What about Us?

Chapter Six

Two weeks had gone by without any word from Rafael. Olivia was doing her best to keep her spirits up but it was hard, morning sickness had set in, she was exhausted all of the time, and nobody other than Amanda and her doctor knew that she was pregnant. Fortunately since she was in charge of her department she was able to stay out of the field a little more easily, although she knew she needed to inform her superiors soon. Lucia was becoming amore regular fixture in their lives, she had been over for dinner twice and had accompanied them to the park last Saturday.

It was Saturday again and the three of them were going to the farmer's market. Lucia was actually really good company, Noah adored her and Olivia could tell that the feeling was mutual. The shopped at the market stopping for samples along the way. Olivia did her best to stay away from the strong smells that permeated the market. At one point she had to excuse herself quickly leaving Noah and Lucia behind. After they finished dinner they went back to the apartment where Lucia planned to make them dinner.

"Olivia Dear, you look exhausted please go rest while I make dinner. Noah can help me right, Noah?" She asked.

"Yes, I want to help Lucia make empanadas!" He told her excitedly not really knowing what an empanada was.

"OK, but don't let me sleep too long this time." She said as she went back to her room taking the iPad with her as she always did just in case he called. She set an alarm for an hour not wanting to sleep too long again. She looked at the clocks next to her bed it was almost eleven there, he should be sleeping. She imagined him lying in bed with her his arms wrapped around her running his hands over her stomach trying to feel any signs of the child she was carrying. This is how she fell asleep every night thinking of the nights to come when he would hold her.

She woke an hour later with the feeling of nausea coming over her. She did her best to pick at the dinner Lucia had prepared and graciously turned down the wine she offered her. After dinner she put Noah to bed while Lucia tidied up the kitchen. She thankfully accepted the mug of tea Lucia offered her when she returned.

"Olivia, I don't want to pry but is everything all right? I know how hard you work and raising Noah on your own, you seem so run down, and you aren't eating very much. I worry you aren't taking care of yourself." Lucia said with genuine concern looking at the younger woman then suddenly the realization hit her and before she could stop herself the words came out, "Olivia are you and Rafael expecting a baby?" she asked.

Olivia blinked several times in disbelief, she cleared her throat in an effort to speak but the words stuck in her throat.

"I'm sorry Olivia, I should not have said anything you and Rafael will tell me when you are ready." She apologized quickly.

"He doesn't know yet, Rafael doesn't know about the baby yet." Olivia finally let out in a whisper watching Lucia's face for the disappointment she knew would be coming. Instead she found tenderness and compassion.

"Oh Hija, why not?" Lucia asked taking her hand.

"He was traveling when I found out, I was about to tell him when the explosion happened and I've only spoken to him once since then." Olivia explained exhausted tears running down her face.

"The night I was here.' Lucia said in understanding as Olivia nodded.

Olivia stood suddenly, "Would you like to see a picture of your grandchild?" She asked Lucia reaching into her purse a pulling out the ultrasound picture she had been keeping with her.

"Nieto" Lucia whispered softly as Olivia handed her the picture, "I'm going to be an abuletia." She said then shook her head, "I'm already an aubelita, now I will have two nietos. We are familia Olivia hija."

Olivia hugged her so profoundly grateful for her words, including Noah as a grandchild, and the relief of having someone else knowing her secret.

"You must tell Rafael as soon as possible Olivia, I know my son he is going to be thrilled but not happy that he didn't know sooner."

Olivia nodded she knew Lucia was right, "I promise you I will tell him as soon as he is able to call. I have no intention of keeping this a secret."

"How far along are you?" Lucia questioned.

"Eleven weeks, almost through my first trimester, I was already eight weeks when I found out." Olivia explained.

"I should let you rest Hija. We will have dinner this week, I will cook." She told her kissing her on the cheek.

"Lucia, I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday. I should get to hear the baby's heartbeat, would you like to come with me?" Olivia asked still timidly overwhelmed by all that had transpired.

"I would be honored, I will see you then." She kissed Olivia goodbye and left her to get some rest.

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"Olivia it's great to see you again." Her doctor greeted her as she entered the exam room.

"Hi Dr. Andrews this is…" Olivia stumbled over how to introduce Lucia. "This is Lucia Barba, the baby's grandmother."

"Fantastic, so I take it you got a chance to tell the father then?" Dr. Andrews asked.

Olivia shook her head, "No, not exactly communication is still difficult." Olivia explained just as a familiar sound came from her phone.

"Um, I think that's him calling." Oliva said half panicked not wanting to miss his call but not wanting this to be how he found out either.

"Answer it!" The other two women commanded.

"Rafael" Olivia answered nervously.

"Liv, hey, I'm so sorry it's been so long. I think our communications are all back though." Rafael paused trying to take in what he could see from the background of her phone. "Liv where are you?" Why is my mother with you?"

"Rafa, I'm at the doctor and I need to tell you something." She answered her voice and hands shaking.

"We'll leave you two alone." Dr. Andrews told her ushering Lucia from the room.

"Liv, what the hell is going on? You're scaring me? Before the explosion you said everything was all right. Now you're at the doctor with my mother." Rafael worried.

"Rafa, everything is fine, this is a fairly normal appointment." Liv did her best to stay calm.

"Why is my mother with you at a normal doctor's appointment? He asked his frustration growing and temper starting to show.

"She's here because I didn't want to hear our baby's heartbeat for the first time by myself!" She spat out, "She's here because the father is half way around the world, trying to absolve himself of wrong doing and I haven't been able to talk to him for over two weeks. "

Rafael sat on the other end of the line in stunned silence for several moments as Olivia grew more nervous.

"Rafael please say something." She whispered.

"Baby? Our baby?' He asked a smile spreading across his face, "We are going to have a baby? But how?"

Olivia laughed at his last question, "Well Love I'm pretty sure they covered that in sixth grade health class."

Rafael rolled his eyes at her, "But I mean… isn't that unlikely given your…" He stopped himself, "Given the fact that we've only spent one night together?"

Olivia smiled at him, "Good save Counselor. You're not made Rafa?"

Rafael looked at her in genuine confusion, "What on earth would I be mad about? You've just given me the best news ever. God I love you Olivia Benson."

Tears began to roll down her face, "I love you too." Just then there was a knock on the door, Lucia and Dr. Andrews reappeared. Dr. Andrews was pushing an ultrasound machine.

"I thought maybe since we had Daddy on the line we could try and get a glimpse of this little one again." She offered with a smile. "You want to see your baby, Mr. Barba?"

"Yes, please." He answered quickly still trying to figure out how his life had changed in a moment.

Olivia laid back on the table, Lucia propped the phone up so Rafael could see and then held Olivia's hand. They watched together as the baby appeared on the screen. Olivia could hear Rafael talking in Spanish and was able to quickly translate to hear him say, "Hi, Little One I am your Pappi and I already love you."

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Two days later Olivia was getting herself ready for work and Noah ready for school. She and Rafael hadn't gotten to speak since the doctor's office. He had sent her an email saying an emergency had come up and he would be traveling for a couple days. He reminded her how much he loved her, Noah, and the Little One. She missed him desperately and she was anxious to talk to him without a room full of people.

"Noah come on Lucia is going to be here any minute to take you to school." Olivia called out.

"Yay, maybe we can get donuts before school." Noah replied.

Olivia laughed Lucia was definitely enjoying her role as abuelita and Noah had no complaints either. As if on cue a knock came to the door. Olivia went to open it expecting to see the older woman, instead she was greeted by Rafael standing on the other side.

"Rafa!" She yelled throwing herself at him feeling his arms instantly wrap around her as she pressed her lips against his until neither of them could breather.

"You're not supposed to be here yet. How? Why?" She asked in confusion as they slowly moved apart.

"I told them there was an emergency. I took an airplane, and because I need to ask you something." He told her laughing slightly at her questions before dropping to one knee in the middle of her doorway.

"Olivia Benson will you marry me?" He asked her pulling a ring from his pocket while holding her other hand.