AN: Let's go with they got together somewhere in season 10 or 11. Elliot never went back to Kathy after the divorce. The songs mentioned are "Molly Smiles" by Jesse Spencer from the movie Uptown Girls and "Better Together" by Jack Johnson which was inspired by the video of M's phone ringing while filming. It's not the same song, but I'm pretty sure the song on her phone was "Banana Pancakes" which is the same album.
Prompt Picture #89: Cool dad carrying daughter in BabyBjörn carrier while browsing at a record store
Better Together
~oOo~
The bell above the door jingles as Olivia pushes open the door and steps inside. The shop attendant looks up at her from where he's fixing an old record player, and she smiles at him. He smiles back and nods before returning to his project. Olivia takes a moment to take in her surroundings and marvels at just how the small, but packed, the shop actually is with musical instruments and equipment of all kinds and from all eras.
She quickly turns her gaze to the back of the store labeled "vinyl records" when she hears the unmistakable laughter of her husband. She weaves her way through the tight rows until she sees him come into view. He's standing in front of a smaller display with their daughter strapped securely to his chest.
"What do you think, Em?" Olivia smiles as Elliot holds out a record in front of him, letting the baby get a good look at the cover.
The baby kicks her feet and squeals in delight as she points to the record Elliot is holding out to her. Her little toes just barely brush the cover where her daddy holds it for her inspection.
Elliot leans in and gives their daughter a quick kiss to the top of the head. "Mommy likes Fleetwood Mac too, Emma." Elliot bounces on the balls of his feet. "Do you think we should buy it? Surprise her with it?"
Emma claps her little hands in delight, and Olivia beams at her daughter's absolute joy. It's moments like this where she is reminded of just how much joy her life now contains. Emma was their beautiful, and welcomed surprise, the baby neither of them thought they would be able to have so late in life. Her impending arrival had been what finally pulled Elliot out of the darkness he held surrounding Jenna's death.
"I used to sing this one to you in Momma's belly." Elliot grins as he picks up another record. He tickles Em's little toes before softly singing to her. "Daddy´s little girl paints the world with her magic wand. Daddy´s little child breathes new life to the morning time for me…"
Olivia smiles as the memory of the first time he had ever sung that song to her floods her mind. It had actually surprised her that he could sing.
Elliot crawls into bed next her, where she rested with her back against the headboard.
"I thought you would be already asleep."
Olivia looks over at him exasperated. "Me too." She lay her hand on her belly. "She's been moving non-stop. I think she's learned she can do somersaults in there."
Elliot leans over and places his hand next to hers. He laughs as a little foot or elbow pokes him in the hand. "Emma Bear?" He grins up at Olivia as they both feel the movement stop like the little girl is listening intently to what her daddy has to say. "You have to let Mommy get some sleep."
"She likes hearing your voice." Olivia groans as Emma flips inside her belly. "Maybe a little too much."
Elliot grins before removing his hand from her belly and laying down on his side so that he is facing her belly.
Olivia looks down at him with her eyebrows raised. "What are you doing?"
Elliot places a tender kiss on her belly, before whispering, "I have an idea. Can I?"
"Be my guest." Oliva gets more comfortable on the bed and sighs in contentment as Elliot rubs his hand across her belly.
Elliot leans into Olivia's belly and whispers, "Emma Margaret, are you listening?" Elliot waits a second and both he and Olivia laugh as a little nudge pokes his hand. "It's time to sleep, baby girl. I love you and Mama loves you, and we can't wait to meet you, but right now, it's time for sleep. Mama has to go kick ass in the morning."
"Elliot!"
Elliot chuckles as he grins up at Olivia. "It's true. Just relax and listen."
Olivia rolls her eyes but her expression softens as Elliot begins to sing. "Daddy´s little girl ties a ribbon around my heart…"
Emma's squeals of delight brings Olivia out of the memory, and she steps out from behind the shelf just as Elliot finishes up the chorus. "I never did figure out where you learned that song."
Elliot jumps in surprise before turning to look at her, smiling. "Hey!"
"Hey yourself!" Olivia smiles as she steps forward and gives him a kiss before turning her attention to Emma. "Hey baby girl! Are you having fun with daddy?"
Emma claps her hands again before sticking them out toward her mother. "Mmm!"
Olivia beams at her daughter, before glancing up at her husband in excitement. "She's so close to saying Mama."
"She is." Elliot smiles as he watches the exchange between mother and daughter. "I still think she may say Dada first."
Olivia glares up at him playfully before kissing Emma's cheeks. "Nah, it'll be Mama. Isn't that right, Em?"
"Mmmm." Emma claps her hands and kicks her little feet in excitement.
Elliot bounces her. "So close, baby. It's da-da." Elliot laughs at the way Olivia rolls her eyes before he busts out laughing. "As long as she doesn't say Munch first, I'm good either way."
Olivia's eyes go wide. "Oh gosh! You know he's been trying his hardest."
"I know." Elliot pulls Olivia into his side and kisses the side of her head. "So what brings you here?"
Oliva smiles as she leans into his embrace. "Well, I stepped into the café across the street expecting to see my husband and daughter, but as I looked around, they were nowhere to be found. Know anything about that?"
Elliot's eyes go wide as he looks at his watch. "We must have lost track of time. I'm sorry, Baby."
Olivia quickly rolls her eyes, clearly not amused with his use of pet names. "Don't call me Baby. At least not in public."
Elliot grins as he shakes his head in amusement. "How much of your lunch do you have left?"
"Well, normally I would only have fifteen minutes," she pauses for dramatic effect, "but with Uncle Fin covering for me and a promise to bring him back a sandwich and jelly donut, I have at least another thirty."
"Well, in that case, could I interest you in a sandwich and a side of macaroni and cheese?" Elliot slips his hand into hers and pulls her along beside him.
She grins and tugs him back to the stack of records. "Mommy really would like that Fleetwood Mac record and that Jack Johnson one too." She winks as he steps back to pick up both of the ones she's pointing at.
He picks the album up and holds it in front of Emma. "What do you think, baby girl? Is Mommy's choice any good?"
Olivia watches as Emma studies the yellow album cover intently before clapping her hands, pointing to the cover enthusiastically, and smiling over at her mom. "Mmmmm!"
"Emma approved." Olivia smiles at her daughter's approval of her music choices.
"Well, what can we say," Elliot pulls Olivia into his side, "she knows it's always better when we're together."
The author of this SVU - Quills & Shutters story will be revealed in October