After enjoying a relaxing evening on the couch with Rafa and Noah, Liv enjoyed a restorative sleep which was better than any she had had in recent weeks. She woke up once shortly before four o'clock to go the bathroom and then fell back asleep, waking up automatically at half-past six and getting herself ready before Noah woke up.
Lucy collected Noah shortly after Rafa left for work, and once Liv was alone she felt calm and energised, and motivated to carry out the tasks she had intended to do the day before. She had never been good at sitting still and doing nothing, though she could not deny she had enjoyed the relaxing day her body had demanded she have the day before (until Elliot's arrival, of course). Whilst she wanted to be productive for her own sake and benefit, to make her enforced leave as bearable as possible, she also wished to avoid too much thought into her argument with Elliot the night before. It was a subject she decided to reserve for her meeting with her therapist. She would not allow it to take over her week. Given the fact she had argued with both Rafa and Elliot within the space of a day, she acknowledged that this week's session was bound to be lengthy.
Before starting her work, Liv removed her sling and flexed her arm experimentally. Her shoulder was sore and bruised, but she still had a good range of movement. However, she did not wish to aggravate her injury, and decided to proceed cautiously.
Liv was wearing an over-sized button up blue shirt which fell halfway down her thighs, with a pair of black maternity leggings and black fluffy bedsocks. She tied her hair back in a messy up-do and collected some supplies from the kitchen, before heading into Noah's room armed with bin liners and determination.
Liv spent the next couple of hours going through Noah's wardrobes and chests of drawers and removing all of the clothes which no longer fit him, whilst making a note on her phone of the items she needed to replace. During this time she also went through his toys, removing items he had grown out of and no longer used, and discarding anything which was broken or damaged beyond repair. She then changed his bedding, collected his dirty laundry and deep-cleaned the bedroom, before removing the bags containing the ill-fitting clothes, which she intended to donate. She decided to leave the bag of toys in his room and encourage him to review them and confirm he no longer played with them, before she could then donate those too. As Liv looked back at the room and considered her work, she was satisfied with the result, as it was tidied, cleaner and far more spacious. She suspected Noah would hate it.
As Liv put on the first load of washing and checked the time, she realised it had taken considerably longer than she had anticipated to deal with Noah's room; it had not been because it had been a greater task than she had considered, but rather due to the fact her injured shoulder posed more of a hindrance than she realised.
Liv was about to leave the kitchen to sort through her own clothes when she stopped herself, checking her phone and noting that it was nearly eleven o'clock. She hesitated for a moment, before registering the pangs of hunger which were becoming more prevalent. She sighed gently and headed to the fridge, preparing herself a cream cheese bagel and large glass of orange juice, which she she ate at the breakfast bar whilst reviewing her work emails and responding to text messages. Feeling sated and imbued with energy she intended to make the most of, Liv headed into her own bedroom and continued her organisational mission.
For the next couple of hours Liv reviewed the clothes in both of her wardrobes and all of chests of drawers, placing the garments which no longer fit her into boxes and storing them in the large cupboard in the hallway. She found herself looking with relief and satisfaction at her efforts, glad that she would be able to pick literally any item of clothing and it would fit her, instead of having to search through and differentiate between her new clothes and the items she had worn before.
In Liv's efforts to organise her clothing, she had also cleared out a whole wardrobe and two large drawers, and she found her mind immediately drifting to Rafa, who could make use of the space. Liv was startled by the acknowledgement of her thought, and the seriousness of Rafa having an established space in her home. She had not had a man's clothing or possessions in her house since her relationship with Brian Cassidy. Even Ed did not leave things at her apartment.
As Liv considered the notion, her eyes drifted towards Rafa's black overnight bag, which he stored unobtrusively in the corner of the room, between the night-stand and the wall. She walked over to it slowly and looked down, gazing upon his neatly folded clothing. It was only this week that he had started leaving his toiletries in the bathroom (which she suspected he would come to regret, given the fact Noah had already found and used his expensive bath soap). But his clothes remained neatly folded in a bag, placed unobtrusively in the corner of the room.
Before Liv registered what she was doing, she bent down and picked up the bag, placing it on the bed and removing its contents, which she carefully folded into one of the larger drawers near Rafa's side of the bed. She then folded the bag itself and placed that in the drawer beneath it, which she closed firmly, satisfied with the results.
Liv then changed her own bedding, carried her washing basket into the kitchen and then vacuumed the bedrooms. After reviewing her the results of her labour, Liv was satisfied with her work, glad that the apartment was feeling more organised and spacious. As she reviewed the items to be donated and the new space she had created, she found herself considering the amount of space the clothes, furniture, stroller and other baby supplies would take up. When she began fostering Noah she had never taken care of a baby before, and she found that she bought an abundance of items, many of which she never used. She remembered how cluttered her apartment was, and how stressful she found it, especially in the beginning. Although she knew more about what to buy the second time around, she was still aware that the baby would need a lot of items, many of which were bulky and would take up a lot of space. And even after tidying and organising the apartment, space was something she had very little of.
As a result of her physical work and rising concerns about the lack of space for the supplies her baby would need, by one o'clock she was beginning to feel a little weary, and she resolved to tidy the living room and clean the floors before having a late lunch and a more sedentary afternoon. She was adjusting the cushions on the couch when a knock at the door distracted her from her thoughts, and she stood up immediately and turned towards it.
Liv wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and made her way towards her door, looking through the peephole curiously. Upon registering who was on the other side of her door, Liv quickly reached for the door handle and opened it, stepped back as she opened the door wide.
Out in the hallway stood Lucia Barba, who was immaculately presented and wearing an expression of calmness and confidence, which reminded Liv ever so much of Rafa. Lucia was carrying a large box which appeared heavy, given how low she held it against her.
"Lucia" Liv greeted warmly, as her eyes drifted towards the box. She took a step forward instinctively and reached for the box. "Let me help you-"
"No, no, I'm fine" Lucia assured her politely, edging the box away from Liv's helping hands. Liv nodded and stepped back.
"Please, come in" she invited, opening the door wider and stepping inside, as Lucia entered the apartment.
"I'm sorry to just drop by unannounced" Lucia began conversationally.
"No, it's fine, you're welcome here anytime" Liv replied warmly.
"I heard about your accident" Lucia said gently, as she walked confidently into the apartment and headed into the kitchen.
"Oh, it wasn't really my accident" Liv began cautiously, wondering whether Lucia had come to chide her. "It was an accident I witnessed, and-"
"Sorry, yes" Lucia said kindly, placing the box down on the kitchen counter and looking up at Liv with warm eyes. "How's your arm?" she asked with concern. "Rafi said you dislocated your shoulder."
"Yeah" Liv said, an embarrassed smile playing on her lips, as she placed her left hand on her right upper arm instinctively. "I'm fine, it's nothing that regular doses of Tylenol can't keep under control" she assured her, as she made her way towards her. "The baby's completely fine" she quickly added. Lucia's expression softened and she nodded.
"I know" Lucia assured her, as she stepped out of the kitchen and headed towards Liv. "I didn't just come here to check on my grandchild" she added, holding Liv's gaze as she spoke, and hoping she understood she was there for her too. "How are you?" she asked, in a way which reminded her very much of Rafa.
"I'm fine" Liv assured her. "I really am, I'm just a little sore. But my shoulder and arm are healing, and they'll be fine in a couple of weeks" she explained. "I've been put on sick leave until the week after next" she added. Lucia nodded in understanding.
"I know that must be difficult for you" she replied sympathetically. Liv smiled and nodded.
"It is, but if I'm honest, I'm starting to think it isn't actually as terrible as I thought it would be" Liv conceded. Lucia's expression softened and she smiled. "I've been so busy with work and with Noah, it's actually quite nice to have some time at home by myself to rest and relax" she added. "I hadn't realised how much sleep I needed until this past week" she continued, embarrassment present in her tone. "I feel calmer and more energised than I have in months" she added.
Lucia nodded sympathetically, as she looked towards the black bags lining the wall, the cleaning products on the counter, and the laundry in the kitchen.
"It doesn't look like you've relaxed quite as much today" Lucia said gently, her voice kind, but an undertone of sarcasm present which was all too familiar. Liv hesitated and nodded.
"I spent most of yesterday on the couch, and I woke up today with the most energy I've had since I can remember" Liv explained. "I've done some cleaning and organising and I'm nearly done" she explained. "I just need to tidy the living room, clean the floors and finish the laundry" she added.
"Olivia, you need to rest" Lucia said gently, taking a step forward and placing her hand gently on Liv's uninjured arm. "I'm not good at sitting around and doing nothing either, but sometimes you have to" she said softly, her voice kind and unaccusing. "I'm not saying you need to be in bed all day, of course I'm not" she added quickly. "But deep cleaning your entire apartment is not what sick leave is for" she explained. Liv nodded in acknowledgement of the well-intended and kindly maternal rebuke. "My Rafi can help you-"
"He is helping me, he has been wonderful" Liv responded quickly, her voice imbued with warmth and sincerity. "But it is not his job to clean my apartment."
"It is his job to help and support you when you are carrying his child" Lucia said softly.
"He is" Liv assured her. "He's staying here whilst I recover, and I am so grateful to him" she continued. "This is the closest I've come to actually lifting a finger all week, and the only reason I've been able to is because he's not here" she explained. Lucia nodded slowly in agreement.
"As long as he is helping you" she said, punctuating her statement by raising her hand.
"He really is" Liv assured her. Lucia nodded in response, before gesturing to the box she had brought over.
"I know you're both really busy, with work and Noah and everything else" Lucia began. "So I wanted to make you food for the week, just to get you through" she added, somewhat dismissively, as she began to remove tupperware from the box.
"Lucia, that's so kind, thank you" Liv said, feeling grateful but embarrassed, as she watched Rafa's mother pull out a seemingly endless supply of meals. "You didn't have to do that" she said her eyes drifting across the labels on the tupperware boxes, which Lucia was stacking on the counter.
"I've labelled them with the name of the dish, the ingredients and cooking instructions" Lucia advised, as she finally brought out the last of almost two dozen boxes, which was a huge container of what she recognised immediately as Torticas de Moron. "My Rafi knows how long they should be cooked for, but he thinks he knows the timings better than his grandparents, so ignore him" she stated. Liv smiled and nodded, as Lucia turned towards her fridge and opened it.
"I'll give you a hand" Liv said gently, as she walked into the kitchen.
"I've got it" Lucia assured her, turning towards her as she spoke. "Why don't you take a seat. Rest for a minute" she encouraged. "Have you had lunch?"
"No, not yet" Liv advised, placing her left hand on the counter. "Have you? I can make us something-"
"Actually, I made you something" Lucia said gently, as she placed one large cylindrical container and a smaller square one next to the oven. "I made you a Cuban chicken soup, the same one I made Rafi when he was sick" she explained, "and a Mixto, which is a cuban sandwich" she continued, as she opened the tupperware box. "Rafi said you can eat meat again" she added hopefully, an edge of doubt present in her tone.
"Yeah, I can" Liv said quietly. "Thank you" she added, surprise and sincerity present in her tone. Lucia smiled.
"Take a seat" Lucia repeated, her words kind but firm. "I'll heat up the soup. It'll be ready in five minutes" she advised.
Liv nodded in agreement and sat down obediently, watching as Lucia heated up the soup, plated up the sandwich and continued to neatly stack the boxes of home-made food into her fridge and freezer.
As the soup was heated on the stove, the smell of chicken, vegetables and spices filled the kitchen, and Liv felt her stomach growling hungrily. When Lucia presented her with a generous portion of the soup and one of the largest sandwiches she had ever seen, Liv surprised herself by finishing both. Lucia made herself a portion of the soup and sat beside Liv, where they chatted as they ate, until Liv finished the final remnants of her food. She then sipped from the glass of orange juice Lucia poured for her, and tried to stifle a yawn as Lucia carried the dishes into the kitchen.
"You're tired" Lucia said simply, her voice warm and imbued with kindness. "Why don't you go and lie down" she suggested. "I'll deal with the laundry" she said easily. Liv hesitated.
"That's so kind of you, and I really appreciate it" Liv began sincerely. "But I can't ask you to do that. I'm fine" she assured her. "I can do the laundry later" she added, as she rose from her seat.
"If you won't go to bed, at least sit on the couch" Lucia suggested, smiling softly as she spoke. "I'll tidy the kitchen and come and sit with you" she added. Liv smiled softly and nodded in agreement, recognising and accepting defeat when she saw it.
"Thank you" Liv said quietly, as she walked slowly into the living room, stifling another yawn as she did so.
As Lucia suspected, by the time she had finished the washing up and put everything away, Liv was fast asleep on the couch. Lucia removed a blanket from the back of the couch and draped it over her, before turning off the main light, closing the curtains and putting on the lamp in the corner of the room. She removed Liv's phone from the edge of the sofa, where it lay by her fingers, dangerously close to falling. She placed it on the table so it was within view, before adjusting the blankets around her, and then walking calmly back into the kitchen.
As Liv slept soundly on the couch, Lucia worked quickly and quietly in the kitchen, quickly and efficiently dealing with the laundry, which she washed, dried, ironed and folded into neat piles. She placed them in their washing baskets and carried them into the bedrooms, where she put them away, before returning the empty baskets to the kitchen.
It was four o'clock when Lucia was finished, and she was about to quietly leave the apartment when she heard a key in the front door, and muffled voices in the corridor.
Lucia walked slowly across the apartment and was standing opposite the door, just as a young woman stepped inside, with an excitable Noah beside her. Noah turned from the young woman to Lucia, and he smiled broadly, running towards her.
"Hi, Lucia!" Noah greeted with delight, as he hurried towards her and hugged her. Lucia smiled and returned the younger boy's embrace.
"Hello, Noah" she said warmly, before looking up at the young woman. "I'm Rafael's mother, Lucia" she explained, as the younger woman's expression softened and she nodded.
"I'm Lucy, I'm Noah's nanny" she explained, as she adjusted the strap on her bag.
Before the conversation could continue, the sound of the familiar voices drew Liv from her sleep, and she pushed herself up tiredly on the couch. Feeling a little groggy from sleep, Liv scarcely had time to return to full consciousness, before Noah stepped out of Lucia's embrace and hurried towards her. Noah sat next to her on the couch.
"Mum, were you sleeping?" he asked sounding confused. "In the day time?" he added.
"Guilty as charged" Liv said with a yawn, as she stroked her son's hair and then looked up towards Lucy, who was standing with Lucia. "Though I hadn't intended to sleep for quite this long" she added apologetically.
"You clearly needed it" Lucia said warmly, smiling as she spoke.
"Apparently so" Liv agreed, as she pushed the blankets aside and slowly rose to her feet. Lucia's gaze drifted from her face to her rounded belly, and she watched as Liv placed her hand instinctively upon her belly, as she led Noah across the living room. Lucia smiled and her expression softened. "Noah, sweetie, I've tidied your room and put all the toys I don't think you play with any more in a bag" she began. "Could you please go and take a look, and let me know if you would like to keep any of those toys?" she asked. "If you do that's fine, but if there are any you don't play with any more we can donate them to charity, so other kids can enjoy them."
"Okay" Noah replied amiably. "Can I have a snack, please?"
"Of course you can" Liv replied immediately. "I'll make you something" she added. Noah nodded.
"Thanks, mum" Noah replied, before turning towards Lucy. "Bye, Lucy. See you tomorrow" he added, before disappearing into his bedroom.
"Bye, Noah" Lucy called back, before returning her attentions to Liv. "Is there anything I can help you with before I go?" she asked kindly. Lucy had always been sweet and very helpful, and Liv noticed that since she had informed her of her pregnancy she had been even keener to assist her.
"Uh no, but thank you, Lucy" Liv replied warmly. "I'll you see in the morning" she added.
"Sure" Lucy smiled, before turning towards Lucia. "It was nice to meet you" she said gently.
"You too" Lucia replied, as Lucia and Liv exchanged goodbyes and the younger woman left the apartment, with Liv closing the door behind her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep" Liv said, embarrassment present in her tone.
"Don't be sorry, you were tired" Lucia replied simply. "Growing an entire human being is exhausting" she reminded her. Liv smiled slightly, and her cheeks flushed.
"I find myself feeling tired at work all the time, especially in the early afternoons" Liv confessed. "Usually I just ignore it and keep working, because I have to" she explained. "I sometimes fall asleep on the couch in early evening, especially on weekends" she added. Lucia nodded in understanding. "I hadn't appreciated just how much I needed that sleep until this week" she stated, her voice somewhere between curiosity and concern.
"It is completely normal to become tired during the day, especially as your pregnancy progresses" Lucia soothed. "You are nearly six-and-a-half months pregnant" she said softly. "If your body is telling you its tired there is a reason for it, and it's important that you listen" she said gently, in a manner which reminded her very much of her son. "You don't need to feel guilty or worried or insecure about needing to rest" she added kindly.
"I know" Liv said quietly, offering Lucia a small smile. She found herself feeling both grateful and a little out of her comfort zone during the conversation with Lucia; she wasn't used to maternal care. "Thank you" she added sincerely, holding Lucia's gaze as she spoke. "Will you join us for dinner?" she offered kindly. Lucia's expression softened.
"I don't want to intrude, especially if you're tired" she replied kindly.
"Thanks to the two hour power-nap, I am fine" Liv assured her. "And you aren't intruding, you're family" she added warmly. Liv watched as Lucia's eyes widened slightly and she swallowed hard, emotion playing in her eyes.
"I'd love to stay for dinner" Lucia responded gratefully. "Thank you" she added. Liv nodded in response.
"I just need to make Noah a snack, can I get you anything?" Liv asked, as she headed towards the kitchen.
"Coffee would be great, thank you" Lucia responded, as she followed Liv into the kitchen.
As Liv stepped into the kitchen she noticed the empty washing machine and washing baskets and she hesitated for a moment, confusion turning to realisation almost immediately.
"I finished your laundry whilst you were asleep, it's nothing" Lucia said calmly, as she walked across the kitchen and lifted up the kettle, filling it with water. Liv felt grateful and embarrassed.
"You didn't have to do that" Liv said warmly.
"I know" Lucia replied, as she placed the kettle back on its cradle and switched it on, before meeting Liv's gaze. Liv's expression softened and she smiled.
"Thank you" she added.
"You're welcome" Lucia responded. "Where are your mugs?" she asked, prompting Liv to gesture to the cupboard above Lucia's head. "Did you want coffee?"
"No thanks" Liv replied. "I think I'll have orange juice" she added, her mouth watering at the prospect.
Whilst Lucia made a coffee, which Liv knew she would not allow her to make for her, Liv prepared a sandwich and chopped apple for Noah, together with a glass of orange juice, which she allowed him to eat in his room as he sorted through his toys. Liv and Lucia then sat together on the couch with their drinks, where they sat companionably, talking about the baby, Rafa, their respective jobs and weekend plans.
As her conversation with Lucia progressed, Liv found herself feeling struck by how domestic her life was becoming, and how easy and comfortable her relationships with Rafa and Lucia were. They had fit into her and Noah's lives with ease, as though they had been there all along. Her feelings of wariness and embarrassment quickly subsided, and she found herself talking to Lucia about her pregnancy and the baby with ease. She even briefly touched upon the argument she and Rafa had, expressing her regret at what had happened, and the way she spoke to Rafa. When she informed Lucia the argument had been her fault, Lucia had smiled sympathetically and informed her that Rafa had told her it was his. She reassured Liv that arguments were normal, what matters is that they are resolved, and this one has been. Liv found herself enjoying a degree of reassurance she had not realised she needed.
Lucia had a way about her which reminded her very much of Rafa; she was compassionate yet logical, open-minded but firm, a great listener and a true confidante. Talking to her was as easy as talking to Rafa, and before she knew it she had revealed details of her fears and anxieties relating to her pregnancy, which Lucia listened to patiently and without judgement, providing helpful advice and profound reassurance.
"Because of the complications I experienced during the early stages, and the timescale for the amniocentesis results, I didn't really let myself believe that the pregnancy would actually result in a baby until I was nearly five months pregnant" Liv explained, holding her cold glass of orange juice with both hands, as she leaned against the back couch, with her legs tucked beneath her. "I spend all day focusing on work, then the evenings and weekends focused on Noah" she continued quietly. "This week has actually been more bearable than I thought it would, because it's enabled me to relax more and focus on what my body needs, and what the baby needs, without any distractions" she added. "But lately I've been feeling very unprepared" she admitted. "It still feels so surreal that in a few months time we'll be having a baby" she added, feeling herself becoming increasingly anxious as she spoke. "I'm nearly six-and-a-half months pregnant and I haven't bought anything yet" she added guiltily. "I kept putting it off, which was easy because of how busy I am at work and at home" she admitted. "But the truth is, despite having had months to get used to the fact that Rafa and I are going to have a baby, I still find the prospect rather daunting" she explained, her voice faltering slightly as she spoke. "My pregnancy is high-risk, so the baby could come quite early. And when it does, it's going to be this tiny, vulnerable person who is completely dependent on me – on us" she continued. "And that's terrifying" she added, smiling nervously as she spoke.
Lucia nodded in understanding and reached towards Liv, placing her hand on her uninjured forearm and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"What you're feeling is completely normal" Lucia reassured her. "Feeling overwhelmed and anxious at the prospect of having a new baby is completely natural" she continued. "Especially given the complications you've experienced so far, and the fact the pregnancy came as a surprise" she added. Liv smiled softly in acknowledgement, and hoped her cheeks did not flush to betray her embarrassment.
"I just keep thinking something is going to go wrong" Liv admitted, clenching her jaw and looking away as she felt herself becoming tearful.
"That's a natural and completely understandable concern" Lucia assured her. "All women worry about that when they're pregnant, because it's such a vulnerable and uncertain time" she explained. "I certainly did when I was carrying Rafi" she added quickly. "But you and the baby are both fine" she stated with conviction. "You're having regular doctor's appointments, they're keeping a close eye on you both" she reminded her. "Think about what you have overcome during your pregnancy, what you've both overcome" she added, looking down at her belly. "You and your baby are both strong, Olivia" she assured her. "And you're both going to be alright" she stated, her confidence prompting Liv to smile softly.
"Thank you" Liv said quietly, swallowing thickly as she spoke.
Before the conversation could continue, the now familiar sound of a key in the lock drew both women's attentions towards the door, and they looked up just as Rafael Barba entered the room. He looked from Liv to his mother, his pensive expression quickly turning to one of surprise and confusion.
"Mami?" Rafael asked, as he closed the door behind him and walked towards the couch. "Is everything alright?"
"Does there have to be a problem for me to be here?" Lucia asked lightly, earning a smile of amusement from Liv.
"No, of course not" Rafa responded slowly.
"Lucia has brought us enough food to feed a small army" Liv explained. "Including Torticas de Moron" she added, watching as Rafa's eyes lit up.
"Which are for Olivia" she stated firmly, staring at her son as she spoke.
"Of course" Rafa responded quietly.
"Rafi, I'm kidding" Lucia replied with amusement, gesturing with her hand as she spoke. "I made about four dozen. Go wild" she added. Rafa smirked and nodded.
"Thank you, Mami" he replied, as he placed his briefcase on the armchair and removed his coat, draping it over the back of the chair. "Is Noah in his room?" he asked.
"Yeah, he's going through some of his toys to see which ones we can donate, and which ones he wants to keep" Liv explained. "Though judging by the progress he's made I think he's probably got distracted" she added, rising from her seat on the couch and heading towards her son's room, smiling at Rafa and stroking his arm as she walked past him. His expression softened and he smiled at her.
"Olivia invited me to stay for dinner" Lucia informed her son, who sat down beside her.
"Of course" Rafa replied, smiling as he spoke.
"How are you, Rafi?" she asked gently.
"I'm fine, Mami" he assured her, offering her a gentle smile. Lucia nodded.
"Olivia is fine, too" she added quietly, her eyes drifting towards the back of the apartment, where Noah's bedroom was. "How she is feeling is completely normal, and it's good that she's talking about it" she continued, as Rafa listened attentively and nodded in agreement. "I think you being here is really helping her. Perhaps more than either of you realise" she added warmly. "I'm so proud of you, Rafi" she said sincerely, cupping his cheek with her hand, and holding her gaze as she spoke. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"For what?" he asked quietly, his expression and his voice revealing his uncertainty.
"For being the man I always knew you would be" she explained. "For working hard to build a career and a life for yourself" she continued. "And for allowing yourself to create a wonderful life with Olivia, Noah and your baby" she added, pursing her lips together and nodding, before smiling at her son.
Rafa was struck by his mother's words, and rather uncertain as to how to respond. He simply held her gaze and nodded.
"Si, Mami" he responded, placing his hand over hers, and offering her a tight smile.
Before Lucia and Rafa could continue their conversation, Liv and Noah walked towards the living room. Rafa noticed Liv was carrying a large black bin liner, which appeared full and heavy. He rose to his feet immediately and walked briskly towards her.
"Here. Let me take that" he suggested, reaching for the bin bag. Liv was about to politely decline, but she ignored that instinct, and instead handed him the bag.
"It's toys that Noah no longer plays with" Liv said simply. "Could you please put it over there?" she asked, gesturing to the other bags, which were lined up neatly against the wall. "I'm gonna donate them to Good Will" she explained. Rafa nodded slowly in response and carried the bag across the room, resting it with the others.
"Hi, Uncle Rafa" Noah said warmly, reaching Rafa as he laid down the bag. "Your mum is here. She's having dinner with us" he informed him proudly.
"So I hear" Rafa said warmly. "How was school?"
"Boring" he replied promptly. "Can I watch cartoons, please?"
"Actually, Noah, I was wondering if you might help me with dinner?" Lucia asked, rising from her seat and walking towards the young boy. "You are always so helpful at my house, I thought we might work together to make dinner for your mum and Rafi" she suggested. "What do you think?"
"Okay" Noah responded keenly, taking Lucia's hand and leading her towards the kitchen.
"Lucia, you don't have to do that" Liv said kindly, feeling embarrassed once more. "I can-"
"I know I don't have to, it would be my pleasure" Lucia said warmly, offering Liv a gentle smile. "Why don't you and Rafi sit down and relax, whilst Noah and I make dinner?" she suggested.
"There is no point in arguing with her" Rafa said quietly, his voice low yet amused.
"Yeah" Liv agreed. "Thank you" she said to Lucia. "If there is anything you need-"
"I'm sure Noah can help me" Lucia said warmly. "Can't you?" she asked Noah.
"Uh-huh" Noah agreed, as Lucia walked him towards the sink and encouraged him to wash his hand.
"So what's with the bags?" Rafa asked Liv conversationally, as he led her towards the couch. Liv followed him politely, looking from the kitchen to Rafa, somewhat distractedly.
"Oh, just clothes that don't fit Noah any more, and some toys he doesn't play with" Liv explained. "I went through our wardrobes today and sorted through all the clothes. Thankfully mine will fit me again one day, so I packed them into boxes and I've stored them in the cupboard in the hall" she advised, as she sat down on the couch, prompting Rafa to do the same.
"So you spent one of your first days on sick leave as you recover from a shoulder injury doing manual labour?" Rafa queried, his tone sarcastic but not critical. Liv scoffed.
"I went through some clothes, Rafa, I didn't build an extension" she returned. Rafa smirked in amusement.
"You do remember you hurt your shoulder, right?" he asked lightly.
"It hadn't escaped my attention" Liv replied lightly. "By sorting through my clothes I've cleared space in one of the wardrobes for you, and an entire set of drawers" she explained. "I folded your clothes from your overnight bag and placed them in one of the drawers" she added. "It doesn't feel fair that you have to live out of a holdall" she stated.
Rafa held Liv's gaze and his eyes widened slightly in surprise. She appeared suddenly rather nervous and uncertain, and he understood why. This was a big step for her.
"Thank you" Rafa responded sincerely. "Though I'm surprised you can spare the space, given you bought half the clothes on Fifth Avenue" he teased, hoping levity would reassure her. Liv smirked.
"Okay, first off, I do not shop on Fifth Avenue" Liv countered. "And second, I had to buy new clothes because nothing I owned fit me" she added accusingly. "Which is something you are at least partly responsible for" she teased. The corner of Rafa's lips turned up into a smile and he leaned against the couch.
"I accept no responsibility for your loss of control in those clothing stores" Rafa teased.
"Well it was because of a loss of control on both our parts that I needed to go to those stores in the first place" Liv reminded Rafa quietly. Rafa's eyes widened slightly and he smiled in amusement, clearing his throat slightly as he looked towards the kitchen, relieved to find his mother and Noah engaged in preparing vegetable.
"Thank you for the space. I appreciate it" Rafa said sincerely. Liv smiled victoriously.
"You are welcome" Liv replied. "I think it also makes sense if you just put your clothes in the laundry bins in my room and the bathroom, then I can just wash them with everything else-"
"Liv, you don't have to do my laundry" Rafa said gently, his voice kind but firm.
"I'm not just doing your laundry, I'm doing all of ours" Liv reminded him. "It makes sense that we keep some of your clothes here. It'll save you having to pack a bag every time you stay over" she reasoned. Rafa considered her words and nodded in agreement.
"As long as that's okay with you" he replied.
"Of course it is" she responded easily.
"How are you feeling?" Rafa asked gently, the change in subject taking Liv somewhat offguard. She met his gaze and found his keen eyes holding hers.
"I'm fine" Liv assured him. "I slept better last night than I have done in months, and I woke up feeling energised" she added. "Until about two o'clock when I fell asleep on the couch whilst your mother did my laundry, which is rather embarrassing."
"It's fine" Rafa assured her. "She wants to help."
"I don't want her to feel obligated..."
"She doesn't" he stated with conviction. Liv's expression softened and she nodded.
"No, I don't think she does" Liv reasoned, as she looked towards the kitchen, where Noah was listening intently to Lucia's instructions. "Do you know what else I have noticed?" she asked.
"What's that?" Rafa asked gently. Liv turned from the kitchen and met Rafa's gaze, reaching for his hand and drawing it towards her belly.
"How excited our baby gets when it hears your voice" Liv said gently, as she pressed Rafa's hand to her belly, where their baby was kicking excitedly.
Rafa stared at her belly and his expression softened, as the now familiar sensation of their very active baby issuing a series of firm kicks greeted the centre of his palm.
"It's so strong" Rafa remarked. Liv smiled and nodded.
"Yes, it is" she said softly, as she stared at her belly.
"Just like you" he added, prompting Liv to look up at him with pensive eyes.
"Mum, Uncle Rafa, look!" Noah called excitedly, prompting them to both turn towards the kitchen.
"Coming!" Liv called, as she and Rafa slowly got up from the couch, walked towards the kitchen and took up seats at the breakfast bar, engaging in conversation with Lucia and Noah whilst they prepared dinner.
It was the closest to a family dinner Liv had ever experienced, and she treasured it.