Chapter 66

Olivia and Natalia had just left for Chicago after getting Emma on the bus and, once again, running through everything with Ava. The young woman had decided to stay another week and watch Emma since Phillip was still dealing with so much at Spaulding following Alan's death.

Ava was sitting at the kitchen table with her second cup of coffee. Rafe had already left for work so she was alone in the house. She felt a little guilty that she hadn't told her mother the real reason for her visit. Ever since her father's death, she had been contemplating coming home. She only had her father in her life for a short time and now he was gone. She wanted to spend as much time with Olivia and Emma as possible. With her mother's health problems, she knew that her time with her mother could also be short lived and she didn't want to spend it across the country from her.

She had planned on telling Olivia at lunch the day she arrived, however, after hearing Olivia's plan for Natalia, she didn't want to disrupt that in anyway. She knew her mother would welcome her home with open arms and even help with getting everything home from California. She just didn't want her mom to put her plans on hold for her. She decided she would talk with her mom and Natalia about it when they got back from Chicago. For now, she wanted to spend the week with Emma and Rafe. She and Rafe had a good start to their relationship after their day shopping and she hoped the three of them could continue to bond and show their mother's that this really was the family they all longed for.

Olivia and Natalia were about an hour into their drive. Natalia had her hand resting on Olivia's thigh. She squeezed lightly to gain Olivia's attention. She had been quiet for quite some time and Natalia knew she was lost in her own head somewhere. "Hey. You okay over there?"

Olivia reached down and threaded her fingers with Natalia's. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

"You seem a little lost in thought. What are you thinking so hard about?"

Olivia had been thinking about how exactly she was going to pop the question. The first time it had been blurted out. This time she wanted to do it right. It was different now. She and Rafe were on good terms, Ava and Natalia had had a few meaningful talks, and their family was headed down this path together. Everyone on the same page. She had taken Rafe out to dinner the previous night, claiming they still had some things to talk about. While they were out, Olivia asked for Rafe's permission to ask his mother to marry her. She hadn't done that the first time, and thought it would go a long way with him, not that she wouldn't still ask had he said no. To her surprise, he was almost ecstatic about the idea. She had gone out with Ava to buy a new ring; she didn't want to use the old one. This was a fresh start for their family and she wanted everything to be different. The only thing from the past she was willing to keep was their home. The farmhouse where their love had blossomed.

Shaking her head to bring herself out of her thoughts, she glanced at Natalia. "I was just thinking about the hotel. I've always wanted to franchise The Beacon; this could be the beginning of that. It's a little overwhelming. In a good way."

Natalia nodded. "I understand. Your dreams are right in your grasp and it's a little daunting huh?"

"Yeah. But as long as I have you by my side, I know I can concur anything." She raised their joined hand and kissed the back of Natalia's.

Natalia smiled. "I feel the same way about you. I can take on the world as long as you're with me."

"I always will be sweetheart."

"As will I querida."

"So, tonight we're just going to check out the premises. Check out everything the hotel has to offer. We are staying in one of the suites and I'd like to order room service for dinner so I can see how their kitchen is. If that's okay with you."

"I think that's a great idea. We can gauge where all changes will need to be made and give you some more information to take to the meeting with you. Maybe even be able to negotiate the price down even more if you decide you are going to buy it."

"Exactly. While we're here Natalia, I need you to act less as my assistant and more as my partner. I need your real honest opinion on everything. Your input is very important to me, and to this purchase. This is the start to the future of not only The Beacon, but to our family as well. Can you do that? Be honest? No holding anything back?"

"I'm always honest with you Olivia. I'm one of few people that isn't afraid to tell you what I think and feel about anything, personal or business."

"I know. You've called me on my crap in both accounts more times then I care to admit. But it's not just that. Natalia, your future lies with this company as well. I need you to be my equal here. We need to make this decision together."

"Olivia, what are you so worried about? You've been making business deals for a very long time. You've never needed someone else to tell you if you're making the right choice. What's going on?"

"Nothing. I just…your opinion is the first one that's ever really mattered to me. When it comes to my business anyway. You see things I don't. You catch things I didn't, and you know how to make me really listen when it matters. The staff responds better to you and you have a calming effect on me when I'm about to explode. I need that here. I need to get as much information as I can about this hotel before the meeting. That's why we are coming early. The meeting isn't until Wednesday. I wanted to have a couple of days for us to get a real feel for the place. See what kind of staff they have, how the kitchen is, what renovations we will need to make, how well they accommodate their guest, all of it. I want to be well informed when we walk into that conference room. I need you to help me with all of this. It's a lot to take in and observe, let alone remember."

"Okay." Natalia didn't know why, but she just didn't think that whatever was bothering Olivia, had anything to do with this hotel. They had been reviewing all the numbers, checking over the staff flies, checking and rechecking everything they could before they came out here. They had taken the virtual tour several times. Everything looked to be in good order. There were definitely some updates that needed to be made to bring it up to Beacon standards, but nothing major. With a sigh, Natalia resigned to the fact that whatever was bothering Olivia, she wasn't ready to share just yet.

Olivia could tell that Natalia knew she was thinking about something else. She couldn't tell her though. She had a semi plan that she was trying to finish in the next three days while also sizing up the hotel she was almost positive she was going to purchase. She pulled off at the next rest area and parked the car. Taking off her seatbelt, she turned to Natalia and took her face in her hands. "Honey, I know you think something is wrong, I promise, nothing is. I have a lot on my mind yes, but none of it is bad. Okay?"

"Okay. I just wish you would talk to me about whatever it is."

Olivia tenderly kissed her lips. "How about this, I promise, by the end of our week in Chicago, you will know everything. I will make sure and share everything with you. Just, right now, I need us both to focus on this business venture. Alright?"

"You promise nothing major is going on?"

"I can promise that nothing major is WRONG."

"Guess I'll take what I can get."

Olivia kissed her again and released her face. Pressing their foreheads together in that familiar way of theirs. "I love you Natalia."

"I love you too." Leaning in, she captured Olivia's sweet lips in a long luxurious kiss. Pulling back, Natalia hummed in appreciation. "You mi amor, have the sweetest lips."

"Is that so?" Olivia asked, trailing kisses down Natalia's necks, grazing her teeth across a pounding pulse point. Causing Natalia to let out a moan.

"Yes, and…" she gently pushed Olivia back. "We need to stop."

"Why?" Olivia tried to lean in and continue her assault.

Natalia stopped her with a hand to her chest. "Because, we are in a parking lot, at a rest area, on the side of the freeway, in the middle of day light. As much as I would love to let this continue, I don't want to put on a show for anyone."

Olivia groaned in frustration. "Baby, no one is around and it's been over a week. I need you."

Natalia laughed and placed her hand behind Olivia's neck, pulling her in for another kiss. "Baby, we are less the two hours from the hotel where a nice king size bed is waiting for us. Once we get there you can have me anyway you want, but not here. Okay?" Natalia murmured against her lips.

"Fine," Olivia grunted. "Just remember, you said anyway I want." She placed one last peck to Natalia's lips, put her seatbelt back on, and placed the car into drive, headed back to the interstate.

Natalia chuckled. "Yes my love, I did."

Olivia quirked an eyebrow with an almost wicked grin and winked before returning her eyes to the road. The rest of the drive was spent in easy conversation. They talked about the kids, and Rafe's work, their joint happiness over Ava staying with Emma and Rafe this week, how sad they both would be when she returned home, and a lot about the new hotel Olivia was certain would be the perfect first step in franchising The Beacon.

Once they arrived, the valet parked the car for them and they checked in. Olivia had booked the room in Natalia's name. She had another reserved for Wednesday under her own name so no one would have any suspicions. She wanted these couple of days to evaluate the property without anyone knowing she was the possible new owner. She didn't know if the staff was aware that she might be making the purchase, but she decided to air on the side of caution.

Once they were in the room, Olivia dropped their luggage and dragged Natalia to the bed. Shoving her onto the mattress, she crawled over her body. Kissing her neck, her jaw, and finally her lips. She wanted this to be sweet and loving, but it had been far too long, and after the amazing kiss at the rest area, Natalia had spent the remainder of the trip rubbing her hand up and down Olivia's thigh, causing wet heat to pool.

Olivia pulled back and hovered over her lover, starring into almost black pools of desire. Natalia locked eyes with her. Losing herself in darkening jade. "I thought we were supposed to be checking out the hotel."

"We will, but first, someone promised me herself, anyway I want." Olivia kissed her way to Natalia's ear and whispered. "And I want you. Naked and underneath me. Now." She added as she nipped at the tender ear lobe.

Natalia gasped, wanting nothing more than to surrender but enjoying the banter. "I did. However, I didn't say when. Maybe we should save this for later." She countered. Trying to hold off the smirk tugging at her lips.

"Oh no, you said, and I quote, 'once we get there,' that implies as soon as we got here. No waiting." Olivia stated as a matter of fact.

Natalia giggled as she laced her fingers into honey blond locks. Bringing Olivia back to her mouth with hunger. Banter quickly forgotten as the world fell away, narrowing to just the two of them.

Olivia awoke after the two had fallen into a sated sleep. She felt the arms surrounding her tighten and signed contentedly. Natalia kissed the back of her neck, breathing her in. Olivia rolled to her back and starred up into brown orbs. "Hey."

"Hi." Natalia smiled.

"How long have you been awake?"

"For a while." She bent her head and claimed sweet lips in a tender kiss.

"Mmm. We really should get up." She said as she snuggled deeper into Natalia.

"We need to shower and go walk the premises."

"Yeah. Five minutes." Olivia mumbled. Turning on her side and wrapping herself around her love.

Natalia chuckled. "You and your sleep."

Olivia scoffed. "I just want to hold you a little longer."

"I can live with that." Natalia agreed. Pulling Olivia impossibly closer and kissing the top of her head.

That evening and the following day flew by. The two walking the grounds, talking to other guest and employees, and sampling much of the restaurant's menu. The two discussed what changes they felt should be made and volleyed ideas back and forth. They had a plan for the following morning and had decided that indeed this property would be beneficial. The perfect first purchase for SRHR. A name Olivia had not brought up yet. She had worked out the final details of her plan to purpose, and all that remained was for her to make sure Mel was going to be there in the morning and a call to the front desk to ensure their room was prepared for their return from the meeting. Rising from the couch where they sat, Olivia pulled out her phone.

"I need to call Mel and make sure everything is in order for tomorrow. I'll be right back." She stated. Making her way out onto the balcony.

After shutting the door firmly and making sure Natalia stayed seated on the couch, Olivia pulled up Mel's number. "Hey Mel. It's Olivia."

"Hey. How's it going? Do you like the property?"

"It's good. There are a few changes I'd like to make and some renovations that will be necessary, but I think it's the perfect first purchase."

"That's good. I have all the paperwork for our end in order and will be there around eight-thirty tomorrow morning. What time is the meeting scheduled for?"

"Ten. So, we'll have plenty of time to go over everything with you. But that's not why I'm calling. Do you have everything I need for Natalia in order?"

"Yes, of course. Been ready for weeks."

"Good."

"Are you nervous?"

"A little. Not that I think she'll say no to the proposal, it's everything else I'm worried about."

"I understand. Have you decided how you're going to do it?"

"Yes. I have a plan. I do need one more thing from you though. I know it's last minute but an idea came to me last night."

"What do you need?"

"I need a marriage license from Iowa."

"Okay. I can get that before I head out for the evening. You'll just have to mail it in and wait for approval. Are you planning on springing a wedding on her?" Mel asked with a laugh.

"No, well not really, it's just part of my plan."

"You're not going to tell me this plan of yours are you?"

"Nope. But you'll be here tomorrow so…"

"Yeah."

"Alright, I'm gonna get off here. I have one more call to make before I turn in. I'll see you in the morning. We're in room 116. Just come up in the morning so we can discuss everything."

"Okay, see you then Olivia."

Olivia disconnected the call, quickly called the front desk, and headed back in to sit with Natalia.

Natalia looked up at her as she stood in front of her. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Mel will be here around eight-thirty tomorrow morning. That should give us a fair amount of time to go over everything with her." Olivia answered. Sitting down next to Natalia and laying her head on her shoulder. After a few moments of silence, she looked up at her. "You about ready to turn in?"

"Yes. I think I am." She made to move from the couch and reached a hand down to pull Olivia to her feet.

The two made their way to the bedroom. Both going about their nightly rituals before falling into bed together. Both on their sides facing each other. Olivia smiled at Natalia and kissed her. "So, tomorrow, I want you to speak freely okay? If you have an opinion, don't be afraid to voice it. Like I said, you're my partner in this, not my assistant."

Natalia had a look of apprehension. "Are you sure Olivia? I've never done anything like this before."

"Yes you have. You've been with me for business deals before. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure you run the show anymore. I'm just the pretty face." Olivia joked.

Natalia smiled and shook her head. "You're ridiculous, you know that?"

"Yeah. But you love me anyway."

"Yes. Yes I do."

"Good. I love you Natalia. So very much." Olivia could feel the butterflies building in her stomach. In the morning she would be proposing to the woman she loves for the second time, only this time, it was different. She was ready to share everything with Natalia and their children. This was the last time she was going to get married and she wanted her bride to be her equal in every sense of the word. She knew Natalia would say yes and gladly slip that ring on her finger. It was everything else she was worried about. But this was nonnegotiable. It was all or nothing for her, and Natalia was just going to have to except that and all that it entailed.

Olivia pulled Natalia flush against her. Tucking stray strands of mahogany behind her ear. She leaned in and kissed her slow and deep. Pouring every ounce of love, she had for the other woman into the kiss. This kiss was of love and adoration. It was a promise of something Natalia couldn't quite place. She could feel that there were more emotions in this kiss then there had ever been, she just wasn't sure what those emotions were. The love she felt, but there was more, all good things, but nothing she could put a name to.