A/N:This was harder than expected to write. I hope I did it justice and everyone is happy with where I took the story. This is, weirdly, the shortest chapter of this whole thing.
The first time Rafael wakes up, at least a little bit, he can hear talking in the room, but there's not much more awareness before sleep pulls him back under again. Next he blinks his eyes open, but it's dark, and his side hurts, so he lets his eyes shut once more. On the third occasion Rafael actually wakes up a bit more but the only people with him are medical staff. They notice his return consciousness and tell him they are redressing his wound, and gently, they encourage him to sleep once more. Finally he wakes to find Olivia by his bedside with Irie curled on her lap as they quietly flip through her favorite book, Stella Luna.
Grateful to be alive, and so desperate to feel like it, Rafael reaches out, "Liv."
His voice is hoarse and low but Olivia hears it easily in the quiet hospital room.
Wrapping their daughter in her arms Olivia stands and moves quickly closer, "Rafa," she's already crying.
Liv wants nothing more than to be with her husband, to be kissing him, feeling and hearing that he's alive. But, there are the kids to think about, who have been anxiously waiting for their father to wake up. Who are so young and full of love and Olivia can't keep them from expressing their joy and relief at seeing their Papí awake again.
Hearing his father speak Noah crumples in relief, tears spilling down his cheeks and dripping onto his tshirt. The boy shoves himself up and out of his chair to his father's side, burying his young face in the older man's shoulder.
Stiffly Rafael's arm moves to caress his son's head, needing to offer him comfort.
"Papí, you're finally awake," Noah's crying makes it harder to understand what he's saying but Rafael puzzles it out, "I was so scared, it was worse than last time!"
Bending somewhat awkwardly, Rafael rains kisses, and his own tears, into Noah's hair, "I'm so sorry you were scared mijo. But I'm here now, I'm here baby," Rafael hasn't seen his boy this emotional or clingy in years and it grips his heart, he needs to reassure him, "daddy's going to be okay Noah, everything will be alright."
Meanwhile, Olivia has gingerly placed Irie down on the bed next to Rafael, the young girl simply lays her head down on her father's thigh and watches as he comforts Noah. Liv hangs back ever so slightly, giving him time with his children. Eventually Rafael's attention is divided between the two kids surrounding him and he freely doles out hugs, kisses, and words of comfort to each.
Tired from the emotional burst of finally seeing his father awake Noah has to go back to his chair, where he promptly nods off, still clutching Rafael's hand. Irie has also fallen asleep, curled like a cat around Rafa's shoulder, head tucked into his neck.
Once both have settled into sleep Rafael and Olivia get their chance to reunite.
Before Rafael is able to say anything Olivia speaks, "let me call Lucia to take these two home so they can get some proper sleep."
Her phone is out and being dialed while Rafael still processes her words, instead he nods at her. He won't say it outloud, but he can't wait to have some time alone with Olivia, now that he's awake. They can hold each other and cry, and he won't have to be strong like he feels he needs to be for his kids.
His eyes have closed by the time the phone call is over, Olivia must be able to tell he isn't sleeping though as she kisses his lips with a desperation he hasn't felt from her in a long while. Quickly Rafa reciprocates the kiss and pushes back into her, needing the contact, the proof of life.
Eventually Liv pulls away, but not far, "hi. I love you."
His grin is dopey, and it has nothing to do with the pain meds in his system, "hi. I love you too."
(one year later, not precisely, just approximately)
The house they moved into, a couple of years ago now, came with a back yard. Its fence is tall and lends them a good deal of privacy, they enjoy it for all sorts of reasons, but right now, the Barba's are hosting a momentous event. Today is the wedding of Lucy Huston and Brandi Dawson, and the reception is being held in the backyard.
Surprisingly Lucy opted to wear an all white jumpsuit that fit the woman devastatingly well, and showed an ample, but tasteful, amount of cleavage. While Brandi wore a white dress with a 3D flower overlay. The ceremony took place at city hall with minimal attendees while the reception was more fully attended.
The squad are all there, as well as the Barbas, of course, there are some of Brandi and Lucy's friends from work and school, and Lucy's family came too.
There are lights strung up all over, giving the yard a very magical, enchanted feeling. A dance floor is set up, alongside of which are some very high quality speakers rented for the event. Brandi and Lucy had danced their first dance to Adele's Make You Feel My Love and held one another close while crying happily. Now, the speakers play Can't Help Falling In Love and Rafael and Olivia get up from their chairs to enjoy "their" song.
Pulling his wife in close, Rafael smooths his hands up and down her back, before stopping to rest them very low, at the curve of her backside. His nose nudges her nose before nipping and kissing Liv's lips.
Olivia smiles into the kisses Rafa gives her and lingers close when he pulls away, "I'm so happy we eventually got our acts together and got married."
Chuckling Rafa brushes away some rouge strands of hair out of Olivia's face, "that's a relief!"
"Do you think Noah will be willing to dance with me for parent's dance?" Liv switches subjects, still feeling the pull of Rafa's gravity keeping her close to him.
He must feel Liv's own gravity as he seems drawn nearer still, "I know he will, I promised him an unchaperoned date with Mac if he didn't act like such a teenager tonight."
Liv laughs and snuggles into her husband, but she is both surprised and touched at his preemptive thinking. Rafael is usually the more cautious, and dubious, of the two of them when it came to Noah growing up, especially any sort of dating talk. It is a real sign of freedom to Noah to be offered a free night, so he is on his best behavior.
From her spot on his shoulder Olivia muses, "at least Irie is still young enough that you are still the only man in her heart, Rafa."
His laughs rumbles through both their chests as the song comes to a close. The night is a gorgeous mix of friends and family having fun and sharing in love. Rafael even performs a musical number for the brides, and one with them too, just as a throw back to his own bachelor party and wedding.
As the last guests leave, Brandi and Lucy drag their tired bodies over to Liv and Rafael for the last goodbyes of the night.
Both women wear matching looks of love and happiness as they approach the older couple.
Lucy pipes up first, "Olivia, Rafael, I don't know how to thank you for everything you've done for us."
She's been drinking, and she's immensely happy, so she's also a little weepy, and Liv doesn't think much of it when she sways a bit and Lucy lands in her arms in a fierce hug. Holding tight both women squeeze hard and whisper their love and appreciation for the other. Liv mentions that they should be even now, considering the incredible amount of help Lucy gave with Noah and Irie, even after she had gotten a full time job in a school, she still came over often to see the kids.
Sending a shrug Brandi's way Rafael opens his arms, "one more for the road?" He asks.
Brandi falls into him easily. They exchange similar words of great admiration and deep bonds with one another before the pairs switch hugging partners and more sentiment is spoken softly amongst them.
Brandi and Lucy go out into the night holding hands and plop, with little grace, into the waiting Lyft. Rafa wraps an arm around Liv's body and drags her inside.
"We can clean up tomorrow Livia," Rafa argues, knowing his wife is most definitely contemplating starting on it tonight.
She allows herself to be taken in, "alright Rafa, but I don't know if I'm quite ready to go to sleep."
He shakes his head at Liv's implication, "oh mi amor, I'm not going to let you sleep for a while yet."
They both know staying up so late will make for slow going tomorrow, but neither seems to care, it's worth it if they're together.
A/N:Well that's it! It's been a wild, and long (sorry again) ride getting here! I can't believe it's actually complete. I really hope people like it. And I couldn't resist saying the thing and including the title, hopefully it's not too cheesy of me. I might be posting more, but things are going to be very busy for me in this next month so I don't know when it would be, if I decide to post. Basically, don't hold your breath. Always love hearing from you all, and just being apart of this community!
Love you all xx