Chapter 83
Natalia woke wrapped in the arms of the women she loved. The sun was just starting to shine through the window as she laced her fingers though the ones splayed over her stomach and pressed her body further into the one behind her. A wide smile spread across her face as she heard footsteps approaching their bedroom door. Before she had time to really process, two full grown adult children came bounding into the room and jumped onto the bed.
"Wake up, it's Christmas." Ava shouted. Shaking her mother.
Olivia groaned and buried her face deeper into Natalia's hair. "I thought we would get to sleep in a little without Emma here. Why are their two five-year-old's bouncing on our bed?"
"Come on mom, let's go, I want presents." Rafe all but shouted excitedly.
Natalia giggled at her family as she rolled onto her back. Rafe and Ava both continued to bounce up and down on the end of the bed. "My love, I hate to tell you, but these are not five-year-old's, they are our grown babies acting like five-year-old's."
"Well send them away, they can come back when the sun is actually up." Olivia grunted, but her smile belied her words.
"Not a chance mom. Come on." Ava said, pulling on Olivia's arm like she was a little girl again. "I want to see what Santa brought me." She added with a chuckle.
"Yeah, come on moms." Rafe agreed.
"Yeah sis, come on." Sam stated as he leapt onto the bed with the family.
Natalia shifted until she was sitting while Olivia tried to hide in the pillows. "No." Olivia tried to sound stern but her giggles gave her away.
Natalia looked at her children and soon to be brother-in-law, she gestured towards Olivia wiggling her fingers. In a split second she had rolled Olivia to her back and straddled her hips tickling her sides, before Olivia could utter a word, the other three were assisting in the attack.
"Come on Liv, it's Christmas." Natalia choked out through her laughter. "The kids are ready for presents."
Olivia was gasping for breath, laughing uncontrollably. "Stop, stop, I'll get up, I'll get up." She panted.
All four of the other adults ceased their attack, Olivia took the opportunity to flip Natalia onto her back and tickle her sides while she kissed her lips. After a moment she pulled back and stopped her tickling fingers. "Okay, now we can get up." She hopped from the bed before anyone could say anything, donning her robe and bolting out the door with the other four following behind her.
As they reached the living room, Ava and Rafe went straight for the Christmas tree but were halted by Natalia. "Ah, ah, ah. You two wait. You know your mother needs coffee before she can function and I want to make some breakfast."
Rafe groaned. "Oh, come on Ma. Just one now and then breakfast." He was as excited as a small child. His mother had done her best when he was growing up but he had never had a Christmas like this. There were loads of presents under the tree for him and his sisters and his stocking was stuffed to this brim. He felt like a little kid again and he just wanted to tear into his presents.
Ava on the other hand had a great childhood, her adoptive parents had made every holiday special, but since their death the holidays just seemed like another day in the year to her. For the first time and a long time, Ava felt like it was Christmas again, and to be celebrating with her birth mother was a dream come true for her. She was just as excited as Rafe and barely holding herself together. "Yeah, please Ma. Please." She begged.
"Alright, how about a deal? You let me get some coffee in your mother and then we can do stockings and two presents each, I want to save the rest for after we get Emma. We'll open a couple, eat breakfast, and then go and get your sister." Natalia offered, trying to hide the huge smile tugging at her lips as she thought about what was awaiting her two eldest children at the Spaulding mansion.
"Deal." Rafe and Ava shouted at the same time as they headed to join Olivia and Sam in the kitchen for coffee.
Once the coffee finished brewing, all five poured a cup and went back into the living room. Olivia settled on the couch, Sam sat in the chair, Rafe and Ava sat on the floor anxiously waiting, and Natalia went to the fireplace to pass out stockings. She first handed one to Sam who chose to just hold it for the moment, then she gave Olivia both of theirs before finally handing Rafe and Ava theirs.
Both young adults dumped their stockings out in front of them like small children would. They each had tooth paste and toothbrushes, socks, candy, and several small trinkets. Ava's included a diamond bracelet with matching neckless and earrings, and a white gold ring with five different colored gems, similar to Natalia's engagement ring without the diamond. Rafe's included a gold watch, a nice men's chain and bracelet, and a men's ring identical to Ava's. At the bottom of both stockings was a note from Santa. It simply read…
You're present from me couldn't fit inside,
To get to it you'll need to take a ride.
But before you get her out where it's frosty,
Remember your mommy Olivia must first drink her coffee.
Both Ava and Rafe laughed at the note as they looked up at their grinning mother's. "Really mom, you used Santa as an excuse to finish your coffee before we get our presents." Ava stated with a smile.
"Yes my darling daughter I did. I knew you two would bug me until we left and I need at least two cups of coffee before I go out into the cold."
"Alright. But Ma said we got two presents before we go to get Emma, can we have them now?" Rafe asked hopefully.
"In a minute. Let's let Sam open his stocking first." Olivia answered. "Come on little brother, what did Santa bring you?"
Sam chuckled as he started to pull one item at a time from his stocking. His also included candy, socks, hygiene items like a toothbrush and paste. It also included a few smaller items. A nice pair of apple headphones and an iPod so he could listen to music on all his travels, several flash drives and SD cards for all his pictures, and at the bottom in a box was a key with a note.
Sam,
This is a key to our home, I know you enjoy traveling and seeing the world, but we wanted you to know that should you ever tire of gallivanting around the globe, you always have a home here. I love you little brother, with all of my secondhand heart.
Love always,
Olivia
Sam had tears in his eyes as he stood from the chair, allowing everything to fall from his lap, and walked to his sister, wrapping his arms tightly around her and crying into her shoulder. "Thank you Livvie. I love you."
"I love you too Sammie. And we mean it, our home is your home, whenever you want."
Sam released his sister and turned to embrace Natalia. "Thank you."
Natalia kissed his cheek and then caressed it lovingly. "You are very welcome Sam. I'm so glad you are here."
Ava and Rafe both opened their two promised presents. Both received brand new laptops which Natalia and Olivia thought would be best to open without Emma since she was begging for one and they both thought she was still too young. Rafe also got a PS3 and Ava a new television for her bedroom. As soon as Olivia finished her second cup of coffee and the mess was cleaned up, the family quickly dressed, ate breakfast, and headed to the Spaulding mansion for the littlest Spencer, except for Sam who opted to stay behind to surprise Emma.
The drive took a little longer than usual but it wasn't too bad since Phillip had sent his driver in a four-wheel drive SUV to retrieve the family. As they pulled into the circle drive, both Ava and Rafe wonder what was under the three tarps in the driveway. They assumed Phillip had bought some new vehicles but couldn't help but wonder why they were covered. Olivia assured them that she had no clue. The two shrugged their shoulders and exited the car. Olivia climbed out and held out a hand for Natalia. Before they were even halfway up the stairs, Emma came running out the door and slammed into her mommy.
"Merry Christmas. I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too Jellybean. Did you have a nice week and Christmas morning with your daddy?"
"Yeah, but I missed you and Ma, and Rafe and Ava. I'm ready to go home."
Phillip came strolling out the door with her bag in hand. "She has been asking when you would get here since the moment she woke up."
"Well, we had to let our big babies open a couple things before we could head over. I'm pretty sure they were more excited than Emma."
"Oh, I don't know about that. She and Payton were in our bed before six with James right behind them. Lizzie and Bill were already up and downstairs with the baby so my whole brood was up and opening gifts way earlier than I was ready for."
"Ours weren't much later than that."
All the adults laughed as they walked into the mansion. Rafe saw the SUV they rode over in pull off and quirked a questioning eyebrow but chose to say nothing, assuming Olivia had a plan for the day.
"Would you all like some breakfast or coffee?" Phillip asked as he set Emma's overnight bag by the door.
"We already ate, but I would like a word with you before we head out if that's okay." Olivia responded.
"Of course, let's head into my office. Emma why don't you take your Ma and siblings into the den and show them your presents while me and your mom talk. You can get any you want to take back to your moms and put them in a bag too."
"Okay daddy." Emma agreed and then she and the other three adults headed for the den while Phillip and Olivia went down the hall to Phillip's office.
"Okay, so you have someone driving my Mercedes to the farmhouse?" Olivia asked.
"Yup. And as we speak bows and name tags are being added to the cars out front. Here's the keys and titles, and insurance cards in the glove box of each vehicle."
"Thanks so much for doing this Phillip. I really appreciate all of your help."
"You seem a little nervous Olivia. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just a little worried about how Natalia is going to react. She has expressed that she didn't want me to buy her a car but hers is a piece of scrap."
"She's gonna love it."
"Here's hoping." The two exited the office and went in search of the others. "Hey, gang, you ready to head home?"
"Yes." Was heard by all four of her family members at once.
The Spencer-Rivera family bundled back up and headed outside, Emma making sure to give her daddy an extra big hug. Phillip followed them out with Emma's usual backpack and the bag of gifts she wanted to take home with her.
As they stepped outside, Rafe and Ava's jaws both dropped as they saw the big red bows and huge name tags on the tarps they had seen when they drove up. Natalia on the other hand sent a sideways glare at Olivia. Olivia gave a small smile and took Natalia's hand.
"Come on you three, looks like Santa dropped your presents here." Olivia proclaimed, pulling Natalia towards the one with her name on it.
Three of Phillip's staff members were by each car to help with the tarps. Rafe ran to his and enthusiastically pulled on the tarp revealing his truck. His hands shot to his head and he jumped up and down. "Are you serious, this is for me?" He asked, looking at his mother's. Running to wrap his arms around both of them.
When he pulled back, Olivia held out the keys. "Merry Christmas son." She answered with a huge grin. Rafe grabbed the keys and ran to the driver's side of the truck, unlocking it and hopping in to check it out.
While Rafe did that, Ava was next to open her gift. Her mouth fell open and she slowly turned to the moms. "How did you know I wanted an SUV? I haven't even talked about a car."
"We could tell how much you liked the one you've been borrowing so we decided to get you one of your own. It's got four-wheel drive just like the one at The Beacon." Olivia replied, handing her daughter the keys who hugged them both and ran to inspect her new vehicle.
Olivia turned to Natalia who was smiling at her children. Happy to see them both so thrilled. "So, honey, you ready to see what's under curtain number three?"
"No." She pouted. "Olivia, I told you not to buy me a car."
"I know, but will you please just look at it."
"Fine, but that doesn't mean I'm keeping it." She huffed.
As the tarp was pulled from her SUV, Natalia couldn't help but smile. It was beautiful. The perfect color and just the right size. Olivia wrapped her arms around her fiancé from behind and rested her chin on her shoulder. "Do you like it?"
"No." Natalia stated, but the smile pulling on her lips told a different story.
"Yes you do. You want to go jump inside and check it out just like the kids. Admit it."
"Maybe."
Olivia opened her closed fist to reveal the keys to Natalia. "Here. Go see if you can live with it."
"I'll look, but I'm still mad at you."
"I know."
Emma grabbed Natalia's hand and started pulling her towards the vehicle. "Come on Ma, I wanna see the inside."
Natalia couldn't refuse Emma's smile, so she slowly walked to the driver side and unlocked the Equinox. As she sat inside she couldn't stop the wide, full dimpled, smile that graced her face. Olivia stood on the outside watching all three of them play with their new cars. Rafe was messing with the radio in his truck while Ava lifted the center counsel and inspected every inch of her new car. Getting herself familiar with it. Finally, Rafe ran over to Olivia.
"Mom, can I drive my truck home?"
"Of course, you can. Why don't you and Ava head that way. We'll be right behind you. Emma, do you want to ride with Ava or Rafe?"
"Hmm, um Ava, I'll ride with Rafe later." The young girl answered with a smile as she ran over to her sister's SUV and hopped into the back seat.
"Ava, drive careful please." Olivia shouted as Ava was starting the engine.
"I will mom. See you guys in a few."
Natalia had exited her car and was standing next to Olivia as they watched their children drive towards home with huge smiles plastered on their faces. "You really made their Christmas with those."
Olivia stepped closer and took Natalia's hand. "We made their Christmas. And what about you? Are you really mad?"
"Yes, and no. I love it Olivia, I really do, but I told you I didn't want a new car. How much did you spend on this thing anyways?"
"We can go over all of that at the house. Come on, I know you want to drive it."
"Fine, but we are not done with this conversation and I still didn't say I was keeping it."
Olivia opened the back for Phillip to put Emma's bags in and then the two bid her ex-husband goodbye before getting into the vehicle themselves. Natalia sighed in contentment when she turned the key and it started on the first try. She had never owned a vehicle that didn't take several tries to start. As upset as she was with Olivia for going against her wishes, she was also excited to take it for a spin and to have something brand new for the first time ever. She knew she was going to keep it, and thank Olivia properly for it, but not before she gave Olivia a very hard time about it.
Once they arrived at the house, Natalia looked over at Olivia. "Hey, who's here?"
"No one's here."
"Then who's car is that?"
"Oh, that would be my Christmas present from Santa. I thought since everyone else was getting a new car, I would go ahead and get one too." She smiled.
"I know you said you were wanting one, and I was supposed to get the Altima, not a brand-new car Olivia."
"I know sweetheart. Can we please table this discussion for now? I promise we can have it out later. I'll even let you scream and yell at me without yelling back." She said with a wink.
"Fine, but I'm serious Olivia, I'm not happy with you."
"I know." Was all Olivia said as she kissed her love and exited the car. She walked towards her children who were all standing around her new Mercedes. "What do you guys think?"
"This car is awesome mom. Is it yours?" Rafe asked.
"Yup. I've been wanting to upgrade for a while, I figured why not do it now when everyone else was getting one."
"Is Ma really mad that you got her a new car?"
"A little. But I saw her smiling at Phillips and the whole way here I could tell she was loving it, especially the four-wheel drive. She'll get over it. She's just upset that I didn't listen to her, but I figure, she can't stay mad for too long. We are getting married in six days."
"That's true. I hope you're right and she secretly loves it. Ma deserves a nice car."
"Yes she does. Alright, come on, let's go inside I hear there are more presents inside and a special surprise for a certain little girl." She said, turning to look at Emma.
"Me? What mommy, what is it?" She asked, jumping up and down in the snow.
"I don't know, I guess we'll have to go in and find out."
Natalia had made her way over to them with Emma's bags and the five walked up the path to the house kicking the snow off their boots before stepping inside and taking off their winter gear.
Olivia clapped her hands once everyone was inside with coats, hats, gloves, and boots removed. "Alright gang let's go into the living room. Emma, why don't you take your bags up to your room and when you come back down we'll open presents."
"Okay mommy." Emma grabbed her backpack and present bag from Natalia and then ran off to her room with the family quietly following a little behind her. They heard a squeal of excitement as she opened the door to her new room. "Is this really my room, it's so perfect." She exclaimed.
"Yup, it's all yours Jellybean." Olivia answered.
Emma ran and jumped on her bed. "This is so cool. Thank you mommy and Ma. Thank you, thank, you thank you." She chanted. Leaping off the bed to wrap them each in the biggest hug her small arms could muster. "This is just what I wanted."
"Don't thank us, thank Santa." Olivia replied with a smile as she kissed her daughters head.
Natalia sat on the edge of the bed and watched with a huge smile as Emma darted around the room looking at everything. Finally, her eyes landed back on the bed where her American doll, designed to look just like her, was sitting.
"Is that an American doll?"
"Sure, is Jellybean." Natalia answered handing the doll to Emma.
Emma took the doll and hugged it to her chest. "This is the bestest Christmas ever. I got the room I always wanted, a new doll, and my whole family is here.
At those words Sam darted from the closet where he was hiding and scooped Emma into his arms kissing her head. "What, am I not part of your family little one?"
"Uncle Sammie." She squealed. "Of course, you are, I just meant that Rafe and Ava were both here."
"I know what you meant squirt. I was just giving you a hard time."
"I'm so happy that you're here too. Now it really is a family Christmas. I had all my daddies family this morning and now all of you."
Olivia smiled at the joy having her entire family to celebrate with brought her youngest daughter. "Who's ready for more presents?"
"Me." "Me." "Me." Rafe, Ava, and Emma all shouted while raising their hands.
Olivia laughed. "Alright then, let's go down and tear some open."
The kids all sat in a circle on the floor with Olivia and Natalia handing them their gifts. Emma unwrapping board games, doll accessories, a ring to match Ava's, and a Nintendo DS with several games. Rafe was jumping around like a twelve-year-old boy with his PS3 and XBOX 360 games and head phones. Ava was thrilled, she receive several gift cards. Including one for the spa Olivia and Natalia had gone to and for several different furnishing stores for her new apartment when it was complete. She and Rafe also got seat covers and steering wheel covers for their cars.
Natalia had gotten Olivia a Keurig coffee machine, which she loved, and a mom's heart pendant neckless, but her favorite gift was the photo frames full of her family's pictures she had gotten her for her office. Knowing that the little things meant more to Natalia then expensive gifts, not to mention the Equinox sitting in the driveway, Olivia gave Natalia the matching earrings, bracelet, and neckless to her engagement ring, but what meant most was the coupon booklet filled with things for them to do together or with the kids. It included another day trip to the spa for the two of them, a massage and facial for just Natalia, taking the kids to dinner and a movie, a day with the family doing anything Natalia wanted, as well as several reserved for Olivia and Natalia only, in their bedroom, plus a few household chore ones. Natalia could cash them in at any time and Olivia had to agree and do it. Olivia knew it would mean a lot to Natalia. She always worried about Olivia's heart and her working too hard or getting to stressed, now she could pull out a coupon and make Olivia quit whatever she was doing and comply.
Once all the gifts were opened from Sam, Ava, and Rafe, it was finally time to clean up. Olivia, Sam, and the kids worked on that while Natalia started lunch and prepped a few things for dinner. After cleaning up and eating, the kids asked Olivia and Natalia to sit on the couch.
"Mom, Ma, we have one final gift for you guys." Ava started.
"It's from all of us." Emma added.
"And we really hope you like it and say yes." Rafe said with a smile.
Ava pulled a box from behind her back and presented it to their mothers. The kids stood anxiously, shifting from one foot to the other as the box was opened. Olivia tore off the paper and Natalia opened the lid. Both women gasped when they saw what was inside. Olivia lifted the contents and thumbed through it.
Natalia looked up at her children with tears in her eyes. Olivia just starred at the papers on her lap with her mouth gapping open. "Is this…is t-this for r-real." She stuttered through her own tears.
All of the kids nodded and bent to hug their mothers.
"You all want to change you names?" Natalia askes. "Rafe? Ava? Emma?"
"Yeah Ma. We figured we could file these after the wedding when you guys file yours. We had Mel draw them up and Phillip already agreed and signed Emma's where he needed to. He even said he was surprised you didn't do it after Emma's adoption." Rafe finally answered.
Olivia was still in shock starring down at the papers. "Ava Peralta Spencer-Rivera, Rafael Spencer-Rivera, Emma Spaulding Spencer-Rivera. I can't believe this, Rafe, Ava, you're sure you wanna be Spencer's?"
"Spencer-Rivera's mom, and yes. My adoptive parents were wonderful and I am keeping Peralta, but I am part of this family, the Spencer-Rivera family, and I want the name to match." Ava said, hugging her mother again.
Olivia cried a few tears into her shoulder before releasing her. "I love you my darling daughter."
"I love you too mom, and Ma."
"And Rafe? You sure about this, you don't want to be an Aitoro?"
"Naw. Mom listen, I love Gus, he was my father, but I didn't really even know him. You are my second parent and I want to have my family's name." He hugged her tight and kissed her cheek.
"I love you so much Rafe."
"I love you too mom."
"And Emma? You want this?"
"Of course, silly. Now I have both of my mommies and my daddies name."
"That you do Jellybean. C'mere."
Emma complied and leapt into her mother's lap letting Olivia squeeze her tight. Natalia was still sobbing when she wrapped her arms around her lover and her youngest daughter smiling like a fool and kissing Emma's head.
"You three have made me the happiest Ma in the world. I love you all so much." Natalia proclaimed.
"And what am I? chopped liver?" Olivia asked in mock outrage.
"I'm still mad at you my love." At Olivia's pout Natalia leaned in and gave her a quick peck. "But I still love you."
"You better woman, I just bought you a car." Olivia tried to joke.
"Uh sis, isn't that what you're in trouble for? Maybe you shouldn't mention it." Sam said, laughing at his sister.
"Shut up Sammie." She countered.
Natalia gave her a playful swat on the arm. "Listen to your brother."
"Ow." Olivia whined. "Fine, I'll shut my mouth."
Soon Rafe retired to his apartment to partake in some of his games while Emma went to enjoy her room and play with her new doll. Sam, Ava, Natalia, and Olivia all went to the kitchen to start working on dinner and chat.
After dinner, where they were joined by Doris, Jamanda, and Ashley, the kids and Sam all retired to the own rooms while Natalia and Olivia bundled up to sit on the porch with a cup of hot chocolate.
Olivia and Natalia snuggled up close on the bench and looked out over the lawn. Olivia had her arm around Natalia's shoulder's with Natalia's head against her chest. "Are you really mad at me baby?" Olivia asked quietly.
"Yes, and no. I'm angry that you didn't listen to me, and I'm angry that you spent so much money on a brand-new car, but I do love it. I couldn't have picked something better myself. But, Olivia, we are about to be married, we are partners, you can't just make decisions like that without consulting me, and if I say no to something like this, you can't go and do it anyways. It's not fair to me Olivia."
"I know. I'm sorry sweetheart. I just, I really wanted you to have a nice vehicle. One that's dependable."
"And you couldn't have gotten me a used vehicle like this the kids?"
"I could have, but I wanted you to have something brand new. Something you get to drive before anyone else." She pulled two folded papers from her pocket, handing one to Natalia. "Here, look at this."
Natalia looked down at the paper and the first thing she noticed was the price. Her mouth dropped open and she sat straight up, turning to face Olivia. "$62,000. Are you insane?"
"Babe, calm down, look at what it's for."
Natalia further inspected the page and realized that it was for Olivia's Mercedes. She calmed slightly but was still flabbergasted at Olivia spending that amount of money on a car. "I'm glad you got yourself the car you wanted. I still think that's a crazy amount to spend on a car, but if you like it, then it's money well spent."
"That's how I feel about you." She leaned forward and gave her a sweet kiss. "Now here, this is what we spent on your car."
Natalia read over the paper, happy for the safety ratings. "$30,000, that's still a lot of money Olivia."
"Yes, but, you have a safe reliable car so I don't have to worry so much. And I didn't go overboard like I did with mine. With my trade in and the fact I was paying cash they took $9,000 of the asking so I only paid $21,000."
"That's still a lot but I guess compared to yours it's not too bad." The Latina conceded.
"So, you really like it."
"Yes, yes I really like it. Thank you my love."
"You're most welcome. So, you still mad at me?"
"I guess not." She pouted, giving Olivia another kiss before resituating herself back against Olivia.
The two sat and looked out over their property and up at the stars for a few more minutes before returning to the warmth of their house. They rinsed their glasses and headed to bed, stopping to check that Emma was asleep on the way. When they opened the door, they could see their little girl sprawled out across the center of her new bed. They both chuckled a little before walking in to kiss her forehead and turn off her lamp.
The two settled in bed with their arms wrapped snuggly around one another. "Merry Christmas Natalia." Olivia whispered, kissing her temple.
"Merry Christmas querida. This was the best one yet."
"Yes it was. I can't believe the kids want to change their names; I mean Rafe wants my last name."
"He loves you honey, and I'm just as shocked. I mean, I get Emma, but Ava, I'm still in shock I think, but I am so, so happy."
"Me too. Did you get everything you wanted?"
"I already had everything I could ever dream of, but yes, it was a very nice Christmas. I love you Olivia."
"I love you too, more than I could ever put into words. Thank you for giving me this love, this family."
"Thank you for your love, and I didn't give you this family, WE made this family." They smiled at each other and then Olivia bent her head and claimed Natalia's soft lips between her own. This kiss was slow and tender, meant to express love and gratitude. For the first time in their lives, both women felt completely content and now they were a mere few days away from their wedding. It truly was the best Christmas so far.