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, Gus/Nicky Aitoro, Dr. Felicia Boudreau, Doris and Ashlee Wolfe, Phillip and Peyton Spaulding, Beth Raines, Josh Lewis, Reva Shayne, and Frank Cooper are owned by CBS/TeleNext and Proctor & Gamble. The characters of Lena Kundera, Bianca Montgomery, and Kendall Hart Slater are owned by All My Children, ABC/Disney and Prospect Park. The original characters of Dr. Korryn Anderson, Jordan, Lexie, and Tori Montgomery-Kundera, Detective Sergeant Langston Malloy, Attorney Danika Kováč, and their daughter McKenna, Jennifer, Tracy, Jacob and Dylan Jackson-Morgan, Jacqueline Morgan, Judge Bennett Thomas and her daughters Rian and Lauren, and Toni Martin 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, AMC, ABC/Disney, or any other entity. With the exception the Farmhouse of Love, and some dialogue from the 5.20.2009 episode of Guiding Light, the dialogue, settings, and story content in these scenes are original. Written for fun, not profit. All other standard disclaimers apply.
Many thanks, as always, to my friend and favorite FFW, WickedWanda926, and to my friend newfan64, for their ongoing willingness to edit my stories and provide valuable feedback. 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 the rush to get you all this update, however, this content 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 the time you have invested in this story, and truly hope you continue to enjoy.
Rating: Chapter 19.1 is rated PG-13.
Confessions Lead to Strange Bedfellows
Copyright May 2009
"Sometimes life takes unexpected turns. Sometimes we hide the very core of our existence because we fear the judgment of others. Sometimes the universe shifts and we are provided with a brief moment to begin anew. These moments allow us to become fearless and let our perfectly created souls shine."
― Cori Garrison, New Beginnings
Chapter 19.1 – New Beginnings:
Monday, November 23, 2009… Labor & Delivery, Pine Valley Hospital—10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
Dr. Korryn Anderson tucked wayward locks of thick ash-blonde hair up beneath her dark blue scrub cap, tightening it at the back. And then she lifted the face mask into place, tying it securely as she nudged the door to Lena's labor and delivery room open with a hip. "I hear we're about ready to meet the newest Montgomery-Kundera," she said cheerily as she entered the room.
Lena's delivery was right on schedule—just a few days shy of her actual due date of Thanksgiving Day. Having been with the couple since Bianca's pregnancy with Jordan, Dr. Anderson knew both women well, and she was excited for them to meet their new baby.
"She wants to be home in time for Auntie Kendall's turkey and stuffing," Bianca joked. With the baby literally due on Thanksgiving, she was thankful her sister had taken the holiday on this year.
Dr. Anderson chuckled. "I'm glad you two decided to take a break from hosting this year," she said, as she scrubbed her hands thoroughly. She rinsed then, and turned off the tap with her elbow.
"It was just too much, with the baby coming, and all," Lena commented.
Dr. Anderson nodded her agreement, as she slid her hand beneath the dispenser on the wall nearby. She waited while it dropped an adequate supply of sanitizer into her palm before rubbing her hands together.
"Shouldn't be too much longer, Doc," Bianca reported, excitement in her tone as she gazed at her beautiful wife.
"Can't be soon enough for me," Lena groaned as the next contraction hit, hard. She had to admit though, thus far, this labor had been far easier than the last. She'd only been at it for about four hours, versus the nearly thirty it had taken with Lexie. She should've known then that the child would be her greatest challenge—and someday, her sweetest reward.
Turning to her left, Dr. Anderson was met by her favorite nurse, Samantha Waters, who was ready with a sterile towel and a fresh pair of gloves. "Thanks, Sam," she said. The telltale crinkles around her eyes said she was smiling beneath that mask as she dried her hands. Tossing the soiled towel into the laundry bin, she allowed Sam to slide the gloves onto her hands.
"No problem, Doc," Sam replied with a grin. "I just checked her. She's at a ten and ready to push."
"Give me a second to verify," Dr. Anderson said to Lena in a reassuring tone. "I think we're ready to go." Reaching beneath the drape, she checked Sam's accuracy, and finding that she was correct, as usual, she peered over the top, meeting Lena's gaze. "Next contraction, you're ready to push."
Bianca's smile widened. Gently, she brushed a sweat-soaked lock of raven hair from Lena's face, and then she wiped her forehead with a cool, damp cloth. Just as she had been during those long hours of labor with Lexie, Bianca had been by Lena's side every moment since they arrived at the hospital earlier that evening. And she had been praying Lena would have an easier time this time around. So far, so good, she mused as she gazed at her wife, relaxing as best she could before the real work began.
She grasped Lena's hand in one of her own, wrapping her other arm around Lena's shoulders in preparation. "Ready?" she asked softly.
Lena met her gaze, and smiled. "Never more," she answered.
Her response came just in time, as the next breath she breathed brought with it a powerful contraction. For the next fifteen minutes she panted, and screamed, and pushed with all her might at Dr. Anderson's command, thankful that Bianca was there to help support her. And finally, her instructions were to rest. Her breaths coming in short staccato gasps, she fell back against the pillows, attempting to relax.
"I know this is rough, Lena," Dr. Anderson validated. "Just give me one more big push with the next contraction, okay?" she instructed. "We'll have ourselves a brand new baby girl."
Still breathing heavily, Lena managed a nod. Her mouth felt like cotton, but she swallowed anyway.
And then it struck like lightening, and with Bianca's support, she gave it all she had. A moment later, Dr. Anderson was laughing as she lifted the wailing newborn. Like her older sisters, she had a strong set of lungs and headful of beautiful dark curls, and they fell instantly under her spell.
Leaning close, Bianca smiled and kissed Lena's mouth, and Lena smiled into their kiss. But their celebration was cut short. Moving quickly, the way things did in delivery, a moment later, Bianca was being summoned to cut the cord. And then they were being handed their precious little bundle for a few moments of bonding, before Sam took her to clean her up properly and get measurements.
"What's her name?" Dr. Anderson asked as she rested a hip on the edge of Lena's bed. It would be a few minutes before they were ready to finish things up.
Lena beamed as she gazed at her newborn daughter. "Viktoria Paulina," she answered. "After my father and mother."
"We're planning to call her Tori," Bianca reported.
"Unless she's in trouble," Lena joked.
Dr. Anderson laughed. "That's a beautiful name. A lovely tribute," she declared, feeling a bit misty-eyed. She rarely got emotionally attached to her patients, but Lena and Bianca were hard not to love, especially after all they'd been through just getting to Jordan's birth. And now they were thriving as a couple, with three beautiful little girls.
"Thanks, Doc," Bianca said appreciatively. "For everything."
Dr. Anderson nodded, and pushed away from the bed. "Let's finish this thing up, huh?" she suggested. "And then I can leave you to get acquainted with little Tori."
"That sounds like a plan," Bianca beamed. Nothing in the world had ever sounded better to the two of them.
Monday, November 23, 2009… The Farmhouse of Love—10:30 p.m. Central Standard Time
"I'm not ready to give up Dantéa's nursery, Liv," Natalia confessed as they lay together in their bed. The tears were gone, but still, the shroud of sorrow remained.
"You don't have to give it up at all, if you don't want," Olivia declared.
"I would never want to use it for another child," Natalia said with certainty. "Dantéa could never be replaced."
"I would never suggest such a thing," Olivia agreed.
They fell into silence, both of them contemplating.
"Maybe we could donate her things to New Beginnings in her memory," Olivia suggested of the home for pregnant teenagers they were opening in Natalia's old building in Chicago.
Natalia smiled softly. "I think that's a perfect idea," she agreed. "I just… I'll need a little more time though."
Tilting her head to the side, Olivia pressed a kiss against Natalia's temple, reveling in the gift of being allowed to hold her again. "Take as long as you need, Sweetheart," Olivia said supportively. "We've got months' worth of work before we're ready to even talk about opening our doors."
"What's the rough estimate?" Natalia asked.
"Late summer," Olivia answered.
Considering Olivia's response, Natalia nodded. "I think I'll be ready by then."
Olivia smiled softly and kissed Natalia's temple again. "I'll be right there with you," she whispered in promise.
"You always are," Natalia quietly acknowledged before drifting off to sleep in Olivia's arms.
Monday, November 23, 2009… Labor & Delivery, Pine Valley Hospital—11:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
An hour later, Bianca was curled up in the bed next to Lena, both of them fawning over their new baby girl. Taking their time, they had counted all of her fingers and all of her toes, and then they'd counted them all over again, just for good measure. And though they couldn't have known that in that very moment, nearly a thousand miles away, two of the people they loved most in this world were saying goodbye to the child they would never hold again, there in Pine Valley Olivia and Natalia were ever-present on their minds as Lena and Bianca quietly acknowledged that they couldn't have been more in love… or more grateful for the treasure they held in their arms.
Thursday, November 26, 2009—Thanksgiving Day… The Farmhouse of Love—6:15 a.m. Central Standard Time
Thanksgiving morning arrived, and Olivia was up before the sun cast its ambient rays of light across the horizon. Her mood could have been described as "chipper," if Olivia Spencer ever did "chipper," which she didn't. But she was definitely in high spirits after several days of Natalia being in a better place, emotionally speaking.
True to her word, Natalia had called Dr. Boudreau on Tuesday morning, and got a referral to one of her colleagues for therapy. She wouldn't start sessions until after the holiday weekend, and she knew she had a long, sometimes painful path ahead of her, but the simple act of making those phone calls, of taking that step toward healing, was empowering. It gave her strength she didn't realize she still possessed, and as a result, she actually suggested that they host a Thanksgiving dinner for family and friends at the farmhouse.
Though she had some concerns about Natalia's stamina and overall well-being given how emotionally draining the week had already been for her, Olivia was totally on-board with the plan. Excited about it, even. And it was that excitement that had her up late last night, getting a fresh ham into the smoker out back, and out of bed so early that morning, happily stuffing the turkey so that she could get it in the oven in plenty of time.
Their guests were set to arrive at noon.
Thursday, November 26, 2009—Thanksgiving Day… The Farmhouse of Love—2:30 p.m. Central Standard Time
Later that afternoon, they found themselves surrounded by family and friends as they gathered in the living room around the tables Olivia had arranged to have delivered from the Beacon. Thanks to the help of friends, the tables were decorated with lovely centerpieces and meticulously set for dinner with the finest china, silver, and crystal, and heaped with delicious side dishes to compliment Olivia's succulent turkey and fresh smoked ham. But none of that really mattered to any of those who were gathered 'round. They were all just so thankful to see Natalia in better spirits—not for their own peace of mind, but for hers.
They were all mindful of that as they gathered around those tables, each of them, in turn, sharing their gratitude for the blessings in their lives. And when they were finished, Josh graciously agreed to bless the meal. He may not have been a minister anymore, or even associated with a local church, but his blessing sounded like music to their souls… just as the food was a blessing to their bodies as they shared the meal together.
Dinnertime was loud and boisterous, filled with laughter, and stories, and teasing from all around the table. It reminded Natalia so much of her family of origin, only back then, it was like this every night, not just on the holidays. She felt a pang of sorrow for those lost years, those lost memories, and in that moment, she realized this was what she had been missing all these years—this is what she wanted again.
Olivia noticed the slight shift in her mood. Beneath the table, she slid her hand across, and taking Natalia's into her own, she gave it a gentle squeeze. She leaned close then, brushing a tender kiss against Natalia's face near her ear. "Everything okay?" she whispered, lingering there.
Natalia offered a faint smile. "It will be," she said confidently, as she set her heart on making it so. No longer would she miss out on those kinds of moments with family. If she couldn't have it the way it was back then, she would make it exactly the way it was right now, in this place, with these people.
Without a word between them, Olivia silently agreed.
And as they ate together, Olivia and Natalia each took the time to look into the eyes of each and every person who was seated at their table—Emma, Ava, and Rafe, of course, and Phillip and Beth with Peyton, Josh and Reva, Doris and Bennett, their three girls, Ashlee, Lauren, and Rian, and Lauren's girlfriend Toni, Jen and Tracy with Jacqueline and their boys, and their newest friends Langston and Dani and their little girl McKenna. The only ones missing were Bianca and Lena and their girls—for reasons that were completely understandable.
But they knew in their hearts that this was the first of many holidays that would be celebrated in their farmhouse, with these people, including the Montgomery-Kundera crew whenever possible. And as they contemplated this family that they had somehow cobbled together, though they knew they would forever miss Dantéa's presence amongst them, both of them felt their hearts swell with gratitude for the blessings that made their life complete.
TBC in Chapter 19.2…