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 Spencer, Natalia and Rafe Rivera, and Gus/Nicky Aitoro are owned by CBS/TeleNext and Proctor & Gamble. The characters of Lena Kundera and Bianca Montgomery are owned by All My Children, ABC/Disney and Prospect Park.
No copyright infringement intended with regard to Guiding Light, CBS/TeleNext, Proctor & Gamble, AMC, ABC/Disney, Prospect Park, or any other entity. Other than a brief reference to the 11.10.2008 episode, the dialogue, settings, and story content in these scenes are original. Written for fun, not profit. All other standard disclaimers apply.
Just an FYI: In the spirit of complete honesty, there are portions of this update that may seem familiar to those of you who have read my Otalia one-shot about their "first time." Those portions were originally written for this story, and were always intended to be included in this chapter. The one-shot was merely a "sneak-peek" at this chapter for those of you who had been waiting so patiently for some Otalia lovin'…
Rating: Chapter 10 is rated NC-17 for obvious reasons, hehe…
Hope you all enjoy!
Kimberly
Confessions Lead to Strange Bedfellows
Copyright May 2009
"When the heart is flooded with love there is no room in it for fear, for doubt, for hesitation. When each partner loves so completely that he has forgotten to ask himself whether or not he is loved in return; when he only knows that he loves and is moving to its music—then, and then only, are two people able to dance perfectly in tune to the same rhythm."
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Chapter 10.2 – Intertwined:
Friday, May 1, 2009… The Farmhouse of Love—6:45 p.m. Central Daylight Time
Natalia laid with her body aligned to Olivia's, one firm leg draped over a toned thigh. Her temple rested against an ample breast, her right hand caressing Olivia's smooth belly, as Olivia's fingertips lightly stroked her bare shoulder. Never in her life would she ever have imagined feeling so completely relaxed while lying naked in someone's arms. A consequence of growing up Catholic, her body had been a source of shame for her since the moment she was born. Mama and Abuela had always insisted that a young girl's body was the Devil's playground, with its wanton ways of seducing boys into sin. They had been proven correct when she turned up pregnant, and her body had been a shameful reminder of her sinful nature ever since.
But everything had changed with Olivia. With every desire-laden gaze, every tender touch, every breathless whisper, every heart-stopping kiss, be it tender or passionate, Olivia had made her feel beautiful, desirable, treasured, in ways she never had before, and that wonderful discovery began long before they ever made love. It began in those moments when she would catch Olivia watching her, admiring her with such intensity in her gaze; it was there in the subtle touches, just the brushing of fingertips against her skin, and it continued in countless intimate moments they had shared along the way. Now that it had come to full fruition, Natalia felt decidedly liberated, and more importantly, loved.
Feeling the rapid, yet rhythmic beating of Olivia's heart beneath her cheek, she closed her eyes, soaking in the comforting sensation. It felt familiar, like coming home, and in that moment she understood—it wasn't Gus she had been drawn to, but rather it was his heart—the one that led her here, into Olivia's arms, and she knew without a doubt she was exactly where she belonged. She whispered to Olivia, telling her exactly that, as she snuggled closer, delighting in the nearness of her.
Olivia's heart was wholly content, as she lay there, holding Natalia close against her own body. Nothing in her life had ever been so moving, so completely fulfilling, as watching Natalia coming apart in her arms. She was strikingly beautiful—Always—but the sight of her, the scent of her arousal, the sensation of her body in the throes of passionate release, moved Olivia in ways she was helpless to even describe; and it had taken every ounce of willpower she possessed not to climax right along with her. Nothing in her previous experiences had prepared her for the intensity of such a feeling, for the depth of intimacy she found therein, and reflexively, she pulled Natalia closer; needing the intimacy of their contact.
She felt the dampness of Natalia's center firmly against her thigh as she moved against her. The tiny hairs tickling her skin drew a smile from her lips, and just that quickly, she felt an overwhelming need to touch again. Yet, she resisted; instead, lingering in the sheer contentment she found in simply holding Natalia close.
Sensing the contentment in Olivia's smile, Natalia sighed softly, and nuzzled against her breast, kissing the softness of her skin. How long they had lingered there, she couldn't say; but it had taken her what seemed like eons to recover from the wondrous tremors Olivia had provoked within her body. She could still feel the lingering essence of them deep in her core, and now, wrapped in the intoxicating warmth of Olivia's embrace, she had never known such complete and utter satisfaction. She felt secure in a way she never had before… Secure enough to share her most intimate secrets with this woman. And so she did. "That was like… oh, God, Liv… like nothing I ever could've imagined," she whispered in confession; the fingers of her right hand lightly tracing along the delicate prominence of Olivia's collarbone.
Turning into Natalia's body, Olivia pulled her impossibly closer, nuzzling into her. Tenderly, she kissed the sweat-dampened raven tendrils at her temple. "It was pretty incredible, wasn't it?" There was not a single trace of arrogance in her breathy tone, only sheer wonderment that wrapped around them like the warmth of a favorite quilt.
"Yeah, it was…" Natalia sighed contentedly, and lightly kissed the edge of Olivia's breast, drawing a soft sigh from her. "Did you, um—?" She blushed at the mere thought of Olivia reaching orgasm with her.
Olivia grinned. She adored Natalia's bashful side. "No—," she murmured, slightly shaking her head. "I could have… I wanted to, but… I didn't," she answered honestly.
"Why not?" Natalia was both curious and concerned.
Fingertips brushed Natalia's face. "Because I want you inside me the next time I do," Olivia whispered against Natalia's ear.
The mere thought of touching Olivia so intimately made Natalia's center throb with excitement, and her heart raced in her chest.
Olivia smiled, as she felt the wildness in Natalia's pulse, beating against her side where their bodies meshed. "Does the thought of touching me excite you, Natalia?" Olivia certainly knew how excited she was at the prospect of Natalia touch.
Delivered on a seductive whisper, Olivia's words caused Natalia's heart rate to increase. Gulping, she answered, "Yes…" Truth be told, it more than excited her—it inspired her to do things she never imagined she would do. "I'm just… I—I'm so… curious…" She skated her mouth over Olivia's, "about your body…"
Nuzzling against Natalia's nose, Olivia brushed their mouths together. "I want you to feel safe, Natalia," she whispered, kissing her again. "I want you to feel comfortable and free to explore my body,' she murmured. "To kiss me… To touch me…" The tips of her fingers feathered across Natalia's right nipple, causing it to pebble, and drawing a gasp of surprise from Natalia. "Anywhere you want… Any way you want… I won't hold anything back from you, N'talia… Not anymore…," she whispered in promise. Each pause in her words was filled with a sensual kiss, effectively arousing them both. "I want you to experience the same pleasure I just did."
"It was… pleasurable to you, what you just did for me?" Natalia bit her bottom lip, adorably.
Grinning roguishly, Olivia answered, "Oh, Sweetheart, you have no idea how pleasurable." Delivered on a throaty growl, Olivia eyes turned smoky with desire, as she lingered in Natalia's gaze. "So unbelievably pleasurable that I wanna do it again—right now…"
Torn between the draw of more of Olivia's enthralling touch… and the promise of pleasure gained through touching Olivia that same way, Natalia made an impossible decision. She arched a deliberate eyebrow. "Not a chance," she challenged, gently pushing against Olivia's chest. "Not until I get my turn."
A sultry laugh fell from Olivia's lips, as she gazed into those determined eyes. "I love your tenacious spirit," she said, with a devilish lilt.
"Don't tease me," Natalia pled, softly.
"I'm not," Olivia gently insisted. "You are one very determined woman. It's one of your greatest strengths, and I admire that in you."
Dimples bloomed, and Olivia's heart skipped a beat.
Leaning across Olivia's chest, they both released a soft gasp in reaction to the newness of their bare breasts brushing together, and then Natalia kissed her. "You like it that I'm as stubborn as you?" she teased.
Amused, a soft chuckle fell from Olivia's lips. "I like it that I've finally met my match," she confessed, as she brushed raven tendrils from Natalia's face. "I've never been more perfectly suited to another person, Natalia. You're everything I've ever needed, and more."
The sincerity in Olivia's voice rocked Natalia to her core, and those dark expressive eyes welled up with tears. "I really needed to hear that right now," she admitted. "In more ways than one…" She let Olivia fill in the blanks.
Gently, Olivia's knuckles skated across Natalia's cheek. "Are you nervous, y'know, about what comes next?"
Bashfully, Natalia nodded.
Olivia's heart melted at the sheer innocence of Natalia's admission, and she pulled her closer. "It's just you and me, Sweetheart, so there's nothing to worry about, okay?" she quietly reassured, as she poured her love out over Natalia's skin with light brushes of lips against her temple, brow, cheeks, and mouth. "You just do what makes you comfortable, alright? I'll let you know what I like, and don't like, the way you did for me."
Nonplussed, Natalia's brow furrowed. "But I didn't…"
A playful grin bloomed on Olivia's lips, as she remembered the soft whimpers and contented sighs, the guttural groans and the ragged breathing, the arching of Natalia's body and the jerking of her hips—all those delicious cues she had received from Natalia as she made love to her. "Oh, yes, you did. You just didn't use words…"
Natalia's breath caught, and she felt a flush of heat coloring her cheeks. "Oh—," she breathed, bashfully.
"Yeah… Oh—"
The obvious amusement in Olivia's voice made Natalia smile.
And then she blushed again, as she thought about how wonderful it felt to have Olivia touch her so intimately. "You were… incredible, you know," she whispered. Brushing their mouths together, her tongue lightly teased Olivia's lower lip. "I never knew sex could feel so completely amazing."
Releasing a soft moan, Olivia's heart rate bumped up a notch. "We've only just begun…"
"I can't wait to see what's next," Natalia declared on a throaty whisper.
"Neither can I," Olivia murmured, as Natalia's mouth lingered on her own.
And then lightly, her fingertips were tracing the scar that ran between Olivia's breasts. The once-coarse ridges of the scar had smoothed out, growing faint with the passage of time, but the imprint left on two hearts was indelible.
Olivia's eyes slid closed, as Natalia's tender exploration continued; the warmth of her mouth replacing the lightness of fingertips. She felt the heat of tears mingling with the warmth of open-mouthed kisses, and then Natalia was whispering to her.
"I'm so thankful he was a match for you." The words tumbled from tremulous lips on a strangled whisper. There was a gulp, and a stifled cry, as the fullness of that truth entwined itself around Natalia's heart, and then her arms were around Olivia; pulling her impossibly closer, as trembling lips softly kissed her chest.
The emotions that flowed between them were tacit, but palpable; and wrapping her arms around Natalia's body, Olivia held her securely. She tenderly kissed Natalia's hair; then buried her face in the softness of it, as her own tears of deep gratitude began to flow. This woman who held her had saved her life, in more ways than one, and she vowed to show her, in a thousand different ways every single day, just exactly how deeply she was treasured.
Neither of them could say how long they lingered there; but it didn't really matter. Tonight, as they hovered on the precipice of their future, they felt as though they had all the time in the world.
Then, gaining confidence, Natalia shifted her focus. She was so ready for more, and she knew Olivia was, as well. Covering Olivia's mouth with her own, what began as light, fluttery kisses, turned into, slow, deep explorations, their breathing deepening with every stroke of Natalia's tongue against the confines of Olivia's mouth. Olivia moaned softly each time Natalia's tongue brushed against her lower lip, and she shivered, when it stroked just inside her open mouth, sliding against her own tongue. Every breath was deeper than the one previous, as Natalia's mouth locked tightly against Olivia's, and yet, they found themselves panting for air.
Olivia's next awareness was the sensation of Natalia's mouth at her breast, those wild raven tresses in her face, and tickling her nipples. Her lips were so soft, so sinuous, as they traveled across fevered flesh in a languorous trek toward taut peaks. Never would she have imagined something so innocent, so sweet, as the warmth of Natalia's breath against her nipple, could be so unbelievably arousing. And yet it was, and Olivia felt herself teetering on the edge of completion.
The light, briny taste of Olivia's skin, mixed with the familiar musky scent of her, spurred Natalia's exploration—her mouth and tongue caressing every inch of flesh it could find. Slowly, she gloried in the hedonistic pleasure of loving Olivia's breasts.
She licked, first one nipple, then the other, and then returned to the first; bathing it with long, languid strokes of her tongue. It felt incredible, the way it pebbled as she lightly teased around the base with the tip of her tongue. And then a soft whimper fell from her lips, as her mouth finally closed over the straining bud, and Olivia groaned out her pleasure, her groin clenching tight in anticipation.
Olivia watched, enchanted by the feel of Natalia's mouth and hands on her body. Her touch was so tender—so unlike the harsh, rushed feeling of that endless string of men touching her. She shuddered at the intrusive thought, promptly discarding it, knowing that she would never allow another man, another person, to touch her ever again.
Natalia luxuriated in the paradoxical state of Olivia's body—so very firm, and yet, impossibly soft. Never would she have imagined a woman's body could be so alluring, so desirable, but everything about Olivia drew her close, enticed her to touch, to explore. She took her time, delighting in the velvety softness of flesh, and sounds that slipped from Olivia's lungs as she touched her, kissed her. And then her mouth was at Olivia's breast again, suckling gently.
Stifling a moan, Olivia gently cupped the back of Natalia's head; holding her in place, even as her own head fell back against the pillow that was propped behind her.
When the light, fluttering sucking began, Olivia felt a rush of liquid heat pool between her legs, accompanied by another sharp clenching of muscles and nerve endings that hadn't been directly stimulated in a very long time. Her body jerked in response, and the sound that burst from deep within her lungs could only be described as primal. Natalia had barely touched her, and she felt as though she might explode. Willfully, she held back, allowing Natalia free reign over her body. It was unfamiliar territory for them both, and a gift she wanted to give to the woman who owned her, body and soul.
Startled by the intensity of Olivia's response, Natalia gasped and wrenched back. The light scraping of her teeth against the taut point of flesh only made Olivia jerk harder, as she murmured and fervently groaned out her pleasure. The flush of Olivia's skin coupled with her ardent vocalizations, both wordless and otherwise, told Natalia that she was doing something right, and she grinned proudly, her own arousal heightening. "Did you like that?" she husked, as she nuzzled next to Olivia's ear. Her fingernail lightly teased that sensitive nipple.
"God, yes!" Olivia exhaled on a throaty growl. Her nipples were throbbing points of pleasure, teetering on the brink of pain, and she wanted Natalia to take them over the edge. "Do it again, N'talia. Please, do it again," she implored.
"Do what again?" Natalia panted, thoroughly aroused by the intensity of Olivia's request.
"Bite them," Olivia demanded.
Natalia hesitated, and Olivia reached down, tangling her fingers in raven tresses. Tightening her grasp, though not harshly, their gazes met.
"Please?" Olivia begged, and Natalia could see the intensity of her need flashing in the smoky jade of those piercing eyes.
Just that quickly, Natalia found herself nodding her acquiescence.
Olivia's grasp did not subside, as Natalia lowered her head, drawing one of those engorged coral peaks into the warmth of her mouth. Lightly, she nibbled, causing Olivia to groan in pleasure.
"Harder," Olivia insisted. "Please?" Oh, God, but this was delicious torture. After such a long absence from sex, her body craved such harsh stimulation, and she prayed that Natalia wouldn't fear giving it to her. She wouldn't always need it that way, but right now, nothing less would do.
The primal urgency in Olivia's voice spurred Natalia into action. Closing her teeth around that taut peak, she bit down with purpose, as she teased that swollen treasure with the tip of her tongue.
Olivia growled out her response, and it echoed through their bedroom, as her body writhed beneath Natalia. Another firm bite—one that caused her clit to throb—and then that languid tongue was soothing her. God, if Natalia could bring her this much pleasure by simply biting her nipples, she couldn't wait to feel those teeth clamping down on her most sensitive parts. Did she dare hope that Natalia would pleasure her in such a way?
Natalia didn't need to be asked—she knew Olivia needed more. Switching breasts, she treated the other nipple to similar pleasures, even as she caressed that first nipple between her fingers. The response she received was even more intense than the first, and then Olivia was begging her for more.
Pressing Olivia firmly into their mattress, Natalia silenced her with a slow, deliberate kiss. Tentatively, her tongue sought entrance, and Olivia's lips instinctively parted, granting permission to deepen the kiss. And then it was Natalia's turn to entice, to arouse, as she drew Olivia's tongue out and into her own mouth, suckling it until Olivia whimpered and moaned; her body writhing beneath Natalia's. She could feel the heat of Olivia's abundant arousal against the thigh that was nestled between Olivia's legs, and it raised the level of her own desire. Slowly, she licked and kissed her way to Olivia's ear, nibbling gently. "I wanna touch you, Liv," she nearly growled; surprised at the intensity of her own need to do so. "Please—," she entreated, lightly sucking Olivia's earlobe. "I know you want it too…"
God, her kisses were seductive, her voice, so alluring. Olivia's groin clenched and her nipples tightened in anticipation, and a tangle of throaty yeses and strangled moans announced her acquiescence. She couldn't believe how aroused she was, or how easily she had been placed into submission. "Yes, Natalia. Touch me," she implored, as her hips shifted off the bed, seeking direct contact, and she moaned out her pleasure when her distended clit rubbed against Natalia's firm thigh. "Oh, God, touch me, please…" The plea tore from her lungs on a rigid groan. "I'm so hard for you, Natalia, so wet—I need to feel you inside me…"
The mere inference to being inside Olivia drew a soft gasp from Natalia's lungs, as her cheeks flushed anew. She was excited beyond reason, and decidedly nervous. Shifting on their bed, she propped her body up on one elbow to gain a more advantageous view of Olivia's body.
Leaning up to kiss her, Olivia mirrored her actions.
Natalia smiled at her, and eyes, darkening with arousal, slowly followed the candlelit path as it gently touched Olivia's elegantly chiseled features. Dancing, it kissed and caressed her with its sensuous glow; softly highlighting kiss-swollen lips that just begged to be kissed again and again. And then it was flickering against the graceful slope of her nose, and those long, beautiful eyelashes, the tips of those soft, chestnut locks, and gliding along the contoured edge of her jaw.
Reaching out, Natalia gently brushed a lock of wayward chestnut hair from Olivia's face. "God, you're so beautiful," she said, breathlessly; and delivered on a whisper, her thoughts were carried out into the stillness of night, as fingers lightly trailed down Olivia's cheek.
Smiling softly, Natalia replaced those fingers with her lips, brushing them against Olivia's cheek and neck. Tentatively, she shifted her body, so as not to inhibit the flame-lit path across silken flesh. Then, continuing their tender caress, dark eyes followed that flickering glow as it licked at Olivia's skin, brushing against her long, graceful neck, kissing her shoulder, and burning a path down a toned bicep before plunging down, fondling an exposed breast, lingering over that voluptuous swell, before delicately tonguing the tip of a taut coral nipple.
Envious of the candlelight's pleasure, Natalia couldn't resist the urge to lean in, delicately kissing that alluring peak. Her breath fell across Olivia's skin like a whisper, an ephemeral kiss, but still, it provoked a soft moan from Olivia's chest, bringing a smile to Natalia's lips. And then, as Natalia shifted again, the candlelight found the smooth, sensuous curve of a hip, dipping down, lapping at that lush knoll at the zenith of Olivia's thighs…
Natalia allowed her eyes to linger there, mesmerized by the swell of softness, kissed by adoring flickers of candlelight. Olivia's body was more breathtaking than anything she had ever seen, and she could no longer resist the urge to touch.
Hungry eyes sought permission that was reflected back to her in the luminescence of liquid jade, as that sensuous smile teased at the corners of Olivia's mouth. She reached out, her fingertips slowly wandering the lush landscape of Olivia's strong, muscular body, exploring her. She kissed Olivia slowly, as she lowered her body to their bed, and there she lingered, caressing flame-kissed skin with gentle strokes and arousing touches, mapping every curve, and slope, and valley, committing to memory every moan and every shudder her touch drew from Olivia's body, before lightly brushing her fingertips across that swell of perfectly manicured curls. It felt downy soft beneath her rapt fingertips, and as she caressed Olivia there, she delighted in the heat and wet that licked at the palm of her hand.
Releasing a soft sigh, Olivia closed her eyes and simply reveled in the exquisite sensation of Natalia's fingertips brushing against her there. She was aroused beyond reason, but willfully, she tamped down her need, allowing Natalia to indulge, to explore, to satisfy her curiosities.
And when gentle, probing fingers dipped just beneath the surface, discovering her for the first time, they released an ephemeral breath in unison, and then Olivia became a shivering mass of nerve endings and need.
Pulling her impossibly closer, Natalia whispered to her, asking if she was all right. Olivia's response was a breathless plea for Natalia to kiss her. And as Natalia kissed her again, Olivia's body instinctively arched into the touch of Natalia's hand; encouraging deeper exploration.
Delivered on a slow, almost guttural moan, her name tumbled from Olivia's lips into Natalia's mouth, as she stirred beneath that tender yet provocative touch, her body instinctively seeking increasingly more intimate contact with those fingertips, and the soft, alluring curves of Natalia's body.
Natalia was in complete awe of how satisfying it felt to touch Olivia this way, to hear her soft moans of pleasure, to feel her body responding to entranced fingertips. Every light stroke, every lingering kiss, every soft caress, evoked an even more intense response, and spurred on by Olivia's increasingly gratifying noises of approval, Natalia slipped her fingers deep inside Olivia's waiting warmth; mirroring the many exquisite ways in which Olivia had made love to her during the hours before.
Olivia groaned and writhed, pressing closer to her, encouraging deeper exploration of the places in her body that screamed for release, as she surrendered herself, body, and soul, to the woman who loved her so completely. Never had she given herself so fully to another, and when she climaxed in Natalia's arms, her body clenching around those tantalizing fingers, she clung to her, invoking God, and praising Natalia.
Natalia was thankful her mouth had already been on Olivia's, lest she awaken the entire farm with her thunderous cries of pleasure, as her entire body quaked in Natalia's arms. She was still shaking with indescribable pleasure and a depth of emotion the likes of which she had never known, when passionate kisses turned slow and lingering.
No one had ever touched her body with such gentleness, such genuine warmth, or evoked such an emotional response within her. And as Olivia collapsed against Natalia's body, physically and emotionally exhausted, she found herself enveloped in more love and contentment than she thought her heart could hold. And then Natalia was covering her face and hair with kisses, and whispering to her, telling her how much she loved her, and needed her, and how incredible it was to finally love her this way.
And finally, lying face to face in the center of their bed, their bodies flush up against one another, legs intertwined, they savored the afterglow of their lovemaking. Olivia nuzzled against Natalia's nose. "That was amazing—you're amazing…," she breathed, her gaze locked on dazzling mahogany pools.
Natalia's dimples dazzled as she smiled into Olivia's eyes. "Amazing, huh?" she murmured playfully, as she allowed Olivia to pull her closer, holding her almost possessively.
"Completely," Olivia whispered, and then she kissed her tenderly. "It was so ridiculously amazing… I need a cigarette…," she joked.
Giggling, Natalia playfully pushed Olivia's shoulder. "You don't even smoke…"
"See?" Olivia said with a teasing grin, "I told you it was amazing."
Natalia laughed softly, and then fingertips gently brushed Olivia's face, as she gazed into darkened jade. "You really needed that, didn't you?" she said, softly.
"God, I did." Delivered on a throaty groan, Olivia's declaration was followed by a contented sigh. "I really needed you…," she breathed, emphasizing that Natalia was the sole object of her need, visceral or otherwise.
"You have me, always," Natalia whispered, as she snuggled into Olivia's arms.
They were quiet for a while, the only sounds in the room being the soft jazz that floated around them, and the echoes of their still-ragged breathing. There were tender kisses, and light touches—the ones that maintained their intimacy, as they relaxed and enjoyed simply being together.
"What are you thinking?" Olivia asked quietly, as she lay there with Natalia nestled against her body.
"Right now, I'm thanking God for unanswered prayers," Natalia whispered. Her fingertips lightly caressed Olivia's belly, making slow circles.
"Tell me more…," Olivia quietly encouraged.
"I was thinking about the day we left Gus's house that final time; and how I said there were no memories there, only dreams…"
"I remember…," Olivia said, quietly. What she remembered was Natalia's tenacity that day, as she laid out her demands for agreeing to give up Gus's house in exchange for moving Rafe to a safer prison. While admittedly, she found Natalia rather amusing that day, she also felt much admiration for the grieving wife, the protective mother, the passionate woman with strength beyond anything Olivia could imagine. And what she remembered most was the fact that it was the first time Natalia had taken her hand in a moment that had nothing to do with pity, and everything to do with the bond that had been formed between them the day Natalia had given her the gift of Gus's heart. Her eyes welled up with tears. "What about it?" was all she could ask, if she had any hope of staving off her emotions.
"It was so painful to leave that house, to leave him behind, but… you were there, and you comforted me, like you always do; telling me I still had my dreams…," Natalia recalled, the memory still resounding in her heart. Olivia's smile had been so bittersweet, her voice, her eyes, such a tender caress, and it brought Natalia comfort in a way she never expected. She smiled at the memory. "But I realize now that I ended up with far more than just my dreams, because here, Olivia… here, we have both memories and dreams…," she said, emphasizing the fact that they had both. "We have it all. And we have it together…"
Smiling through her tears, Olivia tenderly kissed Natalia's temple. "Yes, we do," she agreed. "And I've never been happier, Natalia. Never in my life."
Natalia released a soft, contented sigh. "Neither have I, Liv," she whispered. "Neither have I…"
They were quiet again for several moments, and then Natalia asked, "And what are you thinking?" She emphasized the part about it being Olivia's turn to share.
Kiss-swollen lips adopted an almost roguish grin. "I was thinking that I finally understand why Lena bought a hotel."
"What?" A soft laugh fell from Natalia's lips. She arched an eyebrow, as she glanced up from where her head rested against Olivia's shoulder. "Should I be at all concerned that you're thinking about Lena right now?" There was amusement in her tone.
Olivia laughed. "Not in the least," she answered, making it clear that Natalia had not a concern in the world in that regard. "Didn't you hear her when she told me why she bought the Valley Inn?"
"No—"
Natalia's response made perfect sense then. "It was the first place she and Bianca ever made love," Olivia shared. "And they go there, to that same room, every year on the anniversary of their first night together."
"Aw, that's so romantic," Natalia sighed. She thought for a moment, and then she turned on her belly, leaning across Olivia's body with her arm resting between perfect breasts. "Does that mean I get a standing reservation here every year?" she asked, as her fingertips brushed that pouty bottom lip.
"Sweetheart, you can have a standing reservation in this bed every night if you want one," Olivia answered, emphasizing the frequency of those reservations. Her eyebrows wiggled in tandem with the roguish tone in her voice.
Natalia laughed softly. "You'll get no arguments from me."
"We are never selling this house," Olivia declared.
"You would really live here forever?" Natalia sounded hopeful, yet a bit skeptical.
Olivia reached up, tenderly brushing her fingertips against Natalia's cheek. "As long as you're happy here, this is where we'll stay."
The antiquated pipes picked precisely that moment to groan in protest of some unseen pressure. "Even with the crappy plumbing?" Natalia asked, teasingly.
"Yup—," Olivia confirmed with a grin. "And the cow manure in the barn, too…" she teased.
Dimples bloomed. "I think I just fell a little bit more in love with you."
TBC…