Raphael Barba came back to his apartment, Sunday afternoon and immediately felt lonely. Without work or Olivia and Noah, life just was boring. He grabbed a bottle of scotch, not sure when day drinking became okay for him, but he grabbed a glass and began to think. He took off his shoes and sat in the window once again worrying about his interviews. He thought about Olivia and Noah and the fact he was falling in love with the idea of seeing them every day.
The next few days flew by for everyone Noah had his last day of School come and go, and now Lucy was at the apartment all the time. Olivia caught a rough case missing tucking Noah in all but one night that week. Raphael Barba had done two interviews, and one instantly offered a job he asked if he could think about it which they agreed, but today Thursday was his interview with NYU. He had put on his best suit and shaved. He brushed his teeth longer than needed and put on his good luck tie. He said a prayer hoping now was a time as any to renew his faith if it meant he would get this job. He took his car out of its spot and drove to Campus, leaving in plenty of time to get there.
When he arrived, he took a deep breath in stood as tall as he could and walked into the building like he found the room took a deep breath and walked in. He was in an overly large classroom.
"You're right on time, Mr. Barba." The man on the right stated.
There was a group of Three men and one woman sitting at a long table meant to hold ten people at least with various paperwork spread all over. The man at the end he recognized, but he couldn't put a name to the face. They each introduced their self, but if someone would have asked what their name was, he would have already forgotten. They asked question after question and Barba did his best to answer honestly and purposely. At the end of the interview, he let out a deep breath.
"I want you to know Mr. Barba you're the last candidate we interviewed, we have a lot to go over, but we will let you know." The man on the end concluded.
Raphael nodded his head and walked out of the room. His anxiety hit him only after walking out, and he leaned his back against the wall and took a breath before walking back towards his car. On his way back, he decided to walk around the park to clear his head. He took his jacket off and rolled up his sleeves. He found a hot dog stand and decided to grab one and sit on the bench. As he finished up the hotdog, the man he had recognized at his interview sat down beside him.
"Listen, I want you to know you did great in there. Jack McCoy spoke highly of you and although we have a people with more experience you unofficially have the job." He stated.
"I'm sorry what?" Barba said as he stared at the man.
"You heard me Raphael you have the job, you'll get an official letter sometime next week." Barba ignored what he said.
"Did you follow me?" Raphael asked.
"No, I happen to come over here to enjoy lunch, and I thought you would be happy to hear the news, but if this isn't what you want..." the man concluded.
"NO! It's exactly what I want." Raphael stated.
"Good, good, like I said you will receive a formal letter in the mail most likely Monday and we will negotiate then." The man left quickly and Raphael stared off with a smile; he couldn't help but think only one other thing would make him happier.
He quickly texted Liv.
Barba: I have great news are you free tonight, for dinner?
Olivia: I'm not sure, and I haven't seen Noah all week.
Barba: Bring him with you, I can pick you up at 7?
Olivia: I'll try, I'll let you know.
Barba didn't let her words get him down. He smiled as he walked back to his car and drove back to his apartment. He went on his laptop going through NYU staff to figure out the man's name who he recognized and gave the good news. After a few minutes of searching, it was James Lindy. He couldn't place the name but did a Google search and found various articles, and found he once worked for the DA's office before working at NYU and recently became chair of the department. Barba knew that in every job it helped to know people, but he couldn't help but think Jack Mcoy made this all happen. Raphael began researching everything he could about NYU Law.
Barba looked at his clock it was 5:30 pm, he sent a text
Barba: So, dinner?
Olivia: Yeah, I'm almost wrapped up. Meet at my place?
Barba: Of course.
Raphael, for the second time, scrubbed his teeth longer than he had too, made sure to refresh his aftershave and grabbed his jacket before heading in the direction of her apartment. He got there sooner than he thought it was only 6:20 pm when he knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" He heard Lucy ask.
"It's Barba." He replied.
Lucy answered the door and looked the man over, Noah had told her about the man coming over lately, and she was happy. She hadn't asked Olivia about the situation, but she understood why Olivia was allowing him to come around. Noah adored him, and he wasn't too bad to stare at.
"Mommy didn't say you were coming!" Noah squealed and ran to greet Raphael with a hug. Raphael knelt allowing the boy to wrap his arms around him."
"Well, I asked your mommy to go to dinner." He explained.
"So I won't see mommy tonight?" Noah looked sad.
"Oh, no you'll see mommy you're coming too!" Raphael said.
Noah brightened up and got excited and began telling Raphael that although its really fun now it was summer and Lucy was here all the time playing with him, and taking him places he missed his mom. Raphael felt terrible for the boy and knew Olivia tried so hard to balance her schedule. As soon as the conversation started, it stopped, and Noah ran off to his room.
Lucy laughed
"So Noah has been telling me a lot about you, Mr. Barba. I'm glad you and Liv got together." She stated
"You can call me Raphael but Olivia and I are just friends." He retorted
"Bullshit," Lucy said quickly and covered her mouth.
"I'm sorry, but really, you don't find her attractive."
"Of course I do, it's just that we're friends."
"And you don't want to mess it up." Lucy finished.
Raphael looked at her and shook his head and cleared his throat.
"Listen, Olivia, and even more importantly, for your case, Noah adores you. I haven't talked to Liv much in the way of relationships, but I've seen it in her eyes when you guys would come in together to go over a case. I have heard her talk about you from time to time. She is always smiling when the conversation is about you. I get it you don't want to ruin anything but don't you have to take that chance?"
"Lucy, I like your optimism, maybe it's me because I'm too old, but sometimes the risk is too high."
"What if you knew for a fact Olivia wanted this just as much as you did?" Lucy asked.
"I don't know I couldn't handle not seeing her anymore. I can't risk her or Noah like that." Barba confessed.
"Then that's exactly why she won't say no. She knows you aren't only in it for yourself, but you have feelings for that little boy just as much as you do Liv. Just tell her the worst she can do is say she's not interested." Lucy said.
"I know that's what I'm afraid of." Barba stated.
"Stop it you'll never know until you try. Where are you taking Liv and Noah tonight?"
"Rubirosa." He replied.
"Perfect! I know maybe professing your love to her in front of Noah isn't ideal but show her you're interested." Lucy stated.
Raphael blushed again, "You know your not the first person to say this to me." He stated.
"Because everyone else can see you're just fooling yourselves," Lucy commented.
With that a jingle of the keys indicated that Olivia was about to walk through the door. She looked surprised to see Raphael already there, but Noah came running from nowhere and hugged Olivia.
"Mommy, we're going to dinner with Raphael!"
"I know sweet boy!" Olivia claimed.
"I thought I'd have a minute or 2 to get ready!" Olivia exclaimed.
"Sorry, I got a little enthusiastic, but you look great Liv but take your time." Raphael stated.
Lucy looked knowingly at the couple and rolled her eyes.
"Hey, Liv I need to talk to you about next week." Lucy interrupted.
Olivia took the hint she wanted to talk somewhere private and took her back to the bedroom and shut the door.
"How did you get so lucky Liv, I could stare at him all day," Lucy exclaimed.
"He's twice your age, Lucy!" Olivia stated.
"He's a good looking man Liv, and you can't deny that."
"I never said he wasn't, he I thought we were talking about next week."
"We are, let himHim take you out next weekend. I am free to spend the night," Lucy stated.
"I'm sorry your confused Barba, and I aren't dating."
"Raphael said as much. Why aren't you?" Lucy asked.
"We're friends!" Olivia stated again.
"Yeah, I noticed that's the going theme!" Lucy replied.
"Lucy, did you talk to him?!" Olivia asked.
"Well yeah I was surprised, and when he said dinner I assumed, and he quickly corrected me. He also told me I wasn't the first to point it out. He wants it Liv and I know you do too. I hear how you talk about him. How Noah adores the man. He knows you know just at least give it a chance."
"You're a hopeless romantic Lucy, just because we want it to happen doesn't mean it will."
"Well, I'll let you get ready, goodnight I'll be here in the morning," Lucy stated.
She walked out the door and told Raphael "See you next weekend." saying loud enough Olivia would hear her in her bedroom. She quickly opened the bedroom door to retort, but Lucy had already walked out.
Olivia shook her head and freshened up, walking into her bathroom and thinking about how even Lucy had seen the apparent attraction. People were wrong all the time, though. She changed shoes and decided the outfit was fine and came back out a few minutes later.
"Come on, mom, I'm hungry!" Noah persisted.
"I'm coming; I'm convinced you're always hungry," Olivia stated.
"So what's the occasion?" Olivia asked.
"Well, I'll have you know I unofficially have the NYU position! Barba said excitingly.
"Oh my God, that's wonderful!" Olivia exclaimed and closed the gab and hugged him tightly
"I'm so excited for you! Wait didn't you interview this morning." Oliva asked.
"Yeah, apparently the chairman knows Jack McCoy and said I got it, but the official paperwork won't come until Monday," Raphael said.
"Well, then where we off to?" Oliva asked
"Rubirosa" Raphael replied
"Okay, it's nice day we can walk," Olivia stated.
Raphael Barba agreed, and Noah insisted on grabbing both their hands while walking down the sidewalk towards the restaurant. When they entered Noah insisted on sitting with Raphael, then with Olivia and back to Raphael. They talked about Noah's summer just beginning. They spoke about the spike in crime that was inevitable as the days grew longer. They spoke of Raphael's new job and the fact that he would be teaching. The dinner-only had a minor issue when Noah got into an argument when Olivia denied him the ability to order a whole pizza.
By the time dinner was over it was Noah's bedtime and you could tell he was tired Olivia agreed the boy could go without a bath as long as he washed his face and brushed his teeth. Noah begged Barba to tuck him in which he accepted and pushed the covers tight around him, kissed his forehead, and said, "goodnight."
Olivia sat on the couch; she too looked exhausted.
"I know you're tired Liv, I'll just get going." Barba explained.
"Hey, thanks for tonight letting us share in your excitement," Olvia stated.
"Couldn't think of anyone else that would be happier for me," Barba stated.
"Hey, do you want to hang out Saturday?" Olivia asked.
"Yeah whatever you and Noah want to do' Raphael stated.
"Actually I was hoping it just be you and me… you know to talk." Olivia stated.
Raphael smiled "Of course Liv, you and me what time?" He asked.
"I'll let you know," Olivia stated.
"Ok, goodnight Liv." Raphael said.
"Goodnight." Olivia stated.
The door closed and Olivia sighed. 'What on earth am I thinking.' she mused. She walked towards her bedroom just wanting sleep to consume her.
Friday came with a start Lucy was there, and Olivia walked out the door. She walked into the department and straight to her desk. She was going through her email and looking at the growing pile of paperwork. Detective reviews were due at the end of the month, and she was tired by just looking at the stack. As much as she worked, it seemed like the paperwork was constant, and she focused more and more of her time thinking about tomorrow. She hadn't planned anything. She knew a lot about Raphael Barba through the years, but the only thing about food she knew was his love for coffee, and the Tai take out that is across from his office. They had just did Italian, so that was out. She thought long and hard on how to avoid asking Carisi because she knew they were close. Barba took him under his wing, and even though Carisi bugged the hell out of him, he loved it because he challenged Barba in a way most defense attorneys wouldn't even try so before she could talk herself out of it she opened her door.
"Carisi can you come into my office please," Olivia asked.
"Sure.." Carisi was confused but didn't say anything.
He looked a little nervous, and Olivia laughed
"Relax I should be the one nervous, this isn't work-related I have a personal question," Olivia stated
This mad Carisi more concerned but he waited.
"Where is Barba's favorite place to eat?" Olivia bit her lip, knowing how stupid it sounded.
"I am sorry did you just ask me where Raphael Barba's favorite place to eat is?" Carisi asked
Olivia shook her head "You know what never mind."
"No Liv, it's just if I may. It's about time!" Carisi stated
"Oh, really you too!" Olivia asked.
"Listen we've All seen the looks, he is a good man, he loves Noah, he loves you. He may not be in love with you, but he loves you. To answer your question, it's Victor's Cafe'" Carisi said.
Friday ended and Olivia signed her signature for what had to be the 40th time of the day, looking at her name, she sighed for a second. She walked out and said, goodnight quickly leaving to see her boy. When Olivia arrived at the apartment. Lucy was reading a book with Noah. She felt relief as soon as she got in the doorway. She loved Noah dearly, but she did miss the times when she could crash after a week of work and sleep in as late as possible. Noah came running, and she picked the little boy up, he was heavy, but she still had it kissed his cheek and set him down.
"So I will see you tomorrow, right?" Lucy asked.
"Yes, Lucy." Olivia stated
"Alright Liv, Bye Noah, have a good night." She slipped out the door.
