A/N: Just a small nothing so you know I haven't forgotten you.
Once dinner was finished and cleaned up the family found their way to the main building of the resort so they could enjoy some dessert. Noah, having discovered the glory of churros, gathered as many churros on his plate as he was allowed, along with a generous helping of chocolate sauce. The adults decide to indulge him in his treat, Olivia goes so far as to follow his lead and has her own helping of churros.
"Rafa, I swear I'm not sharing!" Liv cannot believe she is having to chastise him over keeping his hands off her dessert. She has always made it clear, her dessert is her own, "either go get your own churros or stick to your cake. You can't have any of mine!"
Lucia has to suppress the urge to lay her face in the palm of her hand and hide from these children who have accompanied her to dessert. The behavior is simply ridiculous and, though she won't show it, Lucia is beyond pleased to see her son behave in such a childlike way.
A gasp pulls Lucia from her musings and she looks back at her family, it is Olivia who gasped as Noah has joined his father's efforts to sneak food from his mother's plate.
"My own son!" Liv exclaims, swatting at hands at all angles as both her boys steal her food.
At the end of all the fuss Liv looks to her plate and is left with only one churro and mere drips of chocolate sauce. The pout that takes over her face is near comical. As Olivia continues to pout Noah moves to steal her final piece, Liv blocks him with her fork this time though. Quickly she pushes the treat through what is left of her sauce and unceremoniously shoves it into her mouth.
As she is still chewing Liv gets a text from Lucy.
Hey Liv, if you have time can we talk tonight? Nothing big I just want to check in.
Seeing the furrow of her brow Rafael questions Liv with a look. She answers by shrugging and showing him the text message she has just received. Deciding not to worry about it Rafa sends a shrug of his own Liv's way and hands back her phone. She merely shoots off a quick reply, offering to call later.
Lingering for a short while the family enjoys the night air, the smell of sea salt, and the presence of the other vacationers. Noah is already planning his sand castle creation for the next day, talking about the one he saw yesterday that has inspired him.
Slowly, leisurely they make their way back to the villa. The sky above is littered with stars, unlike it is at home. Rafa has downloaded an app that will tell them which constellations they are looking at. Olivia knows a surprising amount of the mythology of each. When Rafa shoots her a questioning glance she looks bashful.
Shrugging Liv looks down at her feet, "mom had books on Greek mythology and she actually let me read them. And she answered those questions…"
The implication is clear to Rafa and Lucia and subtle enough for Noah to fail to notice any of the hurt woven through.
Knowing it won't change the past but can soothe the present Lucia pulls Olivia into a quick hug whispering a light, "I love you mija."
Once released from Lucia's embrace Liv feels herself pulled in Rafa's direction, into his side. Rafa anchors Liv to him, kissing her temple and breathing her in. God he loves this woman.
A short walk can only be stretched out so long, the family is back at the door to their villa before realizing it. Noah is barely upright any longer. Letting themselves in Rafa scoops Noah up into his arms before waltzing his way off to the boys bedroom to settle him in to sleep tonight, equipped with a phone and a story. All it takes to get Noah is settled is Rafa pulling his pajamas on and tucking his son beneath the covers.
Pressing kisses to Noah's cheeks and forehead Rafa runs a hand through the curls resting atop Noah's head and whispers his love and devotion to the sleeping boy. The overwhelming outpouring of feelings Rafa has for this small life still, sometimes, astounds him. Never in his life before has Rafael felt this way, total love, support, and awe in a spirit of someone. Rafa knows, without question, that he will do anything for Noah.
"Te amo hijo con todo mi corazón. Tu felicidad será la mía." Rafael continues to indulge himself in stroking Noah's curls and dreaming of their shared future. "I will give you the world, hijo, just ask. Would you like a sister, mi alma? You will be such a great big brother, I know it. Mami and I want to adopt a sister for you, you've made our lives so much better and we want to keep adding to it." Staring into his son's sleeping face Rafael sighs and lifts himself from the mattress, after placing one final kiss to Noah's forehead. "Dulces sueños Noah." (I love you with all my heart. Your happiness is mine... My soul… Sweet dreams)
Shuffling down the hall Rafa's feet lead him to the kitchen. At the doorway to the room he takes in the sight of his mother and wife laughing with each other. Between the two women Raf spots chocolate and he starts forward, intent of nabbing a piece for himself.
Once Raf is close enough to reach a hand for the sweets he leans in only for his mother to swat his hand away, "oh no Rafi, you and your boy had your dessert. This is just for Olivia and I."
Feigning hurt Raf pulls his hand to his chest and pouts, the only reaction this elicits is Olivia's tongue sticking out at him. Without a word to either of them Rafael continues toward his bedroom, his body weary for the days activities.
"I'll be there in a few minutes honey," Liv calls from her seat at the table, Rafa offers a grunt and a nod in acknowledgment.
Staying at the table with her mother-in-law Olivia finishes the contraband dessert that had been smuggled in for her. Lucia and Liv enjoy each other's company with an easy silence between them. Seeing the plate clear of food Liv stands and places it in the sink, she'll wash it tomorrow (if Lucia hasn't already gotten to it). Keeping her upright position she stretches before bending at the hips to brush a kiss to Lucia's cheek.
"Good night Lucia, thank you for everything," Liv's words are quiet against the soft, tan skin of the older woman's face.
"Buenos noches mija, te amo." (Good night, I love you.)
As she reaches the doorway to exit the kitchen Liv looks over her shoulder to return the sentiment, "tambien te amo."
Her bare feet are cold on the wooden floor and Olivia imagines tucking them under Rafael's legs to warm them up. Yes, that'll be nice. She wants to warm up with her husband, cuddle with him, hold him close. Rounding the corner Liv enters the bedroom only to find Rafa cuddled beneath the covers reading a book he brought along.
He hasn't noticed her yet so Olivia continues to keep her movements smooth and soft, to keep from disturbing him unnecessarily. Stripping off her glasses and the few remaining pieces of jewelry Liv turns for the bed. When she slides onto the mattress without a flinch or reaction from Rafael Liv realizes he must have noticed her arrival and simply went without acknowledging it.
"Are you okay if I call Lucy?" Olivia asks, finger running up the exposed skin of his arm.
Not taking his eyes from the page Rafa nods and grunts, "mmhm."
Pouting a bit at the lack of attention Liv prods further, "it won't bother you?"
A smile pushes at his cheeks and Rafael finally marks his spot on the page before turning into Olivia, "did you want something mi sol?"
Feeling somewhat bashful now that she does have Raf's attention Liv casts her eyes down and bites her lower lip before responding, "I wouldn't mind a kiss or two…"
With a dark, but delighted, chuckle Rafael leans into his wife as if to kiss her only to stop a breath away and tease her, "you wouldn't mind it? Is that it? Anything I can interest you in more, anything you may even like?"
In a tone that rivals Noah's own cries Olivia whines, "kiss me, Rafa."
Acquiescing Rafael closes the last millimeters of space that had remained between them to press his lips to Olivia's. He traps her bottom lip with both of his to nibble at it before releasing her.
"Now I believe you were going to call Lucy?" Rafa's inflection indicates he is asking a question but Liv is aware he is telling her what she should be doing.
Before she listens to him, however, Olivia tugs at his t-shirt and pulls him into one final kiss before moving out of reach. Rafa returns to his book.
Liv stands and retrieves her phone to begin facetiming with Lucy. The girl answers in the middle of the third chiming ring.
"¡Hola Mamacita!" Lucy's face pops onto the screen as her voice sounds from the speaker. "¿Que tal?" (Hi hot Mama… what's up)
Attempting to school her facial expression into something resembling composure Olivia responds, although it's in English, "I got your text earlier and wanted to check in with you. Everything okay?"
Immediately Lucy's expression drops and Liv sits up straighter with the change, on edge, and concerned about what it could be that would cause this shift in behavior. Of course Lucy notices this and shakes her head before she speaks.
"I'm fine," follows quickly after the headshake, placating the woman on the other side of the phone. "I think everything is okay?" Liv furrows her brow at the questioning tone, but waits for more to come, "it's just, at the beach today - well Brandi was wearing a bathing suit, obviously," it seems like the last word Lucy directs at herself in irritation, "and when she took off her cover-up I noticed these scars on her leg. Without really realizing it I reached over and touched them."
Lucy takes a deep breath, gathering herself, "she sort of just brushed it off, like it was nothing," the look Lucy gives the camera holds a wide-eyed stress, like she still can't believe this, "saying they are from college, when she would cut herself."
Taking a look to either side of herself Lucy settles back against her headboard and the camera's image goes blurry for a moment while Olivia hears ruffling, assuming Lucy is adjusting herself to be more comfortable. Olivia does the same, mimicking the girls' positioning, against her own headboard.
Still Liv waits, Lucy speaks soon after she resets herself, "I didn't know what to say, so I just looked at her, like an idiot, before she walked away. I still don't know what to say, if I should bring it up, or just drop it. I'm scared of doing the wrong thing and freaking her out."
When Lucy blows out a long breath Olivia knows it's her turn to speak, the girl's stare fixed on her but Liv's eyes dart to her side, where Lucy can't see Rafa, who has obviously heard everything.
Pressing her lips together Liv nods, but before she can speak Lucy opens her mouth once more, "is Rafa there?" Her cheeks are becoming a burning red and the hand not holding her phone covers her eyes.
Liv wants to speak again, to reassuring Lucy, but Rafael jumps in, speaking off camera for the moment, "I'm here corazoncito (sweetheart/little darling), but it's okay. Brandi has made-" he pauses searching for the word he wants, "allusions to things of that nature when we've spoken. I can go if you'd prefer though."
There is a long silence that follows Rafa's interjection. Olivia's gaze flicks between both her husband and the young woman who has become family to them. Rafael sees that Lucy is caught on something, he's just not sure what.
Trying to soothe things back into a conversation Raf begins moving, "don't worry Lucy, I'll go. And I promise not to hold it against you at all."
Quickly Lucy calls him back, "no! No, it's just, you caught me off-guard, you calling me corazoncito," it doesn't have the same oomph as when Raf said it but they all smile at Lucy's pronunciation regardless, "it was really cute."
Rafa scrunches up his face at the thought of him being cute but moves closer to Liv rather than away. The look Olivia sends his way is a rather disgusting display of her overt, heart-melting, love for this man. Lucy says so, too.
"You guys are so grossly in love, I hate it," she doesn't.
Once again looking at the screen Olivia finally speaks, "Luce, I don't think you should beat yourself up over this so much. That was a big thing Brandi told you today and it isn't always easy to process and respond to something like that.
"You don't have to say anything, don't put too much pressure on yourself. I think Brandi is just generally open about that part of herself. It is her way of coping with things. Her and I talked about it for a while, and keep talking about it. She is in therapy, and working through things the best she can."
Olivia had been hoping that this would comfort Lucy but the look on the young woman's face seems to indicate that she has merely distressed her further.
Not making them wait for answers Lucy looks back at her phone, at Liv and Rafa, and explains herself, "she has never talked about it with me before," it sounds like a pout. "I want to be there for her, I want her to be comfortable around me. You know? Like, she should feel like she can come to me for whatever. And I don't want her thinking that because I didn't respond that I think she is like, crazy or something. Or that her scars affect the way I think of her. Or see her."
Rafael can't help his smile, "Brandi likes you too Lucy."
Olivia is surprised by his forwardness, elbowing his stomach at his statement, eyes wide. Taking him in though Liv sees he is unperturbed, and still rather smug.
Seemingly equally shocked Lucy's eyes pop entirely open to stare at Rafa.
Forcing herself to function again she asks, "did Brandi tell you that?"
Growing more serious than a moment ago Rafael lets Lucy know what he knows, "not in so many words," she looks disappointed, "but I can see it when she talks about you, or when I do. Brandi is happy when you are around, or even just when your name comes up. And I happen to know that her laptop background is a picture of the two of you from karaoke night."
Raf is close to giggling at the memory. Brandi hadn't intended for him to see that, he had been working on a project with her and they were both in his office. Him at his computer. Her at her laptop. Rafael happened to catch her while she was switching windows and saw the picture. At first he teased Brandi, but when he noticed her discomfort he abruptly stopped and let it go. Now seemed an opportune time to bring it back up.
Face lighting up Lucy merely asks, "really?"
She gets a nod in response.
Olivia picks up the conversation where it left off, "all you can do is be there for her Lucy, let her know how you feel and let her react."
The newly married couple is sent a look that they take to mean something along the lines of 'really? Coming from you two?'
Replying in the best way she can think of Liv tells her, "just don't wait as long as either of us did and I think you'll both be fine."
Laughing Lucy takes that as her cue, "thank you both. I really appreciate the help," she levels them with a steady, serious, look before finishing, "mi corazoncitos."
They are both laughing as the call ends.
Face turned into Rafael, arm reaching back toward the nightstand, eyes closed, Olivia drops her phone carelessly behind her. Pulling a breath in through her nose she is overcome with Rafa's scent.
"Mmm, you smell good, my love." Olivia informs him.
Dropping his head so they are cheek to cheek, with Liv tucked in between his face and shoulder, Raf's eyes slip closed too, "I smell like sunscreen and chocolate, but, I thank you for the compliment."
"You smell like vacation," offers Liv, voice reverent in his ear.
With what may be considered a chuckle Rafa rolls himself on top of Olivia, pressing her into the downy comfort of the mattress beneath them. Here their torsos press together, heartbeats sounding against rib cages and mere inches apart, legs tangled around legs, arms holding on, fingers interlocked. Rafael and Olivia are tied to one another as best as they can be.
Cheeks still touching Rafael whispers, "I love you so much Olivia."
Liv nuzzles in, "I love you too Rafa, with all my heart."
It would feel like a perfect way to end the day, if only Liv had changed into her night clothes. She hasn't yet. With a gentle shove to his shoulder, with her own, Liv nudges Rafa off of her. Intending to change, or at the very least remove her bra and pants.
Rafa doesn't go far, "about that kissing we were doing earlier?"
The question hangs between them for a few beats.
It doesn't go for long, "as long as you get me out of my bra and pants, I'm happy."
An eyebrow quirked to a dangerously sexy angle Rafa licks his lips, "just the bra and pants or would the lady like to enjoy our full service?"
Giggling while skating her hands down the fabric of Raf's t-shirt and below the waistband of his bottoms Liv bites at his chin, "hmmm, tell me more about this full service package you're offering."
It is more showing than telling, but Rafa gets his point across.
A/N: I love you all, thanks for sticking with me. Even when I give stupid nothing updates like this one...
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