Noah ran full speed into Olivia's arms, excited to tell her that both Richard and Eli were coming for dinner. "Katie said they both will be here! I'm so excited!" Olivia smiled at her son, and looked around the table to apologize for the interruption.
"Is this Noah?" Ella positioned herself to face her half-brother, trying to tap down the excitement on her face. Olivia nodded yes, and Ella flashed the biggest grin at Noah. "Hi there. I'm Ella…your sister." Noah was a little timid for a brief moment while hanging on to his mom, but all his shyness quickly dissipated. "Hi Ella! It's nice to meet you. Can I give you a hug?" Ella nodded yes, and the two siblings threw their arms around each other. Tears welled up in Olivia's eyes, and Elliot wrapped his arm around her.
"I'm so happy to meet you." Ella said while still in a tight embrace. Kathleen was standing off to the side. "Dad?" As Ella and Noah broke apart as Elliot stood up and grabbed Kathleen's hand to walk her over to her new sister. "Ella…this is my daughter Kathleen. Kathleen, this is Ella." Ella was quick to stand, and she and Kathleen threw their arms around each other. "My sister. I can't believe I have a sister." Kathleen pulled back and smiled. "I can't believe I have another sister! And you have more sisters coming in a few minutes." Both girls were crying and holding hands.
Elliot went to take his mother's hand as she slowly came into the room. "Ella…this is your grandmother, Bernadette Stabler." Elliot started walking his mother towards his daughters. "Oh Elliot…it's Bernie. Not Bernadette. But you, young lady, can call me grandma!" As Bernie embraced her newest granddaughter, Elliot fought back tears, thrilled his mother seemed to be having a moment of clarity and remembered what they discussed earlier that day.
Following the introductions of the Humphreys to the first round of the Stabler clan, everyone took their seats. Elizabeth Humphreys spoke up at the table, "Well this is so exciting. We are thrilled to see Ella so happy." She glanced over to see Ella flanked by Noah and Kathleen, with Bernie sitting to Kathleen's left. Elliot was standing behind Olivia, reading a text message on his phone. "And it's about to get even more exciting. Looks like Maureen, Lizzie, Richard, and Eli are outside, parking."
The next round of Stablers entered the restaurant. Maureen and her husband were carrying their young twin boys, while Lizzie and Richard followed closely behind, and their significant others. Eli was slowly walking behind all of them…keeping his head lowered. Introductions consisted of hugs, tears, laughs, and smiles. Elliot's heart was about to burst out of his chest seeing all his children together when he noticed how brisk Eli's introduction was, and how he had taken a seat at the table, slumping down into his seat. Elliot caught his eye and gave him a questioning look, but Eli just folded his arms across his chest in defiance.
Once everyone was seated, Elliot welcomed everyone as drinks and appetizers were served. "Ever since the moment I learned of Ella's existence earlier this week, and my life completely changed, this is the moment I wished for. To have all my children with me, sharing a meal." Olivia looked around the table and was greeted with smiles from the Stabler girls, including Ella, but the smile on her face faded when she encountered scowls from Richard and Eli. She reached up and took a hold of Elliot's hand, squeezing it in reassurance.
"We are all embarking on a new journey as a family, and I wanted to raise a glass to Thomas and Elizabeth Humphreys for raising their beautiful daughter, Ella, and for allowing us into their life. The Stabler family welcomes all of you, and we are thrilled to be sharing this journey with you."
As everyone raised their glasses for the toast, Elliot leaned over to give Olivia a gentle kiss on her lips. This public gesture caused the Stabler girls to excitedly look at each other, and then back to Elliot and Olivia. As she noticed all the staring, a blush began developing on Olivia's cheeks. Elliot continued to hold her hand, bringing it to his lips and placing a soft kiss on her knuckles.
"I think you mean the Stabler family…and Olivia. She's not part of our family, regardless of who she gave birth to while you were still married to mom." Eli's statement silenced the room, and everyone turned to look at him as he continued to give a defiant glare to Elliot and Olivia.
Elliot slammed his hand on the table, causing everyone to jump. "Eli! Outside, now!"