Chapter 32

The following morning, Natalia woke to the smell of bacon and coffee. Peeking at the alarm clock, she was surprised that it was only 6:30am and obviously Olivia was already awake. Dawning her robe, she descended the stairs. Rounding the living room, she silently propped herself against the door frame to the kitchen. Enjoying the view of her lover, standing at the stove flipping pancakes.

Olivia sensed Natalia before she felt warm arms wrap around her waist and a kiss pressed to the back of her neck. "Good morning beautiful." She smiled out, craning her neck for a proper good morning kiss before moving to pour Natalia her coffee.

Natalia took her place at the table and smiled with twinkling eyes at Olivia as her coffee was placed in front of her with one more kiss. "Am I having a very vivid dream?"

"What? I cook."

"It's not the cooking that surprises me, it's the hour."

"Ha, ha, ha." Olivia turned back to the stove and removed the final pancakes from the skillet. Placing the plate of bacon next to them on the table. "I couldn't sleep, so I made you breakfast. I set a plate for Rafe in the oven to keep warm until he wakes up."

"Thank you querida. You are amazing."

"Not amazing love, you do this every morning, I should do it more often."

"I love cooking for you. It's one of my greatest pleasures."

"And I love your cooking." She sat in the chair next to Natalia and they ate in mostly comfortable silence. It was a normal morning at the Spencer-Rivera house, except for the lack of Emma. They were enjoying this small gesture of normalcy.

Once they had finished, Olivia cleared the table, placing the dirty dishes on the counter and filling the sink with soapy water. "As soon as I finish these I'm gonna head to work."

Natalia stood and bumped Olivia with her hip. "You cooked. I got these. Why are you going in so early?"

"I just think the less Rafe sees me right now, the better. Last night was a little tense."

The previous night, after sharing a shower, the two women had come downstairs and made dinner together. Rafe came home and was, not exactly unpleasant, but was far from welcoming to Olivia. Dinner had been filled with a stiff silence. As soon as dinner was finished, Rafe had retreated to his room.

"It was, but he has to get used to it, and you avoiding him, isn't going to help."

Olivia wrapped her arms around Natalia from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder. She placed a small kiss to the side of her neck. "I'm not avoiding him honey, I'm just…making it easier on him. Easing him into my being here. For us, it's been six months, for him, it's brand new. He assumed, when he came home, it would be just the two of you, now there's me and Emma. We haven't even all four been here at once yet. I will be here for dinner tonight, and so will he. Let's start there, dinner every night, as a family. We will slowly add more and more of the family stuff. Breakfast, movie nights, game nights, who knows maybe he will start hanging out after dinner."

Natalia lay her hands over top of Olivia's on her stomach. "Baby, you don't need to change your schedule. He is just going to have to adjust."

Olivia spun Natalia in her arms so they were face to face. "Sweetheart, it's okay. I was thinking about it last night, and I think this is the best way to help him adjust. I'm only going in an hour early, and since my lovely assistant isn't there this week, I could use the extra time at the office. This is me doing my part for our son."

"You are so sweet."

"Well, I was thinking, while I wasn't sleeping, and I realized, Rafe has a lot of reasons to hate me. The things I did…" She shook her head. "You have had a long time to forgive me. You have changed me, made me a better person. He hasn't had a chance to see that. It's going to take time. You got to scream and yell at me in my suite for months. Rafe hasn't had that chance. We eased into this, he was thrown in, headfirst. I'm sorry I didn't think about all of this before, but I have now, and if my leaving early for work every day and staying in my old room for a while is what he needs right now, then it's what I'm going to do. I would do anything to help him, just like my girls."

Natalia gave a huge, dimpled smile and pulled Olivia in for a kiss. As they parted they heard footsteps on the stairs. Olivia quickly moved to the door, slipping into her coat and picking up her purse. "Morning Rafe, I hope you have a good day." She then faced Natalia, "Jane is gonna pick up Emma and bring her to my suite. Phillip is supposed to have lunch with her today. We'll be home around six."

Natalia sat Rafe's plate in front of him at the table, then locked eyes with Olivia from behind him. "What? Phillip is having lunch with Emma?"

Rafe looked between the two women, confused as to what the big deal was, but decided he didn't really care and went back to his breakfast.

"Yes. They are having lunch at the Beacon, so I'm close. One step at a time."

"I'm proud of you."

"It's not a big deal Natalia. It's just lunch, in my hotel, where I have eyes, everywhere." She replied with a small laugh.

"Well, I'm glad. Emma will be very excited."

Oliva only nodded. Natalia mouthed 'I love you' and blew her a kiss. "Okay, I'm outta here. You two behave." With those parting words she stepped out onto the porch, feeling lighter then she had in days.

As the door closed, Rafe looked to his mother. "This is so good Ma. Thanks."

"Thank Olivia, she made it."

Rafe didn't reply to that. Just shoveled another bite into his mouth. "Ma? Why were you so surprised that Emma is having lunch with Phillip?"

Turning from the window where she had been watching Olivia depart, Natalia gazed at her son. "That is another question you will have to ask Olivia. All I'm going to say, is that we are being cautious."

"Why? Why won't you tell me about Olivia and Frank, and now Phillip? You want me to get to know her, so tell me."

"I want you to get to know HER. You can't do that if you don't talk to her. These are her tales to tell.. I won't betray her confidence. If you ask, she will tell you."

"How do you know?"

"Because I know her. She wants you to know her, but she is waiting for you to be ready. She isn't going to come to you. She's afraid of you."

"What? Why?"

"Oh Rafe, you really don't see it do you?"

"See what?"

"Few people in Olivia's life have power over her, in fact, only four."

"And I'm one of those people."

"Yes, YOU are."

"Who else?"

"Emma, Ava, and…me."

"How? What gives us power over the almighty Olivia Freakin' Spencer?"

"Because she loves us. She really loves you Rafe. There are only three other people she loves like she loves you."

"She doesn't love me; she just wants to play nice to get to you."

"No Rafe, she loves you. She doesn't always show it in ways that are obvious, but, just this morning, a few minutes ago, she told you she loved you."

"What do you mean?"

"Rafe, let me tell you something about Olivia Spencer, it will seem small to you, but it's important, maybe it will help you understand. Olivia, is NOT a morning person."

"So, what does that have to do with her loving me, Ma?"

"She got up an hour early. She was ready to leave before either of us were even awake. She did that for you."

"What's the big deal Ma?"

"She wanted to be gone before you came down. She thinks it will be easier on you if you see less of her. That my son, is Olivia telling you she loves you, in her own way."

Rafe didn't say anything, he stared at the empty plate in front of him. It was a small gesture, Olivia leaving early. It shouldn't mean anything, but after living in prison, Rafe had learned, sometimes the smallest things can have the biggest meaning. He needed to think on this some more. He was so full of hurt and anger for Olivia, he didn't want to except that she was doing something nice for him.

Over the next several days, a routine of sorts fell over the Spencer-Rivera household. Olivia would rise early, make breakfast, and leave as Rafe walked into the kitchen. She always told him to have a good day, and after a few mornings, he returned the simple words. Natalia would get Emma up and off to school before heading to work. Rafe was always the last to leave the house. They all ate dinner together every night. Emma carrying the conversation most days, but sometimes Rafe would talk, never for very long, or of anything significant, but he was talking. After dinner there was homework and housework. Rafe would usually go directly to his room and not come back out. But he was starting to linger longer, even joining them for movie night. Once Emma and Rafe were asleep, Olivia would creep to Natalia's bed and hold her until she fell asleep. They would talk about their day, their hopes for the future, and the small progress being made with Rafe. And of course, lots of make out sessions. Nothing more, which was frustrating on both women, but there time would come. Once Natalia was slumbering peacefully, Olivia would make her way to her own bed, for mostly sleepless nights, to repeat it all the following day.

Rafe had spent these days observing. He had watched Olivia do things he never thought he would see. She was attentive to his mother's needs. She helped with dishes, and cleaning, they didn't know he watched from the steps but he did. He watched the scenes playout in the living room. Both women helping Emma, both folding laundry, both doing everything that needed to be done to keep the house running smoothly. He would sit and watch until they went out for their nightly talk on the bench. He was surprised that for every night his mother prepared their nightly beverages, there were just as many that Olivia did. He would have never thought Olivia Spencer, would ever do anything for another person, but as he watched, he discovered, that she was just as attentive to his mother and Emma, as his mother was to her. They were partners. Like a real family, sharing in all the daily task. He refused to admit what he was seeing. He could tell there was more than friendship between them, it was clear as day in front of him. He thought of his mother's talks with him, of her saying she loved Olivia, of hearing Olivia whisper 'I love you' to his mother, when she thought no one could hear, but still, he denied what he knew in his heart was true. He couldn't let his brain except what his heart already had. So, he just watched, in silence, from the top of the stairs. Letting them all think he was hiding in his room.

Today was different. Olivia had taken Emma out for the day and Natalia was set to make cookies at the church. Rafe had decided the previous night that he was sleeping in. He didn't want to see Olivia, it was getting harder and harder to keep hold of his hatred, as he watched her care for his mother, and his…sister? That's what Emma felt, he was still unsure. Accepting Emma as his sister, meant accepting Olivia as family, and he wasn't ready for that. Emma was his cousin, but she could call him her brother. It made her happy, and he wouldn't take that from her.

Natalia entered the kitchen, her brain thinking a thousand things at once. She was hoping to get some time with Rafe today. It had been awhile since they had really talked, with her return to work and keeping the house running as normal, time to just talk with him had run scarce.

She was talking to herself as she loaded her bags for baking at the church. "Do not break the eggs. I need…" Holding up a white bowl. "Do I need this bowl? I need this bowl. I need to hurry up, and I need…Rafe." Carrying her bags to the bench by the front door, she headed upstairs to get Rafe.

Walking up the stairs she started calling for him. "Rafe, come on we have to get to the church, we're gonna be late. Rafe." When no answer came from the knock at his door, she opened it and turned on the light, to find him still wrapped in the blankets, asleep. "I thought you were up?'

"I am up. Come on."

"Well come on, get dressed, brush your teeth, let's go."

"Whoa, relax, please."

"Listen to me, we have to go. I am the head to the church cookie committee, and I don't want people waiting for us."

"Ma, who's us? You have a billion people helping you over there, you don't need me."

Natalia exhaled a frustrated breath. "Rafe, I understand that it's been difficult since you've been back, but sometimes the best thing to make yourself feel better, is to serve other people. Forget about your own problems."

"Ma, look, can I come later? Please."

"No, now. I need your help. I, I gotta go to the grocery store, I gotta unload everything into the church kitchen, I can't do that by myself."

"Five minutes, though."

"No, not five minutes. Now."

"No."

"Now."

"No."

She pulled the covers off him "Or else I get the ice water."

"Ma. No. I'm not ten years old. Leave me alone."

"Let's go, let's go. Let's go." She left him to get dressed.

He sat up angrily but relented and dressed for the day.

Olivia walked into Company and straight to the counter. "Hey Lyn. Good morning. Could I get a latte, and a toasted apple butter muffin please?"

"Sure."

Josh Lewis had been watching since she walked in. He picked up his head and hollered at the waitress. "Lyn, bring Olivia's muffin, over here."

Olivia turned her head at the sound of her favorite ex-husbands voice. "You get your own muffin."

He motioned with his finger, "come here."

Olivia smiled at the waitress, "excuse me." She walked over to Josh with her hands in front of her like dog paws. He chuckled as she sat down at the table across from him. The two had always had a flirtatious relationship, and today was no different.

Josh leaned in over the table at her. "I'm not interested in your muffin, at the moment. I just want some company."

"Okay. I got a few minutes, but you're buying."

"Absolutely."

"So, how's it going? How's Reva?"

Josh laughed, looking away. "You know, I dream of a day, when people will stop asking me that question."

"I will never stop asking you that question."

"I don't ask you about your exes."

"I'm not in love with any of my exes."

"Well, that hurts." He said in mock shock.

Olivia let out a fake surprised breath.

Josh held up his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. I can handle that, let's just change the subject. How are you? How are you doing?"

"Business is fine. Emma's good."

"And?"

"And nothing, I find myself in a holding pattern at the moment."

"Really?"

"Mmmhmm."

"Olivia Spencer without a project."

"I didn't say I don't have a project. I just can't do anything about is right now. It's a work in progress."

"So, you're looking for uh, you're looking for a way to fill your time."

Lyn appeared beside Olivia, with her coffee and muffin. She set the plate down and handed Olivia the mug. "Excuse me, Olivia."

"Huh?"

"Here's your muffin." She then walked off.

"Thank you." Josh reached for her muffin. "It's my muffin, hands off my muffin." He pulled his hand back as if he'd been burned. Olivia took a bite and just stared at him.

Arriving at the church, Natalia was carrying several bags, Rafe walking behind her with the final bag. "Thank you."

Setting it down he looked at her. "You're very welcome."

"See. It's not so bad, we're making good time. We might even have time to stop and get you an egg sandwich."

"You don't let me have those."

"It's a special day."

"No, it's not."

"We're gonna make it a special day. And it's gonna be happy fun times cookie day." She exclaimed, with a somewhat forced smile.

"Again." She looked at him with sad eyes and bent to pick up the bags. "Alright stop. Ma, can we just go?"

"Yeah, sure. How about one smile. Just a little smile." He gave a very fake smile. "Okay. It's a good, it's a good smile."

Josh gazed at Olivia with a half-smile. "It's just strange to see you at loose ends like this."

"I'm not at loose ends."

"Oh, come on. You're wondering the earth like a nomad. You're eating breakfast alone."

"No, I was going to work. You were the one who was eating breakfast alone." She said with a raise of her eyebrow.

"Yeah well that's true."

"I don't have to eat alone. I have people."

"Makes me sort of pathetic doesn't it?"

"You're independent."

"You know what, I think that's true. If fact I like being alone. I prefer it because I don't actually like people."

"Uh-huh."

"There's just times, like you know uh, breakfast, lunch…'

"Lying in bed alone at night." He paused and looked at her. "It's not that difficult to figure out. You're a guy. Guys have needs."

"And woman don't have those same needs?"

"I didn't say that."

"So, you do have needs?"

"Yes. But my needs are being met."

"Really? So, you don't need to get all that energy out. You know, go to the gym, weed the garden…"

"I don't have a garden."

"Volunteer for a service project."

"Is that what you do?"

"Yes it is. When I feel those needs. I find someone I can help.'

"Mmmhmm."

"And then I help them." He said with a smile.

"Helping is good." She commented, tossing her head back to drop the crumbs from her muffin in her mouth. "Helping is good." She knew she was going to go to the church and help Natalia. She wanted to see her anyways, she was just trying to give her and Rafe time, but maybe some more family time was needed anyways. "Thanks for breakfast." She blew him a kiss and walked away.

Rafe handed his mother the last bag. "Alright here, you're all set right?"

"What?"

"Ma, you got people coming to help you. You don't need my help."

"No, I don't, I don't know how many people are gonna come to help me. I have never been in charge of this committee before."

"Ma come on, you're gonna be fine."

"I'm asking you to please stay."

"Ma, Ma I just, I've had about as much of this happy, fun, cookie, thing as I can take right now. I don't want to spoil your day."

"Okay fine."

"Come on Ma."

"Go."

"Alright." He walked away rolling his eyes.

Rafe went to find Frank but found Mallet sitting on his car instead. Sneaking up, he slammed his hands on the hood. "Woo. woo."

Mallet looked up surprised. "Hey."

"What's up man, you always do your work out here?'

"Ah, no. it's a nice day. I thought it'd help clear my head."

"Is it working?"

"No. No it's not." He set his paperwork beside him. "How are you? You doing okay?"

"No. No."

"Well, it's got to be good to be out. Right?"

"I don't know man. I'm having a tough time. I bailed on my mom this morning. I just came over here to see if Frank had some time to chill."

"Well, you know what, I'm not having a lot of luck with these files. I got a ball and a couple gloves in the trunk. You wanna play some catch?"

"Alright, yeah. I'm down. Sure."

"Let's do it."

Natalia was in the church kitchen, getting all the supplies set up when her phone rang. She grabbed it from the counter and answered. "Hi Mrs. Morrison…Yeah I'm here. I'm all set. I'm ready to bake…no, no one else is here yet. So, the sooner you can get here, that'd be great…Oh um, yeah no, no, of course. Timmy's sick, there's nothing you can do…Okay. Well thank you for calling…maybe next month…Okay, bye, bye." She set the phone down, tied on an apron, and set to work cracking eggs.

Olivia walked in and leaned against the wall. "So, is this the right place?"

Natalia's head snapped up, a huge happy smile on her face. She walked over and kissed her fiancé, keeping her hands on her hips as she pulled back and smiled at her. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard there was baking going on."

"Uh, no, no. There's supposed to be some baking going on, but nobody showed up. And I have to make fifty dozen cookies by this evening."

Olivia kissed her sweetly. "We should be able to do that."

Natalia stepped back over to the counter and looked at Olivia with doubt. "Yeah? The two of us."

"Mmm, mmm. I brought help."

Emma came bounding in from the other door and wrapped her arms around Natalia's waist. "Surprise!"

Natalia bent to return the hug. "Hi honey. It's good to see you."

"So, are we making chocolate chip?"

She turned to Olivia. Still shocked to see her there. "I, I guess we are."

Olivia set her purse on the counter behind her and grabbed an apron for herself and one for Emma.

While Emma's was busy tying her apron, Natalia took the opportunity for another quick kiss. This kiss was simple. This kiss said thank you for being here. This kiss was pure and absolute happiness.