Chapter Text
CHAPTER 4 FIRST DAY TRAINING
For a moment, the murmur of voices seemed to fade, almost as if the world had gone quiet, waiting for Rafael Barba’s answer.
Olivia lifted her cup and arched an eyebrow.
Rafael fixed his attention on the lieutenant’s brown eyes, holding her gaze a second too long. His pulse quickened slightly.
“All right, Benson. But I have a few clauses.”
Olivia frowned, drumming her fingers against the table.
Rafael weighed his response, glancing from side to side.
“Excuse me, Barba? I’m offering to help you and you’re setting conditions?”
“Perhaps it’s inadmissible to you, but I have a reputation to uphold.” He looked at her steadily. “My only condition is your vow of silence.”
“That’s it?”
“For now.”
Silence.
“Hmm. All right. But I have conditions too.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Lieutenant, when it comes to negotiating.”
Olivia rested her elbows on the table and took a sip of coffee. Rafael watched her closely, holding his own cup.
“Central Park. After work. Tomorrow at six in the morning. Only until Noah’s field day.”
Rafael nodded slowly.
“Interesting. A week with her,” he thought, bringing a hand to his chin.
“Deal.”
They extended their hands and sealed it with a firm handshake. Neither of them smiled.
A few minutes later, Amanda returned with the kids. They asked for the check.
Olivia received the small folder and set it on the table as she reached for her purse. Rafael extended his hand and quickly took it, slipping a hundred-dollar bill inside.
“Rafael… that’s not necessary. We agreed we’d split it.”
He simply arched an eyebrow.
“Logic dictates it, Benson. You won the race.”
Olivia lowered her gaze.
“All right.”
As they walked out, everyone said their goodbyes. At Noah’s suggestion—and insistence—Rafael ordered his pancakes to go.
Once he lost sight of the two women and the children, Rafael smiled at the sight of the restaurant’s paper bag. He shook his head, amused, remembering that it had been a long time since he’d ordered takeout—especially that kind of food.
_______
That night, ever the creature of habit, Rafael prepared to have dinner before immersing himself in a bit of Nietzsche. He opened the refrigerator, his hand already holding the tray of salad when, with a faint smile, he swapped it for the box of pancakes from that morning.
He warmed them up, settled onto the couch, and opened his book.
“Definitely not part of my routine,” he thought.
____
As for Olivia, she was tucking Noah into bed, finishing a bedtime story.
“Mom, I really liked today.”
“I’m glad, sweetheart.” Olivia adjusted the blankets around him.
She was about to stand when Noah spoke again, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
“Mom.”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Do you think we can win at field day?”
“It’s possible. But what matters most is having fun.”
“But… I want to win.”
“Is that bad?”
“No, Noah, it’s not bad.” She leaned back down and kissed his cheek.
“Mom, can you train me? You’re the best.” He wrapped his arms around her neck.
“Of course I can.”
“Can we start tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
After that, Olivia turned off the light.
_____
The next morning, Noah was the first to wake. The sound of his breathing stirred her.
“Noah!” she exclaimed.
“Mom, I’m ready for training.”
“I can see that,” she said with a smile. “Just give me a few minutes.”
“We’re training with Uncle Rafa too.”
“Yes.”
“But it’s going to be a secret mission,” Olivia added.
“I like it.” He threw his arms up in celebration.
“I hope Barba has that same enthusiasm,” she thought.
Minutes before leaving, Olivia texted Rafael.
Central Park.
Same bench as yesterday.
Olivia.
Noted.
Make sure you’re on time. My time is gold.
Rafael.
_____
When they arrived at Central Park, Rafael was already waiting for them on the bench. Noah ran over to greet him.
“Olivia, I thought we were training… well… you know.”
“Yes, but training with Noah might help you.”
“All right. No objection.”
They started with a few warm-up exercises. Olivia moved with ease.
This is far too simple, Rafael thought sarcastically.
Noah, on the other hand, did each movement with great seriousness, carefully imitating them.
After that, they began to jog. Noah and Rafael soon pulled ahead of Liv.
She let out a sharp whistle, making both of them cover their ears.
“Hey, guys!”
They stopped short.
“What matters is endurance—so you can sprint and give it everything at the end.”
“Okay, Mom.” The boy’s shoulders dropped slightly.
“I’ll grant you that—just this once, Benson. You sound like a lawyer. Deliver the final blow at the end.”
Olivia merely tilted her head.
Soon the three of them were running through Central Park. Their steps fell into rhythm, the sound against the pavement confirming it.
Noah’s legs began to grow heavy, so both adults took one of his hands. The boy smiled.
The solution worked—for a while.
Until Noah couldn’t go any farther.
“Mom…”
Olivia stopped.
“Come here, sweetheart.”
She started to crouch down when Rafael, on impulse, stepped in.
“I’ll carry him!”
“You’re not used to it, Rafael. I can carry him.”
Rafael scooped Noah up.
“You may consider it insubordination, Lieutenant.”
______
Across Central Park, Rafael could be seen carrying Noah on his shoulders.
The image felt familiar in an uncomfortable way. He didn’t allow himself to analyze why.
He could feel the warmth of the little boy’s body and the small hands gripping him tightly.
Olivia ran ahead a few steps.
“Breakfast is on me today.”
She came back to find the boy and the attorney sitting on a bench.
In her hands were three hot dogs.
“What are you trying to do, Benson—fatten me up until I sue?”
Noah simply smiled, taking a bite of his hot dog.
Under the first rays of sunlight, the three of them sat on a bench eating, trading smiles and teasing remarks. Rafael watched Olivia and Noah. It hadn’t been on his agenda—and yet he wouldn’t have changed a thing.