Por Siempre Y Para Siempre: A Sequel to Take Your Time

Ch. 6 - It Hurts to Breathe

Rafael is sitting at his desk reading an article about a bill that was just passed in California when there is a gentle knock on his door. He looks up and sees Jake striding in with a slight jump in his step, "Hey Jake. You look like you just won the lottery, what's going on?"

"Oh nothing, you know. Just a normal Monday on my end," Jake starts in before he sits down and hands his phone over to Rafael. On the screen is a series of numbers that Rafael instantly recognizes. He looks up and smiles at his friend, "I just passed the Bar, no biggie."

"Jake that's amazing!" He jumps out of his chair and rushes over to the other side of his desk and hugs him, "I'm so proud of you!"

"Thanks, man!" Jake pats Rafael's back before they pull apart, "I seriously couldn't have done it without you, though." He smiles at him before Rafael returns to his seat.

"No, it was all you, seriously," Rafael looks his friend in the eyes, "I just helped you remember stuff. Seriously, I'm proud of you. You worked so hard for this and you deserve it. I know you are passionate about what VPC does and that you're ready to dedicate your life to it. This achievement, passing the Bar, is a step in that direction. And it's a step to moving up from just campaigning and researching. You'll be in City Hall fighting for these things, they will hear your voice and take your words to heart. Now that is all on you."

"It was that cram session we had that really helped me out," Jake reassures him, trying to hide his blushing from Rafael, "I'm serious! I may have been organized with it all, but I still had no idea how to remember all of it. Your mnemonic devices saved my life." Rafael smiles at that smugly and shakes his head.

"Yeah, well what can I say? I love a good mnemonic device," he looks back up at his friend, "and lists. I really love lists." The two share a laugh before Jake bolts up from his seat.

"This calls for a celebratory lunch, yeah?" He smiles over at Rafael before he makes his way to the door, "It's on me."

"Uh, yes it definitely does," Rafael confirms, "but I'm buying you lunch. We're celebrating you after all." Jake doesn't contest this at all and the two make their way down the elevator and to the deli a block away from the office. As they walk, Jake brings up the obvious, his tone now melancholy.

"So, I guess this means you're leaving, huh?" He looks over at Rafael as they stroll down the sidewalk.

"Yeah, I guess it does," he sighs and looks ahead of them, "I had total faith in you passing the exam, but me leaving never seemed real, or realistic. I think it will be best, though. And it won't be right away. I still need to secure something. Ease myself out of my position at VPC, I guess."

"I get that. And thanks for not just leaving right away and cutting me off from your dry wit and sarcasm cold turkey," Jake jokingly nudges Rafael in the side as they walk on, "What're you going to do?"

"Liv and I talked about it and consulting with the DA's office is optimal," he responds wistfully, "I'm going to run it by her again tonight, though. You know, just to make sure that I've weighed all my options."

"For sure, dude," his friend affirms his decision. The two make it to the deli and walk in for lunch. Once they get their orders from the counter, they sit down at their usual table and discuss Jake's future in more detail.

"So, do you think you'll move into my office once I leave?" Rafael jokes before he takes another bite of his BLT.

"Hmm," Jake considers the possibility of having his own office and soaks in the idea of his own space, "probably, yeah. I mean, it is meant for a lawyer. And I will be said lawyer in the office. Technically, I already am a lawyer in the office." He smirks at Rafael from behind his wrap and Rafael lets out a laugh.