This chapter skips ahead in time and takes place after Townhouse Incident (17x11).

Thank you so much for the reviews, follows and faves! I have the rest of the story finished and will post it over the next couple of days. Enjoy!

***January 2016***

The flowers arrived in the early afternoon- just as she was getting Noah cleaned up from lunch and ready for his nap.

Even though she hadn't slept a wink the night before- hadn't even laid down, really-she couldn't bear to send Noah out the door to daycare this morning.

Instead they stayed home- playing cars and colouring and doing flash cards.

They were working on colours this morning, and though Noah could say the words, he wasn't quite accurate with identifying the correct hues.

When the doorman brought up the delivery, Olivia wasn't surprised. It's not like the hostage situation had been kept quiet, and though she received texts from close friends and squad members last night, she knew while some would send flowers to her office, one or two would send them to her home.

"Presents, Mama?" Noah asks when he sees her arms full of flowers and bright tissue paper. He had become quite the experienced unwrapper at his birthday party a couple weeks before.

"Yeah, sweetie. Let's open the card and see who sent us such lovely flowers." It's a toss up really- she spoke to Nick briefly last night, but she also has a sneaking suspicion that they might be from Tucker.

She places the large, bright blooms on the coffee table and quickly finds the small card. The handwriting shocks her- he is the last person she thought would send something, especially after the message she received the night before.

'Liv. Glad to hear it ended as well as it could have, considering. Get some rest.'

Succinct, almost clinical. Rafael Barba is nothing if not predictable. But these flowers- a rainbow of blooms adorned with a tiny balloon clearly meant for Noah, and a bag with further goodies- these are surprising.

With a shaky hand she opens the envelope, tears starting to fall just seeing her name in his messy scrawl.

'Liv,

I don't really know what to say, but I'm so sorry you had to go through that yesterday. I hope you know you can come to me anytime if you need anything. At all. I know we're going through a rough patch but we were good friends before and I want to get back there. I hope these brighten up the apartment, and there are a few things in the bag to hopefully bring a smile to your face.

Take care,

Rafael'

Noah has taken the tissue paper from the top of the gift bag and started throwing it over his head.

Wiping the tears from her cheeks, she takes a deep breath and pulls the bag closer. "Here, Noah. What's this?" She pulls out two books- one a board book for Noah and the other a book of poetry; reading the title chokes her up again. Goddamn that man.

Why was he doing this now? He was the one who broke things off. He was the one that didn't want to deal with this. With the thought that she might not come home one night.

Noah has abandoned the tissue and bypassed the books for treasure in the bag: a stuffed teddy bear with a striped tie.

He pulls the toy into a hug, then holds it out to his mother. "Rafa, mama!" The joy on his face breaks her heart. Barba's visits to their home had come to an abrupt halt, and Noah definitely noticed, asking for his friend and playmate often.

She misses him in so many ways. He had filled her professional life with sassy comebacks, caffeine runs, and absolute dedication to their cases. In her personal life he had always been a good listener, shared the same taste in music and movies, and was always interested in spending time with Noah. As her lover he was attentive, caring and intense- he brought her to heights she didn't know existed in both body and soul. But he also caused more heartbreak than she had ever experienced.

The highest highs and lowest lows. She knows, without a doubt if it were just about her- she would've tried anything to make it work. But she has Noah to consider as well, and if there's something other than the alcohol issues she got from her mother, it's not wanting to bring men in and out of her son's life.

Olivia can't remember how many times she'd get attached to a 'father figure' only to never see them again, flimsy excuses working only until she was five or six. She doesn't want Noah to go through that.

She knows she shouldn't, but can't resist snapping a couple of pics of Noah cuddling the toy that will certainly be named Rafa, and sending one to his namesake.

'Noah won't stop cuddling him. Thank you.'

She ponders over saying something else, and eventually settles on 'Thanks for the flowers, and the books too. You didn't have to. I'm fine, just taking the required time by the department. I'll be back soon.'

He must not be in court because he answers before she even has a chance to put her phone down.

'Don't rush it. Enjoy the time with Noah.'

He seems to be pondering saying something else as well, the little dots keep appearing then disappearing on her screen. Finally, another message comes through.

'If it's alright, I'd really like to stop by to see you. Depending on the time I'll bring coffee or wine. Your choice.'

She chuckles to herself, then takes a steadying breath and answers, 'Your call. If you want to see your little friend you are welcome to join us for dinner, I promised him chicken balls.'

There is no delay this time. 'I'll pick up take out on my way over. Around 6?'

'Sounds good. See you then, xx'

It takes a moment after the message sends for her to realize that she added "xx" out of habit. God, it's been months now. Would she ever get over him? She sighs and tosses her phone onto the couch beside her and focuses on her sleepy boy to avoid over analyzing Barba's typing habits in response to her typed kisses.

"Noah, it's time for a nap. Want to bring your new friend?" She questions her son, hoping for a smooth transition.

"Read my book?" He replies with wide eyes.

"Yes, sweetheart. We can read your new book too. You'll have to remember to say thank you to Rafa when you see him tonight."

Noah repeats thank you Rafa as Liv scoops him up and heads back to his room.

Twenty minutes later Noah is asleep and she returns to the couch to grab her phone, smiling at Barba's response.

'Looking forward to seeing you both, I'll text you when I'm on my way. Have a relaxing afternoon, x'

Liv sighs and falls back into the couch cushions, looking at the flowers again. She closes her eyes, trying to determine whether or not she can sleep.