Chapter 22: The Question
Summary: On a crisp autumn morning, Rafa woke up with a start and he knew. This was the day he would propose to Liv.
On a crisp autumn morning, Rafa woke up with a start and he knew. This was the day he would propose to Liv.
Staying beneath the warm bedding, he watched Liv sleep for a while. Her skin was radiant in the natural morning light seeping through the curtains and her lips were pressed in a faint smile. He loved her so much he could physically feel it like an ache in his chest.
Finally, he slipped out of bed and padded to Noah's room, knowing the boy would be up shortly. Rafa had a great idea on where to pop the question, but he wanted to run it by his amiguito first. Noah's input was important to him.
The young boy's eyes were already blinking open when Rafa stepped into the room. "Hi Rafa," Noah whispered sleepily, a huge smile splitting his lips.
"Good morning, mijo," Rafa replied happily. "Are you hungry? Want to help me make breakfast?"
Noah's eager nods were answer enough and Rafa swept him up out of bed and carried him to the kitchen. While they set about making breakfast, he shared his proposal idea with Noah.
"What do you think about going to Central Park today? You could help me propose to your Mami while we're there," Rafa whispered even though Liv was still asleep in the bedroom.
"Today? You're going to do the… thing… today?" Noah questioned in a hushed tone, eyes wide with excitement. He was still afraid to say proposal in case he spoke too loudly and ruined the surprise. At Rafa's nod, he pumped a fist into the air and delightfully exclaimed, "YES!"
If she wasn't already, Liv was definitely awake now, Rafa thought with a hearty laugh. He was touched that Noah was so excited about the prospect of them becoming an official family. Sure enough, Liv joined them in the kitchen shortly after, bundled up in flannel pajama pants and Rafa's beloved Harvard hoodie.
"Good morning my loves, what are you boys up to?" She greeted each with a kiss to the cheek and peered over Rafa's shoulder.
"We're make breakfast for you, Momma!" Noah declared from his perch on the countertop.
"Oh? That's lovely. What's the occasion?" Liv teased.
Rafa gulped and hurriedly replied, "Nothing! We just love you and wanted to do something special."
"Mmhmm, well I do feel the love," she kissed his cheek again. Her spidey-sense tingled knowing the boys were up to something, but she'd let them have their secret fun. Especially if she was getting fresh, home-cooked breakfast out of it.
Soon enough, Rafa placed scrambled eggs, bacon, breakfast potatoes, and rye toast with butter on the table in front of her and Noah. He cleaned up while Liv was distracted eating and sent a quick text to Carisi to ask if he could come to Central Park in a couple hours to take some photographs for him. Rafa asked that he not say anything to Liv or even let them know he was there without mentioning why, but Carisi agreed without question. The detective figured Rafa just wanted some candid family shots and thought nothing of it.
"So, what's the plan for the day," Liv asked her boys as she finished her breakfast.
"We're going to Central Park!" Noah exclaimed excitedly, spilling bits of egg into his lap.
"We are?" Liv laughed. Helping her son clean up his mess, she added, "What are we going to do in Central Park?"
Not wanting the highly trained detective to dig too deeply for clues, Rafa chimed in. "I thought we could visit Shakespeare Garden and walk through the park. Enjoy the scenery and fresh air a bit before winter hits."
"That sounds perfect, Rafa." Placing a tender kiss on his lips, she turned toward the bedroom. "Thank you for breakfast. I'm going to jump in the shower."
Once he was certain his mom was out of the room, Noah jumped down from his spot at the table and high-fived Rafa. Part 1 of their plan was complete.
…
"Look at all these flowers!" Noah shouted from further down the winding path, Liv and Rafa strolling hand-in-hand behind him. Shakespeare Garden was picturesque on the brisk fall day. Rafa felt like they'd been transported to a charming English town.
"This is beautiful, Rafa," Liv breathed as she admired the colors of the vegetation and changes in the leaves. In all her years in NYC, she never visited that part of Central Park. She smiled as Rafa squeezed her hand, his green eyes blazing with adoration.
The small family continued their stroll through Central Park, heading toward Gapstow Bridge. Rafa led them to the middle of the rustic stone bridge on the southeast side of the pond, the city skyline in the background. This was the spot. Show time.
Tapping Noah on the shoulder, Rafa signaled that it was time. As they rehearsed, Noah distracted his mom by pointing out the skyline and asking for her phone so he could take pictures. The little boy made a big show of taking a few shots of the skyline and turned back toward Rafa; the phone in his hands still raised, taking pictures.
Liv followed her son's gaze as he turned and gasped. Rafa was before her, down on one knee, holding a small black box open toward her. The sparkle of the diamond ring gleaming. Her hand fluttered to her chest as tears welled in her eyes.
"Liv, mi amor, you have brightened my world in ways you cannot even fathom. You are the light in the darkness, the sun to my moon, the fire in my soul. You and Noah have become my world and I would be honored if you would agree to become my wife," Rafa's voice never wavered as he spoke the heartfelt words to the woman he loved more than life itself. Tears leaked slowly from his eyes as he awaited her response.
Liv was crying, too, as she smiled down at Rafa. Her heart swelled with love for him, a love that she never experienced before, a love she hadn't even known she was capable of feeling. With shaking hands, she reached for him before she answered. Helping him to stand and stepping close, Liv whispered against his lips, "Yes, Rafa. A thousand times, yes!"
Their lips crashed together, and tears of happiness and love mingled as they kissed for several long moments. Mindful of the public location and presence of their son, the couple broke off the kiss, exuberant smiles alighting their faces.
Remembering the ring, Rafa slid the diamond-clad ring onto her left hand. Placing a chaste kiss upon his lips, Liv gazed in wonder at the beautiful adornment. The diamonds were dazzling, and she knew she could not have picked a more perfect engagement ring if she tried.
"Noah helped me pick it out," he whispered. "The kid has good taste."
They turned to Noah, laughing as they noted he still had the phone held up in front of him recording the momentous occasion.
"Come here, mijo," Rafa said, pulling both Liv and the small boy in for a group hug.
"Can I call you Papi now?" Noah questioned, staring up at his parents. He had a daddy now. A real daddy.
Liv shot Rafa a teary smile as he gazed in wonder at the little boy. "I would love nothing more, hijo," Rafa stated with awe. He was a Papi now.
He never imagined that proposals would involve so many tears, but here they were, all three of them, with tears running down their cheeks and wide grins on their faces. He hoped that Carisi got some good shots from wherever his vantage point was before all the tears started.
"Let's go home, my loves," Liv said, taking each of them by the hand.
…
The family of three was cuddled on the couch watching a Disney movie, Noah already asleep, when a knock sounded on the door. Liv and Rafa shared a questioning look – they weren't expecting anyone – and Rafa rose to answer the door.
"Carisi," Rafa greeted once the door was open.
"Hey Barba, Lieu," Carisi greeted back, thrusting an envelope into Rafa's hand. He didn't want to disturb them but was so excited he had to share the pictures he took. "Just wanted to drop these off. Congratulations! I'll see you guys tomorrow."
The tall detective was gone before Rafa even responded. Closing the door with a chuckle, Rafa returned to his spot on the couch. "What's that?" Liv asked as he pulled several photographs and a small thumb drive from the envelope.
"Woah," Liv whispered next to him as she gazed at the top photograph depicting the family of three strolling onto Gapstow Bridge holding hands. Carisi caught the light perfectly. The next photograph was of Rafa kneeling in front of Liv as they smiled at each other. The final one showed them huddled together in a family hug. Carisi had done well, staying out of sight yet snapping great shots. He couldn't wait to see the other photographs on the drive.
"How did he know?" Liv asked. After a pause, she shot Rafa a knowing glance. "You arranged this, didn't you?"
Nodding, Rafa smirked. "I wanted to memorialize the moment. Carisi was only too willing to help."
"I'm glad you did, Raf. These are lovely. There are more on the drive?"
"I assume so. Want to take a look?" At her nod, Rafa rose again to fetch his laptop. They spent the rest of the evening admiring the photographs of their wonderful day.