Recovery (Completed)

Epilogue

A year and a half into their new living arrangement, things were moving along as smoothly as ever. The only issue they'd run into at work had been a case involving Buchanan and his attempt to twist their feelings for one another to the benefit his client. Thankfully it hadn't worked and life had moved on.

Her things had fit easily into his home, only the additional shelf was needed to accommodate books while using the dresser in the guest room to store items that were used less frequently... movies and such. With a surprisingly small amount of rearranging her clothes had been permanently added to his dresser and closet. It helped that most of it had already been there.

The decision to move in had never once been questioned or regretted. In fact Hattie often considered it one of the best decisions she'd made.

"Wanna grab a drink?" Hattie furrowed her brow at Rollins question. Hattie couldn't recall ever grabbing a drink with only Rollins. Everyone... yes. Carisi, Fin, and Rollins... yes. But never just Amanda. "Fin's goin' too."

"Join them." Carisi grinned as he grabbed his jacket, quickly heading out to meet up with Hattie's sister for a date neither of them would shut up about. Their relationship had survived well over the year mark, Carisi moving into Elliot's apartment a year after Hattie had moved in with Barba.

"Enabler." Hattie chuckled at his grin, smirking once he was out of view.

"So?" Rollins pushed.

Barba and Liv were at his office, discussing an older case that the outcome of was still bothersome. He'd told her he'd probably be late. Hattie grabbed her purse, and nodded. "The usual place or are we going somewhere different?"

"Why would we go somewhere new?" Fin smirked, following both Hattie and Rollins out of the bullpen.

"Your dress is pretty."

Hattie glanced down as though she had forgotten what she'd put on that morning. "Thanks. Rafael picked it out." Rollins' judgmental eyes cut toward Hattie as they walked to the bar. "This morning, not from a store... I bought the dress. He randomly pulled it out of the closet and handed it to me this morning."

Rollins lips turned upward. "Does he dress you often?"

"No, but I like this dress so I had no problem wearing it." Hattie shrugged.

The dress was a charcoal grey with short sleeves and a high neckline. It hugged her frame, narrowing at her waist, skimming her hips before tapering into a pencil skirt. She had paired it with dark red heels... that particular fashion choice may have been influenced by Barba's colorful accessories, but she wouldn't be admitting that to Rollins.

"Leave Hattie and her dress alone." Fin chuckled, leaning passed Hattie to grin at Rollins.

"You can't tell me you don't find it humorous that he's dressed her."

"He hasn't dressed me." Hattie grumbled.

"If you say so..."

Hattie glared at Rollins.

"Careful Amanda, or I'll be stuck having drinks with just you." Fin smiled, opening the door to the bar for the other two to enter.

Rollins smiled at Fin as she passed, still clearly amused by the information she'd received. Hattie rolled her eyes at their little exchange but still followed behind Rollins. The small group waived at Steve as they made their way beyond the bar to a space not entirely visible from the entrance.

Hattie frowned when they passed multiple open tables seeing as they rarely sat that far back unless the bar was full. "Where are we go..." Her voice cut out when her youngest sister, who was barely twenty one, came into view. "Frankie?" Her eyes continued to scan the faces that greeted her. Her parents and Dylan were standing closest to Frankie, then Elliot, Carisi, Liv... even Lucia was there.

"What's going on?" Hattie's question was more of a whisper when Barba approached her.

"Is it not obvious?"

The small smirk as he glanced back to their families, made her smile. The smile unintentionally grew larger, her heart thudding against her chest when Barba dropped to one knee. She hadn't even noticed the box being pulled from his pocket, but she was definitely staring at beautiful ring... white gold, fairly simple in design. The pear shaped sapphire surrounded in a halo of small diamonds, the band lined similarly to soften the look of the metal.

"Hattie Stevens, will you marry me?" He had written out a more elaborate speech, one that detailed his feelings for her. He'd even practiced it more than once on Liv... this explaining the small snicker from her when his voice caught, reducing his words to the simple question he had managed.

Liv could stand back there hiding her amusement behind her hand all she wanted, Hattie knew how he felt.

"Yes," Hattie's voice was barely audible. She smiled, giving herself a moment and spoke again, "yes, a thousand times, yes." Her small frame collided with his when he stood, her arms wrapping around him as she pushed up to her toes kiss him.

Barba grinned into the kiss, holding onto the ring box while bringing his arms around her. "Do you want to see if it fits?" He smirked, barely pulling back from her embrace. "I trusted Elliot to get your ring size so I'm blaming her if it doesn't."

Hattie grinned and nodded, holding her shaky hand up for him to slip the ring onto. "It's beautiful," she whispered, holding her hand higher to examine the ring on her finger.

"Not as beautiful as you."

Hattie bit her lip and nudged him with her shoulder, noticing the others around them again. "You invited my family?"

"I did, but Elliot coordinated them all getting to the bar on time."

"That's why it was left for Amanda and Fin to get me here?" She chuckled, knowing Carisi wouldn't have stopped talking and possibly let the whole surprise slip if they had left it to him.

"Seemed easiest." Barba grinned.

"And if I had begged off?"

Barba chuckled, "you've been complaining about us all not going out as a group very often anymore for weeks. I knew you wouldn't turn them down."

"We really should go out more." Hattie sighed.

"We're all here now." Liv moved forward, lifting the cover off the cake they'd ordered.

"It's more than perfect." Hattie grinned, looking around the room.

Steve brought a round of drinks to the table as Liv cut and passed out pieces of cake to those who wanted it. Everyone settled in, making introductions to those who hadn't met. The back area of the bar was soon filled with the sound of voices and laugher.

Hattie sat her empty glass on the table, smiling as she glanced at Barba while contemplating a fourth martini.

"What?" He smirked, pulling her chair closer.

"I'm a little buzzed... and by a little, I mean a lot." She giggled at the fact that she could notice herself slurring.

"Did you want to head out?" Barba bit back a grin when she frowned.

"No," she leaned closer despite their heads already almost touching, "I think I want another martini."

"So get one," he whispered, his eyes crinkle when hers made contact, "I'll make sure you get home safely."

Hattie's tone became temporarily more serious sounding. "You really are my hero." This was quickly followed by a kiss to his cheek and a giggle, her borderline drunk feet scurrying to the bar for a refill.

Barba could see her from where they were sitting and watched as she chatted with Steve at the bar, giggling more than she normally would. The excitement of the evening and the alcohol working together to put her in a beautifully giddy state.

She returned, smiling as she took a sip, almost dancing in her seat as she set the glass on the table. "Jesus, I love you." Barba chuckled when she grinned up at him.

"Well I would hope so." Hattie's nose scrunched up with her smile when she failed to keep a straight face. "I love you too."

Your friendly reminder to vote if you're so inclined.