Confessions Lead to Strange Bedfellows

by Kimberly21570

Otalia. This story takes place during and after the conversation where Olivia is freaking out about Phillip’s return. Just my take on what Could have transpired after this amazing scene ...

59. Chapter 13: A Month of Sundays

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, Ava Peralta, Gus/Nicky Aitoro, Mel Boudreau, Doris and Ashlee Wolfe, Phillip, Lizzie, James, and Alan Spaulding, Josh, Reva, Marah and Shayne Lewis, Buzz, Frank Cooper, Eleni, and Marina Cooper, Jeffrey O'Neill, Jamanda Weeks, and Randy Linders are owned by CBS/TeleNext and Proctor & Gamble. The characters of Lena Kundera, Bianca Montgomery, and Ethan Ramsay 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. With the exception of the brief mention of a conversation between Natalia and Rafe that aired on 4.29.2008, and portions of the conversation between Natalia and Rafe that aired on 8.19.2009, the dialogue, settings, and story content in these scenes are original. Written for fun, not profit. All other standard disclaimers apply.

Thanks to my pal, MoniRod for the edit. You totally Rock, Woman! I appreciate you, and I owe you—BIG TIME!

Rating: Chapter 13 is rated PG-13 for some language and sexual situations

Miscellaneous Author's Notes: First of all, thank you all for your continued interest in this story. I know I've fallen behind on responding to your gracious comments again, and I do apologize for that. I seem to find my time stretched more and more as I draw closer to finishing my degree. But I would be remiss in not letting you know how much I appreciate your enthusiasm and feedback. Every word from you all is a gift to me, so thank you.

This chapter does shift back and forth in time just a bit, so do disregard the time/date at the beginning of each section, or the content may not make sense. It's a bit of a roller coaster, so hang on…

Hope you all enjoy!

K

Confessions Lead to Strange Bedfellows

Copyright May 2009

"Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week."

— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"A Sunday well-spent brings a week of content."

Traditional Proverb

"Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week."

Joseph Addison

Chapter 13 – A Month of Sundays:

Sunday, May 31, 2009… The Farmhouse of Love—10:45 p.m. Central Daylight Time

Sometimes it was just so difficult to fathom—the swift gait that marked the passage of time. It had only been a month of Sundays since Olivia and Natalia returned from their trip to the Vineyard—since they had transitioned into lovers in every sense of the word. And yet, so much had transpired, it seemed almost surreal. As the month drew to a close, they lay in bed together, talking quietly, lamenting the struggles and reminiscing about the happier, more intimate moments.

Affectionately, Olivia brushed a lock of thick raven locks from Natalia's forehead. Not wanting to relinquish contact, she allowed her fingertips to flutter along the longer locks down to Natalia's shoulder and chest. "Hard to believe a month ago I was so scared of us becoming lovers," she said, as she traced the outline of Natalia's collarbone.

"Given our track record over the past month, that really is hard to believe," Natalia grinned. Shifting, she moved closer, allowing herself to be enveloped by the warmth of Olivia's body, as she pressed a tender kiss against her lover's lips. Lover. It was a word she had never used to describe herself, or anyone else, before. And yet it suited them perfectly. "I've enjoyed making up for lost time with you."

"Me too," Olivia husked. "I think we've done a stellar job of it, too."

Natalia offered a roguish grin in response. "I think we could do even better," she declared on a seductive purr.

Olivia released a soft laugh. "You're insatiable," she accused. "Not that I'm complaining."

"It's a good thing." Natalia's tone was stern, yet teasing. Drawing quiet, she contemplated for a moment. "Is that normal?" she quizzed. "Making love as often as we do?" She hadn't a clue as to what "normal" might be in terms of a sexual relationship.

"Well, it's normal for us right now," Olivia responded diplomatically. Though she couldn't imagine her own desire ever waning, she didn't want to set an expectation that might leave Natalia worrying if, for whatever reason, that changed. "Isn't that what matters most?"

Natalia grinned. "You're avoiding the question," she teasingly accused.

Busted, Olivia flashed her that winning smile. "Truth is, I don't know what's normal for other people. I just know what's normal for me."

Nodding, Natalia said, "I guess that makes sense." She paused for a moment, contemplating. "So… is this normal for you?" Her tone was tentative.

"Not really, no," Olivia admitted. Yes, she had had a lot of sex in the past, but never as often with former partners, and never as satisfying as with Natalia—and she certainly wasn't complaining! But Natalia asked her a question, and she had vowed from the beginning to always answer honestly. "I mean… I've always enjoyed sex. I even thought that I loved it," she said. "But… I've realized that I was wrong."

The moment the words fell from her lips, Olivia realized she should have chosen more wisely. Natalia looked positively crestfallen, and Olivia simply chuckled in response. "Let me finish…"

An arched eyebrow marked Natalia's response. "Don't I always?" she smirked.

Olivia released a hearty laugh. "Usually more than once," she purred, as she moved her lips along the contour of Natalia's neck.

Blushing, Natalia intoned, "You were saying…"

Clearing her throat, Olivia continued. "It wasn't about the sex—it was about control. I loved the sense of control." She locked her gaze on Natalia's. "But I don't need that kind of control anymore, Natalia. I can finally let my guard down now, because I trust you completely. I've never had that with anyone before."

She sounded so vulnerable it nearly broke Natalia's heart.

Reaching out, Natalia gently stroked Olivia's cheek. "You have no idea how much that means to me," she whispered. And then she leaned in, kissing Olivia tenderly.

"It means just as much to me," Olivia murmured. She remained still, simply taking in the moment; and then she offered another roguish grin. "And I definitely love sex now."

Natalia released a soft giggle, her cheeks turning slightly flush. "Me too." She felt like a little girl, sharing secrets with her best friend. She and Olivia weren't little girls, though—they were grown women; lovers. And at the same time, they truly were best friends, and Natalia could not have felt more blessed. She was reveling in that truth, when Olivia's lips adopted that coquettish grin.

"So I've noticed," Olivia purred. "Pretty sure you've been the aggressor in most of our encounters—especially the ones at the Beacon," she teased.

Smiling, Natalia shook her head. "All I'm gonna say is… I'm glad you didn't let me talk you into giving up our suite." She was recalling a conversation they had in the early days of their relationship, when Natalia was scared that Olivia would try to run. She viewed the suite almost as a nemesis—Olivia's escape hatch. But Olivia had convinced her that it would be to their advantage to have the suite readily available, and she had certainly proved correct about that—especially given Natalia's increasingly active libido.

Grinning, Olivia simply husked, "You know, for someone who was so concerned about our employees knowing about our sex life…"

"Oh, shut up." Natalia laughed.

"What?" Olivia feigned innocence. "I'm just sayin'…"

Natalia chuckled, and playfully shoved Olivia's shoulder.

Olivia pulled Natalia impossibly closer in response. "I've never been with anyone I couldn't get enough of, until you," she murmured against her ear.

"Me either," Natalia whispered in agreement.

"I guess it's true that everything you want is on the other side of fear," Olivia mused, quoting George Addair.

"I love it when you get profound," Natalia grinned. "It's unbelievably sexy."

"You think I'm sexy?" Olivia husked.

"You know I do," Natalia purred, as she pressed her bare breasts against Olivia's chest.

Olivia groaned at the contact, and smiled. "Yeah, I know. I just wanted to hear you say it."

Natalia laughed, and kissed her. "I admire your honesty," she said. "I think you deserved to be rewarded for it."

"Rewarded?" Olivia arched an eyebrow.

"Repeatedly…" Natalia murmured softly. Their mouths connected then, in a deep, sultry kiss, as Natalia rolled Olivia onto her back, lying partially atop her. And then she spent the next two hours showing Olivia just exactly how sexy she was, while simultaneously rewarding her for her honesty.

---

Sunday, May 3, 2009… The Farmhouse of Love—6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time

The first Sunday morning in May seemed to dawn rather early, marking their first Sunday as lovers with its brilliance. Olivia hadn't minded the premature awakening in the least as she lay there, watching Natalia sleep. The first shafts of light trickled through the open curtains, and dancing on the gentle spring breeze that blew in along with them, they lightly kissed flawless skin, rendering Olivia awestruck by the beauty of the woman who lay beside her.

Natalia's body was absolutely breathtaking, with its smooth plains and womanly curves. Olivia could still feel the sensation of that silky skin beneath her hands, lips, and tongue, as her eyes traversed the knolls and valleys she had visited so many times in hours past. She had watched, in rapt amazement, the awakening of Natalia's body to latent desire and its own innate sensuality, as they discovered together, the sheer ecstasy of lovemaking. And through that awakening, Olivia had witnessed a transformation within Natalia, from cautiously curious woman into curious, confident lover. Natalia had blossomed right before her—beneath gentle, yet insistent hands, and burning lips, and eager, curious tongues, as both explorer and explored.

As she watched Natalia's slow, even breaths, Olivia recalled the image of those firm, round breasts rising and falling in quick gasps for air, as Natalia's excitement increased, as her climax neared—and then the jiggle and sway of them, as Natalia came for her, time and again. She recalled the strength of Natalia's arms, and thighs, and calves as they wrapped around her, juxtaposed against the tenderness of her fingertips as they touched. And their kisses—oh, their kisses!—Sweet, intoxicating kisses. Sometimes fierce with unbridled passion. Sometimes so tender they brought Olivia to tears.

She recalled the scent and the taste of her, and her mouth watered in anticipation of more. Never had anything, not even the most decadent of foods or most expensive of wines, tasted as exquisite to her as the essence of Natalia as they made love. A quiet moan slipped from her lips as she felt her body respond to the mere memory. She recalled holding Natalia close against her body, the pounding of Natalia's heart giving way to rhythmic beating, as Natalia nestled against her side when they finished. And then she lay sleeping, and Olivia could barely restrain the urge to reach out and explore and be explored, all over again. Just like now…

Unable to resist for very long, Olivia had gently nudged Natalia, waking her from her morning slumber, and they spent the next several hours exploring increasingly familiar terrain.

And later that night, after saying goodnight to their friends, more exploration had ensued—almost to the point of exhaustion. Then, contented, Olivia sighed softly, as she pulled Natalia close. "If it's true that a Sunday well-spent brings a week of content, I think we're in for one hell of a good week," she murmured against Natalia's ear.

"Where did that come from?" Natalia chuckled.

"It's my favorite Proverb," Olivia answered.

Natalia shook her head and grinned. "That's not in Proverbs," she argued. "It sounds more like a fortune cookie."

Olivia smiled. She didn't bother explaining to Natalia that it was a traditional Proverb, not a Biblical one. It didn't matter anyway. What mattered was the woman lying in her arms, and the love that they shared. "Well, I've certainly found my good fortune."

Delivered on a whisper, Olivia's words brought a smile to Natalia's face. "Me, too," she murmured as she pressed her lips against Olivia's. "Me, too…"

---

Sunday, May 10, 2009… The Farmhouse of Love—10:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time

The evening prior had been relaxing and enjoyable, as Olivia and Natalia once again shared dinner with friends. Jen and Tracy brought the boys, Doris brought Ashlee, and Lena fired up the grill—a job assigned to her by Natalia, lest their house be set afire again. Olivia scoffed, of course, but Natalia simply flashed her dimples, and immediately, Olivia's demeanor transformed.

It wasn't long before the farmhouse was filled with the aroma of good food, mixed with the effervescence of laughter and conversation, and sprinkled with a touch of chosen family—and none of them could have asked for more.

And then Sunday had dawned, ushering in another beautiful spring day. At Emma's prompting, they prepared an impromptu picnic lunch—mostly leftovers from the BBQ the night before—and took a walk down to the pond.

They chattered easily as they enjoyed their lunch, and then they relaxed on the huge quilts they had spread out beneath the grove of enormous oak trees near the bank. Olivia leaned against the trunk of one of the trees, with Natalia nestled between her legs, resting against her chest, while Lena and Bianca lay nearby, Bianca holding Lena from behind.

Laughing, they watched Emma and Jordan help Lexie feed the ducks—or at least try. Ever the independent one, Lexie would have none of their instruction. "No!" Lexie had insisted, as she smacked Jordan's hand away. "I do!"

"Her future spouse certainly has their work cut out," Bianca quipped, wryly.

"You're not kidding," Olivia laughed. A mischievous grin accompanied her casual glance toward Natalia. "You sure she isn't yours?"

The teasing lilt in Olivia's tone brought a soft chuckle to Natalia's lips. "You hush," she scoffed in jest.

Bianca laughed. "I'm afraid that part of her is all me," she sheepishly confessed. "It's the Kane in her."

Reaching for Bianca's hand that lay against her hip, Lena gave it a gentle squeeze. "I admire your independence, Sweetheart," she said, supportively.

"You're just as independent, Honey," Bianca acknowledged, as she nuzzled into Lena's neck. "You're just not as stubborn as I am," she laughed.

Lena's head fell back against Bianca's chest as she practically cackled. "That's certainly true." She spoke from experience.

Playfully, Bianca shoved Lena's shoulder. "Well, you're not supposed to agree with me!"

Grinning, Lena said, "I'll remind you of that the next time you're being stubborn."

Amused, Bianca teased, "I think it's you who needs to hush this time."

Olivia and Natalia laughed with them, appreciating the ease with which they all interacted. They relaxed a bit longer, enjoying the sunshine and the warm spring breeze, until the lateness of the hour demanded that Lena and Bianca return to the farmhouse to prepare for their flight home.

Though Olivia knew it wouldn't be another five years before she saw Lena and Bianca again, it was still a bittersweet time as she and Natalia said goodbye to them and the girls, not long after. It was difficult for everyone actually, including all three of the girls, and each family spent much of the evening consoling its other members.

After tucking Emma in later that night, Olivia and Natalia retired to the sanctuary of their bedroom, where they lingered together in their bed, talking quietly. "It was harder than I thought, saying goodbye to them," Natalia admitted.

"I know what you mean," Olivia sighed, discontentedly. "Even knowing that we'll see them again in a month doesn't help."

"Yeah…" Natalia agreed. She shifted on her side, propping her head against her hand. "I'm not sure who's more excited about our next trip—me… or Emma."

Shifting in their bed, Olivia mirrored Natalia. "Emma is really attached to the girls," she noted.

"I know," Natalia concurred, a smile flickering across her lips. "She's gonna be a wonderful big sister."

Olivia smiled in response. "I think so too."

"Do you think she'll be upset if she gets a baby brother, instead of a baby sister?" Natalia wondered aloud. "She's adamant that this baby is a girl."

Contemplating the question, Olivia's brow furrowed. "Well, between Lizzie and James on Phillip's side, and Rafe and Ava on our side, she has experience with both, so I think she'll be good either way."

Natalia's heart smiled every time Olivia included Rafe in their discussions about family, and she nearly missed the remainder of Olivia's comment.

"But given the way she's taken to Jordan and Lexie, I think she'd probably prefer a little sister," Olivia was saying.

"Yeah, I think so too," Natalia agreed. She contemplated for a moment. "How do you think she'll handle the transition from being our 'baby'?"

"Hopefully better than Lizzie did when Emma came along," Olivia grimaced.

"What happened?" Natalia sounded alarmed.

"Remember that comment about her trying to knock me down the stairs?"

"Oh—"

"Yeah—" Olivia's tone was wry.

"You certainly have a way with stepchildren, don't you?" Natalia teased.

Olivia laughed. "I take it you've heard the stories about Marah and Shayne Lewis."

"Yup," Natalia chuckled. "They're legendary."

"Don't remind me," Olivia said, wryly. That was one of many periods in her life that she didn't care to revisit. She had truly tried with Josh's children, but they would have no part of her. Their father belonged with their mother. They knew it. Josh and Reva knew it. And though she hated to admit it back then, Olivia knew it too. That knowledge only made her fight harder to hold on to him, ultimately to the detriment of them all.

Natalia laughed, and changed the subject. "I can't wait to go back to the beach."

"You really enjoyed it there, didn't you?" Olivia said; more statement than question. She appreciated Natalia's shifting of the topic. She didn't want to waste their time dwelling in the past any longer. They had far too much to live for, now.

A sheepish grin on her face, Natalia nodded. "I did."

"I'm glad," Olivia whispered, as she tucked wayward locks of raven hair behind Natalia's shoulder. "We can spend as much time there as you'd like this summer. Maybe we can even take a few days and go up to Provincetown. It's only a couple of hours away, and Lena says it's a really nice getaway."

"I'd like that," Natalia agreed. "Bianca said they have several special weekend events throughout the year."

"So you've already been scoping out the possibilities, huh?" Olivia couldn't suppress a grin as she teased her lover.

"I've Googled my little heart out," Natalia beamed.

"Oh, ya did, did ya?" Olivia sounded amused.

"Yup," Natalia confirmed, sounding rather proud of her accomplishment. "I must say, I'm a little disappointed, though."

"Disappointed?" Olivia's one word response begged more details.

"Yeah," Natalia sighed. "Women's Week is in mid-October, and I'll be too far along to travel."

Olivia released a soft laugh. "Women's Week, huh? You're really embracing this new life of ours, aren't you?"

"I want to embrace every part of this life with you," Natalia declared, a bit obstinately. "Is there a problem with that?"

Amused, jade eyes sparkled. "No, not at all. I rather like the idea, myself."

"Good," Natalia declared. She pressed a kiss to Olivia's lips. "Because we're going to explore every aspect, thoroughly."

"Is that a promise?" Olivia husked, as she inched closer to Natalia on their bed.

"Absolutely," Natalia confirmed. "Starting with Provincetown, next month."

Olivia arched an eyebrow, as stealthily, she traced a fingertip down the center of Natalia's belly, stopping to tease just beneath the waistband of her pajama bottoms. "I was thinking we could start a little sooner than that."

Natalia's head fell back in laughter. "And you say I'm the insatiable one," she teased. Leaning in, she kissed Olivia again. "We can definitely start that sooner, rather than later. But right now, I wanna talk about Provincetown."

Agreeing, Olivia pulled Natalia against her body, and asked her what she wanted to know.

Instinctively, Natalia's thoughts returned to Provincetown and all that she had learned about the culture there—the fact that it was known as a lesbian mecca. She asked questions, shared newly-acquired information, and made suggestions about things they might do and see, all the while her tone sounding more and more excited. And then suddenly, eyes downcast, her lips formed an uncharacteristic frown, as she drew silent.

Reaching down, Olivia gently tipped Natalia's chin, forcing their gazes to meet. "You're thinking about Rafe, aren't you?"

Natalia nodded again. She knew that Rafe would balk at the idea of her visiting such a place, and she wondered if he would ever really be a part of their family. "How did you know?"

"It's the only time I ever see you looking sad," Olivia noted.

"I'm sorry," Natalia quietly repented. "I should be focusing on the good things you've given me, instead of…"

Gently, Olivia pressed a finger to Natalia's lips, silencing her. "You should give yourself a break, is what you should do," she insisted. "You miss him, and you're worried about how he'll adjust to being out of prison, to being an active member of this family. I understand that."

"I know you do," Natalia recognized. She was beyond thankful for Olivia's support, even as she wondered how often Olivia thought of her own son, Ethan, and how much she had missed in his life. "Do you really think his hearing will turn out in our favor?" There was hopefulness in her tone, as she contemplated their upcoming appointment with the Judge.

"Mel says things look really good," Olivia reassured. "Especially with Josh being so willing to act as a mentor to him."

It had been Mel's recommendation that they make arrangements for a male mentor as incentive for the Judge to grant Rafe early release. Olivia made mention of it to Josh just in casual conversation, as they were discussing renovation plans for the space above the garage into an apartment for Rafe. Instinctively, Josh had offered his help. He thought it would be a way of making things right with Natalia after the blunder of flirting with Olivia, and it would be a positive experience for Rafe to involve him in the renovation—a way of getting the boy not only invested in taking ownership of the space, but of teaching him a trade in the process. Surprisingly, at least to Olivia, Natalia had not only been completely receptive to the proposal, she was enthusiastic about it. She only hoped Rafe would be equally as enthused.

"I'm really grateful to him for his help," Natalia said, appreciatively. "I hope he knows that."

"I'm sure he does," Olivia said, reassuringly.

"I'll remind him a few hundred times, just in case," Natalia declared.

Olivia grinned knowingly. "I've no doubt you will."

Natalia was still for a moment, and Olivia knew she was worrying. "What's on your mind?" she asked quietly, as she sifted her fingertips through silken locks.

"I just hope Rafe doesn't push him away, because he's still so angry with me," Natalia agonized.

Pulling Natalia close, Olivia kissed her temple. "Josh has plenty of experience dealing with disgruntled teenagers," she assured. "I'm sure he'll know how to handle any resistance he might get from Rafe."

Melting against Olivia's body, Natalia allowed Olivia's words to comfort her. "You always know just what to say to make me feel better."

"I'm glad," Olivia murmured. "As long as you know it's not just lip service."

Propping up on her elbow, Natalia met Olivia's gaze. "I know you would never lie to me," she declared. And then a mischievous grin teased her lips, bringing those dimples out to play. "Besides… your 'lip service' has taken on an entirely new meaning these days."

Supple lips twisted into a roguish grin. "Do my lips service you well, Darling?"

"Oh, yes," Natalia purred. "I think they're in competition with your tongue for service provider of the year."

An eyebrow arched. "Is that so?"

Natalia bit her bottom lip, releasing it slowly. "Uh-huh…"

Olivia rolled Natalia onto her back, pressing their bodies together. "Where would you like them to scrimmage tonight?" she murmured against Natalia's ear.

Blushing, Natalia felt her entire body react to the warmth of Olivia's breath, to the promise in her tone. "Maybe they could start with my mouth, and work their way down," she suggested.

Olivia grinned. "Oh, it would be entirely their pleasure," she husked, before claiming Natalia's mouth in a slow, sensual kiss. Tongues tangled in a teasing dance until lighthearted play gave way to long, languid strokes, and breaths began to hitch signaling the escalation of their mutual arousal. And then the scrimmage continued, as Olivia slowly worked her way toward her final destination, where her lips and tongue battled it out until Natalia's final sigh of completion marked them both victors. And then they begged for a rematch.

---

Sunday, May 17, 2009… The Farmhouse of Love—2:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time

With the exception of the day she asked Daisy to cover for her so that she could attend to Olivia's Galaxy webcast, and the week she and Olivia were on the Vineyard, Natalia had gone to the prison to see Rafe on every single visitor's day since the outset of his incarceration. And every visitor's day since she and Olivia revealed the truth of their relationship to him, she had returned home, disappointed and hurt by his refusal to even see her.

Time and again, Olivia held her, comforted her as she cried, and supported her as she prayed for the strength to keep trying, despite the enormous uphill battle she was facing with him. Her faith, bolstered by Olivia's unwavering support, held her steadfast, even in moments of her greatest discouragement.

Unfortunately, the day Natalia went to tell Rafe about her pregnancy proved no exception in terms of disappointment—at least not in the end. It was, however, an exception in terms of her steadfastness. A true test of her faith. Though he had finally agreed to see her, by the time they parted ways, she found herself actually wishing that he hadn't. Her heart was filled with a churning amalgam of sadness, disappointment, anger, and fear, as she recounted to Olivia the first conversation she'd had with her son in more than three months.

Three Hours earlier…

Silently, Rafe entered the visitors' room and slipped into place across the table from Natalia. His cheeks were sunken, almost hollow-looking, and his skin was pallid, and he was in desperate need of a haircut and shave. If not for the sullen expression on his face, the coldness in his eyes, she might have been worried about his health and well-being. But sadly, those things told her that his only issue was attitude. The encounter would be neither easy, nor pleasant. Of that, she was certain.

"Can I get you anything?" she asked, as she struggled with the urge to reach out and grasp his hands. They were clasped in front of him on the table, and it was obvious from the way his fingers fidgeted that he was agitated. "Would you like something to drink? A snack? I brought you…" She reached toward the canvas bag that sat beside her on the bench.

"No—," he replied shortly, interrupting both comment and action.

Placing her hands in her lap, Natalia forced back her disappointment, and tried again. "I know you're angry with me right now," she gently acknowledged, as he sat across from her, sulking. "But I need you to listen to me for a minute. I have something important to tell you."

"What?" Rafe snapped. He sounded annoyed, and possibly a bit bored.

Taking a deep breath, Natalia steeled herself against whatever reaction she might receive, and then delved into the deep end. "Well, you know you have a hearing coming up," she began.

"Yeah," Rafe grunted. He shifted, slumping in his seat like an insolent teenager. "What about it?"

"We've put a lot of work into it, and Mel says there's a really good chance that you'll be released," Natalia reported. She sounded positive, excited even. "Especially since Josh Lewis has agreed to act as a mentor for you during your probation."

Though Rafe was aware of Josh's offer, he looked decidedly less than impressed, as Natalia continued. "And I just wanted to make sure you were prepared for the changes that have happened since you've been gone."

"What are you talking about, Ma?" Rafe sighed dismissively. "What changes?"

"Well, things will be… different when you come home." Natalia emphasized the part about it being different, as she hedged her way around his question.

"Different how, Ma?" Rafe demanded. Two minutes in, and this conversation was already annoying him. But only because he already knew exactly how things would be different, and he didn't want to deal with it.

"Well, for one thing, you'll be living in a real home," Natalia reminded. "Not an apartment or some room in a boarding house, but a real home. A home that's filled with warmth, and love, and family, just like I've always wanted for you."

"Olivia Spencer is not my family," Rafe said, bitterly. "She took my family away from me." He sounded like a wounded little boy, and yet, he was so obviously filled with anger.

"No, she didn't, Rafe," Natalia sternly disputed. "Gus's death was an accident." How many times will I have to have this argument with him!

"Don't pull that with me, Ma," Rafe snapped. His dark eyes flashed with anger. "He wouldn't have been out on that road if it wasn't for her," he accused.

It tore at her heart to see him in such pain, and she knew he needed, deserved, to hear the whole truth. Maybe if he knew, he wouldn't keep blaming Olivia for something that wasn't her fault. Shifting her gaze away from him, Natalia's head dipped. "That's not entirely true," she quietly confessed.

"What are you talking about?"

Delivered on a bark, Rafe's demand forced Natalia to bear the weight of her own guilt, as it rested heavily upon her chest. "The day I married Gus…" Heart pounding, she swallowed hard, before forging ahead with her confession. "I locked Olivia in the bathroom at the Bauer cabin to keep her from interfering."

"Well, you should have!" Rafe exclaimed, his anger rising. "She was after Gus. She was gonna ruin everything for y—"

"You don't understand," Natalia said, interrupting his tirade. "She lost out on a heart because of me, Rafe. If I hadn't locked her in there, she wouldn't have been in crisis the day Gus died, and he wouldn't have been on that road," she reasoned. "If his death is anyone's fault, it's mine, not Olivia's."

Rafe felt the anger flare up inside him again, as he listened to his mother taking the blame for his father's death. "That's bullsh—"

He stopped mid-word when he saw Natalia's eyes cloud with disappointment. "It wasn't your fault, Ma." The tenseness in his tone eased as he offered her reassurance of her innocence.

"That's my point, Rafe." Her thinly veiled admonishment was delivered with tenderness. "It was no more my fault than it was Olivia's. There's no one to blame here. Not me. Not Randy Linders," she said, referencing the boy who hit Gus's motorcycle. His was a name she would never forget. Not because she harbored any bitterness or anger toward him, but because she heard the pain in the boy's voice as he recounted the details of the accident that took Gus away from her—and inadvertently gave her Olivia. Overwhelmed by the mere thought of life without Olivia, she barely choked out three final words, "And not Olivia."

Fists and jaw clenched, Rafe began to shake at the mention of Randy Linders, and the tremors escalated at the sound of Olivia's name crossing Natalia's lips. He hated them. Both of them. Together, they had stolen his father from him. And it wasn't fair. Not one damned bit of it was fair. Life isn't always fair, Rafe, he heard his mother's voice telling him as a child. His jaw twitched. Fuck that! he thought, defiantly.

Gauging the increasing intensity of Rafe's distress, Natalia measured her words carefully. "It's just like I told you the day of Randy's hearing, Rafe… being angry, and blaming someone else, doesn't work. That's why I forgave him. That's why Olivia and I have forgiven one another for past hurts." She paused for a moment, allowing those statements to sink in. "That's why Jeffrey O'Neill was able to forgive you for shooting him, and why he recommended leniency in your sentencing."

Noticing Rafe's defensiveness instinctively rise, Natalia raised her hands in an attempt to quell an outburst. "I know it was an accident, but you did shoot him," she forcefully reminded. "And he did, in fact, request that the judge be lenient with you because of all that you had been through."

How was he to argue with that? He sat there, defenseless.

"And that's exactly why you need to figure out how to forgive, too. There's no fault to be found in any of this, and it serves no good purpose to hold on to such things, Rafe," Natalia said, pleadingly.

Two sets of dark eyes flooded with tears as Natalia continued, her tone a gentle caress. "I know losing your dad hurt you, but you need to let go of this anger, mijo," she said, gently. "That's not who I raised you to be, and I know it's tearing you apart inside."

At the utterance of Natalia's final words, Rafe lost control of his tightly held emotions. "I know, Mama," he cried, sounding just like he had as a little boy seeking absolution for his mistakes. "I know… but I don't know how."

Natalia's heart ached as she watched her son struggling with the demons of the past. It nearly killed her to know that there was nothing she could do to ease his pain. She couldn't even hug him.

"Please help me," he pleaded with her, his eyes filled with anguish and pain. "I don't know what to do."

"I will," Natalia vowed. "You know I will." For the first time in months, she felt as though they were making progress. She uttered first a prayer of thanks, and then a prayer asking for God's guidance as she moved forward in telling Rafe the things he needed to hear. "With Mel's direction, Olivia and I are working hard on getting you out of here. That's why Josh offered to act as your mentor. And once you're out, and living at home with us, Olivia and I will help you. I promise. Josh will too. We'll help you get your life back on track."

Rafe's mood shifted again, and he glared at her, this time through tearstained eyes. "You don't seriously expect me to live in the same house with… her," he decried.

Bewildered by his shifting mood, it took Natalia a moment to formulate a response. But when she did, he knew it. "Yes, as a matter of fact, Rafael, I do," she said, in a tone that brooked no dispute. "I promise you'll have privacy, and we'll give you time to adjust, but you're going to have to learn what it's like to have more family than just me. More than just Olivia and Emma, too, because we're…"

She paused, gently pressing her hand against her abdomen, as she gathered the courage to tell him about the baby.

Rafe noticed the gesture, and before she could utter the words, he jumped from his seat. "Are you okay, Ma?" he interjected, sounding alarmed. When it came to his mother, concern trumped anger.

The guard sprang into action the moment Rafe moved toward Natalia. "Sit down, Rivera," he commanded sternly.

Rafe ignored him. "What's wrong with your stomach?" he queried, as Natalia waved the guard off with her other hand. "It's okay," she said to the guard. "He's just concerned about me." She hadn't meant to alarm him. Knowing that he would most likely not take the news well, she was merely feeling protective of the child she was carrying.

Nodding, the guard called Rafe's attention toward him. "I said sit down," he commanded again. "And don't touch her."

This time, Rafe moved back, but that didn't stop his mouth from running. "There's obviously something wrong," he snapped, insolently. "Do something!"

The guard's resolute stare dared Rafe to disobey his orders, as he stepped closer to Natalia. "Are you all right, Ma'am?"

Natalia cast a glance toward him. "Thank you, I'm fine," she answered warmly. Then she turned her attention back to Rafe. "Nothing's wrong, mijo," she quietly assured. She couldn't stifle the soft smile that teased at her lips. "Nothing's wrong at all. In fact, everything is right," she declared, as she gently caressed her belly.

His eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?" he demanded, suspicion in his tone. It was then that he noticed the sparkle in her eyes, and the distinct glow of her skin. She looked ten years younger, and ridiculously happy, despite their heated exchange.

Natalia grappled with finding the right words, and in the end, she realized that there was nothing she could say to shield him from such an unexpected truth. It had been hard enough for her and Olivia to wrap their heads around. How could she expect it to be easy on him, even if he were accepting of their relationship? She steadied herself. "Sit down," she instructed. "Please, Rafe. There's something I need to tell you."

"Ma, what's going on?" he demanded.

Uncertain whether he sounded more confused or scared, she said another quick prayer, cleared her throat, and spoke her truth. "You're gonna be a big brother, Rafe," she shared. "Olivia and I are having a baby."

Rafe felt his heart lurch in his chest, and instantly he felt nauseous.

"That's what I came here to tell you," Natalia was saying, as his head reeled with the shock of Natalia's announcement. That was the last thing he ever expected to hear.

"I didn't want you to be caught off-guard when you get home," Natalia attempted to explain. "We'll be in the process of decorating the nursery, and…"

He felt as though his head was underwater, and he fought to find the surface. "Y-you… you… you didn't want me to be caught off guard?" he stuttered, his tone rising incredulously. "How the hell did you expect me to react?"

"I expected you to be surprised," Natalia replied, ignoring his choice of language. She had more important issues to combat at the moment. "Believe me, it was a surprise to us, too."

Visibly grimacing, he muttered under his breath, "Well, I know she didn't grow a dick, so I'm not sure how that's possible."

"Rafael!" Natalia censured through gritted teeth. If they weren't sitting in a prison visitor's room she might have actually slapped him for the blatant crassness that had emerged from his mouth. And just that quickly, she felt as though every inch of progress they had made was instantly wiped away. "What has gotten into you?"

He glared at her with challenge in his dark eyes. "Obviously nothing as depraved as what's gotten into you," he accused. "What the hell are you thinking?"

"Excuse me?" Natalia snapped; her jaw clenched in challenge.

"You heard me," Rafe seethed. "What the hell are you thinking, having a baby with that woman?"

"I'm thinking you'd better watch yourself," Natalia warned. "I'm still your mother, and you still owe me some respect."

"Why?" Rafe growled. All evidence of his earlier plea for clemency and support was gone, replaced by renewed anger and something akin to resentment. "Because that's the way you raised me?" he challenged. "You also raised me to believe homosexuality was wrong."

"Did I?" Natalia contested. A perfectly formed eyebrow arched, making her look just a little bit like Olivia. "Because I don't remember ever having that conversation with you."

"You shoved the Church down my throat," he reminded, "and they're not exactly fans of that… lifestyle." His tone was rife with judgment as he delivered that final word.

"It's not a lifestyle, Rafe," Natalia sighed in frustration. "It's love. And it's a gift from God."

Dark eyes flashed with challenge, as Rafe's lips curled into a sneer. "And I guess you think this baby is a gift from God too, huh?"

"Yes, I do," Natalia said with conviction.

"What? So now you're like… the Virgin Mary, or somethin'?" he scoffed. "Another immaculate conception?"

Momentarily, Natalia chose to ignore the mockery in his tone. "No—," she answered, shaking her head. Closing her eyes, she paused for a moment, gathering the courage to make yet another confession to her son. "I made a mistake, Rafe. I broke a promise I made to God when you were born, and I… I slept with someone I didn't love, because I was afraid of what I was feeling for Olivia."

"That should tell ya somethin' right there, Ma," Rafe chastised.

"It does," Natalia replied evenly. "It tells me I should've followed my heart instead of listening to my fears."

"Yeah, well you sure didn't think that way when I slept with Daisy," Rafe charged. "I followed my heart, and you were pis…" The stern reaction from Natalia caused him to pause and edit himself, "you were mad at me for months."

"That was different, Rafe, and you know it," Natalia countered, struggling to maintain her patience. "Besides, I wasn't angry with you. I was disappointed."

"Yeah, well maybe I should be disappointed in you too," Rafe spat.

"Maybe you should," Natalia agreed with a shrug. She couldn't argue with the fact that she had been a hypocrite. "But not about my relationship with Olivia."

"Who?" Rafe demanded, ignoring the issue of Olivia. He simply refused to deal with her.

"Huh?" Caught off guard, Natalia was confused by the lack of detail in his question. As always, her mind was focused on Olivia, and helping Rafe to understand that their relationship wasn't sinful.

"Who's the father?" His tone was flat, his eyes, cold.

Technically it wasn't his place to demand that kind of information, but Natalia knew it was inevitable. It would only be a matter of time before he knew the truth, and she didn't want it coming from anyone else. Releasing a soft sigh of surrender, her eyes slid closed as she choked out Frank's name.

She slipped into a haze of regret upon the utterance, and was jolted back into the present by Rafe's response. "This is great news, Ma! This is perfect!" He sounded ecstatic for the first time in months. He leaned forward in his seat. "You… you know this is like a sign, right? You can forget about all this nonsense with Olivia, and you can go, and you can marry Frank now! I know he asked you to marry him…"

Natalia didn't have the strength to ask him how he knew that. She slumped back in her chair, looking defeated.

He noted the frustration in her eyes, the disappointment on her face. "Ma, no… no, come on, Ma. This is confirmation, okay? This is confirmation you're not supposed to be with Olivia," Rafe reasoned.

"You know what, I really don't wanna hear this," Natalia said, dismissively. She refused to allow him to take away her joy.

"Ma. Ma, stop. Come on. You know Olivia's not the right thing for you," Rafe insisted. "And Gus… he would totally approve of you being with Frank," he claimed. "He was Gus's friend, and he's a good guy. I know he loves you…"

"No, Rafe," Natalia interrupted. "It might surprise you to know this, but I've actually done a lot of thinking about this, and I've done a lot of praying, and I've made decisions."

"No! No, Ma. I'm not gonna take this," Rafe whined. "I'm sorry. No!"

As Rafe continued his protest, Natalia continued her defense. "Listen to me! Being with Olivia is the right thing. It's a good thing. Where there's love, you know, there's…"

"Ma! Please. Stop it," Rafe interrupted. "No, look, you can have that same amount of love. You can have that same love, but with Frank," he attempted to reason.

"No, I can't!" Natalia said with resolute conviction. "I am in love with Olivia! And Gus would approve of my relationship with her," she insisted, emphasizing her lover's name. "He would approve because I'm happy. For the first time in my entire life, I am completely and totally happy. And I want… I want this baby to be raised in a home with a lot of love."

"What, what are you tryin' to say? So, I wasn't raised with love, then? You weren't happy when it was just you and me?" He sounded both angry and hurt.

"That's not what I meant, Rafe," Natalia sighed. "It's not the same thing." Her patience was waning.

"Why isn't it, Ma?" Rafe demanded. "Why isn't it, huh? You didn't have a girlfriend. You didn't have a playmate back then." He spewed out the word 'playmate' like rancid milk. "And you still raised me, Ma. You raised me with love, alright, with everything you freakin' taught me! And I didn't turn out so bad, Ma."

His pain was palpable, and Natalia's eyes filled with tears as she listened to him.

"But I'll be honest with you, Ma, I would have given almost anything," he slapped his hands together for emphasis, "if I coulda had a dad, and that's just true."

Brushing away her tears, Natalia lowered her head, as she fought back the emotions that surged inside her. She had never felt so torn in her entire life, but she knew in her heart that what she shared with Olivia was right. It was good. And it was a gift from God.

His voice dropped into a gentle tone, as he reached for her, but didn't touch. "Look, I know you, Mama. I know you, and I love you," he insisted. "And this isn't you," he said, almost pleadingly.

Strengthening her resolve to fight, Natalia opened her mouth to argue, but Rafe cut her off. "Ma, you have to realize Gus was taken a little bit too soon," he claimed.

Tears streaming down her face, Natalia swallowed around the lump in her throat. "You know what, his heart saved Olivia, so…"

"No! It's not true, okay?" Rafe insisted. "That's not true. She stole it, and there's a difference!"

Turning from him, Natalia mumbled something unintelligible to him, as she swiped at the tears. And then she searched deep inside herself for the courage to stand up to him.

"Ma, I didn't get to have a dad," Rafe said, attempting to guilt her into behaving the way he wanted. "I didn't get to have a real dad, but my little baby brother or my little baby sister, whatever's in there," he motioned toward Natalia's belly, "deserves that chance!"

"You know what, it's not about you," Natalia retorted. "This is not about you at all!"

"I'm not saying it's about me!" Rafe exclaimed, his agitation growing. "Alright? It's not about me. It's about you. It's about you, and it's about the baby. You have to get it in your head that if you don't realize it… I can't…" He sputtered, searching for words. "If you stay with Olivia, you're gonna get hurt," he pleadingly declared.

"You're so wrong, Rafe," Natalia quietly insisted.

"Ma, you don't realize it?" Rafe questioned. "This is the first chance that we've had, since Gus passed away, to be a real family."

A look of disappointment washed across Natalia's features, and she shook her head at him, but said nothing.

"I don't know," Rafe said, shaking his head. "I can't… I can't deal with this, man. This is too much for me, I'm sorry. But… you're not a lesbian, Ma. You can't be happy with a woman," he insisted. "Especially not that one."

"It isn't your place to decide who or what I am, Rafe. Or who I should choose to love," Natalia stated firmly. "Whether you choose to believe it or not, I am in love with Olivia, and nothing you say or do will ever change that."

"But Ma…" Rafe whined like a little boy.

Natalia had to resist the urge to take Rafe's face in her hands, to hold it like she did when he was a little boy. Instead, she tried to convey that same message with her eyes. "Look at me, Rafe," she pleaded.

Slowly, Rafe shifted his head, meeting her steady gaze. "I love you, mijo," she said, gently. He could see the truth of her words in those dark eyes that were so much like his own. "And I know that you're upset and confused right now, but I won't allow you to undermine my happiness."

In an instant, Rafe was fueled by rage again. "Your happiness?" He sounded incredulous. "What about the happiness of that kid, Ma?" he asked accusingly, as he motioned toward her belly again. "It's bad enough you're corrupting Emma with all this lesbian bullshit." This time, he didn't mind his manners. He didn't give a shit anymore. Shoving his chair backward, he rose to his feet, towering over her.

The guard moved toward him, and Rafe snapped his gaze in the man's direction. "Step off, man," he commanded. "I'm not gonna touch her."

"Rafe, don't!" Natalia exclaimed. "Don't, okay? Don't wreck your chances for parole. You're so close to coming home…"

The sound of her voice grated on his nerves, and like a wild animal, his head snapped back toward Natalia, anger flashing in his eyes. "What do you care?" he seethed. "You have your fancy house, and your rich dyke. You don't need me."

"Rafe, please," Natalia pleaded, her eyes flooding with tears.

"No—," Rafe bitterly refused. His eyes were cold as stone as he stared her down. "I hope Frank takes this baby away from you! And I hope Phillip or Alan take Emma away too. No child should ever have to grow up like that. I hope…"

Her lower lip began to quiver, and the tears that had flooded Natalia's eyes spilled over, streaming down her face, as she listened to the cruelty of his words. Futilely, she swiped at them, only to find another torrent replacing them.

He stopped for a moment when he noticed her reaction. "You need to leave before I say something I'll actually regret," he ordered. But then his ire rose again. It burned in his chest. "You don't need to bother making arrangements for me when I'm released. I refuse to live with the conniving whore who killed my father. And don't bother showing up at my hearing. I don't want you there."

And with that, he abruptly turned, and stormed out of the room.

Natalia only faintly heard the buzzer that marked the unlatching of the prison door, or the slamming of it after he walked through. It took her another twenty minutes to collect herself enough to even move from her seat. The guard checked on her, offering assistance, but she brushed him away, and continued to sob.

And now as she recounted the story for Olivia, she lay in Olivia's arms, sobbing even harder.

"I have to… I have to talk to him, Liv," Natalia cried against Olivia's chest, as she clung to her on the sofa. She was thankful that Emma was playing at Jen and Tracy's until after dinner. Their daughter didn't need to see her like this, or to know the awful things Rafe had said. "I have to try again. I don't… I don't know if I should call him, or…" She sounded lost and scared, as she wiped away more tears.

"Just take it easy, okay?" Olivia whispered against Natalia's temple.

Taking comfort in the strength of Olivia's arms, Natalia sucked in short gasps of air as she nodded.

"Just… just… just take it easy," Olivia murmured. Lightly, she kissed Natalia's hair. "Just… one thing at a time, okay? We'll get through this, together."

Again, Natalia silently nodded against Olivia's chest. She tightened the grip she had on Olivia's shirt, burrowing deeper against her body.

Holding her close, Olivia continued to gently stroke Natalia's hair and kiss her temple over and over, as she whispered reassurances to her. She couldn't promise that everything would be all right with Rafe. Only God knew what was to come. All she could offer was the promise that she would always be there for Natalia, no matter what life brought their way. And somehow, Natalia found comfort in that, despite the fact that she knew Rafe might not ever come around.

---

Sunday, May 24, 2009… The Farmhouse of Love—9:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time

Natalia had arisen before dawn to attend early Mass, and returned home in time to prepare breakfast for Olivia and Emma, though Olivia, true to character, had yet to emerge from their bedroom. After sitting Emma down at the table earlier that morning, Natalia had climbed the stairs toward the master bedroom only to find Olivia still sleeping soundly.

Quietly, she changed into Olivia's old red Triumph t-shirt—she loved the way it smelled of her even after being laundered—and the pair of jeans that had been discarded on the floor on their way to bed the evening prior. The mere memory of their lovemaking made her body prickle with arousal all over again.

She smiled, and then willfully setting that thought aside, she slid the jeans over her thighs, and fastened them. Noting that they were a little easier to get into the second time around, she paused, taking stock of the moment as she smoothed her hand along the subtle contour of her belly. It had taken a bit of time, but yes, she was truly happy about the baby that flourished inside her. Just five more days, and then they would know the baby's gender. She couldn't wait; her heart was filled with such excitement. And then on Saturday, they would shop for baby furniture, and make decisions about decorating the nursery. That excited her even more. And what excited her most was sharing it all with Olivia.

Her eyes fell on Olivia then, and gently, she brushed strands of silky chestnut from Olivia's brow. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful, as she slept, and Natalia couldn't resist the urge to be close to her, if only for a few moments. Pushing back the covers, she slid beneath them, curling her body around Olivia's from behind.

Without ever waking, Olivia sank into warmth of Natalia's body, and Natalia pulled her impossibly closer. She reveled in the intimacy of simply holding her as she slept; pressing light kisses to her upper back and shoulder, as she whispered softly to her, telling her how much she loved her.

And then she heard Emma calling for her. She smiled against Olivia's shoulder, kissed it one more time, and gingerly slipped out of bed.

Returning to the kitchen, Natalia lightly kissed the top of Emma's head. "Did you enjoy your pancakes, Jellybean?" She had chosen pancakes because, unlike eggs, they could be reheated later, without any adverse effects to the texture or flavor, if Olivia decided she wanted some.

Shaking her head enthusiastically, she simultaneously tried to empty her milk glass. "They were yummy, Mama!" she declared, as she plunked the empty glass back on the table. "Thank you."

Emma's pancakes had been topped with bananas, of course. That's the way she liked them best. Natalia had blueberries for Olivia's—they were packed with antioxidant power, making them essential to optimizing health in a number of areas, the most important of which being cardiovascular health. It was a good thing for Olivia that she liked blueberries, because once Natalia had discovered that particular piece of information, she had insisted that the hotelier eat them. A lot of them. Daily. If they weren't part of breakfast, then they would be either a snack, a part of a shake, or a dessert of some sort—always served either fresh or as a frozen treat, rather than being cooked, because heating them, Natalia had learned, reduced their nutrient value and antioxidant power. Olivia's health was Natalia's first priority. Always.

Smiling at her daughter, she gently tousled her hair. "You're welcome, Sweetie." There was fondness in her tone, as she glanced at her watch. "Now go wash your hands, okay? Jacob and Dylan will be here soon."

Emma had begged for a play date with her friends, and Natalia had agreed easily. It was good for Emma. Plus, it served as a nice distraction, given that she had agreed with Olivia that it was best not to try to see Rafe again. At least until his hearing. It was difficult, but she knew Olivia was right. Rafe needed to learn that he wasn't in charge. That she wasn't at his mercy. Thus, the decision to attend early Mass—it would be ideal to accommodate her daughter's request, and so much more.

Fluidly, Emma slid off of her chair. "Yup." She popped the 'p', and then she was off like a shot.

Natalia grinned and shook her head.

As Emma ran off to do as she was told, Natalia turned her attention to the kitchen. She hummed to herself as she scooped coffee grounds into the filter, and walked through the necessary steps to start a fresh pot for Olivia. And then she cleared away Emma's dishes, and cleaned the mess from her breakfast preparations.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the front door.

Natalia answered the door, smiling brightly at their anticipated guests. "Good morning," she said, in that sweet sing-song voice. "Come on in," she welcomed, as she ushered them through the door.

"Morning, Natalia," Tracy greeted with a warm smile.

Natalia smiled in response, and turned her attention to the boys. "Hi, Jacob, Hi, Dylan," she greeted, "How are you this morning?"

Dylan peered up at her, his eyes wide, and filled with curiosity. "How come you already knew our names the first time we met?" His voice held a sense of amazement, as if he were talking with the great Oz, himself.

Natalia smiled at the little boy. The question seemed odd, given the length of time their families had been friends by now, but she answered honestly, "Because your Mommies tell me all about the two of you when we're at work."

"They do?" Jacob interjected. His eyes lit up as he spoke.

Natalia crouched down in front of the two boys. "They sure do," she reinforced. "They love you both very much, and they're very proud of you," she informed, stealing a glance toward Tracy.

"Wow!" Dylan exclaimed; beaming under the attentive praise. He glanced up at Tracy, and gave her an impromptu squeeze. Both Natalia's and Tracy's hearts melted just a bit. And then in a flash, his mind turned to the purpose of their visit. "Where's Emma?" he asked, anxious to play with his friend.

Natalia grinned at the rapid shift. She recognized it as a basic characteristic of his age. "She's in the family room, playing on her Wii," she informed, with a tousle of his dark brown curls. "Run on in and find her," she instructed. "You remember where it is… through the kitchen and down the back hall." She pointed toward the kitchen, despite the fact that he knew where he was going.

"Thanks, Ms. Rivera," Dylan said, brightly. And with that, he went tearing through the living room into the kitchen, leaving Natalia free to turn her attention toward Tracy and Jacob. "Jacob, aren't you going to join Emma and Dylan for some video games?" she tipped her head toward the kitchen. "Em is expecting you too," she asserted, smiling at the older boy.

Video Games. Music to a nine-year-old boy's ears. Jacob's eyes shot up to meet Tracy's; the light of expectancy shining in the dark brown eyes that matched his Daddy's, as well as her own. "Can I, Mamá? Please?" he asked excitedly. "I know it's my turn to shop for Kaia's treats and stuff, but can't we stay? Just for a little bit?"

"Yeah, can ya stay for a bit?" Natalia coaxed. She fixed Tracy with a dimpled grin.

Tracy grinned back at Natalia, and then smiled down at her eldest son. "Now, how could I say no to such a polite young man?" she replied, playfully tousling his hair. She glanced back up at Natalia, and nodded. "I think we can squeeze in a visit."

That was all Jacob needed to hear. "Sweet! Thanks, Mamá!" he excitedly exclaimed. Tearing a path behind his younger brother, he quickly left the two women in his dust, as he went in search of Emma and Dylan.

Natalia and Tracy shared a chuckle. "So much energy…," Tracy sighed wistfully, shaking her head as she smiled after her son.

"Yeah, I used to have energy like that," Natalia laughed, "but now, I get exhausted just watching them," she said, rubbing her belly fondly, as she led the younger woman into the kitchen. She was well aware that her exhaustion had less to do with her pregnancy than it did with her overactive libido. But that little tidbit of information belonged only to her and Olivia.

"I'll bet," Tracy said, empathically. "You're what, about four months along?" she surmised; as she accepted Natalia's unspoken invitation to take a seat at the kitchen table.

"Yeah," Natalia smiled. "We're almost half-way there," she practically chirped, as she patted her belly. Her body was fit, the shape of her belly revealing only the slightest hint of pregnancy—and only to those who actually knew to look for it. "Something to drink?" she offered. "Coffee? Tea? Perhaps some juice?" she suggested.

"Coffee would be great. Thanks," Tracy answered politely. "So how's the pregnancy going?" she asked amiably. They hadn't really had a chance to talk alone recently. At least not about personal things.

"Physically, it's definitely harder than when I had Rafe," Natalia admitted, as she retrieved the container of cream from the refrigerator and the sugar bowl from the kitchen counter. "But honestly, that's understandable, given that I'm twenty years older this time around," she laughed. Secretly, she wondered how much harder it might get.

Tracy chuckled along with her. "I still can't believe you have a twenty-year-old son." The guy was only a few years younger than her!

Setting the cream and sugar on the table, Natalia glanced at Tracy and smiled. "Some days, neither can I… And I really can't believe I'm doing it again," she laughed, reaching for a coffee cup from the china cabinet.

Her mood turned a bit serious then, as she considered how truly wonderful Olivia had been since the very start. Setting the coffee cup on the counter, she turned toward Tracy, and leaned casually against the edge of the counter. "Everything else about this pregnancy is so much better than the first time around," she confessed. "Olivia is incredibly loving and supportive, and I… I'm truly blessed to be experiencing this with her," she quietly shared.

"You really love her." Tracy's words were all statement, no question whatsoever, as she smiled at Natalia.

A slow smile tiptoed across Natalia's lips. "Yeah… I do…" she sighed contentedly. "More than I ever thought possible," she confessed. "And I couldn't ask for a more perfect partner, or a more wonderful mother for our children," she shared.

"I'm glad to see you so happy, Natalia," Tracy declared. "I know how difficult it was on you when you lost your husband," she sympathized. She remembered how sad Natalia had been back then, and how frustrated she seemed after each encounter with the cantankerous hotelier. It still amazed her, the change in Olivia, since those early days after her transplant. She hadn't known back then that Olivia had received Gus's heart. But now that she did, everything she had witnessed during those weeks and months made perfect sense.

"It was," Natalia admitted. "But being with Olivia, taking care of her after her surgery made it easier. And it wasn't long before I found myself falling in love with her," she disclosed.

Tracy shifted in her chair, and leaned forward, propping her chin on her hand. "Did it freak you out when you realized what was happening?" She was curious to know whether Natalia had experienced emotions similar to what Jen had when she found herself falling in love with a woman. Tracy had always known she was a lesbian, and she was open-minded about love, so she was more than willing to embrace her feelings for the older woman. But for Jen, the revelation came upon her completely unawares, and it took extreme courage for her to acknowledge her feelings; especially given the looming threats of her wealthy and connected former in-laws, and the fear of losing the love of her parents and siblings.

Natalia exhaled a laugh. "Did I freak out?" she echoed. "Oh, yeah. Those kinds of feelings didn't exist. At least not in my world," she explained, "and I ran from them, until I couldn't run anymore…"

"What finally stopped you from running?" Tracy asked curiously.

A bashful smile played on Natalia's lips. "Olivia kissed me," she shared. Her voice barely above a whisper, the slightest hint of pink tinted her olive cheeks. "She had kissed me once before," she admitted, not offering further explanation, "but the second kiss was… different—I guess because we had finally admitted how much we loved one another, after nearly a year of avoiding our feelings," she explained. "And then, I don't know, it was like… the moment her lips touched mine, all the reasons I had for running just melted away, and all that mattered was that we were there, in that moment, finally together," she quietly shared; a wistful tone in her voice, as she remembered how it felt to finally have Olivia really kissing her.

She reveled in the memory for a moment; then blushed again, as she realized how much she had disclosed. "Sorry," she grinned sheepishly. "Sometimes I get a little mushy when I think about her," she said, with a shrug of her shoulders.

Tracy grinned knowingly at her friend. "Happens to the best of us," she declared.

"Yes, I suppose it does," Natalia smiled. She turned her attention toward the carafe of freshly brewed coffee, pouring a cup of the steaming liquid.

Then, turning toward the kitchen table, Natalia set the cup of coffee and a spoon in front of Tracy, and settled into the seat across from her.

Tracy glanced at her and smiled, reaching for the cream and sugar. "None for you?" she asked.

"Oh, no," Natalia replied, waving her hands in front of her. "I can't… not with the baby," she explained. She smiled, as she gently patted her ever-so-slightly expanding belly again.

"Ahh… caffeine," Tracy realized.

"Well, yes, and… no," Natalia sighed, rolling her eyes.

Tracy cast a questioning glance toward her, and Natalia flashed a mischievous grin in response. "It's decaf," she disclosed, gesturing toward Tracy's cup, "but Olivia doesn't know that… I switched her coffee after the heart transplant, and didn't tell her."

"You really take good care of her," Tracy noted.

Grinning, Natalia said in a dry tone, "Well, someone has to."

Tracy laughed in response. "She doesn't make it easy, does she?"

Natalia chuckled. "No, she certainly doesn't. But still, I try." She paused for a beat, and then shook her head in amusement. "Lena calls me brave for taking her caffeine away," she laughed.

"She has a point," Tracy agreed with another light chuckle. The hotelier's caffeine habit was legendary.

"I think the worst part about this is that it's really come back to bite me in the ass," Natalia commented. "I can't drink the coffee here, or in our office, because she has an outright fit if she thinks I'm anywhere near caffeine."

"Karma can be a real bitch sometimes, eh?" Tracy teased.

Natalia laughed. "You have no idea," she said, rolling her eyes. "At least I'm not as addicted to it as Olivia," she pointed out. "She's a real bear until she has her first cup of the morning," she reported.

As if on cue, the hotelier sauntered into the room just in time to hear the announcement; easily catching Natalia's eye with her chosen attire: She was barefooted, which Natalia found ridiculously sexy. And she was wearing faded jeans that hugged the smooth curve of her hips and the delicate swell of her ass, perfectly. Her layered tank tops—black over white—clung to the camber of her torso in all the right places, and that black belt with the peace symbol buckle brought attention to the rippling muscles in her abdomen.

As if that outfit wasn't sinful enough, her chestnut curls bounced freely, accenting her stunning visage as she moved, and Natalia could barely catch her breath. Pulse increasing, her pupils dilated and her breath hitched in her chest, as her eyes stealthily perused the hotelier from head to toe.

Appreciating the effect she was having on Natalia, Olivia arched an eyebrow, and offered her that sexy barely-there smile. "You're not tellin' stories on me, are ya?" she teased, openly flirting with her lover.

Dragging herself out of the Olivia-induced trance, Natalia found her voice. "Just stating the facts," she grinned. "You're up and dressed early for a Sunday," she remarked.

Olivia grinned at her, mischief dancing in her sparkling jade eyes. "Well, I certainly couldn't come traipsing down here in nothing but your nightshirt, knowing that we have company, now could I?" She cast a teasing wink toward her partner.

It was a rhetorical question, and the flash of desire that shot through Natalia's dark eyes was all the response Olivia needed. She reached for Natalia's hand, tugging her to her feet, pulling her effortlessly into waiting arms.

Tracy busied herself with the cream and sugar. Adding small amounts of each to her cup, she gently stirred the contents, as her bosses shared a morning greeting.

The hotelier reveled in the sensation of their bodies molding together, with their baby nestled between them. "Good morning, Gorgeous," she whispered, gazing into those desire-darkened eyes, as she tenderly caressed Natalia's belly.

"Morning, Beautiful," Natalia cooed. Wrapping her arms around Olivia's neck, she eagerly accepted her morning kiss. Then, nuzzling Olivia's ear, she whispered, "You look stunning this morning."

Olivia smiled against Natalia's cheek, and then angled her lips toward a waiting ear. "You can show me exactly how stunning, later." Her hoarsely whispered suggestion caused Natalia's body to quiver in anticipation.

Grinning devilishly, Olivia brushed her lips across Natalia's ear, and then she stooped down, kissing her partner's belly. "Good morning to you, too, Peanut," she smiled, as Natalia's hand gently caressed the back of Olivia's head. It was part of the routine Olivia had established not long after they learned of the pregnancy, and Natalia absolutely adored her for it.

Tracy's heart nearly melted as she watched the hotelier interacting with her family. And when Olivia finally stood up, turning her attention toward their guest, Tracy found herself having to hold back the tears that were brimming in her eyes.

"Morning, Tracy," Olivia greeted warmly. "Nice to see you," she said, before turning her attention toward the aroma of the coffee.

Natalia playfully nudged her out of the way. She already had Olivia's favorite coffee mug in hand. "I've got this, Honey," she said, sweetly. "Go. Sit," she directed with a pointed finger.

Olivia turned and shrugged, giving Tracy a helpless look, as she sank into her chair at the table. "I guess I'm sitting," she commented.

Tracy chuckled at the expression on Olivia's face. "Good morning, Ms. Spencer." The formal greeting caused Olivia to arch an eyebrow.

"Sorry… old habits," Tracy laughed. Sometimes the transition was still difficult. She wondered how Olivia and Natalia managed it so seamlessly.

"Some die harder than others," Olivia related.

"True that," Tracy amicably agreed. The spoon clinked against her ceramic mug as she stirred one last time. Reaching for a napkin from the holder, she placed it next to her cup, resting the soiled spoon on it.

Natalia set a steaming mug of coffee down in front of Olivia. "Something to eat?"

Smiling up at her, Olivia shook her head, declining. "Thank you for the coffee, though."

Gently, Natalia pressed her palm to Olivia's cheek. "You're welcome," she murmured, as she slipped into the chair next to Olivia's.

Lifting her mug, Tracy savored the aroma, and then the flavor of her coffee, as she took a sip, and set it back on the table. The gesture set the tone, and they each sipped on their morning beverages as the conversation continued. "Thanks for having Dylan over for a play date," Tracy said, appreciatively. "He's been looking forward to it all week."

"Oh, we're happy to have him," Natalia replied. "Emma's been looking forward to it, as well." A grin spread across her lips and she chuckled softly. "She hasn't really talked about anything else since last weekend when she spent Sunday afternoon with you all."

That was certainly true enough, Olivia thought. Emma had chattered on endlessly about Jacob and Dylan's new puppy, Kaia, and their kitty, Mozart. And then the begging and bargaining had begun, and Olivia and Natalia found themselves with a decision to make. At least she wasn't asking for those damned chickens anymore, and there had been no mention of piglets or goats, Olivia had reasoned. She was afraid it was only a matter of time.

"I was our pleasure to have her over," Tracy assured, jolting Olivia from her thoughts.

"It's been kinda tough on her these past few months," Olivia admitted, "you know, with all the cancelled play dates."

"I hadn't realized," Tracy empathized.

"Yeah—," Olivia sighed. She still worried about Emma sometimes. They both did. But deep down they knew everything would be all right. People just needed time to adjust to them being a couple—a family—and then everything would be fine. Of that, she was certain. In the meantime, they were all grateful for Jen and Tracy and their boys.

"It started after Emma's presentation, what with all the rumors and everything," Natalia explained.

"And it's gotten worse since Natalia and I actually came out as a couple," Olivia added.

"That's such a shame," Tracy said, empathically. "I'm sorry it's been so difficult on your family."

"We're getting through it." Natalia's tone was positive. "But having your boys around is sure to help."

"Well, Dylan could use a little encouragement, too," Tracy admitted. "He's been having kind of a rough time at school."

"What's going on?" Natalia asked, concerned.

"I went to the parent-teacher conference they had a few weeks ago, because Jen had a meeting with Grayson, and ever since, Mr. Davis has been giving him a hard time in class," Tracy explained. "And the hardest part about it is, we've never outright told anyone at the school that we're together. I mean, we're not hiding it anymore, but it isn't common knowledge yet. I guess it bugs me that he just assumed that was the case, and now he's taking his prejudices out on our son."

"That's just wrong," Olivia said, adamantly.

"Yeah, it is!" Natalia piped in.

"Have you considered requesting a transfer to another classroom?" Olivia said. It was more suggestion than question.

"That's a great idea," Natalia agreed. "Mrs. Jennings is completely supportive of Emma, and of us."

"Yeah," Olivia laughed, "she was supportive of us before we were even together."

Natalia laughed with her at the memory. The woman's enthusiasm for their relationship was something that in hindsight she reflected back on with fondness.

"We considered it briefly," Tracy reported. "But with the end of the school year so close…" She let the comment draw to its natural conclusion.

Olivia and Natalia made noises of regret and understanding. "Well, I'm sorry to hear he's been having such a hard time," Natalia said, supportively. "Maybe we should talk with Principal Ryan, and make sure he and Emma are in the same class next year, with a teacher who's supportive of our families."

"I think that's a great idea, Natalia," Tracy easily agreed.

Their conversation continued, and it wasn't long before their glasses and mugs were nearing empty. "Listen, I hate to drink and run, but Jacob and I have a few errands to finish before this afternoon," Tracy announced. Her mug clinked against the weathered wood of the old farmhouse table as she set it back down one final time. "I promised he could pick out a new toy for Kaia, before she tears up any more of Jen's shoes. I'm in the doghouse over that one," she said, with a wry chuckle.

Olivia and Natalia both laughed at Tracy's clever play on words, as they all rose from their places at the table.

"Plus, I have to pick up supplies for Dylan's end of semester science project. I'm running out of time," Tracy added sheepishly.

"Oh, Em has one of those due next week, too," Natalia said in solidarity. "I forgot I needed to pick up supplies for that this weekend. I should probably run by and do that when I'm out at the market today."

Olivia smiled at the ease with which Natalia had taken over such details when it came to Emma. It soothed her soul to realize how natural the intertwinement of their lives felt for all of them—as though that was the way it was always meant to be. And she vowed never to take any of that for granted. "Why don't I call Jane to stay with all three of the kids for a bit this morning? I can do the marketing, so you and Tracy can focus on supplies for the kids' science projects," she offered.

Natalia just gave her that look. "Seriously?" Her tone was more challenge than question, and Olivia simply grinned in response.

"If I leave you in charge of the groceries, we're likely to be having French bread and six different kinds of wine for dinner," Natalia teased.

Amused, Olivia gave a shrug.

"We'd have to wash that down with a gallon of water and a bottle of Advil for dessert, and follow up with a concoction of raw eggs, sauerkraut, and Bloody Mary mix for breakfast," Natalia grinned.

Tracy's eyebrows crawled toward her hairline. Those ingredients sounded like a perfect recipe for gastrointestinal disaster, rather than a cure for a hangover.

"Oh, please!" Olivia scoffed in jest. "Don't you know by now, I prefer Aleve for a hangover."

Natalia and Tracy laughed.

"You make me sound like an alcoholic," Olivia groused.

"I'm simply pointing out that marketing isn't really your forte, Darling," Natalia grinned, as she gently patted Olivia's cheek. "You're more suited to shopping for clothes, shoes, and wine."

"I'm not that bad," Olivia protested. "I can handle a trip to the market."

Natalia arched an eyebrow. "Really, Honey?" she chuckled in challenge, "Because the last time I sent you to the market, I asked you to pick up cream cheese, macaroni noodles, and mozzarella… and you came home with cream horns, milk, and Mad Dog."

Olivia glanced at Tracy. "Mad Dog is its own food group, ya know." Her eyebrows lifted in marked emphasis, as if she were informing the young woman of an indisputable fact.

Natalia rolled her eyes, as Tracy laughed, amused by this lighter side of the hotelier.

"I'm on to her," Natalia noted casually. "She does that sort of thing to get out of doing the marketing."

Grinning, Olivia winked at Tracy. "You should've seen the things I've done to get out of cooking."

"Oh, yeah?" Tracy sounded regaled, and a little bit intrigued.

"She set my kitchen on fire," Natalia said, dryly.

"That was a complete accident," Olivia protested. She pressed the edge of her hand against her face near the outer edge of her lips, as if telling a secret, and whispered to Tracy, "I'll tell you what really happened, later," loudly enough for Natalia to hear every word.

Natalia grinned, and tipped her head toward Olivia. "She learned how to tell secrets from Emma," she said to Tracy. "And what really happened was, she was too busy staring at my ass to pay attention to the pancakes and sausage."

Tracy released a hearty laugh.

Mouth dropping open, Olivia feigned indignation. "Well, I never!"

"You most certainly did, my Love," Natalia countered with a teasing grin. "And you enjoyed every last minute of it."

That familiar roguish grin hijacked Olivia's lips. "Yes I did."

Delivered on a husky breath, Olivia's confession drew Natalia's gaze directly into her own.

"As did I," Natalia murmured. And then they were lost to each other as their bodies instinctively gravitated toward one another.

The chemistry between the two of them was blatantly obvious, and Tracy wondered why it had taken them so long to figure out they belonged together. It was difficult not to appear intrusive, but she simply couldn't take her eyes off of them. Slightly embarrassed by her own curiosity where they were concerned, she quietly cleared her throat, breaking the spell. "Your uh, your plan sounds good," she said. "Jacob isn't likely to easily part with Emma and Dylan now that they're playing, anyway, and I'm sure Dylan would like to pick out a toy for Kaia, too. We can do that on the way home."

"You're probably right on both accounts," Natalia agreed, as she glanced in Tracy's direction. "Hey, what's Jen doing this afternoon?" she asked as an afterthought. "Maybe she can meet us for lunch later."

Tracy nodded. "Texting her now," she said with a grin, as she slipped her phone from the back pocket of her jeans. She was certain Jen would enjoy an outing with friends. They weren't expected anywhere that evening, and Jen was just planning to relax with a book for the afternoon.

It didn't take long to formalize plans, and once Jane arrived, they were off to town.

Once in town, Natalia sent Olivia off to the market with a shopping list and strict orders. "Stick to the list," she said, firmly. "No junk."

Tracy grinned as she shook her head. No one ordered Olivia Spencer around. No one except Natalia Rivera. It was completely amusing to watch her in action.

Olivia smirked. "You act like you can't trust me." Her voice was smooth as liquid silk.

"Then why don't you use this trip to prove me wrong," Natalia slyly suggested. She had Olivia right where she wanted her. Olivia hated to be proven wrong, so she would be on her best behavior.

"You knew exactly what you were doing, didn't you?" Olivia grumbled.

Natalia's face held an arrogant expression as she nodded. "You bet I did."

Olivia glanced at Tracy. "You see what I put up with, don't ya?"

Tracy smiled. "Yeah, I do," she chuckled. "And I also see that she loves you," she observed, her tone one of admiration. "Enough to risk standing up to you, and ordering you around. From what I've heard, that takes guts."

There was no arguing with that. A slow smile trickled across Olivia's lips, as she nodded. "When you're right, you're right," she admitted with a shrug. Her eyes fell on Natalia then, and she pulled her close. "Thank you for taking such good care of me," she murmured, her fingertips raking through Natalia's long raven locks.

"Like I've said before… someone has to," Natalia lightly. She leaned close, pressing a gentle kiss to Olivia's lips. "Now scoot," she ordered, with a playful tap against Olivia's ass. "And behave yourself. We'll see you in a bit."

Grinning, Olivia saluted. "Yes, Boss."

"And don't you forget it," Natalia replied, dimples on display.

---

Later that night, as they were lying in bed, Olivia nuzzled against Natalia's cheek, brushing soft lips against tender flesh. "Have I told you today, how much I appreciate you?" she murmured. All day long she had been thinking about how effortlessly Natalia had become a part of her life, in every imaginable way.

The corners of Natalia's lips curled into a smile. "Not in so many words," she answered. "But you always let me know." Tilting her head, she swept her lips against Olivia's mouth. "Why do you ask?"

Shifting, Olivia wrapped her arms around Natalia, drawing her closer. "I've just been thinking about how seamlessly our lives have intertwined. One minute we were at each other's throats, and the next thing I knew, your touch was everywhere, in every facet of my life."

Natalia's eyebrow lifted, as a playful smirk touched her lips. "Are you calling me pushy?"

Olivia laughed softly. "No… I'm saying you take such good care of us, I don't know how I ever managed without you."

"Ah… then my evil plan is working," Natalia said in jest.

Fingertips lightly tiptoed across Natalia's face, and then her cheek was cradled in Olivia's palm. "You don't have an evil bone in your body," she said, softly. Her thumb brushed against Natalia's lower lip, causing Natalia's breath to hitch. Olivia's touch always did that to her.

"Or a single wicked thought in your mind," Olivia was whispering.

Natalia's lips adopted a mischievous grin. "I would argue that second point," she challenged, as she lay there face to face with the object of her unquenchable desire. "I've been having all sorts of deliciously wicked thoughts about you for quite some time now." She emphasized the delicious part.

Intrigued, Olivia grinned. "Oh, really?

"Yes, really."

Olivia's face held a thoughtful expression as she weighed Natalia's comments, both recent and previous. "How did you know that fire happened because I was staring at your ass?" she asked, suspiciously.

"Oh, please," Natalia laughed softly. "You couldn't have been more obvious."

"What do you mean?"

"I heard you groan the moment I walked into the kitchen, Olivia," Natalia smirked. "And you couldn't put two words together to save your life."

"Can you blame me?" Olivia said, rhetorically. "You're quite stunning in that robe."

"Flattery will get you everywhere," Natalia flirted. She pressed a kiss to Olivia's lips, as her hand lightly caressed the valley between Olivia's breasts.

"Will it get you naked?" Olivia's fingertips slipped beneath Natalia's t-shirt, climbing toward her breast.

"Absolutely," Natalia answered. She released a soft gasp as Olivia's fingers made contact with her right nipple. "It would've gotten you somewhere that morning, if you'd bothered to try."

"Seriously?" Olivia's eyebrow peaked.

"Why do you think I was wearing that robe without anything underneath?"

Delivered on a husky purr, Natalia's comment drew a groan from Olivia's lungs. "There was really nothing beneath?" Just the mere thought of it made her wet.

"Not a stitch of anything," Natalia confessed. "I told you, I've been having deliciously wicked thoughts about you for quite some time…"

"Your voice was so… husky, and you kept touching me," Olivia recalled. "You were driving me crazy!"

Natalia grinned devilishly. "Oh, Honey, I'm well aware."

"I take it back—you are evil," Olivia teased.

"Told ya so," Natalia purred.

And then a moment of truth struck. Olivia's jaw dropped, and she propped herself up on her elbow. "Oh, my God!"

"What?" Natalia feigned innocence.

"You weren't even really upset that I kissed you after Emma's presentation, were you?" Olivia accused.

Natalia smirked. "What do you think?"

"I think you're a better actress than I gave you credit for," Olivia said, dryly.

A hearty laugh tumbled from Natalia's lips. "You should've known that after our pool game with the guys."

"You have a point," Olivia chuckled.

"Don't I, though?" Natalia grinned.

Olivia smiled, and Natalia sobered just a bit. "Well, it did freak me out a little when you first kissed me," she retracted.

"A little?"

Nodding, Natalia chuckled. "Okay. A lot," she conceded. "But then, after Mrs. Jennings… after I… well, I realized during that conversation with her, that you and I were far more than friends or roommates," she confessed. "We had been for a long time. I just… wasn't sure what we were, exactly, and I…"

"Wanted to test the waters?" Olivia supplied.

"Kinda, yeah…"

"Hmm…"

Natalia's gaze turned curious. "What, 'Hmm…'?"

"Did I respond the way you wanted me to?"

"Yes, and… no," Natalia admitted.

"I understand," Olivia said, supportively. "I was confused and scared too."

"I know," Natalia said. The corners of her mouth tipped into a smile. "I'm sure glad we got over that!"

Olivia laughed in response. "Me too." She leaned close, feathering a kiss across Natalia's lips. And then she released a contented sigh, as she snuggled into Natalia's neck. "I don't think I could be any happier if I tried," she whispered, her hand gently caressing Natalia's belly.

Pressing a kiss against Olivia's forehead, Natalia relaxed under the tenderness of Olivia's touch. "I don't think I could either," she murmured. And it was true. Later, they would make love, but for the moment, this was all they needed, because when all was said and done, that simple touch-point, reminded them of their ubiquitous connection, and that was all they needed to sustain them.

---

Sunday, May 31, 2009… The Farmhouse of Love—10:30 p.m. Central Daylight Time

And so it was that a month of Sundays had passed since they first became lovers, and with the passing of each new day, they had grown infinitely closer in every possible way. It was a connection that they treasured, one that neither of them took for granted.

"I can't believe we're having a little girl," Olivia whispered in wonder, as her fingertips lightly caressed Natalia's belly. She was beginning to show—just a little bit—and Olivia was absolutely enamored with her sweet little baby bump. Completely naked, they had been lying face to face in their bed for the better part of two hours, just talking, simply enjoying being together; Olivia taking every possible opportunity to peek at or touch Natalia's belly.

"Are you happy it's a girl?"

"Couldn't be happier," Olivia murmured. The sparkle in her eyes told Natalia it was the absolute truth. "But honestly, as long as our baby is healthy, and you're doing well, I'm golden, Sweetheart."

"So far, so good," Natalia smiled.

Together, they reminisced about the ultrasound that had taken place just two days prior—the first date they could get once the twentieth week of Natalia's pregnancy had arrived. Frank was there, of course. He had calmed significantly since their confrontation in Olivia's office four weeks prior; though he was still cool toward Olivia. It made for a tense visit, but at least he had possessed the good sense to allow the two of them a bit of privacy throughout the examination. He had only been there long enough to actually hear the heartbeat, and learn that he was having another daughter.

Olivia graced him with one of those heart-stopping smiles as she congratulated him. The smile and the warm words were both genuine, and he knew it. Nodding, he had thanked her, and then with a screenshot of the ultrasound tucked into the pocket of his black denim shirt, he quietly slipped away, leaving them to their private celebration.

"Thank you for yesterday," Natalia said, appreciatively, her thoughts turning to their afternoon of shopping and nursery design. "I had such a wonderful time with you, picking things out for the nursery."

"It was wonderful for me, too," Olivia agreed.

"I love that I can share this with you," Natalia said. "Everything is so different than when I was pregnant with Rafe."

"I want it to be different for you," Olivia said, as tucked errant locks of raven behind Natalia's ear. "I want everything to be perfect this time."

"It is," Natalia whispered. She brushed a kiss against Olivia's lips. "I couldn't ask for more."

"The feeling is mutual," Olivia quietly replied.

Lightly, Olivia brushed the pad of her thumb over Natalia's lower lip. "I hope our baby girl looks just like you." Adoring eyes slowly caressed Natalia's features, as she remembered the 3D images from the sonogram. The baby's facial features were so much like Natalia's already, and she prayed that wouldn't change. "Beautiful dark eyes, thick, raven hair with a hint of curl, perfect lips…"

Leaning close, Natalia kissed Olivia's mouth. "I sure wish she could look like you," she countered. "You're so beautiful, Liv."

"What was it you were saying about flattery the other night?" Olivia asked flirtatiously.

Natalia laughed. "Forget about flattery. This will get me just as far," she husked, as she captured Olivia's mouth once again.

Laughing softly into their kiss, Olivia murmured, "Can't say that I disagree with you."

And then Olivia was affectionately brushing a lock of thick raven curls from Natalia's forehead, allowing her fingertips to flutter along the longer locks down to Natalia's shoulder and chest. And she was whispering to Natalia about how difficult it was to believe she was ever scared of this physical connection they now shared. There was talking, and sharing, and teasing, and then they were making love again. A perfect ending to another perfect week in a month of Sundays.

Yes, Sundays are like the bookends that hold our week together. Sometimes, as a Traditional Proverb proclaims, a Sunday well-spent can bring a week of content, meaning they set the tone for what is to come in the week that stretches out before us. Sometimes, according to Addison, a Sunday can clear away the rust of the whole week, leaving behind a shiny new beginning. And sometimes, as Longfellow once described, Sunday proves to be the epitome of bookends—the golden clasp that binds together the volume of an entire week. It was within the span of a month of Sundays that Olivia and Natalia experienced the fullness of those bookends. And though the journey had at times been tumultuous, when that final bookend slid into place, bringing to close their first month as lovers, they found that most of all, those Sundays had bound them irrevocably closer together.

TBC… in Chapter 14: Trials and Tribulations…