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, Phillip Spaulding, and Vanessa Chamberlain are owned by CBS/TeleNext and Proctor & Gamble. The original characters of Detective Sargent Langston Malloy, Attorney Danika Kováč, and their daughter, McKenna, and Jacqueline Morgan are the property of this author, and any resemblance to fictional characters, or real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
No copyright infringement intended with regard to Guiding Light, CBS/TeleNext, Proctor & Gamble, or any other person or entity. The dialogue, settings, and story content in these scenes are original. Written for fun, not profit. All other standard disclaimers apply.
Many thanks to my friend and favorite FFW, WickedWanda926, and to my friend newfan64, for their ongoing willingness to edit my stories. Words cannot express how much I appreciate the two of you and your steadfast support of me, both personally, and as a would-be writer. Due to time constraints, however, this update has not been edited. Thus, any mistakes contained herein are solely my responsibility. Thank you to all who continue to read and/or comment. I appreciate all the wonderful comments, and the time you have invested in this story. Thank you for sticking with me as this saga unfolds. I truly hope you continue to enjoy.
Finally, this update is fairly well-balanced between Otalia and the Langston/Dani (or as WickedWanda calls them, DANG) storyline. I promise there is much more of both couples to come. The loose ends on the DANG storyline are almost tied up, and soon we can all move forward together.
Rating: This section of Chapter 16 is rated Rfor some colorful language and sexual innuendo. The rating is cautious because there is nothing between PG-13 and R, and there are portions of I that I wouldn't want my 13 year old niece reading.
I hope y'all continue to enjoy!
Kimberly
Confessions Lead to Strange Bedfellows
Copyright May 2009
"When you meet someone so different from yourself, in a good way, you don't even have to kiss to have fireworks go off."
— Lisa Schroeder, I Heart You, You Haunt Me
Chapter 16.14 – A Few Fireworks of Our Own:
Sunday, July 5, 2009… The Farmhouse of Love—12:15 a.m. Central Daylight Time
"I'm surprised Rafe didn't beat us home," Olivia commented as she and Natalia made their way along the footstone path that curved around the western edge of the farmhouse toward the mudroom entrance. The antiqued light fixture cast a mellow glow across the stairs leading to the back patio, stopping just short of the patio's edge where the gas-light lanterns would pick up, had they been illuminated.
"Oh, he was taking Ashlee home," Natalia said casually. "He'll probably be a few more hours. I heard Ashlee mention something about a movie."
"Ah," Olivia said, adjusting the quilt she carried before it could slip from her arm. "So… I guess that means we're alone again."
Natalia grinned. "Indeed, it does."
Olivia draped her free arm around Natalia's shoulder. "How would you feel about a long, hot shower, shared with yours truly, of course," she grinned. "And then a nice massage?"
"I could definitely use that shower," Natalia readily agreed.
"No massage?" Olivia queried. "I could rub your feet," she added, sweetening the deal. Even at the midway mark in her pregnancy, Natalia's feet were already showing a tendency to swell when she was on them too much—and in Olivia's estimation, that was all the time. When she first noticed the swelling a few weeks ago, she had silently vowed to keep watch and to encourage Natalia to sit whenever possible. It wasn't that she was necessarily worried. It was more about the fierce sense of protectiveness she felt toward Natalia, and toward their unborn child.
"It's late," Natalia pointed out unnecessarily. "Aren't you tired?"
"Not in the least," Olivia denied. Locating her house key amongst the assortment on her keychain, she unlatched the deadbolt on the back door, turned the handle, and pushed it wide open, ushering Natalia inside with a simple hand gesture. "Besides, we can sleep in tomorrow. Vanessa isn't bringing Emma home until around two."
"In that case," Natalia grinned. "I think your plan sounds wonderful."
Sunday, July 5, 2009… The Cottage, Martha's Vineyard—2:15 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time
Rolling toward the obnoxious sound of a text alert, Dani groaned. She pried one bleary eye open, peering at the blur of amber numerals on the bedside alarm clock—2:15 a.m. Who the fuck?
And then she panicked, sitting bolt upright in bed. Langston was really the only one who would text her at such a late hour. What if something was wrong with McKenna?
She grabbed her phone, pressing the home button to reveal the text notification. Her instinct proved correct. It was from Langston. Her mind raced, and her heart rate skyrocketed as fear gripped her, turning her insides to molten dread.
And then she read the message: Are you up?
Seriously? Well, I am now! She thought grumpily. And then she texted: What's wrong? Is McKenna okay?
Yes, she's fine. Can we talk?
Langston, it's 2:15 in the morning…
I know, and I'm sorry. I just really wanted to see you…
See me? Eyebrows furrowed. Now Dani was confused. Where are you?
On the front porch. Can we…
Bare feet hit the floor before Dani even finished reading the text. Throwing on the silvery satin robe that matched her pajamas, the hardwood floors felt cool against her skin as she padded, still barefooted, out of the bedroom and across the living room toward the front door. Her heart continued racing as it had just moment before—but this time, for an entirely different reason. Langston was standing on the other side of that door! She had been both wishing for—and dreading—this moment for the past twelve days. And now it was happening, and she'd never felt more terrified in her entire life.
The echo of her thundering heartbeat rushed in her ears, and she took a deep breath. Blowing it out slowly, she allowed her awareness of her surroundings to heighten. The air conditioner hummed quietly in the background, and the only other discernable sound in the house was the ticking of a clock that adorned the mantle above the living room fireplace, frittering the moments away as she gathered her wits about her. Finally, with a trembling hand, she reached for the door handle; and in that split second, she did something she hadn't done in more than twenty-five years: she prayed for Divine Intervention, and allowed her heart to have faith enough that it would come.
And then the warmth of her hand, palm dampened with the sheen of sweat that marked guarded anticipation, met the cool of the metal, and slowly, she turned the handle…
Sunday, July 5, 2009… The Farmhouse of Love—1:15 a.m. Central Daylight Time
"Sweetheart, please," Olivia pleaded, as her thumbs gently kneaded the bottom of Natalia's left foot. "The last thing I wanna talk about right now is Phillip Spaulding."
Their shared shower had been blissfully relaxing, and Olivia had no desire to drum up new tension by revisiting old arguments. She knew though, that Natalia wasn't likely to waiver. Not this time. She'd spent the last half hour trying to get Olivia to agree with allowing Emma to see her father. Thus far, her efforts had been futile. But Phillip had been perfectly behaved the entire day, even when given unlimited access to Emma in their absence, and Olivia was quickly running out of reasonable arguments against visitation. If only she could find a way to quell the antagonizing fear that clawed away at her insides upon every thought of that man.
"He even helped Langston get out to the Vineyard tonight to be with Dani," Natalia reported.
"She went to find Dani?" Olivia sounded surprised, though she didn't really know why. It wasn't like she knew anything about the detective at all, except for what Dani had told them at dinner that night. She supposed that was why it surprised her—nothing about what Dani had shared gave any indication that Langston would ever change her mind.
"Uh-huh," Natalia confirmed with the nodding of her head.
"How do you even know about this?" Olivia asked, curiosity rippling across her face.
"I ran into her as she and her aunt were leaving for the airport," Natalia explained.
"Her aunt?" Emphasizing the relationship, Olivia sounded intrigued.
"Yeah, Jacqueline Morgan," Natalia informed.
Amused, Olivia grinned and shook her head. "For someone who never gossips, you sure do know a lot about other people's business," she teased.
Natalia gave an innocent shrug. "People tell me things," she said simply.
Olivia chuckled. It was so like Natalia to be so nonchalant. "How do you even know Jacqueline Morgan, anyway?" she asked curiously. "I mean, other than as Jen's former mother-in-law."
"Don't you remember?" Natalia queried. "She hosted that fundraiser for the domestic violence shelter a few months ago. We comped the ballroom, and gave her a deal on catering."
"Oh, yeah, that's right," Olivia recalled. "I remember it now."
"Yet another way I can tell how much you've changed," Natalia commented.
"Meaning?" The curious intonation was matched by a perfectly cocked eyebrow.
"You completely forgot about an event where you didn't make any money," Natalia answered. "In the past, you would've been counting the days until you could take it as a tax write-off," she teased.
"That's what my accountants are for," Olivia grinned.
"Oh, you stop." Natalia's playful chastisement was accompanied by the tossing of a throw pillow that unceremoniously bonked Olivia upside the head.
"Hey, now," Olivia said in a warning tone; but the laughter in her eyes gave her away. "She was quite impressed with your organizational skills, you know."
"Who?"
"Jacqueline," Olivia answered.
Natalia beamed. "I know," she tittered like a school girl. "She wants me to organize another event for them, heading into the Holidays." She turned introspective then. "Never thought I'd find myself serving as an event planner for the rich movers and shakers in this town," she commented.
"You can do and be anything you set your mind to, Natalia," Olivia supportively declared. "You've proven that to me a thousand times already."
"You're good for my self-confidence," Natalia said affectionately. "Thanks for always being on my side."
Leaning forward, Olivia brushed a kiss against Natalia's lips. "I always will be."
Smiling, Natalia whispered, "Lucky me."
Settling back on her knees again, Olivia drew Natalia's feet back into her lap, and grabbed the bottle of lotion again, squeezing another dollop into her left palm. She dropped the bottle back onto the bed, and gingerly worked the substance between her hands. The point was not to work it into her own skin, but to warm it slightly before working it into Natalia's skin. "Well, I'm glad the detective finally came to her senses," she commented, turning her attention back to the foot massage.
"I am too," Natalia declared on a satisfied groan, as Olivia's fingertips worked their magic on arch of her achy foot.
They settled into comfortable silence.
"What if I supervised visits with him for a while?" Natalia proposed, breaking the stillness between them. Propped up against a bank of thick pillows at the head of their bed, she groaned again in pleasure, as Olivia's thumb hit just the right stop.
Delivered with that irresistibly dimpled grin, Natalia's suggestion was far more difficult to argue. How could she say 'No'?
Relenting, Olivia sighed. "You're not gonna let this go, are you?" she said. It wasn't a question.
"Nope," Natalia answered forthrightly.
"If you wanna put yourself through that, then more power to you," Olivia said.
Natalia's grin widened. "Is that a 'Yes'?"
Olivia nodded, albeit reluctantly. "Yes."
Leaning forward as best she could with her belly in the way, she wrapped her arms around Olivia's neck. "You won't regret this, Liv. I promise," she said, pressing a kiss to Olivia's temple. "Emma needs her daddy, just like this little one of ours will," she added, tenderly patting her rapidly expanding belly.
Olivia looked skeptical. "You're just angling for more time alone with me so we can have sex."
Natalia offered a mischievous grin. "Maybe."
Amused, a soft chuckle fell from Olivia's lips. And then her expression turned serious. "And what if we decided to have another baby. You know, just you and me?" she posed. "Do you think that child would need a daddy too? I mean, aren't we enough?"
Taken off-guard, Natalia considered the question carefully. "Well, I… of course we're enough, Liv," she finally answered. "I didn't mean to imply that we aren't. It's just that… I've raised a child without a father, and I think it did him more harm than good."
"You think Rafe made the choices he made because Gus wasn't there for him growing up," Olivia said. It wasn't a question.
"He missed out on so much," Natalia said with a hint of regret in her tone.
"Yes, he did," Olivia empathically agreed. "As did I, and Marissa, and Sam. And countless others who grew up without a father, through no fault of their own. Not all of them struggled or made wrong choices," she reasoned.
"It's different in my culture," Natalia countered.
"How so?"
"The role of the man is one of leadership, and discipline, and example," Natalia explained. "Rafe didn't have the solid male role model he needed. I was so busy just trying to make sure he had food and clothing and shelter, that I failed him in that."
"And what if he had been a girl?" Olivia asked. "Would that have made a difference?"
"I…" Natalia paused for a moment, contemplating. "I don't really know, Liv." She shrugged. "Maybe?"
A fleeting smile flickered across Olivia's face. "I'm sorry times were so hard when you were raising Rafe," she said sincerely. "I promise you, you'll never have to worry about having enough ever again."
Tears flooded Natalia's eyes. Olivia had made that promise to her multiple times over the last year—even before they became a couple; but the sincerity of it always struck a chord within her. "I know," she whispered. "And I love you for that, and so much more."
Relinquishing Natalia's foot, Olivia moved to the head of the bed, leaning against the pile of pillows that lined the headboard. With a single gesture, she welcomed Natalia into her arms.
Instinctively, Natalia curled into Olivia's side, resting her temple against Olivia's right breast. "Have you thought seriously about us having more children?"
"Have you?" Olivia countered, turning the tables. She grinned as she felt Téa kick against her ribs.
Natalia smiled. "I've always wanted a big family," she confessed, her right hand skimming affectionately across her expanding belly. Yet, the idea of consciously choosing to have a child felt foreign to her. "I just never found the right partner."
"And now?" Olivia pressed gently.
Meeting Olivia's gaze, Natalia's eyes danced with joy. "I do believe I have."
Jade eyes flashed with pleasure. "Lucky me."
Shaking her head, Natalia smiled softly. "No," she whispered. "Lucky us."
Sunday, July 5, 2009… The Cottage, Martha's Vineyard—2:15 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time
Having grown up in a world filled with mobsters and mayhem, and later choosing to join the police force, Detective Sergeant Langston Malloy wasn't one for being anxious. That was a forbidden reaction to stressful situations—especially if one valued one's life. And so she had learned to keep anxiety at bay; to avoid any outward manifestations of it, even as she channeled the energy of into a means of self-preservation. But standing there, all alone, on the front porch of a stranger's house, she felt her level of anxiety hit an all-time high. Nervously, she shuffled from one sneaker-clad foot to the other, in a rocking motion that could have made even the most sea-faring sailor a little nauseous.
When Dani finally opened the door, Langston felt her breath catch in her chest. God, she was beautiful. It felt as though she was seeing Dani again for the first time—probably because she hadn't really allowed herself the pleasure of admiring her fully since first seeing her again two weeks ago. To allow that would have been tantamount to self-torture because she ached to hold this woman with every fiber of her being, despite the fact that she'd had no intention of ever reconciling.
Until now.
Now she understood that no matter what Dani had done in the past, no matter what she might do in the future, nothing should, or ever would, come between them again. Dani was her rock, her shelter, the only place she could go to find true comfort. Dani, and now McKenna, were her entire world. Finally acknowledging her truth, she prayed that it wasn't too late.
"I, uh… I hope I didn't take too long." Delivered on a low murmur, Langston's opening comment sounded tentative, at best. Her face held a sheepish expression, and she appeared infinitely more penitent than Dani had ever seen her.
Crossing her arms beneath her breasts, Dani leaned casually against the door frame. "Depends on why you're here," she answered, hoping she sounded more nonchalant than she felt. Inside, her heart was racing, swelling with joy over the mere sight of her wife. She'd begun to lose hope that this moment would ever come.
"I want my family," Langston said forthrightly.
A slow smile spread across Dani's face, bringing to life that familiar sparkle in her dark eyes. "Well, it's about time, Detective," she whispered breathily. And then she flung herself into Langston's arms without a moment's hesitation, their bodies fusing at every available juncture. "Seems like I've been waiting for you forever."
"I'm sorry, Dani," Langston said softly against her wife's ear, even as she reveled in the closeness of her body. Burying her face into Dani's thick mane of dark waves, she drew the essence of her in through long, deep breaths. "I'm so sorry…"
"I don't need you to be sorry," Dani murmured. And then she leaned back, meeting Langston's clear blue gaze, searching in the muted light of the midnight moon as it peeked out from behind the whisper of clouds that streaked the sky. "I just need you to promise me you'll never leave us again."
"I swear, Love," Langston whispered sincerely. "Never again."
Langston's solemn vow was all Dani needed to hear. Her thumb brushed lightly across the softness of Langston's lower lip, and then she leaned close, skimming her mouth against it. The mere touching of their lips sent the most delightful tremors of heat skittering through their veins.
Instantly, they both grew breathless.
A wistful smile played across Dani's lips. "How do you do that?"
"Do what?" Langston husked.
"Every look, every touch, every kiss…," Dani whispered, punctuating each pause with the brushing of her mouth against Langston's. "You take my breath away."
Images of Rex Smith's brown leather vest, matching pants, and 70s hair flashed through Langston's mind, drawing a playful grin to her lips. "You're not gonna start singing, are you?" she teased.
Batting at Langston's upper chest near her shoulder, Dani chuckled. "No, you ass."
"Ow, hey!" Langston yelped.
"Oh, my God, Babe, I'm so sorry!" Dani quickly apologized. It had been a playful tap; she hadn't meant to cause her any pain. "How's your injury?" she asked, gently smoothing a hand across the area where Langston had been shot.
Meeting Dani's concerned gaze, a soft smile warmed Langston's face, as she covered Dani's hand with her own. "Better, now that I'm with you. We've both missed you."
"I've missed you, too," Dani quietly confessed. "Where is she?"
"She's with Jacqué," Langston reported.
"In Springfield?"
The disappointment in Dani's voice was palpable, and Langston quickly quelled it with the shaking of her head. "No, Babe, they're here with me. I managed to get a suite at one of the hotels near the wharf."
"That's… actually impressive," Dani declared, the weight on her heart lifting. Langston was here. Langston wanted her. And she would see her baby girl soon. "This place is packed for the holiday weekend."
"Confession?" Langston queried a bit sheepishly.
Dani grinned. "Always," she bantered in their usual response to the other posing that particular question.
"I booked it before you even left Springfield," Langston admitted. "Just in case…"
"And you left me sitting here for almost two weeks, sweating it out?" Dani sounded aghast! But the sparkle in her dark eyes gave her away.
"I knew what I wanted," Langston answered. "But you know how stubborn I am. I…"
"You make a pack of old donkeys look passive," Dani commented with a playful grin.
"Very funny," Langston said dryly. "I just didn't know how to admit it without looking like a pushover."
"Believe me, Langston Malloy," Dani said, sounding ominous. "You have never been, nor will you ever be, a pushover."
"Maybe not with anyone else," Langston said. "But you've always had a way of making me do things, even when I knew they were a really bad idea."
A mischievous grin teased across Dani's lips. "So far, I don't recall a single one of those bad ideas that you've actually regretted."
Langston laughed. She couldn't deny that it was true.
Pulling Dani into her arms again, she reveled in the familiarity of their embrace, as Dani draped those graceful arms loosely around Langston's neck the way she always had. Leaning close, she brushed another light kiss across that perfect mouth, causing Dani's breath to catch. "Touché," she breathed, her lips whispering over Dani's once more.
And then, just as it had always been between the two of them, even the slightest touch ignited their mutual passion. Dani groaned, or perhaps it was Lang, as she pulled Dani impossibly closer. Fitting Dani's pelvis snuggly against her own, she pressed into her, simultaneously claiming her mouth in a ravenous kiss.
Willingly, Dani opened to her, welcoming the seeking prominence of Langston's tongue as it tangled with her own, just as she welcomed the knowing touch of her hands as they slipped inside her robe and beneath the silken material of her pajama top. The heat of desire rippled through her body, leaving a trail of tingling sensations coursing through her veins.
Her own hands slid beneath the loose fabric of Langston's soft, black t-shirt, stroking skin, stoking fire, her fingertips easing higher and higher toward breasts that ached for her, taut nipples, begging for her attention. As usual, she wasn't wearing a bra, and that made the exploration infinitely more satisfying, as her fingertips teased along the ridge of a nipple, drawing a guttural groan from deep within Langston's chest.
Rocking Dani backwards, Langston pressed her against the doorjamb, insinuating a toned thigh between Dani's own. Dani gasped in response. Her mind dimmed, sharp bursts of pent-up desire exploding along every synapse; the only conscious thoughts being of Langston and the pleasure that awaited them.
The sound of Dani's shallow breaths, the press of her breasts against Langston's chest, the heat of her against Langston's thigh, produced a trifecta of sensations that pummeled through Langston's own body. Her senses were overwhelmed. Her own awareness drifted toward a very concentrated point between her legs, where those sensations threatened to explode. Jerking her hips forward, she soothed the ache in her clit while simultaneously stoking the fire.
Dani's breath was warm, her tone husky, as she whispered against her wife's ear. "I want you so much, but… we can't do this here."
"What, you don't want me to fuck you against the door?" Langston managed with a teasing lilt.
"Oh, I very much want you to fuck me against a door," Dani adamantly declared. The way Langston's hips had been moving against her, she was doing a fairly good rendition of exactly that. "Just not this one."
Langston laughed. "Which one, then?" she demanded. "'Cause I'm about to go off here."
"I would think you'd have better control, Detective," Dani murmured playfully. Reaching between Langston's jean-clad legs, she gave a deliberate squeeze, her fingertips grazing the hard prominence of Langston's clitoris in the process.
Langston groaned in response. "Jesus, Dani…" she gasped. "How'm I supposed to control anything when you're pullin' shit like that?"
"You used to like it when I'd pull your trigger," Dani purred. The heat of her mouth played along the taut chord of muscle in Langston's neck. She reveled in the excitement as she felt Langston's pulse trip beneath her lips and tongue.
"Oh, man," Langston whimpered helplessly. "I still do…"
"I can't wait to wrap my lips around this," Dani growled against Langston's ear as she scraped a fingernail along the seam of Langston's jeans effectively abrading the swollen clitoris that throbbed beneath.
Shaken by the sharp edge of arousal, Langston's pulse quickened once again. Her thighs trembled, and she feared her legs might give out on her. "Dani, please," she pleaded. She didn't need to say anything more. Dani understood the want in her trembling, the visceral need in her tone.
A mischievous grin trickled across Dani's lips, as she playfully grasped the neck of Langston's t-shirt. "I thought you'd never ask," she husked against Langston's ear. And then she yanked her into the house, kicking the door closed behind them.
TBC in Chapter 16.15…