Six months later...
The past six months felt like they had flown by as you all prepare for Maureen's wedding. They surprised everyone by changing the location of the ceremony and reception...it was now going to be held at Bernie's beach house. Even though the Stabler children didn't speak to their mother, Maureen still wanted Kathy to be at the wedding so she was invited and was able to bring a plus one. Her plus one ended up being none other than Brian Cassidy. Maureen could tell that neither you or Elliot were too keen on that but you both put that aside and decide to focus on witnessing Maureen get married to the love of her life.
The weather couldn't have been more perfect. The flowers, the decorations, everything was absolutely breathtaking. Maureen asked you to be her maid of honor and you accepted with joyful tears and a loving embrace. Elliot walked Maureen down the aisle, trying to hold back his own tears. As tough as he tried to act and show that he was a big, strong man who didn't cry, that was not the case today. Today, he was giving his baby away to a man he trusted to take care of his oldest daughter.
"Who gives this woman to this man?" The priest asked, looking at Elliot expectedly.
"Her mother and I do." Elliot said with a nod toward Kathy who nodded back, smiling softly. Elliot sat next to Munch and Fin who were also invited to the wedding as well as Don Cragen and his wife, Elizabeth Donnelly.
After Maureen and Jeremy exchanges vows which left everyone crying, the reception was in full swing. The house was full of guests; some were sitting in the sand on the beach, some were in the water, splashing around. Even with the reception in full swing, you and Elliot finally find a moment where you can be alone.
"So, how does it feel to have a son-in-law?" You tease as you wrap your arms around his neck, the gorgeous diamond engagement ring on your finger gently tugging on Elliot's suit jacket.
"It feels...like I'm getting older." He chuckles as he rests his head on your shoulder, gently running his lips along your neck as he speaks.
"Well, hopefully not too old because before you know it, you're gonna be chasing a baby around the house." You say as you smile with tears in your eyes, hoping he will get the joke.
His head snaps up. His eyes go wide. "Maureen's pregnant?" He asks.
You smile and run your hand through his thinning hair. "No...I am."
He stares at you for a few seconds before he kisses you hard, almost knocking you into the wall that you're standing in front of but he pulls back and gets on his knees, looking at your belly lovingly. He runs his hand gently over it and smiles. "Mommy and I can't wait to meet you, little one." He whispers.
You smile with silent tears running down your cheeks but he wipes them away before more can come. "I have an idea." He says with a wide smile.
"Uh oh." You tease and he laughs a loud, joyous filled laugh that warms your heart.
"What do you say to getting married today?" He asks as he gently kisses your cheek and your neck.
Your head snaps up. Your eyes go wide. Then you smile. "Let's do it."
You run and tell everyone that there will be another wedding and they all look confused before they see the bright, beaming smiles on your faces. They all go back outside and watch you marry the love of your life. After your ceremony is over where you recite your own personal vows, no shock to anyone since they all knew you've both been dreaming of this moment since the day you met, you all once again go back inside and enjoy the party. As you're looking out of the front window watching the kids and Jeremy splash each other in the water, you both feel taps on your shoulders and turn around to see Cragen, Munch and Fin staring at you with knowing smirks on their faces.
"Alright, guys, let's hear it." Elliot says as he wraps his arms around you from behind and rests his chin on your shoulder.
"I bet Fin and the Cap that you guys would run off and get married after Elliot left." Munch says.
"I bet Munch and the Cap that you guys would get married after Liv came back from her undercover operation." Fin teases.
"I bet Munch and Fin that she would get pregnant and, because you still have some morals left, you would step up and marry her." Cragen says. "So, I guess we all lost the bet."
Elliot stretches his fingers across your nonexistent baby belly and gives them all his signature Stabler smirk. "Well, not exactly."
They all look at you with wide eyes and slap fifty dollars each into Cragen's outstretched palm.
"It's a conspiracy, I tell ya." Munch says and you all laugh.
"Congratulations, Grandpa." You say as you hug Cragen tightly, eluding to the father-daughter relationship you two have had since the day you joined SVU. He smiles with tears in his eyes, hugs you both once more and wanders off to go tell Elizabeth about his expected "grandchild."
With everything you've both been through, separately and together, all of the pain, the anger, the sadness, the joy, the love and the happiness, neither of you regret any of it.
And you never will.
Because that's what brought you two together.
And that's what will keep you together...
forever.
