Raf woke up, looking around while he listened to Liv's soft breathing. Getting up walking to the bathroom frowning slightly at all the white and pepper in his hair. He got the shaving cream, putting some on his hand.
"Don't."
He looked back toward the bed.
"What?"
"Don't shave unless you got court."
"I don't, but I wanna shave." Raf said looking at his face.
Liv got up and walked over wrapping her arms around him.
"Why?"
"Because of this." He gestured toward his salt and pepper beard.
Liv smiled.
"I love it and you."
Raf laughed and she kissed him. They heard Zach and Brook leaving their rooms going downstairs.
"I can't believe my baby girl and my youngest boy will be 17 tomorrow." Raf whispered.
"And I can't believe my sweet boy is almost 22." Liv whispered as she looked at a picture of Noah at graduation.
"I can't believe he graduated early."
"And he's in Brooklyn working." Liv said.
Raf nodded, then frowned.
"What wong Rafi?"
"Have you noticed anything with Zach?"
Liv looked at him and shook her head.
"What you mean?"
"His grades, I know it might be his learning disability but I have a feeling it's something else." Raf shook his head.
"Talk to him, if he won't, then we can always go to the school." Liv suggested.
Raf nodded, they headed downstairs they are and before Brook and Zach walked out. Raf caught Zach.
"Hey, you have time for a talk?"
"No, dad gotta go, going to be late." Zach said.
"You have an hour and a half, your sister can go on since she has a meeting, right?" Raf looked at Brook.
"Yeah, for the student newspaper." Brook said.
"Yeah, okay." Zach sighed.
Brook left, leaving Zach and Raf as they sat in the kitchen with Liv making coffee for him and herself.
"What's going on Zach?"
"Nothing dad." Zach said.
Raf smiled sadly, as weeks have gone by, Zach had all the sudden call dad instead of Papi.
"Zach, are you sure? You haven't been yourself for the last couple weeks." Liv asked.
"I'm good just a little stressed." Zach said.
"You sure?" Raf asked reaching out putting his hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah." Zach shrugged him off, getting up grabbing his backpack.
"Zach!" Liv yelled.
Zach slammed the door.
"What has gotten into him?" Raf asked not believing what he just witnessed.
"I don't know but I think when you come by for lunch today we'll call the school." Liv said.
Raf nodded as he got up. They both got up, finished getting ready and headed for work.
Lunch
Raf came in, as he walked toward Liv's office he sat their lunch on Carisi's desk.
"Thanks.' they all replied.
He knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"Hey."
"Hey."
"You ready? Liv asked gesturing to the phone after they had eaten.
Raf nodded.
Liv dialed the school, both sat there Liv behind her desk Raf in front of her.
"Hello."
"Hi this is Olivia Benson-Barba, I'm calling about Zachary Benson-Barba."
"Is Zach sick, ?"
Liv frowned along with Raf.
"No, he's fine as can be, but we have noticed changes and we just were wondering if he had spoken to you or the counselor about it."
"No, he has not. He has been skipping school or leaving before homeroom when you or the bus drops him off."
"What are his and Brook's grades looking like?" Raf asked.
"Brooklyn's has all As except chemistry and has a B in there."
"And Zach?" Liv asked.
"2 B's and the rest C's."
"And he's not been asking for help?" Raf asked.
"He was up until about 4 weeks ago, Mr. Barba."
"Do you know why? A girl maybe?" Liv asked.
"No, I don't think so, but maybe something like a gang? There has been a new gang move down the block or so down."
"Okay, thank you." Liv hung up.
"What you wanna do?" Raf asked.
"First, talk to him."
Raf nodded.
Liv looked upset. Raf got up, went to her side of her desk. He bent down, rubbing her back.
"We will talk to him, try to get him to talk. Okay?"
"What if he doesn't?"
"Noah text me earlier he's coming home day after tomorrow, they have always been close, maybe Noah and I can talk some sense into him." Raf said knowing that would cheer Liv up.
Liv nodded her head, smiling.
"I got to get back, got court till 4 then I should be home by 5." Raf whispered kissing her head.
"Okay love you."
"Love you too."