Chapter 3: Making Up for Lost Time

She reached for her phone, pulling up her camera and snapping a picture of the adorable sight before her very eyes. She then grabbed a blanket and tucked it up around the both of them. Her fingers moved gently through Noah's hair before she moved on to do the same thing to Rafael's hair. She resisted the urge to press a kiss to her son's forehead for fear that doing so would disturb them both.

She left the two of them asleep on the couch as she made her way to take a shower to wash off the sweat and hopefully rid her body of whatever germs and toxins were left from whatever bug she'd contracted. Hopefully Noah wouldn't catch it. Her body welcomed the hot water as it rained down onto her. It seemed to break loose everything and melt it away. Her head was definitely clearer.

She emerged from the bathroom, steam billowing out behind her. She had her silken robe wrapped around her body, cinched tight at the waist. She could hear happy sounds of Noah babbling. She followed the sounds and the smell of freshly brewing coffee to the kitchen where she found Noah in his high chair. Rafael Barba sliced up a banana, placing it on the tray as her son munched happily on the banana slices and cheerios. She was impressed.

He turned his head toward her as she stepped into the room. He smiled at her before turning his head to address the boy. "See, Niño, I told you that Mommy would be all better, didn't I?" He watched as Noah waved his arm in the air as he clutched a banana slice in his fist. "How are you feeling, Liv? Better?" He moved to grab her a mug and poured her a cup of coffee, preparing it just as she preferred it.

She moved to the highchair, dropping a kiss onto Noah's head and took the offered Cheerio he pushed toward her mouth with his other hand. She munched on it and then nodded. "I no longer feel like I'm going to die. Tired and sore, but otherwise, I'm okay." She glanced at him then back at Noah. "I just hope that I don't give whatever it is that I had to him." He'd been sick enough in his short twenty months on the planet as it was.

He handed her the mug off coffee, letting their fingers brush together briefly. "I'm glad you're feeling better." He'd already decided to put off her testimony until the following week. The case was grueling enough without her having to battle the lingering fatigue of whatever virus had ravaged her body. "You're not going into work today, correct?"

She met his eyes, smiling slightly. "Worried about me, Counselor?" She leaned against the counter's edge, bringing the cup to her lips to smell the delicious aroma. One smell and she would know if it were safe to take a sip without fear of her stomach revolting. All seemed well.

"You looked half dead when I showed up, Liv," he reminded her. "I'm glad I decided to stop by and not just call." He watched her carefully. "You need to rest..."

She frowned. "Barba, I'm..."

"Stubborn," he supplied with a smirk. "Come on. Liv, you're entitled to a break."

She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine. I'll call in sick. I just need to let Mrs. Amaro know." She moved to search her bag for her phone.

He relaxed almost immediately. "Good. But I could drop him by her place on my way home to change. Momma needs to stay home and rest still."

She turned, glaring at him. "Excuse me?"

"This way you can rest without worry..." he tried to explain.

"I thank you for looking after him last night. It's appreciated so much more than you know, but I'm fine. I can keep him home with me today." And that's just all there was to it as far as she was concerned. She looked at the clock. "You don't want to be late."

He frowned, stepping toward her. "You could still be contagious, Liv. Think about Noah."

She placed the coffee mug on the counter and stood toe to toe with him. "He's been trapped in this apartment with me the entire time I've been sick. If he's going to get it, he's been exposed already. I know my body, and I know I can take care of my son."

He gave a soft sigh. "Fine." He stepped around her, moving toward the chair in the living room where he had left his jacket and tie.

She didn't have the energy to follow him. She felt bad for how she had spoken to him because he had taken care of her and Noah while she had been too sick to do so herself.

But he couldn't come in and proceed to tell her how she felt and what she was capable of. She knew her mind and body, and she was more than capable of taking care of her son. She was grateful for his help and planned to tell him so the next chance she got, but there would be no apology.

Rafael stood outside her building looking up at her floor as he warred with himself about whether to go back up and apologize or just let it go for now. He had no intentions of making her feel incompetent, and he had done exactly that.

With a sigh, he turned and headed toward the curb to wait on his taxi that he had called on the way down the stairs. He would talk to her later and give them both the time and space to be in a more civil mood.