A/N: Sorry it's been awhile but I am back now and should be able to keep up with once a week updates again. Thank you all for sticking with me. Fostering teenagers is harder than I imagined, even though I've done it before.

Chapter 103

Natalia sat at her desk at The Beacon completely frustrated. It was Friday afternoon and she was trying like hell to get everything done so that she and her family could leave for Chicago. She had wanted to leave that morning and not have to fight with traffic, but several mishaps at their hotel in Springfield, not only made her have to leave her wife at home alone for the first time, but it also delayed their departure time. At least Emma was able to go to school instead of missing yet another day.

She had already called a repair man to come and fix the heating problem for several of the rooms on the third floor, smoothed things over with several investors who were worried that Olivia wasn't up for the two new hotels with everything that had happened and fixed the projected income for February. Ava had somehow crossed several numbers, being upset about having to come into the office made Natalia take the spread sheets and fix it herself instead of walking Ava through the problem. She still needed to speak with a couple of disgruntled guests, review and sign off on payroll, and have an upper-level staff meeting.

Just as Natalia was sifting through the mountains of paperwork on her desk to start working on payroll a knock sounded on her office door. Without glancing up she huffed out a "what," sounding very much like her wife.

Greg sheepishly opened the door and stutter over his words a little. "Sorry to bother you Mrs. Spencer-Rivera, but the uh, the gentleman here about the heaters said he needs to replace one of the furnaces and Ms. Peralta Spencer-Rivera said that either you or the other Mrs. Spencer-Rivera needed to sign off on an expense such as this one."

Natalia let out a long breath and shook her head. Muttering under her breath. "What else could go wrong today?" She looked back to Greg and forced a smile. "Send him in please Greg."

"Of course, Mrs. Spencer-Rivera."

"And it's Natalia."

Greg didn't respond, instead just ducked out the door to send the repair man in. Natalia had been unusually short tempered today; he and several staff members had even started joking that Ms. Spencer had somehow taken over Natalia's body since Natalia was acting so much like her today. Of course, he felt bad after making jokes such as those, he knew that the Spencer-Rivera family had been through a great ordeal, and Ms. Spencer was someone he cared about, like Natalia, he had always seen that there was more to her then most people saw. He made a mental note to send over another bouquet of flowers with Olivia's favorite chocolates. He and most of the staff had already gotten her flowers and written her get well cards that were at the farmhouse when she returned from the hospital, but he wanted to give her something specifically from him. He also planned on surprising her in Chicago for the grand opening and offering his assistance.

After speaking with Mr. Collen, the repair man for the furnace, and signing off on the purchase and install of the new unit, Natalia decided to call and check on her wife, knowing she needed to inform her of the new furnace at the very least. Even though it had only been two weeks, Olivia was already trying to get Natalia to let her help with Beacon concerns, especially things she felt she could do from home. Natalia refused to allow Olivia to do anything work related, but after catching Olivia on her laptop several times at hours she should have been sleeping, she compromised that she would make sure Olivia was informed of anything major in exchange for locking Olivia's laptop in her office safe at the Beacon so Olivia would quit getting on it at three in the morning. She even told Ava and Rafe to keep theirs hidden at the house and took hers upstairs to their bedroom when she was finished with it at night.

Picking up her cell, Natalia took a few deep breaths to calm herself so Olivia wouldn't sense her stress, and then pressed the picture of her wife on her favorites list. After a few rings, her wife's sleep induced groggy voice came over the line. "Hello?"

"Hi honey. Did I wake you?"

"Yeah, but I ne-needed to g-get up, I've been as-asleep for a w-while. How are things g-going?"

"Um…busy."

"Natalia, I know when s-something is bother you. W-what's wrong?"

"Nothing major, just a lot of little things, but I did need to talk to you about something."

"What's up bu-buttercup?"

Natalia giggled at her wife's silly behavior, happy to have her in a good mood. "Well, we have to replace one of the small furnaces, the entire third floor is without heat."

"What the h-hell happened?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but he thinks we should update the entire HVAC system to an industrial size that does both heat and air, like we did in Chicago and St. Louis. Maybe update to tank less hot water tanks as well. It would save us in the long run, plus, right now we have one small industrial heater and two regular ones, if we update then we will only have one unit. I think it might be a good idea."

"Would he have to u-update the HVAC lines?"

"No, he said they are updated enough, and he could get the work done fairly quickly. He said we would be without heat for maybe two days while he switched over the unit and only a few hours for the hot water tanks."

"Did he give you a q-quote for the job?"

"No, but he will have it to me by Monday. I told him we would be in Chicago but to email it to me and I would get with him as soon as possible."

"Is he already re-replacing the furnace? It would be s-stupid to pay for that and then t-turn around and pay for an entire n-new unit."

"Crap, I wasn't even thinking baby, there is so much going on here and I just wanted heat for the third floor. Give me a second and let me see if I can get him before he does anything." Natalia quickly dialed Greg from the office phone and asked him to get Mr. Collen for her before he did any work and then returned her attention to her wife. "Alright, I asked Greg to get him for me. So, how is my lovely wife doing today?"

"I'm good. Walked to the l-living room with my w-walker all by myself. And when we get off the p-phone I'm gonna go to the kitchen and m-make a sandwich."

"Please don't overdo it Olivia. I hate that you're home alone."

"It's just a f-few broken ribs Natalia. I'm f-fine."

"It's more than that and you know it. When is Sam getting back?"

"He said he would o-only be gone a few hours so he s-should be back any time now."

"Good. Did you take your meds?"

"Yes dear."

"Heart meds too?"

"Yes sweetheart, and I d-did my speech therapy."

"Good girl." Natalia said in her mom voice with a chuckle. "Your speech has improved so much baby. I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you. I wish it w-would just go the fuck away al-already."

"Well don't get all worked up, that only makes it worse. When you're calm you barely stutter anymore. Yesterday Rick seemed amazed at how well you're doing."

"Yeah, well, small m-minds."

"Olivia." Natalia chastised.

"What?"

Suddenly there was a knock at Natalia's partially opened door. She waved Mr. Collen in and gestured for him to take a seat. "I have to go. The heat and air guy is here. Be careful and don't overdo it."

"I won't. I love y-you sweetheart."

"I love you too. I'll be home as soon as I can and we can get going to Chicago."

"Okay. Bye h-honey."

"Bye." Natalia was able to work it out with Mr. Collen for him to do a temporary fix for now until he could get them a quote on updating the entire unit. After a few more long hours, she was finally done with her list of things to do. She just needed to have her staff meeting and then she, Rafe, and Ava could grab Emma, Sam, and Olivia and head to Chicago for the grand opening.

After another two hours, the entire Spencer-Rivera family was loaded into Natalia's SUV and headed to Chicago along with Doris, who had planned on being there for the opening, and now that Emma was so attached, decided to just tag along for the entire trip. Security cars were in front and behind them. Although Olivia had argued with Phillip that they no longer needed security, especially when they were leaving Springfield, he had insisted. Not wanting to argue, she acquiesced and so now they had two black SUV's each with four security guards in tow.

When they finally made it to Chicago, Olivia was in quite a lot of pain after traveling the bumpy Chicago roads, all she wanted was a Vicodin and the plush bed of their suite with her wife laying next her. Unfortunately, that was not going to happen. Yes she took a Vicodin and yes she was forced to lay in bed, however, Natalia would not be joining her. She, Rafe, and Ava all wanted to check and make sure everything was ready for their grand opening. She did get the next best thing, Emma snuggled up next her good side while the two watched a movie and waited for a late snack to be brought up.

Saturday and Sunday were filled with lots of last-minute details for the big night. Saturday the family was able to sit down to dinner together and enjoy some of the menu from their new chef, all of which was delicious. Natalia spent almost as much time talking Olivia out of trying to help as she did actually doing work. Doris and Sam both tried, but only Natalia could break Olivia's stubborn resolve.

It was late Sunday night when Ava and Rafe were finally able to sit for a few minutes before heading to bed and Natalia finally had a little time to spend cuddled up with her wife. Emma was tucked in with Doris in a suite next to theirs, Sam had retired early. Natalia carefully brought Olivia into her arms and nuzzled her neck, breathing in her scent.

Olivia let out a contented sigh. "Is everything ready for to-tomorrow?"

"Just about. I'm sure there will be a few last-minute things to take care of, but it's pretty much done. Ava and Rafe both did an amazing job."

"Good. I'm so proud o-of all of you."

"Thank you honey. And I'm proud of you for not helping. I know it's hard for you."

"It is, but I know you t-three can take care of everything and i-it was nice to have some o-one on one with Em-Emma. And Doris and Sam too."

"I can't believe how well your speech is doing. I know it bothers you, but you are doing so good. Rick is really surprised that you're doing so well so quickly. How is Emma?"

Ignoring the part about her speech, Olivia chose to focus on Emma. "She's okay I t-think. I wish she would talk t-to me. I mean, I'm glad that D-Doris is here for her, and that Em feels s-safe with her, but I hate that it's n-not us, you know? I have always been Em-Emma's safety and now I'm not." Olivia said sadly. Thinking she wasn't her babies hero anymore.

"Oh Olivia. Honey, it's not that you aren't her safety, she knows you're hurting, and she wants you to get better. I know that as soon as you can handle it she will be right back to wanting mommy to make everything better."

"I don't know, I don't th-think she sees me as her s-strong mommy anymore. I'm w-weak now."

Natalia shuffled in the bed to sit up straight and lifted Olivia's chin with a finger so their eyes met. "Olivia, you listen to me right now." She said with a soft but stern voice. "You are not weak. I don't know anybody that could have done what you did. You were beaten and almost killed and somehow you still found the strength to not only get yourself out of his grip on you, but you knocked him to the ground and got the gun from him. Olivia you are stronger than anyone I have ever known in so many ways. You are not weak my love. Emma is just afraid of hurting you. She wanted to sleep in our bed with you, she just couldn't so she had to find someone else to make her feel safe. She loves you and she knows how very strong you are." She ended her little speech with a peck to Olivia's lips.

There were unshed tears in Olivia's eyes when she pulled back from the kiss. She looked down at her hands and then back up to her wife's chocolate eyes. "But why not S-Sam, or Ava, or Rafe. I just don't un-understand why she chose someone o-outside of the family. Doesn't our family make her feel s-safe anymore?"

"Oh honey, I don't think it's about us. I think it's exactly what Emma said. She really thinks that because Doris is the mayor, no one would dream of trying to hurt her. She doesn't understand that in reality people are more apt to go after someone like Doris, in her mind, Doris is a strong leader in our town and people would never try to hurt her. So, for Emma, she feels safe because she doesn't believe that anyone will try and get her as long as she's with Doris."

"But she thinks p-people will try to hurt us?"

"Unfortunately, yes, right now she does. But Felicia said in time she will understand that it was just Frank. No one is out to get us, and no one is going to hurt her. It's going to take time my love, but she'll get there, we all will, as a family. It's going to be okay Liv."

"How can you be so s-sure?"

"Because I have faith. And not just in God, but in us, in our family. We have overcome so much already, there is nothing we can't get through, as long as we're together."

Olivia let a few tears fall and burrowed into her wife's shoulder. "I l-love you N-Natalia." She murmured.

Natalia squeezed her tight and kissed the top of her head. "I love you too mi amor. Now let's get some sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow."

Olivia nodded against her shoulder and the two resituated so they were laying down, Olivia's head on Natalia's chest, a leg thrown over her hip, and a hand resting against the steady beat of her heart. Natalia rubbed up and down Olivia's back until her breathing evened out and she could tell she was asleep before she finally kissed Olivia's head one more time and let her own eyes close.

Olivia's eyes slowly blinked open as she felt soft kisses being peppered across her shoulder and neck. She let out a contented sigh and snuggled deeper into the body behind her. It was the first time she had woken up and not immediately felt the need for a pain pill. She was in pain, but it was tolerable, at least enough to enjoy the feel of her wife's lips against her skin for a few more minutes.

Natalia continued to lay tender kisses to her love gently tugging Olivia to her back so she could make a path to her lips. The two kissed for long moments, simply enjoying the peace they found in one another before their busy day began.

Natalia finally pulled back and starred into deep jade eyes. "Good morning my love."

Olivia smiled at the sweetness that was Natalia. "Morning sweetheart. H-how did you sleep?" She asked, stretching carefully.

"Mmm. I always sleep good when I'm with you." She answered, bestowing another kiss to soft lips.

"Hmm. Me too. So, you re-ready for today?"

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

"Nervous?"

"A little yeah. Tonight's a big deal and I just want it all to go perfect."

The two were laying on their sides facing each other, noses almost touching. Olivia traced a finger down Natalia's cheek. "It will be wonderful b-baby. You are amazing, and Rafe and Ava have both really st-stepped up. I have no doubt that y-you could run this company without me. It's not like you n-never have before." She smiled out.

"No way. I cannot do this without you Olivia. I need you and this company certainly needs you."

"Oh, come on. You ran The B-Beacon Springfield pretty much by yourself w-while I recovered after my heart s-surgery and back then you had zero tr-training and that terror of the Beacon b-bitch trying to run you off. And now you've b-been taking care of three hotels while I l-lay around twiddling my thumbs. You are the most am-amazing woman I have ever met, and I know you will make to-tonight exactly what we envisioned it to be. Y-you're a superhero."

"Well, first off, I did not run The Beacon, you did all the work, I just carried out your orders. Secondly, by the time you hired me as your assistant you had stopped trying to run me off and you weren't a total witch. Lastly, I am not running these hotels baby, we are doing it, you, me, Rafe, and Ava, you are just taking a back seat for a little while. But thank you for having so much faith in me. I love you so much Olivia."

"I love you too sweetheart, and, I have c-complete faith in you, always have. You can do an-anything you set you mind to. Thank you for taking such g-good care of our family and our business. I don't know h-how I got so lucky, but I thank my lucky st-stars I did."

Natalia leaned in and kissed her wife passionately, when it finally broke, they were both breathless. "I'm the lucky one." She said with nothing but love and adoration in both her voice and eyes. "Now, we need to get up. You need your meds and food, and I need to make sure everyone else is up and go check on a few things."

Olivia wrapped her arm tightly around Natalia's waist. "Five more minutes? P-please." She begged, sounding very much like their youngest daughter.

Natalia was unable to resist her wife's pleas and wrapped her arms around her lover, kissing her temple and laying her head on top of Olivia's for a few more minutes of quiet snuggling before beginning their crazy day.

When they finally emerged from their room, they were greeted by their entire family, Doris included, already up and dressed with breakfast waiting for them. As they finished eating and Natalia cleaned up, a knock came at the door. Rafe opened it and in walked Greg to Olivia's great surprise.

"W-what are you doing here?" She asked, not displeased, just surprised.

"I wanted to come and offer my assistance in any way you need. I know you've been stressed about this grand opening and it's the last thing you need right now."

Olivia couldn't help but hug the man, he had always been her greatest and most treasured employee, aside from Natalia and now her children. "Thank you. I d-don't know what else to say. I'm s-sure Natalia could use all the help she could g-get."

Natalia smiled at the man. "Yes of course. Thank you for coming Greg."

"Of course, Mrs. And Mrs. Spencer-Rivera. Just let me know what you need."

It was a long day, but the party went off without a hitch. Olivia walked on stage with only her cane and her wife. The two introduced their new Company and their children to their staff and Olivia made a short speech thanking each member of their staff for all their hard work in getting The Beacon Chicago open as well as thanking all of the guest that were there for their support in their new hotel. She spoke slower than normal, trying to focus and not stutter, succeeding for the most part.

She was very happy to see so many Springfield residents there to support her family. Phillip and Beth, Buzz and Lillian, Dr. Rick, who scolded her for not using her walker, Bill and Lizzie, Blake was there as well as several other members of their community back home. It was surreal in a way, to see all these people she had hurt in the past and many who had hurt her all there in support.

As she walked off the stage, Natalia holding her tight around the waist, she locked eyes with her wife. No words were needed, Natalia could see all the love and gratitude there in Olivia's Sea green eyes, glistening with unshed tears. Natalia simply gave Olivia a gentle squeeze and kissed her cheek as they walked down the stairs and took a seat at one of the tables so Olivia could rest.

Wednesday morning everyone piled back into the SUV and headed for home. Olivia gripped Natalia's hand the entire way, trying to convey how grateful she was for the love of this incredible woman. When they finally made it home and the two were in their makeshift room, all of their children tucked into bed, Doris sleeping soundly with Emma, Natalia took Olivia into her arms and held onto her for dear life. Silently thanking God for the wonderful gift of this woman and for helping her through this trying time.

Neither of them spoke a word, it wasn't necessary. They simply held onto one another, both hoping the hard times were over for their family. Yes they still had Frank's trial, but hopefully that would be the end. Natalia kissed her wife with everything that she had before drifting off to sleep. This kiss was for the new beginning their family was making, and for the love that surrounded them know matter what was going on their lives.