Chapter 57

After the party for Rafe on Friday, Olivia had asked Natalia to please let her take this slow, at her own pace. Reluctantly Natalia agreed. She was afraid to give Olivia too much space. She is all too aware of how too much time alone would often send Olivia spiraling off a cliff of doubt and self-destruction. She would sit and think too much. Ponder whether or not she deserved this love, this happiness. Natalia had seen her do it more than once. Try to throw away the gifts she had been given in this life.

By Monday, after not seeing Olivia the rest of the weekend and only a few short phone calls, Natalia decided it was time for her to take action, again. Remind Olivia that this love, this life that they have together, was more than worth the risk. She quickly dressed in a tight jean skirt and low-cut blouse. Taking one last glance in the mirror, she headed straight to Olivia's office.

Knocking on the open door, she poked her head in, making sure Olivia wasn't with someone, before completely entering the room, shutting the door behind her.

Olivia snapped her head up, taking an appreciative glance from head to toe. "Hey you."

"Hi." Natalia smiled. A mischievous glint in her eyes. She placed her hands on the front of Olivia's desk and leaned forward. Giving Olivia a nice view of her cleavage. She knew she had achieved the desired effect when Olivia's eyes darkened and her breathing hitched.

Standing up straight, Natalia sauntered to the other side of Olivia's desk, leaning against it beside Olivia's chair, she crossed her arms as she gazed at her love. "How busy are you this afternoon?"

Olivia starred back at her. "I have a meeting with a potential new employee in about ten minutes. And then, I have a mountain of paperwork I need to get through."

Natalia slid over so she was right in front of Olivia. "How about…" She pulled Olivia's chair closer so she was all but straddling her, her hands laying on both arm rest, bringing her just inches from Olivia. "After your meeting, you come spend the afternoon with me, and tomorrow, I will help you with that mountain of paperwork."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why?"

"Because I wanna do this with you, but I need to move slowly."

Natalia reached out and took one of her hands, toying with her fingers. "Since when do you move slowly? You don't, you jump in with both feet."

"Last time I did that, you broke my heart."

"Last time you did that, we both ended up with something we've never had before." She smiled, leaning in to place a chaste kiss to Olivia's waiting lips. Olivia kissed her back for a moment before pulling back.

Olivia looked into her eyes. "I love you, and me showing up at Rafe's party, that was me saying that I want back in, I wanna be with you. I just, you are so much further down the road then I am, I'm gonna have to catch up."

"Okay. It's fine, I get that, just, don't take too long. We both know life's too short." Natalia smiled at her. "Okay. So, I have to go meet with Frank at Company, I want to talk with him about Rafe now that he's staying." She leaned in and kissed Olivia one last time before straightening and heading for the door. Just before she opened it, she turned back to face Olivia. "I love you Olivia, and I'm here, when you're ready." Without another glace back, she opened the door and strolled out of the office.

Within minutes of Natalia's departure, Rafe arrived. Not bothering to knock before he entered and took one of the seats across from Olivia. "So, you talk to my mother?"

The smile that had been in place since Natalia walked in disappeared in an instant. "Rafe, you saw me Friday, you know I did."

"No, I know you showed up at that dinner. I also know you haven't seen her since then. We had a deal Olivia…"

"Rafe stop. I said I would read the letters and that I would THINK about talking to her. I've done my part, and then some. Your mother and I, we are taking things slow. I can't just forget this past summer. It's going to take time. And no, I haven't seen her since your party, but, I have spoken with her and she just left here, so…"

"So, are you two like dating again now?"

Olivia thought for a second. "I don't know, maybe, yes."

"Are you like engaged or whatever again?"

"No. No. Like I said, it's going to take time. Things can't just go back to the way they were, but we are working on our relationship. Okay? Now, that's not why you're here. However, before we get into that, I'm going to be calling my friend this afternoon, he will make certain it appears as if you never even spoke to anyone about joining the army, once that's done, it's done. You can still enlist in the future if you so decide, but I won't be able to get you out of it again. This is a onetime thing. You understand that?"

"Yes."

"Okay, good. So, let's talk about your options. I have a couple of different ideas."

"Okay. Such as?"

"Well, we could look at what I have available and you could choose a position you think you might like."

"Or?"

"Or, if you think you might want to go into the hotel business, or any type of business, we could have you do a little of everything."

"What do you mean? Everything?"

"Well, for instance, you could work in the kitchen for a few weeks, try a few different positions there, and then move on to security, and then the front desk, etcetera. Try out every position the hotel offers and see what you like best. The only place you can't work is the bar, due to your age. Once you find a position that holds your interest, we can start you there. If you desire, you can work your way up in the company, if not, you can stay here until you find something you like better."

"Um, okay. I guess."

"What are you okaying? Do you want to look at my openings and choose a position, or do you want to try out a few different ones, really learn the business?"

"I guess trying out a few to find one I like would be best. I don't want to work at some stupid dead-end job the rest of my life."

"See Rafe, you have to stop looking at it like that. No job is a dead-end job. No matter where you work, there is always potential to move up, to make yourself better. You just have to work for it." Rafe scoffed at that. "I know starting positions here don't seem any better than the hardware store, but there is more opportunity here, and benefits. Health insurance, paid days off, vacation, sick time, and, if you're here long enough, 401k, retirement fund, not to mention, as a member of my family, you get the same perks as my daughters."

"I don't want any special treatment Olivia."

"I'm not offering you any. Your mother can tell you, I don't give anyone special treatment, not even her. You have to earn everything you get from me. What I meant by perks, or should I say privileges, is that, as someone I feel responsible to take care of, as a member of my family, your meals will be paid for, and if you wanted to get out of Franks small apartment, you could take one of the smaller suites here. That's not something I offer all my employees, but it is something I offer my children, and my managers, or future managers as the case may be. Ava stayed here when she worked for me. It's a privilege of having the owner as your mother."

"I'm not a manager, or your kid, I'm trying to be okay with you and my mother but let's not push it."

"I know that Rafe. All I'm saying, is that we are family. Regardless of what happens with Natalia and I, and I take care of my family. As for being a manager, no, you're not, and at the moment, I'm not sure you ever will be." He started to speak but she held up a hand to stop him. "However, if you decide you like it here, you could be one day. I plan on franchising the Beacon, adding more hotels to the brand, if that happens, I will need good managers that I trust, and that know the business inside and out at every location. I hope to open a location near Ava for her to run, and one day, if you like the business, maybe you'll run one too. This is my legacy, something for me to leave to my children, my family. You are just like your mother Rafe. You have her determination, and I believe you have her work ethic as well, you just haven't found something you enjoy enough to pour yourself into the way she does. I'm not saying this is going to be it for you, that you'll love it here and want to make this your life. What I am saying, is that as someone I consider family, that choice is open to you."

Rafe was stunned. After the way he treated her, after everything he had done, Olivia was treating him like he was her son, giving her the same chances, she gives Ava and Emma. Offering him the opportunity to make a career for himself. It was too much to take in, so he narrowed in on the one thing he could process right now. "Are you serious, if I wanted to live here I could?"

"Yes. I would like to have you work here for a few months first, make sure it's going to work out, but, in a few months, if you've found you enjoy it here and want to stay on, if you prove to me you can do whichever job you choose, then yes, a suite would be available to you."

"Okay. Thanks, I think. So where do I start first?"

"What interest you? Where do you think you would like to work?"

"I dunno. I like cooking, and I think I might like the business stuff. I'm good with numbers."

"Okay. So, let's start you in the kitchen, not as a bus boy. How about prep?"

"Is that like getting all the stuff ready for the chef?"

"Exactly. It's not super fun, but, it's where I started in the kitchen, before I became a chef."

"You're a chef?"

"Yup."

"Like a real chef?'

"Yes. Professionally trained with a five-star rating."

"Wow. I didn't know that."

"Not a lot of people do. I've kept that little secret to myself mostly. So, kitchen prep isn't the most fun job, but it's a start, if cooking is something you think you might like. Its where everyone begins. Think you can do that for a few weeks? Then we'll move you somewhere else, let you get a real feel for the hotel as a whole before you decide where you want to stay on a more permanent basis."

"Yeah. I think I can do that." He was trying to hide the smile he could feel forming on his lips.

"Okay. Come in tomorrow at nine. I'll get you set up with HR to go over all the paperwork and then you can start in the kitchen after lunch. Sound good?"

"Yeah. Uh, thanks Olivia, for doing this for me. I know you didn't have to."

"I'm glad you're staying Rafe. Your mom is over the moon about it, and I think it will do us both some good to get to know each other a little better."

"Yeah. Okay, I'm gonna go, I'll see you in the morning?"

"Uh yeah, come here first and I'll take you down to HR.'

"Okay." Rafe shook her hand and then left. Unsure how he felt about the exchange as a whole. He was grateful that Olivia was offering him a job with the chance for promotions and a career, but he was unsure about the rest of it. Being her family and maybe being a manager of one of her hotels someday, it was a lot to take in and at the moment, he wasn't ready for all of that.

Olivia herself sat a little baffled by the exchange. It was hard to believe how easy it was to see Rafe the way same she saw her daughters. It was easy to speak with him about her plans for the future. She was currently looking into a few different offers for hotels and she could see him being a part of the expansion of her business. She sees the same potential in him that she sees in Natalia. Although he has some growing up to do and his attitude leaves much to be desired, she knew he had the potential to make it in this business. It bewildered her how easy it was to see him taking over the company alongside Ava and Emma one day. She hoped she could help him live up to his potential, not for Natalia, but for him. He had a rough life and deserved the chance to make something of himself.

Leaving the office for a break after her talk with Rafe, Olivia ran to the mini mart, stepping in she noticed Alan's sister Alexandria picking up some candy. "Ooo, sugar craving. I get those."

Alexandria chuckled. "No, no. These are for Alan. After he comes out of surgery."

"What happened? Did he have another heart attack?"

"No. No, no. It turns out he's an exact match for Phillip. It's some new procedure that Ed's been working on for some time. So. It's a risk but uh, Alan's determined."

"Wow. Well, he's Alan, he's gonna come through it like a champ."

"Absolutely. Of course, he will, they both will."

"So, do you need anything? Can I do anything?"

"Oh no, nothing at all. Just hope that they're both gonna be fine."

"Yup. They will. Just, will you have someone call me? Cause I wanna tell Emma what's going on."

"Of course. I will. Someone will call you."

"That'd be great." The two shared an awkward hug before Alexandria left.

Heading to her suite after her run in with Alexandria, Olivia met Josh in the hallway. "Hi."

"Hi."

"How are you?"

"I'm okay. How are you?" He questioned back.

"Oh, just, it's been crazy. You know, with Phillip's news."

"Yeah, yeah I heard. How's Emma holding up?"

"She's sad, but she's holding out hope and she might be right cause Phillip's going in for this procedure that could save his life."

"Oh. Well, that's a good thing."

"It is a good thing."

"Yeah."

"What's going on with you?"

"Uh, couple things. Turns out I'm a grandfather."

"What? What?" she asked bewildered.

"Henry is Shane's son." Before she could respond, Josh held up a hand. "Don't ask, it's a complicated story, but I am indeed the proud grandpa of a bouncing baby one year old boy."

"Congratulations grandpa." She smiled and cupped his cheek.

"Thank you." He smiled back. "That's kinda sexy when you do it that way."

"Thank you."

"Yeah. Babies are amazing, they change everything."

"Yeah, they do."

"Are you and Natalia getting back together?" He asked out of nowhere.

"I don't know. Part of me wants to certainly…"

"Do it. Just get back together. I mean, you love her, and she loves you, and you're both great moms, and there's no reason for you two not be together. Just do it."

Josh left her with those words running through her head. It took her about a minute to realize he was right, and she had already told Rafe that they were. She knew they were, she was just still scared, but, as Doris had said, maybe now was the time to risk everything to reach out for what really mattered. With that in mind, she headed over to Company to find her girlfriend.

Walking into Company, she found Natalia and Frank sitting at the bar. She strolled over to them. "Hey, did I miss anything?"

Frank and Natalia both turned to her. "Well actually, we were discussing a few things so we just started talking about Rafe." Frank offered.

"Good. I didn't miss anything. Great." She grabbed the stool next to Natalia and sat down.

Frank looked at her confused. "Are you here to help?"

"Yeah well, I just met with Rafe and thought I could be helpful with this conversation."

The three moved to a booth where they could be more comfortable. Frank leaned forward on the table. "I don't really know why we're having this conversation. Rafe is old enough to make his own decisions, he seems happy staying here and living at my place, it's not for us to decide his life for him."

"That's not what this is about Frank." Natalia offered with a slight edge to her voice. "I wanted to meet with you because things are going to be different."

"What Natalia? What's so different now, in terms of Rafe?"

"Well for one thing, I'm not going to stand for his attitude anymore. As thrilled as I am that my baby isn't going off to fight some war, I'm not going to allow him to treat myself or Olivia the way he has been. And I'd appreciate it if you would stop jumping on the bash Olivia train with him."

"Look, I'm sorry about things I did in the past, but I'm over it. I really do want you to be happy. Both of you. I won't say anything negative to Rafe about you or Olivia."

"Thank you Frank. And Rafe needs to find a job, soon, before he ends up back in prison for violating his parole."

"I agree."

"And I do intend on asking him to move back home. I think it would do him a world of good to be with his family."

"Um…" Olivia started. Natalia heard the hesitation and slight guilt in her voice and turned to her.

"What did you do?"

"Well, remember how I said I met with Rafe before I came here?"

"Yeah."

"And I told you this morning I had a meeting with a potential new employee?"

"Yes."

"Rafe is the new employee. He starts tomorrow, and as for his living situation, I agree it would be good for him, and for you, if he moved back to the farmhouse, but I did offer him a suite at the Beacon if his employment works out."

"What?"

"Yeah, I mean, he needed a job and I could give him that, and I thought he might be happier if he was living on his own, had that independence. I told him he needed to work for a few months first, but if it worked out…"

"I can't believe you did that for him. After everything he's done to you…"

"Stop." Olivia cut her off. "He's made some bad choices, some mistakes, but, we all have. It's time to move forward."

Frank's phone chose that moment to start ringing. "Sorry ladies, it's the station, I gotta take this." Answering the call, he walked away from the table.

Without looking at her, Natalia spoke to Olivia. "I knew you'd decide to come out with me this afternoon."

"Uh look, I'm still gonna need a little time and space."

Natalia slammed her hand on the table causing Olivia to jump, as she turned her body towards her. "Oh my god. Screw time and space. Really. Just, move into the farmhouse today." Olivia started laughing. "You and Emma just move into the farmhouse today. We'll all be there, just move in."

"I can't do that. No."

"Yes you can. Say yes."

"No."

"Say you're moving in today.'

"No."

"Just say yes."

"No, no."

"Say yes."

Olivia turned her face up towards Natalia's. Josh's words echoing in her head.. "Yes."

Natalia's smile was almost blinding. "Really? That's a real yes?"

Olivia smiled sweetly. "That's a real yes." Natalia slid her arm around Olivia's shoulders and Olivia raised a hand to her cheek, leaning in they shared a short but sweet and passionate kiss. As chaste as it was, this kiss spoke volumes. This kiss was for leaving the past in the past and moving towards the future, together.