Chapter 69
When Olivia woke on Sunday morning, it was to the smell of bacon and coffee. Rolling over, she glanced at the clock and was confused. It was only 8:15a.m. There was no way Natalia was home from church yet. Sleepily, she got out of bed and tossed on a robe and made her way downstairs. As she reached the kitchen doorway, she stopped short. There were her daughters, standing in the kitchen making breakfast. Emma was covered in pancake batter and Ava wasn't much better. Emma was standing on a chair in front of the stove helping Ava flip pancakes, Olivia could smell bacon, but didn't see any. Deciding she had watched long enough; she entered the kitchen.
"Morning my beautiful daughters."
Both girls turned and spoke in unison. "Morning mom."
Olivia kissed Emma's head and then Ava's cheek. "And what are you two making this morning? Besides a mess."
Both girls giggled as Ava handed her mom a cup of coffee. "Pancakes and Bacon."
"Mmm, bacon. Where is this yummy bacon I smell?"
"In the oven. A friend of mine in San Francisco taught me to make it that way. It's less messy and you don't have to worry about getting popped by grease. Four-hundred degrees for fifteen to twenty minutes will give you perfect bacon every time."
"Well, you know me, never met a piece of bacon I didn't like."
"Yes I know. I'm under strict orders, two pieces only."
"But Aaavvvvaaa." Olivia whined.
"Sorry mom, Natalia scares me more than you do."
"Yeah mommy, when Natalia gets mad it's scary." Emma added.
"And I'm not?" Olivia asked. Raising a hand to her chest in mock shock.
Emma snickered. "Mommy you're mad more than Natalia. I'm used to it."
"Oh, you're used to it cause I'm mad all the time. Come 'ere, I'll show you mad." Olivia grabbed Emma into her lap and tickled her until she was begging her to stop.
"Stop mommy, stop." Emma yelled giggling.
Olivia stopped tickling Emma and slid her off her lap. "So, what's the occasion?"
"Nothing. We need breakfast. Rafe or I made breakfast every morning while you two were gone. Then whoever didn't make breakfast made dinner." Ava answered.
"Sometimes we all cooked together. It was so much fun mommy. I like having Ava and Rafe babysit."
"You do? Well good. I like having them here with you too. So, Ava, when's your flight home? I can't tell you how much we appreciate you staying here so we could go to Chicago."
"Oh, it's no problem mom. I had a lot of fun playing house with my little brother and sister."
"You and Rafe really got close over this week didn't you?"
"Yeah, we all did. The three of us really helped each other this past week. I think it was something we all needed."
"I'm so glad honey. Rafe has been making a lot of changes in his life and doing so much better, but I still think he was having a little trouble with me and Natalia. I'm so glad you were able to help him."
"Yeah. I mean, he's like, my little brother, so, of course I helped him. And he helped me too. It was a really good week."
Ava set the pancakes on the table and pulled the bacon from the oven. Placing it on a paper towel covered plate and blotting the top to remove some of the grease.
"This smells delicious. Thanks girls."
"You're welcome mom." The two girls said together.
All three sat down and made plates. "We can eat now. Natalia and Rafe ate before church." Ava proclaimed smiling at her mom. "Natalia asked me to tell you that they would be home a little late. Something about needing to speak to Father Ray. She said she would pick up lunch for us."
"Hmm. I wonder what she needed to talk to him about."
"I don't know, she didn't say."
"I know." Emma piped up.
"You do, do you? Wanna fill your old mom in?"
"Nope." Emma replied with a cheeky smile.
"And why not?"
"Cause, Ma said she would talk to us all about it when she got home. I'm not 'opposed to say."
"Well, I say you can."
"Nope. Ma said no."
"Oh, Ma said no huh. Well fine." Olivia pouted. "So, Ava, you never answered, when are you heading back?"
Ava swallowed the bite in her mouth. She wanted to talk to her mom and Natalia together. They were a family now. So, she went Emma's route. "Um, I can't tell you right now."
"Why?" Olivia asked with a quizzical expression.
"Um, cause Ma's not home." Ava answered. Sounding very much like her little sister. Hoping using the term 'Ma' would help her case.
"Okay now, what is this crap? How come no one can tell me anything without Natalia, I'm sorry, I mean Ma? I'm still your mother you know?"
"I'm sorry. I want to tell you mom. It's just, well, we're a family now, and I want to talk to you and Natalia together."
"Oh, it's fine. I'm just giving the two of you crap." Olivia reassured her eldest. "So, what's the plan today? Can you two tell me that at least?"
"Ma's bringing home lunch, then we are gonna play board games together." Emma answered, bouncing up and down in her seat.
"Okay, that sounds like a good plan. What are we gonna do until Natalia and Rafe get home?"
"Well, Emma and I are gonna clean up after breakfast, and then I thought maybe the three of us could watch a movie on the couch. It should work out pretty good to finish the movie before Rafe and Natalia get home."
"Okay. We can do that, with one small change. I'll clean up this mess, you two can go wash up, change, and pick out the movie. Sound good?"
"Yay! No dishes." Emma exclaimed.
"I second that." Ava added.
"Alright then. You two go on." Olivia kissed both their cheeks and shooed them from the kitchen.
Natalia and Rafe came in the door with bags from Tower's. The sight before them almost brought happy tears to Natalia's eyes. Olivia was on one end of the couch with Ava on the other. Emma stretched out between the two with her head on Olivia's lap and her feet on Ava's. Natalia's heart overflowed with happiness at the sight of all three of her girls cuddled up together.
Olivia noticed her and smiled before Emma jumped from the couch and wrapped her arms around Natalia's waist before jumping into Rafe's arms.
"Hey munchkin. Did you have a good morning with your mom and Ava?"
"It was great. We ate breakfast and then watched a movie while we waited for you guys to get home."
"That sounds like fun."
Ava stretched and rose from the couch. "Hey little brother. How was church?"
"Good. I'll tell you about it later. You should have been there. Ma was great."
"What are you talking about? What did your Ma do?" Olivia asked. Looking at Rafe and then Natalia.
"Um, let's have lunch, we can talk about it while we eat." Natalia said, as a way of delaying the conversation. She and Rafe had been talking about this for several weeks, but she hadn't brought it up to Olivia yet.
The family all moved to the kitchen. Rafe and Ava playfully hitting each other on the way. Oliva smiled at her eldest children. "Now, now you two. Do I need to put you in separate corners?" she joked.
Everyone laughed as they took their seats and Natalia handed everyone their lunch. Olivia scoffed when she was handed a grilled chicken salad. "Hey, what's with the rabbit food?"
Natalia kissed her lips. "You got bacon for breakfast. Think of that as your early reward for eating a healthy lunch." She kissed her again before taking her place beside her.
"Fine. Olivia huffed. "I guess I can handle that. So, what's this you talked to Father Ray about?"
"Prayer first, then we'll talk. Rafe and I have made a decision." The five joined hands and bowed their heads as Emma said a brief prayer before they all dug into their lunch. "So, Rafe and I stayed after service today so we could talk to Father Ray. We've decided to change churches." Natalia stated like it was an everyday occurrence.
"What?" Olivia all but shouted. "No, Natalia, you love the church."
"No, I love God, and I love the community that my church offers. That is not the case so much anymore. I want to go to a church that accepts my family and Rafe and I think we found one."
"What are you talking about Natalia? And why am I just now hearing about this?"
"There is a very nice Episcopal church that Rafe and I have visited a few times. They are very accepting of our family and I would prefer to be somewhere that I don't feel judged. I shouldn't feel like I'm a bad person at my own church." Olivia started to speak but Natalia silenced her with the rise of her hand. "And I'm just now talking to you because Rafe and I had to make this decision. We have always been a part of the catholic church; it was up to us to leave that and try somewhere new."
"I agree. However, I wish you would have discussed this with me first."
"I know, but I needed to make sure this was something I was willing to do. Like you said, I love my church, or I used to. Now, I want to try a new church, one that won't look down on me and my family. Emma wants to start going again like she used to and I knew you wouldn't allow it with the way Father Ray and several members of the congregation have been treating us. I thought if Rafe and I found a church that was more open, then maybe you would think about allowing Emma to join us again."
"I don't know Natalia. You know how I feel about religion."
"Please mommy. I like going with Ma to church. It's fun." Emma begged.
"We'll talk about it Jellybean."
"Maybe you could come with us next week. See what you think. It's very different from the catholic church. I think you might like it." Natalia offered.
"Natalia…"
"I know, I know you have problems with religion, but I promise, this is different then what you grew up in."
"I'll think about it. Okay?"
"That's all I ask." Natalia leaned over and kissed her fiancé smiling against her lips. She knew if Olivia said she would think about it, that usually meant yes, she just wasn't ready to admit it yet. She also knew there were a few things she could do to help Olivia make the decision to join them.
"Alright. Now that, that's done. I believe Ava had something to discuss with us." Olivia said. Turning to face her daughter.
"Um yeah, but uh, I wanted to talk with you and Natalia first, before anyone else." Ava stated.
"I think that's our cue munchkin. Let's go set up some board games in the living room and let the moms and Ava talk." Rafe said. Taking his plate to the sink. He already knew what Ava wanted to talk to them about. He kissed his Ma on the cheek and smiled at Olivia and Ava before walking out.
Emma jumped from her seat and took her plate to the sink. Hugging all three women before joining her brother.
Olivia turned to her eldest. "So, what's going on?"
"Well, I've been thinking for a while now, since dad died, that maybe I should come home."
"Really?" Olivia asked. Unable to keep the joy from her voice.
"Yeah, I mean, I didn't get much time with him and I want to spend as much time with you and Emma as I can, and now that our family is expanding, it's all the more reason for me to be here. Plus, I can help Reva with Collin too."
"Are you serious? You're gonna come home?" Olivia had tears in her eyes. She had missed Ava so much since she moved to San Francisco.
Ava stood up and knelt beside her mom, hugging her tightly. "Yeah mom. I want to be here, with my family. This week with Emma and Rafe has been amazing, it felt like I had a family again. I don't want to lose that."
"I am so happy to hear that Ava. I have missed you so much." Olivia hugged her daughter tighter before releasing her and drying her eyes.
"That's wonderful Ava. We would love for you to come home." Natalia added. Standing to hug the young woman.
"Um, there's a couple of other things." Ava said hesitantly.
"What else?" Natalia asked.
"Well, um, I was hoping I could come back and work at The Beacon, maybe get a room there until I can find an apartment."
"Of course, you can Ava." Olivia answered. "And you can get a room at The Beacon if you want, or, you could stay here with us until you find a place. Only if you want, but we would love you to be here."
"Yes Ava, this is your home too. If you want it to be." Natalia added.
"Really? I could stay here until I find a place?"
"Of course. You are our daughter. This is just as much your home as ours." Natalia stated in her no-nonsense tone.
Ava hugged her again. "Thank you. Thank you so much Natalia."
"No need to thank me, but you're very welcome."
"So, when do you want to make the move?" Olivia interjected.
Ava retook her seat at the table. "Well, when I decided to stay for an extra week, I kind of lost my job. So really, nothings stopping me. I just need to go pack up my apartment and get it all here. I don't have a lot, just some furniture and dishes and things I'll have to put in storage and my clothes."
"Okay. We can use the storage at The Beacon, and we can hire some movers to drive it back for you." Olivia assured her. "I'll handle all of that. You just need to pack up what you need right now, to bring back on the plane. When do you want to go do that?"
"Um, I would like to go this week, or maybe this weekend. I was talking to Rafe about it and he offered to come help me if I can go over the weekend when he's off work. I think him and I could get it done in a day or two. If we flew out Friday when he got off work, we could be back Sunday night so he won't miss any work."
"Why don't you let Natalia and I talk about it this evening and then we will talk to you and Rafe."
"Okay. Cool."
Olivia stood from the table. "I'm so happy you're coming home. I love you baby."
"I love you too mom. Let's go play some games with the other two."
Natalia and Ava both stood from the table and the three walked into the living room. Rafe looked up at his big sister with a huge smile. "What did they say?"
"I'm coming home."
"You're moving back to Springfield?" Emma asked. Leaping into her sisters arms with Rafe joining them in a three-way hug.
"Yup, and not just Springfield. I'm gonna come live here, at the farmhouse for a while."
"Really?" Emma asked with a mile wide smile. "Our whole family is going to live together?"
"That's right Jellybean."
"Yay!"
The five settled in to play some games. All with smiles on at the thought of having their entire family together. Once they finished playing, Natalia went to start diner. Emma went to her room to work on some homework and Ava and Rafe went down to hang out in his apartment.
Olivia joined her love in the kitchen. Wrapping her arms around her from behind and kissing her neck. "I am so happy right now. My baby is coming home."
"I know. I'm glad our family is all gonna be under one roof, and I can't believe how well the kids have all bonded over the past week. You would think they have always been together."
"I know. It's amazing what a difference a week makes." Olivia agreed. Tightening her hold on Natalia.
Natalia turned in her arms, looping her arms around Olivia's neck and locking her hands together. She kissed her long and deep, pouring all of her happiness into the kiss. "I love you so much Olivia. I can't believe how easily our family is coming together."
Olivia kissed her again. "Me either. We had so many problems before, I didn't think it would be this simple."
"I think it's our time honey. We fought for months to have this family, to have our love. We had to fight everyone and everything. I think now we get to just enjoy this."
"I couldn't be happier. I love you Natalia."
"I love you too Olivia."
"So, I wanted to talk to you about Ava."
"Okay. What about?"
"Well first, I think maybe we should all go help her pack. We can ask Emma if she wants to go, it might be boring for her. If not, she can stay with Phillip and Beth. I think if we all go it will be easier for her and Rafe, plus, with Rafe's probation, he isn't supposed to leave the state, if we are both going, his employer and his mother, then maybe we can convince his parole officer to allow it."
"Oh yeah, I didn't even think about that when Ava suggested he go. I just love how much they are enjoying spending time together; I didn't stop to think that Rafe might not be able to go."
"Me either. But I really think we can make it happen. It's a family trip and only for a weekend, with his mom and employer both going."
"I hope we can make it happen. I could tell by the look on his face when we walked into the living room that he really wants to go with Ava and help her. I don't want anything to dampen the good mood surrounding this house right now."
"Me either. Tomorrow we can go talk to his parole officer. He won't even have to know until after we find out. That way he won't have to worry or be upset until we know if he can go or not."
"I think that would be for the best." Natalia spun back to the stove and Olivia kissed her cheek one last time before sitting at the table.
"I also have another idea."
"Oh, what's that?"
"Well, we don't really use the barn for a lot. I was thinking we could renovate it. Make the loft into storage with steps and a door outside and turn the bottom into an apartment for Ava. That way she can stay close to home but still have her space. Like Rafe."
"That's a much bigger renovation then the basement."
"It is, but I think it will be worth it. You've said a million times that we need to have better organization out there for storage. We can do that and give Ava a space of her own. I know you're worried about the cost, but you need to stop worrying so much about that. I know it's hard for you, and I don't want another fight like we had when we did the master bedroom and basement. I just want to keep our family close."
Natalia walked to Olivia and sat herself on her lap. Wrapping her arms around Olivia's neck. "Okay. We can do this. If Ava wants to. We have to talk to her first. I don't want her to feel pressured to stay here. Okay?"
"Of course. It's completely up to Ava."
"Good." Natalia smiled and pressed their lips together. Olivia ran her tongue along Natalia's bottom lip, asking for entrance. Natalia complied and opened her mouth to Olivia. The kiss deepened as hands made their way into hair. This kiss was charged with electricity. The two overjoyed at the prospect of having all of their children home, right where they belong.