A/N: this took longer than I anticipated but I just didn't like how it was coming out at first. Now though I'm pleased with things. This is the end for this story. Enjoy :)


Later that morning, at about 8:00, Noah wakes and sees Lucy is gone so he looks for Rafa. He assumes his mother is still working, like she had been when he went to bed the night before. Upon leaving his room Noah finds no trace of an adult in any of the common areas of the apartment, and the bathroom is open and empty.

He shuffles his way back to Mama's room to find out who is here with him. Peeking his head into Olivia's room Noah sees his mother's face and Rafa's. Making a quick decision to allow his mother to sleep Noah patters over to the side of the bed Rafa is closer to and reaches for the man.

Shaking him with both small hands against Rafa's arm Noah watches as Rafael's eyes blink open.

"Hi Rafa, I'm awake," Noah supplies rather uselessly.

It makes a slow smile form on Rafa's lips, pulling them wide in a lazy, not quite awake kind of way, "I see amigo. You hungry?"

Returning the grin Noah nods, "si, tengo hambre." (yes, I'm hungry.)

A rumble of a laugh emits from Rafa as he drags Noah off the floor and up onto the mattress, into his chest, "acostémonos aquí un minuto." Noah seems happy to obey, snuggling into Rafa's chest and hugging his arms as far around the man's body as they will reach. (let's lay here for a minute.)

It doesn't last longer than a minute though, Noah's tummy won't allow it, not with the volume of growls. Rolling onto his back Rafael pulls Noah with him so the boy now lays on top of him and then pulls them both to the edge of the bed and walks to the kitchen.

Around lunchtime Olivia rises and pads into the apartment searching for Rafa and Noah. When she finds them her pair of boys are on the floor of the living room, having pushed the table to the wall. Rafa is on his back with his feet planted and legs bent while Noah is reclined, sitting on Rafa's torso, back leaning against Rafael's legs, arms behind his head looking entirely too comfortable. Rafa has his hands behind his head too and they are both enraptured by whatever is playing on the television screen.

Liv can't control the bubble of laughter that escapes her throat, but she has her phone at the ready to take a photo of them before there is any chance to disassemble themselves from one another.

Noah, unbothered by any of the goings on, greets his mother, "hi mama, do you have to go back to work today?"

There is a flutter in Olivia's stomach as she takes in the view of the two of them, Noah very nonchalant about the whole thing, as though this is an everyday occurance for them. She wants it to be.

A bright smile lights up her face, "no sweetie, I don't have to go to work. I have today and tomorrow off."

Dropping his head so it is cradled in Rafa's knees Noah's arms shoot upward in a victorious display. Rafael takes the opportunity to tickle the boy's underarms that are now exposed to him. Immediately Noah brings his arms down limiting Rafa's mobility but still being tickled which pulls non-stop giggling from Noah.

Retreating from his assault on Noah Rafael taps the boy's hip, "go say a proper hello to Mami."

It is easy for Noah to extract himself from where he lays over Rafa and go running to Liv's open arms, "hello Mama!"

Liv gathers him up and stands, shifting Noah to her hip and kissing his cheeks repeatedly and then walks them back to the living room. They find that Rafa has not moved from his position on the ground, but he sends a smirk up at their way.

"Need a hand?" Liv offers depositing Noah onto the sofa.

When Rafa nods Liv shuffles around him, settling her toes over his, and grabs his hands hoisting him from the floor. Once fully upright Liv and Rafa are standing very close to one another. For a few moments they just stare, enjoying the connection.

"Besame," Olivia commands softly. (kiss me.)

The delight that spreads over Rafa's face is beautiful, and he leans into her and kisses Liv gently, chastely aware that Noah is nearby. Rafa doesn't release her after just one kiss though, it isn't until he is able to kiss Liv a number of times that he steps away.

Glancing down at himself Rafa looks back at Liv, "I'm going to head home, get ready for tonight." He winks at her as he says it.

Noah hears this and starts pouting straight away, "don't go Rafa, we can play all day today!"

"Well, mi niño, unlike you I haven't brushed my teeth or changed out of my pajamas so I'm not ready to go out and play anyway. Let's make a deal, I'll go home and get ready for the rest of the day and then when I come back we can play all you want. Bien?"

Now that there is a plan in place all three begin to ready themselves for the remaining portion of the day, easy for Noah who had been changed and asked to brush his teeth after eating breakfast with Rafa.

Rafael returns a little more than an hour later, looking fluffed and groomed, still with a beard. He also has a bag slung over his shoulder that he sets down by the entryway.

Noah is on the couch coloring when Rafa enters and happily greets the man, "hola de nuevo, Rafa." (hello again Rafa.)

"Hola amigo," Rafa answers easily, loving any and all Spanish exchanges he can have with Noah. "Dónde está Mami?" (Hi friend. Where is Mami?)

"No se, su cuarto?" Noah suggests and then catches Rafa's movement as he goes to find Liv. (I don't know, her bedroom?)

Following Noah's thought process Rafa makes his way to Liv's bedroom, rapping his knuckles on the wood of the closed door that meets him once there. He hears a muffled 'come in' from inside and slips inside the room, closing the door behind him. When he settles his gaze on Olivia Rafael sees that she is shimmying the jeans she plans to wear over her hips.

Their eyes meet as she fastens the clasp of her pants shut, "oh! Olivia, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude." Rafa has closed his eyes and backed his way to the door attempting an escape but he just slams against it.

A quiet laugh leaves Olivia as she pulls a shirt over her head, "it's okay Rafa, I told you to come in, remember?" Now that she is all covered up she lets Rafa know, "you can open your eyes now you dork." The tone is light so Rafael takes no offense as he listens to Olivia.

"How'd you know it was me and not Noah?" Rafa asks stepping further into the room and closer to Olivia.

She drops her head sideways as she watches Rafa walk to her, Liv focuses on him and his voice and allows herself to be surrounded by him, "hmmm, well, Noah isn't exactly known for the quiet approach. And I don't think he has ever knocked, usually he just yells through the door."

They embrace the moment the distance between them will allow for it, Rafa still stepping into her. Liv is barefoot with Rafa still in his shoes so he has a small height advantage on her, Liv has to tilt her face up to him so she can look at him. Rafa decides he likes be able to look down at her face as she angles it his way, it gives him a regretful swell of manly pride. Rafa doesn't dwell on the feeling.

Leaning down Rafa takes Liv's lips between his own before he splits them open with his tongue. Olivia moans at the sensation, she is sure this, kissing him, will never cease to send tingles down to her toes.

Pulling back Liv can feel that her eyes have a dreamy, glazed over look, "mmm, you taste good baby."

With widened eyes and reddened cheeks Rafa grins, "that'll be the coffee, and the chocolate croissant probably." With a pause Rafa contemplates Olivia, "baby?" At her small nod he continues, not before placing a tiny kiss at the end of Liv's nose, "I like it, but only from you, I don't know that I have ever let anyone else even give me a nickname, let alone a pet name."

Squeezing him tightly Liv then steps away while reaching for a sweater lying across her bed, "well none of them were me, so…" her tone suggests light-hearted banter, and a smugness. Liv feels an overwhelming love and desire for the man letting her into his life in ways he has never allowed others.

Separating from each other entirely Olivia pulls on the socks she had selected earlier, Rafa speaks again, "no, that they were not." Before saying, "I brought a bag so I could stay the night, if that's - assuming - no not assuming, that's not what I meant."

With a bubbling giggle Olivia cuts Rafael short, "it's cute that you're nervous about sleeping over baby. You can relax now, that is perfect, I was hoping we would take our time with each other." She sends him a wink before standing up.

Liv is facing away from him now, moving to the door to get back to Noah, Rafa can see the expression she wears in the reflection of the mirror, happy to have put it there. Averting his gaze to the back of Liv's head Rafa gulps, "Liv?" He waits for her to look at him, she is still smiling, her lips swollen from kissing him, when they are looking at each other again he says, "I love you."

That dreamy look is back on her face, "I love you too Rafa."

The day passes quickly, Olivia and Rafa chase a wild Noah around the park for an hour before pleading with the boy to take mercy on them. He agrees on the condition that they can paint pumpkins after leaving, both adults readily agree to the terms set forth.

On their way from the park Rafa, Liv, and Noah stop at the market and pick out the best mini pumpkins they spot and walk themselves the rest of the way home. Setting some newspaper over the coffee table all three get to work painting, with Hocus Pocus playing in the background. Noah and Rafa take the task quite seriously while Liv enjoys simply painting the classic jack-o-lantern face onto her pumpkin.

Liv finishes painting her pumpkin first and sits on the sofa to hang by the boys as they continue painting. Each wears an expression of such concentration that Olivia has to hold in her laughter when she looks at them, taking things so seriously.

As each of them finishes they show off their work to Olivia. Noah is actually the first of the two who completes his pumpkin painting, "look Mama, do you like it?"

The pumpkin Noah shows her has a witch surrounded by spiders. Liv is impressed with the level of detail Noah has put into his painting, "I love it sweet boy, it's very spooky!"

Noah smiles brightly at Olivia before setting the pumpkin back on the newspaper for it to fully dry. Climbing his way over to his mother Noah settles at her side and looks to the other man still painting, "what's your pumpkin going to be Rafa?"

Rafael is hunched over his work, using a small brush to get the detail perfect, really putting all his effort into what he is doing, "you'll see, I'm almost done."

Giggling Noah flops against the back of the couch, content to watch the remainder of the film while he waits for Rafael to finish painting. It does take nearly the rest of the movie before Liv and Noah hear Rafael groan as he stands, stretching his stiff joints. Once he is more comfortable in his standing position he proudly displays his wonderfully decorated pumpkin to both anxious couch occupants.

"Está una calaveras para la Día de los Muertos," Rafa explains in Spanish before clarifying in English, "it's a skull like you'd see for The Day of the Day. I don't know that much about the holiday but I had some Mexican friends growing up and I learned some things from them. Something like this would go on an ofrenda, an altar, for family members that have passed away already, as a treat for them."

"That's really cool looking Rafa, will you teach me more about la Día de los muertes, mortos? Cómo se dice?" Noah instantly jumps in. (How do you say it?)

"Muertos," Rafael enunciated.

Olivia loves the excitement in Noah at the prospect of learning more with Rafael, she is struck by how well they get along, "you're a man of many talents Rafa, who knew you could paint so well?"

Scratching the back of his neck a bit awkwardly Rafael shakes his head, "I can't really, just something like this."

Setting aside her phone Liv looks to Noah, "I was talking to Cia, would you like to have a sleepover at her house tonight?" She runs her fingers through his curls, knowing the answer already but needing to hear it from Noah.

"Yeah! I love her house, and she always gives me sweets!" Noah's predictable response comes immediately.

Rafa tosses his head back laughing knowingly, "watch out mi amor or else you'll be as a chubby as I was when I was your age. Lucia Barba is a dangerous woman to be around if you like food as much as I do."

Noah giggles while pushing his belly outward to pretend like he is chubby, telling Rafa that he is just like him. Rafa proceeds to descend on the boy with a tickle ambush on his puffed out belly. Unrelenting with the assault Rafa pulls Noah's body to his own so that they are flush with one another, "oy, cuidarse lo que dice mijo lo se tu cosquillas manchas!" (oy, be careful what you say son I know all your ticklish spots!)

Wriggling like mad Noah gasps out, "detener por favor! Lo siento, detener." (stop please! I'm sorry, stop.)

Raising his hands and letting Noah fall limply in his lap Rafa gives in, "bien, bien. Let's go get some things together for your sleepover night." (okay, okay.)

Still carrying the six year old Rafa and Noah make their way to Noah's bedroom. Together they collect the things Noah will need while he is over Lucia's house. When they reemerge from his room with a backpack full of clothes and supplies Noah is chatting happily beside Rafa, "oh, does this mean you can read me a story tonight?"

"Not tonight mi amigo, Mama and I are going to be here while you are with mi Mami." Rafa explains.

Noah takes the news easily and soon Lucia is at the door to gather the boy and whisk him away so that Liv and Rafa can enjoy some time alone together. There is no concrete plan as to what is going to happen. Food will definitely be integral to the night, and there will likely be some drinking involved. And there will be, unquestioningly, kissing. Lots of kissing. Which they both hope will lead to love making.

It all comes true, much to their shared relief. That night they make love multiple times, unable to hold back the need once they have experienced it for the first time. Most of the dates they go on involve Noah, which is just fine with them, but occasionally Lucia or Lucy will keep him for the night or weekend and they have time to themselves.

Two months into this new phase of their relationship they move in together, it isn't seamless by any means, but it works for them. Noah especially loves it. One evening in June Noah approaches his mother somewhat timidly to inquire whether he might be allowed to begin celebrating Father's Day with Rafael now that he acts like his daddy. Olivia melts at the notion, indulging Noah in his plans to surprise Rafa, and to begin calling him Dad.

Rafa reaches an entirely new level of giddiness the first time Noah calls him Dad, Lucia cries. Before anyone really knows it a year goes by and it's October all over again.

There has been an argument that continuously arises between Liv and Rafa regularly these past few days. They have been trying to determine what date their first anniversary actually falls on. Liv argues that as it usually would, with anyone else, it should fall on the day of their first date, where Rafa takes the stance that it should be the week before, when he came back. They can't seem to agree.

It's Rafa that concedes victory to Liv, mostly. On the day, exactly one year after his return, that Rafael argued should be their anniversary he leaves for work early. It isn't because he needs to, it is so that he can leave Olivia a small gift and a note.

Upon waking Liv immediately searches for her absent bed partner, she sees something out of place on the coffee table and goes to it. There, laying on the table is photo album resembling the one shown in the Disney film Up and Olivia already knows she is going to cry.

Next to the album is a note in Rafa's hand.

"Mi amor, mi vida, mi alma, mi todo, (My love, my life, my soul, my everything,)

This last year with you and Noah has been the best one I have ever lived. The adventure we have begun is the most exciting experience so far, but there is so much more to come. I have added some pictures to 'Our Adventure Book' but all the empty spaces are my promises to you to always be here, to always be apart of the adventure. Thank you for loving me.

Te amo con todo mi corazón,

I love you with all my heart

Rafael

xx"

She was right, she is crying. Liv grabs at her phone and dials Rafa's number right away. He answers swiftly.

"Hola amor."

Liv can't help the lovesick sigh that leaves her mouth, "Rafa, you are hopeless aren't you?"

There is a rumbling laugh in answer, "when it comes to you and Noah? Absolutely."

Liv is surprised when, the next morning, she wakes up alone again. Following her method of searching for Rafael she is once again met with a note on the coffee table with another small book next to it.

Picking up the book Olivia is sees that it is a collection of love poems. Rafael is honestly so hopelessly romantic, Olivia wouldn't change him for anything. Having discovered what the book is she turns her attention to today's note.

"Amor,

Love can be a very difficult thing to express, so I had these poets do it for me.

Yours,

Rafa"

Short and sweet, and perfect. Liv doesn't really understand how she managed to be lucky enough to receive this kind of love but finds so much joy in it. She loves this man with everything in her and he loves her right back.

The morning after Liv wakes first, Rafa's arms securely wrapped around her middle and his snoring breath tickling her ear. Any morning that starts like this Liv considers to be a good one but there is a twinge of disappointing that rises in her when she thinks about the notes and gifts she had received the two days previous.

Squirming her way out of Rafael's arms Olivia rolls away to get out of bed. When she turns to face her bedside table Liv shakes her head, baffled by the man still sleeping in bed. Apparently Rafa can still sneak under her radar. There on the bedside table is some chocolate and another note.

"Really nice chocolate is a great way to start any day. Don't overindulge though, I have some very indulgent plans for you and I tonight.

xo"

Each morning Rafa manages to keep Olivia on her toes as to where the notes will be placed and what gift will accompany them.

In order, after the first three mornings, Liv received these gifts and notes.

The fourth morning she finds a small bottle of perfume that she decides will be her go to scent for any special occasions. The note reads:

"Romance - (n) is defined as a feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love.

I'm glad you're good at solving mysteries. Te amo"

Morning five brings the gift of tulips in a vase and a note along with it.

"You deserve to be surrounded by beauty as great as yours."

On the sixth morning Liv is met with a map showing the night sky, and all the stars in it, on the day they met, the very first time, in the courthouse. The note:

"Mami suggested this one. I wasn't sure how much you would like it, especially considering we can't see many of the stars in the city but I figured I would go for it and bring the stars to you. If you asked me to I would go into the sky and bring you one back myself, I love you so very much Olivia. Rafa"

Day seven, the day they'd agreed would be marked as their anniversary still included a note a present. Rafael isn't in bed when Olivia wakes up, but he is in the living room watching the news, cradling a half awake Noah to his side. The sight turns Liv's heart to mush, just like every other time she sees them together.

Her present is on the kitchen counter, it's a small box with the note taped over it. Assuming she is to read the note first she plucks it from where it lays.

"Each note, including me, has a question you will see. In the box is what you need. All first letters you should read."

It is quite different from her other notes but Olivia follows the directions she has been given. Opening the box Liv finds every note she has been given this past week. Confused she looks back at the newest note to remind her what she is looking for. The first letters, Rafael must have underlined them after he took them back from her. They are in order by day and Liv tries to piece things together using the indicated letters.

"M - A - R - R- Y," she is shaking by now, "M - E?" And in tears.

With a hand covering her mouth Olivia spins around to go to Rafael only to find him standing behind her with their son hoisted onto one hip. They are all in their pjs but they are home, together, and Liv loves it all.

A movement shakes her from her thoughts and Olivia sees Rafael opening a box in his own hands, at the same time he is approaching her.

"So," Rafa starts, nervously, "will you, Olivia Benson, allow me the great pleasure of becoming my wife?"

She is sobbing quietly and merely nods in answer before she pulls her two guys into a fierce embrace. Liv giggles when she sees the tears dripping down Rafa's cheeks and leans in to kiss him.

"I love you Rafael," Liv finally manages some words.

Rafael responds in kind, "I love you too Olivia." He glances at Noah's sleepy face, "And you too, I love you Noah Porter Benson."

After heaving a mighty yawn Noah confirms his feelings for his parents, "I love you too Daddy, and Mama."

Revelling in the warmth and love of the hug they are sharing for a few moments Olivia drops her head to Rafa's shoulder and he rocks them. Soon Noah wants to get down, go watch some cartoons so Rafa releases the boy but maintains a strong arm around Liv.

She brings her other arm to wrap around Rafa's waist and curls into his body further, for just a few seconds, before she pushes him away with an excited thought, "is there a ring in that box you opened?"

He thinks she looks like a kid on Christmas morning and does his best to commit this moment to memory. Pulling the arm from around her back Rafa slips the ring from where it lay inside the box, "there is, it was mi abuelita's. I think she would have liked for you to have it."

Slipping it onto her finger brings more tears from each of them, Liv kisses him deeply.

"Who would have guessed that Rafael Barba could be such a sappy, hopeless romantic?"

Shrugging Rafael doesn't look at all ashamed or guilty of this, Olivia loves him more for it, "I never was before, you made me this way Liv. But I like it, I think I'll stay this way. That way I can be your fiancée, and then your husband, and Noah's dad." Looking Liv in the eyes Rafa ends with, "I can't wait."


A/N: They could be so great together, if Dick Wolf would just stop toying with us. *deep sigh* Maybe someday...

xx