Chapter 89

Doris and Jamanda arrived at the farmhouse at ten to six. Natalia was just setting the garlic bread in the oven to toast for a few minutes while the lasagna cooled. Rafe was skyping with Ashley in his apartment while Ava and Emma were working on Emma's latest school project in the living room. Olivia sat at the table sipping wine and watching her wife scurry around the kitchen.

When a knock sounded at the door, Olivia answered, allowing Doris and Jamanda into the kitchen and pouring them each a glass of wine as they sat at the table. "Good evening Doris, Jamanda."

"Hello Olivia and Natalia, thank you inviting me." Jamanda said.

"You are always welcome." Natalia stated.

"Spencer, Mrs. Spencer." Doris said with a smirk as she took a drink from her glass. "

Olivia scoffed at her friend but otherwise ignored the comment as she sat back at the table and waited for Natalia to join them while they waited for dinner to finish. The four talked about this and that until the timer went off signaling that dinner was done. As Olivia placed the bread onto a plate and then the table along with the salad and lasagna, Natalia called the girls and flicked Rafe's light letting him know dinner was ready.

The seven joined hands and said grace before tucking into their meal. "So, how was your first day as Ava's assistant Rafe?" Olivia asked.

"Good. Not much different than when I was working with Ma. A couple of minor guest complaints, and I helped Ava prepare for the meeting with the kitchen staff tomorrow."

"That's good."

"Yeah mom, Rafe is a natural." Ava said.

"I'm glad to hear it. It was a busy day back after our little break, but all in all I think it was rather productive."

"How are things going in Chicago?" Rafe asked.

"Good. Andrew said we are on track to be finished by the end of next week and ready for the grand opening the following week. Josh agrees and says that everything is up to Beacon standards." Natalia answered.

"That's good. Ma." Ava said. "I am so excited for the opening. I can't wait to meet our staff up there."

"Yes, next week is going to be busy. We will be in St. Louis Monday and Tuesday, and then Thursday and Friday we will be in Chicago interviewing. Then the following week we will all be in Chicago for the week so we can get everyone trained before the opening that Friday." Olivia said.

"Do I get to go to Chicago with everyone?" Emma asked.

"I'm sorry Jellybean, you'll be with your daddy and Beth because you have school." Olivia said.

"But mom, I want to go, I don't want to be away from you. You and Ma will be gone for two whole weeks."

"I know baby. I wish you could come but you can't take all that time away from school. We'll be home on Wednesday next week and you get to come for the grand opening in Chicago the week after that. And once all this is done we'll be home like always."

"Fine." Emma pouted.

"Jellybean, please don't be like this, I know it's hard, but it will be better soon. I promise."

Emma just grumbled and went back to her food. Olivia and Natalia shared a look before focusing their attention back to their guest. "So, anything new in mayor town?" Olivia asked Doris.

"You know, the usual, scaring the crap outta people and dealing with as... politicians." She corrected at the look Natalia sent her. "Same old same old."

Olivia held in a chuckle as she responded. "I thought you were working on some new grant for a new community building."

"I am. Like I said scaring people and kissing up to politicians. It's how I get things done." Everyone laughed. "Emma?"

"Yes aunt Doris."

"I heard you had another presentation to do this year, you gonna tell us what it's about?"

A smile lit Emma's face and all traces of her earlier sour mood was gone. "This year it's supposed to be all about me and who I am."

"That sounds nice. Have you started it yet?"

"Yup. Ava is helping me put a bunch of pictures from when I was born to now on the computer so I can make a, a, um…"

"Timeline." Ava offered.

"Yeah, a timeline of how I got to where I am now."

"That's great jellybean." Olivia exclaimed. "You gonna let us see it before you present it this year?"

"Nope, it's a surprise."

"Em, I really think you should let us see it first this year."

"But mom."

"You're letting Ava see it."

"Nu-uh, she is just helping put the pictures on the computer, then I am gonna do it all by myself just like last year."

"Em…"

Natalia placed her hand on Olivia's. "I think it will be fine Olivia. Besides, last year didn't turn out so bad."

Olivia smiled. "No, I guess it didn't, it turned out to be the best thing to ever happen to me. You go Em, surprise us again."

"Yay!" Emma fist pumped and then stood to take her plate to the sink. "May I be excused?"

"Yes you may." Natalia answered. Emma hugged and kissed her mother's before scurrying off to her room to play on her DS before bed.

"Gee mom, worried she's going to embarrass you?" Ava asked.

"No smartass. Last year was a bit of a shock, for us and the other parents and it sure didn't help when our esteemed mayor felt it a good idea to use it for political gain. I just don't want to have to deal with any more crap. We have enough going on with the hotels, your apartment, and Frank. My plate is full."

"Hey, I apologized for that, several times in fact." Doris shot back.

"I know, but I'm never gonna pass up the opportunity to give you shit for it." Olivia smirked back.

Natalia's "swear jar" went unheard by Doris's "Yeah, yeah, why do I talk to you again?"

"Because you love me." Olivia smiled at her.

"You keep telling yourself that Spencer."

"I will. Thank you very much Wolfe." She shot back blowing the mayor a kiss.

"Alright, so mom mentioned that you had a plan for Frank, let's hear it." Rafe said, tired of waiting to find out how his family would be saved from that psychopath.

"It okay to discuss this in front of everyone?" Doris asked.

Olivia placed a hand on Rafe's shoulder. "Yes, we try not to keep things from our children. And Rafe is a big part of this."

Rafe smiled and leaned into Olivia's touch. "Thanks mom."

Olivia kissed his cheek. "Of course, son. So, Doris thinks it's best to try and arrange a meeting between your Ma and Frank…"

"No way." Rafe interjected.

"I second that. Hell no, Ma is not gonna be alone with that freak." Ava added.

"Guys, please let me finish." At their nod, Olivia continued went on to explain the plan and how it might work to keep Frank out of their lives.

"I guess it's a good plan, but I still don't like Ma being alone with him." Rafe said.

"I don't like it either son, but I will be right there. I promise, I won't let anything happen to her."

"I know, I know you won't mom, I just, I don't like it."

Olivia ran a hand through his hair. "I know bub, but it'll be okay, and when we're done, Doris will fire him and hopefully he'll be in jail."

"How long would he go to jail?"

Doris cleared her throat before answering. "It depends on how the judge rules. It could be anywhere from six months to almost five years and up to twenty-five thousand dollars in fines. If run concurrently I think the minimum would be a year, even for just stalking, although the judge may not see his actions as stalking. Stalking carries penalties of one to three years in jail and up twenty-five thousand dollars in fines. Battery assault carries anywhere from community service and fines up to twenty-five hundred dollars to a year in jail. Harassment is up to six months jail time and fines up to twenty-five thousand dollars. So, it all depends on the judge. If it's a harsh judge, he will run sentencing consecutive and that could add up to four and half years in jail, though I doubt that will happen, I think we are looking more on the six months to one year time line with community service and fines. Either way, he will be off the force and hopefully any amount of time in jail will teach him his lesson on messing with the Spencer-Rivera household."

"Hopefully, but who knows with that thick skull of his." Olivia said dryly.

"So, he might not get any jail time?" Ava asked.

"It's possible." Doris answered. "Because he was a friend of Natalia's, and because it took a while for him to wear out his welcome, I doubt any judge is going to see his actions as stalking. Even if he is found guilty of both assault and battery and harassment, he could get off with just community service and some fines. I am going to press hard for jail time given that he is an officer and should be keeping the people of Springfield safe, not frightening them. I think it would do some good if you contacted therapist for both Emma and Natalia, show the emotional damage that is being done."

"No, I don't need a therapist. And I think Emma is okay, it was just the one nightmare." Natalia said.

"Look Natalia, I know you want to downplay all of this and not make a big deal out of it, but Frank is escalating, we need to push for as harsh a punishment as we can get. Showing that not only you, but your family is effected by this, is going to go a long way with any judge. Plus, kids pull at the heart strings."

"I am not bringing Emma into this."

"We might have to Natalia. Her fear of Frank hurting you or taking you away, could be the nail in the coffin we need."

"She has already been through so much. I don't want to do that to her."

Olivia placed a hand on Natalia's thigh. "We'll speak with Beth, Phillip, and Mel, get their opinions and we need to speak with Emma. I know she hates it when we have to leave for a few days, but her little display earlier tells me something more is going on with her."

"I agree we need to speak with her, but I don't want her to have to testify. Going for Phillip was one thing, this is different, that was getting her daddy out of jail, this is putting someone she saw as an uncle for a long time in jail."

"Okay baby. We'll try our best to keep Emma out of it. I don't want her involved any more then you do, but we also have to do what's best for all of us, and if Emma testifying to her fears of Frank is what we need to get him behind bars and keep all of us safe, then it's what we're going to do. Emma is strong and she would want to help."

"I know she is. We'll talk more about this later. Okay?"

"Okay baby." Olivia gave her a quick kiss and then turned back to the table. "Anything else we need to discuss?"

"Yes, when and how do you want to set this up?"

"Natalia and I agree we need to do it this week, before we go to St. Louis and our schedule gets even crazier."

"So, you want to call him tomorrow and see if he is available to talk? I can clear my schedule for whatever time you need." Doris asked.

"Yeah. I think it's best to get this over and done with." Natalia answered.

"What are you going to say to him and where do you want to meet?"

"I think we should meet at the Gazebo, lots of people walk through there so it won't be weird for Remy to pop up. As for what I'm going to say, I'm just gonna take your advice and tell him I want to talk all of this out. That his friendship is important to me and I really think we need to discuss everything that has happen and figure out how we can move forward from all of this."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Yeah, he will jump at the chance to talk to you alone." Rafe said.

"I know." Natalia responded, bowing her head, and sounding defeated.

Olivia rubbed her back. "What's wrong sweetheart?"

"I just hate all of this. It seems so underhanded, and Frank really was a good man, until all of this. He was so helpful to me and Rafe. He was a good friend. I feel like it's wrong to set him up like this."

Olivia kissed her temple and let her lips linger there. "I know baby. But this is for the best."

Natalia turned into Olivia and burrowed her face into her wife's neck. "I know, I just hate it." Tears silently fell as Olivia rubbed her back and whispered soothing words.

Doris motioned that she was going to go and held a handout to assist Jamanda who had sat silently just listening to everything. Rafe and Ava both wordlessly kissed each of their mother's heads and slipped down to Rafe's apartment.

Once everyone was gone, Olivia sat holding Natalia until her tears slowed and then stopped, she pulled back enough to look at her love and kissed her softly. "If you don't want to do this, we don't have to. We can get him another way."

"I want to do this, but isn't it some sort of entrapment?"

"No, Remy isn't setting this up, I am just going to call him to meet me and we will happen to be standing close enough to hear you and Frank. Entrapment would be if Remy was privy to the fact that we were doing this before he showed up."

"Oh."

"Honey, if you really aren't okay with this then we won't do it."

"I just want this all to be over."

"I know sweetheart. It will be, very soon."

"I hope so. Let's go talk to Emma before she needs to get in bed, it's not like our baby girl to get so upset when we have to leave for work."

"Yeah. I know."

Olivia stood and held out a hand to Natalia who took it and stood as well. She glanced at the messy kitchen but decided it could wait. Her baby was obviously hurting and that was more important. The two moms headed up the stairs to Emma's room.

As they reached Emma's door, Natalia knocked softly. "Emma."

"Yeah." Came the quiet reply.

Natalia slightly opened the door and stuck in her head. "Can we come in?"

"Sure." Emma replied, without looking up from her DS.

Olivia and Natalia entered, sitting on the edge of the bed on either side of the girl.

"Can you pause that for minute Em?" Olivia asked.

Emma paused it and finally looked up at her mom's. "What's up?"

"We just want to talk to you."

"Am I in trouble?'

"No baby, we just want to know if something is bothering you. The way you reacted about Ma and I having to go away on business wasn't like you. Is something else wrong?"

Emma looked down, suddenly finding her socks very interesting. "No. I'm okay."

"Are you sure? It seems like something else is bothering you."

Emma still didn't look up. "I'm sure. I'm good."

Natalia moved to kneel in front of her youngest. "Emma, it's okay you know. You can tell us if somethings wrong. Is it the bad dream you had about Frank?"

Emma nodded, tears forming in her eyes. "But not just that." Suddenly realizing she'd said more than she wanted to, the littlest Spencer-Rivera clamped a hand over her mouth.

Olivia rubbed her daughters back and Natalia placed a finger under her chin, gently lifting her head to meet her gaze. "It's okay baby. Mommy and I just want to help. What's wrong with our little Jellybean huh?"

Emma didn't respond, just cried a little harder and leaned into Olivia while reaching a handout to Natalia. Natalia sat back on the other side of Emma and wrapped her arms around both of them. The women just sat and held their little girl while she cried until finally the tears subsided and she softly spoke.

"When you guys went to Chicago mommy had problems with her heart, and, and what if Frank comes here while you're gone, or what if he follows you and hurts you. And Ava doesn't do the voices right at bedtime, and Rafe's banana pancakes aren't the same as Ma's. I just want you to stay here with me and not go anywhere where something bad could happen."

Olivia and Natalia looked at each other over their daughters head. Olivia stroked Emma's honey blond hair and kissed her head. "Oh, my Jellybean. Just because I had a problem with my heart the last time we were in Chicago doesn't mean it's going to happen every time we go. It would have happened even if I was here."

Emma sniffed and looked up at her mom. "It would of?"

"Yes baby. But look, I'm fine. And Frank isn't going to hurt you or Ma or anyone else. He's just sad."

"No, he's not, he's mad and he's mean and he hurt Ma and I hate him."

Natalia knelt back on the floor in front of Emma and took her hands. "Emma, my sweet girl, I know what happened with Frank at the wedding was scary…"

"Not just the wedding. I know he hurt you. I heard you guys talking after it happened. He tried to get you not to marry mommy and he hurt your arm."

Natalia nodded. "Yes baby, he did. But Rafe and mommy protected me from him. Frank isn't going to hurt anyone ever again. Aunt Doris is gonna make sure of it."

"How?"

"Well, she's going to make sure he gets punished for the bad things he did. Like when you get in trouble for not cleaning your room."

"When?"

Natalia looked at Olivia and then back to her little girl. "Tomorrow baby."

"You promise."

"I promise."

Emma slid off her bed and into Natalia's lap. Hugging her tight around the neck. Natalia held her just as tight and rocked back and forth. "He won't be able to yell at mommy and say mean things anymore."

"No baby, he won't."

"And he won't be able to tell you mommy isn't right for you."

"That's right honey. Frank won't be able to hurt me or say mean things anymore."

Emma nodded against Natalia's chest as Olivia slid to the floor with them. Placing one hand on Emma's head and the other on the small of Natalia's back. "Now, let's talk about you staying with Ava and Rafe while we're gone next week. Would you rather stay with your daddy?"

"No. I want to stay here."

"Are you sure?" Olivia asked.

"Yes. Ava tries really hard to do the voices like you, and Rafe's pancakes are close to Ma's. Please can I stay here?"

"Of course, you can. And I'll give Ava some lessons and Ma will see what Rafe is doing wrong with the pancakes, or maybe he can make you something else. Something that is special from him to you."

Emma smiled for the first time since they entered her room. "Like you make me French toast cause you can't make pancakes like Ma?"

"Yup. Like that. What would you like Rafe to make you?"

"Um, I don't know. I will think about it."

"Sounds like a plan Jellybean. Now, how about you get some pajamas on and Ma and I will both tuck you in tonight."

"Will you read with all the voices?"

"Well yeah." Olivia answered making a silly duh face.

Emma looked up at Natalia. "Will you tuck me in nice and tight the special way?'

"Anything for you my little sweetie."

"Yay!" Emma kissed both of her mother's and hopped up to get ready for bed.

Natalia used the edge of the bed to help herself get back to her feet and then helped Olivia up. "We'll be back as soon as you're done brushing your teeth. Okay?"

"Okay. Don't go far, I'm gonna get ready super-fast."

"We're just gonna go to our room for a minute." Olivia said. Taking Natalia's hand and leading her out of their daughter's room and down the hall to their own. As she pulled Natalia into their room and gently shut the door, the two collapsed into each other.

"God Olivia, she has been carrying all of that around since your heart stopped in Chicago."

"I know. I hate that our little girl has been going through all of that by herself."

"She's so scared Olivia." Natalia sobbed into her wife's shoulder.

Olivia rubbed her back and ran her fingers through her hair. "I know honey. I know. We'll get through this. Together. If she's not feeling better by the end of the week, we'll cancel the trip to St. Louis. Emma is more important than another hotel."

Natalia nodded against her shoulder. "I'm going to call Frank first thing in the morning. I may not be able to take away all of her fears, but I can do something about him. I will not let our baby continue to be afraid of something happening to one of us at his hand." She stated with conviction. Lifting her head from Olivia's shoulder and looking directly at her. Making sure Olivia saw her resolve on the matter.

Olivia saw the momma bear flare in Natalia's eyes and knew that by the end of the day tomorrow, Natalia Spencer-Rivera would make certain Frank Cooper was behind bars. Natalia was sweet and docile most of the time but messing with her children is one sure fire way to bring the south side of Chicago right out of her. Olivia was no longer worried about Frank hurting Natalia, she was worried about Natalia killing Frank.

"Okay honey, just remember, you have to play nice, get him to talk. You can't go Olivia shoot first ask questions later Spencer on him." She said with a smile.

Natalia let out a small chuckle at her old nickname for Olivia. "I know. Sweet and innocent face remember." She said cheekily, reminding Olivia of the time she played them all in a pool game against Josh and Jeffery.

"I say again, you have the devil in you Rivera."

"Spencer-Rivera. Now, let's go put our little girl to bed."

"Let's do that." Olivia agreed, pulling Natalia ever closer and kissing her with fever. This kiss was to comfort them both and a silent prayer that their family would pull through this and come out stronger on the other side.