Title: Confessions Lead to Strange Bedfellows

Author: Kimberly21570

Fandoms: Guiding Light / All My Children

Pairings: Olivia and Natalia / Lena and Bianca

Disclaimers and Other Assorted Ramblings: The characters of Olivia and Emma Spencer, Natalia and Rafe Rivera, Josh Lewis, Gus/Nicky Aitoro, Ava Peralta, and Jane, the nanny are owned by CBS/TeleNext and Proctor & Gamble. The farmhouse and the Beacon belong to them, as well.

No copyright infringement intended with regard to Guiding Light, CBS/TeleNext, Proctor & Gamble, or any other entity. The dialogue and story content in these scenes are original. Written for fun, not profit. All other standard disclaimers apply.

Thank you to all who continue to follow this story, as well as to all who comment. I appreciate your interest and support more than you know! I'll try to be back at some point this weekend to respond to your comments individually, but I figured you'd rather have another update first, rather than a lot of rambling from me… LOL Anyway, please know how much I appreciate you all! As always, thanks to my pal, MoniRod for the edit. You totally Rock, Woman! I appreciate you, and I owe you—BIG TIME!

Rating: Chapter 14 is rated NC-17 for some sexual situations and strong language.

WARNING: THOUGH NEITHER PROLONGED NOR OVERTLY GRATUITOUS, THERE ARE CANDID REFERENCES TO MALE GENITALIA AND PREVIOUS SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS WITH MEN IN THIS UPDATE. AS IN THE PAST, THE REFERENCES ARE GERMAIN TO THE CONTEXT OF A "PRESENT TIME" DISCUSSION, AS WELL AS TO SCENES THAT ARE PLANNED FOR A FUTURE UPDATE. WHILE I MAKE NO APOLOGIES FOR MY CREATIVE CHOICES, I HAVE INCLUDED THIS WARNING OUT OF RESPECT FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY FEEL SUCH CANDOR IS UNNECESSARY. IF THIS IS LIKELY TO OFFEND YOU, PLEASE PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

Finally, I have been writing quite a bit this summer, and it is my hope post more frequently in the coming weeks and months. I have much ground to cover in this story before the more intense content of my sequel Snapshots: Anthology of a Life Well-Lived can begin to emerge. As Confessions… progresses, so will Snapshots…

I hope y'all continue to enjoy both stories!

Kim

Confessions Lead to Strange Bedfellows

Copyright May 2009

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."

— James 1:2-8, the Bible, New International Version (NIV)

"God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it."

Unknown

Chapter 14.5 – Trials and Tribulations:

Friday, June 5, 2009… The Farmhouse of Love—2:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time

Upon his return to the farmhouse, Rafe wandered in through the back door, into the kitchen. He was beyond annoyed with the fact that his mother still wasn't home. He knew that if he had stayed out that late, he would have been grounded for life—despite the fact that he was a grown man. But she could do whatever the hell she wanted, and he wasn't supposed to say a word. Sometimes, life was just a series of inequities, and somehow, he always ended up with the short end of the stick. Fuck his life.

Releasing a disgruntled sigh, he moved further into the kitchen. Glancing toward the counter, he noticed the matching cell phones that Jane had pointed out earlier. Curious, he lifted one in each hand, sliding the locks on the touchscreens with his thumbs. What he found staring back at him only served to annoy him further: Matching wallpaper—the picture of the two of them with Emma. He really was beginning to believe he had been replaced in his mother's life.

He pressed enough buttons to figure out whose phone was whose, and then he set Natalia's phone aside. Surely there was something on Olivia's phone that he could use as leverage to get rid of her, he thought. It never even crossed his mind that if she had anything to hide, she would be smart enough to lock her phone. He clicked through her pictures first, and then viewed the videos. To his surprise and disappointment, there was nothing of any use there. Nothing risqué. Nothing even slightly shocking. Just a bunch of pictures of Natalia and Emma, with and without Olivia, with a few random shots of Ava mixed in for good measure. And videos from things like Emma's school fieldtrip, and the three of them at Family Day. He simply couldn't belief it.

He turned then, to her call log, and found nothing but an endless list of calls to and from business contacts, the Mayor's office, and his attorney, with a brief calls to Beacon employees and Emma's school, and one to Josh Lewis, the week before his hearing. He wondered briefly, why there were only a few brief calls to or from his mother. It didn't even occur to him that it was because they were almost always together.

Unwilling to give up so easily, he shifted his attention to her text messages. Surely the bitch was flirting with someone. Possibly even Josh, given the way she seemed to have him wrapped around her little finger. Slowly, he scrolled through the messages on her phone, beginning with the oldest ones he could find. Working his way through them, he grew increasingly frustrated. There were brief conversations with Jane regarding Emma's summer camp schedule, a few nondescript messages from random people he didn't know, and a brief text to Josh the day of the hearing, thanking him for his willingness to help Rafe. There was nothing even remotely incriminating on her entire phone!

And then he landed on the messages from early the previous morning, and his annoyance escalated, as he witnessed his mother interacting with the woman like some giddy little schoolgirl. It was sickening, the way she fawned over this woman! The afternoon messages followed, and began with Natalia saying, So… I've been thinking about you… All. Day. Long.

Rafe's heart sank. She had been with him all day—and she had been thinking of Olivia! How was he supposed to feel about that? He knew that if he were minding his own business, he wouldn't be privy to such information. Thus, technically, it was his own fault that he was feeling unwanted. But he wasn't willing to accept responsibility for that. It was Olivia's fault, he decided; because she took his mother away from him.

Undeterred by his hurt and anger, he continued scrolling through the messages.

Oh, yeah? What have you been thinking? Olivia had replied moments later.

Earlier that afternoon, as Natalia had read the message, she could hear the flirtation in Olivia's tone, even via text. She grinned, and replied: About that thing that you did this morning, right before I... finished…

In terms of intensity, the sharp gasp that escaped Rafe's lungs matched the one that Olivia had exhaled in response to Natalia's confession. Only, Olivia's had been one of arousal, not disgust. Cautiously, he continued scrolling.

Oh, ya liked that, did ya?

Natalia could practically hear the playful cockiness in Olivia's tone as she read her lover's response. You have no idea, she hinted.

Oh, I think I have some idea, Olivia responded.

A soft laugh had fallen from Natalia's lips upon reading Olivia's reply. She had no doubt that Olivia knew exactly how much she had enjoyed that particular move. I can't wait for you to do it again…

Neither can I, Honey, Olivia had replied.

I miss you… terribly, Natalia admitted. I'd really like to kiss you right now…

I'd really like to kiss you, too. In fact, I've been thinking about exactly that, all day long. Olivia's response read almost like a whisper, and Natalia had imagined the warmth of her lover's breath against her ear as she read it.

I can't wait until you're home, and in my arms where you belong. Olivia could hear the longing in Natalia's voice as she read her lover's declaration.

Just a few more hours, Sweetheart, Olivia had responded. I can't wait to see you.

I can't wait for our date tonight, Natalia confessed.

Neither can I, Olivia replied. I have a very special evening planned for us.

Do I get any hints as to what's on the menu? Natalia asked.

It's one of your favorite dishes, Olivia answered elusively.

Natalia's lips had formed a roguish grin as she read Olivia's response. Hmm… You, perhaps? she had guessed with a flicker of anticipation. She followed her comment with a flirty little emoticon, and Rafe shuddered at the mere thought. And then he grew angry.

Olivia's response only seemed to exacerbate his irritation. Well… you can have that for dessert, she had flirted. But first, I have a beautiful candlelight dinner planned for you.

That sounds wonderful, Liv, Natalia answered. I picked out a special dress just for you.

You're beautiful, no matter what you wear, Olivia complimented. But I love that you picked something special for me.

You say the sweetest things to me, Natalia gushed in response. No one has ever been this good to me.

Rafe scoffed at that comment. Though their time together had been brief, his father had been wonderful to her! How dare she dismiss that so casually! He could feel his rage heightening as the muscles in his body tightened and tensed.

They were fools, Olivia quickly declared. You deserve to be treasured, Natalia. And I intend to treasure you for the rest of our lives.

You are so getting lucky tonight…, Natalia had replied with a naughty grin. Rafe nearly gagged in response.

Olivia had laughed upon receiving that comment, and then she turned sentimental, as she responded: I'm already the luckiest woman in the world, just because you love me, Natalia, she asserted. I couldn't possibly ask for more.

Olivia Spencer was one smooth operator, Rafe would give her that. She sure knew how to play a woman. Pathetically, he thought he might be able to use a few of her lines someday.

Well, hold on to your hat, Olivia Spencer, because you're about to get a whole lot luckier.

That familiar eyebrow had arched upon reading Natalia's comment, and Olivia felt the undeniable reaction within her body. How so?

You know that thing you love so much? The one that involves my tongue… in that one particular spot? While Natalia still found it difficult to express such thoughts to Olivia in person, she felt emboldened when communicating with her via text. As such, she had often used text to initiate their intimate encounters at the Beacon. And Olivia absolutely loved it.

Completely shocked, Rafe's stomach churned, and his heart stopped in his chest. Never in his life would he have expected his mother to even think such a thing—let alone text it! What the fuck was wrong with her!

Olivia had gulped when she read that, and it revved her body up just as Natalia had intended. Yeah? she replied, nearly breathless.

Rafe could practically hear the whore salivating over his mother's body. He wanted to throw the phone. Angry and grossed out, he couldn't bear to read his mother's response. Quickly, he scrolled down several messages, and found Olivia saying: As much as I'm enjoying this, Honey, we should probably quit while we're ahead. Otherwise, I'm gonna need a cold shower before I can even leave my office.

You don't have a shower in your office, Natalia had responded moments later.

My point exactly, Olivia replied.

Natalia could practically hear the deadpan in Olivia's tone, and she had laughed in response. And then she replied, Sigh… I hate to admit it, but I know you're right. We should stop. So much for sexy fun times with you this afternoon. God, I miss you…

Olivia could hear the soft sigh of longing in Natalia's voice. Later…, was her singular response.

Yes. Later…, Natalia had quickly agreed. I need to get dinner started for the kids, anyway.

I love how you take such good care of them, Olivia replied. And of me…

It's my pleasure to take care of my family, Liv, Natalia answered. I love you all more than you could possibly know.

We love you too, Honey, Olivia reassured. How are things going with Rafe? I've been thinking about him a lot today. I know none of this is easy on him—or on you.

Olivia's comment stopped Rafe in his tracks. She hadn't been forced into asking about him. So why did she? That one was certainly curious. With eager eyes, he continued on to his mother's response.

Better… He's acting more like himself this afternoon, Natalia reported.

I'm glad, Sweetheart, Olivia replied thoughtfully. I know how worried you've been.

Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever stop worrying, Natalia admitted.

Well, we never stop being moms, no matter how old our kids get, Olivia reasoned in response. But Rafe's a good kid, and we're good moms. He'll get through this with our help.

I love how certain you are of things, Natalia responded moments later. Thanks for keeping me grounded when I begin to doubt.

There's nothing I wouldn't do for you, Natalia, Olivia had responded. I love you…

I love you too, Liv, Natalia replied. And I can't wait to show you how much.

Ditto… xoxo

At that point, Rafe had read more than he cared to know about their physical relationship—it made him sick. And there was nothing of any real interest to him. Nothing for him to rage against, because clearly, Olivia covered her tracks well. He couldn't even fathom the idea that she might actually be innocent of any wrongdoing. He just needed to figure out how she was hiding it. Perhaps that burn phone they took with them on "date night" held the key. He scoffed at the mere idea of a "date night" involving his mother and another woman—especially that woman—and mindlessly tossed the phone back onto the kitchen counter; not giving a shit if he broke it. And then he schlepped into the living room and threw himself down on the sofa to await her mother's arrival. Whenever the hell that might be.

Friday, June 5, 2009… The Penthouse Suite, the Beacon—2:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time

"Liv?" Gently, Natalia traced the path of moonlight that illuminated Olivia's beautiful face, with her fingertip. They were lying, face to face, sharing the same pillow, in their bed at the Beacon. Olivia had been drifting in and out of slumber, as Natalia's mind drifted in and out of thought.

"Hmm…?" Poised on the edge of sleep, Olivia's soft murmur of acknowledgement fell from her lips almost dreamily.

"What you said earlier," Natalia began tentatively, "about me almost being able to…" She quietly cleared her throat, nervousness fluttering in her belly. "To… fuck you…"

That word felt so foreign on Natalia's tongue, and delivered on a strangled whisper, the mere utterance of it made her insides shake uncontrollably—in a way that she found oddly arousing. She wondered if hearing her say it affected Olivia the same way.

She didn't have to wonder long, because she had managed to grab Olivia's full attention. Eyelids once heavy with sleep fluttered open, revealing swirling pools of smoldering, liquid want. The essence of desire in those eyes took Natalia's breath away. How could Olivia possibly still want her so much after hours of impassioned lovemaking? It both surprised and delighted her.

Stretching, Olivia leaned close, pressing her lips against Natalia's in a brief kiss. "What about it?" she asked in quiet invitation, her fingertips lightly brushing the curve of Natalia's hip. Whatever was to come of this, Olivia knew it was unfamiliar territory for Natalia, and the conversation could come at a cost. Thus, she proceeded cautiously.

Natalia lowered her gaze, avoiding those expressive jade eyes. "Is that what you want?" she asked self-consciously. "Do you… miss that part about sex? Do you need… something more?" She hadn't a clue as to what something more might entail, and she was scared that Olivia needed something she might not be able to give.

Shaken by the tremor of uncertainty in Natalia's usually confident tone, Olivia silently chastised herself. She should have anticipated that her earlier comment would resonate with Natalia, make her question, cause her unnecessary worry.

Tenderly, her eyes filled with love, she collected Natalia's face in her hands, drawing that uncertain gaze into the surety of her own. "Stop, okay?" Her gentle directive was followed by the brushing of her lips against Natalia's. And then she met her gaze again. "I have never been more satisfied in a relationship," she reassured with gentle insistence. "Sexually or otherwise."

"Yeah, but we're just getting started," Natalia countered. "What if…"

"If I ever decide I need something more, I promise to tell you, okay?" Olivia pledged, as she gently stroked Natalia's cheek. "And I need you to promise to do the same."

Natalia drew quiet then, her thoughts drifting again. She remembered that day with Gus—the day she responded to him sexually for the first and only time. He had never taken her with such raw passion, such utter abandon, before, and it had both surprised and invigorated her. In those moments, with him thrusting so deeply inside her, she remembered wondering if this was why people found sex so enthralling. She certainly never had. Not until that encounter with Gus. She understood now, thanks to her experiences with Olivia, that she had been on the verge of orgasm for the first time in her life. If only he had lasted a few seconds longer. But he hadn't. And she had been left wondering.

The rare times they had been together, he had finished in a few short, imperceptible spurts, which she had only been aware of because of the way his breathing and movement changed. But this time was different. This time, despite the stillness of his body at the moment of release, his cock moved like a wild animal inside her, and he grunted loudly as he came in several long streams of thick, hot cum. His orgasm was so powerful that it shook her entire body, and for the first time ever, she actually felt him release inside her. He was buried so deep inside her that she felt the pulse of his orgasm, and the warmth of his passion as it filled her. And the moment he finished, rather than withdrawing from her, she felt his cock begin to rise and fill again. Then, still buried inside her, he had gathered her close, lifting her from the countertop where he had deposited her just moments before. Instinctively, her legs had wrapped around his waist, and he carried her to their bed, where he continued to thrust against her until he came again.

Only then, breathless and sated, had he withdrawn from her body; rolling onto his side next to her. She smiled at him, and kissed his lips, so unaware of his motivations; and then his guilt set in. He had fucked his wife with a hard-on he had for another woman. And he had done so, unapologetically. What a fucking bastard he was! But the taste of Olivia still lingered on his lips and tongue, and he found himself powerless to resist the surge of animalistic desire that coursed through his body, collecting once again in his groin. He wondered how in hell that was even possible, as he simultaneously scrambled for an excuse to leave their bed. He simply couldn't use Natalia like that again—she deserved far better than that from him.

Guilt-ridden and rapidly growing hard again, he had leaned close to her; though not too close that she would notice is erection. Brushing his lips against Natalia's, he muttered an excuse about needing to shower for work. And with that, he slipped from their bed, and made his way to the bathroom, where he stood under the hot, pounding spray, working his cock until the last vestiges of his unbridled lust for Olivia Spencer had finally been slaked.

Looking back, Natalia realized that the experience had rocked her to her core. Though it had been rushed, in the moment, it left her feeling fulfilled in a way that she never had been before. She was grateful that she hadn't known then what she knew now—that Olivia had been the catalyst for their impassioned encounter. Not that she regretted that in retrospect, but back then, it would have crushed her. She remembered, after Gus's death, praying that she had become pregnant from that encounter, and crying when she realized that it hadn't happened. Subconsciously, she pressed her hand against her belly, wondering if that weren't part of the reason she had resisted this pregnancy in the beginning.

The thought was fleeting, and she flashed back to that day with Gus. The thing she remembered the most was the sense of intimacy she had experienced when she actually felt him release as he was buried so deeply inside her. The emotional intimacy she shared with Olivia far surpassed anything she had ever experienced with anyone, including Gus, and now, more than anything, she wanted that depth of physical intimacy with Olivia, as well. She wanted any and all future reflections regarding both emotional and physical intimacy to be of Olivia, not Gus. He was her past—Olivia was her present, and her future. Her forever.

Lightly, Olivia kissed the corner of Natalia's mouth. "Penny for your thoughts," she whispered, drawing her back into the moment.

The tremulous smile that flickered across Natalia's face reflected in those dark, expressive eyes, and Olivia gently brushed the backs of her fingers across a slightly flushed cheek. "What is it, Natalia?" she asked quietly.

Natalia remained quiet for several moments, formulating her thoughts. "So… if I did happen to want more, that, um… that would be okay?" she finally asked, hesitantly.

Olivia's memory flashed back to earlier that evening—to Natalia's words. I wish I could! Sometimes, I wish we both could. Soft eyes blinked, as she regarded Natalia. "Do you?" she queried.

"Maybe," Natalia answered noncommittally. It was difficult for her to say, given that she really had no clue as to what "more" might entail. She hesitated again, and then finally admitted, "I just… sometimes I wish I could feel you… deeper."

Confessed on a strangled whisper, the flush on Natalia's face intensified.

"Deeper?"

Olivia sounded as though she was processing a foreign concept, and instinctively, Natalia began to fret. What if she had said something wrong? Something offensive? But really, what did it matter? she quickly reasoned. This was Olivia. And she could say anything to her, knowing she would never be judged.

"Yes, deeper," Natalia reiterated, not wanting to sacrifice the open, honest communication they had established around the issue of sex. "Like… I want to feel you all the way inside me." She didn't know if it was the pregnancy, or the fact that Olivia had emboldened her, inspired her sexual awakening, or if this unrelenting need stemmed from some other unknown source. All she knew was that she wanted it, craved it, in places so deep that she couldn't yet fathom them. "I… I don't even know how that's possible," she mumbled, almost as an afterthought. She prayed that Olivia knew a way.

Stunned by Natalia's admission, Olivia fell strangely silent as she reflected upon the bevy of emotions she had witnessed playing across Natalia's face as she said it. And then she met Natalia's gaze, her fingertips tenderly brushing against the soft skin of Natalia's bare shoulder. "Why is this so important to you, Sweetheart?" she quietly inquired. Perhaps if she understood the impetus for Natalia's request, she might have a better idea as to how she should respond.

Reaching for Olivia's hand, Natalia intertwined their fingers as she held Olivia's tender gaze. And then she attempted to explain, without getting into too much detail, that she wanted a deeper sense of physical connection with Olivia—that she wanted Olivia to be the one with whom she shared her deepest sense of intimacy, in all regards, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. She acknowledged that the spiritual part might be difficult for Olivia, and expressed a willingness to be patient as they worked their way there at whatever pace was comfortable for Olivia.

Olivia responded by pulling her close, nuzzling against Natalia's cheek, as she murmured her promise to try. What on earth had this woman done to her, she wondered, that she would even contemplate a spiritual connection, let alone willingly agree to one? She smiled at the transient pondering, and pulled Natalia impossibly closer, delighting in the sensation of Natalia's bare skin against her own. What did it matter? Clearly, Natalia owned her, body, soul, and spirit, and surprisingly, she felt a sense of security in that knowledge—a deeper sense than anything she had ever known. Deeper, she thought, almost whimsically. How apropos.

And with that knowledge as her impetus, Olivia found herself whispering another promise—this one, to find a way to satisfy Natalia's physical need, as well. She knew the how, of course, but what she didn't know was whether or not Natalia would be receptive to it. Despite Natalia's fervent declaration of willingness to try absolutely anything with Olivia, there were some things that even Olivia considered too much, and thus, she hesitated in even mentioning them. This time, she was in over her head, and realizing it, she asked Natalia for a little time and patience, in this regard, as well.

Willingly, Natalia agreed. Anything for Olivia. Always.

TBC in Chapter 14.6: Trials and Tribulations…