Chapter 13

While salting the steps outside and talking to Olivia, Natalia got a call. "Hello…oh my god, okay." Hanging up she looked at Olivia, "I have to get to the hospital I have to…"

"Wait what, what's going on?" Olivia received no answer as Natalia took off.

Walking into the hospital, who should Natalia run into, of course, Frank. Stopping her he muttered, "Hi."

"Hi, I didn't know that you were gonna be here. How's your dad?"

"He uh, he had a rough night, but he's sleeping now. The doctors are very optimistic though."

"Good, that's good."

"Yeah."

"I'm praying for him, for all of you. I know that this has been a really sad time for your family."

"Yeah well, thank you."

"I'm gonna actually come back when Buzz is awake, so will you please just let him know that I stopped by."

"Natalia, I've tried calling you, I've left you a bunch of messages, I, I.."

"I know, I'm sorry, just work has been crazy and I meant to call you back…"

"I know what happened, and I know it wasn't planned, but look, we were, we were both upset and one thing led to another and Natalia I really care about you a lot and I don't want things to get weird between us."

"Well they wont. Because you kissing me can never happen again. Oh God this is so awkward for both of us."

"But it doesn't have to be."

At that moment Lizzie Spaulding walked up slightly frantic. "Frank, Frank you have no idea how happy I am to see you."

"Lizzie this is not a good time."

"No, no listen to me. I don't know where Bill is. I haven't heard from him in a couple of days and the last time I saw him he had his phone he gave it to me and he played this message from me that.."

"Okay listen, have you seen your father?"

"Yes, yes I saw him at the police station."

"No, no I'm talking about today, he's out. He made bail."

"He's free?"

"Unfortunately yes."

With a terrified look on her face Lizzie ran off. Frank turned back to Natalia and she continued where they left off. "You've always been so good to me, but for me we are just good friends and I led you on and I feel terrible."

"Look, nobody led on anybody here."

"It was a sin."

"No, no it's not a sin when two people wanna help each other and be there for each other."

"It's a sin when you allow someone to believe a lie, it's a sin when you're not honest."

"What lie? Look I'll tell you what, how about we just pretend that nothing ever happened, we start all over again, we…."

"I can't." She stepped past him leaving him with his sad puppy dog look on his face.

Standing in the kitchen, Natalia was washing dishes and Olivia was leaning on the counter next to the stove. They were talking about the encounter with Frank at the hospital. "He's just so confused. And I did this to him." Natalia said turning to fall into Olivia's arms. Olivia ran her hands up and down Natalia's back letting her cry. Once she calmed she took her to the living room. Sitting her on the couch, she brought in a glass of water and sat next to her. Natalia leaned into her laying her head on her chest with her arm across her lap. Olivia held her head close and stroked her arm. Once the crying had subsided again Natalia told Olivia her fears. "I'm scared that God hates me for what I've done. He's mad at me."

"No one could ever hate you."

"Frank could. The way I led him on. It was so wrong. I don't know why I couldn't just turn and walk away."

"Stop, stop being so hard on yourself."

"And you, you shouldn't sit so close to me, because God is gonna strike me with lightening and your gonna wanna be nice and far away."

Standing and walking to the fire place Olivia turned to her. "You honestly think that God is angry with you because you had dinner with Frank and let him help you?"

"No, because of being a hypocrite. Doing one thing, saying another."

"Well, ya know what, if that's a sin I'm in a lot of trouble so, hell, party of two, here we come."

Before Natalia could respond there was a knock at the back door. Natalia went to open it and found Jeffery standing there with a bottle of booze. "Hi, is Olivia here?"

Turning to Olivia who was walking in from the living room, Natalia opened the door further for him. "Yeah, yeah."

The three sat at the table. Olivia grabbed some glasses and poured them all a shot while Jeffery told them about the disagreement he had with Reva while painting the nursery. "So then I, I, I kind of lost it and I think I hurt her. I didn't mean to but I think I hurt her."

"That's terrible." Natalia replied while Oliva piped up with a very appropriate "you're an ass."

"Thanks I know."

Olivia continued, "you know, she's pregnant, she has cancer, if you were angry with her you should have just been talking to her all along."

"I am an ass, I'm an ass, yeah. I'm an ass."

Another knock came from the front door. Natalia went to answer and there was Josh with joint compound for the leaky pipe. As Jeffery and Oliva join them Josh greeted them both. "Hi Olivia, Jeffery, I heard a rumor that you were painting the nursery today."

"Yeah um I was."

"Okay."

After a moment of awkwardness Natalia offered to make some food and chat but Olivia said there is nothing in the house so they ended up at Farley's Bar for food and pool.

Setting the table up Jeffery said to Natalia, "So you wanna break?"

"Yes. How do I do that?"

Josh looked at Jeffery. "This is gonna be real easy."

Jeffery smiled, "Olivia get over here and break these balls."

"Yeah that's too easy. Okay." She reached for Josh's pool stick. "Can I use your big stick?"

"Absolutely."

Feeling cocky Olivia decided to bet on the game. "You know what let's make this interesting, $20 says we win."

"$40" Jeffery counters.

"$60"

"$100"

"Oh you skipped $80, got it." High fiving they lay the money on the table.

Natalia reached over. "Okay, wait I don't really know if I can play the game."

"That's fine." Olivia said raising her cue to break. "We got it." After a good break and sinking a ball she turned to the guys. "We girls are solid."

"Yes you are." Josh said with a smirk.

After a few hits it was Natalia's turn. "Seven ball corner pocket, 3 ball side."

Josh looked at Jeffery. "Something tells me she already knew how to play."

"A little bit yeah." Was Jeffery's reply."

Smiling Olivia gazed at Natalia some what proud. "You conned us all."

With the biggest smile, dimples blazing Natalia laughed, "Did I?"

Jeffery attempted to take the money. "Okay since this was an obvious swindle, I am taking the money."

However Olivia was faster, slamming her hand on the money. "No your not, all's fair in love and pool."

With an innocent smile Natalia looked to the guys. "Hey guys, same time next week?"

"I don't think so." Jeffery said.

Taking the money from Olivia before she could slide it into her bra, Natalia smiled at her. "Oh, no, no, no, this goes straight in the cookie jar."

Sulking just a bit Jeffery whined. "I should have stayed home and painted the nursery."

Walking into the house still laughing, Natalia put the money into the cookie jar. "Okay now that was fun. I haven't played pool in a really long time."

"You are really good at it."

"No, I'm actually not, not that good, but I have a sweet innocent face and that allows me to take advantage people."

"See you have the devil in you, I kinda like that."

"I certainly have had the devil 'in' me, I call her querida." Natalia replied with a sweet smile and a wink.

Before a response could be formed Emma ran in carrying the news paper. "Mommy look, it's daddy."

"Hey, it sure is."

"Is he here?"

Looking at Natalia, fear evident on her face, Olivia responded to her daughter. "Yeah, I guess he is baby."

"When can we see him?"

Natalia and Olivia just stared at each other. Both knowing this was not going to be easy.

A little while later Emma came down the stairs with her coat and backpack on looking for change. As she went to walk out the door Olivia came down the stairs stopping her. "Freeze, Jellybean, it's after dark where you headed?"

"You know that new girl across the street? Her cat had kittens." She stated turning to leave.

"Hey, uh um, it's late and you're jingling."

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are." Walking all the way down the stairs Olivia knelt in front of Emma. "I can hear the change in your pockets. You were gonna take the bus into town weren't you?

"I wanted to see daddy."

"Without my permission Em?"

"He's been here a long time and we haven't seen him."

"Alright listen to me. I know he's your father but I'm your mother and I'm in charge so you're gonna go up, get your pj's on, and go to bed, you've got school tomorrow."

Emma stomped up the stairs and Olivia called Jane to come watch her so she could go see Phillip. Walking up to Company she saw Phillip through the window with Beth, Mindy, and Rick. He saw her and came outside. "Olivia."

"You out celebrating your freedom?"

"Ah, High school reunion." He joked, sticking his hands in his pockets.

"I can't believe you're walking the streets."

"Out on bail."

"And which one of these brain surgeons posted your bail?"

"Does it matter?"

"No. All that matters is you stay away from Emma." He looked at her with sad eyes. "Go, enjoy your party." And she walked off. Leaving him to stew.

Olivia walked into the police station and straight to Frank. "Put him back in his cell Frank, right now."

"Hello Olivia."

"I don't understand why that kidnapper is out walking the streets having drinks with his friends when the children he took before he has access to."

"I assume we're talking about Phillip Spaulding."

"Are you gonna do something or not?"

"First of all he posted bail, second of all I can't go rounding up somebody cause you're a little irritated."

"You're useless." She turned and stormed away.

Walking into her room at the farmhouse, Olivia found Emma sound asleep in her bed. Laying down beside her she stroked her arm. "Baby I know how much you wanna see your daddy, but he's dangerous, and I just can't take that chance when it comes to you." Running her hand along her face she kissed her forehead and left her sleeping.

Olivia stepped out on to the porch talking on the phone. "Yeah thanks Jane, I'm gonna need to use you a lot more. I can't let Emma be alone for a second. Thanks." Hanging up she sat on the bench next to Natalia.

"What? Trouble?"

"I caught Emma trying to sneak outta the house to go see her father."

"Tonight? She was gonna run away?"

"I don't know what her plan was. She had bus money, she had her backpack, and she was determined to see him."

"Well, uh, he's her dad."

"Don't do that. He's not captain kangaroo."

"No, I'm not, I'm saying that I understand, from Emma's point of view, why she would want to see her father."

"I don't know how this is gonna turn out."

"I don't know either, but we will work it out. We will do it together. We're a team."

"Thanks. I um. You mean a lot to me. I love you so much."

"I love you too. How about I go make us some hot chocolate?"

"Okay."

Natalia ran in to make some hot chocolate. Coming back out she handed Olivia a mug. "I am really sorry about the whole Emma and Phillip situation, but we are gonna figure it out because we always do."

"Yeah we do, and that's really amazing. I've never had anything like this. Someone who has fought for me because they want to. Just because they want to."

"You fought for me."

"Well I've certainly fought with you."

"Oh you fought with me a lot. You did."

Both woman laughed and smiled at each other." Yeah but we're together now, we are a team."

"Like a two person team. Bad mitten has a two person team. We could do that in the 2012 Olympics."

"Really bad mitten? What about like beach volley ball because that's…"

"Oh no, because of the skimpy little outfits."

"I don't think you'd have a problem pulling that off. I'd kinda like to see that."

"Oh yea…" Lights suddenly appeared in the driveway. "Who is that?"

"It's Frank. Um, I'll be inside if you need me okay." Leaning in to kiss her cheek Olivia whispered, "don't forget you promised. Any problems and I get to take care of it." And she walked in the house before Natalia could say anything.

Olivia stood in the window watching as Frank approached.

Natalia was a little hesitant but tried to be friendly anyways. "Hey."

"Hi, I'm glad we're alone. Natalia Rivera," He dropped to one knee pulling out a ring. "Will you do me the honor of being my wife? Will you marry me?"

Watching from the window Olivia was appalled but decided to watch for a moment and see if she was needed.

Natalia was completely shocked. She looked to Olivia and than back at Frank. "Uh, you want us to be married?"

"Yes I do."

"I, I, Don't…"

Cutting her off he stood. "I know it seems sudden."

"I told you…"

Again he cut her off, "Natalia it doesn't matter, I know you…"

He stopped as Olivia came outta the house. She walked up behind Natalia wrapping her arms around her waist, resting her chin on her shoulder, and looked at Frank. "Whatcha doin' Frankie?"

"This is between me and Natalia."

"It looks an awful lot like you're proposing Frankie. But that can't be true because it would be silly to propose to my girlfriend."

"She is not your girlfriend! And I think we should let Natalia speak for herself."

"That's a good idea Frankie. Natalia honey, would you like to answer Franks' question?"

Turning her head to face Oliva, Natalia gave a small smile and then turned back to Frank. "Frank I'm not sure why you thought this was appropriate but I have told you, I am with Olivia. No Frank I will not marry you."

"No, come on Natalia. This isn't you."

Olivia released Natalia and stepped forward. "Alright Frank this is enough! She said no, she's told you she isn't interested it's time to go."

Ignoring Olivia Frank stepped closer to Natalia. "Natalia I know you, and this just feels so right. I've never known anyone like you. Natalia, I love you, I love you very much and I want you to be my wife."

Olivia grabbed Frank's arm pulling him away from Natalia. Heat coursing through her veins as she prepared to rain down the wrath of Olivia Freakin' Spencer on Frank. "Frank you need to back the fuck off."

Ripping his arm from her grip, he spat at her. "Get you damn hands off me!"

Stepping up so she was right in his face, Olivia gave him a warning. "Frank if you don't back off and get outta here so help me…"

"You'll what, what are you gonna do Oliva?"

Olivia came to within inches from him, "FRANK, I swear to god, You are about to get a whole lot of trouble you're not prepared for!"

"What are you gonna do Oliva? I'm not afraid of you and I know this isn't real. You're just using her. You manipulated her into whatever this is. You…"

"Don't test me Frank, I can bring a world of pain to you and you…" Shoving her hand against his chest she pushed him backwards.

Natalia grabbed Olivia's other arm and pulled her back, "OLIVIA, OLIVIA STOP."

Never taking her eyes off of Frank, she spoke to Natalia. "No, Natalia, this has gone on long enough the man is insane. He's stuck in some sort of fantasy world."

"I know, I know. Frank you need to leave. This is getting outta hand and Emma is in this house."

"No, I'm not leaving. She is using you Natalia, don't you see." He turned to Olivia. "What, you struck out with Gus so now you're moving in on his wife?"

"Frank that's enough!" Natalia yelled.

"No, she, she got into your head, she's using you and when she's done she'll just throw you aside because that's what Olivia Spencer does. She uses people and then just tosses them out like yesterdays trash."

"HEY! That's enough Frank! You can think what you want about Olivia but I know her. I know who she is and I love her. That's all that matters. I love her. Now it's time for you to go." He started to walk towards her but she put her hand up stopping him. "No, no Frank just go."

Throwing his hands in the air, he started to leave. "Fine, I'll go, but this is far from over. You'll see. When she's done with you and your left standing in the cold like a fool I'll be here." He turned on his heel and stormed to his car. Slamming the door and flinging gravel as he peeled off.

Olivia opened her arms and Natalia fell into them sobbing. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, This is all my fault."

"Shh, shh, it's okay. It's not your fault." Grabbing her hand she led her into the house. "Why don't you go on up. I'll lock up down here, check on Emma, and meet you in your room."

After locking up the house and making sure Emma was still sound asleep, Olivia walked into Natalia's room to find her curled into a ball on the bed. Walking over she climbed in and wrapped her up in her arms. "It's all gonna be okay sweetheart. I promise."

"How can you promise that? Every time I think it's over he comes back worse. I mean he just proposed Olivia. Who does that?"

"He's just in grave denial. It'll sink in. I'll have a talk with Buzz okay. Maybe he can help."

"I don't want to burden him. He's been through so much."

"It wont be a burden. Buzz is our friend, he will want to help. Everything is going to work out just fine. You'll see."

Rolling to her back so she could look up at Olivia, Natalia tried to smile. "I hope so."

"It will. Trust me." Olivia dipped her head and placed a gentle kiss to Natalia's lips. A kiss of hope and trust. A kiss of healing, one to help them forget the hurtful words spoken that evening and remind them that as long as they have each other, they will be okay.