Through Thick and Thin

3. Fourth of July

July 4th 1984

One week later...

Over the past week, Olivia and Elliot were inseparable. But it wasn't just them. The rest of the gang couldn't seem to stay away from each other. It was Fourth of July and all of the girls were excited to hang out with the guys. After they each celebrated with their families, they were all going over to the Stabler household to hang out in his large backyard.

"Are you excited?" Alex asked as she tied her hair in a ponytail with a red, white and blue ribbon to match her red, white and blue dress.

"Yeah, I really am. I don't wanna get attached too quickly but I can't help it. I just feel so comfortable and safe around him." Olivia admitted as she put on her jean skirt and her red, white and blue tank top.

Alex walked over to Olivia and pulled her into a hug. Growing up together, Alex saw everything that Olivia went through and she knew that it wasn't easy for her to trust since it seemed that everyone betrayed her all of her life. Alex, her parents, Casey and Melinda were the only ones that Olivia trusted now and they would never betray her. But now Olivia has another person in her life she can trust. Elliot.

"It seems that you and Trevor are getting along very well," Olivia teased once they pulled back from the embrace and Alex blushed.

"He's honestly one of the sweetest guys I've ever met. And it helps that he's a good kisser," Alex teased back and Olivia laughed as they left their room to go downstairs where people started to show up for the barbecue.

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Around 5:00 PM, everyone headed over to the Stabler household where Bernadette, Elliot's mother, had laid out sandwiches and hot dogs for the gang to eat while they hung out in the backyard. Once they finished eating, they were all running around chasing each other like little kids. But they couldn't be happier. At one point, Olivia was running after Elliot as fast as she could and when she finally tackled him to the ground, they fell and started laughing when all of a sudden, their laughter died down and they got lost in each other's eyes. Alex, Trevor, Casey, Mike, Melinda and Fin all watched as Olivia and Elliot's lips met in a soft kiss. They pulled back, got off the ground and that's when the teasing started.

"Whew!" Melinda, Casey and Alex said, pretending to fan themselves.

"Damn, Stabler! Way to go!" Fin, Mike and Trevor shouted as they high-fived each other, laughing.

"Oh, grow up! It's not like you guys haven't all kissed yet," Elliot said as he gestured between the girls and guys. They all blushed and looked away, not making eye contact with Elliot or Olivia. Then they all started laughing.

Elliot checked his watch then looked at Olivia and the group. "We were gonna go to the drive-in, anybody wanna come?" He prayed they said no.

They all shook their heads with small, knowing smirks. "We're good, you guys go ahead. Just be home by eleven or my parents will start to worry." Alex said to Olivia as she pulled her into a hug. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do...or anything I would do." She teased which made Olivia look at her with shock in return. They all said their goodbyes, thanked Bernie for letting them come over, then they all went home while Elliot and Olivia went to the drive-in.

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Once they got to the drive-in and got soda and candy, Elliot opened the back of his truck, laid a blanket over it and set out some pillows. They got settled and snuggled into each other as they waited for the movie to start.

Elliot turned to Olivia and kissed her forehead softly. "Liv, can I ask you something?"

She smiled up at him and nodded. "Of course," she replied.

He took a breath. "Was it okay that we kissed in front of everybody? I just didn't know if you were comfortable with them knowing that we've kissed yet," he said as he looked down, avoiding eye contact.

She lifted his chin with her fingers and smiled as she kissed his nose softly. "I was perfectly fine with it, El. I was the one who kissed you, remember?" He chuckled softly and nodded as they snuggled closer.

Once the movie started playing, they stayed snuggled together and enjoyed just being with each other. After the movie ended, Elliot went to throw away their trash and came back to the truck. He stopped Olivia from getting in and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I have another question," Elliot whispered into her ear as they swayed slowly.

"You're just full of them tonight, aren't you?" She joked as she ran her fingers through his hair, smiling softly.

He chuckled then pulled back slightly to look into her eyes. "Will you be my girlfriend?" He asked nervously.

Her eyes went wide. Her heart almost stopped. But then she smiled softly. "I'd love to be your girlfriend," she said as she leaned into him and gave him a soft kiss.

He pulled back from the kiss and rested his forehead against hers as he looked into her eyes again. He couldn't stop looking into her chocolate brown eyes. "I have the most badass girlfriend ever," he laughed and she did, too.

She checked her watch and groaned. It was almost eleven o'clock. "I have to go home now," she said as she pouted.

Could she get more adorable? He thought to himself.

"Okay, let's get you home." He said as he kissed her lips and they got into his truck.

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Once she got home, Elliot kissed her goodnight then she went inside, changed into her pajamas, crawled into bed and grabbed her phone just as Elliot texted her.

I'm home. :) -Sexy Stabler

Good. I just got into bed. Alex is already asleep, haha. -Badass Benson

I guess she had fun today, haha. I'll let you sleep. Goodnight, Girlfriend. ;) -Sexy Stabler

You are such a dork. But I love it. Goodnight, Boyfriend. -Badass Benson

She set her phone down on her nightstand, snuggled into her blankets and fell into a peaceful sleep with a smile on her face.

She couldn't wait to see him again.