Title: Confessions Lead to Strange Bedfellows
Author: Kimberly21570
Fandoms: Guiding Light / All My Children
Pairings: Olivia and Natalia / Lena and Bianca
Disclaimer: The characters of Olivia and Emma Spencer, Natalia and Rafe Rivera, Jeffrey O'Neill, Richard Winslow, and Frank Cooper are owned by CBS/TeleNext and Proctor & Gamble. The characters of Lena Kundera, Bianca Montgomery, and A.J. Chandler are owned by All My Children, ABC/Disney and Prospect Park. The television and book series The Babysitters Club are the property of Scholastic Productions. The episode to which Emma refers in this update does not actually exist; however, the book does. Call it creative license—I needed the subject matter to make the scene work. The Pulitzer Prize winning novel Gone with the Wind is the property of author Margaret Mitchell's estate. Barbie and friends are the property of Mattel. Candy Land is the property of Hasbro.
No copyright infringement intended with regard to Guiding Light, CBS/TeleNext, Proctor & Gamble, AMC, ABC/Disney, Prospect Park, Scholastic Productions, the Mitchell Estate, Mattel, Hasbro, or any other entity. Dialogue, settings, and story content in these scenes are original, with the exception of a few lines from the episode that aired on Guiding Light on 9.10.2009. Written for fun, not profit. All other standard disclaimers apply.
Rating: Chapter 9.15 is rated PG—Just a little lighthearted humor, with a dash of cute, a dollop of sweet, and a smidge of Smexy innuendo… ;-)
Hope you all enjoy…
Kimberly
Confessions Lead to Strange Bedfellows
Copyright May, 2009
"Honor isn't about making the right choices. It's about dealing with the consequences."
Anonymous
"Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences."
Norman Cousins
Chapter 9.15 – When Past and Present Collide:
Wednesday, April 29, 2009… The Cottage, Martha's Vineyard—3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
"Give me those!" Natalia commanded. She was holding her hand out demandingly, as she eyed the box of matches in Olivia's grasp. The hotelier had been assigned the task of readying the grill for the brisket; much to Natalia's chagrin.
"What?" Olivia eyed Natalia as if she were crazy. "I will not!" she said, defiantly.
Natalia lunged toward her. "Seriously, Olivia…" Her tone was insistent. "Give those to me, before you burn the whole house down."
Olivia dodged Natalia, and rolled her eyes. "I'm not gonna burn the house down," she argued. "You worry too damned much."
"Really, Olivia?" Natalia retorted; arching a deliberate eyebrow. "Because last time I set you loose to start a grill, you set the side of our house on fire… And it's a self-igniting, gas grill!" she reminded.
"Well, this isn't a gas grill," Olivia quarreled, smugly.
"My point exactly!" Natalia exclaimed.
Amused, Olivia was grinning as she hopped around the deck, skillfully avoiding Natalia's grabby hands.
"I can only imagine what kind of damage you might manage with charcoal, matches, and lighter fluid involved!" The possibilities unnerved Natalia.
"Oh, now you just hush—," Olivia shushed. Obstinately, she turned toward the built-in grill, box still in hand.
"You're impossible," Natalia sighed. She allowed Olivia to think she was relenting.
"But you love me that way," Olivia replied over her shoulder, fixing Natalia with a satisfied smirk.
As soon as Olivia's defenses were down, Natalia nearly tackled her; wrapping her arms around the hotelier from behind, as she grabbed for the box of matches.
Olivia laughed and squealed, as Natalia tussled with her; and within a few deliberate moves, Natalia managed to reign victorious. She shoved the box of matches down the front of her form-fitting jeans.
Turning in Natalia's arms, Olivia grinned at her. "You think you've won—don't you," she said; more taunting than question.
It was Natalia's turn to smirk. "I know I've won. I have the matches," she smugly declared.
"What—you think I won't go in there after them?" Olivia challenged, eyeing the waistband of Natalia's jeans with a roguish grin.
Natalia arched an eyebrow, and her voice turned husky, as she warned, "Stick your hands down there, and you'd better be planning on a lot more than just match retrieval, Ms. Spencer."
A low groan slipped from deep within Olivia's chest; a cloak around Natalia's name as it tumbled from supple lips. Liquid jade turned smoky with desire, as her pulse quickened. Just the mere thought of slipping her fingers so close to Natalia's heat excited her beyond words or reason. She felt her nipples harden, and her groin thrummed in sexual anticipation.
Realizing how brazen that statement had been, Natalia blushed, and her entire body burned with the heat of suggestion. Quickly, she changed the subject. "I still haven't figured out how you managed to set our house on fire," she murmured, as she shook her head in disbelief.
Olivia grinned, as she staved off desire. "I'm just talented like that…" she said, breezily. No way in hell was she admitting that fire occurred because she had been fantasizing about Natalia—again.
A soft chuckle fell from Natalia's lips. "Well, go inside while I save their house from your immense… talents…" she grinned; playfully smacking Olivia's ass.
One eyebrow popped up. "I love it when you get all bossy on me," she grinned; kissing Natalia playfully.
In the back corner of the deck, near the sliding glass door that led to Lena and Bianca's bedroom, Jordan and Emma were playing Barbies. Alex sat contentedly in their presence, cultivating her fine motor skills by picking at the petals on the flowers that cascaded down the trellis behind them.
Jordan's attention had been drawn to the commotion between Olivia and Natalia, as they tussled over the box of matches. Her brows pulled together, and she frowned briefly, before glancing up at Emma, "Why do your mommies fight all the time?"
Emma raised her eyes, focusing on her two Mommies. She hadn't noticed a thing until Jordan pointed it out. Assessing the situation, she shook her head in denial. "They're not fighting. That's just how they love each other," she tutored, as Olivia taunted Natalia about winning.
Jordan considered the information; then scrunched up her nose. "Your mommies are weird," she deduced. Her attention quickly returned to the Barbie Doll in her hand. She slipped it into the little pink two-seater convertible, and began pushing it around the deck, making revving noises.
"Don't your mommies love each other that way?" Emma was unable to fathom anything different, or less. Grabbing the little pink Jeep that was parked nearby, she slipped the Grace Doll, along with little Kara and Courtney inside. She followed Jordan's path around the deck.
"No—," Jordan replied; shaking her head. She moved the car over the seat of one of the Adirondack chairs—those had been designated as mountains. "My mommies love each other with hugs and kisses," she shared.
Emma stopped. "My mommies love each other with hugs and kisses, too. See—," she said, smugly, as she pointed toward her lip-locked parents. "So they're not weird… They're just different, I guess." She shrugged her shoulders.
"Hey, wanna play Barbie and Grace takes their family camping?" Jordan was already off on another adventure.
"Sure," Emma quickly agreed. "Can I bring the big pink camper out here?" She sounded excited; the discussion of her parents' weirdness quickly forgotten.
"Yep—" Jordan popped the 'p'. "And we can even take it down on the sand if we want. Mommy will let us, if we ask. But we can't go near the water," she said in a cautionary tone. "We have to play right by the deck or my Mama will freak out." Lena had insisted upon fencing in a small play area for Jordan, just beyond the steps leading to the deck. She knew she wasn't allowed any further out, without an adult.
"Okay," Emma easily agreed. And then she was on her feet. "I'll be right back."
As Emma sprinted across the deck toward the back door, Olivia's playful laugh caught Alex's attention. She grinned excitedly, and planting her hands firmly on the deck, she made her way up onto unsteady feet. And then, bending down, she retrieved two sweet-smelling, lavender flowers from the planter, one in each hand.
Smiling proudly, she toddled her way toward her new aunties. "Pitty Fowers," she announced; holding the proffered gifts out toward them.
Olivia crouched down to the toddler's level; gently tousling dark curls. She wondered if the baby Natalia was carrying would have such beautiful dark curls. "They sure are pretty," she agreed; smiling fondly. "Are they for us?"
Grinning, Alex danced excitedly; drawing laughter from both Olivia and Natalia.
Effortlessly, Olivia scooped the little girl up in her arms.
Alex giggled and squealed as Olivia playfully jostled her, raising her into the air; then lowering her again.
"Do you have some kisses for Auntie O?" Olivia asked, as she held the baby close, nuzzling against a soft cheek. Receiving a wet, open-mouthed kiss in response, she laughed. "Thank you, Lexie," she said, sweetly. "That was the best kiss I had all day."
"Nummy tisses!" Alex babbled. She clapped her hands excitedly, as she bounced up and down in Olivia's arms.
Laughing at the toddler's exuberance, Olivia peppered playful kisses all over the little one's neck and face. And then she nuzzled against her little cheek again.
Natalia watched Olivia with the toddler, and smiled softly, as she slowly caressed her abdomen. With her other arm, she pulled Olivia close, pressing against her side. "You're gonna be an amazing mommy to our baby…" she whispered against Olivia's ear.
Olivia's breath caught in her chest. The statement was simple, but it touched a place so deep inside Olivia that it nearly brought her to tears. She responded with that heart-stopping smile, eyes dancing with joy as she locked her gaze on Natalia's. "I think that's one of the nicest things you've ever said to me," she quietly acknowledged. She leaned sideways to kiss her. "Thank you."
"Just speaking the truth," Natalia declared. She smiled into those shimmering jade eyes. "Why don't you go play with Lexie? Let me finish this."
"You're not gonna let me play with the matches, are you?" Olivia grinned.
Natalia was already shaking her head before Olivia even finished the question. "Not on your life," she answered teasingly. "Now, go," she ordered, with the snapping and pointing of fingers, "or it'll be midnight before we eat. Bianca said the brisket has to roast for at least four hours."
"Are you sure it needs to cook that long?" Olivia challenged, feigning skepticism. "Seems like it'd be overcooked."
Arching an eyebrow, Natalia countered, "And when have you ever cooked a brisket?"
Leaning over, Olivia pressed her lips against Natalia's in another chaste kiss. "You have a point, Sweetheart," she said, breezily. "I'll leave the cooking to the experts."
Turning away, she grinned to herself, thinking, experts, indeed. And then her attention was focused on the toddler in her arms. Chattering and making funny faces at the child, she bounced her playfully, as she sauntered across the deck; making her way over toward Jordan.
Thursday, April 30, 2009… The Cottage, Martha's Vineyard—7:45 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time
On their sixth morning on the Vineyard, Olivia returned from her run with Lena, finding Natalia still sleeping soundly. Deciding it an irresistible opportunity, she showered quickly, and crawled back into bed. Molding her body to Natalia's, leisurely, she kissed her awake.
Rousing slowly, Natalia smiled against the lips that kissed her. "Morning…" she murmured, releasing a soft moan into the warmth of Olivia's mouth.
"Good morning, Beautiful," Olivia whispered. She nipped at Natalia's lower lip. "Sleep well?"
"Like a dream…" Delivered on a contented sigh, Natalia smiled into liquid jade.
Olivia's heartbeat quickened when dimples bloomed. "I'm glad." Her fingers toyed with raven tresses. "Yesterday was a long day, and you needed the rest." She kissed Natalia again, before reclining back onto the bed.
Stretching languidly, Natalia rolled into Olivia's body, lying partially on top of her. She leaned down, ghosting a kiss across Olivia's collarbone, before resting her head against a muscular shoulder. Her fingertips tangled with Olivia's. "I love waking up with you in my bed…"
Lifting their intertwined hands, Olivia pressed her lips to Natalia's fingertips. "And I love going to sleep with you in mine…" she whispered against the raven tendrils that teased at Natalia's temples.
Bow-like lips curled into a soft smile. "Sounds like we've both found contentment," she observed.
Tender lips brushed against Natalia's temple. "I've never been more content in my entire life," Olivia whispered. And it was the God's honest truth. She thought about how marvelous it felt to have Natalia rush into her arms the evening prior. How close she felt to Natalia, as they lay in bed hours later, talking long into the night, about anything and everything, especially their excitement over the baby.
And then she thought about how completely fulfilling their kisses always felt. Not that she didn't want more—God knew she did. But just simply kissing Natalia was like nothing else she had ever known. The absolute purity of their connection moved her beyond words, and sometimes just the sheer power of it was enough to break her heart.
And then, with a deep sense of wonder, she thought about how miraculous it was that this woman could ever even love her at all.
Olivia felt the overwhelming emotions wash over her like a tidal wave, as she lay there, holding Natalia close. "Sometimes it really scares me, Natalia, how deeply you make me feel." Delivered on a husky whisper, it was the deepest, most raw truth she had ever shared with Natalia; and it left her feeling beyond vulnerable.
Natalia could feel Olivia's heart trembling beneath their entwined fingertips, and her own body shuddered in response. Instinctively, she moved closer—an attempt to comfort and reassure; while her silence still granted emotional space, should Olivia desire it.
The silence loomed for several moments. There was so much more she could say, so much more she needed to say; but her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. She just simply wasn't ready to go there.
She sighed softly, and chose to go somewhere else, somewhere close, but not as threatening.
"Y'know, I never gave a damn what people thought of me. Not until I met you," she finally admitted.
Remaining quiet, Natalia listened intently; not only to what Olivia was saying, but to what she didn't say. She knew, only too well, that deep down inside, Olivia really did care what others thought. She had simply lost the ability to connect with those feelings after the way she had been hurt, first by Jeffrey, then by Alex, and Richard; the list went on and on, as did the years of hiding behind the fortress she had built around her heart in response to her pain. But Natalia also knew, without a doubt, that Olivia had bared her soul, admitting how scared she was of the way Natalia made her feel. Such vulnerability in the other woman made Natalia want to wrap her in the cocoon of love, and never let her go.
Olivia was quiet again for a moment, and then she turned on her side, facing Natalia. Reaching out, she gently tucked a few wayward curls behind Natalia's ear. And then their gazes locked, as her fingers brushed lightly against Natalia's cheek. "What you said yesterday, about me being a good mommy to this baby, it… Natalia, it meant everything to me," she whispered passionately.
A soft smile played on Natalia's lips. "I believe the word I used was 'amazing'," she quietly reminded. "If you're gonna quote me, get it right."
The lighthearted teasing drew a smile from Olivia.
Natalia ran a gentle thumb across Olivia's lower lip, and then leaned closer, replacing the digit with a soft kiss. "'Amazing' is exactly what I meant, Olivia," she said, quietly. "You're a wonderful mother to your girls. I've told you that before, and I'm gonna keep telling you until you really believe me. It's one of the reasons I fell so deeply in love with you," she quietly confessed. "And you're wonderful with Rafe, as well; even though he doesn't exactly deserve it right now. So I don't doubt for a second that you're gonna be completely amazing with this little one."
Never faltering from Natalia's gaze, Olivia slipped her hand between their bodies, gently caressing Natalia's belly through the thin fabric of her t-shirt. "I wanna be, Natalia," she whispered. "I wanna be everything that you and our kids need; everything you deserve."
The sensation of Olivia's hand on her belly filled Natalia with warmth, both physical and emotional. "You already are, Liv," she murmured. She brushed her lips against Olivia's in a reassuring kiss. "I couldn't possibly ask for more."
They talked more about the baby then, and about how they should go about telling Emma. Knowing beyond all doubt that the child would be excited, they ultimately decided that they would tell her that day. It felt to both of them like another positive step toward their future, and they couldn't wait to make it happen.
Thursday, April 30, 2009… The Cottage, Martha's Vineyard—8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time
For Emma and Jordan, Thursday morning had sparked the debate about whether their banana pancakes should be made by Lena or Natalia, because each girl thought her Mama made the best ones. The debate proved fruitless, though, when Natalia still hadn't emerged by the time Lena and Olivia returned from their run.
After Lena showered and changed, she started the pancakes, while Emma and Jordan finished a game of Candy Land in the family room. When breakfast was nearly ready, she sent the girls to let Olivia and Natalia know that it wouldn't be long. "Tell them breakfast in fifteen minutes, and remember to knock before opening the door," she instructed. Given that Olivia had never returned from her shower, she wanted to ensure that the women were covered—both literally and figuratively.
Excitedly, the girls ran toward the guest room, their grumbling tummies fueling the urgent need to rouse the two women from bed.
Standing outside their door, Emma remembered Lena's instruction to knock first before entering. She was about to comply when Olivia's hearty laugh rang out, signaling to her that her Mommies were awake.
The door burst open, and within what seemed like only milliseconds, Olivia and Natalia found their bed being pounced upon by two very rambunctious little girls. Clearly, Emma had a thing or two to learn about the rules of privacy.
"Mama said breakfast in fifteen minutes," Jordan announced, as she bounced up and down on their bed, laughing.
Olivia grabbed her playfully, pulling her down on the bed, just as Natalia did the same with Emma. And then both girls were giggling and squealing, begging for mercy, yet not really meaning it, as Olivia and Natalia tickled and teased them senseless.
A few minutes later, with the girls still rolling and giggling on their bed, Olivia met Natalia's gaze, and a silent conversation ensued. Emma was in a great mood, and it felt like the perfect time to tell her about the baby.
Olivia took the lead, as the girls began to calm. "Hey, Jordan, would you do Auntie O a big favor?"
"Sure!" Jordan sat upright, legs criss-crossed, with her elbows on her thighs, peering up at Olivia with expectancy in her deep mocha eyes. She loved to help.
"Will you go tell your Mama that Auntie Talia and I need to talk to Emma, so you should go ahead and eat without us?" she requested. "We'll be out in just a few minutes."
Jordan's eyebrows pulled together as she processed the instructions, and then her mouth twisted into a frown. She glanced back at Olivia with concerned eyes. "Is Emma in trouble?"
Emma's face turned ashen, as her smile morphed into a grimace. "Am I?"
Olivia's chuckle was soft, and it eased the tension in both girls. "No one is in trouble," she assured. "We just need to tell her about something important."
"Okay." Satisfied, Jordan shrugged. Slipping off the edge of the bed, she broke into a sprint, and was halfway down the hall before anyone said a word.
"So… what'd you want to talk to me about?" Emma asked. She was sitting in a similar style as Jordan had been, with hands resting casually in her lap.
Olivia's eyes were locked on Natalia's, and one of those teasing smiles played on her lips. "Well… we have some good news. At least we think it's good news, and we hope you like it." She sounded hopeful.
"So, what is it?" Emma's eyes were dancing as she bumped her wrists together; she already sounded excited.
"Do you remember that episode of The Babysitters Club that you watched on the jet?" Natalia introduced the topic just as they had planned.
"You mean the one where Karen got a new baby sister, and she didn't like it?"
"That's the one," Olivia said, playfully.
Emma crinkled her nose. "What about it?" she asked, curiously.
"Well, Sweetie, your Mommy and I were wondering how you might feel about a new baby brother or sister." Natalia approached the topic gently.
"You mean a baby like Lexie?" Bright-eyed, Emma looked beyond excited.
Olivia smiled. "Well, the baby wouldn't be as big as Lexie for a whole year, but yeah, eventually you could play with him or her like you do Lexie."
Emma beamed. "Cool!"
The two women breathed a united sigh of relief.
And then Emma's brow furrowed. She looked skeptical. "Is that why we came on this trip?"
Relief turned to confusion for both women. "What makes you ask that?" Olivia inquired.
"Jodi's parents went on a plane trip, and brought back a baby sister," Emma reported. "I just wondered if we were gonna get our baby that way too."
Natalia's soft chuckle warmed Olivia's heart. "No, Sweetie," she said, gently. "Jodi's parents went to China to adopt a baby who needed a mommy and daddy."
"Are we gonna get a baby from China too?"
Olivia was smiling as she shook her head. "Our baby is growing inside Natalia's belly," she explained, as she reached over, gently caressing her partner's abdomen.
Emma's eyes grew wide with wonder. "Really? It's in there right now?"
"Yep," Olivia grinned.
"Can I feel it too?" Emma sounded beyond excited.
Natalia smiled in response to the child's enthusiasm. "Sure you can, Sweetie." Reaching for Emma's hand, she pressed it against her belly. "There really isn't much to feel right now, but that'll change as the baby grows bigger."
"When will it come out so I can play with it?" Emma asked, curiously.
Olivia lightly brushed her hand across Emma's back. "The baby will be born sometime around Halloween," she reported.
Emma's eyes lit up. "Can we take it trick-or-treating?" she asked, excitedly. "I could help pick out its' costume!"
The women chuckled at their daughter's exuberance. "I'm afraid the baby won't be big enough to enjoy trick-or-treating this year, Em," Natalia explained.
"Oh—" Deflated, Emma sighed. And then eyebrows furrowed again. She was clearly contemplating something. "How did it get in there?" She was suspicious, rather than curious.
Two hearts lurched at the question, and Olivia's face turned pallid. Natalia gently squeezed her hand, offering reassurance.
Olivia offered a weak smile in response. Drawing in a deep breath, she released it slowly. It was an effort to bide her time.
"You told me it takes mommy and daddy parts," Emma was saying; she emphasized the fact that it required both, "and you guys only have mommy parts. So I don't know how it worked." She sounded flummoxed.
Under the stress of the unexpected question, Olivia had completely forgotten that Emma already knew how babies were made. She had decided, almost from the beginning, that she would teach her daughter the truth while she was young, rather than allowing her to learn it the way she had, all those years ago. The information had been age-appropriate, of course, but Emma understood the truth, and Olivia was proud of that decision. She breathed an undeniable sigh of relief, and glanced at Natalia, who tentatively picked up the ball.
The expression on Emma's face resembled one who had just eaten rotted seaweed when Natalia explained that Frank was the baby's daddy. Clearly upset, she quickly reminded Natalia that she had promised no more Uncle Frank.
The child's anxiousness nearly broke Natalia's heart, and she offered immediate reassurance that while the man would be a part of the baby's life, Natalia loved her Mommy very much, and they would always be a family.
At that reassurance, Emma smiled brightly. "So… does that mean the baby in your belly is my sister or brother, like Rafe?"
Meltdown averted, the women smiled in unison. "Yeah, that's exactly what that means," Olivia said, sounding both excited and relieved.
Natalia reached over, taking Olivia's hand into her own. She squeezed it gently.
"Will the baby call you 'Ma', like Rafe does?" Emma asked Natalia.
Nodding, Natalia smiled. "Yes, I'll be the baby's Mama."
Blue-green eyes shifted toward Olivia. "Will the baby call you 'Mommy', like me?"
Olivia smiled and glanced at Natalia for affirmation. Receiving a dimpled smile in return, jade eyes returned to Emma. "I'll be his or her other mommy, so yes," she confirmed.
"Like Auntie Lena is Jordan's other mommy?"
"Yes—" Olivia answered carefully; curiosity more than a bit piqued. Her child never asked questions for no reason.
And then she remembered the innocent conversation she and Lena had overheard between Emma and Jordan at the bookstore. "If Auntie Talia is your other mommy, then how come you don't call her Mama?" Jordan had asked. To which Emma had shrugged, and replied, "I dunno."
"What are you getting at, Em?" Olivia asked, gently.
Nervous, Emma swallowed hard. "Does that mean…" She fiddled with the edge of the sheet, not making eye contact with either of them. "Can I call Natalia 'Mama', too?" she asked in a small voice.
Dimples bloomed again, as dark eyes clouded with happy tears.
Olivia's gaze fell easily into Natalia's once again. Neither of them needed to ask or answer; it was evidence in their shared expression. "That's completely fine by me, Em, but it's really Natalia's decision."
Emma glanced at Natalia expectantly. "Would that be okay?" she asked, sounding hopeful. "That way we'll both have the same—a Mommy and a Mama, just like Jordan and Lexie."
Both women understood Emma's need for a sense of equality. She was old enough to understand that a new baby was a big change, and she didn't want to feel left out.
Without even a moment's hesitation, Natalia collected her daughter in her arms. "I would love it if you called me 'Mama', Em," she said, affectionately. She kissed the little girl's temple. "You just made me the happiest Mama in the whole world, Sweetie."
Clambering to her knees, Emma hugged Natalia's neck tightly. "You made me happy too," she said, sweetly. It was clear that she had been wishing for permission for a long while. "I love you, Mama."
Dark eyes were filled with tears, as Natalia cradled the child close; smiling against a little ear. "I love you, too, my precious Girl," she whispered. She pressed a light kiss to Emma's cheek, but didn't release her from their hug until Emma loosened her grip.
And then Emma was looking at the two of them, eyes bright. "Can we go eat pancakes now? I'm starving!"
The women chucked again. "Of course." Olivia lightly tousled Emma's hair. "Why don't you go on ahead? Natalia and I will be there in a minute."
"You mean you and Mama, right?" Emma beamed.
"Yes, your Mama and I will be right along," Olivia corrected with a grin.
Exhaling an excited screech, Emma launched from their bed, making a beeline toward the kitchen where she knew a plateful of banana pancakes awaited her.
Her footsteps were already out of earshot by the time Olivia's gaze fell into Natalia's. "I think that went well," she announced, sounding more than pleased.
"It went exceptionally well," Natalia agreed, wholeheartedly. She leaned over, pressing a soft kiss to Olivia's lips. "Thank you," she whispered.
"For what?" Olivia sounded surprised.
"For sharing all of this with me—Emma… the new baby… our life…" Natalia said, quietly.
Smiling softly, Olivia brushed her fingertips against Natalia's face. "I should be the one thanking you," she whispered, as she drew bow-like lips toward her own. And the tender kiss that followed accentuated the sincerity of her words.
Thursday, April 30, 2009… The Cottage, Martha's Vineyard—9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time
It turned out that everyone was just sitting down to breakfast when Olivia and Natalia made their appearance in the kitchen. Things had been a bit frenzied, as Lena finished the pancakes, and Bianca scurried around setting the table with plates, silverware, butter, syrup, and each person's typical breakfast drink; all while chasing after Alexandria.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she finally set the platter of bacon and sausage in the center of the table, just as Lena arrived with a matching platter of piping hot pancakes, in an assortment of blueberry, banana, and plain.
Taking their usual seats, they settled in, instinctively linking hands, and Bianca offered a blessing over the meal. And then they began passing items around the table. Natalia took charge of preparing Emma's pancakes, while Bianca busied herself with Jordan's, and Lena looked after Alex, who had been quite the cantankerous little troublemaker throughout the morning.
"We're getting a new baby," Emma proudly announced around a mouthful of pancakes. "But we're not going to China."
Lena and Bianca both wore the same questioning expression on their face, as they glanced back and forth between Olivia and Natalia.
"Please don't talk with your mouth full, Em," Olivia gently reminded, as Natalia simultaneously explained about Jodi's parents adopting from China.
"Oh—" Two heads nodded, as Lena and Bianca responded in unison.
Emma swallowed her pancakes. "Sorry, Mommy," she apologized. And then her eyes were on her new Aunties again. "Our baby is growing in my Mama's belly," she reported.
Jordan's eyes lit up. "My Mama has a baby in her belly too!" she announced. Her brow furrowed, and the corners of her mouth twitched, and then she peered up at her mother. "Does that mean they'll be birthday twins, like A.J. and me?"
Bianca smiled, and smoothed her daughter's hair. "Well, if they're born on the same day like you and A.J., then sure."
"I hope they're born on the same day," Jordan declared. "Having a birthday twin in the coolest."
Emma was busy tugging on Olivia's arm. "Mommy—"
"Yeah, Baby," Olivia responded, turning her attention toward the child.
Moving closer, Emma cupped Olivia's ear. "My milk tastes yucky," she attempted to whisper. It went about as well as everything else she ever whispered.
"Well, let me see it," Olivia directed. "Maybe it spoiled and we didn't notice."
Emma handed her the cup, and Olivia surveyed; then sniffed it. "It looks a little strange, but it doesn't smell spoiled."
Somewhere in the back of her mind, the conversation registered with Bianca, and she glanced at the cup in Olivia's hand, just as Olivia tipped it to taste the contents. "Olivia don't drink—"
But it was too late. The milk was already in Olivia's mouth. She peered at Bianca over the rim of the cup, just as Lena's eyes fell on the container. It had Disney's Belle on the side of it. Jordan's cup.
"That's…" Lena lowered her eyes, and bit her lower lip, hesitating. "Breast milk…"
The room fell silent, except for Alex, who was banging her Snow White cup against the high chair tray. And then Olivia choked; slapping her hand across her mouth to keep from spewing the liquid everywhere, as Lena, Bianca, and Natalia attempted to restrain their laughter. The expressions on all their faces were priceless.
Time stood still, as Olivia set the cup and her napkin on the table. She rose from her seat with as much dignity as she could muster, and walked to the sink, spitting the liquid down the drain.
And then the room erupted around her.
"Oh, my God, Olivia, I'm so sorry. I was rushed this morning, and I accidentally put Jordan's cup at the wrong seat, and…" Bianca's apology came out in a ramble that included an explanation as to why their five-year-old was still drinking breast milk—Lena insisted it was better for her, no chemicals, they had plenty of it. The list was endless, but no one actually heard it, because Lena and Natalia had burst into simultaneous fits of laughter.
Olivia grunted, and made a face at them, as she grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled it with water, quickly rinsing her mouth. It was embarrassing, to say the least, but she also found the humor in it. By the time she returned to the table, she was laughing along with them.
Lowering herself into her seat, Olivia cleared her throat, as she glanced across the table at Lena. "Thanks for the warning there," she said with a touch of wry humor in her tone. "That's certainly something I won't soon forget."
Retrieving the cup from Jordan's place setting, Lena stood from her chair. Then, making her way around the table, she gave Olivia a hearty slap on the back, and roughly squeezed her shoulder. "Trust me, Spencer; you'll acquire a taste for it." Her smirk was priceless, as she leaned over, retrieving the abandoned cup from in front of the hotelier. "It's better fresh, though."
Olivia looked simply aghast at the suggestion.
Reaching the sink, Lena dumped the two cups out, rinsed them, and then refilled them with the appropriate contents. Returning to the table, she set the cups in front of the girls, then leaned over between Olivia and Natalia, whispering, "Don't forget the chocolate syrup."
Natalia looked just a little confused for a moment, and then her face burned as crimson as Olivia's, as Lena smirked again, and Bianca stifled a giggle.
Thursday, April 30, 2009… The Cottage, Martha's Vineyard—4:15 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
After breakfast, Lena and Natalia had packed up a picnic lunch, while Olivia and Bianca tended to the girls. Strategically, they dressed the girls for the forecasted breezy afternoon; it was to be unseasonably warm, yet gusty at times.
Handing Emma and Jordan each a canvas bag, Bianca instructed them to choose exactly five handheld toys each to take along. "If it doesn't fit in these bags, it doesn't go. Got it?" She knew that absent specific limitations, they might well have a vehicle full of huge toys, with no room left for their respective owners.
The girls nodded in unison, and Bianca gently tousled their hair before turning her attention to packing necessities and a few toys for Alex.
Once the girls were ready, the women worked together, gathering blankets, windbreakers, portable beach chairs, and picnic gear, and packed the kids and their assorted paraphernalia in the SUV. Then, making the short drive into Oak Bluffs, they spent a fun-filled afternoon at Niantic Park, where the girls literally wore themselves out playing on the expansive playground.
When they weren't all together, the women took turns looking after the girls, allowing each couple to spend some time alone. Lena and Bianca chose a favorite pastime—sharing a book, while cuddling on a blanket under a nearby tree. It had started with Gone with the Wind when Bianca was pregnant with Jordan, and had continued throughout their marriage; a favorite way to enjoy simply being together.
Under Olivia and Natalia's watch, Emma and Jordan took turns holding Alex on the swings, and taking her down the huge, spiraling slide. Though Olivia was careful not to push them too high, the baby squealed with glee each time they flew into the air, and she was equally excited as they whirled down the slide.
When they were finished with the playground for a while, the five of them took a leisurely stroll along the lake. The girls tossed breadcrumbs and crackers to the geese and mallards, and a few gulls that had found their way inland. They laughed as the gulls swooped down, skimming the surface of the water in search of food, and then dove for the bits of cracker that were thrown into the air. It was like watching an air show, without any planes.
When it was their turn to supervise, Bianca climbed onto the merry-go-round with the girls, holding Alex, as Lena spun them in circles until they were all dizzy. From there, they went to the miniature playhouse, where Emma and Jordan entertained Alex, while Lena and Bianca sat on a nearby bench, talking.
Remembering their first date, Olivia pulled Natalia over to the swings while the girls were otherwise occupied.
"What are you doing?" Natalia laughingly protested.
Pressing Natalia against the seat, Olivia moved into her body. "Reliving the memory," she husked. Her lips brushed Natalia's. "Now get in the seat, so I can push you."
"Bossy, bossy." Natalia wagged a finger at her.
"Oh, please. You love it when I'm bossy," Olivia haughtily asserted.
Natalia flashed a roguish grin, and then laughing together, they reenacted the entire scene, complete with Olivia's mid-swing jump to the ground, and the sweltering kiss that followed.
Dozens of pictures were snapped that afternoon, as they played together; memories preserved for a lifetime. And a wonderful time was had by all. By the time they returned to the cottage in late afternoon, all three girls were exhausted, but in surprisingly good spirits.
Taking charge, Bianca directed Lena and Natalia to the showers, and the girls into the family room to play, while she and Olivia unloaded the SUV. Though she couldn't pinpoint anything specific, they seemed to have somehow acquired more possessions during their outing. All she knew was that it took them twice as long to unload as it had to load. Nevertheless, thirty minutes later, the SUV was unloaded, and she and Olivia were trading places with their respective partners. Date night awaited the four of them, and Constance and Katarina would be there in less than two hours to babysit for the evening.
A few minutes later, Olivia found Lena propped motionless against the doorway leading into the family room. "What's so fascinating in there?" she asked, casually.
Craning her neck to glance toward the hotelier, Lena smiled. "Come and look at this," she quietly coaxed.
"What?" Olivia moved toward the door and peered inside. "Oh, my…" she whispered, as a soft smile played on her lips.
"Isn't that the sweetest thing you've ever seen?" There were tears in Lena's eyes, and her tone was soft with a sense of wistfulness.
Emma was reclined on the sofa, with Alex lying along the length of her torso, and Jordan curled into her side. Her little arms were wrapped protectively around the younger girls, and her cheek was resting against Jordan's head. They were all sound asleep.
"It's absolutely adorable." Emotions were evident in Olivia's tone, as well.
"This time next year, there will be five of them. Can you even believe that?" Lena sounded as if she were in awe. "We're lucky women, Spence."
Olivia's hand brushed along Lena's upper back. "Yes, we are, Kundera," she quietly agreed.
"Quick, hand me my camera," Lena said, abruptly. "It's on the counter behind you. We have to capture the moment."
"Why, so we can embarrass them when they're teenagers?" Olivia teased, as she turned and grabbed the camera.
Lena arched an eyebrow and grinned at her partner in crime, as she accepted the fancy gadget from her hands. "Something like that," was all she said before she snapped the picture; capturing the moment for posterity.
TBC…