Previous Disclaimers Apply

Chapter 50

"You…You're…Sit, sit." Rattled off a very surprised Mrs. Rivera.

Natalia went over to the sofa in her wife's office and sat down.

"Ok, I'm sitting. What are you doing here and where's Papa? Does he know you are here?" Asked Natalia.

Even though Natalia had very little love left for her parents, she was concerned that her mother was defying her father by being here in Springfield. She knew her father to be a stern man and one not to cross, her life as a single mother is proof of that.

"Natalia, I, I don't know how to say this…" Replied Mrs. Rivera.

Olivia came over to the ladies and squatted down beside her wife who was seated at the end of the sofa. Natalia's mother had sat down beside her daughter.

Natalia was getting very nervous; she knew whatever her mother had to tell her it was not going to be good.

"Natalia…" Started Mrs. Rivera.

"Mama, please just say whatever it is." Begged Natalia.

She unconsciously reached for her wife's hand and Olivia was there supporting her as best she could.

"Your Papa, he's, he's gone to be with God." Said Mrs. Rivera finally finding the words.

"He's, he…when?"

"Two weeks ago tomorrow."

"Two we… why are you just telling me now?"

"It was sudden and he, when we got back from seeing you… It was his wish that you not attend the funeral."

"I, why, never mind. So why now? Why come here now?" Asked Natalia.

"First, I have something I need to say, something that I wish I had the courage to say all those years ago, but it wasn't my place. Natalia, I'm sorry, so sorry for how your Papa treated you. I tried to talk him out of throwing you out of the house, but nothing I could say could convince him to let you stay with the baby."

Natalia dropped her head, she was hearing this from her Mama; wishing she too, had heard it all 20 years ago.

"I know there is nothing that I can say or do to change the past, but I wanted you to know I never wanted you to go. I didn't care about the shame or criticism, I cared about you my daughter and my grandchild. He wouldn't hear any of it. It was only later that I found out why."

"Why what?"

"Why he was so set on cutting you and the baby from our lives."

"So, why did my Papa throw me out with the garbage?"

"Your Papa, well, the woman who raised him…"

"Maria, my grandmother?"

Natalia had only heard stories about her grandparents, her Papa's parents. Her Papa's father died before she was born and she only has a few scarce memories of her Papa's mother.

"She was not his, how you say biological mother."

"She wasn't?"

"No, your Aunt Rosa was his mother. She got pregnant at 15; the boy refused to marry her. His parents even went so far as to move away. They felt that Rosa was not the right kind of girl for their son. Your grandparents were furious. They threaten to throw her out when she refused to give the baby up. So they came to an understanding…Rosa and her mother went away for the summer to visit family in California. When they returned with the baby, your Papa, everyone was told that he was Maria's. Your Papa was raised thinking that Rosa was his sister when she was actually his mother."

Natalia was reeling hearing this information. She never knew. She reached up to her head to wipe the bit of sweat that her formed there. Olivia saw this and reached to her wife's face too. Natalia felt warm to the touch; Olivia figured that her blood pressure was elevated. She quickly grabbed a bottle of water from the mini-fridge in her office and offered it to her wife. Natalia did takes several gulps of water.

"When did he find out?"

"On Maria's deathbed. She had long since buried her husband and Rosa did not make it home until the day of the funeral. Once Rosa was old enough and capable to be on her own; she made plans to move out away from her parents and take your Papa with her. Her parents refused and banished her from their lives. They saw redemption in their grandson. Your Papa often spoke of his sister Rosa, wondering why she had left; her never understood why until the woman thought to be his mother was dying."

"I don't understand Mama, if Papa was hurt so bad by this why would he do the same thing to me?"

"When Rosa came home for the funeral, your Papa would not listen to anything that she had to say. He said that she was dead to him, that she was not wanted and to leave. She did. I never saw her again until your Papa's funeral. Somehow she had heard of his death and came to pay her respects. After the funeral I broke down and told her how her lies had hurt your Papa and caused him to banish our only child from us. I suppose that in your Papa's mind to spare your child the shame and hurt of growing up being lied too that sending you both away was the best thing to do. Once it was done, he never had the courage to undo his actions. And I was not strong enough to fight him on his decisions."

"When did you find out all of this?" Asked Natalia.

"When your Papa retired, his work threw him a very big party. He had too much to drink. Several of his friends had to help me get him home. When your Papa has too much, he gets very nostalgic and talkative. I heard enough of his broken story to put it all together. I waited a couple of days, because he was not in the best frame of mind the next morning. So I finally asked him and he broke down and told me the story."

"I thought I had convinced him enough to try to find you, but his pride, he couldn't let go of his pride. Oh, Natalia, can you ever forgive me?" Said Mrs. Rivera in tears.

"I…I don't know. Mama this is a lot to take in. I need time to think."

"I understand."

Mrs. Rivera stood and pulled a piece of paper from her purse handing it to Olivia.

"Here's my phone number. I'll be on my way. I can still catch the last bus back to Chicago…"

"No, Mama wait…" Said Natalia struggling to but eventually standing.

"Don't go yet. Stay. You can stay here, Olivia?"

"Yes, I can arrange a suite…"

"No, I cannot afford something as nice as…"

"No charge Mama, please. Don't go yet. I just need a little bit of time to digest all of this. I may want to discuss this more with you before I decide if I can forgive you and let you back into my life, my son's life and my new family's life."

"OK, I'll stay. I'll do whatever you want. I know I have no right to ask for your forgiveness, so whatever you say, I'll do."

"Mrs. Rivera? Would you mind waiting for me in the lobby?" Asked Olivia realizing that her wife had heard enough.

"Yes, of course."

As Mrs. Rivera reached the office door, she turned back to her daughter and her wife.

"Natalia, I never stopped loving you. I prayed every night that you and your child were happy, healthy and safe. I can see now that my prayers were answered. Good night."

Olivia could see that her wife was beginning to breakdown, emotionally. She went to her and wrapped her in a tight but loving embrace. She moved her to the sofa and guide her to sit down again.

"You wait here. I'm going to get your mom settled, I'll be back and we'll decide how to finish up the baby shower. OK? I love you." Said Olivia.

"I love you too." Replied Natalia sealing their declaration with a kiss.

Olivia went back out to the lobby and had Greg reserve a suite for Mrs. Rivera. Based on the glare she was giving him, she knew that he would keep his mouth shut. Olivia knew that her wife would not want Rafe finding out that his grandmother was here until she was ready to tell him. She then escorted Mrs. Rivera to a suite. Very few words were said until Olivia was exiting the suite.

"Tomorrow, Mrs. Rivera, please wait for Natalia or I to contact you." Said Olivia, not asking but telling the woman to abide by her daughter's wishes.

"I will."

Olivia was at the open doorway when she said her final good night.

"Please feel free to charge room service to the room. There is a full stock of toiletries so you should have everything you'd need for the night. Good night, Mrs. Rivera."

"Good night, Mrs…"

"Olivia, Mrs. Rivera, please call me Olivia."

"Olivia."

The hotelier quickly headed back to her office and found her wife just where she had left her a few minutes ago. She immediately sat down on the sofa and Natalia collapse into her wife's arms. Olivia just held her and rocked her as 20 years of tears came flowing out. Olivia wasn't sure how much time had passed when her wife seemed to have finally shed the last tear over her and her parents estrangement. Olivia was ready with the tissues to which Natalia accepted and went about freshening up from her hard cry.

"Can we just go home?" Asked Natalia.

"Sure. You want me to say your goodbyes?"

"Yes, I don't think I can face all those people. I'll wait for you in the car."

"Alright, come on then."

The ladies walked back out to the lobby. Olivia handed her keys to Greg and asked that Greg walk her wife to their car while Olivia went to say goodbye and thank you to their guests. Everyone was a bit curious as to why Olivia was saying good bye without Natalia but no one really questioned it except for Rafe.

"Where's Ma? Is she OK?" Asked Rafe as Olivia was gathering her and Natalia's purses.

"She's OK, just feeling a bit emotional with all of this." Replied Olivia.

"Come on, JellyBean. Time to go home." Called Olivia to Emma.

"Would you and Ava handle getting all of the gifts home?" Asked Olivia.

"Yeah, sure. You're sure Ma's OK?"

"She is, just needs some rest. Today has been a long day."

"OK. We'll see you at home in a bit."

"Thank you, Rafe. You are a great son. Your Ma and I love you very much."

She watched as the young man blushed slightly and then shrugged away to go gather the gifts.

Olivia and Emma headed for the parking lot and then for home with Natalia.

TBC…