She needed time away to think over everything that occurred since she landed at the Springfield airport a couple of days ago but when Reva called inviting her over for dinner she couldn't refuse. Reva was one of the few people that she had connected to before discovering her parentage. All alone in the world and trying to figure out her way Ava had admired the strength that Reva exuded. She wasn't the most beautiful or the most powerful but she was a force that everyone in the town respected. Since she loved and more importantly liked her mother she didn't spend a lot of time talking about how much her step-mother fascinated her although to be fair it was easier now that Natalia had rubbed off her mom's rougher edges but she still wasn't the best conversation topic. So when Ava told Olivia that she was going to have dinner with her father's family she was surprised when Emma asked to come their mom shrugged her shoulders and looked to Nat to decide. Looking in the rearview mirror to check that Em had buckled up she was startled at how domesticated the seemingly demure woman had made the former town bitch.
Coincidently as they were passing the Mahler's home she heard "Oh I forgot I was supposed to play with Clarissa after I got home from school" from Emma but when she looked up to check her sister was offering her most angelic smile. Natalia thought that she was going to get trouble fromAva but wait until Emma grows up she was going to know what trouble really meant.
"Em we're on our way to Reva's maybe you can play with her tomorrow" and she knew that it was a perfectly reasonable response to her little sister's request but in spite of that knew deep down that she was going to pick up the other little girl because once Em put on that smile and did that blinky thing with her lashes Ava tuned into a pod person. Emma was a terrible mix. Not only was she a Spencer which was bad but she was also a Spaulding, not only did Springfield have to worry the world did as well.
"Since when did you turn into a father?" Natalia asked Olivia laughing when the other woman smirked and physically groped herself in the crotch.
"Um must be all that fiber you keep forcing on me."
Rolling her eyes and shaking her head she tried very hard not to laugh because the other woman needed encouragement like she needed more shoes "Emma asks you a question and you shrug and then say ask your mother."
"Oh that. Well I thought it was more efficient since whatever I say you override anyway."
"I do not. I just strongly suggest."
"Yeah yeah. Like you suggested that turkey bacon is actually edible."
"If you want to ever have any type bacon again you're going to have to get very familiar with the bird. Is that how it's going to be from now on when Emma wants to do something that you don't like you defer the decision to me."
"Who said I didn't like it. I am overjoyed that Reva has tangled herself into my family" Olivia loudly groaned.
"You really do need help" Natalia laughed watching her girlfriend's dramatics. "Fine but when Emma asks for a tattoo just know that I'm going to defer to you."
"You won't have to worry. I'll have her shipped off to a Catholic boarding school the second she stops in front of a tattoo parlor."
"I think that considering she's your daughter maybe it would be best not to have her in a houseful of impressionable, rich teenage girls."
"What's that supposed to mean" Olivia huffed trying to look sufficiently affronted.
"I don't know considering she's another Spencer woman I think that the best place for teenage Emma is a huge isolated castle with a deep moat a huge tower and without any internet connection."
"Hey I am not that bad.!" and this time she didn't even have to try to look affronted she was indignant. "Ava on the other hand. Do you think it would be cheaper to lease the castle or buy it outright?"
Ava had given up trying to hold Colin back from interrupting Emma, Sarah and Clarissa's games. She didn't want it to seem like she was a total slave to Emma when she showed up at her step-mother's house with two extra little girls. Emma she could explain easily but Clarissa was also in tow. Trying on Emma's smile as Reva's door opened all she heard was a high pitched squeal and felt the two girls bolt into the living room. She was sure Reva would throw them all out but she was squealing with the other girls with a mad grin directed towards Ava. "I'm sorry I know I shouldn't have just brought Emma and Clarissa over before calling. I can come back another day alone."
"Take these girls and I'll tackle you myself. Now come in and step away from the door."
Reva still was looking like she the doctor had prescribed her some serious happy pills. Her eyes were glazed over and her smile was so big it looked painful.
"Jonathan had an emergency and I've been baby sitting Sarah all day. Do you know how many times we played guitar hero."
"Guitar heroooooo" The other girls screeched and then Ava was sporting her own crazy clown face. Of the three of the girls it was of course Emma who gave her the dirtiest look when Colin knocked over the jinga blocks after they moved on from the video game. He knocked them over even after they moved the game three times but Clarissa shot her a look that reminded her of Blake when someone at Company was being an extra difficult customer. Sarah was just glad to have people to play with that didn't drool over everything like Colin or was as slow as her Grandma.
"Thanks for letting me bring the giggly girl tour over without notice."
"Any time believe me. I think Sarah was getting as tired of me as I was of Dora. So what kinda trouble are you causing lately?"
"None"
"Okay tell that to someone else. You forget that I know both your parents. You would cause trouble if you were in a coma, its genetic."
"Thanks a lot. You know what I think we ought to go. I wouldn't want to overstay my welcome."
Reva knew how horrible it was to have given away a child and then have that child confront you with righteous anger so she would not wish that even upon Olivia but she was sort of grateful that Ava wasn't raised by her sometimes rival. Not that she wished to hurt the other woman or doubted what a great mother she would have made regardless of the circumstances of her daughter's birth but she doubted that Ava and she would have the loving step-mother daughter relationship if Olivia had any say. Ava and Reva had a comfortable relationship while she and Jeffrey were dating but after being sent away to Chicago on her suggestion she was sure the next time she spoke to the young woman Olivia's influence would shine through and Ava would focus all her rage and hate Reva's way. But if anything they had become even closer and Ava had often called in the middle of the night crying not seeking Jeffrey's voice and comfort but her step-mother's. This touched her father and she had foolishly thought that it might soften her relationship with her step-daughter's mother, Olivia had soon disabused her of that mistaken notion. Seeing Olivia at the checkout Reva had commented on how much better Ava seemed after their talk late the prior night but Olivia thought Reva she had been suggesting that she couldn't take care of her own daughter and Ava had to her in desperation. Olivia had still not forgiven her for her part in sending Ava away and after her grandchild died for a short time Reva could see the hate directed towards her stronger than ever. A confused Ava told her months later that the same night Olivia had called crying worrying that she wasn't offering enough to her troubled daughter. Reva and Ava never discussed it but both knew that it best for everyone's sanity that Olivia not know just how close they had become. Not that Olivia didn't want Reva to like her daughter but there was too much baggage between the two of them for Olivia to be comfortable with her daughter and Reva spending hours each week laughing and crying over the phone. Jeffrey found out the hard way over a lunch with his oldest baby's mother. Olivia teased him telling him to blame his wife for the baby that was keeping him awake nights but he denied the charge and joked that if anything she was to blame because her child was keeping his wife on the phone for all hours which kept him awake. Olivia cursed him thoroughly and then warned him that if his wife hurt Ava child he wouldn't ever have to worry about creating another child because certain parts of his anatomy would be missing.
"Hey what's wrong?" Reva asked immediately reaching to grab Ava's hand watching tears come to her daughter's eyes. "You know you can tell me anything Ava. Come on. Sarah why don't you put in a DVD for you and the girls to watch and Ava and I will put Colin to bed."
"So"
"So" Olivia said laughing as she stretched while keeping her body flush against the naked body near. It wasn't everyday that the women were able to given into their desires as soon and both parties realized that the need was mutual. Usually there was Emma to consider and they just couldn't throw themselves at each other over the dinner table but tonight they were alone and after a couple of rounds on the table and the stairs they had finally made it to the bedroom behind closed doors. Emma needed to have a dinner away at least twice a month during the week. Maybe she could sign her up for toastmasters. While Olivia was thinking this thought and others like it Natalia raised her eyebrows waiting on her lover's mind to return. "another round so soon. I'm going to have to start getting a b-12 shot to keep up with you." Olivia leered pulling the other woman on top of her.
"Are you sure you didn't miss something when you were groping between your legs earlier. You are such a guy." Natalia said rolling her eyes and rolling off back onto her side of the bed.
"I don't think so why don't you check for me to make sure."
"You wish"
"Of course I thought that's what we were getting at." Olivia said smirking as she followed her girlfriend laying on top of her as best she could keeping her weight off Natalia's stomach.
"Down killer. We have to talk."
"Talk later. Sex now."
"Why haven't you talked to me about Ava and Doris"
"Oh my god could you not talk about my daughter while I'm sexing you. God."
"Ha I told you we have to talk."
"I don't have anything to say. Ava made a mistake in trusting that ….mayor."
"You know if you use a word as a curse would even if its not a curse word you owe me a dollar."
"How is that fair??"
"Stop changing the subject. Ava wants you to forgive Doris."
"Listen I know you're all about forgive and trust and all sorts of hearts and flowers but that woman slept with my daughter so I'm not asking you to understand but I don't think its fair of you to expect me to forgive and forget. If this had happened to Rafe I doubt you would be forgiving"
"Hey hey I never said you should forgive her. I'm just as upset by this as you are."
"Then why are we arguing?"
"We aren't. I'm just telling you what Ava wants."
"Well sometimes we don't get what we want."
"Honey are you sure Doris has been you friend, you best friend."
"If she was such a good friend she would have thought about that before she slept with my daughter." Olivia ground out leaving the bed and heading to the bathroom. Natalia reached after Olivia but missed her tightly fisted hands. "Baby I understand completely how betrayed you feel. I'm just as upset as you are I promise. Ava left our home last night upset enough to think that you would take back your offer." Natalia said looking into Olivia's red eyes through the bathroom mirror.
"How could she do that to me? How could she do that to my daughter? I would never use Ashlee the way she used my daughter. She was supposed to be by best friend. I could forgive a lot of things but I won't ever forgive this, never" Olivia vowed.
"Good lord. Doris is lucky that your dad's not here or she might have another bullet to dodge."
"Not you too"
"I know that you want everyone to kiss and make up but Sweetie I know your mom a lot better than even you do and you have a better chance of Olivia giving away all her money shaving her head and becoming a Hari Krishna" Reva laughed.
"This isn't funny"
"Actually it is. God it's genetic because there is no way other way to explain it."
"Reva"
"I'm sorry. Okay your mom is pissier than a turtle on speed so what you have to do is give her some time"
"Time no that's the exact opposite of what she needs. The more time she has the more she is going to think about it and get all worked up"
"Yes for a while true but in time she'll think about how much she misses Doris and everything that she and Doris have been through together."
"Are you sure?"
"Trust me, you championing Doris isn't going to warm your Olivia up any faster. Let her see that this was just a freak incident so to speak, ha."
"ha ha" Ava replied without a smile.
"Sorry. Anyway once she sees that you two aren't going to become an item she will probably calm down."
"I already told her that we weren't going to be together."
"Right now she just needs some time. And you young lady are officially on punishment. You're going to baby sit your sister, brother and Sarah"
"That's not so bad"
"And Clarissa"
"Noooooo"