Previous Disclaimers Apply

Chapter 21

Almost every parent made a comment to Olivia, Natalia or Emma about her presentation. Several of the dads and a couple of the moms spoke to Rafe. They introduced themselves as veterans and everyone thanked Rafe for his service. The school bell rang and slowly the kids were saying goodbye to each other and to Ms. Jennings. Afterwards, the Spencer-Rivera clan descended on Company. It was time for celebratory ice cream.

Olivia called Ava when they were leaving the school and asked her to meet them at Company. Ava was waiting for them when the group barreled through the doors loudly. Frank, was behind the counter wiping it down. When he heard the loud boisterous group come in; he rolled his eyes. Frank never liked Olivia. He knew some of her history, the supposed gay woman, hotel owner extraordinaire and mother. He hated seeing how his father, Buzz, attended to her after Olivia's girlfriend, Maggie, died. He thought Olivia was using him; that she was going to get too close to his dad and would break Buzz's heart.

Frank just couldn't see it…Yes, Olivia is beautiful, but why didn't she like men. She seemed more suited to men; she's not what he pictured a lesbian to be. He couldn't see what someone as wholesome as Natalia would be doing hanging around someone like Olivia; a tough as nails business woman who devourers the competition like a shark in prey invested waters. He didn't know the Latina beauty very well. He knew that she had been married to the Spaulding's illegitimate son. Her late husband was a cop; he, himself is a cop. So maybe Natalia has a thing for cops. Frank always saw the ladies together, so he figured they must be good friends.

They proceeded to the large empty round booth and everyone sat down. Ava and Rafe were in the middle, Olivia and Natalia on each side of them, putting Natalia on the end. And Emma beside her mommy on the end. Buzz came out of the kitchen carrying a pizza to another table. As soon as he finished serving them he made a bee-line to the group.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Asked Buzz.

"We are celebrating!" Replied Emma.

"We have a lot to celebrate." Added Olivia.

Buzz knelt down to be eye level with Olivia's mini-me. Buzz always had a soft spot for Olivia. He was the first person that she leaned on after Maggie's death. He knew what she was going through having lost his wife Jenna.

"Oh, do tell, Miss Emma. What are we celebrating? I must know to make sure I bring you the proper celebratory food." Replied Buzz.

Frank stifled a laugh upon hearing his father dote on the little girl. He threw the towel in his hand under the counter and went into the kitchen. He couldn't watch his father hang all over the group anymore.

"Well, Rafe is home safe. That's the most important thing. And I got an A on a project I did for school. I just presented it to all the parents at Parent's Day. And…" Emma trailed off.

She brought her hand up and crooked a finger at Buzz beckoning him closer.

"And Mommy and Ma are getting married!" Said the little girl.

Natalia and Olivia had not told anyone outside of the family except for Phillip and Beth that she and Natalia were engaged. Olivia is a private person, so only those closest to her knew about the engagement. As for Natalia, she had no family left and no one she consider as close friends.

"Well, that is a lot to celebrate. I think this calls for ice cream, all around and it's on me." Said Buzz.

Frank had just come back out and heard Buzz giving away food on the house. He hated when he father did this. Even though the place was Buzz's to run, Frank still tried to get him to keep the profits or lack thereof in mind. Buzz disappeared into the kitchen to get their ice cream. Frank busied himself at the counter folding napkins trying to work up the courage to go over to the group and ask Natalia out. Finally after nearly 10 minutes had passed, he decided to make his move. He walked over to the group and put on his best smile.

"Good afternoon, everyone."

"Hi Frank. You remember Natalia and her son Rafe?" Said Olivia.

Frank acknowledge Rafe first and then turned his attention to Natalia. Just as he opened his mouth to address Natalia, Buzz came back with the ice cream. Frank stepped to the side to allow his father to serve them.

"OK, here we go. One sugar-free strawberry milkshake for Rafe. We are glad to have you home safe and sound, son." Said Buzz.

"Thank you, sir." Replied Rafe.

"For Ava, a cup of chocolate frozen yogurt and for Miss Emma, a chocolate Sunday to celebrate her getting an A on her project."

"Thanks, Buzz." Replied the little girl.

"And last, but most definitely not least, rocky road for Natalia and butter pecan for Olivia. Congratulations, I know you'll be very happy." Said Buzz.

A clueless Frank asked for clarification to his father's accolades.

"Congratulations for what?" Asked Frank.

"Mommy and Ma are getting married!" Exclaimed an excited Emma.

"Ma?" Questioned Frank.

"Natalia and I are engaged. We actually have been for a few months now, we just haven't shared the news with very many people yet." Added Olivia.

"Engaged? I don't understand?"

"What don't you understand Frank, they're in love and people in love get married." Said Buzz.

"I know that, Pop; but weren't you married to a man before." Asked Frank to Natalia.

"I was, Rafe's father died a few years ago. When I met Olivia, I knew I found the person I was meant to spend the rest of my life with."

"But she's a woman and you were married to a man."

Natalia was now getting frustrated wasn't this man who kept questioning her was supposed to be a police officer? Natalia stood from the booth. She saw Olivia start to move and then Emma to allow her Mommy out of the booth. She held her hand up to Olivia for her to remain seated.

"Frank, I barely know you. My personal life is of no concern to you. I would appreciate it, if you would keep your questions and comments to yourself. My family and I are trying to enjoy our ice cream and celebrate the wonderful events that have recently occurred. So if you would please leave us alone." Said Natalia.

"But I don't understand." Whined Frank.

"Come on, Frank. Let's go. I'll explain it to you." Said Buzz pulling his son away from the table.

Natalia turned back to her family and sat down.

"Mommy?"

"What JellyBean?"

"Aren't police officers supposed to be smart?"

"Yes, Em, they are, but I guess it doesn't always work that way."

Emma looked over her shoulder to Buzz and Frank as they approached the kitchen door then turned back to her Mommy.

"Do you think I should go explain it to him?" Asked the inquisitive little girl.

"No, Baby. Why don't you let Buzz do that. Let's eat our ice cream before it melts!" Replied Olivia trying to redirect her daughter's mind.

After the ice cream was consumed, the group headed for home and Ava back to the Beacon.

That night after making love with her fiancé Olivia had a revelation. She knew when and where she wanted to marry Natalia, on Valentine's Day in the Beacon's Botanical Garden. She also wanted it to be a surprise. If she could manage to pull it off without Natalia finding out, this would be huge.

She had barely a month to get everything planned. She enlisted help from Rafe, Ava, Sam, Phillip and Greg. Olivia held off telling Emma for fear their little girl might let something slip. Ava and Greg handled getting the garden ready and decorated to Olivia's specifications as well as dealing with the florist for the additional flowers; they also worked with the Beacon pastry chef on the wedding cake and planning the reception. Olivia handled getting the rings, their dresses and the music. She put Sam and Phillip in charge of the honeymoon. Her only request was that it was somewhere warm, sunny with a white sandy beach and clear blue ocean waters and that it was gay friendly. Rafe tagged along with Olivia and helped however he could.

Rafe was getting creative in his excuses to his Ma whenever he would disappear for an afternoon here or there. One such afternoon he was tagging along with Olivia while she visited her attorney Mel Boudreaux.

"Olivia, come in." Said Mel as she ushered Olivia and Rafe inside.

"Mel, I'd like you to meet Raphael Aitoro, my future step-son."

Mel and Rafe exchanged pleasantries and they made their way to the small conference table in Mel's office and took a seat.

"Olivia, I have all the changes you've requested and the new paperwork as well."

"Alright, let's have a look."

Rafe felt lost. Mel and Olivia were talking over different things; it almost sounded like a different language to him. He would catch a few words here and there, but wasn't exactly sure of everything the ladies were discussing. Rafe was sitting beside Olivia, so she didn't really see his discomfort; but Mel did. When she made eye contact with Olivia, she gave a slight nod of her head in Rafe's direction. Olivia immediately realized he was baffled by what they were discussing.

"Mel, let's start over." Said Olivia as she reordered the papers that they had discussed.

Olivia then turned to address Rafe.

"Rafe, I'm sorry if we were talking over your head. I didn't mean to. I asked Mel to make some changes to my will and custody for Emma. Basically, I want your mom to have full custody of Emma. Phillip has agreed and once we marry and your mom signs this, she will legally be Emma's mother too. In the event something should happen to me, she'll continue with the same arrangement I have with Phillip. This is my power of attorney. If I become incapacitated and unable to make decisions, jointly, your mom and Ava will do that. This is also a POA, but it is specific to medical decisions. Again, your mom and Ava would jointly make decisions. And I am changing my will to leave Ava, Emma, you and any other children that your mom and I might have a sizeable trust fund. Ava would get hers immediately because she is over 25, but you and Emma would not get your until your 25th birthday. The rest will be left to your mom. You each would get a share of the Beacon, with your mom being the majority owner. None of you would need to work again for the rest of your lives."

Rafe couldn't help his eyes bugging out at Olivia's statement to the amount of money she has. She saw his shock and knew that it would take some time for him and Natalia to get used to having so much money.

"It's OK. I have a financial advisor and Phillip also helps me. Once your mom and I get married, I want to combine our accounts, but I'll have to wait on that. I know this is a lot to take in and understand, but it's necessary to have everything in order so that you, my family, is protected." Added Olivia.

"I don't mean to be so lost, it's just all the legal terms and stuff."

"I know. That's one of the reasons I wanted you here. Unfortunately, this is something that we all have to do." Replied Olivia.

They finished going over all the documents. Mel asked Rafe to sign on all the documents that required a witness signature. A few of the documents would not be finalized until after the wedding and Natalia's signature has been added.

Before long they were on their way back home making up their excuse for where they were. Olivia didn't know how she was going to pull this off without Natalia finding out, but she was bound and determined to try.

TBC…