Prompt from thebarsondaily: Ice Cream

Warning: Major Character Death

It was their special treat, just for the two of them. Any time Rafael was able to pick Noah up from daycare and eventually school, they would stop by the old fashioned diner and order ice cream sundaes.

Sometimes they would have heavy man-to-man type discussions. Other times they would dissect the plot of Star Wars or a super hero movie. Or just enjoy silliness.

On rare occasions they would eat in silence. Noah always knew it was a bad day for his father if he asked for butterscotch. That's what his mom would get if she happened to accompany her boys to the diner.

Today is a butterscotch day.

"Are you okay, Papì?"

Rafael wants to brush it off with an 'I'm fine', but resists. He promised Olivia he'd take care of Noah. Body and soul.

"I miss your mom extra today, Noh."

"Why?"

Rafael smiles sadly. "It's our anniversary, kind of. We met eleven years ago today."

"When you worked Uncle Sonny's job?" Carisi left the NYPD for the DAs office shortly after he passed the bar. When Barba resigned, Carisi took over Special Victims.

Barba nods. "I mean, I always miss her. But special days are harder."

"Yeah," Noah agrees. "Or when I learn something new. But then I remember what Doctor L helped me figure out."

"What's that, buddy?"

"Mom's in heaven watching us all the time so she gets to see everything we do. Like a tv show."

Rafael blinks to keep his tears at bay. "The Noah and Papì Show."

"No, The Noah and Raf Show. That's what she always called you."

Rafael nods and swallows hard. No one has called him Raf since Olivia. "I like that idea," Barba says around the lump in his throat. He reaches out and pulls his son into his side, murmuring into his hair, "I love you so much Noah. You're so much like your mom- you have her big heart."

"And your smart mouth!"

They share a laugh. Olivia always said that; when Noah started talking he got blamed for anything sassy that came out of the toddler's mouth.

"I love you too, Papì. Now let's finish our ice cream. I want pizza for dinner!"