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It was just a couple of days before Halloween when Elliot pulls Noah to the side.
“Noah...you know how much I love your mom, right?”
“Yeah…”
“And you too of course. I was hoping to get your permission to ask her to marry me.”
“You won’t hurt her?”
“Never. Not intentionally anyway.”
Noah nods. “Good. She was sad when Uncle Rafa left and then they had a fight when he was the lawyer for that guy...”
Elliot nods. “Yeah. He wasn’t very nice. But Rafa was just doing his job. Would you like to help me pick out the ring?”
Noah shakes his head. “This is all you. But I want to see it before you do.”
Elliot smiles. “I can do that. Just don’t tell her.”
~oOo~
A few days later, Elliot is out ring shopping when Olivia FaceTimes him. He smiles and answers it.
“Hey.”
Olivia smiles. “Hi. Where are you?”
“Out looking for something for you.”
“Elliot you don’t have to get me anything.”
“It’s for Christmas.”
Liv raises her eyebrow at him. “What are you up to?”
“It’s for Christmas. Don’t worry.”
“And now I’m worried.”
“Wanna meet for supper later?”
“What time is it anyway? I’ve been doing paperwork all day.”
“It’s almost five.”
“Noah...”
“Kathleen got him. He’s safe.”
“Thanks.”
~oOo~
The next weeks fly by and it’s finally the week of Christmas. Elliot goes to the jewelry store and picks up the engagement ring for Liv. He motions over to Noah. Noah comes over and Elliot takes him in his room.
“I don’t want her to see this until Christmas morning. What do you think?”
He opens the box and there’s a gold band with an oval amethyst with small diamonds around it.
Noah smiles. “It’s perfect.”
“Don’t tell her.”
“I won’t.”
~oOo~
Christmas morning, Noah wakes up, gets dressed, and knocks on Liv’s bedroom door.
“Come in!”
Noah comes in and smiles. “Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas! You’re already dressed?”
“Yes. Elliot told me yesterday that we are going to Katie’s for breakfast and presents.”
“Oh ok. Can I make coffee?”
“I’ll fix it for you.”
“What are you up to?”
“Nothing. Just want to fix it for you.”
Liv raises her eyebrow at him. “Okay.”
He heads to get the coffee going.
Elliot wakes up and kisses Liv’s cheek. “Good morning.”
She smiles. “Good morning. What are you and Noah up to?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“You know I don’t like surprises.”
“I know. But you’ll love it. I promise.”
“Ok. If you say so.”
Liv gets up and turns to Elliot. “How dressed up do I need to get?”
“Casual. Nothing fancy.”
She nods and gets dressed.
~oOo~
Meanwhile, Kathleen has everyone over and gathers them. “Dad’s going to propose to Liv when we are done with presents. I promised him we’d get it on video and pictures from all angles.”
Eli smiles. “I’ll film from behind Liv.”
Lizzie gets the biggest smile on her face. “And I’ll get behind Dad.”
“I’ll wrangle the boys.”
“And that leaves us on picture duty, Katie.”
“Sounds good.”
Elliot, Noah, and Liv finally get to Kathleen’s and Noah knocks on the door. Rich answers it.
“Finally. The natives are getting restless.”
“Hi to you too.”
Katie goes over and hugs them. “Sorry about him. What would you like first? Presents or breakfast?”
Elliot grins and winks at Kathleen. “Breakfast. The presents can wait.”
“Grandpa!”
“What? It’s tradition. Breakfast then presents. We learned the hard way one year. Did presents first and none of the kids wanted to eat.”
The twins pout. “Okay.”
Kathleen laughs. “He’s teasing guys. Presents first.”
The kids rush over to the tree and start handing out the presents. Liv smiles and watches everyone open their presents.
Noah looks at her “Mom…why aren’t you opening presents?”
“Just watching everyone else first. I’ll open them here in a bit.”
Elliot winks at Katie and the kids get up and take their positions.
“What are you kids doing?”
Elliot takes her hand and kneels down in front of her. “Olivia, I have loved you for years. You’re my best friend, the love of my life. You’ve been a part of the Stablers unofficially for years. Now it’s time to make it official. Will you marry me? And will you allow me to adopt Noah?”
Olivia looks at him with tears streaming down her face. “Of course. To both.”
He slides the ring on her finger and kisses it.
She wraps her arms around his shoulders and kisses him.