it started with a striptease!!

Chapter 9: Happily Ever After

"I'm so nervous. Should I be this nervous? I wasn't this nervous with Matt." Olivia said as she paced the room.

"Matt wasn't the love of your life. You loved him, but you weren't in love with him. This is Elliot." Casey said, hoping she was calming her best friend down.

It had been three long years, but Olivia and Elliot were finally about to walk down the aisle. There were times that she didn't think they would make it this far. They had broken up for about three months a year into the relationship, and it affected the kids more than it affected them. They were too stubborn to reach out to each other until Olivia found out she was pregnant. Of course, Elliot being Elliot, he came running back to her, but they still weren't technically in a relationship. It wasn't until Cragen and Munch retired that Olivia knew she was going to need him most. She was offered the job of Captain and didn't have any idea what to do.

She took it. She felt like it was in her blood to do so. For the past year, she had been known as Captain Benson, and after today, it would be Captain Stabler.

Her son, Brandon Elliot Stabler was three years old, and was Elliot's buddy. She thought he would be a momma's boy, but she was way off. Brandon clung to Elliot like a leech, but it was the cutest thing in the world. In Olivia's defense, the rest of Elliot's kids and Lindsay preferred Olivia over Elliot and she thought it was the best thing in the world.

"I think I'm going to throw up."

"Olivia, calm the hell down. I'm going to go get you a xanax, and the kids. Maybe they can calm you down."

"How can you be calm on a day like this? I'm getting married."

"Yes, you are. You're getting married to your baby's father, your best friend, your soulmate. I don't see what the hell is so nerve-wrecking about this. You know you've been planning this wedding long before you and Elliot got together."

"But now it's happening." She finally stopped pacing the room. "Where's my phone?"

Casey sighed and handed Olivia her phone. She couldn't wait until all of this was over. She was stressed out, and it wasn't even her wedding.

Olivia dialed an all too familiar number and he answered on the second ring.

"Liv? You okay?"

"El, I feel like I'm going to throw up. Tell me you're just as nervous as I am."

"There's no reason to be nervous, baby. I couldn't be happier right now. I'm marrying the love of my life."

"Well now I feel bad because I'm over here freaking out. I just want everything to be perfect."

"Liv, everything is perfect. I just went and made rounds. Cake is here, flowers are here, everyone has their outfits. Everything is fine. Do I need to come up there?"

She shook her head as if Elliot could see her. "No. You're not suppose to see me until I walk down the aisle."

"I didn't think you would be the type to believe in myths like that."

She rolled her eyes. "I just don't want to jinx anything, okay? This is my big day and everything has to run smoothly or I'll lose my mind."

Elliot was used to her snapping easily. The whole wedding process had her under stress, and he couldn't wait for it to be over. "Okay, baby. I love you."

She sighed and ran her fingers through her curled hair. "I love you too."

"You ready?" Cragen asked as he slipped his arm through Olivia's. He couldn't help but smile as he looked at the woman that he loved as a daughter.

"Yeah." She said with tears already threatening to fall. This was the day she had been dreaming about for her whole life. She was having her dream wedding and she was getting married to her dream man. Nothing could make this day any better.

"You look absolutely beautiful by the way." He added.

Olivia had decided on simple wedding dress. It was a summer strapless gown, in Alencon lace with English net embellished on bodice and petal adorned skirt. Her hair was curled and pulled to the side in a messy bun. Her make-up was light because she knew that's how Elliot loved it.

"Thank you." She said in a whisper. "Thank you for walking me down the aisle, also."

He leaned over and kissed the side of her head. "No, thank you."

The doors of the church opened, and they both took a deep breath. The music started playing as they began to walk down the aisle. Everyone rose to their feet and turned to look at Olivia and Cragen. Oliva kept her eyes focused on Elliot and couldn't help but to smile at his reaction.

Elliot's jaw dropped as he seen his future bride come down the aisle. He didn't see anyone else in the room except for her. He felt his eyes start to well up and couldn't stop smiling.

They reached the altar. Elliot and Don exchanged glances before he handed her over.

Elliot was still in awe when Olivia stood in front of him.

"Baby, close your mouth before something flies in." Olivia whispered to him and smiled.

"Sorry." He said nervously. He grabbed her hands and looked at the priest. "We're ready."

After the couple exchanged vows, Fin and Casey handed them the rings.

"Uh, before we make this official, I have something to say." Elliot said. He looked Olivia directly in the eyes. "You look so beautiful right now. You always look great, but just standing here waiting to be my wife. Wow."

There were "aww's" from the crowd and everyone truly knew they were meant to be together.

Olivia laughed and shook her head with tears of joy running down her face. "I love you."

The priest smiled and cleared his throat to get everyone back on track. "Well, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride."

Elliot, who hadn't seen or kissed Olivia in three days couldn't wait to get his lips on hers. He did have to remember that they were in public and they couldn't consummate their marriage on the altar. He grabbed her hips and brought her closer to him all while claiming her lips because she was finally his.

And to think, it all started with a striptease