she recognizes the Tiffany blue right away.

"You didn't," she gasps as she lifts the lid timidly. A pair of earrings sit on the soft cushion in the box. A simple silver chain with three small, almost pink pearls, increasing in size, hanging from the chain. "My god, El. They are gorgeous."

She looks up at him, ignoring all the others in the room for the moment. Elliot smiles and leans in, brushing her hair behind her ear so he can lift one from the box to see how they look on her. "I'm sorry they don't match your necklace. But in all fairness, I bought my gift first."

Her heart stops when his fingers brush her ear, holding one of the earrings up. Her stomach flips in excitement. She's half tempted to kiss him right now. His lips look soft as he smiles a pleased smile, clearly happy and relieved that she likes the earrings he picked out. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind she knows that she can't kiss him, that they are surrounded by their children and his mother, but her eyes stay locked on his as she tries to convey how grateful she is for his gift.

A quick, forced cough by Dickie, promptly followed by a slap and hushed "Can it Dick-wad," by Liz, disrupts the moment.

Blushing, Olivia clears her throat and says, a little too loudly, "Uh…your turn, El."

The twins can barely contain themselves when Elliot grabs the gift bag in front of them, asking playfully, "I wonder who drew my name this year?"

"We did! We did!" they shout in response and jumping in place.

Inside the bag are several drawings from the boys, two poorly made and haphazardly painted clay mugs, and a gift card to a large bag of his favorite coffee beans.

Elliot growls happily, "You two better come give me a hug!" when he sits his gift back on the coffee table. And Kieran and Seamus run to their grandpa quickly and squeeze him between them. "Thank you so much for your artwork. I'll put it on the fridge after we finish."

Bernie opens her gift next, from Liz and Sarah, a pair of gift cards to a local fabric shop and bookstore with a soft, plush blanket.

It's well after dark when Olivia ushered Noah back to the guest room for their coats. He whines a bit at the fact that they are leaving but then he remembers all his new toys waiting for him at home.

She grabs the remaining gifts from the bed and asks Noah to fetch Elliot for her before waiting for her by the front door. Given that the family gift exchange was based on name drawings and each person had only unwrapped one box or bag, she held back her gifts to give later.

Elliot steps into the room and behind her a moment later. "Noah said you wanted to see me?"

"Yea. I didn't want to forget these," she points to the presents on the bed before turning to face him. "I wasn't sure when to hand them out, so…"

"Don't worry about it. I'll make sure everyone gets their gifts," he assures her, nodding and grinning as he steps into her space with his arms to hug her good-bye outside of the prying eyes of his family.

She is not sure what does it—what convinces her to make her move now. It could be the spiked cider she switched to after dinner; or the way his eyes shine at her in his new sweater; or the fact that that he got (nearly) all the boys to wear blue sweaters to match him and Noah; or that he bought Noah gloves as a promise to take him boxing again; or the gorgeous earrings sitting in the Tiffany's box in her purse; or it could be that she was just tired or waiting and regretted not taking the chance to taste his lips earlier.

Without a word of warning, she runs her hands up his chest when he steps in, feeling the soft fabric over the strong plains of his pecs, to his neck. His skin is warm, and his pulse is strong and slightly erratic under his skin. With barely their pressure she tilts his neck down, bringing his face to hers.

"Liv–"

"Shhhh," she answers, her lips millimeters from his.

He can feel her warm breath wash over his face in the instant before her mouth touches his.

His breath hitches with surprise. It's a simple closed mouth kiss, just the firm pressure of their lips pushing against each other. He doesn't let that stop him, he wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her closer and groaning when her breasts meet his chest.

She tastes the peppermint remnants of a candy cane on his lips when she finally opens her mouth and licks at him, asking him to open for her. He does, letting their tongues touch before he pulls her bottom lip between his. She hums feeling the gentle suck of his mouth and velvet of his tongue gliding over her lip.

His eyes are still closed when she pulls back, the cool air of the room hitting her wet lip, tempting her to dive back in for another kiss.

Olivia feels his chest expand against hers as he inhales deeply and finally looks at her, his eyes brighter than she's ever seen.

"What was that for?" Elliot asks, his voice quiet in awe and his arms still wrapped tightly around her, refusing to let her go.

She bites her lips and looks at her fingers, toying with the shiny zipper on his sweater, "I just, uh…"—she clears her throat to rid her voice of its tremor—"I just wanted to let you know that I'm ready…to date, that is." She adds when he doesn't say anything.

A mile-wide grin crawls across his face and his eyes grow, "Yea?"

"Yes," she nods.

He leans in to kiss her again, this time his mouth opens immediately, and he slips his tongue past her lips. He tilts her head to the side with the hand that just weaved through her hair, opening his mouth even wider, trying to taste all of her.

A whimper escapes her throat, taken aback by the force of his kiss. She gets her answer. Elliot kisses with his full mouth and body. His mouth is wide open, his tongue active and seeking. It's wet and soft at the same time, an excited frenzy simmering under the surface, held at bay by a deliberate attempt to hold back.

She's trying to keep up, shocked at the intensity of it all.

"MOOOOOOM!"

Noah's voice carries through the apartment, jolting her from her reverie and causing her to jump back as if electrified.

Elliot chuckles slightly, as he reaches forward to grab her arms, trailing his hands down to her intertwine their fingers. "It's alright," he says softly, pulling her gaze back to his face. "Noah's just ready to go."

"Go?" She mumbles as if nothing has ever sounded so absurd. But then it all floods back to her. It's past 9:00 p.m. on Christmas and she's standing in Elliot's guest room, kissing him, while Noah's waiting for her by the front door. "Oh! Uh, yea…we need to uh…my coat…"

Elliot tucks his lips trying to hide his grin, tickled that she's so flustered by their kiss…kisses. He corrects, grinning at the fact they've kissed twice. At the fact that he now knows what her lips feel like, what her mouth tastes like. He wants to dive back in, but it's late and her son is waiting.

He reaches past her for her coat on the bed and holds it up for her. "Liv, take a breath and put this on. Noah's fine out there."

She shakes her head and breathes in deeply, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at losing her cool, as she steps towards him, turning and facing the door.

"Thank you, El. For everything," she whispers as her arms slide into the coat.

Elliot steps close behind her, wrapping her coat over her shoulders, and leans in, letting his lips touch her ear, "Merry Christmas, Olivia."

A shiver runs down her spine.

Somehow, she gathers her wits and makes it to her car with Noah after wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and promising the girls that she'll check her calendar for a potential girls' night.

"Mom?" Noah starts quietly talking to get his mom's attention from the backseat.

Meeting his eyes in the rearview mirror as they pull away from Elliot's apartment, Olivia answers him, "Yes Noah?"

"Are you mad at me?"

"No honey, I'm not mad at you," she answers sweetly, knowing that he's probably waited all night to make sure she wasn't angry with him.

"Are you sure? You seem upset."

Olivia mentally kicks herself for teaching Noah to identify feelings and never to be afraid to ask her about hers. She was tired and somewhat still in shock. She wants to think about, dissect every second of the kiss that actually happened, not discuss the pre-kiss, mistletoe freak out with her young child.

But she sighs, knowing that she needs to talk to him about the events this evening, get to the bottom of his intent and what he'd hoped would happen. "I'm not mad. I am confused," she corrects Noah before asking, "Why did you call me and Elliot to come stand under the mistletoe?"

"It was Kathleen's idea," Noah starts.

Olivia chuckles. So much for sibling solidarity. They have a lot to teach Noah if he wants to join the pack of Stablers. Rule 1: don't throw each other under the bus.

"We were talking the other day when we got candy and went to dinner. And she asked if I knew what mistletoe was."

"How did the topic of mistletoe come up?"

"I asked why you and Elliot weren't boyfriend-girlfriend even though Kathleen thinks Elliot likes you…like actually likes you," he clarifies unnecessarily.

Olivia's eyes close, only for a second, as she pictures Kathleen grinning broadly and gossiping with Noah about her and Elliot over a bag of candies. She's not sure if she's happy that Noah has someone to talk to about this stuff or if she never wants Kathleen to be alone with Noah again, to have the opportunity to give him silly ideas and plot childish conspiracies against their parents.

"What did Kathleen say?"

"She said that she doesn't know why you two aren't boyfriend-girlfriend and it's stupid—"

"Language," Olivia warns quickly.

"Kathleen said it, not me!" Noah tells her defensively.

"You don't need to repeat it…keep going," she instructs, as she flips her blinker, preparing to turn.

"She said that you two like each other and just need a push, and that's where the mistletoe came in. She said that you two just needed to kiss and you'd figure it out. So she put it up before the party but when you didn't stand under it, she moved some and told me to call you and Elliot. She didn't say you'd get mad."

"I'm not mad, I promise," she assures him again. "But Noah…how do I put this?" She asks herself quietly. "Elliot and I are friends, we were really close friends and then we had time apart— "

"While he was in Italy?"

"Yes, while he was in Italy. And now that he's back, we are trying to be friends again."

"So, you don't like him?"

"It's complicated."

"Everything is complicated," he says in a frustrated tone, tired of hearing that word from his mother as an excuse not to tell him the whole story when he asks. "I'm almost ten, I can handle complicated things."

Olivia has to hold back a chuckle at his declaration.

"I know you can, sweetie. But Elliot and I need to work out our friendship on our own, without you or Kathleen stepping in."

"Yea, okay," Noah huffs, crossing his arms still frustrated. He likes Elliot and wants his mom to be happy, have a boyfriend for once.

Olivia lets them ride in silence for a couple of minutes, thinking about whether she wants to ask Noah how he feels about Elliot and his mom potentially dating. With the kiss fresh on her mind, and her declaration that she's ready to date, she guesses sooner is better than later for this conversation with Noah.

"Noah?" she asks, looking at him in the mirror again.

"Yea mom?"

"You like Elliot, right?"

"Oh yea! He's so much fun!"

"He is. And how…I mean…what do you think…" she swallows, and looks out the windshield, not able to look Noah in the face right now. "How would you feel if Elliot and I became boyfriend-girlfriend?"

She shudders She hates the terms because she's not 13, but she needs to speak Noah's language. She's not about to say I kissed Elliot this evening and we want to date and pursue a physical relationship on top of our rekindled friendship because we are desperately in love with each other? No, that wouldn't work.

Noah's eyes widen. "Really?"

"Hypothetically." She's not even sure if Noah knows what hypothetically means, but she doesn't have another word in her right now. Her hands are gripping the steering wheel so tight that her knuckles are completely white.

"That would be so cool! He could cook us breakfast again and take me to the boxing gym and come to my dance practices and…"

"Noah, calm down. Elliot is probably happy to do as much of that now as he has time for."

"Yea, but if you guys are boyfriend-girlfriend he'll be around more often and have sleepovers."

She has to keep herself from warning Noah again by reminding herself that he's only nine and although they've had a very basic and age-appropriate sex talk, he likely doesn't actually understand the implications of his statement or what actually happens and grownup sleepovers. That doesn't stop the blush from creeping up her cheeks at the thought of Elliot spending the night at her apartment.

"So, uh, you'd be okay with Elliot and I dating?"

"Yes!"

"This means that he and I might go out to dinner or other things without you. And we will spend more time with his family, maybe even at his apartment. Is all of that okay with you?" She asks, making sure that Noah gets the bigger picture of what a relationship between her and Elliot might mean.

"Totally! Mom! Please tell me you guys are gonna date," he pleads, his eyes so hopeful.

"Like I said—"

Noah cuts her off, finishing her sentence, "It's complicated."

She smiles, "Exactly."

"I don't think it's that complicated and Kathleen says that Elliot is goo-goo for you…whatever that means."

Laughing, Olivia asks "Did she now?"