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Chapter Text

Coming Home Chapter One

“Can I help you?” Amanda Rollins asked the teenager who just walked into their squad room.

“I need to see your captain.” He said looking around.

“I’m sure we could help you” Kat Tamin said

“Are you my mother? That’s the only way you could help me, lady.” He said his blue eyes lighting up with his anger.

“Well I know the captain isn't your mom.” Kat said

“Like hell she isn’t” He said as the elevator dinged behind them and they all turned.

“Finally!” The teenager said making his way toward the elevator

“Eli! What are you doing here?” Olivia Benson asked, wrapping him in a hug.

“Dad sent me home, Mom I think something has gone wrong. He gave me this for you ” The teenager, Eli said with tears in his eyes as he handed a small box and envelope to her.

“Okay baby, why don't you go with Uncle Fin and get a snack and drink while I try to figure out what’s going on.” Olivia said as Eli nodded his head and followed Fin to the break room.

“Keep running the background on the suspects, let me know what you find.” Olivia said to Amanda and Kat, walking into her office and shutting the door. She sat down at her desk and glanced at the framed photo that only a handful knew was there or that the family in the photo even existed. She ran her hand over the smiling faces of her boys. She unfolded the letter that was attached to the box.

My love
I’ve been keeping a secret from you. In order to get the brass to fully reinstate me so I can finally come the fuck home. They gave me a way but they didn’t tell me it was a full scale UC. And we’re very close to the end. I’m so sorry baby, I didn’t know what else to do so I sent our boy home to you and I promise I will do my best to come back to you and the kids. In the box is a phone. The only number in it is my burner, I will answer you as soon as I can. God baby I hope this is the end of this twisted road. I love you so fucking much and I am counting the days till we’re together again. Tell Noah Daddy loves him and tell all the other kids that I love and miss them. And as for Eli, make sure he knows I didn’t have a choice in this. And that I am doing this to try and put our family back together.

Semper Fi
El

She pulled the phone out of the box and wiped a couple tears from her eyes. She pulled up the text app on the phone.

Our boy made it home to me. me, him and Noah will be waiting for you. I love you, come home to us, to me ~O she hit send before she slid it into her pocket. She took a deep breath running her finger against her left ring finger and the E that had been tattooed there for years.

“Liv you okay?” Amanda asked, causing her to look up. Rollins could see the tears in her eyes which caused Amanda to shut the door and sit down across from Olivia

“Um yeah just an unexpected day” Olivia said.

“Is this about the young man with Fin?” Rollins asked.

“He’s my son, has been since basically the day he was born.”

“Your son?” Amanda asked with shock written on her face. Olivia picked up the framed photo from her desk and handed it to Rollins.

“Of course you know Noah, and you know my story with him. That a Judge gave me a chance. Well a few years before Noah I was given a gift of Eli and his dad Elliot.”

“As in Stabler? Your former partner? ”

“Yes Eli’s biological mother decided once her other 4 kids were grown she didn’t want to raise 2 year old Eli so she left. El and I started on this dance together, then the shooting happened and he was forced out by IAB.”

“I thought he chose to retire?”

“That was the story he was told to feed people so just like that my little family was halfway around the world from me. But we went with the hand we were dealt, they’ve been in Italy with El paying his dues to try and get back, state side but still be with the NYPD which is apparently close to happening.”

“And Eli’s return?”

“He needed to be somewhere safe so El sent him home.” Olivia said quietly

“Why did you not tell me?” Amanda asked with hurt in her eyes

“Amanda you have to realize Elliot and Eli are so dear to me and where the department is concerned El and I haven’t spoken since he walked out that day. I couldn’t risk them finding out otherwise. Because those three in that picture are my world and I didn’t want to lose them.”

“So your trips every so many months?” Rollins asked

“Is to Elliot and Eli.” She said with a sad smile. An hour later Olivia and Eli were in her SUV heading to pick up Noah from dance class.

“Mom?” Eli asked, turning from the window where he had been looking at Manhattan as it passed them by.

“Yeah buddy?”

“Dad is going to be okay right?”

“Yes baby he’s going to be fine.” She said as she drove

“Am i going to have to go back to Italy?”

“Hopefully not your dad thinks after this the NYPD will let him come home.”

“Good I hate being away from you and Noah and I know Dad does too.”

“Me to Eli,” She said. A few minutes later they parked and were walking to Noah’s dance studio.

“I’ve missed you Momma.” Eli said. He wrapped his arm around Olivia’s shoulders, his latest growth spurt making him just a little bit taller then her.

“I’ve missed you too and I know your little brother has been dying to see you.”

“He messaged me the other night, upset because apparently some kids at school thought he was lying about me and dad.” Eli said as they kept walking.

“I know, maybe you can walk him in one day or something?”

“Really? I thought it was so cool when Dickie did that for me.” Eli said reminding Liv of a day years ago when a college aged Dickie had walked young Eli into elementary school when he was dealing with bullies

“Really, Cause I’m thinking we’ll enroll you in the same school as him, they have a great soccer team.” Olivia said in recent years Eli had become quite the soccer player.

“Awesome!” He said as they walked into the dance studio, Olivia felt a tear come to her eye as she saw Noah’s little face light up at seeing his big brother. She had always loved seeing the love between the brothers and she once again found herself cursing the NYPD for separating her boys for so long and for separating her from the love of her life for years.

“ELI!” Noah yelled running toward Eli who caught him in a hug and swung him around.

“What are you doing here? Is Daddy here?” Noah asked, talking a mile a minute.

“C’mon little man we’ll talk in the car.” Olivia said as Noah took her hand and Eli’s hand as they walked out, once they got into Olivia’s SUV. Noah once again asked his question.

“Is Daddy here?”

“No little man, you know how Daddy has been working overseas before he can come home, he’s got to do some stuff that will take him away from home more than normal so he sent your brother home to be with us.”

“But he'll be okay right?”

“Yeah little bro he’ll be okay! And he’ll be home before you know it!” Eli said with a bright smile that looked so much like his dad’s that made Olivia’s heart hurt.

A little bit later after picking up Chinese the incomplete family of 3 made their way into Olivia and Noah’s apartment.

“Mom, where am I sleeping?” Eli asked as he dropped his duffel bag to the ground.

“Your room of course.” Olivia said with a bright smile.

“My room? But how?” Eli asked as Olivia wrapped her arm around him and led him down the hall.

“Your dad and I had some work done a few months back because we were hopeful your dad was at the end of his deal. So we started to work on getting this apartment ready for our family of 4.” She said as she motioned for Eli to push the door open, Olivia watched as her ‘First born’ took in the sight of his room. Her and Elliot had the walls painted black and red along with a variety of other colors. She watched as he took in decorations and the family photos on the wall. She could see the tears In Eli’s eyes.

“Hey Noh why don’t you go wash up and get the food out okay?” Olivia said

“Okay Momma.” He said running off as she stepped further into the room and shut the door behind her and wrapped him in a hug.

“What if we lose him Mommy?” Eli asked in between his tears, calling her something he hadn’t in years.

“Oh Baby boy we won’t your dad loves us to much to be stupid okay?” She said, rubbing his back.

“Okay.”

“Let’s go eat before your brother eats it all.” She said, wiping his tears away. That night after she got both the boys to sleep, Olivia laid in her bed staring at the photo she always kept on her nightstand. It was of her and Elliot from the year before on their partner anniversary, something they still celebrated. Her mind drifted back to that particular anniversary that they had managed be together for, her and Noah had made the trip to Italy to see Elliot and Eli

——————————————-

1 year prior

“I’m so glad we were able to work it out that we were together this year.” Elliot said pulling her close to him as they watched the boys kick a soccer ball back and forth.

“Me to Sweets.” She said, kissing his chest through his shirt.

“I talked to Beoing he said that he’s close to getting them to approve me for the organized crime unit.” He said

“God I hope so I’m sick of you and Eli being a world apart from me and Noah.”

“I know baby me too.” He said.
——————————————————-

Present Day

She was broken out of her memory by the burner phone buzzing with a text.

I’m glad he made it, at least the three of you are together

Don’t you fucking talk like goodbye Elliot Stabler

I’m not baby, This is just more dangerous than almost any UC I’ve done. But I am going to do the best I can to come home to the three of you. I love you Baby and I promise I’m coming home. I gotta go, if i don’t respond right away it’s because I'm getting in deep.

Okay Sweets I love You

I love you too, Semper Fi.

She placed the burner phone by the photo and turned off her lamp as a tear fell down her cheek.

Meanwhile a half a world away Elliot Stabler stuffed the burner phone back into his boot before making his way back into the main room where the group he had been under cover with was.

“Hey Ashes, are you ready to go? The bosses want us wheels up in an hour!” One of the guys yelled.

“Yep let’s go.” He said sending up a silent prayer that he would see his wife and kids again.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER 2

9 years prior
——————-
Olivia let out a breath as she got out of the cab picking baby Noah up as she done so. She was juggling him and his diaper bag when she heard one of her favorite voices yell out.

“Momma!” She turned and saw her little boy standing in front of her, his sandy brown curls being tossed in the Italian wind, with his dad just a few steps behind him.

“My baby!” She said, wrapping him in a hug as Elliot pulled her stuff out of the cab and paid the fare.

“I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too.” She said, holding him close.

“Who that??” He asked looking up at Noah

“We’ll explain inside okay buddy?” Elliot said, handing one of the bags to Eli.

“Okay” he said, taking off up the steps. Elliot kissed Olivia hard on the lips before reaching forward and taking Noah from her arms.

“Hi baby boy, I’m your dada.” Elliot said getting choked up as he looked at Noah while he had known about him literally within an hour of Liv finding him. He hadn’t got to meet him yet, he looked straight at Olivia and saw her glassy eyes looking straight back at him. They had many dreams for the future but then the shooting happened and if Elliot wanted to keep his badge and not go to prison for what happened he had to do what IAB said. So just like that their dreams of Marriage and babies had gone up in Smoke when Elliot and Eli had to relocate to Italy.

“Mommy! Daddy! C’mon” Eli said from the open doorway of the apartment. A few minutes later the family of four were were in the living room. Eli curled up in Olivia’s lap, his head cradled against her breast as he sipped on the sippy cup while Noah was in Elliot’s arms drinking a bottle.

“Who that?” Eli re asked his question from earlier as he looked at Noah

“This is Noah. Your mommy found him on a case.”

“So now you take him back to his mommy and his dada?”

“Buddy that’s the thing Noah doesn’t have a mommy and daddy like you do so your mommy did the same thing for him that she did for you.” Elliot said softly has Noah started to drift off to sleep in his new dad’s arms

“So my mommy is Noah mommy? And you are No no’s Daddy?”

“Exactly buddy.” Olivia said kissing his forehead had she started to rock him gently she could tell he was getting sleepy.

“Otay so me and NoNo are broudders now?”

“Yes baby your brothers” Olivia said, later that night Olivia was in Eli’s room watching as the little boy has he slept in his new Jurassic park PJ’s Elliot had gotten for both boys

“I love you so much Eli, our genetics don’t match but I don’t care about that. You are my son and nothing is ever going to change that even when we’re thousands of miles apart.” Olivia said, kissing him on the forehead before she grabbed the baby monitor and made her way into the bedroom that was her and Elliot’s whenever she was in town. She stood in the doorway watching as Elliot lay on his side with his head propped up on his hand as he looked down at Noah who was waving his hands around.

“You are such a lucky little guy! You have the most incredible mommy in the whole world, I know you had a rough go of it at the beginning of your life but your mommy is going to take such good care of you.”

“You know baby Noah, you lucked out in the dad department too”. Olivia said she slid off her sweatpants leaving herself in a tank top and panties she then climbed into bed and curled up with Elliot and Noah.

“You're the one raising him baby. I'm just going to the man he sees every so many months I might as well be a deadbeat Dad.” He glanced down at Noah who was drifting off.

“That is so far from the fucking truth Elliot Joesph Stabler.” She hissed at him. Before she stood up and gently scooped up Noah and hummed to him till she was able to lay him in the pack and play

“Sleep tight Noah. Mommy and Daddy love you.” Olivia said, kissing the tips of her fingers and pressing them across his forehead and then went back to the bed and climbed up onto it and across Elliot’s lap. She leaned down and kissed him as hard as she could, she felt him trail his hands up her tank top.

“Our sons are so fucking lucky to have you as thier dad. And I know this isn’t ideal but both of our boys have the best role model and dad there is..” Olivia said kissing him as has Elliot slid her underwear down her legs then her tank top. Leaving her bare as the cool italian breeze blew in through their window. Olivia reached between them and slid his sweatpants down his legs soon enough his clothes joined hers in the floor and he had slide into her. He was slowly thrusting in and out of her has they both got lost in each other.

“I’m sorry for what I said baby, I just it’s been my dream since we met to be like this with you and raise babies together and we are so close to that but I took that shot and now this is what we have.” Elliot said as they both reached their climax. Liv felt the tears hit her check and neck.

“Sweets.” Olivia said causing Elliot to look at her she could see the emotions all over his face.

“I love you, and I love our boys and I love our kids at home.” Elliot said, kissing her.

“Marry Me Sweets.” Olivia said

“Yes” He said, pushing her back onto the bed and getting lost in each other.

Present Day_______________

The next morning Olivia was woken up by arguing in the living room one thing she had forgotten about having both boys under the same roof , their arguments. She reached out for the other pillow, her mind getting lost in the memories. What she wouldn’t give for Elliot to be by her side.

“I hate you sometimes Noah!” Eli yelled as there was a knock on the door

“Hey! We don’t say that to each other!” Olivia said standing in the doorway.

“Sorry Momma.” They both said as Olivia went to the door and opened it, surprised when she saw Maureen standing there.

“Maureen?”

“Olivia I’m so sorry to just show up but I didn’t know where else to go.” The oldest stabler said with tears escaping her eyes.

“Come in.” Olivia said she felt Maureen pause once she came into the apartment.

“Eli?” She asked, surprised, wrapping her arms around her brother.

“Hi Mo Mo!” He said, hugging her back.

“Both of you go get ready okay?” Olivia said as she led Maureen over to the couch.

“Sweetheart what’s wrong? Is it the twins or Carl?“ Olivia asked.

“ it’s none of that, Um you know how I was working that 2nd job to try and help since Carl was laid off.. I had been working the overnight shift because it’s better money. I was coming down the alley when all of a sudden I was shoved against the wall and this man was inside——was inside me.” Maureen said, breaking down with her heart breaking for Maureen.

“Shh baby girl it’s okay” Olivia said pulling her close, her mind reeling with what Maureen was telling her. she looked up to see Eli standing there. He quickly joined them And gave his mom and sister a hug.

“I’m going to Take Noah to school. Then is it okay if I go see Carlos, he's out of school today?” Eli asked since he wasn’t enrolled in school yet.

“Okay baby.” Olivia said after a round of hugs and kisses the boys left, leaving the two women to the silence of the apartment.

“Baby girl when did this happen?” Olivia asked quietly, still cradling Maureen in her arms.

“Just a couple hours ago” she said

“We need to go to the hospital,” Olivia said as Maureen nodded her head. That’s how a couple hours later Maureen and Olivia were waiting in the hospital room.

“Mom, why is Eli here?” Maureen asked as she shifted on the hospital bed they had already done most of the rape kit and was now waiting for the tests results to come in.

“ IAB has forced your dad undercover in what is supposed to be the end of this and he'll finally come home. But it wasn’t safe for him to be there so your dad sent him Home.”

“Mommy I don’t think I can go home, I’m not the wife I was just a day ago.”

“How about I call Carl and tell him about E being home and you can stay with us a day or two and we’ll work through it okay.”

“Okay I love you Momma.” Maureen said, collapsing into her arms. Olivia looked up as the doctor came in, it happened to be one that her and Elliot had known for years.

“Mrs—“

“Please just call me Maureen,”

“Okay Maureen we’ve run through all the tests, you’ll need to come back in a few weeks for follow up tests for HIV and Pregnancy. And speaking of Pregnancy, we have plan B that you can take.” The doctor said Olivia saw the emotions cross Maureen’s face.

“I have a day or so right?”

“Yes you do, you can take it with you and if you choose to take it you’ll have it with you.” The doctor said,

“Thank you.” Maureen said, a little bit later they made their way out of the hospital. As Olivia drove back to her apartment she glanced at Maureen who kept looking out the window.

“Y’know Carl asked me the other day why I called you Momma when some of the other siblings don’t.” She said quietly

“What did you tell him?”

“That I call you Momma because you are my mom and you have been for many years. That most of the time you were there for us when Kathy wasn’t. I told him that you and Daddy always made sure that you put all 6 of us first.Your how I learned to be a momma.” Maureen said

“And you are an amazing momma Reen. C’mon let’s get you inside and we’ll get you set up on the couch.” Olivia said as they pulled into the parking garage not noticed the SUV parked at the end of the street watching them pull in.

Chapter Text

Coming Home Chapter 3

8 years ago

Olivia Benson lay in her bed staring at the photo that sat on her nightstand, her mind all over the place bouncing from the child she had found in a dresser drawer to the little boy who was currently in Italy. She ran her finger over the E that was tattooed on her left ring finger. She reached over and picked up her cell phone, quickly finding the number that she called multiple times a day.

“Hi baby.” She heard the love of her life say from Italy.

“Hi Sweets.” She said quietly.

“You're still thinking about the little boy aren’t you?” Elliot asked she could hear him shifting around in their bed in Italy. The bed she hadn’t been in for six months.

“I am, he’s so small and helpless El.” She said as her tears got the better of her.

“Don’t cry baby.”

“I just keep thinking what if that Uni hadn’t recognized Eli that night that Kathy abandoned him in that cab, we could have lost our son.”

“We could have but we didn’t babe….. I have a surprise for you.” He said

“What?”

“Starting tomorrow Fin is taking over for 3 weeks and you have a ticket waiting at the airport for you.”

“El we had agreed we couldn’t afford another trip right now!” She said

“I know but I think this is just what you need, what we need plus it’s somebody's birthday. I think the countdown was 3 days, 10 hours and so many minutes.” Elliot said with a laugh thinking of their son who would be 6 soon..

“What time does my flight leave?” She asked not even trying to fight.

“4am.”

“I guess I need to go pack!” She said with a happy smile.

“I’ll see you soon Baby!” He said.

The next day, Olivia quickly made her way off the plane and to the baggage claim. Once she made her way there she saw the man that she was lucky enough that she was getting to spend the rest of her life with.

“You are a site for sore eyes.” Elliot said as Olivia launched herself into his arms.

“I’ve missed you so fucking much!” Olivia said, kissing him hard on the lips. A few minutes later after they got her bags Elliot and Olivia walked out hand in hand.

“I only have like one small thing for Eli for his birthday.” She said,

“We’ll go to the local toy store and pick up some stuff for him, but I think I already got him the best present ever.” Elliot said as they got into his SUV.

“So Eli has Soccer practice after school so we have about 6 hours without our kid.” Elliot said as he pulled out into traffic and headed towards the villa him and his son lived in. They quickly made their way up the steps to the villa. Elliot pulled her to him so that her back was against his chest, he covered her eyes with his hands.

“Sweets, what are you doing?” She asked as he guided her through the house, he finally dropped his hands from her eyes when he got her to the door of what was the extra room in the villa.

“El what did you do?” She asked looking at the room that at one point was just the junk room but now it was clearly something else.

“I was talking to Eddie the other day after you had called me crying, and he brought up the idea of you could run your unit remotely while you're here so that you could stay for longer or come over more.”

“I never thought I would see the day that Ed Tucker was trying to help us.” Olivia said, taking in the room that now had a large desk with a framed photo of Olivia and Elliot hanging behind it.

“He’s actually trying to get them to change it but so far it’s his bosses blocking it. “

“At least he’s trying.” She said it was then that she noticed the crib against the wall.

“Um baby, why is there a crib?”

“I still had it in storage since Eli was still using it when we moved. And well i’ve been thinking I know biologically we can’t have a baby but i was thinking what about adoption? It’s just something to think about, okay?” Elliot asked, kissing her neck.

“Okay we’ll think about it.” She said, turning in his arms and kissing him.
“Eddie did tell me with the new arrangement he put in place, you could stay for a month to 3 months at a time.Or you could come home more.”

“So we could spend three whole months together?” She said in between kisses as he walked them to their bedroom.

“We could and I kinda told you a fib.” Elliot said in between kisses he laid her down on the bed.

“Elliot Joseph Stabler, what did you do?” Olivia asked as they kept kissing with clothes coming off.

“Eddie said if you wanted for the next month you could try the remote thing.”

“Fuck yes.” Liv said as the last of their clothes came off. Afterwards they lay together in bed, Olivia staring at the photo of her and Eli that sat by the bed.

“You're still thinking about that baby boy doe aren’t you?” Elliot asked quietly

“I am, I just keep thinking he’s so small, what if he’s alone forever.” She said as a tear fell down her cheek.

“How about this you keep track of him and we’ll see what we can do.” Elliot said kissing her

“Okay.” She said as he pulled her closer. That afternoon they had finally pulled their sleeves out of bed and made their way to the local school to pick up Eli. Elliot parked in the parent parking lot and reached over to take Olivia’s hand.

“I emailed Fin earlier, he suggested instead of the month that I take 2 months since like he pointed out I haven’t actually taken much time off except for the Lewis of it all. And since I’ll still be working, apparently Dodds already approved it.” Olivia said with a bright smile.

“That is amazing baby!” He said as the kids started coming out. Elliot let go of her hand and nudged her out of the car.

“Mommy!” Eli squealed as he ran toward her. Elliot watched as little Eli launched himself at Olivia.

“This is the best birthday ever ever ever!” Eli said, crawling into the back seat.

“Well champ, we have another surprise for you too.” Elliot said once everyone was in the SUV and he was pulling away

“What?”

“Mommy is going to be here for two whole months!”

“Yes!” Eli said, his dark eyes shining with happiness.

That night Eli was curled up against Olivia doing his reading homework when Elliot’s phone rang.

“Oh no! I have to go to the sitter” Eli said, pouting.

“Buddy even if daddy has to go to work you get to stay here with me.” Olivia told him running her fingers through his hair.

“Really?” He asked

“Really!” She said, kissing his forehead.

2 weeks had passed since Olivia had made her way to Italy and she was enjoying the time with her boys but she felt her joy come crashing down when her phone started ringing at 6am. She reached for it and was finally able to wriggle free of Elliot enough to reach the phone.

“Benson”

“Sergeant Benson, this is Judge Linden.”

“Your honor, good morning.” Liv felt Elliot’s arm tighten around her.

“I was wondering if you will be at the hearing for baby boy doe they are pushing us to place him with someone permanent.”

“When is the next hearing?”

“In 3 days time, Sergeant I do believe you would be a possible good fit for baby boy doe.”

“I’ll be there, your honor.” Olivia said, hanging up her phone and turned around to see Elliot staring at her.

“You have to go home?”

“I do Sweets, that was the Judge over the baby’s case, she talked like there's a chance i could get him.”

“Then you have to go.” Elliot said, running his hand up and down her back.

“How are we breaking it to Eli?”

“We’ll just tell him that Momma has to go to work.”

That was how the next afternoon Olivia found herself saying goodbye to her boys in hopes that baby boy doe would soon be part of their family.

“Mommy I don’t want you to go!” Eli said with tears

“I know buddy but I promise we’ll see each other soon.” She said hugging him close before Elliot wrapped them both in a hug.

“I love you both so much.” She said as she kissed Elliot one more time before hugging them both before heading toward her plane’s gate.

3 days later Olivia Benson stared down at the baby in her arms. Baby Boy Doe who was now Noah Porter and would hopefully one day be Noah Benson-Stabler. She felt the tears rush to her eyes as she thought about the way her life had once again changed. She grabbed her phone and scrolled till she got to Elliot’s number and hit facetime. She laughed at the video of upside down Eli who had no clothes on.

“Mommy!” He yelled which made the baby in her arms jump in his sleep.

“Hi baby, is Daddy around?” Olivia asked

“Elliot Joseph Stabler Jr, get your butt in the bathroom now!” She heard Elliot’s voice yell. She watched with a small smile as Eli ran through the house and to Elliot.

“Mommy is on the phone.” Eli said, handing the phone to Elliot before running into the bathroom.

“Hey baby.”

“Hey sweets I got somebody who wants to meet you.” Olivia said keep her voice soft as she turned her phone’s camera to Noah.

“You got him?”

“I did for a year. I'm his foster mother then after that we can adopt.” She said with tears welling in her eyes

Present Day

“Hey cap, your phone has been ringing for a few minutes, Everything ok?” Kat asked causing Olivia to look at her phone

“Um yeah sorry. Hey Dickie what’s up?” She asked, answering the phone.

“Hey Momma, we have a Lizzie problem.” She heard the sadness in Dickie’s voice, while all the kids had dealt with Kathy leaving in their own way Lizzie had ended up dealing with it in a very destructive way

“How bad?”

“She’s about to get transported to the tombs. I couldn't do it this time momma. I couldn't get her out of trouble.” He said

“It’s okay sweetheart.” She said

“Is it okay if I come hang with the boys tonight after my shift?”

“Sure, why don’t you bring Jax with you.”

“Momma!” He said reminding her so much of the little boy he used to be. Jax was the detective he had been partnered with, Elliot and Liv were pretty sure a romance was already brewing between the two.

Chapter Text

10 years ago
___________________________
“Captain, I was hoping I would be able to get some time off?” Olivia asked quietly hoping he would believe what she was saying.

“How long do you think you’ll need?”

“I was thinking maybe a month?”

“Take 2 months but when you come back you will have a new partner and you will be okay with it, do you understand?” Cragen said, Liv swallowed hard but nodded her head. It had been a little over a month since her world had spiraled out of control because of a shooting at the precinct when Elliot had to shoot and kill a 16 year old girl. Something that the brass had tried to end his career over. Instead he had been exiled which is why she was begging Cragen for this time off. So she could help the loves of her life move a whole ocean away from her and their family. That night she pulled into the drive of the house that had basically been hers for the past couple years. She fought through her emotions as she picked up the box of Elliot’s stuff from his desk and took it inside the house. She placed the box on the table but jumped when the light came on.

“God damn it El.” She said, trying to calm her beating heart.

“Sorry I thought you were Lizzie” Elliot said as she turned and wrapped her arms around him. She felt him bury his head in her neck. For the past month she had held him almost every night as he struggled to come to terms with what he had been forced to do and what it was costing them.

“Do you know where she is?” Olivia asked, Lizzie had recently developed a wild streak which led to them not knowing where she was or who she was with.

“She won’t tell Dickie but I had Mo call her. I think she’s going to see through it though.” He said as he turned off the lights and took her hand as they went up the stairs. They stopped at the youngest Stabler’s room. Elliot leaned against the door and watched as Olivia went into the room and kissed Eli on the head. Within a couple minutes she came back out of his bedroom.

“So Katie is the only kid home besides Eli and I think she’s watching a movie in her room. So I was thinking, you and I can put the claw foot tub to use.” Elliot said, kissing her gently.

“I think that sounds amazing.” She said following him to what had basically become their room which was in boxes at this point. Elliot watched as Liv undid her work clothes, stripping herself bare. He quickly followed her as he was about to reach out for her. He noticed her pause with a glance at the Pregnancy test box that had been sitting there for months. They had been trying for a baby for the better part of a year but it had yet to happen.

“I can use a condom If you want.” He said, kissing her neck as she pulled his T-shirt over his head.

“No sweets, even if the NYPD is taking you from me I still want to try for a baby. Regardless of here or Italy, you are my future Elliot Stabler.” She said kissing him hard as she undone his pants. Afterwards they laid in their bed curled into each other.

“Cragen gave me two months off but when I come back I have to get a new Partner and not complain about it.” Olivia said

“I’m so sorry your having to go through this baby.” Elliot said

“We both are.” Liv said, kissing his chest, running her hand underneath the cover ghosting his Harding member. Before they could continue they heard Eli’s cry sound from his room.

“Gotta love our boy , king of interruptions.” Elliot said with a shake of head pulling his boxers back on while he was gone she snagged his t-shirt off the floor and slid it on before Elliot came back with Eli who was reclined against his dad’s chest

“Hi baby boy, did you have a bad dream?” Olivia asked the little boy taking him from Elliot and lay in the bed with him. Elliot smiled at the two of them together while his world was falling apart. There was something special about seeing the two loves of his life interact.

“Make it go away!” Eli said through tears as his tears came harder.

“Baby make what go away?”

“The bad man!” Eli said as Olivia rocked him.

“Shh sweet boy it’s okay, lay down and close your eyes okay?”

“Otay momma.”

3 hours later the couple laid in bed together with Eli in between them. Olivia ran her hand up and down Eli’s back.

“I can’t believe in 2 days you’ll be starting a new life without me. “ Olivia said

“I don’t fucking care Liv it’s not without you, even if it cost me a small fortune, I’ve lived without you before I’m not doing it again.

“I’m sorry our lives have become this mess.”

“Baby I don’t care all I’ve wanted since I walked in the doors at the 1-6th and Cragen introduced us. I waited a long time for our chance at happiness. I'm not letting it go now.” Elliot said, tracing his hand over the tattoo on her hip. The tattoo was of their two badges.

“I know sweets.” She said drifting off to sleep.

2 days later they were in a small villa in Rome. The movers had mostly done everything. Olivia was in the bedroom putting away some of their clothes. The apartment like most of Rome was airy and the air was full of life. There were still boxes scattered around the house. Olivia didn’t realize how much she was going to miss him till she started looking around and noticed part of their life from New York.

“Mommy!” She heard Eli call through the house.

“I’m coming baby!” She said leaving the photo she was looking at on the dresser

7 years ago
______________________________________________________________________________________

Maureen Stabler-Maloney made her into SVU, running late of course. She spared a look at her watch as she rode the elevator when she stepped off she saw someone that she recognized.

“Mike!” She said with a bright smile giving him a hug.

“Mo-errifc.” Sergeant Michael Dodds said with a bright smile.

“What are you doing here?” She asked, finally breaking the hug.

“I’m the sergeant here now.”

“Really? That’s amazing! Maybe I won't have to wait a million years to see you again!”

“I can guarantee you that.” He said with a small smile, Maureen felt her heart start to beat faster. Even though she was married with newborn twins she couldn’t help but think of the one that got away and for her that was Mike Dodds. He had been her first love and first lover but then fate had stepped in and his mom moved him away and just like that they lost touch and now her mom had unknowingly brought him back into her orbit.

Present day

______________________________________________________________________

It had been over a month since Maureen’s attack, and she had made the choice to try and make it on her own, while Carl had decided that their failing marriage was over and that he was ready to explore opportunities outside of New York and without his sons. So it had left her scrambling to try and figure out her next steps while dealing with the fall out of her rape. She was broken out of her thoughts by her doorbell ringing. She made her way to the door and was shocked at who she saw standing there.

“Mike?” She asked, tears rushing to her eyes as she opened the door and he wrapped her in a tight hug.

“I just heard what happened, I’m so sorry Mo.” He said into her hair still holding her close they broke away slightly and she led him to the couch. They sat down but kept their hands intertwined.

“Carl left me, said that the marriage hadn’t been working for a while and because i let myself get raped he said it was over.” She said quietly

“No one ‘let’s’ themselves get raped.” Mike said pulling her closer to him

“That’s why I told him but it doesn’t matter, I honestly think he just wanted a way out.” She said leaning against his chest.

“So it’s just you and the boys here?” He asked as a nosie the boys caused upstairs made her jump slightly.

“Yeah it is because I didn’t want to pile in on mom since Eli is home now and I’m pretty sure dad is undercover trying to get them to let him come home.” She said, Mike rubbed his hand up and down her back.

“ What do you think about me staying here with you?”

“Really?” She asked, sitting up, her blue eyes sparkling.

“Really and maybe once you're in a better place emotionally we could—” He was cut off as Maureen kissed him.

“Are you sure about this?” He asked in between kisses.

“Yes it may not be ideal but you’ve always been my what if, I want to see where this goes please.”

“Okay.” He said getting lost in her kiss.

Meanwhile in a warehouse in the Bronx, Elliot Stabler stood against the wall and watched as the leader of the group ranted about people who were in their way.

“We need to be careful, apparently the unit that handles the trafficking has a bitch in charge and apparently she’s hard to get rid of!” The Boss Del Noddo said

“Ashes! They tell me you're a crazy son of a bitch do me a favor, make nice with her, try and get her off our scent. Maybe even have some fun with her!” He said staring Elliot down

“Sure boss! No problem.” He said even though it made his skin crawl the way they were talking about Olivia.

Chapter Text

Coming Home Chapter 5

A/N: I tried to catch all the mistakes but I’m sorry in advance.

Maureen woke up the next morning. She reached out and was surprised that the side of the bed where Mike had slept the night before was empty. She was wondering if she had dreamed that he walked back into her life when she seen Kieran and Seamus peeking through the door

“Mommy! We made breakfast with Mike.” The boys said as Mike followed them in with a tray of food.

“You did? Thank you so much, it looks amazing.” She said as Mike laid the tray across her legs then lifted each boy onto the bed. She smiled at how comfortable the boys seemed to be with Mike.

“You okay?” Mike asked, kissing her neck as he sit down next to her.

“Yeah I'm fine just thinking.” She said leaning against his side as the boys chattered. The night before they had laid curled up together just talking about everything and nothing and traded a few kisses here and there and for now that was enough for them. Mike had made it clear to her they would go at her pace

“So i was thinking i’m off today why don’t me, you and the boys go to the zoo today if you feel up to it?” He asked

“I think that’s an amazing idea.” Maureen said.

While their daughter was attempting to pick up the pieces of her shattered life Elliot was trying to keep Olivia from crossing paths with the group he was undercover with. He kept to the shadows of the alleyway. He heard the click of her high heeled boots before he saw her. They both quickly looked around before Elliot pulled her to him.

“I’ve missed you so fucking much.” Elliot said kissing her has Elliot pulled her into the warehouse out of view.

“I talked to the landlord.” She said in between kisses

“And?”

“And he’s fine with you being the maintenance man he also said he would give you one of the small apartments like he does the other maintenance guys just in case. Plus that way it looks 100% legit.” she said putting into motion the plan they had came up with when he had texted her.

“Thank you for taking care of that.” He said rubbing his hand down her back.

“Your welcome sweets” she said

“How are we going to explain it to the boys ? And the other kids?” He asked worry etched across his face and she leaned up and kissed him hard.

“It’s going to be okay.” She said with a smile, they made Out for a little longer, she felt him plam her ass

“How about instead of sex in this disgusting werehouse. We go home and have sex in our bed.” Olivia said

“I think that’s a brilliant idea.” He said as they walked out and got into her SUV.

“Why does it look like a tornado blew through here?” Elliot asked as she pulled away from the warehouse.

“Your sons, they got into a fight with each other this morning and i hadn’t had a chance to clean it up yet.”

“A fight is no reason for them to trash your SUV.” Elliot said

“I know they’ve been at each others throats alot and when i bring it up i get told it’s a boy thing and that moms can’t help.”

“I will talk to them about their boy thing.” Elliot said, intertwining their hands.

Once they pulled in to the parking grage of thier apartment complex they both got out. Elliot pulled the hood of his hoodie over his head just in case since he didn’t start his job officially til the next day. Soon enough they were inside their apartment.

“How long do we have till the boys are home.” He asked in between kisses has he unbuttoned Olivia’s shirt.

“Lucy is picking them up and bringing them home around 6 and Fin knows not to call me so we have 3 hours.” Liv said she pulled his hoodie over his head, she let out a small moan as he nipped at her neck. Elliot picked Olivia up and they kept kissing. Soon enough they both were completely naked.

“So fucking beautiful” Elliot said has he laid her on the bed and laid down on top of her. He carefully inserted two of this fingers into her and used his thumb to apply extra pressure he done that a few times before Olivia spoke.

“Baby as much as I love foreplay it’s been 6 fucking months I need you inside of me now!” Olivia said Elliot lined his dick up with her entrance and pushed into her.

“Oh my god.” Olivia moaned quietly as she pulled him closer

“God baby you feel so fucking good.” Elliot said as they kept kissing as he thrusted into her.

“Harder sweets.” Olivia said, biting gently on his nipple. He thrust up into her harder. A couple thrusts later Olivia clenched around him and reached her orgasm which triggered Elliot’s own. A couple minutes later he rolled off of Olivia and onto his back. Olivia wrapped her arms around his torso and laid her head on his chest. She absentmindedly traced the 4 gun shot scars on his side.

“I have never been so scared then I was that night.” She said as she kept tracing the scars.

8 Years Ago

“Okay sweet boy! We just gotta put your shoes on then we’re going to meet your brother!” Olivia said with a smile picking up the littlest pair of nikes that Elliot had got for him.

“Ick!” Noah said making Olivia laugh.

“Yeah buddy Ick.” She said has she put his shoes on them. She had just sit him on his feet when her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID but didn’t reconigze the number but she did see that it was a Italian number so she answered cause sometimes Elliot would call from a number at his office.

“Benson.”

“Can I speak to the family of a Elliot Stabler?” A Italian voice said

“This is she.” She said her heart breaking

“Detective Stabler was in a shootout while trying to pick up a hostile witness.”

“Is he alive?” She asked, sitting on the edge of the couch struggling to catch her breath as she listened to the man on the phone. She didn’t notice the knock on her door or the oldest Stabler boy who had come through the door.

“Yes ma’am he is but he is touch and go I would recommended you get here as soon as you can”

“Okay thank you.” She said as she hung up the phone. The minute she did, tears ran down her face.

“Momma?” She looked up surprised by Dickie’s presence.

“Oh my god Dickie. I your dad——“ Olivia said her complexion a pale ashen color.

“Momma take a couple deep breaths for me okay.” Dickie siad kneeling in front of her.

“Oh baby your dad was shot, they don’t know if he’s going to make it. We gotta go dickie in case we have to—- to say goodbye.

A little under 8 hours later Olivia, Dickie and Noah arrived In Rome.

“This guy Mitchell left a message saying they got Eli from the sitter and took him to the hospital. I guess where he stays isn’t 24 hours.”

“Okay.” Olivia said quietly as they got in the cab. She felt like she was in a fog as the cab made its way through the streets. She looked at Noah who was nodding off against his brother. Her mind was running away with her. The biggest thing was what If they lost Elliot, how would the kids cope, how would she cope.

“Momma, we're here.” Dickie said as they got out of the cab he easily picked Noah up in his arms. He gently took Olivia by the arm and led her to the desk.

“Elliot Stabler?” Olivia heard Dickie say.

“4063” Olivia smiled faintly of all the numbers the room number was made up of numbers from their badges.

“Relation?” The nurse asked.

“I’m his son and this is his wife, my mom. Can we get an update? We just flew 8 hours.” Dickie said.

“I’ll have the doctor come see you, but it looks like he’s doing well. His room is down the hall to the right. They quickly made their way to the room, and what Olivia saw broke her heart. Eli was curled up in a chair looking tiny with tears running down his face. Her mind instantly jumped to the worst thoughts but before she could spiral Noah announced their presence to Eli and the cop with him.

“Yli!!” Noah squealed.

“Mommy!” Eli said barreling into Olivia has more tears poured down his face. She picked him up and cuddled him close.

“Sgt Benson?” The doctor said approaching them

“Yes, how is he?” Olivia asked rocking Eli trying to slow his tears.

“I believe he’s through the worst of it. One of bullets collapsed his lung and the other bullets ripped through most of the muscle in his abdomen. But he will be okay, he will have a slow recovery and will need someone to stay with him for at least the next 6 weeks.” The doctor said

“Thank you doctor.” Olivia said as they walked into Elliot’s room.

“I love you, you stubborn idiot so don’t you dare die on me.” Olivia said leaning forward and kissing him on the lips.

Present Day

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my whole life. I was terrified I was going to lose you and that our kids were going to grow up without you..” Olivia said as a tear escaped her eye.

“Baby don’t cry, it's in the past and I promise I’m safe. “

“I know I just couldn't bear it if I lost you.” She said tracing the tattoo that was over his heart he had Olivia’s name then all the kids' names formed a heart around Olivia’s name.

“When I was flying over here with that damn group I made a decision. Regardless of what the brass decides, after this I’m coming home. I can’t keep living there when all of you are here.” Elliot said, leaning down and capturing her lips with his.

A few minutes later Elliot and Olivia got up and cleaned up the mess they made with their Clothes and cleaned up the apartment. They both changed into sweats and a t-shirt, they were putting the last of Elliot’s stuff away when they heard keys in the door.

“I’ll go get them.” She said giving him a quick kiss before she went into the living room and greeted Lucy, Noah and Eli. Elliot heard Lucy said goodbye and then head the door shut and close so he made his way down the hall.

“So boys, you know how Daddy is being undercover for his job right now?”

“Yep!” He heard Noah say

“Well Daddy’s assignment unexpectedly put him in this building pretending to be someone else.”

“What does that mean for us?” Eli asked,

“That means your daddy will be around but when we see him outside of these four walls we have to act like we don’t know him. Can you two do that ?“

“Yes! Can we go get him now?” Noah asked.

“We can but we don’t have to go far, Daddy?” Olivia called out to Elliot. Eli dove for his arms while Noah who was about to launch himself at him froze. Olivia and Elliot shared a look. They had both wondered how their youngest would feel about the beard he had to grow for the UC operation.

“Buddy it’s okay I’m still me.” Elliot said gently that it seemed to unfreeze Noah and he jumped in Elliot’s arms.

“Are you going to live here?” Noah asked, still tucked in Elliot’s arms.

“Technically my cover has an apartment a floor up but yes for the most part I’m going to live here with the three of you.

“Finally we get to be a real family!” Eli said.

“Yeah buddy we do, which speaking of a real family, the three of us are going to have a talk about about you two are treating our stuff, each other and your mother okay?” Elliot said looking at his youngest two.

“I need to stop by Mom’s on the way back home.” Maureen said to Mike after they got in the car after they had taken the boys to the zoo.

“Okay.” Mike said as he started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.

“Momma, Will Uncle Noah and Uncle Eli be there?” Seamus asked

“I don’t know buddy. We'll just have to see.” Maureen said to the twins the two younger stablers hung the moon. Mike made his way through manhattan listening as the boys talked about their favotire parts of the zoo. He always wanted this with Maureen it wasn’t the way he ever thought it would be but he had hope that the three people in his car were his future. He suppressed a groan as his phone rang, he fished it out of his pocket.

“Dodds….. yes sir……..yes sir I’ll take care of it” he said as he hung up he glanced over at Maureen then looked at the boys in the rear view mirror who had their head phones on. He then looked back at Maureen.

“What weirdo?” Maureen asked with a smirk.

“Babe, I’m pretty sure your dad is home and I just became his handler.”

Chapter Text

11 years ago

Olivia Bsnson sit in the same place she had been for over 13 years across from Elliot Stabler her forever partner that recently had became her life partner. She signed her name to the last DD-5, she then looked up to see Elliot slam his phone down.

“No luck?” She asked, unknown to almost everyone in SVU Elliot and Kathy had made the Discison to divorce so they had been splitting their time. Which is why Elliot was hunting for his soon to be ex-wife she was 5 hours late in dropping off little Eli

“No I’m starting to worry that’s something wrong, I’m going to go talk to cap.” Elliot said.

“Okay” Elliot said as he walked off, Olivia was working on filing her paperwork when she heard her name
Being called. She looked up surprised when she seen 2 and ½ year old Eli being backed by a uniformed

“Livvy.” Eli cried reaching for her.

“Come here baby boy it’s okay.” Liv said reaching to take Eli from the officer but he held the baby boy back.

“I’m sorry ma’am I need to give to one of the guardians listed on his papers that were in the system.” The officer said as Eli’s cry’s got louder

“Here I’m on his papers, now please give me my baby.” Olivia said not realizing what she just said but luckily Elliot was the only one who heard her. The officer finally gave Eli to her.

“Where did you find him?” Elliot asked

“We got a call about a abandoned baby left in a cab and we found him riding around in his booster seat. Cabbie said the lady told him she was done dealing with it that she had raised her kids and to take him to foster care. We were able to locate him through print a kid. What do you want to do sir. The mother made it clear she wanted. Him to go into foster care.” The young officer said as Olivia mixed up a bottle and fed it to Eli. Elliot smiled at the two of them, that held his heart.

“Like hell my son is going to foster care he’s going home with us like he’s supposed do “ That night after they were done and Olivia still had Eli in her arms rocking him to sleep Elliot stood in the doorway and watched has Olivia laid Eli in his crib. Once she laid him down Elliot seen her facade crack and she broke down in Elliot’s arms. He quietly led her into the living room and sit her on the couch when Olivia looked up she seen the tears in Elliot’s eyes as well. She lost it even more.

“We almost lost him today.” Elliot said struggling to speak.

“What are we going to do El?”

“We don’t have to do anything Kathy stuffed new paper work into Eli’s diaper bag. New paperwork that she filed . She’s not his mother anymore Baby. You are.” Elliot said holding the papers out to her where she could clearly see that it said the mother to Elliot Joseph Stabler Jr was Olivia Benson.

“He’s really my baby?” She whispered in awe.

“Yes sweetheart he Is.” Elliot said kissing her on the mouth.

7 years ago

Maureen Stabler quickly made her way into the 1-6 pushing the double stroller that held her twins who were both passed out. She was so focused on not waking them up that she didn’t notice everyone watching her soon all of them was around her looking at the new arrivals. Maureen had been working as a civilian aide so she had quickly been welcomed into the family. After a little bit she pushed the babies to her desk. She looked up only halfway surprised at who stood there. Mike Dodds was the that got away. She thought she was going to marry him some day she even still had the ring he had given her. But when he had pulled away her senior year since

“Can we talk? The CO isn’t that bad so she might let you slide. “ he saiid Maureen slid the stroller to liv and followed Dodds out. He took her her to the roof. He stood behind her and watched her talk in the mid afternoon. He walked up behind her and wrapped her in a hug.

“I fucking miss you Mo.”. Mike said kissing the back of her neck.It hand been something she had been doing since the babies came along and her husband had lost interest in Her.

“I miss you to, I was thinking we should tell our boss” she said tried to figure out what’s next. Maureen siad hissinf as he ran his hand over a bruise

“Show me where he hurt you he said as they stood on the roof away from everyone she undone her shirt and show him the bruises on her body.

“I’m going to fucking kill him.” Dodds said, not realizing Liv was on the roof

“Not if I do it first.” Liv said with tears in her eyes.

“I’m so sorry momma.” Maureen said tears pouring down her face. Pulling her shirt back on

“It’s okay you’ll be home soon:” Liv whispered into mo’a ear. Before walking downstairs

“What is going on? “

“Liv is basically my mom….I’m sorry that I got married. Before you came back:” She said quietly

“I’ll wait till the day I die if I have to pretty girl.” He said kissing her on the forehead before she went downstairs.

9 years ago

“NO! Let me go you sick bastard don’t touch them!” Olivia yelled as a nightmare woke up again did the 4th week in a row. She looked around and it came rushing back to her where she was. She had been rescued and she Was safe now. She felt a gentle hand rubbing her back she reached out and grasped the hand on her knee. She was holding the hand that she hoped she would still be holding till the day she died.

“Take a deep breath baby your okay, I’m okay, Eli is okay.” Elliot said as Olivia struggle to catch her breath.she tried to focus on Elliot and the sounds of Italy waking up. It has been almost a month since her world had been turned upside downa and ripped apart.

“Daddy. Mommy?” They heard Eli ask from the doorway. Elliot got up and picked him up putting his on the bed. Eli curled up against Olivia and fell back to sleep.

“I’m thinking about retiring.” She said quietly

“I’ll support you no matter what. But how about this, take some time then we can talk about it. Okay?” Elliot siad

“Okay “ she said quietly

Chapter Text

10 Years Ago

Fin was working with Nick when his phone started ringing. He was slightly surprised at the number that came up on the phone. 

“Hey man what’s up?”

“Have you talked to Liv?” Elliot asked from thousands of miles away. 

“You talk to her more than any of us.” Fin said since he was one of the few who knew about Olivia and Elliot’s relationship. 

“Normally yes but she hasn’t returned any of my texts and missed a scheduled call with Eli.” 

“I’ll swing by her apartment and check on her. I'll have her call you.” 

“Thanks man.” Elliot said as he hung up. 

“We need to swing by Liv’s.” Fin said to Nick. When they got to Liv’s door they noticed it was open and they could see a mess in the hallway.

“Call the cap.” Fin said pulling his phone out and dialing Elliot 

“You and Junior need to get here.” 

“What’s wrong?” Elliot asked 

“Her apartment is trashed and she’s gone. There's been a fight, the photo of your family that's on the hall table has been knocked in the floor, liv wouldn't leave it like that” He said 

“No she wouldn’t Dammit, I knew something was wrong.” Elliot said   

Present Day

Elliot woke up Trying to catch his breath. In his dreams he went back to the horror of when he lost Olivia for two days. His surroundings came back to him and he realized that for the first time in a long time he was home and Olivia  was in his arms. He wasn’t sure what made him think of that day, and the helplessness that he felt on the flight back to New York with Eli beside him wondering if for the 2nd time Eli was going to lose a mom. Maybe it was knowing that they were about to end up in a possible bad situation with his undercover assignment. He could hear the boys in the living room so he slid out from under Olivia and pulled on his sweats and made his way into the living room. He smiled when he saw the boys attempting to make toast. 

“What are you two up to?” 

“Making breakfast!” Noah said with a bright smile. 

“Want some help.” He asked them as he walked  to them. 

“Yes!” The boys said together.  Elliot loved being with his boys because of his circumstances he hardly ever got to be with them together. It was always him with Eli and Liv with Noah and maybe 4 weeks a year with the 4 of them together. 

30 minutes later they had the food together and made their way into his and Olivia’s bedroom. 

“Momma! We brought you food!” Noah said, bouncing on the bed. 

“Thank you baby!” Olivia said, kissing his head. The family of 4 sit on the bed eating breakfast which made Elliot think back to when they first got Noah and Olivia had brought him to Italy.  

9 years prior 

Elliot woke up to the cries of baby Noah, He gently unwound himself from Olivia and made his way to the crib they had moved into their room. 

“Hey baby boy what’s wrong.” Elliot said, picking him up and packing him into the living room to the balcony that looked out over early morning rome. He rocked him and Noah quieted down 

“I want you to know I love you so much and I'm your daddy, even though I won't always be around but I promise I'll change that. I know you’ve had a rough go buddy but now you have a whole Stabler army behind you and you have the most amazing momma.” He said as Noah fell back to sleep. 

He crept back into his room and laid the baby down and then crawled back into bed when he noticed Eli had crawled into their bed in Elliot’s absence. 

“You're the best dad ever.” Olivia whispered to him as she curled around him and he kissed her forehead as all four of them fell asleep. 

Present day

Elliot’s mind drifted back to the present and looked at the three other people on the bed. And he felt the sense of pride and love he always did when he looked at them. As he wrapped an arm around Olivia and watched their boys joked around. He vowed that he would do everything to keep them safe even if it meant dying for them. When he glanced at Liv he caught sight of one of the photos that always sit in the hall, the same photo that Lewis had destroyed by knocking it off the wall. He could still remember the pain he had felt when Fin had handed him the destroyed family photo. It was a memory of his worst nightmare, one he vowed to never let it happen again.

Chapter Text

Present Day

Elliot made his way into Noah’s room looking at his little boy as he laid on his bed reading upside down, he could hear part of the conversation going on between Olivia and Eli down the hall.

“What are you reading?” Elliot asked, leaning against the door frame.

“Boxcar children Grandma B gave them to Mo last time they went there. Said they were yours.” She

“They were mine, I loved those books when I was your age.” He said sitting down next to him on the bed and Noah sat upright and curled against Elliot.

“Momma says I'm alot like you.” Noah said as Elliot picked the book up and started reading to him.

Moments like this are what the shooting and IAB has taken away from him. He remembered a time when he had been terrified that Noah would never truly realize who he was.

9 years ago
Elliot woke up to baby Noah cooing to himself he reached out and felt the empty bed where Liv should have been. He then heard whispers coming from Eli’s room

“Looks like it’s just me and you baby boy.” Elliot said as he picked the baby and one of his books up and sit back on the bed with him and started to read goodnight moon to him.

Present Day

“Daddy.” Noah said sleepily from beside Elliot as he finished the chapter.

“Yeah buddy?”

“You’re the best daddy ever.” Noah said as he fell asleep. Elliot lay beside him and watched him sleep. He was broken out of his thoughts by his phone buzzing in his pocket. He slid his phone out and saw the text on his phone.

Come see us Daddy.- Was the text he received from Olivia, he gently slid away from Noah and made his way down the hall to Eli’s room where he found mother and son curled up on the bed together talking the teenager telling her a story from soccer. He slid onto the left side of the bed and was hit with djvu of a time they did this many years before when he was struggling to raise a toddler and figure out how to keep his shattered family together. And if it wasn’t for the woman on the other side of his son he didn’t know if he would still be standing. He remembered the night that his oldest daughter taught him it was okay to get what you always wanted

11 years ago
Elliot was trying to get wine poured into glasses without waking the rest of the house.

“You know you're the adult in the house, you can turn the lights on.” a voice said from behind him.

“Jesus Maureen.” He said, turning to see his oldest daughter’s smiling face.

“I mean the rest of the house is asleep right? Including Liv or is she hiding in your room like she's been doing every night i’ve been home?

“Mo.” He said quietly.

“Daddy I know she’s up there, i went in there thinking it was you but i found her and Eli curled up on the bed together. she’s reading to him. She’s a great mom, you know. Don’t look shocked, Dad. Olivia has been his mother since the bitch abandoned us. Here let me help.” Maureen said, grabbing the wine bottle from his hands. She poured 2 glasses before stowing the wine in the fridge that Kathy had bugged Elliot to put in after Eli’s birth.

“Me and your mom are getting a divorce”

“That bitch is not my mother! She might be but Livvy is who i consider my mom and me and the other kids think that Eli should call Livvy mom .”

“Mo we’ll see okay.” He said

“I think you should take the wine upstairs to mom and have time together.” Maureen said, kissing his cheek and walking off to her room which was the guest room. Elliot took the two wine glasses upstairs he glanced into Eli’s room and noticed the toddler was in his bed, he then made his way into his room where he found Olivia sitting on the bed her work clothes had been discarded at some point and she just had one of his old hoodies and leggings.

“Here baby.” He said handing her the wine glass as she stretched out on the bed and he stripped down to his boxers and t-shirt as he locked the door.

“Thank you Sweets.” She said taking the glass from him, she then curled up into his arms.

“Eli finally went down?” Elliot asked, kissing her neck.

“Yes finally I think he may wake up again though he was super fussy.” She said

“Mo is home. I had an interesting conversation with her.”

“What was the conversation?” She asked running her hand under the band of his boxers.

“About how her and the other kids have already decided that Eli should and will call you mom and apparently Mo is already calling you mom.”

“I’m sorry El.”

“Baby there is nothing to be sorry for, if anything I should be sorry for forcing a family on you.”

“Sweets, you haven’t forced anything on me. I want this family.” She said leaning in and kissing him.

“MA!” They heard Eli cry over the baby monitor causing them both to smile

“You're stuck with us now.” Elliot said as she climbed off the bed and made her way to Eli’s room.

Present Day

“So I told Conner that both of my parents were cops so if he wanted to drink or smoke he could but I was telling on him. He’s so stupid why would any of us want to screw up going to a good school with drugs?” Eli said, causing Elliot and Olivia to share a smile at their little boy who was growing into an amazing young man.

“We’re so proud of you buddy.” Elliot said

“Thank you for being my parents.” Eli said with a smile

“Your welcome baby we’re so glad we get to be your parents” Olivia said kissing his forehead.

A little bit later Olivia and Elliot made their way into their bedroom, Olivia smiled as Elliot automatically locked the door.

“You think you're getting lucky Mr.Stabler.” She asked

“I hope so, Mrs.Stabler.” He said pulling her closer to him and kissing her as he started undoing her top.

“Please don’t die on me Sweets, I couldn’t bear it if I lost you El.” She said as they undressed each other.

“ Baby I'm going to do everything in my power to come back to you and the kids.”

Chapter Text

2009 

Olivia Benson made her way into the precinct on her way back from court. She was making her way through the lobby when she heard her name being called. She was surprised to see Kathy Stabler standing there with baby Eli whimpering in her arms, it had been almost 6 months since Elliot had shown up at her apartment and told her that he and Kathy were splitting up. They had soon found themselves in a relationship that felt like a dream come true. 

“Kathy what are you doing here?” Olivia asked as Eli reached out for her.

“Here take him! He and his father both want you more!” Kathy said, shoving the baby, his bag and house keys in her arms and walked off. 

“Kathy, wait! What do you mean?” Olivia asked as Kathy started walking away. 

“I mean since the twins are graduated and grown. you win Olivia Congratulations.” Kathy said before disappearing into the crowd of people. Olivia watched in shock as Kathy took off down the street, then looked down at Eli who cooed in her arms. 

“It’ll be okay, baby boy. Let’s go see your daddy.” Olivia said, kissing his forehead. 

Elliot Stabler looked up as he heard the doors of SVU swing open. He was surprised to see Olivia standing there with Eli in her arms, the baby falling back to sleep 

“Hey, how did you get him?” Elliot asked his partner turned girlfriend, worried when he noticed tears in her eyes.

“Kathy. I had just returned from court when I ran into her, and she handed me Eli, his bag, and her house keys. El I don’t think she’s coming back. She said that since the twins graduated two days ago and you were divorcing, the baby is your problem now.” She said,handing him the bag but keeping the baby in her arms and rocking him. 

Elliot was livid. “I might have been married to her for almost  thirty years, but I don’t understand how she could just walk away from Eli. I mean, I get why she left me, but Eli? I just don’t understand.” 

Olivia shook her head. “For the record I don’t understand how she could leave either of you.” 

2014

Donald Cargen said nothing as he finished packing up his last bag. He was due to fly out with Eileen the next morning. At that moment, he was surprised when he heard a knock on the door. He was even more surprised to see Olivia on the other side. 

“Olivia this is a surprise.” 

“Um yeah can i come in?” She asked. The retired Captain could tell his sergeant was keyed up about something. 

“Sure, what’s wrong?” he asked, motioning for her to sit down 

“I need to come clean about something.” Olivia said, twisting a ring that was on her right ring finger, a ring Cragen had never seen before. 

“What is it?” 

“Elliot and I… we, uh, we’ve been in a relationship since he and Kathy split.” 

Cragen's eyes widened. “But the way he left..”

“Isn’t what it seems,” Olivia cut him off, holding her phone out to him which showed a photo of her, Eli and Elliot from a few months before she had come back home after the run in with Lewis. She then slid her finger over one of the photos and showed him a photo of her and Eli that one of the girls had taken when they had all made a family trip out of her last couple weeks in Italy.  

“So you and Elliot are a couple?” He asked,   seeming only slightly surprised. 

“Yes, and Eli is our son; has been since Kathy left.” Olivia confirmed quietly. 

 “So,why make us think he left without a goodbye?” Cragen demanded in frustration.

“That’s the way IAB wanted it, in order to keep his badge and stay out of jail. He had to feed those lies to everyone. They sent him to Italy, so that’s where he and Eli have been,” Olivia explained, anger coloring her tone at the way Elliot had been treated.

Cragen chuckled. “I can’t say I’m surprised you're together. I always thought you were after Kathy split, but I didn’t push it. All the times you came in together, left together. But you still worked together the same.” 

Olivia nodded. “Yeah we got to the point we just weren’t actively hiding it, right before the shooting we were actually trying to start a family. But now, Eli is probably all we’ll ever have.” She said, unshed tears in her eyes. 

“Olivia If you don’t want SVU….” Cragen started to say

Olivia held up a hand to stop him. “No sir, That isn’t why I’m here. I want SVU this is my calling, always as been. El is doing his best to get home to us. Just seems like there’s so many hoops to jump through,” she said quietly. 

“Then why are you here?“ her former boss asked.

Olivia cleared her throat nervously. “To tell you the truth, we both have always thought of you like our father. ” 

Cragen smiled affectionately. “And I have always thought of the two of you as my kids. So after Lewis? Your extended trip?” 

“Was to Elliot and Eli it’s were I felt safe, fin and Eddie helped,” 

“Eddie?” Cragen asked in confusion.

Olivia smiled sheepishly. “Um Ed Tucker. Turns out he and El knew each other growing up. Apparently, that was where most of their issues stemmed from.  Elliot felt betrayed by Ed when he went IAB.“ 

Cragen nodded in understanding. “And Italy was Ed’s call?” 

Olivia shook her head. “No, he fought against Italy as hard  as he could. He even came up with a deal with IAB where El would work for them but brass denied it. So Ed has helped me out a lot with coming up with a way for me to slip over there without many people knowing.” 

“How’s Eli?” Cragen asked 

“Amazing he’s getting so big; it’s been hard but I think he’s adjusting.” Olivia said, holding her phone with pictures  of Eli out to  Cragen. 

“He looks so much like Elliot.” Cragen said. 

“That he does. He acts so much like him too,” Olivia agreed.

2017

John Munch had done many things in his life,but one thing he never thought he would do was babysitting Olivia Benson’s kid. For the longest time he thought it would be Olivia and Elliot Stabler’s kid,but then fate had stepped in and left Olivia alone. Then came

A monster.  But finally, Olivia was left with the greatest gift: her son, Noah. John smiled as he watched the little boy build with blocks. With Noah being distracted, John was able to look around the apartment.His eyes trailed to the wall on which Olivia had hung some photos. He rose to his feet and looked closer at the photos that hung there. He was so absorbed in the photo, he didn’t hear the door open. 

“DaDa.” 

John looked up, startled as he found himself staring into the face of the one person he thought he'd never see again. 

"Stabler?"

Elliot nodded. "Munch." The little boy next to Elliot quickly joined Noah.

“Where’s mommy?“ both of the younger boys said not realizing the two adults were looking at each other. 

“I’m missing something aren’t I?” John asked with a small smile as Noah ran to Elliot who picked him up. 

“You usually were. Eli, go put your bag in your room okay?” 

“Okay daddy," said the older of the two boy, running to do as bidded. 

“So you and Liv are a thing?“ John asked.

Elliot turned to the other man. “Um, yeah.Since Kathy took off.” 

“And leaving without a goodbye?” John asked 

“Never happened.” Elliot confirmed, as Noah cuddled into him,whispering, "Daddy."

“Shh buddy it’s okay. Close your eyes. Daddy is right here.” Elliot said to Noah, rocking the child as he sat down on the other side of the couch. 

“Who won the bet?” John asked. 

“Not you.” Elliot said with a smirk. 

Present Day 

After making love, Elliot and Olivia laid in bed, talking quietly. After a moment, they heard the boys who were supposed to be asleep, giggling in Noah’s room. 

“I love hearing them actually get to be brothers.” Olivia sighed happily, laying her head on his chest. 

“I made a decision on the plane ride over here with all those low lifes. Even if the NYPD doesn’t let me back, I'm not going back. I'll do private security or something that keeps me here. I'm sick of us having to watch the boys grow up on screens instead of in person.” 

“But what about your career and the threat of prison?” Olivia asked anxiously.

“I’ve done enough for them that Eddie got prison off the table long ago. He just keeps hitting walls when trying to get me past liaison. But he thinks this UC is my ticket back, even though he apparently went off on his higher ups. This family is more important than my job.” he said, kissing Olivia's forehead as her phone rang. 

“Ugh no," she groaned as he reached for her phone and handed it to her. She put it on speaker as she answered. 

“Benson.” 

“Momma! I need a favor!” their second oldest’s voice filled the room. 

“And this favor would be?“ Olivia asked Kathleen. 

“I need help with a clothes job,” Kathleen said, something that wasn’t an uncommon request since she was a social worker. 

“Why don’t you take the man that’s in your apartment,” Olivia said with a laugh. 

“I was going to, but he was being a weirdo about it and said I had to ask permission,” Kathleen huffed.

“Well tell him he has permission,” Olivia chuckled.

“Thank you momma, bye!” Kathleen said, hanging up. Olivia handed her phone back to Elliot so he could put it on the nightstand. 

“What man?” he asked 

“Act surprised when she tells you, but it's the new detective in my unit,Joe Velasco. He's green, but he’s learning, and he’s becoming very good. He's also head over heels for our girl, so be nice.” 

Elliot smirked. “I’m always nice,” 

“Bullshit,”  Olivia said, kissing him.