Chapter 6:
After what Rafael thought was a very successful trip to both IKEA and the grocery store they made their way back to the apartment. Rafael noted Jake stayed quiet on the ride back and as much as he hated the awkward silence in the car he hated not knowing what to say more. It was a new thing for him, silence. He had only been left speechless a few times in his life and most of which were due to Olivia and his mother. "My mother. Shit." Rafael thought to himself as he tensed up in the driver's seat as the realization he would need to call his mother to explain what was going on and what he knew. He knew she would be ecstatic and furious at the same time and did not want to be on the end of her rant on either. He made a mental note to call her once they arrived home before she found out on her own or made a typical unannounced visit to his apartment.
He internally groaned at the memory of her last "pit stop" as she called as he remembered her showing up while he was mid-shower and proceeded to want to carry on a conversation with him through the bathroom door not realizing he was the only one in the shower at the time. It made for a very awkward conversation through the door of who he was dating and why he had not told Olivia how he felt yet which then led to a recounting of all his dating blunders over the years. Meanwhile Olivia was trying her best to not laugh at him as he tried to drown in sorrows under the shower head while his mother gave play-by-plays of how he should talk to her and how to interact with Noah in order to show her that he is a softy and not just el tiburon. He stifled a chuckle as he remembered his mother's face when Olivia walked out of his room fully dressed with wet hair after he went to talk with her and show her out. He highlighted his mental note to call before she decided to show up again because he did not believe he would live to see another day if he didn't.
It was Jake who brought him out of his memory and thoughts when he softly spoke, "Mr. Barba - Rafael?" "What's up" Rafael asked as he went to pull into the parking for the building. "What school will I go to this year?" Jake asked and Rafael internally kicked himself completely forgetting about school starting in less than a week as he had never had to think of such things beforehand. "That is an excellent question. Umm.. do you know what grade you will be in? Ms. Fields didn't give me any of your school information." Rafael asked embarrassed. "8th. I was even on the debate team at my old middle school. Though, we didn't do too well." Jake said surprising Rafael. "Why is that?" He asked. "We really didn't have anyone to teach us. Mr. Gonzales was good but he cancelled a lot of practices." Jake answered and it made Rafael realize he never actually told Jake what he did for a living. "Well Jake guess what?" Rafael asked him as they parked. "Sir?" "I am a lawyer and a pretty good one. I am an Assisstant District Attorney. If you are wanting to stick with debate i would be happy to help you and find you a club or group even if your school doesn't have one." Rafael said. "That would be sick! Can I visit you at work and see the courthouse?! I want to be a judge when i grow up! My mom told me debate team would help me prepare." Jake said eagerly with excitement. Rafael nodded and smiled as he felt his heart swell with the knowledge of Jake's hobbies.
As they made their way through the building pushing a flat cart full of items Rafael had an idea. "Jake I am off the rest of the day. Do you want to go find your school and while we are at the mall with Olivia and Noah go ahead and get your school supplies?" Rafael asked and Jake smiled and nodded as they started to unload the new purchases in the living room as they would put everything together that evening. "What time do we meet Ms. Olivia?" Jake asked as they finished. "I'm not sure. Why don't I give her a call and you can watch TV?" Rafael asked. "Awesome!" Jake said as he ran to the remote flipping the TV on looking for something to watch as Rafael went towards the kitchen to call Olivia.
"Benson." She answered tensely and he knew she hadn't realized who had called before she answered. "Hey." He said softly hoping to make her smile. "Raf.. How is it going so far?" She asked with a. Hint of a smile in her voice making him smile back. "So far so good. I am pretty sure we bought IKEA out today and the living room is filled right now of boxes I need to figure out how to assemble." He said chuckling. "Barb - If you try to put everything together he will never have anything. You take FORREEEVVVERRR assembling things!" She said teasing him a bit and he rolled his eyes at her. "Just because i like to read all the directions prior to starting does not mean it will take a long time. I just like to be prepared." He said curtly. "I will save him and myself and just put it all together when I get home tonight." She said and he did not miss the word choice she used.
"Home?" He asked. "Raf.." "Just think about it? I know you said you would let me know the other day but with Jake and everything I didn't want to bringit up. But I still meant what i asked you Liv.. although we may have to look at bigger places if we do now that we have both boys to think of." He said. "I know.. Raf?" "Hmm?" "Okay." She replied making them both smile. They talked a bit longer as he explained his plans for school enrollment, saving the information about clubs for later as he wanted to see her face when he told her Jake wanted to be a judge. "See you at 3?" "Sounds good. I need to call my mom and let her know what is going on so if I don't show send the SWAT unit to find me." He said groaning. "Good luck! I am sure she will be more exited for this than when she found out about us after that shower incident." She said chuckling and he groaned in response. As he ended the call he checked on Jake before dialing his kryptonite, his mother.