Chapter 17: Moving In

Summary: Rafa moves into Liv's apartment. Noah longs for a family vacation.

"Where should I put these?" Rafael asked, carrying a box of his favorite books. The small bookshelf in the living room was already full.

Glancing around the cluttered apartment, Olivia felt overwhelmed. "Um… I don't know yet." She really should have purged her place of all old and unnecessary items before they started to move Rafael in. It was starting to feel like the walls were closing in on them.

"Ok, I'll just stack things in this corner for now and we'll figure it out as we go," he replied, plopping the box down on the floor. Turning, he pulled Olivia into a soothing hug and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "We can slow our roll here, Liv. I only just listed my place, so we can move my stuff slowly while we wait for it to sell. That will give us time to go through things and make room here."

Nodding, Olivia relaxed into her boyfriend's embrace. "I think we were too caught up in the excitement, we didn't think about logistics. You have most of your important stuff here already, so maybe we can spend this weekend purging some of my things and we can move the rest of your stuff next weekend?"

"Sounds like the perfect plan."

The next two weekends were spent sorting through Olivia's apartment and Rafael's place to decrease clutter – combined, they had a lot of stuff. They donated as much as they could, and Rafael amended the listing for his place to include much of his larger furniture like the couch and dining set. His one non-negotiable was that they trade out Olivia's bed with his – it was a top-of-the-line mattress with an adjustable base and was far more comfortable than Olivia's older mattress.

Rafael knew his place would not remain on the market long and was unsurprised when it sold within a month. He made a mint on the sale and, along with padding his checking account, he set up some new accounts – a joint savings account to share with Olivia and a college fund for Noah. He and Olivia hadn't spoken about combining finances, yet, but he wanted to get the process started as he knew it was inevitable.

During that time, Jack McCoy stuck to his word, raking BX-9 over the coals for the attempted murder of an ADA and victim/witness of another case. The trial was highly publicized, but Jack did his best to keep Rafael's involvement with the press to a minimum. After several weeks, the jury came back with a guilty verdict, extending the sentences for the original defendants in Anna Lathe's case and securing sentences for six additional members of the gang. Overall, it was a win for justice and a serious strike to BX-9's leadership. The lower ranking members were left struggling to find their footing.

By the end of spring, Rafael was fully integrated into the Benson household. They settled into a routine of true domesticity, splitting household and Noah duties between each other and Lucy based on their every changing schedules. Noah was in heaven having Rafael around 24/7 and the little boy was really thriving with a consistent father figure in his life.

Soon enough, summer break was approaching, and Noah begged for a family vacation. He never had one before – not a real one, at least – and he would not stop talking their ears off about it. Most of his friends at school were going on trips with their families and he was experiencing some major FOMO.

"Noah asked about Disney World on the way to school this morning," Olivia informed Rafael while they shared lunch in his office. Laughing at the look of horror on his face, she added, "Don't worry, I know that would be your idea of torture. I let him down easy."

Flashing her a crooked smile, he nodded in appreciation. "Thank you. I can't imagine going to Orlando during the summer. We'd melt. We do have to come up with something though. He's going to drive us crazy otherwise."

"Hmm, so Florida is out. I'd rather not have to fly somewhere, anyway. What about the Jersey Shore?" Olivia suggested. "I'm sure you are more of a Hamptons guy, but Noah would love the boardwalk down the shore. It's not that bad of a drive if we time it right to avoid traffic."

Mulling it over, Rafael thought Liv was right. His abuelitos took him to Point Pleasant once when he was a young boy and he loved it. The boardwalk had rides, games, ice cream… everything a young boy could ask for in a vacation. He was certain the area had even more to offer for family entertainment now.

"That's a great idea, Liv," Rafael said with a broad grin, already typing in a search on his computer for the best towns at the Jersey Shore. "I'll do some research and maybe find us a beach house to rent for a week or two."

Smiling indulgently, Olivia watched him research as she finished her salad. "Maybe we could invite Amanda, Carisi, and Jessie to join us for a few days? I'm sure they would enjoy the break."

Rafael hummed with a nod, amending his search for vacation rentals with more bedrooms and a pool, in case the ocean was too rough for the children. "There are some good options, but I'm going to give Rita a call. With her connections, I'm sure she can recommend something great."

"Good thinking," Olivia said with a glance at the clock. "I must get back to the station. Let me know what Rita says."

Rafael stood and pulled Olivia to him in a warm hug, crashing his lips to hers in a kiss full of promises to come. After a few moments, he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. "I might invite Rita out for a drink after work this evening to discuss vacation rental options, is that okay? We're due for our quarterly meetup anyway."

"Of course, Rafa! You don't have to ask my permission to spend time with your friends," she replied earnestly. "Just let me know if you're going to eat dinner while out."

"I know, mi amor. I just feel better letting you know and making sure you are okay with it," Rafael murmured against her lips as he kissed her again. "Knowing Rita, she'll talk my ear off for a couple of hours so I might as well eat while my ears bleed. I'll try not to be home too late."

Chuckling, Olivia left her boyfriend to return to work.

…..

"I never thought I'd live to see Rafael Barba willingly planning a family vacation." Rita couldn't help busting his chops as she joined him at Forlini's.

Directing the classic Barba eye roll at her, Rafael huffed. "Did you park your broom outside?"

"I left it at home. I have a company car and driver waiting for me."

"Working for the dark side clearly has it's perks."

The banter continued between the two old friends as they ordered drinks and perused the menu. Once the server delivered their beverages – pinot grigio for her, scotch for him – and they placed their dinner order, Rita launched into her interrogation of the recent changes to her friend's life.

"So, you and Benson, eh?"

Rafael levelled his gaze and quirked an elegant eyebrow. "Indeed, Captain Obvious."

"Like I said at the hospital, it's about damn time. You two were one of the longest, most drawn out 'will they, won't they' dramas in history."

Another righteous eyeroll. "Always so caring and supportive. How's your love life these days?"

Waving him off with a well-manicured hand, Rita chortled. "Oh no, no, no. We're not here to discuss me, mister. So, you're already playing house. When are you going to pop the question?"

"When the Queen Mother calls you back to the coven, you witch," he growled.

Rita was downright cackling like the witch he accused her of being. "You make it so fun, Rafi."

While it did not completely stop the teasing banter, the arrival of their dinners helped them ease into the real reason he asked to meet up with her.

"A family vacation down the shore – what, the Hamptons not good enough for you anymore?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Rafael stopped the fork full of food on its way to his mouth. "I want to do something different. Noah will like the Jersey Shore more, with all the boardwalk stuff. And it's a better vibe than Coney Island."

He took the bite of food while Rita mulled over the change in her friend. While the idea of a family and kids repulsed her, it was obviously something that Rafael had wanted for some time now, whether he admitted it or not. She was happy that it was finally happening for him – that Benson finally got her shit together and noticed what was right in front of her for the past several years. Honestly, those two. For such smart people, they were so incredibly stupid… and blind.

"Well, you're in luck, Daddy Dearest. I have a friend with a summer home in Manasquan, New Jersey that is available for two weeks in mid-July. Right on the beach and has an aboveground pool. Perfect for the brat," Rita explained with a smirk, unable to help herself with the brat comment.

"The brat's name is Noah, you know this, Rita," Rafael said with the tone of someone hard done by. "But that sounds perfect. How much is the rent per week?"

"Don't worry about it. I'll work out a deal with my friend and it will be my gift to you, the Mrs., and the little ankle biter. Don't say I never gave you anything."

Shaking his head, Rafael laughed. "While I appreciate the gift, I can't let you do that. I know the rent has to be at least $5,000 a week, Rita, probably more. Just get me a number."

"Nonsense! I said I got it. Don't insult me by demanding to pay yourself," Rita glared at him. "You can, however, pay for dinner."

"Fine, you win."

"Say that again."

"Rita…" Her broad smile had him laughing as he repeated his comment that she won.

"I love hearing you say that," she smirked. "You don't say it nearly enough."

Rafael rolled his eyes several more times as they finished their dinners and conversation progressed. Rita was a pain in his ass, but she was one of his best and longest running friends. He was grateful to her for many things over the years, including the current beach house connection. Olivia and Noah would be thrilled.

"Alright, loverboy. Time to get you back home to your family before you turn into a pumpkin," Rita joked as he paid the tab. "I'll have my driver drop you off."

"Thanks, Rita. For everything."