12

Olivia was on edge during the days following her meeting with Agent Ford. Not only was she worried about her girls, but also about meeting Elliot's family. She knew this was a big step, especially since Elliot informed her he'd marry her if they'd been together a little longer.

On Christmas Day, Elliot arrived at Olivia's house around noon and drove to his parents' house in Queens. Upon arrival, Elliot had to park on the street since the driveway was packed. He looked at his girlfriend and gave her an enormous smile.

"Are you ready for this?" Elliot questioned, and Olivia nodded slowly as she looked at their joined hands. 

"I-I guess," she replied softly.

"Liv, everything will be okay! My parents are going to love you, and so will the rest of my family! I haven't brought a girlfriend home since high school, so they all know this is the real deal," Elliot replied, as he released Olivia's hand and caressed her soft brown hair. Olivia took a shaky breath as she lifted her eyes and turned to her boyfriend.

"Will you introduce me to everyone on a smaller scale? Like you won't gather everyone in the living room?" Olivia asked, and Elliot smiled as he leaned close and kissed her temple.

"I won't put you on the spot, Liv. Not everyone is here yet, so we will focus on my parents and siblings first."

"There are gonna be more people?" Olivia questioned, her eyes growing wide.

"We are an Irish Catholic family, Olivia. Getting married and having babies is pretty much all we do," Elliot grinned.

///

Olivia was quickly introduced to many cousins and family friends. Elliot was so proud to tell everyone who would listen that he was the lucky man who got to be with Olivia, and every time he looked at Olivia, he saw her blushing. 

"Ma!" Elliot exclaimed, as he opened the garage and found his mother setting the tables with his two older sisters.

"When did you get here, carrot?" Bernie smiled as she tossed the napkins down and walked to her youngest.

"About an hour ago, but there are so many people to talk to," Elliot laughed, kissing his mother's forehead and hugging her tightly.

"Ma invited more people this year than the previous years," Dee Stabler sighed, as she finished putting forks down. She stopped a few steps from her brother when she noticed a brunette woman standing by the door to the garage.

"She always finds another poor soul to celebrate with," Elliot smiled.

"Speaking of another poor soul, is that your girlfriend?" Sharon Stabler asked before Dee could. Both were surprised when Bernie called and told them about their baby brother's girlfriend attending the party. 

"Girls," Bernie scolded as she looked at her daughters.

"It's okay. Olivia knows we like teasing each other. Sharon, Dee, and Ma, this is Olivia Benson."

Olivia moved to the group and reached a shaky hand out to Elliot's mother. She wanted Bernie to like her, but wasn't sure if the older woman would accept someone who was dating the baby of the family.

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Stabler," Olivia breathed.

"It's so good to finally meet you, Olivia. Elliot talks about you all the time and has told me many times that he loves you," Bernie smiled, as she ignored Olivia's hand and pulled her into a tight hug.

///

There wasn't a quiet moment during the annual Stabler Christmas party. Everyone piled into the tables set up in the garage and ate a variety of different dishes. After dinner was devoured and dishes were washed, gifts were brought out and handed out to the recipients. Olivia didn't expect anything, but a few small gifts were placed on her place setting.

"Elliot, I didn't know we had to bring gifts," Olivia whispered, as she started to panic.

"Liv, we do secret Santa and since you were a last-minute add-on, my mother got you something."

"I didn't-"

"Love, it's okay. She didn't expect anything from you. It'll be okay," Elliot breathed, before kissing Olivia's temple. 

Olivia grabbed the gift with Bernie's handwriting on it and pulled out a small golden cross necklace. Olivia could barely see it because tears were welling in her eyes.

"Do you like it?" Bernie asked as she squeezed Olivia's shoulder. Olivia jumped in her spot before nodding slowly as she looked at Elliot's mother.

"I love it, Mrs. Stabler... Thank you so much," Olivia whispered, her fingers rubbing tears from her cheeks.

"Then why are you crying?" 

"This was such a thoughtful gift, and you didn't even know me when you bought it... Elliot's been taking me to church and it's helped so much to pray for assistance in things I cannot control," Olivia sniffled.

"All of my girls have matching necklaces, Olivia," Bernie replied plainly. Olivia grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze before the older woman walked away.

After Olivia clipped her necklace into place and adjusted the cross for a few moments, she grabbed the last gift and pulled the bow off. The paper came off easily, and Olivia stared at the soft velvet box with wide eyes. She had seen a box like this before and inside was a big diamond engagement ring from Hugo. 

"E-Elliot?" Olivia whispered as she leaned closer to her boyfriend.

"Open it," Elliot breathed.

"Is this an engagement ring?"

"Open it and see for yourself," Elliot replied.

Olivia took a shaky breath before flipping the box open and seeing a small diamond ring. She closed the box quickly and sat it on the table before stumbling from the garage and into the backyard.