A/N: The latest rumor is Raul Espazara is coming back in some capacity to the show it could just be a 1-time thing. There was a picture posted but quickly taken down of him and producer, with what looked like a map of the building they were in with his name on one of the rooms, like a dressing room! I hope so. I want to thank everyone for the reviews I appreciate it.

"Please, Liv, you said it yourself. It's slow at the office, and I really want some time with you and Noah before he and I both go to school," Raphael stated.

Raphael had been begging since Friday for Olivia to take a few days off, but she had been saying no. It was now Monday morning.

"Fine, Noah's party is Saturday, and it would be nice to have a few days before it gets all hectic here." She admitted.

"If nothing pops up, then I'm yours the rest of the week," Olivia stated.

"Okay, well, Noah wanted to go to my apartment today. I'll see you there?" Raphael asked.

"Yeah. Have fun," Olivia claimed. She kissed Noah and Raphael goodbye and went on her way.

The day was once again slow Carsi and Rollins were working a case, and Fin was going over a cold case from about two years ago. Olivia was finished up with paperwork and helped Fin on the cold case. They had gotten it from the backlog of DNA kits, but unfortunately, none of the DNA had been a hit, and there wasn't much they could do without any new evidence.

Olivia waited for Carisi and Rollins to come back. There had been no new information in the current case and no known witnesses. Olivia decided to send everyone home for the day, announcing she wouldn't be in the rest of the week and just needed downtime. Fin went up to her door.

"So everything okay with you and Barba?" Fin asked.

"Yeah, he's asked me to take a few days off, and for once, I agree that I need them," Olivia stated.

"Well, enjoy your time, don't worry about the department. We got it covered," Fin stated.

"Speaking of you haven't had some time off in a while. When I come back, why don't you take a few days for yourself." Olivia asked.

"It would be nice to see my grandson for a while." Fin stated.

"Then it's settled. You just tell me when," Olivia stated.

"Will do." Fin replied.

The 2 of them took the elevator down together and left heading in opposite directions.

Olivia made it to Raphael's apartment. She didn't have a key and knocked on the door.

The living room was a complete disaster.

There was paint everywhere. Both Raphael and Noah were covered in it. Raphael somehow more so than Noah, and now his door handle was blue. Olivia had no clue what to say. They were both smiling wide, and Olivia wasn't sure she wanted to know what had to lead up to the events that made his living room look like an abstract painting.

"So, which one of you is going to be the next Van Gough?" Olivia asked.

Raphael laughed.

"We're just having some fun, Liv," Raphael stated.

Olivia looked at the large crate paper on the floor, taking most of the space. There were colors of all sorts all over the place, and fingerprints and footprints large blocks of color and lines everywhere. She wasn't sure Raphael realized how long it would take to dry and clean up, but she wasn't going to ruin there fun. She stayed in the kitchen and looked on wondering if Raphael had enough paper towels to clean the mess up.

The two boys finished up Raphael stated that they were almost done anyways. Raphael went to kiss Olivia, but she backed away.

"Not until you've showered, and even though that says washable, good luck with that," Olivia stated.

"Noah, you need to take a bath," Olivia stated.

"Oh, mom!" He groaned.

"I'll help get the dried paint out of your hair," Olivia stated.

Raphael went and showered as Oliva filled the tub in the main bathroom. Raphael scrubbed at a patch of blue on his arm. The paint itself came off quickly, but there was a blue tinge to his skin. Same with the red, and any other darker color. He hoped his furniture wouldn't hold the same fate. He continued to scrub and washed his hair with extra shampoo hoping nothing was left in it and wished Olivia was helping him instead of Noah at the moment.

Olivia had Noah cleaned up quicker than Raphael had showered. Noah told her that Raphael had brought him pajamas just in case they stayed. She went to the kitchen to find his bag and pulled out the pajamas.

Noah was clean, but the same couldn't be said for the living room. Olivia got a roll of paper towels and a multi-surface cleaner. She helped Noah scrub the paint away from the living room, and soon enough, Raphael joined in. Nothing had stained, and the painting they had made had dried.

"Let's hang this up, mijo," Raphael stated.

"Where is that going?" Olivia asked.

"It's too big for the Fridge." Noah pointed out.

"I have the perfect place. Raphael stated.

He opened the room that was once his office.

Inside there was a bed. He had left all the bookshelves except where Noah's bed was. He had green sheets on the couch with a Big Hero 6 blanket.

"Rafa!" Olivia stated.

"Noah, this is your room from now on, okay," Raphael stated.

"Raphael, you didn't have too." Olivia started.

"I wanted it too. I want him to think of this as home as much as your place Liv." Raphael stated.

"Wow, dad, this is so cool!" Noah stated.

"You can bring some toys over put them on the shelves," Raphael explained.

"Yeah, that sounds cool!" Noah stated.

The 3 of them hung the paper on the shelf towards the back wall. Noah loved it. The three of them spent the rest of the day playing, watching cartoons, and enjoying their time with each other.

That night Raphael looked over at Olivia as they were settling down for bed.

"How do you think Noah would do at a play?" Raphael asked.

"What do you mean?" Olivia asked.

"Well I was thinking, has he ever been to a Broadway play," Raphael asked.

"Rafa, he's 6," Olivia stated.

"Almost 7 Raphael pointed out."

"Almost 7, so no, he hasn't been to see a Broadway play," Olivia stated.

"What do you think about tomorrow evening going to see The Lion King," Raphael asked.

"Well, I guess that's a good way to expose him," Olivia stated.

"Now that it's settled, I'll look into tickets. Raphael pulled his phone off the nightstand, looking for seats. There were 3 in the center slightly stage left five rows back and purchased the tickets.

"Done," Raphael stated.

"Early dinner at Junior's, okay?" Raphael asked.

"Sounds perfect," Olivia stated.

Raphael wrapped Olivia in his arms for a moment before resting his arm on her side. She pushed her body against his making sure that their whole bodies touched one another and fell asleep.

Morning came to Raphael Barba's apartment, and when he padded into the kitchen, he saw Noah looking out the windows.

"Hey, mijo, how long have you been up?" Raphael asked.

"I don't know," Noah stated.

"Did you sleep okay?" Raphael asked.

"Yeah," Noah replied.

Raphael looked around his kitchen. He had nothing for breakfast other than cereal and a little bit of milk. He let Noah pick out of the two boxes he had and poured him a bowl. He expected Olivia to be awake before him but was surprised when she didn't move as he went to the bathroom. He looked out the windows that they all loved watching as people walked around the park, and looking further out to the water. He had wanted to surprise Noah with the Lion King. He hoped the boy loved it as much as he loved theater.

He looked over at the stacks of law books he had at the end of the bar. He couldn't believe that in less than two weeks, he would be using them for law school. He knew he could do it. It was terrifying though it was something new, and after being with the DA for 21 years, he wasn't sure he knew anything else. Raphael looked on as Noah was spellbound by the window. His coffee was made, and he decided to make Olivia a cup ask well.

Olivia woke up alone. She was always surprised by how easily she could sleep in Raphael's bed. She rolled over in the bed. She stretched out and remembered that they were taking Noah to see The Lion King. She knew Raphael liked theater and had gone to see Hamilton multiple times. She saw him miss Wicked after a case she had called him out too. Olivia herself had been to numerous broadway plays, but it wasn't until later on in her life she took the artistic expression to heart. Of course, once she started going, Lewis happened, and Nick left, and she didn't dare pay such a price for seating if she was going to be called in the middle. She had seen 1 or 2 plays since then, and even though there would be plenty of children, she felt like she was dipping her toes back in, and she felt excited.

She walked out to see a steaming cup of coffee ready for her.

"I gave Noah the last of my milk, hope the coffee is good enough for breakfast," Raphael stated.

"You realize coffee is my breakfast 90% of the time?" Olivia asked.

"You and me both," Raphael stated.

"So when you've been making breakfast, you're just trying to make yourself look good?" Olivia asked.

"Prety much," Raphael stated.

Olivia laughed and leaned in to kiss him.

"We're going to have to head back to my apartment later. I texted Lucy to meet us here. I figured maybe we could have the afternoon to ourselves?" Olivia stated.

"Mmm, that sounds nice," Raphael stated as he leaned his forehead up against hers and used his free hand to pull her close. Olivia leaned into him. She felt relaxed here; she wasn't sure if it was because of him or Noah being so at ease. All Olivia knew was that she never needed anyone like she needed Raphael Barba, and if she had to admit that it scared her.

Lucy knocked on the door a short while later. Olivia opened the door, and this was the first look Lucy had into Raphael's apartment. She loved the dark tones and of course, the vast windows. She felt that this suited not only Raphael but Olivia as well and thought that this was so inviting. Olivia's apartment was fine, but it was bright and normal. Raphael's apartment had character, and she could easily see Olivia moving into the space. She could tell it was a bachelor pad of sorts. It wasn't dirty, it was the opposite, and although it had some personal touches, it wasn't homey.

Noah saw Lucy in the apartment and screamed
"LUCY COME SEE MY NEW ROOM!"

Lucy laughed and was sort of confused, but she walked with the little boy into the room he said was his. She was shocked at the storage space of shelves but could easily see his toys lining the back wall his books on the shelf to the right of the bed — some bigger plush to the left. His clothing could go to section along the wall the side, and she could quickly see this change as he grew up displaying his prized possessions. She saw the large abstract art that was now hanging and smiled. She knew Raphael meant a lot to him. She was happy that Olivia was allowing Raphael to be his dad.

They walked back out into the living room.

"Can you take Noah for the afternoon we'll meet back at my apartment around 3 pm," Olivia stated.

Olivia whispered in Lucy's ear, the surprise Raphael had planned for him.

"Are you sure about that?" Lucy asked.

"Well, Raphael bought the tickets, so it's on him if not," Olivia stated.

"Okay, well, I will see you at three then," Lucy stated.

Olivia and Raphael but hugged and kissed Noah goodbye. As Lucy closed the door, Noah could be heard asking to walk around Battery Park.

Raphael refilled his and Olivia's cups of coffee. They were both still in pajamas. She sipped a little and walked over to the overly large window. Raphael set his mug down and came up behind her.

"Hey I'm behind you, I'm going to wrap my arms around you," Raphael stated just so she knew.

She leaned back into him as both arms wrapped around her waist. They stood there for some time as Olivia sipped on her coffee. Raphael eventually started kissing her neck, causing Olivia almost to spill her coffee. She moaned out in pleasure, and Raphael continued kissing and snaked his hands around, pushing them under her sweatpants and rubbing her inner thighs. Olivia was buzzing with the feelings of his hands. She closed her eyes and leaned into him to keep her steady. Raphael was more than happy to oblige, and when he finally touched her, she was soaked. Raphael wasn't quite sure how Olivia Benson was all his. Raphael wished he could see her face but wasn't going to stop. She was obviously enjoying it. He could feel himself painfully hard by the time she climaxed, and he knew she could feel it too.

Olivia turned around, facing him. Her face was flush, her pupils dilated.

"Rafa, I need you," she whispered, and Raphael almost lost it then. She pushed him into a chair in the living room, and she was instantly on top of him. Raphael was autopilot, he soon noticed they had taken off each other's clothes, and they were both nude. He grabbed at her breasts, and she found a position to sit on top of him, and he knew then that he would never look at this chair the same way again. When he finished, he couldn't move. He was entirely spent, and he wasn't too sure his legs would allow him to stand. Olivia laughed at the look at his face when they were done.

"I take it you enjoyed yourself," Olivia claimed.

"Mmm" was all he could get out. Olivia finally got off of him and pulled her t-shirt and sweatpants back on. Raphael sat in a daze for a few more minutes before he too got dressed. Raphael found Olivia eating some chips in the kitchen.

"I need to go to the store. I'm not sure how I ran out of groceries." Raphael stated.

"Well, you have been worried about work, and last week you were either at NYU or my apartment so, I think you get a pass," Olivia mentioned.

"I think we should both get cleaned up and go to the bodega," Raphael claimed.

"I don't know if I have anything here to wear," Olivia mentioned.

"You do," Raphael stated, and she went back to the bedroom looking at three outfits she had left at some point in the relationship. She wasn't sure when she had left them there but was glad she did. She picked out an outfit and went to the shower. Raphael knew he would get handsy if he joined her, so he pulled some fruit snacks from his nightstand at picked at them, waiting for his turn.

Olivia and Raphael went and picked up food, and Olivia realized how many snacks Raphael got. He did get full meals she noticed, but he had candy, cookies, crackers, beef jerky, fruit snacks. The more she thought about it, the more she wondered how he ate a full meal. He grabbed a jar of mixed nuts, and Olivia shook her head. Raphael noticed.

"I like to have options," Raphael stated.

"I can see that," Olivia claimed.

Olivia and Raphael finished up the shopping trip. They went to his apartment and had lunch. They talked about Noah's party this coming Saturday. They talked about the fact the Lion King ended an hour past his bedtime. Raphael hoped Noah would enjoy his time, and the next show he went to would be an afternoon performance. They talked about school, starting both for him and Noah. Noah began to school the following Thursday. Before either, one of them noticed it was 2:30, and they needed to move if they were going to get to Olivia's apartment and get ready to have an early dinner.

Raphael and Olivia make it to Junior's on time, and at the end of the meal, Raphael is insistent they all get cheesecake. Olivia agrees but picks at hers after eating a large meal. Noah and Raphael have no problems finishing their pieces. They get to theater with 30 minutes to spare, and Raphael explained to Noah what a musical was. Noah seemed excited, and Raphael showed him pictures on his phone, so he knew what to expect. Noah asked a bunch of questions, and Raphael explained like a movie once it started, he had to be quiet. Noah agreed, and when it began, and all the animals came out, Noah's eyes lit up.

It was intermission Noah was excitingly talking about all he had just seen. Raphael was happy that Noah was excited, and Olivia could barely keep up with Noah's thought process. Raphael seemed to take it in stride and answered Noah's questions. Noah admitted he was tired but insisted he wouldn't get grumpy if they stayed for the rest.

Once the play was over, Noah was once again excited. By the time they made it on the subway to get back to Olivia's apartment, Noah was fighting sleep. They barely made it into the apartment Noah didn't even want to take off his shoes before going to bed.

"So I think that was pretty successful," Olivia stated.

"Yeah, I think your right." Raphael agreed.

"Well, what are you taking him to see next?' Olivia asked.

"Aladdin?" Raphael asked.

"Maybe I don't know if he has ever seen the movie, but we can fix that," Olivia mentioned.

Raphael and Olivia sat on the couch, Olivia had her cell phone checking emails, and Raphael was caught up in a law magazine. As the night went on even though they were doing separate things, Olivia leaned into Raphael, who would reposition to make sure they were both comfortable by the end of the night Olivia was almost entirely on top of him. He smiled at the weight of her body, pushing him into the couch.

Olivia finally pulled herself up and urged Raphael to come to bed. He had finished his magazine a while ago, but he had a lot on his mind.

"I'll be in soon." He stated.

Olivia nodded and got ready for bed, wondering what Raphael was doing. As time ticked on, Olivia couldn't get to sleep. Raphael was still not in the room. She wanted to give him space, though, so she sighed and shifted around a few times, trying to get comfortable and finally fell into a fitful sleep.

Raphael didn't know why he didn't want to go lay down with Olivia. He had been anxious. He guessed he got this way from time to time. Nothing particular happened to make him feel this way. He was just out of sync with himself. He wasn't mad or sad or upset. If anything, he was pleased, and he closed his eyes and thought that maybe that's why he felt the way he did right now. Raphael Barba couldn't say that he had never been happy. Overall he had been very happy in his adult life, but the last few years and to be honest the previous year had been extremely rough. He never knew that a family life existed for him, but here it was now. He didn't want this, not by a long shot. When he turned 35, he was quite sure he had given up on a relationship. He was married to his job, and it was good enough for him. At the time, it was still thrilling to win a case and still heartbreaking when he lost. It was enough of a relationship at the time. When he met Olivia, though, she gave a second life to him. He had loved her after knowing her for about two weeks, but he wasn't in love with her at the time. When he saw her and Brian's relationship, it made him want one too. He could see how hard she was working. He knew it had been a careful balance but saw they were working out.

Raphael laughed at the fact that he was thinking about Olivia and Brian. He closed his eyes and thought back to when he was in the apartment so recently. He knew Brian and Olivia were still close, and if he had, to be honest, it worried him. Raphael trusted Olivia, he wasn't a massive fan of Brian, and he knew why they had separated, but he still couldn't shake it. He was scared that one day she would run back to him. He knew it wasn't fair to him or her for him to think like that. If he was being truthful with himself, he was waiting for the other shoe to drop. He was too happy right now. He hated he felt this way, and he didn't want to worry Olivia needlessly. He walked over to the kitchen and reached on top of the fridge finding the scotch. He found a glass and poured himself a drink.

Raphael's stomach was empty, and the alcohol hit a little harder than usual, he wasn't drunk but pleasantly buzzed after he finished his second drink and he could feel the heat all over his body. He decided it was finally time to go lay down.

He took off his suit and folded it neatly, putting it on the chair in Olivia's room. He padded to the bathroom, quickly brushing his teeth.

"You okay?" Olivia asked.

Raphael hadn't meant to wake her.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, just coming to bed now," Raphael mentioned.

"Okay," Olivia stated, backing off it was too late to have any conversation tonight.

Raphael got into bed, and Olivia pressed her body against his pulling him tightly into her.

"I love you, Liv," Raphael stated.

"love you." Olivia sighed out, before falling asleep and loosening her grip of him.