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 Rivera, Gus Aitoro, Doris Wolfe, Josh and Billy Lewis, Lawrence Decker, and Jane, the nanny are owned by CBS/TeleNext and Proctor & Gamble. The characters of Lena Kundera, Bianca Montgomery, Kendall Hart Slater, Erica Kane, Greenlee Smythe Dupree, and Zach Slater/Alexander Cambias, Jr. 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, or any other entity. The dialogue, settings, and story content in these scenes are original. Written for fun, not profit. All other standard disclaimers apply.
Thank you, as always, to everyone who continues to read and comment. I apologize for the delay in responding to your wonderful feedback. Life is busy, but good—my classes and internship are really kicking my ass this semester. Not that I'm complaining! I'm learning a great deal, and having a wonderful time working with college students from all over the world. Anyway, my intent is to respond to each of you individually over the Thanksgiving weekend. In the interim, please know that I appreciate you all!
Em, the Lena/Olivia conversation that starts this update is for you and P… :-)
WW, my faithful little FFW… I hope this update occupies you well on your flight… ;-)
Last, but certainly not least, thank you to my pal, MoniRod for the edit. You totally Rock, Woman! I appreciate you, and I owe you—BIG TIME!
Rating: Chapter 12 is rated NC-17 overall, though most sections will be either PG or PG-13…
I hope you all enjoy!
K
Confessions Lead to Strange Bedfellows
Copyright May 2009
"An alliance is like a chain. It is not made stronger by adding weak links to it… An alliance should be hard diplomatic currency, valuable and hard to get…"
— Walter Lippmann
"We cannot always assure the future of our friends; we have a better chance of assuring our future if we remember who are friends are."
— Henry Kissinger
Chapter 12.6 – Old Friends, New Ventures, and Unexpected Alliances:
Monday, May 4, 2009… The Farmhouse of Love—6:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time
Having returned from their now-customary early morning run, Olivia and Lena were met on the front porch by Natalia, fresh towels and cold bottled water, in hand. The daily edition of the Springfield Journal had been delivered to the farmhouse doorstep like clockwork, sometime in the early hours of morning. Awaiting them on the arm of the rickety old bench, it loafed in the first promises of dawn, like a languid cat sunbathing in a sliver of sunlight cast across the floor. Mugs of steaming coffee had been placed on the small wooden table nearby, and the rich aroma suffused the air around them.
Gratefully, Olivia and Lena accepted the proffered items from Natalia, as Sandy pranced beneath Lena's feet. Excitedly, Sandy's toenails tapped against the wooden planks as she awaited her turn to drink. Lena took several long gulps of the refreshing water, and then tended to the dog, as Olivia turned her attention to Natalia.
Wiping the sweat from her face and arms, Olivia took pleasure in the lustful expression in Natalia's eyes, as they raked down Olivia's body. Natalia had to work hard to stifle the appreciative moans that sought escape from her lungs, as she watched the muscles in Olivia's abdomen, arms, and chest ripple beneath sun-bronzed skin in response to her movements.
Tossing the towel aside with a mischievous grin, Olivia stepped into Natalia, pulling her close. Not surprisingly, Natalia didn't protest. Encouraged, Olivia thanked Natalia properly for the provisions, with a kiss that lingered a bit longer than she had intended, yet ended far sooner than either of them desired.
It was the sound of Lena's voice teasing them that finally drew them apart—something about how, surely three whole days would have been enough to get it out of their systems. Olivia and Natalia both laughed, but neither of them commented. Then, sharing another kiss, this one light and quick, Natalia excused herself with a whispered promise to Olivia of a rendezvous in the shower in thirty minutes.
Olivia offered a dastardly grin in response. Breathy promises of things to come elicited a pledge from Olivia of quickest cup of coffee ever, and then she kissed Natalia again, before sending her on her way. She turned to Lena then, finding her settled in on the bench. Sandy, always the predictable companion, was curled up at her feet. "I can assure you, not even three lifetimes will be enough to get her out of my system," she announced. Her grin was mischievous, as she sauntered toward the bench.
"Something tells me Natalia would agree," Lena commented. The slightly arrogant grin on Olivia's face said she concurred.
Lena smirked. "It was that good, was it?" It was the first opportunity they'd actually had to talk privately, and she had no intention of passing it up.
The weathered wooden frame of the bench emitted a groan of protest, as Olivia lowered herself to the seat. She smiled at the familiar noise, and released a satisfied sigh as she settled into her usual spot. Casually, she crossed her legs. "It was so far beyond good, it bordered on…" She paused for a moment, searching, then said with an aura of wonder in her tone, "Lena, there are no words."
The tone of her voice told Lena exactly how far beyond good—not that she hadn't already gathered from all the noise the evening prior. She laughed softly in response. "Told you so," she teased affectionately. "Seems the two of you managed to figure things out quite effectively." Her tone gave away the intimate nature of her knowledge, and she awaited Olivia's response with relish.
Thankful for the flush that already colored her cheeks, Olivia slid down further on the bench, resting her neck against the top rail, as she focused on the sun slowly rising through the trees. "You heard us last night, didn't you?" she asked, almost sheepishly.
"I'm fairly certain farm animals in the next county heard you, Spencer," Lena razzed. "I'm surprised you didn't start a stampede."
"Look who's talking!" Olivia laughed. "You and Bianca aren't exactly quiet as church mice."
It was Lena's turn to laugh. "You do have a point." In the past, particularly with Bianca's family, she would have been embarrassed by such an observation; but not any longer, and especially not with Olivia.
"So how'd it feel to have sex in my house?" There was humor in Olivia's tone, as she tapped the side of Lena's right sneaker with her left foot.
"Like blissful payback," Lena said, sounding justified.
"Payback?" Olivia exclaimed. "For what! Natalia and I didn't…"
"Not Natalia…" Lena's interjection was delivered on a dry note.
Immediately, Olivia choked out an, "Oh—," as her face flushed a deep crimson.
Lena didn't need to specify anything further. Olivia's memory flashed back to a stopover in London when she and Josh had been on their way home from San Cristobal during the harbor project Lewis Construction was overseeing there. Lena had offered the use of her suite for the night, as she was to be in Paris. Unfortunately for all of them, plans had changed, and she arrived back in London far earlier than expected. Unable to reach Olivia, she had elected to return to her suite hoping to catch the two of them in time for dinner. What she caught instead, as she opened the door, was a sight she would never in her life eradicate from her mind: Joshua Lewis—Olivia's husband, yet still a man Lena had never met—buck naked on the sofa in the lounge area of her suite, with an equally naked Olivia mounted atop him, her smooth, coral tipped, fleshy breasts bouncing wildly as she rode them both to a screaming orgasm. The screaming orgasm part was what met her as she stepped inside.
"Yes," Lena said, smartly. "Oh—"
"Well, you were supposed to be gone for the night!" Olivia defended.
"I tried to call. You didn't answer," Lena pointed out.
"I was a little busy," Olivia said, wittily.
"So I gathered," Lena replied, dryly. "Y'know, Spencer, there tends to be at least one bed in a hotel suite," she reminded. "Usually several. Hence, the term 'suite'."
Olivia made a face at her. "Oh, please. I dare you to tell me you and Bianca always fuck in bed," she challenged. "Because we both know that's not true."
There was humor in Olivia's tone, but it didn't' set well with Lena.
"I do not fuck my wife," Lena said, a bit more harshly than she intended. That word was something she simply did not associate with Bianca. They had a lot of sex—wild, passionate sex at times—and they made love quite frequently. But they did not ever fuck. That was something she had done with countless strangers, for reasons she was loath to remember; but it was never something she did with the woman she loved. Even in moments of intense passion, Bianca was always treated with tenderness and respect, and that would never change.
Duly chastised, Olivia offered sincere apology. "I shouldn't have said that," she admitted. "I know everything is different with Bianca."
"It is," Lena quietly affirmed.
Olivia was nodding her head, knowingly. "If I hadn't realized that before, I certainly do now, because it's the same for me with Natalia," she admitted.
"Sex takes on a whole new dynamic, doesn't it," Lena mused, more statement than question. Her snappishness had long-since been forgotten.
A wistful smile tickled the corners of Olivia's lips, as she sipped her bottle of water. "Sure does." She released a soft, contented sigh. "Never in my life could I have imagined sharing something so wonderful with another person. I don't even know why I was so nervous and hesitant anymore."
"My guess would be because she matters more to you than anyone else ever has," Lena candidly surmised.
"Truer words…," Olivia openly affirmed.
Taking a sip of coffee, Lena set her mug back on the table. "It's scary, isn't it?" she mused.
"Terrifying," Olivia concurred. "Especially at first."
"But it's so worth it," Lena declared. The affection in her tone spoke volumes about her love for Bianca.
"I couldn't agree more," Olivia harmonized. Setting her bottle of water aside, she clasped her hands behind her head, assuming an even more relaxed pose. "God, Lena, she's so curious, so passionate, and yet she has this innate innocence about her. And she's so damned beautiful she takes my breath away."
Lena smiled softly. "I can relate," she murmured. She glanced at Olivia. "I can tell you from experience that her curiosity will grow, and she won't stay innocent for long." The insinuation in her tone was mischievous.
"Oh, I already learned that." Olivia cast a roguish grin toward her friend. "Her curiosity is endless, but even so, I don't think she'll ever lose her purity. I wouldn't want her to. But," she paused, contemplating. "Well… let's just say we're extremely compatible, and I'm thoroughly enjoying eradicating her innocence."
Lena's mouth curled into a devilish smirk. "So I heard."
"Shut up," Olivia laughingly commanded.
Dutifully, Lena clamped her mouth shut.
"You know, if you ever tell her I said this, I'll call you a liar," Olivia qualified, "but… she's wearing me out." She laughed at the juxtaposition, and Lena grinned.
"And you were worried that she didn't even like sex." Lena chuckled at the irony.
Olivia smirked. "Well, apparently, she didn't like sex—until me," she crowed.
Rolling her eyes, Lena shook her head. "Great… as if we needed something else to inflate your ego," she said, wryly.
Olivia's laughter suffused the air around them, reminding Lena of the early days of their friendship when life was simple, the future, filled with promise. Though along the way there had been days far darker than either of them ever could have fathomed, life had come full circle for them now. It would never be truly simple again—it seldom was for anyone—but together they were poised on the precipice of a future that brimmed with more promise than either of them could think or imagine.
It was from that vantage point that Lena finally spoke. "I'm really happy for you, Spence," she said, her tone turning serious. "Natalia's a good woman."
"Yes, she is," Olivia adamantly agreed. "And thank you," she said, in quiet appreciation of Lena's unwavering support. She sighed softly, as she glanced toward her old friend. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have the most gorgeous woman in the world waiting to get naked with me in the shower." The expression on Olivia's face was sheer exhilaration, with a hint of roguish anticipation.
"What are you doing showering with my wife?" Lena questioned wryly.
Olivia grinned at Lena's witty comment. "I suppose gorgeous is in the eye of the beholder," she granted.
"Yes, I suppose it is," Lena smoothly agreed. She reached across the bench, pulling the newspaper from its perch. The pages crackled as she opened it. "Shall I wake Emma, and get her moving?"
"Would you?" Olivia said, appreciatively. "She needs to be up by seven. Bus comes at seven thirty."
Casually, Lena glanced at her watch, and then set her arm back down on the sidearm of the bench. "Just don't use all the hot water," she cautioned. She didn't really answer Olivia's question, but it was understood that Emma would be up and ready in time. "I have a gorgeous woman waiting to get naked with me, as well."
"You snooze, you lose," Olivia taunted, as she skirted toward the door, laughing.
"That's okay," Lena said, dismissively. "Bianca and I can create our own heat."
A hearty laugh fell from Olivia's lips. "Touché, Kundera," she conceded, before pushing through the door. The anticipation of Natalia waiting for her in the shower had her taking the stairs two at a time.
The fact that Olivia's coffee sat, untouched, on the table on the front porch, was not lost on Lena, as she perused the morning paper, acquainting herself with the town of Springfield.
Monday, May 4, 2009… The Farmhouse of Love—7:15 a.m. Central Daylight Time
"Mm… Honey," Natalia murmured in a cautionary tone, as she pushed her palms against Olivia's chest in a half-hearted attempt to extricate herself from her lover's arms. "It's after seven. We need to get Emma up, she's gonna miss her bus."
Refusing to relinquish the hold she had on Natalia, Olivia shook her head. Undeterred, her mouth lightly skimmed along the taut column of muscle in Natalia's neck, chasing droplets of water with her tongue. "Huh-uh," she declined. "Lena got her up. I'm sure she's already dressed and fed."
A mischievous grin trickled across Natalia's lips. "I'm kind of in love with our friends," she admitted. "I may not let them go home."
"Oh?" Leaning back to catch a glimpse of Natalia's face, Olivia arched that questioning eyebrow. "I thought you were in love with me?" She emphasized the object of Natalia's presumed affection.
Releasing a slow groan, Natalia offered assurance. "Oh, I can assure you, my darling, my feelings for you go far beyond love," she said, as her mouth reconnected with Olivia's of its own volition.
"Tell me more," Olivia coaxed with a roguish grin.
"Every single part of me is connected with you," Natalia confessed. "I'm synced with your heart, in tune with your soul, entranced by your mind, and…" Drawing out the coordinate conjunction, she allowed the suspense to build, "unapologetically infatuated with your body," she emphasized, as she slid her hands beneath the back of Olivia's crisp white shirt. The fact that the front of it was still hanging open only served to excite her more.
"Infatuated, huh?" Olivia said with a flirty lilt.
"Completely," Natalia practically purred, pressing her lips against Olivia's. "You are so unbelievably sexy…"
"It would be fruitless to point out the fact that we just made love in the shower, wouldn't it?" Though her legs were still wobbly from their last encounter, Olivia sounded as though she wouldn't mind a repeat performance at all.
"Uh-huh—," Natalia murmured distractedly, as she continued skimming Olivia's tongue with her own, her fingertips gently kneading into heated flesh. "It'll be hours before I can touch you like this again. I don't wanna waste a moment."
Olivia grinned into Natalia's kisses. "If you don't stop that, we're never gonna make it out of here on time."
"What does it matter? You're the boss, remember?" Natalia reminded.
"Well, there is that," Olivia relented. She deepened their kiss then, lingering with Natalia until the very last conceivable moment, when Emma was banging on their door, urgently reminding them that her bus was on its way.
Monday, May 4, 2009… Olivia's Office, The Beacon—9:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time
Arriving at the Beacon on Monday morning, Olivia and Natalia found things to be running at their usual brisk pace. The phones at the front desk were ringing, and being answered swiftly, per Beacon protocol—two rings maximum, or heads will roll. Several guests milled about the lobby, some checking out tourist brochures, others chattering with the concierges or other available staff members about local restaurants, shopping, and the best way to avoid traffic. A few business types lounged in cozy chairs, sipping gourmet coffee and reading some of the many morning newspapers the Beacon subscribed to from around the country. Traffic moved in and out of Watershed, as early risers finished their morning meal and headed out for the day, and the next group of patrons arrived. It was a typical Monday at the Beacon, and they were eager to show Lena and Bianca around the property.
By nine thirty, the tour of the facilities had been completed, and Natalia was busily setting up in the conference room for Olivia and Lena's initial meeting with their team of attorneys, while Lena put out a few feelers for investors in their planned takeover of Morgan Financial, and Bianca settled Jordan and Alexandria into Olivia's suite with Jane.
Olivia was in her office, tending to a few details regarding the renovations at the women's center in Chicago, when a knock sounded at her door. "Come in—" She glanced up as she called toward the closed door. And then she smiled as it opened. "What are you two doing here?" she asked, surprised to see Jen and Tracy walking through the door.
"Sorry to barge in unannounced," Tracy commented. She tipped her head toward Natalia's door. "Natalia isn't in her office."
"She's setting up the conference room," Olivia noted. And then her expression shifted into a frown. "You're supposed to be taking the day off," she chided gently.
"I know, and we will," Jen assured. "We just thought we'd drop by so I could fill you in on a few things from last week, and then I promise we'll be outta here for the day."
Olivia smiled, pleased with Jen's work ethic. The comment only served to solidify some of the decisions she had made over the past several days. "All right then, please, have a seat." She gestured toward black leather visitors' chairs opposite her desk, as she leaned back into her own, casually crossing her legs. It was the most relaxed either of them had ever seen her in the office. "Were you able to reach Doris this morning?"
"Yes," Jen answered, her tone giving nothing away. "Tracy faxed the paperwork to her from the front office, and I just got off the phone with her."
"What did she say about the Judge assigned to your case?"
Releasing a slow sigh, Tracy shook her head. "It wasn't good news," she said, bleakly.
Reaching over, Jen took Tracy's hand in a comforting gesture. "Doris said she'd take care of it," she said, reassuring.
"Still makes me nervous," Tracy scowled. "She said this Judge is a blatant homophobe."
"If Doris gave her word, she'll keep it," Olivia assured. "She's a pain in the ass half the time, but she's loyal to friends and family. She won't let you down."
"Sounds like the two of you have really gotten close," Jen noted. She sounded pleased for the hotelier.
Olivia nodded. "She helped me out a lot when I was struggling with my feelings for Natalia."
Jen stole a glance at her fiancée. "I could've used a friend like her once upon a time," she admitted sheepishly.
Tracy offered an encouraging smile. "You came around on your own just fine, Babe."
A soft smile and an affectionate squeeze of Tracy's hand marked Jen's response, and then she was addressing Olivia again. "We're fortunate to have you all in our corner," she acknowledged, speaking of the entire group of women with whom they had shared the evening prior.
"We certainly are," Tracy wholeheartedly agreed. "And Grayson McAlister will be such a valuable addition to the team. Thank you again for that."
Olivia nodded an acknowledgment. "Have you heard from him yet?"
Jen shook her head. "Didn't expect to this early," she commented. "I'm sure he has a lot to catch up on after his vacation."
Full lips twisted into a knowing grin. "I can assure you, you'll be first on his list." Grayson McAlister owed Olivia a debt he could never repay, and though she would never hold it over his head, she knew he would not forget it.
"That's good to know," Jen said with a grin.
Nodding, Olivia clapped her hands together, shifted in her seat, and regarded them both with curiosity. "Now, what was so urgent that you needed to come in here on your day off?"
There was humor in Olivia's tone, and Jen and Tracy relaxed into their seats, as Jen began sharing the details of a few issues she felt Olivia needed to be aware of as they moved into the new week.
Monday, May 4, 2009… Natalia's Office, The Beacon—9:45 a.m. Central Daylight Time
After settling the girls in with Jane, Bianca made her way downstairs to Natalia's office. Sinking into one of the plush black leather visitors' chairs across from Natalia, she set her coffee cup on the solid cherry-wood table between the chairs. The accent table matched Natalia's desk perfectly, and the sleek lines of the furniture told her that it had been hand crafted by a carpenter who took pride in his or her craft. The furniture very much reflected Olivia's tastes, while the décor—an assortment of family pictures that adorned two of the walls, and a large inspirational, faith-based print that was centered on the third, with smaller prints declaring similar messages surrounding it—reflected the sheer essence of Natalia. The office was a beautiful blend of their personalities, and it struck Bianca again, how perfectly suited they were for one another.
Taking a sip of her coffee, she set the cup down again, relaxing into the comfortable chair, as they chatted amiably, Natalia sharing her thoughts and ideas about the new décor for the Beacon once the renovations were complete. Olivia had already agreed with all of Natalia's ideas and designs, and Bianca expressed an understanding as to why the hotelier had been so agreeable—Natalia's ideas demonstrated her natural gift for design. Natalia beamed at Bianca's praise. She was beyond proud of her choices.
After looking over Natalia's designs, the conversation shifted toward business, and they talked for a bit about all of the changes that were about to take place as BGRC was officially formed. Given that her Bachelor's degree had been in business—a fact that made her mother, Enchantment tycoon Erica Kane, quite proud—Bianca had some understanding of the process of incorporation. She explained the process to Natalia in laymen's terms, and when she was finished, Natalia looked decidedly overwhelmed.
"That sounds awfully complicated," Natalia admitted, feeling somewhat dazed.
"Hence the army of attorneys," Bianca noted. "They'll take care of all the details once Olivia and Lena iron out their agreement."
Sitting quietly, Natalia contemplated the whole of the business conversations she had been privy to over the months she had worked as Olivia's executive assistant, as well as a few prior conversations. Her face took on an expression of consternation, where joy usually resided.
Instinctively, the therapist in Bianca picked up on the shift in Natalia's demeanor. "What's on your mind?" she gently prodded.
"I just… sometimes I feel a little out of place in Olivia's world," Natalia quietly admitted. "I mean, you're all so smart, and you're college educated, and I… well, I barely finished high school. Sometimes I just feel inadequate, you know?" The memory of losing all her money when that hedge fund went bust was foremost in her mind. If only she had known better, she never would have invested the money from Gus's house in that fund. Despite Olivia's insistence to the contrary, Natalia's heart still ached, knowing that Olivia sacrificed her job with Galaxy to get the money back from Decker.
Bianca considered Natalia's admission for a moment. "You do know that none of us see you that way, don't you?" she said, encouragingly. "You're an intelligent, articulate woman, Natalia. It's not like you weren't smart enough for college. You just didn't have the same opportunities that we did. And lack of opportunity for college doesn't diminish who you are, or limit what you can accomplish—especially not in our minds."
Natalia offered a tentative smile. "Well, thank you for that," she said, appreciatively. "But I still wish things were different."
"It's not too late to make them different, if it's that important to you," Bianca pointed out.
"What, are you saying I should go back to school?" Natalia sounded skeptical.
"Why not?" Bianca shrugged.
"Because I'm thirty-five years old," Natalia laughed nervously.
"So?"
"Olivia and I are having a baby," Natalia argued weakly.
"So?" Bianca retorted again, this time with a casual shrug. "Lena and I have had two babies since I've been in school, and number three will be here before we know it. Babies can make studying a challenge sometimes, I'll admit that," she grinned. "But they don't make it impossible. Especially when you have a partner who's supportive of you, and I know that Olivia would support anything you chose to do."
Dimples bloomed as Natalia remembered countless conversations with Olivia about that very thing. "Yes, she would," she said, affectionately.
"It's something to think about, Natalia," Bianca gently encouraged. "That's all I'm gonna say."
Natalia nodded as she smiled reflectively. "I will think about it," she said, emphasizing the action in her statement. "I promise."
The conversation turned yet another direct then, as they talked about the joys of motherhood, and how much they were both looking forward to welcoming new members to their families. Natalia explained that she was planning to tell Frank about the baby within the next day or two, and that she and Olivia were already making plans to decorate the nursery, which would be in the bedroom where Lena and Bianca were staying.
"Oh, that'll be a perfect place for the nursery," Bianca commented. "You probably won't even need a baby monitor, given how thin the walls are," she said, without thinking.
The fierce reddening of Natalia's face made Bianca realize the implications of what she had just said, and she worked hard to stifle a laugh. "I didn't, um… yeah…"
Natalia's hands were covering her face at that point. "You heard us last night, didn't you?" She sounded positively mortified.
Bianca couldn't hold back her laughter anymore. "It would've been difficult not to," she chortled.
"Oh, my God, I'm so embarrassed," Natalia said with chagrin. "I even blocked the vent!"
"Don't worry about it." Bianca chuckled as she casually brushed it off. "Trust me; it happens to the best of us. Kendall and Greenlee have been subjected to countless serenades over the years. And poor Zach…" She grinned, allowing the thought to fade to its own conclusion.
"He's gotten his fair share, too, huh?" Natalia said with a tentative grin.
Nodding, Bianca laughed. "Lena and I actually think it's kinda funny," she admitted. "I mean, just the idea of lesbian sex is basically every man's fantasy, but when it's your sisters-in-law, who are also the mothers of three of your children, well… you get the picture."
By that point, Natalia was chuckling too. "I guess it is kinda funny," she admitted. Their family tree still made her head spin.
"It really is, you know," Bianca said, casually. "And with Kendall and Greenlee, it's become more of a game than anything. It's just fun to watch them squirm."
"Yeah, I can see you enjoying that," Natalia said, waggishly.
"Good thing they both have a sense of humor," Bianca smirked.
"You're really close to them, aren't you?" Natalia's tone was wistful.
"Yeah," Bianca answered with affection in her voice. "Were you close to your sisters?"
Natalia nodded. "Yes," she replied, "especially Nastashia."
"She's your twin?" Bianca recalled from a previous conversation.
A wistful smile toyed with Natalia's lips, and she nodded her head. "I can't believe I haven't seen her in twenty years."
"That must make you feel sad sometimes," Bianca empathized.
"Sometimes," Natalia admitted. "But Olivia, Emma, and Rafe are my family now," she said, sounding appreciative for their presence in her life. She glanced at Bianca, her expression turning a bit shy. "And you and Lena and the girls."
Bianca smiled softly. "We feel the same way about you and Olivia," she assured.
The corners of Natalia's mouth curved into a smile. "I'm really looking forward to meeting your sisters," she commented. "I have a feeling they're a lot of fun to be around, especially when they're with you and Lena."
"Oh, they are," Bianca assured. She understood Natalia's need to move the conversation to safer ground. "And Lena really enjoys egging them on. She used to be really uptight about my family knowing anything at all about our sex life, but she's totally over it now. And she's used to Olivia teasing her about how active we are, so I'm sure she hasn't missed the opportunity to tease Olivia mercilessly."
Her face still slightly flushed, Natalia chuckled. "Oh, to be a fly on the wall."
Bianca released a hearty laugh. "You said it, South Side." They shared another laugh, and then her tone turned sincere. "Listen, I'm really glad you and Olivia were able to work through everything."
"I am, too," Natalia admitted. She sounded relieved. "Thanks for the advice the other day. And for making me laugh just now. I feel a lot better."
"Then my job is done," Bianca said, with a satisfied grin.
Monday, May 4, 2009… Olivia's Office, The Beacon—10:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time
"Grayson, hi!" Olivia greeted cheerily, as she glanced up at the sound of another knock on her door. "I thought you would call when you got back to Chicago. I didn't expect to actually see you." She rose from her desk, crossing the office to embrace him warmly.
"Well, I'm in town on a couple of cases, but I wanted to talk with you in person while I was here," Grayson said in that deep, masculine tone. It commanded respect, yet didn't threaten.
A relatively tall man with broad shoulders and a solid stance, he reminded Olivia of Billy Lewis in stature. But he was more like Josh in temperament. She regarded him with fondness, rather than lust, as her eyes swept over him, taking in the rugged good looks that even a sleek designer suit could not mask.
"I have some news…" His voice was tentative.
Olivia eyed him with curious regard, taking particular note of the expression in his piercing blue eyes. "That doesn't sound good."
"Depends upon how you look at it," Grayson wagered.
Guardedly, Olivia asked, "What it is?"
"I'm afraid I can't accept your retainer on the case you referred to me," he informed, as he brushed imaginary lint from his suit jacket. He had always been meticulous about his appearance.
"What? Why not?" she asked, tersely. She smelled a rat. "Grayson, you just… you have to, okay? You're the best in the field, and my friends really need you."
"Well, thank you for the compliment, Olivia," Grayson said, with a hint of self-satisfaction. "But I'm afraid there's a conflict of interest."
Olivia's eyes narrowed. "What conflict?" she demanded.
"I've already been retained on the case by another party."
"Please tell me you're not representing that asshole, Preston Morgan," Olivia said with slicing rancor. "He's completely out of line, and if you think for one goddamn minute that I'm gonna sit back and watch that fuc…"
"I don't represent the Petitioner, Olivia." Grayson interrupted in the middle of her rant. It was all he could say without breeching attorney-client privilege. Confirmation of details would have to come from the sources themselves.
"So, you're representing Jennifer Morgan," Olivia accurately surmised. She didn't wait for confirmation. "Who retained you, then?" She sounded confused and agitated.
"You know that I can't answer that," Grayson said, in a tone that brooked no argument.
"Dammit, Grayson, don't play semantics with me!" Jade eyes flashed with anger, as Olivia challenged him. "Who the hell else even knows about this?"
"I do—," a familiar male voice boomed from the doorway.
Olivia's heart pounded in her chest, and she fought to maintain her composure as she turned on her designer heel. Steely eyes falling on his looming frame, her body froze, while her mind reeled. What the hell are you up to?
TBC in Chapter 12.7…