Chapter 112
After lunch, the family once again took their place at the prosecution table. Behind them Ava, Sam, Phillip, Beth, Blake, Josh, and Reva sat leaned close talking and giving Olivia as much support as possible while they waited on the judge to enter. The next row had Buzz, Lillian, Bill, Lizzie, Billy, Vanessa, Holly, who had flown in for the trial, Mallet, and Shane. Behind them sat James, Daisy, Ashley, who had also flown in for the trial, Jamanda, Remy, Christina, Matt, Rick, and Mindy. After that almost all of Springfield either sat or stood behind them with, again, only Marina sat behind Frank with a sour look on her face.
Once court was called to order, Natalia laced her fingers with her wife's and squeezed. She knew this would be difficult for the woman she loved, but hopefully with her testimony, this would all be over soon and Frank would be in prison for a very long time. After Frank was brought in and the judge asked for further witnesses, Natalia stood and helped Doris get her wife standing. The morning had taken its toll on Olivia and she refused a pain pill at lunch since she needed a clear head for what was to come. Natalia placed Olivia's cane in her hand and gave her a quick but heart felt peck before retaking her seat as Doris helped Olivia into the witness stand.
It had been a heavy debate between Doris and Mel on who should question Olivia, but Doris knew her friend would be more comfortable if it was her. She had spoken several times with Olivia about her testimony.
Doris leaned in close to Olivia, knowing only the judge and Olivia would hear her in her low tone. "Remember Olivia, it's just me and you talking, like any other day." Olivia nodded and Doris stood straighter and brought her voice back up to be heard by the room. "Mrs. Spencer-Rivera, I understand that you are having some trouble speaking, if at any time you need a break, just let me know." Olivia nodded again, knowing that fist comment was for the jury more than her. "Can you tell us what your relation with the defendant is?"
"At one t-time, we were f-friends, or I thought w-we were anyways."
"Was that recently, or a while ago?"
"Both."
"Can you explain that for us?"
"In years p-past, Frank and I h-had been friends. As Ms. M-Marler explained in h-her testimony, I d-did some pretty h-horrible things back then, and t-that was the end o-of any type of f-friendship for a while." Olivia spoke slowly, trying her hardest to stutter as little as possible. Although she knew it would play well for the jury, she never wanted to appear weak, no matter the circumstance.
"Did you regain a friendship at some point?"
"Yes. When Natalia a-and I started getting c-closer, building a friendship, I wanted t-to do something nice for h-her after a par-particularly bad day. I went to C-Company to get all her fav-favorite foods. Frank was th-there, and I suggested he join N-Natalia for dinner. I coached him a l-little on what to say to h-her, how to act. I guess t-that was the start of a f-friendship, at least until Natalia a-and I started seeing o-one another."
"Why would you do that Olivia? Coach someone else on a dinner you obviously put a lot a thought into?"
"I… I knew h-how I felt about Natalia t-then, had for a-awhile, but I didn't th-think she could ever feel the s-same. That was a f-few weeks before we t-told each other h-how we felt. I, I wanted h-her to be happy. F-Frank was a nice g-guy, I knew he would t-take care of her, g-give her the life she w-wanted. Give her what I n-never could."
Natalia watched and listened to her wife. Guilt welling in her stomach for not speaking up earlier. She had known how she felt and how Olivia felt since the day she collapsed outside Company and she had let Olivia think she wasn't good enough for her for so long. Although they had talked about it all during the course of their relationship, and both forgiven the other for misdeeds, it didn't stop the guilt she felt for allowing her wife to feel inadequate. She shook herself out of her inner monolog as she felt both her son and daughter place gentle hands on each of her shoulders, as if they could sense what she was feeling. She gave a slight smile to each of them and then returned her attention to her wife's testimony.
"And what was it that you felt you couldn't give her that Mr. Cooper could?"
"A n-normal life for one th-thing. Husband, more k-kids, practicing catholic. No worries a-about what people t-think, no w-whispers behind their backs. H-he could protect h-her, keep her s-safe. Just a n-normal happy l-life. Me being m-me, I c-couldn't give her t-that. I destroy people, I d-don't protect them. I h-hurt everyone I c-come in contact w-with, I didn't w-want that for h-her."
"Your opinion changed on that?"
"Yes." Olivia met her wife's tear-filled eyes briefly. "She c-changed me. Made m-me want to be b-better. She taught me w-what it is to t-truly love someone. S-she had faith in me w-when no one else did, n-not even me. She's, s-stubbornly, fought past a-all of my defenses, s-she took down my w-walls and t-took the time to g-get to know me, t-the me I've never let a-anyone but my d-daughters see before. Natalia, N-Natalia refused to l-let me be my usual self d-deprecating self. She made me b-be who she saw, and that un-unwavering faith, and con-confidence, and grace, it c-changed me. Made be a better m-mother, a better f-friend, a better human b-being. I know I c-can give her everything she needs, be-because all she needs from m-me, is my love, and f-for her, I have pl-plenty of that." She met her wife's eyes once again and returned the silently mouthed 'I love you' Natalia sent to her.
"When would you say that your relationship with Mr. Cooper became strained again?"
"He was up-upset when Natalia told him s-she didn't want m-more than f-friendship from him. H-he had a hard t-time believing her, b-but it wasn't until she t-told him that she and I w-were together that it b-became evident that he n-never truly felt I'd ch-changed or harbored any r-real feelings of f-friendship towards me."
"We already know from Natalia how he reacted to that news. Was there a time when you felt that he had moved on, that he had forgiven whatever wrongdoing he felt you did to him?"
"Yes. As Natalia s-said a few days ago, a-after her retreat, w-when she was trying to w-win me back, Frank en-encouraged me to g-give her a chance. He st-started dating Ms. M-Marler, and Natalia and I b-both truly believed he had m-moved on. T-that he truly w-wanted us to be happy."
"It was just before your wedding when you realized that wasn't the case. Correct?"
"Yes. Th-that's when he left t-the bruise on N-Natalia's arm."
"Thank you Olivia. Can you walk us through the evening of the sixteenth of January from your point of view?"
Olivia took a shuddering breath. She wanted to get lost in the depths of her wife's deep chocolate eyes but feared she wouldn't get through this if she did, so instead she sought out the crystal blue of her best friend. "Ra…Rafe." She took another deep breath. "R-Rafe was pretty sp-spot on about the beginning. I p-packed for my eldest d-daughter and set her s-suitcase as well as the garment b-bag with all three k-kids dress clothes in t-the hall for him to l-load. Then I went t-to me and my w-wife's room to pack for u-us as well."
"Did you have any reason to believe anything was off or that someone was in your home at that point?"
"No." she shook her head to emphasize the word. "There w-was no reason to. T-the house was in the s-same order we had l-left it in. There w-wasn't any sounds other t-then myself and my son."
"What happened after you entered your bedroom?"
"I went t-to the ensuite to get our t-toiletries together and p-placed them on the b-bed."
"Is that when you suspected something was off?"
"No. I n-never had any s-suspicion, not until I o-open the closet door to gather c-clothes for Natalia and m-myself."
"What happened at that point?"
Olivia's eyes flickered towards Frank of their own accord. She had to close them and take a few quick breaths to calm herself and not shake. Doris reached a handout to her arm for comfort. Olivia was grateful for it as she slowly opened her eyes. Doris squeezed her arm once more before removing her hand and stepping back.
"I w-was grabbed, and a h-hand was pl-pl…placed over my m-mouth so I c-couldn't sc-scream. I t-tried to f-fight a-against it…I re-remember be-being punch in, in the r-ribs to st-stop me from st-struggling." Olivia closed her eyes again as images of that night flashed across her brain. Her stutter was getting to its worst point as emotions overtook her. Without opening her eyes, she continued.
"I c-could feel th-that who-whoever it was w-was too st-strong for me…I re-remember seeing a pic-picture of my fa-family. I th-think I head b-butt him, b-but then I w-was s-struck in t-the t-temple." Tears were running freely down her cheeks and her eyes were still closed. "T-the l-last th-thing I s-saw was t-that picture o-of my f-family…I t-thought of h-how m-much I l-loved th-them as m-my world w-went bl-bl…black."
She paused as sobs wracked her body. It took all she had but Doris stood back and let the jury witness such a strong woman completely break. After a few minutes, Olivia finally wiped at her eyes and opened them. She took a long, deep breath. "I l-learned l-later, at t-the h-hospital th-that I h-hit my h-head o-on t-the s-small t-table w-we k-keep i-in o-our c-closet w-when I f-fell t-too th-the fl-floor."
Doris looked at her sympathetically. She could hear the other members of the Spencer-Rivera family sniffling behind her, as well as several others in the court room, a few members of the jury among them. As much as she wanted to take Olivia into her arms, she had no choice but to remain professional and push forward. She dabbed at her own eyes before glancing back to her friend. "Can you tell us the next thing you remember?"
"I n-need a m-minute, pl-please." She all but begged. "I… t-talking… it's…"
"It's okay Olivia. Take a minute. Just breathe. Let me know when you're ready." Doris pat the hand that was resting on the edge of the witness stand and looked over to judge Anderson who she could tell was both angry for the way this woman had been treated and fighting to keep his composure and not let the unshed tears in his own eyes fall after watching such a heart breaking scene.
Judge Anderson knew from experience that Olivia Spencer was a force. When he first encountered her, when she tried to bribe him, he could see it in her eyes then, the fire, the pure determination to make certain things went her way. She had a never back down fight in her. A fight he could see was no longer in the woman who sat before him. He could see now just how correct her son had been with his description of Olivia. Something in her was broken. He knew he had to remain impartial, let the evidence and the jury decide the fate of Frank Cooper Jr., but, if he had his way, it would be cold day in hell before the man saw freedom again.
As he watched Olivia, her head bowed and shoulders slumped, trying repeatedly to pull herself together, he looked over to Natalia and saw he fighting to remain in her seat and not run to her wife. Their children doing their absolute best to keep her seated and calm, as well as several members of the community who sat behind her. He wanted to break his own rule. He wanted to let Olivia's wife comfort her as he had allowed her to comfort Rafe. But he had told Doris it was a onetime thing and he couldn't let it appear as though he was playing favorites and give Frank the chance at a mistrial.
After several long and silent minutes in the court room, Olivia finally raised her head. Eyes and face wiped clear of any tears. A look of pure determination on her face. She first locked eyes with her wife and mouthed that she was okay and she loved her. Then she turned her attention back to Doris. "Sorry about… that. I'm r-ready… to continue." She paused twice so she could get through at least one sentence without stuttering every word. Frank would not see her broken, weak, or defeated. Not on her life.
Doris was going to ask if she was sure, but when she looked at her, she saw the fire in her eyes. Olivia had threw up her walls and plastered on her business face. No matter what was said from this point forward, they wouldn't be dealing with Olivia Spencer-Rivera, no, the woman who sat before her now, was Olivia freaking Spencer. The take no prisoners bitch of Springfield so many once feared.
Natalia flinched as she observed the cold stare in her wife's eyes. She hadn't seen that look in a very long time. She knew it was necessary for Olivia to continue, but she hated it. She tried to meet her wife's eyes again, but Olivia wasn't having it. The Olivia that sat next to the judge was not her wife, it was the hard, almost emotionless woman she had met when she first came to town. She only hoped her wife would come back to her when she left the stand. She couldn't focus on that now, now she needed to be strong for her children, the way they both clung tighter to her let her know that they too could see the change in their mother, and it had been discussed shortly after the attack that they all worried Olivia would retreat into herself and become the woman they were all glad to see go. It didn't matter though. She would do it all again if she had to. The fights, the stand offs, her refusal to let Olivia hurt herself in anyway. She would take Olivia's insults and being pushed away at every turn. She would relive the months before and after her heart surgery to get 'her' wife back. Right now, though, this is who Olivia needed to be, and she would support her.
"Can you please explain the next thing you remember after you passed out?" Doris asked again.
Olivia's cold stare fixated on Frank. She spoke slowly, making sure to keep her voice even, and keep her stutter to a minimum. "I woke up. I-it was dark. I, I g-groaned in p-pain, t-then he was there a-again, standing over m-me. T-that's when I knew f-for sure who it was. H-he growled at me t-to be quiet, t-then he kicked me i-in the r-ribs until I bl-blacked o-out again."
"Is the man you saw above you in the court room today?"
Olivia finally allowed you gaze to leave Frank and move back to Doris. She was the perfect picture of a business mogul about to close a deal. "Yes." She stated firmly.
"Who?"
"The defendant, Frank Achilles Cooper Jr." She said and pointed at Frank.
"Thank you. What do you remember after he caused you to black out for the second time?"
"When I o-opened my eyes a-again, I was st-standing. Well, I w-was being held in a st-standing position. I wasn't in the c-closet anymore. Instead, w-we were next t-to my bed. I could feel c-cold metal against my temple. It t-took a m-minute to realize it was a g-gun. T-then the voices around me b-began to become clear. I kn-knew Mallet's v-voice, and Franks."
Olivia paused for a moment, her head falling forward, her hardened features faltering for merely a second. She drew herself back up and held back the tears threatening to fall. "T-then I heard a v-voice I had h-hoped wouldn't be there. My s-son, Rafe, Rafael, h-he was so scared. I c-could hear the terror in his v-voice. S-something snapped in-inside of me then. I k-knew I had no ch-choice but to get my son s-safely out of t-that room. Rafe g-glanced at me a-and our eyes met. I w-was so proud of h-him when he h-held in his relief a-at seeing me awake. It w-was like he read m-my mind and started t-talking to Frank. H-he was playing into what he w-wanted. In-insisting I was an awful p-person, that I didn't l-love him or N-Natalia and t-they didn't love me. He f-fully distracted F-Frank's attention f-from me. Frank l-let the gun slip f-from its place a-against my temple and I t-took the chance given to m-me." She stopped again to take a few breaths before completing her story.
"I sl-slammed my head into his n-nose at the same time as I st-stomped his foot and e-elbowed him in the ribs. He f-fell to the ground. I'm n-not entirely s-sure how the gun e-ended up in my hand, but I d-didn't care how then, s-still don't. I s-shoved Frank to h-his back with my f-foot and placed it firmly a-against him manhood and p-pointed the gun at his chest. I a-asked him for a reason not to k-kill him, but before he c-could reply, I s-saw my son out of the c-corner of my eye. He was t-terrified and calming his was m-much more important than a-anything to do with F-Frank. I h-handed the gun behind me. I'm n-not even sure who took it. I just re-remember taking my son into m-my arms and holding him tight. T-then I blacked out again. I d-don't remember anything e-else until I woke up in the h-hospital."
"Thank you for sharing that with us Olivia. Dr. Rick Bauer already gave an extensive account of the injuries you sustained, but I would like you to tell us how you felt when you awoke in the hospital."
Olivia's demeanor changed slightly then. She still had her mask firmly in place, but to the ones who really knew her, to Natalia, she was letting herself feel again. That was a very good sign. "I, I don't k-know that I can t-truly describe it. The f-first thing I felt w-was relief when I n-noticed my wife and t-two of my children were with m-me. I had f-feared I would never see a-any of them again. I t-truly thought my life w-would end in that c-closet, so opening my e-eyes and s-seeing them, relief, there is n-no other word."
"What else?"
"At first th-that was it. J-just relief. M-my family was s-safe and I was a-alive. Then I felt t-the pain. It h-hurt to breath. I c-could tell my r-ribs were, at the very least, b-bruised. Then my head p-pounded. It was w-worse than any m-migraine I've e-ever had. I didn't r-realize anything e-else was wrong until I t-tried to speak. At f-first, I thought it w-was just because my t-throat was dry, but, a-as you can h-hear, the st-stutter from t-the gun to my t-temple and hitting the b-back of my h-head on the table i-is still here. At l-least the partial p-paralysis in my face d-didn't last long."
"How have your injuries affected your daily life?"
"It's d-difficult, to say the l-least. I can't walk o-on my own. Even w-with the walker or c-cane, I still need help. My f-family had to t-transform our downstairs o-office into a temporary r-room for myself and my w-wife since I can't do the s-stairs with four broken r-ribs. My wife has had to t-take time off work to be h-home with me, which i-is very inconvenient s-since we are in the middle o-of a busy season at o-our hotel and we just o-opened a new location in C-Chicago, not to m-mention we've started renovating a-another new hotel in St. Louis. My brother h-had just gone back to his life and j-job after our wedding and had t-to leave a-again to be at the h-house with me when Natalia h-has to be at work. The worst is my b-baby girl. Emma, my y-youngest daughter, she has n-nightmares, almost nightly. She want's s-so badly to sleep with me, a-and I want nothing m-more then to b-be there for her, but it's n-not possible until I'm m-more healed.
ife?"edartial p-parali the p-pa
My f-family is very lucky to h-have some w-wonderful friends that have b-been there for us. I-including filling in for m-me in my daughters bed un-until she feels safe enough to sl-sleep on her own again or I h-heal some more. More nights t-then not, my eldest t-two children, who are b-both adults, e-end up on the fl-floor in our room after w-waking from nightmares of t-their own. I h-have at least another t-two to f-four weeks of recovery and no i-idea if this st-stutter will ever completely go away."
"Thank you Olivia. I have no further questions. Your witness Mr. Carter." Doris said as she turned on her heel and sauntered back to her table, giving Natalia a hug as she sat next to her.
Mr. Carter stood and did his best to convey utter confidence. This was one of those times he almost hated being a defense attorney. Natalia and Rafe's testimony had been difficult to listen to and still stay on his clients side, but after listening to Olivia, watching her crumble and then paint on a fake mask to protect herself, all he could think about was what he would do to anyone who ever treated his wife the way this poor woman had been treated. He didn't have a choice though, it was his job to prove his client innocent and he was going to try to do so, though he knew there wasn't a chance in the world of winning this case, he would give it his all.
However, Frank wanted to take the stand before Olivia was questioned by his lawyer. So instead of walking to stand before Olivia, he instead just stood straight up from his chair and looked to the judge. "At this time the defense has no questions for the witness, we would like to ask that the witness be available to be recalled at a later time."
"Request granted. Mrs. Spencer-Rivera, you may step down with the understanding that the defense will have the opportunity to call you back for cross examination at a later time." It wasn't his favorite thing to allow, but he figured Olivia could really use a break, so he made the decision more for her then the defense.
Doris quickly moved to assist Olivia in getting down from the witness stand and returning to her seat where her wife's arms were around her before she was fully seated. Natalia buried her face in Olivia's neck and kissed the soft skin there repeatedly, whispering words of love to her wife. Olivia nuzzled her head against her wife's as she sought out her son with her eyes who was quick to join in the hug with Ava reaching as far over to her family as she could. The four took a minute to enjoy the closeness before separating and facing Judge Anderson again. Natalia and their children all confident that Olivia wasn't going to revert back to her old self. She had only needed to get through her testimony.
Judge Anderson watched the spectacle for a moment before addressing Mel and Doris. "Does the prosecution have any further evidence?"
Mel stood and cleared her throat. "At this time, the prosecution rest you honor."
"Very well. Does the defense have any evidence they wish to present at this time?"
"At this time the defense would ask that the jury be removed and a motion for acquittal be submitted."
Judge Anderson looked at the officer closest to him. "Please remove the jury from the court room." Once the jury had been cleared, the judge turned back to Mr. Carter. "What is your motion?"
"At this time the defense moves for acquittal for the reasons that the evidence provided thus far does not prove beyond reasonable doubt that the allocations against my client are in fact true. The evidence is speculative, the evidence is testimony from the witnesses and their friends, including the doctors and officers brought forward in this case. I do not believe that the weight of the evidence leads to the ultimate conclusion without further explanation the defendant is guilty. I believe that submitting the issue to the jury at this point is asking for speculation, objector, surmise, and would be improper and for that reason I do move that the court enter an order of acquittal at this time."
"Prosecution?"
Doris and Mel both stood, but Doris took the lead. "Yes your honor, thank you. The prosecution would resist the defenses motion for judgement of acquittal. As the court knows the standard is not beyond a reasonable doubt at this point, it's weather or not the prosecution has a prima fascia case (legally sufficient proof for the jury to be able to legally find the defendant guilty). A case to be submitted to the jury. The evidence provided thus far matches the allocations. When the evidence is looked at in the light most favorable to the prosecution, there is a prima fascia case. For those reason's the prosecution would resist the defenses motion."
"Taking the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, the court finds that the prosecution has established a prima fascia case, the motion for judgement of acquittal is denied. Please bring the jury back in." The jury was brought back in and the judge once again spoke to Mr. Carter. "I ask again, does the defense have any evidence they wish to present at this time?"
Mr. Cater stood once more. "Yes your honor. At this time, we would call into question the honesty of the victim, Olivia Spencer-Rivera, in cases no less severe than this one with the testimony of our first witness."
"Call your witness Mr. Carter."
"The defense calls, Phillip Spaulding."
Phillip gently released Beth's hand and squeezed both Olivia and Natalia's shoulders as he made his way from his seat to the witness stand. After being sworn in and stating his name for the record, Mr. Carter stood before him.
"Mr. Spaulding, could you state your relationship with Mrs. Olivia Spencer-Rivera?"
"She's a lot of things to me. The mother of my daughter, Emma Spaulding Spencer-Rivera, my ex-wife, and someone I consider to be a good friend."
"So, you and Mrs. Olivia Spencer-Rivera share a child?"
"Yes sir. A beautiful, well adjusted, happy little girl."
"Were you always aware of the existence of said child?"
"No sir."
"How is that possible? Were you not married to Mrs. Spencer-Rivera at the time of the child's birth?"
"No, I wasn't. We weren't married until months after Emma was born."
"Tell me, how is it that you didn't know of the child's birth?"
"That time of Olivia's life, and mine, was a bit … chaotic, to say the least. Olivia was fearful for the life of her unborn child and left town until after her birth. To keep her safe, she told everyone she had died. It was months later when Olivia brought Emma to Springfield and she and I were married."
"Let me get this straight, Olivia LIED about the death of her own child, not only to you, the child's father, but to the entire town? And when you returned to town after an extended absence did she not deny you visitation to your daughter and even do everything in her power to have you placed and kept in jail? Also LYING to you about her relationship with Natalia Spencer-Rivera?"
"She had good reasons for the things she did. I don't blame her. If I was in her place I would have done the same."
"I think I speak for most of us here when I say there is never a good enough reason to lie about the death of child or the type of home said child is being raised in. No further questions."
Judge Anderson's memory flashed back to a case a year ago, a sweet little girl sitting where her father now sits, speaking on his behalf after her mother tried to bribe him. What difference a year makes. Shaking his head, he turned his attention to the prosecution. "Cross examination?"
Once again it was Doris who stood. "Yes your honor." She walked to stand before Phillip. "Good afternoon Mr. Spaulding."
"Hello Mayor Wolfe."
"You said you believed that Olivia had good reason for lying to you about Emma. Could you please explain that for the jury?"
"When Olivia was pregnant, someone had tried to cause her to miscarry, something I regret not paying more attention too." His gaze fell to Lizzie who was shifting uncomfortably in her seat. She loved her baby sister and regretted the actions she had taken against Olivia while she was pregnant with her. Phillip gave her a sad smile before looking back to Doris.
"Olivia left town to protect herself and her child. After her birth, Olivia left her in the care of her brother and came back to Springfield to make myself and my family aware of her death. She had every intention of leaving, however, someone tracked her and found Emma to be alive and forced her to come and tell me the truth. I was in a mental institution at the time, and it took her some time to convince me Emma was in fact my child. She and I did marry; however, our marriage was anything but healthy and we divorced shortly after." He paused for a breath before continuing again.
"I had a nervous breakdown not long after and took all of my children. It was some time after that when I left town for quite some time. When I returned, of course Olivia was fearful of me. She had every reason to be. As I stated, our marriage wasn't very healthy, and after I took Emma, I can understand her being untrusting of me and doing anything possible to ensure her child was never taken from her again."
"As for her lying about her relationship with Natalia, that is not in fact true. She never said she wasn't with Natalia, in fact, I believe during a conversation she and I had, her exact words were, 'I'm the only one in a lesbian love affair.' She may have thought about denying it in fear of how I would react, but in the end she loved Natalia too much to cheapen their relationship that way."
"Thank you Mr. Spaulding. No further questions."
"The witness may step down. We will now recess until nine a.m. tomorrow morning." With the slam of his gavel, Judge Anderson called court to end for the day.
As soon as Frank was escorted out, Olivia sagged in her chair and leaned heavily into her wife. The last three days had taken more out of her then she cared to admit. Natalia lay her head against Olivia's for a moment, allowing herself and her wife just a moment before they headed home for the day.
Once a good percentage of the crowd had cleared the courtroom, Phillip approached the two and knelt down in front of them. He placed a hand on his ex-wife's knee. "How you holding up?"
Olivia blinked a few times and raised her head from her wife's shoulder. "I'm s-still here. Just t-tired. Thank you P-Phillip, for what you s-said up there." She proved as much as a huge yawn escaped.
"No need to thank me. Why don't I keep Emma tonight? All the kids. Rafe and Ava can spend some time with James, and Daisy. She's staying at the mansion since things are a little tense with the Cooper's right now. Sam can come along too. I'll even take the Wolfe and her pup." He joked, attempting poorly to pull a smile from his ex. "It'll give you and Natalia some time. And if Emma's okay without her sleeping buddy, maybe Doris can get some time with Jamanda."
Olivia looked to her wife for how to respond. He was right, poor Doris hadn't had a night with Jamanda in forever. Although she didn't really want to be away from the kids right now, at the same time, she and Natalia hasn't had any time alone in weeks, and after the last three days, she could really use some time not to have to worry about whether or not her kids and brother were okay, for just a little while she could focus on herself and her wife. They still desperately needed to talk.
Natalia wasn't sure either. The older kids hadn't made a single night without ending up on their bedroom floor, and Emma was yet to even think about letting Doris go. She kissed her wife's cheek and nodded at Phillip. "Let's see how the kids feel about it and let them decide. I don't want them to feel like we don't want them around or that they're a burden, and I definitely don't want them away from home if they still need to be close at night."
Phillip nodded his understanding and stood, holding out a hand to assist his ex-wife. When she took it he slipped the other one around her waist while Natalia helped by holding her steady with her other arm. Olivia waivered on her feet. She felt like she might possibly pass out and her face drained of almost all color. It seemed that the emotional toll from the day was having a physical effect.
Without much thought, Phillip scooped her into his arms. Before she could protest he bent his head to whisper in her ear. "I'll let you down before we get outside."
Natalia quickly had a hand against her wife's forehead. "Are you feeling sick? Should I get Rick?"
Olivia took the hand from her forehead and held it in her own. "I'm f-fine baby. Just t-tired." She winced as Phillip shifted her slightly. "And c-could use a pain pill." She lay her head against Phillip's shoulder and allowed her eyes to slip shut as she squeezed Natalia's hand.
As they started to walk to the back of the court room, Rafe and Ava looked up from where they were conversing with Ashley, Doris and Jamanda. "Mom!" Rafe yelled out as he ran towards her with Ava close on his heels.
Natalia quickly stopped them in their stride. "She's okay. She's just tired."
"You're sure?" Ava asked in the smallest voice Natalia had ever heard. She took both of her babies into her arms and kissed their heads.
Before she could answer, Rick came up beside them. "I'm positive. Emotions can have an effect on the body, especially when you're healing from a major trauma. She'll be just fine after she gets some rest. Why don't you two grab some others and make sure there's a clear path to your car."
Rafe nodded and kissed his moms forehead before grabbing Ava's hand and leading her away. Ashley, Daisy, James, and several others joining them. Doris and Jamanda approached the growing crowd around Olivia which now consisted of not only Natalia, Phillip, and Beth, but also Rick, Mindy, Josh, Reva, and Holly.
"Is she really alright Rick." Doris asked. More than a little concerned about her friend.
Rick held up a hand but it was Olivia who spoke. "I'm f-fine." She raised her head from Phillips shoulder. "I'm not gonna d-die. Jesus. Phillip p-put me down." She demanded, attempting to remove herself from his hold, but between the pain twisting her body caused and his tight hold on her, it was futile.
"Stop struggling Olivia. You're only hurting yourself. Let me take you out to your car. Okay?" Phillip asked in an almost pleading voice.
Natalia answered for her. "Yes. Thank you Phillip." She took Olivia's hand and looked at her sternly, effectively stopping any argument she might have had. Instead, Olivia merely lay her head back against Phillip's strong shoulder and allowed herself to be carried. At least neither Rick nor Natalia were demanding a trip to the hospital.
Phillip had originally planned on allowing her to walk from the building to her car, but with how limp her body felt in his arms, he had a feeling that would be more of a feat then his ex could handle at the moment, instead he motioned for as many people as he could to surround them as he carried her to the SUV at the bottom of the courthouse steps. He knew Olivia would kill someone if a picture of him carrying her ended up on the news, or anywhere for that matter.
Once Olivia was buckled into the car, Phillip leaned against the open window. "Change of plans. You're all coming to the mansion. Your entire family and the Wolfe clan. That way you're close to the kids, but the two of you can have some time alone and maybe we can convince the kids to all have a sleepover with Emma and Payton. That way the mayor can also get some adult time in."
"I d-don't know P-Phillip."
"Come on. It's a big house. You'll be close if the kids need you during the night, and if our esteemed mayor agrees," he turned to glance at the woman who was leaning against the car beside him, "she'll be there in case Emma needs her. Come on Olivia, I'd feel better if you came. I think you and Natalia could use a bit of a break. And I would really enjoy some time with Emma."
"D-dirty pool Phillip." He knew she wouldn't say no if he brought up Emma. Every time she was supposed to stay with him since the incident, she's decided she wanted to stay home with her moms and auntie Doris. Phillip really was getting the short end of the stick when it came to their daughter. "F-fine. We'll get Em a-and meet you t-there."
"Thank you Olivia."
Olivia only nodded as he stepped away from the car. Doris leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I'll meet you there with Jamanda and Ashley."
"T-thanks Doris. I hope P-Phillip's plan works and y-you get some time with J-Jamanda."
"Eh, she's nothing special." She joked as she winked at her girlfriend who was standing beside her. "Emma's worth it. We'll see you guys in a bit." With that she and Jamanda strode towards their own car with Ashley following.
Rafe and Ava got into the back seat with Sam as the family headed towards The Beacon to retrieve Emma from Jane. "Hey guys?" Natalia started. "What do you say to us all having a night at the Spaulding Mansion?"
"Why?" Rafe asked.
"Well, we think it might be nice. Have a carefree night with some friends. Doris, Ashley, and Jamanda are coming and James and Daisy will be there too. It would be good for the two of you to spend some time with people your own age and I think Emma might benefit from some time with Payton and her father. This way she won't have to be away from us to do so."
"I guess." Rafe shrugged. He really just wanted to go home where he knew the floor next to his mother's bed was always there waiting for him.
As they pulled into The Beacon parking lot, Olivia turned in her seat and groaned in pain. Natalia quickly grabbed her purse and rummaged through it. "I'm sorry honey. I should have given you this when we got in the car." She pulled out a granola bar and a pain pill, handing them to her wife with the bottle of water from the cup holder. "I'll go grab Em and some clothes for tonight and tomorrow from the suite. I'll be right back." She kissed her wife sweetly and hopped out of the car.
As soon as the door closed Olivia swallowed her pill and tore open the granola bar before facing her children. She reached a hand back for Rafe to take and waved their joined hands towards Ava until she placed hers with theirs. "Ma and I w-will take the s-suite across from Emma's r-room and you two can have the r-room next to ours. J-just like at home you can c-come to our room if y-you need to. Okay?"
"Thanks mom." Ava said. She too needed to know her mom's room was available to her if she needed it during the night. At twenty-seven she felt kind of childish for sneaking into her mom's room every night, but she needed to know she was close and the love her family held for one another made it okay to need them, even if she was far too old to be sleeping with her mommy.
"I think I'm gonna stay here Livvie." Sam told her.
"Sammie…"
"Look Liv, I'm glad you and Phillip buried the hatchet, it's great for Emma, but Phillip Spaulding is still not on my list of people to spend an evening with. I agree this will be good for Emma. I'll stay here and meet you at the courthouse in the morning. I'm sure this handsome nephew of mine has a suit here I can borrow for tomorrow."
"Of course, man." Rafe assured his uncle. "In the closet by the door."
"Thanks. You guys have fun tonight and I'll see ya in the morning."
"Okay S-Sammie. If y-you're sure." Olivia conceded. She knew her brother still wasn't very fond of Phillip.
"I'm sure. I love you Livvie. Try and relax a little tonight."
"I w-will. Thanks Sammie. L-love you."
Sam hugged his niece and nephew and then exited the vehicle. A few minutes later, Natalia and Emma emerged from the lobby. Natalia pulling a suitcase and Emma with her pink back pack. Emma jumped into the back seat wearing a smile Olivia was pleased to see. "Guess what mommy?"
"What J-Jellybean?"
"We all getta have a sleep over at daddy's."
"I know b-baby. Are you e-excited?"
"Yeah, it's gonna be so much fun. Ma said we can ask daddy to order pizza and all watch a movie. She even said I didn't have to go to school tomorrow and we could see if Payton could stay with me and Jane and we can swim at the hotel."
"She did, d-did she?" Olivia looked to her wife who only shrugged as she buckled her seat belt.
Olivia smiled back at her wife. If a day off from school and a sleep over with Phillip would put a smile like that back on her daughter's face, she would do it every day. She pulled Natalia to her by her hand and planted a hot kiss to her lips. 'Ewe's' and 'Moms' sounded from the back seat, but the two women ignored it. This kiss was for their love and the happiness they were working on getting back. Their children would just have to suffer through it.