A/N: Sor sorry this took two weeks to get up. A lot going on with another promotion at work, training to be foster parents, rearranging the house to make room for a foster child, my wife's new position at her job, and the holiday's. I will try to get back on track with weekly updates but no promises.
Chapter 82
After meeting Doris and Ashley for lunch and giving Remy their statements starting with the events that occurred back in January when they first got together and ending with last night's horror, the Spencer-Rivera family was back at the farmhouse. They arrived just in time to meet the furniture delivery truck with Emma's new bedroom set and were now in her room working to empty it of the old stuff so they could start assembling the new items.
"Hey mom, where are we going to put all of this? The barn is in the middle of being turned into my apartment." Ava asked.
"We're gonna store it up in the attic until we can take it to the loft."
"Oh. Okay. I think you should let me and Rafe do that. You can't be lifting all this stuff."
"It's okay Ava. I won't lift anything over twenty-five pounds."
"Emma is just gonna love this. I can't wait to see her face when we show her." Natalia commented.
"Yeah, she's gonna be so excited for a bigger bed and all the purple to go with her big purple dreams." Olivia said. "I can't believe how big she's getting."
"I know. It seems like just yesterday I walked into her seventh birthday party. She's grown so much."
"Our little girl isn't so little anymore, is she?" Olivia said, with tears in her eyes.
Natalia stepped closer to her lover and wrapped her in a hug. "No, she's not. But she'll always be our little girl." She assured, with a kiss to the side of her head. "No tears baby, this is a happy day."
"You're right. Okay, let's get this finished so we can get everything ready for Sam tomorrow."
The four worked quickly to get Emma's room set up perfectly for her. When it was done and all of the old furniture was stored in the attic, the four stood in the doorway and looked at their finished product.
There was a four-post full-size bed with a sheer purple awning over the top and a bright purple comforter with pink polka dots with several different shaped throw pillows in pink and purple. The bed itself, nightstand, desk, and dresser were white with dark purple trim. On the walls were bulletin boards painted purple and pink with pictures of Emma with her friends and family as well as a few kitty posters. There was a dark purple shag area rug and Olivia had her toy chest painted to match the rest of the furniture and a cushion attached to the top in material to match her bed spread so that as she grew it would become a hope chest.
Everyone looked at each other with huge smiles. "She is going to love this mom. You and Ma did a good job picking this out." Rafe said.
"Yes we did." Natalia replied. "Okay, how about I go start on dinner and you three can get the guest room all set up for Sam."
"There's not too much to do in there, just need to change the sheets. Why don't I help you with dinner and these two chuckle heads can make the bed? After dinner we can have hot coco and a movie." Olivia suggested.
"Yeah, that sounds good. Come on Rafe, lets finish this up so we can finally relax." Ava said with a small laugh.
The family had a nice dinner together and sat down to watch The Hangover. All of them feeling the need for a good laugh after the previous night and the stressful morning. Rafe and Ava stretched out on some blankets on the floor while Olivia and Natalia cuddled up on the couch. Natalia laying in front of Olivia with Olivia's arms wrapped around her.
Olivia nuzzled against Natalia's neck with her nose and whispered into her ear. "Are you really okay baby?"
Natalia turned so she was facing Olivia. The two were face to face, their noses almost touching. She kissed the tip of Olivia's nose and then softly whispered back. "I'm okay honey. Really. Stop worrying."
Olivia gave her a chaste kiss. "I'm always gonna worry about you." She murmured against her lips. "I just want to make sure you're really alright. I know Frank was your friend."
"Yes, I thought he was, but I can see now that he isn't. A friend wouldn't treat me that way. I should have never trusted him after the first time he acted like this. I just, I don't like to give up on people. I really thought he was good with us. I will pray for him. That he finds a way to make peace with us being together, and that he finds his own happiness."
Olivia hugged her tighter, kissing the top of her head. "You are such a good woman. I don't know how I got so lucky to have you."
"I'm the lucky one." They lay there in each other's arms, not paying the movie any attention, just leisurely running their hands along one another and exchanging soft kisses while they basked in the sounds of their children's laughter after such a hard couple of days.
The following day, after breakfast, the four headed to the small Springfield airport to pick up Sam. Olivia was vibrating with excitement. As soon as they parked the car, Olivia jumped out and all but ran into the airport, dragging Natalia with her. Once they reached the gate, Ava, Rafe and Natalia stood to the side while Olivia bounced up and down on her feet waiting to get a glimpse of her baby brother.
Sam appeared and as soon as he spotted his big sister he sprinted through the gate, enveloping her in a bear hug. "Livvie." "Sammie." The siblings shouted in unison. Sam lifted Olivia from the ground and spun her around before setting her back on her feet. And taking a step back. "You look good Liv."
"I feel good. You look so handsome. So much like daddy."
Ava stepped forward and hugged her uncle. "Hi uncle Sam. It's good to see you."
"It's good to see you too. You here for the holidays?"
"No actually, I moved home a few months ago. I wanted to be closer to mom and Em."
"That's so good. I'm glad you found your way back home. Speaking of the little squirt, where is she?"
"She's with Phillip until tomorrow morning. We thought we'd surprise her with you." Olivia answered. "She doesn't think you're coming in until the wedding." Natalia stepped forward and wrapped an arm around Olivia's waist. "Oh, I'm sorry honey. Sam this is Natalia. Natalia this is my baby brother Sam."
Natalia extended a hand to him which he took and used to pull her into a hug. "If you're going to marry Livvie then a handshake just won't do. It's nice to finally meet the woman that stole my sister's heart." He said, pulling out of the hug.
"It's nice to meet you too." She stepped back and next to Rafe. "And this is my son Rafe."
When Rafe extended a hand, Sam took it and gave him a firm shake. "Men don't hug right?"
Rafe chuckled and gave a one-armed man hug to his new uncle. "Family does." He countered with a smile.
"Alright." Olivia said clapping her hands together. "Let's get your bags and get us home shell we."
Olivia and Sam walked ahead of the others. Sam with his arm draped over her shoulders. "You said she was pretty but damn sis, that woman is fucking gorgeous. How in the world did you end up with that?"
"You know, I ask myself that every day. She is beautiful inside and out, I don't know how I got so lucky, but I thank whatever brought her to me, Every. Single. Day."
After loading up Sam's bags, Natalia placed a takeout order at Tower's, they picked it up and headed to the farmhouse. As they pulled up, a familiar truck was parked in the driveway. Olivia shared a look with Natalia and then stepped out into the cold. She approached the running truck and opened the passenger side door, taking a seat next to the man seated inside.
He rose his head and gave a sad smile. "I'm so sorry Olivia. I would have never dreamed Frank would do something like that."
"Buzz, come on, don't beat yourself up, it wasn't your fault."
"He's my son Olivia. My son hurt someone who didn't deserve it, not just someone, but a kind and gentle woman. A woman Olivia."
"Hey, Buzz, stop. Look, I'm not saying what he did was right, in fact, I want to rip his head off, but it could have been so much worse. Natalia's okay, Rafe's okay, we're all okay. And nobody blames you. Come on inside, have some tea or coffee."
"No, that's alright. I just wanted to come apologize for my son's actions."
"Don't be like that. Come at least say hi to Natalia. She'll be upset if you leave without even saying hello."
Buzz shook his head and looked down at his hands. "Okay, let's go."
The two made their way to the kitchen door and walked into the house. Natalia met them with a huge smile and gave Buzz a big hug before kissing Olivia. "Well, aren't you just a wonderful surprise. Can I get you something to drink? Coffee maybe?"
"How about a shot?" Buzz laughed out.
"I think I've got some good schnapps around here somewhere." Olivia answered. Reaching for the bottle of Gold schlager and a few shot glasses from the top cupboard.
Rafe came down from carrying Sam's bags to his room and walked into the kitchen. Ava stood from her seat at the table and shared a look with Rafe. "Hey, Uncle Sam, wanna come check out Rafe's basement apartment? We can play some games while Buzz talks with the moms."
"Sounds good kid." Sam replied, standing from the table as well. Something told him there was a reason for Buzz's visit and it didn't seem like a happy one.
The three made their way to the basement door and left Buzz, Natalia, and Olivia to talk. As soon as they were out the door, Buzz looked up at Natalia sheepishly. "I'm sorry for what my son did to you Natalia. It was wrong of him to act like that."
"It's okay Buzz. It's not your fault. Frank is an adult who makes his own decisions."
"I know. I just, I think of you as a daughter and the thought of my son hurting you, it just makes me so angry."
Natalia walked around the table and threw her arms around Buzz. "I'm okay Buzz. And we're okay. I don't hold you responsible for the things Frank does. I do hope you understand that we may avoid Company for a while though."
"Oh no. You are welcome in my establishment whenever you like. Just let me know anytime you wanna stop by and I'll have him make himself scarce. This was his wrongdoing, not yours, and you will not alter your life because you him."
"Thank you Buzz. That means a lot to me."
"Yes Buzz, thank you." Olivia added. "I don't think I could live without my weekly Buzz burger." She joked, trying to lighten the mood. Buzz was a good friend to both her and Natalia. She and Buzz had a long history and she didn't want to lose him because of Frank.
"You lovely ladies have nothing to thank me for."
"Alright, enough of this mushy stuff. Let's do shots." Olivia said with a sly grin. She poured three shots and passed them out. She took hers and raised it in the air. "Here's to those who wish us well, and those who don't, can go to hell." The three clinked glasses and all took their shots.
Buzz took one more and bid the ladies goodnight so they could enjoy Christmas Eve with their family. Olivia called down to the three in Rafe's apartment who quickly joined them upstairs. Sam being the first one at the table and pouring himself a shot he downed it and then poured another.
"Did you need a drink there little brother?" Olivia asked with humor in her voice.
"Just trying to catch up big sis." He replied with a wide smile.
Olivia grabbed down another shot glass for Ava and poured herself and her daughter each one, then glanced at Rafe and filled Natalia's glass half full and slid it to him. "Just for tonight son." She said with a wink. Before Natalia could argue against it, Rafe lifted the glass and downed it.
Natalia gave Olivia a glare. "Olivia!" She chastised.
"Oh stop. He's fine. Besides, his hand took a beating for you, he deserves a couple shots."
"Fine. One more and that's it Rafe."
"I got it Ma. Thanks mom." He poured himself a full shot and tipped it back. "So, where did dinner get off to? I'm starving."
Natalia shook her head and brought the bags from Tower's to the table. Once every one had their order, they all said grace before starting in on their meal.
Sam looked up from his plate. "So, is anyone gonna tell me what all that was about?"
"Nothing." Olivia answered quickly.
"Liv, come on, you can't lie to me. I could tell before we even parked the car that something was bothering you. What's going on?" He insisted.
"It's nothing. You know Buzz and I are good friends, and he loves Natalia too."
"Yeah, I know that, but the air up here was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Wanna tell me the truth Livvie?"
"Fine, Frank is an ass and Buzz was just apologizing for his son's behavior. Which was unnecessary since he didn't do anything and Frank's apologies mean squat to me anymore."
"What did he do Liv? Did that ass hole hurt you?"
"No. Clam down Sammie, I'm fine. It wasn't me."
"Then what happened?"
Olivia glanced at Natalia who gave a small nod. "He uh, he did something to Natalia. Nothing major but he did leave some nasty bruises." Olivia answered, taking another shot to help keep her calm.
"Are you serious Livvie. I hope you showed that fucktard that no one messes with the Spencer's."
"Well, I didn't, but Rafe sure as hell did."
"Oh, come on mom, I just messed up his face a little, I'm pretty sure you prevented him from ever having more kids." Said Rafe.
"Yeah mom, I'm pretty sure I head his dick break when your knee made contact." Ava added with a chuckle.
Olivia pulled Natalia onto her lap. "Well, I wanted to do much more than that to him after the way he put his hands on my gal." She proclaimed, landing a quick kiss to Natalia's willing lips.
"Thank you honey." Natalia said softly.
"So, let me see what that pussy did to you. He might need an extra beating for messing with my future sister-in-law. We Spencer's take care of each other."
"Cheers to that." Olivia said tipping back another shot.
Natalia kissed her cheek and paced tiny kisses back to her ear. "Last one honey."
Olivia nodded, knowing she had had enough and Natalia would get upset if she drank too much. "Alright, let's move on. How have you been Sammie? What are you doing now?"
"I'm good. I might be coming stateside for a few months at the end of next month."
"Would you be around here?" Natalia asked.
"No, New York, but it would be easier to come visit. Hey, you two are getting off topic, I want to see these bruises of yours Natalia." Natalia blew out a breath and then rolled up her sleeve and showed Sam the bruises on her forearm that were now a deep purple, blue and black. "Holy shit. Frank did that to you?"
"It's not that bad."
"Not that bad. How long was he holding you? It looks like he was holding you there for days."
"It was only a few minutes, he just kept tightening his grip when I tried to walk away."
"What a fucking bastard. He better hope I don't run into him."
Olivia reached around the woman on her lap and grabbed her brothers hand. "It's okay Sam. Doris will take care of him."
"Doris? Doris Wolfe? Since when are you two on good terms?"
"I know right. Who would have thought? Doris Wolfe and Olivia Spencer, two biggest bitches in Springfield best friends. But she was there for me when I really needed somebody, and I've tried to be there for her as well. Somehow we became friends. Frank was able to get out of any type of punishment for this but Doris is working on getting him demoted from chief of police and possibly off the force entirely. I trust her, she'll figure something out."
"That's good Liv. You need some people in your corner. It's nice to see you so happy. I'm glad you finally found what you've been searching for. And I'm ecstatic that you want me to walk you down the aisle."
"Of course, I do Sammie. You and I, we've been through a lot together, but you've always seen the good in me, even when I couldn't see it myself. I love you for that."
"Awe, Liv, you're getting all sentimental in your old age." He joked. "But I love you too."
"You're an ass you know that?'
"Ah yes, but I learned from the best."
"See. Now that's where you're wrong little brother, I am not an ass, bitch yes, ass, no." The two laughed and Natalia, Ava, and Rafe just shook their heads at the two acting like teenagers.
"You know Sam, sometimes I feel like I have four children instead of three, I can assume with you around I will have five." Natalia commented with a smirk.
"Hey." Olivia said in mock offence.
Natalia gave her a quick peck. "Sorry my love, but it's true. Sometimes I'm pretty sure Emma is the closest thing I have to an adult around here." She laughed at her own joke.
"Hey." Ava, Rafe, and Olivia all said in unison.
"Don't hey me. You three are just lucky I love you all so much." She proclaimed with a smile. "Now, how about we get on with the evening. Hot chocolate and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. Then I know two children who need to get to bed so Santa can come." She teased her eldest two children.
"Ooo yeah, Santa. I can't wait." Ava said with genuine excitement.
"Yup, the jolly guy comes tonight. I'm gonna go straight to sleep so he'll come sooner." Rafe added with an affectionate smile.
"Alright then. To the living room." Olivia said. Lifting Natalia from her lap and standing. The five retired to the living room with drinks and a movie. Sam sitting in the chair with Rafe and Ava in their usual spot on the floor in front of their mother's curled up on the couch.
They all laughed and joked their way through the movie. Giving them all time to forget about the awful things that had occurred with Frank. Once Ava and Rafe went up to bed, Olivia and Natalia brought down all of their presents, and stuffed the stockings. Including one for Sam. They did Emma's as well, leaving her American doll on her bed in her room.
Olivia placed a plate of cookies and milk next to fireplace which Sam volunteered to eat in place of Santa. Making sure to leave a few crumbs and a little milk. They all knew that Ava and Rafe were much too old for this, but it was their first Christmas as a family and they wanted to enjoy it the way it was meant to be enjoyed. Olivia having not been able to do this for Ava as a child and Natalia never being able to give much to Rafe for holidays, they both felt like for just this little while, they could step back in time and give their eldest a Christmas to remember. One they would have given them had then been able to when they were young.
Once everything was laid out for the morning, the two women bid Sam goodnight and headed to their room. Sam lingered in the living room for a bit. Looking around at all of the family photos. He liked to see his sister so happy and content. She had fought for everything she had in life. She was always searching for the missing puzzle piece to complete herself, something she never seemed to find. As Sam looked at the smiling faces in each photo, he knew his sister had found it, she had found her home at long last.
He turned off the main light, leaving only the Christmas tree to light the house and headed to his room. He felt lighter all of the sudden. Like a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Olivia had given up so much to raise him and Marissa, she had sacrificed so much, Ava included. Now she had her family. The women that greeted him today, was far from the sister he had known. She no longer had haunted eyes full of the demons of her past. No, now when he looked in her eyes, he saw a brightness that had never been there before. He saw hope, something he thought his sister had long ago lost. He smiled as he entered the guest room and laid on the bed, listening to the two women talk through the wall. He drifted to sleep to the soothing voices of his sister and her fiancé who already felt like family to him.
Natalia lay wrapped up in Olivia's arms feeling safe and protected. Despite everything, today had been a good day. She rolled onto her back so she could gaze up at the love of her life. "I think today turned out to be pretty great."
"I would have to agree. I'm so happy that Sam is here."
"Me too. I can tell you two are close."
"Yes, we are. After Marissa died, it was just me and Sam. He and I filled that hole in different ways, but we still leaned on each other for support. I hate that he's always gone in far off lands. Half the time I can't even get a hold of him. I just shoot him an email and wait however long for a response."
"I'm sorry honey. I know it must be hard for you to be away from him all the time."
"Yeah, but I have you and the kids now. That makes it easier." They fell into a comfortable silence for a few minutes, both lost in thought. Olivia finally broke it. "I wish Emma was here. This is my first Christmas without her. It was nice to skype with her before she went to bed, but it's not the same."
"I know. I miss her so much. I know she's only been gone a few days, but it feels like forever."
"I can't wait for tomorrow morning. Do you think it's mean if we set the alarm for really early and wake up Rafe and Ava and go get her?"
"I think they may beat us awake my love. I know they were playing it up a bit, but they are both as excited as five-year-old's."
Olivia smiled at that. "Yeah, they are. And to think they have no clue about their big present. I hope Rafe likes what we got him.'
"Honey, it's a truck, he will love it."
"Not that, I mean the other stuff."
"Baby, he will love them because they are from us."
Olivia tightened her hold on her lover and kissed her temple. "I love you so much Natalia."
"I love you too. Merry Christmas Liv."
"Merry Christmas baby." Olivia bent her head and captured full lips in a passionate kiss. What started as a good night kiss, soon became so much more as Olivia moved on top of Natalia. She peppered Natalia's entire body in sweet kisses as she rid her of her clothing. These kisses were for soothing and healing as much as they were for lust and love. Olivia poured all of herself into each soft kiss that was the beginning of gentle love making as the two lost themselves in one another and let the world around them fall away.