Sonny and Aphrodite fall into a bit of a routine. On the nights they have available sometimes they stay in cooking home meals either at her hotel our his comforting home and watch bad romcoms or they'll go on a date. They made a small agreement. When one wants to go on a date the next time is the others turn.
For the remainder of her medical leave she and Sonny go through that routine.
Tonight Sonny got off early heading to his apartment where he expects Aphrodite to be waiting for him. As said she is already cuddled up on his couch with a few layers of blankets tucked around her body, swaddling her like a baby. Her nose is in the soft fabric and her hair draped over her shoulder. Her eyes a shut loosely and her chest rises and falls evenly. He smiles at the sight of her adorableness.
He sets down his belongings rounding the couch and kneeling before her. He caresses her cheek softly making her moan lightly. Her eyes slowly open receiving her bright green eyes. He smiles softly down at her.
"Hey," she muffles through the blanket.
"Hey, I want to take you on a date if that's okay."
She sits up slowly with a confused eyes. "You took me out last time. I thought it's my turn now."
The last time they went on a date Sonny picked her up at her hotel. They later navigated the city going to three different places. The first place was a lovely little appetizer joint where they got four cheese garlic bread and some homemade french fries. Followed by that they walked down the street to a fancy restaurant where their had their actual meal. Of course the restaurant was Italian. After that place they stopped at a ice cream parlor and each got their desired ice cream and toppings. The night ended with them re-entering her hotel room and taking a heated shower. He spent the night that night.
He sighs sadly. "You have one more day here and I want to make it worthwhile."
She face lit up but her eyes till looked tired for her nap. She runs his arm with one hand tilting her head to the side. "You know I like spending time with you. It doesn't have to be a date though."
"Just let me do this for you, Alfie."
She stares at him trying to read him. His eyes are sullen but show pleading. He's breathing deeply in dictating restlessness. He's not as cheerful as he normally is. She takes in his saddened features and sighs in defeat.
"Okay. I don't have anything to wear though."
"You'll look beautiful in anything, you know that," he says kissing her temple. She returns his goofy grin as he pulls her to her feet. He offers her one of his hoodies which she gracefully takes.
She smirks, "I hope you know you're never getting this back." She lifts the sweatshirt to her nose smelling his cologne that has engulfed her senses.
He laughs, "it looks better on you anyway. You look hot," he adds playfully.
"I am hot," she replies cockily.
He takes her hand as they head out the door back into the city. She questions where he's taking her until they stopped at a swing-set on a children's playground. She was going to jokingly tell him "perve much" but sided against it.
She peers over to him as they sit on the swings holding hands swaying back and forth. His large hands keep hers warm as the evening breeze brushed against her face. Sonny is looking up at the sky to which she follows.
He leans over, his breath against her ear and says to her, "watch."
In a matter of seconds streaks fall from the sky making her gasp lightly. She jaws her jaw in amazement seeing the specks slowly disappear as more appear.
"Is that a comet?"
He laughs at her cluelessness. "No. Have you never seen a meteor shower before?" She shakes her head making him smile softly up to the sky. "Well I'm glad I got to show you."
She points to the sky seeing a quick bolt of light shooting horizontally across the sky. "That was a shooting star, right?"
"Think so..." he trails off his eyes not leaving her bewildered face.There was a soft tremor as he tried to contain his laughter-
"What's so funny, eh?"
"Is that a comet?" he mimicks in a silly, high pitched voice, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Oh shut up you ass!" She giggles, playfully throwing a handful of wood-chips at him.
"Okay, okay ha-ha...in all seriousness, I must have missed it."
"No look, there it is again!" She says with another gasp, tightly squeezing his hand.
Sitting on the swings staring up at the stars she can't help but feel complete. She has her two families and the love of her life beside her. It makes her heartbroken not knowing what's going to happen next. She'll be leaving tomorrow and she doesn't know what will happen between her and Sonny. She doesn't dwell much on the thought and concentrates on the beautiful moment before her.
She points to the the sky, "there's Draco, the constellation. Not far away is Lyra. The most common and easy to point out are the Big and Small Dipper."
"I didn't know you knew so much about constellations." He comments with the swipe of his head.
"When I was in high school and ran away from my dad I would take some time to look at the stars. I would find weird patterns in the sky. I later took Astronomy and learned more about the night sky. I was grateful to find joy in something not many people enjoy."
"Why does that make you upset?" He asks noticing her frown.
She sighs, "gosh, I don't think I've actually looked at the night sky since then. I went straight into the military after then, then SVU and the FBI. I forgot my love for it and didn't have the time. Something bad always happens at the most inconvenient times."
He tightens his grip on her hand. He tugs her lightly grabbing her attention. "I'm glad I got to do this with you, Aphrodite."
"Me too, Dominick."
Simultaneously they lean in kissing each other lightly. He pulls away kissing her nose and making her giggle.
"What happens next, Sonny?"
He stands up pulling her with him. He cups her face in his hands tracing circles on her smooth skin. "I don't know, whatever happens will get through it. I want this to work, Alfie."
"I do too." She wraps her hands around his wrists. "Together?"
"Together." He bows his head making her wonder. Her brows knit and she lowers her head to look him in the eyes. "There's something I want to tell you." Her heart races in anticipation and her eyes widen in fear. "I haven't told anyone but I'm going for my law degree. I'm almost down with the school section and will have to take my BAR Exam."
She lets out the breath she didn't know she was holding. She laughs in disbelief. "For the love of - Sonny you almost gave me a heart attack. I'm so happy for you!" She jumps into his arms wrapping her legs around his waist.
He sets her down when their laughter stops. "Wait, you're not upset?"
"Why would I be upset? You spoke about law before, Sonny and I know you like it. I'm thrilled for you! You should go for what you want. I'm not about to hold you back."
He kisses her on the cheek. "Thank you. I needed that."
She gives him a knowing look. "Assistant District Attorney Dominick Carisi Jr. Hm, I like the sound of it already," she beams at her excitement taking her back into his arms. "Come on, Counselor, let's go home."
Aphrodites stomach flutters again like it did in the precinct. She never called his place home before. Little does she know he felt the same reaction.
Home.