"Liv, why don't you head off. We will see you at Forlini's tonight?" Fin suggested as she nodded wanting to spend the rest of the day with Rafael. She had started the clearing out of her office little by little in the last weeks therefore there was only a few items that remained. Rafael carried the box that held photos of their family that sat on her desk for many years. Once she looked at every day.

Instead of taking her home, Rafael drove them to his old apartment. Olivia looked at him confused as he gave her a small smile and a shrug. She followed him as they walked through the lobby and was met by his old doorman who didn't look all that shocked to see Rafael despite it being years since he had moved out. When he pressed rooftop in the elevator, she grinned at him slipping her hand in his.

They had spent many nights on that rooftop when they first became friends. Every time she would end up at his place to prep or just hang out they would end up at the rooftop. They'd spend hours sitting on the ledge just talking, watching the world below. They had shared their first kiss on that rooftop when the first snow fell that winter they got together. It was a difficult decision to move to a new apartment building when Liv and Noah finally moved in because of all of the memories attached to his old one.

"Seemed fitting somehow." He began,

"I never had the heart to sell this apartment, maybe because all of the memories attached to it. Back when things were less complicated. When it was just us. From Counsellor/Lieutenant, Olivia/Rafael to Liv/Rafa. Back when it felt like it was you and me against the world, somewhat instinctively. After that night, I found myself gravitating towards this place. I still had access to the rooftop and Gerald just waved me in every time. When I would be home and not work from home, I would work from up here. I know there's a part of you that wonders…I guess what I am trying to say, and what I wanted to convey as words fail me is that, I am still in this Liv." Quiet tears fell down Olivia's cheeks knowing that despite everything, he was still extending an olive branch she had long since burned to ashes.

"I acknowledge what you're walking away from to give us the best chance we have." Olivia stepped towards him and placed a hand on his cheek.

"Rafa, it's not a choice. You are my priority. You are my husband, the love of my life and my best friend. I haven't been very good at showing you that, and that's on me. I go where you are. I have devoted most of my life to SVU, it's time I devote that time to our family. Our marriage. Like you have done without compromise. It's my turn baby." Olivia looked around,

"The fact that this is where you are drawn to, even though, Rafa baby." Olivia said in a desperate whisper,

"You could have given up at any point Rafi. I have certainly given you enough reason to, and you're still here. You're still trying."

"I can't say I didn't wish I could stop." He confessed.

They had spent the rest of the afternoon at the rooftop of his old apartment talking, reminiscing and enjoying each other's company in a way they hadn't in a very long time. When Rafael looked at the time, he regretfully let her know it was time to leave so they could get ready for that evening. The look of disappointment in Olivia's face was hard to miss. Rafael placed a hand over hers,

"We've got time. Tonight, is about you. About what you've accomplished. I want you to enjoy every minute of it. You deserve to be celebrated. You have given up most of your life for SVU, let your friends celebrate you and see you out well." Olivia's eyes welled with tears as he drew her into his arms.

"None of it matters if you're not with me Rafa. Thank you for being here."

"Always Liv, always." He promised.

They reluctantly headed home for a quick change and to pick up Noah who would be coming with them and Lucia was to meet them at Forlini's and will take Noah home with her.

"Papi,"

"Yes my love," Rafael answered patiently as he tied the knot on Noah's tie.

"I'm really looking forward to moving to DC." Rafael stopped tying for a moment to meet Noah's gaze.

"It's a big change Papito."

"I know, I love New York. I do, but it's not home unless,"

"We're all together." He finished as Noah nodded.

"Noah, I could have come home. You and Mami didn't need to move." Rafael said suddenly feeling guilty.

"I like DC. I like us in DC." Rafael drew Noah into his arms knowing what he meant.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah Papi. DC feels right for us. Especially when Abuelita comes after she retires." Rafael nodded dropping a kiss to Noah's head.

They had invited Lucia to join them in DC not wanting to be far away from her, but also wanted to give her the option to stay if she wanted to. They wanted to make sure that their new house had space for her. What they hadn't told her was the house that they bought had a basement stand alone apartment with its own external and internal entry. They were going to surprise her with it when she came to help them move.

Forlini's was filled with faces from the decades of service Olivia had bestowed upon the city of New York.

"So much for small and intimate." She muttered as they walked in as a family. Rafael wrapped an arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple.

"You should get to see the lives you impacted in your decades of service Liv. You deserve to finish this season of your life knowing that all of your hard work, blood, sweat, tears, heart and soul counted for so much. Let your colleagues who are well and truly family celebrate you in the best way they know how. They too deserve to see you out well." He said softly as Olivia's eyes welled with tears as he spoke to sincerely.

"Thank you for being here."

"No matter what Liv, I would have been here tonight because whether we are what we are, I would want to celebrate all that you have done and all who you are." He promised.

"None of this would have meant much if you and I," her voice faltered. He nodded.

"I'm here Liv, we're here." He assured her. Olivia

Rafael stayed with Liv as she circled the room sensing she wasn't quite comfortable. She held tightly to his hand which she had not let go off since they had walked through the door. Noah played with Jessie and Billie under the watchful eye of Lucia and Lucy. Don was there with Elaine, Munch brought his latest girlfriend with him, Nick and a handful of others who had played a significant part of her life. When Rafael felt her ease, he excused himself to check on Noah.

On this approach to Noah he saw Elliot walk through the door. He had expected he would show up and when Amanda and Fin had offered to not invite him, he didn't think it would be fair on Olivia or even Elliot. They were a significant part of each other's work life and Olivia wouldn't be who she was or as resilient as she was without Stabler. As much as he may resent the man and all he stood for, he was there for Olivia when Olivia had no one, and his love for his wife allowed grace for the man that held that title of most important person in her life during that period.

"Congratulations, you have managed to blackmail her into giving up her whole life so you can chase your dreams." Elliot said resentfully. Rafael saw Fin, Munch and Don take a step towards him but the slight movement of his hand had Fin pausing understanding that Rafael needed this moment.

"I'm not sure if you've met my wife Olivia Benson Barba, but she isn't one to be told what to do. I have never asked, nor expected her to ever leave New York, NYPD or her life. That's not how we work. We never have. She is my partner, my equal. She has just as much say about what I do and vice versa. Believe it or not, we actually do hear each other out and make decisions about what is best for our family as a family. I understand your beef with me, and sure it's somewhat warranted. I don't owe you explanations and my conscience is clear, because I took Wheatley on for my wife. I will never apologise for that. I'm sorry for your loss, no one deserves to lose the love of their life, especially in that manner, but take a step back. Your loss, had nothing to do with Olivia. Kathy was targeted because of you and your job. You expected my wife to risk her career, livelihood and family on the notion that you were partners once upon a time for 12 years. May I take this opportunity to remind you, you left her. Yet she dropped everything to be there for you and your kids. You pulled and pushed her in every direction with no regard to her life. Forget me, you had no regard for our child. You kept her bound by her loyalty to you like a leash and you pulled at it at your convenience without any thought to what that exposed her to or what that cost her. You still don't think about the cost. She has respectfully given you space which you adhered to at your convenience but the moment you needed something or someone you pulled at the string like she was a puppet. That's not friendship. That's manipulation. I would be glad to never see you again or hear of you for the rest of my days, but Olivia is loyal and to her, you will always be her partner and friend. I respect that. I will never get in the way of that because getting in the way of that is asking her to be less than she is, and I actually love her so I would never. However, you attempt what you attempted that night, so help me God." Rafael looked right into Elliot's eyes before he stepped aside and walked away.

Thankfully Noah was busy with the other kids and missed their whole exchange. However, most of the adults had stilled the moment Elliot and Rafael were face to face. Olivia was about to walk on over when Lucia had grabbed her hand and gave her a slight shake of the head as if telling her to let Rafael have his say and she was right. Rafael had been silenced long enough. Lucia had given Olivia's hand a squeeze before releasing it and kissed her on the temple.

"He needed that." Olivia turned to her mother in love,

"Thank you." Those two words carried a lot of weight and they both knew her gratitude stretched farther than that moment.

"Of course Mija."

They watched as Rafael sat beside Noah in the booth as he played Spot it with Zahra, Billie and Jessie. Noah turned to his father with such adoration and leaned against him as if sensing he needed comfort. Rafael draped an arm around Noah who turned into him and wrapped his arms around Rafael's middle.

"Did you want to play Papi?" He asked,

"Sure, deal me in." He replied returning his hug.

Rafael had made a point of not looking anywhere else and zeroed in on his companions in the booth as they played a serious game of Spot It. Olivia watched him, unable to fathom nor articulate just how much she loved him. As a man, as her husband and best friend. She would never regret anything more than what he had been through because of the choices she had made. For the seeds of doubt she had planted within him. It made her long for DC knowing it would be a new beginning for them. She like Noah and Rafael liked who they were when they were in DC. DC was theirs and it was their future.

Olivia was aware that she was never alone. Fin, Munch, Don, Nick, Amanda and Carisi took turns in standing by her as though guarding her from the opportunity to be alone with Elliot. She appreciated it. When it was time for Lucy and Lucia to take the kids home Olivia joined them in the booth. Rafael had made room for her to join them on the seat. Olivia placed her hand on his leg and he covered it with his. Rafael turned seeing the unshed tears in her eyes. He wrapped an arm around her and dropped his lips to her forehead running his hand along her back soothingly. He felt her take a deep breath breathing him and allowing his scent and presence soothe her.

"You may think she's giving up New York, her career, her life for him. What you're failing to see is that he is her life. The strong, independence Olivia Margaret Benson has finally let someone in. Not because he forced himself in but because he has walked beside her every step of the way since he came into her life. He challenged and supported her every step of the way. He was her partner and equal from the moment she stepped into that courthouse to meet him for the first time. He has lived through her worst moments and he has celebrated her greatest achievements. He loved on her and her child as though he was his own. Everything he has ever done, was for her. No matter what the consequence. She needs him because she finally learned that she is not alone and with him, she never will be. He has never held that over her head. On the contrary, he has given her the space for her to figure out what it is she really wanted, and its him. She not only wants him, she needs him. In a way she has never needed anyone. That's not flawed or a weakness. We should all be so lucky." Don said as he stood beside Stabler who was watching Olivia and Rafael's exchange.

After putting Lucy, Lucia, Noah, Zahra, Jessie and Billie in an uber bound for the Barba-Benson's for a slumber party Sonny and Amanda left Rafael and Olivia to head in first knowing they needed a moment. Olivia wrapped her arms around Rafael's waist as he drew her into his arms. Olivia buried her face into his chest as he ran his hands through her hair.

"Thank you for what you said to Elliot."

"I meant every word."

"I know." She murmured.

"Rafa,"

"I know Liv, I love you too."

As he said the words, she wondered if he would ever truly grasp the depth of her love for him. Whether a time will come when there would no longer be doubt or a question mark in the sentence he offered in reassurance. Rafael took her hand and brought it to his lips before leading her back into the celebrations.