It has been a disaster of a day. Olivia had been called to a crime scene early in the morning. It appeared to be the work of the serial rapist they had been trying to nab for months. For Rafael, his case was beginning to fall apart thanks to some extreme narrow mindedness of the trial judge. At this moment though, he was glad to be home with Olivia. He figured they both needed a strong stiff drink tonight. Rafael popped open a bottle of scotch and poured two glasses, one with ice and one neat. As he walked over to the couch, he handed Olivia the glass with ice. Two cubes just how she liked it. He sat down next to her and gave her a sad smile. "Noah get to sleep okay?"

"Yeah he did. He had a good but busy day at pre-school. It wore the little guy out," Olivia chuckled before taking a long slip.

"I'm glad someone had a good day today because I definitely didn't," Rafael sighed.

"I can't believe the judge won't let in testimony of Jake's past domestic violence incidents."

"I know, it shows a pattern and how he escalated. But the judge thought it was prejudicial and my argument that he abused Megan because she was bisexual was weak…despite all the stats," The frustration and anger in Rafael's voice was palpable. "He raped and killed her because he couldn't handle the fact she broke it off with him and started dating a woman. The damn judge doesn't get it…" He caught himself before his voice got too loud. He didn't want to wake up Noah.

"I know, Rafael, I know. Some of this stuff is hitting a bit too close to home for me and for us…" Olivia whispered as she looked down at her drink.

Rafael reached for Olivia's free hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "Hey now…we'll get through this together. We always do, right?" He tried to reassure her.

"God, you know it's hard enough to come out and be honest with yourself and with others about who you are. But when a person who told you that they love you but turn around and hurt you because they can't accept that part of who you are…I wish I could say this didn't bother me but it does. It just brings up a lot of bad memories."

"The judge and his attorney played on a bunch bi stereotypes. It pissed me off. After all this time, there are people who still don't understand how it works for bi people, like us and all the others. Though I was a bit taken back by some of the comments I heard coming from the squad. I mean I would have thought especially with…"

Olivia cut him off quickly, "They don't know. The only person who ever really knew was Elliot. I never felt comfortable telling the others. Nick might have known but I never said anything and he never brought it up."

"Oh…"

"I just," Olivia hesitated, "It's just hard sometimes. There have been days where I struggle to understand it and it's not easy explaining it to others. Sometimes I have days where I wish I was just gay or straight. It would be a lot easier to just come out and say it. You don't have to deal the comments or the questions." She inched closer to Rafael and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Tell me about it. My mom, after we told her that we were officially a couple, she asked me if this meant I was no longer that way and if I had finally decided to pick a side. She thinks since we're together, I need to stop flip flopping," Rafael shook his head, "Even after all this time she still misses the point."

"That's more than I ever got from my mom. My mom thought there was something terribly wrong with me and I was just acting out to punish her." Olivia glanced over at the photograph of her and her mom from the day Olivia graduated from the policy academy. The picture sat next to a picture of Rafael, Noah and her at the beach and a picture of Rafael and his grandmother.

Rafael noticed Olivia looking at the photographs, "You never told me how you came out to your mom. It sounds like she didn't take it very well."

Olivia pushed off of Rafael's shoulder and sat up. "Well, I never technically came out to her. She caught me with my friend Amy. When I was about fifteen, I became good friends with her. She had just moved to New York from Colorado. She and I hit it off right away. She told me early on that she had always liked girls and that she was gay. When I started questioning myself, Amy helped me through it. She told me that there wasn't anything wrong with me and that it was okay to be bisexual. A person can like both guys and girls. She made me feel good about myself. I couldn't help but develop a bit of a crush on her. So one day after school, she came over and we were home alone...well one thing led to another and we started hooking up. My mom came home to find us on the couch. Amy was in her underwear on top of me and my hand was between her legs. My mom saw us, and she flipped. She threw Amy out and lost it on me.

"What the hell was that, Olivia? Who was that girl? What were you doing on my couch?" Serena screamed. She was beyond angry.

"That was my friend, Amy…Mom please calm down. I can explain. Please."

"Amy huh? So you're some sort of queer now? Is that why you had some girl on top of you? What is wrong with you?"

"Please will you let me explain. Please don't yell. Mom, I'm sorry. Please can we talk? I have to tell you something," Olivia pleaded trying to calm her mom down without much success. She was trying hard not to cry but Serena always had a way of pushing Olivia to that point. Serena's words always cut deep.

"I walk into find my daughter and some slutty girl both pretty much naked on my couch, having lesbian sex. It disgusts me and of course I am going to yell! Why are you doing this to me? You have to be trying to punish me even more than you already do? How am I going to explain to everyone that my daughter is a fucking queer? I feel sick. My daughter the dirty lesbian…I don't know how I am going to look people in the eye after this. Damnit Olivia! You are always finding ways to ruin my life!"

Olivia couldn't hold back anymore and she began to cry, "Mom, I'm not trying to hurt you. I promise. I'm sorry! It's just I have been wanting to tell you for awhile but I've been scared and confused. I'm not gay, I like guys too, I swear!"

"What? Come on! That's stupid. Stop lying to me. You know damn well you can't like both. You can either be one or the other and you better be straight. Don't play with me Olivia. I swear, if I see that little whore friend of yours here again or if I catch you with another girl like that, I will kick you out of my house and you will never be allowed back. I don't want any of this gay stuff happening here again. You need to stop it!"

Olivia sighed, "I tried telling her over and over again but it didn't work. I even tried to change who I was and how I felt. I didn't want to hurt her but in the end I just hurt myself instead. She really thought I was punishing her because she thought I was angry at her drinking. Everything just got worse and I didn't date or even kiss another girl until I met Alex.

Rafael reached out to Olivia again and wrapped his arm around her. Part of him wishes he could go back in time to have a sit down with Serena Benson to set her straight on how lucky she was to have such a wonderful daughter. He hated hearing the stories about Serena's drinking and abuse. The emotional wounds from this never fully healed and he knew Olivia deserved so much better. This story though was brutal and struck him deep. Serena's slurs felt like an attack on both of them together. Right now all Rafael could do was hold Olivia close and comfort her. He kissed the top of her head and whispered that he loved her.

The two sat in silence for a bit before Rafael spoke up, "Your mom's reaction reminds me of my dad. He found out I was bisexual when he overhead my sister and me talking. My sister though she was always supportive and never judged. But not my dad. He found out and flew into a rage. He called me a faggot, a maricon and that he didn't raise his only son to take it up the ass. I got angry and yelled back at him. I told him to fuck off. But then he hit me and told me to never come back because fags aren't welcome in his home. My mom and sister were crying, begging my dad to stop and let me stay. It was a nightmare. I got up and left. I went to my Abuelita's place. She and my abuelo took care of me that night."

"Rafi! Oh my god! Sweetheart! Your left eye! It's all black and blue! Who hurt you? Oh god it was your father again wasn't it? Mijo, come in let us take care of you." Catalina took her grandson by the hand and led him into the living room, "Fredo! Get the bag of frozen peas out of freezer! Rafi has a black eye! Come on have a seat on the couch here and tell me what happened." She grabbed the blanket off the back of the couch and wrapped her grandson up in it. She couldn't tell if he was shaking because he was cold, scared, or both.

"Abuelita…Dad got angry again and he hit me…I made him mad."

"Cat, mi amor, here are the peas you asked for. Oh god! Raf, your father is a real piece of…" Catalina cut off her husband before he could finish his sentence. She knew her husband was mad at Rafael's father but right now they needed to find out what happened.

"Fredo! Hush! Now, Mijo you want to tell us exactly what happened? Are your mom and sister alright?"

"They're okay. Dad only went after me tonight. I'm not sure I can tell you. I don't want you guys to hate me too…" Rafael sniffled as he looked down at his lap.

Rafael's grandfather sat down next to him and began rubbing his back, "Rafael, the only way I would ever be mad at you is if you suddenly became a Red Sox fan or if you ever hurt a woman or a child. Now I know you and I know you wouldn't do any of those things. So whatever it is, just know that we love you, okay?"

"I just...I don't know…I mean you guys promise?"

"We promise." Catalina assured him.

Rafael took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, "Well my dad overheard my sister and I talking and I told her that I kept having these thoughts where I am pretty sure I like both girls and boys…I can't help it. I tried to make them stop but…" Rafael's heart was racing. He was terrified that the two people he loved more than anyone in the world were going to reject him just like his own father did a short time ago.

Fredo sat quietly for a moment as he processed what Rafael just told him, "So he hit you? And then he kicked you out?"

"Sí Abuelito."

"Goddamnit! That bastard! How could he do this to his own child? I swear to God, one of these days I am going to break his face! I wish Lucia would leave him for good!" Fredo was raging. He had always hated Rafael's father but this was his breaking point.

Catalina pulled Rafael into a tight hug, "Rafi my sweet boy, listen to me, your abuelo and I will always love you. No matter what. All we want is for you to be happy, healthy, and safe. We will do whatever it takes. It doesn't matter who you end up falling in love with, you hear me. Life is too hard, we support you. You hear me?"

"Sí."

"Rafi, we love you. You are so brave and so strong. We are so proud to have you as our grandson," Fredo smiled.

"My grandparents took care of me after that night and they kept me safe from my dad. My mom…she finally reached her breaking point with him and left him soon after it all happened," Rafael said as he closed his eyes. To this day, he could remember every detail about that night, even though he had spent years trying to forget.

"Your grandmother is such an amazing wonderful woman," Olivia smiled, "I would have loved to have met your grandfather."

"He was a good man. You would have loved him. He would have just adored you and Noah so much," Rafael whispered sadly.

Olivia leaned in and kissed Rafael gently on his cheek, "I'm glad you had your grandparents looking out for you and I love you."

"I love you too, Liv."

"If you don't mind me asking, but how did your grandparents react when you brought home a guy?" Olivia asked.

Rafael smiled and chuckled slightly, "Remember when I was telling you about my old friend Michael from law school the other day when he got appointed to that judgeship in Boston?"

"No way! You and Michael? Why didn't you tell me you guys dated? For how long?" To say Olivia was a bit shocked was an understatement.

"I don't know why I didn't tell you before. I never meant to keep it from you; it just never seemed like the right time. And besides, when he came to visit two months ago, it wouldn't have been appropriate for me to say, 'Oh hey Liv, meet my ex-boyfriend, Michael. And Michael, here is my current girlfriend, Olivia.' It would have been uncomfortable and in case you wanted to know, we were together for almost our entire time in law school."

Olivia nodded, "I actually understand. So tell me more about him. Did your abuelita make a big fuss over him?"

Rafael was relieved that Olivia didn't harbor any resentment over his once kept secret, "Well he happened to be the first serious relationship I had with a man. We met our first year in law school. He was like me, grew up in a poor neighborhood in Philadelphia. He was raised by his grandmother because his mom drank and his dad cut out on them when he was just a little kid. We bonded over our messed up childhoods," Rafael chuckled, "When he and I met, we just clicked. It felt right. I remember he and I would stay up all night debating law and talking about philosophy. I think I fell for his mind at first. He really wasn't like anyone I had met before. It started as a crush but then it clearly turned into something more."

"Hey Raf, man, let's get out of here. This party is a bit boring," Michael shook his head at the sight of their fellow law students drinking cheap beer and mindless conversation.

Rafael laughed at his friend's sudden disgust for the status quo, "But this is what all the parties are like around here. You have a bunch of overachieving law geeks hanging out in one place."

"Come on let's go."

Rafael nodded in agreement. As the two young men left the party, they found themselves by the fountain alone in the park across from the law school. "Hey Rafael, I have something to tell you…I'm actually really nervous about telling you this," Michael's voice shook.

"Hey whatever it is, you're my friend. I'm here for you," Rafael gave Michael a reassuring smile.

Michael sat down on the edge of the fountain and motioned for Rafael to join him. As Rafael did, Michael turned to face his friend, "This is so hard for me but I need to tell you this. It has been driving me crazy since we met and it's just gotten more and more."

Inside Rafael's stomach was in knots. Part of him was hoping Michael was going to tell him that he had feelings for him and he wanted to be with Rafael. But another part of Rafael was still terrified of being attracted to men. His father's beating all those years ago never was too far from his mind.

Michael reached out and took Rafael's hand in his, "Look Raf, you have been such a great friend to me since we started school here. You're the only one who understands me. We're not like those other ones. And I hope what I am about to say doesn't change that."

"We're in this together remember?" Rafael smiled.

"We are. But there is more…look I never told you this but I'm gay. And I know that doesn't matter to you. You have been one of the most open minded and accepting people here. But there's more…I think you are not only handsome and incredibly smart, but just truly amazing people. And I am falling for you Rafael Barba."

Rafael was stunned by Michael's sudden confession. It was a rare moment when the smart mouthed kid from the South Bronx was rendered speechless.

"Rafael…please say something. Are you mad at me? Do you want me to leave you alone? I don't want to lose your friendship. Say something."

Rafael couldn't believe what he just heard. Michael was falling in love with him. It was real. It wasn't a cruel dream. Rafael let go of Michael's hand. He hesitated before gently cupping Michael's face and placing a soft but firm kiss on his friend's lips.

"He came to New York during summer break between our first and second years of law school. I remember when he came to my grandparents' apartment for the first time, I was so nervous. My abuelo kept telling me that it was okay and he was sure Michael was a fine young man. Abuelita was just beyond excited. She wanted to meet the gentleman, as she put it, who made her Rafi so happy," Rafael recounted.

"Aw! They just wanted you to be happy and loved," Olivia loved hearing Rafael talk about his grandparents. It made her happy to hear in his voice and see in his eyes the true genuine love and affection he had for the two people who brought him stability.

"When he came over, I swear my grandparents instantly fell in love with him. My abuelita kept feeding him and he and my abuelo talked about baseball. At one point I wondered if they loved him more than me," Rafael laughed, "But it felt so great that they accepted him and our relationship."

"That is great, Rafael. But what happened between you and Michael? Why did you guys end it if you two were so happy together…I mean…it's not like I am upset that you guys broke up because here we are and all…" Olivia blushed. She dug herself into a hole that she wasn't sure she could get out of.

Rafael gave Olivia a comforting smile, "It's okay, Liv. I know what you are getting at. It was our careers. They took us in two different paths at the time."

Michael held Rafael's hand as they walked through the same park where they shared their first kiss three years ago. Graduation was a few weeks away but things were beginning to fall into place for each soon to be lawyer.

"Michael, I have some good news for you," Rafael smiled.

"Oh? Are we finally getting that yacht we've been talking about?" Michael laughed.

"Not yet! But I heard back from the Brooklyn District Attorney's office. They have a job opening and they want me to interview there. Rita recently got a job there and she said it would be perfect for me. The interview is a week before graduation," Rafael beamed with pride.

"Brooklyn, huh? So that means if you get it, you'll be moving back to New York then."

"That's the plan! And I want you to come with me. We can get a place together and start our post-law school life together. I am sure you will be able to get in with one of the law firms in New York. You are one of the smartest and most talented students in our class," Rafael smiled as he squeezed his partner's hand.

Michael frowned, "Raf…I don't know…New York is great and all. And I want to be with you and build our life together but Boston's my home now. I want to stay here in work. I love you with all my heart. I really do but I have a chance to make something out of myself here. I owe it to my grandma and my sisters. I need to get them out of West Philly and staying here and taking a job with one of the law firms is the best way to do it."

"And we broke up soon after that. It hurt a lot. I thought at one point Michael and I were going to be together for a long time. But it wasn't meant to be. I think though it has worked out for the best," Rafael rested his head against Olivia's.

"I think so for sure. Breakups are always hard, especially when you love a person. It takes time to heal. It took me a long time to get over Alex. She and I started out as something fun but then it got intense. We both fell hard for each other."

Olivia rolled over and saw Alex sound asleep next to her. Alex's slender bare shoulders were exposed. Olivia smiled as she inched towards the beautiful blonde. Olivia wrapped her arms around Alex's waist and placed gentle kisses on Alex's shoulders.

The soft touches awoke Alex.

"Good morning, Detective." Alex yawned as she turned herself to face Olivia. She couldn't help but smile at Olivia's messy hair. It was a combination of bed head and messy post-sex hair. It was definitely something Alex could get used to seeing every morning.

"Good morning, Counselor," Olivia smiled as she leaned to kiss Alex softly on the lips.

"Mmm," Alex quickly deepened the kiss; parting Olivia's lips with her tongue and cupping one of Olivia's breasts in her hand. Her thumb began rubbing small circles around Olivia's nipple.

Olivia moaned as she moved one of her hands down Alex's side. She wanted to touch Alex like she did last night. She wanted to feel Alex's heat, her wetness against her fingers. She didn't want this to end. She didn't want to wake up and it all be a dream.

Before Olivia could continue, Alex pulled back and smiled at the sight of Olivia's naked body before her. Alex licked her lips and her voice was thick with desire, "God Olivia, you are so beautiful."

Olivia blushed at Alex's compliment, "Please tell me this isn't a dream and you are really laying next to me in my bed right now?"

"This is definitely not a dream. This is very real," Alex's lighthearted and sweet tone took a more serious turn, "Liv…about last night..."

"Alex, I know we probably shouldn't have slept together with our jobs and all but I don't regret it. I really like you. But if you don't feel the same way, I understand. Just please don't tell me you regret it…"Olivia suddenly felt very vulnerable and scared.

Alex cut her off, "No! I don't at all! I really like you too…I was going to ask you if maybe we could try this again some time."

"Alex and I shouldn't have turned into a 2 and half year relationship but we did. It all started when I had developed a serious crush on her when we started working together. Then one night after a case, we hooked up. The rest was history," Olivia shrugged.

"I think you have a thing for lawyers. Also I didn't know Alex Cabot was into women," Rafael said incredulously.

"Yeah, I'm lawyersexual, Rafael. You figured me out," Olivia laughed, "But seriously though, see, Alex is very much into women but was and still is very much in the closet. That's pretty much why our relationship fell apart."

"Olivia, please. We can't," Alex's voice was low.

"Why not? Why can't we just take a few days together away from the city and away from our jobs? We can just be you and me. We can be together. Maybe we can go some place warm and sunny?" Olivia cocked her head as she looked at her partner.

"No. We…I can't."

"Why can't you? Are you worried someone will find out about us? If we are both somewhere else, I don't think the NYPD or the DA's office will find out."

"It's not that. It's not our jobs…it's us. You and me…together…" Alex looked away from Olivia.

"What are you trying to say? That you are you embarrassed to be with me? Do I only matter when we fuck?"

"No! God no. You are perfect. You are the best thing to happen to me," Alex's voice began to crack. She had rehearsed this in her head a number of times but this was a lot harder than she ever could have possibly imagined. She was about to let go one the one person who truly loved her for who she was, not someone she was pretending to be.

"Alex, what's going on? I love you, please talk to me," Olivia begged.

"You can't love me. This…what we have…we just can't…" Alex tried to hold back her tears, "Olivia, I can't do this anymore. Us, together. I know you love me and our time together has been incredible. But if anyone found out that I am a les…am interested in women, it would ruin me. My career goals, gone. I have political goals in mind. I can't move forward with that if we are together," Alex deflected. She hoped Olivia believed this and would understand.

"Wait, what? I don't get where this is coming from? Everything was fine earlier tonight. You are going to throw away what we have over your career? How could you tell me I was your everything and then turn around and throw it all away like this? Alex, come on." Olivia was confused and hurt.

Alex ran her fingers through her hair and sighed, "I do love you. God do I love you. But there are rumors at work and pressures outside of the job. Why does this have to be so hard? This wasn't supposed to last. We were only supposed to be a drunken hookup, friends with benefits sort of thing. But then I fell for you, Olivia. It scares me. My parents don't know about me, let alone about us. They will never accept it."

"Pressures? What pressures? Your parents? But, I love you. Let's try to make this work. I am sure we can find a way. Maybe if they met me and they saw how happy you are? Don't give up on us, please," Olivia's voice cracked.

Alex's heart shattered hearing Olivia's voice crack; It was almost too much to bear seeing Olivia plead to find a way to keep their relationship going but it had to be, "I can't have my parents find out. They don't understand or approve of people being gay; let alone understand your bisexuality. I don't want to lose my mom and dad. They're my family."

"Shouldn't your happiness and well being come first over their outdated opinions?"

"Olivia. Stop. I once tried to tell them back when I was in high school that I might be gay and my mother told me if she ever found out that she had a gay kid, she would kick them out of the house and never talk to them again. I know this is hard for you to grasp, but I love my mom and dad and their rejection would kill me. You don't understand what this is like for me. If it means breaking up with you to save my relationship with my parents and my career, then it has to happen."

Olivia lowered her head and whispered through her tears, "But I do understand…"

"Alex left my apartment that night and I was just hearbroken. There were times after that night we tried to get back together. It always ended up in the same argument, Alex scared to come out of the closet. We said so many horrible things to each during each fight. We were both self-destructing. The last time we tried to get back together was during the Zapata case. When the case started to turn against us, Alex came to my apartment telling me she needed me and was ready to stop living her lie. I can still see her standing at my doorway in tears. I told her after the case was over, we had to talk. Some things she said hurt me deep and I couldn't just accept her back. She told me she understood but at that moment she didn't want to be alone," Olivia paused as she squeezed Rafael's hand.

Rafael held Olivia close as he waited for her to continue.

"I let her in and we ended up having sex. We were both just so desperate but it just felt different. Something about it felt final. Two days later she was shot and then ended up in witness protection. And that was it. We were over," Olivia said sadly as she leaned into Rafael's chest. "It was one of the worst breakups I ever had. It took me a long time to get over her. There was a point, I really didn't think I could love anyone again…well that is until I met you."

Rafael smiled, "We just sort of clicked that first day we met, huh? I don't know if I ever told you this, but I had a crush on you when I went to that seminar you and David Haden organized. You won me over back then."

"Really? Well why did you wait so long to ask me out?" Olivia teased.

"Well…I wanted to find the perfect moment. And I was also worried about how you would react to certain things about me," Rafael confessed.

"Wow! Counselor, you do know how to impress a lady on a date! This is an incredible view of the city! And who knew you could cook too! That meal was incredible," Olivia smiled as she glanced over at Rafael.

"I figured since we are always out and about, a candle light dinner at my place would be a nice change of pace," Rafael said as he slid his arm around Olivia's waist.

As Olivia leaned into Rafael's body, she let out a content sigh, "I really like being with you, Rafael. You are the first person I have dated or been with in a very long time where I feel like I can truly be myself. I can just be Olivia, not the SVU cop, not the survivor. It is nice just being me for a change. I really appreciate that about you and about us."

"I do too," Rafael rested his head on top of Olivia's, "There has always been something about you and me and how we just understand each other. It always seemed like that right from the beginning. We've always been open and honest about things…even when it's hard and uncomfortable."

Olivia whispered, "You're not like the others."

"Neither are you. Look, Liv…I need to tell you something…something about me. I just hope what I tell you doesn't scare you away or that you hate me and break up with me. I can't bare the thought of losing you after all we've been through…" Rafael pulled away.

Olivia was a bit confused. She thought they were in a good place and now something was wrong. Could she have misjudged the situation like she did with Alex all those years ago? "Scare me away? Hate you? Unless you are a wanted criminal or you have decided to work with Buchanan, how can I hate you or want to break up with you? Rafael, I want to be with you."

Rafael took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Coming out to people was never easy but something about coming out to your romantic partner and telling them you are bisexual always seemed terrifying. Rafael took Olivia by the hand and led her to the couch. Perhaps telling her while sitting down would make it easier for her. As they sat down, he never let go of her hand, "Well I can tell you that I am not joining forces with Buchanan and I am not a criminal. But I am bisexual," Rafael's heart was racing. This was the moment of truth for their relationship. He was so sure Olivia would break up with him. Why would she want to be with a man who has slept with other men?

Olivia opened her mouth to speak but instead she let go of Rafael's hand. She then cupped his face and kissed him softly on his lips. She then pulled back and smiled.

Rafael was taken aback. That was not the reaction he had expected. "It doesn't bother you that I have had relationships with women and men?" He asked.

"Not in the slightest. As long as you are okay with me having been with both women and men," Olivia retorted.

"Wait! You're bisexual too?" Rafael's mind was racing; he was trying to search for any hints Olivia might have given him over the years.

"I am," Olivia nodded, as she stood up and took Rafael's hand. She started leading him down the hallway towards his bedroom. Before entering, she stopped and turned to him, "Maybe this is why we always understood each other. We share something unique, Rafael, and I can promise you that it will never push me away from you," Olivia said before kissing him deeply.

"God we have been through some things, haven't we?" Rafael chuckled, "But I think things are working out okay, no?"

"Just a bit. But I think that's one of the many reasons, we're together. Like I said to you before, we get it. We understand each other in ways no one else can. And after everything you've been through, I know on Monday, you will fight like hell for Megan. Just remember, I love you and that little baby bear of ours loves you too," Olivia reached out and pulled Rafael into a hug.

Rafael rested his head on Olivia's shoulders. Olivia was right. He never had a partner who he was more connected with than her. He had never been with someone who understood the struggles of being bisexual. But, here they were. Together. They were a family, raising a little boy together. Noah, their son, who will grow up surrounded by all the love and support that Rafael and Olivia could give. They could take solace in knowing that Noah will never have to see or endure the abuse and violence they did as kids. And come Monday, Rafael will use his strength and legal wit to see that justice is served.

Rafael lifted up his head and looked into Olivia's eyes, "I love you too, Liv. Thank you for letting me be a part of your family."

"No, Rafael. Our family."