A/N: Here we are ... the end of this "one-shot" that you people never let me make just a one-shot. But it's ok, because I love it when you love it.

Don't worry, there's plenty of flashbacks for the time jump we made. Thanks for reading, as always. Let me know what you think and follow on twitter if you want -rileyclocks.

I'll figure out what is next. I need to tie some other fics up, but if you have ideas, let me know.

EPILOGUE

October 2012 – Two and a half years later

"You ready?"

Olivia was sitting a cushioned bench staring out the window, reflecting back on that night in the bed and breakfast that had become a regular for her and Alex's weekend getaways. They didn't get them often enough, but when they did, they made sure to take advantage of every moment.

It was a beautiful day outside and the light shone down on her face. She couldn't help but smile about her past, despite the challenges of the past couple of years.

Olivia turned around and smiled at the person standing in the doorway. Her best friend, partner, protector leaned against the doorway smiling back.

"You don't want to make Alex wait," Elliot said. "You know she's not the most patient person."

Olivia nodded. She was happy Elliot could be there and even happier she got him in a nice suit. Retirement had turned him into somewhat of a beach-bum wearing man. Of course, it wouldn't have mattered to Olivia. She couldn't imagine this day without him – without everyone who had been a part of her journey with Alex.

"I'm ready," Olivia said. She met Elliot the door way and took his arm, memories still flushing through her mind.

#

March 2010

"I can't believe we get to start our first official date this go-round by hearing about some other woman kissing you," Alex teased as her and Olivia shared a nice dinner out. "How was Babbs, anyway? She a better kisser than me?"

Olivia rolled her eyes and shook her head, but she was still smiling. Nothing was going to keep the smile off her face tonight. "You know, she found you pretty attractive," Olivia said. "I'm sure if you'd spent any amount of time alone with her, she'd have tried to kiss you, too."

"Let her try," Alex smirked. "I know a detective you would've probably gotten an excessive force write-up if that had happened."

Olivia chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Don't I know it," she said, then turned serious. "Alex, I'm really glad we're doing this. This night is perfect. Thank you for not giving up on us."

"Liv, I will never give up on us," Alex said. "Not in a million years."

#

December 2010

"Do you want kids?"

Olivia's question startled Alex, who was sitting on the couch on a Saturday morning working a crossword puzzle. She wasn't surprised by the question though, just startled out of her deep though. Olivia had just had Calvin taken away from her. Even if they knew it was only temporary, she knew how much the suddenness of it hurt Olivia.

"Yes, of course," Alex responded.

"I know you used to want to, but I wasn't sure if that changed," Olivia said. "And I know we're not there yet, but…"

"Liv, I know how important having children is to you," Alex said. "And if for once second I doubted whether I wanted children myself, I would tell you. I'd never want you to be with someone who couldn't fully commit to what you want."

Olivia nodded, and Alex put down her puzzle. She got up, crossed the room and sat in Olivia's lap in the large chair in the living room, putting her hands around Olivia's neck.

"Liv, I know we're taking this slow," Alex said. "I know we need to, but just so we're clear about the future – I want everything with you. Marriage. Home. White picket fence. Two point three kids. A dog. Ok, maybe not a dog."

"Two point three kids?" Olivia said, smirking. "How do we manage a third of a child?"

"We invite Elliot along on our outings with our two kids," Alex teased.

"Oh, I think he constitutes as more than a third," Olivia joked.

"Anyway, the point isn't the details of all of that. God, knows we'll never find a white picket fence in the city," Alex said. "But the marriage, the kids, babe, I want a family with you – when we're ready. And everything else that comes along with that."

Olivia put her hand on Alex's face and pulled her in for a kiss – which turned into them making love right there in that chair that day.

#

September 2011

Alex had been temporarily assigned back to SVU – again – following Stabler's shooting in the precinct. But this time, everyone was aware of their relationship – even if no one spoke of it.

Olivia went home the evening she found out about Elliot and cried for the second time of the day. Her partner put in his paper. He wasn't coming back and he didn't even call to tell her. Deep down, Olivia knew why. Elliot knew she would only talk him out of it – and she would have tried. But she also knew it was probably the best decision for him, even if it was a good shooting.

She was lying in bed when she heard Alex come in.

"I brought dinner," Alex said, poking her head in the bedroom. "It's warm now, but it'll also reheat later if you aren't ready."

Olivia nodded and gave Alex a half-hearted smile.

"I also went to my place and got some clean clothes for a few days," Alex said. "I thought maybe you'd want some company this weekend."

It wasn't unusual for one of them to spend the weekend at the other's apartment, but Olivia knew Alex was making it known she was there for her. They spent most free nights with each other, but still had their own apartments – they hadn't talked about moving in together yet, neither was sure why.

Olivia reached out her hand to signal for Alex to lay down with her, which Alex did.

"Baby, I'm so sorry about Elliot," Alex said. "And I want to kick his ass for not calling you."

Olivia shook her head. "No," she said. "I know why he didn't."

"He couldn't," Alex said. Half-question. Half-statement. Olivia just nodded.

Alex leaned forward and kissed Olivia on the forehead. "Well, I'm here as long as you need me, ok?"

Olivia relaxed into Alex's arms, then looked up into her cerulean blue eyes. "Stay."

"I am, Liv," Alex said. "I brought clothes for a few days."

"No, I mean, I want you to stay, Alex," Olivia said. "I don't want you to leave."

Alex cocked her head. She thought she understood what Olivia was saying but wanted to be sure.

"Move in with me, Alex," Olivia said. "Or, I'll move in with you. Or we can get a new place. I just … I want to come home to you every night. No more back and forth."

Alex smiled and kissed Olivia again, this time on the lips.

"I thought you'd never ask," she said.

#

March 2012

"Olivia Benson, will you marry me?"

Olivia wasn't expecting Alex's proposal. Sure, they had talked about marriage someday, and they were both ready, but she was still caught off-guard.

She'd had some time off and her and Alex decided to take a week and spend it away. They went to their favorite place – Farrell's. Over the past couple of years, they had gotten to know Lois and Harold, the innkeepers, pretty well.

Lois liked to laugh about that night they spent there after breaking down, and how she was sure she had recognized the two as having stayed there years before. She rarely forgot a face. At some point, Lois had shared with them after they had gone to their room that night – after the car troubles – Harold did manage to find one more roll-away bed and was about to take it to them when Lois stopped him.

"I have a feeling about those two," she told him.

Of course, Harold scoffed, given Olivia had just been there with another woman, but Lois simply told him to put the bed away and to "just wait."

Olivia hadn't noticed the bed and breakfast was particularly empty this weekend. They pretty much had free roam of the property without anyone else to bother them. Even Lois and Harold had been scarce, something that wasn't typical the more they got to know the couple.

Olivia froze when she saw Alex drop to her knee and pull out a ring prior to the proposal. Even with Alex holding her hands before that, telling her how much she loved her, how she made her feel like the luckiest girl in the world, Olivia just hadn't been expected it – she always assumed she'd be the one to propose, and had even picked out a ring for Alex.

"Please say something, Liv," Alex finally said as Olivia stood there in stunned silence.

But the detective couldn't speak just yet. Tears filled her eyes and her hands covered her mouth. She just nodded yes.

The nervous look in Alex's face turned into a huge smile, as she slid the ring on Olivia's finger.

Finally, Olivia managed to speak. "Yes! Of course, I'll marry you, Alex!"

#

October 2012 – (where we started)

Here Olivia was, white dress, standing next to two of her favorite people – Elliot and Cragen. Elliot had been at her side all morning – her 'man of honor' – and Cragen got to play father and walk her down the aisle.

Olivia insisted on going first down the aisle. She could think of nothing better than to see Alex walk toward her down that aisle in a beautiful white dress.

And she was right.

Alex was stunning. It really wouldn't have mattered what she was wearing, if she had on make-up or not, or if her hair hadn't been perfect – the smile on Alex's face made her the most beautiful creature in the world to Olivia. She could never tire of seeing that.

When Alex reached Olivia, they were both nearly in tears and held onto each other's hands for dear life – both nervous and excited.

Most of the ceremony was a blur, but toward the end, everything came into focus for Olivia. Her future was here, right in front of her.

"Do you Alexandra, take Olivia, to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do," Alex choked out, still smiling at her soon-to-be bride.

"Do you Olivia, take Alexandra, to be your lawfully wedded wife?

"I do," Olivia said, equally as emotional.

"By the power vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you wife and wife."

#

The two women savored their first dance – the only moment they'd had alone all day, the only moment no one would dare interrupt them.

"Endless Love" played in the background and they swayed and tried to forget about the audience watching.

"I can't believe we're here," Olivia said. "Finally."

"I knew we'd get here, Liv," Alex said. "Despite our best efforts to screw it up."

Olivia leaned forward and gave Alex a PG-rated kiss – they hadn't completely forgot about the room full of people.

"I love you, Alexandra," she said.

Alex smiled back.

"Ditto."