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Elliot Stabler walked into the 1-6. Despite having returned on several occasions in the year plus since he’d returned to New York City, it still felt strange. The squad room’s layout had changed, and any precinct had a lot of turnover within a decade, but it was odd not to have worked with anyone but Fin and Olivia. And while he was exceptionally proud of her promotion to Captain, it was surreal to think either of them was old enough. “Captain” was a role for those older than them, like Cragen or Munch. Despite having graduated from the academy more than thirty years ago, he refused to believe “Benson & Stabler” were older than the detectives they’d been for thirteen years.
He nodded in acknowledgement to Fin, who was on the phone. Neither would admit it if asked, because Liv would protest the need for “help”, but he was glad Fin had given him the heads up after a rough case and a rougher go around with McGrath. He knew Liv could more than hold her own and had the full backing of her team, but always helped to have someone in your corner who was neutral, yet fully supportive in a way her squad couldn’t be given McGrath’s role.
Elliot tapped lightly on her closed door, not surprised to hear a tired. “Come in.” He was glad to see that she appeared happy to see him when she looked up from her screen. “Hey,” she said, pushing her glasses into her hair. “OCCB works half days?”
“Apparently my Sergeant likes me or something,” he said, returning the smirk. “Finished with a possible witness in Manhattan and wondered if you and Noah wanted to come for dinner. It’s beautiful out. Thought we could sit outside?”
Liv went to say no. To say she had to finish a report. To say they had to work on Noah’s project due the following week. To say she wanted an early night and not to have to drive to Brooklyn and back, but what came out of her mouth instead was “I love that idea.”
“Getting soft in your old age, Liv. That’s the easiest yes ever.”
“Who are you calling old?”
“Both of us.”
Liv nodded. He wasn’t wrong. “I probably need about half an hour to finish this and wrap up. I can call Lucy to ask her to drop Noah off here, or let her know you’re coming to pick him up if you drove?”
“I can go pick up him and anything else you need from the house.” He didn’t want to press her by asking if they wanted to spend the night.
Liv thought for a moment, “Maybe pajamas in case Noah falls asleep on the drive home and something more comfortable for me to change into so dinner doesn’t have to be so formal. I’ll ask Lucy to pack a bag while you head over. Are we doing takeout?”
“Figured it would be quicker given we’re all likely hungry”
Liv nodded. She’d missed lunch. “You can either swing back here to get me, or I can meet you at the house?”
“We’ll pick you up. I’ll text when we’re on the way?”
“Perfect.”
***
It was about forty minutes later that Liv walked out of the door of the 1-6 after updating the Sergeant who was on that evening. As she opened the front door of Elliot’s truck, the first thing she heard was Noah’s excited voice. “Mama, we’re going to try the noodle place Eli told us about!”
“Oh perfect” she said, turning around to blow him a kiss before buckling her seat belt and gratefully leaning her head back against the seat. She was tired, but happily listened as they continued their conversation about a movie they’d both seen.
They hit a little traffic and the order was ready before they got there, so Eli picked up their dinner order. He and Bernie were just finishing setting the patio table when Elliot, Liv and Noah walked through the gate. Noah had already changed after school, so he stayed outside with everyone as Liv took the bag and ducked inside quickly to change into the yoga pants and tee shirt that Lucy had packed for her.
When she came back through the kitchen, Elliot was getting drinks from the fridge. He’d also changed and once he put down the bottle of white wine and cans of soda, he opened his arm to offer a hug. “You OK?” he asked, speaking into her hair as she tucked in.
She nodded, but said, “I’m tired, El. And for the first time in a very long time, I’m honestly thinking about retirement.”
***