Brown Eyed Girl

Chapter 7

A Surprise Appearance

A/N Thanks for waiting for an update on this story it took me awhile to decide where it should go. Thank to Barson Addict for asking for an update to give me a push.

Barba was packing up his briefcase at the end of the day. He should have left the office an hour ago but had lost track of time. He sent Liv a quick text knowing she was probably in the middle of baths and bedtimes.

Sorry lost track of time, leaving now, need anything?

You, to help get these kids to bed and then maybe me to bed.

He smiled reading her response, it still amazed him he was going home to a fiancé and two children who would legally be his son and daughter in a couple of months. So much had changed since that night in early September but he had never in his life been happier. He never could have imagined a life that could be both so very complicated and simple at the same time. A family life with two people with very demanding careers and two children under four was challenging to say the least. They were constantly adjusting schedules and still trying to figure out how to make it all work. Even with all the added stress and challenges Barba had never felt more content.

He was glad that it was Friday, Saturdays usually meant the four of them snuggling together in their big bed watching cartoons and then setting out on some kind of family adventure. Tomorrow though was a special Saturday, they were celebrating Mari's birthday. He still wasn't sure how they were going to fit everyone in their apartment but Liv had assured him they could.

He made his way down to the lobby of Hogan Place and through the lobby, he had just stepped outside when he hear someone call his name.

"Mr. Barba?" A man who looked to be about thirty said as he approached him.

"Yes, I'm Rafael Barba, Can I help you?" Barba asked slightly annoyed, ready to get home to his family.

"Mr. Barba, my name is Jason Stephens I am an actor and was part of a touring company with Claudia Rios almost two years ago. I believe Claudia was your cousin."

Barba felt his hand grip around his briefcase and his stomach tighten into a knot. "I am Claudia's cousin." He answered not wanting to offer any more information.

"Mr. Barba I returned to New York about six weeks ago, I landed a part in a Broadway show." The man began to explain.

"Congratulations, if you will excuse me I need to go." Barba said trying to push past the man.

"One more minute, Mr. Barba, I tried to get in contact with Claudia through mutual friends. I heard about the accident. I was so sorry to hear the Claudia had be killed."

'I appreciate your condolences, now I really must be going." Barba said walking past him.

"I was also surprised to hear that Claudia had a baby, I thought back to mine and Claudia's relationship and how she left the company so suddenly. It got me thinking…" Jason paused until Barba turned back to him.

"What is your point Mr. Stephens?" Barba asked him, anger flashing in his eyes.

"My point Mr. Barba is I believe that you are raising my daughter."

"I'm leaving Mr. Stephens, do not contact me again." Barba told him.

" , surely you would not try to keep me from my child that would be illegal, and would definitely complicate things for you, Lieutenant Benson and her son."

Barba felt himself grow cold, this man not only knew about Mari, but Liv and Noah too. "You have no proof or legal claim to anything, stay away from me and my family. "

Barba watched as the man pulled out his phone and then felt his own phone buzz. "That's the number where you can get ahold of me Mr. Barba."

BarsonBarsonBarsonBarson

Barba closed the door to the apartment set his briefcase down and hung up his coat. He walked past the toys scattered across the living room and the from dinner dishes that were still in the sink. He could hear Oliva reading from the back of the apartment. She was sitting on Noah's bed, Mari already asleep against her chest and Noah snuggled up next to her. He stood watching the scene in front of him as he thought back to his encounter earlier and how he would tell her about it.

"Papi!" Noah exclaimed when he saw him.

"Shhhh, hijo don't wake tu hermana" Barba said with a smile walking around the bed and laying down on the other side of him.

"Tomorrow's Mari's birthday Papi," Noah reminded him.

"I know, you should probably get to sleep so you are ready for her party." Barba told him kissing him on top of his head, "I love you Noah."

"I love you too Papi, and Mamma, and Mari." He said sleepily.

Barba walked back around the bed and took the sleeping girl from Oliva, "I'll lay her down" he whispered as they walked out of Noah's room. He walked down the hall and laid Mari in her crib fighting back a mix of tears and fear over what had happened earlier. He took a deep breath and went to tell Olivia.

He found her in the kitchen cleaning up the dinner dishes, "Have you eaten? " She asked him.

"No, but that can wait, I need to tell you what happened tonight Liv." He said his voice shaking.

"Raf, what is it? Are you all right?" She asked him.

"A man met me outside of my office tonight. He was part of Claudia's touring company, he thinks he is Mari's father." Barba spit the word out watching Oliva's face turn white as her hands began to shake.

"Do you think it's really him?" She asked.

"I don't know Liv, at this point without a paternity test there's no way to know." Barba explained.

"Could he get one?" liv asked

Barba nodded, "If he can show evidence that there is a significant possibility, then yes. But there's more, he knows who you are, he knows about Noah. Liv, this man has done research on our family. Claudia was always very clear that she didn't want Mari's biological father part of her life, if it is Jason Stephens then I can see why. "

"I can run his name and see what I get." Oliva said reaching for her phone.

"That's illegal and could cost you your job." Barba reminded her taking her phone from her.

"I don't give a damn, my daughter is more important than my job." She said the tears beginning to fall from her eyes.

Barba pulled her close, "I know mi amour, I know." He whispered and he held her fighting back his own tears. "We are going to get through this and we are not going to lose Mari in the process Liv, I promise."

Mari's party the next day was perfect. Mari was dressed in a pink tu-tu and shirt that said, "I'm the Birthday Girl" with her brown curls pulled up with a pink bow. Lucia had made an incredible spread of Cuban food, and they had ordered cupcakes from their favorite bakery. Their apartment was full of their friends and family. Liv and Rafael did their best to push aside thoughts of what might happen next with Jason Stephens. The reality was they were just waiting to see what would happen next. They got their answer Tuesday morning.

They were hurrying out of their building Barba was going to drop Noah at preschool and Liv was headed to work. Liv hugged Noah and kissed Barba, "You two have good days."

Just then a woman approached them, "Rafael Barba?" She asked

"Yes?" He responded as she handed him an envelope.

"You've been served." She said before walking away.

Olivia looked at Barba as he opened the envelope. Shaking his head he read it and told her, "It's a summons to appear in Family Court in one week."

TBC