Chapter 85
Olivia stood in her suite at The Beacon starring out the window. Her hair and makeup were done, but there was still an hour before she needed to put on her dress. Ava had gone to wake Emma from the nap Olivia made her take due to the late hour of the wedding ceremony. As she gazed out the window at the town she called home, her thoughts drifted to the events of that morning and a wide smile spread across her face.
Olivia and Natalia stood before an older gentleman. He had a warm smile as he looked at the family before him. Olivia in a tailored white pant suit with a pale-yellow camisole, Natalia in a simple knee length white dress. Ava, Emma, and Rafe all in what they called 'church clothes.' The judge smiled as he watched the two women stare at each other with such love in their eyes. Before he began he allowed them to drink one another in and thought to himself, 'this is why I do this. This love these two women have radiates off of them and their children. This is why I love this job.' He brought himself out of his thoughts and asked Olivia and Natalia to join hands facing each other. The two compiled, smiling like fools as they turned to fully face one another. Rafe stood beside his Ma, with Ava and Emma standing beside their mom. The traditional wedding vows were exchanged and they used Natalia's engagement ring and the matching one Olivia had bought for herself to exchange at that time. They wanted to use their actual wedding bands at what they considered their real wedding, the one with their friends and family. After the rings were placed on their fingers, the judge announced them wed and gave them permission to seal it with a kiss. He signed the marriage license as well as each woman then sent them down to file it on the first floor of the courthouse. Both women thanked the man and strode out of the courtroom hand in hand with their children following close behind, all five of them grinning from ear to ear.
"Mommy, is it time, is it time for the real wedding?" Emma interrupted her musings as she excitedly came bounding into the room with Ava close behind.
"Just about Jellybean. I have to get into my dress still and we have to wait for Aunt Doris to come and take us to where we are having the ceremony."
"Where is the cere, cere, wedding going to be?" The young girl asked.
"I don't know, Aunt Doris and Aunt Blake have kept it a secret."
"Oh, okay. Well hurry and get dressed, I can't wait anymore."
"I feel the same way my beautiful girl. I am more than ready to marry your Ma."
"But you did this morning, why is this one different."
Olivia walked to the bed and sat down, gesturing for Emma to come and sit with her. "Well, this one is different because it's in front of the people we care about. I am going to stand in front of everyone I know and make it known that my heart belongs to Natalia. In just a little while, I'm going to marry the person I love more than anybody in the world except for you and Ava and Rafe."
"But why did you need two weddings? Buzz and Lillian didn't, and Billy and Vanessa didn't, and you never had two weddings when you got married before. Why do you have to now?"
"Do you remember when Natalia and I talked to you about how some people don't like for two girls or two boys to be in love?"
"Yeah. Rafe used to be one of those people, but you and Ma changed his mind cause you love each other so much."
"Yup, we did. Well, some states don't think it's okay for two girls or two boys to get married. That's why we had to go to Iowa and get married. That wedding is a legal wedding, it means mommy and Ma are married in the eyes of the law. Illinois is a state that doesn't allow two girls to get married. But we can have a ceremony here. That's what tonight is. Natalia and I are having a commitment ceremony. That's where we tell each other how we feel about each other, and that we want to be with only each other forever in front of the people that matter to us. Do you understand?"
"Yeah I get it. I think it's stupid that not every state lets two girls get married. It shouldn't matter who you love."
"You are right my Jellybean. You are so smart." She stated, squeezing Emma tight against her.
Ava had been standing in the doorway listening to her mom try and explain why they needed two weddings to her baby sister. She smiled at how simple Emma made it all sound. After the two in front of her stopped their embrace, she stepped further into the room. "Alright mom, it's time to get you into your wedding gown before you end up late to your own wedding."
Olivia stood from the bed and smiled at her eldest child. "Well, they can't really start without the brides now can they."
"No, but you want to kiss at midnight and not even you can control time. So come on, let's get you into this thing and down to the lobby. Doris text that she's on her way."
After a bit of a struggle, Olivia was in her dress and the three made their way down to the lobby where Doris was waiting.
Across town at the Farmhouse, Natalia and Blake had just finished getting Natalia ready and were about to walk out the door. Natalia paused in the living room and looked around at the many family pictures adorning the walls. She was smiling, but also fidgeting with her hands. Blake laughed out loud looking at the nervous woman before her.
"Natalia? You okay?" Blake asked the brunette.
Natalia was lost in thought. Thinking about everything that had transpired between she and Olivia. She ran her hands over the family portrait above the fireplace that had been taken at Christmas. Blake stepped closer and placed a hand on Natalia's shoulder.
"Natalia." She said again.
Natalia shook her head to clear her thoughts and looked at Blake. "Sorry, I was just thinking about the past. It's crazy to think about all that has happened."
"You two have been through a lot."
"Yes we have. I still can't believe I'm about to marry the love of my life and have all of my dreams come true."
"Well technically you already married her." Blake said with a laugh.
"True, but this is different. That was a formality. This is real. My heart is so full of joy, I just, I can't believe the turn my life has taken for the better, and it's all because of Olivia."
"Then why do you look so nervous?"
"I'm not nervous."
"Yes you are."
"Okay, maybe I am a little nervous, but it's a good nervous, an excited nervous. In just a little while, I am going to be Olivia Spencer's wife."
"Not if we don't get going. Come on you, your wife is waiting to marry you, again." Blake took her hand and led her out into the cold and to the limo that was waiting for them.
When the limo Olivia was in pulled up to the Spaulding Mansion, Olivia turned to face Doris. "Why are we at Phillip's house?"
"Because my friend, this is where your wedding is taking place."
"You cannot be serious. I am not getting married at my ex-husbands house."
"Yes, you are."
"I knew I should have made you tell me where the venue was. Wolfe, this is not happening."
"Yes it is Spencer-Rivera."
"I am not going to marry Natalia at Phillip Spaulding's mansion."
"Olivia, you are going to marry her here. This was on Natalia's list and I for one think it's perfect. Please, could you trust me a little here."
"Fine, but you better know that after this wedding, you and I are going to have a little chat."
"Whatever, come on, we have to get you inside before your lovely wife arrives with Blake." Doris sent a quick text to Blake letting her know it was safe to bring Natalia now. She, Olivia, Ava, and Emma, walked up the stairs and into the foyer of the mansion. Phillip heard them enter and came to greet them.
After taking Olivia's coat, he stood silent for a moment before kissing her cheek. "You look stunning Olivia."
"Thank you Phillip."
"Come on, we are going down the hall and around the side of the house to your waiting place."
Olivia followed Phillip while Doris headed through the house and out to the green house where the wedding was to take place. Ava and Emma followed their mother. When they reached the side door to the house, Olivia could see a canvas hall outside the door that led to a small, heated tent where she presumed she and the girls would wait for the ceremony to start.
As she walked down the hall and into the heated tent, Sam was sitting in a chair waiting for her. He stood as his sister walked into the tent. "You look breath taking Livvie."
"Thank you Sammie. You don't look so bad yourself." Sam was in a white tux with a pale orange button up and a yellow tie and yellow handkerchief hanging from his pocket. An orange daisy pinned to his jacket.
Sam looked around her to his nieces. "And look at you little one." He stated, holding out his arms for Emma who jumped into them. "You are the most beautiful flower girl I have ever seen."
"Thank you Uncle Sam. Aunt Doris had Monica order it special." Emma's dress was a light yellow with orange daisy's printed on it. The basket she would carry down the aisle with her was full of orange and yellow rose pedals.
"Well, it's a beautiful dress. And Ava, you look amazing."
Ava was wearing a form fitting yellow dress that went to her knees and flared out just enough. She had orange daisy's in her hair and her bouquet was all orange and yellow roses, matching Olivia, and Natalia's. "Thank you Uncle Sam. You clean up real nice."
Sam set Emma down and turned to his sister. "You ready sis?"
"More then you know. What time is it? I'm ready to get this thing started."
"Just a few more minutes, I just got a text that Natalia has arrived, it's almost time to walk you down the aisle."
Just then, Phillip came into the tent from a side entrance Olivia hadn't noticed. "Alright, Emma, Ava, are you ready?"
Ava kissed her mother's cheek and took Emma's hand. "We'll see you out there mom."
Natalia was waiting in another tent on the other side of the garden with Rafe, nervously twisting her hands.
Rafe was wearing a matching tux to Sam and had a fresh haircut. "Ma, calm down. Everything is going to be fine."
"I know, I'm just ready for it to start. I can't wait to see Olivia."
"I know Ma." Just then they heard music start to softly play. "It sounds like it's starting. You ready to marry mom again?"
"More than anything in the world."
Emma and Ava walked down the canvas hall Phillip had come from. They were led to the green house at the back of the house. Phillip had taken out the back wall and had a huge tent with several silent heaters attached to make the space large enough for the ceremony. Chairs were set up on either side of a white runner. With almost the entire town seated. All of the end chairs had a small arrangement of orange and yellow daisy's attached to them. At the front was an arch decorated with orange and yellow roses and daisy's that Doris was standing under. The green house flowers were all in full bloom thanks to a few calls Phillip made.
As the music started, Ava gave Emma the go ahead and she started down the aisle, dropping the flower pedals from her basket every couple of steps. Next Ava walked down, smiling at everyone in attendance. When they reached the end, Emma went to sit in the front row next to her father and Ava stood just to the right of the arch Doris was under. The music changed and all the guests stood and turned towards the back.
Sam and Olivia walked in from the right and Olivia stood in awe of just how many people had come to celebrate her union with Natalia. A few stray tears leaked from her eyes as she and Sam stood at the end of the runner preparing to walk down the aisle. Sam squeezed the hand that was on his arm and smiled at his sister. The two slowly walked down the aisle, all eyes watching them as they passed. Finally, they reached the end and Olivia took her place next to Ava. Sam kissed her cheek and sat on the other side of Emma. Olivia turned to face the back where she had just come from, quickly wiping away the few tears streaming down her cheeks.
Natalia's jaw dropped when she and Rafe entered the green house. All of the flowers were beautiful. She looked around at all of the flowers and candles that adorned the room. Then she saw all of the people gathered to witness she and Olivia vow to be with one another for the rest of their lives. Finally coffee brown eyes found sea green at the end of the aisle waiting for her. She gasped as she took in the beautiful sight. Olivia looked gorgeous in her wedding dress. The dress was stark white and floor length with a medium length train at the bottom. The top was completely lace with a v that went down between Olivia's breasts. Three orange daisies' were at the waistline where lace met the silk white material at the bottom. Olivia's hair was pulled back away from her face and her makeup was light, just high lightening her natural beauty.
Natalia was frozen, stuck staring at the woman she was about to marry. Rafe rubbed the back of her hand that was gripping his arm almost painfully. "Ma, it's time. Mom's waiting for you."
Natalia nodded and she and Rafe slowly made their way down the aisle. Olivia was in a trance, her deep green eyes locked on the vision walking towards her. Natalia's dress was perfect. It complimented Olivia's. It was white silk from the floor to her breast, at the top of her breast, lace matching Olivia's went up almost to her neck and down her arms. It flowed naturally at the bottom with a train the same length as Olivia's. Natalia's hair was left down, as Olivia preferred it that way, and a crown of orange daisy's sat on top of her head. Her makeup was barely there, just enough to make her eyes and lips pop.
When Natalia finally made it to Olivia, the two just stared at each other, both with happy tears in their eyes. Rafe placed Natalia's hand in Olivia's and kissed both their cheeks before taking his place to the left of the arch. Olivia gripped Natalia's hand and took a shaky breath.
"You look beautiful." Olivia whispered. Reaching up to wipe the wetness from Natalia's cheeks.
Natalia did the same for Olivia as she smiled at her. "So do you."
Doris cleared her throat and brought their attention to her. She smiled at her friends before she began. "Ladies and gentleman, we are gathered here today to bear witness as these two lovely ladies make a lifelong commitment to one another. We have all had the pleasure of watching their love grow before our very eyes. We have witnessed their struggles as well as their triumphs. I have never seen two people fight so hard for love as these two have. Olivia and Natalia are a true testament of love. I have had the pleasure of witnessing each of these women give so much for the other, forsaking their own needs and happiness for that of the other. That's what love is, putting someone else's needs before your own. That's what these two ladies do every day, for each other, and for their children. I ask now, if there is anyone who has any reason why these two women should not share this union, speak now."
Doris paused for a moment, daring anyone to speak up with a look out at the crowd. After a minute, she continued. "As many of you know, Olivia and Natalia had a legal wedding in Iowa this morning where they exchanged traditional vows, now they have each written their own. Olivia would you like to start?"
Olivia peered at Doris before turning to fully face Natalia. She took a deep breath before looking into deep mahogany eyes. "Natalia, my love, you came into my life like a tornado at a time when I didn't want to live. I had no idea how much you would mean to me back then. I do now. You fought for me with everything that you had. You demanded that I live, that I take care of myself. You refused to let me give up. After many, many fights, somehow, we formed a friendship. It was a friendship unlike any I had ever known. We trusted each other, and we were there for each other, we took care of one another. That's something I had never had before. Over time, I grew to love you as so much more than a friend, and by some miracle, you loved me too. I am so thankful to our little girl for pointing it out to us. An innocent third grade paper brought us together. Our relationship wasn't easy, we had so many hurdles to jump, but together, we did it. We made it here, to this moment. You are more than I could have ever hoped for. You are my rock and my salvations. You are the strength I didn't know I possessed. You're the light that shines in my life and the happiness I never thought I deserved. You broke down every wall I built around my heart and taught me to love and to accept love. I love you so much Natalia, and I thank whatever god there is that you came into my life. I can't imagine my life without you, and I thank you from the bottom my heart for loving me." Olivia finished with a choked sob as tears leaked from her eyes.
"You don't have to thank me, loving you is so easy." Natalia said as she wiped away Olivia's tears with the pad of her thumb and then her own.
Doris smiled at her friend and then turned her attention to the other bride. "Natalia, it's your turn."
Natalia nodded at Doris and then faced Olivia. Taking both of her hands in her own and lifting them to her chest. "Olivia, you are the most infuriating woman I have ever met." Everyone laughed at that. "But you are also the most kind, gentle, loving, and forgiving woman. When I met you, I thought you were just another power hungry, husband steeling, angry businesswoman, but then I got to know you, the real you. The woman that was hidden behind all the sarcasm and bitterness. I first saw it in the way you were with Emma, and then me. You were there for me when I needed someone most. When my world was falling apart. So much has happened over the past couple of years, both good and bad, but I thank God every day for every bit of it. It was all leading us here, to this day. I pledge myself to you Olivia, to love you no matter what. In sickness and in health, through every happy moment and even more in the sad ones. I promise that I will never forsake you, I will never not be there for you, loving you and supporting you. You are my everything. You've shown me who I really am. You saw more in me then I even saw in myself. I thank you for that. I love you Olivia, from the depth of my soul and the bottom of my heart. I was made to love you. You are the love of my life, and I will forever be grateful to that sweet little girl who gave me an orange daisy on what was the worst day of my life. That innocent gesture of kindness was the beginning of us. It was the start to our story and the foundation for our love. You and I are women that live for our children. We do our best to raise them right, and that is why Emma was there that day, sent from God to show me that you were more then what you show the world. If you weren't, that sweet little girl wouldn't have thought to try and make me feel better with a flower when she saw how sad I was. You raised her well Olivia. Yes, we live for our children, and now, I live for you too."
Olivia was silently crying as she listened to Natalia state how fully she loved her. As Natalia finished, she gently wiped her eyes, careful not to smudge her make up. Natalia also had tears streaming down her face. She wiped them away and both women turned once again to face their friend and the town's mayor.
Doris cleared her throat, touched by all these two women had said. "Well, I don't know how to follow that, but I'm gonna try like hell." The crowd laughed, and then quieted quickly. "You two have a love that no one can touch. No one can break the bond that is so clearly between you. It's time to put a symbol to that bond. Ava, Rafe, Emma, I believe you three have something you'd like to say before we exchange the rings."
Emma stood from her seat next to Phillip and joined Ava and Rafe who stepped in front of their mother's. "Mommy, Ma, I just want to say thank you for making us a family. You two are the best two mommies and I love you."
Olivia smiled through a few tears. "Thank you Jellybean. I love you too."
"I love you so much Em. Thank you for writing that paper last year." Natalia said smiling.
Emma beamed at her Ma before she returned to her seat. Rafe coughed to hide his emotions and then looked up at his moms. He turned just a little so he was looking more at Natalia. "Ma, you raised me by yourself for most of my life, and you did a great job. At least I don't think I turned out so bad. I loved my life with you in Chicago, it wasn't perfect, but you always did your best for me. You gave up so much just to make me happy. Thank you. But now, it's better. You finally did something for you, even though I wasn't happy, and I caused a lot of problems, for once, you did what made you happy, and because of that, I have the family I have always wished for. I love you Ma. Thank you for not listening to me and fighting to be with Olivia." He kissed her cheek and then turned slightly so he was looking directly at Olivia. "Mom, I know I made life hard for you at the beginning, I refused to see the love you had for my Ma, and I did awful things to try and hurt you and drive you away from her. I'm so very sorry for that. Before I give Ma the ring for you, I want to thank you. Thank you for being so strong and so stubborn. Thank you for loving Ma no matter what and thank you for loving me. As Emma said, you are the best mom, and I am grateful that you are mine." He kissed her cheek and then returned to Natalia's side.
Natalia and Olivia were both crying as they told him they loved him and then turned their attention to Ava who wiped away a few tears of her own before speaking. "Mom, I didn't meet you until I was an adult, and our relationship started off a little…rocky." The guest who knew their past chuckled a little. "But now, I feel so very close to you. I know you gave me up to give me a real chance at a good life, and I thank you for that. I did have a good life and I had great parents, but I agree with Emma and Rafe. You are the best birth mom and I am so happy I found you. No matter how hard our beginning was, we are here now. You are more than my mom; you're my friend and I love you so much. Natalia, Ma, I wasn't very nice to you when we first met. I tried to help my mom steel Gus from you, I'm glad you've forgiven me for that. I know we aren't that far apart in age, but you are my Ma. You treat me just like Rafe and Emma even though I'm an adult and only ten years younger than you. Thank you for being a parent to me, but more than that, thank you for loving my mom. She was a very broken women when I met her and she is whole now. You healed her heart and made her feel love again. I will forever be grateful for that. I love you Ma." She kissed each of her mothers and then took her place beside Olivia.
Olivia and Natalia each told Ava they loved her and then turned back to Doris just in time to catch a tear escape her eye. Doris took a breath and then looked out over the guest then back to the two women standing before her. "Your children have all given their blessing on this union, and you two have each pledged to one another, now it's time for the rings. Ava, please hand Olivia the ring." Ava handed the ring to her mom and gave her hand a squeeze. Olivia took the ring and turned back to Natalia. "I have altered this part at the request of the brides. Olivia, place the ring on Natalia's left ring finger and repeat after me. With this ring, I, Olivia Spencer-Rivera…"
Olivia placed the ring halfway on Natalia's finger. "With this ring I, Olivia Spencer-Rivera…"
"Promise to love, honor, cherish, and respect you…"
"Promise to love, honor, cherish, and respect you…"
"From this day until the end of time."
"From this day until the end of time." Olivia slid the ring the rest of the way down Natalia's finger. "I love you." She added.
"I love you too." Natalia whispered back.
"Rafe, please hand Natalia the ring." Doris said. Once Rafe placed the ring in Natalia's hand, Doris continued. "Natalia, repeat after me. With this ring, I, Natalia Spencer-Rivera…"
Natalia did the same as Olivia, sliding the ring only halfway onto her ring finger. "With this ring, I, Natalia Spencer-Rivera…"
"Promise to love, honor, cherish, and respect you…"
"Promise to love, honor, cherish, and respect you…"
"From this day until the end of time."
Pushing the ring the rest of the way onto Olivia's finger, Natalia finished. "From this day until the end of time."
The two linked hands and stared into each other's eyes as Doris finished. "We have all just heard these two speak how they feel about each other, we have listened to their children speak of the love and family they all share. It is with great pleasure that I now pronounce you two, committed to one another, you may each kiss your bride.
As the clock ticked down to midnight, a mini ball Phillip had installed dropped from the ceiling and descended towards the ground in the middle of the aisle. As it reached the floor and exploded with yellow and orange rose peddles, Olivia pulled Natalia to her and sealed their lips together. Kissing her bride and cementing their marriage at the exact stroke of midnight.
As they parted everyone clapped, cheering for the love that no one saw coming or expected but was clearly very present. The two turned to face their guest, smiling, and laughing. Doris yelled above the cheering. "I give you, Mrs. and Mrs. Olivia and Natalia Spencer-Rivera!"
The two joined hands and made their way back up the aisle with Rafe, Ava, Emma, and Sam close behind. As they reached the end of the aisle, they were stopped and asked to wait just a moment before heading into the house for the reception.
Neither Olivia nor Natalia cared about having to wait, they were too enamored with each other to care what they were doing. Olivia pulled Natalia to her and kissed her again, this one not nearly as chaste as the one they had just shared. This kiss was for the vows they had just spoken, for the wonder that was their love and their family. This kiss was for the beginning of the lifetime they were about to spend together.