Thank you all for being so patient... I know it's been awhile since I've posted an update, and I do apologize. Thank you all so much for sticking with this. Hope you enjoy!

Dick Wolf owns everything

Stablers Unite

Olivia felt her stomach start to twist a little. They were almost to Kathleen's. She was grateful Kathleen had been the one they called to pick up Bernie. She had always been close with the second daughter of Elliot's. Felt… a connection to her. Maybe it was because she was the most like El… stubborn and outspoken, but just as kind… and even more compassionate.

Even with all the same attributes as her father, there was something else that drew her to Kathleen. A fierceness… a fearlessness… she was a fighter. Deep in the secrets she kept only for herself, Olivia liked to think she saw the tiniest bit of herself in Kathleen. Of course, she knew Kathleen wasn't of her own blood… but neither was Noah… and yet she saw herself in her son as well. El's kids were her family… had aways been her family. More so than her own flesh and blood. She would do anything for them… any of them, no questions asked… she would die for them.

This wasn't the family she was born into. This was the family she chose. The second that Stabler brood came into her life, those little faces became her family. Even if they didn't know, she was there… forever in their corner.

And now there was a chance it could become official. This was her family. The family her and El were going to make… together… and they came about it honestly. The love she had for El and his kids… his mother, it was pure and honest… unconditional and bonded.

Olivia felt a little warmth spread over her as a small smile crossed her lips.

She felt… lucky… happy…

Grateful… beyond grateful.

She turned to look at the backseat. Noah met her look and smiled back at her. As she shifted back, she traded her sons' soft blue eyes, for those deep pools of blue of her partner, and she felt that tug low in her belly as he lopsidedly grinned at her and squeezed her hand.

After El had taken her in the shower and had surrounded her, filled her, loved her till her mind was with nothing but him and them, and their future, they had decided on their plan of action.

While she had gotten Noah up, and fed, El had called Kathleen and told her to get everyone together. It was imperative everyone was there, and he'd explain when they got there. Once Noah was ready, they sat down and explained everything to him. Well, maybe not everything, but Olivia wanted to make sure Noah was prepared for today. Prepared to meet all of El's children, and with a fair warning.

They told him about Wheatley. Not in all the detail, but enough to make sure Noah understood he was a bad man. The bad man who hurt Elliot's wife, and who now wanted to hurt them, but they told him there was no way neither her or El would ever let him get anywhere close to Noah… that was a promise, and that was why they all needed to meet with Elliot's family.

She wanted to explain to him that these were not the circumstances under which she wanted him to meet El's kids. That… with this bad guy around everyone might be… a little sensitive. But also, they were going to tell his kids about their relationship… and moving in together. El said it might be hard for them, but to not even for a second think their reactions would have anything to do with him.

El put his hand on Noah's shoulder and told him they would love him. They would love him just as much as he did… and Olivia had to fight the tears threatening to fall watching El and her son. The way Noah trusted El… the connection these two had after just a short time was almost… poetic. And it made her heart melt.

Noah took everything in, but then seemed to be ok with the plan. Olivia was a little leery of explaining so much to him, wondering if he would be able to process all of this, understand this wasn't how normal families meet, and blend but she was most worried about him being afraid.

But Noah never ceases to amaze her. He didn't seem scared or upset. She and El watched him think things over, answered any questions he had, and then he told him he was ready to go. And she felt some of her worry ease. She felt better knowing there wasn't going to be any secrets between them. Sure, they had left out details a young boy didn't need to know, but having Noah informed about what was going on in their life, in his life, it felt right… no secrets.

Her sweet boy….

She knew they'd love him. Everyone who meets him, loves him. And maybe when all this Wheatley stuff was over, they could have a do over. A real family dinner. Get to know each other again, and they could get to know Noah. There was so much she wanted to know. So many things to share… so many things to ask.

There wasn't time now… but there would be.

There would be.

Elliot's phone ringing brought her back from her thoughts.

"Yep… were almost there, about to pull in. Everyone there?" he said.

She could hear the muffled voice of Kathleen, and she looked at El. She felt that all too familiar feeling she'd had a million times watching him talk to his children. That tug… the pull she felt to him… the yearning.

He was a good father. He had his faults but being a father… it's who he is. He had always made her melt watching him talk to his kids… or about his kids. Even when it wasn't something good, the fierce protectiveness… the love he has for his kids is unrivaled. There was no one else, besides herself, she trusted more with the safety of Noah than him. Just like how she trusted him to watch her back…

It was moments like this that reminded her what she knew… what she had always known… there was never anyone else for her. There never had been. It had always been him. Even during their partnership when they were miles away… a country apart or sitting across from each other not quite in their comfortable place after a fight or a disagreement… it was there. That tug. Even an ocean and a decade apart… it was still there.

She felt her pulse quicken at knowing what destiny felt like.

"Ok, love you too honey. Hey Kathleen…" He said, pausing. He took a breath and squeezed Olivia's hand.

"Thank you…" he said, and after a few seconds he smiled and hung up his cell.

They pulled up to her place, and Olivia felt her mind sharpen at the task at hand. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a second placing her hand over her heart and let the air out slowly.

When she opened her eyes, she turned to look at El. He was watching her, a soft smile on his lips. He looked calm, relaxed even. His smooth jaw wasn't clenched, the lines on his face soft. His eyes tranquil like soft waves washing up on the shore at sunset.

"Ready?" he asked. But she knew he wasn't asking her just about this moment. She could hear it in his voice… see it in his face…

He wasn't just asking if she was ready for whatever was going to happen once they walked through Kathleen's door, no… he was asking so much more.

For most people, getting married made things official. It was the biggest step… but this… for them… this was making it official. Telling his kids… it was the biggest step… the last step. He was asking if she was ready to take this step with him and she was. More ready for this than anything… second only to adopting Noah.

She knew she could just say yes, and he would know. But she wanted to let him know exactly how she was feeling in this moment with him. To remind him she had already chosen him, and she'd choose him every single day for the rest of her life.

She smiled and squeezed his hand.

"I've never been more ready El…" she said, her voice soft, but clear.

The biggest smile crossed his face, and then she saw his eyes water a little, and he quietly laughed and cleared his throat.

"Me too…" he said his voice thick with emotion.

It felt like vows.

Those weren't the vows he'd always thought about saying to Olivia but for now… they were the only words he could say. Noah was in the backseat, and his family was waiting… but they would have time.

There would be time.

Time for a proposal… time for vows… time for a celebration… a first dance… a honeymoon… and then there would be the rest of time. They would have the rest of their time here together, and nothing could derail that now.

He wanted nothing more right now than to kiss her… kiss her the way he had always wanted to kiss her, the way he has kissed her in these last few weeks, and the way he was always going to kiss her now, but he needed to focus and not lose himself in her warm brown eyes and soft lips.

But he was human after all and not kissing her in this monumental moment of theirs wasn't an option, so he used control when he reached over across the middle console and put his finger under her chin and gently pulled her to him, and softly kissed her lips.

A promise… sealed with a kiss.

EOEOEOEOEOEOEOEO

He could feel the tension in the air.

The second the three of them came, the heat spiked. Immediately all eyes were on them. His kids were worried, he could tell. They knew by now there was something wrong. This was far from their first rodeo, and they all knew the drill, but nevertheless, it never seemed to get easier.

Kathleen hid her concerns well, but she was the first to come and hug Olivia. It was genuine… the love she had for her. The love his daughter had for a woman who had helped her and been there for her in her worst moments and his as well was almost overwhelming. But then again, it was Olivia and everything about her overwhelmed him, so of course his most like-minded kid would feel the same for her. And the sparkle he saw in her eyes when she went to introduce herself to Noah made his heart swell.

"Olivia! My my, it's been quite a long time… too long if you ask me." Bernie said as she made her way over to Liv and hugged her.

"Still beautiful I see, and keeping this one in line too I hope?" she said, eyeing El.

"Oh come on momma… I'm not that bad…" El said and gave Liv a look.

Bernie saw the spark between them. She might be old, but she wasn't blind.

When El met his mother's eyes again, he saw it in her face. She knew. She softly smiled, "Oh Elliot, you know what I mean…" she said, and then moved to Noah.

"And who is this handsome young man?" she said looking to Liv and then back to Noah.

"This is my son, Noah." Liv said, unable to keep a smile from her face every time she introduced her sweet boy.

"Noah, it's so nice to meet you. I'm this one's mother, " she said nudging El, "but you can call me Bernie… ok?" she said with a little wink.

"Ok.." Noah said with a little smile. "It's nice to meet you."

"Oh Olivia, he's a gem." Bernie said, beaming like a new grandmother. Olivia felt her heart flutter and knew Bernie would be the grandmother Noah never got to have. He never got to meet Serena and for that Liv would always feel sad about. She knew her mother would have loved Noah just as much as she did. And considering the whole mess with Shelia, she figured it would always be just her and Noah.

Not anymore.

She smiled at Bernie and felt the love of a mother surround her. It made her heart full.

Elliot started to introduce his other children to Noah as Liv said her hellos to them as well.

"Ok dad… what's going on?" Eli said. His youngest son never one for not saying what's on his mind.

And then it was time.

Time to talk… about everything.

They all took a seat in Kathleen's living room, and Bernie quietly took Noah's hand telling him to come sit with her and he happily agreed.

Suddenly Elliot felt déjà vu. All of his children sitting staring at him. Like they had when Kathleen had set up that intervention. The intervention where he told Liv he loved her out loud for the first time. Bad timing, he knew, but this wasn't the same. Nothing would ever be the same again… and he was ready for that.

He looked to Liv who stood there next to him… with him… and he could feel his feet on solid ground. He wasn't drowning anymore.

"Ok… so I know you're all wondering why I called this family meeting… and why Liv and Noah are here."

He took a second to take a breath, feeling a little nervous. Not nervous about keeping his family safe, not nervous about his unyielding love for Olivia, but just a little nervous as how they were going to react. He didn't want them to worry about Wheatley, and this was going to be hard for them to hear. There was no set amount of time for grief to ease, and he would always love Kathy. He just needed to make sure his kids knew that.

That they knew he'd do anything… Liv would do anything… to protect them, and that he'd always love their mom, but this wasn't up to them. He loved Liv in a way he couldn't explain. It didn't mean he loved their mother less, but this was his life now… Olivia was his life. And they had a choice.

He wanted them to tell him how they felt, to be honest with him. He knew there was a chance they'd be upset… angry even, and they could chose not to support him, not to support them, but it wouldn't change his mind or his heart. He'd always be there for them, even if they didn't like his relationship with Liv, but it was just that… his relationship… not theirs… his. Him and Liv's.

He dropped his chin and flexed his jaw once before he lifted his head and spoke.

"Wheatley has made a threat." He said flat out.

He watched everyone's eyes widen as he felt all the air get sucked out of the room.

Kathleen stood up.

"On you? But I though he was in jail…" she said, her fear staring to show a little.

"He is… but he has a lot of people working with him… for him. And the threat wasn't directly on me.… he…" he pauses feeling the anger he had for Richard Wheatley start to boil up in him, "he made a threat on Liv."

Liv felt all the eyes of El's kids shift to her. There was worry, shock… but also so many questions in their eyes. Not questions of why or how his threat on her would affect them, but more like the question of how long… and when… because she could tell they all knew… except Eli. The rest of them knew and were just waiting for confirmation. They were all smart kids… and the second she walked in behind Elliot with her son, she was sure their radar had gone up. She wasn't sure if it made her feel better or worse. But what she did know, for certain, was she'd be there for them no matter how things played out because she loved them. And she loved Elliot.

El saw the shift and knew what they were thinking. He looked at Liv, and she looked back, confirming in their silent communication she was ready for this. For this to be out in the open… she was more than ready.

Then something caught his eye, and he broke their connection as his gaze shifted to his youngest son Eli who was shaking his head in confusion.

"Dad… why would he threaten her? I mean, no offense, but what does she have to do with this… with Wheatley, or us?" Eli said.

Elliot looked at the rest of his kids. Maureen, Lizze… Kathleen, they all knew what was about to come. Even Dickie, who he expected to get some flak from… maybe a little push back from had the same look on his face. It was like they were all almost relieved. Relieved that this would no longer be speculation, and for once their father was going to be honest with them because he was being honest with himself.

But Eli… well Eli was young when he left the force… left Liv. He didn't know Liv. Not like the others. This was going to be the hardest on Eli, but nothing was going to change his mind. Olivia was the love of his life, and he knew in time, Eli would understand.

"Well Eli… We think…" he said looking to Liv again, and then back at his son, "That he made a threat on Liv to get to me… " and he paused, moving closer to Liv, and looked into her beautiful brown as he took her hand in his and said, "…because Liv and I are together."

Eli started to look upset. Like he was trying to understand, but just… couldn't.

"What do you mean… like… you're dating her?" he said with a little more of a sting to his voice.

He was visibly upset now, and it made Liv's heart ache. She could see the look of betrayal for his mother, and the anger that usually accompanied the feeling. She couldn't stand to see him hurt. He was more sensitive… more fragile than the rest of his siblings and she could see his eyes start to water. It killed her seeing him this way.

"Eli…" El started, but Eli stood up and cut him off.

"No dad… how could you? What about mom? How could you do this?" he said through his teeth. "You disappear on us… and now you're back with a girlfriend?" he said his anger coming out stronger now, and he then he stormed away.

Kathleen shouted for him to stop and stood up, but Eli didn't listen.

"Oh let him go, he'll be ok Katie… he's just still sensitive." Bernie said and she gave Noah a little hug.

"Dad… I'll go talk to him. It'll be ok." Kathleen said as she moved over to him and hugged him tight. Then she moved to Olivia.

"Liv… I just want you to know how happy I am for you guys…" she said and hugged Liv. She really hugged her. Like a daughter hugs her mother, and Olivia could feel tears brim her eyes.

Then Kathleen whispered, "…you're the one Liv…" and she pulled back and smiled at Olivia and then went to find her brother.

Olivia felt such a swell of emotions at those words. To feel loved by any of his children was a feeling she would never let go of. It was making everything so real. Not that it wasn't real already… but this was truly the biggest step for them.

This was real.

All her dreams were now becoming reality… and it was more than she could have ever hoped for… or asked for… and it was real.

This was real.

Elliot's eyes were brimming a little as well as he looked at the rest of his children who, had yet to say anything.

"Ok… speak now or forever hold your peace…" El said, and then waited.

Bernie looked to her grandkids and waited. There was something she wanted to say, but she was going to wait. Let them say how they felt before she spoke her mind.

Everyone was silent. El was waiting, but he wasn't the most patient person in the world.

"Look… I know this is hard… there won't be a day that goes by that I won't think about your mom… that I don't love her. I will always love her… she gave me all of you and I wouldn't change that for anything. You also need to know nothing ever happened between us when we were partners. I swear on my soul." He said, and he could tell they accepted this confession of his.

He saw the pain in their faces as they thought about their mother, and all this new information they were getting. But they needed to hear it… hear it from him.

"I'm not trying to hurt any of you… but this…" and he motioned between him and Liv with a quick, but powerful look, "…this is real. Olivia has been there for me, for this family more times that I can even remember… she's been there for all of you. She's loved this family without ever asking for anything. I'll respect how any of you decide you feel about this, but this isn't a fling… I love her. I'm in love with her." He said. This time they were going to hear it for real, not from stress or out of trauma, but really hear it. Hear his love of the woman standing next to him, and that they had a choice.

Maureen was the first to speak.

"If this is what you want… if Olivia makes you happy…" and she paused thinking of her mother, but remembering her father was here with her now… he was the only parent she had left, and she wasn't going to lose him too and continued, "Then I'm happy too."

"Yea… me too dad…" Lizzy added.

Elliot felt pure relief wash over him. It was like music to his ears hearing his daughters say they were ok with this. He then turned to his oldest son… and braced himself.

"Dickie?" El said, swallowing hard.

Dickie took a breath and looked at his dad and slowly nodded. "Me too." He sighed and stood to hug his father. He really did want his dad to be happy. And he knew with his mother gone, Liv was the only one. She knew him, and she knew this family. He trusted her.

"At least you know how to deal with his moods…" Dickie said to Liv, and she chuckled.

Elliot swallowed the lump in his throat as Dickie moved to hug Liv and Maureen and Lizzy weren't far behind. He watched his children accept Liv into this family and he felt his heart soar. He couldn't keep the tears from falling and neither could she.

Everything was going to be ok. This was going to work. Everything he'd ever wanted was in this room and it was all going to work.

"Well all I have to say is thank God." Bernie said nudging Noah. "And how do you feel about all this Noah? You know my son can be a handful sometimes." Bernie said as everyone kind of chuckled at her candor.

"Yea… but he makes my mom happy… and that makes me happy…" Noah said genuinely.

"Well aren't you just the sweetest." Bernie said to Noah, and then she got up and gave Olivia another hug.

"Welcome to the family Olivia…" she said. She felt Liv faulter a little and then hug her tighter. Bernie couldn't wait to watch her son dance with Olivia at their wedding. And to spoil her new grandson soon.

Elliot took a deep breath in and let it out as his mother went to hug him.

She whispered in his ear, "She was always the one Elliot… wasn't she?"

El pulled back and kissed his mother on the forehead and nodded. Everything was falling into place.

"So what did this Wheatley do?" Bernie asked with concern for her future daughter in law in her voice.

"Yea… what happened? Are you guys safe?" Dickie asked.

"Well…" El huffed out, trying to figure out just how much he wanted to share about what was sent.

"He sent me… a gift… with a note and photos… photos of your father and I… and ones of him and Noah." Liv said, saving him from stumbling around his words.

"Photos? What did the note say?" Maureen asked.

"I think he wanted to try to shake us… let us know he knew about our relationship… that he could use it against us… but he doesn't know us… how strong we are together." Live said she could feel Elliot's agreement as he stood next to her. "And he didn't come right out and threaten my life, but he wanted to let us know the power he wields… even from jail." Liv said.

"But I won't let him hurt any of you… but I think we need to take precautions." El said sharply. "He has his hands in a lot of things, but the department knows… and he's been sent into solitary. But just to be on the safe side, momma, I think you should say with Maureen and Eli."

"Oh Elliot, you're overreacting… what would he want with me?" Bernie said.

"Please momma… it would make me feel better…" Elliot said.

Bernie looked at her son and could tell he wasn't going to let this go. She sighed and looked at the sweet face of Olivia's son and could see his concern for her too.

"Well alright… alright. I'll need to get a few things." She said.

"I'll take you tomorrow grandma." Dickie offered, and El nodded his agreement with his son. He sighed and looked towards the hallway Eli and Kathleen had both disappeared through.

"I should go talk to Eli…" El said, and he started to walk, but Liv stopped him.

"El wait… let me." Liv said, and he nodded and watched her walk down the hallway.

EOEOEOEOEOEOEOEO

Liv peeked through the door of the bedroom Kathleen and Eli were in. She was trying to console him. Eli was clearly upset, and angry… and missing his mother. Liv wanted nothing but to hug him and promise him she wasn't trying to replace his mom. She could never do that and would never try.

But unlike his siblings Eli didn't remember her. She felt close to him considering how he was born, but she never got a chance to really know him. Something she was going to fix.

"Eli… Liv loves us… she's been there for us through so many things. Her and dad were partners for twelve years… they've been through a lot together." Kathleen said.

"Yea… everyone keeps saying that… but I don't know her… how can dad do this? What about mom?" Eli said as a few tears streamed down his face.

"I know this is hard… but mom loved her too. Liv had dads back… she took care of him on the job… made sure he came home safe to us. She helped me through a lot when I got in trouble and broke the law because of my disease… she got me help. She was there for Dickie when he lost his best friend… and she was at every play Lizzy was ever in… she wrote Maureen the most amazing letter of recommendation for college…"

"I… I don't care. That was you guys… not me… she's a stranger to me." Eli said.

"She was there the day you were born… she saved you… you and mom." Kathleen said, and that got his attention.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"No one ever told you?" Kathleen asked.

Eli shook his head and that's when Liv decided to make her presence known.

She knocked softly on the door, and pushed it open a little.

"Can I come in?" she asked delicately.

Kathleen turned to see Liv, and waved her in. Olivia took a seat on the other side of the bed from Eli.

His eyes were red, and sharp as he looked at her from under his lashes.

"Can we talk?" Liv asked.

Eli shrugged his shoulders. It wasn't a yes, but it wasn't a no either.

"Look… I know you don't know me. But like Kathleen said, I was there the day you were born. Your dad was supposed to take your mom to a doctor's visit, but he got stuck so I offered to her. We were crossing through a light when someone hit us on your moms' side. The air bags went off and I woke up to smoke and broken glass."

Liv remembered the scent like it was yesterday as the memory flooded her mind.

"Your mom was hurt, but once she woke up, I tried to help her get out, but the accident had sent her into labor. That's when I realized her legs were stuck. She couldn't get out. Once the paramedics arrived, they tried to assess her situation, but it wasn't good. She was losing a lot of blood and the contractions were coming quicker and quicker."

Eli shifted a little to face her more.

"She was slipping in and out of consciousness and they had to cut her out of the car. She was so brave. I held her hand and tried to help keep her calm, but I was so scared. Once they got her out, they stabilized her neck and spine, and put her in the ambulance, but you were on your way. You were born a seconds later on the way to the hospital, and they put you in my arms."

Liv felt tears start to brim her eyes again.

"I made a promise as I held you in that first second that I'd always be there for you… always protect you… and I still hold that promise." Liv said.

Kathleen took her hand in hers and squeezed it.

"Eli… I'm not trying to take the place of your mom. I could never replace her… and I would never try. And I won't ever let her memory fade… I loved her too. But I do want to know you again… if that's ok with you?"

"…yea… ok." He said.

Liv smiled softly. The story of how he was born seemed to change his mind a little. Baby steps she thought.

"See, you two have a great story." Kathleen said. "And I know you want dad to be happy…"

Eli looked at his sister and then to Liv before he looked down at his hands.

"Yea… of course I do." He said.

"Come on… let's go help with dinner, ok?" Kathleen asked.

Eli nodded, and they both stood up, as Liv stood too. She left Kathleen lead the way and went to follow behind Eli, but he turned at the doorway and she stopped as he met her eyes.

"Don't hurt him… I don't think he could take anymore…" Eli said quietly.

Liv ached to take away the pain in his eyes as he talked about his concern for his dad.

"I wouldn't dream of it." She said.

Eli nodded and headed out into the hallway.

Liv took a second and let out a breath as her hand moved over her stomach.

Baby steps she thought.