A/N: I wasn't originally planning a part 2 to this, and it didn't come together quite as easily as I would have liked, but the first chapter seemed to go over well and this is what my muse demanded I write...so I hope you all enjoy.

Early the next morning, Olivia woke to the sound of Noah calling for her. Concerned by the distress in his voice, she quickly made her way to his room.

"Noah, sweet boy, what's wrong?" she asked as she took a seat on his bed and pulled him into her arms.

"He promised," Noah cried.

"Who promised what, baby?"

"Rafa. He promised he wouldn't leave again."

Knowing Rafael was still asleep in their bed, Olivia was immediately confused. Running a hand through her son's hair, she attempted to find out what would make him think Rafael had left again.

"Honey, I think you had a bad dream. Rafa is asleep in the other room. He didn't leave."

"Promise?" Noah asked tearfully, clutching Eddie to his chest as he looked up at his mother.

"I promise," Olivia replied. "Why did Rafa leaving in your dream upset you?"

"Because he promised he wouldn't. If he leaves, we can't be a family."

"We as in you, me, and Rafa?"

Noah nodded, hugging his stuffed elephant tighter.

"I want him to be my dad," he confessed softly a few seconds later.

Olivia felt her heart squeeze as she heard her son's words. She knew Rafael and Noah had gotten close, but she never knew her son felt that way.

"You love him, don't you?" she asked.

Noah nodded again, trying to get a hold of his emotions.

"And it's different than how you love Uncle Fin and Uncle Sonny?" Olivia continued, receiving another nod in reply. Gathering Noah closer, she pressed a kiss to the top of his head before she stood and held out her hand to him.

"Where are we going?" he asked, reaching for his mother's hand as he clutched Eddie with the other.

"To see Rafa," Olivia replied.

Having felt Olivia leave the bed, Rafael was concerned when she didn't return a few minutes later. He was about to get up and find her when he saw her walk into their room with Noah.

"Someone had a bad dream," Olivia said as Noah crawled into the bed.

"Rafa," Noah said as he spotted him.

"Amigo, what happened?" he asked, wrapping his arms around the boy and hugging him, a little surprised when he curled further into his embrace.

"You promised you wouldn't leave," Noah mumbled into Rafael's chest.

Rafael gave Olivia a confused look before turning his attention back to the little boy in his arms.

"You had a dream that I left again?" he guessed.

Noah nodded, beginning to cry again. "You promised you wouldn't."

"I'm not leaving again, amigo."

"If you leave again, you can't be my dad and we can't be a family."

Rafael's silent question was in his eyes as he looked over at Olivia again, who simply nodded with a small smile.

"Noah, I need you to look at me," Rafael told him softly.

Sniffling, Noah raised his tear-filled eyes to do as he was instructed.

"Is that what you want? For me to be your dad?"

Noah nodded, holding tight to his stuffed elephant for comfort as he waited for Rafael's response.

"I want that, too," he replied, doing his best to hold back tears of his own.

"Dad," Noah whispered as he buried his face in Rafael's chest again. "Te amo."

Rafael tightened his arms around the little boy. "También te amo, mijo," he said, pressing a kiss to the top of his head before looking up at Olivia. "Where did he learn that?"

"His school offers a Spanish class, so I enrolled him at the beginning of the year," She replied as she ran her hand over Noah's hair. "I thought it was important that he learn another language and you sparked his interest in Spanish, so it worked out. I'm guessing he asked his teacher. As far as I know, they're just teaching the basics right now-numbers, colors, that sort of thing."

"I sparked his interest in Spanish?"

"He adores you, Rafa. Of course he'd want to be able to speak Spanish with you."

"When I accepted the job offer from Alex two weeks ago…I never thought…" Rafael started, unsure how to verbalize what he was feeling.

"Never thought…what?" Olivia prompted.

"Never thought you and your son would both be telling me that you love me within just a couple of days. I thought I'd have to prove to you that I'm not going to leave again, that I love you both very much, that I want us to be a family."

"I've loved you for years, Rafa. I think Noah has, too. We were both hurt when you left, and even if neither of us ever completely understood why, we always hoped you'd come back to us."

"I've loved you for years, too, Liv. I left because I was a mess and I didn't think I had anything to offer either of you."

"We just need you."

Rafael nodded, keeping one arm securely around Noah while reaching over with his free hand to lace his fingers with Olivia's.

"I know he doesn't have school tomorrow, but I think maybe we should keep him home today, too. I could take a couple of days…Fin can handle things." Olivia suggested, moving to lie down beside her partner and their son.

"His teacher won't be upset?"

"No. I'll call and talk to her. I want to stop by the school and change some paperwork anyway, so I can pick up anything else he needs then. Maybe I'll stop by work for a little while, get some things I need. If you think you two will be okay for a while?"

"We'll be fine, Liv. Do what you need to do."

Olivia nodded and then glanced over at her…their…son. "Is he asleep?"

"Yeah. Eddie, too."

Olivia smiled, laying her head on the pillow and closing her eyes.

The next morning, Olivia left Rafael and Noah cuddling together on the couch while she went to run her errands. Her first stop was Noah's school.

"Hi, Olivia," Noah's teacher, Valerie Kingston, greeted when she saw her walk through the classroom door.

"Hi, Valerie. Thank you for taking time out of your lunch to meet with me."

"It's not a problem. How's Noah?"

"He hasn't let Rafael out of his sight all morning," Olivia replied.

"I'm assuming Rafael is also known as Rafa?"

"Yes. He called him Uncle Rafa when he was younger and somewhere along the line he dropped the 'uncle' and started calling him Rafa. Now he calls him Dad."

"Was that Noah's choice?"

"Yes. Rafael is over the moon about it."

"How do you feel about it?"

"I'm a little emotional about it, honestly. Rafael is the only one I ever pictured in that role and to find out that it's something both he and Noah want, too…it makes my heart happy."

Valerie smiled and nodded in understanding. "I'm happy for all three of you. I just hope you won't be keeping Noah out of school for very long. I don't want him to get behind."

"I understand. It's just today. He'll be back on Monday. I stopped by to get some paperwork changed and thought I'd check with you to see if there's anything Noah needs to prepare for Monday."

Valerie walked over to Noah's cubbie and took out a couple of items, handing them to Olivia as she spoke. "I want him to review his spelling words for the test on Monday. He's been doing so well that I gave him a couple of bonus words to work on. If he gets them correct on his test, he'll get extra credit. He also needs to read two chapters in his book."

Olivia nodded, making a mental note of the instructions before speaking again. "Do you happen to know where he learned to say "I love you" in Spanish?"

"I'm not sure. I'm guessing he probably asked Ms. Sanchez, she assumed he wanted to say it to you and so she told him. Is that a problem?"

"No, no. I was just wondering."

"He's a smart kid; very intuitive and inquisitive. I've been enjoying having him in my class."

"I'm glad to hear he's doing well, and I'll make sure he gets his work done so he's prepared to return on Monday. Thank you again for meeting with me on such short notice."

"I'm always happy to see parents involved in their child's schooling," Valerie told her with a smile as she walked Olivia to the door. "Give Noah my regards."

"I will," Olivia promised.

"Hey, Lu, I didn't think you'd be in today," Carisi greeted as he saw Olivia walk into the precinct.

"I'm technically not," she replied. "I just stopped by to get a few things. Did something happen?"

"Nothing new," Amanda said as she approached. "We've got it covered, Liv."

"How're Noah and Barba?" Fin asked, joining the group with Kat at his side.

"Barba?!" Amanda and Carisi repeated together.

After shooting her sergeant a slightly annoyed look, Olivia turned to her detective and ADA.

"Rafael is back….and your wish to work with him is finally coming true, Carisi," she said before walking into her office, knowing her squad and ADA were right behind her.

"Wait…when did Barba come back?" Amanda spoke first.

"What do you mean my wish to work with him is finally coming true?" Carisi spoke next.

Turning back around, Olivia leaned against her desk as she addressed everyone, although two of the four already knew what was going on.

"You know Hadid transferred back to her old position and McCoy allowed Alex to have her choice of new bureau chief for SVU, right?" she began.

"Yeah, but she hasn't mentioned anything about that position being filled," Carisi replied, still seeming confused.

"That's because the person that filled it asked her not to until I was made aware."

"Come on, Liv, don't leave 'em hangin like that," Fin said with a laugh.

"Don't tell me a detective and an ADA can't put two and two together," Kat teased.

Olivia, Fin, and Kat watched in amusement as Carisi and Amanda exchanged a glance before turning incredulous looks back on Olivia.

"Barba is the new bureau chief?!" they asked, their voices in unison once again.

"Yes. Are there any other questions or can I pack up what I need now?"

Amanda observed her boss, who had become one of her closest friends in the last few years, closely. When they'd come back from the hospital after meeting with the victim in their latest case, she had seemed tired and still a little sad from the events of the previous weeks. Now, though, she seemed happier and well-rested. She'd also requested a couple of personal days last minute, which was unusual.

"Barba wanted to tell you himself," Amanda said a few moments later.

"Yes," Olivia replied, putting some files into her bag as she spoke. "He surprised me the other night after we got back from the hospital."

"Where is he now?"

"At home with our son."

"Home? Our son?" Carisi repeated, having just shared another confused look with Amanda.

"Noah and I claimed him," Olivia said with a small smile and a shrug.

"Did you disclose?" Amanda wondered.

"Yes. Yesterday. That's why I was a little late. We surprised Noah after school yesterday and he pretty much hasn't let Rafael out of his sight since."

"We're happy for you, Lu," Carisi told her with a smile and a hug.

"Tell him we expect to see him at Forlini's soon," Amanda told her as she claimed her own hug.

"I will," Olivia promised. "Call if you need anything."

"Enjoy your long weekend, Captain," Kat said from her spot between Amanda and Fin.

"Olivia or Liv is fine, Kat."

"Come on, Kat, back to books you go," Fin said, steering the young officer back towards her desk.

"Back to the books?"

"She's studying to take the detective exam," Amanda explained, seeing the confusion on Olivia's face. "Fin has decided to take on the role of supervisor and tutor."

"I'm sure she'll do well, then. Do either of you need anything before I go?"

Amanda looked over at Carisi, who shook his head, before turning back to her friend.

"We're good here. Go home and spend time with your boys. If Noah is willing to let Barba out of his sights and you want me to take him for a bit, just let me know. Jesse and Billie would love to have him over for a play date."

"I will. Thanks, Amanda."

After stopping to get lunch, Olivia returned home to find Rafael and Noah pretty much in the same spot she'd left them. Only now instead of cuddling on the couch, they had some Lego creation spread out on the coffee table.

"Mom! You're back!" Noah exclaimed, causing Rafael to turn his head and look at her.

"The squad says hi," Olivia told them as she walked into the kitchen to set the bags down on the counter.

"Dad said you're staying home with us all weekend."

Olivia shared a smile with Rafael at hearing Noah call him dad before walking back to the entry way to hang up her coat and toe off her shoes.

"Hi," Rafael greeted with a soft kiss.

"Hi," Olivia replied, her smile growing as she leaned into his side to give him a quick hug.

"Did you get take out?" Noah asked as his parents joined him in the kitchen.

"Yes. From that Cuban restaurant that your dad likes so much," Olivia replied, taking the boxes out of the bags and setting them out on the counter.

"Dad said he would cook dinner tonight and I can be his…s-so-shoe chef."

"Sous chef," Rafael corrected with a laugh. "But yes, I did offer to cook tonight."

"How about we eat lunch and then watch a movie first?" Olivia suggested, receiving nods of agreement from both Rafael and Noah in return. "Good. Now go wash up, the both of you."

After lunch, Olivia and Noah took seats on the couch on either side of Rafael while he selected a movie for them to watch. Settling on Toy Story 4, Rafael set the remote on the coffee table before reaching to pull his love and their son close.

"Everything okay at the office?" Rafael asked a few moments later.

"Yes. Carisi and Amanda had no idea you were back, apparently too caught up in their argument the other day to see us leave together, and Kat has decided to take the detective's exam. Fin has decided to help with her studies," Olivia replied.

"Is that good or bad?"

"I think it'll be good. They hit it off pretty much right away and Fin has a lot of experience. I think it may even help her get to know Amanda a bit better, too."

"Good. I'm sure I'll see Carisi bright and early Monday morning, then."

"Probably," Olivia agreed with a small laugh before she and Rafael turned their attention back to the movie.

Later that night, after Rafael had put Noah to bed, he joined Olivia in the living room.

"How many stories tonight?" she asked, handing him the scotch she'd poured for him.

"Two and a half," he replied, taking a seat next to her on the couch.

"How was your day with our son?"

Rafael smiled at Olivia's use of the word 'our' when referring to Noah, reaching out to lace the fingers of his free hand with hers before he answered. "It was good. We watched Coco this morning and then had a chat before he asked if we could put together his newest Lego set."

"Am I allowed to ask what you two chatted about?"

"I assured him again that I'm not leaving, that I want the three of us to be a family, and I asked him where he learned te amo."

"I asked his teacher that same question. Her theory was that Noah had asked his Spanish teacher and the woman assumed he wanted to say it to me, so she told him."

"Her theory would be correct."

"Did you talk to him about going back to school on Monday?"

"Yes. He understands why we let him stay home today, but knows he needs to go back to school on Monday. He mentioned something about bonus spelling words?"

Olivia smiled and nodded. "His teacher said that she gave him the extra words as a challenge and if he gets them correct on his test next week, he'll get extra credit."

"He's a smart kid."

"Just like his dad."

"Yeah, that still kind of floors me every time I hear it," Rafael revealed.

"How about when I tell you that I love you?" Olivia wondered, setting her wine glass down on the table and moving closer to Rafael.

Setting his own glass down on the table, he gathered her close before he spoke again. "That, too."

"Did you really think I wouldn't be happy to see you?"

"I wasn't sure. I had a lot of thoughts going through my head."

"Nothing surprising there."

Rafael chuckled and pressed a kiss to her head. "You know me well."

"Mm. I think we should test that," Olivia replied, turning to press her lips to his.

By the time Saturday afternoon rolled around, Olivia was beginning to think they wouldn't ever be able to agree on a place to live. Either she or Rafael had objected to every place they'd seen so far.

"Maybe we should try this again another day," Olivia suggested. "We're supposed to pick up Noah in an hour."

"Just one more place, and if we can't agree on it, then we'll look at some places online and go from there," Rafael replied. "Okay?"

Olivia nodded, earning a kiss from Rafael a kiss in return before he took her hand and led her down the street from the last place they'd looked at.

As she and Rafael walked up to the building, Olivia immediately recognized it.

"I thought you sold your condo?" she asked him.

"I did. It was hardly bigger than your place, so it wouldn't have really worked, anyway."

"So why are we here?"

"The realtor who sold me my original condo here is a good friend of mine and she said to let her know if I ever moved back to the city. I called her this morning, she should be here shortly. There's a four bedroom two bath condo for sale."

"Isn't four bedrooms a bit more than what we need?"

"One for us, one for Noah, a home office and a guest room. That's four rooms."

"A guest room?"

"Yeah. I thought it would be nicer for if Lucy or someone comes to stay with Noah overnight to sleep in a bed rather than on the couch."

"I always did like your place," Olivia conceded, eliciting a smile and another kiss from Rafael.

"Rafael!"

Turning at the sound of his name, Rafael saw his friend approaching.

"Sorry I'm late. My last appointment ran a little bit over. Thank you for waiting," the woman said.

"It's okay. I'm pretty sure it won't take long to decide whether or not this place will work for us," Rafael replied before introducing the two women. "Liv, this is my friend, Paige Montgomery. Paige, this is my girlfriend, Olivia Benson."

Before any of them could say anything else, they heard what sounded like Noah's voice. Their suspicions were confirmed a few moments later.

"Noah! Wait!" they heard Carisi yelling as he chased the boy, who had spotted his parents and gotten excited.

"Mom! Dad! I knew it was you!" Noah exclaimed when he reached them.

"Noah, mijo, you know better than to run off like that," Rafael lightly scolded as he bent to his son's level and straightened his coat.

"I'm sorry, Dad."

"I think there's someone else you need to apologize to as well," Olivia said, indicating Carisi, who had caught up with them by now.

Noah turned to his honorary uncle with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Uncle Sonny."

"Next time you think you see someone you know, all you need to do is tell me," Sonny explained. "We want to make sure you stay safe, bud."

"Where's Rollins?" Olivia asked the ADA.

"She should be here shortly. We were walking back to her place when Noah spotted you two and took off running. I ran after him so Manda could stay with Jesse and Billie."

"Family reunion?" Paige asked Rafael as he stood with Noah's hand firmly in his.

"Pretty much," Rafael replied with a small smile. "This is my son, Noah. Noah, this is my friend, Paige."

"Hello, Noah," Paige greeted.

"Hello."

"These are our friends, Sonny Carisi and Amanda Rollins. Carisi, Rollins, this is my friend, Paige Montgomery. She's helping Liv and me today."

"It's nice to meet you," Carisi said with a smile, Amanda following his lead a few moments later.

"I guess it's our turn to apologize," Olivia said to Paige when as they entered the building a few minutes later.

Paige waved her hand. "No need. I understand how excited kids can get sometimes."

"What floor is this on?"

"The top two."

"Top two?" Olivia repeated, glancing over at Rafael.

"Yes. The top two floors of the building are where the largest condos are. The four bed, two bath you and Rafael are looking at as well as two three bed, two bath and one other four bed, two bath."

"Rafa, are you sure this is in our price range?" Olivia asked.

"Yes. I double-checked with Paige before I even suggested it."

"But how?"

"The owners are empty-nesters who are looking to sell it quickly," Paige explained. "They're empty-nesters who recently moved out of state to be near their grandchildren. Their only request was that I find a family to buy it. They want another family to be able to make happy memories here, like they did. As this is one of the larger units, I did inform them it might be a little bit of a harder sell as not many families want to live in the city. Which is why they reduced their original asking price. Rafael called before I could update the listing, so you're the first ones I'm going to be offering it to at the lower price."

"Wow," Olivia said as she, Rafael, and Noah walked around the condo. "It's a lot…homier…than I had pictured in my mind. I like the open floor plan downstairs, too."

"Are all of the bedrooms upstairs?" Rafael asked.

"Three up, one down. Bathroom on each floor. Master bedroom has a walk-in closet and the kitchen has a large pantry," Paige replied. "Shall we go upstairs?"

Olivia nodded, following Paige, Rafael, and Noah up the stairs to the second floor. They viewed the master bedroom first, followed by the other two bedrooms and upstairs bathroom.

"Can you give us a minute?" Rafael asked Paige once they were finished with the tour.

"Of course. I'll be downstairs," Paige replied with a smile.

"I think this is it, Rafa," Olivia whispered, walking through the rooms again. "I can see our bedroom, and Noah's. I think the downstairs bedroom could be your office and the other room up here would make a good guest room."

"I can see it, too," Rafael said before turning to their son. "What do you think, mijo?"

"I like it," he replied with a smile.

"We'll take it," Rafael announced as he, Olivia, and Noah joined Paige downstairs.

"Perfect," Paige replied with a smile. "Do you have time to fill out the paperwork now?"

"Are you okay with that, mijo?" Rafael asked his son once he had exchanged a look with Olivia.

"I have my book," Noah replied with a nod, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

"When will we know if our offer is accepted?" Olivia asked as they prepared to leave.

"I am going to call the owners once I get home and we'll be in touch from there. Hopefully I will have an answer for you soon," Paige told her.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Rafael has my number if you have any other questions."

The following afternoon, as he, Olivia, and Noah pulled up to his mother's house for dinner, Rafael heard his phone ring and saw Paige's name on the display.

"Hi Paige," he answered, putting the phone on speaker.

"I have good news and bad news," she said.

"Tell us the bad news first," Olivia requested.

"You have to fill out some more paperwork."

Exchanging a glance with his girlfriend, Rafael turned his attention back to his friend.

"What's the good news?" he asked.

"The owners accepted your offer. I'd like to find some time this week to get together to get that paperwork completed. I can meet you somewhere if that's more convenient."

"Liv and I need to check our schedules, but I'm sure we can figure something out. I'll let you know."

"Sounds good. Congratulations."

"We're moving?" Noah asked from the back seat.

"Yes, but not quite yet," Olivia answered.

"To the place we looked at yesterday?"

"Yes."

"Good," Noah replied, eliciting amused chuckles from both of his parents.

"Ready?" Rafael asked Olivia and Noah as he raised his hand to knock on his mother's door.

"Yes," Olivia replied after sharing a glance with their son.

"Rafi!" Lucia greeted with a smile and a kiss on the cheek before turning to the two people beside him. "Olivia, it's nice to see you again."

"It's nice to see you again, too," Olivia replied with a smile.

"This must be Noah," Lucia said, her smile growing as she noticed the way the boy had Rafael's and Olivia's hands in a tight grip.

"Hola," Noah said, looking up at Rafael for reassurance.

"Good job, mijo," Rafael told him, running a hand over his hair.

Making a mental note to ask her son about the use of that particular term of endearment, Lucia welcomed the trio inside.

While Olivia and Noah played together in the living room, Rafael walked into the kitchen to help his mother with dinner.

"What can I do, Mami?" he asked.

"You called him mijo." Lucia observed.

"He and Liv claimed me."

"Claimed you?"

Rafael nodded, suddenly turning serious. "Sí, Mami. Ella es mi alma gemela."

"Oh, Rafi," Lucia said, tears forming in her eyes.

"Don't start," Rafael warned her with a somewhat watery laugh.

"Lo siento, mijo. I'm just so happy for you."

"You hardly know her. You don't know Noah at all."

"I can see it on your face, Rafi. In your smile. I can hear it in the way you talk about them."

"I love both of them so much, Mami."

Lucia cupped Rafael's face in her hands as she spoke. "I know, mijo. I'm glad the three of you were able to find your way back to each other. Now, tell me more about that adorable little boy of yours."

After dinner, Olivia and Rafael were both surprised when Noah followed Lucia into the kitchen and hopped up on a stool at the island to continue the conversation they'd started at the table.

"I think our son has a new best friend," Rafael commented, reaching over to play with the ends of Olivia's hair as he spoke.

"I feel like I'm in a dream," Olivia confessed, resting her head on his shoulder. "One I don't ever want to wake up from."

"This isn't a dream, mi amor."

Smiling, Olivia turned her head to catch his lips with hers in a quick kiss. "I love you," she told him softly.

"I love you, too."

A short while later, while Noah and Rafael played together in the living room, Lucia and Olivia got better acquainted while they each drank a glass of wine.

"Rafi said you're a captain now?" Lucia began.

"Yes," Olivia replied with a smile. "It's a recent promotion."

"Congratulations. It's always nice to have your hard work recognized."

"It is. Rafa said you are the administrator at a small catholic school?"

"St. Theresa's. I've been there for…a while," Lucia said with a laugh.

"Do you enjoy it?"

"Very much. On the bad days, I try to remind myself of that."

"I can understand that. I think Rafa can too, even if he won't always admit it."

"You know him well."

"He's my best friend…and he knows me just as well. I never put much stock into fate or soul mates…and then I met Rafa and something just felt…right. We drove each other crazy, probably always will a little bit, but my life wouldn't be complete without him. Noah claimed him as his father and there's no one else that could fill that role but Rafa," Olivia said, tears beginning to fall as she thought of the journey that had brought them all together again. "Sorry, I get a little emotional thinking about it all."

Lucia handed the younger woman a tissue as she dabbed her eyes with one of her own.

"I had a feeling about you two," she revealed. "The day we first met in the courthouse."

"I remember that day. That was when I first found out that he talks about me to other people. I also remember the first day I met him. He made a comment about bring your daughters to work day."

Lucia laughed as she pictured the scene Olivia had described. "That sounds like him."

"Sometimes I swear that Rafael Barba and the one playing with our son are two different people."

"I always thought of it as two sides of the same coin. He can be very guarded, and he doesn't let a lot of people in. I'm so very glad he let you in. You and that little boy."

"He would say we weaseled our way in."

Lucia laughed again as she nodded. "That sounds like him, too."

While Olivia helped Noah with his coat, Lucia pulled Rafael back into the kitchen.

"As promised," she said, handing him the small velvet box. "Thank you for bringing them. Maybe we could make this a weekly thing?"

"I'll talk to Liv. I'm sure we can make something work," Rafael replied as he slipped the box into his pocket. "What do you think of them?"

"I already adore them both. Take care of them, Rafi."

"I will," he promised, bending to press a kiss to her cheek. "Te amo, Mami."

"Te amo, mijo," Lucia returned.

"Go say goodnight to Miss Lucia," Olivia said once she had finished helping Noah with his coat.

Instead of doing exactly as his mother had instructed, he tugged on his father's hand and indicated he wanted to ask a question. Bending down to Noah's eye level, Rafael listened intently to the question and smiled before he answered. After practicing what he wanted to say in his head, Noah turned to Lucia.

"Buenas noches, Abuelita," he said proudly, earning him smiles from both all three adults in the room.

"Buenas noches, nieto," Lucia replied, bending down to give him a hug.

"Thank you for dinner," Olivia said as she received her hug from Lucia. "It was delicious."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, mija."

After putting Noah to bed and making love with each other, Olivia and Rafael lay curled together in their bed.

"I have something important to ask you," Rafael said, brushing hair back from Olivia's face and pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

"You can ask me anything," she replied before pulling him back down for another kiss.

"Close your eyes."

"Rafa?"

"Close your eyes," Rafael repeated.

Doing as he asked, Olivia closed her eyes and tried to think of what question he was so serious about asking her. Her heart started to beat faster as she heard the drawer of his nightstand open and close.

"Open your eyes."

Opening her eyes, Olivia looked down to see Rafael holding a small velvet box.

"I know we technically just got together a few days ago, but I don't want to waste any more time. I love you, Liv. I have for a long time…and I will for the rest of my life. I love Noah, and I want us to officially be a family," he said as he opened the box and held it out to show her contents. "Will you marry me?"

Olivia couldn't stop the tears from running down her face as she looked between the ring and the man she loved. Her best friend.

"Yes," she whispered, nodding her head to make sure Rafael knew what she was saying. Once he had slid the ring onto her finger, she cupped his face in her hands and pressed her lips to his.

"It was my abuelita's," he explained a few minutes later.

"It's gorgeous. I love you, Rafa. So much."

"There's one more thing."

"Did you call a judge to marry us immediately?" she joked.

Rafael laughed as he shook his head. "That's not a bad idea, though. It's about Noah, actually."

"Way ahead of you," Olivia replied, happy to be able to surprise him this time. Reaching into her own nightstand, she took out a manila envelope and handed it to him.

"Petition for adoption," he read.

"There's more."

Looking through the additional pages, Rafael noticed two legal name change forms, with Noah Porter Barba and Olivia Benson Barba written in the field indicating what their names were being changed to.

"I hope you don't mind us taking your name," Olivia said softly.

Rafael simply shook his head, unable to form words to express how he felt. Setting the papers aside, he pulled Olivia back into his arms and pressed his lips to hers, putting all of the feelings he couldn't say out loud into the kiss.