Letting Love In Barson Story

Chapter 16

Last Sunday, almost a week ago, Olivia had the worst nightmare that Rafael knew of. She woke up kicking and screaming. She pleaded with Rafael to check on Noah, afraid that in her terrified state, she woke him. Olivia had picked her son up from Mark's on Saturday afternoon. Rafael squeezed Olivia's hand before getting out of bed.. He found Noah in bed with his eyes wide open. "Is mommy hurt?" The little boy asked, in a little voice."No, Noah, she just had a bad dream?" Rafael answered.
"About the bad guys?"Yes about the bad guys.""You won't let them hurt her, uncle Rafa!""No one is going to hurt your mami." Rafael opened his mouth to sing,,but there was no need, the boy was already asleep. "I'll protect her, Noah." Rafael whispered as he left the room. He walked back to Olivia, got into bed beside her, reassured her that Noah was OK. He held her close all night.The next morning, when Olivia was no longer fearful, they talked. Rafael wanted to stay in Olivia's apartment. Olivia said that she needed to know she could still handle her nightmares on her own, so Rafael stayed away from her bed Sunday night through Thursday night. He hated every second of it, and got almost no sleep.It was now finally Friday afternoon, he knocked on the door to her apartment, it swung open a moment later, revealing a breathtaking Olivia. She had shed her work clothes. She was now wearing a bluish green robe. Her hair, which had been neatly styled this morning when he saw her in her office at work, was now messy. She was gorgeous. He smiled knowing that she would only answer the door in her current state for him. "Hola hermosa." Olivia Benson blushed as the Spanish words rolled off his tongue, so romantically. He rendered her speechless. "Are you going to let me in?" Her body moved, allowing him entrance. She slowly closed the door, and locked it. "Hello," She said, when he was inches away from her.Without a word, he gently kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger there. He dropped 2 kisses in her hair. Finally, his lips moved slowly with hers. He felt her body relax, and he placed his hands on her hips, she made a delightful sound, Her hands moved to his arms, she wanted to keep him right where he was. When Rafael pulled away to admire her, Olivia let out a disappointed sigh, and her hands moved to his shoulders."Get back here,Barba.""You can not fathom how much I missed you,Liv""You couldn't have missed me more than I missed you. I have never said that to anyone." She leaned in, and kissed him, and he deepened it. She whined when he broke it a moment later, she gasped when his fingers traveled to the belt of her rope, and rested there. His eyes locked on her, she felt naked under his gaze and she loved it, but in this moment it scared her. She unwrapped her arms from around his neck, and looked away from him.
He quickly removed his fingers from her robe. "Liv?" She didn't move or answer. "Olivia, what's wrong? What's the matter? Talk to me. I'm not going to push you to do anything, we're not going to do anything. I just missed you." Rafael said in a rush. "Te amo."Olivia turned and looked into his eyes again. "Te amo!" She said sincerely. "oh, Rafa. I don't want you to think that I don't love you.""I know you love me." He answered, adamantly. "Did I do something wrong? We are not doing anything that you don't wanna do.""You did nothing wrong, Rafa. Your mother is coming for dinner, remember? I have to jump into the shower. Can you watch the food in the kitchen. Everything is in the oven?""OK.." Rafael replied. Olivia gave him a quick kiss on the lips, and ran into the bathroom. Rafael was surprised by the delicious aroma that greeted him when he walked into the kitchen. After 20 minutes he heard Olivia exit the bathroom. He heard her shut her bedroom door. She came into the kitchen a half an hour later wearing a black long sleeve maxi dress that covered up her every curve. She went to the oven and took out the leg of Lamb she made. After it was out Rafael made rice pudding. He answered the door when Lucy arrived with Noah. Olivia asked Lucy to stay but she already ate, and had to study. When Lucia arrived, Olivia answered the door, and Rafael sliced the leg of the lamb. Lucia bought Noah a coloring book. The boy ate his dinner before anyone else, and then Rafael put him to bed.Olivia, Rafael, and Lucia were eating and enjoying each other's company when Lucia asked "Olivia would you consider talking to the girls in my school about dating safely. I don't want to scared. them, but I want them to be aware
"Of course, Lucia, I would be happy to schedule and put together an assembly with you, but it's important the boys are there too.""You're right," Lucia said with a smile.
"I think I have time to start working on it in 2 weeks, I'll let you know."You do that, mi hija." Lucia replied. "We can have a few lunches or dinners." Rafael was thrilled that the 2 women in his life loved and respected each other, but he hoped Lucia would change the subject. He wanted Olivia to relax. " "Olivia, this leg of lamb is delicious."
"Thank-you, Lucia, that means a lot coming from you. I almost never cook.""Why should you when you have my son around.". Lucia smiled and laughed. Olivia looked over at Rafael with a smile. She adored him just a few days without him having dinner with her, hanging out with her in a non work related way, or sleeping in her bed was hell for her."You raised a wonderful son, Lucia," Olivia said, without taking her eyes off of Rafael who quickly smiled at her. "The leg of lamb is my mother's recipe. She made it once a year for her birthday. I wish she made it twice a year, once for her birthday, once for mine, but she never made it for mine" Lucia gave her sympathetic, and loving look, and Olivia cleared her throat . A second later there was a soft knock at the door. Without a word, Olivia got up to answer it.She looked through the peephole, and opened the door quickly. "Munch.!" She said, happily, 'come in, you can join us from rice pudding once we clear our dinner dishes."Munch stood still, and spoke. "I need to speak to Barba. I called and left a voicemail.""We've been having dinner. Come on in, don't worry Barba and I have no secrets with the exception of attorney client privilege if it ever applies." Olivia said, as her friend Munch entered the apartment. He walked over to the table just as Rafael was clearing the dishes from it."Hi Munch." Rafael greeted as he headed to the kitchen.Hello, my friend." Munch replied. "Take your time. Rice pudding sounds great.""I taught him how to make it." Lucia watched as Munch sat down, and continued to speak. "I'm Lucia Barba.""John Munch, nice to make your acquaintance, Lucia. You must be Rafael's sister.""No, he is an only child. I'm his mother." You work with Olivia and my son?""I worked with Olivia at SVU for about 16 years. Now, I work as an investigator for the DA's office.""Oh that takes heart and dedication.""Liv once said you were a teacher. Molding young minds is very difficult, and requires great intellect, heart, and dedication if you do it right.""I am a trained teacher, right now I'm a principal." Lucia informed Munch, as Olivia got up to help Rafael in the kitchen."She runs the school. Munch." Rafael yelled from the kitchen with a smile on his face. Munch smiled at Lucia, impressed."Have you read any good books lately, Munch?" Lucia asked."Right now, I'm reading Cecila Vedes by Cirilo Villaverde.""Oh that's an old book. I'm reading Enemies:A Love Story by Isaac Bashivis Singer.""Also an old book." Munch said, as Rafael and Olivia exited the kitchen, and walked to the table. Munch and Lucia engaged in small talk as the group ate rice pudding. Rafael smiled watching his mother and Munch while Olivia worked hard not to look as distressed as she felt. Rafael noticed and was worried about her.
After 2 hours of conversation, Lucia stood up. "I should be getting home before it gets too late. I love you. kids." She said, directing her attention to her son, and Olivia. She turned to Munch. "Walk me out John Munch?""Nothing would give me more pleasure, Lucia Barba." Munch said, getting up from the table, and walking out with her.