A/N: Please note, this story deals with severe health issues - please read with caution if this is triggering to you
Prompt #77: Elliot reveals a devastating diagnosis to Olivia
A Beacon of Hope on Christmas Eve
~oOo~
A diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia had been weighing heavily on Elliot's heart as he prepared to break the news to Olivia. The Christmas season, usually filled with joy and laughter, now felt like a stark reminder of how much time he had left. Outside Olivia's apartment, under twinkling lights and festive decorations, stood Elliot on Christmas Eve. His heart was racing as he had rehearsed this moment a million times, and yet the words seemed caught in his throat.
He knocked and Olivia answered the door; her bright smile instantly dissolved into her grave expression.
"Elliot? What's wrong?" she asked, shock dripping from her voice.
"Can we sit down?" he said, leading her into the living room, where a small, decorated Christmas tree was perched, ornaments from past years still hanging from its boughs.
After they sat down on the couch, Elliot took one deep breath. "Liv, I need to tell you something important. I've been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia," his voice wasn't quite steady.
Oliva's eyes had widened into incredulity, her hand instinctively flying over her mouth in the sign of a weighted statement heard. "Oh my God. how bad is it?"
"They say I have about six months," he finally managed to admit, shaking.
The silence was loud as Olivia digested this news. Tears streamed down Olivia's cheeks as she reached out to grasp Elliot's hands tightly. "No… no, this can't be happening," she whispered, her voice breaking. "You're going to fight this, right? We'll find a way."
Elliot felt his resolve waver at the sight of her anguish. "I want to fight, Liv. But it's aggressive… and I'm scared."
Olivia shook her head vehemently. "You're not alone in this. We'll face it together. You're my partner; we've been through so much already." Her voice was filled with a mix of determination and fear.
The Christmas spirit was as far away as it could get, yet still alive in the dim light of the living room as they sat together. They remembered holidays together: cases solved over eggnog, and shared laughter on late-night stakeouts.
"Remember that Christmas when we ended up chasing that suspect through Central Park?" Olivia chuckled through her tears. "We were freezing but couldn't stop laughing.
Elliot smiled faintly, remembering it. "Yeah, I remember thinking we were crazy for doing it in the snow."
"See? We have always pulled through bad times," Olivia said with a soft voice. "This too is just a challenge to be overcome by us."
In that instance, through the steadfastness of Olivia's support, a light of hope was sparked within the sorrow and questioning of his mind. He squeezed her hands in turn, grateful she was still there.
"Promise me you will never give up," she begged, her searching eyes seeking reassurance.
"I promise," he said with conviction. "And I'll need you beside me every step along the way."
As they embraced, Elliot knew the way forward would be tough and rough; he would not be traveling alone. The challenges that lay ahead in this new phase of life, so full of love and toughness, would be jointly overcome by them because through all these years their relationship had forged an unbreakable bond.
The Christmas lights twinkled bright against the darkened sky outside, a sign of hope and warmth when there was a feeling of utter despair. And in that vulnerable moment and connection, they both knew that love would shine in the darkest time.
Elliot and Olivia spent the night of Christmas Eve talking about treatment options and what the road ahead would bring. Elliot elaborated that chemotherapy was the primary treatment for AML and that it would kill leukemia cells in order to minimize recurrences of the cancer. If needed, they may also have a bone marrow transplant.
Hearing Olivia reassure that this too would pass draws much strength from stories like the young Olivia who had conquered AML after being in and out of many treatments. They mutually decided to see a multidisciplinary team so as to explore all avenues and fight the disease together.
The author of this SVU - Season of Love story will be revealed in January