Raphael Barba didn't see Noah or Liv the rest of the week, looking over everything that needed to be done he already felt behind. He figured that he should start with Trial Advocacy. It was an elective class what he felt was a much-needed one. There weren't large papers to write this was a skill that could be taught but there was a knack for it as well. He knew he would have students who could nail it every time and some that couldn't. There could be an argument to made really for most of it, and basically this was just going to be a bunch of students arguing their point to see if it convinces him enough to give them the grade. There were 2 textbooks for this class. One was a case study book, and the other was a regular textbook. It was basic level text but he was sure the students would appreciate it considering the other workload they would have.
Raphael had talked to his mother daily and even made a trip to her home after she came home from work so she could help him. The fact he was also in the education system made her happy and was excited she could help him out. He hadn't told her about Olivia because he wasn't sure how many days it would take for his mom to stop asking questions.
It was now Friday afternoon and he wasn't sure how that many days had passed so quickly. He had texted Olivia a few times and was missing her dearly. He knew he could have gone to see when she was done at work but he knew she needed time with Noah, and wasn't used to someone constantly being around, and he wasn't either. They were both pretty private and although he would tell her everything it felt nice to be able to know you can do everything on your own. He thought for a few minutes and decided to text her
Barba: I know you work this weekend but I promised Noah just me and him this weekend. So sleepover?
Olivia: For Noah, or me?
Barba: can't it be both?
Olivia: I'm telling Lucy not to bother showing up then tomorrow, are you going to be around Sunday too?
Barba: Tell her she has the weekend off.
Olivia: Will do see you tonight I should be home by 6.
Raphael wasn't sure how he got so lucky, and although he was a bit nervous about spending his whole weekend with Noah and Olivia he was happy that Olivia had let him in. He had enough of working on the Trial Advocacy class. He knew that the longest and hardest part was ahead of him. Criminal Law class was what he knew, and he knew it would take longer just because of the text and needed materials but he felt confident in it. Then this undergrad class is what he dreaded the most. He will have undergrads who really want to learn, and kids who are taking "fluff" classes for credit. He knew he could keep it simple and should keep it simple but he really wanted the undergraduates to get just a glimpse into law school. He had 2 more weeks until he was going to sit in with Professor Dorne the Criminal Physiology Professor. He stopped what he was doing and went to his room to pack for a 2-day stay at Olivia's house.
Raphael was digging through his clothes wondering what Olivia would like to see him in. He knew it was stupid. He knew she really wouldn't care and most of the day would be spent with Noah. He grabbed 2 pairs of jeans and found his tennis shoes not remembering the last time he wore them. He grabbed a couple of polo's and a set of pajamas. He almost forgot his boxers as he went through his items once again. He grabbed his toothbrush and cologne. He put a razor and aftershave in a pocket. He took his laptop and one of the textbooks just in case Noah took a nap. He didn't think 6 year-olds took naps but he grabbed it anyway. He looked around for anything he wanted to take with him and occasionally grabbed an item. His bag was full he looked down at black leather overnight bag wondering the last time he used it. Wondering how this made it look. He was happy to be staying for the weekend. He turned off all the lights locked the door and headed off towards her apartment.
Olivia made it home at 5:45, she walked through the door Noah came to greet her and Lucy came to the door.
"So I have the weekend off?" Lucy asked.
"Yeah, I think Raphael has it, but I'll be honest I'm nervous. I haven't left Noah with anyone else for more than a few hours." Olivia admitted.
"Well, I will stay until he gets here, and give him my number and tell him what the average day looks like. You can go take a shower, get ready for him. I'll stall him as long as you need." Lucy stated.
"What did I do to deserve you?" Olivia asked.
Lucy laughed and Olivia walked into her bedroom to get ready for Raphael.
There was a knock at 6:05pm Raphael was at the door, overnight bag in hand.
"Hello, , Liv's in the shower. She'll be out soon." Lucy stated.
"I really appreciate you coming to stay the weekend. I get to go on another date." Lucy stated.
"Glad to be of assistance," Raphael stated.
"I told Olivia I would stick around and just let you know his general schedule." Lucy stated.
"He usually wakes up around 8, and we have breakfast, he changes for the day and I try to get him out as often as possible, usually to the park, or even if it's just down the block to pick up groceries for lunch or dinner. Then we usually ready a book or 2. Depending on how much he's worn out he may take a nap in the afternoon but don't let him sleep too long only about an hour or he'll never go to bed. Right now he really is into Big Hero Six and Spiderman so be prepared to be begged to watch it. That is when you can work on whatever it is or get something done. He really likes to draw and color. You'll be able to tell what mood he is in if he wakes up and hyper he's going to be hyper all day. If he wakes up and is sleepy he will be more subdued. Olivia usually handles his medicine, but he does have an emergency inhaler make sure to take it with you. It's in the kitchen cabinet all the way to the left on the first shelf. Now don't be shocked by the ladies in the park that know Noah there is a little mom's group there. They will be glad to talk to you all day if you let them. Don't tell them who you are, they will be all over you, seriously. Let's see, he isn't allergic to anything he does like to sprint away from you but he never goes too far you just have to watch. Other than that he loves you he's a good kid and doesn't get too mad or upset easily. Sometimes especially the weekends Liv works he gets upset she isn't around. If you need anything let me give you my number." Lucy concluded.
Raphael handed the girl his phone as she put her number in.
"I'll be around I have no big plans, except Saturday night but Liv should be home by then anyway. I'm leaving have a good night." Lucy stated.
Raphael looked around the apartment. He had been here and stayed here multiple times now but he still hasn't quite taken it all in. He didn't want to snoop but wanted to know if there was at least milk and cereal for breakfast in the morning. He went through the fridge and found milk and in in the pantry,there was cereal. He had now been in the apartment for 20 minutes. Noah was glued to tablet game and hadn't even acknowledged Raphael's presence which sort of surprised him but he was okay with the fact Noah was used to him coming over.
He set down his over night bag in the living area, and sat next to Noah.
"How are you today Noah." Raphael asked.
"I'm good mommy came home on time and you are going to be with me all weekend! I love Lucy but it's nice to have a boy around to play with." Noah stated.
Raphael laughed.
"Well I hope we'll have a lot of fun this weekend, you and me just like I said." Raphael stated.
Olivia walked out of her bedroom she was wearing skinny jeans and lose dark blue v-neck. She had her hair up in a messy bun, and she was beautiful.
Olivia greeted Raphael with a kiss, something he wasn't expecting her to do in front of Noah, not that it was a deep kiss, but something so domestic as if he was her husband and he had just gotten home from a day at the office.
He smiled at the thought, and hugged her tightly, missing her touch and knowing for now that was the best he would be able to hope for until Noah went to sleep.
Olivia asked if stir fry was okay, Noah asked if he could help. Raphael helped as well helping cut up the vegetables, and Noah was on the stool, putting the vegetables into the pan. She finally added the beef and spices and turned on the heat. Raphael once again imagined this as an everyday occurrence he could easily get used too. He wasn't sure why he was looking ahead to the future so much so when this relationship only just began. Maybe it was the fact he had wanted this relationship for the last 4 years or so, or maybe it's the fact he has gotten a glimpse and is just hungry for more. Raphael sat at the stool watching Olivia use a spatula stirring the mix around time to time and was happy for the little moments like this.
Dinner was served, and Noah got a bath, and Raphael tucked him in and read him a book as Olivia cleaned the kitchen.
"Hey." She said.
"Hey," Raphael replied.
She met him in the hallways, wrapped her arms around him and kissed him hard. She pushed her body close to his, and her body when limp making him take most of her weight.
"Hey are you okay?" Raphael asked.
"Court ended today and they let a bad one get away. I know it was him, Stone did a great job but God the defense just I don't know it was a blood bath, and the witness broke." Olivia stated.
"Come here why didn't you say something earlier?" Raphael asked.
"When I come home I try to keep my mind off of it until Noah's asleep." Olivia stated.
"I don't want him to see my upset, I can't explain to him what this all means and I want him happy." Olivia stated.
"Oh Liv, come here," Raphael stated.
She leaned back into him he put his hands through her hair.
"If it was any other Friday I would have some wine, but I'm technically on call, so I can't do that and… " Olivia started.
"Hey it's okay you can vent to me I understand," Raphael stated.
"I know, it's just, I'm not used to it unless I'm with the rest of the team out at some bar somewhere." Olivia stated.
"I'm here anytime," Raphael stated.
"I know thank you," Olivia replied, leaning into him once again.
"Come on what do you want to do tonight?" Raphael asked.
"Hmm, I am severely behind on some TV shows," Olivia stated.
Raphael joined her on the couch, she leaned into him, he wrapped his arms around her, and she turned on the TV. She turned on the DVR.
"Really Liv?" Raphael asked
Olivia blushed as her first recording was "The Bachelor."
"It's too funny! I don't watch it all the time!" Olvia stated.
She went through the recording and decided to turn it to Netflix.
She went through preview after preview still not deciding on what to watch allowing Raphael to pick something out.
He finally decided on a wildlife documentary, hoping she wouldn't go back to The Bachelor.
They watched an hour and a half long portrayal of one year in the lives in Pride of lions.
Raphael could tell that Olivia was tired, and just still a little upset from the trial. She held onto him through the duration of the show and was quick to turn off the TV after it was over.
It was 9:30 but after the week Olivia had she was ready for bed. She had allowed Raphael to share the bed with her the previous weekend, but it was different then. She wasn't sure if she should invite him to bed or not. He was comforting to her, but would he immediately think of sex. She wasn't ready, she hasn't discussed anything of Lewis, of course he had known he was the only one who did but to see the scars in person, it was another thing entirely and now was not the time.
Olivia pulled on his hand, he followed her to the back bedroom. He had of course been here before one other time. His heart was still racing though, it was early for bed, but she did look exhausted.
"Hey let me change, and get ready for bed, and we can do whatever you want to okay?" Raphael asked.
"Yeah." Olivia smiled.
Raphael went to his bag and got pajamas he went to the bathroom, changed and brushed his teeth. He felt the need for deodorant just in case he got too hot and made sure to swish the mouthwash for a full minute.
He walked back into Olivia's bedroom, she was wearing pants a t-shirt, she wasn't wearing a bra and he could see a nipple poking through and he took a deep breath willing himself to stay calm.
Olivia was reading something and Raphael hurried and turned back grabbing a book of his own.
He laid beside her and cracked open the smallest of the Criminal Law textbooks, and only got a few pages in.
"I'm sorry I just," Olivia stated.
"Just what." Raphael asked.
"I need some time," Olivia stated.
"For what?" Raphael asked.
"The next step, I can't right now, I guess I just need to let you know that I want this, and I so badly want to kiss you right now, and I am trying so hard to focus on this book. I want to kiss you and touch you and have sex with you, but we have to have a conversation or two to be before I'm going to feel comfortable with that." Olivia stated.
"Hey like I said we got this, you take ask long as you need. I can go lay on the couch pull out." Raphael stated.
"No I just need you to know I'll need to stop and not have the expectations for a little while," Olivia stated.
"I can do that, Liv." Raphael assures her.
"Okay, can you hold me?' Olivia asked.
"Of course." Raphael replied.
Raphael and Olivia put their books down. Raphael opened his arms to her, and they laid there in the silence. Raphael had no idea how long they had been like that, but he knew Olivia was still awake. She turned to him and kissed him hard. Wanting to feel something other than hurt she felt for the latest case.
He kissed her back, but it was hurried, and he seemed to know what was on her mind. He allowed her to use him for comfort and allowed her to explore his chest rubbing his sternum, as he rubbed her back. She didn't do it too long and laid back still facing him.
"Thank you." Olivia stated.
"For what?" Raphael asked.
"Being my best friend," Olivia stated.
"Always" Raphael replied.
She laid back turning away from him encouraging him to roll with her and before he knew it she was asleep. He was tired too and drifted away peacefully after that.
Sorry for the long delay I was on vacation which actually gave me ideas for this story... I have larger plotlines in my head, but they are all future... I have the next few chapters already written but may jump in time a bit after that so I can skip along to what I want to write. Just to let you know I was toying with the idea of Lucy dating Dickie Stabler... but I don't want the drama in this story lol... Maybe another time. I love Elliot and Olivia together but R/O to me is even better. Thanks for the reviews and follows.
