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#I went to the back room to put shoes away and Olivia was grinning like an idiot (at least that’s what it looked like from her eyes up💀)
Note
43 for sprace but race said that
43: “YOU DID WHAT?”
y’all ready for some fluff??? i’m absolutely loving this little au and i hope you do too!! no content warnings here, just pure sweetness and stupidity 🤩
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It's a Saturday afternoon in the middle of July, it's gorgeous outside, and Racetrack Higgins is stuck in his bedroom, doing homework.
He's not sure how long he's been staring at the same page of his textbook, his eyes unfocused and not really reading anything anymore, when he hears the door of the apartment swing open. His roommates went out a couple of hours ago to go enjoy the beautiful day, like any other sane people who opted not to take an unbearably hard summer course would do— they must finally be back now.
"Hi Race!"
There's really no need for Spot to shout, as their place truly isn't that big, but the man seems to only have two volume settings— silent and stoic, or obnoxiously loud. It's kind of hilarious.
"Hi Spot!" Race calls right back, silently thanking all that's holy for the interruption and excuse to leave his desk for a bit. He stands up to head out to the living room, and his whole back cracks. He's clearly been sitting too long. "What's up, dude!?"
"You gotta come see this, bro!" Spot continues. "Me and Olivia got matching tattoos!"
Immediately, Race's brow furrows in some mixture of amusement and confusion.
"Wait, you did what?"
When he turns the corner, there stand his two roommates— or rather, one sits happily in a baby carrier, strapped to the chest of the other, because she's only ten months old and not very good at standing yet. They're a very cool pair, in their matching sunglasses and tank tops, and they're both grinning like absolute devils. It's adorable.
"Lookit," Spot beams, holding up Olivia’s chubby little arm to show the temporary tattoo of a sparkly purple unicorn that's been applied to her bicep. He's got the very same one shimmering on his cheek, as his face is one of the only parts of his body not covered in real tattoos. "We're twinning!"
Race can't help but laugh.
"You are. Where'd you get those?"
"There was this street fair thing going on a few blocks down, some booth was giving away all these little stickers and tattoos and stuff," Spot replies, toeing his shoes off and dropping his diaper bag by the door. He pulls something from his back pocket. "We got you one too— Livy didn't want you to feel left out." He passes the square of paper into Olivia’s tiny fist. "Here, give it to Racer, baby."
Race walks over to grab it from her, and she giggles and blows a raspberry at him.
"What did your daddy do to you, Liv?" he teases, crouching down to coo at her. "Pretty soon you're gonna be all inked up, just like him!"
She babbles and reaches out for him.
"Can you hang out with her for a minute?" Spot asks, carefully unclipping the carrier to take her out. "I need to give her a bottle and put her down for a nap, but I gotta piss first."
"Of course. I'm always down to hang out with this little princess." Race takes the baby, making all kinds of silly faces at her to distract her as Spot walks away. He bounces her gently in his arms and wanders over to the kitchen. "Where should I put my tattoo? What do you think, Olive?"
He opens the fridge to grab a pre-mixed bottle— Spot usually keeps a few on hand— and gives it a good shake. Olivia has gotten picky lately and only likes cold formula, rather than warmed or room-temperature, so he passes it straight to her and she's happy to go to town on it.
"Man, you were hungry," he chuckles. "Look at you go. You're drinking like your daddy doing a keg stand— did you know he was a party animal? Believe it or not, your dad used to be cool."
Spot is still cool, Race supposes, but it's fun to pick on him; he obviously doesn't go out as much as he used to, even though he's finally legal now, because he's a little busy looking after a tiny human most of the time. In fact, it's incredibly cool that Spot balances part-time school, part-time work, and full-time single fatherhood so gracefully at only twenty-one, because Race is rather sure he'd have some kind of stress-induced mental breakdown every other week if he were in Spot's shoes.
Actually, Spot is kind of the coolest person alive, if you really think about it.
And Race does think about it... a lot.
Not in a weird way, because he's been best friends with Spot for over three years, ever since they were randomly assigned roommates in their freshman dorm, and he's also seventy percent sure Spot is straight— but, like, he probably admires the guy a little more than would be considered normal for your best pal.
"Now, about this tattoo, huh?" He changes the topic from his own overthinking, keeping Olivia cradled in one arm as he rummages around for some paper towel with his free hand. "There's no chance I'm putting it on my face. What if I match with you and put it on my arm?"
Race doesn't have nearly as many tattoos as Spot, just a few doodles all around his arms and chest, and he's currently shirtless because it's hot as balls in his bedroom, so he could really stick the sparkly unicorn practically anywhere. He wets the paper towel in the sink and uses it to press the little square of paper to the bicep of the arm that he's holding Olivia with.
It's just as he's peeling the paper off to reveal his new ink that Spot emerges from his bathroom break.
"Aren't you two just the cutest?"
Race grins.
"I know, I'm pretty adorable. I guess she's okay too."
Spot rolls his eyes. He looks totally exhausted but incredibly content, which has basically been his default ever since Olivia came into the picture. He never complains about his situation, though it surely isn't easy— he just keeps trucking along and doing his best, rarely even asking for help.
"Dumbass," he laughs. "Thanks for feeding her, though. She was getting super fussy while we were out— I think the heat was a little much."
"I'll go put her down when she's done eating," Race offers. "You look beat. Just chill for a bit, I've got her."
Spot leans against the counter, rubs his hands over his face, and lets out a deep, tired sigh. He clearly needed this little break.
"Fuck. Thank you. You're amazing."
Race rocks Olivia gently— she's settled right down, looking very comfy and sleepy. He truly didn't think he was good with kids until this little angel came along; he's apparently got some kind of magic touch, because she's always perfectly calm for him.
"No problem, bro. I'm always happy to help."
Spot sets to work on making himself something to eat, so Race just paces around until it looks like Olivia’s about done with the bottle, her eyes starting to fall shut.
"Alrighty. Time for a nap, little dude." He sets the bottle in the sink and heads off to Spot's bedroom to lay her in her cot. He carefully wiggles her into her sleep sack, pops a pacifier in her mouth, switches on the white noise speaker, and draws the curtains. "Have a good sleep, Livy. I love you."
He gently shuts the door behind him— he knows she sleeps like a rock, but he still gets paranoid about being too loud— and when he steps back into the living room, Spot is unabashedly staring at him from where he’s settled himself on the couch.
"Dude," Spot says, after a second, "I think I might be in love with you."
Race stops short. His heart skips a beat.
"What?" He shakes his head. "I mean... awesome. Sick. That's great. But, like... what?"
Spot laughs a little to himself, with that stupid sparkly unicorn still shimmering on his cheek.
"I can’t believe I just realized it. You’re just, like, the best person ever— you’re hot, and you’re smart, and you take such good care of Liv, and I’m so into you… is that weird?”
Race blinks.
“No, not that weird.” He sits down next to Spot on the couch. “I don’t think so, at least. It’s chill.”
“I just told you I’m in love with you,” Spot laughs, “and all you can say is it’s chill? What does that even mean?”
Now, for someone who talks an awful lot, Race is terrible with words. He’s got absolutely no clue what to say, so he simply pulls Spot in for a kiss.
“Does that answer your question?” he asks, after a few seconds.
Spot rolls his eyes.
“You are so fucking stupid.”
But he kisses Race again, so he can’t possibly be that annoyed.
Race smiles into it— everything about Spot’s kiss is perfect, and he can’t help but think that this is exactly how their weird little family was meant to be.
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leahcee · 3 years
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davidsons89 · 3 years
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Turner Family - part 1
chapter 1 - “prettiest princess”
Alex Turner x Reader
𝐀/𝐍: i adore writing alex as a father. it helps with my sleep scenarios hehe
𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘: you and rock singer alex turner began dating a few years ago. it was nothing serious at first, until a baby came along. then soon came another...
𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒: mentions of anxiety, light swearing
𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒: i used random names for the children, please change them if you wish to <3
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you and alex aren’t exactly the ideal couple. you’re not even sure if you’re a couple anymore. you’ve been on and off with each other for years, the only thing keeping you close is your five year old daughter olivia. you’re sticking together as a strong couple right now, but you have some news to tell him.
you and alex were dating for a long time before you fell pregnant, the idea of having children never came to his liking. he’s constantly surrounded by his friends kids, but was never interested in having any of his own. the thought of being responsible for a little human was something he dreaded to think about. you were the “it” couple at one point, until that news hit you both unexpectedly. you fought every single day, not a day went by without an argument occurring. alex didn’t want the kid, so you broke up and he disappeared for the entire the pregnancy.
through the whole nine months of carrying your baby, alex gave you hell. you argued over the phone, sent mean text messages to one another, and even threats were involved. all of that caused you stress and made you develop major anxiety, which harmed the innocent life inside you. the reality didn’t hit either of you until she was officially born into the world. that’s when alex came back.
after olivia was born, alex finally adapted to being a father. he realized that the tiny human in his arms was his. his blood, his daughter, his family. you soon resolved your fight and got back together, adjusting to parenthood as a couple. you didn’t trust alex the same way ever again, your anxiety forced you to stress and overthink about little things. over the years, alex tried to be a better boyfriend to benefit you and your daughter, but you’re afraid of abandonment again. you can’t do it alone.
7:34AM
alex walks through the front door to collect olivia, taking her to school. he didn’t come home last night, though he’s normally busy with his friends through the night till early morning. god knows what he could be doing, but it’s fame. you know that. “daddy!” olivia exclaims, running towards alex as he walked through the door. “hi, sweetheart” he says, crouching down to give her a warm hug.
“where’s your mother?” he asks, pulling away from the hug shortly after. “in there.. she’s sad” olivia quietly says, pointing to the living room from the hallway. “sad?” alex frowns, peeking in to see you sat from afar. “go get your shoes and coat on, olivia.” alex says, patting her back to guide her away. he walks into the living room to see why you’re upset.
“y/n, you ok?” he asks, sitting next to you to see your face being covered by your hand, clearly trying to avoid him. “babe?” he says, grasping his hand around your wrist, pulling it down to see your face. he sees your red cheeks and wet, puffy eyes. “what’s wrong, love?” he asks, immediately putting his hand around your back to comfort you. “nothing” you build up the courage to say with your voice cracking and nose sniffling. “it’s not nothing, what is it?” he asks, leaning his head down to look at you, but you keep turning away to ignore him.
“y/n, stop looking away” he says, putting his hand on your chin to gently pull your face toward him. “daddy” olivia says from the doorway, making you and alex look back to see her. “just go.. i’ll tell you later” you wipe your tears and look away. alex sighs and stands up, ready to take olivia to school. “come on, love” he says, putting his hand on her back to guide her out. you feel guilty for not giving her a kiss or a hug goodbye, but you didn’t want her to see you like this. especially what it’s about...
in the car now, alex drives away after strapping himself and olivia in. the first few minutes of the drive is silent, until olivia had a question. “daddy, why is mommy crying?” she innocently asks, worried about her mom. “it’s just hormones. you’ll understand that when you’re a little bit older” he tries to explain the best he can. “what’s hormones?” she frowns. “don’t worry, ok?” he sighs, not taking his eyes off the foggy road ahead of him. it’s the middle of october, mornings are crisp cold and nights are colder.
a few more silent minutes passed. neither of them could think of anything to talk about. you were the only thing on their minds. “so, what you doing at school today?” alex asks, changing the subject to a better one. “arts and crafts” olivia grins cheekily. “yeah? what you gonna make?” he chuckles. “um.. crowns and tiaras because i’m a princess” she giggles adorably, warming alex’s heart. “the prettiest princess of them all” he reaches his hand over to her, tickling her to hear her precious laugh. becoming a father wasn’t something alex wanted, but he’s very glad it happened. his princess is his whole world.
after driving some more, they finally arrived outside the school gates. alex parked up and the two got out of the car. they both held hands as they made their way into the school grounds. alex has olivia’s backpack flung over his shoulder, carrying it for her. alex is well known, even at school, making olivia relatively popular with lots of friends. “there she is” olivia exclaims as the two spot her class teacher from afar. she waits outside for her students every morning. “here you go, sweetheart. have a good day, love you” alex says, dropping her hand to pass her backpack to her. he reaches down and plants a kiss on her forehead before she ran inside to start the school day.
“she’s always full of energy in the mornings” the teacher chuckles, beginning a conversation with alex. “i don’t know where she gets it from” he chuckles, watching his daughter through the window as she sits on a table with her friends. “she’s a wonderful student. i’m very glad to have her in my class” the teacher says, placing her hand on her heart to show kindness. “i’m glad to hear that” alex smiles, the two finish their conversation shortly after.
about twenty minutes later, alex arrived back at the house. you hear the car door shut outside, so you quickly wipe the tears you’d been crying. he walks in, and immediately joins you in the living room to talk to you. “you’re still crying? jesus, y/n, what’s wrong?” he asks, sitting next to you and wrapping his arm around your shoulder, pulling you closer to him.
your head falls onto his shoulder, where you continue to cry. he patiently waits for you to speak, he isn’t rushing you or forcing you to talk. he waits. “i don’t want you to leave me again” you sniffle, tightly wrapping your arms around him. he feels bad, but wants to know why you’re thinking of that.
“why do you say that, darling?” he asks softly, comforting you while you cry. “i can’t tell you” you shake your head, nuzzling your head into the crook of his neck so you could avoid him. “you can. you can tell me, i won’t leave you. never again” he reassures, teaching his hands down to your face to pull your head up. he cups your cheeks in his hands and looks into your eyes, he sees how upset you are but can’t imagine why. you place your hands on his wrists to try and pull him away, but he doesn’t let you. “no, talk to me. it’s ok, i’m here” he says, rubbing your tears away with his thumbs on your face.
you fell silent for a few moments, trying to build up the courage to tell him what you’d been hiding all morning. “it’s ok” he whispers, looking into your eyes as he waited for you to speak, ever so patiently. you stare into his eyes and take a deep, shaky breath. you open your mouth and hesitated to speak, but you needed to get it out otherwise you’d feel worse. “i’m pregnant” you quietly blurt out, rolling your eyes, expecting him to be angry again.
he doesn’t say or do anything, so you look directly into his eyes. he looks shocked, his eyebrows are raised and he seems lost for words. “oh..” he responded after moments of not answering. “it’s ok, i don’t expect you to stay” you sigh, sniffling as you make yourself upset again. he sees your tears coming back, so he pulls you in again, immediately hugging you tightly. “shh.. it’s ok” he whispers, rubbing your back as you cry into his chest. you’re both feeling an incredible amount of emotions, unsure whether they’re good or bad ones.
“are you mad?” you ask shakily, not raising your head from his chest. “no i’m not mad. of course i’m not” he whispers, hugging you tighter than he possibly could. his reaction is much different from last time, which shocked you more than the news shocked him. when he found out you were pregnant the first time, he was angry and violent with his words. the two of you would fight for hours on end, yelling at each other. but now, he’s different . he’s the one telling you to calm down and that it’s gonna be ok.
“if you don’t want the baby it’s ok.. i’ll get rid of—” you begin to say in panic, willing to do anything he wanted if it meant he wouldn’t leave you again. “y/n, stop it.” he cuts you off, shushing you and rubbing the back of your head to comfort you. “i totally understand if you don’t want it” you sniffle shakily, your thoughts racing as you overthink. “please stop talking. you’re being silly” he says, shaking his head as he pulls you further into his chest. you do nothing but cry tears and more tears.
you took a few minutes to calm down, in which you managed to control your breathing and finally gained courage to look at him again. he’s holding your red stained cheeks in his hands, brushing his thumb under your eyes to catch your fallen tears. “let’s talk about this, ok?” he raises his eyebrows as the two of you lock eyes onto one another. you nod, waiting to hear what he has to say.
“i want the baby” he says, nodding his head. you furrow your eyebrows with shock and confusion. he kicked up enough of a fuss last time, but now he’s fine with it. “you do?” you ask, still frowning. “i want olivia to be a big sister. and i love being a dad” he reassures you, smiling to see you smile.
“but.. i didn’t think you’d want to stay because of last time...” you say nervously, quietening down as you finish your sentence. “y/n, that was almost six years ago. things are much different” he sighs. he loves being a dad, he loves having a family of his own. he’s more than happy to welcome another child into his world.
“ok..” you take a deep breath, taking in the news and sniffling to keep yourself calm, trying not to start another breakdown again. “look, we’re fucking great parents. we make beautiful babies” he chuckles, pinching your cheeks cutely to make you giggle, and it worked. “i wasn’t ready to be a dad last time, but this time i am. i promise i’ll be here the whole time. whenever you need me” he says, pulling you in for a hug. you wrap your arms around one another and share this sweet moment.
“i’m so sorry for what i did last time. i was cruel and stupid, i’ll never put you through that again” he makes a promise to you, kissing your forehead and holding you close. you can tell how sorry he is, the guilt breaking through his voice. he knows how anxious you get over everything, how hormonal and emotional you get when the two of you have a disagreement. you’re scared of abandonment, and he feels at fault but is trying to make up for what he did, and he will make it up to you.
“we’ll get through this together, and be blessed with another angelic baby. i love you” he cheers you up, kissing you on the forehead every few moments to show you how much he really cares. and if he didn’t care, he’d have already walked out the second you told him. he loves you, he really does.
“it won’t be angelic.. you never get two” you chuckle to enlighten the mood. alex chuckles with you. “olivia was so good as a baby, this one’s gonna cry non stop. it happens to everyone” you giggle and wipe your leftover tears, you felt happy now. “well don’t jinx it” he says, pushing you away from the hug slowly. “how are we even gonna tell people?” you ask. “it’s halloween soon, maybe we could tell everyone at your moms?” alex suggests.
your mom hosts halloween parties for family and friends every year, so it would be a great idea to let everyone know at the same time. “yeah, that’s good” you say, pointing your finger at him to agree with his plan. you both begin to settle down in the living room for a while. it began storming outside, which was such a comforting weather while you’re snuggled up on the sofa. you shift your legs from the sofa to the floor as you lay against alex’s chest while watching a movie. “where you going?” he asks, feeling you about to move. “to grab a snack” you say, lifting your body up but alex pulls you back down.
“i’ll get it” he grins at you, showing you that he wants to take care of you during this pregnancy. he will literally do everything to have you trust him again, you’re still not 100% on it, your trust issues from last time haunt you. “ok” you giggle as alex stands up, walking to the kitchen to grab you a snack.
he takes a little while, so you wonder what the hell he’s doing. “alex” you raise your voice so he’d hear you from the kitchen. “what?” he yells back. “hurry up you’re missing the movie” you say, unable to pause the screen as it’s on a television channel. “my bad” he says, walking back into the living room and sitting next to you. he hands you a bowl of cut up fruit, so you smile at his effort. “aww” you giggle, looking at him. he takes a piece of strawberry from the bowl and places it near your lips. you take a bite, and he eats the rest of the bitten strawberry.
“i’m gonna be here with you and olivia the whole time, ok?” he begins to talk. he really wants you to know how much he’s committed. “i’m gonna take some time off to be with you” he says, you look at him and immediately shake your head. “you can’t stop your music” you frown. “i’m not gonna stop, family’s more important right now” he nods his head. “i’m really sorry for what happened last ti—” be begins to talk, but you completely shut him up. “alex, alex, shush” you cut him off by speaking above his level.
“the past is in the past.. you’re a great dad and i know you’ve changed” you smile to show him your understanding of the situation. he will forever feel guilty about being the main cause of your stress, anxiety and trust issues because he’s the one who caused you shit while you were pregnant. he ignored you, practically ghosted you while you needed him most, begging for him. you cried almost everyday, you felt alone and thought you’d face motherhood all by yourself, but he came back.
“the reason i was so scared to show you is because i know you’ve never wanted to be a dad, one kid is hard but two kids will be harder. i just didn’t want you to disappear again” you sigh, explaining to him. “i’m making this promise to you now. i’ll never do that again, not to you or olivia.” he says, grasping your free hand with his, holding it firmly to show how much he really cares. a few moments of silence went by, the same time as thunder rumbled outside. you glare into each other’s eyes and really feel each other’s love.
“i love you” he whispers, smiling as he brings your hand up to his mouth and plants a kiss on your skin. you smile, feeling his apology through his soft lips. “i love you too” you warmly smile, feeling forgiveness in your words. “and we do make the prettiest babies, you’re right” you giggle, pulling your hand away from his to grab another piece of fruit from the bowl. “fuck yeah we do. the turner babies will be models” he chuckles, picking at your fruit bowl too. you spend the rest of the morning into midday watching movies and sharing each other’s love through the stormy, gloomy weather outside, snuggled up on the sofa.
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tinyboxxtink · 3 years
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"Doppelganger" *Part 12*
I give you this my babies, because tomorrow I have tons to do and I don't know if you'll get a chapter during the day, it might just be tomorrow night after most of you are asleep. So enjoy the plethora when you can!
Also, I hope you're not getting whiplash from the twists and turns. I'm just making it as dramatic as possible, apparently.
Please still read my stuff.
Part 11
Part 13
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[Once again top is Nevada as 'Rafael', Bottom is Rafael]
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You walked silently through the park while crying. You were fuming, you felt guilty, but mostly you were heartbroken. You knew Rafael didn't mean what he said, he was just hot headed. But you did mean what you said. You didn't know if he could ever get past what happened, and you weren't positive you could either.
You wanted to, but just knowing the damage was done to Rafael's heart killed you inside and how you could spend the rest of your life just feeling guilty?
You were so lost in your own thoughts you didn't notice cops running through the park towards the cave.
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"FREEZE!!!!" An NYPD officer yelled at Rafael as several more surrounded the cave and him.
"Okay gentlemen, I try that you're doing your job but there's been a mistake--" Rafael put his hands in the air.
"Save it, Ramirez. Barba told us everything,"
Olivia had told him over the phone that Nevada had gotten to the people at Ryker's and they had alerted the NYPD but he didn't expect them to be this fast.
"Look if you go into my jacket pocket you'll see my wallet with my ID," He assured them.
"Yeah how dumb do you think we are?" One cop scoffed. "Even my fifteen year old sister has a FAKE ID,"
"Fair point," Rafael nodded.
"Now where's the girl?" Another police officer barked.
"Girl?" Rafael’s brows furrowed.
“Barba's girl. You know it takes some balls to kidnap the ADA's fiancée, I'll give you that,”
“Wha---he DID! I just rescued her!” He insisted.
"Yeah, before you got what you wanted?" The cop asked him suspiciously.
"And what did I want?" Rafael asked.
“You wanted your boys free,” he replied.
“No HE did. That's why HE was there. Come on guys you're smarter than this,” Rafael started to take a step forward.
“DON'T move,” The cop cocked the gun closer to Rafael.
“Really then how did he explain why he was there breaking them out and not me?”
“He said you had the girl and when he brought you the boys you'd let her go.”
"What would be the point of that if we look identical?!" Rafael exclaimed in exasperation. This was ridiculous.
“You think we're gonna buy you're that stupid to walk into Ryker's completely unarmed, just because you look like the ADA?”
“No he's just that cocky,” Rafael rolled his eyes at Nevada’s ego.
“Alright enough, where is she?” The cop ordered.
“She just ran away….” Rafael realized this didn’t look good.
“Oh really? She just ran away from the love of her life, who just rescued her from an evil man?” The officer asked sarcastically.
“Yeah she--we--- it's a long story,” He sighed. If he had just kept running after you, you’d be together right now. God knows what was happening to you right now.
“Right, well you can tell it downtown,” One cop nodded to the others to handle him.
“Well fine, Olivia Benson will vouch for me,” Rafael was talking a tough game, but secretly praying he was right. Olivia would know he was himself, right?
“Whatever you say Nevada,” Two cops grabbed by the shoulders and dragged him out of the cave.
---------
You suddenly realized as you reached the end of the park that you had no cell phone, no money. You didn’t even have shoes. You really didn’t want to continue to fight with Rafael, but it seemed you had no choice in the matter at the moment. You started heading back to the penguin cove when you saw a bunch of NYPD officers surrounding the place, and after a few minutes they were dragging Rafael out in handcuffs.
You were just about to run and tell them there was a mix up, when a hand clamped over your mouth. And then everything went black.
When you woke up, you were back in Nevada’s limo.
“Are you fucking kidding me…” You muttered to yourself, but you quickly realized you were not alone. Two more of Nevada’s men that you had never seen before were sitting across from you, huge evil grins on their faces.
“Hola, mami,” One rubbed his leg up and down your bare leg but you kicked him away.
“Now that’s not very nice, mujer,”
“Especially when we brought you refreshments,” The other one pulled out the champagne bottle of mind serum Nevada had on him the last time you saw him.
SERIOUSLY?
-------
Rafael was dragged through the precinct, glares from every single cop and detective, finally reaching the squad’s room. Olivia rushed over, trying to help Rafael out of the cuffs.
“What are you doing? THIS is Mr. Barba!” She exclaimed.
“No offense, Ms. Benson, but this man is very good at fooling people, you’re no exception,” One officer told her.
“Then why did he have Mr. Barba’s phone?” Olivia asked them with an attitude. The officer’s looked between each other, not really having an answer for that. Maybe they had been mistaken.
“.....Because I dropped it when I was running for my life with my fiancé,” A voice came from behind them. Everyone turned to see ‘Rafael’ with you draped on his arm.
“No….” Rafael whispered. This couldn’t be happening again.
“Ah, Mr. Barba,” One of the cops nodded. “Thank you so much for helping us catch this guy. That’s a decade of fine police work’s worth,” He shook ‘Rafael’s’ hand while Olivia circled around them to talk to you.
“What are you doing?!” She hissed.
“What are you talking about?!” You hissed back.
“Why are you vouching for Nevada?”
“What are you talking about? This is Rafael,”
“....Seriously?” Olivia was taken aback.
“Yes Olivia, SERIOUSLY. Don’t you think I would know my own fiancée?” You gave her an offended look.
“Yeah well from what I heard, you’re not that great at it,” She smirked.
“OLIVIA,” ‘Rafael’ suddenly stepped in between you two. “This vendetta you have against Y/N has got to stop, I thought we talked about this,”
“I...she...you…” Olivia looked from him to you, her eyes searching both of your eyes for anything telling.
“Do you have any idea what she’s been through?!” ‘Rafael’ barked, you laid your head on his shoulder looking very scared and traumatized.
“Yeah, I don’t know why you’re so mean to me,” You pouted, making Olivia gag.
“Oh my god, there is no way you are--”
“We’re done here, Olivia.” ‘Rafael’ shut her up. “If you can’t tell the difference between a hardened criminal and your ‘best friend’, then clearly we’re not as close as I thought we were.”
-----------------
Inside your mind prison, you were watching all of this go down with absolute horror. How could this be happening again? How did you do this to yourselves AGAIN? What is WRONG with you? And now, now it was worse than ever because now Rafael was actually in trouble, and it was your fault.
“OLIVIA!!!!!” You screamed. You couldn’t believe out of all people, you would need her help. But here you were.
Olivia watched in shock as you and ‘Rafael’ walked arm in arm out of the station, leaving ‘Nevada’ in cuffs, with the most pitiful look on his face.
“Alright Ramirez, you can drop the act. It’s gonna get you nowhere, the jig is up,” Olivia sneered at him, with a wink.
“Olivia,” Rafael looked at her sadly. “I know you know me better than that. You know about….things that would convince Y/N that Nevada is me,” He muttered softly, looking around them.
“I know,” Olivia pressed her forehead to his. “I never doubted it was you, Rafa,” She smiled; now that you were completely out of the way, and turned against him, he needed her. For the first time, he needed her. And she was going to take every advantage of that.
“But they’re not going to take my word for it,” She sighed. “You might just have to wait it out in Ryker’s a bit while I sort this out,” She shrugged apologetically.
“Oh no, he won’t be going to Ryker’s Detective,” The mayor had entered the station, and heard the last part of their conversation.
“...Excuse me?” Olivia asked worriedly.
“For all the bad things this man has done-- murders, rapes, pillaging, for a DECADE now. No for that he’s not just going to ‘wait it out’ in a cell, wasting our taxpayer dollars. He’s getting the chair as fast as I can sign the release,”
Both Olivia and Rafael’s faces went white; Oliva fell back as if she was going to pass out.
“Mr. Mayor, please-- I understand this is a serious manner but this is a man’s life here. Don’t you want to make absolutely sure that you have the right man?”
“I’m pretty sure Miss Y/N knows her own fiancée,” The mayor pointed out.
“Well no offense to Miss Y/N but that’s how she got herself kidnapped, sir. By NOT recognizing her fiancé,”
“....I’ll take that under advisement,” The mayor nodded.
“Liv,” Rafael looked at her seriously. “Look whenever someone’s under….the influence,” He whispered looking around the both of them.
“They are still ‘there’. I know it. I know Y/N is there, she's just...trapped,”
“...I’ll see what I can do,” Olivia nodded. “Don’t take him anywhere until I come back,” She instructed a cop, before running out of the station.
---
“Nev---Rafa!” Liv came running out of the station where you and ‘Rafael’ were waiting on an Uber.
“Liv,” He nodded curtly.
“Look you’re right, I need to talk to Y/N, give her a proper apology,” Olivia looked between the two of you. ‘Rafael’ eyed her curiously, but then addressed you: “Go on baby, I’ll wait here for the car,”
Olivia took you to the side and lowered her voice so ‘Rafael’ couldn’t hear.
“Y/N, Look--” She put both hands on your shoulders. “They are going to put Rafael to DEATH,”
Inside your mind prison you let out a blood curdling scream, making ‘you’ wince in pain. Olivia stood in front of you so that ‘Rafael’ wouldn’t see, but she tried to talk to you.
“Yes, exactly. You should feel bad, because we both know that that--” Olivia pointed to ‘Rafael’. “That is NOT our Rafael,”
“Okay, ‘our’ Rafael is pushing it, Olivia,” You rolled your eyes. “But whatever-- this, this cannot be happening. My body cannot be this vulnerable. I have GOT to love Rafael more than this, GOD DAMMIT!!!!!”
You pulled at the bars until your arms felt like they were going to fall off, you sobbed until no water was left in your body. How could this be happening? How could you be failing him this hard? How could you keep hurting him like this, and now you were going to get him killed!
“Please,” You looked up to the sky, whimpering softly.
“Please, I don’t know-- I don’t know who or what is up there, I’ve never really believed in a lot. Hell I’ve never even believed in myself. But I believe in Rafael, and I believe in our love. I really, really do. And I believe that our love can beat anything, I just-- I need, help.”
Suddenly a blinding light appeared, and when you adjusted your vision, you were back in your body. You looked up at Olivia, who was apparently comforting you from another ‘migraine’. Before you could say or do anything, ‘Rafael’ came walking up to the two of you.
“Carino, our ride’s here,” He smiled at you sweetly. You wanted to vomit; But as long as he thought you were under his spell, you were safe.
“Coming baby,” You kissed his cheek sweetly, over exaggerated. You know his ‘version’ of you was over the top, like a freaking trophy wife stereotype.
“You have to get him out of there, Liv,” You whispered, tears in your eyes. "This is all up to you now,” Then you turned and followed “Rafael” to the car.
Olivia stared at the car as it drove off. How had you just...woken yourself up like that? But you were right. It was all up to her now. She bolted back into the station where they were processing ‘Nevada’.
“Ahem, gentlemen,” Olivia nodded to the officers, then the mayor. “Sir if I might have a moment,” She motioned him to the side.
“Sir, like I said you want to be absolutely sure you’re going kill the right man. And I have a way,” She told the mayor.
“Which is…?”
“Let me take him and get a DNA test,”
“A DNA test? Right now?” The mayor laughed.
“The lab doesn’t close until eight, it’s six now,” Olivia looked at her phone. “I can get to the head of the line, and you can get your results instantly. Then if it turns out this is indeed Nevada Ramirez, then you can execute him tomorrow,” She explained.
“....I suppose that is the best course of action,” The mayor nodded. “Do you think you can handle him all on your own?”
“Trust me sir, I’ve handled worse,” Olivia shook her head, showing her gun.
“Alright,” The mayor walked over to the men holding ‘Nevada’.
“Men, Detective Benson will be taking Mr. Ramirez to a genetics lab to get a DNA test, to make sure he is in fact Nevada Ramirez,”
“Seriously? Sir, come on--”
“Did I stutter, Donahue?” The mayor narrowed his eyes at the cop.
“Alright fine,” The officer shoved ‘Nevada’ towards Olivia.
“Let’s go, Ramirez,” Olivia grabbed ‘Nevada’ roughly and dragged him out of the station to a squad car. She threw him in the back and got in the driver’s side.
“Liv, I appreciate you getting me out of there, but we need to go to Nevada’s place and get Y/N,” Rafael instructed.
“Screw that, I’m proving your innocence before anything,” Olivia scoffed as she drove towards the lab.
“OLIVIA,” He emphasized.
“RAFAEL.” She emphasized harder.
“Come on, Liv I know you don’t like her but--”
“Nevada’s not going to hurt her, you know that. I know that. She’ll be fine,” Oliva rolled her eyes.
“She won’t be FINE,” Rafael pounded on the glass between the front and the backseat.
He thought about your last conversation-- your last fight. He had told you that you hadn’t been ‘assaulted’, that you ‘enjoyed’ being basically raped. And now, you were back there.
You were probably just thinking how he’d be upset, how he’d react, when really he was just scared for you. He realized none of the other bullshit mattered. All that mattered was you, and him, and the love you both shared. And that had to pull you through, didn’t it?
------------
Back at Nevada’s place, ‘You’ changed into a see-through red teddy, and waited on Nevada. You knew that you were supposed to be under the elixir, so you had to act obediently, at least until Olivia showed up. She’d show up, right?
She had to show up.
35 notes · View notes
queenrileyrose · 3 years
Text
Human Contact: Cursed Day
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Human Contact Universe. This falls in the timeline of Max and Liam being back in Cordonia. Drake is in LA. Riley and Leo have been together a few months.
I am participating in @wackydrabbles This week’s prompt is “This is a lot harder than it looks” It will be in bold.
Summary: Riley acts out of character on Valentine’s Day. Leo gets to the bottom of it.
Thank you @alyssalauren for the awesome Leo pic! 💛💛🥰
A/N: This is still cute HC Leo and Riley, just a little messy and emo. I have complicated feelings about V Day, so I am all kinds of projecting it in this.
If you like Valentine’s Day, maybe don’t read this.
TW: Mention of past affair, discussion of character death, language, unhealthy alcohol consumption, smoking, angst. Titanic.
Word Count: 1876
Music Inspo: No One cover—Cold War Kids
Thank you so much for the likes, reblogs, and comments. I appreciate it so much. ❤️
Valentine’s Day Night
Leo walked in the front door after checking on the bar. It was Valentine’s Day, and he’d gotten Riley a Gucci heart bracelet with a date engraved. Now, he had to wait to give it to her and pretend he hadn’t gotten it for today.
His girlfriend hated Valentine's Day. It had never occurred to him that Riley, patron saint of hopeless romantics, would hate a day about love.
Good thing Wassa Bae was more than happy to cancel the reservation he made weeks ago. He really should have asked Riley, but he thought he knew her well enough to think she’d like today.
Guess he had to just keep getting to know her. Leo grinned. He was okay with that.
Leo held the large bag of food and vodka, walking toward the sound of a boat sinking.
———
Earlier that day
“I hate today.” Riley fumed. She was at the kitchen table, stabbing a spoon into a container of strawberry yogurt.
Leo studied her. She was in a white sweatshirt and his blue sweats. She always stole those even though they were huge and she had to roll the waistband a bunch of times to fit. Her hair was messier than usual, her bun haphazard. Something was definitely up.
Leo furrowed his brow, turning back to refrigerator. “I thought only single people hated today.”
“That’s...something with an ist on the end.” Riley groused. “I’m just doing what I normally do. I miss Max.” Max used to spend the day with her. It was their thing.
“What do you normally do?” Leo twisted open the orange juice and took a long gulp.
“Stuff my face and cry. And watch Titanic.”
“You’re gonna watch Titanic and cry?”
Riley nodded. “Will you bring me the food?”
“Bomb sandwich or garlic naan and kofta?” Leo figured he couldn’t go wrong with her favorites.
“Put those together.” Riley sighed. “Oh, plus the giant cookie thing.”
“The plain one or the one with the whipped chocolate stuff in between two cookies?”
“Second one. And vodka please. All the vodka.”
“Noted.” Leo added it to the list. “Why do you hate today so much?”
Riley grimaced. “I just do.” She stood and threw the yogurt away, wiping the glob that landed on her hand on her sweatshirt.
Leo stared at the pink stain. He’d never seen Riley this way and goddammit, he found it endearing. Even if she was teetering between sadness and anger.
“Riley. You love love. You’re sappy as fuck.”
“Usually.” Riley agreed. “Not today.”
“You’re not going to give me a hint as to why?”
“It’s a stupid made up holiday.” Riley rolled her eyes. “Patriarchal bullshit.”
Riley was hiding something. Leo knew it. He also knew he wouldn’t get it out of her now.
Riley needed to work through whatever was going on and tell him. Leo just had to wait.
“Can I still make a big deal out of it?” Leo asked, trying to figure out where her emotions were.
Riley shook her head vigorously. “No. I’ll always associate it with crap, and I don’t want any of your wonderfulness to be tainted.”
Leo dropped a kiss on her crown. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Riley shuffled to the living room.
————-
Valentine’s Day Night
“Baby, why do you do this to yourself? You know he’s not going to-“
“Shhh!” Riley said loudly. “He might make it this time!!”
Leo slipped off his shoes and settled on the couch next to his girlfriend. Riley moved into his lap automatically, leaning back into his chest as his arms came around her.
Leo tried to gauge how long the movie had left. They were still on the boat. Rose was telling Jack this was where they first met. How was this movie so long?
Riley sniffed. “They’re literally on a sinking ship and she remembers that was where they met.”
“That’s love, baby.” Leo kissed the shell of her ear.
“Love is sharing a door.” Riley mumbled.
Riley pulled the sandwich out of the bag next to Leo and took a huge bite.
“Want some?” She said, mouth full, crumbs falling onto the couch. She pointed it at Leo, who bit off a small chunk. He finished the portion, then nibbled on Riley’s neck.
“What are you doing?” Riley set the sandwich back in the bag.
“Dessert.”
“No. Not today. No sex.”
Leo hit pause. “Now I know something is wrong.”
“Cursed day! Let me eat my food and drink myself into oblivion in peace.”
“There’s more to it.” Leo met her eyes. “You are never like this. I’m usually the one telling you I need to recharge. You’re crying and using your shirt as a napkin.”
Riley burst into tears. “Why are you being so mean?”
Leo put his arms around her. “I’m just trying to understand. You are kind and beautiful and selfless. Just tell me what’s going on.”
Riley stood, leaving Leo’s arms. “I just hate it, Leo! It’s bullshit and it makes me feel like crap.”
“Why, baby?”
“My parents died on Valentine’s Day. Liam started the thing with Olivia on Valentine’s Day. What’s next? You leave me on this fucking awful day?”
“Oh, baby. I’m so sorry.” Leo reached for her hand. “I didn’t know that was when your parents died.”
Riley nodded. “It used to make me happy, a little. Bittersweet is a better word. They were so in love and had a great night. They went out on a high note together.”
“So Liam and Olivia-.”
“Yep. Phone records, Leo. I use to pore over them right after I found out.”
“Was it a big deal before-.”
“He’d get me flowers, we’d have dinner.” Riley left out that he always got her roses and she never told him she hated them. “He tried to keep it going after Olivia, I put the flowers down the garbage disposal while he watched.”
Leo’s eyes widened. Riley was savage and he loved it. “I am never leaving you. Why didn’t you say that before?”
“I just wanted to avoid this.” She gestured to her tears.
“Am I allowed to hug you and tell you I love you?”
“Fine.” Riley sat back down. “I love you too.”
She let Leo hold her for a few minutes before unpausing the movie.
A man hit the propellor and Leo clamped his lips together. This part always got him and he was definitely going to hell for it. Unable to hold it in, Leo laughed.
Riley glared and paused again. “Really? Drake does the same damn thing. This is why Max and I watch it with no one else.”
“Blame the movie! They didn’t have to make him spin like that!” Leo protested.
Riley stomped up the stairs and slammed the door. She sat on the bed, wishing she’d brought the sandwich. She fell back, starfishing across the blankets. She knew she was being a lot. No one ever asked her why before. It made her raw and she felt even worse.
—————
Leo counted to 30, then went up the stairs. This was the closest to a fight they’d ever had and he hated it.
“Baby.” He saw Riley sprawled across the bed. “I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.”
Leo saw a black dot on her shirt. “You have an olive on you.”
Riley looked down, picked it up and popped it into her mouth.
Leo could get on board with eating food off her shirt Riley. Just the version that wasn’t so sad.
“Do you want to call Max?”
“I did earlier. I wish he lived here.”
“He will soon.” Leo patted her leg. “Do you want to invite Drake over?”
“Why, so you can laugh together?”
“No, baby. Nevermind. Come on. Let’s get you a drink.”
“I just need the bottle. I’ll be fine.”
Riley rolled off the bed.
Leo rubbed her back soothingly as they walked back downstairs.
Riley struggled to unscrew the lid. Leo waited, not wanting to make her sad or angry by offering.
She admitted defeat and handed him the bottle. Leo pretended the lid was hard to unscrew. “Damn. This is a lot harder than it looks.”
Riley saw right through it, but didn’t say anything. He was so cute. Too bad they couldn’t have sex.
—————
Leo woke up on the couch. He looked over, Riley nowhere in sight.
He heard her cough and lurched toward the kitchen. He’d gotten two bottles of vodka and Riley had drunk most of one. He’d had a few too many shots.
Leo sniffed. Something was burning. He rushed around, finally seeing Riley next to an open window, looking guiltily at him, a cigarette between her fingers.
“Riley Rose Brooks. What the fuck are you doing?”
“Don’t you full name me.” She drank some water out of a large bottle.
Leo came over and took the cigarette, somewhat unsteadily. “Baby. Since when do you smoke?” He took a drag, then ran it under the tap.
“I only stopped cause Bert called it unseemly.” Riley chortled. “Joke’s on him. Who had to put up with my cold turkey ass? Bertrand.”
Leo laughed and rubbed his neck, trying to loosen the muscles. He needed water and ibuprofen. “Where’d that even come from?”
Riley grinned sheepishly. “I have an in case of emergency stash in my dresser.”
“What time is it?” Leo looked blearily at the stove. 5am.
“Hey, the day is over!” Leo looked to Riley.
Riley nodded, shrugging dismissively.
“You don’t seem better.” Leo wanted to be sober for this talk, at least not have a hangover, but he wanted Riley to feel better more.
“I’ve never told anyone why.” Riley met his eyes. “You asked. Max, god bless him, isn’t one to pry.”
“No one else asked?”
Riley shook her head no.
Leo swallowed the pain killers and drank a glass of water. He walked to Riley.
“You’re a goddamn gorgeous human being. Inside and out.”
“Even when I’m a mess?”
Leo smirked. “Keep eating food off your shirt. That was fucking hot.”
Riley burst out laughing. “Wait til I tell you about floor candy.”
Riley draped her arms over his shoulders. “I’m still drunks. I know I was a pain. Thank you.”
Leo brushed his lips against her forehead. “You are never a pain. Thank you for telling me.”
Leo traced her jawline with his forefinger and kissed her gently.
“Let’s make our own day.” Leo announced.
“Meaning?” Riley gave him a wary look.
“July 21st. Love day.”
Riley grinned. “I have no problem with that date. But why that one?”
“That was the day I picked you up at the airport.” It was on the bracelet she’d get in a week or so.
Leo tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “We can go back, I can be all “Riles! This is where we first met.”
“That’s sweet, but lies.”
Leo shrugged. “Not really. I met the real Riley that day.”
Riley shook her head and grinned. “Fucking dreamboat.”
“Let’s go to bed, baby.” Leo winked. “I’ll rock your world in about 12 hours.”
“Mmm. Can’t wait.”
Riley let Leo piggyback her up the stairs and put her to bed; finally falling asleep in his comforting embrace.
————
103 notes · View notes
slippinmickeys · 3 years
Text
Five Seconds (1/8)
This is the sequel to “Of the Eight Winds,” which began from a small simple prompt from Sunflowerdeedsandscience: “Mulder is unhappily married when Scully is partnered with him, and while he doesn't cheat (because sorry that's not romantic), he falls for her so hard that he finally gets the courage to end the marriage and start fresh.” That prompt took on a life of its own that became ‘Of the Eight Winds.’ This fic immediately follows the events of that piece — I would encourage reading it first if you haven’t.
This is not written in the same Rashomon structure as the original — it is absolutely linear. Hope that doesn’t throw anyone.
I’ll be posting the first two chapters today, and then one chapter a day until next Monday. You can also find it on AO3 here.
PROLOGUE
They say in the heat of the moment, you have five seconds to make a decision. Five seconds between right and wrong. Five seconds between life and death. As Mulder stood watching one gun pointed at his children and another pointed at an immensely pregnant Scully, five seconds seemed an eternity.
XxXxXxXxXxX
6 Months Earlier
She watched the house from the shadows. Occasionally from her car. It was harder to follow the woman as she worked at a secure government facility, but the man was easy. He had a small private psychology practice in a townhouse in Old Town. He usually ate lunch at a Panera near the office or brown bagged it from home.
The kids both attended a private prep school out in McLean. The girl drove herself and her brother most days. The boy would often stay late for sports practice (ice hockey, if the equipment was any indication) and the man would usually pick him up. Their lives were pretty routine.
After two weeks, she finally made an appointment with the man’s scheduling service and waited nervously in the outer office. Right on time, he opened the door.
“Olivia?” Dr. Mulder smiled at her, “come on back.”
She passed him through the doorway and settled into a plush leather couch.
He sat down in a chair across from her and crossed his leg, looking relaxed. Up close, she noticed that his hair was starting to grey at the temples, but he still looked fit, and conveyed an easy manner.
“Thank you for seeing me,” she said, trying to calm her nerves.
“Of course,” he said, looking down at his notebook, “I see you were referred to me by Dr. Heitz Werber?”
“Yes,” she said.
“Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself,” he said.
She took a breath.
“I grew up here in DC. After grad school… My father worked for the State Department and I, uh, went into the family business.”
Dr. Mulder nodded, his expression neutral.
“I can imagine that’s pretty stressful work,” he said.
“It was,” she said, “I don’t do it anymore.”
He nodded again, waiting for her to fill the silence. She went on.
“The work I did… it hurt people. And I’m… I’m trying to make amends.”
His expression gave nothing away. She steeled herself, took a deep breath.
“Dr. Mulder, my name is Olivia Kurtzweil. Our fathers knew each other a long time ago. I’m here to warn you. You and your family are in danger. Your wife and her baby…”
His nostrils flared, but he maintained his composure.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out several pictures.
“I can prove it,” she said, “This is me and my father, this is me and your sister Samantha. And this is our fathers together.”
“I think you need to leave,” he said, his voice tight for the first time. He was not looking at the pictures.  
She rose.
“There’s not a lot of time.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of paper with a phone number on it, set it next to the pictures, which she left on the office’s small coffee table. “Call me at this number. Soon. I’ll tell you all I can.”
With that she left, her heart hammering in her chest.
CHAPTER ONE
Arlington Cemetery May 2nd, 2018
Mulder descended the stairs quickly, the leather bottoms of his dress shoes scraping loudly on the dusty grit of the steps. The occupants of the underground lair were the perfect people to call when you needed information, but good housekeepers they were not.
He entered the code on the security box at the door at the bottom of the staircase, and the door swung open.
“Guys?” he called into the cavernous space once the door sealed shut behind him.
“In here!” he heard a muffled call from near the back.
He stepped around gunmetal shelves awash in circuitry and computer parts and turned right into the sanctum sanctorum of the place: the desktop on which sat the AMD Threadripper 3000. Two men were hunched over the screen, one sitting, one standing just behind him.
Grease-stained napkins were wadded up next to the keyboard and crinkled butcher paper sat nearby, sporting the red-splotched remains of marinara sauce and a few errant banana peppers.
“You want a meatball sub, Mulder?” came the nasally voice of the man standing, “We got extra.”
“I don’t relish the thought of being up all night with heartburn, Langly, but thanks,” Mulder said, and Frohike turned from the chair, his wispy hair now more white than grey.
“They’re from Gino’s,” he said around a mouthful, “you’re missing out.”
“Tell that to Gino,” Mulder said, “didn’t he die of a heart attack in ‘04?”
“His wife is still running the place, bursting with health,” Frohike said, and reached for a styrofoam cup.
“But she doesn’t eat the subs,” said Mulder, and swung into a nearby chair. “Where’s Byers?”
“Staying with Suzanne for the weekend,” Langly said, like he couldn’t imagine why.
“Is that safe?” Mulder asked. The Gunmen had been hiding out in a government-built safehouse under their own graves in Arlington Cemetery for more than a decade.
Langly shrugged.
The three men looked at each other for a moment. Finally, Mulder spoke again.
“What did you find?”
“Enough,” said Frohike, turning back to the screen. Mulder stood and walked up behind him.
Frohike tapped a picture on the screen.
“Olivia Kurtzweil,” he said, “born December 4th, 1963, daughter of Dr. Alvin Kurtzweil and Ruth O’Brien Kurtzweil. Graduated from Sidwell Friends School in Washington DC in 1981, got a PhD in both Biology and Virology from Boston University in 1987. Employment records get kind of muddled after that, but it would make sense if she worked for the State Department, though what a Biologist/Virologist would be doing for State is troubling.”
Mulder leaned back. It was the same woman who’d been in his office earlier that day.
“And the pictures?” he asked, “of our fathers together? Of her and Samantha?”
“The real McCoy,” Langly said, “they don’t appear to be altered in any way. Sent them to Chuck Burks, too. He concurs.”
Mulder sighed heavily.
“What’s going on, Mulder?” Frohike asked, his tone serious.
“She came to my office today, Olivia Kurtzweil,” he said, nodding at the screen, “she told me that Scully is in danger.”
“In danger?” Langly said, puzzled, “how?”
“Scully is…” Mulder paused, “she’s pregnant,” he said, and he saw both men’s eyebrows go up. “This woman told me that our family... that Scully and the baby are in danger.”
Frohike and Langly traded looks.
“We haven’t told anyone about the pregnancy,” Mulder went on, “and Scully’s OB is an old friend from med school that she trusts implicitly. This Kurtzweil woman knows about the baby and insists it’s in danger. I need to know what’s going on.”
“Firstly,” said Frohike, who stood and put a hand on Mulder’s shoulder, “Mazel tov.” Mulder smiled at him. “Secondly,” he went on, “it appears as though this woman is telling the truth -- at least about who she is -- I would talk to her. See what you can find out.”
“How’s Scully taking this?” Langly asked.
“I haven’t told her yet,” Mulder said, and the boys traded another look. “I didn’t want to scare her without knowing more.”
Frohike squeezed his shoulder again and then let his arm fall.
“Let us know, huh?” he said, “However we can help.”
Mulder nodded and drifted back toward the door, a ball of worry sitting heavy in his gut.
XxXxXxXxXxX
“Where are the kids?” he asked as soon as he walked in the kitchen. He hadn’t even taken off his coat.
“I had a good day, thanks for asking,” said Scully with a grin. She was loading the dishwasher and turned to look at him. Her face fell, turning serious. “The kids are upstairs. What’s wrong?”
“I had a patient come in today…” he started, and her features softened. She probably thought it was just empathy for one of his patients, a tough case. “Scully, she showed me a picture of herself as a kid. With Samantha.”
“What?” Scully said, standing up straight, “how?”
“I don’t know,” he said, and moved past her and into the living room, making for the bookshelf that held old family photo albums. He pulled one out and skimmed through it. Pulled out another. Halfway through, something caught his eye and he flipped back a couple of pages until he saw it. A picture from the same 70’s-era party at his childhood home on the Vineyard that Olivia had shown him. There was his father standing next to Alvin Kurtzweil, and down in the corner, both wearing swimsuits and gap-toothed smiles, pigtails frizzy and wet, sat Samantha and a 7 year-old Olivia Kurtzweil.
He felt his breath leave him.
Scully had come up quietly behind him, put her hand on his arm.
“Mulder?” she said.
“I need to make a call,” he said.
He pulled the note Olivia had left with him out of his pocket. She picked up on the first ring.
“Olivia, this is Dr. Mulder,” he said. “We need to talk.”
XxXxXxXxXxX
The next morning at 9:00am, they found themselves sitting across their kitchen table from Olivia Kurtzweil, Special Agent Monica Reyes, ASAC John Doggett and Assistant Director Walter Skinner.
Scully was sitting, arms crossed in front of her defensively, at the head of the table. Reyes sat next to her, looking at Kurtzweil with an equal amount of curiosity and distrust. Doggett was too amped up to sit and paced through their kitchen. Skinner sat, quiet and still, looking as menacing as ever at the far end of the table.
Mulder felt a certain odd protectiveness toward Olivia, and couldn’t help but treat her a bit like a patient.
“Olivia,” he said calmly, “why don’t you start at the beginning.”
The tale she spun was as fantastic as anything they’d ever heard in their years on the X-Files. Olivia had been groomed from childhood to work on what she called “The Project.” When Samantha Mulder had been abducted, The Project had used her DNA to create alien-human hybrids. Throughout the years, these hybrids had been used by different factions of The Project to further their agendas in relation to a colonization project that Olivia said once threatened the world. She had fought with others to bring it down and now, The Project’s last ditch effort to resurrect itself lay in the cells of the child Scully was carrying.
“How was my father involved?” Mulder said, his voice like ice.
“Your father did everything he could to protect you and your sister,” Olivia said after a pause. “He was the person I initially approached when I became disenchanted. He and I worked together for years dismantling everything we could.”
Mulder narrowed his eyes at her.
“You were at my father’s funeral a couple years ago,” he said, recognition dawning on him, “I saw you at his wake.”
Olivia nodded.
“He couldn’t save your sister,” she said, “but he saved you. And in the end, he saved me.”
“My sister,” Mulder said, his stomach feeling as though it were in his feet, “is she alive?”
“No,” Olivia said, “I’m so sorry. And that’s the problem. Your sister’s DNA was the only one that was able to create viable hybrids. Her DNA was the key. And the last living hybrid sacrificed herself before a rogue faction could get her. That rogue faction is after Scully and your baby for the DNA markers particular to your family.”
“Then why aren’t they after me?”
“The particular markers they’re looking for are rendered dormant after a baby is born. The genetic material they can use is only found in--”
Scully spoke for the first time, finishing Olivia’s explanation. “Embryonic stem cells from our baby.”
Olivia looked pained and nodded. “It’s their last, best hope for restarting the program,” she said.
“How do they even know about the pregnancy? We haven’t told a soul.”
“A hack on your medical records is my guess. HIPAA means nothing to these people.”
“I’m less concerned with the how and more concerned with the why,” Mulder said. “You say embryonic cells. That means they’re on a clock, right? Once the baby is born...”
“Destroy the umbilical cord. The placenta. Those cells are only found in a few places. Destroy anything they might be able to use. After that… you and your baby will be safe.”
“So no one else in our family is in danger?” Scully asked. Her eyes darted unconsciously to a family picture that was framed on the wall above Olivia. It was a candid photo, taken the year before when they had hired a photographer to take Lily’s senior portraits. In it, Mulder and Scully were holding hands, looking at their two kids who were laughing about something Will had said. They were all smiling and carefree. In the moment, it felt like a world away.
“I know the technology and the biology it draws from,” Olivia said, “I helped design it. Their only hope is getting their hands on the embryonic stem cells from your baby. If you were planning on getting an amniocentesis test -- don’t.”
“Why not?” Skinner asked, “why not just give them what they want?”
“Because they’ll never stop,” Reyes said.
Olivia shook her head sadly. “She’s right. They take and they take, and they don’t care who gets hurt or what is lost.” She looked to Mulder. “Your father and I worked for years to shut it down. Finish it. Hide your wife. Protect your baby. Once it’s born, you should all be out of danger.”
“Tell me about this rogue faction,” Doggett’s voice coming from the corner of the kitchen startled everyone.
“Mercs for hire,” Olivia said, “Only one of them that I know of is familiar with the working pieces of The Project. I don’t know him well. I only ever saw him in the periphery.”
“Do you have a name?” Doggett asked.
“I doubt it’s his real one,” Olivia said.
“We’ll take whatever you can give us,” said Reyes, who shot a look to Doggett.
“I only ever heard him called ‘Krycek,’” she said.
Mulder felt his gut drop.
XxX
“What do you think?” Mulder asked Scully, as they sat together around their empty dining room table. Doggett, Reyes and Skinner had left and it was nearly noon, the sun bright outside their windows. Nevertheless, the room felt cold. Mulder could feel anxiety press on him from all sides as though he were under water.
“I don’t know what to think,” Scully said, a hand resting unconsciously on her stomach, which had just started to push out. “Mulder, for almost fifteen years our lives have been ordinary, calm. After all this time…? It strains credulity.”
“Scully I would agree with you. But… some of the things we saw when we were on the X-Files… We know credible threats. This feels like a credible threat.”
“Do you really believe everything she said? About your sister?” He could see her skeptical reserve crumbling.
Mulder let that question sit in the air for several long moments. “Just tell me if the science checks out,” he finally said.
Scully huffed an almost amused sigh. “I couldn’t even begin to-” she started.
“Scully, you yourself were filling in the blanks of Olivia’s story. If what she says is true, does the science check out?”
Scully gave him a long look. “Yes,” she finally said.
He held her gaze, a feeling of overwhelming affection coming over him. “Scully,” he said quietly, “we have to get you somewhere safe.”
She looked down, added another hand to her abdomen so she was cradling it with both. On the countertop, there was a half drunk bottle of Deer Park and a single yellowing banana. Someone had left their iPhone headphones sitting in a semi-coiled loop, and there were crumbs in front of the toaster, dishes in the sink. They sat in the middle of a half-lived life.
“I won’t leave without you,” she finally said, “without you and the kids. We all do this together. If the threat is really what Kurtzweil says it is, I couldn’t bear the thought of them trying to use you or the kids to get to me.”
Mulder nodded curtly.
“I’ll go to the guys,” he said, “see what they can do for us. Skinner and Doggett and Reyes will do what they can to protect us, but I think given everything we’ve heard, it’s best to avoid… governmental oversight.”
“I’m inclined to agree with you,” Scully said.
“We need to leave soon. We can’t wait.”
Apgar jumped on the table then, looking for affection. Scully, who normally wouldn’t tolerate a cat on any eating surface, reached out and pet the cat absently, her eyes far away.
“Where are we even going to go?” she asked.
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plaidbooks · 3 years
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Hi babes - a request that’s kind of specific- (readerxcarisi) this would take place in season 19, episode 8 where Rollins and Carisi are at the shitty motel and they have that moment. So the idea would be that reader is also a detective, maybe newer or something tagging along with them two and reader knows Carisi has a thing for Rollins and reader was with him when they saw the guy leaving Amanda’s room. Reader is there for him after and he realizes maybe he was chasing the wrong girl??
New Girl
A/N: Hey Anon! I had to rewatch this to do some of the dialogue from it (I condensed the first scene so it’s not incredibly long.) but it’s a good idea to rewtach this ep before reading....unless you remember that Heather was the catfisher and stuff. Anyways, this is a little longer cause t’s slower paced. I like the idea of being there for someone without needing to ask. Also yes, I’m taking the chance to flex some sports knowledge, sorry not sorry. Hope you enjoy <3
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Taglist: @the-baby-bookworm @beccabarba @thatesqcrush @itsjustmyfantasyroom @stardust-fray @permanentlydizzy @infiniteoddball @ben-c-group-therapy @glowingmess @whimsicallymad @lv7867 @storiesofsvu @reading--mermaid @averyhotchner @mrsrafaelbarba @detective-giggles
“They traced the IP address to West Virginia,” Sonny said to Olivia, as they both came into the precinct.
“Good, get a John Doe warrant and send it to the local precinct,” Liv replied.
“Done and done.”
Liv gave him a smirk. “Then fill up your gas tank. Fin, you’re riding shotgun.”
“Oh, hell no; I’m allergic to West Virginia,” Fin said, leaning back in his chair.
Liv sighed. “Okay, Rollins, you’re up.”
“Really?” she whined.
Liv glanced between the two, already looking tired of this crap. “Come on, someone’s gotta translate for him,” she joked, gesturing at Sonny, who rolled his eyes.
“I’ll go,” you perked up. You were still the new kid, so you were jumping at every opportunity to go out in the field. Plus, you had a massive crush on Sonny, and being stuck in a car with him seemed like a good chance to learn more about him.
Liv gave you a relieved smile. “Thank you; at least someone here wants to work. But I’d also like someone with experience; Rollins, you’re going too.”
 ***************
The drive wasn’t awkward…at least, not for Sonny and Amanda. They’ve been partners for years now, chatting up a storm. You sat in the back seat, listening in on their stories, jumping in when appropriate, but otherwise fading into the leather behind you. This wasn’t what you had hoped for when you thought about going to West Virginia with Sonny, but at least you were getting some experience in the field…right?
The arrest was quick, painless. You actually found yourself feeling bad for Heather as you had her arrested in her mother’s home. But then you remembered what happened to Katie, and it solidified your resolve.
When Amanda suggested you three, and Chuck, the local officer, go to The Barrel—the local bar—for information, you’re first thought was that maybe alcohol would help you loosen up around Sonny. But after a few shots and a cocktail, all you saw was how he looked at Amanda, and you cursed yourself for not seeing it sooner. Why would he ever fall for someone like you when he could be with someone like her? And they were already so close; what was the point of trying?
Complaining about a headache, you excused yourself, telling them you’d see them in the morning.
“Want me to walk ya back to your room?” Sonny asked, looking concerned.
Your heart fluttered at the thought, but then you remembered the heart eyes he’d been giving Amanda all evening. “No, I’m fine. Thanks though.” You wandered back to the hotel across the parking lot, wiping the tears from your face, locking yourself in your room.
 ******************
You were in the hotel lobby making yourself coffee when Sonny came in.
“Morning, [y/n],” he said, smiling at you. “Feeling better today?”
You melted at his smile, tears threatening to form again, but you pushed down your feelings. “Uh, yeah, much better. How’d you sleep? Hopefully you and Rollins weren’t up too late.”
“Nah, it was fine. We may have started a bar fight, though,” Sonny grinned at you, and you giggled, trying to picture him fighting anyone. He went about making two coffees and grabbing an assortment of free breakfast foods. He put everything on a tray and you followed him out, heading towards Amanda’s room as he called Liv to give her an update. But you both froze as a man came out of Amanda’s room, both of them chatting for a moment before he left. And Sonny’s face fell as he turned and went towards his SUV instead.
You gave Amanda’s closed door one last look before you went after Sonny. He stopped at his SUV, putting the tray on top so that he could fish his keys out of his pocket. He sniffled and it was only then you realized he was crying.
“Hey, you okay?” you asked tentatively. But you knew the answer—of course you did. Because you had felt your heart shatter last night.
“Fine,” he grunted, opening the driver’s door and sliding in. This was sure to be a fun ride back to New York. Grabbing the tray he had left on the roof of his SUV, you climbed in behind the passenger seat.
You sat in silence for a few awkward moments before you said softly, “I’m so sorry, Sonny. If you ever need to talk, I’m here for you.”
 *****************
The ride back was worse, to say the least. The tension in the air was thick, not to mention, you sat in back with Heather, who seemed to be daydreaming about meeting The Monster. You found yourself watching Sonny, or at least, the half of his face that you could see. He was quiet, subdued; so unlike him, and you realized you hated it. You wanted him to be his laughing, jokey self. You tried asking him questions—and Amanda, so you weren’t too obvious—but he wasn’t all there, his mind somewhere far away. Eventually, you gave up. falling into the silence of the drive.
 *****************
Liv mercifully gave the three of you the rest of the day off after delivering Heather to the precinct. You were just debating what to do for dinner when there was a knock at your door. Curious, you unlocked it, opening it to see Sonny shuffling on his feet on your doorstep.
“Son?” you asked in confusion.
He gave you a nervous smile. “Hey, can I come in?”
“Uh, yeah. ‘Course.” You moved out of the way, letting him enter your brownstone.
You both stood there awkwardly before he asked, “have you had dinner yet? If not, I can maybe whip something up? Or I can order takeout?”
“I haven’t yet, no.” Now thoroughly confused, you shrugged, playing along. “Did you have something in mind? I was thinking of ordering a pizza or something….”
“Pizza sounds great. Here, I’ll order. You like pepperoni, right?”
 ******************
You both idly chatted while waiting for the pizza to arrive, the awkward tension still palpable. Sonny didn’t say why he came over and you didn’t ask. The delivery man showed up soon enough, and Sonny insisted that he pay, so you let him. You found some beers in your fridge, offering one to him, which he gratefully accepted. As you ate, you started talking more, just about where you were before transferring to Manhattan, why you decided to come here of all places. The tension in the air subsided, and slowly, Sonny started talking about himself; his family, his recent accomplishment at Fordham—you had started just after he had passed the bar exam, so you didn’t hear much about it—and how much he loved his job.
“So, now that you passed the bar, are you going to leave us for Barba?” you asked. Sonny cocked an eyebrow, a grin on his face. “Oh my god, that’s not what I meant, and you know it,” you giggled, your cheeks burning.
Sonny chuckled at the implication. “I—I don’t know yet. I really do love my job as a detective. But I always wanted to be a lawyer, ya know? And now I can be. But with Mike passing…it just doesn’t seem like the right time.” He took a sip of his beer. “Hey, maybe with you taking over, I’ll be able to. I’d feel less bad leaving the department behind; they won’t be as short-staffed.”
It hurt to think about Sonny leaving; you were just getting to know him. “I still got a long way to go, though. Liv wouldn’t even let me go with you to West Virginia alone. What was it she said? ‘I need someone experienced’ or some shit.” You rolled your eyes.
“Hey, I was in your shoes before, too. It’ll pass quicker than you can blink.” Sonny spun the bottle in his hands. “Besides, I almost wish it was just us, and that Rollins wasn’t…” he trailed off, his eyes staring at nothing.
You swallowed hard. “You like her, don’t you?”
“Hm? Nah…I mean, she’s my partner, yeah? I have her back, and I know she’s got mine…. We’re close and…yeah, I don’t know.” He looked everywhere but at you, a slight pink tint in his cheeks.
You nodded sympathetically. As much as you wanted him to like you, you just wanted him to be happy. And if she made him happy, then you’d have to live with that. “Being so close with someone for so long, it’s not shocking if feelings…developed. Have you talked to her about it at all?”
He shook his head. “Look, I appreciate you trying to help me with this, but can we stop talking about Rollins? Please?”
“Of course. Sorry…. I got ice cream, if you want some dessert?” you tried.
Sonny sat there for a moment, staring a hole into your floor. “You know what? I think I’m gonna get out of your hair.” He stood, stretching. “Thank you for letting me crash your night for a little bit.”
“You sure? You can stay as long as you need,” you replied, but he was already moving towards your front door, sliding his jacket on.
“Yeah, I’ve taken up enough of your time. See ya at work tomorrow.” And then he gave you that heart-melting smile before he was gone.
 ****************
Whether Fin or Liv could feel the tension in the precinct the next day, you weren’t sure. But Sonny had gone back to his nontalking self, sitting at his desk, working through Heather’s posts. At some point, Amanda invited him to lunch, but he declined. They had a few clipped, whispered words that you didn’t hear, but after she left, Sonny looked upset again.
Standing, you went to the coffee maker, making two cups—one for yourself and one for Sonny. You came back, placing it on his desk, within hands reach. He glanced up at you, and you gave him a soft smile before moving back to your desk, diving in on something to help Barba with his case against Heather.
After another half an hour, Sonny got up, coming over to your desk. “Wanna go grab lunch?”
You looked from him to the mountain of posts and pictures you still had to go through, then back at him. “Please,” you groaned, grabbing your jacket and following him out.
 ****************
For the next two weeks, you and Sonny would get lunch. Or, if it wasn’t possible to take lunch at the same time, you’d bring each other something, switching off each day. You both also seemed to know when the other ran out of coffee, placing a refill on one another’s desk just as you’d finish the last sip. Conversation started to flow easier between you two, and you found that you highly enjoyed just chatting with him. Every now and again, he’d come over to your place, and you’d just talk; mostly about work, sometimes about your families. You still had a crush on him, but you shoved it down, trying to not let it interfere with work, or with your new-found friendship. Though, you noticed with some glee that he no longer looked at Amanda with that sparkle in his eyes.
On Saturday night, Sonny showed up at your doorstep, a 12 pack in one hand, takeout in the other. “Are you not watching the hockey game tonight?” he asked, his Islanders sweater on proudly.
“I, uh, wasn’t planning on it?” you replied, confused. In all your talks, neither of you had mentioned sports, except that Sonny had played basketball as a kid.
“Pffttt. You are now,” he said, pushing into your place. You giggled, following him to your couch. Plopping down next to him, you grabbed a beer while he flipped through the stations until he found the game. He cheers’ed you, then you both took a sip, watching and yelling at the screen. It was hard not to get caught up in the excitement with him, even if you didn’t know all the rules, nor particularly cared about hockey. You just enjoyed spending time with him.
At some point during the first period, Sonny put his arm on the back of the couch, his legs spread. You never understood how someone so lanky could take up so much room, but it made you smile. He just looked so natural, so comfortable on your couch, and you loved it.
“Come on, Lehner! You gotta cover your 5-hole!” Sonny yelled at the screen, groaning as the Islanders let in a goal.
“Uh, explain that to me, please?” you asked, confused.
Sonny sat up, leaning his elbows on his knees, moving closer to you. “Okay, so, ya see how the goalie, Lehner, has his legs so spread? Well, when the Pens shoot, that’s where they aim, ‘cause it’s his weak-spot and they know it. He’s slow to get his glove there and it’s an easy goal.”
“So…the 5-hole is between the legs?” you guessed.
“Exactly; see? You’re a quick learner,” Sonny smiled at you as the game cut to commercial.
You grinned back. “Well, I have a good teacher.”
Sonny’s eyes lit up with an idea. He put his beer down, then turned to face you. “Here, stand.” You cocked an eyebrow at him but obeyed. “Put your arms out and spread your legs…not that far; be comfortable. Okay, so, right here,” –he put his hand to the left side of your face, above your arm— “is the 1-hole. The opposite side here, that’s the 2-hole. Then here,” –he went back to your left side, under your arm this time— “is the 3-hole, and—”
“The opposite is the 4, and between the legs is 5?” you finished.
That lopsided grin was back. “Exactly.” He looked at the screen as the commercials ended. “Ooh, game’s back, here.” Sonny’s hands went to your hips, sending electricity through you. He dragged you back onto the couch next to him, your leg touching his, and his arm around your shoulders. You couldn’t pay attention to the game as your whole body heated, a stupid grin on your face from the closeness. At some point, you relaxed against him, snuggling into his side. If it bothered him, he didn’t say anything. In fact, quite the opposite—when he wasn’t groaning or gesturing at the screen, he had his arm around you, holding you to him.
Once the game was over, Sonny helped you clean up. “Thanks for letting me crash your night again,” he said—the same thing he said every night when he showed up unannounced.
“Anytime,” you replied. “Are you sure you’re okay to drive?”
“Sober as a fox,” he smiled.
You raised an eyebrow at him. “Is that even a saying?”
“It is now,” he declared, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “Really though; I’m fine. Thank you for worrying.”
You walked him to the door, holding it open for him. Sonny stopped just outside your place, turning back around to look at you. “Text me when you get home, so I know you’re safe,” you said softly.
“Okay, I will…. I, uh, wanted to thank you. Not just for tonight, but for every night…and lunches, and coffees, and just—letting me be me for a little.” He gave you the sweetest smile, and you thought your chest was going to burst.
“Yeah, anytime, Sonny. I want you to feel…safe with me,” you replied.
“I do…I really do.”
You were leaning against your doorframe, and he had one hand on the wall next to it, leaning against it. Slowly, he leaned forward, his face getting closer to yours. Swallowing, and praying you weren’t misinterpreting, you leaned in, too, until your lips met in a soft, chaste kiss. Sonny’s mouth was gentle against yours, his lips smooth, and you stood up on your tiptoes, pressing yourself harder against him, afraid that he’d realize what was happening and that he’d pull away, disgusted. And though he did pull away, his eyes were still closed in bliss, a small smile on his face, one that slowly grew the longer you looked, making your own smile appear.
“You sure you don’t want to stay the night?” you asked, your voice hopeful.
Sonny looked deeply into your eyes, then to your lips, then back to your eyes. “Well, if you insist, maybe I can be persuaded to crash your night a little longer.”
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Text
Mistakes and First Kisses
For the lovely @infiniteoddball who requested :  Hey! Can I make a request?? Fake Dating AU paired with heated argument leading to kiss/sex? Preferably with Barba or Benson?
I went with Barba, there is no smut in this, I didn’t feel like it fit. However if you wanted to request a part two I’m sure I could work something out :)
Hey! Can I make a request?? Fake Dating AU paired with heated argument leading to kiss/sex? Preferably with Barba or Benson?
“Remember, Barba,” You gave the man a toothy grin as Olivia did her best to hide the wiring you were wearing under your skimpy dress, “You’re rich, an asshole, and out looking for a good time. Also, we’re undercover.” Barba gave you a pointed look, pulling his expensive suit jacket back on once Nick was satisfied his wire was where it needed to be. 
“You’re funny, y/n. Anyone ever told you that before?” You smirked and finally pulled away from Olivia doing a twirl.
“How do I look? Escort-y enough?” You asked, earning an appreciative look from a few of the unis hanging around the area. 
“An expensive one too, not a cheap dollar hooker,” Sonny assured you, you tossed your head back and laughed. 
“You’re sweet,” You smiled, grabbing your purse off your desk, “I’m ready.”
“Let’s go over the plan one more time.” Olivia ordered gently, not wanting to take any risks. “Barba will be at the lounge waiting for you, you’re going to meet him there. Chat him up. Remember he ordered you, so Barba, try and not look like ... well, that.” Everyone looked at the man who was scowling. He didn’t want to be doing this, he didn’t want you to be doing this. High class escorts servicing promident men have been getting attacked. The man was usually beaten into a pulp, while the escorts had been raped and tortured. So far nothing you had done had gotten you any closer, thus this overcover was born. Much to the ADA’s dismay. Barba put on a sarcastic smile and Olivia frowned at him, “Are you sure you can do this.” 
“I’ve voiced my concerns. They’ve been ignored.” 
“We can send Carisi.” 
“A detective with student loans? He could never afford her, they’d know.” You flushed slightly at being spoken about like that. Something about it coming from Barba’s mouth softened the blow. 
“Anyway, chat, have a few drinks, Rollins and Fin will be inside keeping their eyes open. When we tell you to, you’re going to go upstairs. Sit pretty until we tell you otherwise, we need him in the room before we can move, got it?”
“Got it,” You both chimed. 
“Let’s roll.”
Carisi dropped you off at the lounge in a discrete black car, giving you a reassuring smile as you got out. 
“You’ll do fine,” You smiled back and nodded before shutting the door and flipping your hair over your shoulder, straightening your back, and trying your damnedest to not be nervous. You had to be sexy, charming enough to convince whoever was attacking these women that should be his next target. You entered the upclass establishment and looked around before spotting the man, lounging with a drink in his hands. Not his usual amber liquid either, probably a rum and coke, hold the rum. You approached him, trying to look sure of yourself, making sure your hands weren’t shaking.
“Rafael Barba?” You asked, smiling down at the man, eyes large and innocent. He looked up and you saw his adams apple bob as he swallowed before nodding. You smiled back, “May I sit?” 
“It would be my pleasure, Alice right?” The fake name the squad had come up with echoed in your ears as you sat down beside him on the small chaise lounger. 
“Try not to look so damn uncomfortable, Barba.” Fin’s voice sounded off in both of your ears and the man beside you grunted. So you took initiative, scooting closer to the man and resting your hand on his arm. 
“What are you drinking?” He peered into the glass, like if he stared long enough he might turn coke into something a little stronger. 
“A diet coke,” He responded simply. You frowned before smiling again, he wasn’t giving you much to work with. You grabbed a passing waitress and smiled up at her. 
“I’ll have what he’s having, please.” She nodded before disappearing to go get your drink. You turned back to the man, still smiling as he sulked slightly. 
“We’re on a date,” You whispered, “Try and at least look at me.” Barba looked up at you, a worriedness you hadn’t seen before behind his eyes. 
“This is a bad idea.” You pressed a finger to his lips, eyes going cold for a moment. You weren’t about to let him blow this because he was worried. Women were at risk until you put this monster away. 
“Shush,” You murmured, trying to sound playful and not harsh, “Is this your first time going on a date.” You both knew what you meant by date. Barba thought you were trying a little too hard to be obvious. No one in their right might would think you would be here with him without a payout involved. But he tried to loosen up and play along. 
“I’ve been out of the game for a while, work is my life, I don’t have time for anything that isn’t noncommittal.” He explained the half truth. Truth be told, he had recently tried to get back into dating, but it was too hard. Not simply because of the job, but mostly because they weren’t you. You cooed at the man and accepted your drink when the waitress came back before turning to him again. 
“Well, I’m your girl then. For the night.” He smiled softly at that. Only for the night indeed. 
“Keep it up, we got a guy eyeing you at 6 o’clock, don’t look.” You smiled at Barba and continued your flirting routine. Giggling and touching his arm whenever you could, flipping your hair over your shoulder to expose your neck and collarbone to the man, you saw him swallow hard and gave his arm another squeeze of reassurance. 
The man eventually loosened up as he talked to you about work in certain terms. This Barba, however, was a private attorney. The big bucks. You continued to laugh and smile and nod in all the right places, eyes concentrated on his face like he was the only man in the room. As far as dates went, you’d been on worse. Occasionally Rollins or Fin or Olivia would say something into the earpieces you were wearing, instructing you to do one thing or another. 
“Kiss him and take him upstairs.” Kiss? You flushed slightly, at Olivia’s command. Who said anything about kissing. 
“Sell it,” Rollins added and you could practically hear the grin on her face. You sighed and smiled, putting a hand on the man’s face. Barba seemed frozen in his spot so you leaned in and pressed a few simple kisses to his lips. He didn’t react. You frowned. 
“Did I do something wrong?” You asked, trying to save face, “You paid for the evening I thought you-”
“Barba,” Olivia warned. 
“I can’t do this,” He stared blankly, and you began to panic. 
“Move upstairs,” Olivia’s own voice mirrored how you felt. “Now.” She added on harshly. Barba didn’t budge. You tried one more time to lean in and kiss him and he pushed you away, standing up suddenly. 
“I need some air.” 
“Barba,” Multiple voices, including your own cried out but the man was already walking swiftly towards the doors. 
“Rafael,” You called after him, getting up and following him close behind, grabbing the back of his jacket and hissing through gritted teeth, “What are you doing.” He pulled away from you and kept walking, outside in the night. You followed still, struggling to keep up in the heels you’d chosen to wear. “Rafael!” He turned to you shaking his head as Olivia and Carisi rushed up to you. 
“What the hell?” Benson asked, fire in her own eyes. “Barba, what the hell was that.” 
“You’re going to have to find him another way, try doing your jobs!” He snapped back and Benson’s face steeled. 
“Get out of here. Go home.” She glared slightly, “think about the next victim while you try and fall asleep tonight.” With that she turned and walked away. Barba at least had the decency to look guilty briefly, before his face turned sour again. 
“Something to say, Carisi?” the man barked. The detective looked sadly at the lawyer, the main emotion on his face was utter disappointment. He turned and walked away, following his boss back towards the car they had been waiting in. You continued to stand next to Barba, arms crossed. He turned and began to walk away again and you continued to follow. 
“Oh no, we aren’t done here.” 
“Yes we are.” You continued to follow him, a few steps behind him in silence, both of you seething. 
“Are you planning on walking all the way back to your apartment so we can argue there, or would you like to get this over with and actually fucking talk about what just happened?” He ignored you and picked up your pace, so you stopped and took your shoes off before jogging to catch up with him, walking beside him now. “Are you an idiot?” You asked. 
“Go away, Y/N. Go home. It’s done.” He ordered you, voice more gruff then he ever used with you. You frowned. 
“What the hells is this about?” You snapped, “Listen, I get it, you didn’t want to do it for whatever reason. But you agreed, you know the risks these women face and you blew it!” He turned on you, finger pointing into your face. 
“I didn’t sign up for that!” He yelled and you stepped back surprised. He seemed shocked at his own outburst and dropped his hand. “Go home.” 
“No.” You crossed your arms again, “Get us a Lyft. Now. We’re going to yours and we are talking about this. Or I will continue to follow you home barefoot and I will pound on your door until your neighbors call the police. See how the DA likes that!” He stood there for another minute before fishing his phone out of his pocket and tapping it a few times. 
“You’re going to be the death of me.” 
“And you’ll be the death of all those men.” You snapped again. Then you felt back, “Look I’m sorry, okay?” He just shook his head, putting the phone away and staring anywhere but you. You were right. He was the reason more people were going to die. All because he couldn’t handle you. Couldn’t handle you flirting, or the kissing, or even bringing you up to a hotel room. No matter how many times he told himself you were just acting, no matter how many lives it saved. It couldn’t. It hurt too much. 
A car pulled up and Barba checked the plates before opening the door and ushering you in. You sat the entire ride in silence, both looking out of your respective windows. You arrived at the man's apartment and got out, the silence following you all the way upstairs and to his apartment door. Once inside you crossed your arms yet again, rubbing some warmth back into them. 
“Are you cold?” Barba asked quietly and you shrugged before shaking your head. 
“Don’t be nice to me. I’m mad at you.” You said, frowning deeply. He frowned back and shrugged his shoulders. 
“Suit yourself. Be difficult.” You watched him go to the kitchen, getting two glasses from the cabinet. 
“Me difficult?” You laughed bitterly, “Says the man who just blew our entire investigation out of the water.” 
“Your investigation? It’s not really a case if it’s a last ditch effort.” He snapped. He poured two glasses of scotch and offered one to you, which you snatched from him. 
“So what? We’re going to sit on our asses and try nothing? If you didn’t like our tactics you were more then welcome to come up with a better idea.” 
“It’s not my job! It’s yours, and obviously you can’t do it.” Ouch. That one stung. You flinched and took a sip of the drink, allowing the burning to wash over you. 
“Guess I’ll just quit then, since my sense of worth is completely dependent on whether or not /you/ think I am doing a good job!” You raised your voice and the man glared, coming towards you.
“Mind shutting up? I have neighbors.” 
“Fuck your neighbors, alright?” You stopped, lowering your voice again, and Barba could see the hurt written across your features. He wished nothing more than to pull you into his arms, to beg you to forgive him. “This isn’t you, Rafael.” You spoke finally. It was his turn to wince, both at your words and the tender and unfamiliar use of his first name. “Not the champion of victims that I know.” 
“Well maybe you don’t know me as much as you thought.” You both stared at each other for a moment before you nodded, setting the cup you were holding on the coffee table. 
“Maybe I don’t. Because I thought I knew a good man. A kind man, who cared. This-” You gestured towards him shaking your head, “Isn’t him.” You turned towards the door.  You got about two steps away when you felt hands on you, turning you around. Then there were lips on your lips. The kiss ended as soon as it began. Barba stepped back. 
“I’m sorry. I just- I never got the chance to kiss you back. And I’m sorry.” He cleared his throat, “You’re right, I messed up. I messed the whole thing up. Because I couldn’t handle pretending to kiss you, touch you, flirt with you. I was selfish, I cared about my own emotions more than the lives of innocent people, and I am sorry.” You were frozen where you stood staring back at the man whose lips were just on yours. “I’m sorry,” He said again. You weren’t sure you ever heard Rafael Barba apologize before, and now he has uttered those words four times in about thirty seconds. 
“I forgive you.” Your voice came out in a whisper, arms wrapping around yourself. “I won’t say it’s okay, because it’s not. But you’re forgiven. We will figure it out, somehow, someway.” You promised. “But a word of advice.” 
“Yes?” 
“Don’t try and kiss Liv when you apologize and grovel to her tomorrow.” 
“I don’t grovel,” He smirked slightly, you smirked back.
“Well you better start.” You took a step towards him, reaching up to rest your hands on his chest, toying with his tie. “You could start now,” You gazed up at the man whose hands had found your hips. He leaned down and kissed you again, slowly, lovingly. You kissed him back this time, relishing in your first mutual kiss. When he pulled back he placed a hand on your cheek, thumb gently rubbing it. 
“Thank you.” He whispered, you tilted your head slightly. 
“For what?”
“For reminding me who I am.” You smiled and leaned up, stealing another kiss from the man, who pulled you into a warm embrace, kissing your forehead several times.
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out-of-the-loupe · 2 years
Text
Dans Le Bleu Chapter 18
renee wasn’t always a good person
~:o:~:o:~:o:~
Midwest Commonwealth, Whitestone
The Deckhouse Casino Lounge
Renee took great care in twisting the lipstick up, careful not to damage it in any way. Makeup, especially Pre-War quality, was expensive and difficult to come by. But god if it didn’t look spectacular. She slid it over her lips with a smirk.
There came a knock on the dressing room door. “You nearly ready, Miss Jones?”
“I’ll be on time, don’t worry!” Renee capped the lipstick.
She grinned in the mirror, quite pleased with her appearance. She did so love getting ready for the audience. “Hm.” She reached to smooth down one eyebrow, nudging a stray hair into place. “Perfect.” As usual, really.
Renee turned in the chair to slip on her heels; black, glossy shoes she was honestly lucky to have found in the first place. They were a far cry nicer than the usual boots she wore for work. The dark green dress hugged her curves and she, for a single moment, wondered if perhaps she showed too much cleavage. But she got better tips this way.
She stood and practically sauntered to the door. She flung it open. “Ready.”
Sharon, her older sister, blinked at her. “You know, it really isn’t fair. Why’d you get all the looks in the family?”
“Just lucky, I guess.” Renee flashed a brilliant grin.
Sharon rolled her eyes and grabbed her wrist. “Come on before your ego gets any bigger.” She began tugging the redhead through the backstage, weaving between stagehands and equipment. “You do look great, though.”
“Well thank you.” Renee couldn’t help but toss her long hair over her shoulder.
“Never let it be said that you’re humble.” Sharon led her into position. “All right, you know the drill. Don’t fuck this up.”
“Do I ever?” Renee rolled her shoulders back and stretched her neck.
Sharon sighed. “No. Which is why I ask you to fill in for Angela. Break a leg.”
Renee arched an eyebrow. “In these heels? You know I might.”
Sharon waved her hand as she walked off. “You know what I meant.”
The lights dimmed and the curtains began to open one by one in time with the live band starting the first song. Renee sauntered forward slowly, counting each step to the microphone in the darkness.
“Ladies and gentlemen, for your entertainment in the Deckhouse Casino and Resort Lounge…”
Once she finally reached the microphone, two spotlights crossed over her and she grinned brilliantly. Though she couldn’t quite see them, she heard the audience clap for her. She could barely hear her name announced over another loud chord by the band.
She grabbed the microphone stand with one hand and launched into the first song of her set. Oh, but she never felt so alive as she did when she performed. For a while, she could forget everything she hated; her hometown, her job, her older sister Olivia, her father… Nothing else in her life mattered. Nothing but the sheer attention being lavished on her and her alone.
~:o:~:o:~:o:~
“Miss Jones.” The man at the door nodded to her. “Mrs. Hourton has asked not to be disturbed.”
“I’m her sister. I’ve been disturbing her since I was born.” Renee crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow.
His twitched as he clearly tried not to smirk at her sarcasm. “Even still, I can’t ignore orders.”
“Just let me through.”
“Orders are orders, Miss Jones. Even for family.”
Renee huffed. “Oh come on—”
The door to Sharon’s office opened and Renee was surprised to see the lounge agent walk out, quickly followed by Sharon herself. “Just the two people I wanted to see.” Renee grinned and blocked their path, her hands on her hips.
“Oh. You.” The agent glanced back at Sharon. “Well, this is…”
“Awkward.” Sharon cringed.
Renee’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“Let’s talk in private.” The agent turned to go back into the office, gesturing in the redhead with one finger.
Sharon sighed and stepped to the side. “Oh boy…”
Once Renee stepped inside, the agent closed the door behind her. Sharon sat at her desk. “Sit down, Ren.” She pointed to the chair across from her.
Renee plopped down in the worn leather chair. She sat back, crossing her legs. “So, you’re hiring me on full time? I told you I fill up seats better than Angela. It’s about time you saw how much you need me.” She grinned again, an easy smile.
“Not quite.” The agent stood next to Sharon. His expression remained neutral and he put a hand in the pocket of his slacks.
“Aw come on, Sharon. I’ve been singing for you for months now.” Renee looked down at her hand to inspect her nails. “Part-time is better than nothing, I guess.”
Sharon cleared her throat. “We found someone else.”
Renee felt ice spread through her veins. She slowly lifted her head to look at her sister. “What?”
“Listen, Jones.” The agent leaned his free hand on the desk. “You’re good. No one’s saying you’re not. But we found someone else. She’s from New Vegas, real good. Phenomenal. She’s got experience. Everything we’re looking for.” He took his hand out of his pocket and motioned in the air as if to outline a woman’s curves. “You know what I mean.”
Renee narrowed her eyes. “And I don’t? Are you blind? Did you not see me up on stage last night?!”
“Please don’t take this personally.” Sharon refused to meet her gaze. “It’s just that, you know…”
“No, I don’t know!” Renee got to her feet and slammed her hands on the desk with a bang.
The agent rolled his eyes. “Well, this is one reason. You’re a hothead.”
“I have a right to be angry!” Renee turned on him. “You have no right to—”
“It’s literally his job, Renee.” Sharon winced and took a deep breath. She shook her head. “I’ve had him looking for a more permanent replacement for a while now. The truth is that Angela put in a notice a few months ago. I just…needed you for the meantime.”
Renee felt pain in her chest, as if someone just kicked her sternum in. “You…never intended to hire me.”
“No, I didn’t. I should have told you before.” Sharon gazed up at her, her brown eyes full of regret. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t fair to you.”
“What if you give me another chance? I’ll prove it to you!” Renee glanced between them desperately.
“This woman’s perfect for the Lounge, Jones. She’s a professional. Even made some recordings out west.” The agent shrugged. “What have you got?”
Sharon shot him a glare.
Renee clenched her fists at her side. The room seemed smaller and she found it hard to breathe. “I… I’m the best choice you’ve got! You went to all that trouble for nothing! I’m right here, why wouldn’t you…”
“You aren’t the best choice. Or else I wouldn’t have found someone else.” The agent sighed and came around the other side of the desk. He put a hand on Renee’s shoulder. “You’ve got raw talent, kid. But you’re just not good enough.” He patted her shoulder once and brushed past her.
Renee gritted her teeth and waited until he left to look down at Sharon. Tears blurred her vision. “How… How could you?”
Sharon stood. “Ren, sweetie—”
“How could you do this to me?!” Renee turned and grabbed the chair. She roared, something guttural and unintelligible, as she threw it across the room. It didn’t quite make it and instead just clattered to the hardwood floor.
“Calm down!” Sharon grabbed her arms. “I made a mistake. I should’ve told you but I didn’t want to make you angry!”
“Angry? Angry?!” Renee struggled in her grip. “Oh, I’m not angry. I’m straight pissed!”
Sharon only tightened her hold, hard enough that Renee knew it’d leave a bruise. “This is why I couldn’t hire you, Renee! Because you’re a child!”
“I’m not a child. I’m twenty-one,” she mumbled, looking away.
“Then fucking act like it.” Sharon finally released her. “You’re a selfish, spoiled brat and I didn’t want you to drive off my other employees. Yeah, you’re a good singer. No one is denying that. But you’re impossible to work with. Do you have any idea how many members of the band have threatened to quit since you started filling in for Angela?”
Renee rubbed her arms and looked away. “I don’t care.”
“No, of course you don’t.” Sharon took a deep breath. “Renee. I love you and I want you to be happy. You know that. But until you fix this attitude problem of yours, I don’t have a choice but to keep you off the stage.”
“He said I wasn’t good enough.” Now that her initial anger cooled, Renee felt empty. Tears pooled in her eyes again.
Sharon sighed again, aggravation bleeding into her voice. “Are you listening to me at all? That wasn’t the problem. The problem is you expect everyone to just do whatever you tell them.”
“You don’t think I’m good enough either.”
“Is that what you want me to say? That we found someone better because you’re not good enough?”
“It’s the truth, isn’t it?” Renee glanced up at her.
“It’s…” Sharon ran a hand through her hair. “Fine. It’s mostly because of your attitude, but having a professional singer here is better for advertising. And you’re not trained. You’re good, but she’s…”
Renee swallowed hard. “Better than me.”
Sharon finally nodded and reached to touch the redhead’s shoulder. “She’s better suited to do this than you are right now.”
Renee flinched away. She bit her lip as she felt the tears start to overflow. “Fine. I know when I’m…” She wasn’t even sure what she wanted to say. It wasn’t fine. She’d been told there was a possibility of her being hired to sing full-time, and given her performances, she was sure it would happen. But she never expected to be blindsided like this.
“I know you’re upset. I’m sorry.”
“No you’re not.” Renee felt a flicker of her anger return and stepped back before she did something she’d regret. “Just leave me alone.” She turned to go.
“Ren, don’t be like this.”
“Leave me alone!” Renee slammed the door shut behind her as she went.
The man at the door jumped in surprise. “Miss Jones—”
“Fuck off!” Renee raised a fist as if to fight him off but thought better of it. She hurried through the hallways, through the crowded casino floor. She could hardly see beyond her crying as she went along.
~:o:~:o:~:o:~
Boston Commonwealth, Diamond City
Publick Occurrences
“Why’d you stop singing?” Curie tilted her head.
“That’s…” Renee swallowed hard and forced a weak smile. “I just sort of stopped. Didn’t really enjoy it anymore.”
Piper crossed her arms. “That’s a shame. I bet you would’ve made a great singer.”
“I don’t know.” Renee shrugged. She looked to Curie. “I think I’m gonna head back to the Dugout. I’m still pretty sore and I’m feeling tired.”
“Of course! You need to rest.” Curie nodded. “I’ll walk you zhere.”
Renee shook her head and kept her easy smirk. “Don’t worry about it. I can make it on my own.”
“You sure? Curie said you took a pretty hard hit from a Mirelurk…” Piper furrowed her brow.
“Yeah. I’ll be…fine.” Renee handed off the knife. “Thanks for dinner.”
Nate said nothing, only arched an eyebrow and stepped aside for her.
Renee left without any further comment. She took a deep breath once she got outside and looked up at the fading sky. Singing was the last thing she had, the last thing she knew she could actually do and not manage to screw up. She wasn’t sure if she could handle being told she couldn’t. Not again.
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mindofharry · 3 years
Text
Motion sickness G.D
in which julie realises she’s only with gray because of their kids.
angst, cheating, swearing. feedback is welcome as always !! <3
TW: some of the stuff mentioned in this series might trigger some people. please don’t read if you get triggered easily!
“mama, wake up”
julie opens her eyes to be met with her youngest son, alexander, his curly hair every which way and his tanned skin flushed. his little hands rested on either side of his mother, his little butt on julie’s stomach. julie looked over to the side table, gray had built a couple years back. the clock read 7:00. at least she had a couple hours of extra sleep this time. “hi, baby” julie sighed running a hand through alexander’s hair. “where’s papa?” she asked referring to grayson, her husband. this was what the usual day looked like for julie and her boys. wake up at 6 or 7, ask where gray was, find out he’s still out doing who or god knows what or he’s left for work already.
“i did not see, papa, i haven’t seen papa in ages” alexander pouted bringing his head down to her mothers chest. “daddy’s, just very busy at the moment, has a lot of big boy work to do” she lied. lying was easier, for her and for everyone. the boys, alexander and sebastian are daddy’s boys all round. They’re utterly obsessed with him. sebastian is the first born, he turned 7 in december. he knows something is up, just can’t put his finger on what. and alexander. God, julie feels for her little baby. he only just turned 4, so he’s starting big school soon enough and he’s noticing how distant gray has got.
julie could live with being the bad guy. she really could - she’d do anything to keep her boys happy. having them smile and laugh is something she tries to see everyday. It’s getting a lot harder to lie to them both, they’re both becoming so smart.
“let’s get ready, we’re off to see uncle ethan today!” julie said sitting up excitedly. “yay!” alexander yelled running into his and sebastians shared room to tell him the news.
“fuck” julie mumbled to herself her head in her hands. she wished she could just stay in here and hide from the world. hide from her family and friends. hide from grayson. but she’s a grown woman, a mother most importantly. so she put on the mask and grinned as she put on her clothes for the day. “you look pretty mama” sebastian complimented making julie kiss his cheek “thank you, bebé” she said laughing as he tried to rub off her lipstick stain.
“now, who’s ready for some pancakes!”
it was 8:30 when grayson arrived home, it was saturday so he thought they would still be in bed. julie always insisted on having a couple more hours in bed on the weekend - something he used to love doing with his wife. now he likes to do that with her.
he was surprised to hear the laugh and giggles coming from the kitchen, he grinned walking into the kitchen him and ethan actually helped to renovate a couple years back. julie was and is still obsessed with the design of the kitchen. “papas home!” gray called out leaning against the wall separating the dining room and kitchen. “papa!” “daddy” the boys squealed at the same time dropping their forks and running to their dad.
julies smiled dropped, immediately knowing where he had been before hand. not at work. at hers.
“say hi to daddy and then get your shoes on” julie stated starting to wash, the boys kissed their dads cheek before racing eachother to shoe rack. grayson sighed dropping his keys on the white kitchen island. “where were you” julie asked putting away the dishes. grayson nervously bit at his lip quickly coming up with “just with ethan for a bit. had to confirm something” he lied wrapping an arm around julies waist, kissing her neck.
julie held back the tears and nodded. “the boys and i are going to head over soon. you wanna join?” she asked already knowing the answer. “uh no. got to edit and all. but you guys have a good time, yeah?” he said kissing her lips. he could invite her over, olivia, she was a little younger than julie. and he felt the spark with olivia, he really did. but he couldn’t break it off with julie and julie couldn’t break it off with grayson.
they had met young, 14 to be exact. and julie followed him everywhere, did everything he asked. had kids when she wanted to wait. moved to la when she wanted to stay in jersey. let him be a 21 year old, when she had to stay home and parent. she loved being a parent don’t get her wrong - it’s the most rewarding thing ever. but she got pregnant at 19, she didn’t have to time to party or go out with friends, because that’s what grayson was doing.
“make sure to clean up after yourself” julie mumbled throwing the tea towel on the island. “hmm?” grayson asked looking up from his phone. “have a good day, honey” she smiled grabbing her keys and leaving with the boys.
“mama, are you okay?” sebastian asked holding his mother’s hand. julie nodded grinning “daddy has a friend coming over. so we’re going to spend the night at uncle e’s house!” julie squealed making the boys giggle. “i can’t wait. uncle ethan is so cool, like papa” alexander grinned making julie sigh and nod “yeah, like papa”
while the family was gone, grayson and olivia were cuddling on the couch. the way he and julie do. she saw all of the family photos and the picture of julie. “she’s gorgeous” olivia said taking the picture down. she wondered why grayson would ever cheat on woman like her. beautiful, smart, kind, the best mother. He had told her countless times that they had lost the spark, but olivia still couldn’t help the guilt creeping up on her. gray and her had met at a work meeting and things escalated from there. bathroom sex, club sex, passionate sex. the list went on. then olivia learned he had a wife and kids. And she’s been trying to work up the courage to break it off. but she loves grayson a lot.
“you need to get a divorce grayson” olivia sighed putting the picture back on the shelf. “it isn’t the easy, love” grayson said trying to reason with her. “you have kids. young kids, gray. i can’t keep hurting her and them like this. i’m sorry” she said grabbing her coat and getting up to leave. grayson groaned standing up “fine. i’ll talk to her about it. please, just don’t leave” grayson said bringing his hand to her waist.
god, was she so in love with him. she’s would do anything for him. olivia nodded letting him kiss her forehead “come on, let’s go to bed”
ethan and julie sat together on the sofa, a glass of wine in their hands. they’d both just put the boys to bed, and really needs a glass of red wine after it. luckily ethan had a bottle ready to open. “you ok?” he asked placing a hand on her thigh. julie let out a sob in reply “i’m trying so hard, ethan. but i can’t keep pretending everything’s ok when they’re not” julie cried placing her wine on the coffee table.
“he’s cheating on me. he’s lying to me. he barely sees the kids. he’s overworking himself” julie sighed placing a hand on her chest “this is not the life i wanted.” julie revealed “kids and marriage was something i wanted, but not this young. and i love sebastian and alexander so much. but i just wished we slowed down” she cried “he won’t even look at me sometimes. and he says her name. her name, not mine” julie sobbed into ethans chest.
“he’s going to divorce me. and leave me. he did this to me. HE DID!” she yelled out the last part falling into ethans arm.
“you won’t ever be alone, jules. you have me. and the boys. and i think leaving grayson, is what you and the boys need. he’s toxic” ethan said rubbing her back. she nodded wiping her nose. “yeah. you’re right. i just love him so much, but i hate that he makes me feel this way” julie admitted, ethan just nodded listening and kissing her forehead every now and again.
ethan had been julies rock for the last two years. of course they were close beforehand - but grayson was her rock then. and they had all been a trio since high school. but recently she just needed someone, julie didn’t have any friends and her family lived back in jersey, so ethan was really the only one.
it started when grayson missed alexander’s birthday. then parent teacher meetings. then movie nights, family nights, dinners. ethan basically took over the father role. but somehow the boys still love grayson - that’s something you admire. you knew they weren’t naive, they were just too kind.
“i’m getting a divorce” julie said looking at ethan and he nodded wiping her tears.
“you’re getting a divorce”
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Text
Trust Me
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Summary: Rafael’s First case since coming home has Rebecca antsy, but it also gives them a way to tell people about Catalina. 
Pairings: Rafael Barba x OC
A/N: Is this a series? Sure? I can’t stop won’t stop. This one comes before the Valentine’s One Shot
Part One  - Part Two  - Part Three  - This one - Part Five (Valentine’s)
“It’s just a meeting,” Rafael whispered, curled beside Rebecca in bed. He’d gone back to his apartment to get more clothes, but for the most part, Rafael hadn’t left Rebecca’s side since spending Christmas Eve with her and Catalina. He liked the mornings most. They would both wake up before Catalina, laying in bed and playing with each other’s hair and chatting about what the day would hold. She’d kissed him in front of Catalina the day before, and the little girl barely noticed. He was getting excited for Rebecca to go back to work as it neared because he’d get to spend days he wasn’t in court or meeting with inmates taking care of Catalina. 
“I’m just nervous. You’ve changed. I’ve been able to tell, but it’s only been a week and a half.”
“I know. But I’m not jeopardizing all of this. I might take defense work. I told you that and Olivia knows that.”
“Promise you’ll keep being communicative?” 
“I swear to you, Becca. I know it’ll take time for you to feel like I’m not lying.”
“I don’t think you’re lying,” she murmured, propping her chin in her hand to watch him. “I just gotta get used to non-workaholic Rafael.”
“Now I’m sappy family man Rafael, apparently. I’ll be a house husband if that’s what makes things work best.”
She grinned, kissing him softly. It had been nice to see him like this, content to stay home and be together. For once, he wasn’t chasing success, trying to prove he deserved everything he’d gotten. What had been exceptionally nice was seeing him more emotional than she thought he’d be. They’d watched Up, and he’d laid back on the couch and cried throughout the emotional parts, sniffing and pretending he hadn’t when Catalina mentioned it. 
“Mama? Mr. Barba?” they heard echo from down the hall, and Rafael smiled softly. He’d been there ten mornings now, but this was the first one she expected to see him. 
“Let’s go get the kiddo,” she grinned, kissing his temple.
“She called for me too,” he said proudly, slipping into his sweats. When they got to her room, Catalina climbed out of the bed, sticking her arms up. Rafael picked her up happily, bouncing her on his hip.
“Morning mija,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head. 
“Morning Mr. Barba.”
“I have to work today. Can you keep an eye on mami?”
“Si! Does that mean you have to go home?”
“No. I’ll be back for dinner. I promise.” He gave Rebecca a meaningful look she knew meant I really will be here for dinner this time, and she hoped it was true. Rebecca took Catalina downstairs to make breakfast, and Rafael showered and dressed. It was oddly soothing to see him in the pink and blue shirt and jeans, casual coat slung over his shoulder and casual shoes in hand. She relaxed when she saw him, and he smiled softly. 
As promised, he was home that night in time for dinner, and though he looked tired, he looked content still. They ate together, moving to the living room. He worked on the couch as Catalina played and Rebecca folded laundry. It made more sense why she just wanted him there now. Maybe he wasn’t paying them active attention, but he was there to watch Catalina dance through the room or help Rebecca tote the laundry basket. He could almost understand why his presence made her happy. 
“I’m shaving before jury selection,” he told her, legal pad on the arm of the couch, Catalina having fallen asleep with her head on his lap. The pen in his hand hovered over the page, and he knew the nonchalance was feigned. 
“No,” Rebecca whined softly, and Rafael couldn’t help but laugh as he leaned into her touch as she scratched along his jaw.
“Clean shaven men are perceived as more friendly and more sociable. I don’t need unconscious biases added to my personality.”
“I don’t like defense work now.”
“I think I can pull it off when it isn’t such a controversial case.”
“We’ll be telling her the truth tomorrow then. Beard’s the only thing keeping you incognito.”
“Are you okay with that? I can stay at my house.” 
“No, I’m okay with it. I trust you. I wanted to wait longer, but you’re doing really well. You’re an amazing secret dad, and I know you’re not going anywhere.” He nodded, going back to work again. Rebecca sat in an armchair, notebook of plans for when school started again in her lap. It was more peaceful than it had ever been to be home with him as he worked. He hummed softly, hand not writing staying on Catalina’s side. When he came to bed, his beard was gone, and he seemed more self conscious than she expected.
“She’s going to know you’re her dad now,” Rebecca said, fingers trailing his jaw. “You look exactly the same.”
“I look older now,” he pouted. “My suits are mostly too small now too.”
“You’re just as hot, Rafi. Beard or no beard. And I like the little bit of weight. You’re so handsome. Total DILF.”
“Dios mio,” he said, rolling his eyes. “DILF? Really?”
“Do I gotta remind you, counsellor?” He groaned softly as she pulled him in, and he let her remind him. In fact, he was lucky enough to wake up to sleepy kisses and an eagerness to remind him again. As they laid together catching their breath, Rafael peppered kisses to her shoulder. This was a much better way to spend the morning before court than running out the door and eating a danish frantically as he walked from his office. Who’d have thought a five o’clock wake up could always be so enjoyable?
“We’ll miss you today,” Rebecca whispered, brushing his hair back.
“I’ll miss you both. You certainly gave me a lovely wake up call, mami.”
“Mmm, can you blame me, papi? Getting to see you every day?” He chuckled when he heard movement down the hall, tossing her his shirt as he pulled on his sweats. 
“Mija’s up.”
“We’ll see how long before she guesses.” They made their way to her room, and their question was quickly answered when a wide awake Catalina examined Rafael’s face seriously. She seemed unsure, arms crossed.
“Good morning mija,” he said softly, and it seemed to connect he was Mr. Barba was the beardless man in her room. She climbed from the bed, going to her book case where the little photo album sat. It held pictures of Al and Rodney, Rebecca, and Catalina as she grew up, but it also held the picture of Rafael that Rebecca used to talk about him.
“Mr. Barba looks like daddy. Is he daddy?” Rebecca didn’t know what to say. She’d thought it might be the end of the day before pieces were strung together, but Rafael dropped to sit on the ground.
“I am your daddy,” he said softly. “I wanted to let you know me first before we told you.”
“Where were you?”
“I was working a long way away. I couldn’t be here, but I am now. And I’ll never go away, mija. I like being your daddy too much.”
“Do I hafta call you Mr. Barba?”
“No.”
“How do you say daddy in spanish?”
“Papi.”
“Can we make cinnamon rolls, papi?”
“Yeah, of course,” he whispered, eyes watering as he pulled her in close for a hug. Rebecca hadn’t expected it to go so well, but she should have known Catalina was both too young to really get he’d been gone and too happy to have Rafael, her father or not,  around to really care. “Papi has to shower. Is it okay if mami helps with cinnamon rolls, and I’ll help ice them?”
“That’s okay,” she nodded, kissing his cheek. Catalina went to get her bear, and Rebecca kissed Rafael sweetly. He squeezed her hand, happy tears still in his eyes as he smiled at her. As quickly as he could, he showered and dressed, jacket, socks, and shoes on the couch as he held Catalina on his hip and helped her ice the cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven. 
Rebecca had already noticed in the two days of this trial that Rafael was making home and work boundaries. Once he got home, he’d immediately hang his jacket and take off his shoes, ready to talk about the day. They ate together happily, and she knew this was going to be a late night. He’d told her he was going for jury nullification, and in the biggest change, he’d explained the process to her and what it meant. She had an idea of why he’d be late and how much of the day would be spent charming and selecting a jury.
“Hey,” she answered when he called at lunch. 
“Hey. I just wanted to hear your voice.” He sounded tired, but also happy to be back in court in New York.
“Yeah? Got spoiled being home, huh?”
“Yeah. How’s Cat?”
“She’s really good. Al stopped by to talk about the first day back. She told him all about how much fun she’s been having with papi.”
“I bet he loved that.”
“You’re growing on him. I tell him every time you do good stuff. And you haven’t really done anything bad.”
“You gossip about me?”
“Yeah. Sorry. Al’s been through too much with me. But he can see you’re different too.”
“Fair. Can I start gossiping with Rodney?”
“Honestly, yeah. You two will probably end up pretty close.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. He had to figure out how to share and all that stuff too. I think that’s why Al can accept your change. His husband had to grow. Rodney was really guarded.”
“I just want to come be with my girls.”
“We’ll be here, Raf. Cat may be asleep when you get home, but I’ll put french toast casserole in the fridge. Stick it in the oven in the morning so we get family time.”
“I can’t wait. I have to go back in. Te amo, mi corazón.”
“I love you, Rafi.”
He came home that night, laying his jacket over the back of the couch and taking off his shoes. Rebecca had been in the kitchen, and she leaned over the back of the couch to wrap her arms around his shoulders. He put his hands on her forearms, smiling when she pressed a kiss against his temple.
“Long day?” 
“Yeah,” he exhaled, closing his eyes as his head leaned back. “I got a good jury though. And Carisi has become a great attorney. I’m proud of him.”
“Tell him that.”
“He won’t believe me.”
“Could mean something.”
“He’s going black and white. That’s the only thing that worries me.”
“Maybe talk to him when there’s some time between you and the trial?”
“I may do that. I’ve gotten relaxed. I don’t think he knows how to handle it. Don’t get me wrong, I was charming their asses off, but I took my jacket off and rolled up my sleeves in the courtroom. But Carisi was on top of it. He’s going to do great tomorrow. I’m a little bit worried.”
“Good. You’re even more charming. Plus hot,” she teased, pouring him a drink. “It sounds like you did a great job helping Carisi along. He’s probably grateful. This trial will throw him off too, going up against his mentor. But, you need to eat, counsellor. I kept you a plate warm.”
“You’re so good to me,” he groaned. 
“I love you,” she shrugged, handing him the plate and sitting beside him on the couch. “I like taking care of you.”
Each day of the trial continued the same, and it let Rebecca know she could breathe. He’d have breakfast with them before leaving. At lunch he’d call to check in. Trial days were nicer because he’d walk in just in time for dinner, insisting he get to do the bedtime routine since he hadn’t gotten any time with Catalina that day. Catalina asked about him throughout the day, but after he came home the second day, she also seemed to really trust papi would come home. They’d accepted it was time to move his things to her apartment, even if he kept his a while longer. It was the last day of the trial when Rafael proposed a change.
“Come by the bar after the case,” he murmured as he tied his tie in the mirror. “I want you to meet them.”
“Even Olivia?”
“Even Olivia. Al’s been dying to babysit. Says I’m taking all the Cat time. Come to the bar, then I’ll take you to a nice dinner. Just us. We haven’t gotten to do that yet.”
“That sounds perfect, Rafael. Do they know about her?”
“Carisi does because he goes to the same church. He saw us on Christmas Eve. Otherwise? No. But I’m fine with telling them. Just not until after the end of today.”
“Fair,” she smiled, kissing him softly. “I love you. I know it hasn’t been an easy case.”
“It’s been fine. He just needs a defense.” She fixed him with a look and he sighed. “I know. I don’t want to unpack that part until after, but you’re right. People taking life into their own hands is personal. I’m sure Liv will bring it up too. You can bond over making me talk about my feelings.”
“You did the right thing.”
“So did he.” 
They had breakfast with Catalina, and it was easy enough to get Al to babysit. Have a date with your reformed ex. Rodney and I will have happy uncle time. Per usual, Catalina was ecstatic to pack a bag to spend time with her uncles. She also always took too much, wanting to be sure she had enough toys to share. Always prepared, like her dad. It was Rebecca who always had to run out to buy a toothbrush or deodorant. Facetime us at lunch so she can see you before she goes to Al’s she sent, laid back on the couch with Catalina on her chest. He sent back an affirmative, letting her know deliberation had started and he’d be setting up camp in a coffee shop nearby. Want company? 
“Hiya handsome,” she grinned, answering the nearly instantaneous call. 
“Hola, hermosa,” he chuckled. “You two don’t have to do that.”
“I can drop her bag with Rodney. Come have lunch with you before I take her to meet Al. He’s taking her to the Z-O-O, so we’d be that way later anyway.”
“I’d love it then.”
“Half an hour?”
“See you then.” 
“Hey, Cat,” she grinned, kissing her temple. “Want to go have lunch with papi before you see Uncle Al?”
“Yes!” she squealed, and Rebecca texted Rodney she’d be dropping the bag by. Once they were both dressed, they walked the couple of blocks to pass off the bag before taking a cab to the coffee shop Rafael had sent her the location for. When they were in the door, she let go of Catalina’s hand and watched as she ran to Rafael who had spotted them as soon as they walked in. He had a cup of coffee in front of him, sliding it aside carefully as he settled her on his lap. It made her emotional to see them together. Since the reveal Mr. Barba was actually papi, he’d been in court, and it was nice to get to slip some time into their day. When she sat, she realized he’d gotten her an iced latte, and Rebecca mouthed a thank you. He shot her a smile as Catalina agreed to settle in the seat beside him. 
“How are my girls?” he asked, arm slung behind Catalina and a content smile on his face. 
“I think we had a good morning! We watched Moana and packed. Cat’s going to go play with Uncle Al and Uncle Rodney tonight.”
“Mija, that sounds like so much fun!” 
“It is, papi!”
“Tell Al and Rodney I say hi.”
“I will!” She saw who she now knew was Carisi come in with a blonde, and when he saw the three of them, he gave them both a nod and their space, telling the blonde to get a table on the sidewalk. Al met them at the diner, Catalina hugging and kissing each of her parents before she took his hand. Rebecca had already put on a pretty dress so that she wouldn’t have to go home, and Rafael’s nervous energy made her glad she wouldn’t be leaving him alone. 
“I’m fine,” he fibbed after she asked again. She fixed him with a look, and he held her gaze before letting his shoulders slump forward. “Carisi may win. And with what he offered me to make a deal at the start.”
“Oh no.” She reached across the table, hand resting on his wrist, and Rafael Barba suddenly regretted not being more open with her about anything. That light touch relaxed him, reminded him that while Mickey may end up in prison Rafael had done what he was able to do. Maybe things would have ended differently if he’d had it after cases before.
“Yeah. He’s going to be crushed. But, he admitted things he shouldn’t on the stand. Including a lack of regret.”
“So it’s hard to convince anyone its spur of the moment.”
“And you should have seen Carisi laying that out,” he said with a proud glint in his eye.
“You have to tell him you’re proud of him or I will.” He laughed, and Rebecca went to the courthouse with him to hear the verdict. Mickey was found guilty, just as Rafael expected, and she hugged him gently when he came out. The walk to the bar was comfortably silent as he kept her hand in his, and he smiled to see all of them, save Olivia, at the table.
“Who’s this?” Carisi asked, sending him a knowing smile. 
“Rebecca. But don’t play dumb,” Rafael said, ordering their usuals.
“Who’s Rebecca?” Amanda asked, and Rebecca chuckled, taking her drink.
“I’m his girlfriend, and he’s horrible at introductions.” Rafael’s mouth became a straight line, and she elbowed him playfully. “It’s nice to meet all of you.”
“I’m Amanda. Dominick, Cat, Fin. Liv isn’t here yet.”
“Thank you. I’m glad somebody’ll make introductions.”
“You just wanting to show her off?” Fin joked, and Rafael smiled over at her.
“Maybe. We actually have a sitter, so I’m taking her to dinner.”
“Smoothe, Rafael,” Sonny said plainly as the other three stared. “If I hadn’t been at Christmas Eve mass, I’d be speechless too.”
“You’ve seen the kid?” Amanda asked, and Rebecca was content to watch the chaos. Of course Rafael would drop the fact they have a daughter like that, no back story, no warning. It was very on brand; state the facts and move on. Only this time, he slipped his phone from his pocket and pulled up a picture, one from the other night. A bundled up Catalina was in his lap as they ate, and almost immediately, he swiped to a video of Catalina squealing in delight as he caught her at the end of the slide at the park. Make me fly! she’d giggled, and Rafael lifted her high and walked her to the ladder of the slide to repeat the process. 
“We love that park,” the blonde said, and Rebecca was relieved she’d broken the silence. Apparently no one had ever expected to see Rafael in a pullover and messy hair, much less running through a park with a toddler over his head. For all Rollins knew, she’d seen them there and not even recognized him. 
“Us too. It’s her favorite. Knows I’ll say no when it’s too cold, but papi’s a sucker.”
“She got her mother’s doe eyes when she wants something,” he said plainly, ordering another drink. Conversation moved to the case, and she leaned against the bar beside Rafael and watched them. He was content, and even though he was more serious with this group, she caught his gentle ribbing and could see his brow wasn’t as furrowed as it always was. When he’d shaved, he mentioned feeling older, but the way he carried himself now seemed so much younger and so much freer. 
“Well, I’m going to whisk Rebecca off. Take advantage of date night. Good job Carisi. You’ve turned out to be a damned good attorney. Tell Liv I’m sorry we missed her.” He helped Rebecca into her coat before putting on his own, hand resting on her lower back as he guided her out. 
“You do know you need to wait and tell her about Cat.”
“Fuck,” he muttered, looking at his phone. “She’s almost-”
“Rafa. You already leaving?” Rebecca knew this had to be Olivia, and she suddenly felt very nervous as she looked over to see the woman’s eyes on her.
“Liv,” he smiled softly. “I was worried we’d miss you.”
“This must be Rebecca.”
“I am. It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much.”
“He didn’t tell me you two were back together.”
“There’s a lot to it,” he said softly, pulling out his phone. “I cut her off when I left. She tried to tell me, but I found out when I showed up before Christmas Eve. Becs let me come to mass. I never left.”
“Tried to tell you what.” Rafael’s face was focused as he found the album of pictures and videos of Catalina so Rebecca looked at Olivia.
“I was pregnant when he left. Catalina is two and a half. And since Christmas Eve? A total daddy’s girl.” Rafael handed her his phone proudly, having started at the beginning of the album at the picture of him holding Catalina on his hip before mass. Olivia swiped through the pictures, and Rebecca could see her processing much like Al had needed to do. At least Al had known about Catalina.
It didn’t help that she knew no one else tended to see him in jeans, laughing and running and sappy. That was the Rafael that had been reserved for her. They’d seen the snark, the seriousness, the impeccable suits. Hell, how easily he’d transitioned to fatherhood had shocked Rebecca and she’d seen him hiking in upstate New York and jumping into a river in his boxers after she’d dove in. It took almost an hour of goading as she floated in the water to get Rafael Barba to skinny dip, no matter how isolated they were. 
“Wow. She looks just like you,” she said, her smile warm. “This is- a lot. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to finish the case. And we hadn’t told her yet. She figured it out when she saw me shaved. Becs had been telling her about me. Had a picture she showed her. I shaved and she asked why Mr. Barba looks like dad, and we told her.”
“You do know this means we all have to go to the park soon?”
“Deal. Amanda gave Becs her number to have a playdate with Jessie and Billie.”
“Carisi can bring his niece. It’ll be a party,” Rebecca teased. “Doesn’t Fin have a grandkid?”
“We have a sitter,” he said, sudden nerves taking over at the idea of bringing the squad and all of their children around. Mami had to meet Catalina first. They’d deal with that when it wasn’t date night. He filed it under For tomorrow. “So we’re going to take advantage of that. It’s good to see you. We’ll have dinner soon, okay?”
“Have a good night, Rafa. It’s nice to meet you, Rebecca.”
Rebecca waved as Olivia ducked into the bar, leaning into Rafael. He kissed the top of her head, arm wrapped around her. Something about his limited circle that remained in New York knowing relaxed him, even if he was nervous at the prospect of meeting all of them at a park. He had friends in Iowa, and the ones he talked to on the phone found out quickly. It was harder here because if something happened, he was afraid having Olivia know would make it worse. Now that she did know, however, he realized it may have been a fear he couldn’t run once he told her. Rafael Barba had been an idiot, and if it weren’t for the Householder case sending him away, Olivia was close to going to find Rebecca herself. He’d been far too mean after, and well aware it was his fuck up. But now, he felt nothing but pride to have shared the news, and he was becoming acutely aware he seemed to be crushing his desire to run much more easily than he’d crushed his ability to share all those years ago. 
“What’s going on in there?” she asked as they walked, tapping his temple.
“I’m happy. People knowing feel more solid. I’m not going anywhere, but now I get to tell everybody about her whenever. Have people ask.”
“You get to be Rafael Barba, sappy family man?”
“Yeah,” he said, and the crookedness of his smile and softness of his eyes made her heart flutter. “Everything’s different for me now. And I’ve told people, so they know it’s different. You did enough to change me. Knowing there’s a little girl that calls me papi and wants to be around me? Nothing is ever going to be the same. You changed my world, but now there’s a part of me in her, and no matter what, that part of me is separate and autonomous, and that’s magnificent to know.”
“I love you,” she said plainly, arms wrapping around him as they stopped. There were no other words she could think of, and her eyes were tearing up as she looked up at him. It warmed her heart to see his were too. 
“I love you too, Becs.” And with that, she was stretching up to kiss him slowly, hands cupping the back of his neck. He pulled her close, enjoying the time together where he didn’t need to worry about Catalina needing them or walking in and letting out a whine of gross. Parenthood’s only fall back he found was not being able to be affectionate with Rebecca the same way. He supposed it was better sometimes; he certainly had a tendency to try to distract her from whatever he didn’t want to talk about with a searing kiss before shedding clothes. But the part that he didn’t like losing was making out lazily on the couch, having sex without worrying they might get caught, and being affectionate without the risk of jealous little hands tugging at pants legs because Catalina didn’t like not having her parents’ attention. She was smiling up at him when they pulled apart, and when they were led to their booth, he slid into the same side as her, unwilling to give up the closeness. 
“Someone didn’t go to sleep,” Al teased the next morning, handing Rafael Catalina’s bag once the little girl had run inside. 
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Rafael said, but his smile gave him away easily. “Rebecca’s getting some rest, or she’d be saying hi.”
“Keep being good to her Rafael. You might just make me like you. You’re making her very happy.”
“Does that mean you don’t hate me anymore?”
“It means I don’t hate you anymore.”
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queenrileyrose · 3 years
Text
Retrograde Chapter 5: The Way You Told Me to Look Past Everything I Had Ever Learned
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Series Premise: Someone from the past steps into the spotlight, throwing everyone’s lives into turmoil.
Chapter Summary: Riley and Leo get news, from their lawyer and doctor. Riley calls Megan. Ari reacts to the interview, Drake calms her down. Liam and Riley go over the past. Everyone prepares for the interview.
A/N: Obligatory this is not canon Liam warning. He sucks extra in this one.
A/N 2: There is finally Drake and Ari smut. It is not as hot as the Riley and Drake smut and it never will be. This is @burnsoslow’s fault. (Not really, I loved that ask and I love you!)
CW: Mention of past affair, discussion of mental illness, angst, pregnancy discussion, suggestive language, cursing. 🍋🍋
Leo, Riley, Drake, and Maxwell belong to Pixelberry. Enzo, Santino, Ari, Luca, Val, and Megan are mine.
Word Count: 5578
Music Inspo: Make This Go On Forever—Snow Patrol
Thank you so much for the continued love of these guys. I appreciate it so much. ❤️❤️
Riley sat in a leather chair in the law office, trying not to fidget. Leo called yesterday to talk about Olivia; and their lawyer advised them to come in for a meeting. Riley knew that wasn’t a good sign.
An hour later, they emerged. He was going to request a copy of the book, it wasn’t due to be published for just over a week. They didn’t have grounds to sue Olivia, so far. But they did to sue Liam.
“Whatcha thinking?” Leo asked his quiet wife as they got into the car.
“Why haven't they made a burger fried chicken sandwich combination?” Riley said sadly.
Leo chuckled as he shut the door. “Sounds like a project, Riles. You know what I mean.”
“I’m so tired, sweetheart.” Riley sighed. “Suing Liam wouldn’t do a fucking thing.”
“I agree.” Leo stretched his arm over the console and took her hand. 
“I’m calling Megan.” Riley said with a sigh.
“Why?” 
“Her NDA expires tomorrow night. She’s going to help me.” Riley pulled out her phone and tapped Megan’s name. “She just doesn’t know it yet.”
Exhausted in her office, Megan stared in shock at her phone. She picked it up. “Riley?”
“Hi Megan. Wanna come over and watch the interview? Talk Olivia strategy?”
“I was working up the nerve to call you.” Megan felt her mood lift. “I’m sorry about not telling you. I can’t express how sorry I am. I liked getting all the information I was desperate to ask-”
“Until you got too much.” Riley said irritably.
“Yes. But I have a few ideas, I’ll text you a few.”
“See you tomorrow at 8. I’ll let everyone else know.”
“Is Liam-“
“Yep. He’ll behave.” Riley hung up.
“That went better than I thought. No yelling.” Leo said. 
“She sounded rough.”
“She made her own bed.” Leo shrugged. Megan could help all she wanted. He wouldn’t forget what she’d done to Riley. “We have a baby appointment.”
“I know!” Riley buckled her seat belt. “Let’s go see the tater tot.”
“I’ve been calling her an onion ring.”
“Aw, that’s” Riley stopped when she realized what he said. “Her?”
“That’s just what I think.” Leo winked as he shot her a grin.
“You’re adorable.” Riley threaded her fingers through Leo’s as he drove to the doctor’s office.
———
Leo opened the front door for Riley, she walked in, half dazed.
Riley made her way to the couch and sat, still processing the news they’d just gotten. She looked at the photo in her hands for the thousandth time.
“Twins. Leo.” She said, still in disbelief. “Twins.”
“I know. So fucking awesome.” Leo grinned as he kicked his shoes off. The doctor found the other heartbeat. Leo was ecstatic. Riley was happy, but getting used to the idea.
“It’s gonna be like a log flume ride. They’ll just shoot out.” Riley decided to go to the hospital early this time. She was going to need all of the drugs.
Leo tried not to laugh. “You’ll kick ass, just like last time.”
“I told you I felt like it was twins.” Riley said.
“You said that after you ate a giant burrito. You called it a food baby next to the normal one.”
“Same difference.”
Leo sat down and pulled her into his lap. “I love you so much. I can’t wait to do this with you again. But times two.”
“I love you so much. This is going to be an adventure, all right.”
“The usual mayhem.” Leo brought his lips to hers, kissing her deeply. Their tongues curled together as Riley turned in Leo’s lap to wrap her legs around his waist. 
Leo stood as a loud crowing echoed. Their lips  separated, foreheads touching. “Oops.” Riley giggled.
Leo still held her, and glanced over at Max and Luca. Max was holding Henri, the source of the noise. Luca had Enzo. 
“How’d it go?” Max asked teasingly. Leo and Riley’s constant affection made him happy. He never wanted it to stop. 
“Leo, you can put me down.” Riley grinned.
“Nope.” Leo walked over to Luca with Riley still wrapped around him. 
Enzo giggled. “Ma.” Riley grinned at him and handed Max the ultrasound photo.
Maxwell studied it. “Wait, there are two arrows. Two seedlings?” 
Riley nodded as Leo grinned. 
“Two?” Luca’s mouth lifted in a wide smile. “Congratulations!”
“I’d hug you, but Leo won’t let me go.”
Leo shrugged. “You can hug later.”
Luca booped Enzo’s nose as he giggled. “Are you doing okay? With what’s to come?”
“As well as can be expected.” Riley smiled tightly. “I can’t tell if it’s morning sickness or nerves at this point.”
Luca squeezed her shoulder comfortingly as Leo dropped a kiss on her forehead.
“We’ll be here tomorrow night.” Max said. “For the shitshow.”
“So will Megan.” Riley added. 
“Why?” Max and Luca said at the same time.
“She’s helping.” Leo said. “I still don’t trust her.”
“Me neither.” Riley said. “But she’s sorry. She’s going to try to make it right. It’s worth a shot.”
“Liam will be uncomfortable.” Leo pointed out, knowing Riley already considered that.
“Added bonus.” Riley shrugged. She glanced at the clock above the television. “He should be here soon.”
Max put the chicken down just outside the back door. “That’s my cue.” 
Leo finally set Riley down and Luca handed Enzo to her. She hugged him, Enzo putting his small hands on Luca’s face. “Thanks for watching the bear.”
“He is a lot of fun.” Luca smiled and hugged her back, pretending to eat Enzo’s fingers as the toddler dissolved into giggles. “Two new ones. You’re going to be outnumbered.”
“It’s gonna be a mess and I love it.” Riley grinned. Enzo reached for Leo, who took him and put him on his hip. “Big bro Enzo.”
“Bro!” Enzo crowed.
Leo laughed. “That’s right, little dude.”
Max put his shoes on. “Let’s go. I don’t wanna see Liam til I have to.”
Riley walked to him and squeezed him in a tight hug. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to be. I’m so angry at him.”
“I know Max. I am too.” Riley released him. “Thank you for having my back.”
“For you blossom, anything.” Max pecked her cheek, leading Luca out as he waved. 
Leo and Riley sat on the couch with Enzo. He was playing with a stuffed moose, making noises at it.
Riley smiled and smoothed his hair. 
“You okay to deal with the Liam stuff today?” Leo watched Riley kiss Enzo’s head. 
“Yeah. I might as well get it over with.” Riley gave Leo a half smile. “A heads up will be nice.”
“The shock has worn off.” Leo said. “I don’t know if Drake can handle it.”
Riley nodded. “We talked this morning. He’s so mad, Leo.” She leaned back on the couch, putting her forehead in her hand as she rested her elbow on the back cushion. “He has every right to be. I just wish I could fix it.”
“I know baby.” Leo set Enzo on the floor, letting him walk along the couch cushions. “That’s on Liam.”
“That wasn’t even the worst part.” Riley reminded him. “Horrible when the news that you and your friend were followed by your ex comes in second place.”
“Yeah.” Leo handed Enzo the moose. The small boy grabbed the toy and grinned. “I’m just worried about you. If it’s too much, you need to tell me.”
“I will.” Riley promised. “I’m in an awesome place, emotionally at least. It hasn’t gotten overwhelming. I feel mostly okay.” Riley giggled. “The pregnancy rage is strong though.”
“You know I’m here.”
“I do. That’s how I know everything will be okay.”
Leo steered Enzo away from his phone and pulled Riley into his chest. “Forever and ever baby.”
———-
Liam waited as Riley read the list. She looked up at him, sitting across the table from her, one small tear slipping out of the corner of her eye. 
“Let me make sure I have this right.” She said in a voice somewhere between angry and sad. 
Liam nodded silently. He wasn’t saying a word until he had to.
“You told Olivia that she felt more like your wife than I did. That I was the mistress.”
Leo walked in the kitchen as she spoke, a baby monitor in one hand. Enzo had just gone down for a nap. Leo’s eyes widened. “What the actual fucking fuck?” 
He met Riley’s eyes, seeing the emotion in hers. Not sadness. Anger and disappointment. He better sit next to her. He did just that, planting a kiss on her temple. “I love you baby.”
Riley smiled tersely. “I love you.”
She went back to the list. 
“You told her you weren’t sure if we were actually infertile because we never had enough sex to figure that out. ”
Leo tried to stay calm. His Riles was calm, he could do it if she could. “You fucking slimy ass weasel.”
“But wait, there’s more.” Riley deadpanned. “On top of that, you said I had the fertility issue. Not you.”
Leo kissed Riley’s crown a few times. “I can’t even look at you right now, man. How could you fucking do that to her?”
“I was in a terrible place.” Liam murmured.
“Guess you can’t have the new sliz thinking you still bone the woman you’re married to.” Riley rolled her eyes. 
“I kept a fucking journal for a year!” Riley huffed. “It’s probably still in storage in Cordonia.” She’d moved her things out of the palace when they visited, unsure of what to do with it. Hana had offered her some unused rooms and she’d filled them. 
“You kept a sex journal?” Leo asked.
“No.” Riley paused. “I kept track of when I ovulated.” 
LIam shifted in his seat. Riley saw.
“Oh, is this uncomfortable for you?” She asked icily.
Liam sat still. 
“You watched operas with her and texted through it. You told her you loved her during this activity.” Riley read on. “Fucking Jesus Christ.”
Leo rubbed her shoulders, kneading the tight muscles with his hands. “Baby, how much is left? We don’t have to do it all in one shot.” He glared at Liam. “We can drag it out.”
Liam blanched. 
“There’s only one thing left. Told Olivia he saw her differently after we got married, wondered if I was the right choice.” RIley put down the paper.
“I know that isn’t all of it. I just hope whatever you’ve “forgotten” Riley used air quotes around the word, “isn’t a huge fucking deal. Even though it will be.”
She turned to Leo. “Megan texted a few minutes ago. The interview tomorrow night, it’s the only one they were able to get Olivia. She said that might change once the book is out.  She’s going to get me the contact info for the producer. She agrees with the lawyer, get my side out there.”
Liam felt his face heat. “What?” He wasn’t sure which threw him more, the interview or that Riley and Megan were speaking.
Riley raised an eyebrow at him. “The lawyer brought it up as a possible course of action. Leo’s good with it. So am I.”
“Should I?” Liam asked, contemplating if it was a good idea.
“And say what?” Riley crossed her arms. “I think Olivia is representing your side well.”
“Is it just you being interviewed?” Leo asked. “I will for moral support if you need, but I’ll be there either way.”
“I’m not dragging you into that unless it’s absolutely necessary, baby. Backstage is fine.” 
Leo grinned. He loved when she called him baby. “I’m wherever you need me.”
Liam stood.  “I’ll let you two-” He started to say
“Oh no you fucking don’t.” Riley snapped. “There is going to be a discussion.”
Liam sat back down. 
“I need answers.”
“I’ve told you why I started the affair.”
“You did.’ Riley nodded. “And I believed you. But this-” She gestured to the list. “That’s not just an affair. You actively worked to get closer to Olivia, to tell her things that would make her feel superior to me. This was a real relationship.” Riley thanked her lucky stars she hadn’t taken Liam back.
“This is why she is so fucking upset. I would be too.” Riley shrugged. “You know, if I were a soulless monster who word fucked other people’s husbands.”
“You shut down too, RIley.” Liam argued. “You didn’t notice this was going on.”
“Don’t you fucking  dare blame her for any of this.” Leo managed to say through clenched teeth.
Riley closed her eyes and counted to 5. She reminded herself that Liam’s face was hard and punching him would hurt. She opened her eyes.
“No, I was too busy being supportive and massaging your ego.” Riley said evenly. “You were upset about the news you got. I tried to do what I thought you needed from me.” Riley gripped Leo’s hand under the table, moving it to the table surface. Leo squeezed back. 
“You still aren’t telling me everything, Liam.” Riley’s voice was full of irritation. “Your weekly call with Francesco. What was that really?”
“How do you know it wasn’t Francesco?”
“Because the man told me one night, after I knew about Olivia. He hadn’t had a phone call with you in almost a year. It was always in person.”
“Francesco just volunteered that?”
“No. I asked. After I found out about Olivia, I tried to piece everything together. You were no help.” Riley made a mental note to email Francesco. It had been awhile. They kept in touch, he’d sent Enzo a gorgeous rattle after he was born. 
“That’s after. Not during.”
“No, I didn’t notice you having a relationship with Olivia.” Riley said in a clipped tone. Her patience was wearing thin. Liam didn’t deserve her restraint. But she knew if she came unglued, the only person feeling bad later would be her.  
“It never occurred to me that you would do that to me. Even with all our issues. We’d been through a lot, and I was naive to expect fidelity.” The last few words were laced with sarcasm. Leo squeezed her hand again. He hated Liam for this. 
Riley went on. “I was trying to help you. If you were short with me, didn’t want to spend time with me, wanted to be alone; I complied. I thought you were working things out in your head.  You were coming back a little, just before I found out.”
Liam frowned. “Not really. Much hadn’t changed.”
Riley sighed. “I’m not arguing about it. But the night I found out, I was making chicken tagine. So you can connect those dots.”
She rubbed her neck, feeling an ache begin. “I handled all the events with kids, had numerous interviews about heirs, while you did what? Told Olivia her back wasn’t too bony?”
Leo snickered, standing to get water as Liam glared at him.
“The Francesco calls were Olivia.” Liam muttered.
Riley nodded. “Which other ones?”
“I’d say 8 out of every 10 late night meetings were her.”
Riley blinked a few times, remembering all the nights she’d lain awake, waiting. 
“The texts you deleted.”
“Yes.”
“You weren’t physical.” Riley said slowly. “That’s still true, right?”
Liam nodded.
“The photos. Just Olivia?”
“No. I sent a few. Similar in nature to hers.”
Riley swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. “Ok.” She took a deep breath, steadying herself. “I have one last question and I’m done with this part of it.”
Liam waited, his stomach churning.
“I don’t even know how to say this.” Riley shook her head. “Phone sex, sexting. Did you?”
“Yes.” Liam cleared his throat as his voice failed him. “Both.”
Riley nodded. She’d been prepared for that answer, it still stung. How could she have been married to this man? He had treated her so poorly. She didn’t know him. 
Riley stood. “I’m going to be sick.” She rushed to the bathroom, leaving Leo and Liam alone. 
“Morning sickness.” Leo said. He wasn’t sure why.
“That’s awful.” Liam felt awkward.
Riley came back in. “That was gross.” She sat back down and pressed on. “Which brings me to now, Liam.”
Liam sighed. “What?”
“We were in a really good place, for a long time. Then you started acting weird. Drake told me what you said, about me feeling guilty.”
“I just made an observation.”
“Not one rooted in any kind of truth. You need to hear this.” Riley spoke firmly. “I have never, not once, felt guilty about falling in love with Leo. I have never felt guilty for marrying him and having children with him.”
“Why’d you set me up then?”
“You were ready and Megan was it.” Riley exhaled slowly. “I was obviously wrong.”
“That was it. No guilt?” Liam wasn’t sure he believed her.
“I’m not the one who should have guilt.” Riley’s eyes bored into his. 
“You love him more than you ever loved me.” Liam said.
Riley usually ignored this. She couldn’t today. “Leo has never hurt me. Not once. He has too much respect for me to ever do that.” 
She continued as a flush crept up Liam’s neck. “You were weird the day Enzo had an ear infection and I canceled lunch.”
“I was already here and you just acted like it was nothing.”
“Enzo was sick, I was exhausted. I needed to be with my family.” Riley pinched the bridge of her nose. “Why does that even need an explanation beyond rescheduling?”
“It was our anniversary.”
Riley dropped her hand. “What?”
“That day, it was our anniversary.” LIam repeated. “I’d been having some trouble, I wanted to talk to you about it.”
“That is what your therapist is for.” Riley said. “I don’t even know how much we would have talked about it. I would not have been okay with talking about our failed marriage on the anniversary of it with you.”
“Is this why you stopped coming to therapy with me?”
“Yes! It felt more like couples counseling and we are not a couple!” 
Leo was pretty sure he knew what Liam was going to say next, and it was going to ruin everything. 
Riley spoke again. “Now all the Olivia garbage and you’re acting even stranger. Tell me what’s going on.”
Liam looked at Leo, standing at the counter, arms crossed. 
Liam was just going to say it. She’d leave him alone then. So would everyone. 
“I’m still in love with you.” Liam whispered, feeling a sense of relief that the words were not just in his mind anymore. 
“What the fuck?” Riley thought she’d misheard.
“I wish I weren’t.” Liam lied.
“No you don’t. Otherwise you’d be making an effort.” Riley dropped her head into her hands. “You're not. You are just leaning into it. You know there is zero hope there.” 
“I don’t know how not to be.” Liam rubbed his temple. “You’re back to your old self, the woman I met in New York all those years ago.”
“I’ve always been that person. She just got buried for a bit.” Riley tried to keep her cool. “I was always me. Until you had an affair. I am only doing so well because of the support I got here, from Leo, that I could not get from you. Now you love me again? Fuck you and the fucking apple you rode in on.”
“I’ve never not-” Liam started to say.
“I’m not buying that.” Riley interrupted. “Or you kept it hidden really fucking well. You and Megan were doing well before the Olivia shit.” 
“That night in New York plays on a loop in my head.” Liam said the words quietly as he stared at the table.
“That night was a huge mistake.” Riley flushed and looked up at Leo. He took the seat next to her.
He kissed her softly. “Don’t worry about me right now.”
“You shouldn’t have to hear this.”
“I know already.” Leo kissed her again. “I also know how much you love me. It’s in the past.”
“Good god, I fucking love you.” Riley kissed him a little harder, forgetting Liam was there. Not that she’d have stopped, had she remembered. “You are the only thing that makes this shitshow worth it.”
Leo chuckled. “I love you. Glad to help.”
Liam cleared his throat. “Can I leave now?”
Leo glared. “Not until she says so.” He sat back, throwing an arm around the back of Riley’s chair.
“It’s amazing how you take no responsibility for your part in everything.” Liam grumbled.
Leo sat up and locked eyes with Liam. “Oh, enlighten me, little brother.”
“You abdicated. I had to be king and have a social season.”
Riley put her palm on her forehead. 
Leo rolled his eyes. “You seem to be in the mood to dredge up things that are long settled.”
LIam crossed his arms. “It was never settled.”
“Me abdicating was shitty for you. I fully owned that.” Leo said. “I left you in a situation where you didn’t have much choice.” 
“I know, Leo. I was there.” Liam spat.
“I apologized, but it was never the wrong call. You took Cordonia in a direction I never could. I don’t have a problem admitting that. I would have been a fucking terrible king. It wasn’t fair, but I did my best to be there for you. I stayed months after Dad’s funeral to help you. You called pretty regularly for a while, to bounce ideas off me and ask advice.”
“You took the one thing that mattered to me. The one thing I had that made my life worth it.”
Riley looked confused. “What are you talking about?”
“You, Riley.” 
“He did not take me.” Riley sighed. “As previously discussed, I came here because you couldn’t help but send Bas after me. You know, after I left because of Olivia.” The only regret Riley had was not leaving sooner.
“I still think he took advantage-” Liam began.
“Fucking hell.” Riley groaned. “I’m not doing this. It’s like running around in a circle.”
Leo stood. “I’m only going to say this to you once. Then, if Riley’s done, you can leave.”
RIley nodded. “Just about.” 
“I fought with my feelings for RIley for a long time.” Leo said. “I never thought I would be so lucky. I was fine with keeping it to myself. “
“You were all too happy to jump in with her.”
Leo was so irritated he wanted to throw Liam out right then. “You know what your problem is Liam? Nothing is your fault.”
“What?”
“Riley left you. It wasn’t your fault. You had an affair, not your fault. Olivia and this book; Megan, still not your fault.”
“It worked out pretty well for you.”
“I would rather Riley not have had to go through the absolute fucking hell you have put her through than for her to be with me.” Leo growled. “If she never had to deal with your affair or any of the shit, she’d be happy. I’d be happy for her. I would rather be alone than have her go through any of it.”
Riley’s eyes filled. “Leo.”
“Dammit, that came out wrong.” Leo pulled her to stand so he could hold her. “I just meant-”
“I know what you meant.” RIley hugged him tightly.
“Glad I can make you two closer.” LIam said sardonically. “Can I go?”
“Yeah. You can. After I say something.” Riley stayed in Leo’s embrace as she turned to look at him. “This love bullshit? I do not want to hear it again. You and I, we are not okay.”
Liam nodded. “I know.”
“You better be here for the interview tomorrow night.” Riley said tiredly. “I will track you down and make you answer for it if you aren’t. Megan will be here too, so you better be nice.”
“What? Why?”
“I asked her to come.” RIley said. 
“She lied.”
“She was scared and made a bad decision. You know all about that. “ Riley replied. “See you tomorrow night.” 
Liam showed himself out. 
Riley sat heavily. “That sucked.”
“You were fucking awesome.” Leo rubbed her shoulders, sitting beside her.
“I don’t feel like it.” Riley put her head on the table. “I'm so drained from that.”
“I knew he was in love with you.” Leo said cautiously. “I didn’t think he’d say it.”
“I think Drake knows, too.” Riley ran her fingers over Leo’s arm that was still rubbing her shoulder. “There was a lack of anger from you, I knew it  wasn’t a shock.”
“I don’t like him right now.” Leo said. “And this situation is all on him.” 
“But.” Riley interjected.
Leo smiled. She knew him. “But, he’s in a bad place.”
“That he’s not really trying to get out of.”
“Do you think he’ll get it together?” Leo asked.
“I hope so.” Riley blew a piece of hair out of her face. Leo smoothed it away from her eyes. “But it won’t ever go back to how it was. I can’t be close to him like we were. He’s changed all that.”
“It was okay for a while though.” Leo pressed a kiss to her hair. “I still think you’re kind as fuck for trying.”
“I don’t know another way to be.” Riley gave Leo a sad half smile. “I wish I did.”
“That’s what makes you Riley.” Something occurred to Leo. “You have a shared tattoo.” 
“A sun on the back of my shoulder. It’s behind me.” Riley grinned suddenly. “Get it?”
Leo chuckled at the pun. “You’re not my sun. You’re my everything.”
“Mine too.” Riley entwined their fingers. “Maybe I’ll cover it up, I don’t know.” She stretched her neck. “I’m so tense.”
“Enzo’s napping still.” Leo kissed her fingers slowly, pressing his lips to each tip. “I can help you.”
Riley smiled. “You’re going to bring me cookies and rub my feet while I watch Titanic?”
“If that’s what you want.” Leo moved his lips to her ear. “I think I can do better.” He let his hand wander down her body, his fingers leaving teasing trails around her breasts and thighs. 
“Fuck cookies.” Riley breathed as she crashed her lips on his.
Leo smiled and pulled her tightly against him.
———
Ari was talking on the phone in such rapid Spanish, Drake couldn’t make it out. He glanced at the nanny, Eric. He was fluent. Eric raised an eyebrow at Drake and mouthed “cartel.”
“Can you take Val and Tino to the park for a few hours?” Drake whispered. He needed to talk to Ari. She was handling the Liam shit worse than he was.
Eric nodded, standing up and collecting the children.
“Hasta luego, Ariadne.” Eric called as he herded Val outside while holding Tino.
Ari’s head jerked up. “See you soon.”
Drake appeared on the other side of her. “We need to talk, mi vida.”
Ari nodded, knowing she was caught. “Buenos tardes, tío.” She ended the call.
“What is the matter?”
“Ari, why are you calling your uncle? Eric heard you talking about cartel connections.”
“I need Liam to hurt,” Ari’s eyes flashed. “I know that Olivia’s type. She will never stop. Not until everyone is as miserable as she is. It is his fault.”
“It is.” Drake conceded. “Liam would never do what she is doing, though. He isn’t okay with it.”
“How can you say that?” Ari looked at Drake with a shocked look on her face. “He had you and Riley followed, because he assumed you were doing what he was.”
“Oh, I know.” Drake sat on the sofa and tugged Ari down next to him. “Brooks and I talked earlier. I think she’s angrier than I am.” Her pregnancy rage scared him a little. Some of it was normal rage, that Liam fully deserved.
“I’m not defending him at all.” Drake said. “It’s his fault, but I can’t put the blame squarely on him. It’s Olivia too. All this never would have gotten out if not for her.”
“That’s a good thing.” Ari decided. “These kinds of secrets, they should not stay buried. The way they are coming out, that is the bad thing.”
Drake mulled this over. “You’re right.” 
“It is still so unfair. Everybody was in a good place. Liam was even great, mostly. Not anymore. This just screws up so much for people who have already been through too much as it is!” Ari threw her hands up. “No Liam. What about Olivia?”
“Dulzura. Olivia is not worth the cost of a bullet. Don’t send your cartel friends after her. Unless-“
Ari perked up. “Unless what?”
“She does something. Actually does it. Not just threatens it.”
“No, that’s too late!” Ari paused. “What if I just give them a heads up, to keep an eye on her?” 
“Talk to Riley.” Drake knew Riley would shut it down. He wrapped his arms around Ari. “You’re so stubborn.”
“So are you, mi amor. Val and Tino are going to be quite the handful.” Ari laughed as Drake made a face.
“We’ll all get out of this okay. I promise.” Drake kissed the spot where her shoulder and neck met.
“I know we will. It’s just so unnecessary.” Ari sighed. She tried to loosen her shoulders. She felt Drake’s hand sliding up her thigh. She turned to look at him.
“I love you, your spirit. Your fierceness.” Drake whispered in her ear, sending goosebumps down her arms.
Their lips met hungrily. Ari smiled into the kiss and crawled into Drake’s lap. 
Drake smirked. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I am going to calm you down.” Ari whispered in his ear, sending a shiver down his spine.
Drake swallowed hard. “That is the opposite of calm, but who am I to stop you?”
Ari pulled her aquamarine shirt dress off, slipping her lacy boyshorts down her legs. She leaned forward and removed his tee shirt. She bent over him, her breasts near his face. Drake leaned into them, pushed her breasts together and lightly bit her nipples, swiping his tongue over them. She felt the heat between her legs as she moaned.
She moved back, dragging her erect nipples down Drake’s chest and abs. Drake kept his hands on her back, circling her spine lightly. Ari stopped at Drake’s grey sweatpants. She tugged them down and off him. Moving between his legs, she let her breasts fall on either side of his thick length. 
Ari slid her mouth all the way down his length, wetting him with her tongue. She released him with a pop, pushed her breasts together and slipped them around his cock. She moved up and down as Drake’s hands fisted in her hair. She felt so soft around him, warm. She brought her head down and swirled her tongue on his velvety head. 
Drake’s hips thrust. “Ari, just like that.” She kept swirling her tongue and massaging him with her breasts until Drake cupped her face and pulled her up.
She released him, and Drake flew off the couch and picked her up. Her legs wrapped around him as he pushed her against the wall. Drake pressed his fingers to her clit, rubbing slow small circles as he nipped her neck. Ari’s head fell back as Drake inserted a finger and crooked it, quickly adding a second. Ari met his movements, her hands moving to her breasts as she whimpered, his name lost in her moans.
He slid his fingers out, Ari pulled them into her mouth, sucking and cleaning them for him. Drake thrust into her wet heat, filling her completely. Ari cried out, her head falling forward and capturing Drake’s lips with her own.
Ari’s forehead rested on Drake’s as everything fell away. She felt her release and moved his hand to just above where they were connected. Her head fell to his shoulder and she bit it as she came, stifling a scream.
Ari leaned forward and put her lips to his ear. “Come, Drake. I need you.” She fixed her lips to the spot below his ear, feeling him shudder.
Drake’s body tensed, erupting inside her as he clutched her against him. Ari made him feel as if he was the only man in the world, the only one she needed. He was used to being in charge, taking control. It turned him on more than anything ever had before that she was the one who usually took the lead. 
Both breathing heavily, Drake moved to the sofa, collapsing onto it with her in his lap. 
Drake kissed Ari’s knuckles. She smiled and traced his cheek with her finger. “See? Calm. The anger is gone?” She asked with a grin.
Drake’s lips lifted and he kissed her jaw. “Yes. It just came right out of me.”
Ari giggled. “So terrible.”
———
Olivia sat in her opulent hotel room. She felt as if she were in a dream, one that was not her own. 
Liam had lied to her. She didn’t know why it was so surprising. It wasn’t as if he were incapable of the act. They had an affair behind Riley’s back, he had to lie about that to everyone.
Olivia had never considered that she had been lied to as well. 
She checked the time, eyebrows raised at how late it had gotten. She was grateful parts of the interview were being reshot today. 
Olivia had a new perspective. 
---------
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one-shot-plus-size · 3 years
Text
Home is where the heart is. Part 9.
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Imagine : Clayton Cardenas meets Olivia Mazru, who is on vacation in the USA for the first time.
Chapters: 9/10
Each of the 7 chapters will cover 3 days of Olivia’s vacation, and 3 chapters will cover the time after returning home.
Part 8
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Olivia stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her belly was firmly visible, the boy inside her growing like yeast. She stroked and gazed at him.
- Don't worry little one, we'll get by without a father. I'll tell you about him, how he was your mother's love, your holiday love. 
She slipped on a blue plaid shirt. She buttoned the buttons, adjusted her pants. She slipped on her shoes and set to work, she wanted to work as long as she could. She needed to keep her head occupied, she couldn't keep thinking about him. At the same time, Clayton was sitting on the steps of his trailer, watching the guys fool around. He slipped his hand into his hair and tugged it hard, he had no idea what to do with himself. He had only just turned thirty-four and was already going to have a family, but he loved this woman. Clay rose and walked over to the bench where Michael Irby was sitting. He sat down next to him and stared at his hands for a long moment. 
- What would you do if you were me? - he looked at the older man. 
- You don't understand, do you? - He rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. 
He threw the cigarette on the ground and stomped on it with his shoe. He looked at Clayton and took a breath.
- You can't think of it in terms of who would do what in your place. No one will ever be in your shoes. No one will feel what you feel, no one will know this woman the way you know her. She is carrying your child, a being made of you and her. So I can't tell you what I would do in your place because I will never be in that place. Clayton - he breathed - this is a decision you will have to make for yourself. If you're not ready for this baby right now, then drop the matter. She can handle it, every woman is strong and can handle situations like this. But if even a fraction of a thought crossed your mind about the sound of baby's feet stomping on the floor. Then take my word for it that it is worth it, the first time you hold a baby in your arms, you will fall head over heels in love. 
Michael reached up, put his hand on Clayton's shoulder and squeezed tightly.
- You would be a great father - he smiled and walked away. 
Clayton looked around at the boys, picked himself up and locked himself in his trailer. He sank down on the couch and stared into the space in front of him. He imagined the stomping of children's feet on the floor, laughter floating through the air. He smiled to himself; he must have just made a decision. Michael was talking to Vincent and Frankie. All three of them heard the trailer door slam and Clayton running out of it. Michael grinned from ear to ear and shook his head.
- What about this one? - Vincent looked at him.
- He's going to fight for his family, our Clayton Cardenas has grown up, he laughed, he takes responsibility for his actions. 
- Why do you know more than we do? - Frankie furrowed his brow. 
- Because for some reason he took me as his mentor - he snorted. 
3 days later.
Olivia worked quietly in the office, occasionally rubbing her belly and smiling to herself when her son made his presence known. 
- How much longer are you going to work? - Magda looked at her.
- I think maybe a month and a half. Then I have to get ready for the baby's arrival, you know I don't have anything ready yet. I mean I don't feel the baby fever, I don't have a room, a thousand toys and all the rest. 
- You have other things on your mind, have you heard from him ? 
- No - she shook her head - He's made it clear that he doesn't want the baby. I'll manage somehow, as always.
- Of course I will, Aunt Magda will spoil the little one... - she stammered - why haven't you chosen a name for him yet?
- I don't know, I guess I thought Clayton would help me with it. And then I didn't have a head for it, I'll think of something. 
- I like the name Ignaś.
- That's what popped into my head too, Ignaś or Ignacio. I wanted to make some kind of reference to his father, but now I don't know. 
- He is a jerk if he cannot take responsibility for his actions - she snorted under her breath. 
- The worst thing is that I fell in love with him, I felt that someone accepts me as I am - tears were streaming down her face. 
- Hey honey - she went up to her and hugged her tightly. 
- I'm sorry, my hormones are giving me a hard time. 
- Don't worry, I can handle it - she laughed and returned to her seat. 
Olivia took a deep breath and returned to her duties. Shortly after sixteen, she packed her things from her desk and she and Magda left the office. Olivia lifted her head and it blew her away. Magda stopped right next to her, she followed her friend's gaze. A man stood by one of the cars, over six feet tall, his black hair tousled. She furrowed her brow and returned her gaze to her friend. 
- I can kick his ass - she placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. 
- It's okay, go home. I can handle it - she smiled slightly. 
- If you need anything, call me - she kissed her on the cheek. 
- Sure - she nodded without taking her eyes off Clayton. 
He stood uncertainly by the car and stared at her. She looked beautiful, glowing during her pregnancy. It really served her right, when the other woman left he moved slowly towards her. 
- Hey - he breathed stopping in front of her. 
- Hey - she whispered. 
- I'm sorry - he held back tears - I didn't mean it all to sound like that. I didn't want you to understand, I was in shock. 
She stared into his eyes, she saw tears in them. They were running down his cheeks, his arms were hanging along his body. 
- It's okay - she nodded - I can handle it, like I always do.
- No, I'll help you. It's my baby too, it's my responsibility - he stretched his hand towards her belly - may I?
- Yes - she nodded. 
He put his hand carefully on her bump, he felt a kick in his palm. He smiled widely and tears ran down his cheeks.
- Hey baby - he leaned into her belly - Daddy's here, Daddy's sorry he wasn't here earlier. Daddy can be an idiot, even a jerk, but I promise I'll do my best for you and for Mommy. If your mom gives me a chance. 
He lifted his gaze and stared into her eyes. Olivia wiped a tear from his cheek and smiled softly. Clayton rose from his lap, placed his large hand on her cheek. 
- I'm sorry Querida - he breathed and moved closer to her - forgive me, I will take care of you and our baby. I will provide you with everything you need. 
- It's a boy, you will have a son - she smiled gently.  
He put his hands around her cheeks and kissed her. He pressed his lips to hers, Olivia took a moment to respond. The kiss was hungry and desperate, her hands resting on his sides. He pulled away from her and rested his forehead against hers. 
- I love you - he whispered against her lips.
- Don't say it when you don't mean it - she stared into his eyes. 
- I mean every word. I will give you everything you deserve, from today we are a family. 
Part 10
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