A/N: Only three chapters left, guys! I hope you guys like this ending, I have written the 1st chapter of the sequel Noah is older, so there is more of him in it, but plenty R/O :D
Olivia, Raphael, and Noah were sitting on the plane. It was a 10 am flight, with a 2-hour layover in Denver before they landed at Bob Hope Airport, just outside of LA. Olivia was worried about keeping Noah busy, but he quickly sat in his seat and enjoyed coloring, or playing on his tablet until the plane landed in Denver. When they got inside the airport, Raphael hunted down lunch and pointed to the direction of the kid's area where he said he would meet them. Luckily the indoor playground was close to their gate, which allowed Noah to run around and let out all the energy he had before another 2.5-hour journey to California. The little boy was alone playing in the area but was happy none the less. Raphael had found a place with sandwiches and brought them to the play area. Noah took a few bites in between running around, waiting for the flight to take off.
They had finally touched down, walking onto the tarmac before entering the small airport, only to head out to the rental cars winding around the walkway to the pickup area. Noah was quite upset that they had to drive another hour to the beach house. When they finally arrived with the time difference, it was 2 pm there, but 5 pm at home. Olivia had only been to the airport. Raphael had made a point to drive down Hollywood Blvd. So Olivia and Noah could point and talk about the area. Before heading on the one up the coast to the beach house. It was a lot further north than Olivia had thought. They had gotten a good glimpse of the beach along the way, but houses blocked a lot of the beach, and then the road went inland for a while before seeing the beach once again. Olivia was surprised by the sharp turn up the hill that Raphael made.
"This is it." He stated.
Olivia smiled, they were beachfront, but the house sat upon the cliffside. There were a ton of people out for Christmas time. Some kids were in the water. Some young adults were surfing, but mostly it was people in swimsuits laying on the beach. The weather wasn't quite warm enough when thinking of a beach trip, but she understood why so many people were out. They had brought their items inside, Raphael had packed more than Olivia and had to pay an extra fee for a 3rd bag. Olivia wasn't too concerned by her appearance in a state she never stayed in. She wanted this to be a time to relax, but Raphael had other ideas, bringing multiple three-piece suits. Olivia had brought a nice dress just in case, but the only time they would have to go out alone was when Lucia came in.
Olivia had sat everything down in the entryway. The house was small compared to the others on the street; it looked slightly out of place. The house was narrow, with an open floor plan on the first floor, and large windows looking out to the beach. There was a deck, and then what looked like very steep steps going down to the oceanfront. Although there was nothing outside indicating it was decorated for the holiday season other than a wreath at the door, the inside had a tree and various décor. Raphael had led Olivia and Noah upstairs, showing the rooms. The master bedroom had a bathroom attached. The room was pained seafoam blue, but the rest of the décor was in black and white. Noah's room beside them was painted green with a blue comforter on the queen size bed. The room reserved for Lucia had a queen-sized bed with an ocean theme. There was carpeting in the bedrooms only, the rest of the home covered in tile, that was cold to the feet, making the 3 of them shuffle around in slippers or thick socks.
Truth be told, Olivia had made no plans with this trip, relying on Raphael to help with the ideas of what to do in the area. Raphael had stated that they should give themselves a day to adjust to the time zone and get used to the home itself, buy some groceries, and enjoy the views. Raphael was going over options of what they could do, explaining how much there was especially for kids Noah's age all within a 1-2 hour drive including, Disney, Universal, Multiple aquariums, museums, and other things to do.
To say Olivia was overwhelmed by all the things to do was an understatement. NYC was the same with a laundry list of things to do, but living there made it seem like they were all possible eventually. Here on the West Coast, it felt like time was rushing by, and they were squandering it away. She agreed that Disney would be worth the drive, even though she wasn't so sure if they enjoyed the time, Noah would love it. They would need two days, one for each park. Olivia had never been to a Disney park but has heard stories from coworkers. She was sure she could walk the miles it takes to make it through the park. She wasn't so sure how long Noah could hang in there. They planned one day at Disney for the following day and then another day at the other park right after Christmas. Raphael had done the research, knowing it was going to be busy. Olivia was hoping for the best. They talked about going on a few piers, and even a trip through Hollywood.
The time seemed to speed by; even Noah didn't complain when it took 1.5 hours to get to Disneyland, then another 30 minutes to park and get to the entrance of the park. Walking through Main Street USA, all 3 of them felt the magic that Olivia had heard about many times. The streets were beautifully decorated for Christmas, and because this was just the entryway, there wasn't a big crowd. The day called for rain, so not a lot of people were in the park, and Olivia prayed that the rain would stay away but packed ponchos just in case. Noah looked around unsure where to go, but Raphael had a map and planned on walking straight back to Toontown and working there way back to the front. Noah was in awe, and Olivia and Raphael both admitted to each other that they were surprised by the place. Noah was not afraid to ride anything, getting on the smaller rides by himself. When they finally got around to Big Thunder Railroad, Noah took it stride and begged to ride again. The lines were short, and Raphael and Noah agreed to go back, before wandering off to yet another area of the park. The only meltdown Noah had was that he wanted ears, and although Olivia was willing to buy him a pair, she didn't want him to lose them and wanted to wait until the end of the day. With so many shops all over, Noah was beginning to ask every time he saw a store until he cried, trying to get his way. Olivia knew it had been a long day for all of them, and most likely, he needed a break. It was 4 pm, and although he didn't usually nap anymore, she was sure they could all use one. Raphael suggested going back to the car, Noah hated the idea, but after Raphael picked him up and carried him back to the parking lot, the 3 of them napped in the car, all quickly falling asleep until 6:30 pm.
Everyone felt refreshed, and Noah was ready to give the park another go, the sun was setting, and when they went through the gates again, Olivia was surprised by all the lights and new way of looking at the park. Since they had worked back to front, the only areas left for them to explore was Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. They got dinner at Carnation Cafe. Fantasyland seemed the most crowded, but Noah didn't seem to mind the lines. Noah was giggling when they went up and down on Dumbo and admitted he didn't like the Teacups. Alice in Wonderland was something all three enjoyed. Noah finally got his ears. Olivia didn't want his name put on them, knowing that's a way predictors lure kids in. Noah argued for only a second, then proudly wore his ears around Main St. as they watched the fireworks before the long drive back.
Noah had instantly fallen asleep as Olivia and Raphael admitted they both had a lot more fun than they thought they would. The next day was a day to relax and go down to the beach or have a lazy day in. Olivia was grateful for the slow pace, something neither one of them was used to. When they finally made it back to the beachfront home, Noah woke up, but quickly fell back asleep, Raphael and Olivia barely made it to the bed, not bothering with an alarm, and falling asleep.
The next day came late for them. It was 8 am when they woke up, meaning back home, it was already 11 am. They spent a lazy day going to the market, picking out food, and walking down to the beach. Olivia had shorts on and a long sleeve shirt. It was 68 degrees, and although it wasn't cold, it was far from average beach weather. Raphael sat in his swim trunks forgoing a shirt, and Noah was in a rash guard and shorts in case he wanted in the water. Olivia walked to the edge of where the waves were hitting and allowed her feet to get washed in the wave, shocked by how cold the water was.
"Why is it so cold?" Olivia asked.
"It's actually coldest in September. There is a reason why everyone out in the water, except the kids, are in full suits." Raphael stated.
Olivia looked around, and this was true. Anyone who was staying in the water had wet suits on, and most were trying to surf. Olivia allowed Noah to dip his feet in but also agreed it was too cold. He would, on occasion, walk back towards the very edge of the water and dip his toes in watching his footprints disappear with the next wave. Olivia happily watched her boy play in the sand, vowing that next time they go to the beach, the water would be warm enough to get in. Olivia couldn't deny the beauty of the sunset, the way the water took away the sun was something she wasn't sure she would ever get used too. She had remembered her undercover days once more, looking out at the sunsets, wondering how long it would be until she saw a sunrise instead.
"What are you thinking about?" Raphael asked as he noticed she was somewhere else.
"Long story, if you're interested, remind me tonight," Olivia claimed.
Raphael nodded.
"We should head inside. The wind is picking up." Raphael noted.
Olivia shook her head and packed up their things she grabbed the towels, and helped Noah up the very steep steps that lead to the beach, there was a gate at the top, that Raphael unlocked and they made their way on the back deck shaking sand out of everything. When they finally made inside, they still had a pile of sand at the kitchen door.
Noah seemed content to watch TV as Olivia and Raphael worked together to make dinner. They ate dinner while planning the next day, which included going to the Farmer's Market, and going through Hollywood. Noah seemed excited to try the different foods at the market but seemed uninterested by the Dolby Theater or anything else on Hollywood Blvd.
Noah went to bed early the time on the beach, running around and playing wore him out. He made no arguments when Raphael read him a story and closed the bedroom door for the night.
"So, are you ready to tell me what was on your mind earlier?" Raphael asked.
Olivia bit her lip; it was hard to explain.
"The last time I was on the West coast, I was Persephone James," Olivia stated.
Raphael furrowed his brow, utterly confused by the statement.
"I went undercover for the FBI," Olivia explained.
"Long story short, it was just me doing my job, to get justice for a rape victim."
"NO, Liv that's more than your job, did you have any idea what you were getting into?" Raphael asked.
"It was a long time ago, back in 2006, it wasn't dangerous," Olivia explained
"So, being back here reminds you of it?" Raphael stated.
"I was in Oregon, but I remember watching the sunsets, drinking hot tea, wondering when I'd see New York again. It was only six weeks, but it changed my life. I understood what the group stood for, you know. I was so quickly taken in as one of them. It was the first time I had ever felt like I belonged, even though I was lying." Olivia explained.
"It must have been difficult," Raphael stated.
"Not really. Which in my mind made it a problem." Olivia claimed.
"Because it was so easy for you to play a part?" Raphael asked.
"No, because I enjoyed it so much," Olivia claimed.
Raphael didn't know what to say. He had no idea what it was like to go undercover, and going under with the FBI, was a lot different than a sting investigation that the detectives regularly did. He just sat there waiting for Olivia to say more, but when the words never came, he didn't push anymore.
"You ready for bed?" Raphael asked.
"Yeah," Olivia said, but her voice felt distant. She was still stuck in the past, Raphael wasn't sure when she would snap out of it, but he knew sometimes you just had to think about it. He knew how often he thought back to his neighborhood, his days at Harvard, and now his time with the DA's office that was all the past, even though some days it felt like only yesterday. He sighed and walked up the steps Olivia following behind him.
When they got into bed, Raphael was expecting sleep, but Olivia had pulled his shirt up and was using her finger to draw on his chest. They hadn't said one word to each other, Raphael let her tease him moving her hand from his chest to his stomach, and every once in awhile dipping below the boxers he had on. Olivia teasing him, made him feel overwhelmed with need and want he knew he was selfish, but he didn't dare turn over to offer any reciprocation. Finally, after a long time, she pulled him onto his back, pulling at his waistband freeing him from the constraint of his boxers. Olivia smiled at him, and he smiled back before she started kissing him on the lips. Raphael finally touched her again, circling her breasts pinching at her nipples, pulling on her hips.
Olivia looked at him, grabbing his penis, asking for permission with her eyes, and he only nodded his acceptance. Olivia lined him up and pushed down quickly and moved quickly, Raphael was surprised by her speed but quickly matched her, frantic pace. He knew that wasn't her normal, but she moaned out in pleasure, which threw him off for a second, and she crashed her lips to his in a hurried need. Raphael excepted the sloppy kiss. He felt her roll her hips hitting in a new spot her body tightening around him, and he couldn't help but growl as he pushed them even faster, and Olivia easily kept up, and he came. He knew she wasn't quite there and allowed her to keep rocking until she was done too.
They both were out of breath panting, still not a word spoken. She finally rolled off him but always felt like her legs were jello. She curled herself into him. Finally, Raphael couldn't bear the silence anymore.
"That was different," he commented.
"Was that okay?" Olivia asked, suddenly concerned.
"No, it was fine, it's just usually not how this goes."
Olivia smiled.
"Sometimes, I just need to let go," Olivia claimed.
"Well, you certainly did." Raphael chuckled.
He looked over at the clock. It was pushing 11.
Raphael wasn't quite sure if he could stand up after that. Still, after planting his feet and waiting a minute, he walked to the bathroom, turning on the shower offering Olivia to join him. The two soaped each other up, but avoided anything leading to a second-round before falling asleep sprawled out on the king-size bed.
Morning came quickly. Noah woke up at 7:30 am. Olivia and Raphael quickly decided it was cereal kind of morning. They ate their meal while Raphael explained to Noah all the different places they could go to at the Farmers Market, although they discussed it the night before Raphael was happy to tell him again, as Noah's grin gets wider on his face. They lounge around for a while watching the ocean from the deck, pointing to the people wiping out on the surfboards, and watching as sea birds that came looking for food.
When they arrived at the Farmers Market, it was busy, and Olivia quickly took Noah's hand as they poked around all the stalls trying to get small items to share. The toy shop reminded Olivia of the one near their house, Noah had wanted to go in staring at the monster lego kits. Olivia laughed when he said he wanted one in a box that was bigger than he was. Olivia agreed on a much smaller lego set that could easily go into the carry on when they left.
Across the way were several shops that they could all easily find back home, so they didn't bother but instead walked around the area, Olivia popping into a few specialty shops buying a few small items. Before they finally made their way to Hollywood Blvd. Olivia was shocked to find the Dolby theater had shops all around and was more like a shopping mall than anything else. They walked around the area, walking across the bridges to get a good look at the Hollywood Sign. Noah noticed the Dave and Busters, and although that wasn't the plan, Raphael couldn't say no, so they went and ate sub-par food, and allowed Noah to play in the arcade for about an hour. Even though Noah didn't like Hello Kitty, he was in awe of the store, and they took a peek before walking across to the Disney Ghirardelli shop. Once again, the day was quickly ending and was getting dark, but it wasn't late. Raphael looked at the movies playing at the TCL theater, finding a family-friendly film and asking Olivia, once she agreed, they picked their seats and walked back across the street for the film. By the time they got back to the beach house, Noah was still hyper and wanted to put the lego set together. Raphael agreed to help the little boy, but Noah seemed fine looking at the pictures and doing it on his own, only needing help wit one odd piece that Raphael had trouble locking together.
Raphael and Olivia woke up the next day, with Noah in between them. Raphael hadn't woken up, but Noah asked Olivia to climb up in bed after a bad dream, too tired to try to get him back to bed she opened the covers allowing the little boy to come up climbing over her and into the middle.
Noah was taking up most of the King size bed, lying sideways under the covers no pillow. Raphael looked over at Olivia, who simply shrugged her shoulders, and got out of the bed, Raphael followed leaving Noah, in the bed. They walked down to the kitchen, making coffee, enjoying the quiet morning.
"So how about going to the Pier, we can either stay in Malibu or go down to Santa Monica, Santa Monica's more kid-friendly," Raphael mentioned.
"Mmm, I'd prefer a day in." Olivia claimed, pulling Raphael in kissing him on the lips, as the coffee began to brew.
"Me too," but is that even doable?
"We'll find out." Olivia smiled.
"Noah didn't have the best night last night, he had a nightmare, and he usually doesn't get them anymore," Olivia mentioned.
Raphael just shook his head.
They drank their coffee and opened the doors out onto the deck listening to the waves crash onto the shore.
"You know it sounds different here," Olivia mentioned.
Raphael agreed. "It's not like back home."
"I think Miami is in our future," Olivia mentioned.
"I have family there, Liv; they would know we were there," Raphael claimed.
"Good, then they can take Noah, and we'll have some times to ourselves," Olivia claimed.
Raphael laughed, kissing Olivia's lips as they stand on the deck, holding each other close trying to keep the wind from making them too cold. Olivia turned to face the inside at the exact moment Noah tripped going down the steps, the little boy fell on his butt and slid down three steps before coming to a stop, Raphael didn't realize until he heard the thump.
Olivia raced over to the little boy. He was trying desperately not to cry. He wasn't bleeding, and Olivia saw he landed on his butt.
"Are you okay?" Olivia asked.
Noah simply nodded his head.
"Okay, Noah, let's get some breakfast, whatever you want," Olivia claimed.
Noah was slow to get up from the steps.
Raphael grabbed the little boy's hand, but he wanted more Noah grabbed Raphael for a hug. Raphael obliged, and walked him over to the couch. Noah sat down gingerly and leaned into Raphael for support. Olivia made Noah's favorite pancakes. Noah seemed to be okay with staying at the beach that day. They walked out onto the deck, enjoying the view it was a little chilly, and they all had sweaters on, the sun was beating down despite the chill in the air, it felt beautiful. The seashore smell was something Olivia could never get enough of, and she was sure that she would miss this place by the time the vacation was through. Noah was begging to make sandcastles, so the 3 of them headed down to the beach to build a giant sandcastle.
The day ended with a trip to a local Taco stand, a place the Raphael insists on going to every time he is in town, Olivia rolled her eyes at the apparent need for tacos. Still, when she bit into it, she wondered why it took this many days to arrive at the place. It was the best taco she had ever had, and Noah happily munched away, declaring it the best dinner they had since they've been in California. Olivia knew that Lucia would be there soon, and she was happy for Raphael's mother to be joining them for Christmas, but Olivia still had to shop for her little boy. Raphael and Olivia discussed the fact that they would be getting him small items only and get him a giant lego set when they got back home. Noah had been eyeing multiple sets. Olivia smiled at Noah and Raphael as they talked about tacos. She wasn't sure how her life got to the place it was now, but she couldn't complain. This was all she had ever wanted.
