A/N: I have been writing this in between hikes while in Utah lol. Please enjoy.
Brandi comes to visit him Friday, she rushes into the room the second she sees him and goes into a hug, moving much slower as does, bringing herself into him carefully. Her right arm loops over his shoulder while she brings her left is around his torso so as to avoid his shoulder injury.
"Oh my god Rafael, it is so good to see you! We were all so scared, people at the office say hi and get better, I stopped by yesterday but I'm not ready to go back completely quite yet." Her words came out tripping over one another she is speaking so fast.
"Hi Brandi, it's good to see you too, I am not sure when I'll be ready to go back to office, I hope people are okay with that, I can probably work from home some, this stupid sling will take some getting used to though. Olivia said she would help me with my stretches but she can be kind of bossy.." he isn't lying about that, and he is only half scared.
Brandi thinks it's comforting to at least see him laughing, a choked half sob gets muffled by her hand, "god I'm sorry, you must think I'm some kind of crazy for crying when you were the one hurt, but, I'm having so much trouble processing everything that happened I keep cycling through through all these moods."
Rafael looks on as she runs her pinky fingers under her eyes and uses her pointer fingers to dab the corners of them to avoid smudging her makeup. His mouth forms a tight, sympathetic smile as he watches.
Shaking his head Rafael tells her, "not at all Brandi, I get it. Not just from this whole event but this kind of feeling is normal, I've seen Liv go through it enough to know what to expect, generally anyway, and then after the trial -" he cuts himself off, he can only bring himself to talk about it with Olivia and even then it's a struggle to get through. She has the patience of a saint though.
Hugging her arms around her waist Brandi nods, "right, yeah." She looks anywhere but at him and at first Rafael thinks it's the mention of what he did, "sorry you probably don't want me to keep bothering you."
His gaze, which had dropped at the uncomfortable quiet, rises to see she is looking at him once more, "no you don't have to go." Rafael scoots to his right a bit to make room for her on the bed. He pats the spot to his left, "come sit."
She listens, sitting shoulder to shoulder with him before resting her head against him, "you're a good friend Raf, I know I can be kind of a lot sometimes, and that can push people away, they get tired of me, but you always talk to me." Brandi blows out a shaky breath, "thanks for that, it's nice to have someone to talk to about nothing, or anything I guess."
Rafael looks down at the blonde hair that he sees at his shoulder smiling fondly, "Well it's certainly a welcome change working with a bunch of cops."
She laughs and he can feel a few tears soak throw his sleeve.
"How does Olivia feel about you talking about her like that?"
Rafael is content, breathing evenly through his nose, thinking about Olivia, "she doesn't mind, in fact, I think I developed this opinion by osmosis, through her."
Laughing again Brandi lifts her head, "I should probably get going."
She stands as Rafael remembers something.
"Brandi wait, I actually have some good news to share, just uh - just tell anyone else yet. Liv and I didn't talk about how we would tell people."
She is visibly more excited with each word out his mouth, the prospect of him having good news, the fact it isn't open knowledge, that it is something he and Olivia planning on sharing together, her mind is running wild with possibilities.
Holding up three fingers on her right hand she says, "scouts honor."
Rafael let's out a quick laugh, then holds out his left hand, "Olivia proposed, we are gonna get married." He blushes a bit, wondering if this is how you're supposed to tell people. He specifically remembers seeing his friends and their fiancées showing the rings off with the news, did it have to be any different because he was the one wearing it? Rafael decides he doesn't actually care, he's just really happy and that's what matters.
"Oh em gee, that is the best news I've heard in forever!" The age difference between really shows in this moment.
Brandi grabs his hand to get a better look at the ring in his fingers, "aww are the two lines supposed to be you guys meeting and becoming one? I absolutely love that!" She throws her arms around him, just as carefully as she had earlier, and brings him into a warm hug, "congratulations to both of you, I'm so happy for you two!"
"Thanks Brandi, you are actually the first person we've told, I think," he pauses thinking about it, nodding just slightly to himself. "Except Noah and my mother, but they were here when she asked."
"You guys are like the cutest family I have ever seen." Brandi leans in one last time and pecks his cheek with a very brief kiss. "I'm really happy for you Rafael. Tell Olivia I wish you both the best, and that she is pretty much my icon."
"Thanks Brandi, she will love hearing that, although I don't want her holding it over me." He seems like he is about to get lost in thought.
"Well I'm going to go, but it was really good to see you. Get better soon so we can go back to sharing our love of coffee and Master Chef Jr. together." She giggles as she steps away.
"I'll do my best." He remembers typing those words to Olivia as he lay on the bathroom floor waiting for help, he does his best to shake it off.
"You better. Goodbye Rafael." And she's gone.
Rafael feels discomfort start to settle and his chest so he grabs for his cell phone and dials Olivia's number. She answers after a few rings.
"Benson," she didn't look to see who was calling.
"I miss you," Rafael doesn't bother properly beginning the conversation, there's no real need to.
Liv sniffles into the line and she sounds a little like she might start crying, "I miss you too honey."
"Brandi just left and I told her I'd do my best to get better and I." He huffs a breath between his teeth.
She understands immediately, "oh Rafa. Things will get easier I promise, you just have to give it time. And talk to someone about it, me included, but it might not hurt to see a professional." Liv knows he doesn't exactly like the idea and she won't force him but she will keep reminding him.
"Are you going to be able to come by today?" He largely ignores what she tells him, or doesn't acknowledge it anyway.
"Yeah, I'm going to pick Noah up from school and then we are going to come by. I thought I could do a full day here but I'm not quite ready for that."
He can't help if it is selfish but he's happy to hear that.
"I miss him too." He sounds so sullen Olivia feels her heart clench for him.
"He misses you too, you were all he could talk about this morning, asking questions non-stop; when are we going to see daddy, can I bring him the picture I drew, do you think he will read to me, when is he coming home? Eventually I just stopped answering and let him get all his questions out and just told him to ask you when we went to visit."
This makes him laugh, "can you make sure he brings the book with him when you guys come here? It would be nice to read to him, feel more normal again."
She sighs lightly, "he packed it 'just in case.'" Olivia lets him know.
"Well he clearly takes after me being so prepared." He knows the reaction he will get and loves that he can predict her so easily.
"Watch it Raf, he also has your ability to talk his way into trouble sometimes." He knew she would say that, he has his comeback ready for her right away.
"Maybe so but he can also talk himself out too."
She chuckles in his ear and it calms him, "yeah I guess you're right."
"One more time for the stenographer please."
"Objection your honor, leading the witness!" She can always bring him back to himself, "I have to get back to work Rafa, but I will see in a few hours. Try to get some rest."
"Liv?" He doesn't want to let her go just yet.
"What's up?"
"I love you." He's smiling while he tells her and he knows she will be smiling by now too.
"I love you too Rafael." He can hear the smile in her voice.
They hang up and he decides to heed Olivia's advice to get some rest. Making himself comfortable on the bed Rafael finds it very easy to drift off to sleep.
When he wakes Noah and Olivia are at his bedside keeping themselves busy. "Hola mis amores," he mumbles sleep still heavy in his voice, making it deeper, scratchy.
Noah peeks away from the iPad for a moment, "hola Papí!" Then he looks back down, to finish whatever game he is playing.
Olivia has an adoring look on her face when he turns to look at her, "bueños tardes mi amor." She decides to keep up with the Spanish for now. "How are you feeling?"
Liv stands so she can go to Rafael who is sitting up and starting to scoot down past the bed rails. Once he stops moving Olivia kisses him for a long moment.
Before they pull away from each other Noah pipes up from behind them, "gross, do you guys always have to kiss?"
Rafael answers first, "yes we do mijo, and some day when you have kids of your own you can gross them out too."
Noah pretends like he is gagging, "no way."
Rafael waves his arm to motion Noah over to them.
Once Noah has climbed onto the bed Rafael drags him into his lap. Noah leans up and gives his father a kiss on the cheek. "Hi Daddy I missed you today."
With his left arm wrapped around his son Rafael squeezes Noah's tummy in as much of hug he can give from their positions. He also presses a kiss to the top of his head, burying his nose in the curls there.
"I missed you too Noh," his face still resting against Noah.
Olivia who has remained standing at the bedside takes comfort in the normalcy of the exchange. She snaps a quick photo of them together, Noah's smaller arms clutching to the arm Rafael has curled around his son, his little boy.
"Noah do you want to show Daddy what you made at school today?" Olivia prompts taking his school bag from the floor to put it on the bed for Noah to rummage through.
Noah immediately delves into the bag, it isn't long before he finds what he is looking for. He pulls out a large piece of construction paper and proudly displays it.
"It's us playing soccer!" The pure innocence and excitement in both his tone and facial expression are a healing salve for Rafael's body and soul. His love for this small human in his arms grows each moment they spend together.
"This is great Noah I love it it! Where are you going to hang it?"
Noah smiles at him, "no silly, it's for you!" There is laughter in his voice as he speaks.
"For me?" The shock and joy are evident on Rafael's face.
Noah nods vigorously in response.
"Can I hang it in my office when I go back to work?" Rafael knows just the spot to put it too.
"Sure!" They are both lost in their own little world of mutual happiness.
"I'll hang it on the wall across from my desk so I can always see it. And I will get to tell everyone at work my son made this just for me." Rafa's chin is resting on Noah's shoulder holding the drawing in front of them picturing it on his wall, "I'll need to buy a frame for it. I can do that when I go home."
He looks up to see that Olivia is sitting once more, spectating, and sharing in their happiness.
Olivia speaks up when he looks at her, "I spoke with the doctor while you were sleeping, he said they are expecting to discharge you tomorrow. Noah and I will be here to pick you up. He also gave me your referral to a physical therapist, it's likely you will have to go once a week for at least a month. And that you will have your stitches out next week, then in two weeks they want to see you to see how your shoulder is healing."
Rafael feels a little overwhelmed at all the information she spouts, and it must be written on his face because Olivia speaks up again, "we will tackle it together, little by little. We will get there, don't worry."
Feeling a little emotional from the last few days and his absolute love and faith in her Raf says, "with you by side there's nothing to worry about."
A full, wide grin pulls the corners of Olivia's mouth up and she stands once more, she moves into his side.
Rafael knows what's coming and uses his hand to cover Noah's eyes as she kisses him three short times. Meanwhile Noah pushes his hand away.
"Gross, not again you guys!" Noah slides himself down to the floor.
"Oye compay I tried to save you from seeing it, you were the one who pushed my hand away."
Noah still has his back to his parents and merely shakes his head. Olivia takes Noah's place next to Rafael, enjoying having him nearby. She has missed him terribly, and it is so much more apparent when his body would normally be close to his, the absence of his presence is sharp and painful each time she feels it.
"I cannot wait for you to be back with us, I miss having you by my side in bed." Olivia hadn't intended for any innuendo in her statement, but that's exactly how Rafael takes, waggling his eyebrows at her.
"One more day nena," he comforts her.
Remembering Brandi's visit from earlier in the day Rafael perks up, "hey Liv? When Brandi was here I told her about getting engaged," he looks at Olivia's face to watch her reaction, she seems to be genuinely pleased about it. "I thought it would be nice to have some good news to give her," Raf's voice is bashful as he talks. "When I showed her the ring she thought the lines converging were meant to symbolize us becoming one, would you know anything about that?"
Ducking her head a blush colors Olivia's cheeks, her head bobs up and down slowly, "I was wondering if anyone would notice that."
Rafael feels his love for her grow, not realizing there had been room for growth still, "if anybody was going to notice unprompted it was going to be Brandi, she is a self described hopeless romantic."
Liv takes his hand and Rafael laces their fingers together remembering something else she had said, "oh, she also said she wishes us both well and that you are, and I quote, 'she is pretty much my icon.'"
Laughing heartily Olivia says, "you're going to have to pass along her number, as an icon I feel like it is my responsibility to impart as much wisdom as possible."
Rafael picks up their joined hands and kisses hers, "you have no idea how much she would love that."
Switching gears Rafael has Noah pull out Harry Potter so they can read together very briefly.
The next day, as promised, Noah and Olivia are back at the hospital so that they can pick up Rafael and take him home. Home. Each member of the small family is so ready for this to be over with.
The doctor is in the room by the time Noah and Olivia arrive. He is in the process of checking Rafael's vitals one last time before being discharged. As mother and son walk into the room Rafael looks up, laying eyes on them and his body seems to relax and he takes on a look of elation.
"Hi Daddy!" Noah waves enthusiastically and receives a wave in return that shows just as much as enthusiasm.
After the blood pressure cuff is removed from his arm Rafael welcomes his son with a one armed hug. Olivia strides over to them and leans into Rafael, kissing him on the cheek. The doctor briefs Raf and Liv on how to change the dressing, when to come back to remove the stitches, what doctors to see, when to check in again for progress on how his shoulder is healing, everything they need to know.
Continuing to run down a list of things not to do the doctor says, "any physical activity needs to be very minimal, nothing strenuous." The doctor shifts his eyes back and forth between the couple.
Rafael pipes up, "oh you don't need to worry about that, I work in an office and don't tend to need to lift much."
While Rafael is speaking Olivia is constantly swatting at his chest, then lightly she is patting his cheek, attempting to stop him from speaking, "of course, we understand, that won't be a problem."
"Good, I will go find a nurse who will bring a wheelchair to take you out." With that the doctor leaves the room.
As the doctor is going Rafael looks to Olivia, eyebrows pinched together, a question clear on his face. Liv looks back, eyes going wide trying to convey the subcontext of what the doctor was saying. It is obvious he still doesn't understand so Liv leans in and whispers in Rafael's ear, "he was talking about us having sex you goon."
Tilting his head back Rafael simply says, "ohhh," finally understanding. He then leans in to whisper in her ear, "well you're just going to have to be on top."
She turns her head to look at him, they are very close to one another, faces only inches apart. Olivia smiles entirely, her teeth showing, eyes shining, happy to be able to have a conversation as normal and playful as this one. Rafael's expression mimics Olivia's and he leans in to kiss her for a long moment.
As he pulls away, still keeping very close, Olivia raises one shoulder before dropping it quickly. "I guess I will," she says.
Noah tugs on the sweatpants Rafael is wearing, "Daddy since you're going to be home now will you read to me tonight?"
Looking to Liv quickly Raf says, "claro hijo, did Mamí do a good job while I was here?"
Noah shrugs his shoulders, "I guess, but she doesn't do the voices the same way you do." The sincerity in his voice makes his parents throw their heads back laughing.
All three fast make their way home and Rafael settles himself on the couch, leaning his against the back of it sighing from deep within his chest, "it's good to be home."
Liv walks up behind him, raking her fingers through the dark locks of hair on his head, she bends at the hips so her face is hovering over Rafael's, "it's good to have you home Rafa." She kisses him biting his bottom lip as she does.
From his room Noah yells out, "Daddy, come here please!"
Pushing herself away from him Olivia removes herself from his path as Rafael goes to stand, "it really is good to be home," he smiles and shuffles his way over to the direction of Noah's room.
A/N: Still more to come, I don't have an end game planned, I am sort of just seeing where this goes and then probably feeling out when it seems to be the end of things. Drop me a line, let me know how you feel!
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