Chapter 101
The weekend seemed to fly by. Josh came by Friday and everything was on point with construction in St. Louis and his company was restarting the barn renovation for Ava starting Monday morning. Natalia had spoken with Andrew in Chicago and, after much debate with Olivia, the grand opening was rescheduled for February first as long as Olivia was feeling up to it. Although she would still have a month or so of recovery left, she should be able to use mainly just her walker and cane for short distances by then and she didn't want to delay any more then absolutely necessary. Ava and Rafe both did well with their half day at work and Emma made it through school with no problems and spent a few hours with her father. An appointment had been set for the entire family to meet with Dr. Boudreau Tuesday afternoon, and Doris had stayed with the family, sleeping with Emma in Olivia and Natalia's bed, for the entire weekend.
It was now a little after seven o'clock Monday morning and the family was preparing for Frank's arraignment at nine. Emma had already had breakfast and gotten on the bus for School with Michael following behind. Olivia and Natalia had showered and Natalia was now cooking breakfast while Olivia and Doris sipped coffee and Rafe and Ava showered and dressed.
Natalia spun from the stove where she was making eggs and glanced at Doris. "So, what can we expect to happen today?"
Doris set down her cup of coffee and cleared her throat. "Nothing major. Frank will be brought in, but don't worry, he'll be restrained. The judge will review the charges and decide on whether or not any bail will be set."
"Do you think that's a possibility?"
"It is, but I highly doubt it. He already violated a restraining order for much less severe charges. I don't believe any judge would be willing to set bail after the events that took place here. Especially since he is an officer and his charges include home invasion with a firearm. I don't think we have anything to worry about." She finished as she took another drink from her mug.
"Mallet and R-Remy are g-going to be t-there right?" Olivia asked.
"Yes. They will both be there. They won't actually testify until the trial, but if the judge attempts to set bail, they can both attest to what occurred here and to the fact he violated his restraining order, and was supposed to turn in his firearm and didn't when he was placed on leave."
"Do you k-know who the j-judge is going to b-be?"
"Judge Anderson."
"Well, th-that's just g-great." Olivia said dejected.
"Olivia, what happened with you and Judge Anderson?" Natalia asked sternly.
"Um, h-he's the judge from P-Phillip's trial. H-he's not very f-fond of me."
Natalia glared at her wife. "I thought you said nothing happened Olivia."
"N-nothing did. H-he just maybe th-thought that I was t-trying to bribe him."
"Really Olivia? Bribing a judge."
"I d-didn't actually b-bribe him."
"It doesn't matter." Doris said. "He's a fair judge, and I know for a fact that he will not stand for an officer abusing his power, and especially not assaulting a woman. He will do his job, no matter how he feels about you personally."
"Well let's hope so." Natalia said, plating the eggs, sausage, and toast she was making and setting it on the table just as Rafe, Ava, and Sam came in to join them.
Once everyone was seated, and grace was said, everyone dug in and Doris moved on to her next topic. "Okay, Olivia, I know you want to play superhero and walk in there today, but I think a wheelchair would be better."
"No, I am s-sure as hell walking in-into that court room."
"No, you're not. It's the wheelchair for you."
"No way W-Wolfe, too many p-people will be there to-today, plus Rick s-said I could start walking more t-today."
"No. Rick said he would see at your appointment this afternoon if you were ready to start walking, small distances, with the walker." Natalia corrected.
"I will n-not be wheeled in th-there."
"Olivia."
"Okay, alright you two, how about she can walk, with the walker and help from you and Rafe?" Doris offered.
"Cane, I'll u-use the damn c-cane and help from N-Natalia."
"No, walker or wheelchair Olivia." Natalia stated firmly.
"Sweetheart…"
"Don't you dare sweetheart me. Walker and help, or wheelchair Olivia, only options."
"Fine, I'll u-use the d-damn walker." Olivia relented.
Natalia leaned over and kissed Olivia's pouting lips. They all finished breakfast and headed to the courthouse to meet with Mel beforehand. The family and Doris all in proper suits, and Sam borrowed one from Rafe.
As promised, when they got there, Olivia used the walker to get into the courthouse. There were news reporters everywhere, all trying to get the family to talk. Phillip had five extra guards with the family that morning, and the seven large men surrounded the Spencer-Rivera's and Doris until they were safely behind the closed doors. Phillip was there to support them, as well as many members of the community.
Olivia took a deep breath before entering. Even though it was only the arraignment, the courtroom was full. As the family neared the front, they noticed that the front row had been saved for them, and none other than Buzz and Lillian Cooper were sitting there saving their place. Only Marina sat on Frank's side. Even Shane, who had once hated Olivia, sat on her side with Reva and Josh.
Buzz stood up and gently hugged his ex. "I'm so sorry Olivia. He won't get away with this."
"I know B-Buzz, it's okay. It's n-not your f-fault, thanks for c-coming today."
Buzz kissed her cheek and moved to hug the rest of the Spencer-Rivera's. He was taken aback by Olivia's stutter and the large wound still present on her temple. He hadn't been able to bring himself to see her after everything that happened. He felt awful that his son was responsible for all of the pain the Spencer-Rivera family had endured, but especially for what Olivia had gone through. Being one of few to know her past made it difficult for him to know just what his son had done to her.
Ava, Rafe, and Sam all hugged and kissed Olivia before taking their seats. Natalia gripped Olivia's hand and squeezed it tight. "I love you honey. It's going to be fine. I'll be right here with you."
"I k-know baby. Th-thank you. I love y-you."
Natalia smiled at her wife before kissing her long and hard without a care for the room full of people watching. She helped Olivia to sit and took her place beside her, lacing their fingers together and holding tight.
Shortly after they were all seated, the room was called to stand. "All rise, the 46th district court is now in session, the honorable Judge Anderson presiding."
Judge Anderson walked in and took his place, telling everyone they could now sit. He glanced at the crowd, locking eyes with Olivia for a moment before opening the folder in front of him and skimming the contents. "Alright, are we ready to call the matter of people vs. Cooper?"
"For the record your honor, Doris Wolfe appearing on behalf of the people." Doris stated.
"Good morning your honor, Melissande Boudreau on behalf of the people." Mel added.
"Good morning your honor Eric Carter on behalf on Mr. Cooper." Frank's lawyer said.
"Very well." The judge looked to his side. "And you officers will be bringing in Mr. Cooper any moment?"
"Yes." One of the officers responded.
The room grew silent and the Spencer-Rivera family all tensed when the back door opened and Frank was brought into the room.
The judge looked at him and pointed towards the podium. "Mr. Cooper, I'm gonna have you stand right up there next to Mr. Carter." He and Olivia traded daggers as he was escorted by an officer to join his lawyer at the small podium. "Mr. Cooper, please give us your name and address for the court record."
Frank leaned towards the microphone and then answered. "Frank Achilles Cooper Jr. 23468 S. Main Street, Springfield IL 62703."
"Mr. Cooper, I will remind you, you are charged on or about January sixteenth of this year in Sangamon County, count one, home invasion involving a firearm, that is a felony, potentially punishable by imprisonment up to thirty years with an added fifteen years for the use of a firearm with the chance for parole. Count two, aggravated battery of Olivia Rebecca Spencer-Rivera, that is a felony, punishable by up to five years imprisonment with the chance of parole. Count three aggravated stalking of Olivia Rebecca Spencer-Rivera, that is a felony, punishable by up to five years imprisonment with the chance of parole. Count four, aggravated unlawful restraint of Olivia Rebecca Spencer-Rivera, that is a felony, punishable by up to five years imprisonment with the chance of parole. Count five, aggravated unlawful restraint of Rafael Joseph Spencer-Rivera, that is a felony, punishable by up to five years imprisonment with the chance of parole. Count six, unlawful use of a firearm, that is a felony, punishable by up to three years imprisonment with chance of parole. Count seven, committing a hate crime against Olivia Rebecca Spencer-Rivera, that is a felony, punishable by up to three years imprisonment with the chance of parole. Count eight, harassment beginning in March of last year, of Olivia Rebecca Spencer-Rivera, that is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail with the chance of early release. Count nine, harassment beginning in March of last year, of Natalia Maria Spencer-Rivera, that is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail with the chance of early release. Count ten, assault on or about December twenty first of last year, of Natalia Maria Spencer-Rivera, that is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to thirty days in jail with chance for early release. Count eleven, violation of a restraining order, on or about January sixteenth of this year, that is a misdemeanor, punishable by probation and/or community service. Do you understand the nature of the charges?"
Frank leaned closer to the microphone once more. "Yes, your honor."
"You have an absolute right to be represented by an attorney, we've noted Mr. Carter's appearance today on your behalf. In the event you are unable to afford an attorney, and you economically qualify, the court would appoint an attorney on your behalf. You have a right to a trial in this matter before the court or before a jury. You also have an absolute right to remain silent. Anything that you say orally or inviting could be used against you in court, you would have a right to have Mr. Carter present during any questioning that you might consent to. Do you understand those constitutional rights Mr. Cooper?"
"Yes your honor."
"Mr. Carter, how is Mr. Cooper pleading on these matters?"
Franks lawyer stepped closer to the microphone. "He pleads not guilty by reason of mental insanity."
"I will enter a plea of not guilty by reason of mental insanity on his behalf. A trial date will be assigned for February eighth two thousand and ten at eight o'clock in the morning at the request and agreement of all parties for a speedy trial. Now, onto the issue of bond. Who wants to speak for the people on this matter?"
Doris stood and straightened her suit jacket. "Your honor, Doris Wolfe on behalf of the people. Your honor, we know that Mr. Cooper has already violated a restraining order. This is a violent and calculated act, committed by the chief of police that has shaken the confidence of this community. Based on the heinous nature that we believe these crimes fall under, we would ask that you set no bond in this case."
"Mr. Carter?"
"As stated by the prosecutor your honor, Mr. Cooper is the chief of police in this community. He has ties to this community. While he is awaiting a decision on his position at the Springfield PD he has obtained work at the local restaurant Company and we feel in the event that Mr. Cooper is found not guilty, it would be a great injustice for him to spend this time awaiting trial incarcerated. Therefore, your honor, we would ask that a reasonable bond be set, and if Mr. Cooper is able to post set bond, he be able to continue is life as normal until such time as the trial is complete."
Judge Anderson adjusted his glasses and looked over at the Spencer-Rivera family before steadying his gaze on Frank. "The court has thought long and hard on this matter Mr. Cooper. Given the nature of these crimes, and the fact that you were in fact, the chief of police, a position that was given to you for the purpose of protecting the people of this community, which, you have not done, as proven by the fact that a restraining order was placed against you. You have asked for a speedy trial, which has been granted. Given those reasons, I'm going to order that Mr. Cooper be held without bond. Is there anything else to come before the court?"
"Nothing by the people your honor." Doris stated.
"Not at this time." Mr. Carter agreed.
"We stand adjourned, Mr. Cooper, you're in the officers custody."
Once Frank was escorted out, Olivia and Natalia both let out a breath of relief. Their family and several friends engulfed them in hugs. Although Olivia appreciated the support, she was feeling claustrophobic with all the people closing in around her. Natalia noticed Olivia's unease and looked to Doris for help.
"Alright everyone, let's back up." Doris asked loudly. "The family is grateful for your support, but at this time they would just like to get home."
Everyone backed up, most heading for the exit. Buzz helped Olivia stand and handed her the walker she had placed beside herself in the aisle. "You okay?"
Olivia gave him a sad smile. "Yeah. Th-thanks Buzz. I just w-want to get o-outta here."
"Alright gorgeous, let's get you outta here then."
Just as they started to walk towards the exit, Rafe, and Natalia on either side of Olivia and Ava, Sam, Doris, and Mel following behind them, Marina stepped between her grandfather and Olivia. "I can't believe the level of low you've sunk to. My dad didn't do anything you didn't deserve and you're milking these minor injuries for sympathy." She threw daggers at Natalia. "This is all that dykes fault anyways, why are you doing this to my dad?"
Olivia went to speak but was cut off by Buzz. "Marina!" He shouted. "You have no idea what you're talking about. Leave them alone." He grabbed her by the elbow. "Come on, let's go."
"No B-Buzz. I can h-handle this." She switched her gaze from Buzz to Marina. "You think I'm f-faking this. Y-you think I l-like not being a-able to walk by m-my-myself, this lovely st-stutter?" Her eyes grew icy as she opened her suit jacket and lifted her shirt. "Do you s-see this Marina? These b-bruises, they're f-from your father's f-fist and his b-boots." She pointed to the still large gash on her temple. "This, th-this is w-where your f-fathers g-gun h-hi-hit me and k-knocked m-me o-out." Her stutter was getting worse the angrier she got. She bent her head forward and parted her hair to show the bump and gash on the back of her head. "T-th-this is w-wh-where I h-hit my h-head on a t-table when y-you b-ba-bastard f-fa-father l-let me f-fall to the g-ground a-after he k-knocked me un-unconscious. H-he…"
Natalia grabbed Olivia's hand and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Honey, come on, she's not worth it. You're getting all worked up."
Unshed tears glistened in Olivia's eyes as she continued to stare down Marina Cooper. "N-no, N-Natalia, she n-needs to h-hear this." She stated, never taking her eyes off Frank's daughter. "H-he held me un-unconscious in f-fr-front of him to k-keep himself from get-getting s-sh-shot. He p-put a g-gun to m-my s-son to make h-him stay th-there when M-Mallet t-told him to l-leave. And y-you th-think I'm f-faking this. F-four b-broken r-ribs, t-two d-di-different h-head wounds, h-half of my f-face was p-pa-paralyzed in the h-hospital, I s-still can't t-talk right, I h-have s-six weeks or l-longer of re-recovery, I have t-to p-push back the o-opening of one o-of my h-hotels, A-Ava's apartment i-is on h-hold, R-Rafe bl-blames himself, Ava is t-trying to p-pre-pretend n-nothing a-affects her, E-Em-Emma c-can't sl-sleep, and my w-wife, well who k-knows h-how she is f-feeling be-because she's t-too busy f-focusing on m-me and e-everyone e-else to l-let herself f-feel anything. F-faking? I w-wish."
As she ended she started to fall but was caught by Rafe and Natalia. By this time a small crowd had gathered. Josh swooped in and took his ex-wife into his arms bridal style, Reva beside him in support of her frenemy. As Josh walked away with Olivia and the rest of the Spencer-Rivera family following, Reva turned to Marina.
"Look around you Marina. Everyone knows Frank is guilty. You're the only one delusional enough to think any of this is okay. I may not be Olivia's biggest fan, but no one deserves what your father did to her. You got a problem with Olivia and her family, you come through me." She stepped to Marina until their noses were touching. "You got me?"
Marina nodded wordlessly and Reva quickly walked to catch up to Josh and the Spencer-Rivera clan. Their security team tried to stop Reva from getting to them, but at Olivia's insistence, she was allowed through. Josh placed Olivia in the SUV and stood guard while the rest of the family climbed in. Olivia motioned for Reva to come closer. Reva stepped in front of Josh and leaned close to Olivia.
"T-thank y-you Reva. I n-never th-thought I'd say t-this but, y-you're a g-good f-friend."
"Hey now, don't you be going soft on me Spencer." It was said with a smile and they both knew that it was Reva's way of saying thanks, and that she had Olivia's back. Olivia grabbed her hand and squeezed. Reva squeezed back and then let her hand go and stepped back for Josh to hug her before shutting the door so they could drive off.
Since no one wanted to be alone, they all went to Olivia's doctor appointment together. After several test and some blood work, Rick concluding that Olivia almost falling after her run in with Marina was most likely due to over exertion. He ran the normal test along with an eye exam and had the speech pathologist come and make sure she was on the right track.
When all was said and done, it was a good doctor visit. Olivia's eyesight was almost completely back to normal, her speech was doing better than they had hoped, when she's calm at least, and Rick cleared her to use the walker instead of the wheelchair for short distances. Rick stressed the importance of extra rest over the next few days since she overexerted herself and also begged her to try and limit the stress. After refilling her prescriptions, the family finally headed home.
It had already been decided that no one was going to work today, they all knew the morning would be hard and thought it best to be together after the arraignment. Natalia pulled the SUV into her parking spot and turned off the engine. They could hear the sounds of construction work coming from the back yard and were happy that Ava's apartment was getting back on track.
Doris had some work to do but planned to meet them back at the farmhouse around dinner time. They were all hoping that Emma would be ready to sleep in her own room at the very least, now that Frank was for sure staying in jail for the time being, but Doris was prepared to stay for as long as she was needed. Rafe and Ava had suggested a movie fest in the moms makeshift room until she got there.
Natalia opened her door and stepped out, she asked Sam to help Olivia and went to open the door. What Olivia had said to Marina wasn't sitting well with her and she needed a moment to calm herself down before spending time with her family. The last thing she wanted to do was fight with Olivia right now, but Olivia saying she wasn't allowing herself to feel anything had hurt. She knew she would have to speak with Olivia about it eventually, but right now wasn't the time.
Olivia watched her wife walk towards the door and was concerned. This was the first time Natalia hadn't been the one to help her, not to mention she wouldn't hold Olivia's hand or let her rest it on her thigh on the ride home like usual. She had also been unusually quit since leaving the courthouse and didn't ask a million questions of Rick. Olivia knew the look on her wife's face before she walked away, something was wrong, and she had a feeling it was her fault, but she hadn't a clue what it was she had done.
Once they were in the house, Olivia asked Sam to help her to her room and to get Natalia for her. When Ava and Rafe came in, she asked them to pick out a few movies and give her and Natalia a moment. The three did as asked without question, all of them sensing something was off.
Sam walked into the kitchen where Natalia was making sandwiches and getting together snacks and drinks for their movie marathon. "Hey Natalia."
Natalia gave him a fake smile. "Hey Sam. What's up?"
"Olivia asked me to get you. She also asked Rafe and Ava to give you two a minute. You want to tell me what's bothering you before you go see her?"
"Nothing, I'm fine."
"Don't give me that shit. You might fool everyone else with your 'I'm fine' routine, but I know you're not. And obviously my sister knows it too." His voice softened as he placed a hand on her shoulder and spun her to fully face him. "Come on Natalia, just talk to me, or if not me, then Livvie."
"Sam really, it was just seeing Frank, and then Marina attacking Olivia, and all the news reporters coming at us. I'm just tired, and I really just want to move on from all of this."
"I'm not buying it, but that's okay, I'm not the one you have to answer to. I know my sister, she can tell something is bothering you, and she's not gonna buy this bull anymore then I am, difference is, she's your wife and you're gonna have to tell her the truth. Besides, she deserves the truth, she's been through enough."
"You don't think I know that Sam. Why do you think I don't want to talk to her about what's wrong with me? Huh? I don't want to stress her out, and I really don't want to fight with her." She told him angrily. "Can you please just tell her I'll be there in a bit and she should start a movie with the kids while I finish in here."
Sam had stopped listening at the words 'don't want to fight with her.' "What do you mean you don't want to fight with her? Why would you two be fighting?"
"Sam…"
"No Natalia, what the hell is going on?"
"Did you not hear what my wife said to Marina. She said I wasn't feeling anything. How can she say that? Does she not understand what I'm feeling about all of this? I almost lost my son and my wife because of an obsession a man has with me. Of course, I'm feeling. I'm feeling more then I know how to deal with. This, all of this is my fault. My two eldest children are going through more mental struggles then I know how to help them with, my youngest child can barely sleep and has recruited her own sleep buddy, and my wife, my wife is going through more than anyone should ever have to, both physically and mentally and it's all my fault Sam. I did this to them and my wife thinks I don't feel anything about it. So, tell me Sam, how am I supposed to talk to her about this? I am so mad and so hurt that she would say that and I can't even yell at her for it because she's going through enough, so please, just go buy me a few minutes to myself so I can get my anger in check before I go in there. And give her the pain meds on her end table, I know she's hurting, it's been awhile since her last dose."
Realization washed over Sam as she spelled it out for him. "Natalia, I don't think she meant it the way you're taking it. I know Olivia's going through a lot, but you should talk to her. You'll both feel better."
"I can't Sam, she can barely talk right now after how riled up Marina got her."
"Then have her write it down, or text it to you. You can't ignore what you're feeling right now. I think this is her point. You keep bottling everything up and acting like you're fine so you can take care of her and the kids and The Beacon. I don't think she meant that you're not feeling, I think she meant this, right here, you're ignoring what you're feeling."
"Sam…"
He pulled her into a hug and held her tight so she couldn't pull away. "It's okay Natalia. You don't have to be so strong for everyone. It's okay for you to hurt too. Just please, go talk to her, even if not about this, talk to her about what you're going through. She loves you Natalia, she doesn't want you to be suffering anymore then you want her to."
Natalia pulled back from his embrace, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Okay, you're right. I'll go talk to her. Will you tell the kids we'll let them know when we're ready and ask them to finish up these sandwiches and get whatever snacks and drinks you guys want for the movies?"
"I can do that. I know you don't want to stress her out, but I promise you, you'll both feel better after you talk to her. She knows somethings up."
Natalia gave him a tight-lipped smile and walked towards the room she was sharing with her wife. As soon as she walked in she could see not only the pain on her lovers face from needing another Vicodin, but also the hurt in her eyes at thinking she did something wrong. Natalia quickly walked to the side of the bed and helped Olivia get adjusted and handed her a pill and a bottle of water before climbing over her legs to sit next to her against the headboard. She laced their fingers together and kissed Olivia's cheek.
"Hey you. Sam said you needed me." She said as cheerfully as possible.
"I do. I n-need you t-to tell me w-what's wrong." Olivia fired back, not releasing Natalia's hand, but refusing to hold it as tightly as Natalia was.
Natalia blew out a breath and turned just slightly so she was facing Olivia more head on. "Honey, it's not that something is necessarily wrong. It's more that, I am feeling so much and I don't know how to handle it. I can't do anything more then get from one day to the next. And for me, that means doing all I can for you and the kids and not thinking about what's going on in my head."
"Whoa Natalia, w-wait, you l-lost me. I just w-want t-to know what's b-bo-bothering you. Not that I d-don't want you to t-talk to me about th-this, but first, I w-want to know why y-you walked away w-when we got h-home."
"Sorry, Sam and I were talking before I came in here and I guess I just picked up with you where I left off with him. But Olivia, that is what was wrong. You told Marina that I wasn't feeling anything about all of this and it hurt because that's just not true. It's the opposite in fact. I'm feeling too much." She explained as she started to cry.
Even though it hurt, Olivia brought her wife into her arms and placed a kiss to the top of her head. "Oh ba-baby, that's not wh-what I meant. I just m-meant that, w-well, like you s-said, you're doing ev-everything for me, for our b-business, for our kids, e-even for Sam, and you aren't a-al-allowing yourself t-time to process wh-what you're f-feeling. Sweetheart, I k-know this is just as h-hard on you as it is o-on any of u-us. I know e-everyone thinks th-that I got the worst of it, b-but I don't th-think that's t-true."
Natalia pulled back and wiped her eyes with the palms of her hands. "What do you mean?"
"Look, ph-physically, yeah, I got th-the sh-shit end of the s-stick, but mentally, I d-don't think so. Am I a l-li-little fucked up, y-yeah, did it bring b-back some o-old memories of t-times I'd rather for-forget? Sure. But w-what I am going t-th-through mentally, is d-different then what y-you are going through. God Natalia, i-if it had been y-you that he b-beat, that he had a g-gun held to, that he al-almost shot and killed, I, I don't k-know what I w-would do. The th-thought of anything h-happening to you, it k-kills me Natalia. I c-can't imagine h-how you feel right n-now. I w-want to be h-here for y-you just like you a-are for me and e-ev-everyone else. But I n-need you to t-talk to me."
"Oh Olivia. I know you didn't mean what you said to Marina the way I took it, Sam helped me to understand that, and I'm so sorry I haven't been talking to you. I just, I didn't want to give you any more stress. You have so much to deal with, you need to rest and recuperate and I didn't want to hinder that in anyway, but you're right, I wish it was me because it would be easier to deal with. Olivia, I can't stop thinking about him hitting you, about that gun pointing at your head, about how scared our little boy must have been. I wish with my whole heart that is was me because then I wouldn't have to keep thinking about what could have happened to you, about how close I was to losing you.
Every time something has happened with your heart, I have felt like this, like I could lose you at any moment, but this, this is so much worse. It wasn't your heart, I can't just yell at you for not taking better care of yourself, I can't just ride you to take your pills and eat right and exercise and take on less at work. This was completely out of my control. I know I can't really control what happens with your heart, but I can do things to try and prevent it from happening, but this, I couldn't and can't do anything about someone beating you unconscious and holding a cocked gun to your head. I couldn't do anything to stop this from happening and I can't do anything to prevent it from happening again and it's my fault it happened in the first place. Frank wanted me, wants me, and because of that, I almost lost you."
Natalia was sobbing when Olivia ignored her pain again to pull her wife into her arms, laying back onto the pillows and taking Natalia with her. The two laid there, Natalia's head on Olivia's shoulder and Olivia rubbing her back for a few silent moments before Olivia spoke softly.
"Sweetheart this w-was not your f-fault. The only p-person to bl-blame for this i-is Frank. I know y-you're not going to l-listen to me, b-but baby, you have g-got to believe m-me. No one blames y-you for t-th-this. You did a-all you could to t-tell him that you d-didn't want to be w-with him. It's h-his fault this h-happened. Not yours. Never y-yours. I love you N-Natalia, so much. I will n-never blame you for any o-of this."
Natalia nodded against her shoulder and turned her face into Olivia's neck, kissing the soft flesh there. "You're right, I can't believe you, but maybe one day. I love you Olivia, so much." She murmured into the skin under her lips.
Olivia squeezed her tighter against her. "It's g-going to take t-time baby, but we w-will all get through t-this."
Natalia lifted her head to look into her wife's eyes. "Yes, we will. Let's call the kids and Sam in and eat some lunch, then you can nap while we watch some movies until Emma gets home."
"Sounds per-perfect. Will you lay w-with me like th-this while I s-sleep?"
"Of course, I will honey. I really missed cuddling with you while you were in the hospital."
"Well, if you r-remember correctly, I t-tried to get y-you to lay with m-me." Olivia countered.
"Yes my love, you did, but I couldn't, too many wires and tubes all over you. You looked like an alien test subject." She joked.
"Mmm. You th-think you're f-funny don't you?"
"As a matter of fact, I do." Natalia smiled.
"Get your ch-children and b-brother-in-law and f-feed me my l-little c-comedian."
"I can do that, but first…" Natalia didn't finish, just leaned down, and captured her wife's lips with her own. Olivia slipped her tongue out and glided it across Natalia's bottom lip, begging for entrance. Natalia opened to her and their tongues tangled, sliding against one another, dueling for dominance. Both women moaned into the kiss as it continued to deepen. Olivia tangled a hand into thick tresses, pulling Natalia further into her mouth. They kissed until they were both completely breathless and seeing spots before pulling apart. This kiss was for the love and support that was freely given and received between the two. It was reconnecting on an intimate level until the time came that they could psychically express their love again.