The weeks seem to float away. The fall semester was going quickly. Olivia seemed to be working closer to 60 hours a week than a traditional 40. Olivia and Raphael had a schedule down pat. Weekends Olivia had off, they would be at his apartment. Also, every Monday and Wednesday night. Tuesday Thursday Friday and any weekend Olivia worked, they would be at her apartment. They seamlessly coordinated schedules. Raphael was in the swing of teaching. Olivia had been taking on a lot of severe cases, and the trail for Steve Butler was fast approaching. His plea was guilty, and he was awaiting sentencing. He had pleaded guilty to 1st-degree injury, causing death to a minor and 1st-degree rape. The minimum sentence was 40 years in prison, but the DA was pushing to the max of life in prison without parole. She knew he was old enough that anything more than 60 years may as well be life, but she desperately wanted the max, so those children would never have to see him out on the street for the rest of their life.
Olivia had promised Stone she would be at court, and even though they were dreadfully behind in paperwork, she and Amanda went to the courthouse to see Steve Butler's sentencing. Olivia saw Mary as well, and who she assumed were multiple family members. Olivia and Amanda sat directly behind them.
Stone gave powerful testimony to the judge ordering life with a chance of parole in 20 years. Olivia breathed a sigh of relief, and Mary hugged Olivia tightly. Olivia couldn't imagine the death of a child, she couldn't imagine life without Noah, and she wasn't sure how this woman picked up the pieces other than the fact she had three other young children to care for.
"If you need anything, let me know," Olivia stated.
Mary simply nodded and joined her family. The case finally coming to an end, let Olivia breathe a sigh of relief as she and Amanda went back to the precinct to attempt to help another victim.
Olivia and Amanda didn't have to wait long moments after walking through the office a woman dragging her daughter along with her said they needed to report a rape.
Olivia quickly found the mother was Julie Wick, and her daughter Samantha Wick was the victim.
She had them sit down. She could immediately see that Samantha was uncomfortable.
"If she would have just listened, you're going to be a PSA to all those high schoolers at church now, Samantha!" Julie stated.
"She went to a party, she doesn't even drink she got drugged, and some boy raped her now she's three months pregnant!" Julie said quickly.
"Mrs. Wick, I understand you are upset, but I need to hear this all from Samantha, and I need to speak to her alone." Detective Rollins will get you some coffee and show you where you can wait." Olivia stated.
Samantha changed when her mother wasn't in the room.
"Is what your mom saying true?" Olivia asked.
"Mostly," Samantha stated.
"Okay, start from the beginning," Olivia stated.
"Listen, she can't know the details, I, she, she thinks I'm this religious nut and acts like I'm 12," Samantha stated.
"Worry about that later, just tell me what happened," Olivia stated.
"Okay, I was with my friends Kim and Sara, and they said they knew this guy named Mitch, who was having a party and asked if I wanted to go. Even though I go to Hudson, I stay at home with my parents, and you know my house my rules, so usually, I have to be back home by 10 pm. My parents were out of town that weekend and I agreed to go." Samantha stated.
"What day was this?" Olivia asked.
"The middle of July, it was the last week of summer classes. I think it was a Thursday because I was already done with my class." Samantha explained.
"Okay, so you went to Mitch's party. Do you remember where it was?" Olivia asked.
"I don't know an address or anything, but it was in Hudson housing, two blocks away I could walk to from campus," Samantha stated.
"Okay, so what happened?" Olivia asked.
"Well, it was a party, you know the usual. There was a lot of alcohol, a few people snorting pills nothing out of the ordinary. I had been drinking a lot. I know I had a couple of beers and a group of us were all drinking rum and coke, I don't know how much I had to drink. I started feeling dizzy and sat on the couch. Kim and Sara wanted to leave. I should of went with them, but I was having a good time. I yelled at them to go, and Mitch told them he would keep a right eye on me.
I continued to drink. There was a guy there. I don't know his name, but he sat down next to me, and we started making out. Then I know someone else came around and I talked to him, but I can't even remember what he looks like. He just kept handing me more drinks. The next thing I remember is Mitch yelling, "Hey, get off her, man!"
I startled awake, and my pants were pulled down, Mitch pulled a blanket over me and sent everyone out. He asked me if I was okay," I remember feeling sore like I had sex, but I honestly couldn't remember. Mitch was friendly and even offered to take me to the police, but I refused and said nothing happened. Honestly, I wasn't sure if it did, but here I am 3 months pregnant." Samantha claimed.
"I just have to ask Samantha, can anyone else be the baby's father?" Olivia asked.
"No, I broke up with my ex Philip about two months prior and hadn't been with anyone else," Samantha admitted.
"Is everything okay with you and your mom?" Olivia asked.
"Yeah, she, look this baby I'm giving up for adoption, Just like I was when I was a baby. My parents adopted me when I was a baby. They raised me in church, and of course, my mom thinks that I don't even know what sex is, well she's not that naive, but I've denied having sex, and I denied drinking, she thinks someone put something in my drink." Samantha stated.
"Do you think someone did?" Olivia asked.
"No, I don't think so, but I can't be for sure. After Mitch threw everyone out, I pulled my pants up. I slept on his couch. I was too afraid to move." Samantha started as tears streamed down her face.
"You're doing really good, is there anything else you can remember?" Olivia asked.
"Not really," Samantha admitted.
"Can I get the numbers of everyone who was with you that night, and we'll go from there," Olivia stated.
Samantha agreed, giving numbers of her friends Sara and Kim, and admitted that she and Mitch have been hanging out from time to time, and she had his number as well but hasn't been back to the building in the past three months.
Samantha and her mother, Julie left, the precinct.
Olivia clued in Fin and Amanda.
Olivia called Mitch, and surprisingly, he answered. He asks what it was regarding, and he quickly gave his address and told Olivia he would be free after 4 pm today.
Amanda and Fin went to Mitch's apartment at 4:15 pm.
"Detective's, I'm so glad Samantha finally talked to you!" Mitch stated.
"Listen she was pretty fuzzy about what happened, can you tell us what happened that night?" Fin asked.
"Well, my roommate and I had planned a small party we were done with all our summer finals. I had only invited five people Sara and Kim, and then our neighbors over here Brian and Sal. Then a buddy from class Frankie, but my roommate Majal, he invited his whole class over. We had about 30 people in here It got crazy. I don't know why no one called police. I remember it being so loud. I told Majal that we needed to get people out, but he refused. I don't think I've ever seen so much alcohol in my life. I had met Samantha a few times at the student center, with Kim but I didn't know her too well they were the first 3 to show up and at the time I didn't know all of Majal's classmates were coming over. It was about 1:30 in the morning, and I noticed this guy I've never seen before on the couch looming over top of someone. I saw it was Samantha and ran him out. I noticed her pants were down, and I grabbed the blanket off the couch and told everyone to get out." Mitch claimed.
"So this guy that you saw what did he look like?" Fin asked.
"He had dark hair. He was about my height because when he stood up, he stared right at me for a second, so I guess 5' 10" and he had dark-colored eyes. He was white and looked young for his age. I remember thinking that he only seemed to be about 16." Mitch stated.
"So, where is Majal right now?" Amanda asked.
"I don't know I didn't get along with him. I'm not sure he even still goes here. He was my summer term roommate only here for eight weeks. I have a new roommate now.
"What about the neighbors you invited? Are they the same?" Amanda asked.
"No, they both left too," Mitch stated.
"So, why is everyone moving out from all around you?" Amanda asked.
"Well, this is University housing, and they have tiered levels, this place is pretty expensive, the rent here is split two ways, and it is 1500 a month, most people can't afford it. I, you won't tell the college, will you?" He asked.
"Listen as long as your not committing a felony..." Amanda started
"Incoming freshmen all get tier 1 housing the slums. I'm from Vermont, and I'd never seen a place so small in my life. I refused to sign on the dotted line for housing until I was about two weeks from moving in. They didn't have a spot for me for Tier 1 housing. I was placed here temporarily. This is tier 4 housing. They never moved me and have me paying tier-one rent, so I can't risk that." Mitch stated.
"I understand," Amanda stated.
"Is there any way you can get in touch with Majal?" Amanda asked.
"Yeah, I think I have him on Insta, or Twitter or something," Mitch said.
Mitch stared at his phone, trying to find the guy. He shot off a message but didn't get a reply.
Amanda asked him to ask where he is now, what class he invited over, and if he can give you the names of anyone from that night. Mitch agreed and took her card promising to call when Majal answered.
"Is this the same couch?" Amanda asked.
"Uh yeah, but it's been here since before I moved in. It was a furnished apartment." Mitch stated.
"You don't happen to have a black light, do you?" Amanda asked.
"Actually..." Mitch states as he went into his room
He pulled out what looked to be a flashlight.
"my sister is a total germaphobe. She got me this for when I go to hotels I never thought about around the apartment, I don't think I want to know." Mitch stated.
Fin turned off the lights, Mitch shut the blinds, and Amanda turned on the light. The couch was completely covered in stains, and Mitch almost puked.
"God, I'm buying a slipcover," Mitch stated.
Fin suppressed a laugh.
"Do you have any pictures from that night?" Fin asked
"No, it wasn't anything special," Mitch explained.
"Thanks for all your help." Fin stated.
Amanda and Fin walked out the door and sighed. It was a dead-end for now.
Amanda and Fin gave the details they knew wrote up reports, and Olivia signed them. They all knew it was slim that they would find the man who did this. The next step was getting the baby's DNA to see if they could match it. Of course, it was up Samantha, but that was the next step, and if he wasn't in the system, she doubted much more could be done. She was utterly tired and desperately wanted to see Noah. She had already pushed 55 hours this week, and she was done.
Olivia was ready to walk out the door when Trevor came in.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Olivia asked.
"I have news, and was nearby," Trevor admitted.
Olivia pointed back to her office.
They went back to Olivia, not able to sit back down, preparing herself for the words.
"I talked to Judge Simmons. He said that he knew of Raphael's past case but that it had nothing to do with the adoption. He is ready to see you next Tuesday at 1 pm formalities only." Trevor announced.
Olivia smiled, tears streaming down her face.
"Thank you!" Olivia stated and hugged the man she had known for so long.
"You're welcome, I'll see you Tuesday," Trevor stated as he walked out of her office and out the precinct.
Olivia flopped in the chair badly, wanting to tell Raphael what she had just heard but not wanting to do it over the phone. It was Friday, and Noah would already be at his house. She thought about it for second tears in her eyes.
She quickly texted him.
"How fast can you get Noah ready for Gallaghers?" Olivia asked.
"Uh, 20 minutes, maybe, what's the occasion?"
"Just get ready, I'll meet you there," Olivia stated.
She needed the redness from her eyes to go away, but Fin walked in, looking at her.
"Is everything okay?" Fin asked.
"Yeah, more than okay." Olivia smiled.
"Happy tears, that's good." Fin stated.
"It's last minute, but I hope you can come to Raphael's tomorrow," Liv stated.
"I'll be there." Fin stated.
"Thanks, Fin, I got to go," Olivia stated.
When Olivia arrived, she only waited a few minutes for Noah and Raphael, she immediately felt underdressed, but it didn't matter.
"What are we doing here, Liv?" Raphael asked.
"We're celebrating," Olivia admitted.
"Yeah, whys that?" Raphael asked.
"Well, Tuesday at about 1 pm, you will legally be Noah's daddy." Olivia smiled.
Raphael stared at her for a long minute.
"You're serious!" Raphael stated.
"Yes, just a formality," Olivia stated.
"I don't, we don't, Tuesday?" Raphael asked.
"Tuesday." Olivia admitted.
"Oh, Liv," Raphael stated, tears streaming down his face.
"Why are you crying, daddy?" Noah asked.
"I'm really really happy, Mijo, Tuesday you and mommy and I are going to the courthouse, and I'm going to sign a paper saying you're legally my son," Raphael explained.
"But, I thought I already was?" Noah said.
"You are, it just makes it extra official. It tells everyone that your my son, and I'm you're daddy." Raphael explained.
Noah just nodded. Not realizing how big of a deal it was.
Raphael ordered champagne and a strip steak, Olivia got a fillet and ordered Noah a sirloin. When they got back to the apartment, it was late, and Noah was instantly asleep. Olivia and Raphael were still high in the news. Olivia and Raphael were grinning ear to ear.
"I already invited Fin, over, we need to invite your mom, and whoever else, I know you probably don't have too many people at the college yet. But I'm inviting Sonny and Amanda and Lucy and James." Olivia said, excitingly.
"Is it okay if I invite Rita?" Raphael asked.
"Yeah, of course," Olivia stated.
They sent out texts understanding it was last minute, but everyone was willing and able to make it to the surprise announcement come tomorrow evening. Amanda was on-call, but other than that. Everything was all set.
"So, what do you think? They think it is?" Raphael asked Olivia.
Olivia started to laugh.
"I don't know. With us, it could be anything." Olivia admitted.
"Fin saw Trevor and saw me crying, but I told him it was good news, so I think he has it figured out, they are probably all texting back and forth trying to figure it out," Olivia claimed.
"They will know tomorrow night," Raphael stated.
"I just wanted to say thank you, Liv," Raphael stated.
"For what?" Olivia asked.
"For trusting me enough to be his dad," Raphael stated.
Olivia and Raphael were cuddled on the couch, and Raphael put his head on Olivia's chest.
"Hey, I know that you love him, and even if we, if we don't work out, I know you'll still be there for him," Olivia admitted.
"You're right, but I don't think we'll have that issue," Raphael stated.
Olivia just nodded her head not sure what to say, she thought this was it, but they had such a long way to go, it had been five months, and she had never felt so close to anyone like this. Olivia couldn't imagine life any other way right now, and she was happy. She has been content most of her life, but for the first time in a long time, she was happy.
Raphael turned on the news, something they regularly avoided, but going so long without looking made them want to catch up with the world around them. After 15 minutes, it had been enough, and he turned it off.
Raphael turned his head and kissed Olivia hard. The first time he had kissed since finding out that Tuesday made everything official. Olivia allowed his tongue to sweep inside her mouth, and she smiled.
"I love you, Olivia," Raphael stated.
"I love you too," Olivia claimed.
Olivia and Raphael were teasing each other, they both perfectly knew what they were doing to each other, but neither would admit it. Raphael popped a few buttons on his shirt loose, and Olivia would lightly brush up against him. Olivia would put her hand on his thigh and slowly graze upwards, not paying any attention to his growing erection. They both knew how this would end. Both of them were taking their time, and it was annoying but also heavenly all at once, and neither picked up the pace until Olivia said something about the time. It was getting late, and if this was going to continue, they needed to get moving.
Without a word, Raphael got up and asked:
"You coming?"
Olivia jumped up and met him going down the hall and into the bedroom. Raphael was undressing as soon as the bedroom door closed, and Olivia followed his lead. Both we naked, but the chill of October both made them quickly get under the covers. Raphael started the teasing once again, and Oliva followed suite.
"Liv." Raphael finally said
"Yeah?" Olivia asked.
"Thank you for making me a dad." Raphael stated.
"Noah did that, not me," Olivia claimed has she rubbed her hand around on his chest.
"Well, thank you for letting me," Raphael stated.
"Thank you for being his dad," Olivia stated.
Raphael quickly was on top of her. "Is this okay?" Raphael asked.
Olivia shook her head, yes. Raphael slowly entered her, and just like everything else tonight, it was slow, but it wasn't boring by any means just something different and thoughtful like they were trying so hard to show each other how much they meant to one another. After they finally finished, Raphael drew a bath, both slipping in and soaking for some time until the water got cold, and the hour was even later than they realized. Olivia and Raphael fell sleep peacefully
Saturday evening came with Olivia insisting that Lucia come earlier than rest feeling like she deserved to know first, and Olivia let Noah explain to Lucia that Raphael was going to be his dad legally and Lucia cried. They hugged each other, and Noah insisted that they order pizza for the rest of the group coming in about an hour.
Fin came first, followed by Amanda and Sonny, Lucy and James, then Rita showed up right on time. The pizza came about 10 minutes later, and after some casual talk, especially with Sonny and Raphael, Rita finally asked what they all wanted to know.
"So what's this surprise of yours, Barba?" Rita asked.
Raphael and Olivia both smiled widely.
"Well come Tuesday I am officially Noah's adoptive father," Raphael stated.
Everyone cheers and congratulated him.
"So, is he going to stay a Benson or become Barba?" Fin asked.
The two looked at each other, not thinking about a possible name change.
"We haven't discussed it," Olivia admitted.
The group changed subjects, and Olivia was just happy to have the group together. Raphael seemed to be talking to everyone catching up, talking about his new job, and Noah. Olivia heard Sonny ask "if he was going to take the next step" with her. She wasn't sure what that meant, but Raphael seemed to be comfortable with the conversation. Olivia wasn't sure she wanted to know.
Rita walked up to Olivia.
"You know I've never seen him quite like this," Rita exclaimed.
"He's happy," Olivia stated.
"He is, and so are you. I didn't think that dad and Raphael Barba would ever go together, but just look at him," Rita stated.
Raphael was playing with Noah, and Sonny, they had a big lego set, and the three of them were going step by step. Amanda had brought Jesse who a bit to little to be playing with regular legos, but Raphael was helping her all the same.
Olivia looked at the sight.
"When I very first had Noah, he seemed so opposed to the idea, he was scared even to hold him, but by the time he turned 3, I knew that he would always be there for him," Olivia admitted.
"So why wait another four years to get with him?" Rita asked.
"We were both stupid." Olivia admitted.
"Yeah, for him being so smart when he comes to relationships, he's an idiot," Rita claimed.
Olivia just smiled but didn't say anything.
Lucia left first asking if he would be at church, he said not this week but promised that next week all 3 of them would be there.
Rita left second after getting a call from a client who wanted to change his plea. She was sad to go.
"You're welcome anytime," Raphael stated.
"I know, Barba, or should I say, daddy," Rita asked.
Raphael laughed.
"Goodnight, Rita," Raphael stated, and she left as well.
Amanda and Sonny were sitting close together on Raphael's couch, Jesse climbing on Sonny like a jungle gym and Amanda laughing but telling Jesse to get down at the same time.
Olivia Fin and Raphael all looked on at the interaction. Noah was watching too.
"Is Sonny Jesse's daddy?" Noah asked.
Fin and Raphael shared a smile.
"He may as well be." Fin stated.
Noah smiled but didn't comment anymore.
"Can we have ice-cream?" Noah asked.
Raphael turned around towards the freezer, looking to see if there was enough ice-cream for everyone.
Raphael forgot about the box of drumsticks, enough for all of them, and he handed Noah the first one and passed them around. Jesse was excited, and the adults ate their ice-cream. Noah and Jesse were playing in his room, and the group of 5 sat in the living room.
"So when are you two going to admit that you're a thing?" Raphael asked.
Carasi's eyebrows went up into his hairline, but Amanda acted as though Raphael has just asked about the weather.
Fin laughed at the difference in reactions.
Amanda stated "We don't like to display it at work."
Sonny looked at Amanda, completely flustered.
"Sonny, it's okay I've known for a long time," Olivia stated.
Sonny looks at Olivia as if she had three heads.
"And you haven't said anything?!" Sonny asked.
"I haven't had a reason too," Olivia stated.
Sonny scrubbed his face and looked at everyone.
"So wait, how long have you've known?" Sonny asked quickly.
"Unofficially about 2-3 weeks after you came in, it was just a matter of time," Olivia stated.
"But we weren't, I didn't, she hated me," Sonny stated.
"No, you thought she hated you. She hated she got not new partner. It was never about you, Sonny," Olivia stated.
Amanda nodded her head to confirm Olivia's words.
Sonny was just confused by what he just heard. Thinking maybe they could have had a chance, perhaps Jesse would have been his, but he knew he shouldn't be playing what if's and knew the couple across from them also went years without confession, and right now was all that matters, so he leaned back into Amanda and closed his eyes knowing that all this was alright.
"How's that grandbaby of yours, Fin?" Olivia asked.
"Well,, you know Ken says I spoil him, but he's going good." Fin stated.
"It kind of makes me wonder what I was thinking," Olivia admitted.
Raphael looked over at her, confused.
"I'm going to be 63 when he is 20," Olivia mentioned.
They all thought about how they were getting older, it wasn't lost on them in the day today, but something they didn't talk about often. Fin could have retired ten years ago, Olivia never questioned why he stayed. She could have technically retired this year, but there was too much work to be done, and although Noah was at the forefront of her mind, she couldn't imagine not doing what she does every day. Sonny and Amanda were the same age and had some time to go, but everyone knew Sonny had passed the bar, and they all knew it was a matter of time before his next step. They sat there for a while without saying a word but in comfortable silence, listening to kids playing in Noah's room happy for moments like this.
