Chapter Text
“Mommy. Mommy. Hurry. We’re gonna be late.”
Olivia cracked one eye open just in time to see Noah launch himself from Elliot’s arms onto the bed. She chuckled when he bounced on the mattress beside her. “You can’t be late for your own birthday party, sweet boy.”
“We’re gonna be late. We hafta drive forever to get to Granny B’s house. Hours, Mommy. HOURS.” Noah hopped up and down until Elliot grabbed him and threw him over his shoulder, giggling the entire way. “We’ve got breakfast.”
“Was it covered in sugar?” Olivia slowly sat up. She glanced over to see they were an hour before her alarm was set to go off. “Or soaked in it?”
“I kept the sugar to a minimum,” Elliot promised. “I’ll keep the little jumping bean in the kitchen if you want to take a shower.”
“Hurry, mommy.” Noah giggled once again.
Elliot swooped their son down for her to give a kiss. “Come on, son. Your mommy needs some time to wake up. We’ll make her breakfast.”
A year ago, Noah’s birthday had been a small affair. She didn’t have a large circle of people to invite. This time around, they were all trekking out to Bernie’s beach house. All of his siblings would be there—and he was more excited than she’d ever seen him.
Olivia got out of bed. She could hear Noah chatting loudly in the kitchen with Elliot. He was such a good father. I’m so glad he came home.
Fuck, I’m so glad he’s home.
The past year had been amazing. Olivia had never expected to be so completely embraced by the Stablers. They loved their youngest brother—and he’d flourished under their attention.
To her surprise, Kathy had eventually moved on and left things alone. No one talked about Eli’s father. He was just their second youngest brother. No one treated him any differently—particularly not Elliot.
Elliot.
Her mind still struggled at times to comprehend that he’d returned to her life. Not just returned. He’d worked to build a relationship with Noah—and with her. It had taken months before they’d gone on their first date together.
But the first date had broken the dam. One followed another followed another. He honestly spent more time at her place than he did anywhere else.
All of their kids.
Their kids.
All of their kids came over frequently. Bernie had also become a fixture in their lives. Noah loved his Granny B with her wild colors and vibrant imagination.
“Liv? You okay?”
Olivia glanced up to find Elliot back in the doorway. She’d been sitting on the edge of the bed, thinking about him. “Just thinking about all the changes a year can bring.”
“Good ones?”
“Very good.” Olivia smiled when he crouched in front of her. He rested his hands on her knees. She draped her arms across his shoulders and leaned in for a kiss. “El?”
“Yeah?”
“Marry me?”
“What?” Elliot froze in front of her. He didn’t even seem to be breathing.
“Marry me.” Olivia had thought about marriage a number of times in the past few months, especially. Elliot seemed to be practically living with her. He rarely went to his own apartment. They were a family. And for the first time in her life, she wanted it to be official. “Unless…”
“Yes.” Elliot cut her off before she could spiral into a sea of doubt. “Tomorrow?”
“We’re not getting married tomorrow. Takes twenty-four hours to get the license even if we call in a few favors.” Olivia laughed when he shot forward to tackle her onto the bed. “El.”
“Mommy?” Noah interrupted their moment, stopping Elliot’s hands from wandering past where they rested on her side. “Mommy.”
“Yes, sweet boy?”
Noah clambered onto the bed. He hopped on top of them, giggling when Elliot dragged him into a cuddle. “Are we gonna go to the beach?”
“Soon, bud. Your mommy was just asking your daddy if he wanted to get married.” Elliot ignored Olivia’s sigh. She should’ve known he’d want to tell every single person. He’d probably take out a billboard in Times Square if he could get away with it. “What do you think? Should we get married?”
“Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Katie said it was gonna be a whole ‘nother year.” Noah bounced around on the mattress until Elliot grabbed him for a second time. “We gotta hurry to the beach so I can tell her she was wrong.”
Elliot released Noah, who raced out of the room, shouting for them to hurry. “If those kids bet on when one of us finally broke down and proposed, I’m claiming half the money.”
“El.”
“What? Weddings are expensive. They should help foot the bill.”
Olivia grabbed her pillow, thwacking him on the head with it. “Why do I love you?”
“No idea, but I’m so glad you do.”