Okay everyone, our time has come to a close. I sat on this chapter for a while wondering if I needed to put a chapter in between the last and this one but in the end I decided not to and reworked this one to better fit. I am sad for "Oceans" to come to an end as it was my first SVU fanfic ever but don't worry I have a few other ideas floating around in my head that I will work on soon. Until then, please enjoy and don't forget to review and send me your thoughts!
Epilogue:
Rafael held his son in his arms and watched him peacefully sleep in his cocoon of blanket. He could not believe how beautiful he was as he rubbed the top of the infant's head while he slept soundly in his father's arms. He knew he would always love Noah and the baby the same but he felt a sense of pride knowing this little 8 pound, 5 ounce baby boy was his own flesh and blood, his and Olivia's. As he continued to hold him Rafael leaned back against the hospital loveseat and took in the sight in front of him. Olivia was sleeping soundly with Noah at her side after a grueling 36 hours of being in labor and he was holding their baby in his arms. He always knew she was beautiful and strong but watching her and being with her through every contraction, every moment of delivery, and the birth of their son he found her to be the most amazing, beautiful, and strongest women he would ever know in his life. He didn't know if it was possible but he knew he loved her more in those moments than he ever had in his life.
As he continued to watch the three of them sleep he thought about their journey and how they ended up where they were. He remembered walking into her office late that night on a whim just to check in with her. He remembered their first park trip where he and Noah started to become buddies. He smiled at the memories of him and Noah making pasta for the first time and how Noah branded his chest with a tiny handprint. He chuckled with the thoughts of Olivia and Alfred's many conversations about him which him sitting stuck in the middle between the two. He sighed and looked down at his son when remembering the time when he and Elliot were being "egotistical barbarians" as Olivia often put it and being grateful the two had made amends and moved on past their initial meeting.
As he continued to hold his swaddled little one while watching Olivia and Noah sleep peacefully he felt his heart burst with love, wonder, and brilliance of just how they came to be and how she let him court her. He knew when he first called her beautiful and when he first had the idea to try to court her that it would not be easy but he was not prepared for just how relentless and aggravating she would be some days while others he was Madelyn in love with her. From the arguments about cases that resolved behind their bedroom door to their banter in his office when she put him on the spot and put him in his place he loved it all. Being able to grow and build a future with her was something he would never take for granted, even if she made him want to pull his hair out sometimes.
He brushed the hair out of Olivia's face and pulled the blanket up on Noah as he stood to straighten his back while continuing to hold his newborn son. As he looked out the window into the quiet New York night he thought back to their wedding day and the vows he made to her and their family.
"Olivia, I promise you to always be faithful. To love you before anyone else. To hold you in times of comfort and sorrow. To be an loving and caring father to our children. To love and care for Noah just like he was my own flesh and blood. To protect, guide, and build our lives, our home, our family, and our future. I promise to love you unconditionally and to honor and cherish you forever and always. Te amo hermosa. Siempre y para siempre mi amor. Eres mi todo."
He would forever be in awe and wonder that Olivia chose him and he was humbled for this. He knew he was often like a rogue wave hitting her with a lot and he knew the issues he had initially with Elliot placed her in a situation where she would often find herself stuck between two forces both trying to have the first splash. She was the calm to his storm and allowed his inner waves to rest peacefully.
As he continued to look out onto the New York night the bundle in his arms became restless and he heard a soft voice behind him. "Rafi.. He is getting hungry." Olivia said as she started to sit up and softly Noah down the bed. As Rafael handed her their bundle he kissed her lips tenderly. "Thank you mi amor. He is beautiful. You both are beautiful." He said as a tear rolled down his cheek. "Rafi.." She started as she wiped away the tear and smiled at him while nursed their new son as Noah sleepily moved towards Rafael as he stretched out along Olivia's side. They shared a smile with each other while Noah slept on his chest, hand gripping his t-shirt where the usual suspenders lay, and while she held and nursed their newborn.
"You know.. We still need to decide on a name for him since you now don't like what we picked out months ago." Rafael said quietly as she rolled her eyes at him. "I just don't like the middle name anymore. I still love the idea of using your middle name for his first name. I just .. I can't decide what I want to use with it." She said and he smiled as she rambled. "How about Matthew? That way both our boys can have strong biblical names." He asked as he watched her think it over in her head before smiling at him. "Tomas Matthew Barba. It is perfect." She said as she looked down and asked, "Are you a Tomas Matthew?" He cooed as he nursed and they both chuckled. "Well that is settled. We now have a Tomas Matthew and a Noah Porter-Benson Barba." Rafael said softly as he rested his head against Olivia's. "It's perfect mi amor." She replied back as she snuggled her three boys.
