Friday rolls around and with no new case, Liv realizes happily she can keep the plans she's made with Tucker. She invites him by her place. This would be their 5th date and she feels like she's ready to get a little more intimate. At the very least- she wants him to meet Noah.
He shows up bottle of wine in hand- a big gesture for a man who's constantly pushing the bourbon. She takes the wine and gives him a quick peck on the cheek, "Thanks for coming, dinner's almost ready."
He gives her a broad smile and sets down his keys on her entryway table. When he does, he finds a pair of cufflinks- which he holds up, joking, "Didn't know it was that kind of party."
She chuckles at his joke, "Barba's. It's no small miracle that the man manages to stay dressed in court."
"Ah" the look on Tucker's face makes it obvious that he's a bit perplexed to find parts of the ADA's wardrobe here.
"We prep cases here sometimes." Noah walks over to cling to Olivia's leg, curious. "That way we can actually see this little guy before he goes to bed."
The 'we' isn't lost on Tucker but he doesn't think much of it. Olivia picks up Noah. "Noah, this is my friend Mr. Ed, can you say hi?"
Tucker leans down to Noah's eye level, "Hey there, partner."
Noah leans his head against Olivia's shoulder. She smiles at Tucker. "No nap today."
Tucker reaches over to tickle Noah's side and talking in a placating voice, "That true, you sleepy, little man?"
Noah just turns more in to Olivia. Tucker stands up giving Olivia an awkward smile. She smiles back. He's trying too hard. But at least he's trying.
She turns and escorts him into the apartment- setting Noah down amongst his blocks before leading Tucker into the kitchen. She hands him a wine opener and he begins uncorking the bottle he brought. Olivia goes back to cooking.
"You know after Cassidy, there were all kinds of rumors that you and Barba were together." Tucker chuckles, he's not fishing, he truly finds the entire idea ridiculous. He doesn't know Barba that well but everyone always talks about what a pain in the ass he is- he figures it'll make for easy conversation.
On her part, Liv is a bit shocked by news of rumors about her and Barba. "Really?" she chuckles back as he hands her a glass of wine.
He leans against the counter beside her, "Yeah. Can you imagine? Man's clearly gay."
Liv turns to look at him, slightly perturbed, "What is it with men? Why does a man who dresses well have to be gay?"
Tucker is honestly shocked, "He's not?"
"He's had girlfriends- plural. Only ever mentioned one boyfriend at Harvard."
Tucker gives her the side-eye as if to say, 'that means he's gay.' He finds her defensiveness cute though and turns to her, "Look, I don't have a problem with him being gay-"
"Bi- he's bi-"
He rolls his eyes, "Either way, can you imagine coming home to that? After working with him all day."
Liv doesn't dare let on that she can imagine it. She doesn't even want to admit that to herself. She lets her defensiveness drop away and tries to lighten up. "Well, what was Amanda said to us the other day? 'Every pot has a lid'?"
Tucker chuckles again, "Right. His is that prosecution table. He's going to grow old with that thing."
She sighs, a hint of sadness crosses her face at the thought of Barba being alone but it's too quick for Tucker to even pick up on. "Alright Lieutenant, enough picking on my friends, they're easy targets." She says with a grin.
He grins back at her, taking another sip of his wine, "So, what can I help with?"
After dinner, Tucker attempts to help with the dishes but Olivia shoos him away- informing him that she'll take care of it tomorrow. They walk back into the living room where Noah is playing with his blocks.
"Noah, go get your book." Noah follows his mom's command, jumping up and running into his room.
Liv and Tucker take a seat on the couch. "Quick story, then bedtime, then maybe we can watch a movie?"
Tucker smiles over to her and nods, "Perfect." He won't lie he's secretly hoping there's one more activity after the movie.
Noah comes running back in with a Spanish version of Where the Wild Things Are.
Barba had gotten it for Noah when he had the measles. He'd delivered it to the hospital after the verdict on the Malko case came back. Finding Liv dead tired- Barba insisted that he could entertain the boy with the book while she popped in for a quick shower in the hospital room bathroom.
Barba had been more nervous than he wanted to let on about alone time with Noah but a couple pages into the book- seeing as it was just he and Noah- his goofier side came out. A side of him that he'd tampered down long ago for the benefit of his own father. The book had been one of Barba's favorites and immediately became one of Noah's as Barba 'acted' out the scenes in different character voices. Noah was quickly reduced to giggles even as sick as he was.
Since that night- Noah nearly always picked that book first. And anytime Barba was over to discuss a case- Noah assumed he was also there to read him his bedtime story. Barba was always happy to oblige the toddler. He'd be hard pressed to admit it- but he loved story time with Noah- the small boy snuggled up against him, giggling.
Liv looks down at the book and then back to her sleepy toddler, "Not that one, baby. Raf has to read that one to you." While Liv spoke enough Spanish to do her job- Where the Wild Things Are was a little much.
Noah eyes Tucker shyly and toddler 'whispers', "Raf come over?"
Olivia gives a quick smile to Tucker- who looks uncomfortably lost- before turning back to Noah, "Not tonight, sweetheart." She stands and picks Noah up. "Here let's go find another book." Then to Tucker, "I'll only be a minute."
Olivia returns a few minutes later, having successfully gotten Noah in bed.
"Success?" Tucker asks.
She grabs the wine bottle from the kitchen then joins him- filling his glass. "Yes indeed." She smiles and sits close- grabbing the remote.
"Raf his babysitter?" Tucker asks- genuinely curious. He really likes Liv- has for a while now. He knows if this is going to work he needs to get to know Noah as well.
"It's his name for Barba." Liv says, attempting nonchalance.
"Ah" is his only reply as he turns his attention to the television. He hadn't really realized how close she was to the ADA. Tucker wonders for a brief moment if he should be concerned by it- but he reasons that she wouldn't be here with him if that were the case. He dismisses it and relaxes as she scoots closer.
They don't make it through even half the movie before a heated make out session ends with her leading him to her bedroom. They're both adults- they both want this- why pretend?
It's been a while for both of them but they attempt to take their time. Minus the typical first time awkwardness they both enjoy themselves. Tucker is strong but gentle and Liv realizes just how much she's missed this- being in someone's arms.
Olivia curls into him and as sleep takes over- she finds herself happy she took this chance.