Chapter 2
Olivia had every intention of telling her boyfriend everything, not just from that afternoon, but everything over the past several years. She had every intention on telling him the things that she had never told anyone else. When she got to her apartment that evening she was going to ask Lucy to take Noah out to the park and for hot chocolate so the two of them could talk alone. However, instead of being greeted by Lucy she was greeted by the sight of Barba cooking in her kitchen and Noah standing on a stool “helping.” Olivia could not help but grin at the sight. Barba had surprised her several times over their six months together and this was no exception. He wasn’t exactly the most kid-friendly person out there but he had grown to be more comfortable with Noah.
Olivia moved into the kitchen to greet the two of them. “I didn’t know that you could cook.”
“I’m a man of many talents.” Barba replied. “I thought we would make pizza instead of ordering in.” He explained. The kitchen counters were covered with deli meats, cheese, various vegetables, homemade pizza dough and sauce was bubbling on the stove. Olivia told herself that she would just have to wait to talk to Rafael after Noah was asleep.
The evening was almost perfect. In addition to making some of the best pizza that Olivia had ever had Rafael had also bought her favourite wine. The three ate and laughed and watched a silly kid’s movie until Noah fell asleep. When Olivia returned to the living room she was still grappling with how to start the conversation that she had hoped she would never have to have.
“I have something I need to tell you.” Rafael said the moment that Olivia returned.
“Oh, okay.”
“I wanted to make tonight special for a reason.” Barba began. “You’ll find out officially on Monday but … I’m leaving SVU. I got a transfer to homicide.”
“Oh, okay.”
“I love working with SVU but I love being with you more. I don’t want to have to worry about our relationship being found out. I don’t want to have to hide our relationship. I want to be with you.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to change your entire career goals for me.”
“I’m sure and it’s not just for you. There is a lot of good work that is needed to be done over there too.”
“Wow,” Olivia kissed him. “SVU will be hard pressed to find another ADA like you but … this means a lot. I also hate that we have had to hide our relationship.” They kissed deeply.
“You know, you might not that be hard-pressed. Word going around is that one of your old ADA’s, Cabot, is back and put in for the position. I hear she was one hell of a prosecutor.”
“Oh yeah. She was.”