Law and Order: Special Victims Unit Gangster

42. Blame

Two Months Later....

Juliana Price-Barba knew that tomorrow was the day. Tomorrow was her due date, and she was extremely excited. It was a Saturday, so she didn't have much to do, other than to relax and prepare to have twins. In anticipation for her kids, and out of pure spontaneity, Juliana had decided to dye her hair, back to its natural black. Rafael Price-Barba, of course, thought it looked beautiful still. Juliana could do no wrong, in his opinion. But today was not one of Rafael's good days. Today was one of those days where everything wrong in his life just seemed to catch up to him. What had hurt him recently was his abuelita's death. It was not a good day for him, an Juliana could definitely tell, as she sat on the couch reading while he irritably reorganized his briefcase.
  "Rafi, baby, what's wrong?" She asked.
Rafael rolled his eyes. "Nothing, Juliana. You're always making something out of nothing. Why can't you just leave it alone so we can have a nice, relaxing day?! We have two kids due tomorrow, for Christ's sake!"

Juliana blinked at him in disbelief. She was used to him being a bit mouthy, naturally, him being an attorney, but this was a lot, even for him.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" she asked.
"You heard me."
Juliana's eyes widened with anger, standing defensively. "Rafael Eduardo Price-Barba, what the f**k are you even talking about?!"
"I'm talking about how you always blame everything on me!" he shouted.
"Okay, um.... what the f**k have I even blamed on you in the past month?! Name one example!"
"I don't know, Juliana, I don't keep track!" Rafael boomed.
"Well if I allegedly do this all the time, then you wouldn't have any problem telling me when I blamed you!" she pointed out angrily.
"Okay, fine! What about.... when we were late to that doctor's appointment, or when we left the apples at the grocery store, or when Liv gave you an extra two hours at work, or when we got that flat tire, or when that waiter hit on you at that restaurant. or.... when mi abuelita died because I wasn't quick enough in getting her into a home?!" Rafael sobbed.

After that came up, he couldn't stop.
"What?" Juliana murmured. "Have you been blaming yourself for everything that's gone wrong since your abuelita passed?" she asked softly. "Rafael...."
"No!" Rafael shouted. "No! You're the one who's been blaming me for everything! I can't seem to do anything right!"
"Rafael, when did I ever say anything wrong to you?! I don't f**king understand this at all!" Juliana cried.
Rafael got even more angry as the conversation progressed. "It's not what you said, it's how you said it!"
"Oh my God!" Juliana shouted. "Jesus f**king Christ!"
"You see that?! You did it again! That's you blaming me, and chastising me, and patronizing me, for everything! Constantly!" he screamed at the top of his lungs.
"Oh grow up, Rafael! Have some dignity, God!" Juliana screamed. "Have you lost your damn mind?! Cuz...." she clapped,"I'll," *clap*,"help," *clap* "you," *clap* "find," *clap* "it!"
"Are you sure you should be talking to me about dignity?! The only reason we're f**kin here in the first place is because you didn't mind f**kin the boss!" he snarled angrily.

Juliana stared, not even knowing what to say, eyes dangerously nearing tears.
"Wow. Just wow, Rafael. If you're going to be speaking to me like that, I won't even speak to you at all. Call me when you can act like a real adult," Juliana decided, storming toward the door.
"Oh yeah?! Where you gonna go, Fin's place?!"
"Why the f**k do you gotta drag Fin into every argument?! Are you really that jealous?! Jesus!"

That was the last that she and Rafael exchanged words. Juliana still couldn't believe that their argument had gone that badly. Then she felt a throbbing pain in her stomach, which passed quickly. It must've meant the She headed angrily into the elevator, alone, eventually reaching the first floor, where she saw the doorman, Todd.
"Hey, Mrs. Barba.... sorry to bother you, but you guys got a couple of noise complaints—"
Juliana rolled her tearful eyes irritably. "F**k you, Todd."

And with that, she was out of the building before even getting a reaction. It only occurred to Juliana once she was outside that she didn't really know where to go for the next few hours or so. She then supposed that Fin's place was her only real option. But Juliana didn't want to impose, and decided to head down to her favorite coffee place. In the meantime, she decided to text Fin.

You home?

No immediate answer, obviously. She got in line for a coffee once she arrived, and then ran into someone she least expected to see; Detective Carisi, in a casual leather jacket, jeans, and T-shirt. She tried to avoid him, but it was too late.
"Hey, Juliana!" he shouted, then walking over. "What's up?"
"Oh, not much, good to see ya, Sonny," she nodded politely.
"Hey, no offense, but you look like sh*t, Juliana. And you're at a coffee shop at eight at night. Everything okay?"

Juliana sighed frustratedly, realizing that her clothes were a bit disheveled and that her makeup was running from crying.
"Oh, uh.... well, Sonny.... Rafael and I kind of had a little disagreement," Juliana shrugged quietly.
"Juliana, I'm so sorry," he murmured.
"Oh, it's fine, you don't have to be. Honestly.... when people apologize to me for things like that, I.... I just don't know how to respond," she sighed.
"I know," Sonny nodded. "I honestly don't know why I say it, but it's just to be polite, you know?"
She smiled. "Yeah, right."
"Why don't I buy you a cup of coffee, huh?"
"Thanks, Sonny," Juliana chuckled as they stood in line.
"'Course, whatever you need," he offered. "Do you need to talk?"
"I think so. It's just.... I don't know if this was all my fault," Juliana nodded, sighing wistfully. "He's been thinking that everything is his fault. I mean, obviously, he was completely out of line, but.... I really don't know, I mean.... have I been taking him for granted this whole time?" Juliana asked breathlessly.
"Juliana, I don't actually know, but, I don't really think you were. You're an incredible detective, and you seem like an incredible person," Carisi tried.
"Well, thank you, Sonny," Juliana appreciated.
"No problem," he smiled warmly as he handed her a coffee.

They sat down as Juliana shifted uncomfortably.
"Sonny, I feel kinda bad, I never really got to know you," Juliana realized.
He shrugged. "Hey, you're busy, I get it. No biggie. What would you like to know?"
"I don't know, uh.... what's your favorite.... color?"Juliana shrugged, confused.
Carisi laughed. "Green."
Juliana Price-Barba nodded. "Okay, nice."
"And you?" he asked.
"Probably red," Juliana replied.
"Favorite movie?"
Juliana raised an eyebrow. "'Movie'? Just one? Really?"
"Well, uh, I'm an all or nothing kinda guy," he shrugged.
"Well, I guess.... Menace II Society," Juliana decided.
"Wow. Good one. Mad respect," Sonny nodded.
"You?" Juliana asked curiously.
"Are you kiddin me? The Godfather!" Sonny cried, laughing.
Juliana smiled, nodding in agreement. "Oh!" she cried suddenly. "Oh! Oh, my God!"
"What's wrong?!"
"My twins.... they're coming," Juliana gasped.