Chapter 60
The sun was just beginning to rise when Natalia awoke. Stretching, she felt the pleasant ache of under used muscles. Rolling over, she was greeted with the most beautiful sight she had ever seen, causing visions of the previous night's activities to flash through her mind. She and Olivia had made love long into the night before falling into an exhausted sleep. Wrapped in each other's arms. Reaching out, she traced the features of Olivia's face, reveling in the joy of being able to do that once again.
Scooting closer, she trailed kisses from Olivia's forehead, down her cheek, to a strong jawline. Olivia didn't even stir, so she continued her journey. Kissing Olivia's neck, her collar bone, down to a breast. Olivia's body responded of its own accord, arching slightly into her touch. Her hands trailed over soft skin, rubbing her arms and stomach. She had spent the previous night, rediscovering Olivia's body. Using her hands, lips, tongue, and teeth to map every inch of her, now she just wanted her. Needed to feel this woman that she loved. She continued to lavish Olivia's breast, switching from one to the other, coaxing Olivia from sleep.
She felt a hand run up her back and heard soft moans, telltale signs that her lover was waking. She sucked harder on the breast in her mouth, causing the nipple to harden. Olivia's nails lightly bit into her back. Natalia released the breast with a pop, kissing back up Olivia's chest to find full lips begging to be kissed. She ran her tongue along Olivia's bottom lip, teasing for a moment, before pulling back and looking into sea green eyes, shining in the morning sun.
The two stared for a few minutes, green searching brown, a silent conversation taking place. Finally, Natalia's eyes flicked down to Olivia's lips and she was pulled like a magnet, unwilling and unable to stop herself from claiming those lips for herself. As the kiss deepened, the ever-present flame that always sparked between them, came blaring to life with an unstoppable force. Without any warning or preamble, Olivia felt two fingers penetrate her, filling her in the most delicious way.
She broke the kiss with a loud gasp, her hips already rolling into the touch. Natalia buried her face in the crook of Olivia's neck, licking and nipping as her fingers drove deeper into the warm heat surrounding them. Slow, steady, love making had been last night's adventure, this morning she just wanted to feel Olivia surround her, hear the breathy moans, and excited groans. She felt Olivia's pulse quicken under her lips, encouraging her more. She slid her fingers all the way out, Olivia whimpering at the loss, only to mewl in pleasure when three returned. Pressing harder and deeper than before.
Olivia's hips began to jerk uncontrollably as her orgasm built. Her nails raked up Natalia's back, and she pressed her lips to the side of Natalia's head to stifle the scream of her impending release. Natalia bit down hard on Olivia's pulse point, knowing she was going to leave a mark but not caring. Her fingers slammed harder and faster in and out of the tight hole, until walls clenched her fingers and a primal scream sounded in the room.
Natalia eased her fingers out, laying her head on Olivia's chest, listening to the steady thump of her heartbeat. Her fingers danced on the skin of Olivia's thigh, while slowly, Olivia's chest stopped heaving and her breathing evened out. Natalia smiled up at her, placing a quick peck to her lips. "Morning my love."
Olivia wrapped one arm around Natalia's back, the other hand was running up and down her arm. Tightening her hold, she kissed her forehead. "Good morning beautiful. That's certainly a way to wake a girl up."
"You just looked so gorgeous with the sun shining against your skin, I couldn't resist."
"I'm not complaining."
Natalia kissed her again. "Good." Glancing at the clock, she noted the time. "As much as I would love to stay in your arms all day, we have a daughter that will be awake and wanting breakfast soon. I should get up."
Olivia tightened her hold even more. "No. You feel too good right here."
Natalia giggled. "Mmm. I love it here, however, I need to get breakfast started for my two favorite girls."
"Fine, if you must. Banana pancakes?"
"Of course. What else would I make your first morning back?"
"Bacon!?"
"Yes love, I'll make you bacon."
"You do love me."
Natalia kissed her lips and rolled out of bed. "Yes I do. Now get your sexy butt outta that bed and go take a shower. I'll see you downstairs."
Before they knew it, the morning of Billy and Vanessa's wedding had arrived. Rafe had started work at the hotel, Natalia had turned in notice at Spaulding, routine had easily fallen back into place at the farmhouse, with all the boxes already unpacked. Olivia was standing in the master bedroom, finishing her make up. All of the sudden, like a tidal wave, emotions overwhelmed her.
She was home, with the love of her life, everything was going well, they had slipped back into their positions at the house as if no time had passed, as if Natalia had never left. That thought rolled through Olivia's brain and brought a storm with it. They had not spoken of any of the wrong doings that had occurred between them.
Olivia was more than aware that she had her own mistakes to own up to, but anger ripped through her as realization dawned. They were avoiding their issues. Since returning home, nothing had been talked about. She had seen fear flash through Natalia's eyes on more than occasion, at times when Olivia would fall silent. The air would become thick, and stale around them. Times like that, Natalia would quickly kiss Olivia and snuggle into her. As much as Olivia enjoyed that, she now realized that it was an avoidance tactic. Natalia was afraid to approach discussing their downfall. The events that had almost broken them apart forever.
Olivia knew they had to stop, they wouldn't make it if they couldn't really talk about things, find a way to actually get past them instead of ignoring them, pretending like they never happened. Now was not the time to open that discussion, they had a busy day ahead of them, but Olivia decided then and there, that this evening, after the wedding, they would be having a serious talk. She couldn't fall back into old habits, stuffing down her feelings until they exploded, that would be the true end of her and Natalia, no, she needed to face this head on. Find a way to truly forgive Natalia and trust her again. She knew it wasn't going to be an easy road, but it was one they had to travel. They had been avoiding any talk that was unpleasant for the past week, now they needed to figure out how to move forward without ignoring the past. Tucking that thought away, Olivia finished her make up and went in search of her family, sure her daughter was itching to leave and go see her daddy and granddad before the wedding.
Phillip entered the study where Beth was finishing with her lip stick. "You look beautiful."
She turned to face him. "Thank you, and I am so glad you're here to say it."
"Me too."
"And we have Alan to thank for it."
"Yeah we do."
Before any more could be said, Emma came bounding into the room and into her daddy's arms. "Daddy."
He hoisted her up. "Hi sweetie. Oh easy."
"I'm so glad you're alive."
"I'm glad too sweetie. Hey, you know what, the cookies really helped."
Emma turned her head to her mother. "See, I told you."
Olivia smiled, wrapping an arm around Natalia's waist. "You're right." She focused her attention to Phillip. "Sorry to burst in but she was really excited to see you."
"Oh, don't let her fool you, Olivia was really excited to see you too." Natalia said. Making them all chuckle.
"I was." Olivia confessed.
Beth looked at the two women. "Looks like we're all headed to same place."
"Yeah. Hey Em, you can see your daddy at the wedding, we gotta go." Natalia said.
Phillip placed Emma back on the floor and kissed her head, smiling as the three ladies exited the house.
Beth spoke from behind him. "Olivia and Natalia seem close."
"Yeah, they're uh, very close."
The Spencer-Rivera girls arrived at Frank's apartment to see if Rafe wanted to ride with them to the wedding. Emma looked up at her mommies. "Do you think Rafe is gonna come with us?"
"I hope he comes with us." Natalia answered.
Rafe walked out the back door as they walked up. "Hey."
"Hi. Um, we just came by see if maybe you wanted to come with us to the wedding." Natalia asked.
"Oh, you know guys honestly I really would…"
"You know what, it's fine, it's no pressure. No, we were just driving by and Emma thought it might be nice if we all, you know, went together."
"As a family." Emma added.
Rafe knelt down in front of her. "Alright, baby look I'm really sorry but I kind of already made plans with somebody else, you know."
"As your date?"
"Definitely not, but she's a girl and she's a friend. I kinda hope that uh my favorite little girl, she saves me a dance at the wedding."
"Sure. You're a great dancer."
"Yeah? Alright." He kissed two of his fingers and pressed them to her forehead.
Natalia stepped forward and hugged her son. "You're a good boy Rafe. I'm proud of you"
"I know. One step at a time. Okay?"
"I know. Yeah, whatever you need. I love you."
"I love you too."
The three walked away, Olivia turning back and sharing a look with Rafe.
Emma wanted to stop and see her granddad at the hospital before the wedding. Johnathan saw them coming and quickly ducked around the corner to watch from the other door. They entered Alan's room saying hi to him and Alexandria.
Emma stepped to his bedside and handed him a drawing she had made. "Granddad, I just wanted to say thank you for saving my dad. I made you this card."
He took it from her hand. "Oh, you did. It's so pretty. Thank you sweetheart. But I tell ya, I only did what any parent would do for their child."
"I have to say uh, you surprised me, I'm impressed." Olivia stated.
"Well, I'm full of surprises."
"We're going to a wedding." Emma cut in. "My whole family's gonna be there."
"Oh really?"
"My dad because of you…"
"Yes."
"And my brother Rafe."
"You're brother Rafe?" He said as a question, flicking his eyes up to Olivia and Natalia. "Oh, I guess uh, that means you two are together?"
"We're a, and we're a family. Natalia and I are a family." Olivia answered, the two women sliding arms around each other's waist.
"I see. I see." He glanced down at his granddaughter. "Are you happy with your new family Emma?"
She smiled from ear to ear. "I have the best two mommies, and the best daddy."
"You sure do."
"I just wanted to say I love you before the wedding."
"Oh, I love you too." He stretched his arms out to her for a hug. "You know something, I think one of the nurses out there, has a lollipop with your name on it. So, I think you should run out there and get it."
"Go get it." Olivia seconded. Looking back at Alan. "Thank you."
"Emma seems to be very happy. And that's all that really matters, to be happy."
"Well, we should go, take care of yourself okay."
Natalia nodded. "And Rafe is gonna come by and visit you very soon."
"I hope he does. I wanna talk with him."
The two women bid him goodbye and walked out.
Alexandria stepped forward. "Well, that was quite a lovely thing you just did."
"Well, they seem to all be very happy."
"I think so."
"It's the kind of happiness I always ran away from Alexandria.'
"Well, you and me ah." She chuckled.
"I'm not running away from it anymore. You know uh, being here in this bed, the past few days, has really uh, taught me something."
"What's that darling?'
"It can all be taken away in a few moments."
She let out a breath. "Yes it can. Yes it can darling." She kissed his forehead.
The Spencer-Rivera's arrived at the wedding and Emma quickly ran off to find her brother. She found him with Ashley and his arms wrapped around her.
Doris approached them, holding the hand of a young woman. "Hi Ashley."
"Hi mom. You look great. What a great dress. I like it a lot.'
"Thank you sweetheart. There's someone I'd like you to meet. Jamanda Weaks, this is my daughter Ashley, and her friend Rafe, and Emma."
Jamanda smiled. "It's very nice to meet you."
Ashley smiles, kind of awkwardly. "So sweet."
Jamanda turned to Doris, placing a hand on her arm. "I'm gonna go get a drink. Do you want something Doris?"
"No thanks uh, I'll be right there." As soon as Jamanda walked away, Ashley embraced her mom in a tight hug. "What, what was that for?"
"Um, I'm just so glad that you're finally letting me in."
"Well, I wish it had been sooner."
"Me too, but, you know, it's never too late to start."
"That's true. Thank you sweetie." Doris kissed her daughter's cheek and left to find Jamanda.
Olivia and Natalia were standing talking to Reva and Josh. Reva's voice was full of excitement. "Oh my gosh, that's so exciting, you guys back at the farmhouse. You were happy there."
"Yeah. Thank you. We're excited." Natalia said.
"We are. We love it there." Olivia added. "Emma's so happy. We should find her and make sure she doesn't get her dress too dirty. Excuse us." The two walked away, Olivia's hand resting on the small of Natalia's back.
Josh and Reva watched them go. "They seem so friendly." Reva stated.
"Yes they do." Josh agreed with a knowing smile.
"I'm happy. You know, Olivia, she doesn't have a lot of friends, and Natalia seems to really care about her and Emma."
"Actually, they are more than friends, they're a couple."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Well, good for them. Life's too short, so…"
"So… you can go ahead, say…'
"No, no, I'm not gonna say a word, except this, since she couldn't have you, she went for the next best thing." Josh's mouth opened, but no words came out. The two clinked glasses and Reva giggled as she drank.
Buzz and Lillian had decided to join in the ceremony, making it a double wedding. It was a beautiful wedding. The lake as a beautiful back drop. Lillian wore an off-white dress and Vanessa's white. Both men wearing nice suits. It seemed the entire town came for the event. Cooper's, Lewis's, Spaulding's, along with everyone else. All the Springfield families coming together for a happy occasion.
Buzz and Billy were visibly the two happiest men in those moments. Making vows to the women they loved. The women both shining with love as they returned vows. Natalia watched in awe. Her entire family by her side. Rafe at her right, Olivia, and Emma on her left. She placed her hand on Olivia's knee. Smiling. Only a moment of sadness sneaking in momentarily as she thought of she and Olivia, realizing she no longer wore her ring on her finger, praying that one-day Olivia would return it, and they would be the ones proclaiming their love in front of their family and friends. She quickly pushed those darker thoughts aside, thankful that Olivia had returned to her life and wanting to enjoy a nice day with her family.
After the ceremony, there were thanks given, and toast from the best men. A kissing contest between the two couples and lots of laughter. After cake, everyone began dancing. Olivia sat at the bar with Doris. "So, the mayor showed up with a date, to a double wedding involving over half the town huh? That's one way to come out."
"Oh, shut up. I'm not coming out. I'm simply enjoying this wedding with a good friend."
"Oh really? You hold hands and smile like that with all your good friends? I think I'm questioning the strength of our friendship Wolfe."
"Stop it Spencer. I'm not opposed to people knowing I'm with a woman, but Jamanda and I, we're not you and Natalia, at the moment, we're just having fun, enjoying each other's company. Besides, half the people here haven't even figure out you and Natalia are together, I don't think they will pay attention enough to figure me out."
"Well, we can fix that." Natalia stated. Walking up and wrapping her arms around Olivia's shoulders.
"Oh, we can, can we?" Olivia countered, smiling up at her girlfriend.
"Mmmhmm."
"And how's that exactly?"
"Dance with me." Natalia answered confidently.
"I would love to." Olivia stood, taking Natalia's hand. "See ya later Wolfe, I'm gonna dance with the love of my life."
Natalia led Olivia to the dance floor. Bringing her into her arms and holding her tight as the cords to Christina Perri's, A Thousand Years began to play. Olivia's arms were around Natalia's waist and Natalia's wrapped around her shoulders. The two swayed to the music for a few beats, before Olivia pulled back and their eyes met. "I love you."
"I love you too."
"I'm so happy that we made it back here. Together."
"Me too. I can never express how truly sorry I am, but I can spend a lifetime proving to you how much I love you. How much you mean to me, and I promise, I will never leave you again."
"I know. You don't have to prove anything to me, we both made mistakes, and yes, I do feel we need talk about some things, but, when we get home. Right now, I just wanna dance with you, share in the love surrounding us here. It that okay? Can we enjoy right now and talk later? I mean really talk; we've been avoiding it all week. I think it's time."
"I agree. And yes, I would love to just dance with you right now, and yes, we will talk tonight, after Emma goes to bed."
Olivia kissed her softly and pressed their bodies tightly together. Most of the crowd had noticed the exchange, but no one seemed bothered by it, just happy to see love blooming, no matter who it was among.
As the song came to an end, Olivia looked around, noticing several couples dancing, and laughing together. She smiled to herself, realizing that she had everything she could ever want in this moment. Her family was here, together, and the woman she would love for the rest of her life was in her arms. She gripped Natalia by the back of her neck and brought their lips together again. Kissing with a passion she had almost forgotten she possessed. Not passion of arousal, but of pure love. This kiss was all about the love she found with Natalia, despite the bumpy road they traveled to get here.