Memories and thoughts returned to the forefront of Liv's mind, words and images appearing within her consciousness as she slowly came around. Her eyes remained closed and her breathing deep, her body feeling heavy and tired. The unconscious tried to reclaim her, but the sensation of her thin attire and unfamiliar bedding prompted her to fight it. Despite her body's strongest protests she turned her head to the side, humming lightly as she came around, her eyes slowly opening. The brightness of the room stunned her and she winced, closing her eyes instinctively for a moment, before opening them more cautiously the second time. As she did so, she found herself staring at Rafael Barba, who was sitting in a chair just feet away from her, and the sight of him drew her immediately out of her weary state. She was struck by the seriousness of expression, and as she met his gaze she noted he was watching her with sadness, concern, and something she did not recognise. The look on his face and realisation of where she was struck her immediately, and she felt her chest tighten, as hot panic overwhelmed her. She knew the moment that their eyes met that he knew.
"Rafa" she said quietly, his name escaping her lips involuntarily, her voice quiet and gravelly.
Liv was staring at Rafa with a worried expression, and before he had a chance to respond she tried to push herself up in bed. As she did so, she felt a pulling sensation and sharp pain against her left arm. She gasped and turned towards it instinctively, her gaze befalling the IV line which was inserted into her arm.
"Liv, stop, it's alright" Rafa said quickly, getting up from his seat and stepping towards her. He sat on the edge of her bed instinctively, looking into her worried eyes with a solemn expression. "You're in the hospital" he began cautiously. "You collapsed in my office whilst I was escorting Martha out" he advised. "The doctor is running some tests, your blood pressure was very low and he thinks you might be anaemic" he explained. "You're alright, Liv" he said gently, offering her a reassuring half-smile. "You're both alright" he added. Liv inhaled sharply and her breath caught in her throat, tears filling her eyes as she stared at him. She felt panicked and guilty and completely overwhelmed. "Hey" he soothed, reaching for her hand and clasping it.
"I'm sorry" Liv breathed, inhaling shakily as she spoke. "I'm so sorry" she added, pain and sincerity present in her tone.
Rafa held Liv's gaze and nodded once as she spoke, squeezing her hand reassuringly. He waited a few moments for her to compose herself, as he considered how he should proceed, forcing aside all of the questions which he had been battling for the past hour.
"The doctor said you're eighteen weeks pregnant" Rafa said quietly, his tone gentle and patient, his eyes worried and sad. Liv swallowed thickly and nodded.
"Yes" she replied quietly. She felt Rafa's thumb stroke her forefinger. "I'm sorry" she repeated.
"Were you... were you afraid of telling me?" Rafa asked gently. "Did you think I'd be angry?" he asked, frowning in confusion as he spoke.
"No" Liv responded quickly, shaking her head as she spoke, as her guilt increased tenfold at the prospect of him thinking she feared him. She squeezed his hand gently as she did responded. "I wasn't afraid of you, Rafa, and I didn't think you'd be angry" she assured him. Rafa watched her closely and nodded.
"Are you still mad at me, because I represented Wheatley?" he asked.
"No" Liv replied, her eyes filling with tears. "I'm not mad at you" she assured him, blinking back her tears and trying to overcome her panic. "I didn't mean for this to happen" she said quietly. "I didn't even think that it could" she added. Rafa nodded in understanding.
"But it did" he replied gently. "I know it must have come as a shock" he empathised. "And I'm sure you needed time to process it, and figure out what you wanted to do" he continued. Liv felt her stomach clench and she swallowed hard.
"I am so sorry you found out like this" Liv said sincerely, guilt overwhelming her. "Rafa, you have every right to be angry-"
"I'm not angry" Rafa interjected, his voice quiet and imbued with sadness, his eyes never leaving hers. "I'm not angry that you're pregnant and I'm not angry that you didn't tell me" he assured her, his voice calm and measured. "I am confused, and concerned and... hurt" he explained, Liv swallowed hard and nodded in acknowledgement. "The EMTs and the doctors were asking me questions about your pregnancy which I couldn't answer, because I didn't know" she continued. "You're nearly halfway through your pregnancy with my baby – our baby – and you didn't tell me" he said gently, his tone matter-of-fact and devoid of blame or accusation. "And I don't understand why" he added.
Liv felt her throat tighten as she was overcome with guilt and panic. She nodded in acknowledgement and tried to figure out how to respond, but before she could do so the door to her room opened and she looked up at it instinctively.
"Ah, Miss Benson, you're awake" announced a blonde nurse in her early forties, who entered the room with confidence and a reassuring smile. "How are you feeling?" she asked as she approached the bed.
"I'm fine" Liv responded automatically. "Thank you" she added. She could feel Rafa's eyes upon her, his doubt burning into her.
"I'm Nurse Harris, I just need to check your vitals, is that okay?" she asked gently. Liv nodded in response.
"Yes" she replied quietly. She felt Rafa squeeze her hand and then watched as he eased himself off the bed and took a few steps back, moving his chair out of the way and standing several feet away as the nurse approached her.
Nurse Harris listened to Liv's heart and took her blood pressure and temperature.
"Your heart rate and temperature are normal" Nurse Harris advised. "But your blood pressure is still quite low" she added. "Dr Peterson has run some blood tests as he suspects you might be anaemic, which would explain the low BP and fainting" she advised. Liv nodded instinctively in response. "And if you are, we will prescribe you with iron tablets which you'll need to take for the remainder of your pregnancy" she advised. "But don't worry, Miss Benson, you and your baby are both fine" she assured her.
"Thank you" Liv said sincerely, offering her a small, tired smile. Nurse Harris smiled softly in response. "What happens now?" she asked.
"We'd like to keep you in until the test results come back" Nurse Harris explained. "Dr Peterson put a rush on them so they should be back in another hour or so" she explained. "Once the results are back he'll come and discuss them with you and talk about the options and next steps" she added. Liv nodded in understanding. "In the meantime, we'll have a look at your baby" she said warmly, "just to reassure you both" she added, as she approached the ultrasound machine.
Liv felt suddenly overcome with sadness, her panic increasing as the nurse turned on the machine and lifted up the container which held the gel. Rafa saw the worry on Liv's face and walked towards her.
"Liv" he said softly, prompting her to turn towards him, her worried eyes meeting his confused gaze. "You okay?" he asked.
"If you'd like to lie down, Miss Benson" Nurse Harris said brightly.
Liv was frozen with panic, and was feeling incredibly overwhelmed by the recent turn of events. The fact that she had fainted in Rafa's office and he had found out like this was difficult enough, but the fact he was about to be shown an image of a baby that may not exist after Monday caused a wave of guilt so strong and overwhelming that she felt physically sick and incredibly sad. Liv nodded numbly and eased herself back against the pillows.
Rafa watched as she gripped the material of the bedsheets with her right hand, holding on so tightly that her knuckles whitened. She seemed anxious and upset, which he presumed was because he had found out about the baby, and she was currently in hospital. He reached out to touch her but stopped himself, realising that it may not be what she wanted right now. Instead he stood a foot away from her, watching with interest as the nurse drew up Liv's gown to reveal the prominent swell of her belly. She then squeezed gel onto it and began to move the wand over Liv's belly. He felt nervous anticipation at the prospect of seeing their baby, and his eyes darted keenly to the black and white screen.
Rafa's gaze drifted from the screen to Liv, whose face was turned away from him, facing the screen. He could tell by how quickly her chest was rising and falling that she was breathing quickly. Perhaps she was worried about the baby? Despite reassurances it was fine, she needed to see it for herself in order to believe it. It would certainly explain why she was so anxious.
"Alright, let's have a look at your baby" Nurse Harris said, her voice drawing Rafa's attention towards the screen, his breath catching in his throat at she sight before him.
Rafa stared at the screen, his eyes widening at the black and white outline of their unborn baby. He was unfamiliar with ultrasounds, and other aspects of pregnancy, and had not known exactly what to expect. But he was surprised at how detailed the image was, and how developed the baby was at this stage. He traced the lines of its head, noting it's nose and chin which were clearly defined. It had an oval-shaped body, and a tangle of limbs, which were moving. His lips parted and he smiled, warmth pooling in the base of his belly as a combination of anxiety and excitement flooded him. Rafa watched mesmerised as the baby moved, flexing its arms and legs and tilting its head. He was staring at its hands, which were clearly defined in the image, its fingers so clear they could almost be counted.
"This is your baby's heartbeat" Nurse Harris announced, pointing towards a moving line in the baby's chest. "One hundred and sixty-six beats per minute, that's good" she advised, turning towards Liv. "Your baby is strong" she informed her, before turning towards Rafa.
"It's alright?" Rafa asked keenly. Nurse Harris smiled.
"It's absolutely fine" she assured him.
As Liv listened to Rafa ask the nurse the same questions she herself had once asked, she allowed her eyes to drift towards the screen for the first time, and she felt her heart ache. The baby was even more developed than it had been when she saw it last, it looked more like a baby than ever before. She stared at its little heart beating and watched as it moved around inside her, safe and warm and comfortable. It occurred to her that this might be the last time she ever saw the baby, and she had allowed the last time to be Rafa's first, which seemed indescribably cruel. Everything she had been trying to protect him from for the past six weeks was shattered, and he had discovered her secret in the most heartbreaking way.
Liv's eyes filled with tears and a sob escaped her mouth, prompting her to turn away from the screen and clamp a hand to her mouth. She swallowed hard and quickly tried to calm herself.
Rafa had been mid-conversation with Nurse Harris when he heard a stifled sob, prompting him to turn towards Liv. Her head was turned away from the screen and her body was tense, and he could tell her right hand was near her face. He frowned in confusion and stepped towards her.
"Liv?" Rafa said gently, his voice imbued with concern. "Liv, what's wrong?" he asked, placing his hand on her arm. She was shaking, and despite her attempts to calm herself, appeared distraught. He turned his attentions back towards Nurse Harris. "Can you stop what you're doing, please?" he asked. "Can we have a minute?" he added.
"Of course" Nurse Harris responded slowly. "I'll go and chase up your blood work" she added, confusion present in her tone.
As soon as Nurse Harris returned the wand to its cradle and walked towards the door, Rafa stepped closer to Liv and placed his right arm around her, pulling her into a hug and holding her close.
Liv felt Rafa's strong arms around her, and was flooded by the scent of him, finding herself experiencing the comfort and sanctuary she hadn't realised she had needed for the past six weeks. She slowly moved her arms up his back and held onto the backs of his shoulders, prompting her to squeeze her tighter. She lowered her head and rested her forehead on his shoulder, crying quietly for several moments, mascara staining his white shirt. He cradled her head and held her close, whispering words of comfort, repeatedly telling her that it was alright, everything was alright.
Feeling guilty and embarrassed, Liv slowly lowered her arms and leaned back, prompting Rafa to let go of her. He sat beside her on the edge of her bed, and watched as she wiped her eyes breathlessly.
"Sorry" Liv said quietly, looking up at him with tired, sad eyes. "I'm so sorry" she added, feeling guilty at having allowed herself to be comforted by him when she had deceived him so badly.
"Don't be sorry, it's alright" Rafa soothed, his voice low and gentle. Something deep inside her ached.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you" Liv said tearfully. Rafa held her gaze and nodded.
"I'm trying to understand. I'd like to understand" Rafa explained, taking her hand tentatively, and squeezing it gently when she didn't pull away. "But I can't understand if you won't tell me" he said softly.
Liv swallowed thickly and nodded. Rafa deserved an explanation, it was the least she could do. She steeled herself in anticipation, as she tried to quickly order her thoughts and figure out where to start.
"When I arrested Luca DiAngelo he resisted" Liv began calmly, lowering her eyes from Rafa's as she spoke. "He kicked he in the stomach, twice, hard" she explained. She felt Rafa's hand squeeze hers tighter. "I felt this, intense, cramping pain in the bottom of my stomach" she advised. Rafa nodded in understanding. "Amanda took me to the hospital, and based on the location of the pain, and how strong it was, they suspected I had internal bleeding" she continued, meeting his gaze as she spoke. "They ran an ultrasound to see if I was bleeding internally, but I wasn't" she stated. "Instead, they discovered I was twelve weeks pregnant" she said quietly. Rafa nodded encouragingly and squeezed her hand. "Shortly afterwards I... I started bleeding" she added, her voice choked as she spoke. She shook her head and lowered her gaze from Rafa's. "I passed out" she stated, wiping a tear from her eye.
"Why didn't you call me?" Rafa asked gently, frowning in confusion. "I would've got the next flight over, I would have been here with you" he added. Liv's bottom lip trembled and she looked up to meet his gaze.
"Because when I regained consciousness they told me I had experienced a threatened miscarriage" Liv advised. "It's when you experience bleeding and cramping in the early stages" she explained. "The baby was fine, but based on the injury I had sustained and the bleeding, it was possible that I would-" she broke off suddenly, swallowing hard. "That I would lose it" she added, a tear rolling down her cheek at the memory. Rafa watched her sadly and nodded in understanding. "I couldn't call you and ask you to come over to watch that happen" she stated with conviction. "It would have been selfish-"
"No, it wouldn't" Rafa assured her, his tone confident but his voice slightly choked. "I would have been here. I would have wanted to be here, for you, whatever happened" he stated. Liv clenched her jaw and nodded, trying to prevent herself from crying.
"I didn't want to hurt you" Liv said simply. "I was in shock that I was pregnant, and I really thought I was going to lose it" she explained. "I went home that weekend and I just... waited, but... it didn't happen" she added with a sad smile. "In fact, I started to feel better" she stated. Rafa smiled encouragingly and nodded. "On Monday morning I booked an emergency appointment with my OB-GYN. She had a cancellation and was able to see me right away" she explained. "She examined me and performed an ultrasound, and she said the baby was fine" she smiled. Rafa stroked her hand with his thumb as he listened.
"You could have called me then" Rafa suggested, his voice imbued with sadness and confusion. "I would have flown to New York and we could have talked."
"I know" Liv replied automatically, as she prepared herself for the hardest part. "But during my OB appointment my doctor explained that, due to my age, there is a higher risk that the baby would have a genetic or chromosomal abnormality which could result in it having a condition which is not compatible with life" she explained. Rafa's eyes widened slightly and he nodded, but he remained outwardly calm as she spoke. "She recommended I have amniocentesis" she stated, looking at Rafa, who nodded to confirm he understood what it was. "The earliest it can be carried out it fifteen weeks, and then it takes three weeks to get the final results" she explained. Rafa nodded in understanding and sighed gently.
"And you wanted to wait until you got the results before telling me" Rafa said gently. Liv swallowed hard.
"I wanted to wait until the results came back to see if there would be anything to tell you" Liv explained quietly. Rafa stared at her for a moment, and she watched as his confusion quickly changed to realisation. She steeled herself for his reaction, digging her fingernails into her palm to stop herself from crying.
"So if... if the results showed that the baby had a condition which meant it wouldn't..."
"I would have taken care of it" Liv said quickly, her voice breaking as she spoke. "And I wouldn't have told you" she added sadly. Rafa stared at her with a sad expression, his eyes brimming with hurt. Liv felt something inside her shatter.
"So you, you wouldn't have told me at all?" he asked, perplexed. "Did you think I would disagree with you or, or not support your decision?"
"No" Liv responded quietly. "After what happened with Drew Householder I wanted to spare you from having to make a decision like that again" she explained.
Rafa's eyes widened and his lips parted. He closed his eyes sadly and nodded.
"I'm sorry" she said sincerely.
"I get it" Rafa assured her, turning towards her with a look of sadness and understanding. "I understand, Liv, I really do" he assured her, taking her hand in both of his. "But I wish you had told me" he said candidly. Liv nodded in response.
"I wanted to" Liv responded quickly. "I really wanted to talk to you about this" she added, her voice becoming emotional as she spoke. "But I was scared" she said simply. "Given there was an increased chance of the baby having a condition which meant it wouldn't survive, telling you about it before the results came back felt cruel and selfish" she explained. "I would've been hurting you to comfort myself."
"You would not have been hurting me" Rafa assured her, holding her gaze as he spoke, his voice confident and his tone kind. "I understand that the decision is yours to make, I would never try to take that away from you" he stated. "But we made this baby together, Liv. We are both responsible for it" he continued. "You don't have to do this all on your own" he said softly. "You deserved comfort" he stated with conviction. "And I would have wanted to give it to you" he added simply. "I would have wanted to be part of this. All of this. No matter what the outcome" he explained.
"I didn't want it to be your problem-"
"It's not a problem" Rafa assured her. Liv held his gaze with uncertain eyes. "And you have nothing to apologise for" he added kindly. Liv felt her heart ache.
"I was trying to protect you" Liv said quietly, her words echoing the ones he had spoken to her all those months ago at Forlini's. "I get it now" she stated breathlessly. "I didn't want you to have to lose it too. I wanted to spare you that, if I could" she added tearfully.
"Hey" Rafa breathed, leaning forward and drawing Liv into a hug, holding her close against him. He felt her heart racing against his chest, and he stroked her hair soothingly, lowering his hands and leaning back once he felt her relax.
Liv leaned back from Rafa and met his gaze, the answer to his next question already at the forefront of her mind.
"When do you get the results?" Rafa asked gently. Liv inhaled sharply.
"Monday morning" Liv responded. "I have an appointment with my OB and she'll have the results by then" she advised. "Some of the results came through after a few days, but the majority of them aren't available for three weeks" she clarified. "The results that have come back already show that the baby doesn't have Downs' Syndrome, Edwards' Syndrome or Patau's syndrome" she explained. Rafa smiled gently and nodded.
"I'd like to come with you, if that's alright?" Rafa asked carefully. "I can wait in the waiting room or the car if you'd prefer-"
"No, that would be great" Liv responded. "Thank you" she added gratefully. Rafa offered her a reassuring smile and nodded.
"Is that why you couldn't look at the ultrasound?" he asked gently. Liv's expression faltered and she lowered her eyes from his.
"Yes" Liv said sadly, looking up and meeting his gaze with a guilty expression. "As the weeks go on, the baby keeps getting bigger, and so do I" she added with a small smile. "I felt it moving for the first time earlier this week" she confided tearfully.
"Hey" Rafa soothed, squeezing her hand, and stroking her arm soothingly with his free hand.
"My body is doing everything it should be but that might not be enough" Liv explained. "These last three weeks have been torture" she advised. "I couldn't do that to you too."
"I understand" Rafa assured her. "I understand" he repeated. "I'm sorry you have had to go through this alone" he said sincerely. Liv looked up at him guiltily.
"Amanda knows" Liv confided. "I didn't tell her, she was there with me when I got the ultrasound" she explained. "I also told my therapist" she advised. Rafa nodded.
"Okay" he replied, offering her a comforting smile. "I'm glad you had people you were able to talk to."
"I wanted to talk to you, too" Liv assured him.
"I know" Rafa responded, offering her a small smile. "I know."
"I really am sorry, Rafa" Liv replied. "You have every right to be angry with me."
"I'm not angry" Rafa assured her. "Of course I'm not angry" he added, leaning in closer and stroking her arm. "Do I wish you'd told me sooner? Yes, I do. Of course I do" he stated. "But I understand why you didn't" he explained. "I can't even imagine how hard these past six weeks must have been for you" he empathised.
Liv and Rafa sat in a comfortable, companionable silence for several moments, as Liv calmed her thoughts. Rafa was a calm, kind and reasonable man, but she had expected him to be angry, or disappointed, and she would have deserved both responses. Part of her wanted him to yell at her, to call her out, to criticise the decisions she had made and challenge the reasons that she made them. She almost wanted a Supreme Court-style cross examination, but instead she got kindness and reason. And for some reason, that hurt far more than the alternative.
"Rafa" Liv said gently, prompting him to look up at her expectantly. "If the results are negative" she began cautiously, hesitation present in her tone. "I want to keep the baby" she said simply. Rafa's expression softened and he nodded. "But I don't want you to feel... obligated or trapped, because you aren't" she assured him. Rafa frowned in confusion as he listened. "If this isn't what you want, that's okay. You don't have to-"
"You don't think I'd want this?" Rafa asked, bewildered. Liv hesitated.
"I don't know" she replied slowly, worried she had offended him. "We never talked about, and it wasn't something we planned" she continued. "I just mean that... that if this isn't what you want, that's alright, you don't have to-"
"I want it" Rafa interrupted, squeezing her hand and holding her gaze as he spoke. "I want our baby. I want to be involved, and I am responsible" he continued. "But I want this, Liv" he stated with conviction. "I know there is a lot we would have to talk about, and we will" he assured her. "Right now, we just need to take it one day at a time" he soothed. Liv nodded in agreement.
"Okay" Liv responded quietly. "Okay" she repeated.
"I'm here, Liv. Whatever happens" Rafa assured her. "For all of it" he added. Liv offered him a sad smile and nodded, as Rafa leaned forwards and placed his hand upon her right cheek, drawing her face towards his and kissing her tenderly on the forehead.
Rafa lowered his lips from Liv's forehead and rested his head against hers, cupping her cheek as they sat beside each other. Before either of them could speak, the door opened once more, and they each leaned back instinctively and turned towards it. Dr Peterson and Nurse Harris entered the room together, and walked slowly towards the bed.
"Good evening, Miss Benson" Dr Peterson began. "I'm Dr Peterson, OB-GYN" he announced. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I'm fine, thank you" Liv responded.
"Liv" said Rafa, prompting her to turn towards him with a look of surprise. He was watching her with a doubtful expression, and rose his eyebrows slightly. She inhaled deeply and turned back towards the doctor.
"I'm tired, and thirsty, and a little light-headed" Liv added reluctantly, before turning back towards Rafa. "But I'm fine" she assured him.
"Your blood test results have come back" Dr Peterson began. "And they confirm that you are suffering from iron-deficiency anaemia" he explained. "It's not uncommon during pregnancy and it is something that we can manage" he quickly assured her. Liv nodded. "Have you been feeling tired lately, short of breath, light-headed?" he asked. Liv nodded slowly in response.
"I have but I just assumed that was normal" Liv said quietly. She felt Rafa squeeze her hand comfortingly.
"It is, during pregnancy, but to a point" the doctor advised. Liv nodded in understanding. "I presume you're having regular appointments with your OB?"
"Yes, every two weeks" Liv replied. "My next one is on Monday" she advised. The doctor nodded.
"Good. My notes will be available on your records" he replied. "I'm going to recommend using iron supplement tablets, which are available over the counter" he explained. "Here's a bottle to take home with you" he added, placing it on the bedside table next to Liv. "Please follow the instructions, and do tell your OB if you're having any issues" he advised. "Would you mind taking two now?"
"Of course" Liv responded, opening the bottle and removing two tablets. The nurse poured her a glass of water from the jug on the bedside table, and Liv thanked her, placing the pills into her mouth and swallowing them with a sip of water.
"Would you mind if I took your blood pressure?" Dr Peterson asked.
"Sure" Liv responded, as she placed the cup back on the bedside table.
Rafa got off the bed and stood several feet away, as the doctor took Liv's blood pressure.
"It's still quite low, but not dangerously so" Dr Peterson advised, removing the monitor from her.
"What happens now?" Rafa asked, stepping closer to Liv's bedside as he spoke.
"That's up to Miss Benson" Dr Peterson advised kindly, turning towards Liv as he spoke. "You can either remain in hospital overnight to be monitored, or I can discharge you so you can rest and recover at home" he advised. "As we have discovered the reason for your collapse and your stats are improving, I am happy for you to be discharged, but only if there is someone who can stay with you" he stated. "If there isn't I really would prefer you remain in hospital until the morning" he stated.
"I can stay with her" Rafa advised, prompting Liv to turn towards him. "If you would prefer to go home this evening" he added. "If you'd rather stay in hospital-"
"No, I'd like to go home" Liv responded. Rafa nodded.
"I'll arrange for Nurse Harris to bring you the discharge paperwork" Dr Peterson advised, offering Liv a reassuring smile as he spoke.
"Is there anything we should be looking out for?" Rafa asked. "Any reason that we should come back?" he clarified.
"If Miss Benson faints or experiences heart palpitations, you should bring her in right away" he informed him. "If either of you have any concerns call the ward, and we can talk you through what to do. Okay?" he advised. Rafa nodded. "I would also recommend that Miss Benson does not drive for at least twenty-four hours, longer if she is not feeling well" he added. Liv nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, Dr Peterson" Rafa replied.
"Thank you" Liv added. Dr Peterson nodded.
"Try to get some rest, Miss Benson" he said kindly, before nodding towards Rafa and leaving the hospital room with the nurse. Rafa walked towards Liv, who looked up at him as the door closed.
"Rafa, you don't have to-"
"Yes, I do" Rafa responded, his voice warm and soothing, as he sat on the edge of her bed. "I want to, Liv" he assured her. Liv smiled softly and nodded.
"I'm really sorry about this" Liv said sincerely.
"Hey" Rafa said gently, taking her hand as he spoke. "You have nothing to be sorry for. Okay?" he advised Liv swallowed thickly and nodded almost imperceptibly. "Are you hungry?"
"Starving" she confessed. Rafa nodded.
"I take it you drove to my office?" he asked.
"Yes" Liv confirmed. Rafa nodded.
"I have an overnight bag in my office from when I stay late, so how about we get an Uber to the office, I'll pick up the bag, and then I can drive you back to your apartment" Rafa suggested. "You're welcome to come to mine, but I'm sure you'd be more comfortable in your own home?" he suggested. Liv nodded in response. She'd never been to Rafa's apartment before. "We can order in, whatever you want, okay?" he advised. Liv smiled softly and nodded.
"That sounds great. Thank you" Liv replied gratefully. Rafa squeezed her hand gently.
"We'll get through tonight, then tomorrow, and then the day after" Rafa reassured her. "Whatever happens, I will be right beside you" he said kindly. Liv swallowed hard and blinked back the tears which were forming in her eyes. "We'll do this together, okay?"
"Okay" Liv responded, as a tear fell down her cheek. "Okay."