As she sat around the table eating Sunday dinner surrounded by friends and family Olivia had to wonder if this was God's way of paying her back for all the horrible things she did in her life before falling in love with Natalia. Her girlfriend was sitting opposite her and her children were scattered between but what made this meal one step from hell was the beautiful blond sitting beside her eldest daughter, Dr Diane Martin. Earlier she'd wracked her brain trying to come up with a viable excuse to get out of the two hour event but was immediately shut down by a set of angry eyes. "Listen I'm going to have to miss dinner tonight because I have that"
"You will be at dinner tonight and that's that" Natalia had said as she walked away. So here sat Olivia forced to watch that bitch at her own table making goo goo eyes at her daughter.
The weekend had started off simple enough although there were a few tough questions from Emma but that wasn't uncommon because most of Emma's questions were hard. Why can't we move back to the farm? Why can't Derek's play with me? Why are you sticking your tongue in there? But this morning was on a whole different level. Natalia was busy folding up the laundry while Olivia and Emma cleaned up the living room. Even Max was in on the choirs and thoughtfully rearranged the DVDs that were within his reach before they were promptly snatched away. Olivia detested housework. The only thing she hated more than domestic drudgery was the look of frustration on her love's groan when confronted with a previously clean area that Emma and Max had torn through. As a result she was vacuuming the carpets when Emma's tense face caught her attention. "What's wrong Bean? You know the faster we finish with this the faster we can get to the park" she reasoned trying to motivate her daughter. Not that she blamed her for feeling a little disgruntled, dusting had never been her favorite either.
"Mommy why isn't Max's skin the same as ours?" Olivia heard over the loud motor before she turned around to face the questioner. What the hell? The first time that Emma saw Max in the hospital should have been the perfect platform for such a concern so why was it being posed now almost seven months later? The nine year old had never asked such a question even when she first began noticing the differences between individuals such as males and females or tall and short. The only thing that Olivia could come up with was someone or something had prompted the inquiry and she wanted to figure that out as much as she wanted to reassure her daughter.
"What makes you ask that Em? You know Max's daddy has a different skin color than ours and that's why Max's is different" Olivia responded trying to keep her voice light and completely devoid of the tension that filled her body.
"I know but" Emma said before swallowing the rest and shaking her head in what looked like defeat.
Olivia walked over and took the girl in her arms and sat them both on the coffee table making sure to avoid the oiled spots "But what?" she asked kissing the girl's creased brow.
"But Tommy called Max a" Emma began again before she promptly stopped and dropped her head onto Olivia's shoulder.
Inside of Olivia there were several opposing emotions fighting to take over but she was determined to stay calm and think this through. There was immediate and visceral anger and outrage that anyone adult or child would have the nerve to disparage anyone in her family. Fear and anxiety rallied close behind overwhelmed with the possibility that her grandson would have to endure such taunts and ignorance for the rest of his life. Finally there were resignation and determination to prepare her children to meet the coming challenges in their lives. "Tommy called Max a what Emma?"
"He called Max a bad word and said that he was an abom" Emma said before she pulled up her head to scratch her chin and attempt again "abomabration. And I told him he was a"
"Emma Spencer Spaulding I do not want to hear you repeat ugly words" they both heard from the kitchen.
"But Ma"
"Don't Ma me Emma. Whatever Tommy said does not bare repeating and definitely not what you said" Natalia said coming towards them with Max crawling close behind. The last thing Olivia wanted was to listen to a lecture of piety and humility but she knew that her usual response to this wasn't going to be appropriate especially for a nine year old. "Emma some people will say hurtful and spiteful things when they don't understand something but that doesn't give you the right to return that anger. Do you understand?"
Emma pulled away and looked at both her female caretakers with the skepticism that Olivia felt but hoped was not evident and carefully responded "I should be better than him?"
"Not better baby just more tolerant. So the next time someone says something hurtful to you about anything at all I want you to tell your teacher and then I want you to tell your mommy or me. Okay?" Eventually Emma was comforted and wandered off when she saw Max starting to chew on one of her controllers. However Olivia wasn't going to be reasoned with as easily and after the children left assured her girlfriend of such. "Don't"
"Why do you always say that to me?"
Natalia laughed and responded "Probably because you're always thinking of something you shouldn't" before she tried to take the other woman in her arms only to encounter raised hands. "Olivia" she tried again.
"Some bastard taught their son to be an ignorant racist asshole and"
"Keep your voice down!" Natalia said as she pulled the other woman towards the stairs. "Em watch Max your mom and I are going up stairs for a bit" Once they got behind closed doors Olivia snatched her arm away but after seeing the pain on Natalia's face reached over and kissed her lips softly.
"I'm sorry" she whispered as she hugged the Latina close "but it makes me so angry that someone would say something so hateful and hurtful about someone I love. Who the hell does this person think he is? Who is he to make ignorant statements about my grandson to my daughter" Natalia didn't say anything but instead kissed her love back deeply and tried to impart all the concern and warmth she felt in the intimate contact. After a few moments holding on to each other Olivia's body loosened and she was finally able to respond calmly. "Thank you"
"So I should shut down all your rants this way?" Natalia laughed.
"Yeah it might make for some interesting meetings with the staff but I'm willing to make the sacrifice"
That was earlier today but her mood had only improved a little and certainly not enough to tolerate dealing with Dr Martin for a long drawn out meal. Today was one of the few that Olivia would have favored a return to her mother's silent and brooding dinners as a child. The food and drinks were on the table as were the best dishes and flatware. All that was missing were her daughter and her new girlfriend, who happened to be running over twenty minutes late. Natalia had cooked all her favorites hoping a satisfied Olivia would forestall any difficulties with the conversation however that plan was quickly going to hell. Even mild tempered Emma was voicing loud protests at the thought of cold roast beef and hard garlic mashed potatoes. After looking at the clock and her watch and her cellphone for the third time since the movie went off Olivia made an executive decision. "We are eating now" and the house was flooded with yells of thanks from hungry Emma and a happy to be yelling Max.
"Olivia they're probably on their way"
"Well they should've started thirty minutes ago because right now we are eating with or without them" but just as she was strapping Max into his high chair the front door opened and she heard a familiar voice saying "I know I know we're late" and felt Max thrash his limbs up and down in an attempt to get closer to his mommy.
"Sorry mom" Ava said as she hugged her from behind and then kissed her grinning son. Traitor Olivia thought as she looked down at him. Natalia and Emma were still in the living room talking but she couldn't hear to whom.
"I'm assuming you brought her"
"Of course, I told you I would so you be nice" Ava warned taking her son back onto the living room. There was some merlot breathing in a decanter and there didn't appear to be a better time to see how it had aired then this. By the time she got back to the living room Natalia had her arms wrapped around Ava and Emma was trying her best to teach Max how to crawl. The doctor was standing in the middle of the floor laughing at the two children and looking back at the indulgent faces of the two mothers.
"Glad that you two could finally make it" Olivia said trying to contain the growl but knew the effort wasn't very successful by the warning glances from her wife and daughter.
"That was my fault Ms Spencer. I insisted on trying to find the best gift possible for you and Ms Rivera"
"So you brought us a box of rocks?" Olivia asked looking down at the container by Natalia's feet.
"Mom I got that for Emma's geology report next week" Ava huffed. "This is for you and Natalia" and presented Natalia with a non descript bottle of red wine.
"Thank you Diane you shouldn't have and I told you to call us Natalia and Olivia" Natalia responded before she smiled at her wife willing her silently to do the same. When she looked at the label she realized that the shiraz had to set the young woman back a considerable amount and was a good indication of her good taste. It was also presumptuous that it would be enough to garner her Olivia's good will.
"Thank you for the fine wine and yes I insist that you call us by our first names" but if the woman knew even an iota about body language she'd say the name Olivia only on pains of death. But that wasn't even the worst of it. No not even watching her usually sensible daughter fawning over this hussy or said hussy tickling her grandson were as bad but after she was finally able to sit down and eat her girlfriend's meal they were summarily interrupted as soon as the first forkful was halfway to her mouth. "What the" she started before she dropped it and moved the answer the ringing doorbell. "This had better be good" she said as she threw the door open. "You wanted something Doris?"
"I told you Holly and I would be over to get Emma for Clarissa's sleep over tonight"
"Shit"
"If you want us to come back" Holly offered with a smile.
"Yeah maybe you" Olivia said before she saw both Holly's and Doris' eyes and mouth change and heard her daughter gasp. "Doris and Holly were just here to pick up Em" she explained but before she knew it not only was she back in front of her plate but Doris and Holly were sitting around it as well. Just what she'd looked forward to all week eating a Saturday meal surround by her daughter and her lovers. Joy. The only thing that made it halfway bearable was Dr Martin looking just as uncomfortable as Olivia felt however Ava wasn't looking any better.
"This is Diane's first visit to our fair city maybe you could suggest tourist spots" Natalia asked of Doris and then turned towards the doctor to comment "there isn't anyone who knows this city like Doris"
"I don't know whether that's a compliment or a put down" Doris laughed and soon the rest of the adults at the table followed suit. It was the first thing that was said in the twenty minutes since the couple's arrival that wasn't tense or awkward.
"Yeah Nat I thought you were the nice one" Ava added.
"So I take it Springfield isn't just any regular berg"
"Oh God no unless"
"Its as normal as any other place" Olivia said looking round at the faces daring anyone to contradict her.
"Well you should know as a psychiatrist that normal is misleading" responded Holly with a slight smirk.
Taking Ava's hand and kissing his softly Diane said "What I do know is that Ava is always saying how much she loves this place and how much affection her voice has when she speaks about it"
"Then I guess we'll be seeing you again then" Natalia asked.
"You'll be seeing as much of me as Ava allows"
"It won't be much because Spencers aren't known for sharing" Ava laughed. After that everyone except for Olivia were openly talking and enjoying themselves. She had to watch Holly practically interview Diane and then rolled her eyes as Diane thanked Doris for being such a good friend to Ava. It was enough to make Olivia gag from being so sickingly sweet. Emma, Holly, and Doris were on their way into town but not before Diane conned the women into sharing a meal with her and Ava before she returned back to Chicago next week. Just how many people did this bitch intend to get on her side Olivia wondered but knew of one that never would be.
It was the only time that Olivia had ever been grateful that it was her night to do dishes. Hell she'd even dry if it meant Dr Jackass being gone by the time she was finished. But she knew she'd spoken too soon when a hand picked up the drying cloth hanging on the edge of the sink and asked "Do these dishes go back in this cupboard? They look like they're for a special occasions"
"No they don't but you don't have to worry about it. Natalia and I can put them up after you're gone" Olivia said turning towards the woman and wanting to pull the cloth from her hands but not daring to move any closer to the blond.
"Listen Ms Spencer I know that you have some misgivings about my relationship with your daughter but"
"I have more than misgivings Dr" Olivia started and then looked towards the open door before inclining her head towards the laundry room and waited for Dr Martin to join her. If she wanted to get into this then they would but Olivia wasn't going to be punted back to the Beacon for the weekend if she could help it. "As I was saying I certainly do have misgiving as you call them about you and my daughter. Your former patient Dr Martin. I think there are laws about that. Criminal laws in fact"
"You're right. I've done the one thing that I was taught was the worst abuse any physician could inflict on their patient especially a psychiatrist."
"I guess you got over it"
"I fell in love. I have never felt this way about anyone. Ever. And I have never crossed any lines with any other patient, or colleague, or instructor. I have always drawn a clean and defined line between my personal and professional lives. Your daughter is the only one I've ever risked everything I have for. If I could have ignored this or forgotten her I would have but I couldn't"
"I want us to be very clear. I don't trust you. Ava was in your care because she needed your expertise not because she needed to fall in love"
"I"
"Don't say anything. Listen" Olivia warned holding up a finger. "My children and my grandchild are the most important people in my life. If I found out that you were taking advantage of her or were using her for some sick"
"Ms Spencer please, I would never hurt your daughter. I love her. For the past two months she and I have spent every free moment on the phone getting to know each other"
"You know her plenty don't you Dr Martin. It was your fucking job for sixty seven days to get to know my daughters darkest most intimate secrets" Olivia said getting more and more upset but trying to keep her voice from raising to alarming levels.
"You're right I do but it's become more than that and she knows me just as well. Please Ms Spencer I know that you have absolutely no reason to trust me. I admit that I've taken liberties with your daughter that I promised the state and myself that I would never take but its only because I love her so much. I'm willing to spend the rest of my life proving that to you. Proving that to anyone that would doubt what we share"