Friday night, she lay in bed on Munch's couch, unable to sleep....again. It wasn't just the inadequate length of the couch that caused her to be folded up unusually. It wasn't the cold air blowing in the open window. It was the lack of someone beside her. 'Someone' being Elliot. It hadn't seemed to bother her before, but she was so used to him being there now. Change was tough.
She woke up with a spasm in her neck, grimacing as she pulled herself off the couch and staggered into the bathroom. The sight that greeted her in the mirror shocked her. Black circled her eyes, which were slightly bloodshot. Her hair was a mess and her skin looked like paste. Thank God for makeup.
She entered the kitchen after extensive preparation, wearing a new light-blue dress that fit her like a glove. Munch was sitting at the table, reading the paper, unshaven. It was his day off, too.
"Wow," he said at the sight of her.
"Shut up and get me a coffee," she said, sitting down.
**********
Elliot turned around in the church pew, glancing toward the open door.
"Dad, calm down," said Maureen, who was sitting next to him. His other kids were sitting with their cousins, leaving him alone with his eldest daughter.
Olivia froze in the doorway of the church. Maybe this was a big mistake. She was putting herself in a situation involving Elliot's friends and relatives. Surely they'd be on his side.
Don't be stupid. There aren't sides in this.
She recognized Elliot by the back of his head. He was sitting beside Maureen, who was just standing up. She left the pew and waved at Olivia. Olivia grinned back weakly. She slipped beside Elliot almost unnoticeably, not saying a word. He glanced up and his breath caught. She looked like an angel in her blue dress. Was it new? He hadn't really expected her to come, but she had always been unpredictable. But she had shown up after all. That meant there was hope, right? And she was so beautiful, biting her lip as she leaned forward slightly, crossing her long legs, arms crossed as if she was cold.
"You came," he stated in a near whisper. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She felt suddenly vulnerable and had to clench her teeth to keep from crying. The church was filling up slowly around them. He didn't know what to say, and she wasn't moving to talk, either. Suddenly, the wedding march started and they rose mechanically. Cindy-Ann's fiancé waas standing at the front, beaming. Steven....or was it Stuart? Elliot glanced at Olivia again. She had taken on a strained smile, faking happiness better than he could. When they sat down again for the ceremony which was remarkably short. She rested her hand on the pew between then. He instinctively moved to cover her hand with his, but she pulled hers away and placed it in her lap.
After the ceremony, through which both Olivia and Elliot sat like statues, they returned to their cars to drive to the reception in a friend's yard a few blocks away. Olivia arrived first and poised herself by the punch bowl, trying to look calm and collected, waiting for Elliot so she could politely excuse herself.
"Olivia? Olivia Benson?" The voice came from behind her. She turned around to see someone she hadn't seen in a very long time.
"John Cousins." They had gone to high school together, part of the same general crowd, but they hadn't kept in touch since. "Wow," he said, "You look great. Who are here with?" She caught a view out of the corner of her eye of Elliot entering the yard. Maybe acting interested in John would make him regret being such an ass.
"A friend. Wow, it's great to see you again, John. What have you been up to?" She pretended not to see Elliot approaching them and focused intently on John's face.
"Well, actually, I'm an architect. I just finished a new library on the Upper East Side," he said, "What about you?"
"I'm a Detective," she said, "Not exactly an architect, but......."
"No! I think that's wonderful. I mean, helping people and stuff."
"Thanks," she said. Feeling Elliot standing behind her, she added, "You know, I had the biggest crush on you in highschool."
Elliot felt himself bristle. This cheap bastard was undressing Olivia with his eyes. And she acted as if she enjoyed it.
"Hi, Olivia," he said, then turned to John, "I'm sorry. We haven't met. I'm Elliot Stabler." He shoved his hand in John Cousins' face, slipping his other arm around Olivia's waist. She elbowed him right underneath his sternum, knocking the wind out of him.
"John Cousins." He shook Elliot's hand.
"Elliot is my colleague," Olivia explained, talking about him in the third person.
"We're partners," he said, regaining his composure.
"I see. Well, Olivia, maybe we could catch up some more later. I have to go congratulate Stuart," John said, moving away clumsily. Olivia turned to face Elliot, furious.
"Jerk," Elliot muttered under his breath.
"I went to school with him," she stated, "You've heard him say....what?....two words?"
"Why are you sticking up for him?" Elliot asked, slightly hurt. She couldn't answer. Fifth amendment. Telling her that she was flirting with John for his sake would self-incriminate her.
"I'm not your property." It was the only thing she could come up with.
"Olivia, we live together."
"Not anymore, if you hadn't noticed."
"Olivia....."
"Don't use that tone with me! I'm not your child.....As a matter of fact, I'm not even equal to your children!" Some people around them were beginning to stare.
"That's not true," he said loudly, then he saw the prying eyes around them. He grabbed her arm and led her into the alley. She hardly protested, but once they were out of sight, she ripped her arm away and stood there, fuming. He just stood there, awkwardly, inadequately, trying to think of something to say to make her forgive him.
"Do you......feel....sorry for me?" she asked with contempt.
"No," he replied truthfully, looking straight at her. Her eyes fell to the pavement and her anger vanished, replaced by only sadness and fear. "Liv?" He said. He moved toward her and she didn't move away. He framed her face with his hands and forced her to look him in the eye. "I love you. And I'm sorry. Please come back." He could see tears beginning to form in her eyes. He leaned in to kiss her, his mouth opening imperceptibly. She didn't move away.
"No," she said, protecting her mouth with her hand. She pulled out of his reach and began to turn. "I mean, I have to think about it," she added. She walked away, leaving Elliot alone in the alley.
She tried to get to her car, pushing her way through the reception, but she felt a hand on her arm.
"Olivia, are you all right" Why did she constantly provoke this question? She turned to face John.
"I'm fine." She managed a weak smile.
"Great. Say, do you still live in Manhattan?" He asked.
No, she almost said, I live in Queens.
Instead she nodded.
"Can I have your numnber?" She gave him her cell number, then stood there, trying to figure out a way to extract herself from the conversation so she could get the hell out of there.
Maureen saw her father come back into the yard. Olivia was still talking with John and obviously not enjoying it, but she doubted her Dad could tell the difference. She approaced them and broke in somewhat rudely.
"John! I'm Maureen Stabler, remember? Stuart says he needs to talk to you. Right now." John was flustered.
"Uh. Okay," he headed off to the head table. Olivia tried to thank Maureen but she was gone. Music began to play and she realized that she was standing in the middle of the dance floor. She felt a tap on her shoulder. Elliot.
"Would you like to dance?" She couldn't say no, because his arms were already around her. And so she put her arms around him. She forced herself to look into his blue eyes, which were reflecting the tiny lights surrounding the dance floor. He looked at her as if there was nothing else in the world that mattered and he could feel himself being forgiven as she relaxed into him. And then she smiled. The music stopped.
"We'll let you dance more later, folks, but it's time for speeches. Cindy-Ann will start, I believe," announced the best man. Elliot's niece stood up, a petite woman who didn't resemble her uncle in any way.
"I'm going to keep this short," she began," I'm only going to say that Stuart has made my whole life brighter. I can't live without him. And, for all your love and support, Stuart, I love you."
"I love you," Olivia whispered.
"Huh?" Elliot said, standing beside her.
"I love you." Elliot put an arm around her shoulders. She had goosebumps.
"Here," he gave her his jacket. She slipped into it. Meanwhile, Stuart had commenced his speech.
"......And I will never forget or regret the day I asked Cindy-Ann to marry me....."
"Marry me," Elliot repeated, blurting it out.
"What?" Asked Olivia, staring at him, not quite hearing or believing. He turned to face her, taking his hands in his.
"Marry me," he said again, meaning it with all his heart. A knot formed in her throat and she nodded, overcome with emotion.
And he leaned down and kissed her, closing his eyes.
His Olivia.
Her Elliot.
And the guests exploded into applause.