almightyzan: I love playing around with the characters both original and not. I feel like the direction everyone is going due to circumstance and thier own personalities is pretty close to how it would have happened had these things gone down on the show. Emma's take down of Frank is something I'm quite pride of. I'm glad you're excited about updates, but I'm also happy you're not letting them interfere with work lol. One of those mysterious phone calls will be revealed in this chapter. The other will have to wait a while. And as far as this being one of the best fics you've read (blush) lol thank you.
leftlady70:Yes...the fan shall be covered in shit lol. Things are about to get VERY interesting.
Once again thank you everyone for reading. MORE REVIEWS! I'll be more inclined to quicker updates the more I get. HINT HINT!
A/N: And I'm back! I have for you 53 pages of AWESOME! Now it's a little long so it will be split into two parts. Enjoy!
Title: Risen From The Ashes
Pairing: Olivia/Natalia Doris/Blake Francesca/Daisy
Rating: MA for strong language, adult situations, violence, blood, drug use.
Slightly AU most invents remain the same with a few concentrated changes to the Otalia storyline.
Summary: A mysterious stranger comes to town and changes the lives of Olivia and Natalia forever.
I do not own the songs, movies, comic books, and character's referenced and or depicted in this story beside Phoenix and her co-horts.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and their Good Friend
Testosterone, Estrogen, Anger, Secrets, and E…
"You and your chief cousin can do all the damn talking you want Doris, but I want his head on a spit!" Olivia's voice boomed off of the walls of The Farmhouse as she fumed. Her pacing form was filled with tension as Doris watched her eyes flash dangerously.
The Mayor of Springfield had thought she'd witnessed Olivia Spencer's fury. She thought she knew what it looked like to watch Olivia transform into the force of nature the rest of the world knew to steer clear of, but looking at the furious women in front of her Doris realized she had yet to see Olivia Spencer truly enraged. What made the situation all the more frightening was the fact that Natalia – sweet and loving Natalia – was just sitting there on the sofa not saying a word. Her face was a blank mask of steel while her usually warm and welcoming brown eyes were dancing with promises of things Doris rather not see come to fruition. Her lithe body was taught and controlled in a way the older woman had never seen her normally docile friend carry herself. Natalia's pinpoint gaze tracked Olivia's pacing with a calculated ease; almost as if she was seconds away from agreeing to whatever psychotic plan Olivia would surely be concocting in her head.
"Olivia," Natalia's cool and calm tone tinged with huskiness sent a shiver of unease down Doris' spine. "Sit down please."
Olivia spun on her heel right in front of Doris who was seated in the chair in front of the window and focused her steely gaze on her fiancé. With a deep intake of breath and a sigh Olivia went from sixty to zero in less than a second. Doris watched in a sort of morbid fascination as Olivia calmed herself quicker than she had ever remembered her friend being capable of. Olivia walked over to the sofa and sat slowly next to her partner. They shared a look for a short moment before turning back to their waiting friend.
"Frank backed our daughter into a corner. This all could have been avoided if he would have been professional enough to at least pull her aside and question her. Instead he called her out in a restaurant filled with people. She had a choice to either be arrested which would have brought consequences none of us want to face or to bring attention to herself that could possibly bring consequences none of us want to face." Natalia began with the same tone of voice that left Doris feeling more than a little nervous. "The unveiling of her scar will bring questions, and in this town when people have questions they look for answers."
"And someone finding those answers will lead us to a fight I'm not sure we're ready for," Doris added.
Olivia squeezed Natalia's hand. She could feel the way her lover's body was winding into a tight coil just waiting for the chance to spring free…and attack. "We're ready. When the time comes rest assured there will be hell to pay." It was not arrogance that colored Olivia's voice but a confidence bred from knowing more than the other guy. Doris watched her friends carefully – neither of them flinched away from the inquisition. Doris nodded knowing that there was more to it, but didn't feel comfortable enough verbalizing her question. These two were in such a state that she was sure she did not want to be the one to cut the string that was holding together their self-control.
"Where is everyone?" Doris was surprised that the entire house wasn't up in arms and marching for Frank's blood. Or perhaps they were and she was just being skillfully detained while the problem was being taken care of. She wouldn't put it past the house of Spencer-Rivera to be so sly in their approach.
"Rafe is upstairs with Ashley. She's keeping him in check at the moment which is very much appreciated." Olivia pinched the bridge of her nose as she felt herself calming even more – the adrenaline that had built up after answering Reva's phone call leaving her veins. Was it rationale to be pissed off about the fact that you aren't so pissed anymore? Why hadn't she popped that asshole one good time when she had the chance? She would have been totally justified. She chuckled internally as she remembered who did take a shot at Frank. If nothing else he'll be the laughing stock of the SFPD for being taken down by an eight year old girl. She could only imagine the heckling he would receive upon entering the squad room.
"Ava is still talking to Remy, Christina, and Lea. Lizzie is helping her carefully explain the delicacies of the situation without giving anything away. They're making sure no one will spread any gossip. Hopefully we'll be able to keep this as contained as possible." Natalia too was feeling the crash from her rush of adrenaline that left her with questions about herself she'd rather leave unanswered. She had never felt such anger before in her life.
"Who is handling Reva? Surely you're not going to leave that gossiping old busy body unattended?" Doris scoffed as she straightened the lapels of her jacket.
"Reva knows better," Olivia quickly interjected. "She doesn't know how dangerous Chess' situation is, but she has an idea. She likes her too much to spread any gossip about her. I hate to admit it but we can depend on her through this."
"She will shut down any gossip if she hears it," Natalia spoke as she nodded in agreement with Olivia's previous assessment of her frenemy.
"Francesca is upstairs with Daisy. Surprisingly enough after her initial outburst she's been pretty level headed. I'm afraid that's because she's preparing herself for the eventuality of the opening of a can of worms. She has been very determined to keep her family safe despite her presence here. Her words not mine." Olivia sighed as she leaned back on the sofa and pulled Natalia closer.
They both knew that Olivia was right. There was a storm brewing in Francesca. They always knew what to expect when Phoenix was angry, but what they were completely unprepared for Francesca's unraveling. It was only a matter of time before the reasonable and rationale part of her snapped under the pressure. Even still there was one thing that seemed more frightening; the day Francesca and Phoenix were of the same accord and lashed out as one. Gossip would be the least of their worries if that were to happen.
Doris pursed her lips in thought as the alarm to the front gate dinged, alerting them to a visitor. Natalia got up swiftly and went to the kitchen. She spied Blake through the security camera before letting her in.
"Blake is here, "she announced from the doorway before turning back to the kitchen to make coffee.
It wasn't long before a quietly talking Olivia and Doris heard Natalia open the back door and greet Blake. The two women came into the living room – Natalia carrying a tray of coffee mugs – and sat next to their respective partners. After the coffee was all passed around Blake took a sip and cleared her throat.
"I can't believe Frank would accuse Phoenix of doing drugs." She looked around the room as each woman twitched in some small form. Olivia's eyes narrowed slightly. Natalia blinked slowly, and Doris canted her head to the side.
Doris turned back to her friends and took a steadying breath. She really wished she didn't have to ask. "If we really want to discredit Frank's outburst we have to be able to prove without a shadow of a doubt that it was completely unwarranted. Now if need be and this is completely off the record…would she indeed past a drug test?"
Olivia bristled as Natalia jumped to her feet. "What are you asking us Doris? If we allow our child to use drugs under our roof?"
Doris flinched away from her friend's ire and once again steadied herself as Blake began to shoot questioning glances about the room. "I would never insinuate such a thing regarding the two of you as mothers. What I'm asking is if you are absolutely sure that she has not in fact been using behind your backs."
Olivia rubbed her brow as she grabbed Natalia's hand and coaxed her back down to her side. She knew that from Doris' point of view the question was completely valid. "Yes Doris, we're sure. We have repeatedly told her it's not necessary, but she drops for us at least once a week. Even without it we would notice; she is a completely different person when she's using. She's been clean since she moved in."
Doris huffed a sigh of relief and folded her hands across her lap. "Good. As far as I can tell the best course of action I can take is to consult with the Chief about Frank's unprofessional behavior. He accosted a minor and made baseless accusations in a very public setting. We all know he holds a grudge towards your family. It stands to reason that he misused his authority to try and intimidate your daughter with said grudge in mind. I do have to warn you that he will not be terminated."
"What!" Olivia screeched. "Why the hell not Doris?"
Doris put up her hands in a placating manor as Blake reached over to rub her back. "Think about it Olivia. We don't want him digging around because he's angry. You've already taken away his job at his family's restaurant. Taking his badge away from him will insure that he goes looking for payback. Publicly no one knows a thing about Francesca. He'll start there…we don't want that."
Olivia growled in frustration conceding that her friend once again had a point. Natalia leaned heavily into her side as she began to rub her thigh soothingly. Blake watched them closely for a moment before she spoke up.
"What's really going on here? You're obviously talking over and around the real issue. What's the big deal? And how the hell did that girl get that scar?"
Doris shook her head. "It's best if you don't know."
Just as Blake made a sign of protest Doris waved her hand and shook her head; forestalling her comeback.
"Blake sweetheart I'm serious." The solemn look in Doris' eyes scared her girlfriend a little. "This is not me keeping anything from you. This is not us wanting you to stay out of the loop. This is us doing our best to protect everyone as best we can."
As Blake eyed Doris she began to realize truly for the first time that her friends were in a very dangerous situation. Before any other words could be spoken Olivia's cell began to ring. She looked down at the screen and cursed.
"Hey Rick." She cringed at her much too cheerful tone as Natalia's eyes rounded in slight alarm. They had been avoiding the doctor sense the status of Olivia's heart had changed. Rick had been calling both of them incessantly for weeks. "I know, but I'm really busy Rick so…" Olivia pinched the bridge of her nose. "Well one would think that if I wasn't feeling well I would come in. Okay well Natalia would drag me in." Olivia listened as Rick berated her for her negligence on the other line. "I'm fine Rick really. Never felt better." And it was true she hadn't. Her new lease on life paired with all the training she'd been doing had left Olivia the healthiest she could ever remember being. "Okay…Okay I heard you the first time. I'll have my assistant schedule something." Olivia hung up the phone. "Shit."
"Swear Jar," Natalia half-heartedly chided as she grabbed her lover's hand. "We knew we would have to deal with him eventually. So we go to the appointment. Let him run his exams and tests and then well…" Natalia trailed off as Olivia caught the gist of what was left unsaid. No they didn't allow their child to use drugs, but computer hacking was something that couldn't be avoided. Olivia just rolled her eyes.
Daisy waited patiently with her head resting on Francesca's shoulder as her girlfriend ran a gentle hand through her hair. To be completely honest Daisy hadn't expected to reach this level of intimacy with the younger girl so quickly. Granted they were lying innocently on Francesca's bed – their arms wrapped securely around one another as Daisy ran her hand softly across Francesca's bare left arm – still Daisy was surprised that Francesca was comfortable holding her in this position. She tried desperately to push the realization from her mind that the only reason Francesca was allowing it was because Daisy wasn't laying completely on top of her. Finally the silence became too much for her.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Daisy shifted so that she could look up into Francesca's expressive eyes.
"Yeah Daze I'm sure. I understand why everyone is waiting for me to flip my shit and go berserk, but I'm not going to do that. I just want to be happy. I can't do that if I allow every idiot that causes a problem to bring me down. My moms will handle Frank…it's their job so I'm going to let them do it."
Daisy grinned happy with her girlfriend's growth. "Damn. I was hoping I'd get to watch you punch a hole through something else."
Francesca started laughing. "You're such a little smart-ass."
Daisy giggled a little as her girlfriend shifted them to a half-seated position so they were leaning back on the head board. She sobered a little after a thought crossed her mind. "What if he starts asking questions?"
Francesca felt herself plummet for a moment at the scared little voice Daisy had just spoken in. She didn't want her girlfriend to be afraid of anything. "I have already linked into his computer and phone at the station as well as his cell. I'll know if and when he starts digging. Don't worry…if he tries anything there will be a brick wall at every turn."
Francesca ran her hand across Daisy's cheek before gently taking her chin between her thumb and forefinger. "I will never let anything happen to you."
Tears pricked at Daisy's eyes. The devotion shinning from Francesca's eyes and the fierce sincerity in her tone caused Daisy to question if she had every really truly been loved until now. She shook her head and sniffed before pecking her girl on the lips. "It's not me I'm worried about."
It took two days. Two days for the verdict to be passed down to Frank from his superiors that he was on disciplinary leave of duty for two months without pay. Two days for Olivia and Natalia to stop picturing Frank's body in various states of mutilation. Two days for Natalia to return to herself, and feel secure in her morals. Two days for a handful of people in town to stop looking at Francesca as if she was some sort of specimen in a jar. Two days for Frank to finally reappear in public sporting a nasty black eye and bruised cheek. An injury Frank tried to downplay while Olivia and Francesca berated an unapologetic Jonathan.
The Spencer-Rivera women were standing in a bridal shop being fitted for dresses. After careful consideration it was decided that Rafe would be their best-man (he'd be standing with Olivia) and Ava would be their maid of honor (she would be standing with Natalia.) Emma of course would be the flower girl and would join Francesca as a bridesmaid. Doris would preside over the ceremony, and before Olivia and Natalia officially left for their short honeymoon they would make a quick stop in Iowa to pick up a marriage certificate.
During that particular discussion Natalia had made quite a few faces at Olivia who made more than enough snide comments. "The fact that a state filled with nothing but good ole' boys and corn is more progressive than the rest of the country is pitiful." Natalia had been making dinner and did not feel up to listening to her lover go off on one of her tangents. So she simply nodded while being silently grateful the law had passed just in time for their wedding. They would at least have a piece of paper with their names on it that acknowledged them as a married couple. Even if it wasn't recognized in every state…including their own. The small fortune they were spending to obtain all the legal rights any straight couple would automatically obtain just by signing their names made Natalia more than a little disgusted. She mused that one was never much of an activist until the issue hit too close to home.
"Ma. Ma. Ma come look. MA! LOOK! MAMA LOOK!" Emma broke Natalia out of her thoughts by repeatedly calling for her…very loudly.
Natalia's eyes went wide as she looked around the shop. There were a few attendants chuckling due to Emma's excitement. Ava and Francesca were on the other side of the shop with Olivia – each one of them nitpicking with one another and the attendants helping them with the two sibling's dress fittings. Natalia rushed over to Emma.
"Emma sweetie," Natalia said in a deceptively sweet tone that did little to hide her chiding. "That does not sound like your inside voice," she reminded with a shake of her head as her voice rose a few octaves. The little girl took the moment to look chagrined. She apologized quietly to the patient woman pinning the material on Emma's dress.
Emma's exuberance was only quelled for a moment before she was back to happily admiring her dress. She was trying really hard to stay still for the nice lady…she really was. "It's so pretty Mama," Emma gushed with a sense of awe. She'd never worn such a pretty dress before.
Natalia smiled at her little girl and kneeled down to her face level. She brushed a few locks of hair from Emma's face. "The dress is pretty Em and you look very beautiful."
Emma beamed even brighter at the complement coming from her Ma. She was one of the prettiest women ever, so that was big coming from her. A thought crossed the little girl's mind at that point and she began to frown. "Thank you Ma."
Natalia's brow furrowed at Emma's contemplative tone. "What's wrong Jellybean?"
Emma huffed and pouted. "It's too pretty, and like you said I do look really good in it," Emma hedged as the attendant looked up at Natalia with wide-eyes and an amused smirk. "Mommy said that you're not supposed to show up the bride…so I can't get this dress." She was completely serious which is what caused the attendant to snort and Natalia to hold in a laugh.
This kid is just too much.
"Well Emma the good thing about this particular wedding is that there are two brides. I think your mommy and I combined will do just fine…even with you looking so good." Natalia stood and pat her daughter on the head lovingly. Emma took her words into consideration and nodded her head in agreement.
"Okay Ms. Emma we're all done here. Why don't you go with Cynthia and get this dress off and then I'm sure she could find a snack for you."
"Thank you Laurie." Emma smiled at the woman before being guided back to the dressing rooms by Cynthia who seemed to have materialized at the mentioning of her name.
"It seems like you have your hands full with that one," Laurie mused with a laugh.
Natalia shook her head. "You have no idea. She's such a little sweetheart, but sometimes she has the personality of someone three times her age."
Laurie nodded in commiseration. "I've been there with my girls."
Natalia cringed as once again she heard the voice of someone (who belonged to her) being raised across the shop. Soon people would think they had no home training and were raised in a barn. Natalia and Laurie approached Olivia, Ava, and Francesca in the midst of their argument.
"Mother would you stop it?" Ava swatted Olivia's hand away from her. "Let them do their jobs."
"All I'm saying is they're a little too tight in the bust."
"I think she understands that Mother," Francesca added with a grumble as she shot an apologetic glance the seamstress' way.
Natalia realized the two were officially annoyed. Ava only called Olivia mother when she was exasperated and her sister had picked up the habit.
Olivia looked over at Francesca than sighed as she took another look at her feet. She could have sworn she told her to change those. "And really Chess? You couldn't have worn any other shoes?"
The girl just looked at her feet and shrugged. "What? They're Dolce and extremely fashionable." Francesca rather liked her black ankle length combat boots.
"Oh really," Olivia's pitch rose considerably. "What they are my dear child is fashionably combative."
"Ooooh…I like that. Can I use it," Francesca asked sarcastically before rolling her eyes.
Olivia sighed before she noticed Francesca shift awkwardly; her girls were being squished.
"See. Look at this." Olivia tugged at the tightness of the dress demonstrating what little room she had to wedge her fingers between the material and her daughter. She looked over to the women helping them and raised an eyebrow before doing something that would go straight to the top of Francesca's 'Embarrassing Shit My Mother Has Done,' list by way of cupping the underside of Francesca's boobs and pushing them upwards. "My daughters have been blessed with breasts," she started with a glare at the seamstress "…and those breasts are suffocating."
Francesca's entire body turned beat red as she grimaced and covered her face with her left hand then wrapped her right arm around her chest.
Ava threw her hands up and groaned. "I swear to God, Mother if you turn into Bridezilla when we're this close to the wedding there will be a riot and I will be leading it," Ava threatened. Olivia stepped back from Francesca and glared at Ava.
Francesca took the reprieve and tried to regroup from Olivia's mortifying gesture. "Oh God," she mumbled. "I'm scarred for life," she spoke to no one in particular.
Olivia and Ava began to bicker back and forth in earnest.
"I see you have your hands full with these ones as well," Laurie commented.
Natalia just winced and scratched at her temple. "You have no idea."
"Look Ma they have cookies!" Emma shouted as she ran up to her.
Barn – Farmhouse…what's the difference again?
Rafe was sitting on the counter top in the kitchen when the girls returned home. He watched sandwich in hand and mouth full as the girls practically stormed into the house one by one. Francesca didn't spare him a glance as she moved swiftly up to her room with a scowl. Ava all but growled as she took a few cookies from the jar before snatching the fridge open. Never had Rafe felt such anger come from pouring a glass of milk. She sat at the table and didn't say a word. Natalia entered grumbling to herself before she gave Rafe an incredulous look and threw up her hands.
"You have got to be kidding me. Raphael get your butt off the counter and sit at the table," she commanded.
He hopped to it immediately and jumped off the counter silently. Moving with the caution one would upon encountering a wild animal he moved his plate and glass to the table, pulled out a chair, and sat across from Ava who was angrily dunking a cookie into her milk. As Natalia was pulling a container of ice cream from the freezer Olivia and Emma came in the house. Emma skipped giddily through the kitchen.
"Hi Rafe…I can't wait till you see my dress. It's awesome!"
"I'm glad you got the perfect dress Munchkin," Rafe complimented. Emma clapped happily before she hugged him and made her up out of the kitchen to scamper up the stairs.
Ava huffed and stuffed another bite of cookie in her mouth as she grumbled. "Yes the dress must be absolutely perfect."
Olivia shot a glare her oldest child's way before she joined an agitated Natalia who was now drizzling her vanilla ice cream with chocolate and caramel sauce. She then grabbed some cookies from the jar and went to the table practically slamming her bowl down. Olivia began angrily scooping ice cream for herself. Olivia soon joined them at the table with her ice cream and cookies. There was an eerie silence blanketing the table. Each woman looked as if she were seconds away from screaming as they ate.
Rafe cleared his throat nervously. He really had no idea what to say. Dress shopping couldn't be that bad could it? He wasn't so sure, but from the looks of it they had all pissed each other off somehow. The only one who was happy about the outing was Emma. Before he could comment there was a loud slam from upstairs that could only be Francesca's door.
"ARGH!"
None of the women at the table even acknowledged having heard Francesca yelling. Rafe began to feel even more alarmed as he heard her stomping down the stairs. She appeared in the kitchen doorway with narrowed eyes. She spotted the half-carton of ice cream on the counter and made her way over to it. She peered inside before grabbing the caramel and chocolate sauce. She poured some directly into the carton and began pilling cookies onto a plate. She went to the silverware drawer and stabbed a spoon into the ice cream. She stood at the counter and shoved the spoon full of ice cream into her mouth and bit into a cookie the most aggressive way possible. She grabbed the ice cream and her cookies and stomped to the kitchen door before abruptly stopping in her tracks. Her back went rigid before she turned with her full hands and looked at her parents and sister.
Olivia was the first of the women to notice her standing there. Before she could voice her question she too began to look at all of them. Ava angrily eating cookies and milk, Natalia angrily eating ice cream and cookies, Francesca standing in the doorway glaring with her ice cream and cookies in hand, and herself shoveling down ice cream and cookies into her mouth. She groaned. Ava and Natalia looked up. They had a moment of realization before moaning in dejection.
Rafe was so lost at the moment. What the hell was up with them?
Francesca whined. "I can't believe this!"
Natalia sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Figures."
Ava slumped in her chair with a shrug and pouted. "We synched up? All four of us? This is bullshit!"
"God damnit!" Olivia pounded her fist on the table causing Rafe to jump.
"Swear jar!" Natalia pointed to Ava and Olivia before looking them all over and sighing. "This is going to be a terrible week." She went to one of the cabinets and came back to the table with a bottle of Midol that Olivia and Ava practically wrestled over.
Rafe's eyes went wide and his mouth formed a large "O" as he finally got it. Jesus Christ! I have to get out of here…NOW! He shoved the remaining chips on his plate in his mouth, chewed as quickly as possible, downed the rest of his orange juice, and picked up his sandwich. "I'll uh…see you guys later," he rushed out before running from the house like his ass was on fire and jumping into the Nissan. Just my luck to be stuck in a house full of women on their periods. They're scary on a good day!
Francesca growled again before stomping her way back up the stairs and up to her room. She slammed the door again for good measure.
"Dear Lord God, give me the strength," Natalia prayed as Olivia and Ava were forcefully shoving a few pills into their mouths.
Daisy sat on the bleachers beside the basketball court laughing her ass of with Ashley. They were clutching their stomachs and rocking back and forth as tears poured down their cheeks. Francesca watched them completely unimpressed as she finished tying up her high-tops.
"It's not that funny," she replied in monotone.
"Oh I beg to differ," Ashley countered with a giggle as she wiped her cheeks. "Your mom totally groped you in public."
And more laughing. Francesca sighed. "She did not grope me. That just makes it sound all kinds of gross and wrong."
Daisy sobered a little and wiped her eyes. "Its okay baby, we've all been embarrassed at some point by our moms." Daisy put her arm around Francesca's shoulder and kissed her on the cheek.
Rafe walked up to them and dropped his duffel bag down onto the bleachers before sitting next to Ashley. "Hey chica," he greeted her while pulling her close to him in a hug.
"Hey yourself mi novio guapo," Ashley cooed as they pulled apart.
Rafe leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss that quickly turned heated. He pulled Ashley into him as she cupped his cheeks and moaned.
"Oh My God! MY EYES! MY YOUNG IMPRESSIONABLE EYES!" Francesca began to yell while shielding her face. She and Daisy started laughing hysterically as Rafe and Ashley hastily broke apart. They only laughed harder when Rafe began to glare daggers at Francesca.
"Now why was it necessary to block me like that?" Rafe jerked his head to the side indicating Ashley.
Francesca's brow furrowed to a comically low state as she tried to decipher the meaning of that head gesture. She didn't need to be hinted at about her brother's previous activity. She clearly saw him making out with his girlfriend. Sometimes her big-brother was so strange. "Just doing my sisterly duty I suppose," she shrugged before leaning back against the bleachers. Daisy happily followed her and curled into her side as she wrapped an arm around Francesca's waist.
"Where is everyone anyway," Ashley questioned.
Rafe groaned. "Don't rush them. I need this to last as long as possible. Large amounts of male bonding and testosterone is needed before I set foot back in that house."
Daisy and Ashley laughed at his horrified expression. Rafe grumbled while Ashley tried to make him feel better. Daisy noticed how quite Francesca had gotten. Somehow she just knew that her girl was thinking about things they both really wished she didn't. Daisy noticed while they were becoming friends how much more on edge Francesca was when she received her monthly visitor. She knew the younger girl saw it as nothing but a slap in the face. It was easy for her to recall her words on the matter. It's like hey, here's a constant reminder of what you can never have. There were no words that could comfort her when she got this way so instead Daisy just hugged her even tighter.
There little moment was broken up not too long after that as Bill walked up to them from the parking lot. He raised his hands in the air. "Its okay everyone now that I am here we can get started."
Rafe and Francesca snorted as they broke away from their girlfriends and went to greet Bill. Remy and Cyrus showed up next. Everyone said their hellos as the guys changed their shoes. Once everyone was ready Francesca stood and discarded her t-shirt; leaving her only in her basketball shorts, sports bra, and padded sports sleeve. Daisy's mind went AWOL for a moment.
Look. At. Her. Abs. And those pelvic lines. They're like instructions. Place hands here, grip fingers there, and anchor thumbs here. Why yes I think I will.
"Daisy!"
"Huh, what happened," Daisy gave a start as she snapped out of her Francesca induced haze.
Everyone was looking at her funny.
"You okay babe?" Francesca ran a careful hand across her girlfriend's forehead.
"Oh yeah I'm fine. It's just a little…hot," Daisy lamely replied with a gulp.
Francesca frowned before walking onto the court. She gave a backwards glance before turning back to the guys that were waiting for her to practice for the tournament tomorrow.
"Is that drool?" Ashley giggled as she pointed out the small bit of saliva resting on her best-friend's chin.
Daisy scoffed. "What? No." She discreetly turned her head to the side and wiped the back of her hand over her chin. She rolled her eyes at herself when it came away a little wet.
"Mmm hmm," Ashley smirked.
Remy beckoned Francesca to his side with a wave of his hand. She watched as his eyes darted from her covered arm to her face. "You alright Jean?"
Francesca grinned at the nickname. When she and the guys got together they always somehow ended up in some argument over comic books, much to their wives and girlfriend's displeasure. The name had stuck after a discussion of whether or not Phoenix – an alien life form that had for a time inhabited Jean Grey's body – was evil or simply misunderstood. She could tell that he wanted to hug her or something, but didn't know if it would be accepted. She smiled and wrapped her arm around his sturdy frame for a side hug.
"I'm good Gambit." Remy Lebeau (Gambit's real name) was way too close for Francesca not to stick her friend with the moniker.
Remy smiled and nodded his head. "Listen if you need someone else to talk to…I'm always a phone call away."
Francesca quirked her head to the side. "Someone else?"
Remy rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I saw you…coming out of my mom's office the other day."
Francesca's head screamed with warnings, but she couldn't deny the sincerity in her friend's words. "Thank you Remy. Just…have you told anyone else about what you saw?"
"No, of course not. I of all people should know enough about a patient's rights then to go spreading that around."
"Good…good. Remy," Francesca waited until she had his full attention. "Don't ever tell anyone that I'm seeing your mom okay? This is really important."
If word got out that she was seeing Felicia, her shrink would be yet another name on a list of people that would be in danger if trouble came to town. It would stand to reason that Francesca would have told her everything. Her therapy wouldn't work otherwise.
Remy eyed her for a moment – taking in her fierce need for him to really understand. He shot another glance at her arm. "Not a soul," he assured. And he wouldn't tell a soul; not even his wife.
"Thanks."
"Guys," Cyrus called for them a little annoyed. "We're ready to start practice when you are."
They both rolled their eyes at him. "Let's go before the Crocodile Hunter over there has a conniption," Francesca urged.
Natalia walked into Olivia's office and found her fiancé in quite the state. She was sitting at her desk sans heels, slumped down in her chair, and sporting the biggest pout Natalia had ever seen as she sulked.
"Oh Princess," Natalia pouted in commiseration, walked behind Olivia, and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. Olivia tightly gripped the arms that were comforting her. "It's not that bad I promise."
"Yes it is," Olivia whined sounding very much like their youngest child. "We've never bled at the same time."
Natalia grimaced. "Please don't word it that way. It just sounds so…vivid. Besides there has never been so much estrogen flowing in the house either. We've all gotten really close," she pointed out.
Olivia let out a pitiful chuckle as she urged Natalia around her until she was sitting in her lap. "I get that, it's just…" Olivia huffed. "Now neither of us can get a happy."
Natalia burst out laughing. "A 'happy' honey? Really? Exactly how do you come up with all these
colorful ways to describe our love life?"
Olivia gave a dejected shrug. "It doesn't matter because it is now a defunct love life."
Natalia wrapped her arms around Olivia's neck. "One week baby, that's it."
Olivia looked at her as if she were insane. "A week, lying in bed, next to you, and I can't do anything about it. Oh joy."
Natalia chose to ignore that and brought the conversation to a more pressing matter. "So are we going to acknowledge the giant lizard clad in Vera Wang in the room?"
Olivia rolled her eyes. "I am not Bridezilla." She felt even more annoyed when Natalia gave her a disbelieving look. "I'm not. I just want it to be perfect."
Be it a business arrangement, doomed love, or for all the wrong reasons all five of Olivia's previous marriages had been disasters. The weddings (if the marriage actually started with one) had been all wrong. Mostly they were about smoozing and a showing off of wealth. She realized after some time that she had felt like nothing but a trophy. She just wanted this one – the last one – to be perfect.
"Liv do you or do you not recall the argument we had last week about the invitations?"
"Yes I do, and I stand by the point I was trying to make in said argument."
Natalia quickly stood. She could not believe this beautiful woman sometimes. "You wanted to put and addendum at the bottom in fine print stating the names of dances that wouldn't be permitted at the reception."
Olivia stood and pointed at Natalia. "Yes I did," her tone rose to that pitch. You know the one that left Natalia unsure of whether or not she should take her lover seriously. That pitch that was both indignant and goofy. "Have you seen Matt and Rick dance? It's like watching the end of that movie Rafe and Chess thinks is so damn funny that no one else seems to get."
Natalia's eyes slowly swiveled in her head as she tried to think of the movie Olivia was talking about.
"You know the one with that special needs kid who was helping his friend run for class president?"
Natalia started giggling. "Olivia baby, Napoleon was not special needs."
"Well you could have fooled the hell out of me. All I'm saying is that our dance floor will not be usurped by the likes of the Sprinkler, Running Man, Cabbage Patch, Macarena, The Worm or its moronic half cousin The Centipede, The Robot, Moon Walk, Hammer Time, or The Electric Slide. Also Cody has been informed that if he even thinks about playing the Chicken Dance or YMCA when the band isn't on he will be killed in his sleep."
Natalia had been laughing the entire time Olivia rattled off her list of "Cliché Dance Moves Punishable by Death or at the Very Least Expulsion from Our Wedding."
"You think it's funny now, but you won't when Doris starts a conga line just to spite me."
"Okay I understand the no conga line, but no slide? It's like a wedding must," Natalia pouted.
"What the hell kind of weddings have you been to?"
"Fun ones," Natalia fired back.
"No slide honey."
"Can't we at least compromise? No slide but what about The Cupid Shuffle?" Natalia gave Olivia her patented pout that brought with it the full force of her dimples.
Olivia felt herself crumbling under its weight until she realized she had no idea what Natalia was even talking about. "The Cupid Shuffle? What the hell is that? If I don't know how it's done then it's a big no go. "
"It's not necessary to know how to do it Liv, the song tells you."
"What does that even mean?"
Natalia gave Olivia a patient look before taking off her heels and going to Olivia's computer. She turned on the large conference monitor mounted to the wall, started the internet, and went to YouTube on the internet. "I'll show you."
Fifteen minutes later.
"So Ash they didn't even give you a clue as to what this meeting was about?" Francesca really didn't understand the reason for the cryptic message Olivia had given Ashley.
"Nope, she just said to make sure all four of us came right over after your practice."
"Huh." Francesca racked her brain for possibilities as the two couples rode the elevator to the top floor.
They all piled out once they reached their destination and walked through the newly finished lobby. Francesca opened the glass door to the suite of offices for Daisy. Rafe then took the door from his sister so that she and Ashley could pass through. They clasped hands with their respective partners and walked down the hall towards Olivia's office. Halfway there Rafe stopped in his tracks bringing Ashley to an abrupt halt with him. Francesca and Daisy stopped walking at Rafe's wide-eyed stare into nothingness.
"Rafe sweetie, are you okay?" Ashley squeezed his hand to get his attention when it became evident he hadn't heard her.
He turned to Francesca with a look of abject horror on his face. "You don't think…?"
"Think what bro?"
Rafe cut his eyes to Daisy then back at her then to Ashley. He bobbed his head a few times trying to guide his sister to his train of thought. It took a few seconds for the light-bulb to go off.
"Oh God no," Francesca looked at Daisy with a grimace.
"What are you two freaking out about now?" Daisy was still getting used to the strange dynamic of the Spencer-Rivera siblings.
"What if they called all four of us here to give us…The Talk," Rafe whispered.
Ashley gave an undignified squeak of shock as Daisy blanched white. The Talk…never have two words given a teenager a greater thrill of fear and humiliation.
Francesca tried to calm them all down. "They wouldn't do that to both of us at the same time though right?" She looked to Rafe for validation.
"Are you kidding me? These are our parents we're talking about. They probably think it's more convenient this way. Plus they get the added bonus of scaring the hell out of our girlfriends who just so happen to be best-friends."
"It's like some evil system of checks and balances with an added insurance policy," Francesca trailed off as different scenarios went flying through her mind with abandon. She could just imagine their moms calling Ashley when she was on a date with Daisy to ask questions about their whereabouts to see if they could catch them doing something they weren't supposed to and vice versa.
That was the thing about teenagers. It didn't matter if they were good kids who followed the rules. They still enjoyed the feeling of knowing that they could get away with something if they wanted to. Everyone took a deep breath and steadied themselves before they continued walking albeit a little slower than before.
"You guys remember that scene in The Wizard of Oz when they were walking down that long hallway the first time they met the wizard?"
Once again they all stopped and looked at Rafe. Francesca snorted. "Tell me dear brother are we here to ask for your courage or brain? Perhaps both?"
"Oh shut up Chess."
"At least there aren't any munchkins hanging from the ceiling," Francesca mused.
"Dude it was a bird!" Rafe shot back.
"It was not a damn bird. It was a hanging munchkin!"
"I've looked at that scene and I know for a fact it was a bird."
"Yes it is a bird, on the DVD version but not on the VHS. They edited the scene when they re-released the movie!"
"Everything isn't a conspiracy theory Chess."
"Until it is!"
"Why would the actors keep skipping and singing when it was right there in front of them then?"
"Judy Garland was a professional. The show must go on."
"It wasn't a stage play. They could have stopped and re-shot the scene."
"Hey!" Ashley shouted to get their attention. Daisy just stood back and smirked as she shook her head. They had argued about this too many times for it to bother her anymore. Personally she didn't really want to put all that much thought into the idea that there could have been a suicide munchkin in a movie she watched as a kid. "Seriously you two I am so done listening to you argue about this…again!" Ashley leveled them with a look. It was rare when the girl showed her annoyance with their bickering so the two siblings looked sufficiently chided.
Once they got to the end of the hall they noticed Keira grinning like a fool behind a magazine right before they heard the muted thud of music coming from Olivia's office.
"What's going on in there," Ashley asked her co-worker.
"You have to see it for yourselves," she laughed.
The four teens shrugged before Rafe knocked on the door.
"They won't hear you just go in."
Ashley shrugged before Rafe opened the door and let them all in. Four sets of eyebrows shot up as Francesca quietly shut the door behind them. A giggling Olivia and Natalia were in the middle of the floor with their backs to them dancing along to The Cupid Shuffle that was blasting on the conference monitor. To be completely honest it was quite impressive the way the two were dancing and how they had put their own personal spin on the moves.
All four teens looked to each other and covered their mouths as small gasps of laughter escaped them. Rafe pulled out his phone and started recording them. Francesca put her fingers to her lips and moved behind her mothers and began dancing the moves with them.
To the right, to the right, to the right, to the right
To the left, to the left, to the left, to the left
Now kick, now kick, now kick, now kick
Now walk it by yourself, now walk it by yourself
As Olivia and Natalia were turning to their left to continue the dance they finally noticed Francesca in their peripheral vision.
"Gah," Olivia jumped and clutched an equally startled Natalia.
The four teens finally allowed their laughter to bubble out and just about fell all over each other.
"Hey guys. Whatcha doin?" Francesca needled them as they flitted around shoving their heels back on. Olivia swiftly shut down YouTube and plopped down in her chair.
"Nothing," Olivia glared. She really didn't want to admit having enjoyed that dance.
"Didn't look like nothing." Rafe grinned big at them.
Natalia nervously bit her bottom lip and shot a look to Olivia who was trying her best not to look embarrassed. "We were just discussing possible dances to do at the wedding."
"Hmm. The Cupid Shuffle is always a winner," Francesca agreed. Olivia shot her a look. She shrugged. "I live my blackness vicariously through Remy, Christina, and Mel."
"Was that racist," Ashley basically mock whispered to Daisy who gave her a look of confusion. "I'm just asking because I need to know before I retell this story to my mom."
"You better not!" Olivia pointed a finger at Ashley in warning. Daisy and Rafe continued to laugh.
Ashley took the warning to heart before jumping in on the razzing. "Ooh what about The Time Warp?"
Olivia groaned as Natalia looked lost. "The what?" Rafe seemed just as confused.
Francesca, Ashley, Daisy, and Olivia all shot mother and son a look.
"You've never seen Rocky Horror?" Olivia seemed almost appalled.
"I don't like scary movies," Natalia defended.
Francesca laughed. "It's not a scary movie Ma it's a parody."
Ashley nudged Francesca and Daisy. The three grinned at each other before Francesca bounced over to Olivia's computer and pulled up YouTube again. She pulled up the scene from the beginning and laughed as Riff Raff and Magenta started singing. She and the two best-friends began jumping around and waving their arms spastically. Rafe took that at his opening to begin recording on his phone again.
At "It's just a jump to the left," the girls fell in line and right into the dance.
"Oh God. Someone shoot me," Olivia moaned as Rafe and Natalia laughed at the girl's antics.
And then a step to the right
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust that really drives you insane,
Let's do the Time Warp again!
By the time Olivia slammed her finger down on her mouse and clicked the internet shut once again Natalia and Rafe where in tears.
"Awww come on Mom," Francesca playfully whined.
"No…just no. The last thing we need is our friends and family pelvic thrusting at our wedding."
"You wouldn't think that if we could get Alan to do it," Francesca pointed out.
Natalia's laughter became unmanageable after that and a grin spread across Olivia's face at the visual.
"Oh man could you imagine Granddad doing that?" Rafe gripped his stomach as Natalia leaned heavily into him.
It took a while after that for everyone to finally calm down, but once they did everyone found a seat. Natalia was perched atop the corner of Olivia's desk as the woman herself remained seating in her desk chair. Rafe, Ashley, Daisy, and Francesca sat in the four chairs in front of them in that order. The teenagers were nudging each other and grinning – still holding on to a bit of the laughs they'd shared.
Natalia cleared her throat and crossed her arms over her chest and Olivia sat up straight in her chair. The two women became suddenly rather imposing to the teens.
"Please don't. Please don't. Please don't," Ashley began chanting under her breath.
"Don't what Ashley?" Natalia was worried about the color her assistant was turning. Rafe and Daisy nudged her.
"Stop it," Daisy warned. It was possible they didn't even want to give them…The Talk.
The four of them became a stoic front line, refusing to give anything away. Olivia and Natalia shared a glance. They would address that later.
"First off," Olivia began as before she opened a drawer in her desk. "Rafe you'll need these." She tossed him a set of keys that he caught easily. He gave them a questioning look. "Those are too your office."
His face lit up like a Christmas tree. "But I thought it wouldn't be done until after Ava and Chess'?" The plan had been for Rafe's office to be finished last because he had been in college.
"I'm in no hurry," Francesca winked at him.
"You're right across from Ava. There is a list you need to fill out on your desk of things you may want added for personal touches. Keep in mind that it's your office where you will have to hold meetings so no extravagant little toys. This is a business," Olivia finished explaining. She wouldn't put it past him to ask for a pool table or something equally as ridiculous.
"And you'll need this," Natalia handed him a keycard that would give him access to just about everything in the building including the secret rooms located on the top floor. "I suggest you not lose it."
"I won't," he promised with a beaming smile as Ashley pulled him in for a hug. "Oh did you get the email I sent you?"
Olivia smirked. She along with Natalia had received an email of a detailed list of vendors that were interested in supplying the club, a number of police officers that would like to be bouncers when they were off duty, bartender applicants, expenses, and a number of other well thought out ideas for the club. "Why do you think we pushed up the timing of you getting your office? You're going to need a place to work."
"Thank you." There was really nothing else he could say.
"Now about this," Natalia reached behind her and retrieved Daisy's sketchpad from Olivia's desk.
"Oh thank you God!" Daisy practically launched herself at Natalia as the older woman offered her the pad. "I thought I lost it."
"Why would you think that," Olivia questioned. She noticed how Rafe sank down in his chair and narrowed her eyes at him.
Francesca noticed. "You had it this whole time?" He was lucky her arms weren't long enough to be able to reach over and smack him in the back of the head. "She's been freaking out about it for days and you didn't say a word," she accused.
"I had good reasons," he defended.
"Wait," Natalia put up her hand in a stop gesture. "Daisy you didn't know about this?"
The girl shook her head. "Know about what?"
"Rafe," Natalia intoned. "You pitched her without telling her about it?"
"Um…yes?"
Natalia and Olivia sighed before they turned their attention to Daisy. Olivia spoke up first. "It appears our son has made a promise he may not be able to make good on."
"What did he do and what does this have to do with Daisy," Francesca questioned. If he got her into some out of control situation she was going to put a hurting on him during the next training session.
"Rafe you didn't get her in trouble did you," Ashley questioned. He shook his head in the negative.
Daisy was getting really nervous about everyone talking about her as if she wasn't even in the room. She raised her hand. "Can we back track here for just a second?"
"Sorry," Natalia began. "As you all know Rafe has pitched us an idea for night clubs, but what he apparently failed to mention was that the architect responsible for the designs he would like to use doesn't even know that they were given the job."
Ashley clapped her hands excitedly as Francesca shot Daisy the proudest look anyone had ever given her. "Me," she squeaked and pointed a finger to herself. "I'm not an architect…at least not yet. I haven't even been to college. I'm only going to be a senior this school year. These club designs," she waved her sketchpad. "They're just ruff sketches."
"So you can do better?" Olivia was starting to like where this was going.
"Well yeah…these weren't anything serious. These designs are just something I was playing around with after watching Chess and Rafe play DJ Hero."
"You were inspired," Olivia led.
"Yes. The clubs in that game are unbelievable…concepts that I don't think have even been used in real life."
Natalia smiled patiently at her. "Daisy can I ask you a serious question?" When she didn't deny her request Natalia continued. "Which would you rather do? Build up a hefty student loan bill going to college. Spend a year or two interning with some company who has yet to take you seriously, only to have to spend even more years trying to get your foot in the door. Or would you like to skip all of that and learn in the field as you work and are mentored by a professional architect who can help steer you around the curves?"
"I…"
"Ma didn't go to college either and she's a CEO. Hey I never went to college and look at me. Haven't even finished high school," Francesca grinned as she put an arm around Daisy's shoulders.
Daisy rolled her eyes. "You were an eight year old high school junior. You're a genius. I'm not."
"Some people are geniuses at things others aren't. You're what we child prodigies like to call a late-in-lifer."
The room was quite for a moment before Olivia spoke up. "Listen I understand if you would like to take a bit of time to think this through and talk to your family. Of course you'll be able to finish high school while working…we can be flexible with your schedule. This deal is a once in a life time opportunity Daisy. You would be under contract with us of course. It will start as a trial run with the club, and if all goes well you'll be able to do the next one also. After a few who knows maybe we could pull you in for a few hotels. The thing is if you're under contract with us your designs will belong to the company, but we would be willing to make certain accommodations for you to do outside jobs if you wanted to say design a museum or…"
"I'll do it," Daisy interrupted in a small voice.
"What was that," Olivia questioned with a knowing glint in her eye.
Daisy looked to her right at Francesca and grabbed her hand. Her girlfriend met her gaze and gave her an encouraging nod. She took a deep breath and spoke in a much stronger voice. "I said I'll do it. You're right…this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm not going to waste it."
"Good," Natalia smiled. She ignored the huge breath her son let out. "Ashley why don't you take Daisy down to human resources so they can get her set up."
"We will be discussing the terms of your contract sometime next week so make sure either Buzz, Reva, or Billy is available," Olivia quickly added as Ashley bounced out of her chair.
"Yay." Ashley yanked a stunned Daisy out of her seat before ushering her out the door. "We'll have to have one of your grandparents sign off on everything but this is going to be so much fun."
Francesca started chuckling once the door closed. She put one of her feet up in her chair and leaned back; angling her body towards Rafe. "Way to almost shoot yourself in the foot big brother." She wasn't going to give him too much of a hard time. He did just hand her baby a golden ticket.
Rafe rolled his eyes before Natalia cleared her throat. "You gambled with that one Rafe. Luckily for you it paid of."
"Next time be sure to hedge your bets," Olivia sagely advised.
The two teens talked to their mothers for a while before leaving to join Daisy and Ashley downstairs.
"Well that when well," Natalia quipped.
Olivia snorted. "Ya think?" She began going through a list of prospective press agents given to her by Keira.
"So about that shuffle…" Natalia began.
"No."
"Yes!" Natalia cheered.
"Wha…I said no."
"I know that, but you have two types of no's; a no that means no and a no that means yes. That was a yes, no."
Olivia scoffed and a grinned at her lover. "It's scary the way you get inside of my head."
"What can I say, it's a gift."
Olivia went back to the list of applicants. A name all but shouted at her from the paper. "Well I'll be…" Olivia chuckled to herself before snatching up her phone.
"What are you up to now?"
Olivia pointed to the name that caught her attention on the list. "Remind me to get a gift for Keira."
"Will do." Natalia's cell phone chimed with a text message. "Oh Phillip is back. He wants to know if he can pick up Emma from day camp and bring her to the tournament tomorrow."
"It's hilarious that he always asks permission from you and not me. Does he think I'm going to go back to trying to shoot him or something?" Natalia shrugged her shoulders. "Tell him yes and he has some serious explaining to do," Olivia said with her hand over the receiver of her office phone. The line was picked up. "Guess who?"
The next morning found Francesca sitting in her favorite booth at Company working through breakfast. Since the tournament was later in the afternoon she wanted to get some work done early. She was currently putting together a report outlining the risks of a few of the hotels that had been procured during the Galaxy deals. Most of them had the potential to generate a large amount of revenue once revamped, but there were a few that due to their locations she would advise her mothers to resell for a profit. After all they had bought them dirt cheap from that moron Larry Decker. He probably thought he would pull one over on them out of spite by throwing in those dud properties. It was going to blow up in his face once he realized how much they had sold them for. The land alone was enough for some construction big wig to jump all over it. She felt rather proud to know that her parents trusted she and Ava enough to hand off deals to them for fine tuning once they had been made.
She took a sip of her coffee and hummed at the taste before her fingers went back to flying over the keys of her laptop. As she was reading through a financial report of one of the hotel properties earnings over the past few years she noted with little interest that Frank had walked through the door. They could fire the idiot, but they couldn't ban him from the restaurant…yet.
Too bad Buzz was in Oakdale checking out a diner that was for sell. She could really use the buffer should Frank decide to engage. She wasn't in the mood to knock anyone on their ass today. It figured her cramps would be extra uncomfortable due to circumstances she would not ponder at the moment. Francesca stopped typing for a short moment as a woman she didn't recognize came into Company and sat next to Frank at the bar. They began a rather hushed conversation that not even Francesca's hearing could discern over the breakfast rush. She sometimes found it amusing that her booth with its ample size was always empty when she came in; no matter how busy they were. It seemed people just knew not to sit there now.
She went back to her work. Five minutes later the woman that was talking to Frank was standing over her. Her long blond hair was done up in a bun with her bang swooping to the right and behind her ear. She was wearing a pair of tight fitting black jeans, simple heels, and a red short-sleeved peasant top. Her face was done in light understated makeup, and her eyes focused in on her like a laser. The way she looked at her made Francesca feel as though she were being accused of some heinous crime. She'd committed a few but highly doubted this woman knew of any of them. Francesca arched an eyebrow at the woman.
"May I help you?"
The woman let out an ironic sort of huff before speaking. "Do you mind if I join you?"
"It depends on who it is that's asking…and why."
The woman narrowed her eyes for a moment before sitting across from Francesca in the booth. "You would think you'd know whose daughter you were dating. Harley Cooper," she introduced herself and offered her hand for Francesca to shake.
Francesca grinned at Harley a little condescendingly before shaking her hand. "Phoenix." Francesca released Harley's hand and leaned back in the booth. "I have found it rather difficult to get to know my girlfriend's parents…seeing as how they're never actually around," Francesca stated coolly as she began to stack the files she had been studying into a neat pile.
Harley bristled noticeably at the jab and pursed her lips. "Let's just cut to the chase shall we?"
Francesca waved her hand in Harley's direction with a flourish. "By all means."
"My brother tells me you have a bit of a problem."
Francesca chuckled darkly. "I'm sure your brother has told you quite a few things…and not nearly enough." Frank is such a pussy for calling in his baby sister for help. "Tell me, do I look like a drug addict to you?"
Harley gave her a once over and shook her head. Francesca had gone into work to get the files and ever since she had been given her job she hardly ever went in looking anything but her professional best. "No…you don't. Still it doesn't mean that my daughter's involvement with you isn't cause for alarm."
"And her relationship with Grady Foley wasn't," Francesca countered.
"Reva had that under control," Harley shot back and for the first time realized that she wasn't dealing with your average teenaged girl.
"Yes Reva. I suppose she did…until she didn't. Then again there's only so much a grandmother can do."
The two sat silently staring each other down for a moment. Harley found herself impressed against her will at the fact the younger girl hadn't backed down. "You're very combative you know."
Francesca snorted. "Fashionably so." She continued at Harley's slightly confused look. "I can't help but be a little combative when a woman I've never met before, approaches me looking for a fight after being riled up by her woefully inadequate brother, who just so happens to be harboring a grudge due to his own…inadequacies."
Harley chuckled and put an arm on the table so that she could lean closer to Francesca. "You make it sound like he has an ulterior motive. I know my brother and he wouldn't try and play me like that. He's worried about Daisy because of you. After what he's told me I would have to agree."
"Let's dissect your little diatribe for a moment," Francesca leaned in after carefully folding her laptop and pushing it to the side. "The fact that you can't see he has ulterior motives here is a little disheartening. Truth is you don't know your brother because people change over time…and you've been gone a long time. He's not worried about Daisy. What he is, is looking for any way he can to get back at me for something I didn't even do to him. And as far as what he's told you goes please share. I'll be more than happy to defend myself against whatever accusations were made against my character."
They both leaned back in the booth. Harley crossed her arms over her chest and quirked her head to the side. Francesca folded her hands on the table and quirked her head in a move meant to mock Harley.
"Obviously, you're very intelligent for your age," Harley grudgingly complimented; beginning to list off things Frank had told her.
Francesca pursed her lips. "I'm very intelligent for anyone's age."
"You're a very beautiful young girl," Harley continued.
"Thank you. Your daughter seems to agree…as does your brother which was evident when he hit on me the first chance he got before he found out how old I am."
Harley rolled her eyes. Okay so that did sound like Frank.
"Are you going to continue to attempt to butter me up or are you going to go in for the kill?" Francesca waited patiently as Harley studied her.
"You have a foul mouth and an even worse temper."
"I do enjoy the gratuitous use of offensive language from time to time yes. As does any teenager. And I do have a temper but only when the situation calls for it. We all have our buttons Harley. That does not mean that I would ever use my temper on Daisy. She's too important to me to treat with anything but love and respect."
Harley chose to ignore the fact that the girl sitting across from her just admitted to loving her daughter. Anyone could say they loved someone. "Thank you for leading me to my next point. Apparently you're violent."
Harley looked prematurely triumphant to Francesca.
"I can be violent, but I am learning to grow as a person just like everyone else. I'm not out fighting in the streets. I'm guessing the situation with James is one of the examples Frank used?"
Harley nodded.
"Would you approve of anyone who would allow a boy who can't take no for an answer to manhandle your daughter right in front of them, while doing nothing to stop it?"
"No I can't say I would."
"Well there you go."
"You have a scar on your left arm. A scar that based on the description I got could only have been sustained from living a very dangerous life."
"We all have scars Harley…some of us are just better at hiding them than others," Francesca repeated in part words she'd spoken to Daisy what felt like eons ago.
"You're disrespectful."
"Depends on whether or not that person has earned my respect. Frank says I'm disrespectful…your father, daughter, niece, and ex mother-in-law say otherwise. Anything else," Francesca asked with a bright grin.
"You're trying to buy my daughter."
Francesca shook her head. She looked over at Frank who was sitting nervously at the bar and failing to look inconspicuous as he watched them. She winked at him and turned back to Harley.
"I don't need to buy Daisy. I had her before I bought her that car. I can understand why a parent would be uncomfortable with such an extravagant gift given to their child, but I didn't even think to take that into consideration. I didn't think you would care one way or another all the way from Greece. She works very hard here for your father and needed a means of transportation. She was struggling Harley, despite what little help anyone else was offering her. I merely took it upon myself to lighten the load. You do things like that for someone you care about. Also the car is in her name. I couldn't take it back if I wanted to…which I don't."
Another round of silence encompassed the table as the two stared at one another. "So I have it all wrong about it you, is that it? You're this perfect little angel who my daughter should feel honored to be dating?" The sarcasm dripping from Harley's voice grated on Francesca nerves, still she kept her cool.
"The words perfect and angel do not apply to me Harley. Even less than they so obviously apply to you," Francesca fired back. "And no Daisy should not feel honored to be with me – it's the other way around – and believe me…I do. It's up to you to form your own opinion of me. Not Frank or me even. You should decide whether or not you like me from your own personal observations. Although I'm not entirely sure that you have the mind biased enough to do that properly."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Harley was getting tired of being handled by this girl.
"You know exactly what it means. You had your mind made up about me before you set foot on a plane. Frank made sure of it."
Francesca noticed (with an internal groan) James walk through the door and sit at a table in the far corner of the room.
"I'll tell you what I do know. I know that somehow my daughter has decided she's gay without even talking to me about it. I know that she's involved with a girl who is far too mature in both looks and actions for my liking. I know that you're plying her with expensive gifts, and I know my daughter's knack for getting involved with the wrong people."
"There are a couple of points to that argument that make absolutely no sense whatsoever," Francesca pointed out. "Still it doesn't matter because you will believe whatever it is you want to believe. So now I have a question for you Harley because I'm sure Daisy doesn't even know you're in town; she would have called me. Why are you here harassing me instead of spending time with your oldest child?"
"I needed to see for myself exactly what she's gotten herself into now. She likes to surround herself with bad influences, Ashley being just about the only exception. I'm glad to see her only problem is a spoiled little rich girl. That can be solved easily enough."
"Is the fact that I am indeed female a problem for you?"
Harley didn't answer.
"Does it make you uncomfortable? Let me guess you're one of those people who spout off platitudes of equality and be who you are until it applies to one of your own. I'm offering her everything I have – gifting her every part of me. Who gives a damn if it's wrapped in newspaper?"
"My daughter isn't old enough to know what she wants out of life let alone a partner."
"I have known who I am as far as my sexuality goes since I was six years old and that hasn't changed. She knows exactly what she wants, she has practically all of it, and the rest will be coming to her. Not that you would know any of that seeing as how your absenteeism has left you in the dark on quite a few of the finer details. And as far as me being a spoiled little rich girl goes you couldn't be more wrong. Yes I have money but I am nowhere near spoiled. My feet are firmly planted on the ground as my head is to my shoulders. You see that boy over there?" Francesca pointed in James' direction.
Harley turned her attention to James Spaulding and did a double take at how big her ex-stepson had gotten. He was having a rather loud and heated phone conversation. It was obvious he was complaining about something.
"Spoiled little rich kids are never happy. They know there's always an opportunity to have better – that they'll be given more. It makes it impossible for them to appreciate what it is they already have. You buy them the newest shiniest toy and it will amuse them for a time…then a newer shinier toy is released on the market and they drop the not so old one like a bad habit. They're also selfish. Even though they are no longer entertained with the old toy if anyone were to come along and try to play with it they're quick to snatch it away and proclaim 'mine.'"
Harley aimed a rather unimpressed look Francesca's way. "I'm not here to talk to you about James Spaulding."
"Of course you aren't. You're here to discuss Daisy and my relationship with her. The thing is I'm a little hung up on why you feel as though you have the right to question me on the matter."
Harley shot a glare Francesca's way that would have flayed a lesser person. She was utterly unaffected. "Daisy is my daughter and I don't want her hurt. I want what's best for her and you're not it."
"Because you know me so well."
"I know enough."
Francesca snorted ruefully. "You've been told what you consider to be enough from a not so impartial source. Besides what makes you so sure you know what it is that's best for Daisy?"
"I'm her mother," Harley fired back hotly.
"You say the word 'mother' as though it is merely a title – as though it gives you some sort of unquestionable right. It doesn't…being a mother isn't a state of office. It is an obligation, a duty, a God given responsibility."
"You know nothing about what it means to be a mother little girl," Harley hissed.
Why do people keep fucking calling me that! "You may have a point there, but this is what I do know," she mocked. "I know that you gave Daisy away when you were no longer amused by her infantile adorability. I know you decided years later to rip her from the only mother she had ever known after feeling a bit nostalgic. I know that when you got her back you just barely paid attention to her; too enthralled by your new kids to care. I know that when you couldn't deal with losing the man you loved you ran. I know that instead of doing what a mother should have done you left her behind and moved half-way across the world. I know that you took Zack and Jude and her ex-boyfriend with you but not her. So now you hear that your daughter could possibly be involved with someone you wouldn't approve of and here you are barging back into her life to lay down the law." Fire danced in Francesca's eyes as she listed all the things that angered her the most about Harley's treatment of the girl she knew she would love forever.
"Exactly who the hell do you think you are?" Harley's loud voice cut through Company like a knife. All went silent as everyone's attention was drawn to the back booth. Frank edged a little closer.
"Let me tell you something girlie…"
"Phoenix…or course," Francesca interrupted haughtily.
"Right Phoenix," Harley shot back snidely. "Understand this; I am here to protect my daughter. I will not be playing any games with you."
"Aren't you though?"
"Watch yourself little girl," Harley growled.
"Look lady…"
"Harley," she pointedly interrupted.
"Right Harley…of course. You are not some spoiled little rich kid and my girlfriend is most certainly not a toy that you can drop and pick up whenever the hell you please." Francesca stood and quickly gathered her things. "You keep on thinking whatever you want about me because I honestly could care less. You made it very easy for me to be confident in the fact that any negative light you try to paint me in to Daisy will be thoroughly ignored. So no problem their either. You have anything else to say about our relationship take it up with my parents like any normal adult would instead of hounding me." She began to stride purposefully away from the woman who would be the bane of her existence for the foreseeable future.
"Gladly, give me their names," Harley stood and yelled after her.
Francesca paused in her exit and turned back to Harley. She took in the woman's serious face and laughed. "Oh this is just perfect," she focused her eyes on Frank making sure Harley's eyes followed her. "No ulterior motives indeed." Her eyes quickly found Harley again. "It seems to me you and big-brother have a few things to clear up; his blatant slip of the mind being the most paramount of significance." She stormed past Frank. "Pussy," she insulted before exiting the restaurant with every eye trained on her.
She stormed through the door only to be stopped just outside by Dinah and Mel.
"Whoa, whoa hey where's the fire?" Dinah stopped her by placing her hands on Francesca's shoulders.
"Is everything okay? You need us to call your moms," Mel followed up.
Francesca shook her head and roughly rubbed her face with her hand. "I win," she declared to Dinah angrily.
"Win what?
"My future mother-in-law is way worse than you're current." She motioned her head towards the window. Mel and Dinah easily spotted Harley in the midst of trying to get information from a silent Frank.
"Ohh…" Mel trailed off with nothing more to say. What could she say?
"Yeah…oh," Francesca agreed before storming away.
"That's not good," Dinah commented as she watched her go.
Continued in next post.
