Chapter 81
Doris arrived at the farmhouse and knocked several times, when no one answered she went ahead and let herself in with the key the Spencer-River women have given her for emergencies. When she stepped inside, she paused to take in the sight before her. She knew this was an unfortunate evening for the Spencer-Rivera family, but she couldn't help but take out her phone and the capture the four of them huddled together, all asleep.
After snapping the photo, she gently shook Olivia to wake her without frightening her. "Olivia." She whispered. "Olivia."
Olivia slowly blinked her eyes open, taking a minute to accommodate herself with her surroundings. She slowly moved her upper body away from Natalia and then gently lifted Rafe's arm off her lap and moved it to rest back around his Ma. Once she was standing she motioned Doris to follow her into the kitchen.
"Thanks for coming out Doris, I know the roads are getting bad."
"What the hell happened? When I left everything seemed good."
"I don't know. He asked to talk with Natalia and the next thing I know Rafe is on top of him mutilating his face."
"Well, that hand print sized bruise I noticed on Natalia's arm looks pretty nasty."
"I know. I don't get it. I thought he had moved on from all this craziness you know. Over the summer, after everything, he even talked to me, he encouraged me to go to Rafe's dinner and get back with Natalia. I really thought we had put the past behind us. I thought he was happy for us."
"Well, Frank Cooper is an idiot, but I never thought he would go this far."
"Me either. So, what do we do?"
"I'm not sure at this point. Blake called shortly after you did. They're at the hospital. Frank has a broken nose and his jaw isn't in the best shape either, not to mention the poor shape his balls are in." She said with a small smirk.
"He put his hands on her Doris. I want to strangle that mother fucker. And really, now? Three days before Christmas and nine days before our wedding. I just don't get it."
"Did you have any indication that he might still be thinking he had a chance with her?"
"No, I don't know, maybe. I noticed him looking at her most of the night, and I've seen him looking at her when we're at Company or when we've run into him around town, I just, I don't know, she's beautiful, I can't blame the guy for admiring her, I just really thought he was happy with Blake and over his crazy obsession with her. I mean really, it was one God damn dinner. I just don't understand what the hell he is thinking."
"I don't either, but I can tell you this, he's not going to get away with it. I will not have my chief of police getting away with physically hurting someone."
"So, what are you going to do?"
"First thing, we're gonna have to wake her and take some pictures. And I think a restraining order is a good idea. I'm not sure it's enough to press assault charges though. Unfortunately. There's not much more we can do at this point."
"Can we wait and take the pictures in the morning? She's so tired and she's scared. Frank is her friend and he hurt her. I think she's in a bit of shock too."
"I know, and I'm sorry Olivia, but it's best to take them now. I've seen a lot of bruises in my day and they usually don't look that bad until the following day, they are going to be worse tomorrow and I think it's best if we have pictures of just how hard he must have been holding her for them to bruise so deeply so fast. I want to have him suspended and I need as much ammo as I can get for that. I may also need you and Natalia to give statements about what was happening earlier this year, and I think it would help for Rafe to give a statement about the things Frank was telling him while he was in prison. I'd like him to go for a psych evaluation and I need proof that the man is not in his right frame of mind."
"I'm okay to give a statement about what all occurred when Natalia and I first got together, but I really don't want Rafe to have to. He is doing so well; I don't want anything to send him backwards."
"I understand that Olivia, I really do, but the fact of the matter is that Frank could try and have Rafe sent back to prison. He assaulted an officer while on probation. I am going to do everything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen, but…"
"Hold on a god damn minute. Are you telling me that my son could end up back in prison for defending his mother? That bastard had a hold of Natalia so tight it gave her almost instant purple and black bruises, Rafe saw through his window and took action to get him off her. Now you're telling me Rafe could be in trouble for it."
"I'm sorry Olivia. That's why it's best if we have as much on Frank as possible. If Rafe had merely knocked him to the ground and away from Natalia that would have been one thing, but Oliva, he broke his nose and jaw and then you went and bruised his man hood. The law is going to see that as excessive force on Rafe's part."
"No, Doris, I can't allow that. Rafe was protecting his mother, and he is not going back to prison. It's not an option. Do whatever you have to, but my son is not going back to prison for stopping that asshole from hurting Natalia more then he already had."
"I know Olivia, and I'm going to try my very best, but if you want Rafe to stay in the clear, you may have to make a deal with Frank."
"WHAT?! What kind of deal?"
"I don't know, until I talk with Frank and get his side of the story. I don't really know what's going to happen, but I can guess he will do anything to keep from losing his job and having a stay at Ravenwood."
"So, your saying if he decides to press charges on Rafe we should offer to drop the whole thing, pretend it never happened?"
"Maybe. I think we should take photos tonight and then tomorrow we'll talk with Frank. Find out if he's planning on doing anything. With any luck the man will actually be ashamed of his actions and not try anything. For now, I think we should just wake your fiancé, get some pictures, and then you two should get some sleep. I'll go to the hospital first thing in the morning and see what Frank has to say."
"Yeah okay. I'll go get her."
"No need." Natalia said demurely, walking into the kitchen with Rafe and Ava following. "I'm here."
Olivia stepped closer and took the brunette in her arms. "Hey, how are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. Arm hurts a little. So, what is it you need from me?" She asked looking up at Doris.
"I just need to get some pictures of your arm; we can't do anything more until the morning." Doris answered. Natalia held out her arm and Doris took several pictures from different angles with her cell phone. "That should do it. You all should really get some rest and I'll call you once I've had a chance to talk with Frank."
"No, call me when you're on your way to Cedars and we'll meet you there. And thank you Doris. I really appreciate this." Olivia stated.
"Your welcome. I knew Frank was an ass hat, but this is a whole new level of stupid. We'll go see him first thing in the morning and then we'll decide what to do next."
"Alright. Thanks again."
"Any time Spencer."
"Be careful driving home, you sure you don't wanna stay in the guest room?"
"I'm sure and I will be. I think it's best if I'm in town in the morning. I want to make sure I can get to the hospital and get this handled."
"Okay. Text me and let me know you made it home safe."
"I will." Doris tilted her head at Olivia and softly touched Natalia's arm as she made her way out the door.
Once she was gone, Olivia turned to her family. "Alright guys, I think we all need to get some shut eye. There's nothing more we can do tonight."
"Is it true?" Rafe asked.
"Is what true?"
"Could I really go back to prison?"
Olivia walked to her son sitting in a chair and put her arms around his shoulders form behind. "Yes, it is, but we're not gonna let that happen. I promise. You are not going anywhere."
"How can you promise that?"
"Because I am Olivia Freakin' Spencer and nobody is taking my son away from me. Well, that and I happen to have the mayor in my back pocket. Doris and I will make sure nothing happens to you. Okay?"
Rafe hung his head. "Yeah, okay."
"Come on, let's go to bed." Olivia stood and took his hand and motioned for Natalia and Ava to follow.
The four made their way up to the master bedroom. When they got there, Olivia wordlessly led Rafe to the king size bed and had him lay towards the middle. She slipped in beside him and held him the way she used to hold Emma when she had a nightmare. Ava laid down on the other side of Rafe with her arm across his middle. Natalia walked around to Olivia and kissed her forehead whispering words of love. She then crawled into her side of the bed with Ava rolling over to cuddle against her. No words were spoken. They all knew that there was nothing to be said. They just needed to be there for one another and try to give silent comfort until they knew what was going to happen. They were all worried about both Natalia and Rafe and all infuriated that Frank had caused such an uproar in their lives and there was nothing more they could do at the moment. As the two kids snuggled deeper into their mother's, Natalia and Olivia shared a look before all four of them fell into a restless sleep.
Oliva was startled awake by the sound of her phone ringing beside her. She disentangled herself from Rafe and groggily answered. "Hello."
"Olivia?"
"Yeah, Doris, what's up?"
"I just wanted to let you know I'm on my way to Cedars to talk to Frank."
"Okay, we'll be there shortly, just let me get Natalia awake and get changed."
"Okay. I'll see you soon."
Olivia hung up the phone and ran her hands down her face, wiping the sleep from her eyes. When she looked over, brown orbs were fixed on her. "Hey you." She whispered.
"Hi." Natalia whispered back with a sad smile.
Olivia slipped form the bed and made her way around to Natalia, sitting on the sliver of bed left by her side and running a hand through thick brown tresses. "How are you feeling this morning?"
Natalia shrugged. "My arm hurts. I still can't believe that really happened. I was hoping to wake up and it all just be a bad dream."
"I know sweetheart. Me too. But it's gonna be okay. Doris is on her way to Cedars. We better get dressed and head that way."
Natalia nodded and sat herself up, causing Ava to stir. "Should we wake them?" She asked, looking over her two eldest children sleeping in their bed.
"Yeah. I don't want them to worry. I'm sure they'll want to come with us."
Natalia nodded again and gently shook Ava while Olivia woke Rafe. The four quickly dressed and headed out to Cedars to meet up with the mayor. The managed to arrive just in time to hear in outraged mayor screaming at one Mr. Frank Cooper. There was no need to ask which room he was in.
Doris had stormed into Frank's room making him jump. "What the hell were you thinking Cooper?"'
"I didn't do anything Wolfe. If you hadn't noticed, I'm the one in the hospital."
"Yeah, because of your stupidity. What were you thinking Frank?"
"I didn't hurt her. I was just trying to talk to her. She needs to understand that Olivia is only going to hurt her. I'm trying to protect her."
"Well, the hand sized bruise on her forearm would suggest otherwise."
"What? No. I didn't…"
"Yes you did Frank. Not only did you leave marks on her, that woman is scared to death. She thought you were her friend."
"I am her friend. I was just trying to talk some sense into her. Olivia has her all messed up in the head."
"I thought…."
Just as Doris was going to rebuff his statement, Olivia came busting into the room with Natalia and their two eldest in tow. "You fucking bastard."
"Fuck you Olivia. It's your god damn fault I'm in here."
"My fault, my fault? You're the bastard that laid your hands on my wife!" She screamed at him.
"She's not your wife and if you really cared for her you would just leave her alone."
"Frank stop it!" Natalia shouted. "It's you who doesn't really care about me. Olivia loves me and she would never hurt me."
"That bitch doesn't know what love is. And did you forget how bad she's already hurt you? And I'm not talking about Gus, I'm talking about a few months ago, she wouldn't even talk to you. Natalia I can take care you. I can keep you safe. Can't you see that Olivia is just messing with you. She doesn't want you; she just wants to fuck with your head. It's what she does."
"I'm not going over this again Frank. What happened over the summer is my fault, not hers. And she would never do anything to intentionally hurt me." She pulled up the sleeve on her sweater to showed him the marks he left. "Do you see what you did Frank? You hurt me, and not just physically. I don't even want to be around you." She turned into Olivia so she could hide the tears welling in her eyes.
Olivia wrapped her arms around her and kissed her temple. "Do you get it now Frank. I swear you are such an idiot. We've been through all this with you once already. I thought you understood that Natalia doesn't have romantic feelings for you. I thought you were happy for us."
"How could I ever be happy for you. You are a snake and all you care about is yourself. You don't really care about her. What is all this? You want to marry her so it will hurt that much more when you leave. Some huge scheme to hurt her since you didn't succeed in taking Gus from her."
Olivia's blood ran hot and Doris watched as all traces of the new Olivia vanished and the old Olivia took over. Before Olivia could do anything rash, she stepped between her friend and Frank. "That is enough. Olivia, take your family into the hall please, I need to speak with the chief of police."
Olivia glared at her, but with Ava pulling at her arm, she turned and left the room with Natalia clinging to her other arm.
Once the family was gone, Doris turned back to Frank. "This has got to stop Frank. They've told me what happened at the beginning of the year. You were delusional, thinking Natalia wanted to be with you, asking her to marry you, come on Frank. The woman had one dinner with you, and as I understand it, Olivia is the one that set it all up. You have got to let this go Frank. There has been physical damage done, not to mention the emotional state that woman is in. You have to be able to see that what you're doing is wrong."
"Come on Doris. You know she shouldn't be with Olivia. You know what that woman is like."
"Yes, I know that she if very forgiving, and loving. I know she has an open heart and would give the shirt off her back for those she loves. I also know that she will nail you to the wall if you don't stop this nonsense."
"Oh right, Olivia is changed and you're her new best friend." He said sarcastically.
"Yes she has and yes I am. Now, I'm here to find out exactly what you're planning to do about this."
"Planning to do about what?"
"This Frank. Natalia has bruises the size of your hand and you're in a hospital bed. Natalia and Olivia want a restraining order and I think you need to take a leave of absence, get your head on straight."
"I'm fine. There is nothing wrong with me. And there is no way Natalia wants a restraining order, it's just Olivia manipulating her."
"No Frank. Natalia is downright scared of you. Do have any idea what I walked into when I went back to the farmhouse last night? She was like a scared child with her family gathered around her to keep her safe. Frank, you're not the good guy in this case, you're the villain everyone is frightened by."
"That's not true. Natalia knows I would never hurt her."
"But you did Frank. You saw what you did to her. You have to take ownership of that."
"It's not like I hit her Doris."
"No, what you did is worse in some ways. You kept her captive, and the things you said about Olivia hurt HER more than they did Olivia."
"It's not like I locked her up somewhere, I was holding her arm, I think you're making a bigger deal out of this then it needs to be."
"You are the chief of police and you left marks on a woman Frank. I don't think anyone is making a bigger deal out of this then it is. You have two choices Frank, you can take a leave of absence on your own and see the department psychologist, or I can suspend you until you've been properly evaluated. It's your choice Frank."
"You can't be fucking serious. She has a few bruises on her arm and I'm lying in a hospital bed and I'm the one being punished. What about Olivia? She assaulted an officer of the law, she should be arrested, in fact I'm going to press charges against her. I want that bitch arrested right now."
"Really Frank. You're going to do this? Because I can tell you now, nothing is going to happen to Olivia. You verbally assaulted her and put your hands on her soon to be wife. The way I see it, she was defending herself and her spouse against an out-of-control officer. I don't think she'll even get a slap on the wrist, while you will lose your job and the respect of most of this town. Is that what you want Frank? Cause I'll make it happen."
"You know, maybe I'll just put in a call to the parole board. I think they'd be interested in hearing how Rafe punched the chief of police in a fit of rage."
"Now you listen to me Frank Cooper, you are not going to say a damn thing to Rafe's parole officer. You had this coming to you. That boy watched you refuse to let his mother go and he did what he had to do to make you stop hurting her. Olivia and Rafe stood up for Natalia when YOU were hurting her. You do not want to do this dance with me Cooper, you will not win this. Hasn't that family been through enough? The things you did to them earlier this year…" She shook her head. "If I had known about them before now, I would have taken your badge then. You need to get some help Frank. Natalia doesn't want you; she is going to marry Olivia, you need to get with the program and get over yourself."
"Alright Wolfe, I'll make you a deal, I won't press charges on Olivia or Rafe under two conditions."
"What's that?"
"One, I want this be like it never happened, no suspension, no psychologist, no restraining order."
"And two?'
"I want to talk to Natalia, without her bitch by her side."
"No."
"What do you mean no?"
"I'll talk to Natalia about dropping everything, but I am not going to subject her to being alone with you. She's terrified of you Frank; you can't expect her not to be."
"That is exactly why I need to talk to her. She needs to know that I would never hurt her. It was an accident; I didn't realizing I was gripping her so tight. Come on Wolfe, you know I wouldn't do something like this on purpose."
"I'll speak to them, but if she says no, then it's no. If you want to go down the road of pressing charges, then your career will hang in the balance of the review board."
"Just ask her to talk to me."
"Fine."
Doris spun on her heel and went to speak with Olivia and Natalia. As she stepped into the hall, she found Ava and Natalia sitting together in some chairs while Rafe and Olivia paced in step with each other. She walked over to them and asked them all the take a seat.
"So, what's going on Doris, what's he planning?" Olivia asked.
"Well, he's agreed not to press charges on you or Rafe, if…." She stalled, knowing Olivia was not going to be happy.
"If what Wolfe? Spit it out."
"If we pretend this never happened. No restraining order and no reprimand against him."
"No, he cannot get away with this."
"I understand how you feel Olivia, and if it was just you kneeing him in the balls I wouldn't worry, but Rafe was a little excessive. I'm not saying Frank didn't deserve it, but the law may not see it that way."
Olivia looked to Natalia. "What do you think sweetheart?"
"I just want this to be over and neither you nor Rafe end up in jail."
"Okay honey. Rafe, are you okay with this?"
"No, but I don't wanna go back to prison, and I don't want you to be in trouble so I guess we have to agree." Rafe answered with disgust at Frank's abuse of power.
"There's one more thing." Doris said.
Olivia looked at her with dark angry eyes. "What else could he possibly want?"
"He wants to talk to Natalia. Alone."
"Absolutely not. He is not getting anywhere near her."
"Olivia. It's okay, I'll do it." Natalia said.
"No Natalia. There is no reason for you to talk to him."
"If it will keep you and Rafe safe then I will. He's not gonna hurt me here. There's too many people around."
"No. Not unless I can be with you."
"Olivia, this is the deal." Doris told her.
"Then it's a no and the deal is off. I'll take my chances with the DA."
"Me too." Rafe added. "I don't want Ma anywhere near that ass hole."
"Rafe, language." Natalia scolded. "It's okay, I will be fine. All of you will be right out here. I'll go talk to him and get this over with. Then we can move on as if this never happened. We need to get Emma's room set up, we have things to finish at The Beacon, Sam's flight will be here tomorrow, and we have Christmas dinner to prepare for. Standing here arguing about me talking to Frank is only taking up time we don't have."
"Fine." Olivia relented. "But if he lifts so much as a finger towards you, what Rafe did will look like a paper cut compared to what I'll do to him."
Natalia took Olivia's face in her hands. "I know querida, and I love you for it. Just let me go get this over with. Okay?"
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you too. I'll be right back." Natalia gave Olivia a quick sweet kiss before stepping into Frank's room. "Alright Frank, you have two minutes and not a second more. Say what you have to say so I can get back to my family." She said with more confidence then she felt.
Frank looked at her with what appeared to be remorse in his eyes, but Natalia didn't care about his remorse, he had done too much to her family. "Natalia, I'm…I'm so sorry. I hope you know I would never intentionally hurt you. I was just trying to protect you."
"Protect me from what Frank? Olivia? The woman that has done so much for me and Rafe, been there for us whenever we needed her. Or maybe you were protecting me from having the family I have always wanted. Or is it being happy? What is it Frank? What exactly were you trying to protect me from?"
"No, Natalia, I want you to be happy, I really do. That's all I want for you. I just, I know Olivia isn't who you think she is. She is not going to give you your happiness. I love you Natalia, if you would just give us a chance I know we could be happy."
"Oh really? You who lied to my son and the parole board about me marrying you. You who wouldn't take no for an answer. You who lied to a little girl to try and trick me into being with you. You who left these painful bruises on my arm." She spat at him yanking up the sleeve of her left arm for him to see her forearm. "Let me tell you something Frank. You could never make me happy. I don't have any feelings for you outside of disgust. I love Olivia, I'm going to be with Olivia, and that woman, is so much more then you could ever dream of being. Olivia would do anything to protect me, including walking away from me. She loves me so much that she would walk away from me if she thought it was the only way for me to be happy. Really loving someone Frank, it's about putting their needs first. What you're doing isn't love Frank."
"It is Natalia. I'm doing whatever needs to be done to keep you from ruining your life."
"No Frank, you're only doing what will make you happy. You're not thinking about me at all, and the only thing ruining my life is you. I wish I had never had that dinner with you."
"Natalia, don't say that." His voice rose with his anger.
"I'm done Frank. You stay away from me and my family. I've given you what you wanted, I came and talked to you and we're not going to pursue this any further, but I swear Frank, if you set foot on my property, near my family, or in my hotel, you will wish you'd never met me. You think Olivia is bad, you've never seen me when I feel my family is threatened. I will tear you apart Frank." Without another word she walked out of his room and straight into Olivia's arms. Leaving an opened mouth Frank to stew by himself.
"Are you okay sweetheart?" Olivia asked, stroking her hair, and holding her close.
"I'm fine. Let's get out of here and get on with our day. We have a lot to do and I'm not gonna let Frank Cooper ruin our holiday plans."
"Okay honey. Give me just a second to talk with Doris and then we'll go." Olivia left Natalia with Ava and Rafe and stepped a little down the hall to speak with mayor Wolfe. "Do you really think this will be the end of it?"
"I don't know. I do think we should have Remy take all of your statements. What Ava and Rafe saw from Rafe's apartment before they ran outside and your and Natalia's versions of what happened. I think it would be good for Blake to give a statement too. Also, what happened earlier in the year and him talking to Rafe at the prison, lying to the parole board about him and Natalia getting married. I'll keep them in my office with the photos in case Frank decides to be stupid. I don't think he will, his record isn't exactly spotless and I think he's smart enough to know that this could end his career, but we should do what we can to be prepared should he decide to be and idiot."
"I agree. Can we do the statements at The Beacon? I don't want to have to drag my family to the police station."
"I understand, but I think it would be wise to do this by the book. We'll do it as discretely as possible, but I think it's best to do it at the station where it can be recorded as well. I'll take the tapes to my office with everything else and they will never see the light of day unless Frank pursues this."
"Alright. Can you give us some time? You need to go get Ashley and we really do have some things to take care of at The Beacon. I think Natalia wants to stay busy so she doesn't have to think about it."
"Alright. How about I go get Ashley and then we can all meet up for lunch before going to the station?"
"That sounds good. Thanks for everything."
"Your welcome Olivia. This isn't over yet. I'm gonna find a way to get him off the force, or at least demoted. A man like that shouldn't be the chief of police. You know I was always routing for you two."
"I know. I appreciate you Doris. I really do."
"Alright. I'll see you guys shortly." She gave Olivia a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek before making her departure.
Olivia made her way back over to her family. Pulling Natalia to her and kissing her soundly. This kiss was to ease the pain Frank had inflected. It was I'm here and I'll protect you. It was we'll get through this and everything is going to be okay.