Chapter 29

The following morning Rafe was stretching on the front lawn when Natalia walked out. "Look at you. You're up so early."

"Yeah, I'm kind of used to that now."

"It's a little chilly. Is that jacket warm enough for you?"

"Ma, I'm just going for a run, relax."

"You're gonna go for a run? You didn't eat anything. Do you want me to make some toast? Or…"

"Toast? No. Ma, you're worse than the freaking warden, stop."

"I'm sorry. I just, you should take care of yourself and stay healthy."

"Ma, look stop. I can take care of myself, okay. I promise. All this hover thing, I can't take it, alright. I don't need that anymore."

"Fine. Sorry. Hey, come sit with me, I wanna to talk to you for a minute."

"Ma, come on, can't it wait?"

"No, it's important. Please, come sit." She sat on the step and patted the spot next to her.

Rafe let out an exaggerated sigh and sat down. "What's up Ma?

"Well, I want to talk to you about Olivia."

"Not again Ma."

"Rafe, this is her home, she is coming back."

"I know Ma, you didn't have to make her leave."

"That's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about. I didn't make her leave. She wanted to give us some time together, I tried to get her to stay, she insisted. She's not the same person you met a year ago."

"Ma, it's Olivia Spencer, she doesn't change."

"She has Rafe, and so have I. Olivia and I, we're…we're very close…we're…."

"I know Ma, she's like your best friend or whatever. I'm glad you have a good friend. I just don't know if I can get on board with the whole Olivia thing."

"Rafe…she has changed, so much. Things are different now."

"I just don't get it. How can you just forget everything she's done?"

"I haven't forgotten Rafe. I just forgave her, and I understand her. Back then…back then she was scared, and alone, and…dying. Can you imagine that Rafe? Dying, all alone."

"But she didn't die, she just made your life a living hell."

"Rafe."

"Sorry Ma. It's just, I know she's there for you now, but she was so horrible to you. I just don't think I can get passed that."

"I understand Rafe, I do. There was a time when I thought I would never like that woman, but then, I got to know her, the real her. She's kind, and gentle, she's funny, don't tell her I said that. She's sweet, so strong, and she has the biggest heart I have ever seen. And forgiving. She is so forgiving, even when people hurt her so bad, she forgives them."

"That's a little hard to believe. Olivia Spencer only cares about one thing, Olivia Spencer."

"That's not true Rafe. She is not her past, and she sure isn't the person Frank is filling your head with."

"Franks a good man Ma."

"He is a good man, but not in this case Rafe. He wants you to hate Olivia, as much as he does. He is blinded by his hatred when it comes to her."

"Yeah, what's with that? What made him dislike her so much?"

"They have a past Rafe. I don't know the whole story, and it's not my place to tell you, that's a question you will have to ask her. What I will tell you, is right now, Frank thinks she took something from him, he thinks she took me from him, but I was never his. I am Olivia's. Rafe I love her."

"I get that. You two are close, but Ma, you can have your friendship with Olivia, and still be with Frank."

"No Rafe, I cant. I don't love Frank. I love her and Emma, and this Family."

"I just, Ma I can't, I can't forgive her."

"Can I ask you a question?" Rafe nodded his head. "Do you want people to judge you on your past? For the things you did when we first got here? For shooting Jeffery?"

"Ma that was an accident. She did things to hurt you, on purpose."

"Yes, she did. She was very scared and very alone, she did awful things, but, we all have. I took Gus from Harley."

"Ma, that's different…"

"No Rafe, it's not. I slept with a married man. I broke up a marriage, a family. Olivia and I are not so different. I did it for the same reasons she did. I was alone, and scared, and I wanted a fairy tale I had held onto my entire life. Gus loved me, but his heart, that was always Harley's."

"It's not the same Ma. He chose to leave Harley, he chose you."

"Oh Rafael, it's more complicated than that, but that's not my point. My point is, that we all have a past, nobody should be judged by that. We should judge people by who they are now, not who they were. I need you to give her a chance. Get to know the new Olivia. Please Rafe, for me. Just give her a chance."

"Fine Ma. I'll try, but I can't just forget everything. I'm not you Ma."

"I know that Rafe, but you are a good man. I raised you to be forgiving and understanding. I need to see a little of that with Olivia."

"I'll try."

"Good, so there's more."

"Ma, I can't right now. It's too much."

"Rafe I need you to understand what I mean when I say that I love Olivia."

"I get it Ma, she's you're best friend or whatever…look I gotta go, this is too much. I'll see ya later." He stood and jogged down the driveway.

"Rafe, Rafe…"

At the Beacon, Emma was getting ready for her last day of school as Olivia sat on the bed and noticed a drawing Emma had made. "Ooo. Wow." Picking it up off the bed. It was a drawing of the farmhouse.

"That's for Ms. Jennings."

"Yeah, is it for the last day of school tomorrow?"

"Mmmhmm."

"That's pretty sweet, but you know what, it needs a title."

Emma pulled a crayon from her bag and wrote 'home' between two of the ducks she drew.

Olivia watched over her shoulder. "Em, you know we're gonna go back there in a few days right?"

"Why can't we go back now?"

"Because Baby. Rafe and Natalia need a little time together, it's just for a couple of days, and besides, now you and I can have some fun together."

"It's more fun with Natalia."

"I know baby."

"We're not moving out of the farmhouse are we?"

"No baby. Come here Jellybean." Olivia pulled Emma onto her lap. "We are not moving back here; we are just giving Natalia and Rafe a little space. Just for a little while."

"Can I still think, Rafe is still my brother, even though he's not in jail?"

"Yeah, of course you can. That's a silly question, Rafe is your big brother."

"Then I wanna go see him. I miss him. Don't you miss Natalia."

Olivia just sat there for a moment. Even though it had only been one night, she missed her home, not the building, but the woman. With that thought in mind, she grabbed Emma and they headed for the farmhouse. Arriving just as Rafe returned from his run.

Natalia held out a water to him. He took it and had a healthy swallow, as they heard Emma. "You're back." She jumped into his arms, wearing a mega smile.

"Munchkin, come here. Did you miss me?"

"Duh, mom and Natalia are hopeless at video games." Rafe set her back on her feet.

"Okay. Really? Well, I'm ready to beat you at angelica then." Emma rolled her eyes and laughed. "I don't get it, what's so funny."

"Well angelica is like so yesterday."

"Oh, so yesterday. So, I guess a lot of stuff has changed huh?"

Wanting to change the subject, Natalia interjected. "Hey Emma, why don't you show Rafe your new bike." She faced Rafe. "It's in the barn."

Emma grinned. "Where the cows used to live." She took his hand and dragged him off.

Natalia watched them go with a pensive look on her face. Olivia could sense the shift in her partners mood. "What's wrong? You, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm happy, my son is home. It's good. But he has to adjust. He's adjusting. To uh, you know, being in a real house, with a real bed, and sleeping with the lights off. Eating breakfast, everything, he has to adjust."

"Yeah, well, you know, we knew it wasn't gonna be easy. Right?"

"Yeah, you know, I just, I'd really like to see him happy."

"Well Emma can cheer him up."

"I know. She's good. Little brother and sister."

"Which is something I thought about last night. Maybe what he needs is more family, not less. Maybe Emma and I should be here, instead of the Beacon."

"I talked to him this morning."

"Oh, how did that go?"

"Okay. I still don't think he got it. I told him I loved you, but he just kept saying we're best friends, then he ran off. I think he knows, but doesn't want to except it, so, just like his mother did, he's running from it."

"You can't protect him forever; we need to tell him the truth about us." She pulled out Emma's drawing from her purse and handed it to Natalia.

Looking at it, Natalia knew Olivia was right. They all deserve to be in their home. "She's good. This is really good."

"It's her home. I want what any family has."

"I want that too. Maybe you're right. There's never gonna be a perfect time to tell him. Maybe we should just tell him. Try to make him understand."

As they leaned in for a kiss to seal their decision, Emma came running around the house crying. "Mommy."

Olivia ran to her. "Hey, what is it, what's wrong?"

Rafe came walking up, nervously, sorry etched in his features and in his voice. "Olivia, I'm sorry. She wanted to ride on the handlebars and I told her no because I was afraid I'd crash and that she'd fall…"

"He told me to get off and leave him alone." Emma sobbed out. Hugging her mother.

Rafe ran a hand through his hair. "I told you, I'm not ready for family life, Ma." He walked past them and into the house.

Olivia and Natalia gave each other a knowing look and then sat on the bench with Emma. Once Olivia had her calm, she tried to explain. "Baby, Rafe didn't mean to snap at you."

"Then why did he?'

"Well, just, imagine you've come to a strange country, and you have to learn everything new again."

"But this is Rafe's house."

Natalia tapped her shoulder to get her attention. "I know. I know that you know that. But, it's still a little strange for him, because he's been away for so long."

"We have to be patient, which is not always easy for someone, like, us, to do. But, when you love someone, and you're a family, you have to know when to hold on tight, and when to let go." Olivia added. Looking more at Natalia then Emma.

"We have to let go?" Emma asked in a small voice, looking down.

"Just for a little while."

"But I want to come home, I hate it at the Beacon."

Natalia looked at Olivia over Emma's head, never losing eye contact. "I want you to come home too Emma. No more Beacon. I want my family here."

"Really, we can come home?"

"Yes baby. Why don't you go inside and watch some cartoons while your mom and I talk? Okay."

Before Emma could respond, Frank walked up. "Hello ladies."

Natalia tried to sound happy, but really hated Frank having to come to their home. "Hi Frank."

Emma smiled at him. "Rafe's home."

"I know that he called me. Is everything okay?"

Rafe jogged out the front door. "Hey."

"Hey Rafe."

Olivia turned to Emma. "Sweetie, why don't we get going for a bit. Huh?"

"But I want to stay here. At home."

"I know baby, but…"

"Actually, nobody needs to go anywhere. Rafe and I are just gonna play some ball, we're not gonna be in anybody's way." Frank declared. "Hey Rafe, the equipment's in the car so…"

"Ah, yeah sure." Rafe disappeared towards Franks car.

"Thanks buddy."

While Rafe and Frank played catch, Emma went inside to watch cartoons. Olivia and Natalia were standing side by side, as close as possible without touching.

"Well look at that, Rafe has a good arm." Olivia said, with an amount of pride in her voice.

"It's nice to see him having a good time ya know. I don't think he's really thrown a ball around since, Gus. It's really good of Frank to do this, to step in like this. You know, give him a little guidance. Since he is so at odds with everything and everyone."

"Yeah. Well, Rafe's a good kid."

"He's not a kid anymore."

"He's your kid." She countered. The two turning to face each other. "So…you think Em and I should come home?"

"I want you to, I need you here. But I think we need to go slow with him. I think maybe we should ease him into this, to us. Then, once I feel like he's really settled in, like he's really calmed down, then I'll be able to talk to him, about everything, about us. But I can't right now. He's just not ready to accept it."

"I know. We both fought this for a long time. So, how do we ease him in?"

"Well, I was thinking, maybe you and Emma come home, but…"

"What?"

"I think you should stay in your old bedroom, give him time to adjust a little, let him get to know you, not the woman who tried to steal his father, or the woman Frank is telling him you are, but the real you. Then maybe he will listen, really listen, when I tell him I love you."

"Well, I'm not gonna pretend to be thrilled with this, but it's better than the Beacon. And you're right. If he sees the family we are, day in and day out, maybe, like Emma, it will hit him in the face, that we're more than friends."

"I don't want you out of our bed, but I do think it's for the best. If we push him too hard right now, he's gonna push back. This way, he can get to know you, adjust to having a real family, and then, when he's ready, we can make him understand, about us."

"Okay. I hate this."

"Me too, but, we have to do what's best, for both our kids. We can do this."

Pouting Olivia shook her head 'no.' "I don't know if I can. The few days I was in San Francisco were like torture. I need to be in bed with you at night."

"I know, but it's only until he's settled, then never again. All three kids will know, we can move forward. Maybe start planning our wedding?"

Olivia smiled brightly. "Yes. That sounds amazing. I can't wait to marry you."

"You have no idea Ms. Spencer. So, we have a plan. You come home, tonight. Stay in your old room for a while, then we move forward, as a family, when we are all ready."

"Yes. So, you think we can sneak inside for a few, while these two men play?"

"Why Ms. Spencer, are you thinking bad thoughts?"

"Maybe…no, I just really wanna kiss you, it's kind of driving me crazy."

"You sound like a horny teenage."

"You make me feel like a horny teenager."

Natalia just laughed and took her hand. Leading her into the house. Walking in they found Emma seated on the edge of the couch, immersed in whatever tv show she was watching. "Hey Em, your mom and I are gonna go upstairs for a few. Call if you need anything."

"Okay Ma."

Natalia stood stock still for a moment, then turned to Olivia. "Did she…"

"Come on Ma, let's go." Taking Natalia's hand, she dragged her up the stairs and into their bedroom.

Closing the door Olivia was surprised when Natalia pressed her against it. Locking their lips together in a heat filled kiss. Natalia's tongue plunged into the vast warmth of Olivia's mouth. Demanding in its efforts. Coaxing Olivia's tongue into her own mouth and sucking lightly.

Oliva moaned into the kiss. Her hands began to roam over Natalia's body. One hand reaching to cup her backside, the other finding its way to a breast. Kneading the flesh in both hands. Natalia arched into her touch as Olivia walked them backwards to the bed. Natalia wasn't even aware they were moving until the back of her legs hit the mattress. They fell together, never breaking the kiss, landing in a heap on the bed.

Olivia slid her leg between Natalia's. Pressing into her center. Natalia groaned and arched her back off the mattress. Threading her hands into silky strands. Breaking the kiss, she looked into lust filled green eyes, dark with desire. "Baby we can't."

"I want you so bad. It feels like it's been forever. I need to feel you." Olivia panted. Snaking her hand down to slide under Natalia's shirt. Running it across the bare skin of Natalia's stomach. Leaving a trail of wet kisses down her neck."

"I know baby, me too, but the kids, and Frank."

Olivia froze at the mention of Frank. It was like a bucket of ice water being dumped over her head. Her hand stilled and her forehead fell to rest on Natalia's chest. She growled in frustration. "That was just mean."

Natalia giggled. "Thought that might stop you."

"Dirty pool Rivera."

"Hey, I want this just as bad as you do, however, it's not even noon yet, and I prefer not to start the day scaring our children. Although, if Frank caught us, maybe he would finally get the message" She added with a shy smirk.

"You have the devil in you."

"I learned from the best." Pushing Olivia back, she stood from the bed. Pulling Olivia up with her. "Come on you."

"Fine, but just so you know, I plan on finishing this later."

"I'm counting on it." Natalia countered with a wink. She pulled Olivia in for one last kiss. This kiss was reconnecting. A kiss of warmth and lingering passion. This kiss was a reminder, of all they have and all they are going to be.