Chapter 141
When they were finally able to pry themselves away from each other, which was only after Natalia caught a glimpse of the clock and realized it was far later then she had thought and knew they both needed to eat and Olivia needed her meds. The two got dressed for the day and headed out of the penthouse. Seeing that it was past one, they decided to walk the few blocks to a sandwich shop they had remembered walking past on their last visit for a late lunch. Since they needed to be back by two for GM interviews, they needed something quick.
Walking down the street hand in hand, Natalia's head resting on Olivia's shoulder, the two took in the beauty that was this part of St. Louis and couldn't help but be proud that they now had a hotel in the area. Olivia turned her head and placed a kiss to Natalia's crown.
"Do you think we should call your mom and check on Emma?"
"I'm sure they're fine, but I suppose we should. Our meeting with Deborah is at five and by then Rafe and Ava should be done checking out the training company and able to meet her with us. We should probably call them and see how their meeting with her went as well as Ashley and Isabel to check in on how they are doing with vendors and taste test."
"Alrighty then. How about we call your mom and talk to Emma on speaker now, and then after we eat you can call one group and I'll call the other."
"Sounds perfect, my love." Natalia agreed, reaching up on her tip toes to place a chaste kiss to chilled pink lips.
After a nice call with Emma and Clara, as well as Blake and Doris shouting from the background like children, the two enjoyed a nice meal consisting of soup out of bread bowls and a half sandwich. Olivia chatted up the owner since it was slow, always wanting to get to know the neighborhood and its business owners surrounding her hotels. She and Natalia had talked to several of the owners around their property in Chicago and intended on doing the same here, figuring they could talk to a few each time they visited, get a better feel for their location.
After a warm and satisfying lunch, they made their phone calls and then casually walked back to the hotel just in time for their first of six interviews, they were squeezing into a three-hour window before they would have to catch a cab to meet with Deborah at employee services. Rafe and Ava were planning to meet them there and then they would catch up with the rest of their group around six for dinner at Salt + Smoke to satisfy Rafe and Olivia's love of Barbecue.
The first four interviews were done together, two of which they would do second interviews with, but the last two were cutting it close. Since both potential employees were already there, they decided to each take one so they wouldn't risk being late for their next appointment. Their morning had been wonderful, but perhaps they should have allowed more time for interviews after all. Not that they knew they would be spending hours making love when they booked the interviews, but, now they know for next time, three hours is not nearly enough time for six GM interviews.
Once they had finished and showed the last of their interviewees out, they had just enough time to run up to their penthouse and freshen up before hailing a cab and heading downtown for their meeting.
"So, what did you think of what was his name, Kevin?" Olivia asked once they were riding down the busy streets towards employee services.
"He was…" Natalia bobbed her head back and forth searching for the right word. "Enthusiastic?" She finally settled on, more of a question then a statement. "He seemed competent enough but didn't have a lot of experience and I'm not sure he would be a good fit for us. I still think either Trinity or Christian will be the best choice. How did your last interview go?"
"Alesha? She was okay. I don't get the feeling about her that I had about Andrew. I'm sure she would do a fine job, but I believe you're right, both Christian and Trinity have more of the qualities we are looking for. We need someone that can take charge and be on top of everything without pause or having to call us over every little thing. We need an Andrew for this location. I can't believe we got so lucky with him. We really need to make it to Chicago sometime soon."
"I agree. We'll worry about that once we get through this weekend. Okay?" Natalia asked, wanting Olivia to stay focused on the here and now and not get stressed about her guilt with being so long in between visits to Chicago.
"Yes, I know, we need to focus on one thing at a time."
"Good. So, are you leaning more towards one then the other?"
"Not at this point. How about you?"
"No, it's going to be hard to choose between them."
"Well, we asked them both for second interviews via skype later this week, let's see how that goes. If we still can't decide, perhaps we'll just have two general managers' here. Or, we might give one the GM position and make the other their personal assistant. I think those two would make a great pair, just like Ava and Rafe and you and me."
"I think you're right. Let's just see how their second interviews, background checks, and reference checks go, then we'll decide. Who knows, they might both work out and then we can steal one of them for our next hotel." Natalia said with a twinkle in her eye, knowing Olivia would be both excited and terrified at the thought of adding a fourth property so soon.
"Hey, slow down there tiger. Let's get this one up and running before we go adding another one." Olivia replied, playfully shoving her wife's shoulder.
"I know, I was just messing with you. I wanted to see your eyebrows shoot up to your hair line, it's been awhile." Natalia chuckled.
Before Olivia could reply, the cab was pulling to a stop and the driver opening the small divider and telling them their tab. Olivia paid the gentleman and stepped out, holding her hand out for her wife and kissing her cheek as she stood.
Stepping onto the sidewalk, Olivia saw their two eldest coming around the corner. "Hey there you two. How did it go at Industry Training Inc.?" Olivia asked as she hugged each of her children and kissed them on the cheek.
"Great." Rafe answered as he pulled back from a hug with Natalia.
"Yeah, it was really good mom." Ava added. "Since Rafe set up the meeting, I let him take the lead, you would have been so proud."
"I am proud of both of you." Olivia replied with a wide smile at her son and daughter.
"Jordan, the owner, said they don't usually want anyone else involved with training, but as soon as he heard your name, he completely changed his tune. Thought it was a great idea for Ava and me to have a hand in training our staff. Apparently you're pretty big in the business world mom."
Olivia blushed slightly. "I'm big in the stock and investment world. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, I have stock in his company."
"How come I didn't know this?" Natalia asked.
"It's not my fault you refuse to look into exactly how much we own in stocks or the over one hundred investments we have."
"One…one hundred." Natalia stuttered. "I had no idea."
"That's because you don't want to know exactly how much we're worth. I have some very good people in place that handle most of my investments and stocks. I deal with them primarily through emails and phone calls. Tonya and Victoria have been with me since my very first investment. Although I've only met them a handful of times in person, I trust them and their team explicitly. And William, who manages the stocks, is the son of one of my father's best friends. He was the one who taught me how it all worked back when…" She stopped and glanced at her children, not wanting to bring up painful memories in front of them. "…I came into my first lump sum of cash."
Natalia understood exactly what Olivia was talking about. She hated thinking about where Olivia's first ten thousand dollars had come from, but, she couldn't be upset that Olivia had used it in the first steps to building her fortune.
"I think I will be looking further into exactly what stocks and investments you have at a later date. And, I would like to meet the people you trust so much with your money." She knew Olivia didn't trust easy, and she was very interested to meet these people she trusted with so much.
"Our money, and you will. I'll set up a meeting with all three of them when life settles down a little. It's been quite a while since I've met with them anyways. But right now, we need to get in there before we're late."
"Oh, before I forget, Jordan was really hoping to meet with you. He is more than thrilled to work with You, ma, Ava and myself to train our team. I told him you and ma were booked today and would be flying home tomorrow, he offered to meet with you both over skype, and I told him I would get with you and then email him a good day and time." Rafe said quickly as they made their way into the building behind them.
"Sounds good Rafe. I'm very proud of you, both of you. At the rate you two are going, you'll be heading this company sooner than I had thought." She said with a smile. "I will have to check my schedule and get back with you on a time to meet with Jordan. We have the trial Monday and follow up interviews for GM via skype on Wednesday, so perhaps Thursday or Friday, but Natalia and I will need to check and see what works best."
"No problem. I'll email him tonight and let him know that we'll get him a definite date and time as soon as possible."
"Thank you Rafe, and Ava, you two have truly made things so much less stressful on your ma and I."
Both children smiled at their mothers as they approached the front desk, letting the young blonde seated their know that they had a meeting with Deborah and then sat in some chairs along the far wall to wait.
They didn't have to wait long before a middle-aged blonde came strolling into the lobby. "Mr. Spencer-Rivera, Ms. Spencer-Rivera. It's nice to see you both again. And this must be your mothers."
"Yes." Ava said, pointing at Olivia. "This is our mom, Olivia Spencer-Rivera," She then turned to Natalia. "And our ma, Natalia Spencer-Rivera."
Deborah shook each of their hands. "Mrs. and Mrs. Spencer-Rivera, it's lovely to meet you. Your children have informed me that you are looking to completely staff your newest hotel in a very short period of time."
"Yes. We would like to have our grand opening in the next two to three weeks. We understand that it's a tight timeline, but we feel it's doable. If we can get staffed in the next week or so, then we can began training. We already have a few vendors lined up. We will be using the same office supply company we use for our other two hotels, as well as our same linen and toiletry company, but if you know of a good security team, that would be helpful. Rafe has information on one company, but I like to compare two or three in the area before I choose one." Explained Olivia.
"I think I can help with that, as well as staffing. Let's head into my office and see what we can do." She turned on her heal and led them around the corner to a large office.
The meeting with Deborah ran over by almost thirty minutes, but it was worth it. She gave them plenty of files on potential staff. From the laundry room to the banquet manager, leaving out general managers and assistants since Olivia and Natalia informed her that they had a couple of potentials for those positions already.
Olivia was pleasantly surprised with how organized everything was. There were seven different folders, each labeled with what department they were for, and an extra for general applicants with no specific position in mind. Each folder had applicants fit for management at the front followed by applicants for regular staffing positions. They were also given the information for two separate security companies. One was the same one Rafe had already mentioned, but the second they hadn't heard of before.
Although she usually hated this part, she was kind of excited to dive into the applications with Natalia and their children. It would be much easier to sift through them with how organized they were. She would have to look into using a Company like Deborah's for future properties. Once the applicants were sorted through, she could delegate who would be doing interviews for each department between Rafe, Ava, Trinity, and Christian. Yes, she already knew she would be hiring both of them, she just wasn't sure which position they would each take between general manager and assistant general manager. She hadn't told Natalia yet, but she had decided on the way to the restaurant that instead of a general manager and personal assistant, she would be hiring one as general manager and the other as assistant general manager. She didn't usually do such a thing, but in this case, she knew it was the right decision and it would eliminate the need for a personal assistant to the general manager.
The four climbed out of the cab at Salt + Smoke, and quickly made their way inside to meet up with the rest of their party. The Spencer-Rivera women both chomping at the bit to see how things went with Isabel and Ashley. If they had as good of luck as the Spencer-Rivera clan had, then opening by the end of the month would be more than just a possibility. It would be on its way to happening.
Before they could even look around the restaurant to find their group, Emma came bounding toward them and collided with her mother's legs. "Hi mommy. I missed you."
Olivia chuckled at her daughter and bent to kiss her head. "I missed you too Jellybean. Did you have a good day with Mrs. Rivera, Blake, and auntie Doris?"
"Yup we had lots of fun, but I'm hungry, you guys took forever to get here. Come on let's go sit down so we can eat." She said, pulling on Olivia's had and gesturing to the rest of her family to follow. Which they all did, shaking their heads and chuckling at her excitement for food. So much like her mother that one.
As they reached the table, Natalia turned to her youngest. "Hey, do I get a hug young lady, I missed you too ya know."
Emma was instantly in her arms as the other three took their seats and greeted the others. "Sorry mama, I'm just so hungry."
Natalia ran a hand through Emma's hair lovingly as she too took her seat beside Olivia, Emma sitting on her other side. "I know sweetie, I was just teasing. Hello everyone, did you all have a good day?"
"It was a wonderful day mija, and Emma behaved like the perfect angel she is." Clara said with a smile at the girl quickly stealing her heart.
"Yeah mama, abuela let me have ice cream when we met Aunt Isabel and Ashley for lunch, and Auntie Doris bought me a new doll to play with the one I got for Christmas." Emma said excitedly, pulling the doll out from her backpack to show it to her mothers.
Natalia was a little stunned at hearing Emma call her mom abuela and Isabel her aunt. Although Emma was always quick to except people, she seemed so hesitant with her family, like she was afraid to allow them in. Discretely wiping the tears that had formed in her eyes, she smiled down at her daughter. "That's wonderful Emma. I'm glad you had a good day. And I really like your new doll. She's almost as pretty as you."
Olivia seemed to notice the slight quiver to her wife's voice. Reaching over under the table she grabbed her hand and gripped it tightly. "Sounds like somebody got spoiled rotten today." She quipped, throwing a playful glare towards her mother-in-law and best friend.
"Hey, I'm the fun auntie, I'm supposed to spoil her, if you want rules and structure and all that crap, look to her other aunt, cause that ain't me." Doris told her friend in playful banter.
"Don't think I'm going to be the strict one either." Isabel quickly added. "That girl is too cute to deny anything, especially when she gives me those puppy dog eyes."
"Don't I know it." Natalia said fondly. Thinking of all the times Emma's puppy eyes had weaseled extra cookies or more than one chapter at bedtime out of her. That girl was just like her mother in every way. She could talk her way out of just about anything and what she couldn't, she'd just pull out her cute face and sad eyes and you would cave every time. She was going to have to get better at saying no to that face before her teen years hit, otherwise they would be in big trouble, since Olivia was a bigger sucker then she was when it came to Emma.
Conversation continued as they waited for their meals to arrive. Blake, Doris, Clara, and Emma telling about their day and what they had seen and done in the city. Rafe and Ava filling the others in on their meetings. Olivia and Natalia were overjoyed to share that they had two potential GM's lined up. Just as food was being set in front of them, Ashely and Isabel started to inform Olivia and Natalia about their own meetings for the day.
"So, we did taste testing at three company's today…" Isabel started.
"Three, I thought you only had two lined up?" Olivia cut in.
"We did, but while were walking from one to the other, we spotted this really cool looking mom and pop place and something just called to us, so we went in. It was slow and we were able to speak with the owners. Although neither Ashley or I think they would be good as a vendor for the hotel, we both thought the food was amazing and that they would be awesome for the grand opening." She pulled out some files from her purse and handed them to Olivia.
"These two however, would both be a good fit as food venders." She opened one folder and pointed to it. "Ashley and I agree that this one would be the best fit. They supply to several hotels in the area and do both food and beverages. We think it would make sense to have one company do both, however, they are booked through the end of the month with catering jobs so wouldn't be able to do the opening, that's why we thought Mamacitas eatery would be perfect for that."
"And what of the other company you taste tested with?"
"They were good, just as good as Briars, except they only do food. We did find a good local company for beverages, we just thought having one company do both would be easier on the kitchen staff." Ashley said confidently.
"That's very true. Natalia and I will look over the files and setup a time to meet with both companies, unless, of course, we decide to just follow your instincts on this one. Usually, the facts and numbers speak for themselves. And it will be the chef that implements a menu, so as long as their food is of good quality, it should be fine."
Isabel and Ashley both beamed, feeling as if they had accomplished something good for the Spencer-Rivera company. "Thanks again for trusting me with this Olivia. I can't express how grateful I am." Ashley said, he cheeks pinking slightly.
"Yeah, thanks for including me Olivia." Isabel added.
"You are both very welcome, although, I feel as though I should be the one thanking the two of you. Both of you did a wonderful job."
"Yes, you have, and I just know you will both make the grand opening here uniquely special and exactly what we are looking for." Natalia said with huge smile for her sister and young blonde.
The ten finished their meal, moving onto lighter topics before heading back to the hotel. They had all had a busy day and decided to just relax for the evening with movies and popcorn in the penthouse suite. Everyone joined except for Blake and Doris who had decided to hit up the night life in St. Louis before heading back to Springfield the following day.
Once Emma was out for the night and Clara had retired to her room, the six remaining adults gathered in the living room. Olivia and Natalia cuddled up on the love seat with a glass of wine, Isabel in a large armchair, and Ashley, Rafe, and Ava on the large couch. Ashley leaning slightly into Rafe's side did not go unnoticed by the Spencer-Rivera wives, but they decided not to comment just yet.
"So, moms, have you given any more thought to Rafe and I coming back Monday night or Tuesday so we can start doing interviews?" Ava finally got the courage to ask, knowing her mothers were reluctant to have them so far away for such a long period of time.
Natalia looked to her wife before meeting her children's eyes. "We have, and we think maybe we should wait until after we've made a decision on GM. We have two very good applicants that we will be doing second interviews with via Skype on Wednesday."
"Yes, we are pretty sure we will be hiring both, pending background checks and references, it's just a matter of who will be the general manager and who will be the assistant general manager. Their second interviews will tell us that." Olivia added.
"Wait, you want to do GM and assistant GM instead of personal assistant?" Natalia asked.
"Well, I was thinking, this is a larger property then Chicago and Springfield. I think it would be good to have both. And, if we do it that way, it eliminates the need for a personal assistant, and as you said, if and when we add another hotel in the future, hopefully, one of them will be willing to relocate and we won't have to find a GM for that property, we'll just have to hire a new assistant GM here, and a personal assistant or assistant GM for the new hotel."
"So, you are thinking about another property already." Natalia said with a smirk, playfully swatting at her wife's thigh.
"I am always thinking about expanding, although, as I said, we need to get this up and running and let things settle down for a while first, but yes. You know my dream is to be country wide someday."
"And we will be my love." Natalia assured with a kiss to her wife's lips to seal the promise.
"So, we can come back after you get the GM situation settled?" Rafe asked like a boy excited for Christmas morning.
"Yes Rafael. Your mom and I have talked about it, and we've decided that you're right, it would be easier if you and Ava were here to help with the interviewing and hiring process, and to work with Industry Training to get our staff prepared for the grand opening and regular business afterwards." Natalia answered, loving how much her son had truly grown into his position at their families business.
"We also think that it would be best if you, Ashley, and you, Isabel, were here as well. It is going to take a lot of hard work to pull off this opening so soon, and we believe it will be easier for the two of you if you're here. That is if you're willing to, and, Ashley, if you have time with school." Olivia commented, a proud smile on her face at how far Rafe and Ava had both come, and for how well the other two women were doing. She knew they would be joining the SRHR team once the opening was done.
"Um, yeah. I actually talked to my professors already and they are willing to allow me to do my work online. I just have to be there in person for my finals. I'm working on a business degree with a minor in telecommunication, so most of them view this as real-life experience that will only help to further my education. Mom actually suggested I talk to them; she had a feeling I might end up out here once I told her about the job offer. I'm surprised she didn't say anything when we talked about it on the plane." Ashley stated.
"I'm sure she had other things on her mind." Olivia said slyly. "And good, I'm glad you'll be able to do your work online, just remember, as important as this is, your education comes first."
"I know. Mom said the same thing. And that she would kick your ass if my grades fell." She added with a chuckle.
"I'd like to see that old bat try." Olivia said with a fond smile, letting everyone know she was joking. "And what about you Isabel. Would you be willing to come out here with Ava, Rafe, and Ashley for a few weeks. We are going to see if a few members of our staff would be willing to join you for time and half plus food expenses. Mainly just a couple of ladies from the laundry room, so you four don't have to worry about cleaning the rooms we used this weekend, or the penthouse you'll be staying in while you're here. And a couple members from either our security team, or Phillips. We figure you can take the master Isabel, Ashley can take Emma's room, and Ava and Rafe can use their room."
"I'd really like to, and I know it would be easier to plan the party if I was here, I just, I'm not sure how I feel about leaving mama alone. Especially since we haven't heard from papa. I worry about her."
Olivia looked to her wife to take over the conversation, who did so immediately. "We've actually been thinking about that as well. We were planning on talking to Ava and Rafe first, when we got home, but I guess now's as good a time as any." She paused to take a deep breath and then started. "Ava, we know you and Rafe are still wanting to stay together at the moment, so, what would you think about Rafe moving into the other room in your apartment?"
Ava thought for a second, she liked having her own place, but having Rafe as a roommate wouldn't be too bad. They were inseparable as it was, especially at night, so it kind of made sense for him to move into the barn apartment with her. "I wouldn't mind, I mean, when we aren't in your room he sleeps out there with me anyway, so, it kind of makes sense."
"Rafe, how do you feel about it?"
Rafe smiled at his sister and then over at him moms. "I think it's a great idea, it will be easier to torment her if I live with her anyways." He said as he kicked at his sister in jest.
Ava swatted back at him over Ashley's head. "Butt head."
Rafe stuck out his tongue at her. "Loser." He shot back, drawing out the word.
"Okay, okay you two." Olivia said, giggling at her two eldest. "Anyways, the point my love."
"Right." Natalia said. "Well, if Rafe moves out to the barn with Ava, then either mama can move into Rafe's apartment and you, Isabel, can stay in the guest room upstairs, if you want to that is. Or, you can take Rafe's apartment and mama can stay in the guest room. However, you feel would work best. Even if it's not permanent, mama can at least stay there while you're here, that way we can keep an eye on her. Plus, it seems Emma's grown rather fond of her since we've been here. I'm sure she'd love to be able to spend some more time with her."
"She does seem to have grown close with her, even just after one day. And mama absolutely adores her. She was elated that Emma wanted her to read to her tonight and tuck her in." Said Isabel.
"Yeah, I can't believe she called her abuela. That made my day." Natalia stated with an absolutely radiant smile.
"I can't believe she called me her aunt. Totally made my year." Isabel beamed back.
"Hey, what are we, chopped liver." Ava said at the same time Rafe said, "we've called you our aunt."
"Yes, and the two of you don't do it just to make me feel old at all do you." Isabel shot back with a fond smile.
"So, what do you think? If mama's okay with it, do you think that would work?" Natalia asked, bringing the conversation back to the topic at hand.
"As long as mama's okay with it, I think that's perfect. I'll have to speak with her about anything past the opening, but I think it would be great for now. I can be out here with these three crazy kids and not have to worry about mama being alone."
"Good. We can talk to mama about it tomorrow on the plane ride home. Keep her mind off of being in the clouds so she won't have a panic attack."
"Yeah, flying really isn't her thing."
"Speaking of," Olivia started. "We need to make sure Phillip or Josh will be able to fly these four back later this week, and" She drew the word out, knowing her wife wasn't going to be fond of her next statement. "We need to look into getting a company jet. Even with just this property and Chicago, we have relied on those two a lot, and we'll be flying even more once we start adding more properties to the brand."
"Olivia, I thought we agreed we didn't need it right now." Natalia said sternly.
"We did, but just look at how often we've used either the Lewis or the Spaulding jets in just the last couple of months. Life would be a whole lot easier if we had our own. Not to mention family vacations." She added, wiggling her eyebrows at her wife.
"We'll discuss it more at home."
"Fine." Olivia pouted, knowing she wasn't going to budge on the topic at the moment.
Shortly after, the six decided to call it a night. The four younger adults heading down to their room and Olivia and Natalia heading to theirs after rinsing their wine classes, checking on Emma, and turning out the lights.
As soon as the two finished their nightly routines, they climbed into bed and migrated to the middle, as they did every night. Natalia's head on Olivia's chest with an arm protectively wrapped around her middle. Olivia rubbing her arm with one hand and her back with the other.
Natalia let out a contented sigh and kissed the center on Olivia's chest. "Today was a good day. Busy, but good."
Olivia kissed the top of her head and hummed. "Yes it was. I especially enjoyed this morning. Think you got enough of that screaming out that you can be quiet now?" She asked while teasing the hand rubbing her wife's back along the hem of her sleep shorts.
"Olivia!" Natalia chastised playfully and swatted her belly, not really caring that her wife's mind was always in the gutter. "You are insatiable."
"For you, always." She replied with a smirk as she tilted her loves head up for a kiss.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"Alright, seriously, do you think we'll be able to open when we hope?" Natalia asked, worried that they were pushing too hard to open quickly.
"I do. I think it would be best for Rafe to sit in with Ava at first. He's never interviewed before and I want him to have a good feel for it before he goes it alone."
"I think that's a good idea."
"He and Ava can interview for all of the management positions together. That will give Rafe a fair amount of interviews to get comfortable with them, and, given they both except the jobs, Trinity and Christian can use the day or two those will take to set up their offices and get familiar with the building. Then, the four of them can divide up the general staff interviews. Of course, you and I will be flying out for final interviews and hiring. You know I hire each member of my staff personally."
"Won't that take a lot of time. Six interviews today was a lot."
"Not really. It's different for higher positions, takes more time because you need to know they can handle the job, and the responsibility of having employees below them that they are in charge of. General staff is easier. I know you didn't get to see it because Chicago had a team in place and we were just re-interviewing, but, it's rather quick. When Cassie and I started the Beacon, we did all of our management hiring in a couple of days. The chef wanted to hire his own team, which we allowed, as long as we did final approval. Then for general staff, we gave a four-hour time block on three different days for those we were willing to give second interviews. They came by at whatever time was convenient for them in the time block and waited to be seen by one of us. The interviews were quick, only ten to fifteen minutes since we'd already done the main interviews and had human resources do background checks. Once they were done with us, they went down to human resources to fill out paperwork and that was it."
"Wow, I didn't realize it was that quick."
"Yup, and I already talked to human resources at the Beacon Springfield and Chicago. They are aware that we will be splitting the applicants between them until we get a human resource team set up down here. Which Deborah said she would look into for us since it's the one thing her company doesn't offer. Given that it's a much more in-depth background check since they deal with so much personal information."
"So, you really think we can pull this off?"
"I do."
"And you're really okay with mama moving in with us and the kids being here for a couple of weeks without us?"
"I am more than fine with your mom staying with us. Whether it's just for now, or long term. As for the kids, I'm worried about them, I won't lie, but, they've been doing so much better, and with Ashley and Isabel here, I think they'll be just fine. And if not, we are a phone call and a plane ride away."
"I know, you're right. I guess I'm just more worried that they will go backwards after the sentencing on Monday."
"They might, and, if they do, we'll be there for them and we'll change plans if need be."
"Okay. I love you Olivia."
"I love you too sweetheart. Now, let's get some sleep." She bent to give her wife a sweet kiss goodnight. This kiss full of nothing but love, happiness, and contentedness. After their morning together and getting everything in order to open their latest hotel, Olivia felt much more connected to her wife again. More ready to face the sentencing trial on Monday, and everything that would follow to get their newest hotel staffed. Although there was still lots to do, they were well on their way, and their stress levels were definitely lower after interviewing for the general manager position, meeting with Deborah, and Ava and Rafe getting things set up with Industry Training Inc. As well as Ashley and Isabel finding them vendors. Things were looking up and Olivia was floating on cloud nine. More grateful for her family and friends then she could ever express.