Chapter 64
Ava arrived two days before Emma's birthday. Much to Emma's dismay, Olivia went to pick her up at the airport by herself. She had finally finished with all the preparations for the next step in her plan to make The Beacon a family run business and wanted to speak with Ava about it. Meeting her eldest daughter so late in life had made them friends as much as mother and daughter.
She not only wanted Ava's opinion, but also wanted to make sure she agreed with her plans. She pulled into the loading zone at the airport and quickly spotted Ava waiting for her. Once Ava's luggage was loaded into the trunk, the two drove towards Tower's for a late lunch and conversation.
As soon as they were seated, Ava looked up at her mother. "What's up mom. I can tell you have something you want to say."
"Oh, my darling daughter, how is it you know me so well?"
"Probably because I'm so much like you. Now what's going on? Did something happen with you and Natalia?"
"No, no, nothing happened. I've been working on something that involves Natalia, but also you, and Emma and I want your opinion."
"Okay. And?"
"Well, you know that I'm working on franchising The Beacon. I want to build a brand for you and Emma to take over one day. My legacy. Give the two of you a good foundation to build your life's upon."
"Okay."
"Well, Natalia and I have a meeting to take a walk through and possibly sign for a hotel in Chicago next week. I've had several calls with the current owner, as well as a video walk through, it looks very promising and is listed for well under market value."
"Okay. You're gonna have to spell this out for me mom. I'm not connecting the dots between this and Natalia."
"I'm getting there. I plan to re-propose to Natalia. I wanted to wait until Thanksgiving and do it as my way of giving thanks for her and the wonderful life she is giving me. I also want a New Year's wedding. We hadn't talked much about it when we were engaged before, there was always something going on, but now, well, now I think we're ready to actually do this. I want to start my life with her. As her wife. Merge our lives together completely. And I think a New Year's wedding is kind of perfect. Put this last trying year behind us and start the New Year together."
"Okay mom, I think I'm starting to get the picture but could you color it in for me please."
"I'm all in Ava. When I took Natalia back, it was all or nothing for me. For the first time in my life, I want to share everything, be equal in everything. My plan is, once we're married, I want to name Natalia as co-owner of The Beacon. Add her to all of my accounts, change my will so everything is split between you kids and Natalia. I've never done this before. I have always kept my business and my finances separate. It's different with Natalia. She is the love of my life. She's who I am meant to be with and I want to share my entire life with her. All of it."
"So, what's the problem?"
"Things are going faster than I had anticipated with the new property. I knew that if I decided to purchase it that it would be before New Year's, I just thought it would be closer the Thanksgiving when I planned on proposing."
'Mom! Spit it out already."
"Natalia isn't going to except what I'm offering easily. She is very proud, doesn't except help easily, and never takes handouts. That's how she is going to see this at first. I'm prepared for the battle, I just thought if we were married, or at least engaged, I could explain it to her better. Make her understand that this is not charity, or anything of the sort, this is us, sharing our lives as any married couple would. Merging our finances, adding her to my accounts and will, and making her co-owner are things I can explain better once we're married. I can simply lay it out that if I was a man she would expect it to be this way so it shouldn't be different for us. Trying to explain it now could ruin my plans for her. I feel like I can't do the business end of things before I propose, but I have this all planned out and I don't want to rush it. I don't want to mess this up."
"Alright, mom, I understand what you're saying, but why can't you just buy the hotel and then add Natalia later, after you're married?"
"I could, it would just be easier to do it now. To have her sign everything when I do. I already had Mel re-do my will, draw up the paperwork for all of my accounts, and The Beacon, Natalia just needs to sign. I also had her draw up a new medical power of attorney for myself and for Emma. I even had her look into third parent adoption for Emma. Phillip thinks it's a good idea for Natalia to have legal rights to her just like the two of us have."
"Whoa, he does."
"I know, shocking. I was worried when I went to talk to him about it. He said that Natalia is a great mother and he can see just how much she and Emma love each other. He said if anything happened to me, he wouldn't take Emma from her home unless she wanted to live with him. He just wants the same visitation he has now. He thinks the adoption would make all of it easier if something happened."
"Wow."
"Yeah. So, what do you think about all of this?"
"I'm not gonna lie. I'm still a little upset with Natalia for this summer, but I can see how much you love her, she makes you happy, and after how hard she fought to get another chance with you, I can assume she feels the same way about you. If you are going to spend the rest of your life with her, it makes sense for you to make her your equal in all aspects of your life. I don't have a problem with it."
"Good. I wouldn't do this if you had an issue with it."
"I don't. I'm proud of you mom. You finally trust someone enough to let them completely into your life, every single corner of it. I wouldn't want to stand in the way of that."
"I'm glad Ava. There is one other thing though."
"What else mom?"
"Rafe. He's a part of this. He'll also be added to my will, have a trust drawn up for him just like you and Emma, and have a share in the company should something happen to me. Just like Natalia excepts you girls as hers, I except Rafe as mine."
"I know how you feel about him mom. I'm glad things are getting better. From what you've told me on the phone it seems like he's doing good at the hotel and trying to except you and Natalia."
"He is. It's still a little slow, but he's trying really hard to understand the love Natalia and I share. My hope is that one day, you, Rafe, and Emma will run SRHR together."
"SRHR?"
"Spencer-Rivera Hotels and Resorts. Although each location will be The Beacon followed by the city it's located in, such as, The Beacon Springfield, The Beacon Chicago, etc., etc. The company name will change to Spencer-Rivers Hotels and Resorts. That's why I want Natalia to be co-owner before I purchase another property. Once I make this purchase, I will also officially become a company. I can't very well name a company after her before I even propose."
"I see the problem now."
"So what do I do? Should I just propose now? Should I try to hold of closing on the new property? Should I buy the property and not name the company yet? Should I just add Natalia to everything now, before we're married? I just don't know what to do Ava. It's a lot of extra work for Mel if I purchase a new property solo and then add Natalia later." Olivia started to breathe heavy and tears were welling in her eyes.
"Mom, calm down." Ave moved around the table and hugged Olivia. "It's okay. We can figure this out." Ava waited until her mother calmed before returning to her seat. "Do you really think Natalia will say no if you do this before you're married?"
"I know Natalia. She is not going to like this even after we're married. I already have a big speech ready for when she says no. Married or not, she is going to think this is too much. She feels she has to earn everything she has, and that's true, but she has earned this. She has done more for me then any amount of money or hotels could thank her for. And I'm not talking about Gus's heart. She has made me a better person. She taught me how to love again. How to except love again. She's made it possible for me to enjoy my life. I'm no longer waiting for the brick that's gonna fly at my face. She deserves what I'm offering and so much more but convincing her of that is not going to be easy, and I know doing it now, before I even propose, she isn't going to except it."
"I think I have an idea. Are you willing to move things up a little?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if you propose when you buy the new hotel? If you decide to. You said Mel has all the papers drawn up. What if Mel meets you in Chicago? When you give Natalia the ring, you can also give her the papers, you can tell her that saying yes to your proposal includes everything in those papers."
"That's not very fair Ava."
"No mom listen. Just tell her what you told me. That you want to share all aspects of your life with her. That you have never allowed your business and finances to enter into your marriages, but with her you want it to. When we talked last month, you told me that you were still having trouble with trusting her completely, it sounds to me like that's changed now. Tell her that. When you propose, tell her this is you giving her your complete and total trust. Tell her you are all in and that includes your finances and your business, to fully except you, she has to except your bank account and business too. They are a part of you mom."
"When did you get so smart Ava?"
"I get it from my mom."
"Thank you Ava."
"I'm here for you mom. So, you said next week, are you okay with proposing that soon?"
"Ava I never wanted her to take that ring off. The day I told her to, I was just so hurt. I was trying to protect myself from getting hurt again. I knew in my heart that I was going to end up back with Natalia, I just wasn't ready to give in at the time. I've wanted that ring back where it belongs since the moment I caved. I've only been waiting because I'm scared. What if she doesn't say yes this time?"
"Really mom, you had to tell her to take that ring off, she asked you to give it back when you were ready. So, you really think she'll say no?'
Olivia released a breath. "No. I guess I'm worried about Rafe. I know he's trying, but New Years is only a couple months away. I'm not sure he's ready for us to be married yet, and I don't want him to go backwards and in effect send Natalia and I backwards. He's why she left. I'm so scared of losing her again. I wouldn't live through it a second time Ava."
"Mom, she came back ready to let Rafe go if that's what she had to do to keep you. No matter how Rafe reacts, I don't think she'll run again. She knows you wouldn't take her back again." Seeing that her mom wasn't completely believing her, she formed a quick plan. "Okay, so you wanted me to take Rafe shopping to decorate his apartment right?"
"Yes. He's said he's excited, he wants to get to know you better."
"Good. I can talk to him when we go. Feel him out a little. Okay?"
"Thanks Ava."
"Any time mom. Now, I think we better head out. Your phone has gone off at least twenty times."
"Yeah, Emma stole Natalia's phone and has been texting nonstop. She's so excited to see you."
"Me too. I've missed you guys so much."
"I've missed you too. Okay, let's get outta here." Olivia paid their bill and the two headed out to the farmhouse.
That night was a flurry of activity getting everything ready for Emma's birthday party, as well as the Halloween party Natalia had decided she wanted to throw. Nothing major, just a small get together for the adults after trick-or-treating with the kids. Ava stayed in Rafe's old room that night and she and him headed to the mall to buy everything he needed for his apartment. Olivia had given Ava her credit card and instructed her to make sure he got anything he might need, and also some things he just wanted. He needed dishes, pots and pans, towels, new bedding, toiletries to get him started, and things to help personalize the space.
Rafe was reluctant at first. Like his mom, he had a hard time spending Olivia's money. Ava assured him that Olivia wanted to do this for him, told him if he didn't pick out what he liked she would just buy him whatever and he would have to live with it. He might as well get what he wanted because the money was getting spent either way. After about an hour, he started to really enjoy being able to just grab what he wanted without checking the price and throw it in the cart.
Once they had all the essentials, they loaded them in the car and went back in to shop for stuff to make it his space. As they walked back in the main entrance, Rafe started to feel little dizzy. Ava noticed and stopped him in his walk. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"Oh it's nothing. I just got a little dizzy. I should probably eat something."
Ava looked at her watch. It was past one. "Wow, I didn't realize it was getting so late. Let's head to the food court before we start looking for the fun stuff."
The two made their way to the center of the mall, both choosing what they wanted to eat, they found a table off to the side so they could talk easier. As they ate, Ava started the conversation. "So what kind of stuff do you like, I mean, do you want like poster and stuff, or what?"
"I don't really know. I mean, I've had like cubs posters on my walls and stuff, but as for a whole apartment, that was always Ma's thing."
"Well now it's yours. We can look for some good art if you want, or we can just get fun stuff like a dart board. Whatever you want. My mom just wants you to have anything you want. She's not like trying to buy you or anything, she just wants you to feel like you belong there." Rafe looked away from Ava, looking out into the sea of people. "Did you think that's what she was doing? Trying to buy you off?"
"No, maybe, it's just, I've never been able to spend money like this before, and with how badly I treated her, I don't really understand why she is doing all of this for me. She paid a shit ton to turn the basement into an apartment for me, and gave me not just a job, but she has me training to be an executive assistant at the hotel, and now she's buying me all of this stuff. Why? Why would anybody do that for a guy they barely know? Especially after everything I've done to her."
"Rafe you have to understand, my mom is not doing any of this to buy you. She understands doing things that you wish you could take back, things that are almost unforgivable. Do you have any idea how hard it is for her to except what she and your mom have? She doesn't think that she deserves to be happy, deserves love, because of all the things she's done in her past. She knows what it's like to want to change and need forgiveness from a lot of people. Believe it or not, she's done worse things then you could ever dream of, and she was forgiven by the people she wronged. She wants to do the same thing for you."
"What has she done that's so bad? I mean, I know she slept with people's husbands, and used people for sex and Alan said she used people for power and money, but, that stuff doesn't seem so bad to me anymore. I mean it's not right, but it is what it is. I was a part of breaking her heart. I threw her past in her face countless times and then I kept letters my mom wrote her so I could watch her be in pain. She almost drank herself to death because of me."
"Rafe, that wasn't your fault. My mom would have drank weather she had those letters or not. She was drinking so she wouldn't feel her pain, and she may have been more understanding and less hurt if she had those letters, but she still would have been in pain because Natalia was gone."
"I guess. I just feel like I could have cost her and my Ma both their happiness. My Ma was so upset when she came back and Olivia didn't even want to talk to her. I don't know how either one of them forgave me."
"They love you Rafe. Both of them. And we're all family. That's what family does. I've had to forgive my mom for a lot, but she's my mom and no matter what she's done to me, she's still my mom. You're their son, and no matter, you will always be their son."
"Why does your mom want me to be her son? I'm grown, I'm not like Emma. I understand Emma being my moms daughter, she's a kid, they're going to raise her together, I'm not a kid anymore."
"I'm going to tell you something my mom told me when she and Natalia first got together. I was confused too. I mean, I was fine with her and Natalia, but she was already calling you her son and I didn't get that. I mean, you were still in prison, she didn't even know you.'
"See, it doesn't make sense."
"Just wait, let me explain it the way she did."
"Okay."
"She told me that she has always felt connected to Natalia. Even since they met. At first she just thought it was Gus, and then after he died it was having his heart. But as time went on, she realized she was wrong. From the beginning she has felt pulled to your mom. She would yell and scream at her, try to push her away, because she was so confused, by what she was feeling. She has never felt connected to anyone except Emma, and now me. It scared her, and when my mom is scared, she fights, with words and actions, and with building walls around herself for protection. Problem is, with you mom, she came to a point where she couldn't fight anymore, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't build a single wall strong enough to keep her out. Your mom is pretty persistent.'
"Yeah, she is. But what does this have to do with me?"
"I'm almost there. When you shot my dad, in a strange way, my mom was grateful."
Rafe's shook his head in shock. "What? Why?"
"Something bad happened with them a long time ago, my dad never really had to pay for his mistake. My mom tried, but she couldn't hate him, because of me. She thought I deserved to have my father and she knew it would be really hard on me if they hated each other."
"I can understand that."
"Anyways, not my point. She felted connected to you too. She said she sees so much of herself in you and she just wants you to have all the success in life you can have. She told me that she didn't want you to have to struggle through life. She lived a really hard life for a whole lot of years. Grew up poor, both her parents died by the time she was sixteen, had to raise her siblings, and had some really fucked up shit happen to her. She doesn't want anybody to have to struggle the way she did."
"I didn't know any of that."
"I'm not telling you this for you to feel sorry for her, just to understand her better. Something in her knew that you were going to be her son one day, way back when you first got arrested, before she and Natalia were even really friends. She says she just knew, that's why she went to the jail with your mom all the time, why she made sure there was money on your account, why she fought so hard for you when you were being abused. It wasn't about your mom, it was about you. Before she even knew she loved your mom, she loved you. She thought it was because you were Gus's son, but now she knows different. It's not about who birthed you, or who's sperm you're from, you are her son. You have been, long before she knew she loved your mom, she loved you."
"That doesn't make a whole lot of sense Ava. I mean, how could she just know. I don't understand."
"I'm not sure I do either. All I know is that she loves you. She wants to show you that you are no different than me and Emma. That's what this is. Her treating you the same way she treats us. Does it really matter why she loves you? Can't you just except that she does?"
"Yeah. I can do that. Thanks for talking to me Ava. I still don't really understand it all, but it doesn't matter anymore."
"Good. I'm glad. My mom is really happy and I don't want anything to get in the way of that again. She has been through so much. She deserves to have some happiness."
"Yeah. Ma too. So, you ready to get this shopping done?"
"Yeah. Let's go spend moms money. Always makes me feel better." The two stood and grabbed their trash to throw away. Ava could tell there was a lot running through his mind at the moment. She had given him a lot to process. She tossed her arm around his shoulder and playfully slapped his stomach. "Come on little brother, let's go get some video games first."
Rafe smiled and leaned into her. She smiled and jokingly hit him again. Trying to slow his mind down and get back to the fun they were having shopping. Before releasing his shoulders, she kissed his cheek. This kiss was one of new friendship and kindness. She wanted him to relax and just enjoy the family their moms were building for them.