December came quickly and with it a lot of choices about Christmas in Malibu. Olivia had gotten the time off approved quickly. They were staying the week before and the week of Christmas. Olivia talked to the school, making sure it was okay. She had to sign paperwork explaining how a trip to the ocean would be "Educational" during the three days of school he would be missing. She rolled her eyes, knowing they wouldn't even read it. They approved it immediately and excused Noah for the upcoming days.
Olivia and Raphael still hadn't told Noah what they were doing. She wasn't quite sure how to approach the subject; he had already been begging for the Christmas tree to go up. Olivia had a small fake tree that they had put up every year, but she didn't even want to mess with it if they would spend the holiday in the beach house.
Raphael had been making finals for his classes. His last day was the 12th, Lucy's graduation was the 14th, and they were leaving on the 16th. Lucia was going to meet them on 22nd and fly out on the 26th. Olivia Raphael and Noah would be staying until the 29th. Olivia then would start back to work on the 31st. She was glad she had a couple of buffer days in between to get her back in the right time zone. She had explained to her coworkers the plans but made mention he had yet to tell Noah. Olivia gave them the watered-down version of Raphael's story, and they laughed because it was indeed only something Barba and his lawyer friends would do. It felt like such a Harvard thing to do.
Olivia and Raphael finally broke down and told Noah on December 8th when he cried for Christmas tree. He was very excited but still wasn't sure why they couldn't put up a tree. So Olivia pulled the small tree out and let him hang ornaments on it, but explained multiple times all the gifts would be at the beach and not here. Noah was concerned that Santa wouldn't find him, but Raphael quickly explained that he could just write Santa and tell him. Noah immediately wrote a card to Santa asking Raphael to send it.
It was December 13th, Raphael had gone into the office to grade all the finals, for the most part, everyone had done well, no one failed in Trial Advocacy or Criminal Law but he had six low C's. His intro into Law School class had 9 Fs, six kids didn't show up for the final. 2 more were just a few points away from a D, and one kid had been one-off on his multiple choice. He had gone to the law chair to explain the situation and asked what to do. He still hadn't heard back yet. If he hadn't been one-off, he would have a B. Raphael felt terrible for failing the two so close to a D, but that was the easiest class he taught, and it was elective, if they weren't interested they should have dropped it.
Raphael Barba heard a knock on his door.
"Come in," Raphael stated.
John Edwards walked in a student in his Trial Advocacy class.
"What can I do for you, John?" Raphael asked.
John twisted his hands around. He was obviously nervous.
"I know I didn't do great in your class," John stated.
Raphael just looked at him, willing him to proceed.
"I mean, I know what's needed, and I understand clearly why this is an elective, and I really felt I needed it, but I just never grasped it," John stated.
Raphael didn't remember his grade off-hand and sorted through the final exam.
"You got a B on the Final," Raphael stated, he quickly went to the online grade book and entered it, with this grade you'll have an 81.5 in the class. You have a natural insight, not as good as some of the others, but it will take some time. I can't say you're going to nail it as soon as you walk in the courtroom, but you have some natural abilities. Join debate team, or philosophy classes, maybe even a journalism elective or theater. There are so many options to help you grow." Raphael explained.
"Can I add something like that for next semester, can I even have that many hours?" John asked.
"Can you handle 2-3 extra credit hours?" Raphael asked.
"I don't know," John admitted.
"Go talk to your guidance counselor, explain the feeling, see what fits in your schedule, you're 1st-year law student, you have time," Raphael explained.
"Thank you," John stated.
Rafael nodded his head and continued entering grades in the system. He had finally finished at 7:00 pm, and besides meetings with other staff, he was done with students until the 3rd week in January. He was teaching the same classes this semester, glad he didn't need to do too much work. He felt lucky he wasn't a professor who taught different courses each semester, at least not now anyway. He looked at his calendar. He had a meeting tomorrow before Lucy's graduation, and then two weeks in Malibu and the same day he came back was a late afternoon meeting, he was already missing one while he was away, but he was assured it wasn't an issue. Rafael sighed at the fact he hadn't packed if it were any other vacation he would have at least started by now. With everything else going on, he hadn't found the time.
Rafael texted Olivia and told her he would be at his apartment packing. It reminded her that she hadn't started either, and would see him the next day, it was the first time in a long time they'd be sleeping alone.
The next morning came, Rafael messaged Olivia claiming he would meet her after his meeting so they could all go to the graduation. Rafael went to the meeting. They were going over the seniors who only had one semester before graduation and what if any concerns the professors had. Rafael only had a handful of seniors in his Trial Advocacy class. His Criminal law class had to be completed by the end of the 2nd year. Rafael put in his input when it was needed. They talked about the staff Christmas party, which was that Saturday they night before they were supposed to leave, and it was almost mandated he and his family attend. He and Olivia had planned it. She was technically on call. It was a semi-formal event, and she joked about a dress and gun clashing. Rafael just prayed she wouldn't get called in.
Rafael made it to Olivia's apartment with only 30 minutes to spare. He hadn't eaten dinner and rummaged through the cabinets looking for a snack he could take on the go, grabbing a bunch of little things that were mainly for Noah's lunch box. Rafael was nibbling when Olivia came out of the bedroom, dressed in a green dress and a pair of heels. Noah was in polo and black dress pants, and black shoes that Rafael bought him so long ago. He smiled at the memory.
"I think he'll need a new pair soon, his toes almost touch," Olivia claimed, knowing what Raphael was thinking.
Raphael smiled as he quickly popped the last fruit snack in his mouth, and they headed to the commencement. When they arrived Raphael and Olivia were shocked by the volume of people in the venue, they found a seat far enough they didn't think they were interrupting the view of parents but close enough that they could see the faces of the people on stage. The college Lucy was graduating from in the university only had a few majors, but there were about 300 graduates in attendance. The plan was to sit through listening to the speeches, and then the college made a farewell dinner for students and guests. The whole thing took just under two hours. Noah had wined a few times and even nodded off for a little bit until Olivia woke him when Lucy was about to take the stage. Noah screamed loudly when her name was called, Olivia let a happy tear go down her cheek as she grabbed the diploma. She was now officially not caring about the rest of the ceremony and hoped the time would pass by quickly.
Olivia found Lucy's mother, and apparently, her grandmother rather quickly and waited with them for Lucy to come to meet them at the dining table. James went through a little later on. Lucy was seen with fellow graduates smiling, taking pictures, and talking to professors. Olivia was happy that she decided to continue on with her studies. This environment seemed to suit her. They all sat together and talked a little before going to the buffet. Olivia was shocked by the high-end meat carving station, the area complete with fries, chicken nuggets, and pizza. They also had a spread of pasta, salads, and bread. When they reached the table and looked over everyone's plate, they were truly in awe of the school's thoughtfulness.
"I need to come to more graduations here," Raphael stated as he began to eat.
Everyone laughed and continued to talk about Lucy's time off from school, and her going to grad school at NYU. They sat there like a little family, and Lucy was touched deeply by everyone in her life. She was excited to walk and receive her diploma. She was happy to share this moment with everyone so close to her. She took in the group around her, who has helped her along her journey and smiled and waved at fellow graduates. It was odd that this was the last time she would be here, moving on to NYU next fall, but everything seemed to be looking up after the past few months of ups and downs.
Olivia and Raphael walked into his apartment, it was late, and Noah had fallen asleep on the ride home. Raphael picked the boy up and carried him in the house.
"He's getting too big for that," Olivia commented.
"I know, but he's not too big yet," Raphael mentioned. He laid him in the bed, and took off his shoes, Noah didn't even move. Raphael pulled the blankets tightly around him and closed the door.
"Have you packed clothes for Noah?" Raphael asked.
"Yeah, I just am having a hard time. He's grown since the summer. He only has a few pairs of shorts that fit him. We might need to find him a few outfits while were there if it gets too hot. It's supposed to be 72 on Christmas." Olivia claimed.
"It will be nice, it's supposed to rain Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a high of 36," Raphael mentioned
"Maybe a warm Christmas will be nice," Olivia mentioned.
"Yeah, just have to get through this Christmas party, and we're gold," Raphael stated.
Olivia laughed.
"Why don't we call it an early night?" Olivia asked.
"What do you have in mind?" Raphael asked.
"You." Olivia laughed.
Olivia could see Raphael's eyes dilate and sighed, knowing what will happen tonight. She wished that sex was on the table a little more often, with this needed break they would let that happen, but right now she was being pulled about 50 different ways, trying to make sure everything was up to date for Fin, going over things with chief Dodds about timelines. Making sure Stone had everything he needed for upcoming court hearings. She still had to check over half the list of things to pack for Noah. She hadn't even thought about the flight. She didn't even know what time it was. All she knew was come Monday that they were taking a family vacation, and she couldn't help but be thrilled by it.
Raphael seemed to tell that even though Olivia was extremely interested in getting him undressed, she had some other things on her mind. He knew the look on her face, and often his face looked the same back when he was ADA, and he knew she was thinking about multiple things.
"Liv, take a break, give me an hour, and I'll help you with all the other things on your plate," Raphael stated.
"You know me too well, I'm sorry just a lot to do in the next day. Work, your Christmas party, finish up the packing, what time is our flight?" Olivia asked between kissed.
Raphael laughed.
"It's at noon we have a layover in Denver and were landing at Bob Hope," Raphael stated.
"Thank God, I hate LAX," Olivia stated.
"So you have been to the West Coast," Raphael claimed.
"Yeah, it was a long time ago," Olivia stated.
She thought back to her UC days with the Feds, and it was such a long time away, but so short she had changed so much in that short amount of time, she really didn't know who she was back then, how easily she took to the persona.
Olivia noticed Raphael's confused looks after her daydream lasted a little too long.
"A story for another time," Olivia claimed.
Raphael shook his head, and Olivia pushed her lips against his unbuttoning his shirt, he couldn't help but smile causing Olivia to smile as they kissed no longer really paying attention if her lips were hitting his or not.
They took their clothes off quickly Raphael fumbling with a bra that had four hooks on the back instead of the usual 2, and she laughed as he tugged at it instead of unclasping the hook. She reached around and did it herself, letting the bra fall to the floor.
"Wish I had a fireplace to burn that thing in," Raphael mentioned
Olivia laughed, "That one is comfortable." Olivia claimed.
"I don't like it," Raphael claimed as he kicked the garment towards the laundry bin.
"Now, you know how I feel about all your buttons." Olivia chimed.
Raphael was now cupping her breasts in his hands and flicking her nipples with his thumbs, she was sighing, and pulling at his pants forgetting about the suspenders he never took off, She grabbed at them pulling herself into him. Sliding them down and unbuttoning his pants. Olivia pushed her self against him, still standing up, feeling his erection on her belly.
"Rafa," Olivia begged, as he held her close not making his way towards the bed, her knees were jello, and she wasn't sure how much more she could take. Raphael finally walked her to the bed before she pulled him down to the floor.
Olivia was giggling as he was now tickling more than caressing. Olivia slapped his hands away.
"I love you," Olivia stated.
Raphael smiled, "I love you too."
Olivia and Raphael wasted no more time and finished what they started, lying in bed, hot and sticky, but neither wanting to move, pulling each other close and fell asleep.
The next morning, Olivia and Raphael were rushing around. Olivia left Noah with Raphael to pack the rest of their stuff. Praying, she didn't get called in. She made it until 3 pm when her cellphone rang and was the chief.
Olivia sighed, she was lucky she finished packing everything and cleaning up the apartment. She called Raphael and claimed she would either meet him at his apartment or at the party. Raphael understood and finished zipping up a carry on for himself as well as Noah filled with snacks and little puzzle games as well as a charger for his iPad.
Olivia found Carasi at his desk and smiled,
"sorry, you're stuck here today too." Olivia stated.
"Nah it's fine, I hear you have a commitment tonight," Sonny mentioned.
"Yeah, I was sort of dreading it, maybe this is my prayer working," Olivia stated.
"Nah, I don't think it works like that," Sonny claimed.
"Probably right," Olivia claimed.
"The chief told me to meet him here, where is he?" Olivia asked.
"Uh, he already left, this is more personal than professional," Sonny claimed.
"I'm sorry?" Olivia asked.
"Well, Vice just brought in a guy Willard Sawyer, said they wanted to see if you remembered him you and a detective Stabler picked him up quite a while ago, I pulled the file for you," Sonny explained.
"Doesn't explain why you were called in," Olivia claimed.
"Actually, that was another case Dodds was trying to get you out of coming in today," Sonny claimed.
Olivia smiled.
"Well, what do you have," Olivia asked.
"Footage that a nail salon sent us, apparently their packages were stolen, and they were going through surveillance, they didn't find their guy but found this."
Sonny turned his laptop around to show a man in a heavy coat drag a woman into an alleyway with his big coat he obscures himself, but it's pretty clear he is raping or attempting to rape the girl.
"That's not the only time I went back a few days see if I could see someone scoping out the place, he's here with another girl three days prior they only have a week's worth of footage, and I am going through day five now," Carasi explained.
"Any reports with matching description?" Olivia asks.
"I'm running it through the system now. Got a few hits, but nothing seems to be this." Sonny claimed.
"Well, I'm not saying to try, but those victims could be anywhere, don't stay here all day on something that can wait for Monday to come, with more help and fresh eyes," Olivia claimed.
"While you're waiting?" Carasi asks.
Olivia sits next to him closer than usual, she no longer is too concerned about personal space they are good friends now when his arm brushes against her she doesn't recoil but simply moves away. This wouldn't have been the situation a year ago.
They see nothing in the rest of day 5, and Sonny starts day 6 when police from Vice comes in.
Olivia had read over the incident, she remembers the name but wouldn't have been able to give any information without reading the file about him first.
Olivia tries to give all the information she can trying remember if anything was missing from the reports. The Vice Detectives don't seem to be annoyed by her lack of remembrance but were happy to get the file. The questioning didn't last long, which lead her to help Sonny finish the tapes before ordering home. It was 5:30, she didn't have time to go back and with her luck she'd be getting another call soon, so wearing a red sweater and black pants with regular boots on, her gun and badge hanging from her hip she went to go see her boys.
The Christmas party was held in a smaller conference room of the student union. It was catered by NYU, and it was an all-out feast. Olivia saw every meat and side dish imaginable, and the catering service was still bringing more in. It caught her eye before Raphael did. He was in a circle talking to a group of colleagues. She loved that look, it was that of contentment. She was happy he wasn't uncomfortable. His eyes met hers, and he suddenly stopped talking.
"Everything okay?" Raphael asked.
"Yeah, Vice just needed a word," Olivia stated.
"Where's Noah?" Olivia asked.
Raphael pointed to the far corner where he was playing with 5 other kids about his age, they were laughing and playing some kind of game. Olivia smiled. Noah looked up and realized she was there he came over and hugged her.
"You made it, mommy," Noah claimed
She sighed; she hated that Noah thought she might not show up. She smiled at him though and said
"Yeah, mommy's here."
Raphael grimaced but turned back to his colleges.
"This is Olivia." Raphael smiled. Olivia had recognized a few staff members there but pleasantly chatted away, noticing that several people eyed her badge and gun. She had her usual lines for what she did, although having law school staff helped that she didn't have to explain her job like she was talking to a five-year-old.
Food was ready, and they lined up at both sides of the table Raphael helping Noah with his plate. When they sat down, Raphael realized the chairs and tables in here were not designed to eat on, and Noah was having difficulty. He needed a booster seat even some of the older kids did. Raphael adjusted his chair and had Noah sit with him, allowing Olivia to take Noah's old place and lean up against Raphael and Noah. The two talked to Professor Nyla and her husband, Mark. Olivia couldn't get over how young the couple was, she felt like she could easily be their mother, which made her nervous once again about raising Noah.
"What do you teach?" Olivia finally asked.
"I am here has an adjunct professor, I am teaching scheduling, which sounds funny I know, but the law field is its own time zone." Professor Nyla explained.
Olivia nodded her head, she understood completely, and Raphael laughed at her comment.
The 4 of them had a friendly conversation long after Noah and their daughter Peula got down and went to play. Olivia was happy that this afforded them some friends outside of the squad room and talked with the family until the party was over.
