They both laid there, limp and wrapped together in their sweat and post-sex glow, breathing hard. They didn't say anything, just cuddled and fell asleep.
The Next Evening
Liv got home from work, walking in dropping her stuff in the closet hallway.
"Raf, Zach, Brook I'm home!"
"In here!"
She walked into the kitchen seeing the twins doing homework.
"Where's Papi?"
"In his study, been there since he came home." Brook said.
"How long has he been home?" Liv asked.
"About 3 ½-4 hours." Zach said.
Liv looked at him.
"What?"
"Did you and him…"
"No, I said hi and asked how his day was, he mumbled something I didn't understand. I told him I made an A on one of my law class finals. He patted me on the shoulder, kissed my head and did the same to Brooklyn's and went and closed himself in his study." Zach said.
"Okay finish your homework, I'm proud of you, both of you. I'll check on him, then we can have dinner and family time."
"Noah and Tyler coming?"
"Yeah. But act surprised."
They both nodded.
"Mami, was it a case to make Papi act like that? He only acts this when it's a bad case." Brook asked.
"Yes, and other things." Liv whispered, kissing Brook's head.
The case was very similar to Liv's, but instead of surviving the aftermath of rape. The woman found out she was pregnant and committed suicide. It was a hard one for the whole squad, but Raf had her husband and father of the baby to comfort, leaving him emotionally drained. She walked into his study, quietly watching him sit there in a chair. He was turned facing away from her, with his head in his hands hunched over. She walked up, behind him, crouching down beside his chair.
"Hey." She whispered.
Raf lifted his head, looking at her.
"Hi." His voice strained.
"Rafi, I know today and this case was hard."
"Liv, that's the biggest underestimation I have ever heard."
"Rafi…"
Raf cut her off.
"I filled out my retirement papers, I just have to turn them in."
"I filled mine out three days ago. Just need to turn them in." Liv smiled.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yeah, you want to tell the kids?"
"Yeah, when Noah and Tyler get here. They are still coming, right?"
"Yes, Noah texted earlier asking what time, we have an hour and a half to cook and change."
He smiled and kissed her.
After they cooked Raf helped Zach with his law class. They all got changed and Zach was setting the table when the doorbell rang.
"I've got it!" Brook yelled.
Zach just shook his head.
"Noah!" Brook hugged her big brother.
"Hey Brook." Noah smiled and hugged her back.
"Hey, Tyler." She smiled and hugged him.
"Hi Brook."
"Hi, Zach." Noah came over to help.
"Hey. I've got this." Zach smiled and playfully smacked Noah as he started to try to help.
"Okay, Okay." Noah smiled and went back to Tyler and Brook in the living room.
Liv and Raf came down greeting Tyler and Noah. Liv looked at Noah's ring and hugged both of them.
"You be good to him." Liv whispered.
"I will, don't worry." Tyler whispered back.
They sat down, everyone had made their plate when Raf reached down and squeezed Liv's hand. She looked at him and nodded.
"Everyone we have news."
"What is it?" Noah asked when neither one said anything.
"We both are going to put our papers in." Liv said.
"As in retired?" Brook asked.
"Yeah, we both filled out the paperwork. Just need to turn them in." Raf answered smiling.
Liv noticed Noah was quiet and stunned.
"What's wrong, Noah?"
"I just… I don't know. My whole life with you and later Papi I was living with a detective and a lawyer. I can't imagine either of you retired, living on a beach somewhere."
"Why now? Out of the blue? We haven't seen signs that might suggest you're ready to." Zach asked.
"There have been a few cases where I've been close, but never did." Liv explained.
Raf just looked down, trying to find words which were rare.
"Papi?"
Raf looked at Noah.
"Reminder of that night?"
"Si, Mijo."
Brook went over to her Papi, hugging him.
Raf smiled.
Noah went over and hugged him too.
Liv looked at Zach, he just looked down. She wondered if Tyler knew anything about how special her family was. Tyler met her eyes and smiled and nodded.
"I know, Noah broke down this past year on the anniversary and told me."
Liv smiled and looked down.
After a moment Noah asked,
"What are you guys going to do once you're retired?"