Law and Order: Special Victims Unit Gangster

38. A Rich Woman

Two And A Half Months Later....

Juliana and Rafael Price-Barba had already broken the news of their engagement to his mother, who was definitely overjoyed. They were currently at home together, happily celebrating both the engagement and each other.
  "Say it, Juliana, say it again," Rafael smiled.
  "My name is Juliana Price-Barba, and this is my husband, ADA Rafael Price-Barba," she repeated proudly.
  "I love the way that sounds," he sighed.
"You go," Juliana laughed.
"My name is ADA Rafael Price-Barba, and this is my wife, Juliana Price-Barba," he said.
Juliana chuckled happily. "This is so ridiculous, but I like being ridiculous with you, Rafi."
"Same here," Rafael agreed, kissing her.
"Mm, papi, I'm really hungry," Juliana sighed.
"What would you like, Mrs. Price-Barba?"
Juliana held back a laugh. "I'm having cravings. Promise me you won't laugh."
"I promise, amor," Rafael nodded.
"Packaged mac and cheese," Juliana smiled.
"Really? I do that too," Rafi shrugged. "Come on, we'll go to the store, mi vida."
Juliana laughed as she stood to grab her coat. "Really? ADA Rafael Price-Barba craving packaged children's food?"
"Hey, first of all, I gotta keep something stashed at the DA's office. Second of all, mac and cheese is for everyone. The United States Constitution ensured that," he argued as they left the penthouse.
"Where?"Juliana laughed.
He sighed. "I don't exactly remember, but, I don't know, probably somewhere."

Juliana laughed. They got into Juliana's car, and drove down to the store. They entered the store, arm in arm.
  "You know what, mi amor?" Rafael smiled.
  "Yes?" she asked.
  "You know.... sometimes I feel like we don't do enough fun stuff, or enough crazy, reckless sh*t," Rafael smirked.
  "Oh yeah? What's that look for?" Juliana teased.
  "It's for.... piggyback ride!" Rafael announced, scooping Juliana up as she jumped onto his back.

She laughed excitedly as he ran through the store.
  "Rafi, oh my God!" Juliana laughed.

As he continued running, everyone in the store stared, for multiple reasons, but Rafael didn't seem to care. He continued to run through the aisles, until they managed to find the macaroni and cheese. He finally set her down, breathlessly, picking up a few packages of the macaroni.
  "Okay, mi vida. What else should we get?" he asked.
  Juliana laughed. "Since this is our childish day, how about.... apple juice?"
  Rafael chuckled. "Of course. For desert?"
  "Ice cream."
  "Rock road?" he asked expectantly with a grin.

Juliana nodded. They left the store after paying, and headed back to their penthouse. Juliana walked past the doorman carrying the macaroni and apple juice, just as she was stopped.
  "Mrs. Barba?"

Juliana sighed as he got her name wrong, again. Juliana only put up with it because he was a nice, efficient doorman.
  "Yes, Todd?"
  "A package was dropped off here personally for you, by a, uh.... Sammy Ortiz? Says he knows you?"
  Juliana nodded softly. "Yeah. What is it?" she asked quietly.
  "He said it was important. Said it was valuable, and asked that I look after it. Here you go," he handed her a box.

The box was carefully wrapped in a tan-colored paper. Her name  was written on it in her mother's handwriting.
  "Thank you," she nodded as she and Rafael entered the elevator.
  "Sammy? Why didn't he just stop by? Nothing happened, did it?" he asked.
  "No," Juliana shook her head. "I don't think so, I mean.... he was fine, last I saw him. This is my mama's handwriting...."

Both Rafael and Juliana knew that she was unsure in her initial answer as they got onto their floor and entered their home on the top floor. Juliana sat at their counter, setting the box on the counter. She began to rip open the box, carefully tearing of the paper. The box was a bit heavy, she had already known. It was a delicately carved wooden jewelry box, the one that her sister, Yvonne, had bought for her mother Victoria at a garage sale. Juliana opened it carefully and slowly, revealing a jewelry set, one that she recognized instantly. It was her mother's gold necklace and ring. Juliana already suspected what had happened. Juliana's mother hadn't actually spoken to her in years; much less take off her favorite jewelry, which she never did, and send it to her through her brother.
  "Oh, dios mio," she murmured.