Title: Moving Forward
Author: Junebuggnc
Pairing: Otalia
Summary: Takes place after Rafe is home and how Otalia moves forward joining their lives and family together.
Author Note: This is my first fanfic, I don't claim to be much of a writer, so any feedback will be welcomes.

Standard Disclaimer Ahead: Guiding Light is a product of Proctor & Gamble . The characters are the creative property of the show and its producers.

Chapter 1

It had been almost a year since Natalia's almost wedding to Frank. That was the day that both their lives changed, forever. They had admitted their love for each other; they knew that there would be obstacles to face and faced them they did, together. First, it was coming to terms with themselves and their relationship; then telling the kids and their friends and moving forward.

Ava's reaction was wonderful. Olivia had gone out to San Francisco to help Ava move into a bigger apartment. While she was there, Olivia confided in her oldest daughter about her relationship with Natalia and how it had changed from friendship to love, romantic love. Ava was a little shocked at first, mainly because of her mother's reputation for being a man-eater, that she was involved romantically with a woman. But that had all subsided as Ava listened to her mom talk about Natalia, she could feel and see the love that her mom felt for this woman.

Rafe, Natalia's son, his reaction was just the opposite of Ava's. He had just gotten out of prison and was trying to adjust to life with his mom again. Unfortunately, Natalia did not get the opportunity to tell Rafe herself about her relationship with Olivia.

It had been a week or so since Rafe was home; Natalia and Olivia mostly saw each other at work. One day Olivia suggested a picnic in the park so that they could spend some romantic time together. Natalia agreed, she knew that Rafe was going to be with Frank for most of the day (Frank agreed to be a mentor for Rafe as condition for his release from the halfway house). They chose the gazebo. It held a special place for them; it was where Natalia had confessed her feelings for Olivia. They had finished their lunch and were sitting on the blanket that was spread out on the floor of the gazebo with their backs up against the bench holding each other with their hands intertwined. They felt like teenagers, stealing kisses on the front porch hoping that their parents didn't see.

What they didn't know was that Rafe had finished early with Frank and decided to walk through the park on his way to Company to get something for lunch. As he walked past the gazebo (to the backs of Natalia and Olivia), he heard voices, giddy with happiness, love and the obvious smack of a kiss or two. Then it hit him like a ton of bricks, he recognized his mother's voice and Olivia's. He stood their frozen, not believing what he was hearing. Finally, he gathered the strength to move and entered the gazebo to confront his mother.

"Ma, what the hell is going on?!" He exclaimed. The lovebirds were shocked back to reality and quickly stood trying to gather themselves for the heated conversation that was about to take place.

"Rafe, what are you doing here? I thought you were with Frank." Natalia said.

"Apparently! So how long has this been going on? Ma, you aren't a… aren't…, you don't like women? You loved Dad and Frank."

Olivia had moved away from them; she wanted to stay close to support Natalia, but she wanted to give her space with her son.

Rafe was almost frantic, pacing the small area of the gazebo. Natalia begged him to calm down and let her explain. Finally he relented. Natalia began to explain how their relationship had grown and surprised the both of them when they realized their feelings went well beyond friendship and that they had fallen in love. She relayed how Olivia has made her happy, happier than she had even been before. Rafe listen with a blank stare on his face. Natalia wasn't sure if he was even really listening to her.

"Rafe, say something, please!" Natalia said desperately.

"What to expect me to say? That I am OK with this, that I approve. Well, I'm sorry I can't do that. I can't be here right now. I don't know when or if I'll be home tonight, so don't wait up." Rafe said as he exited the gazebo.

Natalia couldn't back the tears. Olivia was there holding her, comforting her.

"That could have been worse." Olivia said as Natalia sobbed.

Over the next few weeks and lots of talks between Rafe and Frank, Rafe began to see what his mom was trying to tell him. How Olivia loved her and made her happy. He began to see that Natalia was the center of Olivia's universe and vice versa. They were a family, Olivia, his mom and Emma (Olivia's youngest daughter). He realized he had not been there to see this family grow, he was coming into it after the fact. He watched Emma and how at ease she was with her two mommies. When Olivia and Natalia told Emma about the relationship, she was ecstatic; she did have a few pointed questions that any 9 year old would, but she took it in stride. Rafe finally realized that he needed to give them his blessing and that he truly did want his mom to just be happy, no matter whom it is that could do that.

Natalia's cell phone rang while she and Olivia were at work. "It's Rafe." She said.

"Hi, honey."

"Hey, Ma" "Ma, would you invite Olivia and Emma for supper tonight?" "I'm making dinner."

"Oh, you are." "Any special occasion?"

"Not really, just wanted to do something nice for you."

"OK, hang on, Olivia is here with me."

Natalia takes phone from her ear and covers the mouthpiece. "Rafe is inviting you and Emma for supper tonight; he's cooking." Said Natalia.

"Oh, OK, absolutely, Em and I will be there." Replied Olivia.

"Sweetie, she said yes. What time?" Natalia said to Rafe.

"OK, I'll be home soon."

"So Rafe said to be there at 6:30pm." Natalia told Olivia as she cross the room to her beloved. Olivia wrapped her arms around Natalia for a warm loving embrace and said, "Maybe he is coming around; he has been acting more like himself around us lately?"

Natalia did not want to get her hopes up, but it was hard not to.

When Natalia arrived home, Rafe was busy in the kitchen. He was making chicken enchiladas with rice and beans. Natalia offered to help; Rafe said no and suggested she go relax with a glass of wine in the living room. Promptly at 6:30pm, Olivia and Emma arrived. Upon entering the kitchen, Emma squealed and ran over to Rafe.

"Hey munchkin!"

"Rafe, thanks for inviting us for dinner. I missed you and being here at the farmhouse."

"I know, Em; I've missed you too."

Rafe glanced over to Olivia, who gave him a wink and a small smile. He told her to enjoy a glass of wine with his Ma in the living room and that dinner would be ready shortly. Olivia obliged and went in to the living room.

Olivia and Natalia barely had a chance to say hello much less talk about Rafe and the impromptu dinner when he called, "Dinner is served." It was mostly small talk and complements to the chef on a wonderful meal.

"May I be excused?" Emma asked.

"Sure, Jellybean." Was Olivia's reply. "Hey, munchkin, why don't you go watch some TV for a few minutes. I need to talk to our moms about something." Natalia and Olivia both looked at each other, a bit shocked, they had never heard Rafe refer to them like that before.

"So, first, I want to apologize for the way I have been acting the last few weeks. You threw me, big time. I just needed some time to take it in, to adjust." Rafe said.

"Rafe, you don't have to apologize for…." Natalia tried to interrupt.

"Ma, let me finish, please. I wasn't here to see what was happening between you and Olivia. I only knew what you told me, that you were marrying Frank. But Ma, on your wedding day, I knew something wasn't right, but I just couldn't figure out what. Yes, I was shocked to find you two making out in the park like a couple of teenagers. Believe me, that is not something you want to walk in on, especially when one of them is your mother. I have had the time to watch you and see what you were trying to tell me. Yeah, it a little weird to have your mom dating another woman, but heck, if the munchkin in there can deal with it, so can I."

Natalia was nearly in tears. About half way through Rafe's speech, her hand had found Olivia's openly. Rafe smiled.

"Ma, come on, Ma…don't cry. Ma, you… you both have my approval, my blessing, whatever. Ma, I just want you to be happy, that's all."

And with that, Natalia threw her arms around her son, hugging him, squeezing him. "Rafe, I am happy, you have made this the happiest day of my life. I love you, Raphael, so much."

"I know Ma, I know" Rafe said trying to catch his breath from his mother's bear hug.

TBC