Previous Disclaimers Apply
Chapter 9
"Yours, if you want it?" Said Olivia.
Natalia slowly wandered around the lower level as Olivia explained that the farmhouse belonged to her ex-business partner Cassie and that Cassie had moved away but never done anything with the house until now; she was ready to sell it. They continued upstairs and Natalia went into every room, looked in every closet, every bathroom, everywhere. Olivia mentioned the amount of acreage, the barn that was livestock ready and the pond which has seasonal ducks. They ended up back in the kitchen; Natalia kept dragging her fingers across the counter, the stove, the sink. She peeked in and out of cabinets. She spied into the pantry and the laundry room. It was everything she ever dreamed about for a house, no a home.
Olivia watched and just observed her love. Even though they'd only known each other for a short time, Olivia could tell that Natalia wanted this farmhouse.
"Talia, from what you've told me about your finances you can afford this and if you don't want to do the photography thing and get a job, I'll help you there. You can work at the Beacon if you want."
"I love this home Olivia. It's everything I've ever wanted in a home, but it'll will only be complete and I will only buy it under one condition."
A little confused as to what her love was thinking, Olivia questioned her.
"Oh, and what condition would that be?"
"That you and Emma move in here with me. What do you say? We already living together at the Beacon, but that's not really a home."
Olivia was a bit taken a back. She hadn't expected Natalia to want to move in together, yet; staying together at the Beacon was one thing, but this… It had only been a couple of months. She stepped around the table and took Natalia's hand and led her into the living room to the sofa.
"You're not ready?" Asked a defeated Natalia.
"I'm moving too fast." Added the Latina.
Taking Natalia hands in hers, Olivia spoke genuinely from her heart.
"Talia, I love you and I would love nothing more than to live here with you and Emma. Moving in is a big step and you still haven't had a chance to talk to your son. I only met him briefly that one time. So he doesn't know me either. I'm not saying no, but wouldn't you want to talk to him first?" Said Olivia.
Olivia would call the movers today, but she wanted forever with Natalia and she knew that Rafe's acceptance or disapproval would impact their relationship.
"I don't know when I'll see him. He probably won't get a long enough leave to come home for a while."
"Well, I have an idea. What if you and me take a trip to say Greece? Maybe Rafe can let us know when he is going to have leave and we can make arrangements to bring him to Greece. You can have a few days to spend with your son and tell him about us."
"That's awfully expensive, Olivia. I know I have the money with the sale of the loft and all, but…"
"I wish you wouldn't worry about money, Talia. I have plenty for several lifetimes. You, the girls and Rafe never have to worry about money again. And I don't mind spending a little bit of money now if it means that moving in with you sooner rather than later."
"Well, you do have a point there. Are you sure, Olivia, that's it's not too much?"
"I know that a lot of the way I can and do live my life is foreign to you because of the money. Money can change people, but if you keep yourself in check you can learn how to not let yourself get out of control with it."
"How do you do that Olivia?"
"First of all, I always keep my kids in the back of my mind. You know how you read about the spoil little rich kids getting into trouble. Well, I don't want my girls to be that way and most of those kids learned to be that way because either that's how their parents are or the parents didn't do enough to control their behavior. I, also, try to remember my childhood when we didn't have much. Now, I won't lie to you, I do like expensive things. I mean you've seen my shoe collection. I am going to enjoy what I have. And one of the ways I can enjoy what I have is to spend it on those I love. So, a trip to Greece, no Baby, it's not too much, not at all."
"OK, so we go to Greece and see Rafe; then when we get back home you and Emma will move in here with me?"
Natalia could see Olivia's hesitation and she felt as though she could read Olivia's mind. Olivia was concerned that Rafe would not accept her in his mother's life as her lover and girlfriend. He's only known his mother to be romantically involved with one person, his father.
"Honey, he'll be OK with this. He only wants me to be happy and when I tell him that you make me happy, he'll be fine with us. He'll be happy too. Do you trust me?"
"With my life." Whispered Olivia.
The ladies lips immediately sought the other. They spent the next little while enjoying their solitude in the quiet country farmhouse. Later, when they got back to the Beacon, Natalia emailed Rafe and asked him to call again when he could. Ava and Emma were disappointed that they weren't going to get to go to Greece. Ava was needed to run the Beacon in Olivia's absence and to help take care of Emma. Emma was still in school and Olivia did not want her to miss that much time so near to the end of the school year. Olivia and Natalia did promise the girls a trip that summer to a warm sunny coastal beach somewhere, that seemed to pacify them for now.
It was week later when Rafe finally got an opportunity to call. It was on the books that in three weeks his unit would get 5 days leave. He and some of his buddies had been talking about taking a trip, but now he would bow out of their plans to join his Ma in Greece for a few days. He was really excited at the chance to see his Ma. Olivia's assistant got to work on making their travel plans to Greece and their hotel reservations as well as Rafe's travel from where he was stationed to Greece. If all went as planned, Olivia and Natalia would have a couple of days alone before Rafe would arrived and then they planned to stay a few more days after he leaves before heading back to the states.
Olivia, Emma and Ava all helped Natalia with purchasing the farmhouse and helping her move and get settled. Emma loved the farmhouse when she saw it and of course one of the first questions she asked was if she and her Mommy were going to move in with Natalia. Olivia managed to dodge the question for now. She didn't want to answer one way or the other or in a half truth until things were settled with Rafe. Olivia didn't let Emma spend the night any just yet, however if Ava was keeping Emma or her Daddy or if she had a sleepover, Olivia was there with her bag packed ready and waiting.
Finally after those three excruciating weeks had passed, Olivia and Natalia were on their way to Greece. Olivia asked Phillip for use of the Spaulding private jet and he was more than happy to oblige. So far, Rafe's leave was still a go, though it could be cancelled at any moment. It was a long bout of flying time, but at least it was broken up into stages. They had to make a couple of stops to refuel in New York and then again in London. They had a limo waiting to take them to the beautiful five start hotel a stone's throw from the Aegean Sea.
That first day in Greece, Olivia and Natalia spent it mostly in bed. Partly due to the time difference and they were also taking advantage of being alone in a luxurious hotel room in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Olivia was still a bit nervous as to Rafe's reaction, but for the life of her she couldn't see any of that in Natalia. It really surprised her to see Natalia's confidence in her son and what she thinks his reaction will be. Finally, the morning of Rafe's arrival Olivia started to see a few nerves presenting themselves in her girlfriend. Little did Olivia know those nerves were not from Natalia's worries over Rafe's reaction, but from finally realizing and getting her happily ever after. It was right there for the taking and she did not want anything to jeopardize that.
Olivia arranged for a car to take them to the airport; the driver waited while the ladies went to the passenger pickup area. Rafe's flight was on time per the monitors so it would be just a few more minutes. Olivia kept watching the monitors and then his flight status had changed to landed so now they just had to watch through the sea of people, which did include quite a bit military personnel, to spot Rafe. Natalia couldn't see him, a lot of the soldiers looked alike, but she could hear him calling Ma! She spotted him behind another burly soldier and he darted around him quickening his pace to Natalia. When he reached her he dropped his bag and scooped her up into his arms hugging, turning them around once before allowing Natalia's feet to find ground again.
TBC…
