Not Everything Done In The Dark Is Shameful Barson Story

Chapter 8

It was Sunday, and Rafael Barba missed Olivia Benson already. Last night he found she had fallen asleep on his office couch. When she awoke he had convinced her to stay and rest. She asked him if she had said anything in her sleep. He said no and that was the truth, she had not said anything, but he was awoken by her voice making a sound full of fear. Once she fell asleep the second time she seemed fine and he hoped that knowing he was beside her on the couch had been a comfort to her. She slept until 8:30, wished him a good morning, and rushed out the door to pick up Noah. Now, it was 7pm. Barba was inside of Olivia's apartment building, and running to her door. when he got there, he quickly knocked and waited. "One more story, then dinner, then bed" He heard her say, she looked through the peephole, unlocked and opened the door.

"Hello Counselor." Barba smiled in response. She looked beautiful. She was wearing a red sweatshirt, and dark blue jeans. He watched as relief and happiness washed over her face. Barba was carrying a pizza.

"Hello How's Noah?"

"He's fine." She said smiling back at him.

"I told you."

"You did, point taken. I was just going to start dinner, come in."

"I thought Noah would like this and you wouldn't have to cook."

"Thank-you" she said finally stepping aside so he could enter. He quickly placed the pizza down on her kitchen counter.

"Barba, Barba"

"Hi"! he replied to the five-year old running to him with a book. "Can you read me Good Night Moon?"

"I can do that."

"Good" Noah said quickly. "Come on", he grabbed Barba's hand and dragged him toward his room.

"10 minutes until dinner sweet boy" Olivia yelled as she watched them disappear down the hall.

Barba finished reading Good Night Moon, but that wasn't enough for the little boy sitting beside him. He was just about to start The Velveteen Rabbit when he head Olivia call. "Ready!"

"Come on Noah. Time to eat." Barba said.

"No, I want to finish the book."

You have to eat, later we'll finish the book."

"No, now! Mommy will make me go to bed later!"

"What if we make a deal? What if I promise to come read you this book another day?"

"You promise to come back?"

"Yes."

"When?" You and mommy work a lot."

"Next time your mami is off from work, I'll come over and read this."

"Promise?"

"I promise. "Deal?"

"Ok, deal." Once again Noah grabbed Barba's hand, and the walked out of the room and stopped when they reached Olivia.

"I was about to come in after you, Olivia said to both of them. Get the food while it's hot. She placed 2 paper plates on the table. "sit." Noah sat right down. Barba stood next to the chair she motioned him to sit in. Did you want me to sit here?"

"Yes." Eat before it get's cold.

"Where's yours?"

"Relax, I'm getting it. Sit, take salad. Barba watched as she grabbed her plate and sat across from him." He reached for the salad, took some and placed it back at the center of the table.

"I don't want salad" Noah said playing with the salad on his plate. He took a tiny bite of his pizza.

"Eat your salad." Olivia answered. You like carrots, I gave you a lot of carrots.

"Mommy did your mommy make you eat salad?" Olivia quickly locked eyes with Barba.

"Barba's mommy made him eat a lot of salad. Salad makes you smart."

"She's right, Barba said. Listen to your mami." Noah began to eat his salad.

Olivia smiled at both of them. "Did Noah tell you what he wants to do when he grows up?"

"What? Barba asked.

I want to be a cop and a lawyer!"

"A cop and a lawyer! Barba repeated with a smile. You'll have to eat a lot of salad for that."

"Mommy almost went to the school where lawyers go."

"She did, did she? Barba replied locking eyes with Olivia, he raised an eyebrow in surprise She cleared her throat.

"Noah, Barba doesn't want to hear about that. Yes, he does Baba thought, but didn't say it out loud. Olivia managed to change the subject. For the rest of the meal they made small talk.

A half and hour later Noah was tucked into bed, and she and Bara were in the living room sitting on the couch. "Thank-you for helping me with him."

"It's nothing. He's good, and smart."

"It's something She answered. He smiled. Don't think I'm letting you off the hook?"

"What?"

"Law school Liv? Tell me."

"Nothing to tell."

"Don't give me that."

"Raffa, I'm not talking about it."

"You know me, I won't let this go." He smiled at her again, I'll get it out of you."

"I'm not talking about it... tonight." She replied getting off the couch. and grabbing a Blue-ray. "You want to watch the Godfather."

"I'd love to. Are you sure?" It's a long movie. She put the movie in the player, switched on the TV, pushed play, walked back to the couch, and sat down.

"That's the point." She said kicking off her shoes. Barba's gut told him, his friend would not see the whole movie before falling asleep, and that was more than fine with him.