Takes place after "I'm Not That Chained-Up Little Person Still In Love With You". Y'all seemed to really like that one and because I loved it too we're gonna keep going with this until Barson Is canon.
Olivia Benson-Barba woke up the next morning to the sounds of her children getting ready for school. Rafael wasn't in bed next to her but instead was making the kids breakfast. She looked at her phone to see Rafael had left a text message.
I made breakfast for the kids. Lucy is taking Noah to school and my mom is picking up Blythe. Let me know when you're awake. I called in a mental health day for us. Love you Livie Joy.
As much as Olivia wanted to be upset with her husband for calling off for the both of them, she knew she needed it. Olivia hadn't spoken much since Elliot came into her home last night. Rafael knew her and loved her so much and knew what Olivia needed. His plan for the day was to be there for her however necessary. Olivia was lying in bed and moved closer to the center of her and Rafael's bed. She was missing the way Rafael would wake up with a sleepy "good morning hermosa" and his messy bed head. She loved the way his green eyes sparkled and he would gently pull her into a snuggle and convince her to spend just five more minutes in bed.
Olivia stayed in bed a bit longer as she reveled in her thoughts. It's not like she and Rafael had a fight, so she wasn't sure why she was so nervous talking to her husband. Rafael was the most understanding man in the world but she understood he needed support too and probably should be resting in bed instead of frantically getting the kids ready for school. Eventually Rafael came upstairs to their bedroom with a tray with breakfast.
"Good morning hermosa. I thought I'd make you breakfast." He said as he kissed her forehead.
"You're the best, you know that?" Olivia said as she kissed his lips. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. I took a Tylenol and was gonna sit down with an ice pack." Rafael said.
"Come sit with me now then. How am supposed to enjoy my morning without the best cuddler?"
Rafael went down the stairs and came back with his ice pack as Olivia was eating her breakfast. She wouldn't have eaten anything if it were up to her but Rafael knew her well enough to give her something to eat. Once she was done eating, Olivia finally asked Rafael what happened last night.
"Stabler told me you deserved better than me and you deserves a real man. I told him a real man doesn't abandon a woman and respects her marriage. He said some more shit like you only married me because you felt bad for me. I had to remind myself you do love me. We loved each other before I was attacked. I think it just made our love stronger. It made me decide I knew I wanted to spend forever with you. After that it was a bit of a blur. I said a mix of English and Spanish about how we're married and happy without him. Then he punched me and missed and I really didn't want to fight him as a courtesy to you. Then he actually punched me: hard. Then I made him leave and as I was trying to gather myself back together, I small panic attack and threw up.
"Sergeant Bell sent me a text this morning saying Elliot was high or something from his undercover job and thought here was a safe place to go. He was trying to explain the letter to me. He said Kathy wrote the letter say I deserved better than him and deserved someone who loves me. Someone kind, faithful and devoted. Elliot added to to saying 'but in a parallel universe, it would always be you and I.' I thought about and it and in that parallel universe isn't one I wouldn't want to live in because I wouldn't have met the man who would later become my husband." Olivia said.
"And I wouldn't have such an incredible wife. Here we are sharing a bed looking at each other happier than ever." Rafael replied as he leaned in to kiss her. "Sometimes I do feel like I'm lacking for you. For a majority of our relationship I needed your assistance to care for me. I've reflected on how I never want to hurt you ever."
