"You really are the best man," Olivia murmured. Rafael had followed her lead without treating her any differently. She felt a little bit guilty for harboring a secret from him, and a big one. But knowing after the fact would only wreck his heart, and she never wanted to do that. He would never know that she had taken one pregnancy test that showed positive. She had wanted two to be certain, and that opportunity was cruelly stolen.

"And you're the best woman," Rafael murmured in return.

Olivia took his hand, placed something in his palm, curled his fingers closed and told him, "You're going to give that back to me one day. You get to decide which day."

Rafael opened his hand and looked at the item she'd placed in it. It was a ring. His heart did a backflip.

Rafael's birthday was on a Wednesday that year and he made sure all the important people knew it.

"I took the day," Olivia told him. "What do you want to do?" She curled her arms around him half-seductively.

Rafael smiled. "Oh, many things." It was perfect that she had taken the day off. He brought her out for lunch and a movie during Noah's school hours to make her think their private celebration was complete. In actuality, he had even grander plans in store.

"What time is the big party?" Olivia asked. She wanted to look nice for it.

"Seven," Rafael answered.

Olivia checked the time and kissed his cheek. "Then I should start getting ready."

Rafael smiled. She had no idea.

At seven, he brought her to the bar that had been their spot, and still was their spot, despite the fact he was no longer working alongside everybody. He dressed in a most colorful outfit, complete with suspenders and a silly tie. Olivia dressed like an absolute goddess, reclaiming her confidence in a slinky black dress that made her look like the femme fatale in a noir film.

Rafael spent an hour accepting birthday salutations and small gifts here and there. Gradually and smooth as butter, he glided his way over to his seat as he conversed with one person, then another. The group compressed close to the bar. He sat down on his seat and looked at Olivia. "Sit." He invited, patting the seat to the right. She did. "Cabernet for the lady," he ordered for her. When it was made, he gestured to it. "Drink." Olivia took a sip, but only one. It still gave Rafael the time to drop down to one knee. He took Olivia's hand in his left as his right reached into a pocket. "Marry me." Shakily, he slid the ring onto her finger.

Olivia gently pulled him to his feet and slid off the seat to meet him. "I will." She grasped his silly tie and pulled him into a kiss. There was no mistaking the uproarious applause and cheers from their friends.

Rafael held her close, in a protective embrace as he returned the kiss.

Olivia lingered in the kiss, but when it broke she brought her lips to his ear and murmured, "Happy birthday, Rafa."

After all the congratulations and well-wishers, when they were home and they were quiet and no longer dressed up, Olivia needed a reassurance that flared up now and again. "This is real life? I'm not in the hospital having a fever dream or still in chains having a mental breakdown?"

Rafael took her hand with the ring and delicately kissed her knuckles. "I can do it again," he offered. "Every day, if you need."

Olivia nodded. "Just one more time?" Tears spilled from her eyes, feeling like she was ruining all his efforts by asking.

But Rafael knew what she couldn't possibly dream up. He continued holding her hand and knelt down before her for the second time, looking up at her soulfully. "Olivia Margaret Benson, bearing in mind there are many eyewitnesses, for several counts on the charge of first degree heart theft of one Rafael Ada Barba, how do you plead?"

Olivia gasped softly. "Guilty as charged." She reached out to caress his cheek with her free hand. "I never knew your middle name."

Rafael smiled at her. "Surprise."

Olivia gave his hand a gentle tug, encouraging him back to his feet. "Thank you."

"Shall we get some sleep?"

Olivia nodded. Now that he mentioned it, she was exhausted. His arms remained the coziest, safest place she could possibly be. Rafael watched as she fell asleep. Ever since she was released from the hospital, he kept watch. Thankfully, Olivia's night terrors were fading and if they didn't come within the first two hours, they didn't come at all. Happily, on that October 24th night, they stayed away.

The first week of November found Olivia, Rafael, and Noah making their fresh start in their new home. Noah got to have an even bigger bedroom, Rafael got to have a decently sized office, and Olivia finally got to experience having a yard. There were rooms with as yet unfulfilled purpose, but tons of potential.

"We made it," Olivia declared. She looked around. "Only about half a library."

Rafael chuckled. "The twist is most of those books are yours."

Olivia smiled at him, settling back into his arms. "I'm you now, Rafa."

"Eres mi corazón por siempre."

"Y tu eres mi elefante." Olivia kissed him. "I love you."