Chapter 122

Almost a week later, Natalia woke with the sun. She was wrapped tightly in her wife's arms, the sun just peeking through the curtains of their master bedroom. As predicted, it had been hard returning to their room. She and Olivia had both shed more than a few tears. They had melted to the floor of their walk-in closet that first night. Both clinging to one another, tears rushing down their cheeks. They slept with all three of their children piled in with them that night.

Sam had left on the Spaulding jet after helping Rafe and Ava return their downstairs room to the office it once was. Storing the furniture, they had used in the newly finished loft space of the barn. Doris had invited Jamanda to spend the night in the guest room Sam had been using and when Emma joined her mothers in bed, Doris joined her girlfriend. Rafe and Ava had come in to say goodnight to their moms and Emma when they found the three cuddled in bed, all of them crying. The two eldest were quick to change into pajamas and join them in the master bedroom.

The following morning, the five Spencer-Rivera's stayed in bed all snuggled up together. Emma pressed against Natalia, Rafe with his head on Olivia's stomach, and Ava in her usual spot between her siblings. The five talked about what had occurred in that room. They mourned the loss of safety that their home had always held, and then, they dusted themselves off, vowed not to let what Frank had done ruin their home and went to eat breakfast together followed by a short walk in the yard down to the pond.

Sunday night Rafe and Ava returned to their rooms and convinced Emma to sleep with Doris again so their moms could spend a night alone back in their room. It had been a nice evening, the two wrapped in each other's arms, whispering to one another. Exchanging light kisses that turned heated and heavy and before they knew it they were locked in a long slow session of love making.

Monday and Tuesday came and went with Doris, Rafe, and Ava all returning to their jobs and Emma returning to school. Wednesday had been filled with work and visits to Felicia. They had another family session in the morning followed by Rafe's individual session and then in the afternoon both Natalia and Emma had individual sessions. Ava and Olivia still refused so see her alone. No matter how much they both needed to.

Today was Thursday. It was going to be a full day. Olivia had a doctor's appointment to see if she was cleared to go back to work. They had a meeting with Josh scheduled at the house to discuss how the St. Louis project was going. Doris wanted to speak with Emma about her staying in the guest room and Emma attempting to sleep on her own now that Frank was staying in jail. and Ava's apartment was finally complete. She smiled to herself as she thought of just how well things were falling into place since the trial had ended.

Olivia was walking more and more without her cane every day. In fact, it was more there as a precaution then a necessity. Her speech was improving exponentially, she rarely stuttered anymore, mainly only when she was tired or if she talked for too long at once. Emma was nightmare free for the past three nights and no longer clung to Doris like a lifeline in the night. Rafe and Ava had both returned to full days at work and Natalia and Olivia had been working more from home on both Springfield and Chicago business.

Life almost seemed normal again. It was as if Frank being found guilty had flipped a switch and now everyone felt able to actually more forward. Olivia was more like her old self then Natalia could have hoped in such a short time. Rafe seeing Felicia seemed to be making him feel more like himself too. He was self-assured again, stronger, so much like Olivia one would think he had been born a Spencer. Natalia felt confident to leave Olivia for small amounts of time now. She would go to the grocery store or to pick up prescriptions without rushing and calling Olivia every ten minutes.

Ava, although back to full days at The Beacon, and not working herself to death, was still a little off, but definitely getting better every day. She no longer rushed to Olivia with fear in her eyes upon returning home after work. Instead, she causally walked in, removed her coat and gloves, placing them where they belonged, and walked into whatever room she thought Olivia and Natalia might be in. She would greet them both with a kiss on the cheek and then usually head to her room to decompress before dinner.

Emma, their sweet, innocent little girl. She laughed more now. Was more the easygoing child Natalia had first met and less of the frightened girl she had become when Frank started his nonsense. She still had worry lines written on her face at times, she still wanted Michael to accompany her to school, even though their security detail had been released from their duties. She made sure someone set the alarm every night before bed and would ask Olivia to set it when she left for the bus in the morning, but she was returning to herself. Becoming more and more like a carefree nine-year-old girl with every passing moment.

Natalia turned in Olivia's arms so she was facing her. She traced Olivia's features with her eyes. Scanning over the worry-free face of the woman that had come to be her everything. Olivia always looked so peaceful when she slept. Her face devoid of worry and stress. Natalia smiled as she watched her love sleep. She felt Olivia's arms tighten around her. It was amazing how safe she felt being held by Olivia.

No one had ever made her feel as safe as Olivia, not even Gus. When she was a child she felt safe with her family, but not like it was now. She knew her father and older brother would always protect her. She knew her mother and abuela would keep any harm from befalling upon their home. She knew she would lay down her life for her younger sister just as she knew her sister would do for her, but it was different.

There was always an underlying tension in the Rivera house. Her father and brother kept close tabs on her and her sister, barely allowing them to have female friends, let alone associate with boys. Her mother always preached of the safety found in the church and in God. Her grandmother taught her the ways of her country, Puerto Rico, and the love and safety found in their familia.

She never felt safe just being with them. Never felt like she could just be herself and not be the obedient daughter her father and mother trained her to be. The sister who caved to her elder brothers every command and allowed her hermana whatever she desired even when it cost Natalia the things she longed for.

With Olivia everything was different. The safety was real. It wasn't forced as it had been with her family. For the first time in her life, she was free. She could be just Natalia. She didn't have to be anything more than that. Olivia loved her for who she was, not who anyone else wanted her to be. She was safe in every aspect of the word. Olivia would protect her from the evils of the world. She would gladly take a bullet for her, but more than that, she was safe in her own skin. She was safe to be who she really was. She wasn't the obedient daughter or good sister. She wasn't the sixteen-year-old mother or a waitress or maid. She wasn't even the co-owner of three hotels or Olivia Spencer's wife. No, she was Natalia Spencer-Rivera, that was it.

There were a lot of ways to describe Natalia, but Olivia only ever used words that spoke of who she was as a person, not what she did for a living or for her family. Natalia felt safe when Olivia spoke about her because Olivia talked about HER. She used words like beautiful, caring, kind, sweet, loving, intelligent. Olivia spoke of soft skin and shining eyes. Of long thick hair and sculpted legs. Olivia said things like gorgeous smile and sexy ass. She never described Natalia by her past or present job, never by her religion or the fact that she was a teen mom, nope, not once. Olivia spoke of the qualities that made up Natalia's personality and that's what made her feel so very safe and absolutely loved.

Reaching out, Natalia traced across Olivia's brow, down her nose, and then ran her finger lightly across Olivia's lips. Leaning forward, she kissed the tip of her nose, and then her cheek before finally removing her finger from her lips and kissing there, just as Olivia's eyes were opening.

Instead of opening her eyes, Olivia reached a hand to the back of Natalia's head, holding her in place as she deepened the kiss. She ran her tongue along Natalia's bottom lip before pressing inside. Their kiss was slow and sensuous, light, and full of so much love they both gasped as they separated.

"G'morning beautiful." Olivia sleepily stated as she pulled back and met loving eyes smiling back at her.

"Buenos días cariño. ¿Dormiste bien?"

"Mmm, too early. English please." Olivia grumbled as she stretched.

Natalia chuckled. "You're the one that wanted to start leaning Spanish. I said good morning and asked if you slept well." Olivia had decided that she and the girls should learn to speak at least a little of Natalia's native language. Rafe spoke it fluently and Ava knew a little from her time in California, but she and Emma knew very little and it was important to her that Natalia felt like she could truly be herself in their family, and that meant being able to speak in whichever language made her feel most comfortable at any given moment. Olivia was fluent in French and could speak some Italian as well as knowing enough Chinese to get by in the business world, but Spanish was one she had always struggled to learn, only knowing enough to help Emma with her homework, and since Natalia, Olivia rarely even did that.

Olivia wrapped her arms back around her wife and brought their bodies flush together. "Mmm, I slept amazing. As I always d-do when you're in my arms."

Natalia smiled and kissed her again. "I love being in your arms. You make me feel so safe, so loved, and so cherished."

"You are you know? Loved and cherished. And safe, I will always keep you safe sweetheart." Olivia said sincerely, wanting to make certain Natalia knew that every one of those things were true.

"I know. Te amo, Olivia."

"I love you too." Olivia kissed her again, snuggling into her and pressing her nose into her neck, breathing in her scent.

Natalia took the moment to press her nose to Olivia's hair, enjoying the smell of her now familiar shampoo. She kissed the top of her head and then moved to get out of bed, not getting far as Olivia only held on tighter. "Honey, the kids will be up soon, I need to start breakfast, we have a busy day ahead of us."

"Five more minutes." Olivia pleaded.

Natalia giggled, having already known that was coming, and having no problem whatsoever in indulging in Olivia's ever famous five more minutes, but, she was going to make her work for it this morning. "Only if you can say it in Spanish." She smiled to herself.

"Ugg, um, cinco mas minutos?" Olivia questioned, praying she was right.

"Close enough, you switched mas and minutos, but I'll give it to ya this time." She replied with a smile and kiss.

Olivia smiled into another kiss. "Gee, thanks."

Natalia didn't respond to Olivia's sarcastic reply, instead she wrapped both her arms and legs around Olivia's body and held her close while the two closed their eyes and enjoyed the last few minutes of peace and quiet before beginning a long and busy day.

After breakfast and getting all the kids on their way, Olivia and Natalia headed to see Dr. Rick. It would be Olivia's last check up before switching back to her normal six-month checkups for her heart. They would be meeting with Rick as well as her speech path and her physical therapist. Olivia felt better, stronger. She almost felt like herself again. She barely needed her pain meds anymore, she was walking pretty much on her own, and her speech was just about back to normal, but she was still worried. She wanted to be cleared for work. She wanted to get back to the office. She missed working and she really wanted to start planning for the grand opening in St. Louis.

Just as fears started to echo in her mind, the door opened and in walked Rick, his signature smile firmly in place. "Good morning ladies. How are you feeling today?"

"Good. Great. Ready to get back to work and back to my life. So, if you could just tell my overprotective wife here that I'm cleared for work, we can get out of your hair." Olivia said with a smirk.

"Nice try. Let's just see how you're looking and go from there." He stepped closer, taking out his stethoscope to listen to her heart. "Ticker sounds good. Are you having any shortness of breath, chest pains?"

"No and no. Hearts still ticking away."

"Good. And how about your ribs? Still having pain when you walk or breath to heavy?"

"A little pain sometimes, but mainly…" She cut herself off blushing as she looked at Natalia.

"Mainly…oh." Rick said as he realized what she was saying. "Well, um, just try to take it easy on that. Don't work yourself too hard. Now, raise your shirt please, let's see how those bruises are doing."

Olivia lifted her shirt and Rick looked over the area that was no longer purple and black but now only had a tinge of yellow. "Looking good." He poked at her ribs a little. "Any pain when I press here?"

Olivia winced slightly. "A little, but not like it w-was."

"Good. I think it's safe to say your ribs have pretty much healed. I want to take an x-ray just to make sure everything has healed properly." He moved to check the wound that he had stitched at the back of her head. "Any pain back here?" He asked as he put a little pressure where the stitches he removed weeks ago had been.

"Nope. Not since a couple days after you removed the stitches."

"Good. That's good. Your speech seems to be back to normal as well?" He raised an eyebrow in question.

"For the most part. Just a little stutter here and there."

"Alright then. I'm going to send you down for x-rays and when you come back I'll have David and Mallory join us. Mallory said she released you from speech therapy last week?"

"Yup, just have to keep working on it at home."

"That's good. Okay, let's get you down to x-ray."

The three walked down to x-ray together. When Olivia went in, Natalia asked to speak to Rick. He nodded and the two stepped further down the hall to sit in some chairs in the x-ray waiting area. He looked up into her earnest eyes full of worry. "What's up Natalia?"

Natalia bit her bottom lip for a second before releasing it and looking up at him. "Is she really okay Rick?"

Rick grabbed her hand and patted it fondly. "She's going to be fine Natalia. She still has some healing yet to do. Although her ribs seem to be healed, she still has some slight bruising, and she still needs to take it easy, but she's really going to be fine. She just needs to keep doing what she's doing. Don't let her overdo it and she'll be good."

"You sure Rick?" Natalia was so worried about Olivia hurting herself again. She finally had the strong confident woman she fell in love with back and she worried that Olivia going back to work could cause her to reinjure herself somehow, or stress her out too much and make her speech revert.

Sensing her worry, Rick gripped her hand again. "Hey, it's okay. She's not going to get hurt again just because she's going back to work. She's here, she's fine. Stop worrying."

"I can't help it. We've been through so much. With her heart, and now this. I can't, I can't lose her Rick. She means everything to me. I just can't…"

Rick brought the distraught woman into a warm hug. "Hey, hey, stop. It's okay Natalia. Olivia's heart is strong, and she survived all of this. She really is okay Natalia. The cut on her temple has been gone for weeks, the stitches in her head have healed nicely, and her ribs are as good as can be expected. She's walking on her own again, and her speech is all but back to normal. There is nothing to worry about. Okay?"

"Okay." Natalia nodded as she pulled back from the hug and wiped the tears that had silently fallen from her eyes. She heard a door open behind her and turned to see the most beautiful woman she'd even seen walking out with a smile on her face. She couldn't help but smile back.

As she walked forward to meet Rick and Natalia who stood from their seats, Olivia noticed the slight puffiness around Natalia's eyes. Before she could speak, her arms were filled with a sobbing Latina. Bringing her arms up around her wife, she looked at Rick questioningly. He merely shrugged and headed back to Olivia's room, giving the women a few moments.

Olivia stroked Natalia's hair as she held her tight. "Hey, hey. What's wrong sweetheart?" She asked, kissing the side of her head.

Natalia pulled back slightly but remained in Olivia's arms. "Nothing, nothing's wrong. Let's go finish up with Rick." She made to move toward the room, wiping her eyes once more, but Olivia refused to let her go.

"Hey, no. Tell me. Why are you so upset?"

Natalia looked into worried green eyes. "Really, it's nothing. I was just being silly."

"No, I know you Natalia, something is bothering you."

"Really Olivia…" She started, but stopped, knowing Olivia wasn't going to let it go. "I was just scared, worried about you."

Now Olivia was scared. "Did Rick tell you something?" She asked almost frantically.

Natalia cupped her face in her hands. "No, no, he said you were fine. It was just me. Olivia, we have been in this hospital more times then I care to remember. You have been close to death more than any one person ever should be. When I think about you going back to work, back into the world, I just, it scares me okay. I couldn't handle it if anything else happened to you."

Understanding dawned on Olivia as Natalia spoke. She held Natalia a little tighter and kissed her sweetly. "Nothing is going to happen to me baby. My heart is strong, the new meds Rick started me on after the new pacemaker are working better then we could have hoped. Frank is l-locked up and there is no one else in this town, still alive, crazy enough to come after me or our f-family. Everything is going to be fine honey. I promise."

"You can't promise that."

"I can, and I did. No one and nothing is ever going to take me away from you again."

Natalia knew it wasn't possible for Olivia to promise such a thing, but she let the subject drop. Olivia was here now, alive, and healthy, that's all that mattered. "Okay." She kissed her once more and stepped away, taking Olivia's hand, and leading them back to the room. "Let's go finish up with Rick, David, and Mallory so we can get out of here."

The two finished at the doctor fairly quickly. David released Olivia from therapy at the hospital with a referral for Christina to help her at home as she had after Olivia's heart transplant. Once a week until Christina felt it was no longer needed. A month at the very least. Mallory was very pleased with her speech and confirmed what she had the previous week, Olivia no longer needed to see her, just continue to exercise her speech at home and not get discouraged when she does stutter. She assured them that the rare stutter would disappear in time just as the constant stutter had. Rick released Olivia back to work under strict orders not to stress herself. He suggested she start out with half days and conceded that she could work a few hours at home as well if it kept Olivia from diving straight back into eight and ten-hour days at the office.

After leaving the hospital, the two decided on getting lunch before heading home to meet with Josh. Walking into Company, the two took a deep breath as they noticed Buzz standing behind the bar. It was the first time they had seen him since the trial and they were a bit worried about how he would be. They knew he was on their side, but his son would be spending a very long time in jail because of them and they couldn't be certain there would be no hard feelings.

As they took a seat at their usual booth, Buzz approached them with a smile, sensing their unease. "Must be my lucky day, two beautiful ladies coming into my fine establishment." He said with a smile, hoping to diffuse any tension.

Olivia smiled at her old friend. "Hey there old man, you got a Buzz burger for me?"

"For you, anything. You want onion rings too?"

"Of course, what's a Buzz burger without onion rings." She stated as a matter of fact.

Buzz smiled, happy that the tension seemed to have left both women. "And will her better half be having the same?" He asked, directing his smile to Natalia.

"You know, I think I will. With extra onions and two cokes please." Natalia smiled at him.

"Ooo, you're letting her completely off her diet I see." He said with a chuckle.

"Well, today is a special day. She got the all clear from Rick as well as her speech pathologist and her physical therapist." She turned from Buzz to Olivia. "But don't you think for a second that your diet won't be coming back tomorrow."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Olivia drawled dryly.

"Alright ladies, I'll go get this started for you. And congratulations Olivia, I'm glad you're doing so much better."

"Thanks Buzz." With a sincere smile, the man turned on his heel and headed for the kitchen.

No sooner had he disappeared, did Marina appear at their table, looking ragged and tired. "What are you doing here?" she demanded. "You and your dike lover are not welcome here."

Olivia made to stand her face signaling she was more than willing, and completely ready, for a fight with Marina Cooper. Natalia reached over and placed a hand on her wrist. Calming her instantly. "Marina, what happened with your father, it's not Olivia's fault. If you're looking for someone to blame, blame me. I was the one who didn't want to be with him. I was the one who refused all of his advances. It's because of me that he attacked Olivia and it's because of that, that he will be in prison for a very long time. It was his choices that landed him where he's at, but if you refuse to place blame where it belongs, then blame me. None of this was Olivia's fault. All she ever did was love me."

Marina looked at Natalia and then glanced around her, several patrons were on their feet glaring at her with disgust. "What the hell is wrong with you people? Have you all forgotten who Olivia Spencer is? She's a fucking bitch. She's made everyone's life miserable for years, and now here you all are, defending her, protecting her. What the fuck?"

Olivia did stand then, she looked Marina straight in the eye and very calmly stated her piece. "You're right. You are absolutely right. I did ruin lives. I took what I wanted and didn't care who I stomped on to get it. I lied, cheated, and manipulated just about everyone I came across. I stole h-husbands, made underhanded business deals, and hell, I've even got an attempted m-murder charge or two under my b-belt. But you know the difference between me and your father? I did it without l-lying to myself about it. I knew who I was and what I was doing.

You know what's more? I t-take responsibility for the wrongs I've c-committed, the people I h-hurt. I own it, and I've worked hard to redeem myself for it. Lest you forget Marina, Frank Cooper was not always the good g-guy everyone saw him as the past several years. He has a past as s-shady as the rest of us. And when he didn't get his way, he fell back on that past, and worse, he escalated to actually hurting p-people. People he claimed to care about. Me, sure, I can see why he did what he did to m-me. My past with him and your f-family is far from pretty, but Natalia, Rafe, the very people he claimed he was p-protecting.

Why hurt them Marina? Why assault the woman he claims to love? Why threaten her son, the one he wanted to be a f-father to, why point a gun at him? Huh? Here's why Marina, because Frank Cooper is no better than me when it comes right d-down to it. He's just as shady, underhanded, m-manipulative, bitter, calculated, and downright c-cold. He wanted something, or rather, someone, and when she refused him, he fell back into his old s-self, only this time his crimes were far worse than some chopped cars or keeping stolen m-money. This wasn't some pretend broken bone to get Natalia's attention, no, this, this was damn close to m-murder. You want to blame someone for your father ending up in jail, well take a drive Marina, straight to the state prison. That's where you'll find the only person to blame for Frank Cooper landing himself in p-prison, Frank Cooper."

The crowd around them erupted in applause as Buzz came from the kitchen to drag Marina away before she said anything else. He was going to have to sit down and have a serious talk with his granddaughter, but for now, he simply took her through the kitchen and to the back door, telling her she needed to go home for the day and he would be by later to talk with her.

He went back into the diner, grabbing Olivia and Natalia's order from the kitchen on his way. He was glad to see that the diner had returned to order with everyone back in their seats. Blake had delivered the wives their drinks and was chatting with them about their kids when he approached.

He set the food down and looked at the two apolitically. "Sorry about her, she's just having a rough go of it. She'll get past this, just give her some time."

"It's okay Buzz, we understand." Natalia said, squeezing his arm. "Maybe we should get this to go, and maybe not come in for a while."

"Nonsense. I sent Marina home for the day, and if anyone needs to stay away from awhile, it's her. You and your family are always welcome here."

Olivia stood again and hugged the man she had almost married. "Thank you Buzz. I know this can't be easy for you." She whispered in his ear before kissing his cheek and retaking her seat.

"Don't sweat it kid." He gave a sad smile before turning back to the kitchen.

The two finished their lunch, chatting about this and that before returning to their home with about an hour to spare before Josh would arrive. They, of course, invited Reva and Collin to join them at the farmhouse, knowing she would be missing Josh after his weeklong trip to St. Louis.

They were cuddled up on the couch with a fire roaring, kissing and talking quietly when the phone rang. Olivia, who was sitting next to the phone, answered in her ever-famous business voice. "Olivia Spencer-Rivera."

"Hello." A shy female voice sounded from the phone.

"Yes. Who are you calling for?"

"I'm looking for Natalia Rivera."

As the voice sounded again over the line, stronger this time. Olivia's face paled a little. If she wasn't looking at her, she would have sworn it was her wife on the phone. At Olivia's questioning features, Natalia's interest peaked. "Who is it?" She whispered. Olivia put up a finger, signaling for her to wait a minute.

"Can I ask who's calling?" She questioned into the phone.

"Isabel. Isabel Rivera. I'm her sister."

Olivia fully turned to face Natalia, her mouth hanging open. "Um, give me a second, let me see if she's available." She muted the phone and lowered it from her ear. "Um, Natalia, sweetheart…"

Natalia was worried by the look on her wife's face. Curious as to whom could be on the other end of the phone and fearful as to exactly why her wife looked so stunned. "What? Who is it Olivia?"

"Um, it's uh, it's your sister."

It was Natalia's mouth that was gaping open now. Her face became ashen and her breathing quickened. She hadn't heard from a single member of her family in twenty years. She couldn't imagine why any of them would be calling her now. A million questions buzzed in her mind. Why was Isabel calling? How had she gotten her phone number? Did she know where she lived? Did she know she married a woman? Was she calling to scold her as their parents had when she was sixteen and pregnant? So many questions.

Isabel was two years younger than her. When Natalia left home, Isabel had only been fourteen. She remembered hearing her scream from the living room as their father packed a bag before taking Natalia to the home for unwed mothers. Isabel had been furious that their parents were kicking her out. But she had never reached out to Natalia. Never tried to find her. Never showed any sign after that day that she even cared about her older sister and the child she had been carrying.

Natalia took a few deep breaths, trying to calm her racing mind. Only after several deep breaths did she realize that Olivia had pulled her into comforting arms and was rubbing her back soothingly. Whispering that it was all okay. That she had her. After a few more relaxing breaths, Natalia sat up straight again and looked at Olivia. Fear evident in her eyes.

"Hey, hey." Olivia said, trying to gain her attention. "You don't have to talk to her. Now or ever. I can get a number from her and you can decide after you've had time to think."

"No, no, I'll talk to her." She reached for the phone, giving Olivia a small smile.

Olivia didn't release the phone right away. Instead, she studied Natalia's telltale eyes. Searching brown for any sign that she shouldn't allow this. Finding fear, but also curiosity and hope, she allowed Natalia to take the phone. Leaning forward, she kissed Natalia gently. Wanting to convey that she was there for her. She gave several soft kisses as she herd the sounds of gravel crunching beneath tires outside. Josh and Reva had arrived. With one final sweet kiss. A kiss of love and support. She stood to go out on the porch and allow Natalia some privacy.