"Are you ready?" Cragen asked as he slipped into the parish lobby to meet Benson. She took a deep breath in, eyes wide.
"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied nervously. Her superior was dressed in his full NYPD uniform, awards glimmering on his chest. It was something he only wore for special occasions. He reached his hands out to take Bensons', holding her in front of him as he looked her up and down. She reminded him of his late wife on their wedding day.
"You look stunning," Maureen commented before the captain could reply. Olivia was dressed in the off-white satin gown that accented her curves even more now that it was tailored to her body. Her head was adorned with the waist-length veil, her face framed by soft curls of dark brown hair.
"He's not going to be able to keep his hands off you," Casey said smirking as she fidgeted with the veil. "Not that he keeps his hands off of you as it is."
"Yew. That's my dad!" Lizzie exclaimed giggling, hiding her face behind her bouquet.
"Regardless," Kathleen declared, shooting her sister a look, "you look beautiful Livvy. Our dad is lucky." The tune from the sanctuary changed themes.
"That's our cue," Casey announced to the three other women. Maureen, Kathleen, Lizzie, and Casey made their way down the aisle to their spots on the left of the alter. Don offered Benson his arm, preparing for their cue.
"Am I doing the right thing?" Liv asked Cragen once they were alone.
"You know, Elliot asked me the exact same thing when he told me he was going to propose to you," the captain chuckled. "In all my time at the NYPD, and in life, I have never met a pair as connected as you two are," he assured her, placing his free hand on her forearm. "They say the best relationships start out as best friends, and you two had each other's back long before any romance was involved. Most would think you two were already married with how well you get along. You guys embody the definition of soulmates." A tear rolled down the man's cheek; the memory of having the same conversation with his father the day he had gotten married came rushing back. Now he was having it with his "adopted" daughter. The organ began playing the wedding march theme. "Just breath," he remined her, smiling as the doors opened.
Liv took a deep breath as they started their walk towards the alter. The small crowd rose as she entered the sanctuary. Elliot, dressed in a classic black tuxedo, turned around to watch his beautiful bride advancing towards him. When he locked eyes with her, the biggest smile painted his face. The rest of the audience became a blur as he focused on his Olivia, nothing else mattering in that moment. Seeing him glow with joy eliminated any fear or doubt Liv had. This was the right thing. The pair stopped at the end of the aisle as the music faded.
"Who presents this woman to be married to this man?" the father asked.
"I do!" declared the captain, beaming with pride. Stabler stepped down from the alter and met Cragen, shaking his hand. "Take care of her," he whispered into the young detective's ear as he passed Liv's arm to her soon-to-be husband. The young couple stepped up to the pulpit, Liv passing off her bouquet of red and white anemones to her best friend.
"We gather here today to witness the marriage of Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler," Father Michael announced. "Please join me in prayer". The father prayed over the ceremony before giving a short homily about love. "Now repeat after me. I, Olivia Benson, take you, Elliot Stabler, to be my husband."
"I, Olivia Benson, take you, Elliot Stabler, to be my husband," Olivia repeated as she stared into Elliot's brilliant blue eyes. She could see her whole world in those eyes, and the whole future they would build together as a family.
"I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad-"
"I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad-"
"-in sickness and in health-"
"-in sickness and in health-"
"to love you and to honor you all the days of my life."
"-to love you and to honor you all the days of my life," Liv finished.
"Elliot," the father questioned, gaining the detective's attention. "Repeat after me. I, Elliot Stabler-"
"I, Elliot Stabler, take you, Olivia Benson, to be my wife. I promise to be faithful to you, in the good times and in the bad, in sickness and in health, to love and to honor you all the days of my life," Stabler recited, cutting off the minister. Father Michael chuckled.
"I see you came prepared," he joked. "May I have the rings?" Everyone turned to Munch who was standing behind Elliot.
"Don't look at me!" he exclaimed as he raised his hands to show innocence. "I gave them to Dickie. You know better than to trust me with something like that." The crowd chuckled.
"He's got a point," Fin remarked. Everyone's gaze turned to the young man who was standing last on the groom's side.
"Dickie?" Elliot asked, leaning forward to see his son.
"I don't have them dad," the boy said nervously as he pulled out his pockets to prove that he too did not have the rings. Elliot rubbed his temples.
"You three had one job. One. Job." Stabler sighed. "If you don't have them, then where are they?" The captain stood up, pulling a small velvet box out of his tux pocket.
"They left them on the table in the room when you were done getting ready. I picked them up before the ceremony started."
"Thank you Cap'," Elliot replied, shooting the three men behind him a look.
"Don't look at me," Fin argued. "I had nothing to do with it. For once I don't know nothin'. That was all them."
The father reigned in the crowd's laughter before continuing. "Bless, O Lord, these rings which we bless in your name, so that those who wear them may remain entirely faithful to each other, abide in peace and in Your will, and live always in mutual charity. Through Christ our Lord," Father Michael recited as he sprinkled the rings with holy water. "Now to exchange rings."
Olivia took the ring from the officiant. "Elliot Stabler, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Olivia held up Elliot's left hand as she slid the wedding band over his finger. It fit perfectly, the platinum accenting his rugged, tanned hands.
Stabler collected Liv's ring from the minister. "Olivia Benson," El started has he held up Liv's hand, which was small and dainty in comparison to his. "Receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Elliot paused, lowering Liv's hand. "Father, if I may say something." The preacher bowed his head as a sign to continue. Elliot pulled a note card from the inside pocket of his tux. "You know me and public speaking," he acknowledged nervously. Olivia gave him an empathetic smile and placed her hand on his forearm for encouragement. El smiled at her and took a deep breath: "Some would say that wedding bands are just small handcuffs, tying two people to each other. In our line of work, we know a thing or two about handcuffs and the extent of their usage."
"I'm sure you do," quipped Casey. The couple rolled their eyes.
"Wouldn't you like to know," Liv shot back at her.
"You can't tell me you haven't taken work home with you before," Fin hinted as he raised his eyebrows.
"I plead the fifth," Stabler blushed. A whistle came from somewhere in the crowd. "Anyways-" El said trying to regain control of the situation. "As I was saying, when you share handcuffs with someone, you both have to be fully invested in everything you do, otherwise it will just hurt you and the other person." Elliot slipped the card back into his pocket, knowing the final part by heart. "Olivia. My friend. My wife. There is no one else I would rather be handcuffed to for the rest of my life. I am fully invested in you. I love you." Members of the audience wiped tears from their eyes.
"Elliot. My friend. My husband. I love you too," Liv replied, a tear rolling down her cheek as well. "And there is no one else I would rather do life with than you." Elliot cupped his bride's cheek, wiping the tear away as she leaned her head against his palm.
"May God truly bless this union," Father Michael exclaimed. "By the power invested in me, I pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride!" Elliot cupped the back of Olivia's head as he pulled her into a passionate kiss, dipping her back and using his free hand to grab her thigh and pull into up to him as whistles and cheers erupted from the congregation.
I hope you enjoyed the update! Please let me know what you think! I am working on the honeymoon update, but this chapter foreshadows some of what's to come ;)