Final Chapter! BUT! If you read my other fics you know I REALLY like bonus scenes! In the future you can expect some fun scenes…I'll drop the potential list in the end notes!
Olivia felt conflicted over the proposed deal. It hardly seemed like enough when considering the death of a child, but at the same time, Ethan's obvious psychological instability had to have contributed to his involvement. It was all complicated as hell.
Olivia had to remind herself over and over, that the offer was probably the best they could do, considering Ethan's age. He was only twelve years old and the youngest child to be prosecuted in the adult justice system was thirteen years and eight months old. Twelve years old was still a child, even if the crime was serious. It didn't seem fair but it was what it was.
She watched the parents' faces as Jane from the DA's office delivered the offer.
Inpatient psychiatric care in an approved juvenile criminal psychiatric facility. Minimum of three years, but up to six depending on psychiatric recommendations. If released after three years, Ethan would be given three years probation with required regular outpatient visits.
"Could he come back to Indiana?" The mother's trembling voice asked.
"Maybe." Jane answered vaguely. "The crime and sentencing happened here in New York, and there's a lot of red tape when trying to transfer sentencing across state lines. It's something I'm willing to look into for you, but be prepared for the request to be denied." She sighed. "With Indiana being a largely rural state, there aren't many appropriate facilities for juvenile offenders with a psychiatric sentencing requirement."
The mother bit her lip, and Olivia wondered if location would be the deal breaker for them. How could they leave their child in a facility somewhere in New York State, and return to their lives in Indiana? As a parent, Olivia understood that the possibility of losing their child again, this time to the criminal justice system, was likely too much to bear.
The couple's lawyer popped in. "I feel that we could agree to the sentencing, but we will insist the child be housed in a facility in the state where he was taken from." He glanced at his clients. "I think that is a must for them. We could take this to family court. I'm sure any judge would find sympathy for a child taken from his parents, raised by his kidnapper, and shows severe emotional distress. You know there is a possibility he could get off completely."
Jane's eyes narrowed, and she tapped her pen against the table rhythmically. "I would agree to it, I just don't know if it's a feasible option. I'd feel more comfortable signing off on my offer with the intent of following though on an out of state facility request if possible."
This time Ethan's father shook his head. "We aren't leaving our son here. He already spent most of his life away from us, and now the state is taking another three years from us. Possibly longer. No. We won't agree to anything that doesn't involve him returning to Indiana. After his loss, we deserve to be allowed regular visitation with our son. That would be impossible if he was housed in New York."
Olivia understood the couple's hesitation, but she hoped a deal could be reached. For Colton's sake.
"Look. I'm not fighting you on it. Let me do some research, and consult with my bosses. If it's something we can make happen, I think it would be fair." Her eyes glanced between the parents, and then over to their lawyer. "If it isn't possible, I suggest you consider the proposed offer. You can take your chances in family court, your situation is sympathetic, but remember we aren't talking about theft or some minor offense. A child is dead and your son had a hand in the tragedy. A judge will be privy to his school records which show a long history of bullying and physical violence. At least with our deal he will be given the opportunity to get the psychological help he obviously needs."
The mother and father looked to one another before returning their attention back to Jane. "Find out about appropriate facilities in Indiana, and we will take time to consider the alternative if necessary."
Their request sounded reasonable, and it wouldn't die long for Jane to research possible ways to allow the sentence to carry across state lines. "I can agree to that. I'll need some time to work with my team as well as someone out of the Indiana office. Let's meet back Monday, and we can discuss my findings, and see if we can come to a firm decision on what is fair in regards to Ethan."
Both parents nodded their agreement, and Jane stood to shake their hands. "See you Monday."
-000-
Elliot knew he needed to talk to Olivia about their living arrangement, but he hated to push something she wasn't ready for. If he was sure Noah would leave her alone about it, he would let things run their natural course, and approach the topic after things were more firmly established down the line. He had no desire to rush her. He honestly felt grateful for what the currently had, and worried about pushing her for more. He knew he'd have to bring it up soon because he began work again Monday, and Olivia would need to schedule child care for Noah, and Noah would inevitably complain about it, and he was certain to ask about the possibility of Elliot living with them. He resisted the idea of a child pushing them into conversations prematurely, but Noah was a part of everything too, and his feelings had significant bearing on their decisions moving forward.
Noah kept his thoughts about the matter to himself for the evening. The night wound down, and Noah decided to attempt sleeping in his own room again. Olivia hovered over his bedtime routine, which Elliot suspected wasn't normal, but Noah tolerated it, probably because he understood his mom's tendency to overworry.
He heard the soft sound of the door shutting, and moments later a pair of arms encircled him as she leaned over the top of the couch. He left a lingering kiss on one of her wrists and rested his head against her upper arm. "He go down easy?" He asked gently.
She released him and came around the side of the couch. "Yeah. I'm pretty sure he's tired of my hovering."
He chuckled, "Probably, but it's good. It means he's feeling more himself."
She sighed and settled against him. His arm tightened around her shoulders, and her eyes closed as she leaned her head against his chest.
He kissed the top of her head and leaned his cheek against her head. To his surprise she kept her eyes closed, but said, "Noah asked if you could stay here full time."
Damn it. Come on Noah! They were going to have to have a little chat later on. He kept his demeanor cool, even if he felt a little frantic internally. "What did you tell him?"
She opened her eyes and tilted her head up to better see him. "I told him that you and I needed to talk about it, and it wasn't a decision he could make for us."
He was happy they were on the same page. "He asked me earlier too. I told him the same thing," he admitted nervously.
She laughed lightly. "Guess we're having this conversation then."
His heart pounded. He had absolutely no idea what turns this conversation might take. "Okay," he said carefully. "You tell me what you want Liv. I don't want this all to feel pressured because Noah is pushing us."
She scooted away a little so they could have the conversation face to face. "Well what do you want," she countered.
He knew his answer, but he hesitated. He was ready for whatever she was willing to give. He would live with her now if that's what she wanted. He treaded carefully. "I want to spend my life with you in whatever way you feel comfortable with."
She nodded slowly and considered his answer. "What if what I want is different from what I should want?" She bit her lip and dropped her eyes to her hands. "What if I'm scared of what I want?"
His fingers drifted up and down her arm softly. "I'm not going to push you to do something you don't want to do, but," her eyes flicked to his when he paused. "I don't want you not to do something because it's what you should or shouldn't do." He brushed her cheek. "We clearly don't follow any sort of conventional timeline." Her brown eyes watched him nervously. "What do you want?"
"I want you." She admitted softly. "I don't want to push you away…I.. I…" she stammered, "I don't think we should live together. That feels like too much too fast, but…I want to be with you…I don't know." Her eyes dropped again.
He reached out and lifted her chin, "How bout split time?" He felt nervous about the suggestion, even though she admitted to wanting him in her life.
"What would that look like? I mean I don't want to be dragging Noah around, especially with school."
Elliot thought for a moment. "Weekends my place, weekdays your place, and a day off so you don't get sick of me?"
She laughed at his grin. "What about your kids El? I don't want everything be about me and Noah and they grt, I don't know, neglected in the process?"
He laughed, thinking back to nearly every conversation he recently had with his kids. They wanted this. Nearly as much as he did. "Won't be a problem," he insisted. "I'm actually more worried about them encroaching on yours and Noah's space. They are… a lot." He said it lovingly. They were a lot, but in the best way.
"They could never be too much. The girls have been so great with Noah."
"They really love him. Already. Actually, I'm pretty sure Katie would take him home with her if she could."
Olivia chuckled. "If you're sure, I think that could work." Her hand grasped his and she rested them on her knee. "It's not too much?"
He impulsively reached his free hand out and pulled her face towards his, kissing her soundly. He pulled back a fraction of an inch. "It could never be too much. I've waited my whole life for this Liv. For you. I've wanted you for as long as I can remember, and you and your life could never be too much."
She pressed a soft kiss to his lips, "I love you, you know."
He smiled at her use of a phrase he frequently used. "I know," he returned. Still smiling against her lips he added, "I love you too."
-000-
After a lazy Sunday, Monday came roaring in. Elliot reluctantly left first, hugging Noah, and kissing Olivia on his way out the door. Noah was understandably grumpy, and fought about having a babysitter throughout the whole morning. The minute the sitter arrived he sulked back into his room and shut the door, leaving Olivia standing in the kitchen with the sitter awkwardly.
Olivia explained everything, and made the babysitter promise to call if anything came up, or if he seemed upset on a deeper level. It was all she could do before she rushed out the door so she would be on time for the meeting with Ethan's parents.
-000-
Stabler Kid Chat + NOAH
N: I hate my babysitter.
L: Aw why?
N: She's being annoying.
K: What's she doing?
N: She won't leave me alone. I just want to work on my legos and she keeps trying to get me out of my room.
L: She's probably just worried Noh.
N: I'm fine. I just don't want her here.
K: What if I bring you some lunch when I take my lunch break?
D: Legos!? What are you working on?
N: Harry Potter castle. Save me!
D: Cool if I come too? I want to see your HP castle.
K: I'll run it by your mom so she can give your sitter a heads up. Dickie, come grab me from work and we can go over together.
N: YES!
K: Well only come if you're not a jerk to your babysitter though.
N: I'm not being a jerk… ?ￂﾠ
D: For some reason I don't believe you…
N: Fine. I'll be nice. But one of you needs to convince my mom I don't need a sitter anymore.
L: Yeahhhh not sure that's ever gonna happen buddy.
E: Yeah. My dad made me have a sitter until I was like 14.
K: He lives!
E: Yeah. Finished my last midterm. Turned my phone back on and found this convo.
L: Midterms go well?
E: No idea, but seriously. I bet Liv is 1000x more protective than dad. Sorry Noah, but you're probably screwed.
M: Eli!
L: And here's mama Maureen…
D: Leave him alone Mo. he's totally right. No way Olivia let's her kid be home alone before he's 16. No way.
K: Oh come on. She's not going to be getting sitters when he's sixteen.
L: I'm with Dickie on this one.
N: Noooooooo
E: Hang in there little dude.
N: ? Sitter says I have to read or she's taking away my phone.
D: Sheesh. I hate her too.
M: She sounds responsible.
E: Boooo I agree with dickie (shudder) and Little Benson. Lady has zero chill.
N: THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING.
K: hang in there buddy.
D: good luck man.
E: I think the babysitter took his phone
D: In that case…
D: I hope she's reading his messages so I can tell her to stop being a tight ass and let the kid play his legos.
M: Oh my God Dickie. How old are you? And we have a 12 year s on this chat idiot. Language.
D: Stop parenting us Mo. You have your own kids for that. He's in middle school right? Pretty sure ass isn't the worst word he's heard.
E: Free Noah!
K: ? ﾟﾤﾣ?ￂﾠ
L: Eli's over here organizing a protest ?
K: Maybe we make a petition or something. Send it to Dad and Liv.
L: Oh my God I'm doing it.
D: Email it. I'll print it so Katie and I can sign it when we are together today.
L: I'm so on it.
E: Can I Esign?
D: I'll just forge your signature. I got ya buddy.
K: I would say that's totally illegal, but it's a fake document so anything goes.
L: I'm going to work on it- Good luck Noah! Hope you get your phone back soon!
-000-
Olivia slumped into her office couch in exhaustion. After a couple of hours of deliberation, negotiations, and reassurances, the group came to an agreement on Ethan's future. If possible he will do time in Indiana in an approved juvenile psychiatric facility. Three to Five years in the facility, and supervised probation until he reached the age of eighteen. If the court is unable to coordinate with the state of Indiana, or a suitable facility cannot be found, Ethan will remain in a New York facility for a minimum of two years but no more than three years. Three years probation.
The entire ordeal left her drained and a bit numb. It was over. Her life had been so consumed by the case she found it difficult to accept its closure.
A knock on the door frame caught her attention, and her face lit up with an uncontrollable smile. "Can I come in?"
She shifted over to make room for him on the couch, "Yeah, sit."
He easily complied and dropped his arm around her shoulders in a way that was becoming increasingly familiar. "Fin texted. Said you guys managed a deal?"
She lifted a hand so she could intertwine his fingers with hers. She sighed. "It's official. Case closed. Ethan gets psychiatric help and probation, the amount of time depends on the location of the inpatient care."
Elliot nodded before resting his chin on the top of her head. "You feeling okay about it?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "I think it was the best anyone could do under the circumstances." She lifted her face and he pulled back a little so she could see him better. "How do you feel about it?"
"I don't think it's sunk in really," he admitted. "When it comes to kids… I don't know, nothing seems fair I guess."
"Yeah," she agreed.
Her phone pinged repetitively and she groaned. Multiple texts in a row rarely indicated something good. Elliot sat closer to the desk so he reached to the desk for her phone, and handed it to her without checking the messages. "Oh," she said in surprise. He immediately glanced over to the lit up screen. "It's from Katie and Liz." She opened the messages and laughed at the contents.
K:Dickie and I are headed to your place to bring Noah lunch. Wanted to let you know so you could give your sitter a heads up.
The next message was from Liz.
L: Check your email. I sent you an important document to look over.
Her curiosity was piqued, but first she texted Katie letting her know the could go over, and after that she texted the sitter a heads up.
"What was all that about?" Elliot wondered aloud.
"Katie and Dickie wanted to bring Noah lunch, and Liz sent me a document to look over? I'm pulling it up now."
She found the email in her inbox and reached for her glasses to better read the small print. She laughed out loud once she read the title of the document.
Petition for the Release of
Noah Porter Benson
To whom it may concern:
We the children of Elliot Stabler petition the mother of Noah Benson (Olivia Benson) for the release of said child from his troll of a babysitter. Her offenses include:
Interrupting the peaceful silence of a Lego building session.
Requiring conversation from a child who would rather gouge out than talk to her.
Mandating reading time when a Harry Potter castle should obviously take precedence.
The forceful removal of his electronic devices, resulting in his inability to respond to messages from his older siblings.
We, as his unofficial siblings, demand his release. In an act of good faith, we will take over babysitting duties until a sitter who is approved by Noah takes over. We expect a response to this message before the end of today's business hours. If an agreement is not arranged, Noah will be removed to a secure location that may or may not have copious amounts of ice cream. We look forward to your timely response.
Signed,
Kathleen Stabler
Richard Stabler
Ellliot Stabler Jr.
Elizabeth Stabler
Maureen Stabler
Once Elliot finished reading the document he wondered, "I'm just curious how they managed to get Eli's signature on this…"
She laughed again, "What do you do when they all gang up on you like this?"
"Um, hide? Then I give in to their demands." She shot him a humor filled glare. "What?" He defended. "There's five of them and one of me! I learned a long time ago to cut my losses and let them have what they want." He rubbed the back of his head, "Damn. I just realized there's six of them now and we are extra screwed."
She failed at suppressing her smile at his slip up. She impulsively leaned in and kissed him slowly. He seemed dazed when she pulled back. "You have six kids now, do you?"
He brushed her hair away from her face, leaving his hand behind her head. "Six kids…and one beautiful partner."
The sincerity in his eyes left her breathless, and her words caught in her throat, blocked by her rising emotion. When she gained some composure, the words left her lips in an emotion filled whisper, "I love you."
His response was simple, but the words meant everything to her. They represented years of heartache and desire, love and loss, beauty and pain.
"I love you Olivia Benson."
With those words the last walls crowding her heart crumbled, and she felt heart beat freely and openly for the man she loved. The man she had always loved. He had come back for her, and everything finally felt right.
This story was a beast! I still laugh when I remember the whole thing was inspired by a camping episode of Bubble Guppies LOL! I hope you enjoyed the journey as much as I did. I'm going to miss this one!
Stay subscribed for bonus scenes! You can look forward to:
The ultimate twin throw down
Lunch with Amanda
Legos with Dickie and Noah
That Family vacay
Camping trip with Noah and Elliot
I also so have some other surprises so watch for updates!